FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Jovial music and the smell of enticing meats caress the nostrils of the newly awakened kobold. This strange new room must be some sort of place of rest for uplanders. Tik Tik kicks the covers off of her feet, sad to let the soft bed go, but more concerned about her current situation than her comfort. Sitting by the door on a small chest is a pile with a familiar green cloak, and, placed on top of it, the familiar gold-embossed leather tome. Tik Tik yanks her book off of the table and flips through the pages, a sigh escaping from a breath she didn't know she held in. Everything in the book seems to be in order, which means her precious artifact wasn't lost to her. Though, she's still a stranger among strangers. She can't just let herself sit in this room without exploring what is happening beyond the door.

Quickly, she slides into her traveling attire. Curiously, everything is clean with a rather lovely fresh scent. The warmth of clothing over her nude form is almost alien, as if it had been a lifetime ago before she actually last wore them, yet they have been carefully tended to by some unknown hand. Once she fastens the cloak to her shoulders and slides the book into her carrying pouch, Tik Tik is confident enough to head out and find the truth of her new situation. So, she stands on her toes and grabs the handle of the door, heading outside into the unknown.

The music is louder, but the hall has nothing but a few doors similar to hers and a staircase heading downward. Carved into each door is a symbol, a number in the upworlder tongue, perhaps? When she closes the door to her room, a loud click echoes out. She frowns and stands on her toes again, giving the door a little jiggle.

Locked

Well, there's no way to go but forward, and so she does, pulling the hood up over her head as she follows the sounds and smells.

Down a flight of stairs, Tik Tik's senses are bombarded by the loud and boisterous conversation and singing that fills the entire room. Never before has Tik TIk seen so many different creatures in one place. Her eyes widen as she desperately grabs for her book, flipping through the pages and looking over each and every entry she can. Humans and halflings and half-orcs and so many more enjoy themselves. This is a veritable treasure trove of activity for her research! But, her excitement dwindles when she notices that there is no sign of a particular reveler among them all. The handsome half-elf in shining armor is nowhere to be seen. He had been the first man she considered to be a lover, and he has abandoned her. Such sentimentality causes her to clutch at her chest.

"Is there something I can help ya with, shug?" a voice asks the kobold. A young lady stands before her in a dress with bright colors and a low-cut neck line. In each hand, she carries a frothing mug of drink, and her smile is enough to ease Tik Tik out of her worry.

The kobold licks her lips and thinks on the proper words to say. "Pretty man. Tybalt. He bring Tik Tik here?" She extends her fingers and places her hands up to the sides of her head.

"Aw, shucks, shug," the woman says, wiggling her own ears--much more pointed than Tybalts. Why don't ya come on over to the bar? I'm plenty busy, but I think the tender knows a bit more about what's happening. Come on and take a seat and I'll get ya something cool to drink. You hungry any?"

Tik Tik's stomach gurgles in response and the woman titters, ushering her in closer to the rest of the patrons.

Soon, Tik Tik finds her way over towards one of the stools. On either side, other patrons sit, leaning over the bar and holding a mug of ale in their hands. Tik Tik places her hands on the seat of the stool and scrambles up onto it, her foot missing a rung, causing her to tumble down!

A strong hand catches her by the rump and hoists her up. Fingers push inward, pressing up against her pants-covered slit. Tik Tik squeaks and scrambles to the seat, scooting in really close and crossing her legs. Such an advance might be playful, but she's much too hungry to indulge in her research right now.

"Whoops!" comes a boisterous voice from behind her. "Sorry about that. Usually, I'm a bit more drunk before I start groping a gal."

Tik Tik twirls around in the stool to see a massive creature standing before her. Dressed up in leather armor, spotted fur covers the beast's whole body, at least from what Tik Tik can see. Its arms show off muscle definition even through the speckled coat. The being's snout is long with a black fleshy nose. A long line of hair sticks up from its back and up to its forehead, and its teeth are sharp, yet turned into a jovial smile. "Hey, there. I'm not gonna bite, not unless you got a bounty on your head. Name's Adaeze."

Tik Tik just can't help but take in Adaeze's features, her mouth agape.

Adaeze's laugh comes quick and high pitched, much different from the booming voice that accompanies the chortle. "What's the matter? Never see a lady gnoll before? Though, to be frank, they say I ain't much of a lady."

Tik Tik tilts her head and shakes it. "Tik Tik never see gnoll before!"

"Ah, new to the adventuring business?" Adaeze asks. You're far from the kobold-infested mountains, so I figured you'd be a more cosmopolitan kind. No offense meant, of course."

Tik Tik shrugs and glances toward the bartender. He's a young man whose hair is tied in a ponytail. He approaches her with hands upon the counter. "And what can I get you, miss?"