FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Flour and salt, sugar and yeast, tomatoes and oregano, basil and garlic, red pepper and parmesan, beef and bacon, onion and mozzarella; everything for pizza. The small morph checked the other items in the basket, then, satisfied, pulled it to the checkout and started putting the items on the counter.

“Well, hey there." The cashier leaned over the counter to see all of her customer. “I haven't seen you before. Are you new here?"

“Yes. I just got a place a couple blocks from here." Ciji struggled to lift a wheeled folding cart up.

“Oh, don't worry about that. I'll just get it from here." The cashier reached over the counter to scan the cart. “Well, welcome to the neighborhood. We've got a few other morphs around. I think there are four in this building. Um, a horse, two dogs, and, um, I forget what the other one is. Hey, do you mind if I ask what species you are?"

“No, I don't mind. I'm a genet."

“What's that? Oh, no offense. I've just never heard of a genet before."

“It's okay. There aren't any in America. My grandparents were made by a company in Texas that did exotics."

“Wow, you're just okay with that?"

The genet shrugged, “It's where I came from. If it didn't happen the way it did, I wouldn't be here."

“Good point. Here's your total. I hope you found a good place. Some people can be a little cold toward morphs and I've heard of landlords ripping them off."

The morph paid and started loading the cart. “My new roommate was a little surprised at first, but he seems okay. I'm cooking him a pizza to thank him for letting me stay."

“That's very nice of you. I hope it works out. I can't imagine anyone being mean to you; you're just too cute. Oh, I'm sorry. Is it okay to say that?"

Ciji chuckled, “I'm small and furry. I was made to be cute."

“Well, I hope everything works out for you and have a good day and come back to see me."

“This seems like a great place to shop and you're really nice. I'll be back." The genet pulled the cart of groceries to the door.

“Oh, I just love your stripey tail!"

Ciji smiled back and flicked it up to land on the cart, then headed out.

A knock on the door interrupted him again, but it was just the credits. He thought about ignoring it, then remembered his new roommate was making pizza. Hopefully, it would be worth letting a morph cook for him, but then again, maybe he could get the thing to do the cleaning, too. He made himself get up and open the door.

The creature pulled a cart into the apartment and he watched the striped tail hanging over it as he closed the door. “You got a lot of stuff. Is that all for the pizza?"

“There will be some things left over that I can use for the next one. Do you have a pot? I got a good pizza pan, but forgot a pot to cook the sauce."

“Uh, yeah." He walked around the cart and opened a cabinet beside the stove to get a pot. “Do you need a chair or something to reach the counter?"

“Nope. I've got that covered."

He started pulling groceries from the cart and examining them as his roommate hurried to the closet and came back with two weird contraptions. The morph hopped onto a chair and sat down to attach them to its feet, then stood up on them, now a foot taller.

Ciji moved quickly and nimbly on the stilts and soon had all of the food and supplies out of the cart, then pulled it to the closet and hurried back.

Tod was amazed as the creature prepared everything from scratch; no cans or frozen. After mixing the dough, it started with the tomatoes. When the sauce was simmering, it moved to cooking the meat. The beef and bacon were crumbled, the risen dough was stretched flat on the pan, sauce, cheese, meat, more cheese, and into the oven. Ciji didn't stop there; back to the stove and immediately cleaned everything until the counters looked better than before, with only a lingering smell of bacon, slowly being replaced by the baking pizza.

“That was better than porn."

“Hmm?" The creature was trying to brush the flour out of its fur into the sink.

“How do you keep your fur out of the food?"

“Um," Ciji nervously hoped the truth wouldn't hurt, “Well, it happens sometimes, but I try to keep it out."

“I don't want to be choking on your furballs."

“I do my best. It should only be a few minutes more until it's ready." Ciji peeked into the oven at the bubbling cheese just starting to brown.

“Fine, let me know when it is." He scowled and went back to the couch, where he noticed a message on his computer.

