FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Greetings and Salutations new and old readers alike. I know, a second chapter in only a few weeks?! Well, don't try to pinch yourself from this dream, cause it's real. As I said, what I had done was enough to be cut down into formally three, now two chapters (I decided to merge two). With any luck, the next chapter, which I have to actually write, has been coming along well and should be done sooner then my last post, I'd hate to make you guys wait another year....:P

And I know because you're oh so interested in my life...I figured you guys could get an update. I've just gotten accepted into three PhD programs, and I have till tomorrow, basically, to decide between them. I'm kinda freaking out considering this is the place i'll be spending the next 4-6 years doing research, so I had better like it. I know everyone keeps saying to pick the one that feels the best...but frankly I can't tell between them. At the moment, I'm just tempted to sell myself to the highest stipend and most recognizable name....I know, a cop-out move, but I wouldn't mind doing work there anyways...despite it being in Troy NY. (I'll let you figure out which school it is). I guess I'll feel confident with my decision once it's already made, and I guess that if I truly end up absolutely hating it, I can always claim some family/medical emergency and try to leave with my masters in 2 years rather then salving away for my PhD in four.

Anyways, beyond that whole mess, I'm still chronically single. And I can't decide whether I hate it or love it. I know, odd, right? The bleeding heart romantic enjoying being single? I figure I have my moments where I really couldn't see myself with anyone, but maybe that's just because I haven't found someone who is both available to actually date me, and who I'd actually enjoy dating. Eh, I managed to get through undergrad constantly single...I assume it shouldn't be too hard to repeat the task for grad school.

Nonetheless, you didn't click here to hear me rabble on, did you?....Note: I'm flattered if you agree with the previous statement. Still, on to the show...and what a show this chapter will be, WINK WINK. Just remember all characters and what not are my intellectual property, but just ask if you want to use them, and so long as they remain true to form, there shouldn't be any problem. And as always, all comments, critiques, and questions are welcome after the story, I promise I'll try to respond to any and all posts.

Now, on to the show!

p.s. I apologize for the spacing and any weird formatting. I always double space my work in word, so now the autospacing gives me four lines between each paragraph....awkward to say the least. And last time i posted, for some reason my story showed up with a white background...don't quite know how to fix that. any and all help would be wonderful.

p.p.s Oh, and one quick thing before I forget, the song's lyrics that you'll see featured below are not of my own creation. They are the product of Alannah Myles, and as soon as I heard the song I just KNEW that I wanted to do a scene to it. I won't spoil which one, but you're welcome to play it while that part is going on, might just make it that much more real. Anyways, I'll stop talking and let you get to the good stuff.

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Looking through the side window towards Locke, Maxi whined at his boyfriend's helpless shrug; after all, it was Davy's car. Sighing heavily, he went around back and used the metals bars that formed the trunk's roof to steady him as he squeezed into the open-air truck bed. Once one foot was in and the second left the ground, the jeep jerked backwards; causing him to face-plant the canvas wall before sliding down to the trunk's floor. Wincing, he rubbed his temple where it had made contact and sat up enough to look through the back window to see Davy laughing his ass off while Locke kept quiet in his corner. A sudden déjà-vu overcame him; the lion flashed back to being tossed into the trunk of Nathaniel's limo.

The remaining trip didn't fare much better. On the way to the club, which seemed to be on the opposite side of town from Locke's house, they pulled into a drive-through for a burger and fries, forgetting to order him something. It wasn't until they pulled away, and he tapped on the rear window, that Locke realized his mistake. To rectify his error, the half-breed crawled over the back seat and offered his fries so his boyfriend wouldn't be hungry. Davy hadn't said anything, so Maxi assumed it was intentional to not get him something. As they neared the club, it began to drizzle. All the lion had to keep him dry was his coat. So while balancing his fries, he huddled under the insufficient make-shift blanket.

Eventually they pulled into the parking lot of a building, brilliantly lit with long alternating neon lights of blue and purple that outlined the word 'Nocturne' over the door. "The ride wasn't too bad for you, right?" Locke said regretfully as he got out after they parked, rushing around back to help the lion out of the trunk.

