Two months ago, her Wheel of Celebration had been a huge success with Neopians from all around. It made her happy to see their smiling faces every day, but now she missed that excitement.

She wanted to finish off the year doing something special, maybe another wheel? Some kind of giveaway? A show?

The little Faellie paced back and forth, trying to think of the best way to start the year when she heard a knock at her door. She wasn't expecting anyone at his hour, so she walked over quietly.

She opened the door just a little and saw...

"Pandora! I, um, wasn't expecting you to be up. I just wanted to drop this off for you." Reina extended her arms and pulled from behind her back a small gift bag, one that'd been clearly thoughtfully assembled. The shimmery silver bag was adorned with red, green, and gold curly ribbons, and there was something nestled inside under some crinkly white tissue paper.

"Happy New Years!" Reina continued. She shuffled her feet and looked down. "Look, Pandora... I actually came to get your advice. I just wrapped up another year of Advent Calendar and it's only been a few days, but I'm already feeling a bit..." Her face crinkled and she looked up at Pandora with a slight frown. "... listless? Exhausted? Some mix of the two?"

Pandora smiled at her Aisha friend. "I know exactly the feeling. Come inside! I think we can help each other. Boredom benefits no one." She grabbed Reina's hand and tugged her indoors, where the fireplace was crackling softly and the whiff of gingerbread and confetti poppers still lingered after the holidays.

Reina helped herself to tea and a biscuit from the tin on the kitchen table. "I'm not used to this kind of freedom." she admitted. "Last year, I put so much time into organizing the Advent Calendar that maybe I did *too* good of a job. It kind of came together this year without much effort from me. I've been itching to get my paws deep into something difficult and exciting, you know?" She paused to take a bite.

"But this --" Reina gestured at the bag in Pandora's hand while her mouth was full of chocolate chip crumbs "-- might be exactly the project I need. And I was hoping you could tell me more about it since you certainly have more experience in these matters!"

With great curiosity, Pandora lifted the tissue paper in the bag and found inside...

Reina paused mid bite and her eyes lit up as she looked at Pandora.

She put her biscuit down and burst out excitedly, "What do you think Pandora? I mean, I know I've barely had any rest since finishing up the Advent Calendar, and there's not much time till Valentine's Day, but so much of Neopia has turned grey, and I can tell it's been so unsettling for everyone. The Winter Starlight Celebration gave us all some reprieve from the grey curse, and I just thought -maybe- I could do something to give Neopians something to look forward to..."

Reina looked down at her paws and fidgeted with a biscuit crumb, sheepish. "Sorry for the ramble..."

Pandora flitted over to Reina and gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "I think that's extremely thoughtful of you Reina."

Pandora had heard the same sentiments from Wheel of Celebration participants - that the festivities were a welcome distraction from the greyness taking over Neopia. However, coming up with something in time for Valentine's Day would be extremely ambitious. While the Wheel of Celebration had been a huge success, the popularity of the event also made it all the more stressful for the perfectionist Faellie; reminders of the glitch she had had to troubleshoot gave Pandora a visible shiver.

Reina noticed the shiver and asked dejectedly, "It's a bad idea isn't it?"

Pandora considered the Mysterious Valentines Card in her paw and turned to Reina...

The frown on Reina’s face slowly tilted up, from a smile to a huge grin. “Oh, Pandora! I knew I could count on you!” With a biscuit still in her hand, she threw her arms around Pandora. Pandora jolted at the sudden hug, and made a mental note about vacuuming the carpets later for any biscuit crumbs.

Reina regained her composure and shuffled back to her seat. She popped the biscuit into her mouth and reached for a cup of tea on the table. “So, where do we start?”

“We have just over a month before Valentines Day, so we need to start planning now. What were you thinking?” Pandora pondered as she smoothed out the Mysterious Valentines Card between her paws. “Mysterious Valentines for everyone?”

Reina put the tea cup down after a sip. Her expression was serious in deep thought, but a smile grew on her face. “What about a Secret Valentines Service? We’ll help deliver Valentines!”

“We could do that! It’ll be different, and everyone can get involved whether anonymous or not!” Pandora imagined she and Reina dressed in Stealth, sneaking from Neohome to Neohome to plan secret Valentines. The image of it made her chuckle. “So, where would we start?”

