FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Three months later.

--

On one glaringly sunny day, Cassidy rode her moped east down a long, vacant desert trail, zipping past people sitting atop pokémon mounts and gogoat-drawn carriages.

She rode with the occasional bike or other moped on a designated trail made for their speed.

A perpetual cloud of sand lingered in the air from constant travel as hooves and wheels stirred and disturbed the terrain.

Fenny sat behind her, of course, gripping her hips over her jacket while watching the passing scenery and wincing against the warm wind ruffling his fur and pushing his ears back.

The desert sprawled— vast cracked terrain spotted with dry vegetation, rocks, and populated with pokémon, such as bunnelsby and diggersby, nincada, sandile, hippopotas, and more.

There was also another trail miles apart from the current one leading in the opposite direction to Kalos’ mainland.

‘Cass, what’s with all the carriages?’ Fenny asked. ‘I’ve seen like a hundred already.’

She turned her head to speak behind her. “They are transporting goods. Dahara needs a lot.”

‘Makes sense…’ He rested his chin atop her shoulder.

“Hungry? We can stop soon.”

Fenny glanced around. ‘Where? It’s all sand and some settlements.’

“We would stop on the side. I have snacks and water in my bag.” Cassidy maneuvered around a group cruising on their mopeds, some with pokémon on the back or in baskets on the front.

‘It’s okay… When’ll we get there?’

“Half an hour. You should be able to see the skyline after we clear the incline. I’m glad I filled up before we left.” She squinted at the trail’s zenith that they headed toward several miles ahead.

‘I noticed the trail started going up a while ago.’ Fenny watched the carriages and mounts they passed.

Many carriages held supplies and couples and families with pokémon accompanying them.

‘How long does it take them to travel this road?’

“If they don’t stop, euh… under a day, but not far from it. That is why wheels are better.”

In around five minutes, they neared the path’s peak and cleared it, ending the upward route and setting them level.

It also unconcealed Dahara’s distant skyline, an expansive line of congregated skyscrapers reaching the clouds.

“Brai!” Fenny raised his tail against the wind and leaned forward, resting his chin over Cassidy’s shoulder and slightly widening his eyes at the sight. He hugged her waist.

She grinned a little and glanced over at him. “We are halfway there.”

‘It’s huge…’

She turned her handlebars and eased past a couple of more slow bikers. “It is much bigger. You’ll see.”

---

In thirty minutes, give or take, they saw indeed. The once-barren sandy trail delved into a seemingly ancient town; beyond it was as if another region entirely.

The other portion of Dahara’s uniqueness— other than the fact that it was future incarnate, was that its citizens lived in two alternate eras.

Cassidy drove slowly while venturing into the outset of Dahara’s introduction, having to come to abrupt stops often. It consisted of slim walkways and overbearing structures closing in. People and pokémon walked without rest, carrying objects such as pots and items they’d bought from the lines of stands and merchants occupying the edges of the walkways.

Many wore worn attire, not modern but not hopelessly archaic.

‘How old is this place?’ Fenny eyed the endless activity and buzzing all around him.

Children and couples walked home with cloth bags holding goods, as did pokémon, such as an umbreon approaching a male merchant’s stand with a cloth bag in his mouth.

On the stand sat many pots varying in size. The merchant took the bag from its mouth and set it beside one of the pots, then reached aside and grabbed a small plastic bag. He lifted the lid off of one of the larger pots and, using a scoop inside, scooped up a decent amount of beige powder and dropped it inside the plastic bag until filling it.

He tied the plastic and dropped it in the umbreon’s pouch, then returned it to the dark type, who trotted off.

“Old enough.” She sighed after having to stop her bike for the thirtieth time after people slipped in front of it. “We will have to walk from here.”

So, they unmounted, with Cassidy walking her bike off to the side of the path. "Very hot here." She looked up and winced against the near-blistering sun bearing down on the town, wiping sweat from her forehead.

People often glanced at her attire and bike, then at Fenny, who was too busy looking around to notice, grinning at a few children and pokémon looking through the windows of surrounding homes.

Something small and hard hit the side of Fenny’s head with chk, which he winced and folded his ears against. “Nhb–” He held his head and looked at a stray pebble on the ground, then around frantically, and finally up after spotting movement on a roof.

It was a group of mischievous pokémon inconveniencing the locals. The pancham lowered its head and disappeared from view after Fenny looked up.

“Braix!” he shouted and stopped walking, which also made Cassidy stop and brought a few looks from passersby. The halt had caused a slight blockage in the flow of foot traffic and forced locals to begin passing around them.

“Fen?” She looked back at his glower, then up at the roof he was tilted up at. “What happened?”

He shot his eyes to her. ‘Th-They threw a rock at me!’

“Who?” Cassidy looked at the increasing blockage, which now forced people to wait to pass and nearly bump into each other in the oncoming lane. “Fen…” She took a step and grabbed his arm, tugging.

