A Quiver Of Love

“Rank amateurs,” Charlene Cherub scoffed petulantly at the odd assortment of pathetically over eager recruits gathered in front of her. “Not one of you with any kind of experience?” she asked hopefully, but wasn’t surprised at the collective shaking of heads.

“We’ve written romance stories, though,” one told her happily.

“With difficult characters who required a lot of handling,” agreed another.

“And we always write them happily ever after,” added a third encouragingly.

“Please, cherubs, work with me here. This is the real world. Real people, not some two-dimensional characters you commandeer on paper. You can’t just erase a bad scene, delete a subversive sub-plot. You have to deal with the hand St. Valentine gives you and roll with the punches, come back kicking and fighting…” Charlene broke off her boxing jabs and stared at the bewildered cherubs in training before her. She shook her head at their undisguised enthusiasm. It went in their favour she supposed. There was plenty of time for them to become cynical on the job. She pushed past her reservations and leveled them with a stern, commanding look. After all, who was she to question the powers that be?

“Right – fall in then, look sharp. We haven’t got all day. We’ve a battle to fight – a war to win…”

“I thought this operation was all about love?” piped up one adventurous cherub, batting her eyelashes in obvious confusion.

Charlene sighed. “Well, of course it is – that’s what St. Valentine’s all about.”

“Then what war are we fighting?” another brave cherub asked in confusion. “War isn’t about love.”

“Don’t be so sure about that,” Charlene corrected with a heavy sigh. Yep, definitely rank amateurs every last one – fresh out of the Academy of Love and apparently not a bright light in the bunch. “What are we fighting? Despondency, apathy, fear, failure, insecurity…the list goes on. Those are the reasons that many humans fight against the strongest emotion of all…love.”

“Fighting against love – not for it?” a shudder of horror traveled through the little group.

“Incomprehensible, I know, but humans are finicky creatures at the best of time. Throw in some of the obstacles I just mentioned and they can quickly get mired in a morose marsh of inactivity. Take this couple here…” Charlene drew an arrow out of the quiver on her back and shot it expertly at a fluffy white cloud that immediately shape-shifted into wide-screen TV. Impressed murmurs carried around the young trainees as they looked curiously at the humans working in some kind of office environment.

“There. You see those two?” another arrow delicately shot from Charlene’s bow pointed out a blonde haired woman and a dark haired man. “Sue Thomas and Jack Hudson. Three years in love and nary a kiss!”

Startled gasps flittered among the recruits. “With their hearts as our targets, this will be our finest battle. We must war against every single obstacle I mentioned before and the biggest one of all. Company politics. This isn’t going to be an easy task which is why there are so many of you, though I had hoped for some seasoned warriors…”

The cherubs looked on in horror as a thick gray mass began accumulating around the couple.

“Look, it’s sticking!” one cherub called in repulsion.

“If it gets any thicker, our arrows aren’t going to be able to penetrate it and they’ll never reach their targets!” exclaimed another.

“Good. I’m glad you understand the severity of the situation. At least they’re teaching you something useful at the academy,” Charlene said with evident relief. “I hope you are all good markswomen, because we won’t get a chance like this again. By Valentine’s Day next year, it will be too late and Jack and Sue will be lost in an abyss of darkness forever separating them. It is our job to bring this couple into the light of love.”

“What about the others?” a particularly romantic cherub asked.

“Bobby Manning and Tara Williams. Might be something there – but it’s in the early stages yet – we’re only allowed a gentle prod to see if the sparkle will turn into a sizzle. Dimitrius Gans, now there’s a success story. Happily married to the love of his life. I shot that arrow myself fifteen years ago,” Charlene added modestly. “And then we have Myles Leland III and Lucy Dotson…” she broke off, shaking her head sadly. “I’m afraid that’s one battle we lost. Still there’s no reason they shouldn’t find happiness with someone else.”

“So, our primary targets are Sue Thomas and Jack Hudson?”

