FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Ruki sat up on the bed shortly after waking up and let the blanket slip off his body. Skye wasn't next to him, but the restroom door was closed, so she was probably in there. Gleamy white strips of sunlight entered the room and resided on the walls; Ruki left the bed to look out from where it sourced.

He hopped up and rested his front paws on the windowsill, observing the undulating waves under a cloudless sky.

Several finizen leaped and splashed above the water, making Ruki glance at the door a few times and wish Skye was here to watch with him. He also noticed a lapras in the distance come above the sea for air and had to peer to make it out. It wasn't anything to marvel at since he had seen all of this and more in Hau'oli, but it entertained him in the meantime.

The most fascinating sights were a formation of black rocks in the sea and an extensive hazy land mass in the distance.

The waters reminded Ruki of how much he loved swimming. Growing up, he and Skye had spent too many days at the beach in Hau'oli, whether it was them two or with friends, and Ruki was always the fastest swimmer out of his group, which were just Skye's friends' pokémon. It was what he prided himself on back then, even though she never let him go out too far in fear of rip currents.

However, a female jolteon in said group, Iva, was just as competitive and had learned to keep up with him. As they'd matured, they got close, although it had never gone further than them straying from the group to walk and chat about current life and their pasts because of tension Ruki wished hadn't existed, although he did recall her touchiness and rare flirty moments he hadn't known what to do with back then.

Ruki's parents and other relatives had strictly taught him to consider quadrupeds that weren't ninetales at most as associates but never as a mate. His species believed it was a huge disgrace for a ninetales to court a quadruped because they were less intelligent. Iva had known of it too; Ruki wondered now how she had felt about it.

It was a shame Skye and her old friends didn't talk anymore, and Iva and her trainer had moved years ago. He also wondered how she was doing nowadays and where she lived. Ruki would like to see her again, but life had progressed. It wouldn't be the same.

He looked back as the door opened and saw Skye step out of the restroom.

"Ruki's up," she said and went to zip up her backpack, pushing her lips together to rub in the faint pink gloss on them. Skye wanted to put her watch inside, as she would hate to lose it in Sinnoh. At the same time, she treasured and loved wearing it, and keeping track of time would be useful. Her mother had bought it for her at an upscale watch store at Hau'oli's mall a week before Skye caught Ruki. She tightened the strap and tugged on the band to ensure it wasn't loose on her wrist.

Ruki studied her pink and white outfit: high socks, shorts and a shirt underneath an open and thin vest, and arm sleeves. The vibrant colors stood out.

"What do you think? I went for the adventurous trainer look today. Only thing I'm missing are gloves, but I'm not going all out." How they dressed was showy and had always caught her eye, so she tried to mimic the aspect on occasion.

Ruki got down and went to her, nuzzling his cheek against her legs.

She giggled. "Thank you. I'm excited. We'll be there in twenty." She sat on the bed and patted her lap.

Ruki hopped up, his forepaws atop her thighs while staring at her.

She traced her thumb along his cheek, then reached to scratch his upper back between his shoulders. "That still your favorite spot?"

He shut his eyes with an affirming head tilt.

Skye grinned and patted him. "You wanna go up to the deck? I'm sure we can see Sinnoh."

"Nine nine!" He opened his eyes. Ruki took a few steps back from off her lap with bright eyes.

"I hope I'm not forgetting anything." Skye had packed while Ruki was asleep but still checked the restroom and areas around the bed while the ship's horn blared above the deck, alerting every passenger that they were close to the destination.

After she finished skimming the room, they were out for good. Ruki followed her up the stairs and tripped over a couple of steps again.

She glanced at the view over the deck's rear while resting her arm against her bag that dangled off her shoulder. Endless ocean for thousands of miles, and she expected nothing more. What she wanted to see was at the front. "This way," she told Ruki while pacing along the side of the deck. Passengers and their pokémon stood at the front; some bought last-minute snacks and smoothies.

There was enough space for Skye and Ruki to take a spot at the railing. "Wow..." She leaned over with Ruki hopping up beside her. Miles ahead was Sunyshore City, where they'd dock. Breezes rushed by that made her shiver, making her want to take her jacket out of her bag.