JambMan [Hey, I'm headed to your place. Want me to grab anything?]

Great. He wasn't ready for anybody to see his new throp.

GrandTod [I'm busy tonight]

JambMan [Pull up your pants. I've got some news.]

Ciji walked up with two slices on a plate and offered it with a smile.

“Uh, thanks." He watched the spotted morph bounce back to the kitchen with its striped tail waving behind and wondered again what it was.

JambMan [I'll swing by Tugg's for a cold case and be there in 30.]

GrandTod [I'm busy]

Ciji put the stilts in the closet, then turned to Tod with flour coated clothes and fur. “I need to get cleaned up. Can I use the bathroom?"

Fuck, no response. “Make it quick. I've got someone coming over."

The morph ducked into the closet to grab some clean clothes, then hurried to the bathroom.

Tod grumbled in annoyance. It better not clog the drain. He picked up a piece of pizza and took an angry bite, then stopped as he chewed slowly. It was a very good pizza; nothing like frozen and even better than Argo's. He worked his way through the slice, enjoying each bite more, but his bladder started to interfere with his meal. He took a bite of the crust, even that was good, then got up and headed for the bathroom. Greg was such a dick, thinking he could come over whenever. Usually, it didn't matter, but it's not his apartment; if someone says they're busy, you don't just invite yourself over.

Tod jerked the knob and shoved the door open, then stopped when he saw the animal on the toilet.

Ciji tensed, staring at the intruding human staring back. What did he want?

He looked over the gray furred thing, still not sure what it was. Even naked, he couldn't tell whether it was male or female. He shook himself from his thought and turned to leave, “Sorry. I forgot you were in here." He stopped and turned back for another look, tempted to just ask, but he didn't want to sound stupid for not knowing. “Hurry up, I've got to piss." He shut the door and went back to the couch.

He looked at the other piece of pizza and reminded himself that a throp made it. He stared at the bathroom door, remembering the naked throp behind it that was keeping him from taking a piss. Something so basic and this creature was getting in the way.

The door opened and he stood up, “About time." He hurried over and pushed past to shut the door behind him and locked it.

Ciji smiled and returned to the closet to finish putting away the day's purchases: a socket adapter to charge the computer from the light, a couple small pillows, a long string to make turning off the light easier, a new sheet for the 'bed'

Tod watched the animal make its bed, then turn around and notice him. “Stay in your closet and keep quiet. Don't bother us for any reason." He shut the door with finality.

Before he could get back to the couch, the closet door opened and he spun around to glare at the animal peeking out. “What did I just say?"

“Um, can I connect to your network for internet?"

Tod gave an exasperated sigh, “Fine." He walked over and pushed the button on his router just as someone knocked. He turned to the throp in the closet as he headed to answer the door, “Connect quickly and don't come back out. I'm not doing it again." He shoved the closet shut as he passed and took a calming breath before he opened the door.

A large, bearded man pushed a case of beer through the door ahead of him. “Hey, what took you so long? Were you still yanking out an extra? Oh hey, pizza, and here's the beer. We're all set to celebrate." He grabbed a slice and stuffed it in his mouth.

“I told you I'm busy."

“You're only ever busy with yourself. Damn, that's some good pizza. Where'd you get it, Argo's?"

“I... I made it."

“Yeah right, you couldn't make toast. Seriously, where'd you get it?"

“It's... Ciji's."

“Ciji's? Never heard of it."

“It's new. What's your news?"

“Oh right, check this out." He pulled his shoulder bag around him and fished a thumb drive from a pocket to hand to Tod. “We're legit, professionally mixed."

“I could do that for you."

“Yeah well, Blake found a guy that works at a studio and got him to do it up right with industry equipment. We listened to it last night and it was blastin'; everybody loved it."

“Why didn't you call me?"

Greg grabbed another piece of pizza. “Well, we just didn't think of you; we were rized 'bout the music. You've got to hear it, come on." He pushed the smaller man toward the couch.

