Episode 23: Hershell and Luna go on a date
A few days after Anna's birthday, the fall season is coming, the trees outside Jerony's luxurious house were painted with vibrant oranges and reds.
The air was cooler, carrying the scent of pumpkin spice and the sound of leaves rustling underfoot.
At night, Hershell and Luna are preparing to go somewhere.
"Luna, I told you, right... Our dating night this time would be the best," Hershell whispered excitedly to his girlfriend.
"Okay... But, where we go this time, Hershell?" Luna's eyes sparkled with curiosity, her tail wagging as she watched Hershell's mischievous grin.
"I've booked a place in the restaurant near the Paws Paradise," Hershell said, his eyes shining with excitement. "It's a surprise, but I promise you'll love it."
"A real date? Just us?" Luna's eyes lit up.
"Yeah, baby... I've make sure the other puppies won't disturb us," Hershell nodded confidently, his tail wagging. "Now, let's go!"
Then, the two puppies walked out of the entrance gate and climbed into Jerony's Jeep Rubicon car. When sitting on the driver's seat, Hershell activates the pup drive mode. It's a special feature that Jerony installed for the puppies, it allows the puppies to drive the car by themselves.
The car engine roared to life, and Hershell carefully drives the car out of the garage and onto the street. Luna sat beside him, her nose pressed against the window, taking in the sights of the city as they drove.
The car ride was filled with sweet whispers of love and excitement as they shared their secret date night plans.
"Um, Hershell... Does Master know that we use his car?" Luna asked nervously, her ears flicking back and forth.
"He knows, don't worry... I tell him we're going for a mission," Hershell assured her, his paws steady on the steering wheel. "But it's just between us, okay?"
Luna nodded, her heart racing with excitement.
As they arrived at the restaurant, the warm glow of the lights spilled out onto the sidewalk, illuminating the colorful leaves scattered around the entrance. The smell of grilled steaks and baked bread wafted through the air, making Hershell's stomach rumble.
"Is this the restaurant we're going to?" Luna asked, her nose twitching with excitement as Hershell parked the car.
"Yes, it is," Hershell confirmed with a proud nod. "It's called 'Bone Appétit'... I've heard it's the best in town for dogs."
They stepped out of the car, and Hershell made sure to lock it with a button on his collar. The sound of the locks clicking shut echoed in the quiet night air. The restaurant's exterior was adorned with fake bones and paw prints, giving it a playful yet elegant touch. Hershell walked confidently beside Luna, his head held high as they approached the entrance.
The host, a well-groomed poodle in a tuxedo, greeted them with a nod.
"Welcome to Bone Appetit, agent Hershell and agent Luna," he said, his voice smooth and professional.
"Thanks... Please make sure my date with Luna will be perfect," Hershell whispered to the poodle host.
"Of course," the host replied, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he led them through the dimly lit restaurant. "Let's follow me to your table."
The inside of the restaurant was warm and cozy, with a fireplace crackling in the corner and soft jazz playing from hidden speakers. The tables were covered in white cloth, with gleaming silverware laid out neatly beside ceramic bowls filled with water.
The patrons in the restaurant are dogs in various races, they all chatting and laughing over their meals.
The poodle host led them to a table for two, set in a secluded corner with a view of the garden. It was decorated with a small bouquet of roses and a card that read "has been reserved for Hershell and Luna."
The sight made Luna's heart flutter, and she couldn't help but give Hershell a loving nudge.
"Wow, Hershell... You really outdid yourself," she murmured, her eyes shining with happiness.
Despite being the youngest of the gang, Hershell had managed to pull off a flawless surprise date for Luna.
They settled into their plush seats, their tails entwined under the table, as the poodle host handed them the menu.
"Thank you," Hershell said, taking a deep breath to contain his excitement.
He had been planning this for weeks, making sure every detail was perfect.
"What's the special for tonight?" Luna asked, her eyes scanning the menu. "Fido's Filet Mignon?!?? I never heard of it!"
"It was our best menu in this season," the poodle host replied with a smile. "But if you prefer something else, please let me know... Our chef is quite flexible for our four-legged guests."
Hershell staring the menu, his eyes widening at the variety of gourmet dishes.
"I'll have the Fido's Filet Mignon with a side of sweet potato fries, and for dessert, the Puppy's Delight," he announced, his tail wagging with excitement.
Luna's eyes lit up.
"The same for me, please," she said, leaning in closer to Hershell.
The poodle host nodded and took the menus before disappearing into the kitchen.
But not long after, a female puppy came the waiter, and once they heard the voice of the waiter, they recognized her, "this is your drinks, sir and madam."
"W-wait... S... Svara?!?? You work here?" Luna's eyes bulged with shock as the dalmatian mix chocolate labrador puppy set down their drinks, a knowing smile on her face.
"Svara!!?!?!" Hershell shocked, his eyes widened as he saw one of The Pups Gang puppy was here.
