FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Agrabah's opulence did not stretch far beyond the Sultan's palace. Surrounding it was a plateau of slums and neighborhoods cobbled together by the cheapest of mortar, unlike the tower of sandstone and gilded minarets whose thundering presence dominated the skyline so majestically. A million subjects could not hope to live a life as comfortable as His Majesty's or his nobles'. Even after the attempt on his throne by a trusted advisor there came little shift in the standard of living. Beggars still lined the streets, pick pockets still pilfered the unattentive, and crooks still earned their living slitting throats.

Naji was among the many thousands of folk who scraped by for a living. Her methods did not come from sitting in the streets with her hands open or digging them into people's pockets, nor was she the type to ever commit violence on anyone for any reason. Her realm was in the alleyways across all of Agrabah, those hidden spaces between homes and businesses where the common residents were either rats or penniless vagrants like herself. From the trash heaps she would scrounge her meals: the marrow of chicken bones, fruit cores, and whatever unwanted scraps the more fortunate denizens could afford to toss into their backyards.

She went through life without complaint, never making her great want the issue of anyone else's. With the worn sleeveless shirt and the ankle-length skirt the color of dark green she could call herself clothed. Although her feet were perpetually blackened by the scorch of dust and sand she walked through thanks to a lack of shoes, there was a heavy plating of callous on both soles built by years of itinerancy. Hair that could've been a dazzling natural red if she were able to clean it came down the length of her shoulders, standing out amongst her deep brown skin. Holding it in place was a beige hair band at the back of her head.

She kept to herself, mind wandering onto places neither particular nor important. The city buzzed and breathed around her like she did not exist, and it was better that way. Her best friends were whomever she ran into in the alleyways, including her fellow homeless and the many rats that would skurry about her ankles. She knew not what an enemy was, her raggedy disposition a turn off for thieves.

There were, of course, the residents of the homes through which her alleys winded. They would see her wandering through as if she were a part of the neighborhood, a smile on her face that would flash when she noticed them and waved. They would either wave back or ignore her, never intimidated by her unassuming demeanor. Her being there was never harmless, though, at least towards those reluctant to have their trash picked by what they would've considered a pest.

In one neighborhood she came upon two young boys, perhaps brothers, kicking back and forth a ball of yarn they had fashioned into a football. They laughed and shared banter, passing the bundled up material and performing dribble tricks with the tips of their toes. Beyond them was a massive stack of hay leaning against a home. Above was the racket of men hard at work, their saws growling and their hammers barking. A barrel sat on the edge precariously.

Naji paid it no mind, instead taking a break to watch the two boys play their game. They didn't notice her, too focused on their rapid back-and-forth. Naji wondered if they were brothers and if the home where the men were working was theirs. I shouldn't waltz through them, she thought to herself. It would be rude to interrupt. Perhaps I'll come closer slowly and if they notice me and get out of the way I'll come through.

She inched towards them one step at a time, trying her best to not impose. If they saw her, they didn't react. Their game was still going full speed. Naji started feeling jealous of their fun. If only I could join in. Perhaps-

Her thought was cut in half by a shout from above. She looked up just in time to see the shape of a man bumping into the barrel, teetering it towards the alley. Her eyes shot down into the alley. The boys were directly beneath it, blissfully unaware of the coming plummet. Naji did not think. She launched into action, sprinting at the two boys full tilt. Their game came to a grinding halt when they saw the woman coming after them. They could not turn to run in time before she tackled them both with her arms spread wide, catching their midriffs. Her foot caught the football, and the three of them went careening into the hay pile head first.

She was not more than a second too late.

KRASHHHHH!

The barrel slammed into the alleyway, directly where the boys had been. The wooden frame splintered apart in an instant, letting fly its load of dry mortar compound. It blew across the ground, a great plume of dust vomiting towards the sky as a billion grains blossomed across the dirt. The man who bumped into the barrel was on his stomach, looking down from the roof in terror. He shouted two names before he was joined by his coworkers.

Naji heard nothing after the great crash. Her face and upper body were lost in the scratch of straw. The two boys were locked in her arms, squirming wildly. She was able to pull herself out, several loose straws poking out of her hair. The two boys rolled onto their backs, looking up at her totally aghast.

"Are you two alright?" she asked.

