"Ah, good, everyone is here." Those were the first words out of North's mouth as he entered the room where everyone was. Juhua and Ochieng both gave him polite greetings from their spot on the couch. Tooth chirped a quick 'Merry Christmas' before returning attention the card game the four remaining Guardians were completely invested in. Sandy glanced up from his hand and gave a cheery wave. He returned his gaze to Aster, who was contemplating his own cards. The Pooka, Aria, and Jack barely gave any acknowledgement to North.
"So, what game are we playing?" North asked, sitting down on the couch beside the fire and the closest to an annoyed looking Aria. She glared at the Four of Hearts Aster had just laid down.
"Hearts. Sandy's supposedly winning, and Aria's been swearing up a storm bigger than any hurricane we've ever seen," Juhua explained as Sandy added the Two of Hearts on top of Aster's card.
Jack's face broke out into a shit-eating grin as he drew a card from his hand. "Sorry, Sparks, but this one's all yours," he declared, slapping down the Three of Hearts.
"Fils de salope!" Aria exclaimed, ignoring Tooth's chiding as she picked up a card from her collection. "Well, if I'm going to take it, might as well take it high." The spring nymph sighed and tossed down what looked to be the Ace of Hearts before sweeping up the cards into a neat pile. She grabbed the Seven of Spades and flicked it down. The others laid down their cards, Sandy winning the trick with the Jack of Spades.
The next trick went to Aster, who laid down the Six of Hearts followed by Sandy's Five of the same suit. In response, Jack set the Eight down on top. All eyes shifted over to Aria.
"Let's see, the Ace was my only heart," the nymph contemplated, looking over the remaining four cards in her hand. After a tense moment, she tugged one out of its place. "I guess I'll just put this one down." Her smile gained a rather sharp edge as she threw down the card with a dark chuckle.
The three remaining players leaned in to get a better look before reeling back as if they were struck in the face. Aster and Sandy burst into laughter. "Damnit!" Jack cursed. The frost sprite let out a sigh of resignation, scooping up the cards before throwing down another. The game wrapped up shortly afterwards. Jack had earned a total of 105 points while Sandy won with only 37.
"Seriously, Aria? The queen on top of three hearts? What did I ever do to you?" Jack whined as the group shuffled over to their seats around the tree.
"You prevented me from Shooting the Moon," Aria replied dryly as she curled up on one of the plush chairs.
"Ya didn't even realize ya were Shooting the Moon," Aster pointed out. He had settled down into the chair North had specifically made for him.
"Doesn't mean I can't still be upset about getting 25 points," Aria shot back.
"Ah, stop your arguing. Game is over, no? So now is time for party!" North interjected, piling all of the presents from under the tree onto a nearby table. "So, who wants to hand theirs out first? Sandy?"
The small, yellow man nodded in agreement and floated his merry way over to where seven little bags lay. He picked them up and gave one to each of the Guardians. The older ones put theirs off to the side, thanking Sandy without even a peek at the contents. Jack, not knowing what the others knew, started to open the bag.
"I wouldn't do that, Frostbite," Aster warned, seeing the snow imp tugging on the drawstrings that held the bag shut. Jack raised an eyebrow in question. The Pooka motioned towards the bag. "As interesting as it would be to see what a good dream fer ya is, I don't think ya'd want to have everyone present see it." That was all Jack needed to hear. He pushed the bag off to the side like the rest.
Tooth volunteered after Sandy and grabbed what looked to be seven dental health kits, each sporting a different color. "This way, I can make sure that you replace your brushes when the bristles get too worn down," the Fairy Queen explained.
"Bunny, you next!" North decided when Tooth finished giving Juhua and Ochieng their kits.
"How come I knew this would happen?" The Easter Guardian rose from his seat. The old Pooka grabbed his seven gifts, all rectangular and neatly wrapped. Tooth and Sandy quickly, but methodically, freed their gifts. Beneath the wrapping paper, were art books. North and Aria tore through the paper packaging, all while trying not to lose any of the books that tumbled out. Jack pulled at the part where the paper overlapped and revealed a hardcover book.
"Myth Hunters?" Jack picked up the book and flipped to the summary. He scanned it quickly and then noticed a very familiar name. The frost elf reread the passage before his eyes shifted up to look at the Pooka who was watching him with a grin.
"Yeah, when I saw that, I thought ya'd like it. Hope ya enjoy it, Frostbite." A smile broke out over Jack's face as he held the book closer.
"Thanks, Bunny."
North's gifts were handed out without much ado. Aria was very shocked at receiving a doll she proceeded to curl around for the rest of the gift giving. Juhua's presents were received in a similar fashion. Tooth scolded the Autumn spirit for giving both North and Aria sugar-filled treats. By the time it was his turn, Jack was bundled in his new knitted beanie from Aria and the mood-hoodie from North. He, thankfully, got out of having to wear the new pair of shoes Juhua gave him.
