AN:
A song from album 2011 Grammy Nominees by Adam Lambert.
Whataya Want From Me:
Large area of the workshop set aside for the party was now hustling and bustling with all kinds of guardians Jack never met before. A few he already knew after what he had been through when it came to Pitch's down fall. That left him open to meet a few new ones while introducing Ero as his boyfriend to existing guardians he already knew.
Figuring out which of three the news would be broken to since they would react differently to what was said. Bunnymund was in now shape to talk to since he was already gotten drunk. Talking to him would be a challenge since he slurred when he talked and was mean kind of drunk. Leaving Toothiana and Sandy to be the ones the young couples best to tell first out of everyone.
"This is so exciting!" Toothiana whizzed around Jack's head.
Sandy was to busy having his multi signs above his head being translated by Ero as he wore a smile. This only to seem further confuses Ero to the point he handed Sandy a drink from passing trey, and told him to pass on the word. On the back a hand made of gold sand before Sandy ran off slapped Ero. Making Ero regain his balance before watching Toothiana fly off buzzing with joy.
"Do I want to know?" Ero ended up asking Jack.
"That she's proud of us." Jack answered playing around with his staff.
"At least you knew she was saying...I still can't under stand a thing Mr. ManSnoozie says." Ero wished spoke with Toothiana.
"You were better off with him." Jack didn't want to tell Ero that Toothiana spoke a sentence a minute.
Two of them just moved on to some other guardians that Ero had to introduce to Jack knowing he was interested. Off to the side of party Ero pulled Jack needing to sit him down and point out everyone out. What they found was one of North's over sized armchairs that always took two people to fill. Those two were Jack sitting upside down while Ero sat on one of the armrest naming names.
Starting with woman dressed skimpy / cutesy dressed with over flowing blond hair named Celeste. Ero made it clear she was the spirit of love (in all forms) and represented the holiday known as Valentine's day (among other holidays that revolved around love). On to the typical leprechaun with pipe sticking out his lips named Berach O'Dodle babbling about olden days. Who was the spirit of St. Patrick's day and to never pick a fight with him, or try to steal his pot of gold. Beside him was a human sized ground hog with bounce in his step and that he was the spirit of a Ground hog's day. Ero warned Jack to stay away from him since the guy was hornball (with reputation of going after anyone who wears pants).
"What's with the old guy dressed in red, white and blue suit?" Jack asked about Uncle Sam.
"4th of July or Independent's day," Ero corrected Jack. "He's a spirit that represents United States of America."
Ero moved on to elderly man near a baby carriage that held a baby he explained represented New Year's Eve and Day. Woman in the white kimono with features similar to Jack's own was a type of Japanese winter fairy. She what was Ero called an Ice or Snow Queen with powers and abilities similar to Jack's own. Who was only here to take in the drinks and food since she didn't represent anything.
"Don't even think about getting to know her," Ero knew Jack wanted to approach her. "She would spit you out and through away the key."
"Not even a little?" Jack asked needing to push Ero a little.
"Want to be drained of your life force and found dead." Ero pretty much describes what Jack is left as.
Going on how in the wildness of Japan during his or her wintry months was a place no native wanted to explore. Since tales of a woman dressed in old white with icy winds for breath would find lost travelers, and feed from their life essences. If you got away from her sub-zero touch and icicle lips with half of you life force intact. The run as far from her and where she took you as you can because a good game of chase she likes. If she catches you before you leave those woods then the last thing any one will see, or rather hear of you.
"...Is your screams." Ero explained thoroughly.
"Why would MiM give her life?" Jack looked toward beams of moonlight peering through the open sky roof.
"She has a similar purpose to you; buy she kills instead of brings fun." Ero stares at the same direction.
"Still?" Jack couldn't believe.
To only a further explanation about Ice Queen's existence was for a time in Japan's history when there was unrest. Era of time that was being spoken about had to be feudal age when instability for the region was lively. Creature like the Ice Queen being created during the time period seemed justified. Since wondering Samurai who lose their purpose in life or tainted-hearted man always fell prey to her. As their wrinkled old body would be only thing found left of them when winter is over.
"You must be that famous Jack Frost I've heard so much about from my niece, Seraphina." Hakase ended up joining Jack and Ero.
He had walked from a crowd made up of few guardians that represented varies New Years of different cultures. Each one looking forward to what was going to happen with out fear of Pitch coming after them. Making plans that would had huge fireworks and more elaborate displays then what could be found through the room. Has Hakase deciding to leave the throng of spirits before conversation got serous.
Where he wanted to walk off toward had him leaning against the other armrest of chair Jack and Ero sat on. Thinking their company would be better then others spirits around him getting drunk. Since he rarely drinks anything related to alcohol and isn't a sociable person by nature. He ended up coming to choice to sit by a few spirits that bring back pleasant memories for him.
"Who are you?" Jack would ask question that was quickly answered when Hakase took hold of his own head, and lifts. Placing his head in his lap while Ero told Jack that Hakase was a Dullanhan or more popular name a Headless Horse Man. Left Jack rather speechless was he watched Hakase hold his head like a melon.
