When North had insisted that Jack had to get his own room, Aster recalled feeling rather confused on the subject. Pookas and their kits had always slept in one room, until kits had come to the age of 16. However, many humans, as Aster had come to learn, had their children sleep in a separate room away from their parents.

North had tried not to butt into how Aster raised Jack too often, which Aster did appreciate, but he was rather insistent on the importance of Jack having his own room. Tooth, Ombric and Sandy were rather insistent on it as well.

Aster didn't agree with it, but Jack was a human, not a Pooka. Since the kid was already picking up more than a few of his Pooka traits, Aster had to try at least some human traditions.

Aster hadn't fully understood North's reasoning until this morning, when he went into Jack's room to get him ready to go see Ombric. He froze in the doorway. Aster had painted Jack's wall to be a light blue but now the wall was covered in splashes of bright colours.

Aster moved his gaze downward to Jack who sat next to the buckets of Aster's paint, and who was currently dipping his paint brush into the green paint.

"Jack?" Aster asked stunned.

The boy turned, and Aster could see his face was covered in paint and yet somehow none had landed on his ever-precious goggles that he had gotten from Sandy. "Bunny!" Jack said proudly and not caring that his hair was covered in paint as well. "Look what I did!"

"I-I can see that," Aster replied, trying to keep control over his temper. "But why exactly did ya feel the need to paint ya room?"

"Because it's fun!"Jack said gleefully like it was obvious.

Aster rubbed his eyes. "Course, 'fun' that's a perfect excuse." He took out his pocket watch and sighed. If he hurried, they might have time to eat breakfast before having to rush out the door.

"Ya need a bath," Aster growled as he rolled up his sleeves and scooped Jack up as he desperately tried to not get paint on his own clean clothes.

"Why?" Jack asked puzzled. "It's not nighttime, it's morning."

"Ya covered in paint," Aster explained as he brought him into the bathroom and turned on the tap. "And I can't exactly leave ya at Ombric's lookin' like an Easter egg."

"I'm not an egg!" Jack protested as Aster yanked off his clothes. Aster sighed as he saw more paint was on Jack's arms as well. "And why are we going to Ombric's?"

"Ya start school with Katherine today, remember?" Aster said as he picked up Jack and placed him in the warm water. "We talked about this." Aster picked up the washcloth and soap bar.

"I don't need school," Jack said as he splashed in the water. "I'm a grown up!"

Aster arched an eyebrow. "Ya only five," he said as took hold of Jack's arm and started to scrub off the paint. "Now hold still, while I wash ya."

Jack squirmed and tried to splash, but by some miracle Aster managed to get Jack clean without a lake forming on the bathroom floor. Within twenty minutes, Jack was once again fully dressed, convinced to eat a muffin to have something in his stomach, had his coat thrown on and was rushed out the door.

It was always a challenge to get Jack to walk the few blocks to Ombric's without getting distracted on route. If Aster didn't keep a firm grip on Jack's little hand, the kid would stop to gawk and study every rock, bird, leaf and flower they came across. Winter was the worst since Jack was constantly dying to dive into any snowbank he saw. Thankfully, it was fall but that wasn't discouraging Jack from trying to gather and collect every leaf that crossed his path.

"Look, Bunny!" Jack said as he picked up a red leaf. "I want to make a leaf crown!"

"Later," Aster said as he tugged Jack along, but not fast enough before Jack managed to scoop up three more leaves. Jack was trying to weave them into the button holes of his coat as they came up to Ombric's house.

Aster had fully expected to go through Ombric's funnel door system, but was surprised to see the old wizard greeting him at the door. "There you are, was starting to wonder if you got lost!" he said with a chuckle.

Aster sighed as he entered the house and unbuttoned Jack's coat. "Sorry, but SOMEONE decided his room needed a new coat of paint and had to get a bath."

Jack blinked and pouted. "Bunny, that wasn't someone that was me!"

Aster shook his head as Ombric laughed. "Well, hopefully he'll have energy for his first day of lessons," he turned his head. "Katherine, Jack is here!"

On que, Katherine peeked out into the hall, and as usual, protectively held a book in her hands. "Can I finish my book before we start school?"

"Five minutes," Ombric said as he held out a hand. "After that, we need to go into the study."

Aster smiled and patted Ombric's shoulder. "I'll leave ya to it then, and I have a feelin' ya'll need all the strength ya can get."

Aster then kneeled and ruffled Jack's hair. "Ya be good, I don't want ta see Ombric in pieces when I come back this afternoon."

