Chapter Nine: Pyxis

"It's been purchased" was what Sandy was trying to convey as he gestured to the empty space the framed artwork once hung. Jack's mouth parted for a moment before closing and his lips tightened.

"...When was it bought?"

The short man led them over to the counter where he kept a book of contacts and payments. There in bold black ink at the date and time of '5:47pm'. Jack's eyes were drawn to the price.

"6,000?!" he exclaimed, louder than intended and blushed as Sandy nodded, a guilty look on his expression.

"He insisted, offering such payment, he basically threw the money at me and took the painting..." Sandy managed to explain.

"...Who was it?" Bunnymund tried, keeping his frustration under constraint. Sandman showed them the signature.

"Judge Robert Redcap?*" The Aussie read out. Jack turned to him with confusion.

"Never heard of him" he told them. "Oh well..."

Sandy eagerly gestured to any of his other paintings but with a good natured smile, shook his head.

"I don't want to take from your talents, these belong to someone who can pay a good price, thank you so much though"

Sandy was reluctant to let the pair go but nodded all the same. The two eventually left with a weak but friendly wave of goodbye.

"There you are! Thank god, come on, quick!" Tooth urged Jack almost as soon as he walked through the door. The silvery haired man looked back at Bunnymund with a small smile before darting up the stairs. The Aussie went through to the bar where everyone was adding the extra touches to the prepared room. Candles alight on the tables and the curtains being pulled across. Wandering over to Wolf, he nodded in greeting.

"I know Rumple always says so, but tonight we actually have got a big name"

"Oh right?" Bunnymund leaned forward with interest and Wolf continued stacking glasses.

"Yeah, three in fact... , Lady Voicela Ursula, and Judge Robert Redcap-"

"Redcap?"

"You've met him?"

"N-No...well...heard of him recently perhaps"

Wolf raised an eyebrow, quirking his lips to the side.

"He's not a man one wants to know...known as Judge Redcap for the fact he's put more prisoners to death than any other Judge...blood stains his reputation in short" Wolf explained and Bunnymund's eyes widened slightly.

"I see"

"M. Aleficent is generally beautiful, wealthy and powerful and Lady Voicela Ursula owns a musical theatre elsewhere, far grander than ours but she enjoys the talent here"

"Well...for once perhaps Rumple is right"

Dismissing his footmen back to the carriage, Judge Redcap glanced to the side to see the other civilians enter the building. Naturally they made way for him and he smirked at the surge of superiority as he headed into the entrance.

"Welcome Judge Robert Redcap, it is nothing short of an honour to have you at our Rose of the Garden!" Rumple introduced the esteemed gent with a voice dripping with flattery like honey. If only he didn't sound so gruff and grumpy.

The Judge just nodded and was led in by Tink, dressed in fine fern ruffles and gems studded in her hair.

The young man himself had hair like dark rust, brown with undertones of copper. Charming hazel eyes with amber flecks, well framed eyebrows and thick lips. A tight fitting black waistcoat and trousers. Black boots with a single ruby embedded in the buckle. Red cufflinks and crimson broche. His tailcoat russet.

Bunnymund eyed him silently from the corner next to North. The Russian noticed and elbowed him roughly.

"Why are you giving Judge evil eye?"

"He managed to buy the painting Jack was going to have before we got there" the gardener hissed and North raised an eyebrow. Nevertheless smoothing down his rich crimson waistcoat and insisting the young man not look so blatantly irritated by the powerful man's presence, it wouldn't end well for him if the Judge noticed.

Bunnymund naturally heeded the advice but was aggravated nevertheless as Judge Redcap took a front row seat at a polished round table, a glass of something bitter and clear poured into a wine glass before him. Wolf did the pouring, Rumple could rely on him not to mess up. But Bunnymund narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Judge Redcap's gaze follow Wolf's form as the bartender returned to his post behind the counter.

It was the way a customer would follow the tail of one of the pretty little dancers. North distracted him yet again by nudging him yet again, as M. Aleficent entered. An extraordinary woman, with a headpiece that framed her forehead with entwining black metal. High cheekbones and dark lips curled up in a cat-like smirk. A short front skirt, deep navy with a back length of rippled pristine white, glittered with black at the hem. Golden-green eyes flitted about the place, impressed and excited, though such enthusiasm was kept under cool control as she was taken to her table. To the right of Judge Redcap who completely dismissed her presence even as she looked over to him as though attempting to get his attention out of politeness.

Lady Voicela Ursula was fashionably late. A curvaceous woman of dark skin and darker hair wound back in waves. A black gown complete with a veil down the back that glittered like a violet galaxy. She swayed in with no need for escort and pulled out a chair to the left of the Judge, caring not for him but glancing over with a daring grin.

