FSE

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The music changed and the lights lowered, pulling her attention to the stage. A vaguely tribal bass line played and a striped golden leg poked out from between the curtains, a beaded-fringed mini-skirt doing a poor job of hiding the g-string beneath while a similar top seemed embarrassed in trying to hide the breasts of the tiger it was clearly too small for.

Tiffany glided onto the stage and a few in the crowd gasped. Sylvie had thought the tiger was beautiful before but now she was simply gorgeous. Gyrating and twirling between the poles it was evident she knew the craft and how to reel in the clientele. Hand-over-hand and legs in a full split she twirled around the furthest pole until a synth chord joined the bass line and with a shrug the top exploded in a glistening shower.

Her dancing became more urgent and she seemed to lust over the pole nearest Sylvie. On one spin she saw who was watching and gave the skunk a smile, on the next a wink. Lifting herself off the stage she spun parallel to the bar, moving her leg up to gain momentum.

Flying off the pole, Sylvie swore Tiffany was falling, stumbling to the center pole, that something terrible was about to happen. The rest of the audience thought so as well as there was collective gasp from behind her. Instead, the tigress used her momentum to grab the pole and pull herself perpendicular, legs spinning as she rotated about.

Sliding lower and lower she reached the stage floor in a full split, smiling at everyone gathered. Hands running across her head, down her breasts, stopped at her waistband. Sylvie could feel the anticipation from the customers and the resulting disbelief when Tiffany removed one hand and waggled her finger at everyone. Using the pole, she back-flipped and sashayed to the break in the curtain, blowing a kiss to the crowd as the music came to an end.

Sylvie sat mesmerized at what she'd just seen. To think anyone could move like that.... More than a few people were clapping, including Emily Ravenwood who was also wearing a knowing smile. It was then Sylvie realized her plate had sat untouched and the food was at a temperature now safe to eat.

She replayed the dance as she chewed the fried vegetables, wondering how much practice Tiffany would have needed to pull it off. Sylvie doubted she would have the strength to do half the moves, though she had to admit some part of her wouldn't mind trying. If she were alone. There was no way she would ever dance in front of anyone.

"She's really good," Will said, showing up with another iced tea and a large salad. "Cajun chicken breast on mixed greens. Nathan's from New Orleans so he knows how to do it right."

The spices made her nose tingle and her stomach craved the entree. "I thought Misti was supposed to be on first."

Will shrugged, smiling, and picked up her empty plate and glass. "Firgil wanted something special for your first night here. Misti wasn't thrilled about giving up her regular spot but seemed happy when he explained why and agreed to the cowgirl act she's been working on." He looked further into the room. "Sorry. Gotta go."

Testing the dressing, she found it to be some sort of honey mustard/ranch combination and, after her first bite, swore she would come here for dinner even if she found someplace else to work. She had to admit, however, working at High Tails was continuing to look better as the night wore on.

The second act was Amanda and Lucy dressed up in some pagan priestess outfits which, through mutual entwining and clutching, were on the floor by the end of the set. Morgan, Julie, and Vickie all followed and seemed to get a warm reception from the crowd. The standout of the night had still been Tiffany but all of the others seemed to accept this and their role.

"Buy a girl a drink," someone said beside Sylvie, causing her to jump. The tigress, still bare-chested, took a piece of the chicken from Sylvie's salad and popped it in her mouth. "Damn, Nathan can cook when Roger lets him."

"You were amazing," Sylvie said. "I've never seen anyone move like that."

"I can teach you, if you want." Something mischievous gleamed in her eye.

"Maybe some other time. Where did you learn to do it?"

The smile seemed to fade slightly. "You learn it where you have to." Her eyes moved upward. "Thanks, Will," she said, taking the drink from him.

"Ms. Ravenwood sends her regards," he said, leaving again.

"You know her?"

"You might say that." Tiffany took a drink, the playfulness back. "But please don't tell. Firgil doesn't want us to run off with the customers, though I think with Emily he wouldn't mind watching."

Sylvie coughed on the bite of salad, the spices burning her nose. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment at what she'd just done and the image she had in her mind which had caused it. "Your secret's safe," she said after taking a drink of tea.

"I already knew." Tiffany put a hand on Sylvie's arm. "Thank you for saying so, however." An acoustic guitar twanged and a miniature mirror ball dropped from the ceiling. "Ah, this is what I was wanting to see."

Misti burst through the curtain wearing a vest and chaps adorned with tassels, waving a cowboy hat, riding what appeared to be a sexually delirious stick pony. Tiffany laughed at the exhibition and Sylvie couldn't help joining in.

