FSE

Furry search engine

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"Sun, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters!" The sign advertising a cruise vacation through tropic waters had read. The words almost seemed mocking now as the human man recalled them. Every muscle in his body screamed out at him as he readjusted upon the rocky cave floor. Turning his sore neck and looking around his current surroundings; the dark, humid, and rough cave was anything but what the trip had intended to be...

=== One Week Earlier

Standing in line at the supermarket, waiting for his items to be rung up, Enek ran a hand through his short mohawk. Though he had been called 'handsome' on more than one occasion, his rough appearance consisting of the well maintained dark brown haired mohawk, a seemingly perpetual five o'clock shadow and slight scarring around his eyebrow and nose from a prior accident tended to cause people to label him before they even spoke a word together. This seemed to be another one of those ocassions as Enek noticed the cashier look him over swiftly, a slight sneer in her lips and a false smile to cover it up. They both followed through the now automatic manners and pleasantries, as the woman hurried along in an attempt to make him leave as swiftly as possible.

Grabbing his bags from the end of the register counter, he parted with a silent "Yeah thanks.." even as she tried to avert her gaze from him any longer. Her eyes held contempt, accusing him of some misdeeds she likely expected him guilty of. With a snort of his own Enek turned to leave the store, when a notice board near the exit doors caught his attention. A few missing persons, maid service advertisements, a used car lot sale... none of it drew his interest as much as the colorfully decorated cruise ship sailing out of port. 'Our special Getaway package, see your local travel agent for booking today!' The first tag line read, followed by a fluff bit about warm sun, beaches, and waters.

"Vacation huh... might not be a bad idea." He muttered to himself, setting his bags into the trunk of his car and driving for home. Enek took the night to sleep on the idea before flipping through the phonebook and calling the only travel agent he could find in town.

The voice on the other end of the line was a pleasant sounding woman who actually sounded like she was enjoying her job; or at the very least having a good day. "Thank you for calling Hyperion Travel Agency, my name is Dealia, how can I assist you today?" A few other muted voices could be heard in the background.

"Dealia? Er, hi I was curious about a cruise ship being advertised?" Enek's voice was uncertain, this being decidedly out of his normal element.

Her voice perked up again at that. "Oh yes sir! The S.S. Rigganda will be leaving out of San Ramone port soon in fact, at the end of this week. You just barely made the boarding deadline if you're interested in booking now. The ship will be traveling the Crescent Gulf over the course of a week. The current package offer includes the basic level accomodations, though you can upgrade to first class for a reasonable price!"

"The basic is fine, I need a vacation more than you know so sign me up." Enek hadn't even hesitated to say the words. Spending the next couple of minutes filling out details over the phone for his booking before hanging up. Making a call to his work next, he had easily accumulated several weeks of vacation time, never using any previously; time his boss had been nagging Enek to use so the labor union wouldn't get on his case. Happy to schedule the time off, with a content sigh no less, Enek set his phone down and set about finding where his luggage set had gotten to...

After a short hop a few cities over to the port town, Enek could already see the large cruise ship in port as the plane landed. With an eagerness in his step, he hopped aboard a shuttle bus headed right to his destination; crowded in with loads of over tourists for the very same goal as his. The boarding ramp leading up to the ship was just as packed; Captain and co-Captain happily shook everyone's hand and checked tickets at the entrance to the ship. Following the directions of crew members as well as posted room signs it didn't take Enek long to find his. Located roughly about the middle of the ship, his door was one that was on the outside, right off the main deck.

Enek stepped inside, letting the door close behind him as he tossed his bags aside and dropped onto the soft bed in the room. Decently sized, it wasn't half bad at all for a last minute reservation. "This feels good already." Enek spoke quietly to himself, letting out a soft sigh as he laid there drifting off into a nap.

The first two days of the trip went seamlessly, as the ship traveled from port. The temperature was perfect being late-spring heading into summer though a slow storm had been building just over the horizon. The detail hadn't crossed his mind much, but a few hushed words shared between the crew as they passed did worry him. The storm was unexpected, a sudden shift in a tropic wind from the south was pushing the weather into their path.

