FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Matilda stands at the back of the room, ready to listen to the call of any of the four individuals seated around the meeting room table. Her demeanor makes her tense, not only because of the dark and demonic sights she witnessed in the Forbidden Wing but also because of the palpable miasma that hangs between the people seated around the table.

The first is Baker, leaning back slightly, assessing the softening chocolate of his face, mainly rubbing in his temples.

The second is Lord Aldevan sitting to his right.

Across from Lord Aldevan is one unwelcome sight: the leporine lawyer who had served Baker the legal documents only a few hours earlier.

And across from Baker is someone entirely new to him. She dresses in the vocational outfit of a fellow confectioner, her slight body hugged by a brown jacket, her messy hair only just sticking out of the corners of her toque, her brown face flecked with brown freckles, and her brown eyes staring brown daggers at him.

"Well," says the Lord, chuckling through the awkward silence. Who would have thought my legal representation search would yield these results? It's a small city, isn't it, Miss Harrison?"

"Indeed," says the rabbit woman, pushing up her glasses. 'Though, now that it has come to light that I am representing both you and miss Brownie here, I will have to recuse myself from further negotiations. If you wish to pursue your legal action further, I can offer you both alternatives from different firms."

Baker sits up, lacing his fingers together. "No, I think I'm just fine speaking with the cause of all my ills right here, thank you very much."

The brown baker grunts and sits up, leaning in, her hands on the table. "Your problems? You're the one stealing my business!"

"I'm sorry, miss… Brownie, was it? I can't possibly have stolen your business since I never knew you existed."

Brownie rolls her eyes and sits back, folding her arms over her chest. "I don't have time for this." She nods toward Miss Harrison. "Can't you do something about this… thing?"

"I beg your pardon!" Baker says, gritting his perfectly-molded teeth.

Miss Harrison sighs and picks up her things. "I'm afraid I can't speak anymore on this matter. As my last official act, I suggest you cease talking to one another and find a mediator who isn't me. Goodbye and good evening."

She stands up, pulling out her parasol and popping it open before she walks out, leaving just the three at the table and Matilda awkwardly watching the proceedings.

Well, then, this leaves us with a bit of a pickle, doesn't it?" says Lord Aldevan," as I have money invested in both of your ventures, I cannot mediate this situation myself."

Matilda coughs.

The three turn to face her.

"I had some training in conflict resolution," she says. "Maybe, I can…?"

"Not gonna fly," says Brownie, draping one arm over the back of her seat. "You work for Aldevan. There’s no way You’ll be impartial.”

"Easily fixable," says the Lord. He points to Matilda. “You're fired. Clean up your things when you're done here." He then steps up and walks past, whistling to himself.

"W… wh.. Whha? Muh… my lord!"

But he slams the door in her face, leaving her to whimper alone in the tense quiet of the room.

"Well, you're here now, aren't you?" says Brownie. “Sit down and listen up.”

"Must you be so uncouth to the girl?" asks Baker. "She's been through enough today; all she's ever wanted to do was serve."

Brownie scratches behind her ear and motions to Lord Aldevan's chair. "So, as I was saying, I am a bona-fide baker. I spent my time at culinary school. I was born and bred in a long history of brownies and bakers. I could outperform a glorified whisk any day."

"What nerve you have to ignore that I am a thinking and feeling being!" says Baker.

"And you ignore that your very existence threatens my way of life!" snaps Brownie!

"I have a right to live!" Baker shouts!

"Oh yeah? Can you even consider yourself alive?" she snaps.

The two are leaning in on the table, faces just mere inches away from one another, leaving the poor Matilda between them. She places her hands between them, spreading them apart and getting them to sit back down. "Everyone, everyone, please! It's been a stressful day for all of us. Let us sit back and think rationally about this."

The two bakers fold their arms over their chests and look away, harumphing indignantly.

Clapping her hands together, Matilda takes a deep breath. "Okay. This is what I'm thinking. You need to get to know each other better to understand your side of the argument.”

"If she can speak to me, sure," waves Baker.

Brownie rolls her eyes. "It'll be a waste of time, but sure, as long as we can move on."

"Very good," says Matilda, slamming her hands on the table and standing up. "Then, you two help me pack my things. We will find an inn and take care of this once and for all!"

"An Inn…?" asks Brownie, glancing over toward Baker.

"Whatever for?" asks Baker, catching Brownie's first glance.

The Maid dips past them, placing a hand on her lip and spinning around toward them again. "Oh, it's simple. "We're going to do an exercise."

Brownie rubs her temple. "What could we do at an inn to help us 'understand' each other?"

Baker leans back, draping one arm over the back of his chair. "Yes, I do not see the goal here."

"Oh, it's simple," says Matilda. “You two are going to shut up about your differences and fuck me un!"