FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The sun set on the little seedy little bar in the middle of nowhere of the Nevada desert, signaling the commencement of the daily night life activities. On the surface, Dick's Drinks-often referred to jokingly by its patrons as Dick's Dump-was a shit-hole in the wall. The alcohol was dirt-cheap boozeahol, the food they served often gave you indigestion and worse. The air stank of a stench like a well-used gym locker room.

But, in the end? The shows were the tits, and drew people back to the dump like addicts to coke on a cock.

Furs of all species and classes attended, especially for the shows - the upper class, the upper crust of society - often sat in the front with ski-masks to cover their faces so they could not be recognized. They often booked seating for their own security. Meanwhile, the joe blows and dregs of the world struggled to peer from behind each other's shoulders.

It wasn't anything odd to see some of the furs pull their pants down right there in their seats in appreciation of this sort of show. The shows of this seedy little joint involved a erotic combat-scantily clad, aphrodisiac-drugged women and men letting each other have it in full view for the gathered public to see. Beating the snot, blood, sweat, tears, and cum out of each other in more ways than one, the loser laying prostate slathered in bodily fluids after the victor claimed their prize.

Sure, it wasn't the flashiest of arenas. But in a rare treat like this sport, one could not be picky.

For many, there was no better place than Dick's Drinks to watch two sets of poundings in one match.

***

By the time the Saturday morning after a Fight Night at Dick's Drinks rolled around, most customers had left the premises in a post-nut bliss-some of the more affluent patrons riding on cloud nine after an hour session with one of the ladies and/or fighters. And most of the fighters were all too happy to go home after their bouts with the various customers who wanted to join in the messy fun.

However, as the "Princess of Dick's Drinks," Kari always stayed behind to help sweep and wash dishes along with Matthias, the fox squirrel boy who generally referee'd in the tight little speedo and sleeveless black and white striped ref shirt. Matthias was also in charge of serving drinks when he wasn't in the ring handling those duties. And of helping keep Dick's Drinks clean. And he was always happy to have Kari's company.

Known as the princess because of how she carried herself with a formal politeness, and carried with her an air of naivete and innocence in this seedy little bar, Kari was also the second ranked fighter-not that it mattered much in such a dump. Still, she was much beloved by the patrons and her coworkers alike. The triplet waitresses and ring girls, Peach, Cream, and Berry, treated her like a little sister. And Matthias was always grateful for her assistance, given that she was willing to work overtime even if Dick didn't pay it.

The mouse's ensemble after her fights was simple. A conservatively cut white tee and slacks, and she was ready to work, though the evidence of the match was still upon her face in the form the shiner glazing her hazel eyed gaze as it peered through the swollen slit on her left. Still, she mopped up and down the aisles. A lot of the customers enjoyed themselves a little too much-bottles strewn everywhere, and occasionally in the back corners, there were used condoms which lay strewn about.

Kari wordlessly donned her latex gloves to handle them. Matthis noted her face was completely flat. Dead. A lifeless, glassy-eyed stare at the spunk-filled rubbers which would normally have people retching with disgust. No, this was just part of their lives.

The young mouse was often so melancholy. If only he could help her...

The squirrel adjusted his collar still in his bartending long-sleeved buttoned up shirt underneath a sharp black vest complete with bowtie. He watched where he stepped to avoid the various piles of various...substances which had been gathered and compiled in order to be disposed of. He set his paw upon her shoulder and tried to catch her gaze. The mouse's frame stiffened and flinched even in spite of his gentle approach.

"Hey. Kari. You, um, hanging in there?"

The mouse turned to him with a smile forced at her cheeks, straining the sides of her mouth, forcing her eyes to squint. It was the same smile she gave to many of the customers and patrons who she serviced. "I'm doing fine, thank you."

Matthias's soft brown eyes looked to her's. He knew. But he dared not call her out on it. Instead, he simply smiled a little brighter. "Hey, I'm a little tired. You want to stop for a moment, and maybe I can prep you a cup of coffee. Maybe take a load off as I brew us a pot. Still got about an hour's worth of cleaning to go."

"But-"

"No buts. And you probably need to still have a bit of ice on that shiner. That bear did a number on you, didn't he?" Matthias beamed with his own smile, his thoughts frantically praying it would catch. The mouse stared at him blankly, as if struggling to process his intentions, even as she took her seat upon one of the bar stools at the counter.

He ducked behind the counter. Matthias's hands were a whiz. While Kari's gloves were like lightning in the ring, the bar was Matthias's domain, and it showed in his practiced set up with the kettle, a gallon jug of water with a name in what the mouse assumed to be French, a plastic bag sack of coffee beans marked with "100% Arabica. "The good shit" was scrawled upon it in marker on a piece of white masking tape. He then set up a sizeable translucent pitcher-shaped contraption. Matthias's eyes caught her bewildered gaze. "It's a French Press. I only break it out for Dick's special guests and for good friends."

Kari's black and brown splotched cheeks reddened, and she averted her eyes. She sucked down a deep breath to hold back her eyes watering.

Matthias took a deep breath himself. He had spent many nights listening to folks tell their woes.

He knew when to back off and let them have their space. Still, Kari's tears were caustic upon his soul, and he felt them eat away at the stony mask he tried to maintain, even as he turned his back on her to start prepping the coffee.

The sound of the brewing coffee only enhanced the silence between the two. Matthias kept his gaze down, fixating on the coffee as to block out Kari's clear restraint. Kari, too, dared not look up, for fear that she would see Matthias's caring gaze which might just shatter her facade.