“Affirmative – secondary fall out amongst the others is inevitable and may prove interesting, even enlightening, but stick to our targets, ladies.” Charlene began handing out quivers of arrows. “Handle these with care. You’ll only get one shot with each.” She picked up a pink-feathered arrow. “Romance – an important element in the human relationship. There can never be too much of this – so the point is sharpened to pierce deep and true.”

She plucked out a purple arrow next. “Respect – no relationship can last without it and since we want this particular relationship to be lasting, I suggest you make sure this one is firmly imbedded as close to the heart as you can manage.”

Next she drew their attention to a cheerfully festooned orange and yellow arrow. “Laughter – as necessary an ingredient as love to any relationship. This little baby will fly light and true, making our intended couple happy and carefree. I would suggest beginning your campaign with this one.”

Next she drew out a richly feathered red arrow. “Lust” she declared, “use sparingly and be sure to pierce only the fleshy parts. An invaluable commodity used to demonstrate love, it should never rule it.”

“Now last of all, we have Love.” Charlene held the golden arrow reverently, her eyes alight with excitement. “This little beauty must be weighed and measured and expertly wielded at just the right time or…” Her lips tightened and bright red splotches of colour appeared on her cherubic cheeks. “It doesn’t bear thinking about. Accuracy. That’s what I want to see from you ladies. Understood?”

“Yes m’am,” energetic and enthusiastic replies echoed across the horizon. “Right. Then get on with it. I suggest you start off with a simple reconnoitering mission. Off you go.”

In a flurry of wings and stray feathers and sparkly loop de loops, the newest cherubs hurled earthbound. No one was ever clear how it happened. Someone pulled up too abruptly over the bullpen perhaps. Someone else might have jigged instead of jagged. Or several inexperienced cherubs might well have been feathergating. In any case, whatever the reason, the results were still disastrous. There was a pile up and several quivers full of promise upended prematurely, heading haphazardly for the unsuspecting humans below.

“Oh no! Quick, after them!” With wings flattened tightly against chubby cherub bodies, the tiny band dove after the tumbling arrows, grasping at feathered ends and sleek shafts in an attempt to stop their weapons before they could land unguided amongst the innocent humans below. Pulling up at the last possible minute, they watched helplessly as the majority of the arrows continued to plunge downwards, for even as quickly as they had reacted to the devastating collision that had caused the unceremonious dumping of precious potent projectiles, the cherubs’ efforts yielded only a smattering of the arsenal they had once had in their possessions.

“Oy! Now look at what you’ve done!” A rather stern cherub crossed her arms and glared at the others, her lips tightened in a firm line.

“Oui! Look at the mess!” Pushing her glasses back into place, a cherub with tousled brown curls sidled up next to the other, crossing her arms in a similar fashion.

Raised eyebrows and dropped jaws met their ominous stares. The tallest of the cherubs opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped short by the near hyperventilating of the recruit to her right. “Oh my, oh my, oh my! Look!”

The small band peered over the cloud to which they had retreated, gasping as they watched the fallout below.

I'm so glad you couldn't resist :whistle: Maybe a loose arrow hit you

I'm peeking from my cloud too ... What do I see? What do I see?

ooh, this WILL be good!

ooo, Your writing us a story! I'll start plumping up my cloud now so I get a good seat!

For being the second week of February, it had been rather cold and bleak both inside and out, as far as Sue Thomas was concerned. Always an optimist, she looked forward to the return of sunny days and warmer weather...not that DC was exactly warm in February, but the days grew longer, the sun warmer, the rainy/snowy days decreased, and love...

“Pfftt.”

“Excuse me?” Lucy looked up in surprise at Sue disdainfully dropping a box of Valentine’s decorations on an already laden desk. Tucking in her chin and raising her eyebrows, Lucy frowned.

“I’m sorry, Luce. But I think I’ve had it. So pfftt on love. You can have these.”

“You sound more like Randy Pitts than Sue Thomas,” Lucy scolded, picking up the box and setting it on the floor. “Speak of the devil...”

