Nikolai was a considerate fellow who had a passion for wrapped up presents. In fact, he had an affinity that involved giving people wrapped up boxes with bawdy ribbons (it had to be stylish, or what was the use?) and a wonderful surprise hidden within. It brought great joy to the Russian native's heart to see what his hobbies had done to the people who received them.

Of course, giving presents was well and all, but Nikolai wondered what it would be like to give a gift to someone he cared about. Don't get me wrong, he did give fantastic baubles to his parents that were useful, but he really wanted to give something special. Something that would bring an already happy-go-lucky grin blow up into something… far more warmer. A smile just for him.

He looked to the calendar and was fairly surprised by what he saw. However, it fit his wanting mood perfectly. In a few days… he shook his head at the close deadline and grinned as he eyed his toolbox. It was time to get epic.

Joey was getting a hard time from his parents.

No, you misunderstand me.

He is getting a hard time from his parents.

Why?

Cause he was brewing magical substances in the kitchen without special permission. You see, because Joey loved his little plastic eggs and painting them, his father was wary that he might drink the dye that would coat the eggs. Another sneaking suspicion was that Joey might get so fed up with life, that he might want to become one with the Easter Bunny… and become him. And that, my friends, is why his parents were lecturing him on the importance of telling somebody that he had to decorate his eggs.

"I was jus' getting' a whoop-whoop from all a this," Joey muttered as he decorated his eggs with artistic flourish. Currently, he was sitting on the dining room table with a wad of newspapers protecting the wood from getting wet and defiled from his imaginative antics.

"Well, your mother and I, thought you should play with your other mates," his father offered lightly. Unlike his son, who had dark black hair, he sported sandy blonde hair that appeared shaggy. "Ain't right for ya to be holed up in here like a sick kangaroo."

"Dad," Joey groaned as he had the sinking realization that maybe his father might poke fun at his name. "Ya have to make fun of me now?"

His father laughed as he gave his son a noogie, while being extra careful not to interfere with his son's hard work.

"What kind of father would I be if I couldn't do that?" His friendly face suddenly collapsed into a sober visage. "But seriously, Joey. Is something wrong?"

"Alright, Pippa, I'm on the plane to England and-and-and," Jack paused as he tried to find something to complete his story. "And then, there's a humongous dragon coming after us!" The young brunette waved his arms about, as if imitating the monster that he created. "Come on Pippa, fly away with me!"

The baby laughed rambunctiously, almost as if she could understand what he was saying. Her chubby arms, cute baby clothes, and puffy dark hair accented her adorable form as she tried to follow her brother with her eyes. It was quite clear to the audience that Pippa absolutely adored her older brother.

"Come on Pippa," Jack feigned irritation," you should be screaming in fear, not laughing." He paused for a moment and grinned a devious smile before lunging at his sister. "I GUESS THE MONSTER IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME AFTER YOU!"

Laughter abounded from both sides of the battlefield as Jack pretended to bite his baby sister.

"Come on Pippa," he taunted. "The dragon's coming after you! Look the dragon's—"

Suddenly, a shadow appeared from behind Jack. As if sensing the sudden intrusion, Jack tensed and held his sister to give her protection.

"The dragon—"

"Is it not beautiful, mother," Nikolai asked curiously. In his hands he held a wooden toy that would delight most people. However, even though his skills were unparalleled, he still felt doubts pile up in his mature mind.

"Da, do not worry, Nikolai," his mother consoled him as she took the wooden trinket from his small hands. "Whoever this is for, I do know that she or he will like it." Her eyes, much like her son's were sparkling with mischief as she handed the toy back to him.

"Might I ask who this is for?"

"Dad," Joey muttered as he tried to stop his face from blushing a tomato red. "Ya have to do that," he whined contemptuously. Nonetheless, he still allowed his father to lovingly embrace him.

"Yes, I do," his father replied evenly.

