FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The first week, I didn't see much of Toby at all. There were meetings with advisors, buildings to find, appointments of various sorts, activities to organize and attend, paperwork to file, and a lot of other things to do. Most of the other people I had met that first night were just as busy, so Jack volunteered to help me find my way around the area in between his sessions. His training classes occurred at different times each day, in order to maximize accessibility to people with various work schedules, which left him open to help me out at different times of day, too. We worked through the list of recommendations that the group had made for places I should look for jobs, and he also took me as a guest to his gym, "The Blue Planet". The most disappointing part of all of this was that he was fully dressed as we wandered around downtown Lincoln, but since we were going in and out of businesses, I really couldn't complain much. And Toby had reminded me again not to do so, anyway.

On Wednesday, we found ourselves at the gym and Jack had signed me up for some of his classes, so that I could see how things worked. He also introduced me to some of his co-workers. But the best part was when he'd help me with various exercises by putting his hands on a muscle he wanted me to activate or focus on. The touch of his strong, hoofed fingers was highly distracting and a couple times, I very nearly dropped a dumbell, though I am glad he didn't notice the fumble.

What I did notice is that he was at once tough on his clients, and encouraging. He would push them to work harder, and feel good while doing it. One of the members of my class was a rather large, middle-aged doe. She was struggling with the exercises, and he'd cheer her on as she continued to push hard. When she stopped to rest, he'd call out to her. "Come on, Michelle! You can do it; keep up the intensity. That's where the strength building will come in!" She grumbled, but I could tell it was playful. They had a good rapport, and she clearly trusted him. Watching, I decided that yes, I would like to do that kind of work. But first, I would need to bulk up so I could inspire people, too! Jack introduced me to his manager, a giraffe named Geoffrey. After asking me a few questions, he handed me an application and said he'd hire me right away for desk and cleanup shifts, and once I'd been in for 90 days, I could earn approval to start the train-the-trainer program. And I'd be on the schedule starting the following week.

Jack still had one more class to teach, but we were going to be leaving soon, so I went to the locker room to clean up. The gym was pretty quiet at this point, except for his class. I was alone in the locker room, having just gotten out of the shower and pulling clean clothes from my gym bag when I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't think anything of it, being as it's a public gym, so I just kept doing what I was doing. Suddenly, someone was whispering in my ear. "Man, you have a great tail. I'd love to run my fingers through it."

I looked around. It was one of the assistant managers whose name I had forgotten in the jumble, a sleek cheetah in a tight-fitting top that showed off his form. He was reaching out for my tail, which I swished away from him.

"I'm sorry, my tail is spoken for," I said. "You'll have to talk to my boyfriend about fondling it."

"Boyfriend? So you are gay, then? Good." He stepped closer. I cringed, realizing that I had given him an opening. Now I had to backpedal.

"Yes, and we're committed to each other."

"Whatever, man. Gay culture is all about the hook-up, and open relationships. I bet he won't mind."

I stepped back as he took another step closer, and found myself in the corner of the bank of lockers. He put his paw on the locker behind me, leaning close enough that I could feel his breath moving my fur.

"That's as may be for most of the culture, but not for me and Toby," I warned. "We are committed, so I'll thank you to please let me go."

The cheetah scowled. "Come on, man. No one believes that crap." He put a paw on my chest. "I can tell you've been working hard already. Nice pecs. And you just got hired? I'm in charge of scheduling, so I can make your job very pleasant, or very difficult. It all depends on how 'friendly' you're willing to be, here."

I gulped, and said nothing. He leaned in and sniffed at my neck. "Mmm, I love fox musk. Especially after you've been working out."

"Dude, the answer is 'no.'" I tried to push past, but he was against the bench and had his weight set in such a way that he was pretty locked in position.

"Come on, now," he began to rub his paw down to my belly. "You were so excited about signing up for the job. I heard Jack yesterday saying he was going to bring you in, and telling us that you could really use this job. And being a trainer is going to make bank - just ask Jack! Do you really want to walk away from a lucrative opportunity like this? Besides, if you quit this fast, what makes you think any other business will hire you?"

"Who do you think you are? I know you don't dare play with Jack. What makes you think you can play with me?"