"For the lovely ladies," the frost sprite announced, handing the three female Guardians their presents. Aria wasted no time unsheathing a wooden version of her beloved sword. She gave it a few test swings, which shouldn't have been very effective given that she was still curled around her new doll. Juhua and Tooth both chided her before unwrapping their gifts.
"Oh, Jack, it's wonderful! Thank you, Sweettooth!" the Fairy Queen exclaimed as she found a tooth brush holder in her gift. Upon closer inspection, she could see little carved-in baby teeth. Juhua mirrored the sentiment as she looked over her comb with maple leaves etched into the sides. The frost sprite bowed his head, trying to hide the icy blush that covered his cheeks as he handed the rest of the Guardians theirs. North got a kick out of his new Matryoshka doll while Sandy looked ecstatic at his puzzle. Ochieng tested out the hand carved flute as Aster pulled the paper away from his gift.
"Oi, Frostbite," Aster called. Jack hummed in response. "Where'd ya get the design for the handles?" The Pooka ran his paw over the vaguely floral design that ran up and down the set of very well crafted paint brushes.
"Oh, I just saw some similar designs while I was poking around in the Warren, and when I asked Sandy for any suggestions for the handle design, he recommended those," Jack explained in a nonchalant tone, oblivious to the rest of the party staring at the boy who wandered around the Warren for no real reason.
"Thanks, mate," Aster said with a gentle smile, rubbing the frost sprite's hair under his hat. "They're right beauts."
"And here I thought Ju and Ochieng were the fluffy couple," Aria commented. Aster's ears shot up to full attention. Jack's cheeks instantly donned an icy sheen as he jumped away from the Pooka. He stammered out threats to the grinning nymph. The Pooka looked away, as if the previous scene hadn't happened. His ears were pressed flush against his head.
Ochieng got up from his seat and started handing out his gifts when Jack quieted down. He passed each of the Guardians their presents, which were neatly wrapped in simple packaging. The older Guardians, at the suspicious encouragement of the younger Seasons, opened theirs first. Not a second after the wrapping was gone from their gifts, Jack started pulling away the paper on his package to reveal an awesome new backpack with frost design. He promptly used it to stuff all the remaining gifts he received in it.
Aria slipped on her new arm guards as Ju pulled the red ribbon off the pale blue box Ochieng had handed her. It wasn't that big at all. It looked like one that often held jewelry, but was a little too big for a ring. Jack figured it was a necklace as Ju lifted the lid off of the box.
She set it down next to the ribbon and slowly picked up a silver chain. At the end of the chain, hung a simple ruby cut into the shape of a heart. Ju stared at the little heart with a slightly haunted, empty gaze, borderline on shocked.
An excited squeal from Tooth broke the moment of silence, startling Ju out of whatever the necklace had caused.
"It is so beautiful! Ochieng, where did you possibly get that?" Tooth asked, fluttering over to get a closer look.
"Oh, I asked a friend if he had any ideas. He helped me find the materials and we went to some dwarves to have them make a necklace out of them," the summer spirit answered, rubbing the back of his neck with an awkward smile on his lips. Along with the look Aria was giving Ochieng out of the corner of her eye, Jack figured he was not the only one to notice Ju's strange reaction.
"I think I recognize this craftsmanship," Aria commented, examining the necklace. "Did you ask the dwarf brothers in Rhineland-Palatinate for this?"
"Yes, I did. They are said to be some of the best gem crafters, even working for royalty not long ago." Aria nodded along, eyes still narrowed at the necklace.
"It's wonderful," Juhua spoke up, her voice slightly stiff. The Autumn spirit unclasped necklace before slipping the chain over her neck, attaching the chain in the back. She then smiled at the young warrior and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Ochieng." The summer spirit gave her a warm smile, though the shadow of concern did not escape Jack's notice.
The moment was interrupted by North's hands suddenly clapping together. "Good. Now that all presents have been given, it is time for feast, no?"
Everyone got up from their spots and began to follow the Russian out of the room. Well, everyone minus Aria.
"You guys go on ahead. I was going to ask Ochieng some questions before the delicious food makes me forget about them," Aria explained with a seemingly false smile. The Guardians glanced between the two younger Seasons before shrugging and exiting the room. Jack and Juhua trailed behind the rest of the group. The door closed behind them, though not before Juhua shot Aria a warning look, which the spring nymph replied with what was probably supposed to be a reassuring smile.
The Guardians made their way to the banquet hall, chatting and joking amongst themselves. Juhua did not say a word, playing with Ochieng's gift. Jack dropped back to walk beside the distracted spirit.
"Any idea what Aria is asking Ochieng?" the winter sprite asked, raising an eyebrow. He stuffed one hand into the pocket of his new hoodie while the other gripped his staff.