By the third day the waters had grown choppy, rocking the boat with a slow steady motion that had sent more than a few passengers reeling for wastebins or just the side of the boat as they heaved out whatever meals were in their bellies. To make matters worse a steady rain back begun pelting the ship deck around mid-day. Despite the assurance over the PA system from the ship captain that it was a minor inconvenience, Enek had a cold feeling settling into his chest. That night would only reinforce his fear, as Enek bolted awake to a thunderclap booming directly overhead. Though the storm was not truly a worry of his, the strained and almost drowned out scream for help was. Throwing on clothes as swiftly as he could and throwing open his cabin door, the driving rain and wind right in his face as he scanned around for the source of the cry. A young woman clung to the side railing of the ship deck, hair plastered down to her head from the rain and eyes squeezed shut. "Shit, hey! Just hold on!"

Stumbling forward through the doorway with a grunt, the rocking of the ship seemed almost worse once he was outside of his room. As the rain and wind beat against him, causing Enek to stagger forward for every step. A floatation ring sat mounted on the wall a short distance away from his door, grabbing it for safety as he reached out for her. The woman noticed him finally, reaching out as well for this sudden lifeline. Inches away from one anothers hands, as a large wave crashed into the ship. The resulting bump on the ship left Enek suspended in air for less than a second, but it was long enough to feel the dizzying sensation of being weightless before the resulting momentum slammed him into the railing of the ship. The force driving the breath from his chest as the pain shot through his body. Enek's vision blackened as he clung as tightly as he could to the ring and rail, the ever present rain making it harder to do by the moment. The sudden inclusion of voices behind him prompt a glance over his shoulder at the sources, several workers waiting just beneath the covered section of the outdoor hall were calling out in concern as they tied themselves off to the ship.

In that moment however, feeling another rocking of the ship, Enek knew there was an oncoming wave again. Taking instant initiative and knowing there was less then seconds before the hit, he reached up grabbing the woman by her water soaked shirt and pulling her to her feet. Giving a rough shove, he pushed the woman across the deck into the awaiting arms of the workers. He was next, it was only a good 10 steps or so to safety.. right?

The next jolt was even stronger than the last, the pain instantly blinding as the world drift out of sight and mind once he collided into the metal railing. Somewhere in the last vestige of his thinking mind Enek could feel himself falling and wondered to himself <Am I going to die? Is this how it'll end...?>

===

How long had that void filled his mind? The endless sea of darkness was a prison in which he was fully aware of; was this truly death? Cold, lonely and confused, Enek floated through this nothingness until eventually a spark approached. It was small but it's light grew bright as it came closer. That soft glow touched right to his bare chest, spreading warmth through him as a very tell-tale sign made itself known once more. Thump... thump.. thump.. The sound was his own heart, slowly finding a rhythm once again. With a cough, that black void slowly drained away as Enek become aware of the world as it were around him once more.

Uncertain how long he'd been here, Enek knew immediately this was not his boat. The near pitch black darkness and rough, uneven stone he laid on further held true to this fact. His body hurt, plain and simple. Arms and legs were sore, neck more so, his chest felt like it was on fire. A brief touch to it caused him to reel back in pain, possibly a broken rib or bruised at the very least. "Fuck! Gahh..." He cursed out, his voice echoing through the cave.

Hit voice caused something to stir, on the corner of his eye in a small alcove off the side of the cave a figured moved in the darkness. "Ali-rez zen mes?" Words, soft when spoken and a feminine tone seemed to ask him a question.

Slight relief passed through Enek, words meant a being that could speak them. It wasn't some hungry beast about to snack on him. Proping up on an elbow to face the shadowed figure as it approached, he cough. "I.. I can't understand you. I'm sorry." He grimaced in pain, turning in a way that caused his chest to rub uncomfortably.

There was a pause as the figure stopped moving, watching him carefully before finally approaching once more. As the figure kneeled beside him he felt a cold, smooth hand brush across his cheek. His heart pounded a little quicker as he felt a warm in his chest when the person leaned in. Without hesitation their lips met together, the jawline feeling odd to Enek is if almost muzzle-like in form. This fact overshadowed the one that this stranger was kissing him out of no where but yet the tender embrace was not without affection. Soft moans of approval left the feminine voice once more as caught up within the moment perhaps their lips parted to along tongues to dance together for what felt like minutes to the dazed human.

Too soon she pulled away from him, rubbing a finger between their lips and wiping the saliva. "Ah.. This is your tongue then correct? I'm sorry for the suddeness, it was the only way. It makes me happy to see you've awoken."

