Chapter 8: Aftershock
He had run the moment he heard his name whispered quietly in his head.
The fog had cleared, and Jacqueline was back, and she was falling, and Jack had made it just in time to catch her.
"Jacquie!" Elle shot up and ran towards the sprites, dusting off snow as she went. She slid to a stop beside Jack, and knelt in the snow. "Is she okay?"
"She's unconscious...but she's breathing. Which is very reassuring, really."
It had only been two or three seconds since she fell when the crunch of footsteps reached their ears. Elle looked up, relieved to see Santa and Bernard approaching.
"What happened?" Santa asked, Bernard close at hand.
"We're not sure," Elle said.
"Is she okay?" Bernard asked. "How long has she been out for?"
"Literally five seconds," Elle began. "Where's the—"
Jacqueline gasped for air, sitting up very fast. She grimaced and held her ears. "Why am I on the floor?!" she asked, a tad too loud. "My ears are RINGING, WOW." She pressed down on both of her tragus, blinking a couple of times as well.
"Jacquie! Thank goodness you're okay!" Elle said, hugging her tightly.
"What happened?" Jacqueline asked, patting Elle's back.
"We were hoping you'd be able to tell us that," Santa replied, panting. "Wow! What a run!"
"Well," Jacqueline said, folding her hands together and placing them on her knees. She looked down, deep in thought. "I was talking to Elle about running up Jack's tab..." she squinted. "And there was. Something? Something was..." She looked up, pale. "I can't remember," Jacqueline said. "I can't remember, but there was something and I had to get—get..."
"Get like grab? You were grabbing something?" Santa asked.
"Get rid of?" Jack asked.
"Get out of something?" Elle asked.
"I can't remember!" Jacqueline said. "Why can't I remember?"
"Hey kid, don't worry. It'll be alright. I'm sure you'll remember soon enough. Especially something like this," Bernard said, gesturing behind them.
Jacqueline shuffled forwards on her knees, peering around Jack. The square was a bit of a mess. Nasty miniature snowdrifts lined the square unevenly. Icicles were all over the place—in every surface, all over the floor. The sides of the Grille and the shop across the street from it all had round pops of snow stuck to them, as though snowballs had hit the wall really hard and then splattered against them. That's actually exactly what they were, Jacqueline realized. But she hadn't—she looked down at her hands. Had she?
"Wait a second," she finally said. "Do you all mean to tell me that I did all of that?"
Santa shrugged. Bernard rubbed the back of his neck and looked away.
"Yeah," Elle finally said, reluctantly. "You did."
"Elle and I watched, and tried to stop you. You were really set on whatever it was you were set on."
"I wish I could remember what it was," Jacqueline said, frustrated.
"Did someone call for a medic?!" A young elf had arrived on scene, a medical bag on their back and a small syringe with a clear liquid in their hand.
"What the frost is that?!" Jacqueline asked, shying away from the needle.
"Sedative," said the medic. Elle tensed; Bernard's arm flung in front of her. "I was told you may need it but you don't look like you need to be sedated."
"Who said she needed to be sedated?!" Jack demanded.
"Some of the elves running in. I know they weren't official orders, but I thought it best to be prepared for anything and everything!" The medic said with a grin, and a little fist pump.
"Okay, maybe put the sedative away please?" Bernard suggested, since the elf talked with their hands and the needle was moving around very, very threateningly for some of them.
"Right-O, sorry about that!" They opened the bag and placed the needle in a case. "I'll dispose of that properly back in the Elfirmiry! Now then! Miss Frost! How're you feeling?"
"Fine. I'm really, honestly, properly fine," she said, shooing away her friends and getting up. She winced, and stumbled a bit. Steadying, she rubbed her head and squinted. "yeah. Absolutely, totally fine. What are you doing?"
"Trying to check your vitals but you're not staying still!" said the medic.
"Because I'm fine. Really. But thank you for your concern…"
"Jamie! Jamie the Medic! It's a pleasure."
"Right. Thanks for your concern Jamie, but I'm honestly okay."
"Aside from forgetting everything that just happened?!" Jack said, standing up.
"You WHAT?!" said Jamie the Medic. "Jacqueline, I have to insist, we need to take you to the Elfirmiry RIGHT AWAY!"