Chucking the empty container into the trunk bed, Maxi found Locke's remorse genuine as he leaned under the coat's hood to press their lips together. "I survived," he breathed slowly, giving a large smile to show, at least outwardly, he was over it. "We're all here, and that's what's important, right?"

"Right!" the black half-breed declared, "Now, off we go." Leading Maxi towards the club's entrance where Davy was holding the door open for them. Once Locke was through, if it wasn't for his innate feline reflexes, he would've had a broken nose as the tiger/lizard slammed it shut on him; saying nothing as he walked away.

The fur on the back of the lion's neck bristled as he felt the urge to claw Davy's eyes out. Storming into the club, blind with rage, Maxi was within inches of clobbering him over the back of his head as he stared out onto the floor when he felt two smaller paws clasp his fists from behind him. "I'm...sorry Locke," Maxi admitted, hiding his face under his hood.

"Don't be..." the half-breed said softly, watching his friend edge into the main room towards the bar, "he can be hard to deal with sometimes I admit. But he's been there for me since I can remember; loyal...sometimes to a fault."

"It's good to have friends like that though," Maxi replied, smiling as the smaller cat slipped inside his coat to hold him around the waist.

They stayed like that for a bit until the sound of someone coughing to the lion's right caused them to look. "Your coats, sirs." demanded the coat-check girl, a beige bunny with a rack of antlers any buck would've proud of. Dressed in a small black cocktail dress with an outstretched arm, her paw making the impatient 'give me' clench as if waiting to be tipped for her service.

"Ohh, terribly sorry Nadine," the half-breed said, releasing his loose hold around the lion's waist. "I suppose I was distracted."

Upon hearing his voice, the jackalope's eyes widened and then narrowed, "Is that you, Locke, hidden under there?"

"The one and only," the panther/wolf replied, peaking his head out from inside Maxi's coat.

He approached and they exchanged pleasantries and a kiss on the cheek before he handed over his jacket. From what Maxi overheard, they had been school friends and she was working here at the Nocturne just until she could set off to find her fortune. "So...who's this?" she finally asked, motioning to the cloaked figure who stood silently behind to the black crossbreed.

"Why, this is...this is..." Locke floundered over his words.

The hooded creature pulled the smaller boy closer. "Mitchell," Maxi whispered into his ear.

"Mitchell," Locke echoed.

"Mitchell, huh?" Nadine repeated to herself, mulling the name over as though someone suggested it for her child. "Is he you new beau?" she asked, getting her answer in the form of Locke's inner ears turning a bright purple under his black fur. Nadine jumped up and down behind her kiosk, clapping loudly; "Oh, I'm so thrilled for you."

"Thanks," the other half-breed said proudly, looking over his shoulder at the golden eyes hidden under the hood.

"So..." she said, leaning over the front of her stand, her voice dropping a few octaves, "does Sebastian know about this?"

At the mention of the name, Locke's face went pale, his body going though rigor mortis. "He's not working tonight, is he?" he whispered, glancing into the darkened interior, half-expecting something to jump out from the shadows.

"I'll take that as a 'no'."

"Who's Sebastian?" Maxi asked, lowering his voice as well, sensing this was a rather sensitive topic.

"Just his most recent ex is all," she said with a shrug.

Sighing heavily, Locke looked down at his feet, "he's still convinced we're dating."

"You haven't told him it's over?!" the jackalope accused, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Of course I told him!" Locke countered, twiddling his fingers nerviously.

"Oh, one of those types, huh?" Nadine asked, getting a solemn nod in return. "The thing is Mitch..." she said, turning towards Maxi, "your boy here, goes through lovers like a woman goes through tampons, a new one every month. Being the son of the mayor means he's always jumping from one romance to the next. Some understand that and move on, like me. Others tend to get...oh, what's the word I'm looking for... clingy."

"We've never dated," Locke rebutted, "We just got really drunk and fucked in the coat room during your shift."

Rolling her eyes, she leaned back. "You bought me breakfast in the morning. That makes it a date, Mr. Casanova" she corrected him.