Enek's eyebrows raised at that. "How in the hell does that make any more sense? For that matter where am I? How did I get here? Is the ship docked or something?" His eyes were trying to adjust in the low light, squinting and narrowing as he picked up details about his mysterious companion that only created more questions than they asked.

"I found you drifting in the ocean. So I plucked you out and brought you here. As for your boat... I'm regret to say but it has been several days since you were recovered, nor do any ships come here anymore." There was a hint of sadness in her voice at that. Seeming to pick up on his unease in the darkness, there was a snap of her fingers as a pale blue flame sparked to life a short distance away. The fire burned with no fuel source, but admitted the same light and warmth as any normal one would. "Much better, yes..?" The being asked curiously.

A cold shiver ran down Enek's back as the details of his savior were suddenly revealed. Before he could even question the flames appearance, the female beside him was most definitely not human, but shared many of the same qualities as him from general body shape to even a head full of long black hair. The first descriptive factor in Enek's mind screamed out 'Shark' and in many regards that was exactly as she appeared, almost as if a cross between a man and one of the beasts. Her skin a soft azure covering the arms, legs, hips, back, and upper half of her face like a mask. The color was separated by a smooth black outlining; while her hands, feet, and from crotch to snout were a snowy white. Forgetting the fact that there was a muscular tail swishing behind her, the whole image simply left the human stunned.

He swallowed, mouth agape as he looked her over; and she in turn did the same. The shark-morph sensed his thoughts perhaps as a mix of emotions crossed her face. She frowned, eyes narrowing as words seemed to be on the tip of her tongue and yet as quickly as it had appeared, the anger disappeared; replaced instead with the same sadness that had been in her voice. "Just like the rest.." She whispered, not really meaning it to be heard. Standing up from her kneeling position beside him, the sharkess turned away slowly.

"W-wait!" Much to both of their surprise, Enek reached up and gently grabbed her hand in his. She froze in her tracks, looking down at his hand then to his face. "I just.. wasn't expecting this is all. What ARE you?" Feel her pulling away, he released his grip. Fortunately instead of retreating further, the shark-morph sighed and dropped her gaze from his as she sat down on the cave floor.

"I am a celestial draconid and demi-goddess of these lands and seas. I performed healings, blessed the harvests, safeguarded the waters from terrors your mortal minds might not even imagine. At least... I did at any rate." Her eyes were unfocused, staring off into nothing as the tail at her backside wrapped over her lap. "But now I'm the only one left of my kind, and the people don't herald me as they once did. No, instead I'm a 'demon' now for the last few generations, to be feared and hated." Hugging her legs and tail to her chest, the sharkess lashed out with a foot half-heartedly and kicked away a loose stone. "How quick they are to judge me for appearance alone, never even getting to know me."

Those words in particular struck a chord with Enek, feeling the same pangs of veiled anger and sadness that she likely did. "You saved my life though, right?" Enek asked her, to which the sharkess shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head. "Why?"

The question hung in the air, causing the sharkess' eyes to widen in response as she turned to look back at him. "Why? Because you were going to die! Because.. it was the right thing to do." She huffed out through her snout, squeezing her arms around her legs and tail as she gave him a gaze as if it was the most obvious question in the world.

"And that's why you're an alright... shark.. draconid thing in my book. Species is irrelevant, but actions speak volumes. I don't care if you're human or whatever, I'm alive now because of you." Enek wore a serious expression as he spoke, watching as his unusual companion slowly opened back up with her body language. "My name is Enek." He extended his hand to her, grunting as the motion stretched his muscles in just the wrong way to send sharp pain in his chest.

She stared at his hand for a few moments as if it was a creature that was going to lash out and strike her. Slowly, she reached out and took it in her own as the pair shook them together. "Serge.. you may call me Serge. And please remove that garment and lay your head back here." She readjusted her stance, sitting with her legs splayed off to the side as she pat a hand to her lap. Sensing his unease again, Serge frowned but giggled softly at the same time. "I want to assess that wound, I hadn't had a chance yet when you woke up."

