FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It has been a rough time recently for Tik Tik; with the unexpected encounters and the disappearance of Quiquan, things are becoming increasingly frustrating around the tower. But it can’t get any worse, right?”

As Tik Tik works on another one of her many projects, Asuka, the canine kobold, enters the wizard’s chamber, bowing low. “My mistress,” she says, keeping her head down, “There is a message for you, delivered by a courier.”

Tik Tik pops her head up from her writings, cooing with excited glee and hopping off her seat to scurry over and snatch the notice. Scanning the message, she yelps when a bright flash of light hits her, producing a towering image of Anish, her employer at the Grand Caravan, within the room. The rakshasa stands in illusory form before Tik Tik, a stern gaze upon his beastly visage as he glares directly into the kobold’s eyes.

“You’ve yet to find and secure Maram and restore your teleportation device,” her boss grumbles. “And because of that, we are behind in our quarterly quotas.” The caravan leader takes a deep breath, his backwards and clawed hands clicking nails together. “Because of this, you are in breach of our contract, and I shall be compelled to terminate our relationship—unless you can complete a task for me.”

Not waiting for Tik Tik’s response, the rakshasa holds up his hands, and between them appears a small, plain chest with a prominent lock built into it. “Our agents placed this package into your tower to be delivered through your teleportation technology later.” He growls, his teeth grinding. “However, when you allowed thieves to enter your tower and steal your divine artifact and the Lust Spirit battery escaped, the delivery date soon approaches, but we cannot transport it safely.

“Since this is your fault, Tik Tik, it is now up to you to find a courier service and send the package off—but I have one more request.” He waves his hand, dissipating the image of the chest. “I want you to be in the party that delivers the chest. You must ensure its safety personally, and I need to hear word within the month that you were successful.” He lifts his hand, squeezing it into a fist. “Otherwise, I shall send a team to repossess all that is mine.”

With that last warning, the illusion disappears into a shimmering mirage. Leaving the two kobolds alone in the laboratory. Asuka shrinks back, her ears lowering. “What are you going to do?” the furry kobold asks.

Tik Tik strokes her chin, sighing. “Nothing to do but to deliver the package.” She squats down and scoops up the notice. “We need to discover who in Anteronia can traverse northern terrain fast enough to make it on time—and can take Tik Tik with them.”

“What if it’s all a trap, though?” Asuka grabs onto Tik Tik’s shoulder, whimpering. “What if Anish sends someone or something to the tower to take me while you’re away?”

Tik Tik pats Asuka’s hand. There’s nothing to worry about. Here, you have access to all of my magic. Here, you are safe.” She then nuzzles the dog bold’s cheek. “I will never let him take you.”

With that, Tik Tik waves her hand, holding it up and striding towards the exit. Her cloak flies in, landing in her grasp. She then whips it around her back and pops the hood over her head. After that, she holds her hand before her and spins her arm in the air, creating a green disk. She throws the disk to the floor and then hops onto it. Her conveyance rises, becoming a moving platform she uses to traverse her tower.

And so, her journey begins.

* * *

The City of Sin boasts numerous businesses, including couriers and various shipping opportunities. Of course, Tik Tik travels to everyone she can find, and what does she get?

“There’s no way I can get a package to Tundara in time!”

“I ain’t workin’ for the Grand Caravan. They put my father out of business!”

“Sorry, I don’t allow people to join my couriers on their quests. Not after last time.”

The series of deconfirmations leaves Tik Tik sitting on a curb, hands on her cheeks, staring down at the box on her lap, as darkness and emptiness often creep into her soul, scratching at the back of her mind. She’s a failure, a fraud, and soon, she’ll be captured and sent who-knows-where to do who-knows-what for who-knows-who.

The kobold sighs and lifts her head, staring blankly across the street. But as she does, she hears the galloping of hooves. Leaning in, she realizes that those gallops are pretty fast. Just how fast, she cannot count.

Suddenly, a rush of air and a streak pass by her. The kobold holds onto her hood and cloak. She gawks at the figure, but she only catches a quick glimpse. It is a horse, no, a horse man, rushing down the main street.

Following in pursuit is a small detachment of Judicators, a zealous group of law enforcers approved by the city but heavy in their willingness to punish. They rush toward Tik Tik and blow whistles at the rushing creature, only to curse their misfortune.

“Blasted centaurs,” an ear-covered judicator clasps his knees as he catches his breath. Traditionally, each Judicator inhibits one of their senses in pursuing the lofty goal of righteous judgment. “They think they own the streets.

Another judicator, whose eyes are covered, removes their hat and wipes their brow. We need to improve our endurance and speed if we wish to catch that streaking Lunatic.

Tik Tik’s snout curls up in a long, curling smile, and she rubs her hands together. “Perfect timing,” she coos.