Bindr Blind-Date
#27 of Writing Practice
This is another writing prompt from the furry writing group in which I take part on Telegram.
(Interested in joining us? You can find it here: https://t.me/joinchat/CPoeZhclggenrOEh0yYwvg )
The focus of this prompt is to do a short story of "about 1000 words" with the prompt: a 'dating app' that connects would-be worshippers with dark, eldritch powers from which to choose to serve'
So, here we have a poorly integrated black cat desperate for attention, trying to find someone who won't turn him away or ignore him. He succeeds.
As always, thanks for reading!
Bindr Blind-Date copyright comidacomida 2020
Sam scanned the numerous patrons of the coffee shop before taking a seat at a small table in the corner furthest from the more populated side; he didn't often go out in public. He also didn't usually do blind get-togethers via social apps but apparently he was making a lot of exceptions to get what he wanted; he was socially incompetent enough that he couldn't really think of any other way inside his comfort zone to meet someone... and an 'online interaction' just couldn't get him what he really needed.
The thin black Cat fidgeted in his seat, back to the wall as he eyed the two-dozen-or-so people gathered at the always-busy hipster hotspot; it was a Wednesday night and a lot of them looked to be about his own age-- most college students should have been studying or, at least, in Sam's mind that should have been their focus. Sighing, he began opening several sugar packets he'd snatched up from the container next to the straws and cup sleeves, emptying them into a tidy pile in front of himself while regarding his phone.
Life was not easy as a black Cat. Lighter fur colors were 'en vogue', and the fact that he was not only out of style, but a feline as well automatically meant that he was at a disadvantage. Numerous times he'd had well-meaning acquaintances tell him he should just bleach his fur since out-of-style Cats were far worse off than, say, an un-trendy Dog, but Sam had never been one to change just because of the opinions of others. It was an ongoing theme in his life, which is what led him to Bindr.
Sam occasionally glanced up and around at his surroundings, but most of his attention was focused on his phone. Even as his fingers made lazy circles in the sugar, spreading it out and drawing lines through the granules, most of his attention was on the app that was open; it would hopefully lead him to 'The One', and, after spending so much time alone, friendless, and without any possible prospects, 'The One' sounded exactly like something he needed. Even after installing the app at the beginning of the month, it had still been weeks since he'd worked up enough confidence to use it.
Perhaps 'confidence' wasn't quite the right word. Desperation? Yes-- that was about it. He'd put all the prerequisite information into the application and uploaded a picture (it took him somewhere around thirty tries to get one that didn't completely suck), and then, shaking, he pressed the confirm button. Immediately he regretted it and was right about to figure out how to cancel the whole thing when the program responded, seconds later, with a long collection of possible matches.
He spent the next two days going through the long list. He didn't consider himself vapid or shallow but he also didn't believe in deluding himself and the pictures (when present) really made him stop to think. First thought of course was "You don't HAVE to upload a picture?" After a stumble getting started, however, the program turned out to be easy: swipe down if the match doesn't seem like one he'd want or swipe up if it was worth pursuing. If both parties swiped up then the app would let them send one message each.
Sam had taken three days to get a match, and waited another three before he could figure out what message he wanted to send. In the end, however, before he could provide a response, his prospective match, HH24 sent him one first: "Just tell me where it is you would like to meet, kitten. You know how to get a hold of me."
Contact information was one of the things that 'HH24' had included on his profile, which, from Sam's point of view was a fairly aggressive move, but, after a lot of thought, Sam realized that, considering how naturally timid he was, perhaps he needed someone more forward. He took a day to consider his reply: "Okay. Next Wednesday night. I'll call you."
The Cat continued to use his right paw to scroll through HH24's personal data for what was probably the hundredth time while he continued making little circles and symbols on the faux wood surface of the table with sugar. Sighing, Sam looked down at his dark brown robe, lacking any other adornments. "Man... maybe I should have worn a tie?"
Eventually he turned off the Bindr app and put his phone away; it was time to make his call. Completing the arcane runes in the sugar, Sam spoke the words. "Vos es invocavit."
The lights in the coffee shop flickered and everyone in the lounge paused. They looked up and around, murmuring to one another. A moment later the electricity went out entirely, and all was silent. Sam glanced around, finally comfortable since everyone was frozen in place; it felt good to be alone again. A small red flame moved toward him, however, making him realize that he wasn't as alone as usual.
The eldritch ball of fire floated through the air before coming to rest on the chair opposite Sam. The moment it touched, the little wisp of fire burst into a momentary conflagration and then went out entirely. Left in its place was an imposing creature, easily seven foot tall comprised of living black ash and motes of fiery red embers. Two heads emerged from its neck, both gazing at him; four eyes the color of lava. It was the left head who spoke. "You must be Samuel."
The right head quickly added "We like your fur color."
The Cat offered a feeble attempt at a smile, accompanied by an uncomfortable giggle. "Yeah... I uh... I guess we share fur colors."
The left head continued as if Sam hadn't said anything. "We have known many summoners, but this is the first time we have been summoned in so public a place."
The right head cocked to the side. "We're used to more private events... but we're not opposed to a little exhibitionism," it winked at him "if that is what you're into."
Sam blushed profusely, but he pushed the discomfort aside. He had trouble figuring out which head he was supposed to be looking at, but, despite his discomfort of the situation, he was naturally a curious individual-- despite the old adage he couldn't help himself. "When... I saw your profile I was a little surprised-- I thought Hell Hounds have three heads."
Both heads glanced to one another; Left grinned evilly, while Right's was a little more wicked-- Sam knew there was a difference. It was Right who responded. "Oh... we have three heads, kitten... but you can't see the third one cuz we're sitting right now."
The Cat lost all words, but, fortunately, Left continued the conversation. "Samuel... you have yet to explain the pact you propose, or why you chose this place."
Letting out a deep breath, the feline gestured around the room and the two-dozen people frozen in place. "You said in your profile that the pact required a sacrifice..."
Left looked to Right, who looked back to Left. Left spoke first. "I believe we have finally found a mortal who understands..."
Right winked to Left, then looked back to Sam. "It's not easy to impress him, you know."
Sam tried to banish his fear. "So... you accept?"
Left nodded. "Yes. We have a Pact. Your Service shall be ours, and our Power shall be yours. So it is agreed."
The sugar on the table blackened, and then blew away on a nonexistent wind. The Hell Hound's right arm reached out and ruffled the head fur between Sam's ears. "Off to a good start, Kitten. So... wanna help us reap some souls?"
Glancing around the coffee shop, he watched as the summoning magic came to an end and he caught back up with reality. Standing, he held up a paw, bringing forth a hell-gifted ball of balefire. Sam grinned widely. "Yes, m'lords."