[5] 23 Days Until Easter

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[It's been a weird start of the month for Bunny. What with Holly Peaks, then getting not one, but TWO people from his home world, one of which he assumed was long gone. All in the space of a week. To make matters worse, the castle had decided to do this on the very month where Easter was held.

He could have sworn the place had done it on purpose.

As is normal for him, instead of facing any of the worry and heartache Katherine's arrival has brought him, he's thrown himself into his work. It needs to be done, anyway, and it means he doesn't have to deal with his own feelings on the matter. It's win-win, really.

And so, anyone out in the gardens today will find red tulip-like flowers sprouting everywhere, look closely enough and there's a slight glow to them. A few flowers are also blooming, revealing small white eggs on spindly legs within them. The googies, freshly brought into the world, are all heading over to where Bunnymund is sitting, pots of paint beside him as he goes through the labourous task of painting each googie, then sending them down inside the safety of his burrow. To await their big day.

Of course, to those who don't believe in the Easter Bunny, they don't see him. As he paints, his journal is open beside him, so he can listen to the casual chatter of the residents, a splatter of paint occasionally hitting the page and soaking into the paper as he works]

That whole dodgy Holly Peaks mess put me behind schedule. It's not like I can access my realm here, y'know. Everything has to be done by paw. But if it thought it could put me off, then that plan went down the gurgler.

[Another paint splatter, then a sigh. He can't keep his mind off things as much as he'd like to] Anyhow mates. Have any of you heard about Jack Frost? Mother Goose?

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[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[The googies legs pinwheel for a moment, when it loses contact with the ground, but it soon settles, awaiting its painting]

They do. Not especially quickly, mind, but they're big, and strong, they don't need to be fast.

[wolfchild]

It helps. That's how I fight. I'm not very strong or big, but I'm quick.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[A small, proud smile crosses Bunny's face at that comment]

So do I, little brumby. Some people might think brute force is the way to go. But more often than not, being able to move faster than your opponent is just as important.

[wolfchild]

My dancing master said so. He was also happy I'm left-handed. He said that everything would be reversed for me and it would throw off my opponents.

[ She glances at the eggs Bunny has painted already to get ideas for hers. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

That it would, you're lucky in that respect. I bet you'll be a force not to be tangled with.

[Most are simple swirls and delicate floral patterns, but that's been on his mind has betrayed him a little, a few are sporting snowflakes or geese]

[wolfchild]

[ She starts drawing, biting her lip as she concentrates on not ruining them. ]

Who is Mother Goose?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Oh. He'd asked the question, of course, but a part of him wasn't expecting anyone to answer. He frowns a little focusing on painting his egg]

Someone from my world. Her companion is a giant snow goose. She tells stories to children. Takes their mind of things, even if it's for a little while.

[His ears droop back, a little sadly] She showed up here a couple'a days ago.

[wolfchild]

You're sad.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Perceptive as always, Arya. He turns to look at her, attempting a weak smile]

It's been over two hundred years since I saw her last.

[wolfchild]

[ Arya bites her lip. Shifting her hold on her egg, she lays her free hand on his paw. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[She's a good kid, this one, and he absolutely adores her. Getting comfort from anyone who isn't another Guardian is still fairly new to him, but he'll accept it]

I'll be okay. I just wish I could remember what happened to her. I think the castle's playing with my memories.

[wolfchild]

Is that your loss?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

No. My loss are my egg bombs. [He pats the woefully empty front of his bandoleer ] One less thing I can use to protect you ankle biters.

[wolfchild]

They're bombs too? Do they stink bad?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

No, but they hurt.

[wolfchild]

But they're eggs.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

Come on now, little Brumby. You know my googies are never just eggs.

[wolfchild]

I guess. You can't make any more?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

No. I tried but... [He puts a paw to the ground, a flower beginning to sprout, it withers and dies, before it can bloom, though] That happens.

[wolfchild]

[ Arya picks up the dead flower. She crumbles the petals. ]

Can you give life to anything else?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

You mean like things besides plants? [He shakes his head] No, only the green stuff.

[wolfchild]

[ Fitting, really. Arya is not surprised. Thoros said no too. Even the castle will not bring her father.

She pushes the remains of the flower off her. It reminds her of her own father and what Joffrey and the Queen must have done with his body. Her grip tightens on Bunny's egg. She wants to break something, but all she has is the egg. He will be unhappy with her if she breaks it. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Oh, if he could, he would. In a heartbeat, even. Half of one. But even the great pookas couldn't master death.

His expression softens, catching her upset]

What is it?

[wolfchild]

[ She shakes her head. ]

Nothing.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[He offers her a small smile]

You know, if you feel the need, you're always welcome to lob one of my boomerangs at something.

[Encouraging violence is totally the right way to look after children]