Jack wriggled his tiny fingers into the cold snow and tossed the white fluff in the air. He giggled as the snow fell on his head and dug his toes in next.

"Oi!" Suddenly, Jack found himself scooped up with one arm. He glanced up to see an annoyed Pooka face peeking out from under a large scarf, and a free hand holding a pair of boots.

"How many times have I told ya? Keep ya boots and mitts on!" Aster scolded as he sat on the bench and worked Jack's foot into a boot.

Jack wrinkled his face in protest. "No!" he stated firmly and tried to wiggle free from Aster's hold. However, Aster held his grip.

"Ya going to get frostbite if ya don't," Aster responded.

"No!" Jack said again as Aster shoved Jack's other foot into its boot.

Aster sighed and wondered why he even bothered trying to explain things logically to a kid that was barely one year old. "Now then," Aster said as he set Jack back on the ground. "No more tossin' them off or we go home. Got that?"

Jack blinked, but Aster assumed he understood the threat as Jack kept his mittens and boots on as he began to roll around in the snow again.

Feeling it was safe to relax for the moment, Aster leaned back into the bench and made certain his scarf concealed his face. It was early in the morning and there was barely anyone in the park at this time of day, which was exactly the reason Aster came. It wasn't healthy for a kit to stay indoors all day and Jack had been longingly looking at the snow from the window for days.

However, Aster did have a little yard, but he would rather not have to worry about prying neighbours poking their noses into places they didn't belong. He knew the old lady next door was already doing so. Aster constantly caught her spying as Aster walked by while holding Jack in his arms when he went to visit Tooth, North or Sandy.

Also, the park provided more space for Jack to play in. Aster shivered as a cold wind blew by. He still hated winter, but Jack was the complete opposite. The boy took to the snow the same way a fish took to water. If Aster didn't know any better he would swear Jack was part polar bear.

It was rather enjoyable to watch the kid giggle and laugh as he played in the snow. If only he could convince Jack to keep his shoes on. Why on earth Jack thought walking barefoot in snow was a good idea, Aster would never understand.

"I should just call ya Frostbite."

"You two look like you're having fun."

Aster and Jack glanced up as Tooth landed in front of them and folded her mechanical wings.

"Tooth!" Jack said as he stood and gave a big smile.

"Oh! Look at those teeth!" Tooth exclaimed as she scooped him up and gave him a kiss on the cheek which caused him to giggle. "You're getting such a nice set!"

"Ya on duty, Tooth?" Aster asked as she placed Jack back onto the ground.

"Just finished a delivery, I have time for a break." She took a seat next to Aster and watched Jack pile up snow in his lap.

"His first birthday will be coming up."

"Er..it might have already passed," Aster responded. "Since I have no clue when exactly he was born." He scratched his ears under the scarf. "So, I reckoned I'd make the date that I found him his birthday."

Tooth nodded. "That makes sense," her eyes then brightened. "So, what are you planning for a party?"

"Party?" Aster said. "What? Why'd I be doin' that?" Aster had planned to celebrate Jack's turning one, but have it be small and quiet. Give Jack a couple of toys for his present, have a little cake, nice and simple.

"North," Tooth said slowly. "Is rather looking forward to helping you throw a party."

Aster rolled his eyes. "Of course, and I suppose there's no point in stoppin' him, is there?"

Tooth shook her head. "No, and to be fair, Sandy and I are rather excited too." She looked to Jack who was now giggling as he fell on his back in the snow. "Celebrating a first birthday is special."

Aster nodded. She had a point, and North, Sandy and Tooth were all part of his and Jack's family. "Can you just please try to keep North somewhat under control?" He wrapped the scarf around his neck to block out the chill. "I would rather not gain a new hole in my roof after the last invention he brought to my house." Aster would rather not have to spend another weekend repairing his home.

"I'll try," Tooth said as Jack came over and lifted his arms up.

"Up! Up!"

"Oh! I'll get you!" Tooth cooed as she lifted him into his lap and tickled his nose. "By the way Aster, have you visited Ombric lately?"

Aster wrinkled his nose. "Um….not since I gave back a few books I borrowed last month. Why?"

"Well," said Tooth as Jack giggled again. "If you have some spare time today, you should go see him."

"Why? He alright?"

"He's fine, but he has found himself in a similar predicament to yours." She looked to Jack as he rolled up a ball of snow from what he could find on the bench. "He's taken in a little girl about Jack's age."

"A child? Ombric?" Aster choked. "How did that happen?"

