Chapter Thirteen

Second Thoughts

Pitch went back to his room, but he did not rest like he told North he would. He instead sat on his bed for a time just thinking about he and North's encounter while holding his gift. The little ornament created mixed feelings in Pitch about the man as in some ways he had wanted to just despise North as his jailer, his tormentor, the bringer of his greatest humiliations, but tonight he was a much needed confidant. North's hug had shown Pitch more than anything that the man was not just holding him here out of malice to keep him trapped and incapable of affecting the world, he truly did care enough about him to want to see him become better. It was touching and gave Pitch a small amount of hope that maybe with the guardians' help he could be something even his Emily could be proud of.

He placed the trinket on the dresser now among the other baubles that the room afforded and remembering what had been in its place made Pitch blush as he bent down and reached into the mattress to pull out the broken figurine that he'd smashed in a rage several nights before. He needed to find a way to fix it he decided now feeling guilty. He would take it with him to one of North's workshops after finishing up with the reindeer he decided tucking it into his robe before heading out to tend the reindeer. It was still quite early, but he doubted the reindeer would mind eating a bit earlier than normal, and he wanted to repair the figurine before anyone would know to look for him.

Pitch moved through his chores rather quickly today wanting more time to do the task he had planned, but as he was heading back inside from the stables Sandy floated up to him looking quite happy to see him. Pitch regarded him curiously wondering what he was going on about with all those flashing symbols over his head. It was obvious though that the little golden man was trying to get him to follow him. Of course Sandy would harass him now Pitch thought begrudgingly as he dejectedly followed him towards the main hub of the Pole now.

Toothiana and her fairies circled the large Christmas tree and quickly darted to every corner of the room, hanging last minute streamers and strings of Christmas lights and other decorations. Since they were at Santa's house, most of the decorations consisted of Christmas themes. So they had to make do with what they had to work with. The other Guardians rushed around sampling the food, making sure the band was in-tune, and other little details that needed their attention before Sandy arrived with Pitch. North was discussing something with the yeti that was head of the band, and Bunny was in a heated argument with one of the yeti chefs concerning one of the foods on the buffet table. Jack Frost and one of the yetis worked to make sure the Christmas tree looked its best. Halfway through they became frustrated with the task when some of the elves felt need to undo everything they did. After running around the tree at least four times, Jack finally caught the runaway elf that had snatched one of the low-hanging balls.

"This is so exciting!" said Tooth with a squeal, "Pitch is going to be SO surprised when he sees all of this!"

"Yeah, I just hope he appreciates it and doesn't fall into one of his moods and ruin everything." said Jack. The yeti beside him grunted in agreement, kicking one of the elves out of the way before it had a chance to snatch a candy cane off the tree.

Pitch had been in his own thoughts about how best to evade Sandy, so he could get to work fixing the broken figurine when he looked up to see an array of lights and streamers running in all directions. There was a big commotion going on at the bottom of the stairwell that held the massive Christmas tree. Pitch looked to Sandy now who was zipping back and forth happily as he waved Pitch forward.

"What is this?" Pitch's brow was furrowed in confusion as they continued to make their way across the main hub to the top of the stairwell. There were yeti, elf, and guardian alike all gathered about talking and laughing. It looked like they were having a celebration of sorts, but it was May, there wasn't any holidays that Pitch could think of that would merit this was there? He honestly didn't keep track unless it'd belonged to a Guardian just because knowing your enemy was key, and of course he knew Halloween because it was too close dealing in his domain not to take some joy from it. He started to wonder if he would be intruding now, but Sandy had obviously wanted him to take part in this event as even now the little golden man urged him forward with a gentle push since Pitch had stopped cold at the top of the stairs still staring at the scene like a bystander.

"Hey, everyone, he's here!" Tooth suddenly shouted out after catching sight of Sandy and Pitch. She flew up to greet Pitch, grinning. "Surprise! I hope you like the way everything's decorated. We couldn't find any non-Christmas decorations so we had to make do with what North had in storage."

