FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"And here's your 12 custom cappuccinos sir," Mae chimed, hoping the overly sweet tone and plastered smile hid her annoyance well enough. The largest of the group nodded his head in thanks and grabbed the tray, leading everyone off to a cluster of tables, so evidently it worked.

The black cat allowed herself a sigh of relief and surreptitiously stretched, giving the smallest grunt of pained pleasure as she worked her sore muscles. Giving a glance at the clock in silent prayer time would somehow move faster, she took up a washcloth and set to cleaning the mess she'd just made, only to be interrupted almost instantly by playful slap on the back.

"Nice work there, my duder" Gregg praised, ever present smile slightly more mischievous than usual, which was a feat in and of itself.

"Yea, no thanks to you! Where were you anyway, I had to do the whole group myself!"

"Oh Mae, don't you worry. I was off doing unimaginably important things. You wouldn't believe the sheer scope of the tasks I was undertaking. Why, just to hear a portion of them would make you weep tears of -"

"You were kissing Angus in the back again weren't you?"

"......"

"......"

"Ok in my defence, he looks really cute in his uniform."

"For fuck's sake Gregg," Mae muttered,careful not to let the customers hear, voice more exasperated than angry.

"Aw come on Mae, how was I supposed to know a whole group was gonna show up!? Who brings their whole extended family to a cafe at 8pm?"

"Yea yea. Look, you owe me, that's all."

Whatever response Gregg was going to say was lost to time, interrupted by the sweet chime of the door's bells announcing another customer. Swearing under her breath, Mae turned to greet the newcomer.

It was all Mae could do to make her jaw not literally drop at the sight of her. She was a tall crocodile, with a rare cool teal tint to her scales rather than mottled green. She wore a loose black dress with a white ankh on the front, with black leggings below and, curiously, big black combat boots. The makeup contouring her face and highlighting her big eyes was a similarly dark shade. The woman paused before going up to the counter to browse the overhead menu - to Mae's good luck, as it gave Gregg enough time to snap her out of her trance with a nudge to the ribs.

"Careful you don't drool all over the counter there, Duder."

"Shut up!" Mae hissed, glancing over to make sure the woman hadn't heard. "I-I wasn't drooling!"

"Was only a matter of time. At any rate, seems a prime time for me to do you that favour."

With a wink, Gregg swiped the dishcloth and moved to clean up in the back. "Good luck, hotshot."

"No no no you can't do this to me! Get back here you dick!"

Mae froze, her heated whispers interrupted by the sound of a very obviously forced "ahem" coming from behind her. Offering a quick prayer of thanks to whatever god was listening that she'd been born with fur dark enough to hide the blush underneath, she turned to face the gorgeous customer.

"Good night! Oh uh, I mean good...uh...welcome to the Astral Alley!"

With a kindness that made Bea's socially awkward heart swell with gratitude, the woman didn't laugh at her slip up at all, instead giving her a small, knowing grin.

"Long day, eh?"

Mae barked out a short laugh, or meowed it rather, body visibly relaxing as some of the tension faded away. "Very. Let's just say i've been making very good use of the employee discount on coffee."

"No kidding, sure wish my place gave us coffee. I'm just happy I caught you guys before you closed." Her eyes widened with sudden realization. "Hope that's ok. I'm not causing you guys any trouble coming so late, am I?"

"No no no, not at all! You can come hear whenever you like!" Mae practically stumbled over her words, not realizing how they sounded until they'd already left her mouth. Her ears flicked with irritated embarassment; she could hear Gregg and Angus giggling at her while they cleaned. The irritation fizzled out under the brilliance of the woman's smile.

"Is that so? Well, perhaps I'll take you up on that."

"Great," Mae squeaked. "So, what can I get you?"

"I'm afraid I'm not sure. You said you drink here all the time, what do you recommend?"

"Oh, I'm pretty basic. I usually just drink a dark roast with 2 sugars and cream."

"Sounds tasty. One of those then, if you don't mind. Medium."

"You got it. One medium double double, coming right up."

"Oh, and if it's not too much trouble-"

"Extra hot, right?"

The crocodile paused, her eyes taking on a new look as she peered down at the fluffy black cat. "Yes," eventually she admitted. "How did you know?"

"My best friend growing up was a reptile. I know how nice hot drinks feel for cold blooded people. Don't worry, no extra charge." Mae picked up a cup and a marker. "Name?"

The crocodile leaned over the counter to rest on her elbows, bringing herself close enough to Mae that the cat could faintly smell metal and oil on her, which somehow made her all the more alluring. "Bea."

Mae repressed the shiver trailing along her skin. How could even the way she said her own name be sexy!? She wrote the name down on the cup, showed it to Bea to confirm the spelling, then got to preparing the drink.

As she moved, Bea's eyes tracked her, drinking in her appearance with a newfound appreciation. "You've got my name, what's yours?"

"Mae," she responded over her shoulder, scarcely looking up from her brewing.

"Mae," Bea repeated. "That's a pretty name. Is it short for anything?"

Mae indelicately snorted as she brought the finished drink over. "Lately, feels like it's short for 'Mae I take your order."

Bea chuckled, leaning even closer. "Funny and cute. Now that's simply not fair."

Mae's ears fluttered in surprised embarrassment, looking down so Bea couldn't see just how much of an effect even a light compliment had on her.

"H-here's your drink," was all she could muster.

Bea took it, leaving cash on the counter in payment.

"Do you think I could get a napkin, by the way?"

"Oh, uh sure," Mae stumbled, handing her three or four for good measure.

"Thanks," Bea murmured, somehow putting a seductive lilt even to something so small, then reached over the desk and grabbed Mae's marker. Jotting down on the napkin in quick, flowing script, she slid the napkin and marker back over the counter. Mae looked at it, back to Bea, then back to the napkin. On it was the goth reptile's phone number, along with her name and a heart.

"I....I don't....wha..."

Bea winked at the flustered cat. "Have a good night, pretty kitty. Don't be a stranger~"

She walked out of the cafe with a sway to her hips Mae would have sworn she was doing intentionally if she had enough brain capacity left to think at all at that moment. Gregg came back to where she stood stunlocked, Angus in tow. Glancing down at the number scrawled over the napkin, itself clenched tightly in Mae's hands, Gregg winked up at his big quiet boyfriend.

"I told you good things happen when we make out."