"This is an absolute mess. Here! Let me help clean it up!"
"There's really no need, Jacqueline," Bernard said, gently pushing her hand down. "Elle and I can handle this just fine. You really should go straight to the Elfirmiry."
"As much as I hate to say this, he's right, Jacqueline," said Jack. "That was…A lot just happened. There was definitely something wrong there, and then you just conked out, like that," he said, snapping his fingers. "You should really go and rest."
Touched by her brother's concern, Jacqueline looked away, surveying the damage. "Okay. I will. Right after I help clean this mess up!"
"Please don't use your powers, Jacqueline! Not so soon after. Y'know. FAINTING."
"Elle, I am perfectly fine! And if I can help in any way, I really much rather do that. Woo, dizzy spell."
"And you DON'T think you need to go to the Elfirmary?!" Both Jack and Jamie said at the same time.
"I probably just got up too fast, it's fine," she added, walking through everyone to face the mess head on.
The group all shared a concerned look. Up too fast? She'd been standing for a solid minute or so!
"Did I…did I hurt anyone?" Jacqueline asked, cautiously, glancing behind her.
"Well, if you're asking, my face did get—" Bernard, Santa, and Elle all glared at Jack, effectively cutting him off. "Everyone's fine! Nobody's hurt! It wasn't even my good side, really," he finished, with a less than enthused smile.
"Good," Jacqueline said, relieved. "Now then, let me see what I can do about this mess."
Ignoring the torrent of protest that everyone immediately spouted, Jacqueline rushed forward, until she was in the center of the mess. She took a deep breath in, closed her eyes, shifted back and stretched out her hands. The icicles impaled in the buildings and grown began to shake. Jacqueline brought her hands forwards, slowly, and the shaking icicles popped out of the walls and came to rest, gently floating in front of her. The shards of ice all over the square zipped out of the snow and followed, joining the massive floating ice pile, waiting.
Opening her eyes, Jacqueline grinned. "Nice! Now where to put this all…" still holding her arms out, she glanced around the square. Too close to the shops, that location would be too close to the Workshop entrance. Oh! That was a nice corner spot! But that was too close to the road, it would disrupt traffic. Her eyes landed on the Merry-Go-Round, and she grinned. "It's perfect!"
Still grinning, Jacqueline turned in her spot, arms still outstretched. The swath of ice followed, flattening out as it soared over the heads of her friends, conjuring quite the breeze. The sheet of ice settled a foot or so away from the Merry-Go-Round, settling into the freshest ice rink you had ever seen!
"Ta-da!" Jacqueline said, gesturing to her ice rink like the lady who gestured to the words on the board in Wheel of Fortune. "All fixed! And look!" She twirled around again, conjuring a fierce wind as she did. The glass shards, bouncy ball remains, intact bouncy balls, and broken ornaments were all blown together in one convenient pile.
Jack sighed. "And you all think I'm a show off."
"It doesn't look like she's going above and beyond, or over-exerting herself. She's just being helpful," Elle said, crossing her arms.
"It would be helpful if she would listen and go to the Elfirmary," Jack said.
"I mean, it seems like she's fine. She just created a whole ice rink in the middle of my courtyard," Santa said.
"She should definitely go to the Elfirmary," Bernard said.
"Thank you Bernie! At least someone here is talking sense!"
"Don't call me that."
"I think that's about everything now," Jacqueline said. "Oh, wait! Those windows don't look too good. I can fix those!"
"Jacqueline, we have a department for that!"
"It's no use Santa, she's as stubborn as me," Jack said, sighing in frustration.
"They're not even that badly damaged! It's just a few cracks, really Jacqueline, we can handle that!"
Jacqueline didn't reply. Instead, she approached the broken windows and placed her hands on them. Frost spread out all over the window, coating the frame, filling the cracks, and mixing with the glass. Closing her fists, the ice solidified until it was clear enough to see right through—and hopefully, sturdy enough to hold until they could be replaced properly.
"There! I'm sure this has set you a little more ahead in catching up now," she said, hands on her hips.
"It wasn't that bad to begin with," Elle repeated.
"It was maybe a little bad. Definitely worse than yesterday." Bernard said. "But only a little!" he added, in response to glares from both Jack and Elle. "It'll be easy to replenish the balls and the ornaments. We'll just use the pantograph," Bernard added.