Following her orders as instructed, Enek pulled the damp shirt off with some assistence from her and laid his head back onto her lap somewhat uncertain. In all of the excitement and rush of the moment he hadn't noticed until that moment that the sharkess was completely nude. As a creeping blush crossed his face as the human stared back up at her from around the swell of her generous bosom, the thought occured to him that Serge wasn't just a strange being that had saved his life; but a kindred spirit who shared a lot of the same feelings he did. Respectfully choosing to instead close his eyes as she rubbed her fingers carefully around the tender areas, she "Hmm'd" and "Ah'd.." a few times before a sudden warm from her palm was being pressed into his skin.

"This won't be pleasant but please bare with." Serge told him with a hint of concern in her voice. The feeling was getting hotter by the second, as it quickly turned to pain. Enek arched his back as his mouth dropped open in a silent scream. His fingers clawed and grasped at the stones around him as the sickening sensation of bones cracking and reforming in a matter of seconds filled him. Serge leaned down, putting her forehead to his as she hummed a soft tune for him; rubbing her other hand along his cheek in attempt to help soothe the pain. Enek writhed in pain for a what felt like hours to him, uncertain of the passage of time in this dim cavern. The pain finally subsided as he came back to, heart racing and feeling Serge rub tears off his cheeks. "Just breathe.." She softly said to him, the rise and fall of his chest feeling easier by the second until Enek slowly felt things returning to normal; no more sharp pain or shortness of breath, even the dizziness was gone.

"S-serge... thank you." He said quietly, the ordeal having exhausted him physically. His stomach however answered next with a low rumble, perking the shark-morph's ears as she looked down at his belly curiously.

"Come, let's get something to eat then." Sliding her arms under his shoulders before he could complain, she lift him up into a sitting position. Helping him slowly to his feet and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, Enek was slowly led down a pathway out of the cave. A short walk through a few twisting tunnels and the human was able to see the tell-tale sign of sunlight.

He shied away from the brightness, as the pair readjusted to the outside light. The sun was just over the horizon, but which Enek was unsure of. "What time is it?" He asked, sweeping his vision across the dense jungle scene before him; the sounds of waves crashing upon a beach not far off.

Helping him forward again until he was taking each step on his own strength once more, Serge let him curiously poke around the environment as she watched him closely. "Dawn actually. The fourth one since recovering you from the sea." Slowly the sharkess followed after him, directing the human down a small pathway she had cleared over many years. The clearing was something like a campsite, carefully cleared away vegetation with a small firepit in the middle, a few fallen log rolled into place for seating. "Please rest here, this was... a ritual place long ago." Serge set about collecting various wild blue berries from the bushes surrounding the area before depositing them in his hands.

Enek just looked down at the handful of berries as Serge took a seat across from him with her own. "I'm really lost then, aren't I?" He popped a berry in his mouth. Despite the juicy flavor, it seemed little better than ash at the moment. "It's been this long around and no ships or helicopters have come looking for me?"

Pausing with her hand halfway to her mouth for another berry, Serge got a somewhat distant look in her eyes again. "Unfortunately not, and that may be in fault of my people. Our presence in the area changed it in subtle ways over time, one of those being a shift in magnetism. I always surmised it was part of the reason why humans stopped visiting once technology caught up, all of the newer age electronics don't function right." She offered the explanation, knowing it would not be a solace to him however.

Slumping down onto the log he sat, Enek sighed with downcast eyes. "Lost at sea, presumed dead, no hope of rescue." He mumbled to himself, idly eating. "What am I suppose to do now?" He asked out loud, not intending to find an answer as his mind sorted this latest information.

"Should a ship happen by I will do as much as I can without revealing myself to make sure you are found. Otherwise I cannot offer much, but you may stay with me here. The wilds of the island can be dangerous, and anyway I'd... no, it's nothing." Serge's eyes were distant as she spoke, shaking her head.

The pause left much to the imagination, as Enek thought it was certainly not nothing; however he was not going to pester the sharkess over it. "Then, thank you again. You've saved my life for a second time, so where do we start?" He looked up to meet her gaze as she glanced back at him. The thought of staying here for possibly the rest of his life was definitely a worry, but were it the case Enek was happy he would have a companion at the very least.

Serge sat up, brushing off her legs and giving him a soft smile. "Come on, I'll show you around. Help you familiarize with your surroundings. Maybe if we're lucky I can bash some survival instincts into you." She giggled, trying to lighten the mood and hopefully make him smile genuinely and not the false mask of one he wore instead. It was at least a partial success as he took her offered hand, rising to his feet as the pair strode off into the forest.