That night, North showed up loud as ever. He parked the sleigh in the space I had for when Del stopped by and made his way down to the main part of the Treehouse. My wards went off upon his sudden appearance so I was already in Big Guy when he strutted his way into the living room. "Where are Star Pilots?!" It was more of an exclamation than a question but still.

I cocked a half smile at him. "Nice to see you too, North." I gestured towards Junior. "They're in the guest house - same place they've been for days." I turned to go get them, doing a double take and holding my hand up to North for him to wait. "You might wanna wait here. They don't know who you are yet and it might freak them out if you come barging into their sleeping quarters." I gave him a sheepish smile.

He waved it off. "Is okay." I turned to leave again and he stopped me. "Story." I turned back, eyebrows up in question for the second time that day. "I did not have chance to give condolences earlier. I am sorry about brother." I paused for a second while North shrugged. "You seem be doing better, though." After a moment I nodded and walked off to get the twins. I didn't really have anything to say to that. Five years later and I still didn't know what to say.

I moved to Junior and started up the stairs when I saw that they weren't in the living room. "Knock, knock." Even though I wanted to just walk in what with that warning, I made myself wait for a response before even walking past their doors.

"Come in." Aldebaran's deep voice harmonized almost completely with Ain's musical one as they spoke in unison.

I shook my head slightly and took the last few steps to the door. They were sitting in the only two chairs in the room looking like they'd been having a conversation a moment earlier. The books were stacked up on the desk with the first one open in Ain's lap. "North's here. Are you guys ready to go?" Almost immediately, Ain closed the book and the two of them stood up. They were both well over six feet tall but I kept forgetting that and was continuously thrown by their height. I blinked as I processed the response. "I'll take that as a yes." I turned and gestured them to follow. When we hit their mini living room I glanced over my shoulder for a moment. "Just to give you guys a heads up, North is loud and big and very touchy so don't be alarmed if he picks you up or hugs you or anything."

They glanced at each other before Ain answered. "Why would we be alarmed? He is a Guardian, yes?"

"The Guardian of Wonder if I remember correctly." Aldebaran's rumble picked up right where Ain left off.

"Yeah, but he's not what you'd really expect. He used to be a bandit and actually the exact opposite of what the Guardians you've known were probably like." I looked back at them again. "He's changed since then, but he's still Nicholas St. North, former Cossack, and leader of a gang of bandits. Just a lot nicer now."

When we got back to the living room in Bug Guy, North was pacing and trying to hide the huge grin on his face. He looked up and upon seeing the Star Pilots for the first time abruptly enveloped the two of them in a hug that lifted them off the ground - not an easy feat when you considered their height. When he set them down again they were dazed and confused, looking at each other as they regained their balance. "Welcome, friends!" He threw his arms wide and the two of them flinched involuntarily.

While the two of them gaped like fish I caught North's eye. "Are we taking the Sleigh or just using a snow globe?"

He grinned wickedly. "I was thinking Sleigh would be fun, yes? Nice view of Santoff Claussen before we meet everyone." I rolled my eyes slightly. Knowing him he was gonna scare the two of them. They were both experienced pilots but North's ride wasn't the most graceful in the world. Don't get me wrong it was fun as hell, but if you didn't know what you were in for then you might just be a bit skittish afterward. "Is your first time in village, no?"

I nodded. "I'm excited. All I know about it is from either the books or what I've heard from other immortals. I can't believe I never asked you to take me there before."

He shrugged. "Is easily overlooked."

"Uh, no. My house is another version of Big Root, my best friend is basically Nightlight reincarnated, and the entire concept of Santoff Claussen is my way of life. I don't know how I didn't just go find it on my own come to think of it."

"Santoff Claussen, that is where Ombric is, correct?" Aldebaran was looking at North who nodded in response. "Then let's go. I don't mean to sound impatient but all my sister and I seem to have been doing these past few days is ask one question after another and the answers we've gotten are scattered at most." He looked apologetically at us. "I am eager to meet this wizard and get comprehensive knowledge in a timely manner."

North nodded and had us follow him to the dragon nest where the Sleigh was still parked. I watched Aldebaran out of the corner of my eye. His statement as we left had started changing my perception of him. I knew they were trying to not step on anyone's toes and I know how hard it probably was, but he'd rubbed me the wrong way for a first impression and I was starting to see that he wasn't as obstinate as I'd originally thought. I just might grow to like him. It was turning out to be Sunny all over again.

