It's not fine.
My hands fiddle with my sleeves as Mother Nature paces back and forth in the living room. Her eyes flashing between so many different colors that I can't keep up and some of the colors I don't even have a name for. The other seasons are just as silent, watching warily as the literal forces of nature are at work in Haru's living room.
"And you said that he merely had these sunglasses that allow him to see you?" Suvi asks, breaking the silence that has fallen over the five of us.
I nod, shooting a nervous look as Mother Nature stops moving with her back to us.
"Y-Yes. But he said they were more of a thermal view than anything else. He could only read my body temperature, he couldn't see any of my features."
Haru leans forward, a deep frown on his face.
"And could he hear you?"
"I don't know," I answer, shaking my head. "But I didn't want to risk it, so I never actually said anything to him. I merely signed my answers and only answered 'yes' or 'no'." I shrug. "And anything I felt uncomfortable with, I didn't answer at all."
Kaia slumps in her chair, a thoughtful frown on her face.
"And all of this happened today?"
I shoot Mother Nature a look as she has yet to turn around. I clear my throat.
"Uh, well, the fox stuff was actually two days ago but me meeting with Conroy happened earlier this morning."
The others nod, Suvi fiddling with her new mittens in her lap, her scarf hanging limply from around her throat. Honestly, when Haru first answered the door, I thought Mother Nature was trying to cover for the three in saying that they personally asked for the warmer clothes. But when she pulled out the mittens, the scarves, the hats, and the jackets that she made from the basket and everyone reacted so positively, it helped ease my suspicions.
Haru hums, crossing his arms.
"But what did you need our help for? It seems like you had everything under control." He glances at Mother Nature as he talks as if expecting her to turn around and start yelling, but the determined set in his jaw tells me that Haru believes what he is saying, which, honestly, is rather nice.
I shift uneasily in my seat.
"Well, uh, it was about what he asked me before we parted ways."
Kaia sits up straight as Mother Nature finally turns around, a tight frown on her face. Kaia leans forward.
"What did he ask you, Frosty?"
Nerves running haywire now that Mother Nature is looking at me again, I will my hand to not tremble as I reach into my sweatshirt pouch and pull out Conroy's business card.
"He...He, uh, asked if we could meet up again," I answer lamely, showing the card. "He gave me his business card for the college in the town that I like staying in, saying that he would like to talk with me some more, ask a few more questions."
My fellow seasons' eyes widen as they stare at the card in my hand. Haru, being the closest to me, reaches out and I allow him to pluck the card from my fingers. I bite my lip as he scans the card, turning it over before passing it over to Kaia.
"And that's what you need our help with?" Suvi asks, frowning as Kaia passes her the card. Suvi turns it over scanning it.
"Kinda?" I state, rubbing my palms on my pants. "More of, do you think it would be a good idea? He already half answered the mystery about what was going on with the fox, maybe he will know more about why the humans are suddenly so interested in us and how they learned of the Aster."
Mother Nature takes a step forward and plops onto the sofa next to Suvi, her taller frame towering over the four of us even while seated. It also doesn't help that Haru's living room isn't very big, so there really isn't too much room for a being as tall as Mother Nature. She's even taller than Haru's fireplace! Although, why he even has a fireplace when his home is already rather warm, I have no idea.
"Are we the only ones who know about this?" Mother Nature asks gruffly causing me to jump. I stare at her with wide eyes before sheepishly looking down at my lap.
"Uh, no. Ake stopped by while I was kinda having a mental breakdown about everything and he wouldn't leave unless I told him why."
Mother Nature snaps forward in her seat, her tan face paling.
"Ake visited you again?"
I blink before my eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"Uh, yeah. I...don't know why he did this time, but I was already going to try to contact him, so it worked out."
Kaia's eyebrows shoot up, a scowl forming.
"You mean we weren't your first choice on getting an option from?"
My lips purse as I glance off at the wall with a single painting of a field of flowers hanging from it.
"Well, I haven't really been given a reason to come to the three of you, now have I?" I mutter to myself, the bitterness and upset from earlier still fresh in my mind. I know Mother Nature said they were only meeting up because she requested it, but I know for a fact that they meet all the time before then. They talk about it during meetings.
The atmosphere shifts in the living room as everyone goes silent. Knots form in my gut as I realize I might not have been as quiet as I thought I was.
Clearing my throat, frost spreads across my face as I push myself out of the chair. Way to make things even worse, Jack. Now they'll never want to come visit you.
"It's fine, really. Ake thought it was a bad idea. Saying that Conroy was just using this as a way to capture me or something. I just wanted another outlook on this. But it's fine if all of you agree. I'll just think about it more. Maybe collect a little more data. See if there are other humans like Conroy in my main area."
"Jack—" Suvi starts, reaching a hand out as if to grab me. I keep my arms firmly at my sides, angling a bit as I remember how strong Ake's grip was Suvi might not be as strong as him but she's still quite powerful.
"No, honest, it's fine, Suvi," I say, a fake smile quirking my lips. "I shouldn't have even bothered you guys. And besides, I wasn't able to tell Wind where I was going and I'm sure they're completely wreaking havoc—"
BANG. BANG. BANG.
"What in the petunia?" Mother Nature says as another round of banging starts up and she quickly stands. The others stand as well as Mother Nature cautiously approaches the door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
My heart leaps into my throat as Mother Nature pauses, her hand hovering over the brass doorknob. She glances back at us, holds a finger up to her mouth before swinging the door open.