FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Anxiety was Pone's whole world before a meet up with anyone who was just some icon on the internet. Not being sure how to dress up, or where the conversation could lead had her head swimming before she got to her closet. There was an obvious path it could take, and even with the comfort that came from knowing that to be a possibility, the fear still weighed heavy that maybe small talk would have to be initiated. Small talk sucked. At work, small talk was one thing. But to go on and on about something you have no interest in when trying to get to know someone... She really wanted to like this one.

If the lunch didn't turn over well, she had a friend ready on stand by to come pick her up whenever needed. Sara had been all smiles when Pone gave her the news, the lamb all high pitched noises and excited little bounces to emphasize.

"Don't worry about calling me if it goes horribly wrong! Just remember you're in a public place and there's the staff there to help too!"

"I really don't want to cause a scene- I don't even think it'll go that badly,"

"Just in case, please Pone. Just text me if you need to get the hell out and I'll be there."

Sara had turned up 10 minutes early to pick her up as usual, letting herself in to see Pone staring at her wardrobe with a darkened expression. It was a quick transition to towel to semi-effeminate dress up and it took Pone all she had not to still try and put a hood over her outfit just as a safety blanket.

"Look, I know you're comf' dressing like this too okay? If he can't handle the soft butch thing you're goin' for right now, he ain't the one okay?" Pone assented easily to it, complaining about small pockets when she tried to stuff her phone and wallet into the shorts, but it was blown off and forgotten when they arrived to the restaurant, where a whole new slew of worries bubbled up easy like.

Sara nearly shoved the mare out her car, and waved cheerily with two thumbs up. Good friend. The hostess was nice enough when Pone finally drew the courage up to go on in, trying to school her demeanor into one not unlike her work head space, smiling easily and talking smoothly. Being told a reservation was made had Pone flushed and she struggled to keep from looking around like she was being watched, stomach flipping and flopping all over the place as they went to the back of the restaurant where a line of booths were set up against the far wall.

She saw the back of his head first, steeling herself for the worst. A jolt ran thru her body immediately as the hostess spoke, gesturing to the booth gently. "Here you are ma'am. A server will be with you to take your orders soon,"

"Thank you," Pone politely nodded, walking up to the table and already sputtering out when the Alpaca moved from his seat and smiled widely.

"It's good to meet you finally," Alan offered his hand and Pone shook it firmly, returning the expression albeit a little nervously. "I apologize, I sort of ordered water for us to begin with- but I'm sure you can change it when the waiter gets here,"

They settled into the booth and started bumpy in conversation, but Alan was patient and easy to talk to after Pone shoved the anxiety away and dove into questions concerning the weekend and jobs. She knew a bit already- how Alan worked at Bright-house and how he had an affinity for cartoons and collecting figurines. He was very nervous looking about it, explaining it was nothing porny- just normal Fig's like Sailor Moon and some of the collectors edition of Gundam Wing. The topics went here and there and Pone found herself speaking more freely and even forgoing eating at moments to explain this or that about Freelance work with some really embarrassing horror stories with customers.

Even after lunch, and a bit of desert, Alan finally suggested to show off his full collection of figs, immediately realizing how the could be misconstrued and backpedaling.

"I'm sorry, if you're comfortable I mean," he held up his hand and frowned, but Pone waved it off.

"No no, I'd love to see! I know we haven't talked about, y'know, the daddy stuff yet, but this is important too,"

"You're sure?" he was insistent, firm about his intentions being platonic and just giving a slight tour of his home before offering a ride home. "It'd be no trouble, unless you'd like your friend to pick you up?"

"I'll let her know where I'm going, if I change my mind I'll just text her."

"Good, good. Just wanna make sure someone knows where you are at least," The time he took to be open about where he lived and how easily he handed over the address had Pone impressed to say the least and it eased any concerns about how pushy the Alpaca may be. Before she could get out her wallet to pay for her half of the meal, Alan spoke up by clearing his throat, waving her card away.

"We didn't exactly get to talk about it, but- if we do work out, and the match is good, I want to be able to take care of things like this," Pone looked confused, looking down at the table and back at him.

"You want to,.. pay for lunch?"

"For anything," He smiled softly, sincere. "I want to take care of my little, that's one of the things I'd like to do for you if all goes well. I promise it's not some, pay you to do things proposition, it just makes me happy to know I can take care of someone. Is that kosher with you?"

Pone was agape, fiddling with her wallet and working up a dark complexion. "I- I mean, I'm not. I'm not used to it. Are you sure you don't want me to..?"

He laughed lightly and nodded, "Yes, 100% sure. If it's too much, then I can hold off. But I insist."

"Ah,.. It's, okay." She looked a little lost and held onto her wallet, feeling a little overwhelmed by how surreal the situation was. Lunch was one thing- but the thought of someone wanting to take care of- god knows what- had her chest tight and she found the feeling to be light and a bit dizzying with how well they already fell into an easy swing of things and it lightened the nervousness that held fast in her stomach.

Maybe they were gonna be a good match?

---

© all characters belong to mEE