"And I already called construction to fix the structural damage," Elle added.
"Look at the three of us go! We are so on top of things," Jacqueline said, slinging her arms over the two head elves and squishing them. "We make quite the team, don't we?"
"Okay, that's enough out of you," Jack said. He stared at the trio and made a shooing motion with his hands. Jacqueline looked clueless. Both elves sighed and gently slipped out of Jacqueline's hug.
She crossed her arms. "C'mon. C'mon, that was impressive, right? Right?"
"It really was, and you couldn't imagine how proud I'd be if it wasn't for the fact that you literally just had a magical faint, Jacqueline."
"Proud?!" Santa asked, sounding nearly distraught.
"Well, yeah! She learnt from the best," Jack said with a smirk.
"I can tell," Bernard said. "Especially since she's just run away from the problem at hand to go skating."
"Wait, what?" both Santa and Jack said, turning towards the rink.
Sure enough, Jacqueline had slipped away and gone onto the ice, skating around the perimeter. As she went, a four inch border of snow popped out of the ground, marking the area that the ice rink was now taking up.
"She sure did learn from the best, huh Jack?"
"Oh, quiet you."
"Someone really oughta take her to the Elfirmiry."
"Maybe drag her," said Santa.
"I can go talk to her," Elle began, only to crash into Jack's outstretched arm.
"No need, Ellington. I'll handle it."
"You sure Jack?" Santa said.
"Absolutely. It's what big brothers do, after all, right? No more running away from problems. I think I've done that a bit too much in my life time, as Bernard has so obviously pointed out."
"I thought I was being pretty subtle," Bernard said.
Elle snorted. "No you didn't."
He shrugged in response, with a cheeky grin.
"Look, you guys go do whatever it is you need to be doing right now. I'll take care of Jacqueline."
"If you cant get her to the Elfirmiry, at least make sure she rests," said Jamie the Medic, who had been watching bemused from the sidelines. "Any of us Medics can pop in to check on her as well. Hismus may insist once he hears about this, anyway."
"I'll get her to the Elfirmiry. If you don't mind waiting around, that is."
"Yeah, sure thing Mr. Frost," Jamie said, saluting.
"Well if you've got this under control, I've got some letters to read. If you need anything Jack, let me know."
"Sure thing, Santa."
"B and I will be around here for a little bit too. If you need reinforcements—"
"I'll holler. Thanks, Elle."
Jack made his way leisurely to the ice rink as the clean up crew got outside. He watched Jacqueline from a distance. She skated around, and seemed okay. She wasn't, though. She looked tired, and kept rubbing her temples. The tell tale signs of a headache, perhaps?
How's your head? Jack thought at Jacqueline, stopping at the edge of the rink.
She frowned at him. I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh please, Jack thought back, hopping onto the ice and sliding alongside Jacqueline. Rubbing your head? Nasty little dizzy spell over there? Ears ringing? Sounds like somebody has a migraine coming on.
Jacqueline sighed. "Okay fine, yes, maybe a little. I just…" she took a deep breath in. "I don't know what that was. I have no idea what happened, and no memory of any of it and I'm…" scared, she finished mentally. I'm scared.
It's okay to be scared, Jacqueline. It was a scary moment, after all. Even I was frightened. You don't have to go in detail about it if you don't feel comfortable, but you should get a once over by a medical professional regardless.
"I'll stick by you the entire time," Jack added, out loud.
"Promise?"
"Promise! I mean, look how scary our escort is!" he gestured to Jamie the Medic, who was waiting patiently by the lower Workshop doors. "I can't leave you alone with them."
Jacqueline laughed. "Okay. I'll go," she said, hopping off of the ice rink. Jack smirked. Success! He thought to himself as he slid off the ice as well.
"Good, because this rink is fast filling up with munchkins. Come now, let's get a move on!"
Nodding, Jacqueline followed her brother silently, the medic only too happy to escort them to the Elfirmiry.
After much protest from Carol's parents, as well as Bernard upon his return, and from the rest of the elves after Buddy had been born, the renovations for the Elfirmiry had been completely overhauled. The original Elfirmiry was now a first-aid office, and the proper Elfirmiry had been relocated inside the Workshop. It was now its own whole wing, and far more functional then it had been before. Now a couple of other doctors had been able to assist Hismus instead of just the nurses, and a whole team of medics were put together to monitor the floor and man the first aid office.
