Alaia Skyhawk: Here it is, the conference!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood, or any related characters etc. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes.
~(-)~
Chapter 64: A Secret No More
The four Guardians waited in the workshop, up by the globe, in silence. Despite sleeping for most of the past day and a half, it could not be denied that the after-effects of losing almost all their believers had been harsh. When they normally had millions, it didn't come as much of a surprise that they'd been hit so hard. It meant they were still very tired, and in Bunny's case borderline cranky at having to attend a conference so soon. Added to that, they were still waiting for Jack to arrive.
Sandy, having slept through most of the Blackout, was the most upbeat of them despite showing some small signs he was suffering too. But even his smile was slightly strained as he let out a silent sigh.
Tooth glanced at him.
"Yeah, I wonder what's keeping him, too. Do you think North or Bunny should go check on him?"
"There's no need." All four of them flinched, turning sharply to face the ivy portal that had appeared behind them. The male that Nature Fairy that fluttered there, seemed mildly bored. "He is already at the Sanctuary of Nature, in the Glade of Winter."
North blinked, starting to frown.
"He's not going to arrive with us?"
The fairy shrugged his shoulders.
"Mother Nature has decided that it would be best for him to arrive at the conference through his customary entrance. His status as a Guardian is not yet public knowledge to the vast majority of the Immortals. As it is, it is likely to raise more objections than voices in support."
It was Bunny's turn to frown.
"And why the heck is that?"
The fairy drifted over, folded his arms across his chest, and regarded them blandly. He clearly didn't relish being the one to give this message. Yet his expression now became less bored, and more serious.
"Mother Nature instructed me to explain this, before escorting you through, to prevent you causing more trouble for Jack than there stands to be at present... Jack is already the Spirit of Winter, which makes him the sixth most-powerful immortal involved with this world as his power currently stands. However, with the restriction on his Range of Belief now lifted, he can expect his power to increase over the coming years by the same amount as that which any one of you four possess."
North let out a whistle of awe, while Sandy blinked and both Bunny and Tooth began to stare. The implications were not lost on any of them.
"We Guardians are not much weaker than a Spirit of the Seasons, when we are at full strength. You saying Jack can expect his power to double?"
The fairly nodded.
"He will still be weaker than Mother Nature and Tsar Lunar, but he will eventually replace Ariko as the strongest Spirit of the Seasons instead of him being the weakest. There are many Legends who will resent that a Nature Immortal be handed so much extra power, even if that power comes from him earning it."
Tooth winced at that, grimacing.
"Yes, I can think of a few like that." She sighed. "So, since we're now Jack's colleagues, Mother Nature wanted to give us a heads-up?"
The fairy rolled his eyes at the modern terminology. He and his kind, having been isolated in the Sanctuary of Nature for so long, tended to be a bit stuffy and formal in their use of language.
"Correct. Jack now stands in a precarious position, as the sole immortal who works directly for both her and Tsar Lunar. He stands in the top tier of both Legend and Nature hierarchies, and will have little choice but to do his best to try placate both sides as he rebuilds his footing from which to work. You, as Guardians, will need to stand up for him. The same is true of the Spirits of the Seasons. Both of you are responsible for him now. Now follow me at once, and do not dally."
The fairy made an abrupt turn and went back through the portal, leaving behind four startled Guardians. It was Bunny who spoke after glancing at his peers.
"Why do I get the feeling we've been landed with a huge babysitting job? Does Jack even know what kind of headache his dual status is gonna cause?"
Sandy shook his head, shrugged and wrote out for them to see.
'Either way, he won't care. It's not in his nature to worry what others think of him, unless he considers those people to be friends or family.'
Bunny grimaced, but couldn't argue with that. He'd learnt enough of Jack's temperament in the past few days, to know that Sandy was right.
"Basically he won't give two hoots unless it's something to do with either of his jobs. Anything else and he'll either ignore them, or turn teasing them into a game."
All four of them winced at that point in immediate realisation, and North tugged at his beard thoughtfully.
"That might be why we've been asked to keep eye on him."
Sandy let out a silent sigh of bemusement then pointed at the arch of ivy, and Bunny nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, we'd best get going or we'll be holding up the conference. Mother Nature will have made sure we're the last to arrive other than the Spirits of the Seasons."
