A lovely Love Day to you

The air was a fine trickle of crisp and cold, with wafts of warmth from the city vendors of Loova. As they passed, hand in hand, some looked but only a few gave a few indignant glances at seeing a human with a Lopilu. And he didn’t blame them; Mneme was a tall, beautiful and powerful lady with a luxurious taste despite the simplicity of her silk patterns. Just looking at her, he was reminded how lucky he was to be standing at her side and reminisced of their long history of struggle, friendship, and romance. She had been so busy greeting those who treated their union normally with a warm smile that she hadn’t quite noticed, so busy wanting to treat others with kindness and compassion that she forgot herself. She tidied up one vendor’s stall front as she knew the old bun couldn’t move lofty enough after the loss of his son, and knew that he would appreciate a woman’s touch after so many years without his wives. Mneme returned to Jupiter where she had left  him, and smiled apologetically for their walk was interrupted, but he didn’t mind her need to nurture and take care of others. 

“I have to go pick up a few things for the cafe,” Mneme sighed softly, fanning herself with her elaborate folding fan, and glanced away with a soft pout, “I want the Muses to feel loved on the Day of Love.” He nodded in total understanding and smiled back.

“It’s alright, I have to go get some things from some friends for our dinner date~” He smiled as her eyes darted back to him, her tapered ears quivering with curiosity and excitement. “I cannot tell you anymore, it’ll ruin the surprise.” Jupiter grinned toothily and she pouted harder at him with her ears flicking back. She closed her fan gently with an understanding sigh.

“Of course, love,” she purred back, leaning in to gently peck his cheek before begrudgingly turning to head off in one direction, “I’ll see you later tonight~” she called delicately over her shoulder as he watched her leave, her silhouette against the city steam creating such an aesthetic window that his gaze lingered a moment longer on it after she had disappeared. He moved, humming a hopeful, poppy tune to himself as he minded the streets and bends of the alleyways. 

As the day had begun, Thalia had been busy as a busboy to make sure things were tidy for the day as she was giddy about tonight. Not because she had anything planned with a special someone, but because she could kick back and enjoy some downtime as Mneme had canceled any theater to give anyone with a special someone a bit of a break. Now her gaze tilted up when hearing the door and went to greet a customer, but was faced with Mneme herself who greeted her warmly with a smile.

“Hello Mother Mneme,” Thalia greeted her first excitedly, with a big bright smile, “happy Love Day~” she chuckled, finding it funny that Mneme insisted of calling ‘Valentines’ to just, ‘Love Day’ but perhaps she had a reason for it.

“Good morning, Thalia,” Mneme greeted in return, “a happy Love Day to you~” she snickered, finding Thalia’s laugh contagious even at its lower volume. “How is everyone fairing this day?” She asked, and Thalia hummed thoughtfully before responding.

“Well we definitely are working faster today, at least some of us,” Thalia snickered, “excited to be home or off on their dates I’m sure.” She added, though thinking about it a bit longer; she did figure someone wanted to give their significant other some kind of token of affection or affirmation. With a bemused hum from Mneme, her attention was drawn back as the Lopilu passed by with some cleaning rag in hand to help wipe everything down. “Oh- boss, you don’t have to-“ Thalia protested but Mneme simply chuckled at her fuss.

“And if I wanted to?” Mneme smiled back warmly before continuing on to wipe in a well practiced, circular motion for the table to wipe it down. Thalia didn’t have a retort for that so she shrugged.

“I mean… okay.” She snorted and moved to go to the other side to help guests find seating.

“Do you have someone to exchange tokens with, Thalia?” Mneme asked but the lovabun froze and wiggled her ears with a shy, albeit sad, voice.

“No, Mother Mneme… not exactly…” she sighed and gave a shrug, not really caring to talk about it. “I’m kinda just excited to get home and binge on some good food, you know?”

“Ah, I do… I apologize if it hurts to answer that sort of question.” Mneme responded in a gentle, motherly tone with her warm voice.

“It’s okay, I … kinda enjoy being single sometimes.” Thalia laughed as they continued to run around the cafe while the lull was ongoing. 

 Mneme at some point had to disappear behind the curtain, more of a figure of speech, and Thalia resumed her hurried functions. Ránia joined her after a time after exchanging a sisterly gift with her and the two giggled over their plans. It was Ránia’s family tradition to give something to at least one sibling if you could, and so with Ránia’s sibling out of town for a bit; she figured the next best person was Thalia. At least someone could enjoy her mochi.

By the time Jupiter had returned, he smiled at the hardworking crew he was proud to call part of his extended family. With a grateful speech and inspiring dismissal, everyone packed up the cafe for the day and headed out while he went to check in with Mneme in the back, who was busy preparing the table with soft scented candles, a red rose bouquet and dinnerware on a covered table. Hearing the knock from Jup at the door, she jolted slightly before her gaze flicked over her shoulder and she relaxed after a surprised squeak.

“I’d be caught for the mane-choppers had I ever been more distracted.” She joked with a chuckle as she turned to face him, one hand clasped over the other as she regarded her husband while caressing the ring on her finger from him.

“May all gardens wither from bountiful blossoms if ever they took your beautiful mane from the goddess herself.” Jupiter remarked with a hum and a laugh, approaching her and closing the door behind him. In one hand was a box, the other a to-go tall order that he brought over. The very smell of the food earned an excited ear wiggle from Mneme, she even came over to help him lift and part the bag open to dress the tableware with the banquet. She only spied the box after he placed it on one of the chairs, a brow raised at him which he responded with a brow raise of his own and a toothy grin. Damn his charisma. 

“I thought we said no gifts or surprises.” She mused with an obvious point of her nose to it.

“We said that last year, and this year; I wanted to show my wife the love she deserves.” Jupiter responded with a grin, eliciting a scoff from her, then a genuine frown as she held her fingers to her lips.

“I wish I had been made aware… I would have liked to get you something too.” She muttered, knowing that mutual gifting was profound with humans.

“My love,” he began, taking her hands in two of his to kiss her knuckles sweetly, “you have given everything to me from a new life to a reason to wake up in the morning and come to bed late at night. Dreams feel more like a bucket list or pinboard of our track in life. You have brought me such sweet memories that anything you do is a gift to my existence.” With a deep blush, she accepted this; but only just so as an excuse for him to spoil her. She will be getting him next year. 

“For now, let’s enjoy our favorite meal tonight and be that young couple.” Mneme giggled, leaning in close to kiss him on the forehead, which made him smile and glance up to catch her lips in a tender peck.

“Aye, tonight; you and I aren’t Mneme and Jupiter, but our real names under it all.”