FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"hey, you're the champion's noivern, right? i'd love to get a coffee with you, and maybe some more after if you're down ;)"

Sylvia stared at the screen, resisting the urge to score the phone in her claws. This was her third conversation today, and the previous two fared no better.

Dragons looking for her wealth. Dragons seeking her fame. Dragons yearning for her body. No matter how many conversations she had, all of them led to the same three conclusions. The Noivern sometimes wished that she was not as famous as she was, for that would cut down two of those possibilities, but even then it seemed like every other dragon struck up conversation with her just to get their way under her tail.

Kelsey's recommendation was just to go to the breeding facility if Sylvia felt so left out, but that just wasn't what she wanted. Sylvia did try her best to be less of a nuisance and simply eat and sleep her way through the mood, but nothing would change at this rate.

As the Noivern stared at the screen, she was at a complete loss of what to do next until Kelsey's voice rang through the door. "Sanae's coming home today!"

A jolt of excitement ran down Sylvia's spine as she sat straight up. "Are we picking her up?"

"Yep! I'm leaving right now. Do you want to come?"

"Yes!" Sylvia opened her door and grabbed Kelsey's hand immediately. "Yes, I am."

The drive to the breeding facility was long, and Sylvia could occupy herself with nothing except staring at tree after passing tree. Even though she anticipated seeing Sanae after she was... breeding for a week, she still had some reservations. Sylvia had never broached the topic with her teammates before, but now that she was of age, it was probably time.

Kelsey talking about her failed date did comfort Sylvia somewhat. The Noivern started to feel a bit guilty about throwing all those pillows around her room, since her worry was all for naught.

On second thought, though, she only threw some pillows and made a bit of noise, which was nothing to feel bad about. Maybe she ought to feel embarrassed given how old she is, but she was the youngest.

Nervousness washed over Sylvia when their car entered a driveway and stopped. The building had a very modern look with many glass walls and a curved white roof. She felt sick to her stomach and let out a whine before dropping her head down to her seat, refusing to look out.

"You don't want to come inside?" Kelsey offered as she opened the door.

Sylvia shook her head as she lay on the seat.

"Ah, then just wait in the car. It won't be too long."

Sylvia was left alone with their driver, a middle aged man who did not wear a translator earpiece. Neither of them acknowledged each other as the driver found a parking spot before shutting the engine off and pulling out a newspaper.

The Noivern still couldn't get her mind off the fact that Pokemon were breeding inside that building. It wasn't even just her teammates, but many, many more. Yet the center's exterior looked so pristine and clean, masking any semblance of impurity. Sylvia shuffled in her seat, her throat beginning to itch.

So intense was her anxiety that she felt borderline euphoric when when the car started up again. It meant that Sanae was finally out! Sylvia couldn't wait to hang out with the Excadrill, and peeked out the window as the car reached the front entrance of the facility. Behind Kelsey was Sanae, her forehead and arm blades covered with sheaths, as was customary when she is not in battle.

Sylvia slid the backseat door open, and called out, "Sanae! You're back!" before scooting over to give the Excadrill space to sit.

"Heya. Yep, I am!" Sanae's clear yet solid voice rang through the air as she shuffled inward. An Excadrill would not fit in a car designed for humans, but there was ample space in this one. Kelsey was wealthy enough, after all. "About time, too, I was getting impatient," Sanae added.

"It's good to see you." Sylvia wanted to ask more about the experience at the breeding center, but did not know how to begin.

Kelsey entered the front door and sat on the passenger seat, and the driver wasted no time in starting the journey home. "Everything comfortable back there?" Kelsey called out as they exited on to the main road.

"Everything's perfect," Sanae answered. "Thanks, Kels."

There was a period uneasy silence as the car sped off, with only the soft sound of shifting leather as suddenly every position Sylvia was in became uncomfortable.

"So, um..." the Noivern managed to say eventually. "How do you feel right now?"

"I feel fine. Still pumped from winning the championships!" Sanae answered with a laugh. Sylvia clenched her paws slightly as her teammate missed the point, but it did alleviate some of the awkwardness . "How about you? What have you been doing at home?"

"Ah, just... relaxing. Oh, there's this new flavor of matcha ice cream at that shop, you should try it."

Small talk occupied the ride home. Sylvia talked mostly about herself, describing the day trips that she and Kelsey had gone on. It felt superficial because Sylvia was really dying to ask about Sanae's experiences, but there was no way she would show curiosity in front of her trainer.

