FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

When people take up the adventuring life, they give up the normal expectations of a house and home, friends and family to which they can return. So, instead, they must make tenuous connections with fellow travelers and become little more than acquainted with those scant few spots they always return to.

Even with a different facade, owner, and offerings, the very concept of an inn is enough to be a foundational experience.

So, one such adventurer finds himself in one such establishment on a cold, rainy evening. Many find themselves huddled together and speaking of the trials and triumphs they have made. If the people they’ve loved and lost, they are sharing stories of the trials and triumphs they have faced. They speak of the people they’ve loved and lost and of the adventures yet to come, creating a bond of shared experiences of the adventures yet to come.

But for him and a few others, all they care for is to sit down, take off their traveling gear, and relax in the comforting atmosphere of the inn.

The adventurer orders a warm drink and collapses by the fire, sitting by a small stage. A slight skittering catches his attention as he brings the warming liquid to his lips. He grabs his sidearm and looks over his shoulder, only to glance at the bright lime scales of the tiny creature weaving effortlessly through the weary wanderers.

The sight of the kobold warmed the traveler’s heart as the drink warmed his belly, and it did even more so when the kobold hopped onto the stage, clasped their hands together, and bowed. “Good evening, friends!” the diminutive dragon chirped. “Allow me to sing you a song of my people on this fine day, that you may remember a home you never had!”

It is an intriguing proposition, to be sure. There couldn’t be much similarity between homes of the forest or cave-dwelling folk and a human-like traveler, but he listened, watching.

The kobold’s throat wobbles as they place a hand upon their chest. The language that comes from their mouth is melodious, to be sure, but the yipping chorus means nothing to the simple fighter. It is more the intention behind those notes that captures his imagination.

But more importantly, the swaying of the hips and the spinning of the body catch his breath. They enrapture his attention, making him grip his seat, lean in, and stare as clawed hands run down over the purple outfit, past that exposed tummy, and down over that long, thick tail.

So much time away from home… so much time away from people he could be close to… it does something to a person, no doubt.

Before he knows it, the kobold is bowing as the crowd cheers and snaps him out of his trance. The adventurer claps and nods his approval toward the kobold, but his hands freeze when the dancer’s eyes match his. Coins pitter at the kobold’s feet, and they scoop them up with much appreciation, disappearing as it were to a corner of the tavern with a happy slight hum., and they scoop them up with much appreciation, disappearing as if they were in

Some time passes amidst the crackling fire, and the adventurer finishes their drink. The courage from that last gulp, mixed with the memory of that song and dance, pushes him to stand and make his way to the opposite end of the tavern.

The dancers sit there, counting out their coppers and silvers. They look up as the adventure approaches, their smiles broad and welcoming. “Hello there, good sir. Is there something I can get you?”

The adventurer sits across from the kobold, tapping his fingers gently against the table, their lips quivering.

The kobold’s eyes flutter, and they tap their cheek. “Well, for starters, my name is Snaklu. Indeed, did you come here asking for something? I can see it in your eyes, even if you don’t. You want companionship for the night, do you not?”

The adventurer gasps, gripping the table. But after a moment’s hesitation, he nods.

Snaklu snickers slightly, scooping up the coins. “This I can do for you, for a price, of course, but I will surely make it worth the coin.”

The adventurer reaches for his belt, gulping, his lips trembling.

“Of course,” Snaklu says, clearing their throat and lacing their fingers together. “There’s something I need you to know first, and it is a sticking point for many, but not all, humans.”

The adventurer pauses, parting their lips but then closing them, motioning for Snaklu to continue.

“My performance enamors many,” Snaklu says, crossing one leg over the other. “But they come with the wrong impression. I may show off myself as many dancers of these realms do, but they come to me, thinking that I am a lady of the night. That is incorrect.”

The adventurer takes a breath, but Snaklu raises a hand. “They are not incorrect because I am not one to sell my body for an adventurer.” They chuckle, flashing a toothy grin to the adventurer. “They are incorrect because despite being a cute little whore for them, I’m not, in fact, a lady. Does my being a male bother you?”

The adventurer pushes himself up from the table quickly, arms trembling.

“I understand perfectly,” says Snaklu. He nods. “I don’t want to give you any nasty surprieee!”

Before realizing what was happening, Snaklu is lifted by the adventurer, who scoops him in one hand and throws a bag of gold at him in the other.

The kobold fumbles with the pouch momentarily before he narrows his gaze, growling seductively. “Oh, wow, well then. Seems I have my work cut out for me! I’m in the second room by the back window.”

With those directions, the adventurer takes Snaklu straight back. For tonight, at least, there shall be no loneliness.