AN:
A song from YU-GI-OH! Music To Duel (Soundtrack) by Various Artists.
We'll Be There:
"One of those times I'm glad I can't see ." Ero lifts an eyedropper above his eyeballs
Through the use of gently squeeze released to droplets of salted water into his dull pupil ignoring shouts from distanced. He shifts his hand over to do the same thing before placed the eyedropper back into the small bottle. Had him blinking twice while his once blocked vision slowly returned into a blurry mess.
"How many?" A pale blue skinned hand appeared before Ero's clearing eyesight.
"Just you're giving me a thumb up." Ero was impressed.
"Beats being woken up by Miss. North dressed as a dominatrix." Jack recalled the wake up call.
Black leather and lace outfit molded to 30-something year old body of a woman who still carried her innocent beauty. Just spiked heel boots were replaced with 1-inch heel flats and her wavy red was straightening, and pulled into complex braid red ribbon tied at the end. Stood sat at foot of Jack's bed with fawn in her lap ready to start the day.
"At least we got this little guy." Ero looked down to leashed fawn.
"Tell me again why its named Rudolph?" Jack still didn't get it.
Ero rolled his newly healed eyes before explaining the fawn was named Rudolph after popular song. Led to complex spell his mother created to turn the nose in portable light source of red coloring. Terrible side effects of the spell or enchantment fawn's life span would he shorten dramatically. Along with leaving it to have a low immune system and poor physical health while it aged.
"Some times they don't make it full adulthood." Ero disliked other fawns that were named Rudolph.
"Harsh," Jack reached out toward the wide-eyed fawn. "Isn't there another way...you know..."?
"Not unless your want to end up in one of my mother's deals." Ero wasn't going into detail.
Since the elves under their feet started to play the Rudolph red nose reindeer song on their instruments. A few danced around in circles of other in front of Jack and Ero jingling the bells on tips of their hats. Only two elves dare venture near the small fawn with filled bottle of milk in their hands. Curious little fawn that had been standing in-between Jack and Ero sniffed the air. Wobbled forward on its legs nipping the air surrounding the bottles tip with its fur-covered lips. To only pick up speed when elves' couldn't fully lift the milk filled bottle fawn desperately wanted.
This had legs belonging Ero and Jack bumped into by the fawn getting closer and closer to the bottle. Before either one could balance them self out or steady him self out both lose their footing. Toppling over each other ruining the elves merry making to point an awkward scene was made. Would gain the attention of who ever was bickering pointlessly out of confinements North's office. First one out was Tekla turning away from second one being North following her. Both stopped yelling at each other in passionate matter when Tekla pointed out Ero and Jack.
"Someone getting close." She tried to not swoon over the boys' situation.
"Young love." North was leaned on doorframe leading into his office.
Ero had banged back of his head on surface of tiled floor so hard he didn't notice he was laying on his back. Under a blushing Jack, who was straddling the lower region of someone his own age with his own legs. Grip on his staff had loosened too many hes now lay next to Ero beside the bottle Ero had held. Placing both boys in a position one neither one would come to care for. While no helping suppressed feelings of affection that Jack had been hiding for young magician much.
"I think I've got a contusion." Ero started to feel the back of his head.
He found a budding lump forming on the back of his skull to the point lifting his head made his dizzy. Swirling of everyone's images upon his revived vision followed by a numbing effect he tries to verbalize. Came out in a form of mumbles before he lost his sense of stability upon sitting up. Had him crashing back onto the ground bracing him self on his arms experiencing a tingling sensation. Weaving in and out of consciousness trying to block out the pain that was closing in.
Jack the whole time watched Ero struggle to try and sit up in rushful matter getting tongue-tied. Unhealthy glaze over eyes and woozy feelings Ero had told Jack the fellow youth wasn't all right. Him swaying side to side unable to string a single sentence as Jack reached toward Ero. Touching a face that was void of color just like his own as Ero's eyes started to roll. Probably to the back his head as he started to fall back toward the ground out of Jack's range of touch.