This docking area appeared considerably different from The Marina. Small boats rocked against waves at the port ahead under the tall white and red-striped Vista Lighthouse; a section off to the westmost side housed massive ships unloading cargo boxes via crane while employees watched from the ground and on board.

Countless towering structures and businesses stretched for miles and miles upon the pavement; the roads were made of solar panels. A group of workers, including machamp wearing gear and hard hats, had a section of the street blocked with signs and were replacing several of them. They held robust drills almost as big as them and hammered into pre-made lines. The metallic clanks they produced resounded throughout the air.

Shortly, the ferry stopped by the canal; everyone was gathered on the front deck to be let off.

While Skye waited, she took out Sinnoh's map to study the route they had to take, tracing her finger along the path. "So east down Sunyshore and the route." While staring at the map, Skye hadn't noticed people begin to walk off the ship.

Ruki glanced behind them at groups waiting to leave and nudged her leg.

"Oh, oops." She folded and tucked the map into her jacket's pocket, looking back at the people. "Sorry." She grimaced, following Ruki.

After they were off, they had to wait in line so Skye could get her passport validated and stamped. It stated that she had ninety days to stay in the region as a visitor before having to leave. They then crossed the bridge and walked away from the docks where fewer people were.

After deboarding, she read plastered notices on multiple walls that the port would be shut down for a week starting tomorrow for repairs, so they'd likely have to go to Canalave's port to get home. Fun.

"We'll start really exploring tomorrow." Skye yawned and rolled her shoulders. "We have to check in soon, so it's pretty much a beeline to Route 213."

They would still get a sample of Sinnoh along the way. Ruki eyed every shop, pokémon, and vehicle model he'd never seen as they made their way toward central. He also took in various aromas from restaurants while venturing down the sidewalk.

Ruki double-looked at a Mr. Mime wiping a table at an outdoor dining area, almost making him bump into someone's legs since his eyes were glued to it.

There was so much to smell and see, and it overwhelmed his senses to the max. He was used to hundreds of people being in one place, but this city multiplied it by four. Everything seemed like it was moving twice as fast.

Parked vehicles lined the sunny sidewalk, leaving zero spaces available. Multiple buses picked up and dropped off passengers, and he'd never seen so many taxis driving around. Some of them were a checkered or a split combination of black and yellow. How did they even get fares when they were all so close to each other?

To add to his last example, this place made the Shopping District on a Saturday afternoon look close to vacant, and he swore he could sniff a decline in air quality. It was kind of stuffy.

"I guess we could stray off for a bit," Skye said after taking in everything around them. Between the numerous restaurants, enticing menu displays outside their doors, and the smell of cooking food, it was challenging to stick to her previous words. They still needed breakfast.

Around them was a lot of activity, from a car skidding to an abrupt stop after a glameow decided to dart across the street at the worst possible time to a flock of noisy starly gathering around an old, disheveled man. He sat at a bench and tossed seeds on the ground. The flock flew away briefly when other people walked by.

An ominous younger male wearing all black was leaning against a wall on a call. His gengar stood beside him and followed passersby with an intimidating smile and gaze, making some people cross the street.

A woman's psyduck tugged on her arm to stop her from waltzing into a crosswalk busy with passing vehicles since she was glued to her phone. The woman glanced around with flushed cheeks afterward.

Three luxio sat in an alley, waiting by the open back door of a restaurant. An older chef with a receding hairline stepped out and threw them slabs of stringy meat that the luxio snatched up after they hit the ground.

Two skittish eevee followed an alert vaporeon down the sidewalk, shooting their eyes at every noise. The vaporeon held its tail above the pavement and wore a serious and protective gaze, glancing back to ensure they stayed close. They soon turned down a residential street.

It all amazed her, up to the helicopters whirring in the sky that were a rare sight in Alola. News copters occupied the sky during holiday parades or events, but ranger ones were almost non-existent.

But she felt alone here. Lost, almost. In case there was an emergency, she at least knew there was an Alolan embassy and military base in Hearthome. Her parents had brought it to her attention before she left.

