Piper

Piper could honestly say it was the worst dream she'd ever had in her entire life, and that's saying a lot. She was stranded, in a pink room, in a ridiculous dress, with a hottie in a diaper. Her hair was done up and makeup covered her entire face, turning her once again into the 'Limited Edition Cherokee Barbie.' The dress was a light blue greek style: sleeveless, high waisted, soft. And an embarrassingly low V-neck. Gold circlets wrapped around her biceps, intricate flower designs beautifully carved into the soft metal. If she wasn't embarrassed or annoyed, she would've taken the time to inspect. However, she was both.

"Mother! You're behind this, I know it! What the heck! Where am I? And who in Hades is baby man over here?"

The man visibly winced, shifting on his feet. When Piper didn't receive an answer, he coughed, bringing her attention from the ceiling (which she had been yelling at) back to him. He was tall, about 6' 5", not all that taller than Frank actually. He had close-cropped black hair not all that different from her own, though spiked on the left side of his part. Obviously on purpose, much different from Percy's bed-head hair. He had very tanned skin, almost a bronze color, and (how could Piper deny it?) a pretty fine build. His eyes were what interested her the most though, filled with amusement as they changed colors. Quite like her own.

"So you are the famous Piper McLean," he said with a very deep Italian accent. She shivered as his words washed over her, making her want to go run and hide. 'He is totally bad news.'

She cleared her throat. "Were you expecting someone else?" Fake politeness dripped from her words. He shook his head, smiling. "Quite the contrary, actually. I had requested any of my sisters, but I never imagined that mother would send you." He began to laugh. "You know, you've grown up visioning me as a baby in a diaper, so when I do show up, I'm wearing this ridiculous thing," he said, still laughing as he motioned down to his outfit.

Piper sucked a breath from her teeth. "You're Cupid… The god of love."

Cupid once again winced. "Actually, I am Eros, greek god of desire, affection, and erotic love." He frowned. "You do have wikipedia, right? Honestly, with all of the world and its history at your fingertips, you'd think demigods would be smarter…" His words slowly got more mumbly and quiet.

"You know, I'm mad at you. You caused my good friend a lot of pain." Piper's tone was low and controlled. It was true, of course, she did have a vendetta against the god.

"Oh you mean Nico? Well it's true I caused him pain, but it was the only way for him to admit the feelings he had." At this, Cu-Eros shrugged. "Plus mom wanted confirmation that he's gay."

'Mother, I am going to have words with you.' Piper thought to herself. Eros shrugged again. "Anyway, I came to warn you. The next few weeks of your life are going to be hell."

This shook Piper back into reality. "Really? How?"

Eros' smile turned devious. "Well, mom kinda has all rights over February. And what's in February?"

Piper sucked in a sharp breath. "Valentine's day… Oh gods."

Eros leaned in closer. "Yep," he said, popping the 'p'. "And now, well, you and Jason are bigger couple than a year ago, and all of the others are having their first Valentine's this year." He leaned in even closer, whispering in her ear. "And guess who mom decided would get to have some fun this year? Be careful Piper, you know she'll go to outrageous extents to make her couples happen. And she won't blink twice at the idea of using me to get you all together." He leaned back, smiling at the look of shocked horror covering Piper's face. 'Oh Schist, this can't be happening,' she screamed in her head.

Out of nowhere, a clock chimed twelve, snapping Piper back to reality. 'Wait, there no clock in here. What the hell?'

Eros laughed, though this one was different from his happy and playful laughs earlier. This one was cold, heartless, and evil. "That, my dear sister, is the signal. It's officially February now, and mother's voice is already in my head, telling me what to do. Good luck Miss McLean, for from now on, until Valentine's Day is over, you won't be alone in your head."