All four of them winced at the thought of the impending fracas that was about to start, and North made the first move towards the portal.
"Then by all means, let us walk into lion's den."
He stepped through the portal, closely followed by the others, and they immediately found themselves at the lower edge of the conference amphitheatre. All the lower terraces were full of immortals loudly discussing with each other what could have caused the Blackout. The upper terraces on the other hand, where the Lieutenants of the Seasons were sat, were almost silent. It was clear they'd all already been briefed on the events by their relevant Spirit of the Season.
The arrival of the Guardians, who all looked rather worse for wear, brought the volume of the debate up a notch. And the four were about to split up and head to their usual spots when the Nature Fairy who had come to the Workshop, emphatically gestured for them to follow him.
They did, and were led to a new little area set up on the last terrace below where the Spirits of the Seasons sat, at the junction between the personal seating areas for Achieng and Oisin. That is to say, right between the top corners of the areas for the Lieutenants of Summer and Autumn. Mother Nature had, for the first time, created a dedicated place for the Guardians to sit 'as a unit'.
The four of them got themselves comfortable on the grass of their new private terrace area, unable to help but feel a bit uncomfortable at the way it set them apart to be focused on more by the other immortals. Previously they'd sat where they felt they fit, and thus had blended in for the most part other than the obvious respectful distance that had been maintained from them. Mother Nature clearly wasn't about to spare their personal feelings, in her actions to cushion Jack from what was soon to come.
It also seemed she was anxious to get the conference under way, because when the trumpet fanfare for the Spirits of the Seasons sounded out, it only played once. All four doors to the Glades opened at the same time in response, and the Spirits of Spring, Summer, and Autumn made no ceremony out of taking their seats. Instead they were brisk to the point of snapping to position, and none of them appeared dismissively bored like they had at the normal conferences.
But while their uncharacteristically serious arrival surprised many, Jack's arrival a few moments later caused a chorus of shocked gasps.
The Spirit of Winter flew in as his peers had done, but the act of taking his seat came with a great deal of wincing on his part. The reason was blatantly obvious. With a full thirty-six hours for any bruising to surface, the pale skin of his face was now a stark contrast to the considerable mottling of bruises running from neck-to-chin-to-hairline up the left side of it. He also had a black eye, and from the way he was moving he had a lot more bruises everywhere else as well. Sleeping had helped his energy levels, but it had also allowed him to go stiff from his injuries.
Tooth had her hands to her mouth in concern for him, but was kept from rushing over by Sandy's firm hand on her shoulder. It was now that Mother Nature appeared upon the central podium, her call for order silencing the gathered immortals and bringing their attention to her.
She waited for a few more moments, and then her voice rang out clear once more.
"I know you are all aware of the reason for this conference, the worldwide Belief Blackout which took place. I know that there are many of you who as yet do not know what it was that caused it, and that is why I have asked all of you to assemble here today." She paused, letting a few disquieted murmurs settle down, and continued. "I will be blunt... The Blackout was caused by the Nightmare King, Pitch Black, in an attempt at destroying the Guardians."
There was instant uproar, hundreds of immortals leaping to their feet. Many were shouting in shock, but others were yelling in outrage. Shouts of panic that Pitch had gained enough power to do that, mingled with a far greater number of objections and accusations from those who wanted retribution for the loss of their believers... even though they'd gotten them all back by now.
And since Pitch Black was absent and out-of-reach for that blame to be heaped upon his deserving shoulders, many of the angry immortals picked the next closest people involved to be their chosen scapegoats. The Guardians.
Dozens of them furiously shouted towards and pointed at North and the others, even as Mother Nature raised her voice above theirs demanding they calm themselves and bring the conference back to order. And after her efforts only succeeded in quietening half of those involved, Jack's voice, amplified through adding some of his power to the air, cut across the remaining protests.
"Stop bleating, you bunch of idiots!" Shouts became startled squawks, the noise dying down as he then continued with a voice dripping with annoyance and sarcasm. "So we all end up in a proverbial train-wreck, because a psycho pushed a massive boulder onto the tracks, and you're trying to blame the guys who were sat in the front car? Yeah right, real mature! You don't blame the victims, ever! Or have you even noticed how worn out all the Guardians look?"
