FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A cottage atop of a hill sat quietly beneath the mid-Winter snow. Across the sky, a soft sheet of grey covered the sun, gentle flakes cascading downward to kiss the earth below. Despite the fact that the owner of the cottage and store had been gone for quite some time, the stone steps leading up to the potion store were cleared of snow as if someone had been working every day to keep the path ready for potential customers. Most who lived in the town nearby were still asleep while the sun was just now rising over the grey sea in the sky. Those who remained in their homes counted themselves lucky to be tucked away in rooms insulated from the Winter chill spreading in the morning air. Despite the snowfall, the wind was but a soft breeze barely brushing across the naked trees. The branches barely shuddered, and the feline at the bottom of the hill didn't budge from the chill that passed across her black fur. She wore a dress of a similar color to her fur with long sleeves and held a satchel at her side, a mantle warming her shoulders. Sapphire eyes looked up at the cottage, a small smile tugging at the side of her lips as she reached up to pull down on the brim of her pointed hat. The potion maker had returned to her home.

Layne stood at the bottom of the hill looking up at what she had at one point expected to be a mess. She had been gone discovering new locations and getting herself involved in various events, and yet, the steps leading up to her home were cleared as if she hadn't been gone at all. When she took the first step, she made note of the snow piling on the sides and wondered if that snow was fresh, or if it had been brushed aside. Shrugging, she continued her ascent while wondering, was someone squatting in her home? Maybe someone kind from town had seen that she had been gone and decided to do something sweet. It would make sense since she had made a few friends here and there, but then why did she see lights flickering in the windows of her home? Why did she see the sign clear as day on her door flicked to the side that read, 'open?' Had she left it that way, or perhaps did she really have a guest? Whoever it was, had seemed to take great care to make sure that the path to the store was still clear for any customers, and if the sign was up that meant they weren't adverse to any visitors. Who could it be?

At the door, Layne was still puzzling out that question. Curiosity drove her more than anything else. Her home had been taken care of without her permission, at the same time, she couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved that everything seemed right as rain. She opened the door and stepped through as she usually did. When she entered, she looked at her store and a big stupid smile crossed her features along with a swell of warmth in her gut she could not quite control. She didn't see anyone at the front counter, but she saw everything as it had been before she left; her home.

Blue flowers along the walls lit the store and beneath the flowers the shelves remained as they had always been before. Strangely, the shelves appeared to be fully stocked with every potion that she offered on sale. Layne moved besides one of the shelves, a single digit touching each glowing vial as if to greet them while making her way to the back. Finally, behind her counter, she knelt to see that something indeed had changed. Sales that she made were stored in a safe in the back near her room, but pouches and bags of coin littered the floor beneath meaning someone had been running her store for her without knowing where to put everything.

When she got up she moved to head to the door leading to the rest of the cottage, when it opened by itself. Layne stood there blinking while a feline with white fur stepped out wearing violet poncho. His eyes were like rubies and he had bands of a similar color around his wrist. When he turned his head and noticed she was there, a big smile broke across his features which Layne mimicked gladly. She opened her arms wide just as he came toward her to coil his own around her waist and bring her in for a tight hug.

"Glad to see you cousin," Layne muttered as she pressed close to him.

Nicolas replied, "Good to see you too."

When they parted from their embrace, Layne held onto his arms and looked him over, up and down before shaking her head, "I can't believe that the mysterious squatter at my home is actually my cousin. Tell me, how long have you been here? I can't have been gone for more than a week, and yet, the store looks as if I never left."

Her cousin grinned and pulled her in for another hug, this one much tighter as he explained, "I've been here for a few days. Saw that you weren't here and sent the family back a message that I'd be house sitting for a close friend."

Layne raised a brow and the corner of her mouth tugged up in a little smirk, "Good thing for me you're having some trouble with the family then."

Nicolas cleared his throat and pulled away slowly from their embrace, "Well, good guess, but you first I think."

The potion maker giggled and leaned to give her cousin one last squeeze before she started walking around him, "Let's talk over something warm first. Come on, I'll set some water to boil."

Her cousin followed with little argument and Layne moved with a sort of little hop in her step. She left her boots near the door leading into the rest of her cottage and made her way to the kitchen where she put a kettle to boil. Nicolas followed quietly, with his paws behind his back with a fat smile on his face while Layne marveled at the fact that her entire home was in perfect condition. Everything was nice and clean, dusted and polished. No dishes were left dirty and the kitchen was ready to be used. Her cousin being here only made things that much more joyful and she was only happy to set and serve the tea when it was ready. Layne sweetened both cups to how each desired before she took a seat at the table near the kitchen.

Nicolas looked at her from across the table with a cup held in paw and he raised it toward her as if to say, 'Your turn first.'

The potion maker took her time, sipping the hot tea before with eyes shut before setting it down and beginning her tale. She told him of the strange underground forest and the creatures within it, her near mishaps and her encounter with the witch below. A shudder passed through her as she remembered the strange creature that had poisoned her and the odd fungal forest that she had nearly lost herself to. She decided to focus on telling her cousin about the spider witch that she met since it was much more pleasant. Layne spared no detail and giggled as she watched her cousin flush red beneath the fur. Strange as it seemed, he reacted most to the portions of her little tale where she explained her own sexual involvement and she took her time enjoying his embarrassment before she continued on with the more important things in the story. It all ended with a terrible scene, a test that she had accepted in exchange for knowledge and membership to a guild and coven. She didn't explain too much of what happened there, but her cousin nodded and accepted that there was nothing more to say about all that.