Pitch looked flummoxed as he walked down the stairs just looking around at everything in awe, "This… this is for me? But why?"

"Yes!" Tooth squeaked. "Isn't it great?"

"AH! Here he is! The guest of honor!" North shouted over the noise. He made his way through the crowd of yetis to get to Pitch and Tooth. He took Pitch by the arm and pulled him forward with him. "Come! You can tend to deer later. Right now is cause for celebration!"

Pitch was speechless as he took everything in and was dragged across the room feeling overwhelmed with the sensory overload finally stumbling over his words, "Uh, the deer? They… I have already tended to them. What… what are we celebrating exactly?" Pitch was curious now as he stared up at North.

"We are not celebrating anything in particular," North waved his question off. "Just a time to have fun and relax and put everything else behind us. All you've done is work and stew in misery in your room. We thought that it might be good to take break and have party. Coming to think of it, it might help all of us." he glared over at Bunny, still in a deep discussion with the chef, "Bunny, that is enough. Pitch is here."

Bunnymund looked over their way as if just now realizing it, "Oh! Right, right, cake is coming up!" He hopped over to the table taking the lid off of a huge five layer cake that was decorated with a myriad of Halloween type items like ghosts and skeletons with black icing.

Pitch took it in before giving a small chuckle, it looked like the elves had eaten part of one side and frosting was dripping off the edges. Pitch couldn't help but to smile at their efforts as he looked about the room at all of them, "This is very nice. Thank you."

"You really like it?" Tooth asked, her pink eyes looking at him expectantly.

Pitch nodded smiling brightly for the first time since being at North's workshop, "I really do. Although I'm not used to being around so many people." Pitch had backed up against North steepling and tapping his fingers with nervous energy.

"Oh, good," Tooth relaxed. "Jack was kind of afraid you wouldn't like it. To be honest, I was kinda worried myself."

"Is okay, Pitch," North put his hand on Pitch's shoulder. "If you want, we can gather in corner over there. Just you and us Guardians."

"That sounds good," Pitch was relieved to hear North had an area a little more secluded as the constant flux of noise had him a little on edge. Milling around this sort of thing wouldn't have bothered him when he knew no one else around him could see him, but with everyone staring at him now, it made him feel a bit embarrassed by the attention.

North nodded, leading Pitch away. "Then we shall go." he turned. "Bunny, bring the cake, please."

"Or whatever's left of it," Jack mumbled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He and Tooth and Sandy followed North to a quiet area that was set up away from the main activities and yeti chatter.

"Please, have seat," North said to Pitch, waving at one of the chairs.

Pitch moved to the furthest chair in the back that was cast in shadows feeling much more comfortable sitting delicately and still smiling widely as he looked back and forth between the guardians. His eyes lit up even more so as Bunnymund set a huge slice of cake in front of him making Pitch practically beam as he swiped a finger in the frosting to taste it finding the cake to also taste exquisite, "That's divine," he practically chirped, "Thank you Bunnymund."

Bunnymund seemed surprised that Pitch was actually using manners, but he didn't remark on it only saying "Welcome mate, dig in." He plucked a fork in it before turning back to cut more cake for the others.

Sandy had already procured his slice and was settling down in one of the seats across from Pitch as he looked around at his other friends nodding that things seemed to be going better than they had expected.

North took a bite of his cake and leaned back in his chair. "You know, Pitch, I have been thinking. Since you enjoy taking care of reindeer so much; how would you like to help in workshop?"

Pitch was savoring every bite of the delicious cake and stopped to look at North now considering his question carefully. He did like taking care of the reindeer, but slaving away in North's hectic shops was not on his agenda. Besides, he kind of rather have more time to himself, but curious, he asked, "What kind of help?"

Bunnymund had brought the last piece for Toothiana, but she seemed a bit reticent surely weighing the sugar to cavity potential. Bunny shook his head sadly as he chuckled at her, "It's not going to rot your teeth out to have one slice of cake you know."

"Ummm… okay…" said Tooth hesitantly, taking the slice out of politeness.