Ombric was a good man and someone Aster respected on an intellectual level. Not to mention, being in charge of the city's library made him the perfect resource for any question Aster could conceive of under the sun. However, child rearing was certainly the last thing he ever thought Ombric would take upon himself.

"Katherine, the little girl he took in, her parents died in a carriage accident on their way here. It's a miracle she lived." She hugged Jack. "Poor thing, she's a sweet little girl."

"But how'd she end up with Ombric?"

"He was close friends with her parents and she has no family so-"

"Either he takes her in or the kit ends up in an orphanage," Aster concluded. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Crikey, at the rate we're going I'm expectin' you and North to have your own kits soon."

Tooth blushed brightly and coughed. "Yes, well, my point is I saw Ombric yesterday and he's looking rather frazzled."

Course he is Aster thought. The man's been living by himself for how long? Taking in a child changes all that. Aster rubbed the back of his neck. "So, I reckon ya think he could use me for advice?"

Tooth nodded. "There is only so much you can read from books and I think he would appreciate it. Besides," Tooth looked down at Jack. "It would be good for Jack to have a friend his own age wouldn't it?"

Aster picked Jack up from Tooth's hold and fixed the boot he saw Jack was close to kicking off again. "Naw, ya right, he can't exactly spend all 'is time with me. He needs kits his own age."

Jack looked up curiously at Aster. "Come on, Frostbite," he said as he scooped him up. "Let's pay a friend a visit."

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Aster stopped by his house to pick up a few things before he ventured over to Ombric's place. He managed a balancing act of carrying Jack in one arm as he held the basket of items in another. Jack was busy playing with the end of his scarf as Aster reached the door.

Another person might have tried to simply knock, but Aster knew better. He spotted the funnel that hung near the door and dragged it down.

"Ombric!" he called into it. "Open up, Mate! It's me!"

Aster heard a series a crashes from the funnel, which he assumed was Ombric knocking over books as he scrambled to reached the other end to talk. "Aster! Hold on, I'll pull the lever!"

Next came a series of cranks and gears turning before the door suddenly opened on its own. Aster pushed the funnel back into place before entering. The whole system had been a present from North. Ombric had a habit of not hearing when someone was at his door since he tended to spend all day in his library on the top floor.

Thanks to North, not only could the old wizard hear if someone was coming, he could unlock and relock it from his end by pulling a few levers. As usual, Aster stepped through and watched the door close on its own. If he hadn't known it was done by a machine, Aster could have sworn it was the work of ghosts.

He looked to Jack who stared at the door curiously. "Don't worry," Aster said as he carried him. "This place ain't as crazy as North's lab." He turned and grunted as his foot knocked over a stack of books. "But I will say, at least North's place is more organized."

As Aster was expecting, stacks of books were scattered in the hallway. Every spare shelf and table was covered in them and the tall piles of books made it seem it was some kind of literature forest in its full growth.

Aster weaved his way through and was grateful Ombric had at least been sensible enough to not leave books on the stairs this time. The mess of books always amazed Aster, especially since one would assume the head librarian of the city would be more careful with his books.

They continued into the study where Ombric could at last be found. The old man was gathering up papers and books into his arms as he glanced up. "Hello, Aster! Just a moment, I need to tidy my papers."

Aster narrowed his eyes as he set the basket onto a chair. "That's fine, Mate, but Tooth tells me ya have ya hands full with a little one."

Ombric paused as he placed the papers and books on his desk. "Ah, so you know about Katherine? I've been meaning to come see you."

Aster nodded. "I have some supplies I thought ya could use, but I got to ask somethin' first."

"And what is that?"

"Where is the kit?" Aster asked as he looked side to side. "She's a toddler ain't she? Tell me ya didn't leave her alone in another room."

Aster hadn't known much about caring for a child when he got Jack, but he at least knew that small children shouldn't be left to their own devices.

Ombric's eyes widened, but then he stroked his beard as it dawned on him. "Ah, yes, no she's here, Aster."

"Where?" Aster asked almost fearfully, praying the old wizard hadn't tried an invisibility spell or something.

Ombric tapped his desk. "She's right here."

Aster raised an eyebrow and he bent over the desk. A little brown haired girl with curls glanced up from the large picture book she seemed to be reading.

"Katherine's a natural bookworm," Ombric proclaimed proudly.

"That's impressive seeing toddlers can't even read yet," Aster replied, as he set Jack on the floor. It was then that Katherine's head appeared from behind the desk and she crawled to where Jack was sitting.