Jack's smile vanished. "You're going?"

Aster nodded as he stood. "I'll be back when the big and little hands are on the three," he turned to leave. "So stay out of trouble-"

He felt a tug on his coat, Aster paused and looked back to see Jack clinging to it. "You can't go! You need to stay with me."

Aster was taken aback, he hadn't expected this reaction from Jack. He had gotten North, Tooth, and Sandy to babysit Jack dozen of times. "Jack, I've left ya before."

"Not for school!" Jack protested, still holding a fistful of coat in each tiny hand. "And it will be forever until it's three."

It was going to be the longest time Aster had left Jack. He gave pleading look to Ombric. "Give us a minute?"

"Certainly," Ombric said as he stepped into the next room. "Just let me know when you're going."

Aster nodded and waited until Ombric was out of sight. He then turned his attention back to Jack and gently pried his coat free from Jack's hands. "Frostbite, there's nothin' ta be scared about."

"I'm not scared," Jack said as he stared at his shoes. "But I don't want you to be lonely."

He raised an eyebrow. Aster knew Jack was the one feeling nervous….okay, perhaps Aster was feeling slightly agitated at the thought of leaving his kit alone for the whole day, but he couldn't admit that to Jack. "I'll be fine, I got a whole bunch of paintin' ta keep me busy," he then steered Jack to the room Katherine had poked her head from. "And ya get ta spend the whole day with ya best mate. It'll be fun."

Jack frowned and yanked on his vest. "I don't know."

Aster smiled. "Just give it a try and we'll even stop at the ice cream shop on the way home, alright?"

Jack slowly lifted his head. "I can get sprinkles?"

"Loads," Aster said and he pulled Jack into a hug. "But only if ya been good, got that?"

"Yeah," Jack replied as he wrapped his arms around Aster's neck. "I'll try."

Aster nuzzled Jack's forehead before he rose. "I'll be off, Ombric!"

Ombric reappeared and waved. "Have a good day, Aster!"

Aster smiled and waved to Jack once more before shutting the door. He paused on the front step, but then forced his feet to move back home as he fought the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Jack might not be the only one needing ice cream when three came.

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In the coming weeks, Jack wasn't thrilled with the routine of going to school. Aster knew Jack would rather spend a day outside and hanging off tree branches, but it wouldn't teach Jack how to read or write. Thankfully, after the first week, Jack had gotten used to Aster dropping him off in the morning and picking him up in the afternoon.

Course, Aster's only real problem was trying to break Jack's new habit of wanting ice cream on their way home. He did find Jack started to ask more questions as a result of Ombric's tutoring, although he supposed that was only natural.

They were innocent enough and ranged from asking "Why the sky was blue?" or "Why can Sandy's airship fly, but not my toy plane?" However, one night came a question Aster hadn't been expecting.

Aster had been reading with Jack sitting next to him playing, when the boy paused and tugged on Aster's leg.

"Bunny," he asked as he climbed up onto Aster's lap. "Why don't we look the same?"

Aster had been a bit startled, but he closed his book to focus on Jack. "Because, we're not," Aster said, gently, as he set his book on the side table and patted Jack's head. "We're not blood related, remember?" It wasn't the first time they had this conversation.

Aster never wanted to lie to Jack about him being adopted, although it wasn't like Aster could hide it since all Jack had to do was look in the mirror and figure it out. So, he had explained to Jack that he was adopted, but he didn't dare go into the details of Aster finding Jack abandoned. He couldn't hide it forever, but Jack was too young. It was a harsh truth Aster wanted to save until Jack was old enough to handle it.

"But neither are Katherine and Ombric," Jack said with a confused frown. "And they look alike."

"Ah," said Aster as her ruffled Jack's hair. Now it made sense. "It's cause I'm a Pooka, Kiddo."

"Pooka?" Jack said as he tilted his head.

Aster nodded. "Yeah, I'm a Pooka and we all have fur and long ears," he lowered one of his ears for Jack to brush the tip of. "But Katherine and Ombric are both human, so they look similar."

"And I'm human?" Jack asked as he fiddled with one of the buttons on Aster's vest.

Aster paused, wondering how to phrase the topic. "Ya part human but ya also part Lunarian that look a lot like human." He picked up his book and flipped to the pages of a Lunarian noble family. "See? They're people like the prince."

Jack studied the picture, and seemed to be in deep thought. "How come I've never seen other Pooka?"

