AN:
A song from album Eurythmics greatest hits by Eurythmics.
Don't Ask Me Why:
Edwyna sent one of her massager crow the day after announced was made Pitch was granted Guardianship. Bird had to be large enough to carry locked wooden chest hooked around its neck. Would be removed by the Yetis that allowed the winged creature to land within the Workshop. Contains were envelope addressed to Ero tied to a corked flask with eerie liquid that glowed. Other jars surrounding that one were filled with all types of foods that ranged from sweets to snacks. Ended up being delivered to North's private office where Ero could feed a reindeer calf.
Had him wanting that jarred foods taken to his room while he was left with the envelope addressed to him. Taking a break from bottle feeding his mother's congratulatory gift in form red nose reindeer calf. That meant picking the small creature up off his lap while putting empty bottle down. Getting up out of an over size arm face front of North's large desk covered in tools and paper. Walking toward a large cushion with name Rudolph embodied on a top part calf was placed on.
"Rudolph...stays." Ero instructed the doughy-eyed calf.
Up for his kneeling position he went making sure Rudolph wouldn't end up following him back to his seat. Where the corked jar waited to be looked over by him before he gave attention to the envelope. He unfolds to find a note written in his mother's hand writing saying would free him. Had figuring what she wrote if owner of the officer hadn't decided to walk in after making his rounds. In his hands was Tekla's latest batch of sweets straight from her oven or stovetop.
"Gifts from home?" North asked Ero asked about the jar.
"More like one of her messed up jokes." Ero held up the corked jar.
"Let's figure out." North was up to solving riddle of the corked jar.
North handed off he filled plate to one of the elves at his feet before making his way toward Ero. Making sure to put his glasses on when handed the item to get a better look at the contains inside. This had him seeking out his place behind his large desk in an over sized chair fit for his body structure. Leaving Ero to pick up the empty bottle he had used to feed Rudolph for a full one. He was able to exchange for a full one in the hands of Yeti entering the office with sandwich from Tekla.
Ero took thanking the Yeti he left to bother North so he could get back to feeding calf resting on giant pillow. He would sit besides lifting the bottle up to calf's mouth not needing to coax the hungry creature to nibble. That turned on to a full-blown suckling of the bottle's rubber tip he only held with one hand with a smile. He used his lap to rest he plate the sandwich sat on while he used his free hand to eat a decent meal. Making him think missing out on breakfast to sleep in with Jack was more of a bad idea despite what two did. Still made his face turn red since Jack did most of the work between them that left him to vocal one.
"It an aging potion." North guessed the jar's contains.
Not like the Yeti cared when he dumped the newest doll in front of North gesturing to appearance in general. This had North placing the jar and the note in one of the draws of his desk to look over troubled toy. He didn't seem was wrong despite what the Yeti was pointing out about the doll.
Ero went on agreeing there was nothing wrong with the doll from where he sat beside the calf. Finishing up the feeding for young one that would leave him with empty bottle and plate he needed to return. Way the argument between North and one of his Yetis was going he needed to leave. Up on to his feet would go securely holding the empty bottle and plate as he moved upward. Walking toward North's table where a wired carrier made of metal tubing wielded together laid. In to the empty slot the bottle was placed beside three others before carried was picked up.
"I'll be leaving." Ero tried to speak over the yelling and growling.
Not that his voice could be heard while his attention was turned toward something nudging his leg. Down he looked to find collar clad Rudolph nuzzling his clothed leg with his little head. Calf wanted to tag along with him instead of stay here in North's office the remainder of the day. Brought a smile to Ero needing the company since Jack went off to visit his human friends, and maintain winter season on other half of the world. So this started his long walk to kitchens of the North's Workshop. That had calf walking by his side like a loyal pet taking in the sights.
Not and then they stopped when a Yeti or two wanted to look over the newest edition of North's reindeer. Beside a leather collar that buckled around Rudolph's neck was crafted by North and his lunation nose. Small calf had all the regular markings of baby creature his own age as he stood on sturdy legs. Responding to his name Rudolph whenever a Yeti asked Ero what his name was. By slightly jumping 4 to 8 inch into the air in this playful matter that any Yeti thought was cute. Leaving Ero to look into teaching Rudolph some simple tricks usual pets are taught.
Also had Ero thinking about other factors such as owning a reindeer calf or fawn of a deer for his very own. Wanting a connection to both North and Jack since Rudolph had him thinking of his possible future. Was already in the process of taking place within Burgess, Pa with plot land he applied for. Place he started to claim as his propriety was a within forest area and known to him as Jack's Pond. After going through right legal channels within human world thanks to his Tekla and his mother. Ero was able to some place in this world to start a life while surprising Jack with the idea... If he ever agreed to it.
"First let's get you a friend." Ero looked down at prancing Rudolph.
In his own little way Rudolph would ended up agreeing with Ero in wanting a playmate in the near future. By stomping his small hooves in place twice on the wooden boards under his small feet. Imaging what kind creature he would be playmate with was a complete mystery to him knowing Ero. Only excited Rudolph more to the point he started to do a little dance the rest of the way.
Wouldn't stop after they stepped through the kitchen doors dropping off the empty bottles and other dishware. What he got was Lorre in a one of Tekla's aprons happy to calf by Ero's side. Who would end up hold a medium size jar with screw on lid filled with treats handed over to him. Told by Lorre that treats inside the jar were made for the calf as he grew and would never run out. Lorre and Tekla baked recipe for the treats as a gift for Ero to give to Rudolph.
"Not for human ingestion if you ever get hungry," Lorre thought Ero needed to know. "That will give you an upset stomach if eaten."