When the twins saw the Sleigh their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. The reindeer were enormous as usual and the gleaming red paint job was just shiny enough to reflect the canopy. I walked up to Dasher and stroked his nose as he stomped in a way that might be alarming if I didn't know that he'd never hurt anyone. Not to mention the fact that I'd stared down Nightmares before. North came up and patted Comet's shoulder. "They can always use few good runs a year." He shrugged. "Is why I like taking them out when I need travel." I shot him a smile, knowing full well that he was a softie under all the badassery. He looked over at the siblings. "Climb in."

I hopped in without further prompting. The twins, however, hesitantly eased their way into the craft as if it was gonna take off without them. I hid my laugh as they gripped the bars tightly once they realized that there was no roof or really any sides either. North took his seat at the reins and whipped them, bringing the reindeer to attention. A moment later and they took off, throwing all of us backward. Now, when I said all of us I meant all except North. He held his ground like he was on solid ground. I couldn't help but whoop when we shot out of the nest like a slingshot. The twins hung on for dear life in a way that hilariously reminded me of Bunny.

When we were clear of the treeline, North pulled a snow globe out of his pocket and whispered to it before tossing it in front of us. The portal swallowed us and a second later we were over a snow-crusted forest that was oddly familiar. "North, where are we?" I had to yell to be heard over the wind.

"Russia!" He laughed heartily at that and I rolled my eyes.

"A little more specific please?"

"Boreal Forest, Siberia, mile away from Santoff Claussen." My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Boreal Forrest? As in right next door to Berzee? Why did everyone have to live eerily close to other people I've been looking for? "What answer were you looking for?"

"The first one. I didn't know Santoff Claussen was right near Mother Nature's home."

He shrugged. "Neither did I." He looked over his shoulder at me. "You know where Mother Nature's home is?"

I nodded. "You don't?"

He shrugged again. "Never asked." He whipped the reins and the reindeer sped up. Up ahead I could see a tree that definitely wasn't an evergreen like all of the others. Big Root.

Even in the confines of my mind, my tone was reverent. Big Root was as legendary of a place to me as Jack's pond was. I'd seen pictures of it in the form of William Joyce's drawings. I'd had it described by Mother Nature. I'd imagined it enough times to know that the Treehouse was a pale comparison. Now I was about to see it with my own eyes. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Make that a kid in Sam's stash. Despite my awe, I managed an amused chuckle. I noticed North watching me out of the corner of his eye, a grin filling his face. Any time he could bring Wonder to another being, he jumped at the chance.

I couldn't help my growing excitement as the village grew closer. The reindeer were restless too it seemed since North could barely control them. As we came up to the village, North circled it once and a few hundred people streamed out of their strange houses to watch. I could hear cheering from the people below but there was one person I didn't see yet. Ombric.

North landed the Sleigh in a clearing the villagers had made for us. He climbed out and was almost immediately tackled by the children there. They dogpiled on him as he laughed hard enough to make them topple off. Then they just climbed back on again. The Twins got off the Sleigh the first chance they had and were standing awkwardly off to the side as the people of Santoff Claussen stared at them. They weren't mean stares or uncomfortable ones, more curious than anything else.

Meanwhile, I was frozen in place. I couldn't stop my eyes from jumping from one thing to another. The houses, the people, the contraptions, the hedge around the village... but most of all, I couldn't stop staring at Big Root. Oh, it lived up to its name, it was huge. It wasn't as tall as the Sequoias I called home, but it was something else entirely. Big Root was on a different level. I felt like I was looking at the Wonka Factory. The feeling only intensified when Ombric walked out of Big Root's front door.

He stepped out and closed the door behind himself, shuffling his robes as he did. A number of the children ran over to him as he walked towards us and he indulged them in their conversation. He also chatted with a beetle that was sitting on his shoulder simultaneously. His hat was half his height and pointed straight up, making him look halfway between comical and imposing. When he reached the Sleigh, the children on North crawled off of him finally. Ombric looked down at the former bandit and smiled in a way only a friend you count as family can. "It is good to see you, old friend." He reached down and helped North stand up. After that, they hugged each other in a way seemed to make up for all the time they'd lost. A small wave of bitterness hit me that they got to reunite while I'd been denied that with Caeden. I forced that down before it became resentment and let the wonder of Santoff Claussen take over again.