"No you don't!" North would end up catching Ero.
Tekla was the one that pulled Jack off Ero so North could look the boy over confirms the damage. It was getting Jack to his feet and his attention to stay on her that wasn't tricky part. Being he was cooperative to point he could complement her on black leather and lace corset infused top. She decided to wear that naturally showed off her cleavage for all to see. Got Jack a promise of pie later before North informed them how bad Ero was.
"To infirmary with you." North was careful handling Ero's body since standing him up wasn't best idea. Didn't stop him from holding Ero in one of his burly arms long enough to use other to grab Snow Globe. He whispered the WorkShop's medical wing location into before tossing it into the air. Out a portal burst in thin air showing scene of massive room filled with beds. Smell of industrial strength cleaner and antiseptic flowed into Ero's nostrils as stepped North. Calling whatever Yeti was there in this booming voice that had Tekla covering Jack's ears. After they followed North into portal with Ero in North's arms being carried bridal style.
"Just pick bed and put boy down!" Tekla knew Ero's condition wasn't going to get better with North jostling youth around.
"Do what with him afterward?" North actually dumped Ero down.
Two of them start to argue like they had before Ero got hurt had Jack wondering away form Tekla's side. For the occupied bed North asking if he was dead yet had carelessly placed that Ero on. What he got was his hand grabbed and placed on back of Ero's head to relief the pain. To only earn a nicknamed Portal Ice Pack from now dozy Ero mumbling his head felt better. Blushed crept over Jack's face do to Ero holding his hand by the wrist in insensitive matter and their closeness. Being he been practically lying beside Ero with his head tucked under his head. Wouldn't last long due to Yeti named Mucolox coming in and heading straight toward Ero. Who ended up approaching Tekla and North wanting them to leave for Ero's sake.
Telka was the first to leave making sure to grab Jack on her way out the door she slammed shut. By kicking it with one of her feet telling Jack can comfort Ero later not slowing down her pace. Not really caring if North and Mucolox were left with ringing sensation in their ears afterward. Left Jack rather impressed and openly asking what happen to get Tekla to rattle her too badly. His answer came in the form of a gently nudge against his pants leg followed by a whining noise.
"Hey little guy." Jack followed Tekla looked down and found familiar face.
Small fawn must have followed them through the portal out of fear of being alone and never once left their sides. Even after tripping Ero and Jack while the elves were trying to feed the fawn. Its wide brown eyes full of innocence watching Tekla kneel down slowly with out stretched hand. Before she could stroke her fingers through its silky fur to assure the scared fawn nothing was wrong. One of the large wooden doors that were the entrance/exit way through to Medical Wing. Swung open to reveal North-ordering Mucolox to inform him when Ero could be released. Before he stepped out allowing the door to closed from other side as his attention turned.
Away from Tekla's hand the fawn choose to hide behind Jack by wobbling all the way there. Lowering it's ears and pressing against Jack not wanting to be between Tekla and North if dispute started up. This had Jack taking fawn's side asking them why they were even arguing. Pointing out that he and Ero stood outside the door of North's private office waiting for some announcement. That was supposed to be about some visit to yet another spirit's home. Never took place since both boys spent their entire morning listening to both senseless arguing.
"I'll be visiting my pond if you want me." Jack picked up scared fawn deciding to place the dear in Ero's room, "Have fun with your yell fest."
Tekla turned toward North admitting he was right that about just giving into Ero's mother demands. Didn't mean eye contact was made with North when Tekla spoke the words in form of confession. Placing her hands on her flat stomach while tears started to fall from her eyes. She kept down ward to start her feet that were introverted with toes pressed up against each other. Again she started to blame her hormones while slither of fear ran through her veins. That only brought a smile to North's face as she ended up having her tears wiped away by his rough fingers.
"Boy or girl?" He placed one his atop her own.
"Don't care." Tekla ended up sniffling, "Since she or he is handful like Ero and Jack are."