It seemed they didn't know what happened. They both nodded.

Naji sighed with relief. Adrenaline made her muscles tremble. "Allahu Akbar..."

The men that were on the roof came running out of the house door along with a woman that lived there. Naji and the two boys stood out of the hay pile unharmed. The woman and the man who had knocked into the barrel came running over and hugged the two boys. The man, apparently the father, profusely apologized for being so reckless and vowed to always be more careful. The mother was just happy that her two boys were alive.

The younger boy turned and pointed at Naji. "That lady saved us."

She balked at the sudden attention. "Oh no! I just... I did what anyone-"

But she could not finish being modest before she was subjected to a rib-crushing bear hug by the father. His beard scratched the side of her neck as he thanked her in an outpour of emotion.

"Nnf! You're welcome! It was nothing!"

When he let go of her people were coming out of their houses to see what the commotion was. They saw the destroyed barrel, the two unhurt boys, and the father thanking the ratty migrant. Soon there was a small crowd gathered around her, ready to shower her with praise.

Naji was not comfortable with so much attention. She addressed them meekly. "Thank you. It was really nothing. I was just here in time."

The parents weren't having it. The mother grabbed Naji by her upper arm. "Please, if there's anything I can give you, money, food, just ask. We are in your debt."

That really got Naji uncomfortable. She did not mean to burden anyone just because she had done a kind act. Some food was what she needed, but it should not come at the cost of someone else. "No you're not! Really, it's fine. The boys' safety is reward enough." She politely pulled her arm out of the mother's grasp.

"Well then can you at least tell us your name?"

She was still hesitant, but supposed it was the least she could do. "Naji."

The father laid a beefy hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, Naji."

"Hooray for Naji!" shouted someone in the crowd, followed by a collective cheer.

Naji bowed with appreciation, but did not want to linger any longer. The moment the crowd began to disperse she peeled away down the alley, hiking at a brisk pace until the chatter of grateful folk went unheard. As she slowed down she realized how hard her heart was beating. The adrenaline was only now starting to wane, leaving her muscles in a constant jitter. With one hand over her breast she sighed. Let that be my only good deed for the day.

Fate had other plans. Around the next corner she spotted someone, or rather something, hobbling in the alley on its own. It leaned against the wall, stooped over slightly like someone catching their breath, only this creature, if it can even be called that, did not breathe. It was a magic carpet, lavishly colored like those she had seen for sale in some of the more extravagant markets. But this was not any fancy rug. This carpet was alive, dragging its way down the alley like a wounded soldier, its shiny golden tassels dragging in the dirt as it tried to move.

Naji watched curiously, wondering what on Earth a magic carpet was doing here in a dingy alley. Then she noticed the great tear in his lower portion. It was a massive hole that stretched across its width, the torn threads hanging off like the drip of blood. Naji's heart ached. "Oh, you poor thing..."

The carpet heard her and shot upright, startled by her appearance.

"No, no, no! It's OK! I'm not going to hurt you." She expected it to zoom into the sky, but it stayed put. It wasn't going anywhere with that nasty wound. "Are you hurt?"

The carpet nodded its "head", the top side of its rectangular shape.

"I can see that. Do you want me to sew it up for you?"

The carpet perked up and nodded fiercely, whipping its tassels audibly.

"Well alright! Lucky for you I know just the place. Can you walk?"

The carpet held up its "foot", the bottom corner and shook it. It took a single, awkward step forward.

"I see. Why don't you walk with me? It's not far from here."

The carpet nodded.

Naji came over and wrapped one arm around it. The carpet, in turn, laid a tasseled corner on Naji's shoulder, and the two of them walked together. "You know, this makes the second crazy thing that happened to me today. First I saved some boys from a falling barrel, now here I am helping a magic carpet walk. Can you believe that?"

The mute carpet shook its top part, a gesture Naji took as shaking its head.

"Yeah, neither can I."

The place they came to was an abandoned home. A long time ago the family that lived there came down with a severe illness and the place had to be quarantined. Nobody ever moved in out of fear of a curse, thus it was left with shuddered windows and a front door with a giant X painted on it. Vagrants used it as a home from time to time, though many stayed clear thanks to its foreboding presentation. Naji had no such trepidations, thus she brought the carpet inside without fear.