Eyeing her warily, Locke drummed his fingers on the counter. "You never did answer my question," he said, "is he her-"

"I didn't see him enter, so don't worry about it," Nadine interrupted him. Motioning towards the cloaked figure with a curling finger, she gave a curious smile. "Now, come on Mitch, take off your coat and let me see Locke's new prized pet."

"Locke..." Maxi said hesitantly, still keeping his face hidden under the hood.

Patting him on the back, the half-breed gently steered him before Nadine. "It's alright Mitch," he began, "no one's gonna give you grief here."

"He's right you know," she added. Running her fingers across her rack of antlers, Nadine smiled warmly to the stranger. "Everyone's really open-minded here, so they won't care what you look li-li-li...LION!" Nadine screamed at the top of her lungs as 'Mitch' removed his hood.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Maxi watched fear materialize on the jackalope's face; the nervous twitch of her whiskers; her trembling lips; the way her gaze locked on the golden mane that had burst forth as his hood lowered. Paralyzed with arms behind his head, the lion became acutely aware of not just Nadine's eyes, but those of the dozens of patrons inside the club. He speculated that his mustard-yellow pelt was easy to spot against the club's dimly lit plum colored walls. Slowly, he turned to peer through the arch way framed by purple drapes, each tied back with a navy drawstring and oversized tassel. He could clearly make out the bar against the back wall, the patrons on the stools having spun around to face him. Between them and him was a sea of candle-lit faces, each in a state of shock and/or drink, their eyes as wide and white as the china plates his mother used on special occasions. He could sense their anxiety; their fear; their anger; and could already visualize their pitchforks and torches.

"Actually..." panther/wolf began; covering for Maxi, "he's a Forbidden, like me."

"He is?" Nadine asked in disbelief.

"I am?" Maxi reiterated under his breath.

"Of course," Locke confirmed.

Resting paws on her hips with this sassy smirk across her lips. "And what, pray tell, are you Mitch?"

"I'm...ummm...I-uhh," the lion mumbled, fumbling over his own words.

Brimming with confidence, Locke reached out to hug his boyfriend around the waist, pulling him close enough to nuzzle. "Awww, don't be shy there puppy," he cooed before turning back to his friend, "he's still not used to telling people, you understand how that is, right?" The jackalope nodded. "Anyways, lucky Mitch has some damn good genes, part lion and part golden retriever," he said, loud enough for his voice carry into the club's interior.

The coat check girl nodded, "Oh that makes sense..."

And with that, those patrons' reactions of shock and awe were gone. It was as though time skipped a beat, because in a blink of an eye, everyone was back to their conversation; minding their drinks and their friends...despite him still there. The bemused look on his face must've been apparent as a paw gently clasped his right shoulder. "See, I told you they wouldn't mind," Locke pleasantly reminded him.

Surely that couldn't be right; surely they didn't believe his overly simplistic lie; surely they're all bidding their time, talking amongst themselves; waiting till he turned his back. He was a lion thrust into the...well, lions' den; for the sake of the analogy. And yet, they were treating him as if he was a neighborhood cat from off the streets. Turning from his view of the club's expanse, he was surprised to find the jackalope with a pleasant smile on her face. "I'm really sorry about that," she said softly, "I didn't mean to startle you, or give everyone here the wrong idea. It's just rare to get your type in here; I can see why you'd want to keep that a secret."

"It's...fine..." Maxi said distantly, still waiting for those pitchforks and torches to materialize in the paws of the patrons. Eventually his arms found their way to his sides, and he stood there, completely unsure of what to do seeing as how his previous plan was based being run out of town; and he didn't have a contingency plan.

Nadine smiled, tipping her head to the side with an inquisitive stare. "Still want me to take your coat Mitchell?" she asked.

Looking back to Locke for support, he watched the black cat's trademark Cheshire grin; his emerald eyes lighting up the club's somber interior. Returning the smile with one of his own, he suddenly got a confidence boost like never before, feeling as if he'd just climbed a mountain. "Sure thing," he said while slipping out of his coat to hand it off to her, taking a moment to adjust his shirt collar.