The first piece to go was the vest, revealing a pair of pink tassels the mouse had little trouble spinning around until two gun shots played over the speakers and the decorations flew off as if on cue. Feigning surprise, Misti turned and bent over to pick them up, a butt cheek on either side of the pole her tail was wrapped around. This received the first hoot or shout from the crowd Sylvie had heard all night.

Smiling, the mouse turned, wrapping herself around the pole and spun like and old-fashioned barber sign. Waving her hat in one hand, it fell to the ground in front of her with another gun shot and she made a slow and deliberate move to pick it up. This, too, received a raucous shout and Sylvie saw Bob and Bruce moving out of the corner of her eye.

Grabbing her hat, it appeared Misti also innocently grabbed the base of the chaps and pulled them off with a flourish. Using them, she danced around and with the pole. While beautiful to watch, it was nothing nearing the complexity of Tiffany's act but was well choreographed and evident Misti had been working on it for a while.

When the thong flew off with the final gun shot the hooting became problematic and the patron was withdrawn from the area by the two bears. Misti didn't skip a beat, however, and kept dancing, this time bringing her pony into the act. She held it, rode it, stroked it like the lover it appeared to be until both she and it collapsed to the stage with a contented whinny at the end of her song.

Many of the customers applauded, something Sylvie noted was happening more as the night went on, and added her clapping to the mix.

"Not bad," Tiffany said, though whether to Sylvie or herself the skunk couldn't tell. "I've got to go," she said, this time directly to Sylvie. "The second half of my act is coming up and I need to get ready." Popping another piece of Sylvie's chicken into her mouth she added, "See you after the show."

Sylvie watched the tiger walk off, certain she wasn't the only one, and turned her attention back to her food while the beginning of the evening proceeded in reverse, with Vickie, Julie, and Morgan each having their turn. When Amanda and Lucy took the stage again Will came back with a fresh iced tea and what appeared, much to her delight, to be a piece of cheesecake covered with fresh blackberries.

Seeing her excitement Will said, "Even I'll admit Nathan went a bit out of his way for this one. Usually cheesecake served here comes from a box. Apparently Ms. Ravenwood called ahead and asked for something special for dessert and this is what he whipped up. This is a little bit extra he had left over and told me I should give it to you."

Sylvie sat perplexed wondering what she'd done to deserve the wonderfulness she'd partaken the whole night. "But I don't even know him."

Will shrugged while gathering up her empty dishes. "Maybe he just likes you. I don't know. Maybe he's hoping for someone a bit easier on the eyes than a handsome male wolf." He winked at her before leaving her alone with the cake.

Picking up her fork Sylvie took a small piece of the cake and ran it through the blackberry syrup. Her heart stopped when the taste burst across her tongue and had to fight to pace herself to avoid downing the rest of the dessert in as few bites as possible.

When at last Tiffany came back on stage, Sylvie was sitting, feeling very content and happy. Instead of a heavy beat, Tiffany's music was light and almost child-like and she danced as if the air were as solid as the stage. Spinning and twisting, she worked her way to the top of one pole and somehow rotated down with her back wrapped around it.

Her whole performance took on the air of a pixie dancing in the woods and the air around her shimmered as the sparkles in her hair began to fall away. Hooking a leg around the pole, she let gravity pull her down and the momentum back up, her stripes becoming blurred enough that she appeared to be running and hunting in tall grass. And, indeed, she pounced to the edge of the stage, landing light enough to ensure everyone was able to see her bounce and move.

Giving a sly grin she twisted around, beckoning with her arms, treating everyone in the audience as if they were her own personal lover, miming them kissing her down her neck, breasts, stomach, and lower. Face contorting in a scene of pleasure, the explosion of her underwear in a silver shower could only have one meaning.

Slowly collapsing to the stage, she slunk around the pole breathlessly, stopping to blow a kiss at one lucky patron. The stage lighting began to dim and the place was alive with the sounds of clapping and whistling. Unlike the unwanted attention shown to Misti earlier, this was clearly one of admiration and respect.

The lights rose again and every girl came out to give their final bows together. Sylvie noted each looked happy and pleased to be there, not ashamed of their work or their bodies. It was at that point she knew where she would be working from now on.

Though it was unnecessary, and he told her as much, Sylvie stuck around to help Will clean up. If she was going to stay then she might as well get an idea of what she'd be doing. Besides, with how she'd been treated tonight, she felt as if she owed it to them.

"I take it you're staying," he said.

"I'd be stupid not to if it's like this all the time."

"Well, it's not like this all the time," he dropped some silverware into a glass, "but this was a slow night."