They came into the dilapidated abode where dust caked every surface. No pieces of furniture or decoration remained, all having been looted over the years. There were, however, a few items that remained, one of which would be valuable to the latest intruders. All that constituted as furniture were some empty boxes that had a moldy blanket and some pillows on it. Naji helped the carpet over to the boxes and laid it down.

"Wait here. There are some things upstairs I want to use." The carpet watched as Naji sprinted up the steps and came back down a moment later with a feather duster and a sewing kit. "These will fix you up nicely, I hope. I'm no seamstress, but I can help you look a lot better than you do now.

The carpet nodded excitedly.

"I'm glad you're so hopeful. Now let's see what I can do."

First Naji dusted off all the dirt and sand that had accumulated all over the carpet since its grounding. A cloud of beige poured out of the carpet's many threads, leaving its elaborate colors to dazzle once more. Naji appreciated the beautiful scheme that went into its design. Within a frame of gold was a pink rectangle and within that a light blue one. In the very center was the spectacularly complex image of a bouquet of roses. Naji had never seen such craftsmanship. Were it a normal, non-living carpet it no doubt would've fetched a massive price on the market, though of course she had no intentions of ever selling the poor thing.

The carpet seemed to relax on the blanket. Whoever this human was, she was worth trusting. Naji furthered that conclusion when she pulled out the needle and thread. "Now I can't tell you whether this will hurt or not because... well, frankly I don't know if you feel or not. Do you?"

The carpet nodded sadly.

"Ah, I see. Sorry for not knowing. I'll be extra careful. Stop me if it becomes too painful."

Once the thread was tied to the needle she brought it down to the carpet's wound. The needle slid into the body, and though there was a nip of pain for the carpet, it suffered through stoically. Naji wove the needle in and out, closing the tear gradually like a flap. Finally she could see through the carpet no more, and the wound was mended.

Cutting the thread and tying the last stitch was satisfying. She stood upright and admired her handiwork. "There! It's not perfect, but it's much better than a gaping hole, if I may say so myself."

The carpet sat up and looked at itself. It patted the seam with its tassel arm. Feeling no pain, it leapt off the boxes and did a brief celebratory dance before it pounced on Naji for a tight hug.

"Whoa!" She laughed and patted the carpet's back. "You're very welcome!" I guess that makes two good deeds of the day. Who would've figured? "So, I don't think I ever told you my name. Do you want to know?"

The carpet let go and nodded.

"Naji. It's nice to meet you."

To her surprise the carpet extended a tassel at her, a hand to shake. She did so gladly.

"Do you have a name? Can you even tell me?"

The carpet just shrugged and shook its head.

"Oh no. Well that just won't do. Do you... want me to name you?"

The carpet nodded with enthusiasm. Naji was its savior; she might as well have the honors.

"Lovely! You know, I've never named a rug before." She tapped her shin thoughtfully. Her eyes fell on the carpet's design, specifically the pretty roses that adorned its center. "Say, are you a girl carpet? Do carpets even have genders?"

Strangely enough, the carpet nodded to both questions.

"I see! Well, the best I can come up with is 'Rose'. Fitting, given your design. How does that sound?"

Once again, the carpet- Rose -nodded.

Naji beamed brightly. "Well alright. Rose it is, then."

It was a lovely name, an opinion Rose shared with another tight hug.

* * *

Night came around and Naji decided to spend it in the abandoned home. With her mobility recovered Rose flew circles in the sky above the city. The wind rustling her tassels was a luxury she had been denied for too long. The streets of Agrabah were no place for a magic carpet. Neither were they for most people, but very few had any choice in the matter.

Naji got ready for bed by laying the dusty blanket on the floor and curling up on it. It wasn't comfortable at all, but neither were any of her other places for sleeping. Her eyes were closed as she tried to block out the harsh floor pressing into her side. There came a sudden whoosh as Rose flew back in through the window, creating a great storm of dust clouds. Naji scrunched her face and opened her eyes to see Rose standing there, looking over her.

"Oh hey. I didn't think you were coming back."

Rose crossed her tassel arms.

"What? I thought you'd have better things to do than hang out with a vagrant like me."

If Rose had eyes she would've rolled them. Instead she rolled her head, then waddled over to Naji to fall over and swaddle her.