He looked back at what he’d caused, catching a few disapproving and irritated looks. ‘Uhmm…’ Fenny went with Cassidy and continued while trailing behind her.

Though he looked back and squinted at a charmander, who had peeked back over the ledge.

“Let’s just get to the city.”

Moments after Cassidy spoke, she stopped abruptly in her tracks and caused Fenny to walk straight into her.

“Nh–” he grunted after pressing against her back and making her stumble over, though she was able to set her weight on her bike and prevent a fall. ‘Sorry…’

Cassidy eyed a wooden stand off to the other side that an older merchant with a plusle and minun stood behind. “Come.” She walked her bike and set it near a home, kickstanding it and crossing to the other side of the walkway.

On the table were soft, layered, multicolored personal cake slices in plastic containers in an organized row over beds of ice. Tied around them using rubber bands were plastic forks wrapped in napkins.

Cassidy stood in line behind a young girl holding a pichu while standing with her mother, who was holding a polite conversation with the merchant.

‘What’s that?’ Fenny asked while glazing over the desserts.

“Berry cakes…” Cassidy slipped her hand in her pocket. “My parents always made them. It was my favorite sweet.”

After the woman purchased two slices, she tapped her daughter’s shoulder and joined the traffic.

“Come. Next,” the man beckoned with a warm grin, sharing Cassidy’s accent.

She approached with Fenny. “These are berry cakes?”

“Bien sûr (Of course), the original recipe. Bluk, wakan, and a haban finish,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fenny was watching the plusle and minun wrestle on the far end of the table, squealing after one bit or shocked the other.

“I will take two,” Cassidy said while reaching into her bag.

He nodded and looked Cassidy up and down. “You aren’t from here?”

“Dahara?” She glanced up at him while sifting. “No, from the mainland.”

The owner double-glanced and peered at his playful duo. “Quit!” he scolded after the plusle smacked the minun across the face hard enough that it fell off the table with a squeak.

He looked back at Cassidy, who held the bills before him. “Oh, oh, welcome then– to you both.” He took the payment and handed her the cakes.

“Merci.” She put them in her bag and zipped it up. “Come, Fen.”

He followed as she returned to her bike and kept pushing it. ‘Cass, when do we get to the real Dahara?’

She looked back with a raised brow. “This is the true Dahara. We are lucky the other half even exists.”

‘Oh…’ He watched children frolic and dart between openings in crowds, with one snatching a makeshift toy off a merchant’s table. The woman running it shouted after them.

“If I could ride, we would be out already.” Cassidy still had to stop with her bike often when crowds surrounding a stand or squeezing past merchants carrying supplies on mounts blocked the path.

Lumiose was definitely her breaking point when it came to too many people in one place. This spaceless environment spiked her blood pressure and thrummed in her head.

It took them another twenty minutes to reach the outskirts, where the sand ended and turned to pavement, rows of grass, and where palm trees were present along the walkways.

‘It looks nicer now,’ Fenny said. ‘Maybe we’re close. I think I even see water.’

“It is greener,” Cassidy said.

But in just a few more minutes, where the town ended—

“Want to repeat that?” Cassidy looked aside at him.

Before them was a piece of shimmering blue ocean entrapped between the land they stood on and another section of the same town spanning many miles separated by an arched bridge that people crossed.

However, beyond the following section and to the far northeast, the spectacle that was modern— or future, rather— Dahara was present.

Fenny slightly folded his ears. ‘At least we can see the city. I wonder what the super tall building is.’

---

In just over an hour of tight walkways and unnerving claustrophobia, they crossed yet another bridge into contemporary Dahara, where Cassidy could finally ride.

She stayed on the guided asphalt lanes, which were smoother on her tires, while those riding pokémon used the sandy ones beside them.

Fenny’s eyes held a perpetual gleam, gazing up at vivid billboards, shimmering skyscrapers reflecting the sun’s glare that towered stories and stories above them, around at more automobiles he’d ever seen in one place, and at busy restaurants and supermarkets seeing in and out customers wearing more stylish attire than usual— close to Cassidy’s.

‘How does this exist?’ He leaned on her back.

“With too much money.” She stopped at a crosswalk with other vehicles and mounts as pedestrians passed.

Cassidy closed her eyes for a second. “We should stop and rest for a few hours.”

‘Mhm… like a hotel?’

“Sure, look out for one.”

So, they ventured deeper into the city, where the skyscrapers only increased in count and height.

Plazas, theaters, and malls galore, full of content locals and cheery tourists, were everywhere. A few gas stations were dotted around the city as well, more than what existed in mainland Kalos.

There were also countless hotels and motels; some appeared beyond fancy.

‘Cass– what about that one?’ Fenny pointed at a hotel to the right that they were about to pass down a busy road.

She slightly pulled her hand from the throttle to slow her moped and scanned the beige structure’s twenty stories while tilting her head upward. It stated: ‘Belle Hara’s’.

“Hm.” Cassidy pulled to the right by a few parked vehicles and found a spot before the valet service, unmounting after Fenny.