Walking crisply into the office, the trim man made a beeline for Lucy, choosing to ignore the sighs of relief coming from behind each desk that he passed. “Ms. Dotson, a word with you, please.” He snapped his feet together in military fashion, his posture as ramrod as a soldier’s.

Lucy rolled her eyes and swiveled in her chair to face the stern features staring down at her. Batting her eyes to show her irritation, she followed with a smile that oozed with sardonic displeasure. “Yes, Randy. What can I do for you?”

“Red is not the appropriate color in which to address this form!” He paused, his eyes roving over the suddenly desirous curves of Lucy’s lithe body. “What I mean to say is that the manner in which your form is addressed is not to my liking...I prefer you-it to be in blue, a much more appealing—I mean appropriate, color. And I’d like to see you on my desk, I mean at my desk... with it, as soon as possible. Good day, Miss Dotson.” Blinking rapidly, as if in disbelief that those words had come from him, Randy executed a perfect about-turn and marched out of the room.

“Did I just read what I thought I just read?” Sue’s eyes were wide with horror. “Was he coming on to you?”

Lucy stared back at her roommate, the exact same expression on her face. “I don’t know...but it sure seemed like it. Whatever’s in his coffee, I hope it’s not in ours!” she shuddered, picking up the rejected forms. “Anyone have a pen?”

gasping for a i r

Oh, Jill, this is going to be so good - this is good!!!

I love the part about the new cherubs writing romance stories!! Were they part of a forum perhaps??

Randy got some of the arrows, did he??? What a sobering thought!!

Can't wait to see where the others landed!!!

Thanks for sharing your talent in the Valentine Challenge - I can't wait for your next post!!!

Joy

Oh my, I wonder if those cherubs have been at Randy there is a scary thought indeed.

I have to say though I am loving this.

Karen xxx

A fantastic start, I think I'm going to enjoy this! I'll be greatly anticipating the next installment.

Sairs

. Looks like this one will be really good. Yay for idiot!Randy. If you need comic relief, there is your man.

Could this cheruband this cherub be somebody we all know and love?

And the whole Randy Pitts speech? Can I be the one to say Oy now?

I think I'll just stay right here for the duration.

kav

Make some room for me, Kav, please

oh my that was just to funny!!!

i cant wait to find out where the other arrows landed - if they have a similar effect on the others in the office, this is going to be one very funny story!!

shove over kav and marlo - im joining you for the duration!

Randy getting bombarded with the arrows........ This should be good!

I so love that Sue "pfffted" somebody - LOL!

And Randy - lovesick? Gross....Funny, but gross! Poor Lucy!

Yeah, I have to that!!

Jill, I'm very excited to see you here... definitely on board to see where you take this!!

Ditto! It's obvious that Randy got hit by the lust arrow!

Looking forward to more Jill! Love the avatar by the way.

Randy! That was hilarious! I can't wait to read what you come up with next.

A Randy that is lovesick with Lucy?? Yet, at the same time,

I can't wait for more. I know this is definitely going to be a ride.

RANDY and a table mention, right off the bat?!? Now, THERE'S a clue that someone (I wonder who? :whistle: ) has a twisted sense of humor! LOVE the intro Jill, and can't wait to see where you take this story!

“Now look at what happened!” Grace moaned. She pulled the quiver from her back and checked her remaining arrows. “That Mr. Pitts got it right in the tushie with a red arrow! And it went in deep, too!”

“That’s not all that happened. Look!” At Marene’s words, they all rushed to the edge of the cloud, tipping it perilously, as they hung over the side.

“Is that a whoopie cushion?” gasped their self appointed leader, her alarm growing by the minute. “No! No! No! Whoopee cushions do NOT go on the Director’s chair! When I get down there, that young man is going to get a time out!”

Marene pushed her glasses back into place and elbowed Grace, whispering softly, “I heard she used to be a kindergarten teacher before she took this job.”