Ju sighed before releasing the necklace. "I have a fairly good idea, though it's not necessarily reassuring. I'm pretty sure Ochieng is being held at sword tip right now with an overprotective Spring Knight at the other end of it."
Jack found it funny he could actually picture what Juhua was describing. It was rather amusing imagining the brave African warrior with a blade at his neck while Aria interrogated him in what could only be what fathers in the modern day called the 'Shotgun Talk'. Juhua gave the winter elf a glare, which Jack took as the warning it was and ceased chuckling. The two continued down the hallway in silence, having been left behind by the older Guardians.
The silence was finally broken when Jack cleared his throat. "So, what was up with back there?" At the younger spirit's confusion, Jack clarified, "In the sitting room, when you opened Ochieng's present. You had this haunted look, almost like someone who, I don't know, just found Nemo swimming upside down."
Juhua gave a deep sigh, her eyes growing distant once more. "I assume Aria has told you about how she used to be human and actually remembered her past life including how she died." At Jack's nod, the Autumn spirit continued, "Well, I'm sure she's told you she has a theory that all of us Seasons were once human as well and, for some reason, some of us have had our memories locked away. I know Ochieng remembers his past. I heard about yours from the others too, which means I'm the only one who doesn't remember."
"So why don't you ask Tooth? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take all that long for her to find your teeth and give you your memories back," Jack pointed out. Juhua had gone back to fiddling with her necklace again.
"Because I don't know if I want my memories back," Juhua replied, not looking at her companion.
"Why wouldn't you want your memories back?" Jack asked. He recalled wandering around the world for three centuries, frightened and alone. The Winter Spirit had no idea who he was or what he was supposed to do. Admittedly, Juhua wasn't left alone like he was, but surely she also experienced that doubt and fear he knew so well. Surely with everyone around her able to recall their lives while she was left alone in the dark about hers, she would want to know too.
"My memories are gone for a reason. I may not know what that reason is, but I know it must be a good one. Besides, what matters is who I am now and not who I was then. I don't need my memories to know what is important at this moment."
Jack could understand what the girl was trying to say. Even without their memories, they had become the Heralds of their respective seasons. Ju had even become a full Season and Guardian. But still... "Don't you ever get curious, though? Don't you want to know why you? Why were you, out of everyone else, chosen to be not only a seasonal spirit, but a Season and a Guardian? What did you do to make Manny and Mother choose you out of everyone else?"
"I do," Ju admitted quietly. She let go of the gift before reaching down to grab a hidden necklace. This one was simple in design, just a jade pendant attached to a length of red silk string. "I wonder why this necklace, out of all the personal artifacts I probably had, my conduit. Why is it I feel as much guilt as I do happiness being with Ochieng? Why does it feel like I'm betraying someone else for him? Why was I under all of those rocks and toppled buildings? I ask myself these questions everyday. Sometimes, I nearly do ask Tooth for my memories."
"Then why don't you?" Jack pressed.
"I remember how much pain Aria's memories bring her," Ju stated, tucking the jade necklace away. "She tries to hide it, but they really do hurt her; especially the ones about her family. Every time I am about to ask Tooth, I remember just how hurt Aria looks when she talks about her family and I just can't do it. Perhaps it is better to remain ignorant than face the burden that knowing causes. You understand, don't you?"
Jack paused for a second to think about what the Autumn spirit had said. Back when he didn't remember, he spent so much time alone. This fed into his fear and caused him to yearn for his memories, so that he could maybe find some place he could belong and call home. When he first got his memories back, he was just so ecstatic; he had a family! Not only that, but he saved his precious little sister. It wasn't until after the whole mess with Pitch had died down that it finally sunk in that he had drowned. The family he once had had moved on with their lives, grown old, and passed on. Even then, it wasn't so bad, as he now had a new family. The Guardians had accepted him, welcoming him in as one of their own. He was no longer alone, but that did not take away the sting of knowing that his sister had gone on to have a family of her own before passing on to wherever the dead go; that his mother had to bury her first born and only son so soon after his father.
"Yeah, I understand. But that doesn't mean I regret getting my memories. It is your choice if you get your memories back, Ju. Just choose what you think will make you happiest, and we'll support you no matter what," Jack concluded, sending a comforting smile to the younger Season.
Ju smiled back. "Thank you, Jack."
Jack then nudged his head over in the direction of the banquet hall. "C'mon. We better hurry before North sends Phil to come get us."
Lin: Yay! We did it! After so many months of nail pulling, I finally got Rey to finally write this chapter! And on her birthday, too!
Rey: Great, now can I go die in a hole like my body wants me to?
Lin: No, because we need two more chapters before the fun begins.
Rey: I don't know, the next one will be fun for me. And besides, in my defense, I wrote the gift giving before Christmas, but then life, and the fact that I can't easily write Juhua got in the way. Lin wound up writing several of Ju's lines.