A Smokey Promise. Chapter 1.
Story by ArchangelVulpine on SoFurry
Little mouse Kevin just wanted a job. Colossal snake Aaradhya had other plans...
502 words.
It's been a little longer than I'd hoped since my last upload, things have been pretty bumpy, so I hope everyone enjoys this one!
A Smokey Promise
By Archangel Vulpine
Chapter One
‘She will see you now,’ the employee announced.
Kevin had only needed to wait ten minutes, now the employee led him through a set of tall double doors. The club, if that was the right word for it, was well lit and clean. At twelve minutes past eleven, the establishment had yet to open, but appeared to be fully prepared for a long night. A bar took up one wall, circular tables and booths were dotted around, and a stage took pride of place, with a catwalk extending towards the centre of the room. Kevin took all of this in, but the employee led him down a long corridor. They passed more doors on either side, each branded with their own number. At the very end of the corridor stood another pair of tall doors, big enough for the largest animal to enter with ease. The employee opened one and indicated for Kevin to step through. The instant Kevin crossed the threshold, a pair of amber eyes fixed on him and a forked tongue flicked in his direction. Aaradhya was colossal. The office was devoid of furniture: instead, the reticulated python’s body wound around the room and she was resting atop it, as if she were sitting on a throne carved to resemble her matriarchal self. She wore a light grey top and a black blazer, plus a matching tail tube which resembled a formal skirt. Her endless body was patterned with dark diamonds. The only object Kevin could spot was the tall, ornate, bubbling hookah standing beside the snake.
‘Mr Stanton,’ the incredible woman began, ‘would you know a William by any chance?’
‘Yes,’ Kevin replied. ‘That’s my dad.’
Aaradhya raised the mouthpiece of her hookah and drew from it. She exhaled through her nostrils and two plumes of vapour poured out before curling off and dissipating.
‘I remember him.’ The snake grinned to herself, looking into the distance for a moment, before returning her attention to Kevin. ‘And I take it he’s…’ she gestured to Kevin as she spoke, ‘taken?’
‘Yes,’ he replied, unsure how to interpret the question.
‘Mmm,’ was her short response.
Kevin couldn’t be certain, but it sounded as though she was disappointed.
‘That means you already know who I am. He sent you here?’
‘He mentioned it had been a while, but you owed him a favour and—’
‘I owe him a favour?’ the snake interrupted. She burst into laughter, but it trailed off as she tilted her head and searched the ceiling. ‘Hmmh, I suppose that’s a fair assessment,’ she conceded. ‘So, what is it you want of me?’
‘A job, please?’
‘Is that all?’
Kevin nodded.
‘Well,’ Aaradhya began, lowering her head to approach the mouse, ‘let’s see what you have to offer.’
Aaradhya sucked on the hookah again, but this time she blew the thick white smoke at Kevin. The mouse only had enough time to close his eyes before her warm breath enveloped him.