Trecey, taking advantage of her height by leaning over Marene’s back to get a better look, overheard the whispering, and immediately huffed, “So that ‘splains her attitude. Kindergarten......pfftt! I’ll just whoopee my way down there and take care of the little prollem right now.”

“Its ‘problem’, not ‘prollem’!” Gabby retorted, her ears picking up on the secrets being passed between the three. “Nobody move! This is a gigantic mess! Charlene is going to snip our wings, for sure! First things, first, though. That Mr. Pitts needs to be dealt with before he turns into a leering he-wolf! I’ll take care of this! The rest of you stay put!”

The dauntlessly determined cherub leapt from the cloud and began a swirling decent upon the Hoover building, her eyes focused on the balding man making his way to the elevator. Pulling the purple Arrow of Respect from her quiver, she took careful aim, determined to pierce exactly where the Arrow of Lust had lodged and broken off, hoping to counteract its affects. She held her breath, releasing the plum colored shaft on a path that ran straight and true, watching with excitement as it headed directly for the target... and lodged in the elevator door. “What!” she cried furiously. Red faced, she turned and fluttered back toward the cloud. There’d better be another purple arrow up there, or we’re history!

As she flew, the gray mass that swirled in the bullpen continued to thicken, its tentacles slowing wrapping around the two that were the center of the cherubs’ mission, quietly drawing them further apart and building a wall around each of them.

ACK!!! So close... and foiled! And that cloud... oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

I don't like the octopus type cloud! I had enough fog over the holidays to last a lifetime (ask Trace she'll agree with me). It foils many plans.

Oh dear, I don't know what else to say but


The cherubs have major clean up to do, I see, but...who is the young man who got hit with the laughter arrow??? Anyone we know fromt he bullpen?
Does that mean that Randy is still roaming the hoover buidling with... it doesn't bear thinking about.

I don't like that building a wall part at all!

kav

Kav, you have a uncanny talent to give a good resume of a post

So, Randy is a loose canon, who's the other one???

Nice cherubs, Jill !!!! They remind me of ...

not good, not good at all .... quick guys, sort out randy and get rid of the fog

shooo fog shooo
vicky flaps her arms in an effort to help clear the fog, only to succeed in looking like a slightly crazy chicken!

hmmm....respectful elevator doors? THAT will be interesting!

The cherubs seem delightfully familiar.

Jill, this story is priceless - love all the mishaps so far, and we aren't even deep into the story.

The dark, swirly cloud needs to go, though. Jack and Sue don't need any help staying apart! We need a nice, rosey fuzzy cloud to envelope them! Kind of like cotton candy - all gooey and sweet!

“Oh my!” whispered Pammie, seeing the rather irate cherub headed back in their direction. “Might I make a suggestion?” She turned her hopeful eyes toward the others.

“Please, do! We’re gonna so be toast when we get back if we screw this up,” wailed Grace, wringing the tip of her wing.

“Stop that! You won’t be able to fly straight!” Marene brushed Grace’s hands away and began to work on the rumpled feathers. “Pardon, Pammie. Continue, s’il vous plaít.”

“Better wait for the winged wonder,” Trecey grumbled, expertly twirling a purple arrow in her fingers. “Might as well make this a group effort...even if she did blow it.”

Puffing from the force of flying uphill and against the wind, Gabby plopped herself on the cloud, frustration steaming from her ears. “Well, that didn’t go as planned.” She eyed the silent cherubs circling her. “Don’t blame me! How was I to know the door would close that fast?” Her lower lip began to slide out into a pout, as she cast her eyes downward.

“It’s done...over with.” Pammie spoke up, taking a place in front of the dejected group. “Have a cookie and let’s think this through.” She passed out pink frosted heart-shaped sugar cookies. “What we need is a united front.”

“What we need is more training,” sighed Gabby, closing her eyes at the delightful sensation of the buttery morsel melting in her mouth.