Skye had also done plenty of research on Sinnoh while at home on her laptop about its routes and cities. She somewhat knew areas and places to stay away from, but being here in person was so different. She hoped to fall into the groove enough to navigate safely and properly.

---

They ate at a pleasant diner and received great service from their charming waiter out of Fiore. He'd had a Fiorean accent Skye had rarely heard in person.

Skye recalled while researching Sinnoh that Fiore was close enough to it that both were popular choices to travel to. One could even spot Fiore from the ocean if they went far out enough.

Citizens from Sinnoh and Fiore traveled back and forth on cheap rides for work and to visit loved ones, by default integrating with each other over time.

Skye and Ruki had also taken an extra two hours to explore a few intriguing clothing and souvenir stores, now approaching Lake Valor from Route 222. It was fenced off with pokémon rangers standing guard and scoping the perimeter inside to protect azelf from those with bad intentions.

They'd strayed off-path multiple times, forcing Skye to ask random people on the streets or store employees for directions because she'd chosen to leave her phone behind, which was a nuisance.

She loved the way they seasoned food here so far. The cherubi and goldeen honey-drizzled salad she had eaten tasted richer than any she had back home; the dressing was sharp and tangy. She couldn't wait to try more cultural dishes here and would try to keep them healthy.

Skye didn't like one thing she spotted on the menu, though, and that was tirtouga. The species originated from Unova, where it had initially been revived from extinction sixty years ago. With additional aid, they'd repopulated enough to rejoin and occupy the oceans.

They used to be off-limits even to capture, but as the species exploded in abundance over time and the novelty wore off, so did its protection by law. Nowadays, even Unova ate them for their rich taste and tender texture. However, Alola was against eating such a beautiful once-fossilized pokémon who blessed its beaches with eggs and offspring year-round. The natives always encouraged them to stay within the region's limits.

At least Skye never had to worry about seeing vulpix or ninetales on a menu. People considered them sacred worldwide. They were a crime to kill. The worst bit of information she knew was regions like Ransei, who ate eevee and its tree, and Pasio, who ate pichu and its tree. There were more, but ignorance was bliss when it came to that subject.

Skye had also enjoyed something else on the menu that wasn't so healthy: decadent brownie bites with vanilla ice cream and pecha drizzle. They'd savored every bite, though the sweetness ached their mouths, although she had to ensure Ruki didn't have too many and have to deal with an upset stomach later. For herself, Skye gained weight easily and had been packing on more than she could keep up with lately, mainly on her stomach, sides, and thighs.

Straying from her thoughts, the refreshing grassy environment and trees saturating the route was a necessary break from Sunyshore's pace. She sipped water from a bottle she’d bought at a market in Sunyshore while watching the tall grass sway in the sun. A couple of budew peeked from them and followed the two strangers with their eyes.

Ruki seemed drawn to the surroundings himself. He was sniffing the air and giving their surroundings his full attention.

"Nearly there, baby. I know your paws are tired. I feel like crashing right this instant." Skye shivered and briefly clenched her hands. "Don't know why it's still so cold..." she muttered. "Want more water?"

Ruki shook his head and watched her lift the top off her bag's side pouch, slipping the bottle into it. He stretched his paws between steps on occasion.

Sunyshore alone was a city he wanted to spend days in trying restaurants and exploring. He'd gotten many glances and eyes from pokémon and people along the journey so far and had to remind himself he was in a foreign region.

They entered Route 213 some minutes later, their final destination.

"Oh, it's a beach..." Well, that explained the inescapable climate. Hopefully, it'd be warmer tomorrow. "We have a taste of home where we stay. How awesome is that?" She stopped and took out her map since she had forgotten which way the hotel was from here.

It gave Ruki time to paw at the silky sand soothing his pads and look beyond at the glistening waves, taking in the air that had cleared up from Sunyshore.

He noticed an elevated structure above the ocean a few miles out that stretched east and west across water. Ruki squinted and made out what seemed like moving vehicles driving on it. What an odd place to build a street.

