Sequel to Lullaby.
Bunny lounged between the roots of the large tree, the Warrens hidden from view behind the curtain of hanging pink flowers. Having woken here alone late on Easter, he decided to take a look at what Jack had been doing before talking him into taking a nap. Or rather singing him to sleep. Bunny would really have to ask the kid where he learn to sing so well. For now, though, it was his drawings that interested him.
The winter spirit certainly had a unique style. He itched to try it himself. He always made a point of experimenting with every new style of art he encountered. With his job for the year over for now and a lot of time until next Easter, experimenting was what he would be doing a lot of. Now he had a good starting point.
But first, he was interested in what the young Guardian had chosen to depict. He had only seen the ice skating carrots before his nap and had glimpsed a picture that looked like Jack's lake, but he was surprised at some of the others. One depicted the Warrens, which wasn't unusual seeing as this is where Jack had been, but the ducks were more puzzling. Bunny could not remember ever seeing the winter spirit and ducks at the same time. The scene looked like the viewer was flying with among them.
The kids making snowman was also something expected, but there was something about it that made Bunny's ears twitch. It was the angle of the scene, he realized. It wasn't drawn as if seen by someone on the ground. Rather, he was seeing it from above. As an aloof observer rather than someone who might potentially join in the fun. It made him feel sad and a little guilty. He quickly turned the page.
He snorted at the last one he got too. Apparently the dye had not easily washed. That would explain why Jack had avoided him for a while after that Halloween.
He was startled out of his contemplation when a pale hand pushed away the hanging flowers. Bunny barely had time to throw the sketchbook out of sight behind the tree's trunk before Jack peeked in. He did not want to look too interested in the drawings. He did not have a sarcastic comment ready.
"Bunny! Did you have a nice nap?"
The way Jack spoke like he was a small child annoyed him. He did not need a kid treating him like a baby. Bunny frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
"What do you want, Frostbite? I'm busy."
Jack raised an eyebrow at that, slowly looking around for any sign that Bunny had actually moved from his spot since he left him. Bunny cursed himself. Maybe he should have stayed asleep.
"Right. I can see that. Well, sorry to interrupt your all-important post-Easter meditation, but I had a message for you. From Sophie."
His scowl disappeared almost instantly. His ears perked up in interest.
"A message? What message?"
Instead of answering, Jack floated next to him. He knelt down on one of the large roots Bunny was sitting between and looked at him for a long moment with a grin.
"Frostbite? Sophie's message?" he prompted impatiently.
Without warning, Jack threw his arms around Bunny's shoulder and squeezed, throwing the startled Pooka off-balance. He raised his mouth to Bunny's long ear before the Guardian of Hope could shake him off.
"Easter Bunny, hop, hop, hop!"
