Cupid's Day Off.

‘Ugh!’ I grunted. ‘Another request. Does it ever end?’

My email pinged, letting me know that another mortal had made a wish. I already knew what it would contain – the emotional outpouring of some sad soul desperate for love. How finding ‘the one’ would make life complete...The gods gave me the role of matchmaker for their own amusement, not caring how draining it would be, and certainly not caring how stupid I felt wearing these baby-sized wings, and carrying that stupid child’s bow and arrow set! They found it funny. I found it degrading.

Well, I had had enough for one millennium: I was taking a day off! Shutting down my laptop, I strode to my wardrobe, made my wings disappear, turned my silly little cherub body into something more masculine (cue dark, smouldering eyes, and a chiselled jaw, complete with chin dimple), and pulled on some wide legged jeans, a plain black t-shirt, and a black jacket. Some shades and a pair of black shoes completed the look.

Mortals were apparently obsessed with coffee- that dark, strong smelling liquid that gave them a burst of energy, causing short term feelings of euphoria, and lessening the tiredness caused by the daily drudge of their weak little lives. As an immortal, I didn’t suffer such things, but I wanted to try this ‘coffee’ for myself.

The coffee bar on the next street was busy with humans sat in groups, or alone, all clutching large cups. Some spoke animatedly, and some sat staring at laptops. An interesting human, a woman, sat alone, reading. Her bright green hair and aura of independence intrigued me. I had a feeling this one never pinged my email.

With no idea on what to order, I flashed a smile at the server, saying, ‘What do you recommend?’

Her eyes widened, and she was unsurprisingly affected by my immortal energy.

‘Erm, maybe a cappuccino? With cinnamon? It’s my favourite,’ she blushed. Her dark, chocolate eyes glanced up at me again.

' Sounds good.' I let my gaze travel over her face, enjoying seeing the human's reaction to my otherworldly aura. Mortals weren't allowed to actually see Cupid and all his ridiculousness, thankfully, so today I could enjoy the enamoured gaze my temporary aethetics drew from a pretty human woman. My ego loved it.

I was intrigued by her skill as she expertly warmed milk in a metal jug, seeming to know when it was warm enough just by the touch of her palm against the vessel. She poured on the creamy liquid, and to my delight, created some sort of flower on the foam. A sprinkling of aromatic cinnamon indeed did seem fitting. I grinned, causing her to blush once more, and I strode to a low table near the window.

I took my seat with my new drink, glancing around at the animated humans, who most definitely were enjoying their experience. I took a sip of the creamy, dark liquid, letting the smoky flavours dance across my tongue. I felt a zap of something like immortal energy, and I decided there and then, I liked the black liquid, and perhaps I’d take more days off in the future.