FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The group of jet-lagged crusaders relaxes around a worn round wooden table in an out-of-the-way restaurant in a distant land. The flight from Phoenixbrook took less time than they expected and it left them with almost half a day to waste until the arranged meeting of Jarret's with the remnants of a decimated anti-Elysia underground.

"It won't take long for the Elysia to find out we're here," mutters Jarret as many of the patrons give the crew long glances. None seem happy and all the looks always center on the felines.

Liam chuckles, "Disguising you two would be an easy task."

The grim feline glares at the horse, "Easy, yes. And easily detectable. It'd be no better than strutting around the city center waving flags and saying 'here we are!'"

Mikaylah giggles, "And it'd be hard to hide a snowkitten when the waitress keeps checking him out." An uncomfortable uneasiness quickly falls upon the two snowkittens while the lapin waitress lays down a round of drinks for the group. It's not difficult, either, to determine which of the two males she has an interest in. Between her wink and quick scratching between his ears, Chrystian knows for certain that he has an admirer.

"You should press your advantage, Chrystian. Attendants tend to have invaluable information."

Chrystian glares at Jarret, clearly unhappy with the remark. But Liam opens his mouth first, "Now, Jarret, risking Ailee's wrath makes any chance of gaining information worthless."

"She's coming back," Jarret grins, almost purring at the thought of Chrystian's awkwardness.

Chrystian's eyes close involuntarily and he starts purring as her fingers ruffle through his hair and scratch with long slow strokes of her nails. "Anything else I can do for ya' Sugar?"

Darren chuckles, "The two of us are good. We have a couple things to do." The lovebirds vacate their chairs hastily and slip away, hand-in-hand, ducking out the door and heading off into parts unknown.

"And I have some 'skulking' to do, as you put it." The dark snowkitten walks away, pulling his trench coat tighter around him, and slips into the deepening shadows.

Pulling out her cell phone, Erin starts tapping away, "Excuse me while I make a call..." The ACU Captain tosses several bills on the table to cover the tab for the group before she leaves. Part of her 'care package' contained native currency of the countries they would be traveling to for Aredrian anything would raise questions that none wanted asked.

Now only Liam stands between Chrystian and the smiling bunny. And the snowkitten remains oblivious to the current situation, eyes closed with a contented smile slowly creeping along his muzzle. "I believe there's nothing we need at the moment. But thank you for asking."

The rabbit takes a long lingering moment as she finishes scratching around the base of Chrystian's ears. "If there's anything ya' need, just holla'!" The feline lazily opens his eyes, goofy grin on his face, and looks at his compatriot.

"It's a good thing she took the hint. I was ready to stomp on your foot."

Chrystian fights his way back to reality and a cleared head, blinking several times. "That would've been better then letting her continue. I'm not looking forward to hearing what Jarret tells Ailee."

"No matter what, my friend, I will stand by you." Liam shakes his head, flicking an ear and causing his long white hair to sway over his back. "Though you will have a bachelor party sometime. Maybe I can talk our waitress..."

Daggers flash at the horse as Chrystian glares at his friend. "Don't you dare!"

Chuckling, "I'll leave that party for Jarret to plan."

And Chrystian can't stop himself from laughing, "Now that's cruel!"

The two former Elysia walk along streets they traveled years ago. Vivid memories of that time haunt their steps. Darren remembers hunting down an informant, easily gunning the raccoon down in the middle of the street a block from where they now tread. Mikaylah remembers dancing her way across several stages of nearby clubs while she served as a messenger, transferring orders from their masters to those destined to follow the iron will of the Officers.

"Did you ever think we'd come back here?" Mikaylah asks before hugging the fox's arm tight.

"Never. This was too strong of a holding for the Elysia. Once I got out..." Darren sighs with the horrors of his past resurfacing. "At least I don't have to pay to see you dance anymore."

The lithe cheetah giggles, "Oh, you still have to pay, baby."

"Something I look forward to, my dear. But first we'll need to remove our shadow." Neither looks but both know of the elusive figure that follows behind. "The likelihood of it being one of ours... wish it was. You think that clothing store you loved is still around the corner up there?" Darren nods to the approaching end of the block.

Time passed but the concrete jungle didn't change and the rouges find themselves rounding the corner and standing outside a large clothing outlet store. Window displays line the boardwalk showcasing the latest in international style and fashion. And most match those sold in Phoenixbrook. While the Elysia despise Aredria and snowkittens, commerce stands aside for none. Their control over so much can't keep the populace from calling for other cultures. A secret organization can only remain in the shadows even with the influence it may have over some politicians.