"And speaking of good jeans..." Nadine cooed, her eyes straying over the lion's body like a predator over its next meal. "I take it Locke picked out the outfit," she surmised, the half-breed's style was rather obvious. Still, it wasn't a style that offered much to criticize. He looked stunning with his golden pelt offset by the black short-sleeved shirt, gloves, and pants, all allowing for glimpses of his yellow fur and slim build. She had to admit, Mitchell certainly was a stud as far as guys go; maybe she'd try for him on the rebound after the eventual break up. Locke had good taste in guys and in clothes; she sighed under her breath, if only he held a similar hunger for women.

"He looks good, doesn't he?" Locke admired his work for the first time in a genuine club atmosphere; his eyes traveling from Maxi's ears, to mane, to face, down the neck, over the chest, and finally, out along the tail to finish at the tip's small tuff of hair. "Anyways, I'll see you later, okay? I think we're gonna go get a drink or two." Taking his boyfriend's paw in his, he led him away through the arch into the main room.

Not bothering to object, Maxi followed along next to Locke, getting his first good look at the Nocturne as they left the entrance. The color scheme of black and plum continued out into the central area, getting incorporated into the table clothes, backdrops, neon lighting, and large curtains that covered up what he took to be a stage. There was a dance floor directly in front of the stage, along with several small platforms on either side. Between him and there was a sea of tables and chairs, every one filled by a patron. Whether imagined or real, he felt dozens of eyes looking him over, scrutinizing, admiring, or just downright criticizing him. He was about to ask Locke if they could switch spots, with him closer to the back and the half-breed taking the brunt of the stares. But he noticed that the smaller male seemed to be hiding in his shadow. "Everything alright?" he asked, tilting his head out of curious concern.

"What? Yeah...I'm good," he replied barely above the music, which, for a club, seemed rather hushed. They must be building up to something, Maki thought to himself.

The lion was about to contradict him, but they had reached the corner of the bar where Davy sat. He was dressed in a simple blue t-shirt and khaki pants, nursing what looked to be a rum-and-coke; his large, blue scaled reptilian tail curling around the base of the barstool. "What are you having?" he asked Locke, a neutral enough question; but Maxi wasn't confident in his assumptions to approach Locke about that just yet.

"Nothing, if the bartender doesn't show up soon," he said, prodding the tiger/lizard in the ribs with his left elbow, the right laying atop the bar.

"She was here," Davy said, holding up his glass as proof, "she just got tired of waiting for you to finish your conversation with Nadine."

Half bent over the bar, emerald eyes carefully scanning the crowed. "Well, go call her, will you?" Locke said over his shoulder, his right arm now protectively hooking around Maxi's waist, a signal to everyone in the club to back the fuck off and not get any ideas; this boy was with him.

"What am I, her keeper?" Davy replied dejected, knocking back the rest of his drink before slamming the glass down, ice cubes clinking against the sides.

Turning his head, Locke gave him a sharp look. "Yes."

Startled upright by the blunt response, his orange and black ears cocked back, Davy looked over Locke, who had returned his attention to scanning the room. "You've changed..." he said under his breath. Seeing the lion turning to look at him, he narrowed his eyes and hardened his face, as if to imply that the change was his fault. Feeling vindicated as the pure-bred cat lowered his ears and turned away; he pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text message.

Seconds later, the door behind the bar swung open and the shapely figure of a large lizard stormed out. Cerulean scales shimmered in the limited lighting as she moved towards them, her electric yellow eyes narrowing between strands of crisp black hair that fell across her face and long, slender muzzle. The reptile was dressed in a pair of low riding black slacks and a shirt that consisted of nothing more than a black bra and a few strips of cloth making it 'presentable'. With a spiked choker around her neck, spiked armbands around her wrists, and the way her slender crimson tongue came out amongst a deep hiss, the lion stepped behind the panther/wolf and hoped he wasn't noticed. "If you have sss-something to sss-say to me, I sss-suggest you sss-say it to my face!" she growled, slamming her palms on the counter in front of Davy, who merely squared off her look with one of his own.

