FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-1-

"Why do you have to leave again?" asked Alex sadly.

"Grandma got a job offer down south in Xexul," I replied. "Better pay and benefits than the one she has here."

Alex sighed. "Can you at least come to visit every once in a while?"

I shook my head. "Doubt it."

"Rex!" called someone. Undoubtedly Grandma.

Alex frowned. "I'm gonna miss you, man," he said. He offered his hand. "Farewell shake?"

I engaged in the kind of complicated handshake twelve-year old boys take the time to create.

"Rex!" Called Grandma again. "It's time to go! We have a plane to catch!"

"I gotta go," I said.

Alex nodded. "Until we meet again, Rex Lightning."

He turned around and walked away. I did the same and did not look back. I guess that is how I coped with the pain of saying good-bye that day.

*****

Two-and-a-half hours into the eight-hour long flight to Xexul, Grandma began to talk to me.

"You'll like it in Xexul," she said.

"You have no way of knowing that," I replied. "I might hate it so much that I cut my tongue out and promptly swallow it."

"That would certainly do something for that smarmy little mouth of yours," Grandma chuckled. "I've never in my life seen someone so cynical."

I scowled. "What is there to like about it?"

"You'll find out when we get there. And please smile before you lock your jaws up frowning like that."

"Smiling is overrated--it makes the face muscles weak."

Grandma laughed. "Well, I for one am quite happy," she said.

"I'm going to sleep," I snapped.

"Fine," Grandma said. "I'll wake you up when we land."

*****

It was morning when we landed in Xexul. By the time we finished unpacking and placing everything in the already-furnished house we were going to live in, it was evening.

Grandma collapsed in a heap on a sofa. "That was work," she said.

"Uh-huh," I agreed, even though I was not tired at all.

"You know you have school tomorrow, right?" she asked.

"What?!" I replied incredulously. "You never told me that!"

"I thought I did. Must've slipped my mind."

"I don't even know what school to go to!"

"My God, boy, calm the hell down. Capital Middle. Ten miles from here."

"I still don't know where to go!"

"You have a phone, don't you? Use a map."

I had not thought of that. Well played, Grandma.

"Try to make friends," she added. "Plenty of kids your age in a city this big."

"I'll try to be as taciturn as possible," I replied. "Can I go to the court now?"

It was her turn to be taken aback. "You still have energy after all that?! Fine, go ahead--just be back by eight. It's a quarter to seven now."

I scooped up a basketball by the front door and ran out the house, all the way to the run-down basketball court a block down the street.

I don't know how many baskets I shot, but it soon became too dark to see, so I packed up (if carrying a ball can be considered 'packing') and went home.

"Rex."

It was a whisper, but it was plainly audible. I whirled around. "Who's there?" I yelled.

No answer. "I heard my name! Answer me!"

"I'm right in front of you. Can't you see me?"

All of a sudden the blue stone I wore around my neck flashed brightly, a blue, friendly (if lights can be called that) light. I shut my eyes and covered my face.

"Can you see me now?" said the voice.

I opened my eyes and lowered my arms, and before me hovered a fairy.

Yes. A fairy. A female fairy. Purple hair and lips, blue skin and wings. Her clothes, a dress and high-heeled shoes, were a darker blue. She was about as large as one of my hands.

"Uhhhh..." I grunted, searching for the appropriate words.

"You're usually so talkative," said the fairy. "Cat got your tongue?" The voice was very singsong, almost mocking.

I scowled. "What are you?" I asked.

"You already know what I am," came the reply as she crossed her arms.

I tried again. "Why are you bothering me?"

"It has something to do with that necklace around your neck and everything to do with you. Ah, it feels so good to be released!"

She flew around in the air for a bit before settling down in front of me once again.

"Anyway," she began, "my name's Sparktrivis, and I am happy to say that since I am indebted to you for releasing me, I will serve as your personal adviser! So personal, only you can see me! How does that sound?"

"It sounds like I've gone crazy," I said.

"Nope, you're very much awake!" she assured me.

I rolled my eyes. "And why would I need an adviser?"

The fairy sighed. "That's hard to explain," she admitted, "and I can't say I have all the answers. But maybe this will help!"

A golden aura came from Sparktrivis' hands, and between them materialized a golden feather.

"What is that?!" I asked.

"A thunder plume!" she answered. "Take it, please! It's for you, anyway!"

Not feeling like arguing, I took the feather from the fairy--it was rather stiff and had a tingly feeling when I touched it--and put in my pocket.

"Why would I need this?" I asked.

"You ask too many questions," Sparktrivis replied.

"I'm not the one who appeared out of thin air," I shot back.

"Fair enough," she said. "It teaches you a new technique!"

"Technique? Like, learning new powers?"

"YesyesYES! But you need to take it to someone who can unlock its secrets."

"Well, isn't that just dandy?"

"Fortunately, I have just the right man in mind!"

"Really? Who?"

My phone rang. Grandma.

"We'll go see him after school tomorrow," the fairy whispered. "Till then, keep up with it!"

Sparktrivis dissolved into tiny lights, which shot into the stone around my neck. A flash of light, then nothing.

I answered the phone and got an earful. Time to go home.

And go to school tomorrow, which would prove to be an exciting day.