FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

About half an hour later, we've arrived at our stop, after I made sure to leave Penn a message regarding my change of plans. I'm not surprised I've never seen this pub. It's pretty deep into the city, though it stands out a lot once you're here, and it's barely even a walk from the nearby bus stop. The building's construction looks pretty old, but it's been well-maintained on the outside. I'll soon see if that remains true for the interior.

I can't get ahold of Kylie just yet. It seems like she leads the pack on these ventures, so she's way up front. As we head inside, I'm... honestly surprised at how new it all looks. Hardwood floors, fresh tablecloths save for a mess or two that seem too recent to have dealt with yet, and the decor makes it all feel so cozy. As we're gathered in the front, some of the girls split into groups to wait for a table seat, but I'm not sure where to call my own. Kylie has her own crowd here, Charlotte doesn't seem far behind, and Jill... well, Jill's off in another world. I can't tell if she's about to faint from anxiety or burst with excitement. I must admit, I didn't expect this is what I was missing. I know I put off coming here with Kylie for a long time, but-

"Finally showed up, did you?" I... me? Before I can figure out who said that to respond to them, a familiar voice calls out, getting closer.

"Hey hey, Clover! Dragged yourself outta your cave to come see me, eh?" Kylie's friend, then? Let's see here... ah, there they are. Clover seems to have a seat at the bar, judging by the ajar chair and the plate of... some sort of dessert bars? I can't tell from here. While she's distracted trading snark with Kylie, I work to commit her to memory. Feline, with cream-colored fur and gray accents, including a couple of stripes on each side of her face and the tip of her tail, which is carefully swaying around in a curling motion every so often. Dark brown eyes. Her ears are folded down, which I'd take for annoyance, but I can see them twitch and move around while keeping that pose; are hers just always like that? She's more casual about this than we are, I think, considering she came in a gray hoodie, a light-blue t-shirt with some decal I don't recognize- an old show, maybe???- and jeans. Her hair, though... goodness, her hair is a pale blonde that nearly matches her fur, and it reaches well down her back. It's well-kept, too, despite the length. Maybe I was a bit quick to judge how seriously she was taking tonight.

"...and I keep telling you, Ky, I'm a night prowler. You'd have better luck trying to do my job than pulling me away from it and outside during daylight hours."

"C'mon, a little sun'd do you some good, ya vampire! Getting to set your own hours, only slavin' away in your basement when ya feel like it, and you just wanna keep that fresh air waiting 'til it's freezin' out?" ...wait, what does she do for a living? Hm.

"Damn right, short stuff." This sets both of them off laughing, and Kylie gives a friendly shove at her before heading back to the rest of the groups, since it seems there's space for us now. Clover takes her seat again and checks something on her phone before getting back to picking at the sweets. That didn't really answer my question of who I should sit with, though. ...or, did it?

Kylie is familiar enough with this person that they're able to take jabs at each other freely, with no hard feelings. On top of that, there'd be no awkward baggage from work or the authority of being someone's manager getting in the way. I... can't say I'm familiar with her type, if there is such a thing, but tonight is for meeting people. I decided that on the way here. So it couldn't hurt if I just...

"E-Excuse me? Clover, right? I'm Bonnie." She glances over at me, turning a bit to size me up. After a moment of her looking a bit confused, a smirk makes itself apparent.

"Ohhhh, so you'd be the 'Bone' Ky keeps telling me about?" Dammit, Kylie, her too? I catch myself blushing a bit, but shrug it off.

"Well, yes, I suppose. You've heard good things, I hope?"

"Mostly things like 'You'll never believe this pie she made, I thought I'd been run over and went to heaven' or 'She did the most adorable thing for their anniversary, Clover, it was so frickin' precious,' but yes." I don't think I could imagine the look on her face being any more smug, and the comments certainly aren't helping my blush. ...tail, keep it together, this'll just be worse if she seeeeeeees-

"Well! G-Good things, I guess. That's good. Really good. Um, do you- do you mind if I sit here? I'm a bit new to this whole thing the office girls go to, and there's just no clue as to where to sit, and Kylie knows you well and apparently you know ME better than I thought and-"

"Eaaaasy there, big gal. I don't bite. ...hard." She chuckles to herself on that one, and I find myself giggling a bit too. What am I laughing for? I guess I feel better, though.

"Anyways, take a seat. Loosen up a little. I've only got a couple juicy stories on you, anyway, so we might as well talk them out, yeah? Hell, you could do with a drink if you think it'd help. See where the night takes you?"

I nod, and take my seat next to her. Up close, I think I can get a better look at what's on her plate. Stripes of white, some shimmering red, and a grainy brown... some kind of cheesecake bar?

"So... can I ask what you're having? I've been curious since we came in."

"Starting with a softball, huh?" She turns over a half-eaten one in her hand, showing off the varying shades of glistening red stripes embedded throughout the creamy base, especially on the bitten side.

