The matters of January went on as it is, with Creed recruits following the lead of their seniors and acquainted themselves with what was happening and what was going to happen.

Creed Comics' training indoctrination with them was quite simple and not too damaging overall as they are working with comic book issues that are set to be released way too far in the future.

With outlines and a developed working groove, the stockpile has been loading up even more so when their little boss gave them many issues of a headstart.

Nevertheless, the new recruits got their fair share of comic booking knowledge as they were non-veterans of the industry after all.

Perhaps they might have it even better than established veterans from other publishers as the original 50 have already been compoundedly taught comic-making skills that are many decades ahead of the current time.

Of course, the introduction of the elusive Alexander Creed did come as a shock for everyone in the new batch, and can't help but doubt their competence or the reality of their new place of employment.

Are they even talented enough with a young kid being a greater talent that they came to frightfully find out? Some of them are questioning whether the company was even sane enough to pass on a little kid to handle such kind of responsibility.

The shock process did come in the Creed territory after all as everyone will be working with a young 7-year-old as a boss.

It might not stay that way for long though as the little boss was already a year older.

Being an 8-year-old doesn't make the monstrosity lessen though as everyone came to realize that there are still many youthful days ahead to explore more of that terrifying creative potential.

Whatever thought were circulating in the minds of the old and new Creed Comics employees, the fateful day did come.

Last year on January 30, 1984. In a suburban residence at San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California.

A year since that and at present on the 30th of January 1985, the birthday was celebrated in the same place and in a way that the birthday boy wanted it to be.

Alexander escaped the 'happy birthdays' and 'great regards' of school and the workplace as he wanted his homely peace.

Usually, it was just his grandfather and him in a somber mood but this was re-life. It surely wouldn't be the same as his first 8th birthday as doing something for the second time would always feel different.

The little re-occurred event was a bit more jovial with Alexander not as moping and mourning-ly reclusive. He was just calm and 'sociable' as the birthday boy.

Old Sullivan was not as lamenting and regretful as a lot of things were making him happy all the time. CREED was coming together after all and Creed Entertainment was slowly piecing itself into how his grandson and him were hoping it would be.

Young Alex was responsible for envisioning things and his old bones were in charge of making it happen.

Of course, aside from the altered perceptions and moods of the Creed duo, there was the Jovovich duo to tag along.

As Miss Galina was opportunity enterprising as usual, little Milica was able to take a leave from school and enjoy the treat of the quaint but bountiful birthday table.

Old Sullivan had no qualms with that as this grandson of his needed some sort of other company in his birthday.

It was only his grandson who would use his absences at school and pass out his much-loved little boss work to be semi-alone in his birthday celebration after all.

Hence, it was better to make it a bit livelier with familiar people around that the boy was already used to mingling with.

----

In any case, the usual happy birthday greetings ensued and the rest of the event kicked off. It wasn't really that lively of a birthday party though as Alexander was being Alexander as usual.

Everyone at the party knew that the birthday boy was the same as usual while masochistic female writers might consider him to be the template of a certain CEO trope.

However quirky he might be, the loose traditions of birthday celebrations must go on.

"Happy birthday again, Alex!" Milla greeted with a clearly pranking smile. She held a wrapped gift in her hand and handed it to him. "It's gift-giving time, so here's a gift from your friend who is me."

"Thanks." Alexander didn't know what she was up to but he accepted the gift nonetheless.

Miss Galina followed suit with her birthday gift while cautioning. "The thing inside mine and Milla's wrapped presents are sort of fragile, Alex. It's best to handle it with care."

Alexander took her advice and didn't forget to give his gratitude. "Still, thank you for the gift, Miss Galina."

"Handle mine with care as well." Of course, Old Sullivan followed last and three gifts were finally at hand. It wasn't a Three Kings and three fairy godmothers scenario though as it was as normal as gift-giving can be.

However... it may not be so normal at all as Alexander noticed the similar dimensions and sizings of the gifts. If anything, the only way to differentiate which from which is because of the gift tags and different patterned wrapping.

He wasn't really particular with gift size and gift quantities like the Dudleys of the Harry Potter stories but something tells him that the gift-giving trio might have something up their sleeve.

The adult two had a normal expression but the actress-in-training was the big breach as she can't hide her jokingly scheming expression at all.

Anyway, the gift opening commenced next and all tricks within the box would eventually be revealed.

To Alexander's relative surprise, the trio actually gifted him with identical mugs inside identical boxes.

""Surprise!!!"" Sullivan and Milica clamored after they swiftly arranged the mugs to achieve their full effect.

Like the patterned wrappings, the mugs have prints in them to be able to differentiate which was which.

Milla's mug says 'Sweet over Bland', the mug from Miss Galina says 'Don't be Cold, Drink Warm and Hot', while old Sullivan was more frank as it says 'For Human Use Only, Robots be Short-circuited'.

"Ha. Ha." Alexander enunciated the usual laugh like a robot to convey his amusement at their somehow blatant and semi-blatant message.

It was clear that they went to a custom gift shop to make the prints happen. The design and calligraphy were still fine despite the unique blend of messages that relate to mug drinking and for him to not be so aloofly detached and indifferent-faced Alex all the time.

"Thanks for the gift, guys." Alexander was quite grateful for the gift as it showed that they planned things out. "The problem is I don't drink much from mugs. What am I supposed to do with three?"

"Just display it in your new office for you to be always indoctrinated by our s-mug wisdom." Old Sullivan really prepared himself for that weird pun.

"Yeah! Display it." Milla, on the side, was quite the cheerer.

"Well... I'll make do with what you say and thanks again for the gift." It was all that Alexander could say as he wasn't that word-ly articulate with expressing himself.

""Yey!"" Nonetheless, the old man and little girl felt that they won something from his words and gave each other a double high five.

Maybe the bland and cold robot before them would truly change into a sweet and warm human due to their special mugs.

At the very least with all their hijinks, Alexander was finally eight-years-old... again!