Aster paused on that way, unsure on how much detail he should tell Jack. "It's cause I'm the last Pooka, there aren't anymore like me." Well, that was mostly true. There were other clans of Pookas of horses and goats in other parts of the world but Bunny was the last of the rabbit clan. "They died a long time ago."

Jack blinked, and looked up to him. "Does that make you lonely?"

Aster gave a half smile and smoothed out Jack's unruly hair. "A little, but it can't be helped, and, hey, I got ya don't I?"

Jack responded by tucking his head under Aster's chin. "Love you, Bunny."

"Love ya, Jack," Aster said as he hugged Jack back. He became lost in thought as he stroked Jack's wild hair, and recalled how his own mother had tried to straighten Aster's fur as a kit. On instinct, he lightly brushed his tongue over Jack's hair which cause the child to squeal.

"Bunny," Jack protested as he shielded his head. "You're messing up my hair!"

Aster chuckled, and rustled Jack's hair. "Sorry, Kiddo." He couldn't help, but laugh even harder at the pout Jack gave him in return.

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The next day was the same routine. Aster dropped Jack off at Ombric's, he went back home to work on his next painting, and then promptly made sure he was back by three to take Jack home.

However, something was amiss. Aster didn't know what exactly, but an alarm went off in his head by the solemn expression Ombric had when he greeted Aster.

Aster feared something bad had happened to the kids but he could clearly hear their voices in the next room. "Ombric? What's wrong?"

The old librarian sighed and he ran a hand through his beard. "Aster, before I tell you, understand that I took full responsibility for this." He shook his head. "Katherine is a fast learner, and with her high interest in reading, I should have known better than to leave those books within her reach."

Aster removed his coat, his gut telling him this was going to take more than a few minutes. "What books?"

"My spellbooks," Ombric replied with a sour expression. "I had left the children alone with them when I went to fetch some paper." He shook his head. "And it was only for a few minutes I swear, but I came back too late."

Aster was getting nervous. "Are they alright? Is Jack hurt?"

"Oh, they are both unharmed, I assure you, but" Ombric said, but he winced. "It's better if you come to see for yourself."

Aster swallowed, but mentally prepared himself as he was led into the next room. He spotted Katherine and Jack both reading. All was as it should be...except for the pair of white fox ears and tail that were now sticking out of Jack.

Aster blinked and rubbed his eyes to be sure he wasn't seeing anything. "Jack?"

Jack's fox ears twitched, confirming they weren't fake as the boy turned. "Bunny!" Jack exclaimed as his tail shook as he ran to greet him.

Aster could say nothing as he knelt and gently tugged at Jack's ears. All he could think of was one word. "How?" He looked back to Ombric. "How did my kit end up…." he waved to Jack. "Half fox?!"

Ombric seemed prepared to answer but Katherine raised her hand. "I found a spell that could make a person look like an animal! So, we tried it!"

"I was suppose to get rabbit ears," Jack said with a pout, but brightened as he glanced back. "But I like the tail!"

Aster scooped up Jack into his arms and desperately looked to Ombric. "PLEASE, tell me ya know how ta fix this?!" He had a hard enough time keeping himself hidden, Aster didn't even want to ponder how on earth he would hide Jack's fox ears and tail.

"No," Ombric said but held up a hand before panic took over Aster. "Because, thankfully, the spell will wear off in 48 hours."

Aster moaned. At least it wasn't permanent, but he could forget about taking Jack to the park tomorrow. And here I thought painting his bedroom wall was the worst he could do.

"Bunny, look! I can make my ears wiggle!" Jack cried as he giggled.

"Oh, goody," Aster replied as he shook his head.

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The following evening was a challenge to say that least. It was hard enough for Aster to conceal his long ears and fur for just himself but it was even harder to convince Jack it was better to keep his fox tail hidden under his coat than to wag it in public.

They got some relief when they got home, Jack had occupied himself by playing with his tail and seeing how many directions he could get his fox ears to move. Although, come dinner time, Jack soon realized it was difficult to sit comfortably in a chair unless there was a hole in the back of it to let his tail slip through.

Then came bathtime. As Jack was dipped into the tub, he instantly realized that he was going to have wet fur as well. However, once Aster pointed out to Jack that most fox cubs got baths by letting their parents groom them and lick their fur clean, Jack's grumbling quickly turned into a look of horror and he gave no more whining for the next hour.

Aster had to admit, it was amusing to see his human kit face some of the daily trials he himself often had to deal with. Although, he was going to be quite happy once the spell wore off and he got his regular Jack back.

