FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Katie set the lock back on the cargo box's door and tugged it to ensure it wasn't loose. Afterward, she stood and stared at it. She was fatigued. Katie hadn't caught any pokémon besides the umbreon and had been searching for an hour and a half. It was getting late.

As she stood there, the eeveelutions' terrified expressions relayed in her head, which wasn't usual. Ayame's words from earlier must have gotten to her, but it meant nothing since she couldn't quit even if she wanted to. Katie had to keep her mindset and stay strong mentally if she wanted to sleep at night.

She turned and walked down the alley, somewhat slouched, her hands stuffed in her pockets. Katie tried never to think of home. It was less than five miles away, but she wouldn't go. She never told her parents about Unovanish and couldn't. Katie abruptly moved out after beginning work since she was forced to. She was eighteen and stuck in a contract, so her parents couldn't save her. Maybe Katie could visit them one day. It had been over a year.

As she walked through another dark alley, Katie caught a whiff of food from the Central Plaza west over and heard her stomach asking for it. She knew she shouldn't put herself out in the open to be a potential target, but Katie hadn't eaten since lunch. It wasn't like Unovanish employees had been harmed yet. Rebellion against the company has slowly increased over the years, however, which called for crucial changes before more pokémon are set free, or an employee is attacked or killed.

Katie turned onto the well-lit, busy open street and scanned many people standing around the large fountain at the plaza's center, only getting a few glances from passersby due to her outfit. It made her anxious, but she should be okay with so many people and lights around. Maybe it was paranoia. Katie stared at the line-up of shops and eateries, rubbing her tired eyes.

--

She took her order to go after waiting and walked briskly, not wanting to stay out any longer than she had to. Katie felt relief when she finished the twenty-minute walk east back to headquarters. All she wanted was to eat and sleep right after.

After dropping off her dart at the database's headquarters and logging her night with them, she entered Unovanish through the second alley behind the building and trudged up five flights of stairs leading to the roof. The alley was built in the same fashion as the one on the building's side. Once she was in the elevator, Katie leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes for the time it took to get to the 4th floor.

She saw there were still a few pokémon and people out upon exiting and leaned over the railing. Katie watched some go to their rooms for the night. Would the pokémon working here be released once Unovanish was done in Castelia? They would be wild at that point, so they'd likely be forced into other regions like the rest so the last bit of money could be squeezed out of them. Katie stood and made a beeline to her room. The room in front of hers, 418, abruptly opened, however, and out stepped the last person Katie wanted to see.

"Kate..." He smirked and quietly closed the door. It was Dami. Three years older than her, caramel eyes, intimidatingly tall, nearly bald, and relatively muscular. He worked closely with Ayame's father.

Katie considered herself a strong individual, but Dami's presence always made her feel timid. She'd never show him that, though. Katie stood several feet before him. "Dami." She glanced up at him. He wore the same pants, minus the vest. It was instead a white sports shirt.

"You gonna let me in tonight?" He eyed her figure with no shame, feeling her nervous demeanor.

She swallowed and crossed her arms uncomfortably. Dami didn't know how to interact with girls-- or maybe he didn't care. Her cheeks wore an awkward pink blush. "N-Not tonight..." What Katie should have said was never.

"Ah, always playing hard to get." Dami found her physique perfect, and her personality was the best in these quarters to him. Katie was independent and unafraid to get dirty while having a few sweet spots if pressed appropriately. He could feel it. It's all he needed in a woman. "At least let me take you out one day."

"Mh..." Katie wanted this interaction to end. Dami was ridiculous if he thought she'd ever give him a chance. "You just left Alli's room..."

"You caught me, but if I had you, that's all I'd need. May rank up faster that way too." Dami walked past her. "Night, Kate."

"Whatever... Creep," she mumbled while quickly making the rest of the way to her room. Katie relaxed once she was inside, utter silence striking and tiring her further. She took off her vest and slipped out of her pants, boots, and gloves, leaving her in panties, a black long-sleeved shirt, and matching socks. Katie set her to-go bag on the dresser beside her bed and folded her clothing, placing them and her equipment inside her drawer.

Being Ayame's best friend had its perks, but it wasn't always enough. "He wouldn't treat you that way if you were of higher status." Katie didn't need to date nor sleep with Dami to get where she wanted. She could work for it.

She drank some water, washed off in the restroom, and threw herself atop her bed afterward, curling up. This job took more of a toll on her every day. Every employee had two days off on any day of their choosing, but Katie wished she could get away for a while. Unovanish wasn't her home. It felt uncanny living here.

It wasn't wise to dwell on things she couldn't prevent, however. Ayame's birthday was close. Katie wanted to buy her something. Maybe she'd go somewhere tomorrow. Ayame was fragile and prissy-- at least in Katie's eyes, and that wasn't bad. It was cute if anything. She'd have to get Ayame something both pricey and priceless, and Katie had saved enough money.