"I usual do this to scary local children when Hollow's Eve rolls around." Hakase put his head back on.
"What got me to interest in disfigurement magic." Ero dislocated his hand from his wrists and whirled them around. Before attaching them back on to his wrists noting him self he gotten rusty and needed practice.
Again Jack was unable to say anything since he was left with out any use of words or actual movements. Left Hakase to use his favor over his own shadow came in form dark colored tentacles that would steal a filled glass or two for Ero and him self. Along with a filled plate he could share with Ero and Jack knowing both hadn't eaten anything.
"I've spoke with Tekla about the enchanted jewelry," Hakase watched Ero took hold of the filled dishware. "She agrees it's time for them to be placed on you if she can convince North."
Ero tried not to choke one of the glasses he sipped from unable comprehend what was just brought up. Knowing some how during the party Hakase most has pulled Tekla over to his side about Ero's training. Knowing the enchanted jewelry that needed to be placed on Ero could belayed any longer by North, and soon would be permanently placed on Ero.
"My left." Ero brushed his hair away from that ear.
"Chosen your familiar yet?" Hakase asked about while animal guide Ero wanted.
"Something likes your steed." Ero meant Hakase's dragon-horse by the name of Lexxion.
"See what I can do." Hakase ended up smirking.
To only have his drink knocked from his hand when Jack ended swung one of his arms a little to wide. He yelled out WOW so loudly anyone could have heard him if wasn't for the loud chatter and music. Leaving Hakase to use one of his tentacles to catch the glass while others soaked the liquid in mid-air.
"You have got to teach me that?" Jack asked Hakase highly motivated.
"Stick with what you got." Hakase was taken back by Jack's excitement.
"Here." Ero offered what was on the plate.
Jack's attention was turned to the sandwiches and finger foods that hadn't are picked over by Ero yet. Leaving Hakase to ask Jack about the human boy named Jamie became friendly with of late. Revealing he heard through the guardian grapevine of this one human boy on believed even after all stopped. Wanting to meet him was something Hakase had been interested in for sometime.
To only have his answer come sooner then later when familiar voices of Jamie and Sophie head heads turning. Standing at the entrance of a closing portal a Snow Globe was possible used on in their nightwear. With their little eyes wide open at large gathering of spiritual ranked guardians. Before a formally decorated Tekla on either side of her was Bennett children.
"Don't be scared." Tekla could feel Sophie's grip on her dress tighten some.
It was Jamie who ignored the helping hand of a Yeti in wanting to remove his coat and scarf so he could run off. Wanting to take in the sights of other creatures beside the four known guardians he already knew. Leaving his timid sister to clench and tug at skirt part of Tekla's dressed out of fear. Not stopping the girl's eyes from looking over the largely colorful room look liked scene from her coloring books.
"Party not comes to you;" Tekla sheds her fur wrap and hare fur gloves in the arms of Yeti. "You go to party."
She ended kneeling down toward the Sophie at her side pick her up like she didn't weight over a pound. Held her in her arms upon her hip she started walk asking the child where she wanted to go first. The girl only tuckered her head inward as her blond Lockes fell over her bent head. Leaving Tekla to laugh as she playfully started to spin around as she walked to get Sophie to laugh.
That ended when a semi-drunk Bunnymund hopped over toward them asking ankle bitter was having fun. His stale and alcoholic smelling breath told Tekla she wasn't handing this child off to him. Not like she could back away from Bunnymund knowing pissing him off when semi-drunk a good idea. All she could do was put up with him until a Yeti or someone came to her rescue.
"Sticky." Was all Sophie said when Bunnymund aimed his mouth toward her.
"How much you drink after I left to fetch children?" Tekla asked notching Bunnymund's unstable form.
Each time he tried to count on his furry covered hands he hiccupped air pockets of alcohol smelling breath. Goofy grin with loopy eyes wasn't going to end well since Sophie started repeating word sticky. Making Tekla start to hold human child closer to her form in fear Bunnymund getting angry, and lashing out.
Shifting attention toward brown haired young lad running around the room bothering whatever spirit peaked his attention. One's he lingered the most with were 2 humanoids with Asian dragon features. Their long scale and feather covered tails that seem to move on their own. Those were first traits that caught Jamie's eyes when he passed them after meeting with Celeste and Groundhog. Didn't mean he stayed long with them since sight of Jack on large chair had running toward him.
"Get ready." Ero hands Hakase his empty glass.
"He looks like an interesting boy;" Hakase watches Jaime come toward them. "It's your I'm worried about."
Off the armrest Hakase would go saying something about refills and then needing to check on his steed. Leaving his blank spot to be climb on by Jamie asking Jack and Ero all sorts of questions about everything. Ero ended up allowing Jack to take over the conversation to point he left the chair. Making his way toward Tekla and Sophie thinking the woman needed someone to rescue them.
