Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D Today's chapter is a bit of a short one, but I still think it's sweet. ^u^ Other than that, I don't have anything else to say, so I hope you all enjoy this chapter. =3

~ XLIX ~

Ice Sculpting

He could conjure ice with his hands

It didn't take a lot of effort

He'd wave once or twice

And whatever structure he imagined came to life

But he was still impressed

By those like North

Who had no ice powers, no magic

He used a fresh block of ice

And a pick

To create whatever he imagined

And Jack wanted to learn his tricks

...

In his spare time, North liked to make ice sculptures. It was a hobby he didn't do often with his work schedule keeping busy, but whenever he did find the time, North would sit in his study hunched over a block of ice, chipping away at the frozen surface until he created something beautiful.

Jack was a snow sprite; he didn't need to use tools to make such structures. He could wave his hands and summon them in an instant, though it still took concentration and effort. He was impressed by those like North, who took the time out of their day to make something so wonderful. All he used was an ice pick and mallet. With just two simple tools, he could create sculptures of castles, people, flowers, animals…anything.

After finishing his homework for the day, Jack walked into North's study to see what he was doing. North looked up from his work and smiled. "Hello, moy mal'chik. You finished already?"

Jack nodded. "Ombric lightened the load of homework this time," he said with a smirk. "With the end of the year tests coming up, I think he wants us to relax our minds instead of cramming too much information at once."

"Understandable," North said with a chuckle. Sparkling on his desk was a new sculpture he had started two days ago. Jack had seen it when it was hardly chipped into; it was just a block of ice that North had requested him to make. He would've worked on it nonstop if Jack didn't pull him out for breaks, lunch, or dinner.

The ice was shaped in the form of a large palace. The details were so smooth and intricate, one wouldn't have believed it was man-made. There were still a few areas that needed to be chipped at, but even though it was unfinished, Jack was awed by the structure. And he very much wished it were real. The castle had four tours, and winding paths that led to different areas of the structure. Elegant patterns and swirls lined the walls and trim. Jack ran a finger over one of these curves. His own frost sprinkled against the side.

"Wow," Jack whispered. "You know, I really envy your ability to create something so detailed with an ice pick in a couple of days, that I can't in a few seconds."

North laughed, and he patted Jack on the back. "All it takes is practice, my boy. Whether it is with magic or regular tools," he said. He looked over the castle and hummed. "This is almost done. Just needs a few finishing touches, and then it will be complete."

"Where are you going to put it?" asked Jack. Before North had found Jack, he would create sculptures…but none of them would last very long. So, he could only sculpt during the winter, when they would last longer on display. But with Jack's ability to alter ice and snow, the snow sprite would place permafrost on North's favorite structures, and he'd place them on shelves, tables, or wherever he saw fit. They would sit there for minutes, days, and hours, without shedding a single drop.

Right now, North's study was flooding with these sculptures as well as his other inventions and work. There wasn't much room for a castle. North sighed.

"I guess I will have to make room," he said. "Maybe I can give some of these sculptures to Ombric and others in Santoff Claussen. Then I wouldn't feel like I'm throwing them away."

Jack smiled, and he turned back to North's castle on the table. He thought for a moment before asking, "Could you teach me how to ice sculpt? I know I can do this with my staff, but I want to try and do it by hand. It might even be more fun."

"You are always looking for something fun to do," remarked North. Jack smiled. "Alright. I will teach you."

North handed Jack an ice pick and the snow sprite made himself a block of ice. He sat down in front of it and was about to poke his pick into it when North stopped it.

"You should hold it like this," North adjusted Jack's finger so he was holding the pick with a firmer grip. "You don't want to be too light, and you don't want to be too firm when hitting ice. Hold it so you have more control. You are in control of the tool. Tool isn't in control of you."

"I would never let an ice pick control me," said Jack. North chuckled, and he pointed at the block of ice.

"Now, imagine what you want to make," said North. "Try envisioning it on the ice. It is a little like using magic, but with your head and hands. You won't be great when you first start out, but no one is here to judge."

Jack nodded, and he went straight to work. North stayed at his side and watched as he chipped away at the ice. He gave Jack advice on how he was holding his tool and told him techniques he could use when he was stuck. After Jack slipped into a healthy work mode, North moved to his own sculpture, and the two worked in silence. The only ambiance was the light chippings of ice plopped against the table, and the tap, tap, taping of their picks. It was a peaceful atmosphere. They didn't say a word, but they both knew they were enjoying the other's company.

Jack put all his focus and concentration into his sculpture, and he resisted the temptation to use his magic whenever he found himself having difficulty with it. Ice sculpting was a lot more difficult than it looked, but Jack still wanted to make something great for North.

After a few hours, Jack announced, "I'm done!"

"Already?" asked North. Jack nodded.

"I tried to keep it simple," he said. North walked over to see what he had made. The snow sprite rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh…it isn't that great…"

Jack held up his piece; it was a sculpture of him and North. Some parts were misshapen and the faces were definitely off, but North was able to comprehend what it was. Jack had put a lot of effort into this piece, and North saw potential in him, regardless of what Jack thought.

"It's wonderful, moy mal'chik," said North. "It might not be advanced, but you gave it your best. If you continue to practice, you will improve."

Jack smiled. "Thanks, North. And, uh…is it okay if I put my sculpture with yours?" His cheeks turned a light shade of blue as he looked down. "I had the idea that we could be living in the castle or…something…"

North chuckled. "I think it is a wonderful idea, moy mal'chik."

North put the last finishing touches on his sculpture, and Jack placed his in front of it. Their two separate creations were mixed into one.

The snow sprite and ex-Cossack couldn't have felt any prouder.

Author's Note: Father and son. ='3

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one! =D

Until the next chapter!

~BeyondTheMoon1203

PS - Aaldkfjsdljfdsfad, I realized shortly after posting yesterday that I didn't wish any of you guys a happy St. Patrick's Day! QwQ So, uh...happy belated St. Patrick's Day! XD Sorry for being late. =')