FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The snow sounded out crisp under the boots of all the travelers on the road that evening. Above, the sky was turning a delightful red and purple as the sun began to slip behind the distant mountains, heading off to sleep.

One passerby stopped with a sigh, looking at the tall gates spread before him.

"You know, you could hurry it up a bit," a voice groused next to ear. "The letter did say to arrive at sundown."

The traveler grinned, pulling off the hood of his worn robe.

"Aw, come on," he said, reaching up to scratch behind an ear. "We've still got about an hour, right? We were sent on this particular mission to relax, not race all over the place."

The voice grumbled. "I don't like being late. And we've been through that many times before, Dio, so you can just shut it."

Dioningo chuckled. "You never change, Zero."

"Of course not. I am a programmed AI."

"An AI with feelings and snarky personality, maybe."

"Hey, watch it!" a gruff bear called out as Dio's tail almost got caught on a cart railing as it rumbled by.

"Sorry!" the wolf-dragon called.

"This is the third time since we got here," Zero noted. "You'd think you would have remembered you have something sticking out of your rear by now."

"Yeah, yeah, now it's your turn to shut up."

The wolf-dragon pushed his way through the crowds, heading for the bright lights beyond the gate.

"Wait a minute!" a Doberman yelled sternly, moving to block the way. "Didn't you read the notice?"

Dio blinked for a moment before fumbling with his bookbag. "Sorry about that, almost forgot."

He searched around in his bookbag before holding out a crisp letter, embossed with fine gold. "Phew! Thought I had lost it."

The guard took it and inspected the writing for a moment before his eyes widened.

"Ah, you're one of our esteemed guests. My sincerest apologies, dear sir!"

Dio waved a hand. "No need, I can only guess how stressful your job must be right now."

"Quite right," the Doberman huffed. "Everyone a busybody, coming in and out of Denris, although mostly in, considering the circumstances. Now, a couple of simple questions and I'll get you on your way. Wouldn't want you to be late after all!"

"Of course not," Dio said, nodding.

"Right! First, reason for entry. Well, that's already taken care of, isn't it? Second, how many entering?"

"Just one," Dio said. "Although... does a piece of sentient technology count?"

"Hm?"

The wolf-dragon tapped the left side of his head, indicating the small rectangle secured just below his ear.

"Fascinating," the guard said, looking closer. "There's not much of that around here. You said that it's sentient? Like an artificial intelligence?"

"Yeah, his name's Zero. He's been my partner for some time now."

The guard frowned. "Well then, Zero, you should be allowed entry, if I'm not mistaken. You're technology after all and that is permitted. I'll mark it down as two just to be safe. There we go! Final question, just a precaution, you're not transporting any dangerous magical artifacts or items, are you?"

"Err..." Dio hesitated, feeling the weight of his bookbag against his leg. "No?"

The Doberman apparently interpreted his answer as a confused question. "I know, I know, it's a stupid question, but it is still a rule. No magic inside city limits and all that."

"Just say no, idiot," Zero said. "It'll be fine."

"Well then, you're all set," The Doberman handed back the letter after hearing Dio's answer. "Enjoy your stay in Denris and have a good time at the ball."

"Thanks!"

The wolf-dragon walked through the gates, the ground underneath his feet transitioning from snow to cobblestone.

"Alright," he chuckled. "We've got quite a bit of time left. How about we find me a stylish mask to wear?"

"You've still got that bag of coins Enigma gave you, right?" Zero asked.

Dioningo patted his bookbag. "Right in here, safe and sound. I've got enough to buy a mask and a room for the night after we're done. Now, stop worrying. Let's go!

He took off down the street, just barely managing to keep his tail in check.

Zero sighed. "Sometimes, I just don't know about him."

Although the temperature was dropping, the glows from the shops and lamps kept everything feeling warm and friendly.

"Oh, look! Pastries!" Dio cried, jerking his head. His tongue fell out of his mouth. "They smell so good!"

"Money!" the AI reminded him. "You said you only have enough for a mask and a room!"

"A mask, a room, and a nice pastry," the wolf-dragon amended. "We're going in!"

The interior of the shop was colorful and bright and the smell of fruit pies and scones filled the air. Dioningo took a big sniff, cramming himself inside behind a long line of customers.

"You know, at this rate we'll never get to the ball on time," Zero groaned.

"Oh, be quiet. You're just mad cause you can't actually eat anything here!"

Dioningo finally made it to the end of the line, arriving front of the counter.

"One apple pie!" he said, eyes wide.

"Coming right up!" The fox behind the counter grinned. "My, you look like you've been out in the cold for too long. You're literally blue! Here, this'll warm you up."

She wiped off her hands on her apron and spun around, scooping a pie out of the oven behind her.

"One apple pie as requested!" she said. "Fresh and piping hot, too!"

"So good!" Dio whined, drool dripping from his muzzle. Quick as a wink, he pulled out several gold coins, tossed them on the counter, and snatched the treat up, afraid that it would run away.

"Have a good night, hon!" the fox called after him, but the wolf-dragon had eyes for only one thing. And a mouth for only one thing, too.

"You know, getting sick because you ate too fast would also kind of suck," Zero noted dryly.

Dioningo was already licking off his fingers, though. "Too late," he proclaimed. "Should have said that before I started chowing down!"

Zero groaned for the second time. "Watch your tail, idiot."

Dio glanced backwards to see his tail wagging back and forth frantically, causing pedestrians to give him a wide berth.

"Sorry," he said, a bit sheepishly. "It was a very good pastry."

"Let's just go get you a mask and head to the party. There'll be food there, after all."

