Her emerald green eyes widened, attempting a glare that, to Linsey, was utterly devoid of menace.

"Alright, alright. Next time I'll ask permission before playing with your ears, okay?" Linsey pointed to her ears, then kissed her pouting cheek.

Jasmine felt a nagging sense that something was amiss, but couldn't quite place it. She took his hand, and together they disembarked, walking towards the town in the distance.

Linsey had never embarked on a journey purely for pleasure. This town, highly recommended by traveling merchants, was supposedly a perfect destination for lovers.

Although they had shared far more intimate moments, neither had clearly defined their relationship. Linsey harbored a constant fear, a dread of one day finding the small wooden cabin in the forest empty. It was in a dragon's nature to hoard its treasures, to keep them safe.

But Jasmine was different. Cats needed freedom. Linsey didn't know how to reconcile this conflict. The anxiety gnawed at him; he needed some sort of ritual, something to reinforce his sense of security. He had a vague plan, and he hoped to see it through on this trip.

A high brick wall marked the entrance to the town. As they passed through the gate, Jasmine felt a momentary resistance, as if crossing an invisible barrier. Tiny, glowing sprites materialized from the air, presenting them with an elaborate flyer much larger than themselves.

Linsey accepted the flyer as the sprites dissolved into golden dust.

Jasmine read the advertisement aloud: "The Annual Lovers' Festival! Receive a personalized blessing for your love from the Tree God!"

"Hmm…" She paused, considering.

Linsey stole a nervous glance at her, relieved to see she didn't seem opposed to the idea.

"Lovers… I suppose that's accurate enough. Where are we going? I smell dried fish, it's wonderful." Jasmine's expression remained neutral.

A light snow fell as they walked down the wide, nearly deserted streets. Vendors of all races lined the walls, their stalls displaying a variety of wares. Jasmine even spotted a burly polar bear beastman; the fishy scent from his stall reached her from afar, and she eagerly pulled Linse in that direction.

Everything was going far more smoothly than he'd anticipated. Linsey was still reeling from how easily Jasmine had accepted the label of "lover." Perhaps she cared for him more than she let on? The thought warmed him from the inside out, a sweet, burning sensation that felt like his heart was bathed in lava.

Without waiting for his reply, Jasmine tugged him towards the fish stall. The seemingly ferocious polar bear was surprisingly welcoming, and she ended up buying a mountain of seafood, all of which she made Linsey carry. Seeing his hands full, she even fed him a piece of octopus.

Linsey had been acting strangely ever since they entered the town, hyper-aware of her every move. But Jasmine didn't question him. Young dragons were prone to bouts of sentimentality during their growth, and she attributed his unusual behavior to this, offering him silent understanding.

The buildings lining the street boasted gray, pointed roofs and brightly colored facades. Snow covered most of the tiles, and some of the doorways stood open, revealing the shops within. The shops and stalls offered a diverse array of goods. Some vendors were even wrapped in blankets, fast asleep. Jasmine strolled along, stopping here and there, exchanging casual conversation with Linsey. She enjoyed the relaxed, unhurried atmosphere; it reminded her of her time living among humans.

She would occasionally choose a human caretaker and stay for a while, but always left secretly when she grew restless. An ageless black cat was not a good omen. For a period, she had fallen into a cycle of living with a human witch, being driven out, and wandering until she found her next temporary home.

After that, Jasmine avoided humans altogether, settling in the forest. Other creatures occasionally wandered in, but Linse was different. He was special.

How different? Jasmine couldn't quite articulate it. She came back to herself, realizing Linsey had disappeared. He quickly returned with a bouquet of flowers. "I bought these from an elf. Do you like them? I took ages to choose."

The flowers were fragrant. Jasmine smiled, carefully accepting the bouquet and kissing Linsey. "Thank you, little dragon."

Linsey beamed at her approval, returning her kiss several times over.

The snow fell harder. As they continued their walk, they stayed close, their tails even intertwining.