FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It's always so hard picking out a sketchbook. Even with a set list of personal preferences, the task can be overwhelming.

As I grazed past the diverse selection, I thought about all the sketch books I've purchased. Many of them have been bought, then immediately placed on a shelf for a scheduled day. Only, those predetermined days of need, never came. Now I have quite a library of potential sketchbooks. All purchased with a specific purpose in mind. A specific need, unfulfilled.

Why am I going through this process again? Why do I keep doing this? I actually feel bad. Every sketchbook I buy that doesn't get used, gets wasted.

I tell myself, "When the situation comes, you will have what u need."

At least I'm prepared...

So here I am again. Perusing the collection of sketchbooks, searching for an unfulfillable purpose. Only this time, I don't have one in mind.

"What is my problem with these stupid things?" I whispered.

"Can I help you?"

I turned to face an employee. He wore a red apron that made his flaming red hair look dull in comparison. The apron itself was embroidered with 'crafts and more!' across the chest. He looked at me curiously.

"Oh! No, no... I'm just, well- I sorta have a problem with these things. I buy them and never use them. I just put them on my shelf and then start shopping for another."

"How is that a problem?"

"Excuse me?..."

"How is that a problem?"He repeated.

"No-no I heard you. I just don't understand what you mean."

"Well, you buy them right?"

"I do."

"So then you are willing to spend your hard earned money for them right?"

"I suppose."

"Therefore, they make you happy. Theres no problem with that now is there?" He said shrugging.

"But I don't use them. They're meant to be used."

"Are they?"

"Well yeah, they're blank sketchbooks. Their meant to be filled."

"How do you know?"

"I just know." I said. I couldn't quite tell if this employee was messing with me, or just being annoying.

I looked at his name tag and it was blank.

"What is your name?"

"Hmm... thats a good question. Tell you what, if you can tell me how you know that the purpose of a sketchbook is to be used, then I will tell you my name."

"Thats ridiculous! I asked a simple question!" A lady walking by with a cart paused by my isle and moved on, giving us an inquisitive look.

"So did I." He said with a smile that gave me the chills.

"Well... I guess because its called a sketchbook."

"'What's in a name? A rose by any other name will still smell as sweet?' Wouldn't you agree?"

"Then why call it a sketchbook?"

"Because thats what_ some_ people use it for."

"You mean most people."

"Do you use yours for sketches?"

"N-no, I don't."

"Then let me re-iterate. Some people use them for sketches. You still haven't answered my question Susan."

"H-how-"

"Let's not get caught up on the details. Just answer the question. How do you know that you have a problem buying sketchbooks?"

"I-I guess-"

"Answer me Susan, how do you-"

"I DON'T KNOW OKAY!!!? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM!!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!!?"

I froze. A tear slid down my cheek. I looked to the employee and his sinister smirk. It was only now that I noticed his eyes. They were amber and slitted. The chill that I had been feeling crawled up my spine as I saw a swoosh of reddish-orange sway behind him. When I looked back to his eyes, black tipped ears protruded from his head, and his newly formed large canines poking past his devious smile, made the air chill.

"W-what are you?..."

"What's in a name Susan?" He said pointing to the shelf of sketchbooks.

I looked to the shelf, but when I looked back to him he was walking away, back down the isle. His tail was reddish-orange, with a black tip. His arms were covered in black fur, and his black tipped ears swiveled to face me behind him.

He stopped at the end of the isle and turned his face slightly towards me.

"Purpose is something given Susan. Remember that."

He turned the corner. I ran to the end, after him, but couldn't find the fox-man anywhere. I looked down the next isle but no reddish orange to be found.

I walked back to the sketchbook isle.

"Purpose is given..." I whispered and picked up a sketchbook with a blue canvas cover. "Your purpose will be to live on my shelf."