"Well, it's a bit of a house special. Base of cream cheese, held up with what I assume is someone's take on graham cracker crust, and some mix between strawberry, raspberry, and maybe a hint of cherry that makes it their own. That last part's my own theory, they just call it their special blend, of course. I make sure to get these every time Ky gives me a call. Aside from just getting to see her, it's something that makes these nights well worth it." She takes a bite of the dessert, and lets out a sigh of relief with her whole body. Quite the effect... I'm almost shocked, and it must be written on my face, because-

"Heh, she's got enough of a sweet tooth, it's a mystery she's still that trim, Bone!" ...because it seems Kylie's table is nearby, close enough to at least see that relaxed posture of Clover's and my surprised expression. Clover whips around, playfully shoos Kylie away to her own conversation, then returns to her plate as I can hear Kylie cackling behind us along with Charlotte and a few others. Jill's wound up with them too, but I couldn't hear her if she laughed.

Well, the night's young. Might as well get something like Clover said. I grab a nearby menu from the spice shaker holders and begin to read over it. Never was much for a beer. Penn and I have had wine before on more eventful evenings, but it seems a tad fancy for my surroundings. That leaves... cocktails. Sifting through a list of what must be the most colorful ways to black out I've ever read, I finally come across something simpler; a peach iced tea with bourbon. I call over the bartender, and soon enough, one's placed in front of me, ice clinking against the sides of the glass with a lemon wedge on the rim.

"Huh. Not a bad call. You sure you haven't been here before? Because that's one of the better ones they serve if you're looking to unwind."

"I mean... I don't know, I just thought it seemed nice. Something smoother and less chaotic than everything else I could see on there. I'd... rather not drink a rainbow." This seems to earn me a laugh from Clover and a pat on my shoulder.

"Well, you're not wrong! And yeah, that's what I mean; why go crazy wondering what color your lips'll be after a few drinks when you can stick with something tried and true?" Hehee. Maybe she's right. I reach for my glass and take a sip. It burns a bit, kind of like a spike of cinnamon, but the sweet peach and the slightly bitter tea make it far more appealing than it would be to drink it straight. Oh, it seems the girls had some appetizers just arrive... well, I'm not that hungry, and I wouldn't want to impose.

"So Bonnie. What made tonight so special that you came here for once? I've heard tales, but this is my first time seeing you." I feel my grip tighten around my glass a bit. It's... not like she needs to know the exact details. Though, I wouldn't see her at work if I sounded weird, so... who knows?

"I was looking for... a change of pace, I guess. Things at home have been a bit dull. Not like they used to be. But that's a bit much to go into this early on, if I've got this right." Hopefully I phrased that alright. It seems like she understands a bit, so maybe that'll be enough for her?

"I getcha. Tired of the routine, something else on top? Not my business right now. We'll see later, but for now, make it easier on yourself. Anything you can think of, take the stage. This night's yours."

"Preeeeecisely, Bone! And here, on me!" Kylie's made her way to our chairs, and I suddenly find a small plate set in front of me. Some tortilla chips, artichoke dip, and a little side dish of marinated olives, with a toothpick skewered through one.

"You're not imposing by bein' here, Bone; you'd do well to ask if ya want somethin', get me?" She winks after that last comment. That girl always seems to know how to get a smile on my face when I least expect it. I pick up one of the chips and twirl it a bit between my fingers, then turn to her again.

"...yeah, you're right, Kylie. As always. Thank you." Another chuckle from her, and she bounds back to her table. Though it's not long before I catch something from her side of the room, for once, from a curious fox.

"Soooo, Kylie, stop me if this is a bit much, but... how far DOES that pattern keep up for? All the way down~?" I can hear Charlotte giggling to herself at her own question. Has she already had a strong drink, or is the atmosphere the excuse for this one?

"Oh, nah. I'm hardly some playin' card, if that's what you're asking. It's plain as day in the right spots too, but I think you guessed that already, eh Charlotte?"

"W-What? But... where?" Jill's checking every spot she can see, from Kylie's ears to her arms. Charlotte, meanwhile, is doing her best not to burst out laughing. And Kylie, with a bit of a blush, takes her time answering.

"Ah... um, Jill. That little nugget of info, um... well, the least you could do is take me to dinner first, if ya know what I mean? Ya doin' much this w-weekend...?" I can practically see the gears slowly turning behind those vacant, glimmering gold eyes, and Charlotte's about to explode. ...ah, there we go. Jill's eyes have widened, and she looks more like a burning red star than a night sky at this point. The whole table's in an uproar now, Charlotte included. Poor girl.

That matter settled, I look back to my companion. Seems that escapade put her in a good mood. I get the feeling the night's gonna pass by quickly talking to her, so I might as well enjoy it while I can.

...I AM getting a bit thirsty though, and my tea glass is empty. Hm.