He pointed to North and the others, his words now full of accusation of his own. "The Guardians were out there, fighting Pitch, while the rest of you scrabbled around worrying only about yourselves! Seriously, did none of you notice when Tooth's fairies suddenly stopped collecting teeth? Did none of you notice when the Sandman's dreamsand stopped appearing? Did none of you notice when Easter morning arrived but there were no eggs anywhere for the children to find? Did it not occur to you even once, to think that something serious was going on and that maybe some help would be appreciated?"
An irate shout came from the lower terraces.
"And what would you know?! You're the Spirit of Winter! You didn't suffer from the Blackout like we did!"
Jack's expression hardened at that, and he might have said more, but he interrupted an unexpected arrival...
Nightlight descended from above, followed by a small gathering of moonbeams, and landed by the side of Jack's bench. His sudden appearance startled the entire conference, because the Guardian of the Moon had never before attended any of the conferences. That he was here meant the Man in the Moon was taking a personal interest in this one.
The spectral boy frowned in the direction of the speaker, then looked out across the amphitheatre at them all, his voice resonating in their minds.
'And you forget that Jack Frost has believers as well. He was affected by the Blackout, in more ways than you realise.'
Mother Nature, hiding relief at this intervention, let out the most discrete of sighs before calling out.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Nightlight. Tsar Lunar doesn't normally intervene in these conferences."
Nightlight inclined his head to her respectfully.
'As this conference bears greatly on the Guardians, he directed me to come and speak on his behalf." He looked to the gathered immortals. "And Jack makes a very valid point. Blame for the Blackout lies solely at the feet of he who caused it, Pitch Black. It was the Guardians who ended it, and sent him back into defeat.'
Nightlight pointed to them.
'The first of them to swear the Tsar Lunar's service, the Guardian of Dreams... For a period of two days, we believed him to have been destroyed.' There was a massed gasp of horror. 'It was only though skills from his mortal life, and the belief of a young boy wizard and his friends, that Sanderson was able to be revived after we had thought him to be dead.'
Sandy nodded solemnly at that, and Nightlight continued by pointing to Tooth.
'The second to swear into service, the Guardian of Memories. Toothiana had all of her fairies stolen by Pitch, as well as all of the teeth in her care. Without teeth being collected, children began to stop believing, this in turn is what started the Blackout. Without her fairies and the teeth, Toothiana was unable to rekindle the memories of those children to keep them believing. A problem made worse when Sanderson was struck down a few hours later.'
He now pointed to Bunny.
'The third to swear into service, and oldest of them, the Guardian of Hope. Bunnymund's home, the Warren, was raided by Pitch's new army of Nightmares. When the portals opened on Easter morning to allow the eggs to be sent out and hidden. All of the eggs were destroyed, and with it Easter was ruined. This brought the Blackout to its worst point several hours later, when it came to be that only one person, one child in the entire world, still believed.'
North was the next to be indicated.
'The fourth to swear into service, the Guardian of Wonder. North may have suffered no direct attack on his work by Pitch, but the devastating damage done to the work of Sanderson, Toothiana, and Bunnymund left him weakened to the point of being completely unable to fight. With Sandy seemingly gone, the three of them were helpless in the face of the power Pitch had gained due to the Blackout.'
Someone called out from below, echoed by several others.
"Then how was he defeated?"
Nightlight started to smile.
'The fifth to swear and youngest of the five, the Guardian of Fun.'
"A fifth Guardian?"
"Who is it?"
"When did that happen?"
Nightlight allowed the surge of startled chatter to continue for a few moments, before he raised his spear to signal they be quiet once more. He then continued as soon as quiet had returned, and started to explain.
'He who waited for almost two centuries in obscurity, restricted and commanded to keep himself from being discovered by Pitch. He who endured that cruel fate for the sake of being there to intercede and tip the balance back to the Guardians' favour... He who near single-handedly slowed the Blackout for several hours, before being lured out by the chance of reclaiming Tooth's fairies and subsequently trapped for a time. And who after Easter was ruined during his imprisonment, was attacked by Pitch in an attempt to keep him from intervening again...