"Who's this little lady?" Was his opening line before getting into Sophie's range of view.
"Thank MiM," Tekla handed Sophie off to him. "Take her until time to take her home."
Ero wasn't once objective to having a child in his arms while Tekla told him to hurry up to his room. Slipping one of her own Snow Globes into pocket of whatever coat he has been wearing before stepping away. Leaving him to not ask why he needed to get to his room as he started to walk away. Sophie safely in his arms bewildered by coloring of his hair being similar to Jack's own. Had Ero telling her a story of how he ended up with this hair coloring the day his mother become a guardian.
Story acted as a distraction for Sophie when he walked out area the party was taking place to use Snow Globe. Picking the item from his pocket so he could use it as a quick get away for both of them. Toward his second room located with the Workshop's guest wing and not the one back in Salem Village. Had him placing Sophie on her feet when the portal ended up closing behind them.
"Cute isn't she?" Edwyna's voice watched Sophie.
Ero ended up welcoming her in his room knowing Tekla had something to do with her being here. Knowing a conflict between Hakase and North had to be avoided when if came to important part of Ero's training. Meant using a woman that North could tolerate with only his wife around. Then so be it since Edwyna had all the instruments for piercing of Ero's ear spread out on his bed. Make sure Sophie wouldn't interfere with the process Furball would be handed over to the girl by Edwyna.
Off to some corner of Ero's room Sophie would sit hugging Furball like stuffed animals while Edwyna watched her. In the woman's hands was a chanted music box in the shape of a Carousel with horses. She would whines and set down on near by hard surface for Sophie to be listening to its song.
"You brought your Lullaby Carousel?" Ero knew item Edwyna was using.
"SIT!" Edwyna points to his bed, "Try to hold still."
"That's what worries me." Ero looked to what was laid out.
Metal needles of different sizes and shapes laid beside two stones that he knew had magical properties. What laid next to the them were the enchanted pieces of jewelry matched what Edwyna wore. Both were made from special magical infused earthly materials Edwyna spent last 250 years crafting.
"This may sting." Edwyna picked up needle small enough to sew with.
"Not the first time I've heard that." Ero tilts his head.
"Quiet." Edwyna placed needle's tip above of one the stone.
Hakase never returned to the party despite angry North entering the area where the part took place. In a huff he couldn't find where Edwyna had hidden while Ero wasn't anywhere to be found. Tekla was to busy with handling now drunk Bunnymund and hold back advanced of horny groundhog. Jack could be flying around on his staff with Jamie behind him showing off his Workshop above their heads.
Since he chose to track down where Edwyna and Ero had run off too needing to deliver a few things, and a message from Celeste. Making sure to not drop set of glass jars he currently carried with in one of his hands. One of them filled with black dream sand he harvested him self from his elder brother. A union between him and Pitch lasted longer with out a fight breaking out between them. Had him promising to return to his brother's side when Pitch showed signs of being his own self.
"Anyone in there?" Hakase asked standing now right outside Ero's room within Workshop's guest wing.
Door ended up being opened by Edwyna closing up a leather bag with odd crest hand sewn into animal hide. Takes the capped jars from Hakase with out a care telling him everything was done. In her bag the jars would go while she walked out of the room completely leaving the door opened for Hakase. Disappearing into the darkness of the hallway with her fading winking eyes. He knew was a sign she would be visiting his room later to give him her own form of gratitude. Gave him shivers before decided to enter Ero's room and find sleeping Sophie in Ero's bed tuckered in.
Owner of the bed was sitting in the windowsill of his own room looking out the panels of glass. A fresh bandage covered his newly pierced ear that drew Hakase right to him so he could remove cotton and gaze. What Elder of the two found were same types of jewelry he wore on his own ear. Gold clasp with series of white colored stones upper part of boy's ear used store magical artifacts. Beside that by a 4 inches was 3 gray stones embedded in flesh of Ero's ear link by wire. Before leaning forward to place something in Ero's lap when he took a few steps toward him.
"You mad?" Hakase asked seeking a seat by Ero.
"No I'm fine just watching Sophie until its time for her to go back." Ero meant the girl in his bed.
"She reminds me of you at that age." Hakase looked toward Sophie.
"When I was only 19 and stuck in body of two-year-old." Ero tried not to laugh.
Ended up pointing out toward what laid Ero's lap saying he was able to find a maturing dragon-horse of the male gender. Just Lorre needed to be thanked also since he also help tracked down a breeder. Up to the clasp on Ero's ear the animal shape figurine was placed while Ero asked what Lorre wanted. Answer came in the form of Lorre wanting to come visit with him when this party was over. Smile that spread across Ero's face in joy of Lorre coming here had Hakase slightly laughing.
"Jack..." Hakase stop speaking of him due to expression Ero's face.
"He has he's friend Jamie;" Ero laid his head back on a few pillows sat on windowsill. "I shouldn't known..."
"Love is a fickle emotion." Hakase knew what Ero spoke of.