"Looks like the terrific and/or terrible trio are here" Bunnymund observed and North chuckled.

"Indeed, let us hope Jack and the others can entertain them"

"Of course he can" insisted. Completely disregarding the fact he had missed out the others in that little defence.

North simply smirked.

When Jack came on with Twist, Blu and Baby, all dressed in tones of fine gold. Bunnymund beamed. He looked wonderful in the crisp waistcoat. In sleek gold plated boots he stepped across the stage and spun. His singing rang through, strong and fast. Catchy and spirited. The crowd, his staff had been lined with golden ribbon and he swished it behind him effortlessly.

With a quick dart, he leapt onto the sturdy surface of Lady Voicela Ursula's table, spinning and kneeling to grin at her as she smirked back, drawing fingers through her hair with a laugh. He then skipped onto the Judge's table who didn't seem offended as others thought he may be. In fact he was under restrained thrill as the young man performed a cheeky heel kick that sent the crowd cheering. Finally he did an agile handstand on 's table. The woman clapped her hands with a quiet chuckle. He made his way back to the stage where he finished his dance and song.

Whistling and clapping filled the room. Bunnymund and North joining in.

"Wonderful, one of his best, Rumple will be pleased" the Russian praised and Bunnymund nodded.

"I'm gonna go talk to him before he goes on again"

"Be hasty Bunnymund, he hasn't much time to change" North warned him though not unkindly.

The Aussie weaved in and out of the crowd as they filed toward the counter, in preparation for the next performance. Before he reached the backstage door however, Judge Redcap walked in front of him.

"S-Sorry there mate!" he exclaimed.

The man only raised and eyebrow and nodded in acceptance of the apology. Bunnymund darted around him and to the back-door. God the guy smelt too rich that close.

"Frost, you were great!" Bunnymund called with a smile as he walked into Jack's dressing room. He was jumping into a pair of brown trousers under a dark scarlet shirt that fell loose over his body and exposed some of his collarbone and chest. He grinned.

"Thanks, what did the trio think?"

"Well you saw em, they loved it" Bunnymund sat down on one of the chair, front to the back of the piece of furniture. He tossed the tall black boots to the young man. Taking advantage of his closeness as he reached for his footwear to ruffle his hair.

"Don't!" Jack hissed with a laugh. Leaning back to stumble into the shoes. Bunnymund stood as Jack quickly rearranged his hair in the crooked mirror and went to leave. Not without tiptoeing to kiss Bunnymund on the cheek first with a smile and dashing out. The Aussie stood dumfounded and blushed a little, coughing to himself before he too left. Grinning to himself.

The show had actually started by the time he made it back into the main room. It was slower, and actually involved Jack dancing with Blu, the tallest of Toothiana's. Draped in such beautiful black and red, complimenting her flesh and making her umber eyes stand out. Jack' reassuring smile was always there though in the act it was supposed to be one of romance. The music was soft and Jack did not sing at first. But right before he did. A hand rose at the front. Covered in a sleek black glove, it was brought into the light of one of the stage-beams. Jack and Blu stopped and Rumple leaned over the bar from where he sat in confused horror.

"J-Judge...is everything alright?" he called. The music quietened until it came to a stop. There was suspicious muttering about the place and whilst the Voicela simply smirked and M. Aleficent blinked her wide, shining eyes. Judge Redcap spoke.

"I believe I should go up to the stage and teach the star to dance" he enquired.

Silence fell and Rumple choked on his words. Resorting to a crooked nod as the Judge stood, pulling back the tail of his coat and stepping onto the stage in near one stride. Blu darted off into the back where Toothiana stood in bewilderment.

Jack looked around, a smile of perplexed humour on his face until the Judge took his hand and placed it on his left shoulder, winding his own around the younger one's waist.

"Play the music" he called.

The harmony filled the air like a rich, deep scent. Like sandalwood and lavender. Jack gulped and tried not to make eye contact with the taller man. His eyes were too pale. A softened honey at first glance but they were nothing but the edge of gold. A cold curve of metal. They enticed him like the tickle of a feather and frightened him like they belonged to a reptile and he was a mouse. Trapped.

Still going with the flow though, ignoring the confused clapping of the crowd and listening to the beat of the music, the thrum of his heart as he was led and spun. In the midst of the clammy show lights he saw Bunnymund standing near the back. Mouth parted and eyes wide and intense. Irritation, quizzical nature, despair. So many little emotions and the smallest was reassurance. Yet Jack saw it over the distance, in the sweet green of his irises.