"Jack is straight. But you aren't." His paw was over my crotch, now. "Ooh, that's really nice, there."

"Enough!" I cried. "Take your hands off me, and back off. Now." I tried to push back against him. We began to tussle, and I saw Jack come in through the door a moment later. He must have heard me. He came up behind the Cheetah, grabbed him by the shirt, lifting him away, and slammed him bodily into the wall of lockers.

"Not cool, Michael. You want to philander, fine. But you don't force yourself on gym members, and you certainly don't do it to my friends!"

"I'll have you fired for this," the Cheetah managed to get out. His muzzle was pressed against the metal door.

"Try me," said Jack. He looked over at me. I hadn't moved since I was freed. "You ok, Craig?"

I nodded, but I could tell he didn't really believe me.

He turned back to Michael. "I'm not the one who's going to get fired. Craig, get yourself dressed, then come meet me at the front desk." With that, he drug the struggling Cheetah out of the locker room. I heard a bunch of shouting, but I couldn't really parse what was being said.

I shook my head. Did that really just happen? I felt dirty. Slowly, Jack's words sunk in and I looked down at myself, still wearing nothing but a towel, which Michael had very nearly pulled off. I quickly dressed and shoved my wet gear into the gym back, and followed out of the locker room. Following the commotion, I found my way to reception, where Jack was still holding the Cheetah by the collar, and talking rather angrily to the boss. As I arrived, Geoffrey was glaring at Michael.

"This is totally unacceptable, Michael," he growled. "I warned you the first time I heard you trying to play with a member. There's to be no propositioning clients or harassing them in any way."

"Harassment is right," I interrupted. "He was telling me that my schedule was dependent on playing with him."

"Really? Is this true?" He looked back at Michael, who was shaking his head.

"When I walked in the locker room," Jack answered, "He had his paw on Craig's crotch, and I could tell from his expression that Michael's advances were unwelcome. Besides, Craig is in a committed relationship. He wouldn't play with Michael willingly."

"That's it. You're suspended without pay, pending a formal investigation, Michael. And when the investigation is over, you'll be formally fired. Now get your shit and get the hell out of my gym."

We watched as he slunk into the staff room, and then out the front door with his bag.

"Why not just fire him straight out?" asked Jack. "We are an at-will state, after all."

"If we fire him, it will be harder to complete the investigation. While he's on payroll, he's accountable. If not, I can't require him to cooperate. And if he's not on payroll, I can't get the insurance to help out."

"Insurance," I asked.

"There are costs for things like this. We have to pay the investigation team, and we'll also pay for any counseling you need, after being assaulted. And also, there's economic compensation for your distress, if you decide to take it to court," Geoffrey explained.

A lawsuit? I hadn't even considered that. I looked at Jack, feeling a little lost.

"Don't decide anything now," Geoffrey said. "Go home and think about it. If you still want it, the job is yours. Michael will not be welcome back. I don't tolerate this kind of behavior from anyone, especially my management team. Blue Planet works hard to keep our gyms a safe place. For everyone. Jack, you were almost off, anyway. I'll clock you out when your shift is officially over. I want you to go with Craig and make sure he doesn't have any further trouble on the way home."

"Yeah, sure, Boss. I'm his ride, today, anyway."

I reached out and shook Geoffrey's paw. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," he answered, giving my paw a firm squeeze. "This really is not what our gyms are about. And seriously, let me know if you still want the job. If you don't, I understand. But it's still yours, if you do."

I nodded, and Jack led me out. Sure enough, Michael was still hanging around the parking lot, but he ran off quick as only a Cheetah could when Jack took a step towards him. The drive home was quiet, as my mind raced through what to do, and what I was going to tell Toby. We had a lot to discuss, that's for sure.

As we pulled into the lot, Jack stopped in front of my building. Toby's Jimmy was there, and looking up, I could see a light in our window. He was home.

"Hey," Jack said, as I reached for the door handle. "I'm sorry about that. Michael's been a jerk for a while, but I didn't know he'd ever be so brazen as to pull something like that. Do you want me to help you talk to Toby?"

"No, thanks. I think I can handle my tiger. But thanks for rescuing me." I patted his massive bicep. "My hero." I smirked, then got out of the truck and headed inside.