Humming, I wave my hands out in front of me, slowly and controlled. The snow and wind follow gracefully and I can't help smiling as I mix the snow and wind together. Faster and faster. Denser and denser. Until a small, dark grey cloud forms. Walking forward, I gently cup the cloud, giddy at the energy I feel radiating from it. The little storm cloud rumbles and I laugh.
"All right, little one, I have a job for you," I state, leaning in closer to drop my voice. "When I release you into the sky, I need you to organizing the other clouds. Ask them to help you start spreading more snow and chill around here. It's been getting too warm lately. Can you do that for me?"
The little storm cloud rumbles again and a large smile splits my cheeks. Chuckling, I lean down, nuzzling the cloud before straightening.
"All right. I'm counting on you. Here you GO!"
I toss the cloud into the air, the rush of wind causing my hair and clothes to whip around me. The little cloud rumbles and whistles as it flies, already attracting normal clouds toward it, growing larger and large. Laughing, I fall back into the snow, pleased by how my work is going so far. Wind whistles by, pausing just briefly until I wave my hand, signaling for them to continue on.
Honestly, I don't remember the last time I've felt this good. And I know it has to do with my meeting with Conroy.
Everything went so well!
After he returned with my hot chocolate, the two of us sat and talked the entire two hours he had free. And when it was time for the two of us to part, he asked to see me again next week! Same time, same place! Mother Nature was a little wary when I told her but seeing that nothing bad happened at this meeting and I kept my part of the bargain, she's allowing me to go to this next meeting.
A giggle escapes me as I sit up, shaking the snow from my hair. Speaking to Conroy was such an experience. Even if I didn't actually speak and just used my snow to communicate. It was so strange seeing someone enthralled with my powers instead of sneering or huffing at it. He didn't complain once about the cold or the fact that my snow was getting everywhere even though I was doing my best to keep it contained. Snow, much like the winds, has a mind of its own. It's been so long since somebody has just wanted to enjoy my company that I nearly forgot how nice it feels afterward.
My hands clutch at the snow for a moment. Tightening enough to form little balls of ice before I breathe out, slow and measured, and I release my grip on the snow and bring the balls of ice to my face. My upside down reflection smiles sadly back at me. Lifting it, I peer through to the darkening sky above. A shriek escapes me when a dark grey hand plucks the sphere from my grasp. Leaping up, I nearly sag to my knees when my eyes land on Mortem. The ancient being is studying the ice closely, a slight twitch to their lips.
Their eyes flicker over to me.
"This is quite beautiful, Frost. There are so many colors that I can spot just by holding it up in the dimming light. I can see why humans try to imitate your icicles. They cast the light so beautifully."
Frost burns at my cheeks at the strange and sudden compliment. Rubbing my hands together, I offer the ancient being a crooked smile.
"Uh, thanks? It's really just solidified water. But, uh, you can have that if you want? I mean, you don't have to take it if you don't," I quickly add when Mortem fully looks at me. "I was just gonna return it to the snow and—"
A deep chuckle cuts me off as I toe at the snow and I just know that there is frost all over my face. Peeking through my bangs, I see Mortem studying the sphere again, an even wider, but still tiny, smile on their face.
"I think I will take this. Thank you, Frost." Mortem turns endless eyes on me, nodding toward the other sphere still in the snow. "Would you mind if I take that one for Vita? They would be quite jealous if I returned with such a gift from you and had nothing for them from you."
Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I duck my head bashfully as I squat down, grasping the other ice ball.
"Uh, yeah. Of course. But I don't know how it's going to work with the heat of the Void, though. But I'm sure if you move fast, you'll be able to keep it from melting right away."
Mortem chuckles as I hand them the other ball, a playful twinkle in their swirling gold eyes.
"Oh, do not worry about that too much. Watch closely."
Confused, I scoot closer as Mortem holds their ball out in their palm. My eyebrows furrow as the older being brings their free hand forward and waves it over the fist-size ball.
A glimmer of black, purple, and whitish silver specks float down from Mortem's fingers, coating the ball. My mouth forms an 'o' when Mortem lifts the ball to their lips and blows gently. The black, purple, and silvers specks vanish into thin air as they leave the ice ball and I can faintly see a shimmer of silver over the surface. Wide eyed, I glance up at Mortem.
"Whoa," I breathe out. "What did you do to it?"
Mortem smiles and beckons me closer. Once I'm standing next to their side, Mortem motions for me to cup my hands and places the ice ball in my palms. I inhale sharply when my palms tingle with ancient energy that is now radiating from the ice ball.
"Try to crush it."
Horrified, I glance up at Mortem. Are they crazy? They asked to keep this and just made it all shimmery. Why would I crush it? Chuckling at my expression, Mortem rests a large hand on my shoulder.
