FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

~ Alexander hefted his backpack from the post X-ray conveyor belt to one of the inspector's tables. He tried to keep his glittering red crest feathers in a subdued posture, handing his passport over to the customs official. With the apathetic gaze that comes from several hours of writhing gloved fingers amongst people's underwear, toiletries, and threadbare vacation t-shirts the kangaroo read over his information.

~ Without any change to her expression and satisfied that the document and stamps were in order, she set his passport down on the table next to the bag he was opening for inspection. The sounds of an airliner pushing its engines for takeoff could be heard shuddering through the terminal, some distance away.

~ "Autumnal Peacock, not many of you come around these places.", she observed as she began to carefully check for contraband between his pairs of pants.

~ Alexander opened his beak slightly, hoping that she was savvy enough of bird culture to recognize it as a mimicry of a grin, "..Yeah, my parents really liked to travel. So I thought I'd give it a try, too, you know?" The phoenix's tone strained to sound calm.

~ Clare nodded in agreement, "I meet lots of people who're traveling, for some reason.", her inflection and expression remaining flat through her humor. Gloved hands moved his pants and shirts onto the table, that she could more carefully check in amongst the toiletries.

~ Feigning laughter, Alexander agreed, "This seems to be the place for it."

~ The customs officer fixed the bird with a dull stare. "I went to school with an Autumnal Peacock. Nice fellow."

~ Alexander froze stiff.

~ "Married a phoenix, some years back. They had a wonderful wedding.", Clare continued, "Don't forget that all the flights are no-smoking, these days."

~ The bird slowly regained the ability to move, nodding along agreeably as the officer packed his belongings back into the luggage.

~ "Thank you."