After fussing over her a bit more, Jamie finally let Hismus look her over.
"Everything appears to be normal," Hismus had said. "As for the headache, take some acetaminophen and rest. We can check in the morning to see how your head is."
"What about the memory loss?" Jack had asked, ignoring the glare Jacqueline sent his way.
"Well, there's a lot of things it could be. Maybe you somehow sustained a concussion, though eyewitness reports and firsthand reports suggest that you did not, and the medical report confirms that," he said, with a laugh. "You could have blocked out what happened. Perhaps your brain did that to protect you? I know sprites tend to be more receptive to emotions," he said, with yet another laugh. "Really, if we wanted to definitively find out, we have a whole host of tests we could perform," he had finished, pulling out a very long list and handing it to Jacqueline.
She read the first few and grimaced. "Yeah I think I'll uh, pass on those," she said, throwing the list into Jack's chest. He had grimaced too, when he read it, and was more than happy to crumple it up and throw it into the nearest waste bin.
"There's also a list of magical tests—"
"I think we'll pass on those for now too," Jack interjected before the doctor could reach the second, even longer list, noting his sister's look of distaste.
"Do think about them, though. I'm sure Adrira would be more than happy to help if it's a magical situation. She is our resident expert on magical ailments and such."
"I will absolutely think about that," Jacqueline said, trying very hard to stealthily slid off of the bed and run out of there as fast as she could.
"Excellent!" Hismus said, laughing. "Take some Fae Brand, get some rest, and stay in minimal light. Try to get some sleep. And the headache should be gone by morning."
And so, Jacqueline had listened. Not like she had much of a choice, really. Between all the medical staff and her brother and Elle and Bernard, if she decided to go about her business and they had found out? Yikes. Besides, her head really was hurting and she did want to try and sleep it off.
Jack was walking with her back to her room, the silence comfortable, which was a nice change. Yesterday's tense walk up to the walls felt so long ago. Something was off, though. There was just something about Jack's demeanor that was concerning her. Sure he seemed nonchalant, walking with his hands in his pockets, casually strolling, but he was very quiet. Mentally, as well. It seemed like he was in deep thought about…something.
Jacqueline thought for a moment before she spoke. "Anything you want to share, Jack?"
"Not really, no. I was just…thinking about your little storm back there. Bit of a sudden flurry, don't you think?"
"Flurries are nice," Jacqueline pointed out. "That wasn't very nice. That was…"
"Scary."
"Yeah."
"Do you remember anything that happened before that storm?"
Jacqueline's forehead wrinkled as she tried to recall. "Barely. It's like. I keep trying to remember, and then I think I do, but then my head hurts even more and just pbbt," she said, blowing a raspberry. "Nothing. Nada. Zip, zilch, zero. Just. One minute talking to Elle, the next minute about to fall over. But it was like…"
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Jack said suddenly. "I shouldn't have asked—"
"—No, it's okay," Jacqueline spoke over Jack, interrupting him. "It's hard to explain. I kept. Seeing something, I think, and then, I think someone was thinking at me—" she held her head, squinting.
"Someone was thinking at you? Like a little voice, perchance?"
"I can't remember what it was," her grip tightened.
"It's okay! It's okay, Jacqueline," Jack said, stopping and placing his hand on her shoulder. She let go of her head, looking a little red.
They were in front of her door now. Jaqueline's eyes looked watery. She rubbed them on her sleeve, and sighed.
"Hey, chin up sister dear. A bit of rest, and then you can go right back to kicking my butt!"
She smiled, overcome with exhaustion now. "I look forward to it."
"Now get in there and get some rest, go on now. And Jacqueline…if you do remember anything, or feel like talking about it at all, or the suggestions Hismus gave us—the less invasive ones—or whatever, I'm…I'm just a thought away.
She nodded, swinging the door open and sliding in. "Thanks Jack."
"You're welcome," he said, as she gently closed the door.
It was amazing, really, Jacqueline thought in the early hours of the next morning. A few days ago, she hadn't heard from her brother at all. Now, he was a constant presence in her mind and was being ruthless in his older brother duties.