Darren stares, mouth agape, at a blue bikini that barely covers the proper areas of the female form. Mikaylah giggles at her mate's reaction. "Should I try it on for you, baby? Give you a private little show in the changing room?"

Laughing, Darren nods, "Sure. With all the pressure you don't ever let it get to you. Just one of the reasons I love you." And the fox steals a loving kiss from his significant other. The pair disappears into the shopping frenzy inside while a set of dark eyes watches from across the street.

The snake looks up and down the street, unsure of the direction she should take. Passersby move around her, unconcerned with the individual that attempts to block their paths. Drawing a deep breath and flicking her tongue for a moment doesn't help her decision in any way. Tan hands rest upon the belt holding her jeans in place and the officer realizes how much she misses the weight of her sidearm. But since an open declaration of her membership in the ACU might bring an unwanted attention to her mission, the decision to leave it behind proved easy to make. Unlike the one before her now. Tan lips twist as she contemplates until, at last, the reptile moves.

Long strong strides take her up the street outside the pub the group gathered in earlier. Following informational signs much like a tourist would, Erin makes her way towards one of the largest art museums in the country. And the reported hiding spot of a certain item that could mean another step closer to victory over the Elysia.

"First time to the museum?" asks the brown and white spotted canine attendant sitting at the front desk. Without waiting for the snake to respond, her splotched paws scatter several pamphlets across the table top. "Any part of the museum you're here to see specifically? We have detailed maps on every section. Painted. Glassware. Wood carvings. Statuary. Modern."

Erin glances across the different papers, "Let's go with statues. They always fascinate me." The real motive behind her reasoning remains as silent as the grave. The pamphlet pops into her hand and the dog waves her farewell with a gleeful smile upon her muzzle. Chuckling to herself at the perkiness of the hired help, Erin meanders through the east wing of the facility. Her eyes take in every little detail of the security. And a good portion of the missing security. "One would think there would be airtight security here," she mutters to herself.

Entering the hall displaying the biggest portion of stone artwork, the snake notices absolutely no security. No cameras. No motion sensors. No laser beams. No apparent pressure sensors. No guards. "It can only mean the Elysia has a special security system in place here," she muses.

"Excuse me, Miss."

The formal tone startles the snake out of her traipsing. She quickly turns and stares at a broad-shouldered gray wolf with the slightest hint of brown highlights running through the fur on his neck and arms. "Something I can help you with?"

"I couldn't help noticing the jewel on your necklace. It's glowing. And has been getting stronger as you move towards the end of the hall."

Erin tenses, unaware of the properties of Andrina's gift. She readies herself for anything. "Thanks, it was a gift from a friend that went to Aredria."

The predator steps closer and leans towards the snake, "It might be wise to leave this portion of the museum. There are those around here that might have an interest in such a necklace." The subtle threat falls from his mouth like spittle from a salivating carnivore ready to pounce upon its prey. "Allow me to escort you from this place."

She quickly takes a step back, hand instinctively moving to her waist and the empty location on her belt. "Much obliged but I can take care of myself. Thank you." Eyes narrow as she studies the wolf, watching his eyes as they quickly devour her, roaming over her from head to toe.

Smiling, the canine nods, "But I would be amiss in my duties if I allowed you to become entangled in something you shouldn't be. You are quite the competitor for the battle of beauty in this place and to see your face marred unnecessarily..." His gray hand rises towards her face and causes her to take another step backwards. Her steps continue towards her original destination at the end of the hall. "Now I'm starting to feel your ungratefulness towards my offer of assistance!" he growls, his fangs now showing as he bares his teeth.

And the snake feels more eyes upon her. A quick glance around the room with her eyes picks out several more interested parties watching their interaction. Even a snake can sense another snake and each give her the chills. Never turning away from the male before her, she slowly walks around the circumference of a large semi-circle. The wolf watches intently as his prey works her way towards the hall entrance and the eventual freedom of outside.

The chill remains with the officer even after rushing out into the bright sunny afternoon. No warmth comes from the sun as it bathes her with its rays. "I could use a snowkitten right about now," she mutters while striding away from the museum. She doesn't need to look to know she's still being watched. Her quick pace carries her down the street and around the corner of the closest block. The chill lessens but she still feels it. Erin sighs feeling a little relief come to her as she continues her trek back towards the hotel.

Only she fails to duck as a yellowish flash lashes out from the alley she starts to pass. Stunned and stumbling forward she also fails to regain her feet before being yanked into the darkness. The officer hits the ground with a hard "umph" escaping from her muzzle. And she doesn't get a chance to recover before a heavy weight presses against her back.

