eachdraidh | fourth snowball ❅ voice → video (open to both courts; backdated to the 16th)

[Nothing appears on the locket except complete darkness—simply pitch black, if you will—and all that can be heard is a deep, rumbling voice that echoes harshly.]

They didn't believe in you, Jack. That's why they sent you away ...

—no! Shut up! That's not true.

[This voice is of a certain winter spirit, though one that might not have been heard in quite some time. He sounds strained and frustrated as if he's been listening to this for quite some time now.]

Why else would they leave you all alone, Jack, stranded in another world? They spent a mere week without you here, but you— two-hundred and eighty-five years all alone ...

No! Leave me alone, I'm not afraid of you. They can see me. They believe in me. I'm a Guardian now and you can't scare me. Not anymore.

[There's a flash of light and suddenly the image appears crystallized as if ice covers it, though the faint sign of a silhouette appears beyond it.]

Don't be mistaken. You're still alone. People will leave. People will die. And it'll be just you in the end. Just you and the darkness ...

[Another flash can be seen, the sudden shooting of ice from a staff before a growl, dog-like in its nature is heard. Several more flashes of the ice-like bolts are shot before the growling comes to a stop.

Several moments pass before the figure moves to pick up the locket, rubbing a finger over it to wipe the layer of frost off. Revealed is the face of the known winter spirit, surprised as he is as though he hadn't realized the locket was on until just now, looking the same as he always has in appearance though his expression reads him to be more worn, more aged. The brown cape he used to wear is gone now as well, replaced with a more modern looking blue hoodie, decorated with flecks of frost at the edges.

He breathes out a sigh before he finally speaks again.]

It's me. I'm—I'm back.

( ooc: for those who hadn't known, jack had gone through an enchanted sleep just before this where he was canon updated from 1727—only fifteen years of being a spirit—to 2012, post-movie. so while he was only asleep in the drabwurld for a week, he spent 285 years on his own in his own world. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's good to be back. Though I am sorry for just knocking out on you. If I had a little more insight, I would have given you a warning first. [It's been centuries, but he still remembers it so he figures he could apologize.

He does pick up on her untidy appearance though.]

Geez, I take a week's vacation and I come to you and Hic looking like hot messes. Did my presence really hold the world together or something?

Och, well ye know, it's hardly th' first time a boy's fallen asleep on me, but you do weigh a wee bit more than my brothers.

[She can manage teasing. Teasing is fine. His next question makes her sober up a little, looking down at the tea cup in her lap.]

Ye could say that. It's been a quiet week. [Merida inclines her head.] I had a run in with th' dogs myself a few days ago. I haven't been sleepin' well.

Well, the important thing is that you're safe. [There were times when he was away, knowing nothing of the slower time lapse on this side, that he was somehow sure the friends he knew were possibly dead, whether from old age or some accident. That sort of thinking gets forced on him when he spends centuries watching people pass away constantly.]

Do you need a cuddle buddy to help you sleep? Is that it? Want ol' Jack to tuck you into bed at night?

[A lot of people had said that to her in the last few days, but she didn't really understand why. She smiles at the offer and laughs slightly, shaking her head.]

I've been [She almost says sneaking but this isn't home. She doesn't need to sneak.] goin' down to th' stables an' curling up with Angus. I'm fine.

You sure it's not too cold to be sleeping out there? [He smirks with this because ahahaha, too cold.]

Nothin' I can't handle. [She turns her nose up a little haughtily.] Highland winters are some of th' worst.

Well, now I get why you and Hic stick with me. You brave little soldiers, toughing out my winter ways.

Aye. Ye should be lucky we can.

[She pauses for a moment, then seems to remember something. Merida reaches down the side of her bed, digging out a small pouch.]

I was going to give this to you in person, but I don't think I'll be able to for a few days.

[Shaking the bag, out tumbles a small but intricately carved snowflake, hanging onto a leather chord which she uses to hold up for him to see.]

[He's slightly confused for the first moment he sees it before he slowly begins to form a smile.]

That's ... that's for me?

Aye. I made it while Hic an' I watched over you.

[The smile makes her beam a little, holding it up for a while longer before she lets her hand fall into her lap again.]

I made Korra an' Cu Chulainn ones as thanks for savin' me from tn' dogs. Different from yours of course.

Edited (why did saving have a capital S) 2014-11-24 22:30 (UTC)

So I'm guessing mine is for pestering you madly with my frosty charm?

[He laughs, but the following smile is sincere and earnest, appreciative for the token, looking away momentarily before he looks to her again, with a small puce to his cheeks.]

Thanks. For that and for taking care of me. It really does mean a lot knowing that I had you and Hic with me.

Maybe. You are charmingly annoying.

[She drops the carved snowflake into the pouch, pulling the strings to tighten it before she sets it to the side. She smiles back at his words, waving her hand.]

Och, I know ye'd do th' same for me. [She's not even going to mention the blood they had to clean up, figuring Hiccup's told him already.] Someone needs to look out for you jessies.

Right, right. Still Mama Merida, huh?

[With a chuckle, he shrugs. Not enough time has passed for everyone to change so much, but he still ended up being quite relieved at finding everyone being quite the same.]

Well, you take care of yourself, alright? I'm gonna keep looking out to make sure these dog things aren't causing anyone else any trouble.

Ach, don't go callin' me mam.

[She pulls a face at the nickname, though she feels warm inside when he calls her that, and it's shown by the flush in her cheeks as she nods.]

Aye, I will. Y'best keep tae th' skies. If ye can save someone else, that's great. Just don't go lookin' fer trouble.

Me? Look for trouble? It's like you don't know me at all!

[He laughs, because Merida knows him better than most people do. With a knowing grin, he offers her a short salute and shuts off the locket.]

fourth snowball ❅ voice → video (open to both courts; backdated to the 16th)

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