FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Baker passed the glass cases and made his way to a big metal machine in the back. He pulled a lever, holding a small cup underneath of it. Steam rose up from the nozzle, billowing out around him while he shook the mug underneath. I sat up from my seat, grabbing the back of the chair and watching with wide eyes. I had never actually seen cooks at taverns working their craft before. Were these devices normal? I've seen such things in wizards' laboratories and alchemists' lairs. How strange it is, then, that they'd be so similar.

Baker sauntered over, carrying two cups upon tiny saucers. He placed them in front of each of us. "Enjoy, darlings. I've been working with these beans imported from the Cafe Nymph of the Southern Islands. I want to see how the less discerning palate would enjoy them. "What coffee?" I asked. "Simple. You take a few beans, roast them, grind them up, and pour hot water through it. It's bitter, but there are people in this town who need it daily, or they just can't function. I aim to make their mornings a little more exciting with this new mixture, though. Go ahead, darling, enjoy the tastes and the sights!" I lifted the small drink and gasped when I saw the design floating on the top. "Oh, a heart!" I said, poking my claw at the white coloring. The swirls broke the heart apart the moment my finger touched it. I brought my nail up to my mouth, giving it a tentative lick.

"Oooh, Tik Tik know this taste!" I said, bringing the hot drink up. I lapped at it. "Ah!" I peek one eye at Baker, who flinched at my tasting. "Something wrong?" "N... no... I just didn't think you'd take that hot drink so well. You're supposed to let it rest a little, enjoy it. Sip it." "It really can't be that hot," Eshere said, bringing her own cup up to her lips. She took a quick sip, sighing as brown liquid swirled around inside of her. "Do I detect a bit of milk in this drink? I do love milk. Though, I usually take it straight from the source." "Yes, yes, darling!" Baker said, clapping his hands together. "The sweetness of the milk compliments the bitterness of the coffee. Plus, I've found myself dabbling in a bit of decoration with the cream and froth. It's so different from the brown underneath and so easy to shape, once you know how. It seems a shame to let it just sit there and not turn it into art.

"Yeah, I noticed that," Eshere said, waving her hand towards the display cases. "But, doesn't it defeat the purpose of food if you dress it up? People are just going to eat it. Why make it look pretty beforehand if it doesn't stay that way forever?"

"Eshere," I said, lowering my cup. "You need know that form work well with function. Traps, art, food, sex. If just make work with no art, then it no good. All things we see need look nice, or no one want look at it." "All of the senses are necessary to make a complete meal, darling," Baker said. Perhaps, I can show you some of the more practical things in the back, if you're not so convinced by aesthetics?" "Sounds good idea!" I said. "Tik Tik can try out some other things while Eshere learn more about Baker's work. Tik Tik want try one of these!" I hopped up and pointed to a particularly plump-looking cupcake. "An excellent choice, Darling!" Baker said, handing it to me. "Come with me, Eshere. There's a whole world behind the scenes that I"m sure you'll just love!"

When Baker offered to show us around his kitchen, Tik Tik insisted that I go in there alone. Even though I do not usually consume most of the materials that are offered here, the inclusion of milk in the coffee intrigued me. How much bodily fluids do other beings partake in? Am I not so strange, after all?

Baker approached the pantry and hummed, gathering up various ingredients. "Oh, Eshere, darling. Why don't you be a dear and help me with some of these? It's always so busy, being the only two hands in here. Just open up that freezer door, and I'll tell you what I need."

I slid over towards the large metal container. When I pulled it open, a blast of cold air sent me shivering back. I bumped up against the wooden body of Baker, who dropped his jars and cups filled with different spices. "Ooo, darling, are you alright?" His fingers wrapped around my arms, holding me tightly. "Your materials... I'm sorry." I slipped out of his grasp, darting this way and that to pick up the various dropped ingredients. "Oh, this is such a mess. I'm sorry." "Oh, don't worry about it, darling," he said, waving his hand and stepping over my form. He tiptoed over towards the freezer and leaned in, pulling out a small box." At least I wasn't carrying anything too fragile." When I arose, suspending the containers in my protoplasm, I paused, catching the mannequin pinching his fingers together. Some residue of my being had stuck to them, and Baker rolled the slime between his digits. "You know, I should have asked you this before, but if you're going to be in my kitchen, I hope whatever you're bringing in here is clean."

"Well, I would hope that it is," I admitted, holding my arm out. A can flowed out from within me and out the palm of my hand, slopping onto the countertop. "After all, my slime tends to get everywhere when I feed. I haven't noticed any issues inside Tik Tik yet."

"Inside...? Oh my... darling..." He placed his free hand upon his cheek. "Are you some kind of lewd thing?" I froze, a bottle catching itself in my throat. I coughed, striking my chest until the thing shot out, sticking to the counter in a jiggling shell of slime. I spun around, trying to dissuade this line of thinking. "Oh, Mr. Baker, are we really going to put all of life's experience down to simple sexual gratification? Can't we be much more?"