Finally, Matthias brought the cup of coffee in a porcelain mug on a saucer, and set it before the mouse. She lifted her gaze with the forced smile stretching, cracking at her cheeks, forcing her eyes to squint. "Th-thank you."

"Kari. We're friends. You don't know how much it means to me that you're always helping me clean up. It really, really means a lot to me." He smiled, beaming, as he poured his own cup. "No one else helps me clean up this dump." He gestured to the room in half-disarray. The ring itself had been mopped up, and the bucket mixed with all sorts of bodily fluids had been dumped. The tables were polished, and chairs were upon them. Next would be sweeping and mopping the floor. "Dick's too cheap to hire a proper janitor," he chuckled. "And you've actually made it so I can get home at a half-decent hour."

"Last I checked, 5 AM is not a 'half-decent' hour in anyone's language." Kari offered a

half-smile. Allowing her cheeks to relax a bit.

Matthias reached over and tenderly held her by her chin with his fingertips as he looked her in the eyes. "You should smile like that more often."

Kari blinked. Her cheeks flushed, and she drew back. Instantly dropping the smile and darting away her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself.

Matthias's own arm drew back and he found that the shattered smile was more contagious than his own. His face soured. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"No. No, it was fine. I'm the one who should apologize. And . . . " That half-smile crossed her face once more. Melancholy tugged at the sides of her eyes, as she met Matthias's gaze. "Thank you." She nodded softly, before taking up the saucer with the cup of coffee in hand, and sipped it. Mischief danced upon her lips, to which Matthias gulped. "You know, I'm curious." Her eyes met his. "Do you...enjoy being the referee?"

Matthias winced, his whole body stiffening underneath the probe. "I mean..." He tugged at his collar, and his eyes darted around. "I...I mean, you're all very lovely, and...ah, heh...it's...I mean..."

Kari smirked a little. "Sometime, some day, I'd like to show our appreciation."

Matthias's eyes shot wide, and he shook his head frantically, putting up his hands. "R-Really, Kari, it's okay...it wouldn't feel right."

Kari leaned across the counter. "What about it wouldn't feel right?"

The squirrel shut his eyes and sucked down a deep breath. "Because...because you're like...I don't know, you're like my little sister." He opened his gaze to her bemused look. "I mean, yeah, it's...awesome having the best seat in the house to your fights...but I'm worried about you, Kari. And...it doesn't seem right to take advantage of your offer, when all I did was...just give you a little of the kindness you deserve."

The squirrel bartender grabbed an icepack, which she took to hold to that shiner, and reached over and held Kari by her shoulder - his paw heavy, in spite of his slender frame. He looked up at her downcast gaze hidden by her bangs. "I appreciate everything you do for me, Kari. I appreciate your company, and I wouldn't cheapen it just to sate my needs. All I want is for you to smile a little more. Not because I told you to, but because you feel like smiling, alright?" He smiled to the mouse.

By this point, tears were sliding down her cheeks. The mouse wanted to look away. But she couldn't. The tears already flowed out of her eyes. She sniffled. And through it, she smiled.

"Thanks Matthias."

***

A few months later, the twig of a fox squirrel sighed as he leaned his forehead against his arm, resting upon the poster he had just put back up upon the wall. His entire form slumped against it, and he shut his eyes and took a small rest for the thirtieth time today. The young red squirrel hand brushed up his forehead and through his pompadour in exasperation.

The hours had been long and his boss, the boar known as Dick, owner of Dick's Drinks, had been rather merciless during the holiday hours.

"'s not like you all have families to go back to or anything, right? No families, you work longer hours."

It was hard to tell if the words hurt more because they were harsh or because they were true.

"Hey," a familiar voice called, and the sounds of sweeping stopped. They had become so rhythmic that he only noticed after they ceased. He turned his gaze behind him. Down at the foot of the stepladder, the paint-splotched white furred mouse, clad in her usual short-skirted, halter-top waitress uniform befitting an employee of Dick's Drinks, stood there staring up at him a worried, green-eyed gaze. "Why don't you take a break?"

"Can't. We're behind schedule. I'm sorry, that's my fault, I've-"

"Been so tired you can't even stand up straight. I've noticed."

The squirrel shook his head. "I'm-"

"You're not fine."

"But-"

"No butts except yours in a seat. Or I'll kick it up and down the street. And you won't get the happy ending either."

The squirrel stiffened. Kari easily could. The girl had a right hook that had knocked out rhinos. It was an arousing sight watching her plant her foot on the face of that overconfident rhino who had swaggered into the ring only minutes before. She had laid him out on full display for the ladies and gents in the audience, and made him into her toy as she worked him dry right there in the ring.

And now that same mouse crossed her arms and tapped her foot as her gaze knocked him out of his daydream.

"Yes ma'am," he said, with a sheepish grin.

The mouse offered her paw with a sudden, gentle smile, and helped him down from the stepladder, guiding him to her usual seat in front of the bar counter, while she ducked behind to start pouring him a cup from the giant fresh pot he had already prepared.

"Here," she slid the cup in front of Matthias on a saucer. The fine China stuff. His face froze, petrified at the sight of the painted little porcelain items with an immaculate attention to detail to each brushstroke.

"These are the dishes we reserve for the V.I-"

"Shush." The mouse smiled, before leaning over the countertop, and dropping the smile as she gazed into Matthias's eyes. "What's up. It's not the work. You love this cafe, and it's never been work to you."

"Just..." The squirrel stirred at the cup, averting his eyes from Kari's gaze. It was weird seeing her so assertive outside of the ring.

