FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“But what about your precious Uma's secrets?"

“I care for her," Jay shrugs. “Really, I do. Yet, there are dangers when it comes to business. Things can get stolen, or people can be tricked, but that's something that she needs to learn. Besides, I just talked a good game to her to have an excuse to talk to you alone. In fact, all I said to her was that I'd make sure you didn't double cross her. I said nothing about anyone else." He gives her a wink.

“Ah, there's the rat who mixes business with pleasure," she says.

“Actually, I am a rat who knows when someone is under his spell."

She frowns at that, “And with that 'babe' comment earlier, you're also one who doesn't know what a woman likes to hear."

“You didn't let that little slip up stop you from meeting me today."

“I needed to get the data," she says. “I didn't need to see you to do it."

“And yet, you dressed up nicely. If you didn't want to have a good time to get to know me, you wouldn't have."

“Unless, I dressed to get you off guard."

“In that case," he shrugs, “you win. I am stuck in your web, coiled in your snare."

Her lip twitches at that last comment. His whiskers twitch in response.

“Speaking of dressing up," he says, sliding closer and whispering, “Seems you've applied quite a bit more 'make-up' than before. You don't need to, you know."

She gasps, her hand upon her heart. “Ho… how did you?"

He chuckles a bit, leaning back on the bench, his arms draped over it. “I appreciate women. Not in a chauvinistic sort of way. But I appreciate them when they're frank and straightforward. I never forget a face, either, or what's put on it."

“You sound like you're trying to convince me that's the truth."

“What will it take for you to believe me?" he asks, sitting up now, lacing his fingers together as he leans against them. “Do I need to prove myself some more? I think it's your turn."

“I'll decide that," Arya says, tilting her head back slightly.

“By all means. Give me the full interrogation."

“What sort of music do you like?"

He smirks. “To listen to or to play?"

She blinks. “What do you play?"

“I've been known to tickle a few ivories, now and then. They also say my throat is quite pleasant."

“What's your… ideal weather?"

“Crisp, cool Autumn air. The crunch of leaves underfoot. The smell of pumpkin spice. The increase of nuts."

“Sports?"

“Hockey. Minnesota Wild."

She taps her fingers over the desk as he motions to her. She blinks, and then responds. “Ah, right, me… well, let's see… I'm more of a

Pittsburgh Penguins girl."

He gasps, his hand over his chest. “Be still, my heart. A woman who loves the NHL? I knew you were special!"

She smirks slightly, her tail feeling like it should wag like a dog's at this point. “I also play the keyboard and the organ!"

“Oh my… that's certainly different than my expertise on the good old pianoforte. Yet, I can appreciate the work that goes into it. Looking at those fingers though, I have to wonder if there are more instruments in your repertoire?"

“I play a little bass," She responds, shrugging.

“Contrabass or Bass Guitar, no wait," he says, holding his hand out. “You'll have to surprise me."

“You, uh, wouldn't happen to sing opera, would you?" She asks, probing into his own works.

He shakes his finger. “Perhaps we should surprise each other on the particulars of our skills? It gives us something to fantasize about when we finish our transaction today. You are in need of something to fantasize about, are you not?"

“Wah, no, I-!" She gasps. “I mean yes! I mean!"

He shakes his head. “Oh, do not worry. Do not worry at all! I merely tease. If you do not like it, I shall stop, on my honor as a gentleman."

“Do not tease me so much, then," she responds, a hand upon her chest. “I'm taking you home today. I don't want there to be any problems."

“Home, you say?" He asks. “That's the second time you've mentioned that. How peculiar, because I thought you were going to bring me over to your place of business."

Damn, he's good. “Well, I mean, I work from home."

“So, you live with your employer? Or, could it be that there's something you're not telling me."

“I… I don't know what you're talking about," she says, sinking into her seat.

“There is no employer… you're doing this all on your own, aren't you? Pretending to be the secretary of some powerful businessman, but to what end, I wonder?"

She relaxes just a bit from that. Luckily, he didn't get to the heart of the matter. “Ha, yeah, I suppose you got me there."

“I wonder why you hide your true self, though, when you have such a tough time doing that."

“Excuse me?" She asks.

“You're obviously a strong, confident, and shrewd business woman. Yet you pretend you're lower on the ladder, inventing some boss that doesn't exist. Why is that?"

“Oh, that," She says, shrugging and taking a sip of her tea. “I guess you could say its to cover my bases, should I need to. But really, it's very rarely that someone discovers the truth. If someone were to do so, I suppose I'd have met someone who would be on the same intellectual level as I am."

“Ah, then we are kindred spirits? I'm glad you feel that way." He takes his cup and stands up. “Come on, then. We'd better get a move on. Coffee's getting cold and there's much to do. Wouldn't you agree? Plus, I need to see this home of yours."

She pushes herself up and walks past him. “Right this way, Jay," she says as she exits the establishment. “But let's not have our relationship end at the exchange. I'd love it if we continued this talk sometime soon."

“I'd love it, I'd love it, I'd love it, too!" He responds, reaching into his pocket and flicking over a coin into the tip jar.