AN: I am enjoying all of your guesses. There are a few that are correct. To AyameKitsune, I'm sorry, I guess I didn't cover it clearly. In my mind, after Jack's freak out, Bunny wouldn't go to Mother Nature and talk to her. I think he would trust Jack enough to realize it could do more harm than good. Due to overwhelming majority, it seems that you guys want to see bonding, so I will start with that next chapter. As always I do not own Rise of the Guardians. Please review, PM, follow, favourite, etc.
Everyone noticed a change in Jack at the meeting the next day. He was normally so hyperactive that at least one of them wanted to tie him to his chair. However, he was still, even his fingers and toes which were usually tapping or fiddling. He was sitting placidly in his seat, gazing slightly over their heads as if the blank stretch of wall held a captivating play.
However, the lack of energy wasn't the only thing wrong. His lack of appetite and attention were also cause for concern. Usually, the plates of cookies, cakes and other various food items piled around the table during meetings were in constant demand by all present, especially Jack. However, he only nibbled on a sugar cookie, most of it turning into crumbs on his plate. Although Jack's attention span was definitely not his strong suit, he usually focused on the meetings, giving his input and remaining alert, at least until one of the other Guardians started going off on long rants. The Guardian of Fun had generally livened up the meetings by drawing interesting parallels, adding his own two cents and cracking jokes whenever possible. Just not this time. He didn't say a word and barely showed any frost symbols.
As soon as the meeting wrapped up, Jack flew away, leaving a rather stunned group of Guardians behind.
"He's not okay, is he?" Tooth asked, voice quavering. When nobody answered her question, her lip started trembling as she fought to hold back tears. It wasn't like her to cry but this maternal instinct was just too strong and her baby was hurting.
Sandy heaved a silent sigh. Although North knew a large portion of his sand symbols, this was still going to be a long game of charades. He waved a preemptive sand flag gaining their attention. Then, he began his explanation, allowing North to translate.
"Sandy says, he read book about … trauma –" surprised looks were exchanged at this pronouncement. Everyone had all but forgotten about that book, except Sandy of course. "And the … symptoms we read before, Jack is showing now … anxiety, panic attacks, reduced appetite, reduced amount of sleep, jumpiness, over reactions, withdrawal from normal routine and decreased ability to concentrate." These symptoms were rattled off slowly as North tried to interpret the complicated words.
"You're right, mate," Bunny commented, "Anxiety, check, panic attacks, he had one when he was attacked by the gruesome threesome. Reduced appetite, check, you guys saw how the gumby barely ate. Reduced sleep, I don't know about, jumpiness, check, over reactions, check, withdrawal from normal routine, I'd say yes and reduced ability to concentrate, double check."
They all nodded, agreeing with Bunny's assessment.
"How do ve get him out of funk?" North asked searchingly. It was Sandy again who tried to provide answers, the Guardian of Wonder translating. "Says in book that depression common … side effect. Need to … remind Jack about his … centre."
"How?" Tooth demanded, drying her tears. Unfortunately, this question didn't have an answer.
"I hate to bring it up, mates, but Jack's allowed to talk now and he won't," Bunny reminded.
"He's allowed to talk," Tooth gasped. "But – why –" Again, only silence met the valid question.
Sandy pointed to himself, then signed a snowflake, and two figures with swirling sand symbols between them. He flew off, going to search for the winter spirit.
After Sandy had searched Jack's lake, Jamie's house, all of Burgess and pretty much every other place he could think of, he was more than a little confused. If the winter spirit was upset, wouldn't he go somewhere he was comfortable. Where else had a connection to Jack or maybe, what else comforted the boy. Sandy stroked a thoughtful finger across his chin as he hovered in the air. As he glanced around him for inspiration, he noticed cold piles of frozen water sitting underneath trees and lining the streets.
Of course! How could he have been so stupid? Snow! What else comforted a winter spirit more? Now where could he find a large amount of snow that wasn't out of season. Antarctica!
Flying quickly, Sandy rushed away to the frigid continent, resisting the urge to face palm at his own stupidity. He still had a large continent to search, but his task was made easier by the snowstorm raging across the landscape. Locating the source, the golden Guardian found the frost child, sprawled out on his back, eyes closed as if in sleep. He was resting right near the edge of a cliff, legs dangling hauntingly over the side as if he were slipping down.
Sandy approached slowly, trying not to startle the teen, but knowing that with his soundless footsteps and inability to call out to Jack, he would do so. Instead of fretting, the golden man put a gentle hand on Jack's arm, fully expecting the wild reaction as he bolted upright, swinging his staff to face the intruder. Realizing who it was, Jack's face went from guarded to scared and apologetic. What was he afraid of?
The teen relaxed and Sandy gestured for him to come over and sit. The request was followed hesitantly and soundlessly. Jack fiddled with his staff, eyes partially down as he waited for the golden man to speak. When the symbols started, he caught the telltale glimmer out of the corner of his eyes, and looked up.
Sandy spelled out the sentence, opting to make it as clear as possible. Do you want to learn sign language?
Jack nodded slightly, however, his eyes didn't gleam with their usual spark. His interest seemed more polite than anything else. So, the lessons began, Sandy not knowing what else to do. As Jack was getting the hang of it, their conversation began to drift seamlessly between sand/frost symbols, spelled out words and sign language, each method of communication complementing the other. It was easy to teach as Jack already knew the basics based on the language of symbols.
Suddenly, Sandy interrupted their polite banter with a serious question. What's wrong Jack? The tone is the hardest thing to get right in a language of symbols and signs. However, Sandy's language flowed with a certain air of urgency and comfort at the question, rising and falling like a voice.
Nothing, the teen returned, a little too quickly, symbols turning rough in his haste.
No need for words on this one, Sandy just gave Jack a Don't try that glare that had the spirit shifting uncomfortably. When there was no answer forthcoming, the golden guardian tried again. Why don't you want to speak Jack.
I have nothing to say. The message was tinged with an undertone of darker blue than the normal frost. Sandy surmised that this was Jack's unconscious way of denoting sadness.
How about hello, look, my voice works, Sandy returned, bouncing pale sand trying to hint at a light tone.
Hello, nobody cares, the winter spirit responded, harsh frost a deep blue.
We all care, Sandy interjected.
The response was simple and unexpected, Why?
The Guardian of Dreams looked into the sky blue eyes. Where was this coming from? We are a family.
No reply was given to this statement. Jack's eyes were unfocused and he was clearly struggling with something. His eyes turned a deep blue, before paling again and expression relaxing. Thank you, Sandy, Jack signed, standing up quickly and brushing the snow off of his pants. Russia needs a snowstorm, I'll see you later. With that, the winter spirit was off, leaving a confused and saddened Sandman behind.
(Line Break)
"Operation Bring Back Jack is a go," North stage whispered to the Guardians around him, minus their youngest. "Tooth, you ready for your part?"
"Yep, I'll go send Baby Tooth now, good luck," the fairy called with a parting