Her paw reached out and clasped Matthias's shoulder. "Matt." His eyes glanced back at her. He noted the telltale bite of her lip. He understood. This was still the same Kari.

"It's...been a lonely winter, you know? It's hard going back to a bed by yourself. Erm, not that I have any experience otherwise," he coughed.

Kari stared for a moment. Matthias cringed. Had he gone too far? But the mouse continued to stare, with that telltale biting of her lip.

"I can relate."

"You? Nooo," he smiled. "You have...like...three dozen suitors at your doorstep."

"And...I don't think any of 'em want me for me, you know?" She frowned, for a moment, eyes darting away.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I want to hear what's going on with you, though. So you...want someone to be with?"

"Well...I mean, I want to be on my feet financially before I really get with anyone. But...the holidays really highlight how alone I am?"

"Can totally relate." Kari nodded, straining to keep a straight face. "Maybe we can just go out for a little bit? Have a little outing when we have time off?"

Matthias shook his head, chuckling. "You? Go out with a shri-"

"Matthias?" Kari interrupted sharply. "If you say a 'shrimp like you' I will deck you right in the mouth and take a few of your teeth. Would you like me to deck you?"

"No ma'am," Matthias replied meekly.

"Good boy," Kari patted him on the cheek with a sweet smile. "Now, when are you free?"

Matthias thought to himself, tapping his chin. "I think I have a little bit of time next weekend, what about you?"

"I'll make time - you just tell me when." Kari smiled sweetly. "You always make it for me, it's the least I can do."

Matthias amber eyes focused on her smile. Unlike some of Kari's smiles, it was only...half-forced. He had learned to read her face. The more strain around her eyes, the more she was lying.

This one...there was no such strain.

"Alright. On one condition."

"What's that?"

"You need to enjoy yourself, too."

Kari paused, and sat back, staring at Matthias, seeming to consider this thoughtfully. "S-sure."

"You sure?"

She hesitated a split second, before her lips split into a smile. "Absolutely."

***

The week dragged on. It seemed like everything that could happen to keep them busy deluged Dick's Drinks. Everyone seemed to want to drink the holiday blues away, warming themselves with a good drink whether during the day with coffee or with beer and liquor through the night.

As Saturday afternoon arrived, a thickly wrapped up Matthias ascended the stairs of Kari's apartment complex in a woolen sweater and red scarf wrapped around the bottom half of his face. His amber eyes scanning the area, as it was in a more run down part of Los Diablos. He knew that just around the corner, dealers habitually made hushed exchanges with the local addicts away from prying eyes-mostly due to the stories of some of the customers. It was not unusual for people to show up on the six o'clock news in this part of town. And he would hate to show up as one of the body bags.

Every barking dog tensed his shoulders and frizzed out his tail. And as he finally made it to her apartment on the third floor, he took his time to comb his pompadour with brush he kept in his pocket-a squirrel had to look his best, after all. He spritzed a little more of his cologne upon his person, cleared his throat, and reached up...barely tapping the door with his nails.

At the tap, a high-pitched squeak was heard from within, followed by a startled 'coming!' as shuffling was heard from within. Within half a second, the mouse opened the door, stepping outside with a crimson windbreaker and a black beanie covering her ears from the cold, closing the door behind her.

She stared at the squirrel for a good while, with a soft smile pushing gently at her cheeks. "Where would you like to go?"

"Me? This was your idea!"

Kari frowned. "But...i-isn't it supposed to be the guy chooses?"

"Th-that's for dates!"

She grimaced, wincing. She hadn't thought of that. Her thoughts started to race, and her ears flattened against the top of her head. "S-sor-"

"N-no." Matthias, took a deep breath, biting his lip. "Look, there's...something I've actually been wanting to do for quite some time. A place I've wanted to go. I guess...now is as good a time as any. If you don't mind."

"If that's what you want," Kari smiled. "Today's for you."

Matthias shot her a look, frowning as his bushy tail swished back and forth with irritation.

"Wh-what?"

"You promised. Don't you remember?"

Kari tensed, ears wilting underneath that withering glare. "P...promised what?"

"To enjoy yourself, too."

"I-" His glare was like a hand around her throat, and not the good kind. She took a deep breath, and smiled. "Well...where is it?"

Matthias started to lead her down the sidewalk, stretching his arms behind his back with a bright smile spreading upon his lips. "It's a little arts and crafts flea market bazaar type place. People sell all sorts of cool stuff there, and I've been dying to make time to head on over there myself." His eyes shifted to Kari. "I was hoping I would have someone along-it...doesn't feel too good enjoying these sorts of things by myself, and most people think it's kinda...boring." The edge of his smile tensed with sheepishness. "But I want you to enjoy it too. And I get if it...you would prefer somewhere else."

Kari frowned to herself, taking a deep breath which misted up into the air. She could relate to having to enjoy things by one's own lonesome. If nothing else...if nothing else, she could ease his pain.

Besides, she liked it when Matthias geeked out. It was always fun to listen.

"Can't knock it if I don't try it," she finally smiled.

"That's not a-"

"So long as you explain some of the stuff," she quickly added with a sweet smile. "I

The squirrel blinked for a moment, before his face brightened. "But of course! I'd be happy to geek out!"

Kari's smile brightened further. "Then lead the way, Mister Tour Guide."

"T-tour guide?" Matthias raised an eyebrow.

"Sure! You're going to be taking me on a tour through this place, right? Kinda like a tour guide!" The mouse giggled pleasantly, smile pushing against her cheeks.

