A thousand apologies and pardon-mes, everyone. I didn't want to leave for so long; it's frustrating. However, I can say that I've done a lot elsewhere - namely, finishing an original short story for a course I took this semester. So yay, more OCs to be attached to :P But enough about that. I plan to write post more before the year is up.

Cupid waved her hand to the strum of the harp, holding it above her head. Jack thought he saw a shimmering light cover it, but it was gone so quickly he thought that he imagined it. However, he heard the soft, synchronized beats of feathery wings.

"Whoa-!"

Everyone looked either shocked or delighted by the new arrivals. Chubby little arms and legs, light-colored tunics, joyful smiles. They fluttered into the room from the second floor, reaching for her hands and playing with her hair.

"These are my cherubs," Cupid said with a sugary lilt in her voice. "They're my little helpers. These are Louis and Rose." She gestured to the cherub in blue and the cherub in pink respectively. Both had soft-looking curly brown hair, twinkling blue eyes, and rosy cheeks.

"They're really babies?" Tooth gasped. Louis flapped his wings and smiled at her.

"They're something like a fairy, in a way," Cupid said. "They don't speak often, but they help me out so much."

Cupid whispered something to the little angels, and then turned and nodded at her guests.

"Please excuse me, everyone. I'll meet you in a little while, and everything will be ready by then!"

With that, Cupid gave a little curtsy and hurried down a corridor, leaving everyone else in the foyer.

"I didn't realize that she had more than one of these little guys," Jack said. He stuck his finger out, and Rose grabbed it with both little hands. "She's usually only with the main one, Chaima."

"Cupid seems so dynamic," Tooth watched as said spirit hurried down the hall. "She's cheerful, good with a bow…"

"Not so bad with other weapons, too," North added. "We used to train together more often…"

"Let's talk after we sit down!" Clover said. "Lead the way, you two." she nodded at Louis and Rose. The cherubs fluttered around and started for the door between the stairs. The entire company followed along.

The harp music led them to a spacious parlor with the most elegant and comfortable-looking furniture Jack had ever seen: a table set was parallel to the wall-length window looking out over the gardens, while in the middle of the room . It was pastel like the rest of the house, but here they found another little cherub perched on the arm of a chair, next to a standing opal harp. She had soft tan skin and a peaceful expression on her round face. Her tunic was embellished with lace ribbon that draped down the chair. Her little hands strummed the harp with skill.

Louis and Rose landed on the same chair, laying over the back and the other arm with leisurely smiles. Clover was the next to sit down, taking off her shoes and leaving them in front of the plush carpet where the seating was.

"That's Chaima," Julius noted. "She always has that ribbon, right?"

"Yep, she's Cupid's Baby Tooth, in a way," Jack said, shooting a smile at Toothiana.

"Ugh, every time I come here I just wanna sleep~" she groaned as she flopped down on the loveseat. Jack landed next to her, leaning his staff on the armrest.

Everyone began to file in, though they sat down more gracefully. They didn't seem uncomfortable, but it was easy to see they weren't sure what to do. Well, at least in the case of the Guardians minus North and Jack.

Chaima paused in her music and stretched her wings. Then she flapped into the air, swirling around and heading to a different set of doors across from the room's entrance.

"This place really pulls y' in, huh?" Bunny sighed. "What happened to archery and all that?"

"There will be time for that after Cupid meets with us!" North said. Bunny gave a half-hearted shrug, but his ears perked up at something the others couldn't hear.

"Is that her now?"

Everyone listened. They could hear the courtyard fountain, the soft breeze rustling the many flowers, and two different movements from both ends of the parlor. A soft, rumbling roll from where Chaima had gone, and a steady beat of footsteps from where they had come in.

The rolling got closer and closer, until a harried knock at the far doors prompted Louis and Rose to rise from their drowsy perches to open it. Chaima, to everyone's amazement, rolled in a cart. It was loaded high with colorful fruit tarts, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and a shining porcelain tea set. Clover seemed to be drooling at all of the treats, while Tenshi's interest was only held by the fruit.

The front door opened next, and in stepped Cupid.

How to describe her? Jack thought "sugary" at first. Then he thought, "maybe she likes looking like a doll?" Also, "how many of those frilly things can one person own in this day and age?"

"Sorry for making you wait!" Cupid said. She walked delicately and gracefully to the sitting area. "I couldn't decide on lilac or rose~"

And here was where Jack became lost. He surveyed Cupid's clothing; white and pink and red, frills and ruffles and lace adorning a flower-patterned skirt and a white, flouncy blouse. Her hair was down, curling loosely at the ends. She rambled for a moment, about which colors went with which shoes, but Jack was comforted by the polite-yet-blank expressions all around, confirming that no-one else really knew what she was talking about.

"Anyhow, sorry about that." she finally concluded by sitting down with the group. "It's been a while since I've had so much company! Let's begin~"

I couldn't wait to describe her outfit~ You guys I love Cupid so much

I hope everyone has been having a great holiday season so far.