The New York City lights combined with the stars from the summer night sky, making the big city shine like a beautiful jewel. A blanket was spread out atop of a city skyscraper. Raphael and Mona Lisa were lying together side by side, participating in one of their favorite hobbies, star gazing. Admiring the breathtaking view is Raphael's favorite part, and the starry night sky gives Mona Lisa a taste of home. The couple was quiet. Nothing but their gentle breathing, and the sound of the city."It's beautiful tonight," Raph said, breaking their silence.

"I agree," said Mona "There are so many stars out tonight. The sky is so clear, I can even see the Third Moon of Thalos from here."

"The what?"

Mona giggled, "That's the ice planet where we first met."

"Oh yeah, one of the only good things that happened to me when I was in space." Raph looks at Mona and winks at her. She giggles.

Raph wonders, "So, how are you able to tell which planet is which?"

"I used to study constellations and planet locations in my spare time back on my home planet." 

"Wow...Do you see any other planets?"

"I can see Salamandria." Mona says as she points to the night sky, "It's that little light blue star, right there."

"Mona?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Do you ever miss your home?"

She shrugs, "Sometimes, but I've been on Earth for so long now. Bonded with your friends and family. There are times I forget about Salamandria. I feel at home here. Your planet is so much more different from mine. It's strange to me, but I enjoy it."

"Strange? Like how?"

"The stars, for example," she says as she lifts herself up. She sits up as she continues, "They look so different here compared to the view on my planet. It was hard for me to identify the constellations for a while, but I think that is my favorite thing about Earth. I love how different your planet is compared to mine."

Raph joins Mona and sits by her side. He looks at his girlfriend and gives her his iconic smirk that she loves so much.

"I always thought I was your favorite thing about Earth," he teases.

Mona giggles, "You are, my love. I just admire the view. It's breathtaking."

"Yeah, it is. I remember when my brothers and I first came up to the surface. We were so amazed by the city with the lights and the open space, there were times we didn't want to go back to the sewers." Raph takes a slow breath, "God, it feels like a century since that happened."

Mona places her hand on Raph's shoulder, "That must have been awful, being isolated underground your whole life."

"Nah, it wasn't that bad. Besides the shitty smell, it was fine. You get used to it after a while. And besides, we had each other and we found ways to pass the time, like training or playing old video games that we found."

The couple stayed silent again, returning to watch the sky.

Raph looked at the Salamandrian as she sat next to him watching the stars. Her yellow eyes, sparkling brighter than the northern star, made his heart beat fast. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have a woman like her in his life. His life was perfect with her and he didn't want that to change.

"I must say, Raphael," said Mona, continuing the conversation, "your planet is so fascinating with its customs and traditions."

Raph looks at his girlfriend, "Like how?"

"Your holidays for instance." She says "Having a celebration about an overweight gentleman in red clothing that gives you gifts, or how one night a year you demand to have complete strangers give you candy by scaring them."

Raphs chuckles at her comment, "You seem to like those holidays when we celebrate them with our friends."

"Oh yes, I do. They are very enjoyable, but they have strange concepts."

Raph shrugged, "Yeah, I'll agree with you on that."

Mona continued, "But the one thing that caught my interest is the event that happened between a couple I saw earlier today."

He looks at her confused, "What event?"

"You didn't notice the male give that gift to his partner? It caught my attention."

Raph slowly shakes his head, giving Mona a confused look.

"He gave her a piece of jewelry for her finger. The two seemed to make a big deal about it -- even the people around them were overjoyed, which is strange because when you gave me that pink scarf, no one seemed to be that happy. Then he asked her to 'marry him'. This action surprised me..."

"Oh, I know what your talking about. The guy was proposing to his girlfriend. It is something you do on earth if you want to get married."

Mona slightly tilts her head in confusion, "Married? What's that? Is it like a duel?"

"What? No-"

"Did that man not challenge his love to a battle?"

"No, he didn't."

"Then what is it?"

Raph could tell Mona was getting more annoyed and confused with this topic. Has she not seen a proposal before? She did say her planet was different from his.