"Nothing hard," said North, "I just thought you'd be interested in helping to paint some of the toys."

Bunnymund sat now to join the table interested in Pitch's reply since it might pertain to painting his eggs at a later date.

Pitch dug his fork back into his cake slowly now almost playing with the food as he grimaced slightly at the thought of assembly line painting. That sounded too much like work, and Pitch wasn't really interested in being another one of North's 'helpers.' "You did? Why ever would I want to do that? It sounds dreadful."

Bunnymund's face fell, but he refrained from saying anything since North was the one talking to Pitch at the moment. Painting consisted of about 70% of what he did, so he couldn't help but take a little offense.

North took another bite of cake, shrugging his shoulders. "Suit yourself. Though, I can't imagine what's dreadful about using paintbrush to paint toys in bright colors. If you want, I can have toys sent to your room."

Pitch frowned taking another bite of his own cake thinking his room was already small enough without any more clutter to add to it, but painting might not be that bad as an activity in and of itself. He could like a solitary task that he could use precision at. He was rather bored at the Pole, so maybe doing a little painting here and there would help the time pass. He shrugged, "Is there any other small room it can be done in? I might find painting a few things to be interesting, but the smell and the mess in my living space isn't exactly desirable. Perhaps something intricate and in need of a steady hand I could do. I'm not interested in painting the same thing over and over; you can leave that to your yetis that are more than happy with mundane tasks."

North suppressed an eye roll over Pitch's pickiness and kept himself calm and collected, knowing that he was trying to get somewhere with Pitch. The fact that the nightmare king expressed some amount of interest in his suggestion gave him hope that he was going in the right direction. But he felt like all of them were walking on thin ice when it came to this dark man. One wrong move and Pitch would be pushed back into the way he used to be.

"I think a separate room can be arranged. I do not ask you to be one of yetis. Since you seem to be bored here I thought you would enjoy doing something that would work your mind and keep you active, since tending to deer only takes up small amount of time."

Pitch blinked surprised that North was looking to give him a form of entertainment when he was thinking that North was only angling to get him to do more work. He shifted looking back at his cake, "Well, I do like to read. A good book always helps to quell boredom I find. I imagine you have an extensive library around here somewhere." Pitch knew that North was an accomplished wizard in his own right which had led to many of his amazing inventions. It would be quite fortuitous to find any spell books to study especially since Sandy had effectively nullified his powers for the time being.

North looked up, smiling. "As a matter of fact, I do." he nodded. "I will show it to you later. I am glad to hear that you have interest in reading. I agree with you. No better way to pass time."

Jack quietly eyed Pitch. For some reason the nightmare lord didn't strike him as the reading sort. But then again, Pitch was full of surprises as all of them had discovered since bringing him to the Pole.

This pleased Pitch, and he seemed to visibly perk up, "I look forward to it! Speaking of activities of interest, would it be completely out of the question to tame any of the reindeer to ride? Um… not off the compound of course, but even though I had a rough ride with the first one I tried to ride, I have no doubts that they can be ridden. If you would allow it of course," Pitch took another forkful of cake then peered up at North to gauge his reaction to this question. He had known he had a great love of the equine for a reason, and remembering riding and the freedom of it was one of these reasons.

Bunnymund's ear twitched unable to contain himself any longer from commenting, "You know, you're unbelievable! You've only been out of the hospital what three days, and you're already ready to try and jump on the back of one of those things again? For what? ...some supposed fun? That's something I'd expect out of Jack more than you."

Pitch's eyes narrowed at Bunnymund more than a little unpleased the rabbit's words might influence the Cossack's decision, "No one was asking your opinion rabbit!"

North made a disapproving face at Bunny, gesturing for him to shut up with his hand. He knew the rabbit meant well, but sometimes his mouth had a bad habit of making matters worse. North then turned to Pitch, "I have no problem with you training reindeer to be ridden." he replied. "But Bunny does have point. Maybe you should wait until you heal more and feel you are ready."

