Virtus et Potestas

Posted: Sat. June 28th, 2014

A.N. - I fear that apologies are not sufficient for the amount of time that I have left this story unattended, alas, apologies are all I can make.

This update is not nearly as long as I would like it to be, for an appropriate apology, however for whatever reason it simply did not feel right to make this particular update any longer! Not sure why…

But, an update is here, so ya'll can all have cookies for coming back :)

I appreciate each and every one of you!

Thanks to you,

Tenebris

[{[{[ P.S. Unfortunately, the fellow or madame that sent me the 100th review was a guest :( I had just decided to reward the 100th reviewer with a oneshot of their choice (in this particular fandom)! That offer has now been extended to reviewer 99. Sorry to whomever #100 was! As the system runs, there is no way for me to contact you.

To the 99th reviewer, Creativity is Magic, please let me know if you wish to take me up on this! If not, I will contact the next in line, and so on.

Thank you everyone!]}]}]

I might just do the same thing for some other milestone.

The aftermath of the battle was harsh, and the land that his palace was located on had been vastly changed from his elemental usage. There was something in the way that they had fought that made it difficult to alter the landscape back into its original form.

The blue tint that the air had acquired altered the air to a point, and Jack was loath to say how much it had changed.

There was almost a tangible tension that was left over from the scrimmage, and the air carried it.

Walking down one of his hallways, he tried again to focus on bringing the tint into himself, in efforts to negate its effects, but he once again had little luck. The tint would seep into himself, and there would be nothing, so far as change goes, to speak of save the slight tingle that would rush through him as he concentrated.

Sighing in disappointment, he ran his fingers along the wall to his left. Feeling the grooves where the carved landscape lay, he wistfully considered the scene it depicted.

There was not much by way of fixing the situation that he found himself in, and all he could really do was wait out what he had already done.

Focusing his energy into his fingertips, he ran his silvery mist through the landscape; a smile forming slowly on his lips as the scene began to animate itself.

The horses in the fields pranced about, the clouds in the sky shimmered and moved slowly, and the distinct lack of snow on the grass made him grin.

This was one of his favorite moments. It being the calm of a pleasant winter day, the lack of snow making it even more beautiful somehow.

The thought of what the others would think of they ever heard these thoughts made him smirk.

Almost everyone that he had ever met thought that his only enjoyment was that which was found in snow. In reality, if that were so, it would make him quite shallow.

It is true that there is something special in the way the snow meets cold ground, but that happiness found in those who simply walk through the cold field on a sunny day is incomparable.

That was why he simply sat on a stone, watching, on that day in January. It had been a calm enough day with the farmers going through their daily routine. The horses being fed and watered, and the various farm animals making their existence known to those living the couple miles away, as the neighbors did.

It really was the most peaceable morning he had encountered, and it was at that time that he realized his appreciation for a dry winter's day.

After all, a constant snowfall can only provide one with amusement for so long, even if he would be the most to derive the most amusement from it.

Sighing, he continued to run his fingers across the wall. In a way he was glad for the distraction that his home brought him, but now that the tension filled the air, it was harder to remain distracted. When Pitch healed, he would have to ask him for his opinion on the matter.

With that in mind, he started to walk over to his infirmary.

It really was not an infirmary in the typical usage of the word, but it was a place where he felt that Pitch needed to stay for the time being that was a bit more… centered than the rest of the building.

After the storm of attacks, the energies of his home had altered such that it made it difficult to remain in the proper mindset, and that was with putting the tension aside.

Cursing Terra's energies, as the earth was always the worst comic when it came to such things, he made the long trek to Pitch's bed.

Settling down next to the bed that he had placed Pitch on, he concentrated on making his chair a little less stiff.

Frowning in consternation, he shook his head as he considered what brought Pitch here.

There was not much to go by when it came to why the Guardians chose that day to attack, especially since there was such disturbance in the overall energies going about.

Ever since he created his own, not even a few days ago now, there had been an unsettled atmosphere about. It was fairly obvious, and even Pitch had not seen fit to mention it.

Though he was not certain where the Guardians lay on the morality scale, he was fairly certain that even North would not endanger his teammates in such a way. Apparently that assumption was not correct, however.