"A slow night?" She thought the place had been fairly well full.

"Yeah. I only made about sixty in tips. That's about usual for me. Mary would've made between eighty and a hundred. On a good night it could be twice as much."

Sylvie paused, holding a plate and two bowls, once she did the math. "Really?"

Will smiled. "Yeah. Firgil's good like that. Since he pays minimum wage, he doesn't require us to claim our tips. Come tax time I still do...to a certain amount. Makes the government and my wallet happier."

She followed him into the kitchen with the dishes where Nathan and Roger were washing.

"How'd you like dinner?" the newt asked, seeing them enter.

"Best I ever had," she said without reservation.

"See?" he said to the raccoon. "I told you."

"Shut up and wash," Roger said, clearly unhappy. Sylvie followed Will back out to finish clearing the tables.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Will laughed. "For Nathan, no. He just had another bet going with Roger. That's why they're washing dishes together."

"I didn't mean to--"

"Oh, no," the wolf interrupted. "They make bets all the time. You just happened to be the subject of tonight's."

Sylvie was about to respond when she felt hands rest on her shoulder and a voice speak in her ear. "So what do you think?"

"About what?" she said, turning to see Tiffany in her pre-stripped clothing, though there were still sparkles in her hair.

"About the show? About the job? Both?"

"I never thought a club like this could be...like this."

Both Tiffany and Will laughed before he left with the remaining dishes. "So, does that mean you'll stay?"

Sylvie smiled at the tigress. "I think I could stick around for a while."

"Excellent. Firgil will be so happy. He asked me to bring you to his office if you agreed."

Climbing the steps to the office, Tiffany said over her shoulder, "What'd you think about the show?"

"Amazing."

"Think you might want to give it a try sometime?" She cast a sneaky glance back.

"Perhaps," Sylvie said, surprised at both saying and meaning it.

Tiffany laughed and opened the door to the office. "I think we got lucky, Firgil."

"Deciding to stay, huh? I knew Nathan's cooking would win you over."

Sylvie smiled. "I have to admit this isn't what I thought a club like this would be."

"I've worked hard to get it this far and I hire good people. I appreciate you giving Will a hand cleaning up."

"It was the least I could do with how everyone treated me tonight."

Firgil leaned back in the chair and grinned. "Then how about you let us treat you well every night. When would you like to start?"

Sylvie nearly couldn't contain her joy. Until his actual offer, and despite what he'd said earlier, she hadn't been completely certain he was serious. "Whenever you'd like."

"Let's see, then. Today's Thursday. Tomorrow and Saturday are our busy nights and I'd hate to throw you in just like that. We're open for a short time on Sunday and Mary will be here to show you how things work. Sound good to you?"

"Yes, sir...er, Firgil. Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me."

"Perhaps I do, but that's a story for another day. Go enjoy your last couple of days of freedom and I'll seen you back here Sunday."

/ / /

At the bus stop, Sylvie tingled with the knowledge she had a job, an actual job, and she giggled with excitement. If anyone had seen her they would have thought her crazy. It wasn't until the endorphins began to wind down that she realized the last bus had already been through a while ago. She had no money for a cab but, with the way she was feeling, walking home wouldn't be a problem. Nothing could bring her down tonight.

She made it a block before a black Miata pulled up beside her, the window rolled down to show a striped face inside. "Need a ride?"

"It's okay. I can walk. I don't want to inconvenience you."

"Nonsense. If it'd be an inconvenience I wouldn't have offered."

"Are you sure? I can give you gas money on payday."

Tiffany laughed. "Honey, if I was wanting gas money I would've said so." She nodded to the passenger seat. "Get in."

Sylvie could see how Tiffany would like the small car but, with a fluffier tail, she felt a bit cramped. Regardless, she was thankful for the ride and her good fortune tonight.

"So, where to?"

"I live in Campten Hills. Thirteenth Street."

Tiffany made a face. "You can do better."

"Have you seen me? My species isn't exactly wanted everywhere." She received a sidelong look as the car shifted into fourth.

"Assholes are everywhere, Syl, and people are just prejudice against those they don't understand."

"Easy for you to say - you're beautiful."

Tiffany laughed. "Don't sell yourself short. Looks aren't everything, though. I was denied one place because of a girlfriend and another because they thought I'd tear up the place." Sylvie was skeptical. "Really," Tiffany iterated.

"Perhaps," Sylvie conceded, "but until I have a steady paycheck I won't be moving anywhere any time soon."

"You could always move in with me."

For a second Sylvie thought she was being serious then laughed. "I need some time by myself for a while."