* *

Haaaaah. Things are great. I'm great. Everything's great. Clover's been going on fooooor... I dunno, an hour or so? I asked what the... thing, on her shirt was, and- and! It was a game she played a lot before it got all out of service or something. Kaput. Game over. So she's been telling me a buncha cool stuff about it. See, it was like, something where people took turns? But at the SAME TIME. So instead of pew, pew, pew, both sides go like pewpewpewpewpew, and the characters're neat too, and she's had all sortsa lines from 'em. Real characters, they are. ...wait, that's why they're called CHARACTERS, Bonnie, geez! ...pfffft, s-she's got me laughing at more of her impressions, and... wait, uh. Who did the thing again?

"SNRK, hehe, so wait, Clover, um... who did the thing, with the big laser and the 'I hope you made a...' uh, a deed? Or something?"

"...uh, Vesta. And you're thinking of a will." Hmmmmmmmmmhmhm... why's she look worried about that? Was just a question.

"Bonnie? Look at me."

"...huh? Wh-hat forrr?"

"Just- just do it, okay?" Hehee, oookay. Looking. Oooh, her eyes are like... like coffee? Chocolate? Sweet. Didn't notice that yet. Hair's pretty, too. Why's it so pretty? How's she get it so SILKY and stuff? Wonder what it feels like. Heh, naw, don't test that, Bonnie. She'll be maaaad.

"...Bonnie. How many of those teas did you drink? Think hard for me." Pfffft. Hard. ...oh right, question, uh-

"Uh... I dunno, three? Got thirsty." Huh, she's moving speedy now. Speed-reading the menu I looked at. She said somethin' about ounces? But to herself, I'm pretty sure. Yeah, didn't lookit me. Oooooh, now she looks mad. Real mad. Like, touched-her-hair mad, but I didn't yet. She's looking at the bar guy now. Heeeee looks nervous. ...'s he looking at me a bit? But he's talking to her, not me. Weird. Ooh, there goes Clover. She heading to Kylie's table?

"Ky, we need to talk. Now." Ooooh, right, Kylie's having fun... heheee, I saw. I saw her go bring something to another table. But she! She slipped something to Jill. Paper. SECRET paper, heeeeehehee. Jill glowed all red again reading it. Got her phone out, too. I know what it waaaaaas, Kylie~ ...g-geh, why's there snapping near my face...?

"Bone?! Bone, hey! Come on, you alright, girl?" Oh, s'just Kylie. When'd she get over here? Clover's back, too, so that's nice.

"Oh, Kyliiie. I'm doing great. How's- How're you?"

"...ah great. Not good. Not good, not good at all." Huh? But I said great. Not good isn't great. It's... not good. It's that simple.

"Look, Bone, you want me to call you a cab or somethin'? I don't wantcha walkin' home like this. Penn'll take care of ya, right?" ...P-Penn? Wait... tonight's his... his plan, right? And I'm all... no, no no, nonononononono-

"N-No, no, nonono I, I can't, no, not like this, no, I- K-Kylie, I- no, nonono-" The girls, I- why's everyone lookin' at me, no, I just, I can't be there, nooooonono, I can't, can't breathe, I can't, I can't, I- h-huh? Hands on my... back? And shoulder? Not Kylie's. Too big...?

"Ky, your apartment's landlady is gonna throw a fit if you have someone overnight, right? I could get her out of here. No way in hell she's going home, I can tell you that now." R-Right. Not home. NOT home. Somewhere else's better. ...oh hey, Kylie's thinking. Really hard. Huh.

"I- gah, geez... okay, Clover. Bone? You alright with this? You won't hafta go home. I can't take ya myself, but Clover's got space and no she-devil breathin' down her neck." Ah right, that landlady's mean. I don't visit Kylie 'cause of her. Glad our house is big enough for Kylie, too. Aaaanyway, I'm going with Clover? She's fun. And pretty. Kylie likes her, too, I'll be fine.

"Yeaaah. Thass good. I can- can deal with that, yeah, Kylie. Clooover?" Aw, she looks worried. Shouldn't be. She looks nice when she's happy. Reaaaaaal nice. Hehee...

"Yeah, Bonnie. I heard. I'll lead the way. Keep yourself steady against me, we'll need to take a bus first."

"Okay... let's get- go. Going." Haaah... they stopped looking. Just leaving now. Hope they'll be fine. Clover'll be fine. I'll be fine, with Clover. Her place. Oh- oh wait, I-

"Oh, Kyyylie, one bit, forgot, here-" Dumb wallet... okay, should be... ten, then twenty makes thirty. Yeah. Should cover my drinks, and pitch in for food. That's good. She's taking it. ...wait, what?

"...heh, Bone, there's an extra twenty here. Careful with your bus pass on the way there, 'kay? Don't wanna drop your credit card on the scanner or somethin'." Hm, I... no, I'm pretty sure I know I handed her thirty. Musta been. ...bleh, maybe she's right? Dunno anymore.

That's it, finally. Just a trip out the door. Gonna see what Clover's place is like. Like a little sleepover. Oooh... that sounds nice. W-Whoa, keep steady. Clover's right there to keep me steady like that, right? Support me. Support me... yeah. Yeah.

I'll be fine.