Reina smirked. “I’ve thought about that! I actually have someone particular in mind I wanted to consult…”

Pandora clapped her paws together happily. "Val would be perfect for the role!" Her older cousin, a generous and kind-hearted Red Faellie, who was filled with determination when she had set out to be a cupid apprentice. Pandora hadn't seen her for years, but Valerie's sweet Neomail to Pandora, sent via a well-placed arrow no less, inspired and encouraged Pandora when she was made the head Faellie of the Wheel of Celebration.

"Yes, I was thinking that Valerie would be our official gift delivery service!" Reina beamed at Pandora's enthusiasm at her own great idea, taking a well-deserved sip of tea. "Perhaps you could visit her, to see what she thinks?

"We would also need presents for the delivery service!" Colours filled Pandora's mind, filled with velvety chocolate, rainbow assortment of sweets and jellies, making her mouth water.

"Yes, I also had a different idea too. How about..."

“That’s an incredible idea! Last Valentine’s Day, he nearly sold out of chocolates. We better chat with him about it soon in order to properly prepare,” Pandora suggested as her wings fluttered in frenzied anticipation. The images of Valentine’s chocolates and candies flying off the shelves replayed in her mind like a movie. She wasn’t sure whether to giggle at the excitement in her recollection or sigh in awe at the shopkeeper’s success and chocolate crafting abilities.

“You’re right. How about I head to the factory and you head to Valerie’s house?” the Christmas Aisha asked resolutely.

“Yes, let’s hurry and reconvene here when we’re done!” the Faellie said, flitting towards the door.

The pair rushed out of the house, heading in opposite directions in an attempt to begin their missions…

"Reina! Come in, come in. So nice to see you here today. Are you here to buy some chocolates? A Milk Chocolate Buzz, perhaps?" The shopkeeper smiled warmly, gesturing to the shelves next to him.

Reina chuckled, "Good afternoon! So lovely to see you too. I'm actually here to talk some business with you today, though I may buy some chocolates before I leave." The shopkeeper gestured to some stools set up near a chocolate bar, and the two sat to talk. Reina immediately began explaining the plan she and Pandora were proposing, detailing what kind and how many chocolates and other goodies they might be needing, and the timeline they were working with. "... So you see, that is why we need your help! What do you say?"

The Kiko sat for a moment, quietly murmuring under his breath, "Hmm... Valentine's Day... one of my biggest days... still months away from the Annual Chocolate Ball... and for the shop's growth..." After a few moments of this, he turned back to Reina. "I will already be planning for Valentine's Day in the shop - a big day here, you know! - but helping with your Valentine's Day event might be just what the Chocolate Factory needs to expand our reach outside of just Neopia Central. Every Neopian out there deserves a Valentine, and each Valentine deserves the best chocolate, which would be mine! I'd be happy to help!"

Reina squealed happily, leaping from the stool to give the shopkeeper a hug. "Oh, thank you! We're so happy you agreed! I have to go let Pandora know, but I'll be in touch soon! Thank you again!"

Reina sighed happily as she left the Chocolate Factory, munching on a Milk Chocolate Buzz after all, as she headed back to Pandora's home to reconvene. With the resounding success she had here today, she surely hopes Pandora didn't run into any snags at Valerie's...

"Valerie? It's me, Pandora! I'm coming to ask about some Valentine's plans," she called out gently, not wanting to startle her Red-furred relative.

That's strange...she usually sees me coming and greets me at the door with tea and cookies, Pandora mused to herself.

Pandora turned the corner and came upon Valerie the Red Faellie, standing at the stove-top of the small kitchen and brewing a pot of tea. Pandora was instantly relieved.

"Valerie! I thought something had happened to you!"

"It's so great to see you, cousin!" Valerie replied with a smile. "As always, the Birthday Celebration was a huge hit I hear! Always proud of my younger cousin's achievements," She couldn't resist nuzzling Pandora on the head with a bit of teasing.

"However, I might be in a bit of a bind myself if you were expecting cards and chocolates..." She turned gently to expose her opposite side, where one of her delicate wings was bandaged and held in a splint.

"I was practising my archery for the upcoming holiday season and had an accident! Nothing serious, but I'll have you know – it was Turdle-related..." Valerie referred to her archery practice at a certain bullseye course in Meridell.

"Oh no!" Pandora gasped. "But Reina and I wanted to ask for your help in a huge card-delivering event! Oh, but you need time to heal, I can't ask you now!"

Valerie chuckled. "Looks like Reina better sprout wings to help deliver those cards across Neopia!"

Pandora took a glance over her should at her own puny wings, unused to flying large distances. "Oh dear..."