Turning on to one of the streets specifically set up for the masquerade ball, the wolf-dragon gasped at the stunning decorations.

"Hey look!" Zero pointed out. "There's a shop off to your left that should have something."

"Hm," Dioningo said, squinting up at the sign. "Costumes, Masks, and More."

The door opened with a chime and Dio entered, looking around the cluttered mess of outfits.

"Uh, hello? Anyone in?"

"Ah, hello young man!" A racoon wearing a small vest popped out from behind a pile of boxes. "Just give me one second..."

He grabbed the biggest one and struggled, trying to lift it up to a high shelf.

"Here, let me," Dio said, easily grabbing the box. "This work?"

"Yes, thank you," the racoon said, rubbing his hands. "Easy to get down, hard to get back up. Now, what can I do for you?"

"I'm attending the masquerade ball tonight and I need a mask. Have anything good?"

The racoon's eyes lit up. "Wonderful news. I believe I have something that will suit you just perfectly. Let me see here."

He scrabbled over to another box, opening it and beginning to toss out masks every which way. Glancing back every so often to peer at Dioningo's face, he shook his head with a smile.

"Working with a wolf is always an interesting experience."

Dio raised an eyebrow. "Technically, I'm a wolf-dragon."

"Well, yes, but that doesn't really change the size of your snout, now does it? Don't worry, though, I think I have the just the thing. Try it on!"

He turned around and handed Dioningo a fairly large mask. It was decorated with black and gold swirls, covering the top half of his face, and stretched out a bit in the front to accommodate his nose.

"It doesn't look horrendous," Zero said. "I'd hurry though, you're running out of time."

"I'll take it!" Dioningo said, grabbing coins out of his bag. He paid for the mask and slipped it into his bag.

"Thank you!" he called, leaving the shop and the corner, heading for the Town Hall.

The shopkeeper was about to go back to his organizing when a glint on the floor caught his attention.

"Oh dear!" he cried, grabbing the letter off of the floor and running out the door. "Hello, hello? Mr. wolf-dragon? You forgot your invitation to the ball!"

"What was that now?" a figure said, walking into view. "A missing invitation?" Their purple eyes glinted in the streetlight. "May I see it?"

The racoon handed it over. "A young man dropped it when he was buying his mask."

"How interesting," they said. Tucking it away into a suit pocket, they grinned. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry."

Before the shopkeeper could respond, the figure jumped straight up, vanishing over the tops of the nearby buildings instantly.

Dioningo didn't know about any of this. He was much more concerned with the stars beginning to peak through overhead.

"Come on, let's go!" Zero growled in his ear. "There's only about 10 minutes left!"

The wolf-dragon skidded to a stop in front of the town hall, reaching for his bag to get out his mask and letter.

His face fell and he fumbled around frantically.

"What is it now?" Zero hissed.

"I don't have the letter!"

"What?!"

Dioningo slumped against a nearby wall. "I must have dropped it."

"Do you remember where?" his friend asked.

"No," he said. "And besides, even if we did, I don't exactly have time to go and get it."

Zero sighed. "We came all this way for nothing. Great."

Dio just grumbled and looked away, although it didn't do anything since the AI was attached to his head.

"Alright, alright, don't give me those eyes. Come on you big idiot, cheer up."

Dio rolled his eyes, ears still droopy.

"No seriously, cheer up. We're still spending some quality time with each other, even if it isn't at the ball. And besides, we came here to relax. So what if we're not attending? We can still have a good time."

"I guess you're right," Dioningo said with a small smile. "Shame about the mask though." He perked up. "Hey, think that there are a few open bakeries? I'm still hungry."

"Of course you are. Come on, I think I saw one back this way."

Dio started to head off, seeking tasty food, but a shape blurred down to land behind him.

"You want treats? Why you walking away, then?"

Dio turned around, a bit startled by the voice. His eyes landed on a tall figure, clad in a stylish suit covered in elegant patterns. The wolf-dragon could see purple eyes shining through a black mask styled like a demon's face, complete with gold-tinted horns.

"Well," he said hesitantly. "I don't exactly have an invitation."

"Really?" the figure reached into their suit and pulled out piece of paper. "Like this one, for example?"

Dioningo took it, still confused, and glanced down to see his name embossed in golden lettering.

"Hey, this is mine!" He looked up. "Where did you get this?"

"You dropped it back at the raccoon's shop." They walked closer and tapped Dio on the nose. "Probably should be more careful where you leave things, silly."

They stepped back and grinned. "Better hurry up now. You've got only a few minutes!"

The figure stepped towards the doors before being stopped by Dioningo.

"Wait, who are you?"

The figure grinned again. "Didn't you read your invitation?" They put a hand to their mouth and whispered, "But I'll give you an early hint. My name starts with an X!"

Dioningo blinked. "What?"

"Sorry, nothing more," the figure said, springing up. "That would spoil the point, of course. Come inside if you'd like to find out!"

They disappeared inside, the sounds of the ball escaping into the night air, and Dio looked down at his invitation.

"What they heck?"

The words 'Special Guest' popped out at him and he chuckled.

"It looks like we didn't come here for nothing after all, Zero."

"Stop talking and get inside! The doors close in 10... 9 ... 8..."

"Aaahhh!"

The wolf-dragon flew forward, blasting open the doors, and got sucked into the party, lights, music, and the smell of food filling the air. His eyes enlarged to the size of dinner plates.

Zero rolled his eyes, not that anyone could tell. "We came here to relax. Right, except I think Enigma forgot one thing when he gave us this mission. It involves Dioningo."