"I don't," Davy said, raising his paws to a half hearted defense; "he does,' motioning to Locke with the flick of a finger.

"Hey Vi!" the panther waved with a flurry of fingers, appearing to relax from sentry duty.

"Locke!" the lizard shouted, having completely missed him in her single-minded desire to get her claws around Davy's throat. Reaching across the counter, she quickly had her arms around him in a crushing embrace, pulling his face into her impressive rack. "How was your adventure? When did you get back? Nitwit here doesn't tell me jack sss-shit!" Then, looking over the panther's shoulder towards the tiger, "why didn't you tell me that Locke was-sss here, oh brother dearest?" Vi said in spiteful formality.

"Because, sister dear, all he said was for me to call you. If he wanted something else, he should've said something." His voice sounding apathetic, as was his posture, slumped forwards, resting his forearms on the counter while staring at them out of the corner of his eyes. Tracing a claw around the rim of his empty glass, he slid it across the bar towards her. "A refill would be nice. I'd get it myself, but you know how they don't like fur in the mixers."

"If you wanted a drink sss-so badly, why didn't you ask Rachel for one?" she said, motioning towards the slim female bear with black and white striped fur at the other end of the bar, "I told you I was going on my break." Rolling her eyes, she retreated to the back wall of the bar towards the hanging bottles of various spirits. It took her no more than a minute to fill Davy's order, sliding the glass back with a flick of her wrist. "Locke, did you want sss-something?" she asked, returning to face her collection of shot glasses.

"Hell yeah! We're celebrating tonight, aren't we?" he asked, getting a blank nod from the lion, who was distracted by his thoughts. "Two long island ice-teas then, that should start off the night nicely."

"You're...related?!" Maxi said, as though answering a question in school to which he wasn't sure the answer.

"Of course we're related, you idiot!" Davy growled, baring his fangs at the smaller feline before he pounded back half of his newly refilled drink in one gulp.

Ignoring her brother's remark, Vi concentrated on her orders. "We're twins in fact, not identical, but fraternal," the lizard replied without turning to see who had asked.

"Oh" the lion said, unsure how to further the conversation.

"Don't worry; you're not the first one to be sss-surprised. The thing is, our mother is an iguana and our father, as you can probably guess-sss, is a bangle tiger. We were both born in eggs as was usual for reptiles, believe it or not. Turns out that in half-breeds twins, your gender is what largely influences with of the parents you'll most look like; hence our current sss-situation." Reaching behind her, she showed the long orange, black, and blue stripped tiger's tail coming from the waist of her pants; which was in direct contrast to Davy's blue and yellow scaled tail currently slapping angrily against the metal barstool. "When we were younger, our mother used to call us 'butt bandits'..." she said as she looked over her shoulder, curious to see who had been so inquisitive; "because, it looked like we had stolen each other's ass-ss...ss," the lizard suddenly losing her ability to formulate words as she watched the golden pelted male slowly slink up from behind the panther. If it wasn't for her bartending instincts, she would've dropped the two drinks she was balancing in her claw. "KITTY!" Vi elated, fumbling the glasses to the counter before reaching over the bar to secure the now frantic lion in a bear hug. "AWWWWwwww! Aren't you just the cutest little thing? Yes you are! Yes you are!" the reptile cooing as if Maxi was just a cub. Smoothing out his bushy mane with her scaly paws, she buried her face the yellow fur and hugged him tighter.

"If you suffocate my man with your gigantic breasts, I'm gonna make a handbag out of your hide!" Locke threatened amongst giggles as he sipped from one of the tall glasses; ignoring Davy, who was busy avoiding the sight of his sister cuddling that...that...pampered little pussy.

"Your man?!" Vi replied, releasing the lion's head from between her boobs to get her first good look at the boy's face. Using the softer scales of her palm to gently brush his face clean and get a better idea of his appearance. "You mean you're dating a lion?!?"

"Shhhh...half-breed," Locker corrected her.

