FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 7 - "An Old Flame"

The two of them had moved to the back of the cart where Reecie could easily remove his stitches using one of the daggers from his pile of gear. Every time she plucked, one or another would give her trouble and Raku's tail would twitch and spasm at his side.

"Sorry! I'm not used to doing this. The dagger is really sharp and I'm afraid of slipping." Reecie saw the corners of the wolf's maw lightly curl into a half grin.

"You're fine, they itch more than anything," he reassured her. With Raku as a suspect in Firebrandt's death in addition to the bounty already on him, he would need some sort of cover, a disguise at least, as long as they stayed in black rock. "So what is your plan to get around the city without drawing attention." His ears twisted back where Reecie was knelt behind him working out the last few stitches.

"well... I uh..." Reecie stalled even stopping her work for a moment. "What if you had...some kind of a helmet?" she offered.

Raku wasn't so sure of this idea. "Beast kin aren't recognized the same as most other races by facial features. People tend to note markings and fur color, particularly with my kind. If we could somehow prove it's not me..." He trailed off as his ears perked. "I've got an idea! Come on!"

Reecie watched as he quickly gathered his cloak, dagger belt, and the sack of gold. The wolf slipped on his crimson cloak on once again, hiding his head within the depths of its cowl. Oddly though he handed her his belt. Unsure of what he wanted she shoved the dagger back in its sheath.

Raku just gestured for her to take it. "Here put this on we're going shopping."

Reecie fumbled with the rather large and heavy belt as she struggled to tighten it around her rather petite frame. At least by any wolfkins standards of size. Even on the smallest notch, the belt hung off one hip awkwardly.

"Why am I carrying this?" She asked as she followed Raku into the street, he seemed to be looking for something, or someone.

"You are carrying those because it is illegal for a slave to possess such weapons" His response only left her with more questions.

"A slave? What-" Raku took her hand suddenly and started weaving through the crowded main street with her in tow.

"Just trust me it will make sense soon."

Reecie kept up moderately well, Raku was sort of his own wedge carving through the varying masses clogging the streets.

"Good, it's still here," Raku said before stopping outside of a peculiar looking shop.

Unlike the other buildings, the windows in this one were round. The door looked to be made of a dark hardwood bound together with several steel bands A small stained glass window shaped like a round potion bottle. Above the door on the slanted overhanging roof was a sign draped with moss that read "Purrrfect Apothecary & Potions" Reecie was really beginning to wonder when this was going to make sense. Reecie continued to shadow Raku as he opened the heavy door and the two of them slipped in.

Inside was a rather cozy looking shop. Shelves were littered with overgrown plants and bottles of all different colors and sizes. A counter ran from one wall, next to the door, and all the way to the back. Behind the counter stood what looked like a cat anthro or Katt as their species was referred to in Alta. This Katt, in particular, was white with grey stripes and long dense fur. It looked female in gender, two large rings dangled from the corner of each ear. Her eyes a bright icy blue. A long slender tail flicked and bobbed behind her seemingly with a mind of its own. A simple white dress hung loosely on her shoulders exposing a bit of soft-furred cleavage. Some book lay before her on the barren counter. As the two entered she didn't even look up. One ear twitched at the ringing of the bell as the door was closed behind Raku and Reecie.

"Go away dog...I know why joo are here. We have no more of tiny vials, sold out." When Raku didn't respond or even move, the Katt's head lifted sharply as she let out an angry hiss. "GET OU- Oh..." the Katt's aggression suddenly vanished seeing the half-clothed wolf and the wood elf peeking from behind him. The Katt was quick to spot the sack on his hip as well. Her lips curled into a suspicious grin, eyes narrowing slightly. "Oo but dog has brought coin and stranger?"

Raku stepped to the side as best he could in the cramped shop. "Reecie this is Skal, Skal, Reecie." the wolf gave Skal a cheesy grin. "Is Skor around?"

Skal rolled her eyes and closed her book putting both elbows on top of it as she leaned on the counter some."Skor is busy."

Rakus head tilted to the side slightly as he tossed a few coins onto the countertop.

Skal glanced to the coins then him looking rather underwhelmed. With two fingers she gestured to him "more".

