FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Tanya hummed as she started to boil water in a kettle, while setting up the glass tea kettle and filling the container insert with green leaves placing the lid back on, she waited untill she heard the kettle hiss after a few minutes of heating up.

She couldn't smile, it had been so long since anyone was in her home, it was kind of weird she thought to herself. She couldn't even remember what had possessed her to entertain the idea of letting this stranger into her home.

She turned off the heat source warming the water kettle and proceeded to pour the boiling hot water into the tea kettle and drop the cylindrical tea leaves container into the hole at the top. She let it sit for a few moments as she looked in the cupboard to get out a thin metal tray and placed two glass tea cups on the tray, after which she carefully placed the kettle in the center.

Picking up the tray, Tanya walked out into the main room once again to find him trapped in his own thoughts. She put the tray down on the shorter table and walked up behind him placing a hand on his shoulder and coming around to look at him proper.

"Don't mean to disturb you from your thoughts, Travis. But the green tea is ready for when you wish to take some." She smiled softly and looked out the window longingly for a few minutes before sharply turning with a sigh and sitting down at the short table to gracefully pour herself a cup.

She took the glass holder from the kettle itself and placed a round tea candle in the center of it, lit its wick and placed the kettle back on its holder. It was ceremony; the candle would keep it hot and tasting good as it did. She closed her eyes and sipped from her cup, back straight and proper looking, she really enjoyed her tea.

Travis finally collected himself from his musings and took his seat across from the young woman, pouring himself a cup and sipping from it carefully, it was clear that he was aware of at least a few of the eastern traditions when it came to drinking tea.

"It's fantastic, thanks." He managed after a few minutes of silence, he obviously wanted to open a conversation, but was clearly never was one for breaking the ice.

Tanya smiled, "Thank you, if you are having green tea with me, you'll have it done right. So how do you like your job so far from your first few shifts?" She cocked her head slightly down before taking another sip of tea.

It was slightly apparent that she also did not entertain much, and she was a bit shy in conversation. At least she was willing to try, and she didn't bring out the glass kettle for just anyone.

"Life as usual, I suppose, it's never really fun being the new guy." Travis admitted, taking another sip from his cup.

"Although I made it through without having to respond to any 'wielder attacks, so far, so I guess that's a good omen."

Tanya smiled, "I dare say a good omen. Wouldn't want you hurt on your first week, but trust you me, you'll get at the wielders soon enough. Do me a favor and kick one's ass for me, and all those lost to them." It wasn't so hard for her to just talk with him like it was to most other people. Something about him put her at ease.

"Tell me, what inspired you to join the EUPD?" She tilted her head and finished her cup and set it down gracefully with a contented sigh.

Travis sighed as he set his own cup down. "A lot of things, really, I guess the main reason would be because I wanted to get into the fight and do something about those I lost."

With a pause, he smiled a bit.

"I also like working around the Kaynines, they're pretty cool when it comes down to it."

She smiled and nodded, "Yes, the Kaynines. Never been too close to any to get to know 'em, but I still find them to be interesting. I wish I could fight back on behalf of those I've lost."

She looked away briefly, putting all her attention into pouring herself of tea, and offering to do the same for him.

Travis nodded and slid his cup to hers.

"Rumor has it that the Kaynines we have now are all FCO officers on loan, but the FCO has recently given up the secrets behind it, so maybe we'll start seeing EU-born Kaynines." He speculated, it was clear he had a deep fondness for the creatures for whatever reason.

Tanya flashed a genuine happy smile when he started to open up and talk to her more as she poured him more tea.

"I think that wound be a fine sight to see. I wonder if it will happen, at least in our lifetime. So what plans do you have within the EUPD? Just to fight, survive and protect those you care about and miss? Or is there something deeper than that?"

She set the kettle back down and picked up her cup and took a sip, for once she was truly interested in what another had to say in a topic she wasn't so studied in. She was interested in the EUPD, in him, the Kaynines... he never once let her curiosity slip from its peak.

"I don't really have a specific plan beyond the day-to-day living." Travis admitted, taking another sip and sighing softly as he swallowed it down.

"If it's true that the FCO has given up the Kaynine Genetic Theorem...well..." He drifted off, taking another sip.

"What about you? What is it that you do that affords you such good living?"

Tanya gave a light laugh, "It's not so great of living, but I pass by. I love the view the most, or at least I used to. I don't much look out on the balcony anymore... specially with no one to share the night's view with."

She looked to the balcony with almost a sigh before drinking her new cup of tea. "If you really want to know what I do for a living, I'm in security. So no, I'm not some innocent female without a clue to defend herself. I'm one of the more experienced security staff in the Starfire building. You know, the weaponry development place?"

She half smiled, "Learned quite a bit working there, unexpectedly."

She looked to him with the tea cup to her lips. "It is kind of hard to think far into the future, with the way the world is and all..."

"Yeah, I could relate." Travis responded, finishing his second cup and placing it down.

"Starfire is good work though, I've seen a lot of their equipment used against 'wielders to pretty impressive effect. I guess you don't see a whole lot of action as security there, though. If I were a terrorist or a bandit, the last thing I'd want to attack is a weapons development facility."

Tanya giggled, "Yeah true, it'd be a stupid thing to do. But you never know, desperate times, desperate thinkers, or rather non-thinkers." She put down her empty cup.

"It can be boring, but I talk to the employees in the building on their breaks, and I've learned quite a few things about the technology, and with my security training I am at least capable of taking care of myself in a pinch."