Kelsey ordered some takeout when they got home, and went swimming in the backyard pool after dinner. Sylvia wasn't sure if her trainer was trying to give them space on purpose, but she appreciated it nonetheless. Moments later, the two Pokemon were huddled in Sanae's room like two teens sleeping over. It was preferable to Sylvia's own room or anywhere else in the house, since the furniture was padded for Sanae's blades.

"You really want to know about what happened while I was there, huh?" Sanae asked as Sylvia locked the door behind her and climbed onto the upper bunk bed. She used to sleep here before she got her own room, and it was strangely comforting to sink into the cold, dusty mattress.

"Of course- I mean, sure!" Sylvia stuttered as she lay down on her belly, such that only her face peeked out from above. "I just thought you would be more... different."

"I am pregnant, if that's what you mean by different." Sylvia flinched at that statement, but Sanae kept going nonchalantly. "I felt a bit weird the first time, too, but... you get used to it."

"S-so, um, you get used to what goes on... before you get pregnant as well?"

"Ah, you mean mating? Yeah, I'm pretty used to it. I mean, it's kind of a necessary part of the process."

How could Sanae talk about it so easily? And here Sylvia was, worrying about being intrusive. "Well, do you suppose you like going there?" she asked, her voice quivering much less.

The Excadrill let out a chuckle as she filed her blades. "Who doesn't? It's some good stress relief after training and competing for the entire year. Of course, sometimes it can feel like a chore. Sometimes I wish I was a male since they can just... forget about it afterwards. To be fair, we are paid more for it, but I'm kind of jealous of Icarus and Kenny. They can just keep doing it until they get bored. As if they even get bored of mating. Hah, males."

Sylvia was listening intently, and even though she asked for it, it was hard to answer after hearing Sanae actually talk about it explicitly.

"I'm actually quite surprised you're asking me about it now," Sanae said with a curious look. "You would never talk to anyone about it in previous years."

"I-I mean, I'm of age now too, right? So I was just wondering how it is and if I should... uh, try it or something." Sylvia felt dirty immediately after saying that, and rolled over to face the wall. It was her only option if those dating apps didn't work...

"Hey, you don't have to force yourself," Sanae answered. "If you're happier just staying at home, then just do that! Kelsey's not short on this bit of cash."

Hearing the Excadrill comfort her reminded Sylvia of when they were younger, and their relationship was more sister-like. It gave a sense of childish nostalgia that made Sylvia want to stay out of these affairs.

But she couldn't lie to herself anymore. "Well, honestly... I haven't really been that happy lately," Sylvia admitted. "I try pretend I don't need a mate or anything, but... I just end up feeling lonely. I've tried looking online for other dragons, and that doesn't work either."

"Ah. In that case, though, maybe you ought to try? It's hard for us to find a dedicated mate if we're still training with Kelsey, but the breeding center can be a good substitute. Some of my partners there were decent and I can put in a request to be matched with them again."

"Maybe." Sylvia closed her eyes and pictured a handsome, suave male Noivern that opened his arms to welcome her. It did feel... very nice. His soft mane, his smooth skin, his warm embrace...

"You should try it once, before you don't have time. The season is going to start before you know it." Sanae's words, a little sterner than usual, interrupted Sylvia's daydream. "Even if you don't like it, it's at least worth noting so you don't feel bad about it in the future."

"Right..." Sylvia agreed with her friend's words, but still felt doubt in her heart. "I just... feel dirty, like I am-"

"Oh dear, don't think of yourself like that!" Sanae interrupted. "It benefits everyone! You, your partner, Kelsey... There's nothing bad to feel about. It's not as if any of us competitive battlers have the time to find a proper mate, so it's not as if we lack integrity there."

Sanae must have realized she was being a bit harsh when she hastily added, "Only if you actually want to, though. I'm not trying to pressure you into something you don't like. But from what you said, it sounds like you would feel much better if you went."

Sylvia shivered and thought of that phantom Noivern again. What she really wanted was for a male to be by her side, a male who would protect her and to listen to her problems and quellher tantrums and care for her and all those things. Going to the breeding facility for mating experience hardly compared. But Sanae was right. For competitive Pokemon like them, it was the only option.

"All right," Sylvia finally said. "I'll go."