FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Glen watched the displacer cat blink out of existence before taking to the air. Lifting higher he flew south and followed the directions of the advisor toward city Hall. Soon he was gliding between buildings on either side of the streets. Those below scampered toward cover as he passed. He would have smiled if only his face allowed.

*Ah, there you are* Robert sent.

At the sending Glen knew just where the displacer cat was. His eyes found him a moment later. The cat stood on a terrace with a large number of people around him. There was a wide area left open to the side and deciding to show off a little Glen came in fast and banking tightly just above the deck landed lightly. As he folded his wings on his back Glen looked over the people gathered.

*Showoff* Robert's sending was full of humor. He had Jumped ahead and had brought Paul Kensington with him. While they'd waited for the dragon Paul had gone inside to let the council know he was back and those they wished to talk with were waiting. Watching Glen walk closer he could see the few signs that the dragon gave off showing his amusement. It was mostly in the way his head smugly tilted side to side as he walked.

Glen came up to the cat and plopped his rump down next to him and looked him in the eye. He attempted to send just his feeling of amused humor to the displacer.

Robert shook his head and laughed. "I'm glad you have a sense of humor."

The dragon blew a smoke ring over his head and rumbled his humor.

Half a minute later Robert sensed the buzz of gryphon wing coming nearer. He didn't turn his head to give her away but tracked her progress with the sensory abilities his tentacles provided. He hardly needed to focus on her approach. The deep sonar frequency sound spot of her approach was the loudest thing in the sky. She took to landing in a tree just outside the terrace.

*Glad you could make it* he sent.

*I'm just here to listen. Like you, no promises.*

A few minutes later four people joined them. Introductions were made and after a brief period of the humans staring at the two on display Alonso Kennrick explained the council's idea.

In short they wanted help. Many had seen Glen's work in quenching the blaze of Harbor Island as one had put it. They appreciated his effort enough that they wished him to do more. There were several more fires at a distance from the city. It was proposed that they do it with authorization from the council. They'd be legitimate. They'd have the backing of government so long as they followed certain guidelines. Considering the city was currently under Martial Law those guidelines and limits were expanded far more than normal.

Robert had doubts about them backing them, but was still interested in trying to help. He'd seen some of what had happened the night before. When he passed on Glen's question about specifics they found what the city council was really interested in.

Glen was asked to head to Tacoma where several more petrochemical fires were still raging. Robert was to help the police in apprehending looters and arsonists.

"Really?" Robert replied. "After the reaction I just got from one of your hand picked cops sent to contact us?"

Paul answered. "You'll be working with someone a bit more accepting."

*Does anyone else see this?* Glen sent to Robert.

Robert followed the dragon's gaze and saw a spot of light moving on the fabric of a deck umbrella. As he watched the light circle and spin about he realized it had to be someone aiming the light to get their attention. After considering the position and tilt of the umbrella he looked to the street scanning anyone making an obvious show. Others had noticed as well. Soon they were all looking for the source of the light.

It became obvious when one of the pedestrians across the street raised a hand and waved to get their attention. Robert saw she had a large duffle bag hanging from her shoulder and a walking stick tucked under an arm and pointed in their direction. To speed things along Robert Jumped to a few feet from the woman.

"Hello." He said and smiled when she almost jumped out of her shoes in her surprise. "Sorry, but you wanted to get someone's attention?"

"Um, yes. I thought you might need my help." She said.

He held out a paw and said "Robert Cotten, you are?"

She looked at his outstretched arm and the paw on offer and after a second shook his paw. "Shelby Rostcourt, and since yesterday I can use magic."

Robert felt his tendrils rise in surprise. "Really? Thats interesting. Uh, mind if I touch you with one of these?" He asked raising a tentacle between them. As she stared at it he added "It'll speed things along. We wouldn't have to explain ourselves to get past the police."

"Um, okay. Seems like there's going to be a lot of new things to get used to." Shelby said watching he tentacle move behind her and gently grip around her middle. It felt to her like someone cinching a thick cable around her torso. She put a hand on the tentacle just before Robert Jumped.

She blinked at the change of perspective. "Thats, I expected something, but, well, its almost disappointing." She said as she stroked along Robert's tentacle as he released her. The surface was soft and smooth, but unyielding from the thick muscle that made up the tentacle.

Chuckling he said "You were expecting flashing lights or something?"

"I didn't expect not being able to feel anything." She replied letting her hand fall away.

They were right next to Glen. Shelby looked at the dragon examining him with curiosity and an eager smile on her face.

*I like her* Anna sent. From her position in the tree she could see everything.

*Thats because you're not outnumbered any more* Glen sent.

*There's that too*

Robert said "Everyone, meet Shelby Rostcourt, it seems can use magic. She thinks she might be of help." Turning to Shelby he added "Shelby, everyone. Honestly, I can remember everyone's name so they can introduce themselves."

Paul said "Actually, this might be a good time to go inside. There we can discuss things in more detail."

Robert sent to Anna *Last chance. Any change of mind?*

*Okay, I'll come along just to listen*

"One more thing." Robert said. "We have one more," he said and turned to the tree Anna was in. "that's your cue."

He watched the gryphon fly out of the tree and zip to right in front of him and land lightly on the deck between the dragon and cat. She faced the five humans and sat on her rump. This was the closest she'd yet come to Robert. Seeing her this close he thought she was beautiful in a predatory way. Her wings while small were colored like those of a hawk. So too was the beak that sprouted from her face. A mix of hawk and perhaps cougar Anna made him wonder at who or what was in charge of all the changes taking place.

As they walked inside he also wondered at her method of flying. He'd seen hummingbirds. They had such short bodies that their wings could readily support then in a horizontal orientation. Anna flew in a horizontal orientation as well, but with the size of her wings he thought there had to be something more. Her hind body was far too long to be properly supported by just her wings when she hovered, and she hovered a lot.