"Yeah, why... I was really working here... Don't think that I sneaked here and pretended to be your waiter so I could spying on your date, guys," Svara said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
But apparently, several tables adrift from Hershell's table, the puppies of The Pups Gang were also in the restaurant.
They secretly also visited the restaurant so they could spy on Hershell and Luna's date. They were hidden behind the menu, peeking from the corner of their eyes and trying to stifle their giggles.
"Not in vain Svara works in this restaurant, right?" Anna whispered into Maxtone's ear, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she watched Hershell and Luna from a nearby booth.
"Yeah you're right, Anna," Maxtone chuckled, his tail thumping against the seat. "We are the spy puppies and our job is to... Well, spy!"
"But we won't ruin the fun," Seca added with a wink. "We're just here to make sure everything goes smoothly, like a real covert operation."
Meanwhile, Hershell and Luna were trying to play it cool.
"Okay Svara," Luna managed, her ears folding back slightly in embarrassment. "You can be our waiter, but don't tell anyone, okay?"
Svara giggled and nodded.
"Your secret's safe with me," she promised before trotting away to the kitchen to place their order.
A few minutes later, Svara returned with a tray of steaming hot dishes. She placed them on the table with a flourish, her tail wagging.
"Bon Appétit," she said with a grin.
"Thank you, Svara," Hershell said, trying to keep his cool as he eyed the delicious food.
Luna's eyes were glued to the steak in front of her, her mouth watering.
As they began to eat, Hershell noticed a strange device on Svara's collar. It looked like a tiny camera.
His ears perked up, and he swallowed his mouthful of food, "is that...?"
"Don't worry, Hershell... It's from my manager, he... He gave me and all the waiters to wear it for... For..." Svara stuttered, trying to come up with a cover story.
"For what?!??" Hershell's eyes grew wide with suspicion as he stared at the device on Svara's collar.
"For... For... For quality control purposes," Svara improvised quickly, her eyes darting around the room nervously. "Yeah, that's it! It's to make sure we're serving the food properly!"
Meanwhile, in the other side, Anna and the rest of The Pups Gang couldn't help but burst into a silent laughter behind their menus, their eyes gleaming with amusement.
"I think Svara still doesn't know how to improvisation," Maxtone whispered to them.
As the night progressed, Hershell and Luna enjoyed their meal, sharing bites of their food and whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears. The Pups Gang watched from afar, their tails wagging in approval.
They had make sure that they didn't ordered any foods so they could hiding and spying without arousing suspicion.
"Guys... Are you think you doesn't feel hungry, we just seeing the menus but we didn't even order anything since come to here," Seca whispered to the group as he watched Hershell and Luna devour their food.
"Don't worry... After Hershell and Luna left, we'll order," Anna whispered back, her eyes never leaving the couple. "But for now, we stay here and keep an eye on them."
The Pups Gang nodded in agreement, continuing to watch the romantic dinner unfold. As Hershell and Luna shared the last bite of the Puppy's Delight, a dessert made of peanut butter and chocolate chips, they couldn't help but feel a bit envious of the young lovebirds.
Maxtone leaned in closer to Seca, his eyes still on the couple.
"Do you think they know we're here?" he whispered, his fur brushing against the Dalmatian's ear.
"Um... No, I guess not... Even, Svara also doesn't know we're here too" Seca whispered back, his voice barely audible over the soft jazz playing in the background. "But we have to make sure everything is perfect for them."
Finally, as Hershell and Luna finished their meal and left a generous tip for Svara, The Pups Gang take a deep breath and put the menus they've been holding for almost an hour to the side, signaling the end of their covert operation.
They couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as they watched the happy couple trot out of the restaurant, tails wagging.
"Okay, they have left... What if we order a food, I treat it," Maxtone whispered to the group, his stomach growling.
Anna nodded with a smile.
"Good idea, we've been here for quite a while, I feel hungry now" she said, and the group of spy puppies put their secret mission aside for the night.
"Svara... Come over here!!!" Anna called out softly, waving her paw.
Surprised because she heard someone called her name, Svara then dashed towards the gang and she shocked to see them.
"Guys... What the... How could... I didn't even know that you-all are here too!" Svara stuttered in surprise as she approached their booth, her eyes darting between the puppies.
"We had to make sure that the youngest of us doesn't get into trouble... Right, baby?" Maxtone gave a cheeky grin to his girlfriend.
"Hmph..." Svara rolled her eyes playfully, but her tail wagged. "Fine, then... What do you want to order, guys?"
The Pups Gang looked over the menu, their stomachs growling in anticipation. They decided to go for the same meal that Hershell and Luna had, the Fido's Filet Mignon with sweet potato fries.
Meanwhile, on the streets of Adventure City which is still crowded at night, Hershell drove the jeep Rubicon at medium speed. Luna, at that time, she sat next to him, holding his paw and whispering sweet words.
The wind from the open window tickled their fur, carrying with it the scent of fall and the occasional whiff of something delicious from a nearby food stand.
