[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?

Comments

[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]

[wolfchild]

I can't aim them right yet.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

You can try it anyway. [He's sure it'll make her feel better]

[wolfchild]

[ She sets her half-painted egg down for the moment. She holds her hand out. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[He'll smile, pulling out a boomerang from his bandoleer, handing it over to her]

[wolfchild]

Nymeria! Here!

[ Once Nymeria is behind her, she throws it at a tree. It just skims the branches before returning. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[He flashes her a grin]

See? You can throw it just fine. It comes back, doesn't it?

[wolfchild]

Does it come back again if I don't catch it?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

They're enchanted, but you still have to have some skill to get it to come back.

[wolfchild]

I have skill!

[ She is going to misconstrue that as a veiled insult and get defensive. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

Not saying you don't. In fact, you're of of the kids I've met who I know for a fact has more skill than most adults.

[He'll try to soothe those ruffled feathers there]

[wolfchild]

[ She glares at him disbelieving. He doesn't seem to be lying so she relaxes. ]

Did you make them?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

I did. Back when I was an ankle biter myself, not much older than you.

[wolfchild]

And you did the enchantment yourself too?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

I did, can't say I'm much of one for enchanting any more. North has always been better at it anyway. I prefer my nature magic.

[wolfchild]

North.

[ Almost two years trying to make it north. Two years wasted. ]

That's your friend? The swordsman?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[He nods]

Yeah, that's him. He uses enchantment to create his toys.

[wolfchild]

Why?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

So the yetis can create more. I don't know. I never really get involved in his work, just like he doesn't normally get involved in mine.

[wolfchild]

No. Why does he do it? They're not his children. He doesn't have to.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

Same reason I hide eggs for all the children of the world. Because he wants to make them happy.

His center is Wonder. That's what he brings to the world, he makes it a nicer place, even if it's just for a short time.

[wolfchild]

But no one's making you do it.

[ Are you seeing how far her issues go, Bunny. Are you. ]

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Oh he truly is]

No. We were all chosen, but we weren't forced into taking our oaths. We could have walked away if we wanted to.

But we didn't.

[wolfchild]

You don't get paid. You don't get thanks. Most people don't even know you exist. Why do you do it?

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

Because I keep children safe.

They're all I have. All any of us have. [All they are and all they will ever be]