Once he and North broke apart, Ombric turned his gaze to the twins. "These must be my new pupils." He grinned at them as they nodded sheepishly. "Come, I'll introduce you to your tutor." He reached for Ain's shoulder to usher them inside Big Root.

"Tutor?" Aldebaran held up his hand to stop Ombric. He glanced at me and North. "We were told that you would be informing us about this world."

Ombric nodded grinning. "Oh, yes, of course, I will be! But the children have lessons this morning and while I am teaching them, Mr. Qwerty will be teaching you. He is both my assistant and my librarian - and my library." He chuckled at that. "Come, come, I'll introduce the two of you." He pulled them to Big Root like an excited child while all the actual children followed in his wake. With the rabble gone, the adults of the village went back to their daily routines and left North and me pretty much alone.

He looked at me once everything had calmed down. "You can leave Sleigh, you know." I blinked, realizing I still hadn't moved. I got up and climbed out of the Sleigh, looking around in awe again, eyes finally resting on Big Root once more. "Is something, no?"

I nodded, awestruck still. "It's something, alright." Tentatively I pointed towards the tree. "Can I... can I go inside?"

North laughed heartily at me, holding his belly as he did. "Have never heard you ask permission before!" He doubled over for a moment before he composed himself enough to respond properly, which he did while nodding. "Yes, go." I took a step forward. "But before you do, take these." He pulled a handful of snow globes out of his pocket, holding them out to me. "So you and twins can come and go as please. Send letter when run out, I will send more."

I dumped them into my bag smiling gratefully. "Thanks, for bringing us here too. Are you gonna leave soon?"

He shrugged. "Eh, maybe. Let reindeer run loose for bit first, then go." He patted one of them as he said it. "Have preparations to get back too, cannot leave Yetis in charge for too long else Elves will make mess of things." He shrugged slightly. "Business as usual."

My smile faded, something having crossed my mind. "Hey, can you do me a favor and tell the others not to mention the disappearing Immortals to those two. At least for a while."

He knitted his eyebrows together. "Why?"

"I may not know them intimately, but having spent four days with them has already let me know that they jump to conclusions a lot." I took a breath. "I know it's not their fault, but if they find out about the disappearances they'll immediately assume it's Pitch's doing - I know you guys already think it's him, but he doesn't have anything to gain from it so that's why you're not charging down to his lair as we speak." I wasn't just trying to help pitch out, I was speaking the truth. "You guys know everything that's happened since he's been on Earth, they don't. They'll just think he's up to his old tricks from back in the day. I'm not saying he's pathetic, but he's not as dangerous as they think he is." I gave a halfhearted shrug. "I don't want them inciting a frenzy or anything. I can just see them taking things too far and us having a big problem on our hands."

He grimaced thoughtfully. "You might have point. I will discuss with others first but I think I agree. For now."

I smiled at him again. "Thanks."

"Eh, no problem." I hiked my bag up onto my shoulder again and started towards the entrance to Big Root. The tree was massive, at least a hundred feet tall and almost as wide. It reminded me a bit of Gaia's tree in Eden. My eyes were wide as I grabbed the handle and nudged the door open, only to open them wider when I saw the inside of the hollow tree. It soared up for more than ten stories, completely hollow with stairs spiraling around the sides. Globes with planets circling them were strewn about and gadgets and gizmos abounded. Ariel would be proud. Ombric was off to one side with a horde of children around him. He was speaking a language I'd never heard before and the children were more or less keeping up. I spied the twins up a few balconies with a giant book in front of them. Mr. Qwerty.

On instinct, I almost pulled my wings to get to them quicker, but I stopped myself and tried to ebb my excitement. I walked up to where the balcony jutted out over the open area. Both of the twins were so absorbed by whatever Mr. Qwerty was showing them that they didn't notice me coming up behind them. I watched them for a few moments before moving upwards to explore more of Big Root. Long enough to feel them slipping deeper into the newfound knowledge, but not so long that I distracted them.

The higher I got, the more incredible Big Root was. There were gaps in the bark Fern Gully style that acted as windows and the view was inspired to say the least. I could see down through the whole tree, and the lessons that Ombric taught were spectacular. Magic and tongues that any human outside of the village would call gibberish were running rampant and I couldn't get enough of it. The Burgess kids would love this. The Salem ones too, for that matter. I smiled to myself as I thought of all the believers from the two cities running amok in Big Root. Jack's kids would be trying to get into every potion and book there was, trying to find the perfect spell to pull off something epic, and Sam's would be running straight for the tools and contraptions scattered on almost every available surface. Personally, I'd be spending hours with Mr. Qwerty myself - if I'd lived here when I was little.

