FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Economic Opportunity

copyright 2022

When Megan took part in the Unity Programme her parents had expected her to achieve some kind of grandiose title like Xenobiologist, Comparative Sociologist, Theoretical Physicist or Expateran Anthropologist (even though she explained three times to them that the final one was actually an Expateran Sapiologist since the Human analogues from other Earths weren't all considered anthropoids). What her parents didn't realize, however, was that the vast majority of graduates from the Unity Programme did not pursue any kind of scientific career; she, like many other graduates, chose instead the much more mundane route of interacting with the Other Earths in a financial capacity.

Some Earths, like those of the Ikali were not well designed for infrastructure investments or commercial development while other Earths like that of the Oolau practically screamed out in desperation for it. Megan did get general study credits completed with regard to the Otters and Wolves, but that was not her focus. Many of her contemporaries chose to pursue advanced study and business opportunities on the Phin version of earth but, again, not Megan. Ever the trailblazer and forward-thinker, the up-and-coming business professional young woman chose to go where none of her Human classmates had selected: Plateau Earth, the world of the Viddin.

It was not that any extensive direct opportunities were there, but there was also no competition and, she realized, an untapped market. For over a decade the University Programme had held a tight restriction on interaction with the Ilsit, a varied and diverse race of reptiles whose Earth was connected to Plateau Earth but not the Earth from which Humans hailed. Of the 12 Earths, the world she knew was connected only to Water Earth, Shattered Earth, and Plateau Earth-- the Ikali from Riparian Earth were known to Humanity because they partnered with the Phin from Water Earth, but Land Earth was not connected to the Otters just like it wasn't connected to Saurian Earth, the world of the Ilsit.

During her final year studying on Plateau Earth she was selected as one of only three Human students to take an advanced course and learn about the Ilsit. Part of that class included joining a handful of Viddin as they traveled to Saurian Earth, and that was when she met Vaskig, the first Ilsit Greater Drone she would encounter, who also turned out to be her class partner. He resembled a two legged alligator in many ways. Standing well over two meters tall, she presumed he tipped the scales around 200 kilos but, despite his rotund nature, he didn't appear to be out of shape, rather, he simply had a great love of food-- specifically Human cuisine and sweets.

Vaskig, as it turned out, was interested in learning about how Humans handled business because he had already completed all of his training in understanding Human sociology and one of his dreams was to open the first Human bakery on Saurian Earth, specifically to cater to Humans who came through the Gateway to visit. Megan's own trip through the Gateway connecting the Human Earth to the Viddin one had been more than two years prior and the one from Plateau Earth to Saurian Earth had been even more jarring-- she had a hard time being convinced that many Humans would make the trip.

Still, as they spent more and more time in class together she began to appreciate his dream-- not just because of how passionate he was about it, but because he was always so eager to include her in the discussion. None of her friends at the Centre understood her desire to learn inter-species business and her parents certainly didn't appreciate it and yet the slightly eccentric Alligator-like Ilsit had tuned into her expertise right away and immediately saw the value in it. He made her feel seen, valued and appreciated. They were near inseparable by the end of the first month and the more time she spent with him the harder it was for her to deny a certain... attraction.

They hung out almost every day after class, originally to discuss his business plans and her studies-- he'd try out the newest recipe of cupcakes for her to try while she'd explain the importance of maintaining an operating line of credit for unanticipated expenses. As time went by and Vaskig absorbed more and more of what she had to teach him her contributions became less and less until one day, with about two weeks to go until graduation she realized that she had nothing more to provide. There was something about Vaskig that was so warm and, despite him being a reptile, he felt more Human than some of the Humans she knew, and that was when she realized that she had somehow developed feelings for her classmate. At that point, she pulled back.

Megan found reasons to avoid being around Vaskig at that point, keeping to herself, burying herself in studying, and choosing a spot further away from him in class. It hurt, and she couldn't deny it, but she realized it would hurt less than the trouble her heart was trying to start. Vaskig, she knew, was in love with baking and their friendship was based on mutual appreciation for business. She was his mentor, and all of the kindness her heart was trying to convince her was a connection was, in all reality, his way of saying 'thank you' for the help she was providing. She didn't need to have him outgrow her and discard her to prove her heart was wrong, and so she took her leave.

Graduation was a simple affair. Her parents didn't come, not that she expected them too; the ceremony was on Saurian Earth and that would require two Gateway trips, not to mention approval from the Unity Programme, which they certainly WOULDN'T get-- low brow blue collar families from Manchester rarely did. She didn't really need a big ceremony anyway; her goal was to complete the classes and then start making connections within the Unity Programme to start developing economic connections between Humans and Ilsit; it would be a chance for her to really prove herself and make a future.

That day was, perhaps, the longest in her life. The majority of her class, Human and Ilsit alike were off pairing up to celebrate or speak with recruiters or even start heading for home, but Megan was waiting in line to speak with the Inter-Earth Exchange Committee in order to provide them a copy of her thesis and answer their questions. She had her life planned out and knew exactly what she wanted. Nothing would dissuade her or distract her from her goals... except an Ilsit Drone pulling at the bottom of her blouse.

Turning to look at the Ilsit, she saw that the mauve-scaled female held a box, and was wearing the official visor of a message runner. Once she had Megan's attention, the little lizard held up the box, stating quite clearly in carefully enunciated English. "Delivery for you, please. Thank you."

The box was no more than 12 centimetres on any side and it was unmarked. Megan didn't know anyone who would send her something, let alone on graduation day; her parents had promised to write, but messages were usually weeks in delivery. Slowly opening it up, the young woman very nearly dropped the box when she saw a cupcake inside. Without even looking she knew that it was red velvet; she had told Vaskig once that she loved red velvet and he'd promised her to learn the recipe. Written in carefully controlled cursive using royal icing were twelve words crafted with impeccable penmanship. "I don't know what I did but I'm sorry Megan. Happy Graduation."

She realized that she'd made a grave mistake. Presentation forgotten, Megan stepped out of line and ran from the building, looking for a specific jovial, sweet-toothed, wide-bodied alligator. She had something to tell him too.

* * * * *

Megan and Vaskig celebrated their second year owning a bakery just after their first wedding anniversary. Every day since opening had been an adventure but, with the Alligator by her side it was one she had happily undertaken. From the beginning, the young woman knew that being at the forefront of any economic opportunities on Saurian Earth would give every chance to succeed and the bakery certainly proved her right. She helmed the financial side while Vaskig took care of the baking (along with several employees). Despite life not turning out exactly as she'd thought it would, she was not about to trade it for anything... no matter the exchange rate.