"Here," Aster said as he dug into a basket and got out a couple of wooden blocks. "These should keep ya two busy."

Jack picked up a block to inspect it by banging it against the floor and Katherine seemed to think it funny as she burst into giggles.

Ombric smiled. "Looks like Jack has a new friend."

"Right, but keepin' things on track," Aster continued as he removed books from a chair. "How are ya managin'?"

Ombric sighed. "Honestly, even after reading every book I have on child care," he placed the book he held on the desk. "I feel as if I have no clue to what I'm doing."

Aster gave a smirk and patted his shoulder. "Welcome to parenthood."

Ombric gave a small smile. "The biggest change I've been having to deal with is remembering I have another, smaller person to care for."

Aster gave an understanding nod. "How has she been takin' it?" He asked as he sat in a chair. "She use to ya yet?"

"She was hesitant at first," Ombric admitted. "But thankfully, she seems to have accepted me, although she is a very quiet child. She doesn't cry often, is that normal? I can't find that in my books."

"Each kit's different," Aster replied. "I at least know that much from babysittin' my cousins when I was younger."

"Yes, yes, that makes sense," Ombric replied. "Aster, I hate to ask of you, but may I have your assistance in a trivial matter?"

"Shoot," Aster replied.

"I've been attempting to make a proper room for Katherine," Ombric started, "but the only spare room I have is the one that is being used for all of my geography books."

"So ya need help movin' the books?" Aster concluded.

"Correct, but," Ombric held up a finger. "I would like your opinion on what I should have in there? Should I have a crib? Also, so she be sleeping on her stomach or back? My books are rather conflicting on that issue."

Aster gave a small grin. He had a feeling Ombric had been reading far too many books on child rearing. If it had only been one book it might not have been a problem, but Ombric was in charge of the Santoff Clausen library. His problem was that he had too many books on the issue, and it could overwhelm even the most scholarly soul.

"Yeah, I could give ya a hand, but perhaps we should-"

Suddenly, there was a loud thud that caused both Aster and Ombirc to jump. They spun around and saw a former pile of books scattered on the floor with both Jack and Katherine staring at the books. Both of the children seemed equally as shaken as Ombric and Aster.

"Oi!" Aster said as he tapped his foot. "Which one of ya two knocked over those books?"

The children blinked innocently at him and then, as if on cue, Jack pointed to Katherine and Katherine pointed to Jack.

Aster rubbed his eyes. "I thought as much," he muttered as he looked to Ombric. "First order of business before tackling that room, I'm going to help you to at least try to get these books off the floor." He pointed to Katherine. "So at least ya don't have to worry about them fallin' on the tykes."

Ombric sighed. "That was next on the list, admittedly." He scooped up Katherine and Jack and set them in a safer section of the room. "I will find a way to pay you back for this, Aster."

"No need to do anythin', Mate," Aster said as he rolled up his sleeves. "It's what friends do."

Ombric thoughtfully stroked his chin. "If that's the case, as a friend, once Jack is older how about I school him?"

"School him?" Aster said as he gathered up the books the kids had toppled over. "Jack's only turning one-"

"But he shall get older," Ombric replied. "I had planned on teaching Katherine myself anyway, so there's no reason I could not take on Jack as well." He tilted his head. "And I think that would be more suitable for your situation."

Aster paused and tapped his fingers on the books. Ombric did have a point. Jack would need schooling eventually, but it would be difficult to enroll him into a proper school without revealing who he truly was. The other options would be to hire a tutor or for Aster to teach Jack himself. However, he wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of hiring a stranger to enter his home and Aster barely had enough time to care for Jack while earning their keep with his art.

On the other hand, if it was someone that he trusted - like Ombric - things would be much simpler. It helped that Aster knew Ombric was a good teacher. North had been his apprentice for heaven's sake, and if anyone could tutor North and keep most of their sanity, they were worth their weight in gold.

"Ya have a point there," Aster said as he made room on the shelves. "I just might take ya up on that, but first." He gathered up the books. "Let's clean up ya house so Katherine will live to be schooling age."

Ombric nodded as he went to work. Aster stole a glance to the kids who were now happily climbing over each other like a pair of pups. He gave a smile, pleased to see that his kit would at least have one friend his age.

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Aster knew something had to be up from the expressions on both North and Tooth's faces. The two had come over to give Aster a hand in planning Jack's first birthday party that coming weekend, but he could tell the pair had something else on their minds.

