"Saw your admirer out there again," said the short-furred feline, twitching her whiskers and regarding the shapely snake. "You know, the cute one."
"The fox?" Rhadi flicked her tongue in thought. "Interesting."
The house cat squinted, lifting a paw to scratch her chin. "It's kinda creepy how she just sits there watching you," she went on. "I dunno… she's either shy or got some kind of problem with you."
Rhadi hissed out a laugh. "Maybe I'll find out tonight," she said, eyeing the stage entrance.
Her co-worker gave her arm an affectionate squeeze. "Just be careful," she said with a gentle smile. "You know what some people think about reptiles."
The rattle on the end of her tail shook a little as she turned away from the dressing room and toward the stage. The "cute fox" could wait; now it was time to start the show.
***
With ears perked forward, Zae tracked the movement of the snake across the stage. After first hearing that a serpent was performing, she'd quickly looked up the venue on the web and ventured out there the following night. Curiosity had gotten the better of her; ever since learning how snakes functioned, she had a bit of a thing for them. In addition to being reptilian and beautiful, they were also rather deadly predators—which made them all the more attractive. She simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to see something so fascinating in action.
The fox girl froze in rapt attention as the snake undulated around the pole and stretched her body along its length. Zae's breath caught in her throat. With each twist, she stared transfixed, envisioning the strong muscles coiling along her sides and flexing beneath her scales. Her tail swished back and forth idly, heat radiating through her fur. A strange frisson of excitement ran up her spine when the diamond pattern began to fully emerge from under the dancer's dress, glittering in the spotlight. Eventually, the snake slithered out of the costume entirely, revealing a sleek, athletic physique. Zae's jaw slackened as she gazed at the toned, well-proportioned body, studying every curve with intrigue. The canine's eyes drank in the subtle striations and shimmering scales that glistened like liquid fire.
As the serpent stripper strode across the stage in silence, her svelte figure flowing closer, Zae found herself lulled into a trance, unable to look away. Every twitch, sway, and undulation of the snake drew her in, transfixing her like a moth to flame. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to climb onto the stage and and lay her muzzle against the reptile's supple form, to rub her body up and down the serpentine contours. She licked her chops and swallowed hard, unable to take her eyes off the sexy snake as she moved. She was trembling when the stripper stopped in front of her, fangs hinting behind a sultry smirk.
Zae looked up into those slitted pupils staring intently at her, mesmerized. They gazed at her like she was a fresh meal. The shiver that ran through her body made her fur stand on end. No one had ever looked at her quite like that before… not even the wolf she'd dated briefly in college had looked at her like this. Slowly, a heavy flush spread across her neck and face as she struggled to keep eye contact while desperately wanting to glance away. She gulped as the diamondback stepped closer, her tail swiftly depositing the red dress in her lap. The rattle-adorned tip brushed against her thigh as it settled, causing her to jump slightly. Zae's ears flicked nervously, her nipples straining against the confining fabric of her bra.
The reptile turned away and began to walk back toward the dressing room, satisfied with the effect she had on the shy canine. It was only after the stage lights went dim and the performer was out of sight that Zae felt herself start to breathe again. When the silence began to press down on her, Zae allowed her gaze to travel down to the dress in her lap. Her paws flexed upon the soft material, dragging their pads along it. Her ears drooped and she fell silent, her eyes losing focus as her brain fixated on the sensual dance she'd witnessed earlier.
"Enjoying my performances?" The voice was smooth, a little amused and a lot seductive.
Startled by the sudden sound, Zae looked up. The snake stood close by, now dressed in street clothes and smiling invitingly. Her eyes, a vivid blue color, drew her gaze into theirs, causing the canine's breath to catch in her throat.
"Uh… y-yes," Zae stammered awkwardly, blinking several times. "Y-you're very good." She looked away, glancing around for some sort of sign for what to do next. Most of the other patrons had already left, giving them a small measure of privacy.
The rattlesnake leaned closer, some of her cleavage peeking into view. "My name's Rhadi," she said, eyeing Zae curiously. "Can I buy you a drink?"
The answer was apparent to both of them, the fox's tail flicking eagerly as she squirmed in her seat and clenched the silk cloth tightly in her paw. Rhadi gently clasped the other female's hand and tugged her to her feet. Marveling at her first feel of scaled skin, Zae hesitantly followed the curvaceous serpent as she wound her way between tables toward the bar.
Sharing conversation and a small amount of intoxication, they spent the next half hour getting to know each other. The two women sat beside each other, leaning against the bar in companionable silence as the snake sipped her mixed cocktail. Zae remained reticent, more than a little intimidated by the reptilian beauty, but her curiosity kept her hanging around. Every so often the fox would have to fight the urge to reach out and run her fingers across the snake's velvety hide.
"You really have a thing for snakes, don't you?" asked the serpent, barely hiding her grin behind the rim of her glass.
Zae shifted uncomfortably, her ears twitching. "Y-yes," she replied haltingly. "I've always been fascinated with them."
Rhadi chuckled, refilling their glasses with a practiced gesture. "You're cute. Most people are too afraid to be near us." Flicking her tongue out thoughtfully, the reptile tapped her finger on the bar top. "Maybe you can help me with something, if you're willing?"
A surge of anticipation pulsed through Zae's veins. "What is it?" she asked.
Giving her another long, appraising stare, the rattlesnake said, "You know how snakes shed their skin periodically, right?"
The fox nodded slowly. She'd read an article about it in the library several months ago. "Y-yes. Reptiles are very vulnerable during that process."
"Mmmm," mused Rhadi, examining her scales with interest. "I'm thinking it's about time. Want to keep me comfortable while I do it?"
The female canine's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "Absolutely!"
Nodding, the snake held out a hand toward her. "My place," she said simply.
Shyness overtook Zae at the realization of the offer, but the temptation was too much to resist. Taking the proffered hand, she let the diamondback guide her out of the club and toward her home.
***
Slinking out of her clothes, Rhadi stretched across her king-size bed, her head resting on the pillow as she gazed toward her guest. Zae sat stiffly on the edge of the mattress, her ears taut and eyes wide, fidgeting with her own clothes as she tried to get used to the humidity that permeated her fur. The fox's nervous gaze lingered on the lithe, scaly figure in the bed beside her.
"Just a moment," said the snake as she poked at the scales on her face and neck, shuffling around to find the best spot for the first incision. After a short period of concentration, she slowly peeled away a long, triangular scale on her chin, taking the rest of the skin with it. Watching the flesh slide off in a perfect imitation of the scales beneath, Zae's lips parted in awe. The diamondback gave the vixen a sidelong look. "Ready to get your paws on me?"