Raku let out a frustrated sigh adding a fist full more to the pile.

Skal simply looked to the meager pile then back glaring a little as if he insulted her.

"You really going to shake me down right now?" he groaned.

Raku grumbled to himself, taking the sack off his belt and dropped it on the counter with a light thud.

Skal stood and smiled puffing her chest out some emphasizing her chest even more. The Katts tail curled around the top of the sack before dragging it behind the counter to some unseen shelf.

"SKOR!" She shouted and stomped a foot a few times. The sound of cursing and glass breaking came from under the floor albeit muffled. Neither of them could see it but a secret hatch in the floor lifted slightly at the far end of the counter on Skal's side. "Joo have customer..." she said in almost a growl.

Raku smiled as he awkwardly moved to the far end of the shop where he could get around the counter.

Reecie started to follow before Skal's tail crossed in front of her gently resting against her chest.

"Tsk tsk stranger, joo stay. Only dog."

Reecie looked a little uncertain while watching Raku lift the hatch. She watched as he paused looking to Skal then back to her.

"I'll be fast, promise."

She watched as Raku looked to Skal as he started to climb down the ladder.

"Thank you Skal, you've always been my favorite." he teased closing the hatch behind him disappearing under the floor.

The Katt turned her head for one angry hiss. "Do not patronize me, dog!." Her attention snapped back to Reecie. "I am sorry for joo. He is terrible lover but all dog are, eh? What can one do." She shrugged.

Reecie started to blush "O-oh um... I see." She stammered feeling a little uncomfortable with just how upfront Skal was.

The Katt went back to her resting position on the counter, putting her chin in her hand.

"joo buy potion? We have many selection. Katt potions most powerful, guarantee. What want, love?, beauty? Healing? Poison? Should always have poison." Skal's tail hooked a small black bottle from one of the shelves behind her and set it on the counter before turning to look at her supply.

Reecie was taken back a little. This feline woman knew how to push her wares, quite aggressively at that. "Oh no...thank you. I don't thin-"

Skal dismissed her modest refusal. "AH HA know just what little elf need!" She grabbed two bottles. One was square and transparent with a thick dark blue substance in it. The other was green, round at the base with a long tapered neck a slightly orange liquid sloshed inside. She set them both down in front of Reecie putting a claw on the clear bottle. "This one for hangovers, drink before not after, very important." Her hand moved to the other bottle now. "This one...." she trailed off then blinked.

Reecie watched as she uncorked the green bottle and sniffed it.

"Never mind, too strong." She said before putting it back. "Hmm."

All Reecie could focus on was Skal's tail flicking with excitement as she looked over her supply again, finger pressed to her lips as she thought. Reecie heard the Katt actually purring for a second. Reecie decided to look over some of the bottles now if this Katt was so determined to sell, she might as well see if there was something actually useful for her. Then a thought came to her.

"Do you... do you have anything that could grant protection? Maybe? From say a....uh" Reeice paused, thinking for a minute. What even is Baymon? A beast? Monster? Some sort of demon? She was unsure of even really what she was asking.

Skal's ears perked suddenly. "Protection is magic, not potion." She then grabbed a wide jar with a large cork in it and set it before Reecie. "Paralyze, must apply to skin. Tingle at first then dead, no movement for 12 hours. Don't drink! Paralyze heart, lungs, joo die. Must never drink."

Under the floor, Raku stood in what almost looked like a small lab. Skor was sweeping a broken bottle up. Chapter 7 - "An Old Flame"

The two of them had moved to the back of the cart where Reecie could easily remove his stitches using one of the daggers from his pile of gear. Every time she plucked, one or another would give her trouble and Raku's tail would twitch and spasm at his side.

"Sorry! I'm not used to doing this. The dagger is really sharp and I'm afraid of slipping." Reecie saw the corners of the wolf's maw lightly curl into a half grin.

"You're fine, they itch more than anything," he reassured her. With Raku as a suspect in Firebrandt's death in addition to the bounty already on him, he would need some sort of cover, a disguise at least, as long as they stayed in black rock. "So what is your plan to get around the city without drawing attention." His ears twisted back where Reecie was knelt behind him working out the last few stitches.