'Pitch failed in that, and the Guardian of Fun took back both the fairies and the teeth with the assistance of his allies and the Spirits of the Seasons. He then went to the last light, the last believer, and protected him until the fairies could trigger the resurgence of belief.'
More chatter sprang up, one incredulous voice rising above the rest.
"The Spirits of the Seasons helped end the Blackout?"
At the top terrace, Achieng shrugged non-committally and Oisin spoke.
"It was passing chance that we became involved, and we had our own reasons for wishing to meet punishment against the Nightmare King. We weren't about to let an attack on our youngest, Jack Frost, go without retribution."
Another exclamation.
"Pitch Black attacked the Spirit of Winter?"
"Why?"
"He must be crazy!"
"Have you seen the bruises on Frost? How hard must he have been hit to cause that?"
Nightlight quietened them again, but before he could say anything, Ariko rose to her feet and interrupted him.
"It seems your subtleties are lost on them, Nightlight, although you have done rather a lot of beating around the bush." She rolled her eyes and addressed the conference. "The reason Pitch attacked Jack, is because Jack is the Guardian of Fun." She now glanced at the Spirit of Winter. "And after what we witnessed two nights ago, the lengths to which he was willing to risk himself to stop Pitch, a fine Guardian he is as well."
The moment her words were done, there was immediate uproar from at least half of the Legend Immortals present.
"The Spirit of Winter is also a Guardian?!"
"How is that possible?!"
"Is this a joke?!"
"There's no way he can be a Guardian!"
When Nightlight was unable to silence them this time, and after more than a minute of near-riot, Mother Nature resorted to shaking the ground of the entire amphitheatre to get their attention and silence them. Her expression was serious when she finally got their attention.
"It is possible, because it was an agreement that Tsar Lunar and I made close to two thousand years ago. He knew Pitch would one day resurface, and that the Guardians would then have to fight him. He also knew that it would only be a matter of time before Pitch realised that a Belief Blackout would be his only real chance of bringing them down. A countermeasure was needed, lest the Guardians be destroyed and Pitch then go on to destroy every other immortal who exists on this world. He would have killed us all."
Nightlight, nodded, remaining beside Jack in support.
'That countermeasure was to be a Nature Immortal, selected not for the usual qualities sought for their kind, but for the qualities Tsar Lunar seeks when choosing a Guardian. But they also had to have the resilience of mind to withstand being a Legend in their heart, but a Nature Immortal in reality... It was more than seventeen-hundred years after the agreement was made, before just such a person was finally found.'
Mother Nature pointed at Jack.
"That individual was an eighteen-year-old boy called Jackson Overland, who died through drowning in a frozen pond as the result of saving his sister from that self-same fate. Jack worked solely as the Spirit of Winter for a little over a century, before his wilful nature and inventive outlook led to him discovering and embracing the potential for which he was chosen. Thirteen years after that time, he was at last summoned to take the Oath, and I was there as witness. Ever since that day, Jack has been subject to a dual role and all the burdens that has entailed. Not least of which was to be a Guardian, but face the heartbreak of being forbidden from working as one. All for the sake of Tsar Lunar's plan to bring Pitch down once and for all."
Uneasy murmuring had now taken the place of the shouting. The realisation that Mother Nature and Tsar Lunar had been planning that far in advance to deal with Pitch, coming as a complete shock. There was also the surprise that Nightlight's description had caused, when he'd said Jack was a Legend pressed into a role as the Spirit of Winter. It was now that a few immortals quietly noted that three of Jack's Lieutenants were originally Legend Immortals, and that the other two were Nature Immortals that themselves lent more towards the attitude and lifestyle of Legends.
Yet while it was all and well this being explained to them now, Jack was getting a bit irritated by this farce of a conference. And so he stood up, wincing in pain and wavering in exhaustion, before speaking rather bluntly.
"Not meaning to be rude or anything, but if all the rest of this conference is going to be, is talking about me and probably hearing many of my fellow immortals start yelling and protesting about me having two jobs... I'm going back into the Glade of Winter until the arguing is over." He braced himself on his staff when his balance wavered a little. "I've just reached the end of the busiest and most tiring part of my year, and had that compounded by the Blackout and the serious beating I took when I got blasted twice by Pitch at point-blank range. I'm going to go sleep until I'm actually needed here, unless you don't mind me falling asleep on my chair. Because to be quite honest, I'm struggling to stay awake."