The lizard took a minute to reexamine the frightened male in her arms. But it didn't take a scientist to see that this was no half-breed...this was pure, unfiltered, 100%, prime lion, only decent lighting; and Vi wasn't afraid to call him on it. "Bull sss-shit..."

The true Forbidden flattened his ears. "Well, can you at least be quiet about it?"

"So...you're dating a lion," Vi surmised.

Wagging his finger, in the air, Locke couldn't help but smile with pride. "Not just any ole' lion," he informed her, "the lion."

Maxi was suddenly released from her arms as Vi felt the breath within her freeze once she realized just who was standing before her in the rave gear on her best friend's arm. "Oh my g-g-goodness-sss," she stuttered, backing away so that she had room to collect her thoughts; "you're...you're kidding, right?"

"Nope..." Locke said, glowing with pride as he rested his head on the other male's shoulder.

Sensing that this lizar-...err...half-breed could be trusted with sensitive information, Maxi reached up to scratch behind Locke's ears. "He's right, Mrs. Vi." The lion rested his head atop the other cat's, both boys purring in unison.

"Holy sss-shit..." her cerulean scales fading back into color after being scared white. "I'm...uhh, glad to sss-see that you are faring well sss-sir. News-sss of the trouble sss-surrounding your wedding has-sss reached even out here."

"God damn it Sis, his ego's big enough as it is. What's next? Are you gonna bow to the fucking bastard?" Davy snarled from his end of the bar, their eyes meeting for a brief second.

"You knew about this-sss too?" the lizard hissed, spinning to face her sibling, "is-sss there anything else you conveniently forgot to mention? Because obviously, it's no big deal for you when Locke brings home Maximi-"

"Shhhh!" Locke said, grabbing her arm; his eyes checking to see if anyone had heard. He felt relieved once he saw that the music had drowned her out.

Raising his glass to his lips, Maxi took a nervious sip, keeping a watchful eye out as well. "They think my name is Mitchell, and that I'm a Forbidden like Locke; lion and golden retriever. I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me, you must understand," to which the lizard nodded. "Locke invited me out to celebrate our...union," he said slowly, his tawny cheeks flushing under the dim lighting.

"So he was telling the truth then, you really are going out with him!" Vi exclaimed. Both cats nodded slowly. As if that wasn't enough, Locke reached up to curl a finger under the lion's chin, bringing their faces level before pressing their muzzles together in a firm kiss. In full view of anyone looking their way, the panther's lips parted as Maxi's tongue slipped inside to do battle. "Awww...you two make such a cute couple," the blue reptile cooed, "Don't you think so Davy?"

"What I think...what I truly and honestly think, is that he's been manipulating Locke till the poor cat couldn't tell black from white; playing off of his romantic fascination as a way of making him just another subservient peon. I think he took advantage of a naïve boy to get himself out of a situation that he found himself in. I think he's been using his charisma and charm to get us to lower our guard so he can deceive us all!" Draining his glass, he glared directly at the lion, narrowing his eyes, thrashing his tail, and flaring his nostrils.

Before anyone could recover, like a punch to the gut, a voice came over the intercom to interrupt their conversation. "Ladies and gentlemen!" the male voice began, static breaking over every other word, "If you could turn your attention towards the center stage for the tonight's first act of entertainment. This little guy may be an amateur, but he can still work it with the best of them. So, without any further delay, dancing for you tonight to the song, 'Black Velvet', is our very own, Sebastian Moore. Let's give him a warm Nocturne welcome!" His last words faded into cheers and applause.

"Hey, is that Seba-" not needing to go further as he watched the panther's face turn pale and stricken before slamming back the remaining half of his long island iced-tea. Sliding the empty glass towards Vi, Locke indicated several more refills would be needed before this performance was through. "I'll take another one too," Maxi said over the din as the front curtains parted; draining his current drink, he pushed the empty glasses together while looking over his shoulder towards the night's main attraction.

As the curtains opened and the lights dimmed, Maxi felt a cold surface pressed against his opened palm. Grabbing it, he brought the glass to his lips, drinking down the bitter cola mixture. He waited, along with everyone else, for the show to start and reveal this mysterious Sebastian. The twins remained perfectly silent; still, he managed to hear Locke mumble a hushed, "Fucking hell, why tonight?"