The squirrel smirked, before puffing out his chest and straightening himself as he whirled about, quickening his pace with Kari's urging. "Then, a tour guide I shall be. Welcome lovely ladies and literally nobody else to our whirlwind tour through the Lotus Rose Flea Market in wonderful cold as balls Los Diablos, Nevada! I'm your host Matthias Roth! Where are you from, ma'am?" He gave a sweeping bow as he continued to backpedal, removing his beanie and flamboyantly sweeping it in a grandiose gesture.

Kari's laughed as she applauded - the impact of her hands muffled by her gloves. Still, that brilliant smile-the real, genuine deal that erupted spontaneously from her lips, sent a tingle up his spine, and he could not help but share the moment with her with a gay laugh erupting from his gut.

As Matthias wiped the tear from his eye, he draped his fluffy tail around Kari's shoulders and pulled her in close, continuing down the sidewalks while keeping his companion warm, a flush crossing both of their cheeks.

***

The Lotus Rose Flea Market was an interesting area of town. A hybrid of something of a Chinatown and the Barrios, many vendors set up shop around the area heated by rows upon rows of kerosene powered heaters, selling wares of varying quality and questionable legality. One kiosk on wheels was selling custom print tee shirts with creatively recolored anime characters. Another little shop stall made of various plywood boards sold little arts and crafts decorated with "Dia de Los Muertos" sugarskull style painting-little paperweights, knicknacks and bobbleheads. Another such stall had polished fine-china, which drew Matthias's attention. Yet, upon closer inspection, and picking up a wonderful looking teapot, he frowned.

The little older red-panda lady smiled sweetly at Matthias, who forced a slight smile back, before scrutinizing the pot. Kari's eyes switched from teapot to Matthias and back again with bewilderment. Hushedly, she whispered to the squirrel. "Is everything alright?"

He nodded gently, though his face was tensed in scrutiny as he held up the cup with one hand, and flicked the rim, frowning at the dull, dense lack of a ring.

"It's not the genuine article," he whispered back.

"H-how can you tell?"

"Real bone china has a certain tone when you flick the edge of it."

The red panda maintained her smile even as Matthias continued to scrutinize the piece. He smiled politely to the kiosk owner. "Xiexie." He bowed his head politely, before moving on, with Kari jogging to catch up.

"You...don't seem too upset over it though."

"They're just trying to make ends meet. For some little girl, that tea set is a steal. But you know me, I want the good stuff," he chuckled. "I'm looking for a good deal myself-and I'm not looking forward to getting my face punched in today by some of the sorts that operate here." His eyes shifted to the right, signaling for Kari to follow his gaze. A gruff looking bear with a scar over his eye and arms the size of treetrunks was manning a store selling what appeared to be Roltex watches. "If I were looking to get my ass kicked, I'd step into the ring with you before starting trouble here..."

Kari frowned. "I...mean he looks scary, but that doesn't mean he's...a bad person, right?"

"Why would you sell a Roltex watch at a flea market for that sort of price if there wasn't a catch," he whispered back, restraining his neck from moving around too much. "Nah, they're either stolen and he's fencing them, or they're not made of actual gold."

The mouse nodded solemnly, as they continued down the rows of stalls, tents, and kiosks. Some offered to jailbreak various gadgets and electronics. Others were selling little arts and crafts projects...

It was then Matthias let out a high-pitched squeal, and suddenly darted off, leaving Kari in the dust as he darted towards a tent in the distance, adorned with a wooden sign of a sword-a hammer striking the painted red-hot blade

Matthias pushed aside the flaps of the tent cautiously ducking in with eyes wide with potential wonder...and once again Matthias let out a squeal, higher pitched than the one before, as his bushy tail swished back and forth, slapping Kari in the face lightly. "Wh-what even is this-"

Her eyes took in the sights of the store. Racks were filled with all sorts of outlandish, impractically shaped swords from seemingly every era in pristinely polished condition. And in the middle was a bored looking otter with a bushy beard that went down to the middle of his chest, in a medieval-esque blacksmith's apron with a nametag of "HI, MY NAME IS: AIDEN." In between his lips he held a blunt, and the store smelled of, well, whatever he was smoking.

"Aiden! How are you, bro!?" Matthias opened his arms wide and reached over the counter to embrace the otter-whose eyes popped halfway open at the sudden greeting as he awkwardly returned the hug back, before realizing who he was hugging.

"Matt, bro...I didn't recognize you." He gave a slothful lazy smile, and slapped Matthias on the back with a swift backpat before drawing back with the same lazy paced grin. "Man, how long has it been? So long that you got a girl without us knowing? Fuckin' sly dog." He grinned over at Kari with a friendly smile, to which Kari forced a polite one back, with a nervous chuckle.

Matthias gulped and shook his head as he raised his paws in front of him. "Oh, no no no, Kari's just a friend!"

"Dude, I've been around the blocks enough times to know what "just a friend" means." He flashed a grin. "Come on, introduce her, ace!" In spite of the slur of his words, there was now a spark in life in his eyes as he looked to Matthias.

"A-actually, I'm..." Kari looked to Matthias, as if to check. "I'm just a coworker. And a friend! Friend of course." She smiled sweetly.

"...Aw man, friend-zoned jst like that." Aiden's shoulder slumped, and he cast Matthias a look of pity.

Kari felt a chill run down her spine. Her tail straightened, and her whole body stiffened. "I-I mean," she started to spit out. "Maybe we could be something more? But I mean we haven't even gone on a date yet and I'm not sure if Matthias would be okay with that, and I mean-"

Matthias covered his face with his paw, and his bushy tail attempted to wrap itself around his head as if trying to suffocate himself. Faster death than through embarrassment after all.

