Outside, the doll's object of affection walked the streets of Halloween Town until he found himself in the woods. He had walked through the familiar, spooky woods many times before, yet only recently found the crossroads of the holidays. Once again, he found himself in the center of the many doors where he had once been a stranger. Only this time, he focused on the heart shaped door that held the celebration of love inside. However, Jack had no idea that the Council of Celebrations was already within.
As the Pumpkin King was about to find out, Valentine Town was nothing like Halloween Town. Instead of dark colors and strange folks prowling the streets, there were lovely brick buildings of the deepest red, roses as far as the eye (or eye socket) could see, pristine blue skies, and happy couples of all ages. The clouds in the sky always seemed to form hearts with arrows and every person had a partner. Which is why the arrival of the Council struck the people as odd, especially to the guards at Venus' domain.
"And you have no lady guests with you?" a man in red, guarding a gate to a large Temple asked.
"No. We do not. May we please be let in?" the rabbi asked.
"I'm afraid Lady Venus deals only with matters of love," a woman in pink said.
"And she cares not for her son?" the pilgrim asked.
"Son? Goodness, had we only known. Please, enter her Temple."
"Right this way please."
With that, the Council was allowed into the Temple. Venus seemed to give the impression of being vain, since mirrors and statues of the goddess were everywhere. After walking for a few minutes, the Council found a very beautiful woman in her late thirties, perhaps early forties, dressed in a sleeveless, short tunic, sandals and fixing her blonde hair in a mirror.
"Oh. I have company," Venus said as she finished and focused on the group, "Good day, gentlemen."
"You're looking lovely, Lass," Saint Patrick complimented.
"Yes, well, I am used to it," Venus said as she batted her blue eyes flirtatiously.
"We're here on business," Santa Claus said.
"Business? Well, if it is about love, I have it covered."
"Then you know where Cupid is?" Jacob the pilgrim asked without a second thought.
When asked that question, the goddess' demeanor changed instantly. Gone was the flirty and friendly woman the Council was speaking to before. Now there was an angry goddess standing in front of them. She glared at the man stupid enough to even mention her son. Poor Jacob felt he would drop dead the verymoment.
"Do NOT mention that ungrateful BRAT in my TEMPLE!" Venus yelled, "I should throw you all out at once. GUARDS!"
"Venus, he did not mean to offend you," Rabbi Tevel said.
"I am glad he ran away. After all he did to join that precious MORTAL of his andnearly throw away his immortality, his duty, his own MOTHER!" the goddess ranted as she reverted to a hysterical crying fit instead of anger.
"Don't weep, Lass. We'll find the boy."
"I do not want him found. Let him be."
"That was the most frightful thing I have ever witnessed," the pilgrim said to the Easter Bunny, which nodded.
"Don't be so sure," Santa Claus said to the two as he saw a familiar, lanky figure make its way into the Temple, "Here comes trouble."
"Oh honestly! What am I paying those guards for!" Venus exclaimed in an annoyed tone to the newest guest, "Who are you and why are you here!"
"I'm sorry. Is this your world?" the tall skeleton asked as he curiously looked around the Temple.
"Partly," Venus said, calming down. "You know, you're handsome in a gruesome, scary way."
"I'm sorry, but I'm spoken for."
"You say no to the Goddess of Love?"
"Jack, please stop causing trouble," Santa Claus said.
"Sandy! I didn't know all of you were coming here. Are you all throwing an affair?"
"A what?"
"You know, an affair. A party? It's a new word I learned today."
"Jack, do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut."
"Yes, Mr. Claws."
"So you're Mr. Skellington. Interesting," Tevel said with a hint of pity as he stroked his beard.
"Listen, a goddess is a very busy person and I cannot have all of you here. So go on. Shoo."
"Not until we discuss the matter of the holiday, Venus," said Santa Claus.
"I could not care less."
"I bet Saint Valentine would say something about that, Lass," Saint Patrick said.
Once again, the goddess' attitude changed. Instead of being pompous and spoiled, she suddenly realized her duties. No matter what she felt towards her son now, he was gone at the worst possible time.She bit her bottom lip before she spoke to the group again.
"I have no way of spreading love this year."
"Such a shame. Love is a good thing to lighten up harsh winters. In moderation, of course," Jacob said.
"This is awful. Valentine's Day is drawing near and I will fail as a goddess. I feel faint."
"That's where I come in, Miss Venus," Jack said.
"Jack, wait-" Santa Claus started.
"What do you mean?" interrupted Venus.
"The Council of Celebrations appointed me as a proxy for Valentine's Day. I'll spread love for you."
"Is this what you were all coming to tell me?" Venus asked, "Well, you need not explain then. Jack will be perfect. In fact, I want you to spread love every year. From now on, I have no son."
"Venus, wait, you don't understand!" the rabbi exclaimed.
"Gentlemen, I need time with the new Delivery Boy. Please exit the Temple."
The dumbfounded council, baffled at how Jack appeared just in time to foil their plan, had no choice but to leave or face the goddess' wrath. On their way out, the men noticed the guards staring at each other lovingly and calling each other pet names. It was clear now how Jack had gotten in. With a collective sigh, the Council of Celebrations went off to rest for a short while.
As for Jack, after the group left, Venus led him to a chamber filled with many, many arrows. There were at least thousands in the room, all with heads shaped like hearts and made of gold. Jack had never seen so many arrows. He had to put his hand in front of his sockets to shade the glimmer they all let out.
"This is the Arrow Storage Chamber. When anyone is struck with an arrow, he or she immediately falls in love with the first person he or she sees. Which is why you need practice," Venus said to Jack as she gave him a bow and a quiver of arrows.
"Practice? May I ask how?" Jack asked.
"Shoot arrows at men and women, boys and girls. Make them fall in love. You have to be able to fly though, and you can't be modest."
"How so?"
"Don't cover yourself up. Show some sk- bone! Wear a little loincloth."
"Excuse me!"
"If you do not scare everyone out of their wits, it will add to the image of a... skeletal, yet youthful deliverer of love. Now go on, Lover Boy."
"But, Miss Venus, I still don't understand love."
"Neither do I. I just assign it," Venus finished as she led Jack out of the Temple.
"How am I going to be able to fly?" Jack asked as he looked at the arrows. "Or even wear something so revealing without blushing?" Jack asked himself before noticing that the sun had begun to set. "Uh-oh! I have to get back home before the meeting begins!" the Pumpkin King exclaimed to himself before making his was out of Valentine Town.
Now wasn't that fun? Love sure is complicated enough when you don't have to fly around half-naked. Poor Jack, but we know he can do this. Still doesn't explain where Cupid ran off to though. The mystery continues on the next time I update. Until then, see ya, readers! (Re-edit comment: Yeesh. This story needed more work than I could imagine. Well, once I get the plot holes cleared up, it'll all be worth it.)