There was some angry mutterings at his attitude among the Legends, to which Jack glared defiantly across the amphitheatre. That is until a ball of dreamsand came out of nowhere and nailed him in the face. The Spirit of Winter toppled over, was caught by Nightlight, and then gently laid on his side upon the top of the wide bench that was his seat. Unconscious, without his bravado hiding most of it, the extent of Jack's exhaustion was now shockingly obvious.
Sandy left his spot among the Guardians, flew over to perch on the end of Jack's bench, and gently stroked the Guardian of Fun's hair. He then stared and raised his eyebrows at the Legends below, and his unspoken meaning was clear.
You have a problem with Jack being a Guardian, then you have to take it up with me first.
Bunny moved now, shocking many, and was followed by Tooth and North. And then, causing greater shock... Ariko left her seat to cross the amphitheatre and sit by Jack's feet. Oisin and Achieng joined her moments later.
The Spirit of Spring regarded the gathered immortals, eyes narrowed.
"I think I speak not just for myself and the Spirits of Summer and Autumn, but also for the Guardians when I say this... We know Jack better than any of you except his Lieutenants, and he has already proven himself to us. Cause him trouble, interfere with either side of his work, and you will face certain reprimand from us. All of you Legends, look up to the Guardians as the epitome of what you yourselves would strive to be and achieve. And as for all of you who are Nature Immortals, subject to laws of Nature and Balance, it is the Spirits of the Seasons that you look to for day-to-day authority whether you're one of our Lieutenants or not... All of you either need to acknowledge that Jack works for both sides, Nature and Legend... or just keep damn well out of his way."
The vehemence with which she said the last part, was enough to utterly stun most of the immortals present. Because if there was one thing they'd all heard about Ariko, it was that she despised Jack. For her to back him up and speak in his favour, with such earnest determination, was unimaginable.
After a few moments of silence, Mother Nature sent several fairies over to pick Jack up and carry him out. Yuki went with him.
"And in regards to that matter it's time to discuss, sensibly, your concerns so that they can be addressed and alleviated. Ground-rules with also need to be set down with regards to interactions with Jack. Now, if you can all return to your seats, we will proceed."
The Guardians and Spirits of the Seasons took the hint and went back their seats. Even with Jack no longer present to stir things up with sarcastic remarks, it was going to be a long day.
~(-)~
The sound of the chimes confused him, even as they roused him from slumber. For when he'd opened his eyes he'd expected to be in the Sanctuary of Nature, not face-to-face with the snow that was piled on top of him like a blanket. He blinked several times as the melody from the clock behind the wall continued towards it's loud and triumphant conclusion, his drowsy mind waking to the point that he could confirm where he was. That yes, he was in his bed, in his room, in the Winter Sanctuary.
As for how he got there? Jack sat up, head poking out of the top of the mounded snow, and shook the white flakes from his hair. It didn't take a genius to realise Sandy had clocked him one with dreamsand, and that at some point after that he'd been shipped back home.
But enough wondering about that. The chimes going off meant it was time for today's frostdust distribution.
Jack grabbed his staff, tidied his bed, and went through an Ice Mirror to his Hall of Mirrors. Forcing himself to walk rather than fly except to move to the top of the spire there. He was still stiff and sore, and flying everywhere wasn't going to help with that.
Tired as he was, it took half-an-hour to complete the frostdust distribution. A delay compounded by the sprite that had shown up and kept bouncing around his feet waving around a small scrap of folded paper. Only once he was finished did he accept the note, petting the sprite in praise for it obediently bringing it. It was the message he'd expected, informing him that the rest of the Guardians would be waiting for him at the Workshop as soon as he felt up to coming.
He went straight there, his mirror bringing him out close to the globe. There was a yeti stood there waiting for him, Phil, and the furry fellow chuckled even as he gestured for Jack to follow him. The Guardian of Fun was led back to the same comfortable room he'd been to after the battle, yet this time the company of people sat in there was a little different.