Aster folded his arms as Jack greeted Tooth with a grin and asked to be picked up, a request that Tooth was happy to oblige.

"Okay, what's on ya minds?" Aster asked, seeing no reason to beat around the bush. "Speak it out."

North exchanged a look with Tooth, before he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Bunny," North replied slowly, as he began to run a hand through his beard. "We are concerned Jack is picking up...habits."

Aster raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do ya mean by habits?"

"Well," Tooth said slowly. "When I took him to the market with me, he was sniffing."

"So?" Aster replied. "What's wrong with-"

"People, Aster," Tooth continued. "The way you do, at least around us."

"Oh," Aster said. He did have a tendency to sniff Jack over after he been out for the day with someone else, but it was an old Pooka custom. Not to mention, he had occasionally smelled Tooth, North and Sandy as well. Pookas were constantly smelling whiffs of each other to check the health of their family.

Aster had tried to keep that habit to a minimum, but he did have a tendency to do it to his close friends.

"Also," Tooth continued shyly. "He's been nuzzling my nose and Katherine's as well."

"Oh, that's nothin'!" Aster scoffed. "That's just how Pookas show affection, we don't kiss like you humans." Frankly, he never did understand the appeal of pressing his lips against another person's skin. Nuzzling had always seem to be less intrusive than kissing.

North gave him a blank look. "That is point, Bunny." He pointed to Jack who was now clutching his stuffed rabbit. "Jack is human, but he is acting like Pooka."

Aster raised an eyebrow as he went to pour the tea. "I realize that, but what do ya expect me to do it? I can't tell the kit what to copy and what he can't. Not at that age anyway."

North nodded. "Yes, but perhaps he just needs more human influence."

Aster paused his pouring and slammed the teapot on the counter before he turned with a dangerous look in his eye. "North, if ya plannin' on takin' Jack away from me-"

"What? No, course not!" North replied as Tooth quickly nodded her agreement.

"North only meant that maybe if you tried to act more like a human it might rub off of Jack more," Tooth said as she toyed with the tips of Jack's hair.

Aster sighed. "I can't act somethin' I'm not. That'd be like askin' a cat to act like a dog." He walked forward with his hands tucked into his pockets. "Look, I get ya point, and I do try to raise Jack as much as a normal human would be." North looked ready to speak, but Aster held up a hand. "However, I can only raise a child the way I was and I am a Pooka."

He folded his arms over his chest. "No matter how much I try, Jack is probably going to pick up Pooka traits." Aster narrowed his eyes. "It would be the exact same situation if I was a human and Jack was a Pooka and he was pickin' up human traits."

North opened and shut his mouth. "You are right, but perhaps I can at least make suggestions- Tooth what are you doing?"

Jack giggled as Tooth was digging her fingers through Jack's hair. "Hmm, oh, I was cleaning Jack's hair."

"Cleaning his hair?" Aster said, hesitantly.

Tooth nodded. "My mother used to do it to me all the time, it feels so good."

Aster clicked his tongue. "Your mother...the sister of flight. As in a bird woman?"

Tooth nodded.

"She used to preen ya? Like birds?" Aster stated as he dimly recalled that was how birds would clean their feathers.

Tooth frowned as she seemed to realize what Bunny was saying. "What, no it's not...oh, wait she did call it that..."

"And," Aster continued, looking amused. "It explains why Jackie's been trying to pull at my fur lately, he's been tryin' to preen me." He laughed as Tooth blushed. "Looks like I'm not the only one he's been pickin' habits up from."

North chuckled softly as Tooth gave a scowl. "I wouldn't laugh, North, since I know Jack has picked up some bad habits from you."

North stopped laughing and cleared his throat. "I...uh...do not know what you are speaking of."

Tooth smirked and turned her head. "Aster, weren't you wondering where on earth Jack learned those swear words he was speaking last week?"

North paled as Aster turned to glare at him in accusation. "So, that was ya fault?"

North tapped the tips of his fingers together. "Er… it was accident. Was working on robot and arm fell on foot." He gave a shrug. "Did not think Jack would repeat it."

Aster raised an eyebrow and leaned forward like a lawyer questioning a criminal. "Then perhaps, ya can also tell me why Jack's stompin' his feet too? Been doin' so since the day after ya last baby-sat him."

North chewed his bottom lip. "I might also have habit of stomping foot when I swear."

Aster shook his head. "So, if he's learned somethin' from each of ya, do I even want to know what he's picked up from Sandy?"