Kari's ears wilted as well, as her teeth clenched. Aiden chuckled. "Maaaan if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a couple, with how far that stick is shoved up both your asses. Chillax, chillax...it's all good. Bro code and all that, we don't pry into each other's bizni." He waved his paw dismissively. "Name's AIden. Welcome to Blades in Spades. Who can I do ya for?"

"...e-excuse me?"

"...what can I do for you?" Aiden smirked patiently.

Matthias finally relaxed and took a deep breath. "I did want to just see if it was you. I'm glad you got this shindig up and running. But I did want to put in an order."

"My first customer, woo woo!" Aiden faux-hollered with a sarcastic energy as he raised a lazy arm up, before high-fiving Matthias with a sly grin. "What's the order-diddlyino, duderino?"

"Matthias pulled out his smartphone and his fingers danced across the screen with lightning precision. Kari raised an eyebrow. If she didn't know better, she would've guessed Matthias was sharing an interesting clip of a match at Dick's Drinks.

"H-here!" He practically brandished the phone at Aiden, who leaned back as to not get his teeth knocked out by the screen. He whistled. "That's...quite an order."

Kari craned her neck to get a glimpse. It was a picture of a rabbit girl in white and red miko shrine maiden robes with eyes as wide as dinner plates with a bust size that made Kari think of the larger chested ladies she had fought in the past with super model hourglass figures. The robes were parted just enough where that cleavage was accentuated. Within her grip was some sort of katana easily twice her size.

She turned to stare at Matthias, who seemed to be lost in the opportunity that had presented itself. Still, she wanted to make sure he enjoyed today...

"What's...special about her? I mean, um...tell me about her." She smiled uneasily.

Matthias's body was vibrating with excitement. "OH, yeah! She's the best. See, she's this demon exorcist rabbit named Sakura, who guards this world from all sorts of demons, and stars in the series "The Demon Lord is My Step-Brother!?" and it's this rom-com adventure series. The second season is trash, but the first and third are classics. Anyway, so she wields this giant sword called Muramasa and it's an enchanted blade that allows her to transform into her shrine maiden form where she can use all her awesome powers, but it also makes her the target of the Demon Lord, who is the son of the creator of the blade, the former Demon Lord who is actually her-"

Kari swallowed, and struggled to restrain her eyes from glazing over, and try to keep up her pleasant smile.

But Matthias saw through it, and had a moment of self-reflection. He rubbed the back of his own head, his eyes casting to the side. "I may have just realized how fucking stupid this sounds."

"N-no!" Kari lied through her teeth.

Matthias paused, and took a deep breath, and offered a slight smile. "It's alright, Kari. I'm actually curious if you've seen anything you liked. You promised, remember?"

She nodded slowly, her lips tightening as her ears flattened. "I rhave enjoyed myself...it was because you were enjoying yourself."

Matthias suddenly hugged her close - pulling her against his thin frame as she froze in shock.

"I...get it. But at the same time, I insist...find something you like here..."

"I hear bitches love blades," Aiden oh-so-helpfully chimed in, holding up a massive bladed polearm weapon, before placing it gently on the wooden countertop.

Kari's eyes wandered to the massive polearm. She wandered over to it and ran her fingers over the shaft. The beast of a weapon was almost seven feet tall with the shaft alone.

Matthias smiled and adjusted his spectacles. "That's the naginata. It was the favored weapon of the onna-musha-they used these weapons to protect their householsd in ancient Japan. Two of the big female heroines in Japanese heroes were known for wielding them."

"I like it...do any of the heroines from your cartoons wield this?"

Aiden snorted, stifling a laugh. Kari looked at him with a bewildered expression, tilting her head with confusion as to what was so funny. Meanwhile, Matthias shot him a glare as he typed something hurriedly in his phone, before showing Kari...

It was a rat lady in stylized dragon samurai armor, though clearly the armor was designed with aesthetic in mind, as it did not cover her chiseled midriff and exposed a bit of her cleavage. Instead of a helmet, she wore a headband around her forehead, and she gazed off into the distance with steely determination, though she noticed a hint of melancholy in those red eyes. A similar naginata rested upon her shoulder with the moon lit sky as her backdrop. Pink cherry blossom petals sprinkled the picture.

"She's lovely. I wish I was as fierce as her," Kari smiled at the picture.

Matthias hummed at Kari's longing gaze-before eyeing Aiden, who simply offered a sleazy, smug grin.

"What'd I tell you?" Aiden leaned on the counter expectantly

"Shut up and change my order already..." He tapped a few things on his phone, and Aiden's phone binged with a notification. "I'll pick it up in the upcoming months."

"Alright, gimme a moment to print out your invoice for the order..."

"Matthias, wait, don't...how much will this be?" she winced, looking at the gorgeous ornateness of some the pieces within the store. Her ears wilted at the thought of what the bill might be. She reached out to hold back his arm which was reaching for his wallet. "You need that for the cafe..."

Matthias shook his head and waved dismissively. "It's really fine. You're worth it." She noticed, however, that his ears wilted-and as Aiden handed him the bill, he winced.

"Kari, could you wait outside for a moment?" he let out a nervous laugh.

She smiled. "Don't take too long, okay?" She exited from the tent, with the vibe of why Matthias needed that privacy.

She stepped out from the tent, and soaked in the winter sun, which had started to set in the distance. The day had gone by more quickly than it had come, and she sighed wistfully.

There was a nagging sensation in her heart that she had wasted the day-she hadn't trained, she hadn't worked...she had just had fun.

And the mouse smiled to herself. Had the day, indeed, been wasted? Matthias seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. And she found her heart stirring a little, once more.