He was entranced so much by that warmth that he felt a barrier grow between him and the 'Judge. A protective seal which allowed them to dance with the knowledge he would never touch Jack in the way so many others wanted to. So he smiled that shining smile and swung around, taking the Judge of guard slightly and laughter arose from the audience. Even the older man smirked and bent the younger man over his knee like a damsel for a moment. Jack's spine arching and head tilted back. He inhaled sharply and was brought back up to bow as the song finished and the Judge left. Not before kissing the performers pale hand.

Jack narrowed his eyes slightly at the action but dismissed it. The esteemed gent would be gone by the end of the night. It wouldn't matter in the end. The curtains closed and Jack's role was done. For which he had never been more grateful. He knew his dancing had nothing to do with the intimacy offered by the Judge. Jack was a fine dancer.

As he stepped out into the corridor he received strange looks from the others but only one gaze mattered as Bunnymund approached him. Anxiety clear on his expression.

"What was that?" he enquired, leaning close.

"I don't know, just a bit of messing around probably" Jack sighed with a shrug. "Oh well, sometimes you get a weird one"

Bunnymund didn't look all that convinced but grinned anyway.

"You owe me a dance though, I can't teach you anything but I'm sure you know a thing or two" he winked and Jack laughed.

"Of course!" he bowed and took Bunnymund's hand.

Rumple barged in then and the two parted calmly. Looking down at the nervous little man.

"Hey boss, everything alright?" Toothiana called as she fluttered through to the boys.

"Yes...well...yes, that was just a little odd. The Judge isn't known to be like that"

"It'll be fine, everyone wants to dance with Jack and he felt he could, you know?" Twist shrugged by her teacher's side. Baby darted up beside Jack and grabbed his hand, peering up.

"You don't need teaching to dance Mr. Winter, you're a great dancer already"

Jack smiled patting her head.

"Why thank you Baby"

"What are you playing at?" Lady Voicela Ursula leaned over her table toward the Judge who was still grinning like a wolf.

"I thought I might teach him what it feels like to be led"

"He doesn't need to be taught any such thing, you just wanted to feel that pristine flesh up close, look into those pretty glacier eyes and don't even try denying it Robert, I know everyone's desire" Ursula quirked an eyebrow with a smirk and the Judge shrugged.

"You almost made me want to join you, but I would not be so bold" M. Aleficent placed her input, folding down her skirt elegantly.

"As if I would let you" Judge Redcap claimed and the two women exchanged a look. What an arrogant brute of a gent.

"I am to congratulate the manager on his entertainment" he announced and without so much as a leaving wave, stood and left.

Wolf watched him go by, that devilish smirk nothing to be trifled with and he gulped. Worrying for Jack. He had obviously been there when another customer had attempted to...purchase him. This man was wealthy. Wealthier than the last and as shown in his antics that evening. Much more prepared to persuade.

Not long afterwards Jack and Bunnymund met on the roof. Their little balcony section, lit by only two lanterns. Offering just the right amount of light as they danced. Both had very much meant it and with not suspicions of this Redcap man they decided to dance until it was time for bed. Like children they laughed, Bunnymund tripping over his own feet and Jack avoiding the feet of Bunnymund.

"You're not much of a dancer, are you?" he commented.

"Well what about your teaching, I blame that" Bunnymund mumbled as he stared down at his shoes. Willing them to move in a graceful manner.

When he finally looked up he saw Jack gazing at him. Truly gazing at him. With those eyes like cerulean diamonds. God the exaggeration still suited as he was drawn closer and closer until he lifted a tanned, calloused hand...undeserving of the softness Jack's cheek had to offer. He also felt the faint, cooling touch of fingers on his shoulder as Jack leaned up.

The kiss was soft, vague almost. Undeniably perfect and pristine. Like they were sculptures of glass. But soon their natural humanity ran through them and they became passionate. Strong arms winding around the crimson shirt and keeping Jack secure, close as he muffled a chuckle into the kiss. Eyes closed and thick eyelashes tickling Bunnymund's cheek.

They parted, the warmth still there at least and it was almost as though they didn't belong in their own bodies. It was all so surreal. A smile crept onto Jack's mouth and as he shuddered with the long exhale, he felt his heart ache. It was painful but it assured him there was emotion filling it, spilling out of it into his blood where it rushed.

It was a charming pain and Bunnymund felt something similar. A turn in his gut, fluttering and rolling. Mind spinning ever so slightly as he looked upon the stunning young man in his arms.

A/N: *Redcap, an evil faerie from English myths, a creature that would kill travellers and dye their caps in their blood, look it up if you're interested! I just thought it might be intriguing to introduce another fairytale creature along with all my others. Clearly there is Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and Ursula from The Little Mermaid also.