"Hey old woman, today's Valentine's Day." A voice said.
"First of all, I am NOT old." I snapped, turning my head "And secondly, so what?"
"You're a hundred and nineteen, frozen or not." The spirit of my pole arm grinned cheekily. "Besides, we were lovers one hundred years ago."
"WHAT?! LOVERS?!" I screeched.
"Joking..." he doubled over in laughter.
"Shut up Maha!" I yelled. "I have enough things to handle as it is! Besides, how can you even keep a straight face telling me some stupid joke like that?" I looked at the documents from both Tru and the Alliance and sighed.
"You should calm down a bit." Maha said a little worriedly. "Even Lilin says that." He paused. "Speak of the devil."
"Hey Aran!" Lilin walked in, carrying a tray of tea. Her hair was full of snow."How's things?"
"Horrible. Look at all these." I muttered. "Hey, why'd you come here? There's a snowstorm outside, it's common sense to stay in your hut!" I stood up and wrapped my cloak around Lilin and brushed the snow off her hair.
"I was worried about you, so I came here to help." Lilin said innocently. She stretched out her hand and wriggled her fingers. "I'll help with the ones from Tru." I sighed and gave them over.
"Lilin's younger than you yet she's more mature, Aran." Maha teased.
"Is that so?" I asked in a syrupy sweet voice which I never used with Maha. "I REALLY appreciate your comment, MAHA!" I got up, grabbed my pole arm, and chased him round and round my hut. Lilin laughed.
"Stop fooling around..." she said. "You still have those." she pointed to the documents. I sighed, sat down and began reading.
And just like that, Valentine's afternoon passed by quickly. I chased Maha round and round the hut so many times my leg muscles cramped up. Lilin laughed so hard that actual tears ran down her face, even though she couldn't see Maha. That day, I realized that even spending time together with friends could mean a meaningful Valentine's day. It was a day I would cherish forever.