Away from the surreal lands of holidays, two journeyed through a rather large city. It was buzzing with excitement and large crowds of people. All searched for gifts for their significant others, for Valentine's Day was quickly approaching. Outside a deli, Jacob waited for the rabbi to return with some food. When he did, he had a suspicious look on his face.
"What took so long?" asked the pilgrim.
"Long line," Tevel said before walking away briskly.
"Wait a minute! Do you even have the food?" Jacob as he ran next to him.
"Turkey, just as you asked." Rabbi Tevel said as he gave the pilgrim a sandwich.
"What did you do?" Jacob asked before a man stepped out of the deli.
"Hey, you! You paid me with chocolate coins!" the man yelled to the rabbi.
"That's what I did," Tevel said before grabbing Jacob's arm and disappearing into a crowd.
They had run a couple of blocks before losing the angry Deli Man. The pilgrim was hyperventilating at this point. He was not used to stealing, much less running from the proper authorities. The rabbi was completely mystified by the man's anger and oblivious to how much this situation upset the pilgrim.
"I don't understand. We use Gelt for money and snacks where I come from. Five Gelt for some food is always acceptable."
"We stole! We broke a commandment! Oh, I'm going to Hell. I can't eat this food," Jacob yelled as he threw his sandwich to the side of a store where a hooded man sat, facing a display.
"Calm down, it was an honest mistake."
"If it was so honest, why did you look so guilty?"
"I believe the man thought it was real gold at first. By the time I left, I started thinking he might not be so happy with five pieces of chocolate. I didn't think he would be that angry. People in the real world can be so insufferable sometimes."
"I need to find a church."
"After we find Cupid."
"Seeking the Messenger of Love?" asked the hooded man sitting near them as he rose, never facing away from the display, which was of mirrors.
"And just who are you?"
"Alas, I have forgotten my name."
"Can we at least see your face?" Tevel asked.
"You must turn to face me, for I'm doomed to stand like this forever."
Both confused and curious, Tevel and Jacob walked next to the display in order to face the man. When he lowered his hood, both travelers were taken aback. The man had short, blonde hair that seemed to kiss his soft face. His pristine cerulean eyes were slightly damp from crying. He was perhaps the most handsome young man in the entire city. Well, he would be if he were not a god.
"Cupid," the rabbi said as he took out the page from his mythology book and measured it to the young man's face, "In the flesh."
"Where is that scoundrel? He has made me fall in love with one I cannot attain."
"What are you talking about?" Jacob asked.
"Look yonder at my lover," Cupid said as he pointed to the mirrors, "Entrapped forever in that despicable prison. It moves constantly, from the ground to shops, and finally here in this hall of reflection."
"Those are mirrors," the Tevel pointed out.
"Ah, to the untrained eye they are mirrors. In fact, it is a prison that holds my lover. Oh, and I don't even know thy name," the utterly mad deity said to the mirrors, "Hark, you speak but I cannot hear. Cruel Fate! Why do you mock me?"
"He's stark raving mad. How are we to get him back to Easter Town in this condition?"
"I have an idea. But it requires more of my 'creative spending'."
"No. We are not stealing again. I'm already on the Lord's bad side for taking a stolen meal."
"Just be ready to run," Tevel said before going into the store, returning moments later with a hand mirror, "I have given your lover another form." he said to Cupid as he gave him the mirror.
"Well, 'tis better than nothing. Thank you, kind stranger."
"Actually, we know someone who can free you, um, your lover from this spell."
"Do you? Take me at once."
"Not a problem. Follow me," the pilgrim said as he grabbed Cupid's arm and dragged him away with Tevel in pursuit as the coins were discovered to be chocolate.
With Cupid on his way to Easter Town and Valentine Town, hope seemed to grow for these members of the Council of Celebrations. However, in Halloween Town, mischief herself was on her way to Skellington Manor. She paid no attention to a spying cat girl who watched her climb up the stairs and ring the still hoarse doorbell.
"Oh, do I know you?" Sally asked.
"We've met several times. Sorry I've never properly introduced myself. I'm Eris," the Goddess of Discord said as she held the door from being closed, "Well, isn't slamming the door to guests impolite?"
"I would prefer if you leave. Whenever I talk to you, bad things happen."
"A mere coincidence, one I'm sad to say isn't stopping anytime soon."
"What do you mean?" Sally asked.
"Oh, so you want me to tell you now? Too bad, you were rude to me," Eris said as she started to turn around, only to be grabbed by Sally.
"I'm sorry. Please, come in. I really haven't been myself lately."
"Nice place you and Jack have here," Eris said as she walked in.
"How do you know Jack?" Sally asked.
"Read this," Eris said as she passed Sally the golden apple.
"To the Fairest?" Sally asked.
"You don't think I'm that pretty, do you? Personally, I could- hey, are you listening to me?"
"He gave this to you?"
"Well, yes. I'd think so, after all the hard work he's been doing, making a sweet holiday of love for me."
"Making a holiday for you?"
"Well, he borrowed it. You look surprised."
"If you can excuse me, I need to be going," Sally said.
"Go ahead. I'd check out the Town Hall, Jack's holding a meeting all about our little holiday."
"I can't believe you had the indecency to come here."
"Honey, I told you your precious Pumpkin King was lying to you. He's much happier with me. You're holding the proof in your hands," Eris said.
"Keep your proof!" Sally yelled as she threw the apple back at Eris and stormed out of the house.
As the rag doll stormed her way to the Town Hall, Kitty slinked back out of the shadows. She sat at the steps of Skellington Manor, waiting. Finally, Eris walked out of the house, cackling and juggling her golden apple. She took no heed to Kitty's angry face.
"You're a bad person," Kitty said.
"Don't you know curiosity killed the cat?" Eris said condescendingly. "Stay out of my way, little half-girl. I have much work to do."
"No! Please," Kitty said, at first angry, then reverting to her fearful manner.
"If I didn't find you so amusing, I'd break your neck. Though, keep away. I might not find you so cute the next time we cross paths."
With that, Eris walked away, vanishing into the night air. Kitty decided to leave her alone for now. Something told her that there was going to be a great problem at the town meeting.
Uh-oh, Eris let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Poor Sally, she thinks Jack's cheating on her with that evil Goddess. We'll see just what happens at the meeting next time. Hopefully, life will slow down enough for me to get it to all of you much quicker. (Re-edit Comment: That's it. I'm going to have to bring Eris back. I'll find a way.)