"Trust me, it will be just fine."
Pursing my lips, I nod and focus on the ice ball. If Mortem says it'll be okay, then I trust them. Focusing all my attention on the ice ball, I imagine it shattering in my hands. The silver glimmer shudders and morphs but the ice ball merely rocks back and forth. A surprised laugh slips pass my lips.
"It didn't break!" I exclaim, showing Mortem. The large being hums, lips twisted in an amused smile.
"The silver coating that you see covering the ice ball has put it into a safe little bubble. So, even if someone tries to use their powers to destroy it, nothing will happen." Mortem lifts the ball up and twists it back and forth. "Vita and I do not use this power often, for it takes a lot of concentration the larger an item becomes. But for something like this: so pure and innocent, created in the one place that has not been touched by humans, it was easy to do." Mortem pockets the already coated ice ball and mimics their previous movement with Vita's ice ball. "And, well, we do not often get enough snow in the Void to see such wonders. I will tell you, little snow sprite, that Vita has a little soft spot for ice. Most people jump in puddles, but my sibling goes out of their way to glide across every piece of ice they come across."
Oh. Well, that's news to me. I don't know many of my fellow guardians who enjoy anything winter-related except for me. But, well, I HAVE to like winter-type activities. My life would be even sadder and lonelier if I didn't enjoy what I do. Offering the older entity a smile, I trace a finger over Vita's ice ball, enjoying how the silver glimmer tingles my skin.
"I didn't know that. I know quite a few ponds that freeze over quite nicely during the winter that Wind knows how to clear off if they ever want a large patch to glide across. Many are secluded deep in forests, so there's no fear of humans ever finding them."
Mortem rests their hand on my head, brushing some snow from my hair.
"I think they would enjoy that. The next time you come visit, you can tell them about it." Mortem places the ice ball into their other pocket.
Nodding, I glance up when Wind whistles by, greeting Mortem as they zoom by. I tilt my head to the left.
"I'll definitely do that. But, uh, not to sound insensitive, but was there a reason you came all the to the center of Antarctica? Not that I mind!" I add quickly when Mortem glances at me. "I really don't! But not too many people are willing to brave the cold and chill of one of my favorite places to visit."
Mortem stares at me for a beat, not blinking but the gold in their eyes swirling in almost a hypnotic pattern. As the silence stretches on, an uncomfortable pit morphs into my gut. Just as I open my mouth to apologize, Mortem's face relaxes and a sigh escapes the older being.
"Zaman has called another meeting and I volunteered to come retrieve you."
My eyebrows shoot toward my hairline. Another meeting? But why? Did more articles get released?
"Did something happen?" I ask, concern bubbling in my chest.
Mortem releases a sigh and shakes their head.
"Zaman did not mention what the meeting was about, only that he has something important to discuss with everyone."
"A meeting that you and Vita need to be there?" I ask in surprise. "Most be pretty important."
Mortem laughs, deep and rich that warms me to my core causing me to grin as well as they gesture for me to follow them. Which is kind of silly when you think that Mortem is the being of death. They're not supposed to provide that warm and fuzzy feeling and yet here I am, feeling it deep in my gut.
Their long hair sways as we walk with me having to jog at certain points to keep up, even with the embodiment of death trying to slow down.
"We would have attended the last meeting but Zaman and Cato already told us about what was going on that we decided not to. However, Zaman would not disclose any information about this meeting. Only that he would prefer for us to be there."
Nodding, I float up, finally giving up on walking and follow closely behind the entity, smiling when snow starts falling from the fully overcast sky.
"Is that where Vita is?"
Mortem slows to walk beside me, glancing up as snow starts to collect in their hair.
"No. Vita had work to do here on Earth but will be arriving very soon. Otherwise they would have come with me to get you." Amusement spreads across the tall entity's face. "They were quite jealous when I volunteered to come escort you to the Temple of Time." Mortem flicks their wrist, speckles of black, whitish silver, and purple swirl from their finger tips and gather in a singular spot. Spinning and twisting, the speckles gather together until they start to solidify in the center. The speckles are more wispy at the borders and the center is a swirl of black and the silvery white. A jolt of giddiness hits me when Mortem gestures for me to enter the portal.
"Shall we?" Mortem asks.
Nodding, I walk forward, trying my best to hide my excitement. I jump when Mortem places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently, and I grin as I reach a hand out into the center of the swirling speckles. The sensation of water rushing over my arm without actually getting my skin wet hits me and I jerk my arm back, giggling as I glance up at Mortem. They smile at me, nodding toward the portal. Unable to contain myself, I launch myself through, laughing as I hear Mortem laugh softly.