"well... I uh..." Reecie stalled even stopping her work for a moment. "What if you had...some kind of a helmet?" she offered.

Raku wasn't so sure of this idea. "Beast kin aren't recognized the same as most other races by facial features. People tend to note markings and fur color, particularly with my kind. If we could somehow prove it's not me..." He trailed off as his ears perked. "I've got an idea! Come on!"

Reecie watched as he quickly gathered his cloak, dagger belt, and the sack of gold. The wolf slipped on his crimson cloak on once again, hiding his head within the depths of its cowl. Oddly though he handed her his belt. Unsure of what he wanted she shoved the dagger back in its sheath.

Raku just gestured for her to take it. "Here put this on we're going shopping."

Reecie fumbled with the rather large and heavy belt as she struggled to tighten it around her rather petite frame. At least by any wolfkins standards of size. Even on the smallest notch, the belt hung off one hip awkwardly.

"Why am I carrying this?" She asked as she followed Raku into the street, he seemed to be looking for something, or someone.

"You are carrying those because it is illegal for a slave to possess such weapons" His response only left her with more questions.

"A slave? What-" Raku took her hand suddenly and started weaving through the crowded main street with her in tow.

"Just trust me it will make sense soon."

Reecie kept up moderately well, Raku was sort of his own wedge carving through the varying masses clogging the streets.

"Good, it's still here," Raku said before stopping outside of a peculiar looking shop.

Unlike the other buildings, the windows in this one were round. The door looked to be made of a dark hardwood bound together with several steel bands A small stained glass window shaped like a round potion bottle. Above the door on the slanted overhanging roof was a sign draped with moss that read "Purrrfect Apothecary & Potions" Reecie was really beginning to wonder when this was going to make sense. Reecie continued to shadow Raku as he opened the heavy door and the two of them slipped in.

Inside was a rather cozy looking shop. Shelves were littered with overgrown plants and bottles of all different colors and sizes. A counter ran from one wall, next to the door, and all the way to the back. Behind the counter stood what looked like a cat anthro or Katt as their species was referred to in Alta. This Katt, in particular, was white with grey stripes and long dense fur. It looked female in gender, two large rings dangled from the corner of each ear. Her eyes a bright icy blue. A long slender tail flicked and bobbed behind her seemingly with a mind of its own. A simple white dress hung loosely on her shoulders exposing a bit of soft-furred cleavage. Some book lay before her on the barren counter. As the two entered she didn't even look up. One ear twitched at the ringing of the bell as the door was closed behind Raku and Reecie.

"Go away dog...I know why joo are here. We have no more of tiny vials, sold out." When Raku didn't respond or even move, the Katt's head lifted sharply as she let out an angry hiss. "GET OU- Oh..." the Katt's aggression suddenly vanished seeing the half-clothed wolf and the wood elf peeking from behind him. The Katt was quick to spot the sack on his hip as well. Her lips curled into a suspicious grin, eyes narrowing slightly. "Oo but dog has brought coin and stranger?"

Raku stepped to the side as best he could in the cramped shop. "Reecie this is Skal, Skal, Reecie." the wolf gave Skal a cheesy grin. "Is Skor around?"

Skal rolled her eyes and closed her book putting both elbows on top of it as she leaned on the counter some."Skor is busy."

Rakus head tilted to the side slightly as he tossed a few coins onto the countertop.

Skal glanced to the coins then him looking rather underwhelmed. With two fingers she gestured to him "more".

Raku let out a frustrated sigh adding a fist full more to the pile.

Skal simply looked to the meager pile then back glaring a little as if he insulted her.

"You really going to shake me down right now?" he groaned.

Raku grumbled to himself, taking the sack off his belt and dropped it on the counter with a light thud.

Skal stood and smiled puffing her chest out some emphasizing her chest even more. The Katts tail curled around the top of the sack before dragging it behind the counter to some unseen shelf.

"SKOR!" She shouted and stomped a foot a few times. The sound of cursing and glass breaking came from under the floor albeit muffled. Neither of them could see it but a secret hatch in the floor lifted slightly at the far end of the counter on Skal's side. "Joo have customer..." she said in almost a growl.