A surprised Naji almost pushed her away, but was stopped by the warmth and comfort that hugged her body like she hadn't felt in ages. She closed her eyes and smiled. "Thank you."

Sleep was upon them shortly. Neither of them knew it, but Naji had an audience that had been following her since her rescue of the two boys earlier that day. In his office at an academy for fellow genies, Genie of Prince Aladdin fame was peering into a crystal orb that provided him a cloudy, swirling view of Naji huddled with Rose. He pulled at his beard, a proud smile on his face. He looked over at one of his recent graduates.

"What do you think, Fiy?"

Fiyleea, or as she preferred, Fiy, stood behind him, looking over his shoulder and into the orb. She was an enormous genie woman, pink in color and rotund in shape. The baggy pants she wore were a blazing cherry red color, matching the makeup she painted her eyelids with. Atop the pink hair that fell down her head in a wavy cascade was a sky blue fez. A cropped orange top held up her enormous bosom while curl-toed silver shoes adorned her feet.

She did little to hold back her excitement as she watched Naji slumber in her cruddy bed. "I think she's perfect! She's ready, and so am I."

Genie smiled. "I think so too. Go get 'er, tiger."

Niy let out a squeal and shared a tight hug with him. "I won't let you down. I promise."

He patted her back. "I know you won't."

* * *

Naji woke up the next morning to a pleasant warmth luxurious to the homeless. A heavy, living blanket such as Rose offered perfect protection from the harsh desert cold. She did not wake to a nipped nose or shivered bones. She turned her head and saw Rose "looking" down at her.

"Good morning. Thanks for the warmth."

Rose nodded before flying off towards the kitchen.

Naji split a big yawn and stretched before standing up. She followed Rose to the kitchen and found a peculiar scene. In the very center of the half-tiled, half-ruined floor sparkled a bright, shiny object. Rose was standing over it curiously, unsure what to make of it. A frowning Naji came over for a closer look and saw that it was a brass oil lamp. The lid and the handle were the brightest, perhaps made of gold. Embedded on the lid on each side of the knob were two jewels, one red, the other purple. The lamp's spout did not reach forward like a normal oil lamp, but curled upwards like a trumpeting elephant trunk.

Naji just stared at it for a while. This was here the whole time? Didn't I come into the kitchen yesterday? How did I miss this? Next to the lamp's base there was a piece of parchment folded. Naji approached carefully and picked up. She unfolded it to find a message:

Dearest Naji!

You have been selected by the Genie Program and thus, are the next owner to wield great power. You have shown true compassion, great heart, and friendship to all. Here is a reward for your good deeds in life.

She had absolutely no idea what any of it meant. Genie program? What was that? Who put this here? How did they know her name? Did they somehow sneak in here while she was asleep? She looked down at the lamp again. It looked awfully valuable. This has to be some kind of trap. She fell into a squat over top of it, close enough to see her smudged reflection in the brass. A timid hand came out to pick it up. Her hand brushed the cold metal.

PHOOOOOM!

An explosion of smoke, red like blood, blinding her from everything. Naji went stumbling back, face scrunched, hands waving in front of her face instinctively. She fell back on her butt with a thud. Opening her eyes revealed a gradually dissipating screen of scarlet fumes. Am I dead? What happened?

The fog thinned out, revealing what had blown out of the lamp. Hovering in the air in the center of the kitchen, back turned towards Naji, was Fiy. Connecting her broad hips to the lamp's spout was a tornado of that red smoke; her legs were not present. She looked around the kitchen before turning around and spotting the frightened Naji.

A great big smile shone across her face. "Well, hi! You must be Naji."

Naji said nothing. She sat where she was, gawking at the spirit that had summoned itself so violently. It's a genie! Impossible! How?

"I see you're a tad flabbergasted. It's alright. I told ol' Geen a better warning would've done some good, but nooooooo. He's all about grand entrances. Sorry to scare you." She floated down towards Naji in one jarring movement. Her chunky hand was extended. "Name's Fiyleea, you can call me Fiy."

Naji just stared at the giant purple hand. Giant gold bracelets were tied around her forearms. They were reflective like the lid of the oil lamp was. Rose stood nearby, equally shocked. She wasn't sure whether she should intervene or watch. Finally Naji was able to bring up a hand and shake Fiy's.

