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

[winterwork]

[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. )

Comments

[winterwork]

[Jack stills with the question, gazing out to the fire as he begins to fidget with his staff between his fingers.]

To be honest, I was ... starting to really find a purpose. I was angry for years, for being sent back, for just being ignored again, but in the end—I kind of found something I could do, a reason for becoming Jack Frost in the first place.

[He sighs, scratching at a speck of frost on the crook.] Every time I really start to figure things out with myself, thinking I could settle down and just, I don't know, be happy, I guess—I get tossed between worlds. Like I'm not meant for it or something.

[smithwork]

[ Rubbing the back of his neck, Hiccup bites his lip as he thinks of how to approach the situation. Obviously Jack has been getting displaced a lot and has suffered because of it, not only physically, and there's nothing to be done about that; almost three centuries have gone by which Jack had to stick out alone. He's sharper-edged now, his magic is powerful and he looks like he's come into his own. Instead of bowing to misery and grief, Jack has become stronger inside and out. That's remarkable.

And he remembered me through all of it.

Hiccup is pleased to find he still knows him, underneath all that. His hand around Jack's gives it a little squeezing shake, and he breathes out a chagrined laugh. ]

I, uh. I may not know where you're meant to be, Jack, but I do know where I want you to stay.

[ Right here, says his smile. ]

[winterwork]

[Even centuries away, Jack still knows how to read Hiccup without it all needing to be said, and the comforting comment has him chuckling with a smirk, leaning in against his arm.]

See? I knew you couldn't ever possibly stand to have me away. You'd fall apart without me, you poor soul!

[Letting out his joking laughter for a moment, it settles down into a sincere, thankful smile. Because even if the frost has become stronger over the years, his heart only gets warmer when he's able to feel welcomed like this.]

I actually do miss it a bit. I won't lie about that, I made some pretty good friends eventually. But ... but I've always had reasons to want to come back. So I'm glad that I am.

[smithwork]

Do I have a lot to live up to, then?

[ Pushing him lightly back with a lean, he affects a mock-worried expression. ]

[winterwork]

Absolutely. [He laughs, squeezing Hiccup's fingers as he tries to keep a straight face.] I demand to be spoiled and given complete attention daily. I need to be treated like a king. You gotta fight to keep me here.

[smithwork]

Wow, it's already like having two Toothlesses. [ Hiccup's laughter shudders his shoulder against Jack. ] Did I ever tell you that there's a dragon called the Bewilderbeast that spits ice? It's the only one that does, and it's known as the king of all dragons. Even the queens of nests look up to them.

[winterwork]

Really? [Amused with a raised eyebrow, Jack's knowledge of dragons beyond knowing Toothless was still only limited to books and the occasional movie he managed to catch. Even centuries later, the stereotype still remained that dragons were fire breathing.]

There you go, that's proof right there that I'm pure royalty. You said it yourself.

[smithwork]

I'm not really launching into an argument, here.

[ Chinning a hand on a bent knee under his blanket, he gives Jack a Look. ]

[winterwork]

Good, that's a smart move on your part. [He snickers at the look, ducking his head just as a thought comes to mind, curious with a question that he takes a moment to consider before asking.]

What about you? If you were ever sent back somehow, would you—I don't know, would you ever want to come back here?

[smithwork]

Of course I would, especially if you didn't go back with me. You or Mer. I'd love to go exploring in your worlds, that's what I was going to do with my mom before I came here, anyway.

[ He shrugs. ]

I mean, I'd ... I'd like to get the whole mess with Drago sorted out first and avert a war, but. Sure. After that.

[winterwork]

I'd back you if I could. Freeze his ass if he causes you trouble. That kind of thing. [The most supportive back up, obviously.]

I wonder if that's possible though. Going to worlds that aren't ours. It'd be pretty cool to see all dragons you never shut up about.

[smithwork]

Thanks. And I don't see why it isn't possible, we all got dragged here from a whole bunch of places, there's obviously a byroad or ... bifrost or something going on.

[ Slouching, he rests his head near Jack's shoulder. ]

That's not a jab at you, the bifrost is a rainbow bridge that reputedly connects the Nine Realms where I'm from.

[winterwork]

I promise, I'm not going to make another comment about how that's just another point for how amazing all things "frost" is.

[Because that obviously doesn't count as said comment.]

Maybe. I don't doubt it's possible. It's more if it'd be allowed. So far, from what I've heard, it's only ever been one street for everybody—from our personal world to here. Sometimes back, whatever that purpose is for.

[He still didn't know why he was sent back there. Or why he was even here now. And then the words that he heard the illusion of Pitch say come rushing back.

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

He quickly shakes the thought away.]

I guess it's not important to think about. We're here now. In this moment. That's all we can deal with.

[smithwork]

What they did to you still isn't okay, it never will be.

[ Sensing the unease in the spirit, he turns side-on to face him and a pegleg slumps against Jack's shin. ]

If you're worried about going home without any of us, I want you to know that I won't let that happen again. I won't let them send you away for another three minutes out of sight, Jack. I promise.

[winterwork]

[When Hiccup turns to him, he provides the return of his full attention, the words seeping in to warm him like that blanket. He knows that illusion was full of lies, because even if no one else in this world believed in him, there was someone right here who did.

Though he knows there probably isn't anything Hiccup could physically do to stop it. When he fell asleep that first time, it was beyond his or anybody's control. Still, the thought comforts him, an endless smile remaining in its home on his face.]

I know. Even if they did, I'd come right back. No matter how long it took.

[smithwork]

And I'd be here waiting. [ Ahem. ] We all would.

[winterwork]

[The idea of a home is something he's never really felt in a long time. Not since he had a real one of his own so many years ago. Remembering that brings a memory that strikes a reminder.]

Jackson. [He laughs, knowing it's probably out of context, but it feels almost nice to say it outloud for the first time.] Jackson Overland Frost—that's my name. I thought someone should know.

[smithwork]

It's nice. I guess you've always seemed ... complete to me, even without it. [ How to explain, hmm. ] Like this is who you were born to be, making people happy. If the myth of Jokul Frosti was around way before you, it was obviously just a prophecy waiting for the perfect guy to be born and inherit it.

[ Still, Hiccup doesn't knock the old title, giving him a nudge. ]

I like it, though. Now we're both the owners of needlessly long names.

[winterwork]

[Jack breaks out with loud snicker, nudging hard at his arm.] Waiting for the perfect guy? God, you are so ridiculously corny, Haddock. Did you know that?

[Not that there isn't a slight shade of puce on his cheeks, appreciating the compliment.]

[smithwork]

I meant the perfect guy for the job. Calm down.

[ Huffing!! Turning a bit pink too, wow. ]

[winterwork]

Relax yourself. I got you. There isn't a better interpretation of Jack Frost than the real one you got right here.

[His laugh settles down into a laugh, smiling as he looks away.] Jack. Jackson. It doesn't matter which one it is. I'm okay with what I've got.

[smithwork]

I bet your past life was always getting into trouble.

[ HE JUST ~SENSES IT, giving the hand in his under the blanket a squeeze. The wind howls outside the front of the cave and Hiccup slides down slightly against Toothless, seeking out the toasty black hide. ]

[winterwork]

Who, me? Nah, Hic, I'm a total saint. [Nothing but pure trouble, he basks with pride.] I doubt you're any better than me.

[smithwork]

[ Airily, he comments, ] Wouldn't that be something.

[ Excuse you, sir, he's going to be napping now. ]

[winterwork]

[He chuckles, shaking his head as he watches his friend doze off slowly before leaning slightly against him, cozying up on Toothless.]

Yeah, it really would be.