You Are Cupid

It's a sunny Saturday at the park.

The pathways are bustling. Families stroll along. Joggers and cyclists weave through the crowds. Children chase each other around playgrounds. People gather on picnic blankets. A group practices yoga on a grassy knoll. A street musician plays upbeat melodies on a guitar. A game of pickup basketball draws an audience of cheering onlookers. People read under the shade of trees, or simply relax and soak up the sunlight. And dozens and dozens more.

You shoot a love arrow at a squirrel, while mentally targeting a huge doberman happily jogging next to its owner. The squirrel sprints towards the dog and climbs it, holding on to the huge dog's neck with a demeanor that somehow seems pleased. The dog just seems confused.

You chuckle, and recheck your quiver's ammunition. Love, hate, and lust arrows. Also clear arrows, just in case things get a bit out of control.

It's a Friday night at the shoreline.

The rhythmic crash of waves mingles with the sounds of music and laughter.

On the boardwalk, groups celebrate the start of the weekend on the open fronts of restaurants and bars. People stroll arm-in-arm through the festivities. The arcades buzz with flashing lights and electronic beeps. Queues form up in front of food stalls, catering to those with late-night cravings. Groups of friends gather around bonfires further down the beach. Couples walk hand-in-hand along the swash, the water washing away their footprints. The occasional person lays on the sand, passed out from exhaustion or alcohol. And dozens and dozens more.

You fire a love arrow at a waiter, while mentally targeting the lobster he is grabbing from an outdoor fish tank. The waiter raises the lobster to eye level and looks at it with adoring eyes. The lobster remains unfazed.

You chuckle, and recheck your quiver's ammunition. Love, hate, and lust arrows. Also clear arrows, just in case things get a bit out of control.

It's a Monday night in the city.

The lights of the city illuminate the ground on the streets, with only the occasional alley being cast in shadow.

Most apartment windows are dark, indicating people are asleep. Some still show the soft light of a lamp or a screen. Office buildings hold a few late workers. Hospitals remain active, with nurses and doctors moving through softly lit corridors. Some diners and convenience stores serve the last of the night's customers. Late-night bars still have patrons in mostly quiet conversation. Only a few people are on the street. Maybe some are walking home, or a delivery driver is passing by, or the occasional person stands around, possibly engaged in some illicit activity.

You fire a love arrow at a cat, while mentally targeting the rat it is holding between its claws with a malicious glee in its eyes. The cat's demeanor changes, and it starts affectionately licking the rat. The rat remains just as scared as before.

You chuckle, and recheck your quiver's ammunition. Love, hate, and lust arrows. Also clear arrows, just in case things get a bit out of control.