"Ah. How long since you left home?"

She was again surprised by the perceptiveness of the tigress. "A little over a year."

"Small town?"

"How'd you know?"

Tiffany shrugged. "You seem like a small town girl."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sylvie was shocked.

"Calm down," Tiffany said, patting her leg. "I just mean you haven't been corrupted by city life."

"Oh," Sylvie gave a relieved laugh, "and you have?" Tiffany said nothing but the smile faded from her mouth. "Where do you live?" Sylvie said, changing the subject.

"Callona, about ten minutes east of Campten Hills, in a little two bedroom off the beach."

"Sounds nice."

"It is until a fog rolls in." She laughed. "I didn't notice the fog horn down the road until a month after I bought the place." Sylvie joined in laughing as the first few drops of rain began falling. "Now aren't you glad you didn't walk?"

/ / /

Waving goodbye to Tiffany, Sylvie took her keys out of her pocket and opened the door to her apartment. Even in the short time it took her to do that her shirt plastered itself to her fur. Closing the door behind her, her bangs were hanging down and she could see the transition from the black hair of her arms to the white of her chest through the wet shirt.

"Better not wear that again," she said, pulling off the shirt and kicking off her shoes. Wearing only jeans and her bra, she tossed the shirt into the hamper and began looking for something else to slip into. Opening one box, then another, she came to realize she was sorting and unpacking at the same time. It's amazing what having a job can do, she thought and began moving furniture around to give the apartment the semblance of a home.

It was early in the morning when she finished putting everything away. Only a stack of pictures leaned against the wall but, otherwise, she was no longer afraid to have visitors over. She had even made progress in the bedroom where she'd sorted clothes into the dresser and closet while pulling out the ones she'd deemed "passable" and set them aside to wash.

Sitting on the couch, hearing the soft fizz of the Sprite bubbling around the ice in the glass, she typed in her password to her laptop and waited for it to finish booting. An internet connection was one thing she'd allowed herself when she moved into the apartment. She'd promised herself it was only for job hunting but somehow a Netflix account had been added and her nights of eating alone, or more recently just being alone, weren't so lonely. Tonight, however, she was too tired to watch a documentary. Pulling up Thunderbird, she started a new message.

Dear Kat, she began. It's been a while since I wrote, I know, but, until today, I really haven't had much to write about. You know I moved out my mom's about a year ago but I've since moved to Campten Hills to find work. I know, I know - Campten Hills? You can't believe how difficult it is to find a job, even in the city.

Sylvie read that last line and struck it. Katherine would certainly know how difficult it could be since she was also a skunk. Sure, Kat's family had money, a lot of money, but the other skunk had never been smug about it. That was one reason Sylvie valued her so much.

I hope to move in the future when I can save up some money...from my new job! I won't actually start until Sunday but IT'S AN ACTUAL JOB!!! (Sorry! I'm just so excited!) I'll tell you the how's, what's, and why's when you come to visit.

She chewed on her lip for a moment and changed the last part to if you come to visit. There was no guarantee Katherine would drop in. If she did it would be like an atomic bomb and just as unanticipated. But Kat tended to travel often and there were times Sylvie wondered if Kat even knew where she was going to be from one day to the next.

I hope things are going well with you. Perhaps you've found a certain someone by now? I can only hope. If not, take this as an invitation to stop by the Lonely Hearts Club since it's finally ready to accept guests. *hugs*

The thought of Kat finding someone was about as likely as her settling down in one place for long. She tended to speak her mind -- usually to her detriment -- during a date and it had led to uncomfortable situations the couple times they double-dated. This had, in turn, led to issues with Sylvie's dates and the end result was going home, alone. Katherine had said they were the founders of the Lonely Hearts Club and they had taken to use the name whenever they visited one another.

Sylvie loved her friend but calling Kat difficult would be an understatement.

Marking the messages for penis enlargement and money giveaways as spam, she shut down her mail. Briefly entertaining the idea of streaming something, she decided against it when she saw the time. She couldn't remember the last time she was up at five o'clock in the morning and her body seem to wilt when she saw the numbers. A few keystrokes later and the computer was winding down like her.

It took an effort to keep her eyes open as she brushed her teeth and she couldn't have sworn she hadn't dozed off on the toilet. Making it to her bed took its own bit of magic and she squeezed the body pillow, drifting off to dream of who it might be one day.

/ / /

Her body instinctively woke with the alarm. Peering through gummy eyes, she saw the time and groaned. Three hours was not enough, especially not now she had a job. Turning off the alarm, she rolled onto her other side, into the body of her pillow lover, and drifted off again.