Just then, Jack happily laughed as he held his teddy bear up like he was flying through the air and made noises that sounded similar to an engine.

"Does making things fly like Sandy count?" Tooth asked, sheepishly.

North sighed as Aster burst out laughing. "Face it, Mate," Aster said with a smile. "There's hardly anything normal about any of us."

North nodded as he was certain Jack's teenage years were going to be very confusing.

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Aster knew that North had big plans for Jack's first birthday, but he hadn't realized just how big. The man had brought a cake that was the size of a table. Jack barely had any teeth yet for crying out loud.

Then of course there was the confetti launcher that would shoot out bunches of confetti every ten minutes. It would take a good month to sweep up that mess!

Of course, Aster was grateful to Tooth for convincing North that perhaps Jack was too young to have his own pair of swords.

It had been a long party.

Aster sighed as he swept up the twentieth pile of confetti on the kitchen floor. He would have preferred a quiet birthday, with just him and Jack. A small cake and a few presents, that would have been it.

However, North, Tooth, Sandy, Ombric and now little Katherine were his family and Aster also wanted his family to be there. They were odd and strange, but Aster couldn't deny that they were part of Jack's family as much as Aster was.

And, despite the overzealous of North's preparations, it was a pleasant first birthday for Jack. Ombric had arrived first with Katherine. The toddlers beamed as soon as they saw each other and started to play on the floor. Aster couldn't fight the grin off his face, he was really glad that his kit had a friend.

Sandy soon followed as did North and Tooth and from there the party went into full swing. Aster hated to admit it, but while the cake was far too big it was tasty. Perfectly moist and just the right amount of butter cream frosting.

Combined with Aster's chocolates that he only made for special occasions and it was the best dessert anyone there had had. Then came the gifts. Ombric and Katherine had given Jack a new storybook and Sandy gave Jack a wooden airship to play with. North then presented a stuffed rabbit which caused the others to giggle while Aster glared at everyone.

He made plans to get North back for that.

Tooth's gift was a finely crafted case for Jack to keep his baby teeth in when he was older. "It's a tradition from my homeland," Tooth explained with a sincere smile. "Baby teeth hold memories of our childhood, and in case we wish to recall a memory from long ago we need to keep them in these."

Aster and Tooth had shared a sad smile. He knew Tooth was forced to leave her homeland in much the same manner as Aster had. Aster knew how much it meant for Tooth to be able to pass along an old tradition.

North's then asked where Aster's gift was, but he replied with a smirk and said that it was a secret. North tried to poke the secret out of Aster, but he held his ground and North was forced to give up.

The rest of the evening was spent with laughter and retelling stories from long ago until Ombric glanced at the clock and realized he and Katherine had to be getting home before it was dark.

Sandy nodded as well, knowing he had to do his nightly patrol of the night sky. North and Tooth gave their farewells, but not before Tooth insisted on giving a half-asleep Jack a birthday kiss on his forehead.

Aster walked them to the door and waved as he watched them head to their homes leaving him and Jack alone once again.

Aster finished his contemplations and sweeping and stole a glance at Jack who was rubbing his eyes. "Gettin' sleepy eh, kiddo?" Aster chuckled as he scooped up Jack and carried him into Jack's bedroom.

Aster then lay Jack into his crib and tucked the stuffed rabbit North gave next to Jack. "I suppose I should be grateful it's not a sword," Aster muttered as he tucked Jack into bed. "With that said, time I gave ya my gift."

Aster then took a box off the shelf and opened it's contents to show it to Jack. "What ya think of this?"

"Bun?" Jack asked curiously as Aster held out a rattle and shook it for Jack. It was a bright blue with white snowflakes covering the top of it.

"It's a rattle," Aster explained as Jack took it from his hand. "Tradition where I come from." Jack shook the rattle and gave a grin as it made noise.

Aster smiled back. For Pookas, a rattle was more than a toy. Pooka parents would give it to their kits to shake at night in order to scare off any wild animals that were getting too close for a parent's comfort. Of course, there hardly any snakes or wolves to be wary of in Santoff Clausen, but it still felt right to Aster.

There were many things that could lurk in the dark that Aster didn't know about and even though it might not provide that much protection, it made Aster feel better to have done it.

Jack gave a yawn as the hand that held the rattle dropped to his side. "Happy birthday, Jack," Aster whispered as he nuzzled Jack's forehead until he felt the kid fall asleep.

Aster continued to smile as he left Jack's room, stealing one last glance as he couldn't resist wondering what the future years would bring to both him and Jack.