Bunnymund sat back in his chair in clear agitation of being shushed by North and insulted by Pitch. He shot Pitch a glare folding his arms, "I have a name Pitch, and I'd prefer you use it over calling me rabbit."

Pitch ignored Bunnymund though fully focused on North now really wanting this. He spoke eagerly, "I'm perfectly fine! I may be in a weakened state through courtesy of Sandman, but I'm more than physically capable of handling a fall off of a reindeer… as long as it isn't at extreme heights… but that's not really an issue since I'm not able to leave the Pole now is it?"

"He feels fine!" North gave a shrug, "You can start anytime you wish, then. Just be careful."

"Yes, be careful!" said Tooth, looking gravely concerned, "We don't want you falling off again. You might hurt yourself worse than before."

Pitch couldn't help blushing at Toothiana's concern for him, "I… yes; I will be." He ducked his head momentarily feeling rather embarrassed he'd managed to hurt himself that badly to begin with. The excitement of riding again overrode his embarrassment though as he practically beamed now taking bites of cake as he went on, "I think Prancer is going to be the one I try to train first; he's the most docile and is highly motivated by sugar cubes I've found."

Sandy nudged Jack smiling and formed a picture of him riding a reindeer thinking the boy might find it fun as well.

Jack shrugged. "Sounds like fun. I might give it a try… after Pitch trains them. I may be careless sometimes, but I'm not that careless." he laughed. "I don't have any plans to end up in North's medical ward."

North let out a hearty laugh at Pitch's mentioning of the sugar cubes. "Don't overfeed him or he will be too big to get off ground."

Agreeing with North, Pitch shook his head, "Oh no, I wouldn't give him too many or it might make him sick…" his thoughts were cut off at Jack's comment as Pitch turned to glare hotly at the boy, "You? Not careless? Now that's a joke! Your whole existence is based around being careless! Besides, even if you had the astuteness capable of learning to ride, the fact that you can fly nullifies any real danger for you fool." Pitch was already discredited enough by the folly of how he'd ended up in the medical bay, to have Frost of all people rub it in his nose infuriated him.

Bunnymund was becoming more ruffled by Pitch's insults as he pointed at the nightmare king, "Hey nip the nasty remarks already; you don't have to take jibes at everyone just because ya made a fool of yourself trying to run off and got yerself hurt!"

Pitch sneered at Bunnymund, "I'm only speaking the truth; why, do you think he can't handle the truth rabbit?"

"Hey, it's okay," said Jack, holding his hand up to Bunny. "I was just joking, but it's clear that Pitch can't take a joke."

North was glaring at Pitch, one of his eyebrows lifting in silent warning. "Actually, I am in agreement with Bunny. Pitch, you need not be so rude. We are all here to have good time. Let us keep it that way, hm? Jack said he was joking. You need to learn to loosen up a little. Don't take things so personally or as excuse to bite someone's head off."

"And for the last time; don't call me rabbit!" Bunnymund huffed hoping up and turning to leave as he grumbled under his breath and moved over now to talk to Phil to control his rising temper with the shadow man.

Pitch cut eyes in Bunnymund's direction watching him go as he spat, "Good riddance," turning his attention back to Jack he scoffed, "I can take a joke, but I didn't appreciate the insinuation that I could be more careless than you of all people. Indeed." Pitch grimaced stabbing at the remainder of his cake feeling wholly irritated by the conversation.

North sighed, rolling his eyes over to look at Sandy.

"I wasn't insinuating that." said Jack. "I was just... oh, never mind." he turned away from Pitch. The man was impossible to have a conversation with, he thought.

Sandy just lifted an eyebrow looking slightly uncomfortable as he rocked back and forth.

Having cast a dower mood over the crowd Pitch's eyes traversed their little group before lowering his gaze to his empty plate as he pouted. He hadn't meant to cause trouble, but now everyone seemed unhappy with him. He mumbled, "Okay. Maybe I did take it a little too personally. I'm just used to… it doesn't matter. I didn't mean to ruin your little party."