She lay in front of the fireplace, wrapped in the duvet face down on the floor. The cold was helping with the headache. She had taken the pain killers, at the doctor's suggestion. Well, had had to so Jack would stop nagging her and making her headache far worse than it was. It had alleviated a bit, though it was still a very small annoyance. Much like a certain brother, to be honest.
She sighed, realizing she had read the same page of The Deathly Hallows over and over again.
Everything okay?
"It was just a sigh!" Jacqueline said out loud (and thought).
I'm just checking! You never know.
She took a deep breath before continuing.
I'm fine Jack. The headache is barely there. Aside from that…nothing's changed. Why do you insist on checking up on me every time you hear the littlest noise?!
There was a long moment of silence before she got a reply.
I lost my sister out of my own selfishness fourteen hundred years ago. I just got her back. I don't want anything to happen to her, so excuse me for being ever so vigilant.
Jacqueline blinked, completely thrown off. There was another long silence before she replied to Jack.
Thanks, she thought at him.
Jack's thoughts became dormant as he fell back asleep, Jacqueline sighing in relief. She tried to find her place in the book again when she was interrupted by a knocking at the door. She grinned when she noted the familiar presence in her mind asking to come in.
"Like a door would stop you," Jacqueline shouted at the door.
Elle threw open the door, marching into the room. "I'm being polite, but if you want me to just kick the door in and shout every time I come see you, let me know!" she teased, gently closing the door, an envelope in her hand.
"Is that for me?" Jacqueline asked noticing the envelope.
"Cutting straight to the point, I see," she said, looking around the room. "Are you invisible?"
"Just hiding," Jacqueline said, sitting up, the duvet wrapped around her like a cloak. The couch had been blocking her from Elle's view, though Jacqueline could see her friend clearly through the space underneath the couch.
"Can you turn invisible?"
"Sorta," Jacqueline said. "Both on command and unintentionally. It's hard to explain."
"Ah," Elle said, walking around the couch. "Like the perception filter on the TARDIS in Doctor Who?"
Jacqueline's sentence died in her throat. "Yeah, like the TARDIS's perception filter. Exactly like that."
"Well that explains a lot," Elle said, thinking back to the countless times she could've sworn Jacqueline was nearby, but hadn't seen her.
"Come join me," Jacqueline said, holding out the duvet. Elle sat down on the floor beside her, grabbing the other side of the blanket and throwing it over her shoulders.
"Hmm, toasty in here. And yet you still have popsicle hands."
"I'm a personified pile of snow, I can't help it!"
"See, I always assumed you wouldn't feel the cold because of that, but instead you're constantly seeking out warmth. Like a lizard," Elle said, with a chuckle.
"I think it's the heat sprite blood. Cause Mom never bundles and when any of us are like hmm it's chilly, she's like is it really? Like she can't feel it. Which makes sense, since she's immune to the cold."
"Speaking of! This is for you," she said, passing the letter to Jacqueline.
"From home?"
"Yep!"
Jacqueline grabbed the letter. It was Winter's writing sure enough, the Canadian address for the North Pole written on it. She flipped it around, the return address on the flap of the envelope confirming that it was in fact from home.
"Yeah, I left pretty fast and said I'd be right back. Two days ago. I guess I'll have to write them back eventually," she said, placing the letter on the coffee table behind them, and snuggling back up against Elle. She rested her head on the elf's shoulders. "Not too cold?"
Elle snorted. "My guy, we are bundled in a very warm duvet, in front of a very warm fire. Not even your ice cream head could make it too cold right now."
"Good."
They were silent for a moment, watching the fire crackle merrily.
"Have you thought about what you're going to tell your parents?"
Jacqueline sighed. "No. I'm not even sure I should tell them about the blackout."
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
"Jack suggested flurry, but flurries are nice, and that was terrifying. How could I just forget everything like that?"
Elle paused. "If you feel up to it at all, I could maybe try and help with that. I'm not sure how but I have a feeling the telepathy may come in handy with that. But only if you want to! I don't want to. You know."