No boxing gloves. No money. No groping. Just a little nerdy squirrel and friend who was enjoying himself...and she found herself enjoying their time too. It had been so long since she had enjoyed time with someone without an ulterior motive hanging over her head-clawing at the back of her mind and sucking dry any joy she could otherwise have in the moment.

With the warmth of the sun upon her facefur, she sighed pleasantly to herself, and wished for more days just like this one. More days where she didn't have to perform, didn't have to fight. A day where she could just hang out..

It was then that a shrill whistle cut through her tranquil silence. Her tail frizzed out and her ears flattened at the sharp piercing sound, and her gaze focused on the source of the noise...

It was a couple of rowdy hooligans. She recognized them from Dick's. They apparently had recognized her first. Her whole body sagged.

She just couldn't get away. Such days were fleeting dreams, fleeting fantasies.

She put on her best face and offered a shaky 'hello' to them, waggling her fingers. "I-I think I know you all...!"

"Heyyy, what brings the Princess of Dick's Drinks here!?" One of the clearly drunk wolf boys staggered towards her. "Hey, Tom, get the camera-I want to take a picture with her!"

"You got it Geoff!"

"I-I'm not really doing any sort of photo-ops here..." Kari tried to gently push him back, as she put up her shaky hands defensively. Her mind seemed to scream at her, begging her to punch him, run away, something, as her breath started to accelerate.

"Aw come on, just a couple for my MeBook page!"

Tom, the raggedy vermilion furred cat in a beanie fished out his phone and fumbled with it in order to snap a photo as Geoff slung his arm around her with a sleazy grin-with his paw firmly grasping around her tit, as Tom snapped a couple of photos of the stunt.

"HEY!"

Matthias had stepped from the tent, and his brown furred fingers nearly turned white as he gripped a morning star-with a spiked ball the size of his entire head at the end of the shaft. "H-hands off!"

Both of them stood and stared for a moment, slack-jawed. "...dude, what the fuck is wrong with you, we were just messin'!"

"Hands off of her. Or I'll break your wrist, do you hear me!?" Matthias's hands shook. His voice cracked. Kari tensed at seeing Matthias so unsure yet s f

It was then that Geoff let go and shoved Kari to the side roughly, sending her back a few steps as he stalked towards Matthias. "Kid, are you seriously threatening me..."

Matthias swallowed, and hesitated-he slowly drew back the morning star-but Geoff reached forward and snatched his wrist, squeezing hard enough to force him to drop the mace with a cry of pain.

"Fucking twink. Can't let me have a bit of fu-"

"GEOFF!"

Geoff turned only to receive a solid roundhouse to the face from Kari's foot, SMASHING into his cheek and knocking him to the floor out cold in a single strike.

Kari let out a shuddering breath...her arm shook with her clenched fist dangling at her side.

"That'll do, squirrel. That'll do." The otter came out from the tent, a massive zweihander being held across his shoulder.

Tom stared dumbfoundedly at the scene, as Aiden chewed on a blunt between his lips.

"Look, I like making weapons. I don't like using 'em. Using 'em brings wear and tear on my perfect craftsmanship." He looked to Kari and Matthias. "I don't think these fine folks like using their weapons either, and while I think the Mortal Kombat style potentially decapitating roundhouse was overkill, it's your word against ours and that picture on your phone..." Aiden smiled. "Why don't you cut your losses, haul your friend's ass outta here, and leave the lady and gent be?"

Tom nodded dumbly and grabbed the groaning Geoff by the collar of his tanktop and started to drag him away to the stares of onlookers...

"Hey." Aiden smiled. "Come on back inside. Rest up before you finish up for the day...it's been so long since I've had company anyway, and it looks like you two could use a breather."

Matthias sighed and picked up the morning star, casting a sad glance to Kari before entering the tent. Kari hung her head and followed in behind him, as Aiden allowed the flap to close.

***

"I'm sorry," they both said to each other, almost in unison. They both followed up with "...what are you apologizing about?"

"Kari, you were in danger. But...I couldn't bring myself to use the mace. I hesitated. I started questioning if I was putting you in more danger, about accidentally swinging too hard, about..."

"But...but I put myself in that situation. I let him get his hands on me because I didn't-"

It was then that Aiden set down a platter with two cups of piping hot green tea. "Here. The good stuff. ...not the special stash though. I save that shit for myself, ha ha."

"You can have a 'special stash' of tea?" Matthias raised an eyebrow.

"When we potheads perceive a need," Aiden chuckled, before relaxing in the third seat around the fold up table.

"I'm sorry we brought you so much trouble, Mr. Aiden..."

"Are you kidding? This was the best first day I could've asked for. I bet they're going to be talking about the nerd with the morning star for a few weeks now around this joint-good for business!"

"That's...certainly an interesting way of looking at it..." Kari scratched her cheek.

"Always the optimist. Still, thanks for the assist..."

"Any time." He took a hit before looking from the squirrel to the mouse and back again. "Look, I'm really not one to pry into people's business, but...Kari, you didn't neither of us to save your butt." He shook his head. "I'm gonna guess you could've crushed that guy's wrist and broken it in three places."

"...maybe?" Kari's ears flattened.

"Why didn't you?"

"He...he was a customer. And...I don't know, it didn't feel right."

"To defend yourself?"

"But I mean...it's part of my job."

"So what?" Aiden scratched the back of his head. "That doesn't give him the right to just feel you up any time he wants. Especially since you're not working right now..."