"Mona, do you... not know what marriage is?" Raph asked.

"Such a term does not exist on my planet."

"Then how does... umm... dating work on your planet?" Raph asked, being unsure with how to phrase his question.

Mona was confused to why Raphael was asking her a question about relationships all of a sudden. Even he seemed unsure with the question. She paused for a moment to think over her answer then looked at Raph, "Well, to start, the term 'dating' is uncommon. You don't have boyfriends or girlfriends, like how we label each other on your planet, you get chosen for a suitor."

"So it's like a match making deal?"

"If that's how you put it, then yes. You're 'match made' with who they believe would be your perfect mate. That's how my parents met."

"Did...Did you have a suitor?" Raph asked cautiously.

"....Yes. Three."

"Three?!"

Mona noticed the shock and slight disappointment in his eyes and quickly stated,

"But they never lasted! I wanted something similar to what my parents had and none of them offered me that. G'throkka always told me they had a beautiful romance full of trust and equality, which is rare since most of the time when two salamandrains are match up they treat it as a business deal. But my parents truly loved each other."

"I thought Sal was your father?"

Mona laughs at Raph's confusion "No, Raphael. He's not. He was more of a mentor and a guardian for me."

"If you don't mind me asking," Raph said "W-what happened to your parents?"

At that moment Mona's smile disappears. "I guess I never did tell you about them, haven't I?" She looks down and closes her eyes. She took a deep breath. She opened her eyes and said, strongly holding back tears "They were killed in a battle against the Triceratons."

Raph notice his girlfriend's pain. He brings Mona Lisa into his arms and gently hugs her.

A few tears began to flow down her cheek "I-I was a child when it happened..."

"...I'm sorry..." he said softly, regretting asking the question.

"Don't be." Wiping away her tears she continues, "After their passing, G'throkka took me in and raised me as his own. He was the one who trained my parents, so he decided to train me as well. As you know, I joined the military and as time passed I eventually became his lieutenant," Raph stayed quiet and let the lieutenant continued. "When my suitors left, G'throkka said I was 'too intimidating' and 'too independent' for them or how I didn't fit the males' idea for a perfect mate." She slightly chuckles. "I guess you could say I scared my suitors away."

Raph place his hand on her cheek and looked her in the eyes, "Well, I think you're perfect. You're confident, beautiful, and you kick ass in a fight." Raph's comment makes Mona Lisa giggle as her cheeks begin to turn a blush red. He continues, "No other woman can match up to you. You are my idea for a perfect mate."

Mona's heart felt as if it was about to burst from her chest. She's not used to him saying such sweet things to her. At that moment, he pulled her to him, their noses touch, and soon the turtle and salamander share a quick soft kiss. They part and smile at one another.

"Raphael, may I ask you something?" She says softly.

"Yeah, Mona?"

"I'm still confused. This 'marriage' concept that goes on between two humans on your planet, what's its purpose?"

Raph's face begins to blush. Unsure on how to answer Mona's question.

"Well... marriage on my planet is a... I guess you could say a tradition for people who are in love. It's when two people who love each other very much decide to commit to their relationship. Officially-"

"So it's similar to finding your perfect mate?" Mona asks quickly, interrupting Raph.

"Um, yeah. If that how you want to put it. Getting married is like a sign that a couple trusts each other, respects one another, cares for the other, and, well, truly love each other."

"I see. If that's want that couple wants to do then I'm happy for them." Mona says smiling as she lifts her head up proudly.

Raph smiles "Yeah, I'm happy for them to, even though I don't know them..."

Mona looks at Raph "Marriage sounds wonderful."

Raph shrugs, "I guess it is."

Raph lies back on the blanket on top of the roof's concrete ground. Mona joins him with her head resting on his plastron. His left arm was wrapped around her waist as the other rests behind his head. They continue watching the stars once again, seeing them sparkle above them. Despite the somewhat obnoxious sounds of the city, being in each other's company made it truly a peaceful night for the couple.

"Raphael?" Mona says while still resting on her boyfriend's chest, "May I ask you one more question?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Still looking at the stars in the night sky, Mona asks "Are we married?"