Up she lifted by North informing her if Ero's condition improved he be personal taking them to his mother's place. Giving into Tekla's insistence on putting some type collar on Rudolph before handing him over.
Knowing Ero's head wound wasn't a life threatening bump to his cranium, as they all feared after more thorough check. After an hour and a half of keeping an ice pack on it after homeopathic treatment was used. Swelling went down to the point the bump disappeared and appeared Ero to function normally. To the point he fell asleep on Mucolox just when she allowed him to leave. Making it easy on her to pick up and hand him off to another Yeti wit out him waking. So he could carry through out the workshop to right bedroom since Jack had his door locked, and placed on his bed. Leaving him to take a peaceful nap after Yeti left him to meet with North.
Removal of his boots and outerwear weren't needed to be done since magic fused into his room did that already. Leaving his boots and folded jacket to be placed on top of a chest that against the bed's footboard. While he was able to take a peaceful nap when some one entered his room. She carried a tote filled with colorful balls of yarns and knitting needles made of wood. Over sized sweater she wore over tight fitting jeans with dark finish showed her form off perfectly. Her long red hair was perfectly braided and laid on bare shoulder as she walked.
"Where is chair?" She looks around the room.
Only chair she could find was one pressed up against two closed doors that held a stack of pillows. She would eventually pull over to Ero's bedside so she could seat down and start knitting. Creating one of many pieces of clothing that could be crafted from yarn made freshly spun wool. Had been dyed into all types of colors by the Yetis to Tekla's except standards and regulations. Came in the forms of mittens to gloves, hats of all kinds, scarves, blankets, sweaters, and etc. That was then put aside with many other handcrafted items meant for children. That North visited on Christmas delivering wrapped gifts to good boys and girls.
Among the items Tekla weaved knitting needles were set of baby clothes she of both blue and pink tints. Could be found tucked away in tote bag she carried into the room by room's second occident. Fawn named Rudolph leapt off the windowsill on wobbly legs allowing it curiosity. To take over to the point he peer to bag that lay next to legs of the chair Tekla relocated. All the bright colors in the outline of balls made of yarn had Rudolph wanting to roll a few around. Before it could get in to a tangle mess even attempt to knock a few balls out of the bag. Chilly presence passing the door of Ero's bedroom had the Rudolph wagging his small tail.
"He dead?" Jack asked about Ero.
"No, just slumbering." Tekla answered not looking up from her knitting.
"At least he's alive." Jack walks further into the room.
Tekla tried to laugh as she ended up putting her work down in her lap to notice Rudolph sticking his nose in her tote. Over she leaned from her seat reaching into her own bag pulling something out, and fasten it around fawn's neck. Revealing it was ornate collar made of leather and metal work done by North.
"He still working on tag." Tekla taps Rudolph's nose.
When Tekla's hands left fawn's neck the dear tried to look what hung to snuggly on his furry neck. Funny dance Rudolph put on had Jack laughing as he plopped down on empty side of Ero's bed. Waking the occupant to full awareness when finding unwanted guests in his room.
"Morning Sleeping Beauty." Jack was first to greet Ero.
"Use given name," Tekla rose from her seat. "...Or don't speak at all."
She picked up her tote bag after putting away her knitting saying both boys were to be ready before 3:45 PM that evening. Telling them both to meet at take off point where the sleigh would he waiting to take them to Salem Village in Massachusetts.
"Bring fawn with you or you are cleaning out stables." Were Tekla's last words to both boys before exiting the bedroom.
"Don't you have city to cover in snow?" Ero asked Jack.
"Rather bother you." Jack watched him.
"That we both don't have time for." Ero yawns.
This had both boys making a silent agreement to go their own ways until they met back up taken off point. Jack ended up leaving for the privacy of his own room using his staff to close Ero's door. Allowing Rudolph to be left alone with whom would be his new owner staring the wobbly leg fawn. Ero walked up to so he could pick up Rudolph asking if he was a flying reindeer like his parents. This got him the most clueless expression from Rudolph staring at him with his innocent filled eyes. Onto magical configured basket with soft inner lining the Rudolph was placed to lay by Ero. Giving Ero the chance to escape behind one of the two doors the chair was once in between.