It's not every day you see the Sandman playing chess with the Spirit of Autumn. Santa Claus having a discussion with the Spirit of Summer, about the vagaries of having his 'winter' festival take place during Southern Summer... And the Spirit of Spring sat drinking tea with the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and three Lieutenants of Winter.
Although to give Dig credit, his tea was actually hot chocolate, and it was in a mug with two handles so his small paws could get a good grip on it.
Jack paused in the doorway, regarding the scene with a wry smile of amusement, before they finally noticed he was there and all the activities came to a sudden stop.
He chuckled.
"So... How did the rest of the conference go?"
Tooth smoothed a stray feather, a little bemused.
"Well, after Sandy knocked you out, it lasted about another six hours."
Bunny nodded.
"Yeah, and as you can probably guess, the gumbies got right back to shouting in pretty short order."
North nodded as well, stroking his beard.
"Yes, shouting, although not as much as there was at first. But still, very much shouting."
"Not to mention the flailing."
"Yes, people waving arms all over place as if that make their words make more sense."
"A few immortals were jumping up and down having tantrums."
"Like little angry bunnies they were."
"And then of course the whimpering started."
Jack blinked at that, his steadily growing smirk of laughter instead becoming a baffled stare.
"Whimpering?"
Sandy started to laugh silently, even Tooth, Yuki, and Ariko started to giggle. It was Marzanna who explained.
"Mother Nature, bless her unbelievable patience, let everyone say for what reasons they were concerned about you being a Guardian. Any that amounted to basically the opinion that 'I don't think he should be', were told that they should take the time to learn and observe your work for a few years before making judgement. As for the rest, she listened to the reasons brought up, and thoroughly explained why each one was unfounded. But the same things kept getting brought up over and over again."
Oisin cut in now, looking rather amused.
"When it became clear that a lot of time was being wasted, she started magically gagging anyone who brought up something that had already been explained away as being an unfounded concern. By the time half the Legends in the conference had been gagged, she finally got the message across." The Spirit of Autumn shrugged. "There are a lot of very unhappy Legends right now, and a fair few of the independent Nature Immortals. But all of them grudgingly agree that you wouldn't have the job if you weren't cable of doing it, and doing it well."
Jack grinned.
"My opinion of Mother Nature just went up another notch." He glance at Ariko. "You too... You surprised me, when you backed me up before Sandy knocked me out."
The Spirit of Spring ducked her head, avoiding his gaze for a moment before getting to her feet. She was now directing a true and honest smile at him.
"I've done a lot of thinking since the other night, when we helped you raid Pitch's lair. I can see and understand now, just why you started out so at odds with us your peers. We were chosen because our qualities were those best suited to Nature Immortals, and that is the role we were given. You were chosen because your qualities were those of a Guardian who would just happen to have to work as a Spirit of the Seasons. You were a square peg forced into a round hole, and yet you adapted and flourished despite it and the criticisms I heaped on y-"
"Sorry, but as gratifying it is to have you praising me instead of yelling at me, you don't need to continue." Jack returned her smile, and shrugged. "It's been hard, I won't deny it, but there have still been perks. And the victory against Pitch belongs to all of us here. You helped us to defeat him, even if it was only a little, and seeing you three kicking him around the pond was great."
Ariko laughed.
"Yes, that was quite enjoyable." She sat down again and picked up her tea. "Now, as I will soon have to return to my Northern Spring work, and Oisin will have to return to his Southern Autumn work, I am going to finish enjoying my tea." She eyed jack, but her threatening tone held a hint of playfulness that revealed it as mock. "And you'd better not spoil it for me."
Jack pasted on an expression of innocence and headed for the opposite end of the room.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Oisin watched the exchange with amusement, but then he sighed.
"Well, she's right, and as much as I would like to stay longer... I have further to go, and wind patterns to read and monitor along the way. It will take me three hours to reach the South of the World from here."
North reached into his pocket, his tone helpful.
"I could open portal with snow-globe."
Oisin shook his head.
"Thank you, but no. As I said, I need to read the winds along the way, so I can plan where I need to adjust the flows to ensure the proper weather patterns. I thank you for the offer, though."
