Within the massive Workshop, Reshma lurks with a small legion of elves and yetis armed with musical instruments, confetti and flaming torches. Said elves and yeti are currently performing their assigned fanfare for the newest Guardian's initiation under Reshma's critical eye.
With a grand flourish the piece draws to its climax, yetis twirling their torches and elves blasting their instruments. Glitter rains down from the ceiling like diamonds. Some stick to a previously unseen object, a giant letter 'G' for Guardian, making it seem as though it shimmered into existence. The last proud note of the song stretches out, the remaining glitter dissolving into particles so small they are invisible, and the flames topping the yetis' torches flares a violent gold. Reshma claps enthusiastically. "Wonderful idea Doris!" she cheers. "I thought the glitter looked beautiful."
Doris the yeti rumbles something in Yetish.
"I agree, it does add class. While still retaining the impact of confetti." Underneath her bluish grey fur Doris blushes. Out of nowhere Reshma points to a rather skinny yeti. "Jeffery! You are a marvellous dancer. Would you do me the honours of dancing with me?"
Jeffery ponders this and garbles a question.
"There is no music," Reshma amends. Much to the shock of the elves holding them the instruments soar from their grasps and more instrument spring from the walls, until quite the band is gathered. "However, nothing not easily fixed." Jeffery is still unsure. "Please? I believe in you."
The band strikes up flawlessly, the constant beat heavy. Reshma glides forward and grabs Jeffery's arm, somehow managing to drag a yeti, no matter how skinny he is, into the middle of the room. The music builds and encouragingly, Reshma begins to sway. Hesitantly, Jeffery sways with her until he is full out dancing. The other yetis applaud young Jeffery's dancing and elves scurry onto the dance floor to join in. Reshma laughs gleefully, skipping like a sprite amongst bell-topped hats. Jeffery miraculously flips into the air with a grace no animal that size should possess and lands it with a turn, a few kicks thrown in for good measure. An elf is thrown in the air by its comrades but smacks onto its face. A moment later it gets up unharmed and runs to do it again. Some yetis also join in the festivities, though none quite so skilled as Jeffery and Reshma. Doris even finds herself being spun by Bryan, much to her delight.
Meanwhile North is wandering his Workshop forlornly. The ordinarily jolly man is gravely worried. As of yet MiM has not chosen a Guardian unless danger is imminent, generally in the form of Pitch. Could Pitch be back? Could it be something else? There must be some sort of threat to the children in MiM has chosen someone like Reshma to be a Guardian.
To make matters worse for North he has no idea about the safety of those yetis and elves she took. When he finds her she will get a stern talking to. If only they are okay. The other Guardians are currently scouring the world for her, amongst their duties, while North is to remain at the Pole lest she return or MiM try to contact them. It is making him irritable to be left out from the action. He should be searching for his yetis and elves! It is him that was stolen from!
Through all his internal rage and apprehension North hears music playing within his Workshop. It is not Christmas carols, nor is it the yetis testing the musical toys. Naturally he goes to investigate. As the music gets louder he can also hear bells jingling and a woman laughing. What is this? The room it is originating is in the old part of Santoff Claussen that he often uses to practice the fanfare or have the odd after-Christmas concert.
North opens the door to the sight of yetis, elves and the Muse dancing together, under a large glittering 'G' with instruments in the corner playing themselves. The revelry does not stop upon his entrance. Instead the music slowly dies until all the dancing has ceased. Yetis growl their appreciation and elves giggle like fiends. "I suppose you should return to work," Reshma says. The elves snatch up their instruments and sprint away to gorge themselves on cookies. Yetis reluctantly agree, thanking the Muse as they file out. Jeffery looks especially pleased.
When they are gone North stares at Reshma. "You are still here?"
"The Workshop is wonderful," she responds with a shrug, as if every day she rejects offers to be a Guardian and then throws a dance party in another part of the building with hostage yetis and elves. North has a fleeting moment of concern that she and Jack will get into the worst kinds of mischief together.
"Who are you, Reshma?" North asks, unusually hushed. Nothing like his fierce integration of Jack when he first was to become a Guardian. A feeling in his belly told him that it would not be the best approach. "What is your Center?"
"My Center?" she, in turn, is unamused by this. "Though you do not believe it so, a spirit – a Guardian – is more than their Center. Nicolas St. North, you are not as old as I am. You have not experienced the world as I have. This is the truth. Do not think me just my Center. But if I were to have one it would be imagination. If I could be a Guardian it would be of imagination."
The pair sit in silence for several seconds. "Imagination," North begins at last, "is a fine Center. Children need it and as Guardian you would protect it. Zis is what I be telling you earlier."
"Adults need imagination as well," Reshma informs him, displeased and grim, "and imagination does not always protect."
North stands and smiles down at her, but it is sad, this smile. Full of regret. "I understand," he acknowledges. "You are welcome to stay and explore." North's joyful disposition returns with the change of topic, as does the volume of his voice; "After all, Santoff Claussen is home to imagination!"
"Thank you, Nicolas," Reshma says. "I may go find Bryan. I have heard from Doris he is a top-notch cook." North chuckles whole-heartedly.
"He is," the merry Russian assures her, patting his rotund belly as proof.
Once Reshma is left to traverse the Workshop, North returns to the Globe Room and activates the Aurora Borealis. He would rather not use them unless it is an actual emergency but the Guardians need to know he found the Muse and the Northern Lights are the quickest way to gather them at the Pole. Bunny will not be happy that she was here the whole time. Reshma best be prepared for Bunny's wrath. Or, on second thoughts… North looked at the giant 'G' hanging from a thread so thin even his trained eye could barely see it and the instruments that had become bright paintings on the wall. Perhaps Bunny should be the one watching his back.
The Guardians arrived rapidly enough except Jack Frost but that is no surprise. Bunny reacted exactly as North predicted.
"What?! The whole time?! Why the lil' dingo! Thinks she can pull a fast one on us, eh? We're the Guardians! I betcha she did it on purpose! When I find 'er she won't know 'er 'ead from 'er front!"
When Reshma jumped directly from the ceiling next to Bunny with an elf sitting in a fiery orange hat-boat-thing on her head he skittered backwards. The elf jingles in excitement, bell shaking like mad as he hops up and down. The strange contraption sprouts nine muscular legs, like that of a spider, crawls off Reshma and scuttles away at astounding speed, the elf riding it ecstatic.
"E. Aster," Reshma crosses her arms, glaring down the Pooka, "I have been threatened by many a person determined to control me. It does not bother me. However, should you try anything I will not be so forgiving. Also, I did not do it intentionally." She waits for him to argue but Bunny remains silent.
Tooth claps for Reshma with a grin on her face.
Bunny whirls to face his fellow Guardian, incredulous. "Tooth! What're ya doing cheering for 'er and not me?!"
"Because," Tooth says indignantly, "she made a stand against a male and it is my duty as a female to support it. You boys think you're all so powerful. As the only other girl I need to back her up when she challenges it."
Out of nowhere Jack bursts into the Globe Room, flushed blue and white hair more tousled than usual. "Guys, we have a problem," he declares.
Yep, cliffhanger. I'm evil like that.