Since a whole half-hour later when both ended up leaving their rooms found a surprise above their heads. Yetis could be found hinging braided streams that came in trio of teal, Amber, and Eggplant. Paper lanterns in the shape of church bells with red garlands at their top were hung above a door's frame. One set of these lanterns placed above a door and gave off an off glow. Had those boys watching where they step since one wrong move and Yeti could be knocked or bumped into. That would completely mess up where braided streams and lanterns were being placed.
"You going to the party?" Jack asked Ero knowing the meaning behind decorations.
"Have to since I get to see Hakase Pitchnier and Celeste." Ero talked about two of the spirits.
He didn't want to bring up the spirits he spoke of were fellow outsider guardians that represented special holidays. One of which Jack would have met during the delivery run that Tekla had sent them on if he sent his fear aside. Second one had a schedule far busier then tooth fairies pairing people of ages and sexes together. Anyone else Ero didn't have much of interest in do to personal connections he shared with him or her both.
"Let me guess," Jack remembered something Ero once told him. "This Hakase Pitchnier guy was the Halloween spirits you mom once slept with?"
"He's one of five men she ever sleeps with... When inebriated." Ero sighed; "you hooves are going to be busy with her."
Squeal from Rudolph walking out in front of Ero with out wobbling had Jack smiling while he readjusted his grip. On his staff swinging to widely where carved part hooked into a Yeti's limb and pulled wrong way. Making the Yeti loose their footing when holding a ladder in place for another Yeti on the top lighting lanterns. Instead caught the braided streamers on fire when the ladder Yeti was on fell over with Yeti on it. Knocking the lit match out a furry hand and on would have landed on more braided streamers if wasn't for Ero and Jack.
One used his naturally abilities over winds with chilly touch to surround the match putting out the small flame. That had Jack springing into air on his staff manipulating the air currents that were already flowing through the room. Filling the current of air with icy touch that turned the piece of wood into block of ice. Landed on top of the head of yet another Yeti whole Ero ended up using series of low level spells to clean up the small messes. First was an assistary spell that helped knocked over Yetis and the ladder while the second recover burnt decorations.
"We're so cleaning up animal dung." Ero looked to Rudolph.
Little dear could be found hiding behind a few groups of Yetis that were staring down both Ero and Jack like something went wrong. Not like either boys wanted to stick around for what the Yetis would do them for what happen. In the air Jack stayed offering to help Ero get off the ground without using a teleportation charm. Ero ended up answering Jack magically lifting him self into the air. Using a pulse minor charm spell to push him into the air so eh could sit behind Jack on his own staff. In his lap Rudolph sat liking the height advantage it had been given by Ero.
To only end up pressed the between the boys when Jack ended up flying through the air over Yetis' heads. This had Ero holding onto Jack's torso with one arm while the other held onto small in joint firm grip. Again Jack had to fight back the feeling of affection he had toward the boy he was now sharing his staff ride with. Forcing him self to focus on guiding what little air current he had to fly with.
"I think you can put us down now." Ero mumbled through his frustration.
He knew the Yetis had to have stopped pursuing them after they flew over their heads back in guest wing. Since they were now out in the open of the Main Corridor that led into guest wing. Seemed to be covered in it decorated the Yetis had been putting up when Ero and Jack stepped out of their rooms.
"Scared of heights?" Jack teased Ero while slowly lowering them.
"More like into using my legs until I can master flight through use of a broom." Ero started to take a few calming breaths.
Before Jack could start asking him about how flight through usage of broom worked he ended up alone on his staff. Since when the gave close enough to the ground Ero set Rudolph on the ground. He joined the young fawn using his own boot-clad feet to walk toward the elevator just ahead of them.