"You are used to being alone and not used to being around other people." said North, looking straight at Pitch. "That is why we have party. So you can get used to being around others and feel a part of us. We will excuse your rudeness for now, but I expect you to work on restraining it."

Pitch kept his eyes averted to the table still frowning but he didn't comment. He realized he had a habit of snapping at others, but he didn't want to acknowledge North putting one more restriction on him. Sure, he may have been a tad rude, but it was the only way he'd been allowed to vent his frustrations here. Trying to change the subject Pitch looked up at North, "The cake was pretty good. Did you make it?"

"No, I did not make it. I am horrible cook, actually. My skills have gotten rusty over years." North waved a hand to the yeti behind the buffet table. "My chef made it."

Pitch smirked thinking North might be thinner if he did do his own cooking, but he kept that remark to himself, "They are quite talented at a lot of things. You've done well finding good minions, although I'm not overly sure the purpose of the elves," Pitch remarked distastefully watching one of them dive bomb off the Christmas tree getting strung up within a strand of Christmas lights.

"Yetis are not 'minions'," said North, not appreciating Pitch's chosen term. Although, it wasn't surprising to him, seeing as Pitch was evil. "They are my helpers and friends. They do this because they choose to." he turned to look at the elf still hanging from the lights. "The elves... they are here because world expects Santa to have elves. So I have elves. They do help out from time to time."

"Help... if you call always being under foot and getting into everything helpful. And if the yetis are such good friends, then why do they wait on you hand and foot? That doesn't seem like much of an equal relationship if you ask me," Pitch's smirk grew as he challenged North, mostly just to get a rise out the man by his chosen terminology of 'friends' since North seemed so annoyed by Pitch calling them minions.

The air was tense after Pitch got through talking. Toothiana's eyes quickly fell down to the slice of uneaten cake in her hands. She nervously, repeatedly mashed at it with her fork just to keep her hand busy. Jack and Sandy both eyed North, awaiting his answer. Jack thought that it was probably a good thing Bunny left before this subject came up. He could just hear the ranting the rabbit would be doing right about now.

"Who says they wait on me hand and foot?" North said calmly. "Do you see them waiting on me?" he waved his hand to take in the whole room and the yetis standing around laughing and talking and snacking on food from the buffet. "As I recall, Bunny served us cake because I kindly asked him to. The yeti chef over there, he cooks for all of us, even fellow yetis because he wants to. We all have to eat." North set his plate down to balance on his knee. "And who says I do not do things for yetis too? Yes, I help with making the toys. We all work together here. We do things for each other. We are all one big family. Just because yeti brings me something I have asked for does not mean he is waiting on me hand and foot. Sometimes politely asking someone to hand you something or help out or bring something to you is way of making them feel accepted and wanted. It gives feeling of being needed."

Pitch chuckled mirthfully sitting back and crossing a leg as his smile widened. This was too fun to toy with North, "Yes, they must be very, very good friends indeed to take so many tall orders of building nonstop toys for you, cooking, cleaning... well pretty much all of the actual work here at the Pole. But, you do need time to eat cookies and invent new toys for them to make next year and all."

"That is enough!" North suddenly snapped. He glared hotly at Pitch.

Pitch's eyes widened in surprised shock. He hadn't expected North to become this upset. Still smiling, he raised his hands in supplication, "Temper, temper North. Now who's taking things too personal hmm?"

"Pitch!" Tooth hissed through gritted teeth. When Pitch's eyes turned on her she frowned disapprovingly at him, shaking her head for him not to push the subject further.

Pitch's brow drew down. Of course Jack could have fun at his expense, but when he pointed out a truth that ruffled everyone's feathers then it was a double standard. He crossed his arms over his chest as he snapped, "What? I'm not allowed to have an opinion now? It's not rude if it's true."

By now, the room had gone quiet. All of the yetis, Bunny, and even the elves had stopped what they were doing and were looking toward the corner where the other Guardians and Pitch were. North glanced around at the audience he had hoped to avoid and sighed.