Tod plugged the drive into his computer and turned on his sound system, then cued up the tracks. The speakers instantly thumped and pulsed to the first song. It was clean and clear, with an energy that sounded like they were playing in the room. “Did you guys do a studio recording?"

“No, no. Isn't it great? This is from that gig at OM. You can't even hear the ice maker anymore."

“Yeah, it's great..."

The next track started and it was even louder and crisper than the first.

“Too bad you can't make us sound this good live. It's almost like we know what we're doing." He shoved Tod's shoulder playfully.

“Yeah..."

An arrhythmic thumping came from the floor and Tod grumbled. He stomped back at it and yelled, “Cut it out! I'm trying to listen to music up here!"

The thumping continued and he threw himself to his feet. “Every fucking time! I'm gonna go shut them up. Coming?"

The big man shook his head.

Tod grunted and stormed out, slamming the door.

Greg chuckled and turned the music down some, then watched curiously as the closet door opened.

Ciji heard them leave and wanted to get some pizza before they came back.

“Who are you?"

The small morph jumped in surprise and looked at the big, bearded man. It was too late to disappear. “Uh, I'm Ciji."

“Ciji? … The pizza. You made this?" He headed to the kitchen for another slice.

“Um, yes." The morph followed him timidly.

“It's delicious. What's your secret?"

“I just made it all myself."

“That's..." He looked at the small morph only just as tall as the counter. “How did you cook in here?"

“Oh, I have stilts." Ciji pointed to the closet.

The big man laughed, “Of course you do." He bent down to grab the furry creature under the arms and lifted it up to sit on the counter. “Do you want a beer?"

“Oh, no, thank you; I can't drink a whole can."

He shook the beer in his hand, then offered it, “Here, you can have the rest of this one."

“Oh, um, thank you." Ciji took a sip as he opened another from the case.

“I'm Greg. Don't know what Tod has told you, but I play bass guitar. Carpenter by trade, but I live to play. I'm sure you heard our music."

“Nice to meet you, Greg. I'm Ciji. I just moved in."

“So what kind of animal are you?"

“I'm a genet."

“Is that like a cat or a monkey?"

“Neither. Genets are kind of related to civets."

He examined the unfamiliar creature, still not sure what to make of it. “Huh. Are you dangerous?"

“I try not to be," Ciji smiled slyly, then sipped the beer.

Greg laughed

The genet's ears perked to listen to the music as a new track came on and started moving to the rhythm. “Oh, I like this one."

“Yeah? I wrote this. Come on, feel my throbbing bass inside you and really move."

Ciji hopped off the counter and danced to the music.

Greg grabbed the pizza pan and followed the undulating morph back to the couch, where he sat and watched the show.

The song ended and Ciji laughed.

“Man, if I knew what a genet was, that'd be exactly what I was thinking when I wrote that. It's like each note flowed through your body and down your tail. If I had my guitar right now, I'd play you some more to dance to."

“I'd like that." The genet moved to the beat of the previous song, then sighed.

“Come on up here and let's find another one you like."

Ciji remembered the rules and hesitated.

“Come on; I don't bite ... or do you?"

Ciji smiled and hopped onto the couch beside the big man.

“You're so little, you're like kid size. How old are you?"

Ciji beckoned him to lean closer, like it was a secret and when he did, whispered, “I'm twenty-four."

He looked at the small creature in surprise, “No."

The door swung open as Tod stormed in, slamming it behind him. “Fucking assholes! They're the ones doing all the pounding, but they're gonna call the cops on me? Fuck them!" He stopped as he noticed the throp on his couch, then threw his arms out. “What the hell!? What the hell!? What the hell?!"

“What's wrong now, Tod?" Greg sat up and leaned forward.

“What are you doing with that thing?"

“What thing?"

Tod glared at the morph, “You're supposed to stay in your closet."

Ciji tensed and started to get up, but a big hand got in the way.