Jacqueline nodded, well aware of Elle's thoughts in terms of telepathy and personal head-space. "I know. And I dunno if that will help. I try to remember, I really do, but it actually hurts when I try. And I have this feeling that it might be a magical thing. I'm not going to dwell on it, though. It happened once and I'm hoping it won't happen again. I mean, it hasn't so far."
"I don't think you should brush it off, Jacquie."
She sighed. "I know. But it was bad, and I did so much damage! Bernard's probably so mad at me."
"Oh please! You guys go way back, and has he ever been upset with you?"
Jacqueline pouted. "No, not rightly upset ever. He's always been understanding and supportive and such. You lucked out, Elle," Jacqueline said, with a playful nudge.
"I know," Elle replied. "He's just worried about you, snow buddy. We all are. We just want to make sure you're A-Okay, pal. That's why I came to check up on you! The letter was really an excuse. It's been impossible to come see you! Jack's really on that over-protective business, huh?"
"UGH. Don't get me STARTED! I'm basically under room arrest. The littlest sound, cough, sneeze, or sigh and BAM there he is in my head, making sure I haven't died or whatever."
"Hmm."
"What?"
"He really cares about you, you know. That's so odd to see! Jack caring about other people's feelings and whatnot."
"That makes two of us. I'd never have imagined that when he returned, he'd be thawed and considerate and over protective as SLEET," she said the last part extra loud. Elle got the sense she was making sure Jack heard that thought.
"Tell me about it," she said. "It took me forever to get used to it. It was so strange seeing him all melted and such, being nice and what have you all over the Pole. Especially after everything he did to me and B."
"The pocket watch incident, right. Did we have a snazzy name for that?"
"Watchverse, because the pocket watch incident was such a mouthful. I'm surprised you're still saying it!"
"Right! Watchverse! You've told me that! I still think that's a real good name for it."
Elle smiled. "Considering you're in the same boat, it's kind of surprising to me that you've adjusted so well. And that you used the word when instead of if."
Jacqueline was silent for a bit. "I've always wanted him to come back, deep down. That's probably why it's been so easy. For me."
"And the year you had to cool off."
"Hmm. Yeah, that too."
"He really has changed."
"Yeah, and I'm dying to get him back in working order. He looks like a nerd!"
"You should've seen him when he thawed. His hair was all neat and tidy, apparently."
Jacqueline laughed. "So he's gone from geek to nerd, eh?"
Elle snorted. "So I've been told."
Both girls descended into a fit of giggles. Once they had stopped, looked at each other and started up again, then properly stopped, Jacqueline leant against the coffee table and sighed. "I guess I should read that letter now."
"Please do! I'm dying to know what it says. It's hefty," Elle said, as Jacqueline conjured a sharp piece of ice and sliced open the letter. A very thick sheet of paper slid out. Jacqueline opened it up. It had four or five folds to it and upon closer inspection, looked more like parchment paper.
Jacqueline snorted. "It looks like Blaise started writing it, and then Winter grabbed it from him. And he was very dramatic about it."
"I can't wait to hear this," Elle said, as Jacqueline began reading silently.
Dearest Jacqueline,
When you didn't appear back at home after Bernard came to fetch you, we assumed that you'd been detained at the Pole and decided to write you. Hopefully this letter finds you well! How's it going up North? A magical place, it is, though I can't recall the last time I was there. I do remember the atmosphere, though—made me feel six-hundred all over again! Did you know that the Workshop molds itself to every Santa? Imagine that! It's constantly changing and I couldn't begin to imagine what it looks like now!
Before your Mother takes over, as I am sure she is itching to do (she's reading over my shoulder and keeping me on track, and while I do love her it is quite odd to have her in my office for this long), I best get straight to the point, shall I? Why have they enacted the Legate Law? Is it…your brother? Has he returned? In what state?
We haven't heard from Mother Nature, as of yet. Hopefully she sends us a bird soon, or you reply to us! We're very proud of you, stepping up like this. Though admittedly, we are a little worried. Stay strong snow angel, and stay safe, okay?
I'm wrapping this up quickly as your Mother has already conjured her favourite pen and is currently attempting to yank the paper away from me. We miss you lots, the Twins are quite the handful when there's one less winter sprite here!
I'll give this to your Mother now, before she smudges my writing.