"Maybe that's what explains why for few weeks lately... Svara is always not at home at night," Hershell murmured to Luna.
"Yeah... I really didn't expect, Svara to be working there," Luna agreed, her voice filled with amusement. "But she did a great job keeping it a secret... But where we will going to go now, Hershell?!?? Are we going home now?"
"No, honey... Now, I would like to take you to the beach," Hershell said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"We will going to the beach in the night?!?!! But, why, Hershell?" Luna asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
Hershell leaned closer to her, whispering, "It's our secret spot, where we can watch the stars and talk without any interruptions."
His voice was filled with excitement.
The beach was a short drive from the restaurant, and as they arrived, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft silver light across the sand and the gently lapping waves.
The salty breeze filled their nostrils, and the distant sound of the ocean sang them a lullaby. Hershell helped Luna out of the car, and they padded their way down to the shoreline.
"Wow, it's so beautiful here," Luna whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
The beach was deserted, and the sound of their paws sinking into the cold sand was the only noise that broke the serene silence.
"Yeah... What I said, I knew you'd love it," Hershell said, his chest puffed up with pride.
He had been planning this moment for weeks, ever since he heard about Luna's love for stargazing.
"We can sit here," he suggested, pointing to a cozy spot where a blanket and a picnic basket were neatly laid out.
The two puppies settled down on the blanket, the cool sand beneath them a stark contrast to the warmth of their bodies. Hershell opened the basket to reveal chew toys, doggy treats, and a flask of hot chocolate. Luna's eyes sparkled as she took in the thoughtfulness of her date.
They both took a sip from the flask, the warm liquid soothing their throats after the delicious dinner.
"This is amazing, Hershell," Luna said, her eyes never leaving the twinkling stars above them. "Thank you for this perfect night."
"Yeah... Huuhhh... Honestly, I want to say this since a long time... Luna... Will you marry me one day?" Hershell looked into her eyes, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Are you kidding me?!?? Do you think I was really loves you that much?!" Luna's eyes went wide with shock, her tail stiffening as she stared at Hershell, who had just popped the question with a hopeful look on his face.
"Then, that's mean?!??" Hershell's hopeful expression was replaced with one of confusion and a hint of sadness.
"Do you want to know my answer?!?? My answer is," Luna took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hershell's heart skipped a beat as he waited for Luna's response. The waves crashed rhythmically in the background, the only sound filling the tense silence between them. Luna looked into his eyes, her own filled with a mix of surprise and affection.
"My answer is... Of course, I will, Hershell!" Luna exclaimed, her tail wagging furiously as she threw her paws around his neck.
Hearing that, Hershell's eyes lit up brighter than the stars above.
"Really, Luna?!" he squealed with joy, his tail wagging so fast it was practically a blur. "You mean it?!"
"Yeah, but not now or next week, next month or even next year," Luna chuckled, nuzzling closer to Hershell. "But I promise you, Hershell... One day, when we're both ready and when the timing is right, we'll tie the knot."
Hershell couldn't believe his ears. He had always hoped for this moment, but hearing it from Luna made it feel like a dream come true.
"You really mean it, don't you?" he whispered, his heart racing.
Luna nodded, her eyes serious despite the playful grin on her face.
"I do," she said firmly. "But then... How many puppies do you want from me after we get married?"
Hershell's eyes went wide with excitement.
"I'm always dreamed to have at least five puppies with you, Luna," he said, his tail wagging even more. "But, it's not only about the number, it's about how happy we'll be together."
Luna chuckled and licked his nose.
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out when the time comes," she assured him.
The two of them sat there, their tails entwined, basking in the glow of their newfound commitment. They talked about their future, their dreams, and the adventures they'd share together. The stars above twinkled like diamonds scattered across the dark blue sky, and the gentle sound of the waves created a soothing symphony that serenaded their whispers.
But apparently, the other puppies still following them from the restaurant to the beach. They were hiding behind the dunes, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they watched the romantic proposal from a safe distance.
"Do you hear that, guys?" Seca whispered, his pointed ears swiveling to pick up the distant sound of waves. "Hershell and Luna would married, and they're already planning puppies!"
The other puppies looked at each other, their expressions a mix of shock and joy.
"Wow, that's big news," Anna murmured, her bicolor eyes shining with happiness for her younger siblings.
Maxtone nudged Seca playfully.
"Looks like we're going to be uncles soon, Seca," he whispered with a chuckle.
"Or aunts," Lynna added, her voice coming from the communication device attached to her pup-tag.
"This is going to be amazing!" Seca exclaimed, his clumsiness forgotten for the moment. "We have to throw them the best wedding ever!"
Maxtone nodded solemnly.
"But for now, let's keep this to ourselves," he said. "They deserve some privacy."
The rest of The Pups Gang agreed, their eyes shining with happiness for their friends. They watched from afar as Hershell and Luna continued their romantic conversation under the stars.
It was a moment of pure joy, unmarred by the chaos of their usual spy missions.
