Sheets of snow and ice-covered the roofs and streets of Shulan. Snowflakes fell from the sky while catgirls garbed in scarlet coats peddled on the streets for the Starbirth Celebration. Musicians played under the safety of awnings while others clapped along, the occasional catgirl tossing a Bell into the respective donation hat.

Kittengirls pointed and pleaded with their mothers as their eyes lit up at the numerous toys and gadgets on offer in the windows of stores. It was a joyous occasion and one that Nyarlea only saw for one week out of the entire year—one whole week where Nyarlea’s birth was celebrated, and its citizens made shows of goodwill with a mere moment’s notice.

“What about this one here?” A young man pointed to an expensive gold ring within the case of a jewelry store. The band was thin, designed to look like a pair of snakes intertwined with one another, their gazes locked where a small, elaborately cut ruby in an oval shape was set.

“Can you even afford that?” A girl with short, mousey-brown hair neared the case, her breath fogging up the glass. She stared wide, stifling a laugh. “I know you care about her, but—”

The young man shook his head. “No, Yomi. ‘Care’ is not the word I would use to describe how I feel about Ravyn. I want her to know how serious I am.”

His sudden dire tone caught her off-guard. Yomi cleared her throat and drew her face away from the glass. “Ravyn knows that. We both do.” Yomi wrapped herself around his arm and pulled him closer, her cheek firmly planted against his. “What are you so worried about?”

“Everything,” he admitted.

“Finn. If I know Ravyn, and trust me when I say I do, then I know she’ll love whatever you give her. Money is not the way to her heart, believe me.”

“I know, I know. She’s told me the story with her mom. Tough relationship there.” Finn ran a hand through his golden-blonde hair, frowning at the very thought of meeting Ravyn’s mother. “I hope they can amend their differences someday.”

“Maybe you’ll be a part of that,” Yomi said, winking. “She doesn’t like to admit it, but she gets lonely easily. Angry easily, upset easily, cries easi—”

“I get it, thank you,” Finn said with a halfhearted laugh. His gaze remained locked on the ring, and after a while, Yomi waved to one of the jewelers.

“Excuse me!”

“Wait, what are you doing?” Finn said in a panic.

“If you have to think about it that long, then it’s clear that you need to leave with it. Put your own spin on the gift, though. You don’t want her thinking that you’re trying to buy your way into her life.”

“I’ll do my best.”

A young woman with ocean-blue hair tied into a braid across one shoulder approached, her hands clasped at her hips. “Yes, how may I help you?”

“Oh! Maya! Can we put this on hold?” Yomi asked, pointing to the ring in the case.

“Ah, my sincerest apologies. Due to high demand, we are unable to put anything on hold at this time. If you’d like though—”

“I’ll take it,” said the determined Finn. “It’s worth it.”

“Ah, Finn.” The young woman bowed at the waist. “It’s been some time. If you would like, I could offer you a discount.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Finn said with a shake of his head. “I have the Bells for it.”

It was the third day of the Starbirth Celebration—the day set aside to celebrate love. As Finn had come to understand it, love didn’t carry the same meaning in Nyarlea as it did on Earth. Love was demonstrated as a show of goodwill, friendship, and the bond between mother and daughter. Finn’s version of love was lost when he was reborn in Nyarlea.

As Yomi and Ravyn had explained, the very idea of staying with a single person for the rest of one’s life was strange, unusual. Most importantly, it was expressly forbidden and was potentially punishable by death. Few would understand Finn’s feelings, and even fewer would ever admit to the same. Men were simply too important to Nyarlea’s propagation.

Finn’s hands shook as he sat on the edge of the bed, a small velvet box in his hand. His toes squirmed, his mind raced, and sweat collected between every crevice of his skin.

The door creaked open and Finn shot to his feet, hiding the box behind his back. He straightened his back, sucked in his gut, and puffed out his chest.

“Hello?” came Ravyn’s voice. Her head poked through the crack in the door’s opening, and a wily smile played on her lips.

“H-hi!” Finn practically screamed.

Ravyn raised a brow for but a moment, her smile quickly returning. She slipped her head out of sight, pushing the door open slowly. Before Finn could protest, Ravyn welcomed herself in and shut the door behind her, grinning wide.

Finn swallowed hard and took in every one of Ravyn’s features. She wore a one-piece dress which left little to the imagination—a red and shimmery number, hugging her well-endowed features and cutting just below her hips. Feathery fur of white lined her dress vertically, and a pair of pom-poms hung around her cleavage together by string.

Ravyn took one of the pom-poms in her hand, eyeing it expectantly. “One yank and this whole thing would drop to the floor.”

Finn breathed deep, and loud, through his nostrils. “B-baka,” he muttered. He squinted his eyes and looked away.

Ravyn neared closer. “Ara ara. The boy’s weird words are bleeding through again.” Ravyn stopped barely a step away from him and reached for his chin, pulling him toward her. “But you know, I think it’s cute.”

Finn opened his eyes. Was she blushing? Her gaze flickered from his face to his chest and she licked her lips. Despite her usually confident disposition, she seemed just as nervous as he was.

“Ravyn!” Finn took her hand in his, reminding himself not to grip too tightly. He drank in the soft touch of her skin, her passionate violet eyes, her brilliant red lipstick. Then he let go, taking a step back. “W-where I’m from, the truest love one can show is their dedication to the person they care about the most. The promise that they’ll be together forever.”

Ravyn’s froze and her voice lowered. “What are you going on about?”

“One person, and only one person.” Finn balled his free hand. “There is no one else. You are the one. My only.”

Ravyn shook her head. “You can’t be saying these things, Finn. Don’t.”

“Please, just listen to me.” Summoning his courage, Finn took the box out from behind him and snapped it open. “You’re my light. My everything. I can’t think of spending a day without you. Let this ring demonstrate that. Let this be the bond between us.”

Ravyn stared down at the ring. “This must have cost a fortune. Finn—”

He shook his head. “It could’ve been copper or a piece of straw. I picked this one because it reminded me of you—of us. Please accept my love.” Bowing his head forward, he awaited her answer.

“I don’t know what you’re asking me. Be clear.”

Finn steeled his resolve. “Run away with me. Forget the Defiled and the expectations. We’ll make our own life together somewhere quiet. A-and I’ll protect you, I promise!”

“Goddess above! Shush!” Ravyn ran to the door and cracked it open. No one was in the hallway. She slammed it shut and pulled Finn up by the collar of his shirt. “This is fucking suicide, do you understand that?”

“Dying in each other’s arms is rather romantic, don’t you think?” Finn said with a sheepish smile.

Ravyn slowly let go of his collar. “I concede that the idea is… appealing.”

Finn snatched Ravyn’s hand and pulled her closer. “Be mine. And only mine.”

“I-I, um. Shit. Fuck.” Ravyn returned Finn’s grasp, the wily smile returning. “F-fine.” Ravyn buried her face into his chest, snatching the small box away from his grasp. “I’ll be taking that.” Then she looked up at him. “If I ever catch you with another girl again, I’ll burn you to a crisp.”

“Is that a promise? Or a threat?”

Ravyn hummed. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She leaned in and nibbled his lower lip, running her fingers between his legs. “You owe me a proper fuck when we finally get away.”

Finn gasped. “You’ll be lucky to leave the bed.” He snatched the pom-pom of her dress and yanked. "We’ll have the biggest family in all of Nyarlea.”