“I disagree. We’ve faced obstacles like this, only much worse, many times over...if you combine all of our experiences! Come on. Think about it... cougars, wild fires, strep throat, kidnappings, brawls, sailors...even mud, for Pete’s sake!”

“But that was fanfic! And all I did was read it. Y’all were the writers!” She licked the last bit of frosting from her fingers and dusted crumbs from her wings.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t have good ideas. Besides, you’re part of the team. So, let’s get a move on. I suggest we take an inventory, split the arrows between us, and head out in two groups. Jack and Sue are going to be lost forever if we don’t act quickly, and that Mr. Pitts........well, there’s no knowing telling what he’ll do next!” Pammie perilously peered over the edge of the cloud. “And there’s no time to lose!”

My husband taught archery one semester...

I would feel the loom of the cloud ... if I could stop laughing

I just love your cherubs ... Time to combine their effort and go for it. Jack and Sue won't escape the cherubs ...

And Randy well, if he could find someone:wub2: ... maybe he wouldn't be that grumpy all the time :whistle: ... though maybe not Lucy

I just crack up every time I read your posts!

I was already in hysterics when I read that post but then when I read that I just completely lost it! I swear I think my dogs think I'm demented and Elsie just tried to carry off the phone just now and I believe she was nosing out 9-1-1. I'm not sure if I'm going to survive this story!

kav

I'm falling off my chair here!! How come these little cherub escapades sound a lot like what happens around here??? hee hee........

Randy - lust - can't go there - too gruesome!!!

Whoopie cushion on the Director's chair? I kind of like that one - can we keep it???

Fog/Wall keeping Jack and Sue apart?? Not acceptable - must fix!!

Go, Cherubs, Go!!!

Joy

Oh this is so good!




I so agree with Flip!

thanks,
Terie

Sue tossed Lucy a black pen and went back to work, shuddering at the thought of Randy Pitts on the prowl. After Levi nudged her for the third time with his bunny, she pushed him away and scolded, “Levi, go lay down somewhere.” The golden tossed his tattered toy in the air and deftly caught it, following it up with a good shaking. “Levi, down!” Obedient to his mistress’ commands, he lay on the floor, bunny still in his mouth. It wasn’t long, though, before he rolled over and wriggled on his back, his bunny held between his front paws while he happily chewed on it, making it squeak.

“Somebody slip him a happy pill this morning?” Bobby chuckled, watching the retriever’s antics. “He’s acting like a puppy!” Pushing back his chair, he called Levi over to his desk and engaged him in a playful round of Tug-O-War. “You think you’re tough, eh boy?” Bobby pulled and the canine pulled back, his jerking tugs dragging Bobby’s chair away from his desk. The harder Levi pulled, the more Bobby laughed...so, the harder Levi pulled. Sue rolled her eyes and covered the side of her face with one hand.

“Got it!” Tara shouted, excitedly jumping up from her computer. She had spent the last hour trying to break through a code and had finally been successful. She took one look at Bobby and Levi and burst out laughing, only to have the bunny whipped at her to avoid having Levi wrench it from Bobby’s hand again. “Levi in the middle!” she laughed, tossing the slobbered critter back in Bobby’s direction. A large hand snaked out, caught it, and held it above Bobby’s head.

“Bobby and Levi in the middle!” an aristocratic voice yelled, throwing the bunny back towards Tara. Levi leapt, making his best attempt to intercept the wobbly pass, but his timing was interrupted by Bobby hurling himself at Tara, grabbing her around the waist to wrest the toy from her hands.

“Give it up, luv,” he chuckled, tickling her ribs with one hand while pulling on the bunny with the other.

“Never!” she shrieked. “I’m highly trained in self defen...” she fell to the floor in a fit of laughter, taking Bobby with her.

“If I’d known that’s all it’d take to get you to fall for me, darlin’, I’d have done this a long time ago,” he whispered, not in any hurry to pull himself off her. Their eyes met and held, his meaning not lost on her at all.