Sure enough, the ink did smudge a bit. Jacqueline laughed quietly, imagining her Dad writing slower just to tease Winter. She straightened the paper, turning her attention now to the blue gel pen on the page.
Hello Jacqueline dear, do ignore your father, he's being quite silly!
I am not! She did yank the parchment away from me. And she's in my chair now!
He is being silly and should stop writing over my shoulder! Let me try this again…
Jacqueline could almost imagine their playfulness while writing this letter. Her parents had been much more touchy-touchy in front of the kids since last year. It was a nice change, but a little gross at times. Trying not to imagine the plethora of kisses Winter had most likely given Blaise to get her turn writing, she turned her attention back to her Mother's paragraphs.
Hello Jacqueline darling!
That's better, isn't it? It's been only two days or so without you (perhaps three, depending on how fast the post is) and we already miss you quite a bit. The house is fairly warm right now and quite frankly I'm concerned I may melt any second! I imagine the North Pole is quite cold, a welcome relief from here, to be frank. How is it? Are you eating well? Are you comfortable? Did Mother Nature tell you why you were summoned when you arrived? All we know is that they had to enact the Legate Law. Ah Bernard, he really should have taken the time to give us more details.
I suspect, though, that the answer is quite obvious, isn't it? It's your brother, I'm sure. Has something happened? Is what you felt true? Has he been thawed? I'm sure you've seen for yourself by now. Are you alright? Adjusting well? How about your brother?
On that note, I wanted to give you a little bit of advice, if my suspicions are correct. I know you're very upset at your brother. I understand completely. But don't let that get in the way of restoring balance; don't let that anger control you. Mend bridges, my dear. Perhaps…well, I don't mean to put all this on your shoulders. But perhaps if you manage to mend bridges, you two can be as close as you once were. Call it a feeling, I suppose, which all things considered is fairly ironic.
The twins are curious, as always. They haven't stopped asking so many questions that I think you may be better suited to answer. I told them to save some for your return, whenever that may be—be warned! Fino has a list. You know how they are. They send their hellos!
Your siblings have had quite the day today! Fino went out and came home with a multitude of stray cats. Lovely animals, though I'm not sure how Fino got them in! None of us saw him bring them in, nor did we see them entering! I've tried my best to keep them out of your room.
Fiera decided to shadow me and try to help out since you've been working. I left her alone for a few minutes and came back to the kitchen, only to find that she had made a lava cake! Though she didn't realize that lava cakes were meant to be made with chocolate, and not real lava. I'm not even sure where she got the lava from!
Send my regards to Bernard and Elle, dear! We miss you very much and love you so much! Both your father and I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours,
Winter and Blaise.
"My parents send their regards," Jacqueline said. "Apparently, it's been a wild couple of days. Fino snuck in a bunch of stray cats and Fiera made a lava cake."
"Let me guess. She used real lava?"
"Yep."
"That must've been something during coffee time! Speaking of, you haven't had breakfast yet have you?"
Jacqueline shook her head. "Why do you ask?"
"Maybe because we haven't done a coffee date in a little while and it just so happens that I have a mostly free morning," she said, grinning.
"Sounds good to me," Jacqueline said, putting the letter down on the coffee table and jumping up.
"Will you be okay to go?"
"I should be fine! The headache is basically gone and Jack's been asleep for the last little while which means I won't get stopped on the way out," she grinned.
"He'll have to go through me if he wants to stop you! I could also use that old 'fresh air always helps any illness' excuse. It always works."
Jacqueline laughed, linking arms with Elle, the two girls heading out. Maybe it would do her some good, Jacqueline thought. Maybe it would help her forget about yesterday afternoon's incident.
Whatever it had been.
A/N: The deep dive I went on to figure out how letters to Santa work outside of Canada for this chapter was legendary. And it's all over the place! It's very simple to write to Santa here in Canada. It seems like everywhere else it's a wee bit...well, everywhere!
The letter writing still fits well in CS, so it stays...for now. And yes, a decent amount of fandom reference in here. But it really IS like the perception filter! And the year is 2007, which is when Deathly Hallows came out and also, a year ripe with early fandom, more or less. I love writing Elle and Jacqueline!
As usual, reviews are treasured! I even accept key smashes as reviews and would quote the on the cover of the book (if CS was an actual book with a cover, that is).