Once Jack was dressed in his night shirt, which included cutting a hole in his pants to let the tail through, he brought Jack into the study to read him a story. However, Jack didn't look like he was ready for a story.

"Do the fox tail and ears make you mad?" Jack asked.

Aster sighed as he stroked Jack's furry ears. "I'm not mad at ya," he replied softly. "But I do prefer the old ya with no foxy attachments."

Jack sighed as he gave a pouted. "But I told you, I didn't want fox ears I wanted rabbit ears."

Aster raised an eyebrow. "And why did ya want rabbit years?" He held up Jack's stuffed rabbit. "Ta match Bun-bun?"

"No," Jack said firmly. "So I could look like a Pooka."

Aster froze, of all the answers he had been expecting that hadn't been one of them. "Why on earth would ya want to look like a Pooka?" Aster asked puzzled.

"So we look the same," Jack responded. "And you wouldn't be lonely."

Aster was dumbfounded. He wanted to reply but he could only shut and open his mouth. Jack had wanted to look like him? So, Aster wouldn't be the last Pooka anymore. Aster didn't know if he should laugh or cry.

"Bunny?" Jack asked as he tugged at his shirt. "You mad?"

Aster laughed as he wiped a tear from his eye and pulled Jack into a hug. "No, I'm not mad I'm touched." He tucked Jack under his chin and rubbed his back. "And I appreciate ya concern but I'm not lonely."

"You're not?" Jack as sounding confused.

"No, I got North, Sandy, Tooth, Ombric and Katherine," he lifted Jack out and cupped his chin. "And I got ya and ya are fine the way you are."

"Really?" Jack asked as his little fox ears flipped back.

"Really," Aster confirmed as he flipped opened the book. "So, how about that story then?"

Jack's smiled as his fox ears wiggled and he snuggled into Aster's chest. The Pooka smiled at his kit, wondering what he had done to deserve him into his life.

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The next day, it had been a hassle dressing Jack with his fox ears and tail. Aster was just relieved that they were supposed to vanish soon. He hoped nothing else would happen to Jack while he was at Ombric's. Aster would learn that his wish came half true when he came later to pick him up. Nothing else had happened to Jack, Katherine was a another story. Aster had entered the story and blinked at the scene before his eyes.

Katherine was pouting in the corner, looking very perturbed. That was unusual for the normal well behaved girl but Aster's attention was caught by the small cloud over her head.

"What happened?" Aster asked.

Ombric gave a heavy sigh as he looked up as Jack grinned and raced over. "Bunny!" he said and held his arms up to be picked up. "Katherine did another spell!" he said while pointing to her.

"I can see that," Aster said as he scooped Jack up. "But what kind-"

"She had managed to accidently combine a weather spell and a mood spell," Omric explained as he stole a sideway glance at her. "The cloud will reflect her emotions, when she gets angry it spouts out lightning."

Aster was tempted to ask how Ombric knew this but could see a couple of burn marks in the rug. "So, ya had a interestin' day?" Aster said as he looked to Katherine.

She sighed. "I just wanted to make a rain cloud to have puddles to splash in!"

"Yes," Ombric said in a tired tone. "And we had a long lecture as to why one shouldn't randomly cast spells."

"Bunny, can I get a cloud?" Jack said as his tail wagged.

"Let's get rid of those ears and tails first shall we?" Aster said. "Is that cloud suppose to wear off eventually?"

Ombric sighed. "No, I've been trying to find a counter spell to get rid of it." He gave a wince. "Until then, might I recommend Jack to stay home until 'we' get this mess sorted out."

Aster chuckled. "Fine by me," he said. He wasn't exactly comfortable leaving Jack around a literal storm cloud.

"So, no school?" Jack asked as he tilted his head.

"Just for a week or so," Ombric replied as he looked back to Katherine. "But I'll give you some books so Jack can keep up with his studies."

"Appreciate it," Aster reply but Jack gave a slight pout at the thought of doing school at home.

Ombric handed Aster a couple of books and then quickly seem to forget him as Katherine's cloud started to rumble. "I'll speak with you later, Aster," Ombric waved as he escorted Katherine into the next room.

Aster couldn't resist giving a quiet chuckle. Perhaps now Ombric would learn why NOT to leave spellbooks around children.

"What's funny?" Jack asked.

"Nothing," Aster said as he scooped Jack up. "Let's get some ice cream on the way home."

"With sprinkles?" Jack asked hopefully.

"Loads," Aster said as he carried him out. He was in a very good mood.