Raku smiled as he awkwardly moved to the far end of the shop where he could get around the counter.

Reecie started to follow before Skal's tail crossed in front of her gently resting against her chest.

"Tsk tsk stranger, joo stay. Only dog."

Reecie looked a little uncertain while watching Raku lift the hatch. She watched as he paused looking to Skal then back to her.

"I'll be fast, promise."

She watched as Raku looked to Skal as he started to climb down the ladder.

"Thank you Skal, you've always been my favorite." he teased closing the hatch behind him disappearing under the floor.

The Katt turned her head for one angry hiss. "Do not patronize me, dog!." Her attention snapped back to Reecie. "I am sorry for joo. He is terrible lover but all dog are, eh? What can one do." She shrugged.

Reecie started to blush "O-oh um... I see." She stammered feeling a little uncomfortable with just how upfront Skal was.

The Katt went back to her resting position on the counter, putting her chin in her hand.

"joo buy potion? We have many selection. Katt potions most powerful, guarantee. What want, love?, beauty? Healing? Poison? Should always have poison." Skal's tail hooked a small black bottle from one of the shelves behind her and set it on the counter before turning to look at her supply.

Reecie was taken back a little. This feline woman knew how to push her wares, quite aggressively at that. "Oh no...thank you. I don't thin-"

Skal dismissed her modest refusal. "AH HA know just what little elf need!" She grabbed two bottles. One was square and transparent with a thick dark blue substance in it. The other was green, round at the base with a long tapered neck a slightly orange liquid sloshed inside. She set them both down in front of Reecie putting a claw on the clear bottle. "This one for hangovers, drink before not after, very important." Her hand moved to the other bottle now. "This one...." she trailed off then blinked.

Reecie watched as she uncorked the green bottle and sniffed it.

"Never mind, too strong." She said before putting it back. "Hmm."

All Reecie could focus on was Skal's tail flicking with excitement as she looked over her supply again, finger pressed to her lips as she thought. Reecie heard the Katt actually purring for a second. Reecie decided to look over some of the bottles now if this Katt was so determined to sell, she might as well see if there was something actually useful for her. Then a thought came to her.

"Do you... do you have anything that could grant protection? Maybe? From say a....uh" Reeice paused, thinking for a minute. What even is Baymon? A beast? Monster? Some sort of demon? She was unsure of even really what she was asking.

Skal's ears perked suddenly. "Protection is magic, not potion." She then grabbed a wide jar with a large cork in it and set it before Reecie. "Paralyze, must apply to skin. Tingle at first then dead, no movement for 12 hours. Don't drink! Paralyze heart, lungs, joo die. Must never drink."

Under the floor, Raku stood in what almost looked like a small lab. Skor was sweeping a broken bottle up. His soft hazel eyes and a small bald patch on the side of his snout from a chemical burn were the only visible difference between the brother and sister shop owners. He wore a blue tunic, matching trousers and rather weathered canvas apron. This hidden room was a bit larger than the actual shop. On one side were a few shelves lined with various bowls, sets of mortars with mismatched pestles, as well as large jars of various dried herbs and other plants. On the other was a table littered with parchment scraps covered in all manner of scribblings and ink blotches, a quill and unkempt inkwell, and several stamps and a hammer to apply them. A large chain was partially coiled on the edge of the desk, the other end hung down into a large wooden box full of different types and sizes of shackles, collars, and chains.

"Hello Skor, you seem well. I see your sister is still mad at me." Raku leaned against the ladder staying out of the Katt's way as he cleaned.

Skor's voice was rough and raspy having been damaged in the past from various fumes and chemicals. Potion brewing was dangerous business. "She still cares for you Raku. You know that." Skors common tongue was much better than Skal's who cared little to learn man's language.

Raku bit his tongue. He always hated these conversations. "You and I both know we would have never worked out." Skor pushed all the broken glass into a waste bin before setting it off to the side.

"Yet you led her on anyway. She told me about your little escapades in the graveyard behind the church after you disappeared for a couple of years. It's the same story just a different season. I'm not picking up the pieces again..leave...Skal...alone." His lips turn up into a snear bearing teeth as he spoke. Before Raku could even get a word in Skor rapped Raku across the skull with the end of his broom with a swift "WHACK" before setting it aside and continued. "No more excuses! So..what is it you want now, Raku?" His voice cracked as he crossed his arms still a little heated.