She looked up into his eyes, and realized she had just been talking about herself to a stranger, no matter how comfortable she seemed to be in his company. "Its been a long time since I've entertained a guest, forgive me if I seem... boring." She rubbed her neck self-consciously and shifted her gaze to the window.

"Don't worry about it. You're not boring at all, it must be fascinating to work at such a high-tech place." He smiled, then turned, following her gaze to the window. "Looks like it'll be a quiet one."

Tanya smiled softly, "Hard to imagine a peaceful evening, really. I normally make sure all my doors are locked and at night a metal casing files shut over my windows. I am alone here all the time after all. Gotta have some protection."

She looked back to her guest, "Anyways, off the subject of the dangers... why not get to know each other more. I'd rather like to make a friend out of you. Where'd you grow up?"

Travis chuckled as he turned back around.

"America, New Huston, in the North District. It was pretty boring living to tell the truth."

He brushed some of his bangs out of his eyes. "Guess you could call me a cowboy, I came to the EU before the war started as a transfer student, but it's probably going to end up being a permanent home anyway, so I'm not holding my breath on stepping foot back in Texas anytime soon."

Tanya laughed, "Then my first impression wasn't too far out of context. Well, permanent or not, have you something to look forward to? After work and such?"

She averted her gaze after she said it, thinking it may have been a rather personal question she should not have asked, it could have been construed as rudeness on her part.

"Ah, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I was just curious." She rubbed the back of her neck, a small bird chirped outside her window impatiently and Sonya turned to giggle. "Forgot to open the window, be right back."

She opened the window slightly and the bird flew in and onto a makeshift perch near a bunch of flowers.

"I lied, I have one companion... though she really doesn't speak to me, in words I can understand without heart." She smiled, looking back to him.

Travis smiled and climbed to his feet, approaching the perch to get a closer look at her friend.

"He's pretty, a Finch, yes?" He sighed, hanging his hands off of his belt loops. "And no, I don't have a whole lot to look forward to; I'm single, no pets or the like. I come as I am."

Tanya chuckled, "Quite right. I can see that not all EUPD officers are so dull to nature and other unrelated stuff." She smiled, "I wouldn't quite call her a pet, she comes by every so often, I give her some food, water, some nice plants to be around. After all, you don't see much out there anymore." She hummed softly.

"Come as you are eh? Yeah, single life, ain't it the lonely life. You should get a pet, maybe not a pet, maybe a companion. I think I'd go crazy without her." nodded towards the finch.

"Her occasional visits makes me happier in ways. At least I have one friend to talk to while I'm not at work. Think about it, may just be the thing that keeps you alive out there. Something to look forward to coming home to. I've heard how it can save your life, even though the situation would have otherwise been perilous."

Travis nodded to her comment, holding out his hand, the little finch hopped right into his palm and began padding around.

"I agree, companionship and love can bring more power to people than what could ever be imagined." He finally said softly.

"Not to mention its a good feeling all around." She gave a soft laugh, looking at the finch. "I miss being happy, all I find recently is boredom... and a monotonous existence. Find anything worth being happy about, Travis?"

She stood up and walked over to him, petting the finch's head softly, it leaning into it, wanting more of the affection. "Oh, what a lucky bird attention from two people instead of one."

Travis smiled as the Finch trilled happily, hopping around in his palm some more.

"It's amazing that even under something so harsh as the Bladewielders, life still goes on, even at the smallest level."

"Yeah, it is really remarkable, ain't it, quite the comfort, gives all our hearts some form of hope, thanks little buddy." She stroked under its chin and its neck, and it didn't even try to bite her. It only whistled out happily, loving the affections it was receiving.

Without really realizing it she sighed and leaned her weight to her hip, slightly leaning up against Travis. "Seems to be taken with you, real well. You must be a kind hearted person, I'm glad I didn't make a mistake in asking you up here. You really are quite the gentleman, stopping when splashing me soaking wet, giving me a ride home, and graciously accepting my hospitality in return. Help yourself for some food in my fridge or cupboards and more tea or whatever you find in my fridge. I stocked it only a few days ago. I need to take a shower and change out of these clothes. Are you alright with that?"

Travis coughed a bit and smiled, obviously somewhat embarrassed.

"I don't mean to impose, I'd be happy to leave you for the day and let you do your thing, I wouldn't mind coming back another time."

She realized how she had made him uncomfortable and put a few steps between them, really not meaning much by the contact and such. She looked to the window and out into the horizon. "It is getting late Travis, if you don't want much trouble, you should head back to your place. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable... it wasn't intentional."

She went over to the teapot, and blew out the candle underneath it and started to put the cups back on the tray and pick it up, placing it on the counter in the kitchen. She looked to him, "It was great seeing you." She wrote her number on a piece of paper, and handed it to him. "I'm glad we met, if you want to just hang out again, give me a call. It's my cell number."

She walked him to the door, took his jacket and smiled at it before gently handing it back to him. "Thanks again, for your kindness."

Travis smiled and accepted the jacket, throwing it over his shoulders and slipping his arms into the sleeves.

"Don't sweat it, I enjoyed my time too. I'll give you a call, sometime tomorrow."

He stepped out the door and crossed the lawn back to his cruiser, popping the door open easily and climbing inside. The door slammed shut, engine turned over, and after a moment he was driving away.

Wasn't so bad a day after all...