"So, north," she mumbled, turning around and looking up from the map at a small gray building. Her eyes gleamed. "Has to be it." She went up the short flight of steps and entered, with Ruki following behind.

The lobby looked as classy if not more than the cruise ship. Skye walked past a couch and approached a wooden reception desk with brochures and a candy bowl. An older woman in a navy-blue uniform stood behind it.

"Hello, do you have a reservation here?" she asked in a Sinnohan accent with a formal grin.

"I do. It's under Skye." She'd let her parents reserve it for her over their home phone and put it under her name. Skye had left her cell phone at home during this trip for multiple reasons, including this being a vacation she didn't want to spend half of staring at her screen. Plus, she couldn't be bothered with her parents on her case daily.

This was Skye trying independence, so she wanted genuine freedom without them trying to hold her hand. Her parents had made a big deal about her leaving without any way to communicate, but Skye was able to get her way.

The woman looked down with pinched eyes at what seemed to be a long list on paper.

Skye shot her eyes from the woman and paper, her neck stiff. She would have to run to a random hotel in Sunyshore if something had gone wrong.

"Ah, I see it here."

Skye sighed and broke a smile.

Following that, Skye had to pay 100,000 pokédollars for a week's stay and received her suite key from the lady.

Skye was fortunate not to have gotten change back and would try to deal in exact due to the exchange rate between Alola and Sinnoh's currency. Alola's was valued higher, so she'd lose money if she received change.

Sinnoh's currency appeared dull in comparison to Alola's, though. Sinnoh dealt in different colors, too, from gray to bright red. On the face of every bill climbing in value were famed monuments and pokémon around the region, such as the Super Contest Hall in Hearthome City and Flower Paradise, where Shaymin resided and was guarded like the lakes.

The pokémon on certain bills ranged from starly and bidoof to Dialga and Palkia, and Giratina.

The coins ranged from bronze to gold and differed in size, as did every region's. They had numbers in a large fancy font on the center with the word: 'POKÉ' underneath. On second thought, Skye wanted some of the currency as a souvenir and now would eventually have to get change back.

"You are in the very first suite outside to the right. Enjoy your stay," the woman said.

"Thank you." Skye walked past the desk and outside with Ruki. Rows of unique white suites with spherical blue roofs resembling small homes occupied the large courtyard. "I like it."

Ruki could agree. It was a clean and comfortable setting.

The stone pavement had designated lines carved within it as its design. Lamp posts were by every suite, lighting organized, trimmed flower bushes that rustled against the wind. There was also a flight of stone steps at the courtyard's center. Skye made a mental note to see what they led to another time.

People and some pokémon (straying from their owners and wandering the grounds) lightly populated the area.

As Skye approached the suite, she noticed a male around her age looking at her by another suite to the far left. She was drained, or else she'd greet her temporary neighbor. Skye unlocked the door as soon as she got to it and shut it behind Ruki, flipping on the light.

The room was a studio with a restroom. It had a window concealed by a satin curtain and a small dresser underneath with a vase on top holding a bundle of colorful flowers. A queen-sized bed resided against the wall; a large painting of Eterna City's night skyline full of bright and pretty lights hung above it, and a tall lamp sat beside the mattress. Mounted on the wall across from the bed was a TV, and aside in the corner was a mini fridge and a microwave on a stand.

She saw another vented box built into the wall below the window and walked over, finding out that it was a heater upon closer inspection.

There was also a small sign on the door by a trash bin in bold red letters prohibiting smoking. It also stated to leave used bedding in a spot that room service could see upon entry.

Skye kicked off her boots, set her backpack by the bottom of the bed and took the water bottle out, then lay atop the blanket on her stomach. She set the half-empty bottle on the other side. Her body ached from walking under the harsh sun, and she hoped didn't get sunburn. She groaned under her breath and stretched her pulsing calves.

Ruki hopped up and lay beside her, sprawling his legs. He gave Skye her space but wanted to be close to her at least. He was done for the day too. His paws throbbed, and he was still full from the krabby pokéwrap at that restaurant.

She slid her hand out from beside her and held his paw. "We'll do more tomorrow."