Suddenly, the music started; a simple beat, not too fast, but quick enough to keep your head bobbing along with the notes. A figure entered from stage left dressed in a long black overcoat that swept to the floor, black gloves, black boots, and a wide brimmed black hat that completely hid the creature's face from view. Walking in time to the music towards the center of the stage where a long pole had dropped down from the ceiling; the crowd of onlookers, guys and gals alike, began to get restless with anticipation. Suddenly, the lights were cut, leaving the entire room in a tense darkness as the music continued to play, steady beat moving, keeping pace with the lion's heartbeat, entrancing his foot to tap out the rhythm on the floor.

Mississippi, in the middle of a dry spell

_ Jimmy Rodgers on the Victrola up high_

A spotlight sprang forth from the darkness to illuminate the spot on the stage where Maxi, along with the crowd, had expected the cloaked figure to be; but instead, revealed only an empty space at the pole's base.

Mama's dancin' with baby on her shoulder

The sun is settin' like molasses in the sky

The spotlight shifted to the top of the stripper pole, where the masked figure was sitting pretty with his legs and arms wrapped around the pole, the hat's brim hiding his face; hips swinging from side to side in tune with the beat. Along with the second line, the creature slid down the pole, tantalizing the audience with his trim figure hidden behind the black coat.

The boy could sing

Knew how to move

Everything

Collapsing into a puddle of black fabric on the floor, Sebastian looked out towards the crowd and gave Maxi the first hint of what he looked like. Tilting the hat directly over his face allowed for the boy's ears to pop out; and what a set of ears they were. Long, fluffy, and pale green, the color of the jade figurines his mother collects. They had the dimensions of rabbit ears, yet not slim and tapered, but thicker and bushy.

Always wanting more

He'd leave you longing for

Using his hat like a mask to hide his features with his left paw gloved in black, his free right one dragging down the silver zipper of his black trench coat, having to squat so that he could reach the bottom with a flick of the wrist. Strutting back across the stage in time with the music; upon reaching the stripper pole he gave a slip of his hip, flinging the now open coat behind him, revealing his bare chest to the crowd. Pressing his lime colored body against the steel pole, his free paw slid down his taught chest to cup the crotch of his black pants, hips humping into his fingers, tantalizing the audience.

Black velvet in that little boy's smile

Black velvet with that slow southern style

With a flick of the wrist, the wide brimmed black fedora went sailing over the heads of those in the front row and deep into the crowd that had developed in front of the stage. Flashing the hungry onlookers a sinister, yet alluring smile; drawing the lion's eyes deeper into him till he was unable to focus on anything else, the drink in his paw bringing itself to his lips of its own accord. Sebastian epitomized what it meant to be a true half-breed; heck, the boy was probably something more along the lines of a quarter or eighth. Besides his oddly shaped ears, there was a row of small boney nubs along the ridge of each eye; a thin muzzle, out of which poked a long, slender forked tongue; small wiggling pink nose, and a row of large, sharp, bicuspids and fangs that gleamed in the spotlight. His body was indeed slender, perhaps fit and tailored to a life of running or swimming. But what really stood out above everything, was his eyes, a pair of seductive lilac marbles encased in balls of black ink.

A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees

Black velvet if you please

As Sebastian cast his sights around the room, Maxi felt them focus on his area of the bar for an extra second before they were back to casing the faces of his patrons. Falling to his knees in time with the song's lyrics, and no longer having to hold his hat, he put his paws together as if to pray before letting them roam over his body. Cupping his cheeks, dragging down his neck to finger the black choker across his throat, over his pink nipples, to jingle his belt buckle; it was as though his paws were no longer his, but collectively owned and operated by the crowd, and he was merely acting out their desires.