"Skor, I just need you to forge a purchase deed." He rubbed the spot on his head.

The Katt seemed surprised giving Raku a puzzled look. "A purchase deed?" Skor sighed and shook his head. "Actually, nevermind. I don't want to know just tell me what names to put on the document." Skor sat down at the mess of a table and rifled through the parchments till he found a blank deed. "For the sale of?" He asked dipping the quill in the ink.

"Haraku."

"Being purchased by?" Skor dipped the quil into the inkwell again.

"Anareecie Voltaire" Raku answered watching as the Katt scribbled a few more things down before taking one of the many stamps and gently placing it in the corner of the document where he tapped it with the hammer indenting the Kings crest into it.

Skor inspected it for a moment before handing it to Raku along with a broken collar and chain from the box. "You will need to have the smith fix it for you. I free slaves, not bind them."

"Thank you, Skor I'll be out of your hair now."

"Not soon enough" the Katt sighed.

Raku climbed the ladder out of the room. Back in the shop, he noticed Reecie had a new mysterious bottle in her possession. Skal was indeed a master of her trade it seemed. She was buried back in her book now that Raku had returned.

Reecie looked at the parchment and collar before giving Raku a concerned look.

"Let's head back to the cart I'll explain there."

With that taken care of Reecie bid Skal goodbye and the two left back the way they came.

Once they had returned to the cart Raku tossed his cloak in the back and handed her the deed.

Reecie read over it briefly. "Raku this is... " Her voice trailed off as she tried to find the words.

"Brilliant?" He smirked

"It's wrong...I-I can't have that kind of power over you... It's not right."

Raku knelt down to her level. "It's technically a forgery anyway but it should keep people off our backs for now."

Reecie still wasn't quite convinced this was a good idea.

"Besides if I work for you anyway how different is it really? Just yank the chain once in a while, act like you hate me and everyone will be none the wiser." Raku put a hand on her shoulder as she looked to the parchment again. "I wouldn't even consider this if I didn't trust you."

Still unsure she gently folded it back up before slipping it into her top reluctantly. "Raku we've only just met a few days ago. Are you sure?"

The wolf nodded, standing back up as he smiled. "When every fight could be your last you lose the luxury of time. The little things become a lot more important. Now give me your best scowl." He watched as she furrowed her brow, her lips pouting some." Raku had to hold back a laugh, his fangs appearing from under his chops in a rigid smirk. "You look sick, try harder."

Her eyes shifted to glare now at being mocked for her scowl. "Better...that's better. Now how does Miss Voltaire treat her slave?" Reecie's cheeks started to noticeably flush red at how awkwardly intimate this was starting to feel. All this reminded her of the times when slavers would come through her tavern. No one was immune to it. She saw everything from animals to humans getting thrashed around for trivial things, not holding their owners mug a certain way, making eye contact, etc. Sometimes just because they enjoyed it. One thing was consistent though, the "pleasure" slaves always got the worst of it. She raised a shaky hand and gave the brute a light tap on the cheek.

"Really?" His eyes went half-lidded with disappointment.

Reecie tried again slapping him with a little more force.

"Harder!" he snapped.

Reecie jumped a little at the command and punched him square in the snout in a knee jerk reaction causing him to yelp and grab his face. "I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" She pleaded.

Raku let out a belly laugh that echoed down the narrow alley. "That was good! I think you will blend in just fine."

Reecie smiled, glad she didn't hurt him. She could feel the heat radiating off her face now. Doing this felt so wrong, in more ways than one she admitted. She took a moment to collect herself as Raku gathered his gear in one hand, the broken collar in the other.

"Let's go get this stuff repaired and see what we can find out about Firebrandt, shall we Mistress?"

Reecie gave him a hesitant nod, the blood rushing back to her cheeks again.

Being parked in the alley next to the smithy all they needed to do was round the corner at the end of the street.

"Now remember slaves don't speak unless ordered to so you are going to have to run the show now," he whispered as they approached.