A foul-stinking breath beats against her cheek as her assailant moves around behind her. Erin hisses against the filthy alley asphalt as she struggles against the strong arm lying across her shoulder blades. But the more she struggles the more pressure the arm exerts. A hand fumbles against the tight denim of her jeans in a vain attempt to push the fabric down. The snake doesn't need to know what happens behind her to know that her assailant means to rape her. Her past gave her more than just bruises and broken bones.

"Well, Pretty. You come to museum to spy and now me have turn to come with you!" grunts a harsh foreign tongue. "You be much prize, Pretty. Me get bonus for you, you snowkitten friend! Attra no like snowkitten friend! He be happy when he see you, Pretty."

The weight above her shifts and a knee presses against her spine right in the middle of her back. The arm leaves her shoulders and two groping hands tug hard on her pants. No matter how hard she pushes or struggles she simply cannot find a way to dislodge the male behind her. But with his weight now against her middle back and not her shoulders, the snake moves an arm with lightning speed, catching his left foot. Only something solid strikes the back of her head, filling her vision with flashes of light.

"No more, Pretty. Or you no more pretty! Me bleed that pretty face."

Denim begins to slide against her scales as she hears the audible tearing of the fabric. And now her heart races as panic begins to tug at her mind. Erin's body locks as a wave of anxiety washes over her. Stunned by the disbelief that this is really happening, she remains frozen, unable to think and unable to act. Tears slowly grow at the corners of her eyes as so many memories of her past, buried for so many months, crash through the mental barriers she built.

Hands ball into fists and eyes close tightly as the officer feels herself falling. A single word escapes her lips in a hushed whisper, "Andrina..."

As soon as the creep's flesh touches her bared scales, Erin snaps. "You forgot I'm a snake, scum!" she hisses as her tail whips through the air and catches an arm. The weight leaves her back giving her enough leverage to twist her body. Anger and rage fill the reptile as she swings a fist upwards, catching the coyote in the neck. Her assailant croaks his disapproval while fighting against her tail. A leg launches from the ground and strikes his muzzle hard. The canine would have tumbled over from the impact but her tail keeps him in place.

Dropping a hand to her ankle, Erin retrieves the pistol from its hidden holster. Her tail drops and she springs upon her hunter, ramming him backwards into the building's wall behind him. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now!" she screams.

The coyote chuckles, "Now, Pretty, me know things you like..."

"Fine!" she snaps, cutting him off. "Then you'll live but I don't think you'll need these anymore." The pistol drops down out of sight and the coyote stiffens as he feels where it now presses. "Now talk before you sing soprano."

Again the coyote chuckles but with a sneer on his face, "Now now, Pretty, no need to ruff up my boys." Erin feels the shifting of her foe but she doesn't move fast enough to avoid the flash of steel. All her training simply couldn't beat a faster opponent.

The snake gasps and stumbles backwards, startled and full of disbelief, pistol falling to the ground as she grabs her abdomen. Her hands quickly grow warm as she spies the blade within the rapist's grasp. And the blood coating the death-dealing metal. She looks down at the quickly-growing crimson stain upon her shirt and hands.

"Such a pity Pretty won't see Attra. Attra enjoy playing with you." Erin looks up through her graying vision as the coyote moves a step closer. Her body steps back several feet, kicking over a metal garbage can as her steps begin stuttering. "Pity Pretty can't tell snowkitten friends we see them soon. But Pretty must pay now. Bye bye, Pretty!" The snake doesn't get an opportunity to see her opponent flee before slumping and sliding down the wall behind her.

The image of her friends comes to the forefront of her mind and she smiles through her shallow panting. Coldness begins gnawing at her legs as she leans against the hard brick and the filth gathered up against the foot of the wall. Her breath comes in short rapid pants while the adrenaline rush fades from her distraught system. "I want to see you again," she says, her lips moving but no sound emanating from her mouth. Tears begin rolling down her tan scaly cheeks as she tries to look up to the bright blue sky above the city. Erin feels no pain from the knife wound, a little touch of comfort at her death. "I know it should hurt... I've been stabbed before... I'm not ready to die..." Her thoughts begin dashing around like a rabbit pursued by a predator. "I wonder what they'll say at my funeral... Please don't cry, Andrina..."

Blackness encroaches on her vision slowly making it swirl. Even with the bright light now filling the alleyway, she fails to see anything around her. Erin's eyes darken even as an unknown warmth flows through her body. Her ears hear as though from a great distance some welcome words, "You are loved by so many..." Then darkness claims the officer that so valiantly fought her demons, the female that beat down her self-imposed loneliness, the snake that triumphed over so much. Slowly her heart ceases its thumping.