Louis's hands were clasped tightly in his lap, refusing to let the cameras see his frustration. The red deer grew tired of these press junctions. Reporters always asked the same questions. He thought snidely.
"As I have previously stated," The deer's bravado voice vibrated across the room. "The portal of interspecies relations in the media is downright unbelievable. Carnivores and herbivores have lived in harmony for centuries. Yet, each year, hate campaigns smear the carnivore population. Subsequently causing hate crimes to rise amongst participants in interspecies relations. It is heartbreaking, speaking to all of you, knowing damn well the downfall of the Shishigumi and the black market benefited each and every one of you, monetarily or otherwise. Seeing the sensationalist headlines day after day is despicable. Two legal, consenting, animals should be able to participate in whatever relationship they choose."
The cameras flashing filled the silence after his scolding. Louis audibly sighed when a small rodent yelled from the first row. "Hiroto Fieldmouse, Economy Today," The mouse shouted, standing on top of his chair, identifying himself. "Mr. Reddeer, with all due respect, the downfall of the black market was, of course, an amazing feat. The amount of predatory offenses per year against herbivores, however, has only risen since its demolition. Wouldn't you say it was possible for a carnivore to lure an herbivore under the guise of marriage when ultimately planning their demise?" Louis scoffed, offended. "Do you hear yourself?" he sarcastically laughed. "If I understand you correctly, you're asking me, are all carnivores who engage in relations with herbivores murderers? There are carnivores in this very room. Have you no shame?" The rodent reporter didn't respond.
A female voice from farther in the crowd took his place in the line of questioning. "Aya Fox, Animal Magazine. Mr. Reddeer are you suggesting that interspecies relationships don't cause a strain on the family dynamic?" Louis's eyes widened, dumbfounded by the Fox's ignorance. "Strain on the family dynamic?" He asked, repeating her in a semi-mocking tone. "As an herbivore who is soon to wed a carnivore I am deeply offended." The room gasped in unison. As long as Louis had been working with the mayor's office, he had never revealed anything about his personal life to the public. He feared the social circumstances of the actions from his youth but also worried the world would find out about his dear friend Legoshi. Louis bit the inside of his cheeks and rose from his chair, fists balled. The clicks and flashes from the cameras gained momentum. Papers had a higher chance of selling if they captured an unflattering photo of the high-ranking deer. Without formally calling a recess, Louis walked off stage, ignoring all the reporters yelling questions over each other.
Behind a small red curtain, a Dall sheep with large curved horns was waiting, holding a coffee cup in one hand and a clipboard under his arm. Louis ignored his assistant and headed for the back exit door. "Wow sir, brave of you to mention Juno like that. I bet those reporters weren't expecting that." the sheep chimed, trying to keep pace with the red deer. Louis faced forward, eyes locked on the exit. "Pina quit brown-nosing," he muttered. "Call Juno and tell her a storm is brewing." He said before pushing the door open. A hive of reporters and camera operators quickly surrounded the open door. The questions they asked swirled together, not making any sense unless focused on. Louis stared straight ahead, locking eyes with a waiting limo. Pina danced ahead of the noble deer to open the passenger door. Without another word, Louis climbed in. When the door closed the vehicle sped away.
When it was a safe distance to do so, Louis grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a glass for the limo's bar. He sipped his drink quietly, and blankly stared out the window, pained he had let a reporter win. Louis never liked to open up about his love life. Juno and his relationship tended to be on the more dramatic side. After years of fighting, breaking up, and then getting back together again, Louis spontaneously popped the question. The pair had been engaged for mere weeks, and Louis secretly feared his unprompted reveal would cause yet another strain on their already tumultuous relationship.
Louis entered their home in a hurry. Although he'd chosen an abode in a secluded well-off subdivision, he couldn't help but feel anxiety from being in the world outside. Louis slammed the door with a huff. When he turned, his eyes fell upon his beautiful partner. Juno, a tall, slender, gray wolf, was finishing setting the dining room table. She liked the routine of preparing a proper meal for her husband when he arrived home, this evening was like any other. Juno leaned over the table to light two candlesticks in the middle of her spread. "Hi honey," she greeted, shaking the lit match in her fingers to snuff it. Louis sighed "Hi honey," he said in a defeated tone. Juno scurried to his side and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. "Dinner is almost done if you'd like to take a seat." She murmured in his ear before kissing him on the cheek and departing to the kitchen. Louis trudged to his usual chair and hung his head in his palms.
"I'm so tired of idiotic reporters." He said, more to himself. Juno appeared out of the kitchen with a large salad bowl and was at his side in a flash. "I know, Pina told me." She affirmed while scooping salad onto Louis's plate. "At least we don't have to pretend anymore." She said, walking over to the chair across from him. "That's not the point!" Louis shot back, lowering his arms to make eye contact. "They all write nothing but gossip and garbage. I'm only the messenger, yet they will do anything to defame me and the mayor's office." He spat out, then shoved a mouthful of spinach in his mouth. The taste caused Louis to relax. He allowed his lids to flutter closed as he chewed the salad. "Do you like it?" Juno cheered, already knowing the answer. "Haru sent me the recipe! It's a spinach salad topped with a homemade mustard dressing, with toasted almonds and dried cranberries." Louis continued to chew but nodded at his fiancé. Anything she made was always delicious. "Speaking of," Juno started, hoping to change the topic "I wanted to ask you about the engagement party?" Louis rolled his eyes, exhausted from her incessant planning. "I'm happy with anything you choose." He said before taking another bite. Juno refused to let him worm his way out of the conversation. "That may be true, but you're the one who suggested such a formal occasion. How am I supposed to make small talk with the sea ambassador?" Juno waited for Louis to finish the food in his mouth before continuing. "These are your colleagues, so I'd appreciate some feedback. Louis stared at his plate, searching for the words to get him out of this. "I understand many important animals are coming to our party," He started. Louis looked up to face his soon-to-be wife. "But I'm just as happy to not have such an occasion and spend the night in. After all, we're the ones getting married. I've yet to enjoy it." Juno gasped and clenched her jaw shut. Louis's eyes widened, realizing what he had set. "No, Juno, that's not what I meant." The damage was already done. Juno threw the cloth napkin from her lap onto the table and began to storm toward the bedroom. "You aren't sleeping with me tonight." She called over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway. "Baby-" Louie tried. His words fell on deaf ears as he was met with a large bang of the door slamming. Louie hung his head in defeat, not looking forward to the lonely night on the couch.