Author's Note: Can you guys believe that it's already almost Christmas? OuO December is really flying by. XD My sisters, mom, and I went Christmas shopping the other day and oh my Thor was I whipped when we came home. QwQ The lines were so long...everyone's rushing to do last minute Christmas shopping, hahaha. XD
Anyway, hello everyone! =D Welcome back to "The Winter Child!" ^u^ This chapter is kind of a drabble, but it's over 1,000 words...I know drabbles are usually anything under 1,000 words, but my normal chapters are 3,000-5,000 words or more, so 1,000 words for me is pretty drabble-ish. X)
This chapter dives into Jack's relationship with the Wind! At last, she finally makes her entrance. XD I hope you guys enjoy this chap! =3
~ XVIII ~
Jack and Wind
Softer than silk
As quiet as a whisper
The Wind was as mysterious
As a silent winter
But she had taken an interest
In a certain young sprite
And their bond grew
Until they were connected
Like one and two
...
Jack loved winters in Santoff Claussen. The dazzling snowflakes that drifted from the sky, touching the ground like gentle feathers. The crisp, nipping air and the brisk kiss that the Wind would give. The sounds of snow crunching beneath his feet as he ran, walked, or stomped in the white powder were like music to his ears. The feeling of exhilaration pumping through him as he had a snowball fight with the other children. The flush of his cheeks and his breath puffed out in little clouds as he dashed through the snow. His chest would burn, not in pain but excitement, enjoying the fun-filled winter activities that he and the children of Santoff Claussen would indulge in. And the nights—oh, the winter's nights—were as peaceful as the surface of the Moon.
Yes, Santoff Claussen's winters were special. Norsurberian was known for its chilly winters, and the people had adapted to such conditions. Jack never minded the cold…he was a snow sprite, immune to frigid temperatures. Though he still enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and the crackling of the fireplace when he came inside after playing in the snow all day.
The young snow sprite could feel, however, that this particular winter was extra special. He couldn't quite place why, he just had an inkling. Jack, accompanied by North, headed outside. The winter child had been begging to head out, but he had to wait until North finished his work first. Jack was incredibly impatient, but his waiting paid off when North finally emerged from the study, telling him to fetch his coat. As they stepped into the winter weather Jack smiled, reaching out his hands. Snowflakes fell gently from the clouds, landing in his open hands. Just for the fun of it, Jack added his own snowflakes. Their designs were simple yet beautiful in their own way. They playfully joined the others snow stars, twirling and dancing in the sky. Jack giggled, and North watched from the porch as he played.
One of Jack's favorite things about winter was the cool, comforting Wind. Sometimes, he felt as if she were speaking to him. When he fell asleep with the snow softly falling out his wind, his pointed sprite ears would pick up the sounds of the Wind fluting a lullaby. He could feel her joy when he stepped outside, frolicking in her gales. He could sense her sorrow whenever he had to head back inside again. It was a peculiar feeling, but not an unpleasant one. The enigmatic connection that he seemed to have with the Wind intrigued Jack, and he wanted to further communicate to her.
The boy would stare out the window, waiting for the Wind to say something clearly to him. He would sit by the window for minutes, hours perhaps. He knew that she could understand him. And she knew that he could understand her. Jack would gaze outside waiting, hoping. He kept his pointed ears perked for any sort of comprehensive word from the Wind, but he'd hear nothing but her soft howls.
So, Jack spoke first. He'd tell the Wind about his days at school. Fun things that he and the Guardians did together. The winter child sometimes even told the Wind of embarrassing things he did, hoping to elicit some sort of amusement out of her. Jack didn't feel embarrassed when North caught him seemingly talking to himself. Jack only wanted to reach out to the Wind. He wanted to make a new friend.
Jack could feel how lonely the Wind was. She drifted across the Tsardom with no one to accompany her. No one took notice of her actions or efforts, and the only time she was acknowledged was when she was involved in a storm. The WInd wasn't a violent creature, like all, she had bad days. She couldn't always control her emotions. She was a wild, untamed being. And not even Mother Nature could handle her.
The Wind wandered over desserts and oceans. Hills and valleys. Continents and countries. Villages and towns. The place she visited most frequently was Santoff Claussen, for she was drawn to it. Its magic and wonder were unlike anything that she had ever seen or felt. Santoff Claussen's residents were kind and pure of heart. This village attracted people and creatures of all kinds. It was a place where your imagination could run wild. No one would judge you, no matter how impossible your ideas seemed to be.
