Weeto's Valentine's Day Surprise

     Weeto was very much the silent member of the family. His sister and brothers were inside the Neohome, playing a game of cards, but Weeto chose to remain outside, and took Jaxetta with him, as always. She was his faithful companion, no matter where he went in Neopia. Weeto was glad to have her by his side in all of his adventures. The earliest days of his life had been rather unpleasant for him.

     As he sat there on the porch, watching the sun go down, scenes from the past came back into his memory. Weeto had been found in the Neopian pound more than a year ago, very much frightened, sad, and starving. UnaRae, his sister, had noticed him, and had arranged to adopt him, and he had been a part of the family ever since. When he had been given his Scarabug not long after his adoption, it seemed to him that the happiness of his new life was finally complete.

     Now, as he sat in the darkness, Weeto remembered that Valentine's Day was around the corner, and he had something very special in mind for the occasion. He was a Xweetok of few words, it was true, but he showed his gratitude by his good deeds around the house. It would be no different for Valentine's Day. As the sun sank into the clouds, Weeto tucked his slumbering petpet into a little pouch, then took off into the darkness, as he was usually out and about at night.

     Inside the house, UnaRae scooped up the baby Blumaroo who lay sound asleep on the rug in front of the fire, comfy and full of cookies and milk. She took him to his room and put him into his crib, and the little guy never even stirred in his sleep. Una dimmed the light and returned to the sitting room, then sat on the sofa, propping her tail fin on an ottoman. It had been another pleasant day. Una examined her fins, noting that certain areas needed to be trimmed, since they were just a bit ragged.

     Zadar was on the sofa, playing with a ball of red yarn, one of his favourite toys. He particularly loved to play Kadoatie's Cradle, which he was good at. On the floor was his Hopso, Poxxo, who took that moment to leap onto Zadar's head, which he thought was a fun trick. The Kyrii howled and grabbed his Hopso, who had amazingly sticky feet. Zadar sat Poxxo onto the sofa next to him, then thought better of it and rolled up the yarn, put it into the basket where the other toys were kept, and went to his room, taking Poxxo with him.

     Una yawned, went to the fireplace, poked at the log until it fell apart, banked the ashes properly, and went to her own room, where her Harris bed awaited her. She was soon in Dreamland herself.

     Whilst these three fine Neopians slept, their brother was somewhere in the Haunted Forest, somewhere near the gypsy camp. He went there often since he was a friend of the gypsies. He set the pouch which held Jaxetta onto a tuft of grass, then watched the gypsies make strange music and tell tales by the fire. Weeto was fond of gypsy lore. He particularly liked the tales surrounding Neovia. Weeto had found Neovia to be a very fine place, indeed.

     At last, Weeto picked up the pouch and went home, as the sun began to rise in the sky. He must remain home the following evening, for the next day would be Valentine's Day. He slipped into his room and crawled into bed. He was a Xweetok of very few words, but he had a heart of gold, it was true.

     Valentine's Day finally came. The family rose and prepared for the day, as usual, but when they crept into the kitchen to get their breakfast, Weeto was in the kitchen, turning some Sphinx Links in a frying pan. Una looked at her brother in surprise, then she looked at her other brothers, who were just behind her. Weeto, cooking? She looked baffled, until Weeto shooed her out of the kitchen, along with the others, who were just as amazed as Una was.

     "Happy Valentine's Day, everyone," Weeto called out as he brought in the food. The family sat down to enjoy a wonderful breakfast for the first time in a long time. Weeto might not be much for talking, but he was a surprisingly good cook. There was Sphinx Links, Tut Trout, buttered scones, toast with jam, and fresh coffee.

     "Weeto, how in the world did you learn to cook?" Una asked in between mouthfuls of Tut Trout and scone. Weeto smiled and tapped the side of his head. Una blushed, and remembered that he was the real genius of the family. Despite being silent, Weeto was fond of books. Not even Una could outdo him in terms of smarts. In that way, he had her beat.

     After breakfast, that was the gift of choice for his siblings. Weeto gave his sister and brothers each a new book to read. Ccaenine also received a delightful new rattle, and Zadar got some modelling clay. For Una, Weeto had picked a little bouquet of orange, peach, and yellow tulips.

     "How sweet of you, Weeto!" Una simply smiled and gave her brother a hug. Weeto blushed, then patted the Scarabug who was perched on his shoulder.

     "That's a gift as my way of saying thanks for bringing me into the family so long ago," Weeto said quietly, in a slightly gruff voice. "I'm always grateful, but I'm not always able to express it in words, you know. So, whilst I can say it, I'm saying it now. Even when I never say it, just know my gratitude is always there."

     Una nodded, and Weeto yawned, then slunk away to his bed to catch up on lost sleep, promising to join them for dinner. Una put her tulips into a bowl of water, then remembered to get her fins trimmed up, and went off to take care of that chore. Ccaenine shook his rattle, then crawled over to his brother, who was pounding his clay on the table.

     "Weeto's not so bad to have around after all, don't you think, Zadar?" the little Roo piped up as he hopped onto the table next to his older brother. Zadar smiled and patted his little sibling on the head with brotherly affection.

     "Nope, he's really an awesome little dude," Zadar replied. "How about, as a special treat, we all go to the laser light show on Virtupets station tonight after dinner?"

     "Hooray! I like that idea. Count me in!" The baby Roo did a funny hopping dance, then assisted his brother in creating several little clay critters. Later that evening, all four siblings went to see the laser light show, and it must be said they all had a wonderful time.

The End