The smithy consisted of several tables with an animal hide canvas covering the top as a roof. Various weapons and tools were laid out on display, some even hung from the supports. The heart of the forge was inside the building but the smith also had access to the bed of coals that spilled out into a shallow trough allowing him to heat and work metal from inside or out. The two watched as the smith hammered away the impurity of a piece of metal he was shaping. An explosion of sparks shot out with every other blow it seemed. The smith was human, with short brown hair, a clean-shaven face blackened with soot and smoke from the forge. A sleeveless tunic and trousers topped with a heavy leather apron to protect him from sparks and accidental burns. Several tools hung from straps on the apron as he slid his hammer into one such loop. He looked to the duo for a moment before stabbing the glowing piece of metal into a barrel of water causing it to hiss and gurgle for a moment.

"What can I do for ya?" he asked standing behind the table nearest to them.

Raku held up the busted metal collar and his damaged gear.

"I- I mean my..." Reecie struggled to find the words before remembering how Skal talked to him and kind of just rolled with that. "My stupid dog here has managed to wreck his armor and collar. Is this something you can fix for me?"

The Smith looked between the collar and lump of armor pieces. He started moving a few things on the table to make room before taking everything from Raku and laying it out so that he could look at it. The Smith scratched his chin turning the metal collar over that had been sheared open on the locking clasp. Shifting to the armor he looked over the bracers and greaves before holding the chest piece up examining the hole clean through the left molded pauldron. He set it back down and plucked a small shard of embedded glass.

"Well?" Reecie asked sounding impatient.

The Smith cleared his throat. "The collar is rubbish. Even if I tried to fix this I would be nearly bending out a new one so I might as well melt it down for scrap. But I might have something for ya still give me a moment." The Smith turned and disappeared into his shop.

"We may need to come up with a little more gold, this sounds expensive. "Raku whispered.

The smith Returned with a dark red collar made of leather, polished silver rivets ran the length of it and even the buckle appeared to be solid silver. "It's not shit wrought iron but I'll knock the price down if you let me keep the old one for scrap. It's a little more dainty but I figure if you're willing to dress your beast let alone armor it a decent collar isn't a far stretch either. Say... twenty coins and it's yours."

Reecie had almost forgotten their small stockpile of gold was taken by Skal and Skor. All they had left was what remained in her personal coin purse. She felt around in it counting roughly 22 gold. Giving him all but two coins she made the exchange.

"Come back about this time tomorrow and I should have the armor taken care of as well, we'll discuss the price of that then, sound fair?" Reecie nodded feeling the smooth treated leather of the collar in hand.

"I'll return tomorrow then." she agreed before looking to Raku. The wolf knelt down offering her his neck as she put the collar on snugging it up reasonably tight. Reecie smiled as he stood and tugged at it a little it looked good on him. Despite not being heavy iron that would dig into his shoulders it was still uncomfortable. The Smith went inside again this time taking the armor with him. "Well, now what?" asked Reecie, watching as Raku's head swiveled back and forth scanning the streets.

"We can't snoop around Firebrants place till later, to many people milling about. How do you feel about splitting up to see what coin we can scrounge up in the meantime?" Raku replied.

Honestly, the idea of separating especially after last night made her a little uneasy. On the other hand, one thumb hooked on the dagger belt the other patting the bottles on her side reassuring they were still there. As far as she was concerned she was armed to the teeth at the moment and really, what's the worst that could happen in broad daylight.

"I guess I'm ok with that, meet at the cart before sunset then?"

Raku nodded before slipping away, blending into the crowds.

Reecie took a deep breath before starting off down the street. She might as well just sort of wander and see what would catch her eye. Passing various stores and stalls she would give pause to admire each. One vendor sold flowers another store sold meats. There seemed to be no end to the variety of goods in Black Rock.

One store, in particular, caught her eye as she crossed its path. It was an older building, not nearly as fancy or ornate as some of the other but it looked very old. A simple wooden door stood next to a very large window. The sign above had a small etching of a thread spool and needle next to it read the words "The Favored Tailor" In the window hung a large canvas, painted with bright green words. "Don't look like the rest! Dress your best for the Annual Winter Garden Fest!" Needless to say, she was intrigued.