For the second time in as many days Jack found himself on the Wind heading for the North Pole.
It was a strange feeling, to know that (for now, at least) he'd be welcomed inside the shielded precincts of the North Pole.
He swooped in and through the open skylight, noting in passing the group of yeti doing something to the side of the main building. He floated over the globe, watching the flurry of activity on all the layers of the Pole's hub in fascination.
There was a call from the top floor, and Jack glanced over to see Phil waving at him. A little hesitantly he dropped down to the floor in front of Phil.
Phil had been welcoming before, but as much of a game over the years keeping Jack out of the Pole had turned into, it had still been Phil's job to keep Jack out.
Instead of the scolding Jack still half expected, Phil beamed as Jack landed. He grunted out something in yeti, clapping Jack on the shoulder and gesturing for him to follow.
Jack was fairly sure it had been another welcome and being told North was waiting to talk to him, so he followed along, accepting with surprise and a thrill when Phil snatched up a cup of cocoa on the way through the Pole as they traveled down corridors Jack had never seen before, passing the cup back to Jack.
Jack hid his grin in the cup, sipping cautiously. Just like with Bunny's salad, the taste was much more intense than it had been the last time he'd tasted food at the Pole, and even if it did threaten to scald his tongue it was worth it.
He wondered, more than a bit, what it meant that he suddenly wanted – and tasted, properly tasted – food, so much more than before, like his mouth and stomach had suddenly woken.
The thought was driven from his head as Phil ushered Jack into a room deep inside the Pole, one like the workshop he and North had spoken in (had it really only been a few days ago? It felt more like months...) only even more crowded with projects.
Scrolls and books covered nearly every flat surface that wasn't already covered with bits and bobs of projects, things that sparked and glowed, floated in midair or were in a million tiny, tiny pieces.
North, who'd been bent over a large book at the other end of the room (and Jack had a suspicion it was the same book he'd read the Guardian oath from), looked up and grinned when the pair entered and he saw Jack's wonder at the new room.
"You like?" he asked, even as he strode towards them with that grin firmly in place, arms wide. "Phil, my thanks."
Phil grunted something incomprehensible at North before giving Jack's hair a quick ruffle and leaving.
Jack was shocked still for a few moments after the brief contact, too shocked to even lean into it before it was gone.
He cleared his throat and blinked rapidly, hoping North hadn't seen his reaction to that careless pat. North was still beaming at him, hands now planted firmly on hips, waiting for Jack's reaction.
"I thought you showed me your workshop earlier," Jack said, starting to walk through the cluttered room.
North waved an expressive hand. "Is other workshop. First workshop, is for ice models, new toys and ideas. This, this is magic. You would like to learn more, someday, perhaps? Is helpful."
