>>339134
>But, she had the box, why is it in his hand now?!
>”See darling, nothing can go wrong today.” she smiles kindly at him, the ring still on her finger.
>Wait, he’s gonna open the box and discover it empty!
>”Elena, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and I’ve made my decision, would you-“
>“Open wide, ‘’Master’’.” she interrupts his proposal, a forkful of cake extended towards him.
>“Umm… Elena, can’t you wait one second?”
>“Please, humour me…” she fake-complains, crocodile tears at the ready.
>With a sigh, the man relents, opening his mouth for the Shoggoth to feed him.
>I can see that the cake doesn’t please him as much as it did before, the earlier fright and the taste of interruption spoiling the flavours.
>Using the same fork, his guest sample the confection, truly savouring it.
>Then, the movement of their jaws stop.
>She’s the first to bring her hand to her lips, delicately plucking a sparklingly clean ring of pink gold from her lips.
>Meanwhile, her future husband manages to extract an equally pristine paper note, smaller than a postage stamp, pink and heart shaped, a capital ==YES== written on it.
>”Oh… Oh Jules. Yes! Yes, I do!”
>The poor man could only brace himself against the powerful and sudden hug.
>What follows can only be described as en effusion of sentiments, as the shape-shifting mamono seems to radiate pink energy.
>I’m no Mage, but I can tell that this is what some call a “mana wave” and thank gods there are no single Monster in the shop because this could’ve ended in a riot.
>Evenually, the happy couple settle downs, finish their dessert and mister comes up to the cash register to pay his bill…
>As he fishes for some change, I notice that the paper heart he found between his teeth earlier has turned into one of those very trendy Manticore Barbs in a gift wrap.
>I wish them good day and with that, the shop is almost silent, save for the mechanical purr of the different appliances.
>With a sigh, I decide to brew myelf a cup of coffee, for the briefest of moment, the idea of putting some whiskey in my cup surfaces, but is quickly brushed away as a pale arm snakes its way alongside mine to steal my warm beverage.
“I didn’t hear you come downstair.”
<“Sorry I surprised you.” her apology is flat, feeling-less, as her sharp nails bring the bitter drink to her lips, no milk, no sugar.
>With her hands busy, she settles for using her wings to hug you, the familiar feeling of her shadow-slime clings to your skin through my clothes.
>She rests her head on my shoulder and stays there unmoving, content.
“Slept well?”
<“Wonderfully so.”
“Well it is almost 5pm, now.”
<“You exhausted me.”
“The compliment is appreciated.”
>She kisses me.
>Her mouth tastes of sweet caffeine.
<“Do you plan on staying open tonight?”
“No, I wanted to spend the night with you, but since you’re busy, I guess I’ll just laze around.”
<“I won’t allow that. Not on Valentine’s day.”
“You can’t bring me to work.”
<“Fine, then I won’t go to work.”
“Be reasonable.”
<“I am. I’ve reached my milestones for this week. I can stay here, with you.”
“You said you couldn’t.”
<“I lied.”
“Liars get punished in this house.”
<“I can’t wait…”
>I don’t understand Eldritch creatures.
>But I know one thing.
“I love you.”
<”I love you even more.”