The Spirit of Autumn went to the nearest window, opened it, and stepped out before pushing it closed. He then darted away upon a gust of wind.
Bunny blinked, a little surprised that a generally formal fellow like Oisin would actually leave a gathering like this via a window.
"Uh, why didn't he use the door?"
North was musing again, but for a different reason.
"Why did he call it South of the World? It is the Southern Hemisphere, that is its name."
Jack, currently inspecting a painting on one of the walls, piped up from the far end of the room.
"Not to us, it isn't. Calling them 'hemispheres' is fairly recent as far as human history goes. I might be younger than that, but Ariko and the others aren't. Back when she started out, the terms were just 'northern half' and 'southern half'. That became North of the World and South of the World. We Seasonals have our own vocabulary for stuff to do with our jobs. Most of the words and definitions I use to refer to weather, are the first ones I ever learnt to describe them since before that I was just a barely-educated colonial boy. All the scientific words they use now?"
At the rising scorn in Jack's tone, Achieng snorted.
"Agreed. Some of the words that mortals have come up with for weather types and patterns, make no sense whatsoever. Why ever could they not just stick to a simple scale of 'pace', 'grade', 'weight', 'temperature', and 'fragment'?"
The non-Seasonals in the room at stared, blinking, until Tooth raised a hand.
"Um, I understand what temperature refers to, but what do the rest mean?"
Jack came over and slumped down into one of the cushioned chairs, hooking his legs over one of the arms so he could tuck his back and shoulders into the opposite corner.
"'Pace' is wind speed. 'Grade' is the intensity. 'Weight' is how much moisture the air is carrying. 'Fragment' is the ratio between two or more types of weather taking place within and affecting a particular weather-sequence. So if I were to make a perfect snow day for Burgess, I would set up a pace four, grade three snowfall, with a weight of eight or nine in the middle atmosphere and six or seven in the upper. Temperature would be at between zero and ten, and that's not in Celsius or Fahrenheit by the way. The ideal fragment for the weather would be a ratio of three/four/three, snowfall/broken cloud/sunshine, alternating."
Ariko and Achieng were both nodding in understanding, as were the three Lieutenants, but the other four Guardians present all continued to look utterly baffled.
North found an empty chair and sat down in it, looking rather bemused.
"...I think we will just have to take your word for that. Maybe you could explain it more to us, some other time. Yes?"
Jack smirked mischievously, his bruises only serving to make him look more like a little hellion.
"I think I can arrange to set aside some time for it. If I'm going to give you guys regular weather-forecasts when things might interfere with your work, you're going to need to understand what I'm talking about."
Bunny flattened his ears back.
"You're just loving this, aren't you?"
Jack's grin widened.
"Yep."
There was a pause, although not an uncomfortable one, before North suddenly straightened up and leapt to his feet.
"Wait, we forgot to tell Jack about after meeting!"
Tooth straightened as well, as did Bunny, and even Sandy wore a 'whoops' expression. It was now Jack's turn to look confused.
"Um, explanation?"
Ariko let out a resigned sigh and put down her cup of tea.
"What North is trying to say is, there's a new Winter Nature Immortal in need of some rough edges smoothing over. And perhaps an attitude adjustment, although I suppose his behaviour is expected given just how new he is. He wasn't at the conference because he'd been vocally and loudly demanding to know why he even had to attend. Mother Nature has him secured in her sanctuary until he can be handed over to the authority responsible for making sure he 'toes the line'. That is, you."
Jack remained unmoving for several seconds, before burying his face in the chair's cushions out of exasperation. He then jumped stiffly up out of his seat and stalked towards the door.
"Of all the times for-" He cursed under his breath and glanced back at them. "I'll be back, hopefully, in a couple of hours. If this new guy doesn't start understanding the status-quo by then, he can wait in confinement under after our victory party at the weekend."
Jack now reversed direction away from the door and headed for the window. Where he then opened it, jumped out, and shut it before flying off.
Bunny let out a low whistle at how ticked off Jack had looked, before remarking rather ironically.
"So um, is jumping out of windows instead of using doors a 'Seasonals' thing too?"
~(-)~
Alaia Skyhawk: For those who are wondering, yes... Jack is about to get a new Lieutenant :)