FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Bellatrix dug her claws into the pillow covering her face. The sun streamed through the thin curtains of her complex, dust particles floating lazily in the beams of light. She groaned as her alarm clock 'ticked' priming the alarm to go off in exactly a minute. She smacked a paw down on top of the clock to turn it off before the blaring sound filled the quiet apartment.

Tossing her pillow aside she laid in silence for a moment glaring at the ceiling.

"I really don't want to go to work," she grumbled aloud.

She was employed as a hostess in a restaurant, Le Château. It was in the nicer part of town, but still got the occasional rabble. It was an upgrade from where she used to work, but that didn't matter. Different job, same shitty people.

She grabbed her phone from the side table and swiped to the email containing the scheduled for the week.

Great, she thought, Bradley's on tonight.

She rested the phone on her face mentally willing the schedule to change. It didn't.

She checked again and noticed he was scheduled every night she was. Grinding her teeth she flicked the screen off and got out of bed.

Considering breakfast she strolled to the kitchen, pausing on her way to turn on the stereo. The studio style apartment filled with thrumming music as she raided the fridge.

A peach and a protein stick, she contemplated, not the most filling.. I'll steal something from the kitchen.

As she entered the living room, teeth breaking into the flesh of the peach, she noticed a grey envelop in front of her door.

Finally, she thought as she picked up letter.

Inside was a card, with a time, address, and a 3 digit number. She took a moment to memorize the details and set the envelope in a pile with others just like it.

She glanced at the alarm clock across the room

"Guess I better get ready."

~?~

Two hours in to dinner service Bellatrix is idly scribbling on the reservation menu. 3 reservations didn't show up, 2 didn't call to cancel. It had been a slow night.

"Bella-trix," quite possibly one of the most annoying voices to have ever uttered that name called out.

Bellatrix sighed. "What do you want Bradley?" she asked without turning.

"Oh nothing," the charcoal grey wolf said sliding around her to rest an elbow on the greeting station. "Just seeing if you're doing anything tonight. We can play pred-n-prey, you hunt me, I turn around and hunt you, and you.. turn around," he said in a low voice.

Bellatrix's head tilted slowly, eyes finally meeting the wolfs'. "Or I could rip out your carotid and call it a night."

"Come on Bella don't be like that," he said lowering his eyes, trying to look irresistible. He looked more like a pitiful puppy.

"Don't call her that," a deep voice carried from around the wine rack.

"Oh look, the bus boy is here to take out the trash," Bellatrix said with a smirk.

"Brad you're wanted in the kitchen," said the bulky tiger with grey fur and white stripes. "And obviously not out here," he chuckled in Bellatrix's direction.

"Yeah whatever Ryker, she wants me. You want me," he said close to her ear as he passed back by.

Bellatrix flinched away with a hiss.

"I really don't think she does Brad," laughed Ryker as the headed back towards the kitchen.

"Oh Ry-Ry," Bellatrix said in a sugary-sweet tone before they had made it back through the doors.

Both men stopped, Bradley with his mouth hanging open.

"I have to cancel tonight. Shall we try again tomorrow?" she asked batting her eyes to further baffle Bradley.

"Sure thing Bells", he said grinning.

"Wha- why do you get to call her that? Wha-" Bradley stammered.

"Don't worry about it kid," Ryker said with a wink.

The doors closed behind them and she sighed in relief. Glancing at the clock above the bar told her she had 45 minutes left in her shift and 60 before the time on card from this morning.