They strolled the pavement, passed a family leaving the hotel with suitcases, and then walked through the building’s double glass doors.

“Euh, wow,” Cassidy said. “It is somehow bigger inside…”

The lobby was clean and uber-classy, with glossy, white marble flooring and gold-streaked designs leading to an upward spiral of stairs. Beside them was an elevator.

White leather benches lined the walls that held shelved pottery with varied designs, from legendary pokémon around the globe to flowers and foliage.

At the lobby’s center were more benches circling an active fireplace enclosed by glass underneath a tall mirror.

A woman used it to do her makeup, and a boy with a nidoran sat a bench away while enjoying the flickering flames.

To the far left by the stairs was a long reception counter against the wall, where suited employees spoke to people who checked in and out, several with partners— human and pokémon, most of whom were dressed in suits, dresses, and fancy hats.

Cassidy sucked in her lower lip while taking everything in.

‘I have a feeling this’ll cost a lot…’ Fenny looked at her. ‘We can–’

“It’s fine. We are only staying for a day and can afford it.” Especially because she didn't have the rest of her party with her.

She started with him across the flooring toward the desk and stood in line behind a few other guests.

After the wait, they approached a male receptionist with slicked-back hair and a mustache.

“Ah, welcome.” He flashed a formal smile to Cassidy and Fenny. “Checking in?”

“Euh, no. We saw this hotel while driving by,” she said.

“Just fine. Here is our brochure. It displays our prices and offered services.”

“Merci,” Cassidy said and took it, opening it before her so Fenny could see too.

‘One day is 40,000?’

She scanned both pages, one with pricing and the other with varied services and attractions, from an outdoor pool on the third floor and room service to a rooftop restaurant.

Cassidy handed back the brochure. “We will take one day.”

“Perfect, and… not to assume, but we are offering a honeymoon discount all month for the tourist high season. You would get twenty percent off your stay if booking with your partner.”

She blinked. “We aren’t married.”

“Ah.” He waved his hand. “It holds the name, but the discount applies to all couples.”

“Oh… then we’ll take it.”

After the exchange, the man gave Cassidy a numbered golden key to a room on the highest available floor— Fenny’s idea.

They took the elevator to floor seventeen and went down the corridor lined with mini wall-mounted lamps.

“We’re in seven-ten,” Cassidy said after glancing at the key.

‘Here.’ After a few more moments, Fenny stopped beside a solid white door stating ‘710’.

Cassidy stopped in front of it and stuck in the key, twisting until it clicked. She pushed it open and looked inside.

‘Wowwow.’ Fenny slipped past her, and she followed.

The room strived to appeal and ensure comfort with long white curtains draped over huge windows, a queen-sized mattress centered against the wall, and fancy lamps hanging over the bed. Across from it were two TVs atop double white dressers.

It had a small dresser near the bed with a paper menu and wired phone atop, and a mini fridge against the wall as well.

“I haven’t stayed anywhere this nice before.” Cassidy slipped off her boots, which left her in socks, and went to the restroom to wash her hands; Fenny followed.

The restroom was just as fancy, with a lengthy mirror and counter, small lamps, glossy flooring, and wrapped towels. Some were folded in the shape of swanna against the wall.

‘Can I open the curtains?’ He looked back at her while approaching them after leaving the restroom.

“Mhm.” Cassidy went to the fridge and slid the two cakes inside from her bag, then went and threw herself on the bed, lying on her back while her legs dangled over the edge. She looked aside as light hit her face and permeated the room.

Fenny shifted the curtains aside and swished his tail while looking upon a sprawling city horizon. He pressed his forehead to it and eyed the endless flow of wheel and foot traffic, the roofs of buildings below and billboards, and the windows and office interiors of fellow skyscrapers, including the city's tallest. ‘This is the best city ever.’

“We can explore it tomorrow.” Cassidy sighed and shut her eyes. “I need to recover, and we need to shower.”

‘Oh, I know. The sun made me itchy.’ Fenny stepped back and turned around while scratching his side, walking over. ‘Thank you for driving us.’

She opened her eyes and pressed her hands into the bed to move up on it. “I would not have without you bringing it up months ago.”

He sat on the edge beside her.

Cassidy reached and placed her palm on his outer thigh, rubbing in with her fingertips.

Fenny glanced at her hand, looked at her, then moved up and lay beside her.

She slid her arm over his waist and tugged, and he shifted to lie on top of her as she moved onto her back, pressing chests. “We got a honeymoon discount, yeah?” Cassidy slightly leaned up to his muzzle.

‘Um, yes…’ He then leaned in to meet her and pressed lips, kissing her a few times while resting his forearms beside her.

She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head back on the bed, closing her eyes with a deep sigh. “...Tomorrow. I’m tired.”

‘We don’t have to.’

“I want to.” Cassidy broke a subtle grin and opened her eyes while drawing up his back. “Before we leave.”