Sighing, he put the thought aside for now, it was getting tedious.

Gathering up his courage, he straightened himself up and forced his eyes to meet Pitch's closed ones. He still had a lot of healing to go through, but he had to wake to begin fully healing; unfortunately.

Garnering strength from the memory of their previous few encounters, he heaved a breath before he pulsed his energy. The pulses forced Pitch's own energy to react, thus making it easier to wake him without unnecessary jarring.

Squinting, trying to determine whether or not his efforts were making any difference, he grinned slightly with success when he saw a finger twitch.

It was not much, but it was enough to signal a change, and change was quite welcome.

As the golden eyes cracked opened, and the grimace appeared on the lips, Jack couldn't restrain the widening of his grin.

As inconvenient as Pitch's getting hurt was, there was still some humor to be found in discomfort; especially when one knows the other is going to be fine.

The frown that crossed Pitch's face when he noticed Jack's amusement only made the scene twice as funny to the winter spirit.

"Think that's funny, do you?" Pitch groaned under his breath.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do." When Jack only continued to grin unrepentantly, Pitch scowl deepened.

"Now, don't be like that. It's not like I wasn't worried before, I'll admit to that. However, the time for pity is over, since you'll be fine in a couple of day's time." Standing up from his makeshift seat, he went to one of the cupboards that lined the walls.

Picking up one of the bottles that he had stored in there after his prompt visit to one of the semi-local (or as local as you could get, considering his palace's location) stores. Palming it, he started to walk over to the bed he had made. Admittedly not nearly as nice as the ones Pitch could craft.

"Here is a pain reliever. Not as effective as some methods, but I'm afraid your body is rather sensitive to certain magics right now. This, on the other hand," he commented, holding up the bottle, "these can be quite handy. Unfortunately, they do not give the recommended dose for spirits." His offhand jest was taken as it was meant, and Pitch's tips twitched in suppressed humor.

"Yes, hilarious. How do you know that these will even work? Why, they could even be toxic for us. No studies for our particular demographics after all." Pitch held his own grin, but there was a hard line beneath it, and Jack could tell that his comment was not wholly in jest.

"Just trust me on this, okay? I'm not quite certain how I know," here he had to stop and frown. It was something that had bothered him. "But I do know that there is something behind it. Just trust me! I wouldn't give it to you if I thought you would die." His earnest tone was not ignored, and it was enough to make the spirit of nightmares pause.

"Alright Jack, I will take these pills. We will speak of this later though." Jack's brow creased in confusion, but he nodded in assent. Arguing would not get them anywhere, especially if he wanted to keep Pitch's bed rest to a minimum. Seeing him lay there brought upon weird thoughts, and Jack much preferred to keep away from those altogether. Far too distracting.

He tried to clear his thoughts as we watched Pitch take the few pills he had recommended, worrying slightly as his expressions clouded slightly with pain as he lay back down.

His focus was meant to be on Pitch right now. His health, more specifically, for his brain seemed to need specificity for anything to get done lately.

Pitch's peaceful expression as he resumed sleep was not helping matters any though, and it was starting to get ridiculous.

"No! I will not be put aside by such thoughts, and I know that Pitch would never return such affections anyway. It is better for the both of us that I just focus, and forget it. Temporarily at least. Perhaps at a more convenient time? Yes, that shall do."

Thoughts put to rest, be gathered himself together and headed out for his rooms.

He really had to figure something out for his room, relying on Pitch's sand for a bed was far too… something. Not quite sure what, but it was far too something.

"I'll think about it later."

A.N. - To all of you wonderful reviewers, I owe you another thank you! I reached 100! Quite exciting :D

Good news (for you!) -

Recently I have come upon a shortage of work, so I will be able to spend more time writing this piece for you guys!

Bad news? I won't be able to afford my café coffee ;) First world problem, I tell ya'll. It's sad, truly.

Now, I am not 100% certain where my story will go from here, so if any of you have idea, send them my way via review, yes? Any opinions are appreciated!

I have a bit of an idea, quite general, but I am open at the moment.

Who knows? Your idea might very well make it in eventually :)

Even if that idea is a random panda.

Anyway, thanks again you wonderful people! You are my inspiration and my energy of days that lack caffeine.

Have a good week

Au revoir