“Excuse me!” Jack shouted from behind his desk, breaking the revelry. “The last time I checked, this was the Bureau of the FBI, and we were all agents, not circus clowns! I suggest you get back to your desks and your work. Myles, I expect antics like that from Tara and Bobby......but you??? By the way, where’ve you been? You were supposed to be back twenty minutes ago.”

Myles shrugged his shoulders and tried to hide his smirk. “I stopped in to see our illustrious director, but he wasn't there.”

Myles ????? ... the cushion ?

And the cherubs are getting Tara and Bobby together without even trying

You are killing me!!! I've laughed so hard I'm crying and Elsie is now trying to curl herself in my lap and lick away my tears. I am going to send you the bill for the doggie psychiatrist I am going to have to take my shelties to after this story is over...only please, please don't let this story ever be over.

kav

Your going to have to buy me a new rib cage Jill. This one's broken from too much laughter!

This is a fantastic story! I haven't laughed so much in ages!

I love the Cherubs, they're wonderful and I feel we're going to have more cherubic mishaps before the story's over!

Myles and a whoopie cushion! I never saw that one coming.

Bobby and Tara

Jack and Sue and the cloud isn't good...

Axiously looking forward to the next part!

Sairs

Maybe someone should slip Jack a happy pill or a happy arrow. It seems he has taken on Randy's personality!

Myles???

What's up with J/S??? I'm waiting...........

Just got all caught up!

You have certainly brightened my day in a big way...

I can't wait for the next post



gracie

Oooo...I don't like a bitter Jack and Sue! We need to fix this! Now a Myles that puts a whoopee cushin on the director's chair...pretty darn funny!!

Five crestfallen cupids hovered inside the bullpen, the ominous behaviors of their assigned pair being more than disheartening. “Charlene warned us... despondency, apathy, fear, failure, insecurity...”

“Major rain on the parade syndrome,” Trecey murmured, sizing up Jack Hudson. Quietly she slipped an orange and yellow arrow into her bow, aiming it at the dark haired man. “Take that.” With the accuracy of a blindfolded Robin Hood, she sent the arrow in Jack’s direction, grinning smugly as it pierced its mark.

Pammie pulled the other remaining Arrow of Laughter from her quiver, eyeing the blonde agent still hunkered over her desk. What she hadn’t counted on were the antics of an over-zealous golden retriever. Sensing the presence of the winged warriors, Levi commenced leaping in the air, snapping joyfully at the scent of feathers that wafted on the currents flowing through the room. His second leap bumped her, sending the arrow tumbling from her bow. “ACK!” she screamed, dropping her bow and diving quickly for the arrow. Just before it lodged itself in the green lampshade above Sue’s monitor, Gabby swooped in, grabbed it, and plunged it deep into Sue’s arm. It wasn’t the preferred injection site, but this desperate time definitely demanded a desperate measure.

Meeting beyond Levi’s reach, the three cherubs high-fived each other, smiling with satisfaction at the success of their attack. “Thanks, Gabby. You saved the day there. It’s obvious that that yellow cur is under the influence of our Instrument of Laughter. I figure that the Myles persona fell prey, also. That leaves one arrow unaccounted for.” Pammie wiped the smidgen of dog drool that dripped from her wing tip. “By the time this assignment is through, I think I’m going to need it for myself!”

Gabby laughed and gave the sullen cherub a hug. “Lucky for us that Levi was hit. At least he only wants to play with us instead of trying to eat us!”

Pammie rubbed her chin. “Eat! Great idea! I’ll just whip up some tasty...”

“Hold your mixer, Betty Crocker.” Trecey cautioned. “We’re not out of the oven, yet.”

Oh my WORD!!!! You have a wicked sense of humor. I LIKE IT!!!

Randy, Myles as a jokester, Bobby and Tara...and the cherubs are a hoot! Ahem, not that I would be cheering for any one in particular (love those cookies) but they crack me up...

Hopefully my walls aren't very thin ... Otherwise I can just imagine the conversations my neighbors are having.

Katinka