I mean, every book from Ombric's library all in one place - fiction and otherwise? It was everything I could have ever dreamed of when I was a kid. Hell, it was pretty close even now. I watched the twins with slight envy. I wanted to hunker down in front of the bookworm for hours - or speak to Ombric for just as long. I've never been the most patient person, but I knew that if I barged in I'd be a complete asshole so I forced myself to refrain for the time being.

In order to keep myself away from fangirl crack, I decided I was going to explore Big Root in as thorough a way as possible. I kept walking until the stairs stopped. Where they ended was a small rope bridge lovingly constructed that lead to a modest tree house that looked like it was still cared for even now. I knew that it was Katherine's handiwork that I inspected now and a small shiver went down my spine. I hadn't really asked anyone but her pronounced absence from the town - as well as never having heard a word about her from any of the Guardians - more or less told me that she was long dead. The ghost of her presence still lingered, though. I could imagine a kid walking around, stealing away Mr. Qwerty for a few hours to jot down the next rhyme about the many things she'd witnessed.

Reverently, I laid my hand on the railing of the rope bridge and gingerly walked across. I had to stoop once inside because - for once in my life - I was too tall to stand comfortably. I sat on the floor and looked around me. There were a few shelves, on some of them were jars of ink and quills, on others strange devices that one could only assume were of her own making. There was a spot on the floor that was ink-stained from where a bottle had obviously spilled a long time ago. A large cushion was in one corner, moth-eaten and probably consumed by dry rot. We're not that different, me and Mother Goose.

I blinked and sat up straighter. The thought hadn't processed before Inner Voice allowed it to float across my consciousness. "Oh my god." We both were the purveyor of stories, we both were best friends with a white haired immortal with a staff and blue color scheme, we were both close to the Guardians, hell we both had a tree house for crying out loud! I leaned out the doorway and looked up at the sky. It didn't matter that it was broad daylight, I knew Manny was up there. "Did you do what I think you did?" After a moment where there was no response I sat back and stared at the leaves of Big Root as I processed something that all but left me speechless.

Manny's replaced Nightlight and Katherine. I thought of how eerily similar Jack was to Nightlight, not just in looks but in their core beings. It made absolute sense that if they'd relinquished their Guardian roles, that he'd eventually look for immortals to take their vacated positions. Nightlight was in essence, the Guardian. He was a childlike star in his own right who's very presence brought smiles to children. Katherine was the story keeper for the Guardians and the one who spread those tales to the world - the reason that the others even had legends for anyone to believe in. Jack was the new Nightlight. Less calm and more wicked in some ways, but Nightlight 2.0 he was. I didn't want to think what it would mean for me in the future, but it sure as hell looked like I was the new Katherine. More vulgar and less innocent, but as impassioned by our world - if not more.

I'm not sure how long I sat there getting a handle on all of that info, but when I was done it was well after noon. I stood up slowly and grabbed my bag. As I was about to re-enter Big Root I cast one more lingering glance at the tree house that had once been Katherine's. I have to know. I purposefully made my way down through the hollow center of the tree, eyes roving for Ombric all the while. It was clear that the children had since finished their lessons for the day, however, the twins were still absorbed by Mr. Qwerty. I finally spied Ombric by one of the tables, fiddling with some contraption or another and idly chatting with a beetle. As I approached him he turned around, looking for me. I assume the beetle told him I was walking up.

His curly eyebrows rose as he smiled at me, setting down his tools. "Hello, my dear!" He stood up and grabbed my hand before I could even raise it on my own. He shook it vigorously as he spoke to me. "You must be Story Tale, hmm? I was delighted to receive your letter! Even more so to figure out how it was folded so delicately" He gestured to about ten copies of one of my birds, along with one of my actual birds that cocked its head at me. "It is a form of origami, correct?" I nodded but didn't have time to respond before he spoke again. "Excellent! I had wanted to introduce myself earlier to you but alas, there were lessons to be taught - and I never cancel class unless dire circumstances are afoot."

I smiled at him. "You didn't need an introduction. I knew who you were the second you walked outside."

