Valentine’s Traditions
“Do you know why Doc Weaver, Dane, Cherie, Rosemary—heck, every single person on Lynx-Nineteen is sending a 'Do Not Disturb' signal? Should we be getting worried?” Ardol, a swaggering Leopardine, came into the dining area without his usual saunter and smugness. Between being a new parent and preparing to set up his own shop on the rugged mining planet of Lynx-Nineteen, he looked worried, and his normally stylish fur was barely brushed.
Jade, his wife and future business partner, looked up from nursing their son. “Wait, let me see your tablet?”
Ardol took his place in the ever-growing circle of Felids, Canids, and humans seated at the table, putting the tablet in front of Jade, along with a millet bun so she could take a bite while nursing. “Sorry I’m late. I just wanted to make sure our shipment got there. I can’t get a hold of anyone. I’ve tried. Well, I don’t have that many contacts, but still...”
“Ohh.” Jade tapped the date and time stamp in the upper corner. “Remember, they’re a couple of days ahead of us. We’re still in the Tigerite System.”
“What’s that have to do with anything?”
“Well, baby, remember—most of the women who settled down with the Lynxians used to work in a Pleasure Park.”
Everyone at the long red-and-black table stopped eating, spoons half-submerged in bowls of porridge, razortusk bacon midway between mouths and plates, looking at Jade.
She never spoke of her time at the Pleasure Parks on Sapien-Three with any sort of fondness. Ardol rubbed her shoulder and waited, breath held, bracing with the rest.
“What does that mean, my love?” he asked.
“You can all stop staring like I’m about to unload some dark secret. There’s no secret about what goes on at those places. Felids might not celebrate the custom of Valentine’s Day, an old Sapien-Three holiday that celebrates love, brought over from the original Earth, but to a lot of humans, it’s big business. Very few places reallycelebrateit anymore... but the Parks always have big parties on those nights, run special offers, give discounts to repeat clients.” Jade’s eyes, now so full of peace and life, momentarily returned to their former dull hardness until Ardol leaned his muzzle against her, wrapping her and their son in his arms. Jade sighed. “The focus was on finding someone to go through the motions with.” She skipped over the details in deference to the little cubs now perched around the table with their parents. “We bought and sold the physical side of love, which, as we’ve all come to realize, can have absolutely nothing to do with true love. I imagine that since the all human women have now spent a year with their mates, they’ll be looking forward to celebrating the historical celebration of the holiday.”
“A holiday about love. I remember hearing about it and seeing the big, pink neon signs.” Layla wiped her daughter’s milk-stained muzzle and let her down from her baby chair, placing her on her hip. “I never thought I’d have a reason to celebrate it myself.”
“Maybe we could.” Marcus, the oldest Felid on board, yet the most recently married, patted his wife’s hand. “This ship is home to some of the happiest and most nauseatingly in love individuals I’ve ever met. If the holiday celebrates love, we could honor it, too. Kamau—”
“Say no more!” Kamau, the Servali chef, was already scrambling back from the table, eyes gleaming. “Jaxson, could you spare me my lovely bride for a few hours? We’ll make a feast all about love, with lots of Sapien-Three delicacies.”
Jaxson, the rugged Canid engine systems mechanic, nodded. “Go for it. Nessa, knock yourself out playing chef’s assistant. I’m sure Ru can stagger shifts so everyone can get a chance to celebrate this feast of love with their significant other. We single folks can keep the ship flying.”
Rupex, who was mirroring Layla and putting their son up on his shoulders, smiled. “We can take the main cosmic interplanetary artery and put the ship on autonavigate once we’re locked in. Everyone can have the night off. Love is for all.”
Jaxson nodded and gave Rupex a broad smile, but inside, his uneasiness was growing. Was it just his imagination, or had his brother-in-law and captain given him a very significant look when he said that?
“Hear, hear!” Marcus rejoined, snuggling up to his bride. He leaned his graying muzzle against Abigail’s fading blonde locks and purred, “I’m sure everyone can find some way to celebrate.”
Jaxson dug back into his bacon and pretended not to notice that some of his crewmates were casting hopeful looks between him and Kaylie.
“Sounds like a nice night.” Jax got up and made sure his eyes didn’t linger on the petite human beside him, Kaylie, with her jet black hair and laughing eyes, and that cute little nose, and—
“I’m going to make sure the autonav unit doesn’t need updates. Wouldn’t want the ship to stall in the middle of the celebration.” He gave a cheery wave and walked away quickly.
In his wake, he could hear Lycen, one of the other single Canid crewmembers, hurrying to join him. “I’ll help you, Jax.”
Once they were out of earshot, Jaxson hissed, “This is a one-person job, and you know it.”
“If you can dislike the way they’re looking at you and Kaylie, I can hate the way Dax and Skyla are looking at me and Elio,” she hissed back.
“You and Elio? What? Since when?”
“Since we joined this flying love boat. Everyone keeps pairing up like that old Earth legend—Nora’s Ark?”
“Noah.” Jax risked a look back over his shoulder and saw Kaylie leaving the dining area, too, pulling her hair up with a silver clip, smiling and laughing as she talked to Abigail. “I like Kaylie.”
“I know, boss. But I also know she’s just a friend,” Lycen patted his arm.
Jaxson nodded.
There would never be another person like Alana—his late wife. The most beautiful Leonid Queen, regal and strong, yet silly with him. His best friend. His true love.