Fiy gave her a solid pump. "Glad to meet ya." She then floated back up and yanked Naji to her feet. Rose had to catch her from falling over. "Don't worry. I come in peace. You read the note I wrote you, right?"

Naji blinked and gulped. "Ah, yes. I did."

"Great! Well then you know I'm here to serve as your personal genie!" She extended her hand again.

Naji made a nervous smile. She came over for another hand shake. "That sounds gre-"

She was silenced by a sudden pull on her arm, one that launched her face straight into Fiy's bosom as her body was subjected to a spine-breaking hug. "One thing I gotta warn you, though. I'm a hugger!"

Naji, her face completely smothered, was shrouded in a warmth and softness surpassing anything she'd ever experienced. Between Fiy's breasts she felt as though she were on a cloud of leisure, floating through the sky without a care in the world. She hugged Fiy back. "Mmmfff!"

Fiy let her go, allowing a gasp of air. She snapped her fingers, and suddenly the rundown home vanished around them, transforming into a cloudy region of space like the inside of a red smoke cloud. Naji looked down to see her body. Her feet stood suspended on an invisible plane, as did Rose and Fiy whose legs had materialized. Looking around it was as though they were inside a bubble consisting of that crimson smoke.

Fiy snapped her finger again, this time summoning a massive bed. She sat on the edge and patted the space next to her. "Why don't you have a seat? You too, Rose."

They were happy to accept. Naji felt small sitting next to the behemoth spirit. "So... What is it a genie does? I know you grant wishes, but what kind?"

Fiy smiled. "I'm so glad you asked! We can grant almost any wish you can imagine! Although there are three very important rules we cannot break. Firstly, you cannot ask for more wishes. You are stuck with three. Second, I can't make anyone, you or otherwise, fall in love with anyone else. Lastly, I cannot bring anyone back from the dead. Capiche?"

Naji was still stuck on the 'any wish you can imagine' part. Her eyes were round with wonder. Genies really are powerful. I had no idea. "And why did you choose me for this?"

"Remember the note? I've been watching you for a long time now. I've seen the rough life you've lived and what you've done with it. You never complained, even though you have every right to. You never meant to burden anyone and helped every time that you could. Such charity is so incredibly rare, especially among the less fortunate like yourself. You of all people deserve access to a genie. I'm proud that you're the first I've been assigned to!"

Naji felt her heart glowing. "Wow... I had no idea. I was just doing what I thought was right."

"And that's what matters. Some people do more right than others, and it's all you've ever done. You've earned my power, and I'm happy to lend it. But first!" There was a small poof of smoke as a long piece of paper and a quill pen appeared. "We need you to sign and say that you agree to the terms. Just need your John Hancock riiiiiight here."

Naji didn't know who or what a John Hancock was, but she took the pen and paper. A quick glance at the text showed the same things Fiy had already told her. It seems legitimate. What do I have to lose? She wrote her name on the bottom line. The moment the pen lifted the paper snapped into a roll and disappeared with the quill pen.

"And that's all I needed!" Fiy said proudly. She snapped her fingers again and the trio reappeared back in the abandoned house. Fiy floated around the living room, a deep grimace twisting her features. "Oh, no no no. This won't do at all" Another flick of the finger.

Foom!

Everything turned red. When the living room reappeared it was not in any way the same. The dusty floors were now smooth sandstone. The faded color of the walls were back in their full splendor. Mahogany cabinets and luxurious furniture surrounded the three of them. Not a fiber of cobweb nor a grain of dust was anywhere to be seen. Naji and Rose spun in circles, marveling at the miraculous renovation.

"Like it?" asked Fiy. "I'm no interior decorator, but just about anything I create would be better than the den of filth it just was."

Naji felt dizzy. "I'll say."

Fiy gave her a pitied frown. "Oh, and honey, I can't have you looking like that any longer." She pointed one finger at Naji. Out shot a plume of red smoke that consumed her. It swirled around her and vanished to reveal a much more presentable Naji. From a forsaken beggar she had gone to a common person, quite the upgrade. The callouses and filth that had defined her skin had all been swept away for clean, smooth skin. Her nappy hair was not at her waist, unsullied by years of dirt, once more at its most radiant of red color. Her skirt had become a much neater pair of pants. Her sleeveless shirt was cleaner and the hair band less broken.