When all was said, she took a sip of her tea before setting the cup back down and asking, "So, what really brings you here then?"

Nicolas sighed, "I'll leave it at needing a break from the family. They're a bit strict, as you know. I figured a visit out here would give me a little peace so I could clear my head and come back prepared to tackle their questions and more." He then passed a digit around the rim of the cup and muttered, "They want me to lead earlier than expected and that means they've been pushing me harder to find a spouse and heir. I tell them all in good time and through my own choice, and at least they listen to that."

Layne snorted, "Pushy, strict and full of foolish traditions, who knew? Either way, I'm sure whoever you find on your own time will be lovely and I'd be glad to come to the wedding." She saw his ears pop up along with his eyes and she giggled, "What? Thought I'd miss it just because I hate the idiots back at home? Not at all...But more importantly, you're always welcome here. This is as much your home as it is mine." She then took a small sip before continuing with her eyes closed, "I still owe you a lot, from the things you helped me with before and even now with my home."

Her cousin shifted in his seat before he cleared his throat, "Well, even if you say that I'd still like to do more for you if possible. It doesn't feel right staying here rent free."

Of course, he would dodge her assertion that she owed him, he always did. Most times she would argue and fret about his insistence to avoid her good nature now that she could actually return the favor but right now she could feel the fatigue of her trip wearing on her, and more than that, it was just nice to see him even if he was here to hide away from their family. Despite the fact that she figured it would be better to go easy on him, she still fixed him with a narrow look while bringing her cup up to take small sips. She watched as he saw her gaze, both of his paws moving to his own cup as his eyes seemed to trail away from her own.

For a few moments, she watched him squirm before she couldn't handle it anymore and giggled, "Nicolas...I'm not mad at you. I'm not even going to fight with you this time. If you want to make yourself useful then you already have by running my store." She then set her cup down as she offered, "And if you're feeling so bad about staying here rent free then we can arrange something. You see, I've never had an employee before. I've always worked by myself and have wondered how it might be to have an assistant or just someone to take the load off a little. Two felines working the cauldron would be nice."

Nicolas chuckled, "It'll be a family business at this rate."

The potion maker rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Please! I would never wish that evil on this store. Listen, we might as well not even be cousins at this point since I'm so far divorced from our family." She then saw the smile on his face shifting downward and she sighed, "Of course I still love you dear, that isn't what I meant at all, but I just meant that I would rather have zero association with the family. You and I are family in a different manner. We're friends sweetie and that to me is more important than family thanks to my experiences."

Her cousin tilted his head and nodded, "I get that. We'll drop the family talk though, I think, we should try to spend however long I stay here without thinking about them. Just us and the customers I suppose."

Ah, speaking of the customers, Layne did have one thing to ask that intrigued her. "So...Nicolas." She said controlling the grin begging to spread across her features, "I imagine my customers asked for a few special products usually saved for the bedroom." Pink blossomed beneath the fur of his cheeks but he nodded amiably with a smile and nothing more until she continued, "Did any of them ask for help testing the product?"

Nicolas sucked in a breath before speaking, "I...A few of them, yes but I didn't. I told them that I wasn't really sure if that was store policy but they told me that it was? When they saw I was confused they left it at that and let me go but uh, is that what you do here as well as sell potions Layne?"

Layne shrugged, "Mhm. Most of the people who ask are nice enough and it isn't as if I can't say no. I have a good time, they have a good time and what is more, I get free test subjects for new things I make if I advertise just right." She then lowered her voice, "Does it bother you?"

Nicolas shook his head, "No! Not at all! You're free to do what you want with your body. I was just concerned someone was coercing you and well...Sometimes I still see you as an innocent gem. Guess that part is my own fault for not visiting enough. I was even surprised at your adventures, not just the sex, but the uh everything!"

The potion maker's smile quirked and she chuckled, "Gosh, anyone thinking I'm innocent. What a thought! And as for the adventures, they're the usual thing. I like going out and at least exploring the grounds around me. There are many things in the forest to be found and even more if you decide to go deep enough." She then decided to turn the topic, "But enough about that...Knowing what store policy is now, will you be okay with giving a few customers a paw or two? I mean, you're sure enough to attract plenty of people looking for a stud to stuff them it'll bring in more customers if you're willing but if you're not I can always let people know simple enough."

She had expected some sort of surprise or embarrassment, instead, he rubbed his chin and looked thoughtfully up into the air, "I guess I could just roll with it. I mean, if I can help you this way then I'd be happy with just that but what can I say...The prospect is kind of hot."

Layne laughed, "I guess we really are family if you're thinking like that. For now, though, I'm feeling tired Nicolas, so I think I'd like to get to bed. You're free to the guest room for as long as you like and you can bother me whenever you want."

The potion maker got up to take the cups up but Nicolas put a paw up and moved to take them before she could, "Go ahead and rest. We can talk later, tomorrow, or whenever you feel like it."

She smiled and sighed, "Too sweet..."

With that said she watched him walk away before turning tail to walk further into her home. Soon the only sounds she could hear were her own steps on the floorboards along with the occasional yawn escaping her mouth. She let her body sag and allowed all the fatigue from her trip to pour on through. Interesting things had been presented her along with new opportunities and she would be glad to explore those types of things again another time, but for now, she needed sleep.

She slipped inside of her room and tossed her satchel on her dresser. The potion maker made an attempt at getting her dress off of her body, but instead, she shrugged and moved to lie on the bed fully clothed. Almost as soon as her cheek hit the pillow, her mind drifted off to the world of dreams. Tomorrow she'd start working again and this time, with her cousin as her assistant.