"But-"

"Kari." Matthias piped up. You promised you would try to enjoy this for you. Yet, this whole time, you haven't let me do anything for you." He shook his head. "The reason I haven't come to this place, as wonderful as it is...is that this experience ultimately means nothing if there isn't someone else to share with it. All the china, all the cool weapon replicas, the little trinkets and arts and crafts...they all mean nothing if no one is here to enjoy it with...the least you can do is say 'I don't want a creep feeling up my boobs.'" Matthias's ears wilted. "You've always had my back in the cafe. I wish you'd let me have yours."

Kari hung her head-her ears flopped in front of her eyes, as if to hide them.

"You both could use a good lay."

"Aiden!" Matthias facepalmed, as Kari sunk into her seat-ears wilting at the insistence.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you both were using your asscheeks as a holder for my maces. Why don't you just let loose? Ya only live once."

"This isn't the-"

"Dude, just...sometimes too many words, not enough-"

Kari stood suddenly, keeping her eyes at the floor. "...Matthias. It's getting late...would you walk me home tonight?"

***

The sun peered throughout between the buildings as it sank in the sky, casting an orange glow on the streets and roads of Los Diablos, as Matthias walked alongside Kari.

"It's...a neat sunset, isn't it?" Matthias offered a half-smile with the observation.

Kari meekly nodded, offering a half-smile back, barely meeting his gaze.

They trudged up the four flights of stairs to Kari's apartment...as they did, Matthias reached out and grasped Kari's gloved hand and took it into his own, interlacing his fingers with her's, without looking at her face, and gave a firm squeeze

The fox squirrel led her to her apartment room. Kari fished out her key and started to unlock the door, but paused. She pursed her lips thoughtfully, and let out a condensing breath. "Would...would you like to come in? It's a chilly night to walk home alone in, you know?"

Matthias blinked, and looked to the mouse. He swallowed as she gave him a half-lidded gaze and a knowing flirty look-the sort she'd use to tease out a few more dollars out of patrons...

"Kari, I don't know..."

"Please. I insist." She pushed open the door and ushered him in...He hadn't actually ever been in Kari's apartment before.

Matthias smiled, before entering the apartment, with Kari behind him.

It was a very simple room, devoid of decoration-given half a day, they could easily have packed up everything and left it as spotless as a vacant one.

"Let me just change into something comfy." She smiled sweetly at Matthias, before slipping into the shower room. And as the hiss of water broke the silence of the apartment, Matthias found himself contemplating.

While they were hardly his goto for wisdom in what to do in such scenarios, he had seen enough pornos to know what those words meant. Neither of them were stupid. In fact, they had the opposite problem.

He knew what Kari was doing. And in spite of the shallowness of it all, Matthias found the mere thought of the gesture strained his slacks.

Matthias rose from his seat and started to shed his layers, hanging them neatly over the seat, from his button up shirt to his slacks, leaving himself down to his cotton boxer briefs. He took a deep breath and unbuttoned the front, allowing his length to slip free. He shuddered, facing the wall and leaning upon it as he stroked himself for some temporary relief...

"H-hah...oh fuck...Kari," he whispered softly, breathlessly...allowing himself only a couple of strokes, before forcing himself shove his length back into his bottoms... No. Even if it was a shallow gesture, he wanted to enjoy her to the fullest...as much as it would end up hurting both of them, he wanted to enjoy it.

Just a one night stand. In some ways, he was just another customer to her. Part of him hoped that he thought of him as more than such. But the squirrel knew that all he was to her was another guy who was a little sweeter than some of the others. He would get the same consolation prize as the others.

But damn, it was a nice prize. He had refereed several of her matches-watched her fuck and get fucked by others in the ring...and each time he had to restrain himself, drench himself in a cold shower just to sleep those nights so he wouldn't tear a hole into the bed with his diamond-hard dick alone.

"Matthias..."

He turned to her, and swallowed, as she stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her petite frame-her soaked hair trailing down to the middle of her back. As the towel fell away, he laid his eyes on that bared chiseled frame which had taunted him so many times before in the ring-her bared mounds sporting sizeable, suckable, plump nipples. Barely an ounce of fat upon her body. In many ways, she was more masculine than himself. He unconsciously covered up his own scrawny and lean frame with his paws...

The mouse stepped to him, and grasped him firmly yet gently by his arms and pulled them around her waist-guiding his paws to her taut rump, as her own paws reached down to pull down his boxer briefs, to allow his straining member to breathe. His length was smaller, shorter than other males that she had taken-Matthias had seen some of their sizes. Hulking brutes and behemoths-horses and dragons where he had questioned if there should be concealed carry laws for how dangerous they might be.

And yet, Kari did not seem concerned, as she straddled his four or five inch member. "You don't have to hide from me." Matthias, of all the males I've taken, you've been by far the sweetest, the most genuine, the most caring for me. No matter how much I try to make it about you...you always try to make it about me. No client does that for me, no matter how many sweet words they whisper."

She kneeled before Matthias-the hardened soaked nipples of her modest mounds dragging along his body as she descended.

"I don't know if it will work out between us...I know what I am. Who I am. Can I really make you happy, doing what I do?"

Her hand was calloused from the years of fighting-the fingertips rough, coarse, adding a little extra friction as her paws grasped his length and pumped it gently-her lips kissing the tip, causing him to shiver, and shake. The strength nearly left his legs right then and there, as a groan left his lips.

The coarse fingertips drew along his sack. The mouse boxer squeezed it with surprising tenderness, kissing at the underside of his dick.

"Kari," he whispered...

