Forever homeless - I couldn't resist.

[didntfallin]

Why did you bring me out here? You know I wouldn't be able to go to any of those games you're in. Let me go back home, okay? I don't know anyone out here.

I'm glad you liked the movie, but there isn't much to go on for me, remember? This is just a game to you, isn't it? Well, it's all right. I guess... but I don't find it very fun.

I don't know why you think I can see him again. He's gone... and it's my fault.

Comments

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's heart is beating faster than Tooth's wings. But how can he not talk to her? ]

Emma...

[didntfallin]

[ A glance up is all it takes - the resemblance to her brother is downright eerie. She must miss her brother more than she thought if she's seeing him in other people too. ]

You ...know me?

[ Mun, why are you looking so secretive. :I ]

[wintershepherd]

Of course I do.

[ He thinks about not telling her for about 0.3 seconds, but he knows he can't do it. His reactions would give it away even if he tried. He bends to one knee so he's at her height. ]

It's me, Emma. It's Jack.

[2cool4guardian]

[Nonononono he isn't ready for this!!! Why is she sad she isn't supposed to be sad she is supposed to be happy cute little girl and--

...wait, what?]

It wasn't your fault, Emma.

[jacksonoverland]

[He doesn't know what to do, to try and joke and say everything's okay or it's going to be? He knows it's not, he's been told what happens, after all. A deep sigh and he decides, kneeling down and pulling her into a gentle hug]

I'm here, Emma. Don't worry, okay?

[didntfallin]

[ Her heart stops for a second, thinking at first it was a cruel joke. The hair and the eyes might be different, but the voice was the same - she still remembered it - she could imagine his eyes and hair brown as hers. But still ... how?? ]

... Jack...?

[ No, this was a dream - Jack was gone and ... she really wanted this to be true. ]

[krampus]

You really shouldn't blame yourself for anything that happened kid.

I know a bad kid when I see one and you're not one.

[didntfallin]

[ She doesn't even look up this time, shaking her head. Her parents told her the same, but... ]

It is...! If I hadn't asked him to go with me that day...

[didntfallin]

[ She stiffens in surprise when she's pulled into the hug. By Jack. Her brother. The brother she loved so dearly and who... who she was never going to see again. She crumples into the hug, flinging her small arms around him. ]


Jack..! [ She didn't know how is was even a -little- possible he was here, but he was. He was back, right? Tears already starting to prick her eyes, she clung desperately to him. ]

Y... you're really ...

[wintershepherd]

Hey kiddo. Surprise?

[ He can't resist, pulls her into a hug, he's cold but he wants to show her he's real and it's all right. ]

It wasn't your fault. It was never, ever your fault, okay?

[didntfallin]

But I dragged him out that day. If he had stayed home, or gone anywhere else, he wouldn't be ...

[krampus]

I don't know the situation but let me ask you this,

if you went alone what would of happened to you?

[2cool4guardian]

[He crouches in front of her, trying to find her eyes.]

...I'd have gone anyway. You don't really think I'd leave you alone in the forest like that, do you?

[inthemoon]

Oh, Emma. Don't be upset about Jack. He's not gone, not really.

[jacksonoverland]

[Jack smiles slightly, since well he's trying not to cry too. Seeing her like this... it's hard. But he's got to be the strong older brother here and cheer her up, just like always.]

Yep. [He wipes a few tears from her face] It's alright.

[didntfallin]

[ He IS cold. Of course he would be - he was dead, wasn't he? But she didn't care - even if she had had doubts before, they were gone now. After the initial shiver, she reached around to hug her brother - no matter how different he looked, she would never pass up this chance to hug her brother again. ]

But you... I -- I'm sorry, Jack. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have made you come out with me --!

[ Not her fault? She didn't see it that way. But she's sobbing now, because she never thought she'd see her brother's face or hear his voice again. ]

[didntfallin]

[ She's silent for a moment, before shaking her head. ]

I... I don't know.

[ She probably would have been the one to have fallen the ice. ]

[didntfallin]

[ Slumping on the ground, hugging her knees. ]

...because he's in my memory, right?

[ It's a poor substitute for the real thing. ]

[didntfallin]

[ Little sis is clinging and not letting go either. Ever. Ever ever. A hesitant smile emerges at his hand wiping away a few of those tears. ]

You won't leave... will you?

[krampus]

You're lying, you have some idea of what would happen.

If he had a choice would he let you be the one to be in danger or would he enter it?

[inthemoon]

Well, he is. But he's also very much alive. I made him a Guardian, so that he can continue to protect you and other children like you.

[wintershepherd]

Hey...

[ After a tight squeeze, he pulls back so that he can look her directly in the eye. ]

You didn't make me do anything. You said you wanted to go skating and I did too. I should've checked the ice better, I... I was the one who put you in danger. I'm the one who should be apologizing.

[jacksonoverland]

I promise I won't.

[He pulls back from her a bit and holds out his pinky finger to her.]

[didntfallin]

No... but -

[ Wait. This time she looks up, from a mixture of proximity, words, and voice. And the face - ]

..j-Jack? [ But he was dead - she saw you fall in the water...! ]

[didntfallin]

... A .. A Guardian? What do you mean...? Who are you?