Everyone in Santoff Claussen was unique to the Wind, but the one she was intrigued by the most was Jack….the last snow sprite. The last winter conjurer. The last being who could truly understand her without any enchantment or spell. Snow sprites shared a special connection with the Wind, one that was strong than any shield. The Wind loved it when the sprites would leap onto her gales. She'd toss them and flip them on her currents, enjoying the laughs and smiles that she brought out of the white-haired folk as she carried them to where they desired.
Not all possessed the ability to fly on her currents, and the Wind often wished that she could give anyone she wanted a ride. But there were requirements that a snow sprite had to have before being able to ride on her playful squalls or speak with her. Which was why the eldest elemental was baffled by Jack's power to understand her. To feel what she felt. He was only a child, and he didn't have his conduit yet. And here he was, attempting to have a conversation with her!
Despite her discombobulation, the Wind was fancied by this six-year-old boy. She found his antics amusing. She had watched him ever since that North fellow took him in, but she made no move to connect with him. The Wind knew that she couldn't get her hopes up…especially after what happened with the rest of the snow sprite race. Frankly, she was beyond shocked to feel Jack's presence on that winter's night. She was sure that every snow sprite had been eradicated.
But as Jack tried, again and again, to pull something from her, the Wind couldn't resist any longer. She tried to communicate with the young snow sprite, but her language was as ancient as the universe. The boy would need a winter conduit to understand a thing she was saying, but she still desperately tried to connect with him. Unfortunately, regardless of their efforts, neither Jack nor the Wind could speak to each other. At least not through words.
Jack wasn't one to quit, however, and even though he wasn't able to verbally speak to the Wind without her feeling confused, he listened. He listened and watched the winter beauty that she bestowed whenever her swift gales blew by. He smiled whenever he felt her presence wrap around him. He played with the Wind as if she were a close friend, finding fun in throwing as many snowflakes for her to round up and return to his open, waiting hands.
In return, the Wind would tousle Jack's hair or blast snow in his direction. Usually at random. In the classroom when all was quiet, the Wind would suddenly burst through the window, swirl around Jack and leave as fast as she came. Students were startled and Ombric was bemused, but Jack would act as if nothing had happened at all.
These sudden bursts of snow or mysterious swirls of air that wrapped around Jack soon befuddled the other Guardians. They had a long discussion (well, fuss mostly) over what could be happening. They weren't scared and nor were they fretful…just confused. And the slightest bit worried. Thankfully, Ombric came to them with the answer. One that none of the Guardians had been expecting.
"He is bonding with the oldest element on Earth," he said sagely. "It seems as the Wind has taken a liking to your young snow sprite."
"Should we be concerned?" inquired Tooth.
"No, not at all," Ombric replied. "This is all normal for young Jack. Snow sprites did share a special connection with Wind. This is how it usually goes about."
"But what about the shovin' winds? And the spontaneous blasts of snow?" asked Aster. Sandy nodded, agreeing with the spoken question.
"I'm sure that's just their way of communicating," Ombric answered. He turned, watching Jack as he laughed when the Wind pushed him lightly. "They're quite fond of each other. This appears to be the start of a special friendship."
"Well, as long as Jack doesn't get hurt," said North. "I guess he can bond with oldest element in the universe."
"Perhaps," said Tooth. She watched as the winter child and wind played with a smile. "They do seem to really like each other."
But it wasn't just a liking or fondness, but a connection that went deeper than any ocean. Jack and Wind were both once lost, lonely souls, but they found each other, they found people who helped them shape who they were. Though there were moments they still felt alone, they knew there was someone who could understand. Connect. Feel. Relate. To what the other had experienced.
The snowflakes shifted in direction. Jack felt the Wind's presence swirl around him. He smiled, a laugh bubbling past his lips.
He didn't notice as he greeted the Wind that he rose an inch from the ground.
Author's Note: ALJASLFJDLFHLADJASKLJD, JACK CAN FLYYYYYYYYY!
*Ahem* Well, not really yet. XD Next chapter will delve into that a bit more. =3 Yes, I do know that without his staff, Jack can't actually fly. But I'm bending the rules a little when it comes to how much I stick to the movie's boundaries and the setup that I crafted for this AU. =D I hope that isn't too confusing. XD
Anyway, thank you guys so much for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter! ^u^
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
