The few weeks have past and now it was officially Valentine's Day. Paul hasn't seen Starfruit since then. His grandpa was helping out in selling chocolate-dipped strawberries. Mira was looking forward to something but wasn't going to let Paul in on it. "Excuse me, but who are you talking to on your glass?" Paul asked.
"Mm, nobody important you need to know about." Mira said (though she was clearly blushing).
Paul felt that Mira wasn't going to let him in on her little secret, so he decided to check on Dr. Oswald. The preta was studying books on psychology and neurology. "Excuse me, sir, but I wonder what Mira is hiding up there. I think she has a boy-friend but is unwilling to tell me."
"Back in my day, it was essential for young ladies to get paired up with a man. If they didn't, they would have no financial security, nobody would take care of them, they would die alone as old spinsters." Dr. Oswald looked at him. "Feeling a little upset that you cannot hide secrets from her yet she can about you?"
"Uh, no, of course not."
"Don't lie to me, Paul." the preta said calmly. "Remember, I'm a hungry ghost and I can sense jealousy in other people. It is so appetizing when you do that."
"Yeah, Starfruit discussed a few weeks ago about going on a date with her today and what is frustrating is that Mira wants to know where I am going and she won't even tell me where she wants to go."
"Mira's sworn duty is to protect you and she is doing what she thinks is best for you." Dr. Oswald said. "But hey, I'm a lost soul touched by rakshasa energy so getting advice from me would not be very wise."
"HEY, PAUL!" a familiar female voice shouted cheerfully.
"Oh, hello, Starfruit." Paul said, blushing.
Dr. Oswald looked at the anthro toucan girl. "So this is your girlfriend?"
"Uh, yeah, she is." Paul answered.
"I heard rumors about a preta living in your basement." Starfruit said. "I also heard that he is protected by draconic law so I decided to see for myself. The rumors turn out to be true!"
"Are you mad that I didn't tell you?" Paul asked her.
"What? No, of course not! I am actually very interested in the fact that Jasmine is attempting to reform a preta rather than sending him to the void!" Starfruit looked at Dr. Oswald's surgical mask. "Are you hiding scars under that mask?" she asked the doctor.
"No, I have my own reasons. There are many enemy pretas and rakshasas that are out to get me so I wear this to hide myself."
"Okay, then." Starfruit replied. She faced Paul. "So, are you ready for our date?"
"I haven't planned anything special" Paul felt guilty. He heard stories about women (during Valentine's Day) he believed that if their lovers truly cared about them, they would automatically know what they wanted, if they didn't--their reactions weren't pretty.
"Don't sweat it, we can think of something we both can enjoy based on mutual agreement." Starfruit laughed.
"Some women get pretty mad when the guy forgets about Valentines or doesn't get them the gift they've been hoping for. They also do that for wedding anniversaries."
"That is so third-dimensional behavior!" Starfruit said. "If one person forgets, you kindly remind them and then both people can still enjoy that special day reducing the drama! If someone does something nice for you or gives you a gift, you appreciate they've been thinking about you! Honestly, getting mad over not getting something they want or how soon they get it sounds pretty childish."
"Yeah, I can agree with that." Paul nodded.
"Alright, then, what do you want to do on our special day?" Starfruit asked.
"Do you like dancing?" Paul asked.
"Of course! Can you dance?" Starfruit asked. Paul shook his head. "That's okay, in Solar Plex City there is a night club we can go to that is offering samba dancing. It begins at sunset."
Paul checked the clock. "That is about an hour away." He then remembered something. "Aren't we underage to go to night clubs?"
"Yeah, but tonight they are offering it to those twelve and older. Drinking is prohibited just for tonight! My older sister normally dances there to entertain."
"Doesn't she pole dance in a bikini?" Paul asked.
"She is out with her boyfriend tonight and yes she does."
"Like Angel Dust from Hazbin Hotel?"
"Someone underage has been watching inappropriate material." Starfruit giggled. "How many shows like that you've seen?"
"That and Helluva Boss." he blushed.
"And they think I am the naughty one!" she laughed. "Don't worry, I won't judge you. As for your question; no, my sister isn't a stripper. Just a pole dancer." She checked the clock. "See you there!"

***

After getting permission from Mira an hour later and letting his grandpa know he was going out, he found a dragon holding open a portal to the fourth dimension. Paul followed her directions and made it at the Salsa Nightclub. Starfruit stood at the entrance waiting for him. A rhino bouncer told them, "You better not cause any problems otherwise you forfeit your being to be able to spend time here tonight."
They nodded and entered the dance floor. Several anthro animals were dancing to the Latin rhythms. Paul immediately recognized Prince Oregano dancing with a female dragon with snow white scales and a sky blue underbelly and horns. The two dragons spotted Paul and stopped dancing. The two walked towards Paul and Starfruit (who felt really annoyed with the dragon prince showing his face but decided to act politely for Paul's sake.
"Hello, Paul, I am Prince Oregano and this is my dance partner, Princess Snowdrops." he said with a friendly smile.
"Hi!" Snowdrops said with a grin.
"Nice to meet you." Paul shook their hands.
"Pleasure." was all that Starfruit could muster.
"Well, I've been wanting to meet you a few weeks ago but when those ushi attacked; I kinda got sidetracked."
"What are ushi?" Paul asked.
"They're the ox headed spiders." Oregano clarified.
"Oh, I wasn't aware that is what they are called." Paul said. He looked up and saw the female singer. It was a red anthro vixen with wings singing into a microphone.
"Are those real wings?" Paul asked.
Snowdrops answered, "Yes, winged vixens exist is this dimensional plain of reality. Her name is Cinnamon Flight and boy can she sing! She normally sings at adult parties but occasionally she will sing for the kids."
"How old is she?" Starfruit asked. "I'm not familiar with her."
"She is eighteen turning nineteen next Valentines Day." Oregano said.
"Oh, so her is birthday is Valentines. No wonder she wants to do something different." Starfruit said.
Oregano said, "Well, the night is young; shall we dance now?" The group of four agreed. Paul had the most difficulty dancing the samba but Starfruit was patient enough to walk him through it; in fact, she really enjoyed teaching the Latin dancing besides dancing it herself. Paul began to wonder if she was really a bad girl, mislead at times (like when she robbed the bar) but still had his better interests. So far, she didn't do anything nefarious. They took a break and drank some "Love Punch" which was a natural strawberry fruit drink mixed with cinnamon to make the drink spicy. They danced some more. Paul never had a good time for weeks. Eventually, Paul was getting tired of dancing and let Starfruit know.
"Yeah, I am getting exhausted too. Wanna call it a night and go home?" she asked.
"Sure, just wait a second." Paul walked over to Oregano and Snowdrops who were drinking "Love Punch". "I am glad I met you two, I am going home now, my feet are killing me."
"I hope we meet each other again." Oregano smiled back. "I enjoyed talking to someone my age."
"Your twelve years old too?" Paul asked. Oregano winked at him. Paul not only got his first date; but made new friends. Paul smiled to himself. Today wasn't that bad after all. Starfruit walked Paul home (she insisted on it even though it was the man who walked the woman home after having a good time with her). "Thanks for the date."
"Just thought about having some fun with you, buddy!" Starfruit beamed. Paul entered the house. His grandpa was reading the news. Dr. Oswald was still studying. Mira was asleep in bed (apparently from having one too many champaigns). Paul entered his bedroom and threw himself on the bed. Yes, he would never forget this wonderful occasion.

The End

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!

Enjoy the story!