"Well, ya see, there's this person who I really want to give a special egg to an' it's gonna be really special…"

Joey's father sweat dropped as he contemplated the conviction behind his son's words. Where was this in the parent's guide to a healthy life with a child? Joey's father thought anxiously as he tried to keep his panicky thoughts at bay. It wasn't as if he was interested in having a girlfriend…

"So, uh… Who's the Sheila?"

Then again, it was best not to chance fate.

"Yo, Jack O' Lantern," his elder sister admonished dramatically as she tried to pirouette on her heel. This resulted in her falling flat on her butt as Pippa laughed at the sight of her elder sister. Which was impossible for her because she never took ballet lessons even though she had the right build for it.

"Hi, Terra," Jack pretended to grumble as he saw his elder sister get up from the floor. "Got some munchies?"

"Not until you get to tell me what you've been up to lately," she teased lightly as she eased Pippa's small form into her comforting arms. "Besides, weren't you supposed to do something for Valentine's Day?"

Awkwardly, the brunette scratched behind his head in an effort to diffuse his growing embarrassment.

"Um, chocolates are nice, right?" He knew that it was a bad idea to give his Valentine something remotely hazardous to her dental health, but wouldn't she make an exception for that one special day? "It's not like anybody's going to care about a stupid holiday anyways." He replied smartly. In truth, he really wanted to make his valentine smile up at him and well… be his valentine for one day! But how could he do that when everyone gave chocolates and she didn't necessarily like them?

"Dude, come one! How are you gonna get yourself a GF if you don't start actin' romantic and lovey-dovey now?" Jack's sister nearly exploded from excitement as she paced the floor in deep thought. Fortunately for Pippa, she received the ride of her life, gurgling her thanks as Terra strategically rocked her against her hip.

"What's a GF," Jack asked cautiously. Is it a bad thing? He thought nervously as his sister began to look at him evilly.

"In time, young grasshopper," she enunciated deeply. "In time."

Sandy would have been delightedly snoozing, if it were not for the annoying ring tone that he chose for one person. Scratching the gunk out if his eyes, the mute man picked up the phone and waited for the other person to greet him. As soon as he did so, the rage that the person on the other hand had sustained was coming up full force.

"There you are, ya lazy git! I've been trying to contact," he sneezed at this and momentarily blew his nose. "Trying to contact you is so," this time a myriad of coughs took up the other end of the line as Sandy looked on in amusement. "Utter ridiculousness this is! I am really," a clatter was heard as Pitch presumably dropped his cell because God-knows-what, enabling Sandy the pure freedom of staring into space without anyone interrupting. Unlike the evergreen trees that were perpetually green, the golden silence was too sacred to keep alive.

"Alright," this time his voice was muffled, as if he held a tissue in front of his nose. The round man grimaced at the sight that spontaneously popped up in his mind. That was disgusting… "You have to take care of the kids! I am really, really, rea—" Pitch brought an encore of hacking, sneezing, and colorful swearing that would have made Blackbeard blush.

"Ya hear me, Sandy? I. AM. SICK." Muffled coughing was heard on the other end as the ebony haired man tried in vain to stop his undignified weakness that threatened to spill over form his nose. "And I'm not going back to the daycare until I'm fine. Understood?"

Sandy used Morse code to indicate that he understood.

And so, with a crash and a boom, the two responsible adults ended their communication.

Yeah, this time, instead of focusing on Pitch, I'm more interested in having separate characters interact with one another. Not only that, but I'm trying my hand at a multi-chap, seeing that I barely have any luck with those. Anyways, I want people to review and tell me who should Ariadne choose as her Valentine. If people don't comment, that's fine. I already have a general plot in my head.

Oh, and I introduced a new character! Her name is Terra, I wanted to do a play with magical creatures, so this is Mother Nature. If you want, I could use her more in future stories, or do you all hate her?

Anyways, if you're just here to read, that's okay. Stay tuned for another chapter on Thursday if all goes well!