He held up a finger, not unlike a teacher correcting a student. "Ahh, but a proper introduction is the base of any relationship." He smiled at me again and finally let go of my hand. "Come, sit! I would love to have a word with you!" He swept his arm towards a livingroom set off to the side. I followed him there and, after we both sat down, he looked at me like a kid who was about to blow out the candles on their birthday cake. "Now, how long have you been as you are, dear?"

"Do you mean how long have I been immortal? About seventy years now."

"As one who is but a tale herself and one who keeps the tales of others, how do you feel after near a century in this world?" He leaned forward like he was hoping it would make my answer better.

"Did you want a detailed answer or a simple one?"

He gave me a chastising look. "Dear, we both know that nothing of lives as long as ours are simple. I want an honest answer." His expression was open and expectant.

As much as I wanted to bring up my recent epiphany, I couldn't help but want to really tell him how I felt now. Everything. "It used to be fun, a rollercoaster but a fun one. I saw the world with new eyes and I felt like a sponge that couldn't ever be too full." I knew my eyes were probably shining. I could feel myself becoming more alive as I talked about why I was in love with the world. "Not only did I have forever to do whatever I wanted, I had no limitations on what those things might be. I could go anywhere, do anything, stay up as late as I wanted." I giggled a little. "I knocked out my bucket list pretty quickly and after that, I was searching for more things to turn into stories for myself." I cocked a half grin. "Memories. There's still a lot I haven't seen, but I've managed to make myself slow down so there's always something new for me to discover however far down the line I get."

I glanced up towards where the twins sat, engaged by their tutor. "On top of all that, I've met the most amazing people. I've always consumed stories like fire consumes kindling, and the people within them were one of the best parts. Meeting their real life counterparts is euphoric and electrifying and humbling." I glanced at the wizard that sat across from me. "You included." I fiddled with the necklace that Mors had given me all those years ago. "A good number of them I call my friends now. They're what keep me going now that -" I cut myself off, my smile faltering. I let go of the necklace and clasped my hands together to try and calm myself.

After a moment, Ombric broke the silence. "I know that look." The giddy quality his voice previously held had vanished. The man who now spoke sounded as old as he looked. "How long ago did you lose them?" He met my eye and I could tell that he knew.

"Five years." I looked down at my hands, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I hadn't talked about it to anyone really ever since everything happened. But here was someone who'd lived longer than anyone else I'd met - to my knowledge. He damn well knew about loss. "He died of old age, almost eighty years old, but..." I blinked hard. "He wasn't just my little brother, he was my first believer. He was the only one I still cared about... the only one that was left. When he died I went on hiatus from life for a while. I couldn't do my job without being me so I put me first for a couple years." I looked up. "I almost feel like myself again, but I still want to throw things and break down crying every once in a while." I cracked a weak smile. "The proof that I'm doing better is that I don't." I shrugged. "It's not the first thing that comes to mind anymore and I can really be Story Tale again. Jack and Sam were a big help with that."

Ombric smiled kindly at me, holding my hand between his. "It is difficult to lose someone so close. Even more when you can remember their entire life, knowing that it only felt like an instant now that you look back."

I eyed him for a moment before jumping. "Katherine?" His sad smile was answer enough. "She was your daughter, right?"

He shrugged, the bittersweet smile still on his face. "Adopted daughter, but yes. I loved her very much."

"What happened to her?"

He sat back, sighing a little as he did. "After we had defeated The Nightmare King for what we thought was the last time, Tsar Lunar gave all of us Guardians a choice. Become Immortal through his power, relying on belief as well as gaining power from it, or remain as we were. The second option was given with those of us who were already Immortal in mind. Sandy, Aster, Nightlight, and myself namely. Nightlight, Katherine and I chose to stay the same. I had no reason to rely on belief, as my own powers had kept me in good health for a very long time and I saw no need to change. Katherine did not want to stay a child forever, and she fully intended to take Manny's offer later on in life, however..." He waved his hand as if to say 'you know'. "Nightlight had begun to age. None of us noticed at first until one day we realized he was taller. The silver color of his hair and skin faded away and what was left was a blonde, pale child. Katherine did not want to leave him to fend for himself in this world and so she stayed with him. They grew up."

"Did they stop believing in the others?"