"Pitch," North began, still remaining calm but it was obvious to everyone near him that annoyance was bubbling under the surface. "Having and voicing opinion is one thing. Continuing to push yourself after someone has already given explanation for what you do not understand is edging towards rudeness." North shook a finger toward Pitch. "Do not think for moment I am moron. I know that you are pushing on purpose in order to get reaction out of me. You are not merely voicing opinion; you are toying with me," he leaned back in his chair. "You say it's true because you do not fully understand. You do not understand relationship I have with yetis because you have not lived here long enough or know my history with them. Not very many do, because that is my business and no one has ever questioned it, not even other Guardians. I have already told you that we are big family. We do things for each other. I can tell you that I speak truth. I am, after all, Santa Claus. If you doubt my truthfulness, then that is up to you. This is first warning I give you. I suggest you do not push me further and ruin party for everyone."

Ruin the party for everyone? Wasn't this supposed to be his party? Pitch rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine. Have it your way. You don't have to get so serious about the matter. It was after all just meaningless chatter. I'll do my best not to refer to your elves and yetis as minions and more as… 'helpers,'" Pitch was sure to draw out the word, "We wouldn't want anyone getting their feelings hurt knowing their place after all." Pitch shook his head rising from the table no longer liking how everyone was staring at him now as he spat, "You can all go back to what you were doing; show's over!"

The yetis and elves went back to what they were doing, albeit a little quieter. The chef yeti tended to the food on the table, even though it really didn't need tending to, just to make himself look busy.

North sighed, shaking his head wearily and massaging his temples. "We have to remember that he is Boogeyman." he said to the other Guardians. "He cannot be expected to fit into society overnight. He still has walls up that need to come down."

Jack nodded, not feeling the need to comment.

"Yes," Tooth said softly, agreeing. "If he could just get rid of his arrogance, I feel that some of the walls could come down."

North nodded, not bothering to look up at the fairy. He sat there, his eyes closed.

Bunnymund watched Pitch storm off a scowl painted on his face as he shook his head moving to rejoin the table, "Even without his powers he casts a shadow wherever he goes!"

Pitch made it to the top of the stairs and just turned to glare down at Bunnymund having heard his comment, "Not to worry rabbit, you won't have to bask in my shadows, but best believe if I had the ability that I cast the darkest one over you. Until then, you can choke on the leftover cake." Pitch's lip curled as he said this, and as he finished, he turned and disappeared down the hall heading back to his room feeling quite disgruntled by the affair.

Bunnymund not taking too kindly to Pitch's remark hopped up as quickly as he had sat lunging to run up the stairs to have it out with the Nightmare king, "Why ya little!"

Sandy whipped out a quick strand of dreamsand to wrap around Bunny's waist to halt him from hopping after Pitch as he shook his head sadly.

"Relax, Bunny," North said, waving a hand at the rabbit, not bothering to open his eyes. "Let him be. Saying anymore will only provoke him and make him madder. When he gets in these moods, it's best that we not rile him." North sighed heavily. "I think we had party too soon. He still needs time to get over shock that memories have brought to him."

"I'd like to give him a shocking memory or two!" Bunnymund growled his ears flat now as he let himself fall back in his chair obviously still fuming about Pitch's last words, "If he calls me rabbit one more time I swear yer gonna be able to find some more memories for him once I get done with him!"

Sandy floated back into his own seat looking about the party and his unfinished cake with a small frown unhappy that their good intentions seemed to have been dampened quicker than it took to eat a piece of cake.

The noise from the party faded as Pitch made his way back to his room. He reached into his robe pulling the mangled little mannequin out and sighed thinking of it as a representation of he and the guardian's relationships, not easily fixed. Reaching his room, Pitch opened the door slipping in and closing it behind himself. He flopped the broken figurine down on the night stand as he sat on his bed with a frustrated sigh. He felt a mix of anger and weariness over the event. He had been quite surprised and genuinely happy, but then everything had digressed into a horrible scene that left him feeling quite bitter. He didn't fit in here, and he probably never would he thought, and this fact only made him feel more tired as he lay on his bed now staring at the portholes wishing more than ever he were somewhere else.