Up in Memphis the music's like a heat wave

White lighting bound to drive you wild

Sebastian got to his feet during the short music interlude, already in position once the next verse began with him placing his back against the pole. During the first line, he slipped the trench coat from his shoulders to the floor and twirled around the pole, going full circle to show off the small pair of vestigial wings on his back, and thin, hairless tail on his rear. Coming back to where he started, he kicked the coat out into the crowd with one swift movement. Now naked from the waist up, minus his choker, he began to make love to the pipe, running his fingers up and down the slick silver surface.

Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl

"Love Me Tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle

This boy was no amateur, how he used the pole and the stage was evidence to that. Standing in place, he leaned to his side and let gravity and momentum carry him around the pole. Bending in half till his forehead pressed against the cold metal, he reached back with his left arm to grab his raised right, and contort himself into a crude heart; his long, pink tail curling around his middle.

The way he moved

It was a sin

So sweet and true

Around and around the pole he went, with a smile on his face. Wrapping his legs around the metal, Sebastian quickly mounted it and climbed towards the stop; the spotlight following his movements. Three quarters of the way up, he halted, and with his back to the audience, let go with his hands. Amidst the gasp of the crowd, he hung there with his back pressed against the metal, displaying his naked torso to their hungry eyes. Reaching behind his back, he took hold again before releasing his legs, opening them up into an upside down split suspended several feet into the air. The crowd went absolutely nuts; caught up in the mob mentality, Maxi followed.

Always wanting more

He'd leave you longing for

Lowering himself to the floor, he placed one foot on the floor, the other hooked around the pole, placing him into another split before twirling around the pipe. Flapping his wings, which probably couldn't carry him more than an inch off the ground for a second, Maxi thought. As he moved, his paws slid down his body to the waist of his black slacks; teasing the audience, he slowly unzipped his fly, pushing the flaps apart to reveal the underwear's obvious bulge.

Black velvet in that little boy's smile

Black velvet with that slow southern style

The half-breed's fingers groped at the faint outline of his sheath through the thin material before turning his back on the audience. Making as if he was going to slide his pants down his legs, he surprised the crowd by taking the material in his paws and ripping them clean off his legs; the Velcro giving way easily to reveal Sebastian in nothing more than a black speedo. The cheers from the patrons drowned out the music as they watched his thin pink tail curl around his shapely cheeks nestled under the thin material.

A new religion that'll bring ya to your knees

Black velvet if you please

Turning around again, the cloth made nearly see-through by the strong spotlight. Dressed now only in his speedo, choker, gloves, and boots, the boy fell once again to his knees once again. This time, however, he began crawling on all fours towards the front of the stage, his thin tail arched high overhead as he exaggerated each step into a small lunge. As he neared the edge, he stopped and reared back onto his hunches, his legs angled wide to give everyone a view of his package.

Every word of every song that he sang was for you

In a flash he was gone

It happened so soon

What could you do?

Sebastian looked out over the crowd as he brought a paw to his muzzle, seductively licking his fingers before slipping one between his lips. A sly, knowing wink was all that was needed to seal the deal as his other paw moved southwards, dragging his claws through the dense olive colored pelt, to grip the front of his speedo. He gently began lowering the fabric till the lip of his sheath was just about visible, which was greeted by a hushed intensity from the audience, before the lights cut out into complete darkness.

The refrain repeats again, but no one's listening. Everyone's to busy cheering, screaming, possibly having an orgasm, or all three, if going solely by the sounds rising from the crowd. Maxi had drained his glass at some point during the performance and stood at the end of the bar, a blank, slightly tipsy look on his face, clapping along with the rest of the mindless throng. Glancing behind him, he saw Locke, with an equally expressionless face on, eyes still glued to the spot where Sebastian had been. And even farther back in the corner sat Davy, eyes peering deeply into the rippling blackness of his rum and coke, waiting for his divinations to be revealed.

Vi was the first one to talk, having returned from the far side of the bar where she had been busy helping out her apprentice, Rachel. "Well, that wasn't too awkward, now was-sss it?" she says, breaking the dense silence among them.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Locke muttered before crushing the maraschino cherry between his front teeth.

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To Be Continued!

That wasn't too bad, was it? Hope you enjoyed yourselves! And I'll see you all at the next chapter