They heard a knock on the door, and saw that Reina entered. Having finished her chocolate-related business early, she decided to stop by Valerie's instead. Pandora then noticed the Milk Chocolate Buzz that Reina was finishing – well, what was left of it at least – and gasped.

"I have an idea!"...

Reina and Valerie nodded.

"Well, what if we did an open call for interested Neopets from all across Neopia to help out? Buzz for sure, because they need more love, but also Korbats and Eyries and any flying Neopet or Faerie-painted Pet or even maybe winged Petpets or--"

"I get it, I get it." Reina interjected. She beamed and danced, and her baubles shook. "That could be really cool. We can open a 'Valentines Delivery Helpers Training School' at the Advent Calendar! Beside the Petpet Adoption Centre."

"There you go, cousin," Valerie commended with a smile. "And I'll help you train your fleet, teach them to be cupids, just in time for Valentine's Day. I was an apprentice once too, you know."

Pandora grinned widely. This was all coming together nicely.

***

Pandora, Reina, and Valeria worked together to make posters advertising their 'Valentines Delivery Helpers Training School', which they plastered around the greater Terror Mountain area and across Neopia.

Now all they had to do was wait at the Advent Calendar, for Neopians to show up...

How will this story end?

"What if we're just too out of the way?" Pandora asked?

"People come from all over to see the Advent Calendar here," Reina reassured.

"And it's for a good cause!" Valerie nodded in agreement. "I'm sure we'll get volunteers!"

And sure enough, the volunteers began to file in to the warmth of the reception area. First was a Skunk Eyrie, who gently greeted the group before proceeding to warm up his wings. ("Alright, he looks eager!" Pandora cheered.)

The next several attendees were a bit more surprising. There was a group consisting of an Ixi, a Grundo, and a Pteri... all of them Darigan. The next group was a Buzz, a Korbat, and a Shoyru... Mutants, that is. Several other groups were interspersed with normal coloured Neopians among Darigan and Mutants. And then came the last set, a Uni, a Draik, and a Scorchio... Wraiths.

The trio of organizers talked among each other as all groups met and exchanged small-talk.

"Well, looks like we have plenty of volunteers," Valerie said.

"Right, and I'm so happy!" Pandora said. "I just hope people don't get the wrong idea..."

"From my experience," Reina started. "Everyone's pretty okay with each other! There are some exceptions. But I find that heart is more important than appearance. And besides, some may be looking for this!"

Pandora turned to the attendees, and managed to catch a snippet of conversation between some of the unconventional choices for Valentines delivery flyers.

"Oh I'm so glad it's not just us," said the Wraith Uni.

"It never is," the Mutant Buzz assured. "We know how it is."

"That's why it's even more important that we have delivery flyers that reach Neopians like us too," commented the Darigan Pteri. "That's why I thought it was important I do this, and my friends agreed!"

"For me, I know I'm not getting a Valentine. I never do." The Wraith Scorchio shrugged. "But I still want to spread and see the joy on peoples' faces. It's like I get to live the holiday vicariously."

Pandora found herself smiling. And looking at her companions, she saw her friends smiling too.

"Now if that isn't a shining heart," Reina said, looking touched.

"I'll make this a great team of flyers for everyone!" Valerie cheered.

"And then we should have some treats ready for them too," Pandora said. "After all, they should feel the spirit of the day too."

"I'm all for that!" Reina agreed.

"Well, first thing's first. If this is everyone, no point waiting!" Valerie moved forward and called the first session of the Valentines Delivery Helpers Training School to order.

The next weeks passed in a blur. Valerie was busy training all the Delivery Helpers and taking their feedback into consideration. This feedback was passed on to Reina and Pandora, who were busy arranging the chocolates, Valentine gift bags, and messages. This was among figuring out the logistics to bring Valentines all across Neopia.

And yet, everything came together, and Valentine's Day came. The Delivery Helpers lined up and each were assigned regions and areas to not just pick up and deliver Valentines, but keep some on hand to give to those who were bereft of a Valentine or company on such a day.

Pandora smiled. They really did it and put this together. But this really couldn't have been done without their help and heart.

With a smile on all of their faces, they waved the Delivery Helpers goodbye as they set off to their duties. It wasn't long before Neopia was filled with heart, love, and happiness in all forms.

Pandora and Valerie nuzzled against Reina. "It was such a good idea," Pandora told Reina. "Thank you."

Reina smiled. "Thank you. Happy Valentine's Day."

"Happy Valentine's Day!" Pandora and Valerie echoed.

The End.