"Oh, heavens, no! They were firm believers until the end." He waved off my question like it was absurd. "No, they got married and moved away. Katherine believed that the best way for them to help the Guardians was to spread their tales to the four corners of the world. They had a grand life - traveled to all seven continents - not counting Antarctica, mind you - told thousands of stories, and made hundreds of friends that lasted them until their dying days." He settled down a little, having come to the more somber part of the tale. "They were in America. They'd had a son whom they'd named Nicolas in honor of North and he had started a family with a wonderful woman. I never did have the chance to meet either of them though they did send me portraits which I have around here somewhere." he looked like he was about to go off and search for them, but then he sat back with a huff. "Regardless, they reached their ends - both of them - when they were just shy of ninety. Nightlight had never been the healthiest of individuals and some sickness or another took him from us. It was quite hard, though I suspect that Tsar Lunar took it the hardest. Nightlight was, after all, his first friend." I think my eyes misted up at the same time Ombric's did. "Katherine died barely a week later." He dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief that appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "I believe she thought it was time for her to go and be with her love." He sighed deeply. "I still miss her."

Without thinking I moved from the chair I was sitting on, to the couch he was. I hugged him, which got a little chuckle out of him as he patted my shoulder. "Thank you, dear, but I am fine. I've had nearly four hundred years to grieve, by now." He straightened up and took a breath, letting it out as his shoulders relaxed. "I never did get to see my great grandchildren, but I do know what befell them. Nicolas and his wife had two children and boy first then a girl. The girl lived on to old age and her descendants still live in the same town - one is even fairly well known in our community. The boy died during adolescence, unfortunately." Ombric looked at me, a twinkle in his eye. "However, I hear he has done great things for himself as the newest Guardian."

I didn't register his words right away. I just smiled at the bittersweet ending. Then the smile dropped from my face and my head shot up. My eyes were wide as I stared at Ombric. "Wait, so..." I looked away.

Out of my peripherals, I noticed Ombrics smile. "I also find it a lovely coincidence that his best friend - as I hear it - thought of me when there were two new extraordinary pupils in need of tutelage."

I'm pretty sure my brain broke just then. Jack was Nightlight and Katherine's grandson! That explains where he gets his personality. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to organize what I'd learned that day. Finally, I took a breath and looked at Ombric. "Does Jack know?"

He shrugged a little. "I am not certain. As far as I am aware, no. I'm not even certain that the other Guardians know. Tsar Lunar, however, most definitely does." A twinge of uncertainty crossed his face. "Do you think he should be told?"

"You're asking me?! You're the all powerful last wizard of Atlantis. You're the one who talks to moonbeams and beetles. How should I know?!"

"You are his best friend. You know him far better than I do. I've never met him."

"Why?" I looked hard at Ombric. "He's your family." Ombric avoided my eyes and something occurred to me. "Why didn't you ever reach out to him when he was alone?!" Guilt crossed his face then. "Three hundred years and you couldn't even try to let him know that he had family in this world, people that cared about him? Do you have any idea how much he went through when he had no clue who he was?"

"That is precisely why I stayed away. Tsar Lunar sealed away Jack's memories so that he would not be burdened by his sister's eventual death. He foresaw that it would prove too heavy a weight for someone meant to be the embodiment of fun and laughter. Loneliness is easier than loss. I was forbidden from making contact with him until he regained his memories." He worried his hands together. "It took far longer than either of us had expected. Once he had I was ashamed of having waited so long." He looked pleadingly at me. "If you believe it is in his best interests for me to stay away then I will. But if you truly believe that he would be better off knowing me then please, help me make it happen."

I sat there with my mouth gaping like a fish. Eventually, I formed a coherent enough thought to attempt an answer. "I've kept secrets from Jack before. Minor ones and not so minor ones." I was talking about when I moved out. Oh and Pitch too. "If he think's it's important and finds out that you kept it from him he'll be angrier that he wasn't told then he will be about the secret. I know from first-hand experience." I took a breath. "I think you two should meet. Don't approach him out of nowhere, but write him a letter or something, explaining everything. I can take it to him and if he decided to reach out to you from there, then he does. At that point, it's all on him." I smiled ruefully at Ombric. "I've presumed to know best in the past, and with Jack honesty is best."

Ombric smiled at me gratefully. "Thank you, Story." I smiled back and moved back to the original seat I'd been occupying. "You have a quality to you that lets people feel safe to tell you their tales. Katherine had it too." I looked over to see that he was smiling. "I can see why Jack likes you."