She rose to her feet and took him by his length. "Come here..." She led him by his dick over to her bed-perfectly made, but devoid of any color or decoration. He caught a glimpse of a telltale smile on her face, before she grabbed him by his shoulders and threw him onto the bed like a sack-a WHUFF escaping his lips as he landed-his dick waving in the air as Kari climbed onto the bed, crossing over it and twisting as to plant her rump on his face-planting her lips upon his mouth as his eyes wandered up her bared, toned back...

He felt her lips engulf his length-and those familiar rough pads pump up and down his length while grasping his tightening sack. He let out a shuddering breath, before allowing his tongue to do what came naturally, lapping her drooling slit. The mouse let loose a breathless, satisfied squeak as he dragged his squirrel tongue up and down, tasting her slightly sweet juices and basking in her scent. He felt his toes curl, and he heard Kari's angelic little giggle.

"You enjoying yourself down there...? Is this your first time...?"

Matthias blushed, and hesitated to answer..

"It's okay. Whatever the answer...I'm just glad to share one with you...just...enjoy yourself tonight."

Kari pressed herself further against Matthias's muzzle...and he let out a moan as he felt her lips descend upon his dick fully. His tip lightly pressed against what he assumed was the back of her throat, as her tongue washed up and down his length. His eyes rolled back up into his head as he continued to wash her inner walls with his tongue...

He felt her remove her lips with an audible pop and a gasp, as she breathlessly panted. "Y-you're a natural at this...maybe someday I'll drag you into the ring, and we can go a few rounds...?"

Matthias breathlessly pulled his mouth away-juices smearing all around his mouth as his vision swam, his chest rising and falling. He breathlessly giggled himself. "Y-you'd cream me..."

"Well, yes, would you complain about...being creamed?"

He blinked as he realized he missed the obvious innuendo, and flushed. "N-no ma'am..."

"I thought not...now..." she rolled off of him, leaving him staring at the ceiling fan with his brain half-melted-he could feel the flow of every drop of blood swimming through his dick-every little movement of air brushing over his sensitive prick.

The mouse instead straddled herself above his hips, and with her paw still on his shaft, guided him into her-allowing the tip to press against her soaked lips-her petite breasts rising and falling as she locked down his gaze with her own with a soft, still sad smile...

What he would give to have the power to just fuck the sadness right out of her. Fuck the tears from her eyes. Fuck whatever entity plagued her so.

Something stirred within him, and the simple, primal urge of fucking her into happiness, as stupid as it was, surged within him.

He groaned as she pulled him into her, inch by inch...and he, in turn, grasped her hips with his paws-pressing the tips into those taut thighs, and pulled himself into a hard thrust.

She squeaked softly as he railed himself into her, grinding into her drooling pussy, pumping himself into her again and again. She, too, dropped down against him, with a soft, repeated plap of their hips.

"A-ah...oh my, "she whispered, supporting herself on his scrawny, lean chest, her firm palm pressing into him. "Matthias..."

"Kari..."

No words were needed. Just the utterance of her name. Her uttering his name. It drove him wild, as he stared into those emerald eyes.

Foxy boxing and the little post match prize-taking was not known for its gentle side-the girls often loved pain, loved it rough...and Kari, as sweet as she was, was no exception. She drew back her hips, and started to slam her hips into his with a rapid fire jackhammering. He groaned. His eyes fluttered, as he felt her inner walls ripple around his dick, squeezing and milking around his every inch. He nearly bit his tongue on questions of whether or not it was safe to go this fast, and forced down the fear that she would burn the skin off his dick.

The mouse rapidly squeaked as she rutted against him. It was amazing-everything he had dreamed of...

...save for the wish that he had Kari for all his own. He grunted as he doubled down on his promise-the one in his mind.

Even as she picked up the pace, he deigned to match it, feeling the ache of his weak hips. He was no fighter. He was no boxer. He was no athlete. Nor pornstar.

But the desire to drive the sadness from her eyes-at least for one night...

"H-hah...Kari...this is...you're everything I've ever dreamed about..."

The mouse squeaked breathlessly. "That...that makes me happy. Thank you Matthias...now...give me it all...I want...every single drop in me..."

Matthias panted breathlessly, his tongue rolling out of his mouth-his brain shorted, and upon her command, he planted his dick up into her. His seed gushed all around his dick, seeping from the sides of her lips down his shaft and onto his base and sack with a groan...as Kari held him close to her tits-allowing him to let out a deep shuddering breath between her modest, soft, furry white tits, as she shivered and let out a shuddering squeak. His hips moved of their own accord, trying to push through her release, even as his every bone and muscle screamed for him to stop and rest...

His heart thumped in his chest as his vision started to swim-feeling sleep's siren call lull him in spite of the adrenaline running through his veins...and he caved, as he nuzzled into Kari's loving pillows around his face...

Even as he drifted off, he swore he heard her saying 'thank you'-though he did not know whether he was dreaming or awake.

***

Matthias had drifted off to sleep-Kari hadn't had too high an expectation, as it wasn't Matthias's job to be a professional. That said...in many ways, this had been one of the most satisfying sessions in a long time. She had meant every word.

But as she thought over the day...somehow, that just made it all the more painful. Knowing just how much she wanted it.

A girl like her wouldn't be healthy for a guy like Matthias. She knew. But she wanted to dream, to believe in the fantasy, at least for a moment today. And she got her wish.

She slid down Matthias's body, pulling off of his dick, allowing her pussy to stain the fur of his leg with both of their juices as she dragged it along. She hugged him close, nuzzling into his fur for comfort.

"Girls like me are only good for giving happy endings...we don't get happy endings," she whispered, as she stroked at Matthias's hair, kissing him softly on the cheek with a sad smile.