Back work Lorre went when Yeti approached him from behind mumbling that Tekla was asking for his help. Had Ero and Lorre exchanging a quick good bye before out the kitchen one of them went. Rudolph followed Ero this time very closely losing his mood to prance or leap around Ero's feet. Making sure to keep up with his ever-moving feet that walked in reverse of path they took. Instead of heading back to North office halfway through like Rudolph thought since change direction. Heading through opened entranceway of the guest hall where Ero's bedroom was located.
Would have walked into if they hadn't stopped in front of one bedroom that Hakase was in. Only natural light within the room came from the lamps carved from black oak wood in images of dancing ghouls. While single tapestry hang on the wall that was visible from the opened doorway. Ero would come to not enter with scared Rudolph hiding behind his legs wondering if Hakase was in.
"Something wrong?" Hakase voice startled Ero and Rudolph.
Out from one of the dark corners of the room Hakase would step in one his medieval garb holding reins. Ero didn't what to answer when the image of Nightmare was walked into behind Hakase. Except the creature eyes were colored a midnight blue instead of the usual bright orange. Wore a rein made of braided tree bark and some type of metallic fiber that was flexible consistency. Wearing English saddle made of the same mixture the reins on the head and mouth. Wouldn't stay in their presence for to long since Hakase tap him on his forehead while lifting a small flask. Turning the Nightmare into black sand that would be sucked into flask he held.
"A gift from my reformed brother." Hakase corked the flask.
"Do I want to know what you guy were doing?" Ero asked looking at the flask.
"Hunting in near by wildness of our homeland," Hakase sounded nostalgic. "I need the blood for what's coming up."
"Like in animal blood..." Ero figured whose blood was being used.
"Yes and don't worry," Hakase assured Ero. "Prep work on animals is taking place back at my home in Romania by my elves."
Ero ended up gulping at this 'Prep work' being down trying not to image what was actually going on. Since he would excuse him self from the doorframe of the room making sure not trip over Rudolph. Who would found in the fetus position pressing against a wall opposite of Hakase's door. Ero would kneel down to shaking the filled jar in front of him in hopes he would response to him. He did by sniffing the air getting to his feet when Ero removed the lid to the jar in front of him.
"You may have one if you just get to your feet." Ero slowly drew Rudolph to his hooves.
When Ero got to his own feet slowly as he started to walk backward toward the end of the hallways. Making sure he didn't bump into any of the Yetis that were back out of the unoccupied rooms. Those Yetis were in charge of household responsibilities from maintaining rooms to clean up duties. Who from time to time would be allowed into the two rooms Jack and Ero used. Complaining to their fellow Yetis about what they would find in either boy's rooms when picking up.
"Careful!" Hakase watched from his own doorway.
He was impressed with how Ero was getting one of his mother's creations to act to freely about people. Knowing that Rudolph wouldn't make it pas his mature stage as a reindeer worried him. Since he was the one that Edwyna sought out for prefect the alteration spell on living creatures. Not knowing those spell it self would be on actual creature in toddler stage of their life.
"Thanks." Ero waved at him while trying to focus on getting Rudolph to his room instead of allowing the calf to stay cowering in hallway.
He was doing a good job with by navigating in straight line down the center of the hallways using dim lighting. Somewhat glad he had Hakase to help as a verbal guide if any one was behind him. Since he didn't want to bump into any thing or one knowing that would cause quite a scene. Not knowing that bedroom door to leading to Jack's room would swing open with Jack stepping out. His staff resting on his shoulder as he leaned on his own doorframe taking in sight of Ero form behind.
"Weren't you supposed to on other half of the world handling a mild chill?" Hakase asked Jack to reveal his presence.
Ero ended up getting to his feet making sure to turn around and look to the someone that Hakase greeted. Their Jack stood at foot of his own door way with his signature smile to his face staring at him. Placed Ero in the most uncomfortable state of being since Jack wasn't informed about Rudolph. Who was now fully stand on the tips of his hooves with his little neck stretched out. Trying to the rim of the jar filled with tasty smelling treats he wanted to get his little mouth on. That was now held behind Ero within both his hands being hidden away from Jack's line of sight.
"Got done early," Jack answered Hakase as he stared at Ero. "Wanted to head back since Jamie and his sister weren't in."
"Then have fun with newest addition." Hakase winked at him.
Back into his room Hakase would retreat need to change his clothing and look over latest plans for Halloween season. Maybe get a few plans for the other season in since he had gifts to buy and invites to look over. Along with looking into having Ero come live with him (and Lorre) to learn a few magical tricks from him.
About to close his door when he heard a crashing noise from where he left both the boys and reindeer calf. Out the door he charged ready to bring fourth one of his hellhounds if wasn't for humorist scene before him. That came in the form of Ero sitting on top of Jack with his back end meeting his front. Rudolph stood in front of the both of them eating spills contains of knocked over jar. Walking everyone few inches cleaning up the small piles of treats that had rolled out.
"Need some help?" Hakase asked amused.
Jack ended up wrapping his arms around Ero's waist answering for Ero that he wanted them stay this way. Ero had to bite his tongue twice to keep him self from cursing or talking off Rudolph for what he did. In sort of shock that her was head butted from behind at the back of his legs by Rudolph. Resulted in him dropping opened jar of treats while he lost his balance and fell backwards. Jack acted fast not wanting Ero to fell onto to the floor and end up getting hurt due to hungry Rudolph.
Ended up scooping in to try and catch Ero that resulted in him acting as a cushion for Ero's impact. Who landed right in his lap as he butt first slammed onto the ground dropping his staff on his descent. Leaving the both of them to look like they had taken this position while Rudolph fed him self.