Tod continued his rant, “I told you not to bother us. I told you not to touch my stuff and now you've got your fur all over my couch. You're just asking for me to kick you out, then where're you gonna go?"

“Relax, man. There's nothing wrong with your ugly couch that wasn't already wrong with it. We were just enjoying my music. You should see this little morph dance."

“I don't care. This is my place; I make the rules. Get off my couch and get back in the closet."

Greg stood up, “You know, you're usually a dick, but this is ass, even for you."

“This is my fucking apartment. I'm in charge here."

Ciji slipped off the couch, snuck around Tod, and hurried to the closet.

Greg snatched his drive out of Tod's computer and glared at his smug expression as he walked past to open the closet. He was stunned to see the tiny bedroom, then looked up to find the genet sitting on the shelf. He held up the drive and Ciji timidly took it. “Here. My contact info is in there, too. I'd say you could come with me, but I have to ask my girlfriend. Call me if he gives you any more trouble."

“What are you doing?"

“Treating your guest better than you." He smiled and headed to the couch.

“It's not a guest. Hey, that's my pizza!"

“No, you said it's Ciji's." Greg took the pan to the closet and offered it to the genet, who took a couple slices. He took the last piece and stuffed it in his mouth, then smacked the pan against Tod's chest.

“You're not in charge here."

Greg tore off a big bite and chewed as he picked up the rest of the case of beer. “Nope. I'm leaving." He pointed the crust of the pizza at Tod, “If you hurt that morph, you're gonna regret it for the rest of your short life." After a punctuating glare, he smiled to the genet, then opened the door and left.

Tod fumed for a moment, then yelled and threw the pizza pan at the door, leaving a long crack in the cheap wood. He glared at Ciji, then kicked the closet shut and punched it. “This is my fucking apartment!"

An insistent knock on the door infuriated him even more.

“What now?" He yanked it open to find two police officers.

“Good evening, sir. Is there a problem?"

Tod quickly swallowed his temper as best as he could, “Ah, no. There's no problem."

The officer touched the crack in the door, “We got calls from your neighbors complaining about loud music and yelling. One said you came to their door and threatened them. Are you sure there's no problem?"

“I've been having a very bad day today, but you can hear there's no music and no other people here."

“Mind if we come in to check that out?"

Tod grumbled, “This is my apartment."

“Excuse me?"

“Fine. Fine, have a look."

The two officers slipped through the door and casually looked around the small apartment, keeping an eye on Tod standing in front of the closet, looking annoyed. Not finding anyone, they returned to the door and one noticed the pizza pan on the floor by the door. “Did you have company tonight?"

“Yeah, but he left … and took the beer."

The officers smirked knowingly at each other. “Well, keep the noise level down and don't bother your neighbors. If you have any problems with them, call us instead."

Tod sighed sharply, “Yeah, okay."

They made their way out and he shut the door behind them, then grunted in frustration. He remembered what was hiding behind the closet door and stormed over to fling it open, making the animal jump to a back corner of the shelf, looking terrified. Tod almost smiled, then pointed at the throp, “If I get arrested because of you, you're paying for it." He jabbed his finger at it to punctuate his anger, then slammed the door shut.

What a fucking horrible day. He stormed to the couch, but didn't want to sit down. He wasn't in the mood to enjoy anything or work on anything. He noticed the plate with his second piece of pizza and it pissed him off even more. They ate all of it and he only got one piece. He kicked the plate, then stormed to his bedroom and slammed that door, too.

Ciji waited as the quiet settled, then crawled down and opened the door. The pizza was laying face down beside the plate in the middle of the floor. Fearing it would be something that would set him off again in the morning, the small morph picked it up, put the pizza in the trash, the plate in the sink and quickly cleaned the spot of sauce. Returning to the closet, the genet climbed back up to the shelf and woke up the little computer waiting there. The situation wasn't ideal, but it was the city and the city was a challenge.