It was like being born again. Naji felt wind in places she hadn't in so long thanks to the absence of dirt. Her clothes felt soft and warm. A chill swept through her. "Oh my... This is... Incredible... I..." Words failed her.

"Don't worry about it," said Fiy. "Least I can do, and those don't count as wishes. They're on me." Najir opened her mouth but was cut off by Fiy's hand. "Ah, ah. I don't wanna hear it."

"I just... I don't know what to say!" She couldn't stop looking at herself. "I wanna go exploring the city!"

Fiy frowned. "Hold on! Without shoes? No ma'am. We can't have that." She fired another blast of smoke that enveloped Najir's legs. When they disappeared she saw a nice pair of beige, curl-toed shoes on her feet. "There we go. Beats the hell out of bare feet, doesn't it?"

Najir was in awe. "I'll say..."

Rose swooped over and bent down to get a good look at Naji's feet. She flicked one toe curl with a tassel.

Naji giggled. "I'm glad you like them too."

Fiy stood with her back upright, arms crossed in front of her chest proudly. "You'll never go another night in want so long as you have me. At last you have a roof over your head and shoes on your feet."

Naji was besides herself. "I don't know what to say."

"You can try 'thank you'."

"Thank you, so much."

Fiy bowed. "The pleasure is mine. You can explore the city now in almost any place looking like that. You won't be reserved to the alleys anymore. Want to go somewhere even more exotic? Feel free to ask."

Naji was busy stomping around the living room, trying out her new shoes. Her feet came high up as if trying to go over something that wasn't quite there but felt like it, exactly like a dog wearing booties. "Alright. I'll do that."

Fiy enjoyed watching her. "In the meantime, I've expended much power and need to rest. If you need me, just rub the lamp. Do not let anyone else touch it."

Naji nodded. "Got it."

Fiy smiled. "Have fun, Naji." Then her whole body became a red cloud of smoke that was siphoned into the neck of the oil lamp and disappeared with a dramatic thoop!

Naji came up to Rose and laid a hand on what she assumed was her shoulder. "Say, since you're flying again, think you can take me up for a ride? Maybe teach me a thing or two?"

Rose nodded enthusiastically.

Naji smiled. "Great."

Rose stepped back and floated into the air with a snap of her body. She came parallel to the floor and sunk down towards it, hovering just an inch above. Naji carefully stepped onto her, expecting to push her down but instead staying in place like it was solid ground. She put her other foot down and carefully sat down cross legged.

She couldn't help but feel a little nervous. "OK. Take it easy for now, please."

Rose nodded, and soon the two of them were levitating further into the air. Naji felt her stomach plummet as the room fell down below her. Soon they were floating towards the window. Naji ducked her head as they came out. People on the street noticed them, shocked to see anything, let alone a woman on a flying carpet, come out of that horse. Naji just waved at them as Rose rose into the air, past the roof. A slightly nauseous Naji watched as the city of Agrabah grew smaller and smaller beneath them, revealing a mosaic of rooftops and an infinite ocean of sand beyond that.

Naji was smiling so hard it hurt. The wind whipped her red hair. So beautiful. She looked down at Rose. "OK, so what little I know about carpet riding is that I'm supposed to grab your tassels, right?"

Rose nodded and held them up for Rose to grab.

"Alright. Here we go." Naji laid herself down and took firm hold on both tassels. The moment she did Rose began to zoom forward. Naji felt her stomach plummet again as the wind crackled in her ears. She let out a joyous cheer. "Woohoo!"

Agrabah and its surrounding landscape was hers to discover and explore. She swooped over and through the streets, maneuvering Rose with as much speed and daring she could muster at the moment. She visited the farms outside of the city and waved at their workers and the shepherds. Some of them waved back, others just stared in slack-jawed wonder at the woman droning through the air like an angel.

At noon she found herself high in the sky above the city center, above the Palace's tallest minaret. She knelt upright, drinking in every bit of the majestic scenery before her. She loved the world, and the world loved her. Years of kindness and charity was paying her back at last. She could sleep well knowing that there was some justice in the world after all.

She laid down on Rose's back with her hands beneath her head and one leg kicked over the other. "Alright Rose, take us back home." Rose did so with a dramatic dive. Naji, meanwhile, was lost in thought. She was already doting on her first wish.

To be continued...