FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"You're new?" The fox asked, pointing as if he recognized him. The first thing Ryan noticed - and he'd grow to love it in the weeks to come - was that quirky feel that the fox was omitting a façade. One so strict to a positive and outgoing attitude that it had almost entirely become him. But there were pickings; a voice which puberty hadn't fully picked clean, a politeness not local to teens. His façade made for a very social, approachable screen that Ryan felt strangely eager to one day see through.

But the mask was up, the paw was out, and Ryan shook it heartily. "Yeah, I guess I am. Who were you talking to before?"

"Oh," A flicker of doubt, pawned off my a flurry of gestures. "You know, my self. Rehearsing. For... something."

Ryan smiled and it was returned. Kyle was quite cute, raised one lip more than the other. I wonder how soft you are...

"You caught me at a bad time." The fox laughed.

Ryan was dazing out, "yeah..." I bet it would just fall off the bone...

"Oh, you got a little something."

Ryan followed the fox's finger (digit) and wiped some drool of his own chin. "Oh, heh..." He tried to stop his eyes from dilating, "sorry 'bout that.". It was here that it occurred to Ryan that something may actually be seriously wrong with himself.

"All good, man." The fox nodded like a real dude, and then he did his next peculiar thing. A sideways glance so personal to whatever was there - or not there - that Ryan had to glance at it as well. There was nothing there, of course. So Ryan questioned whether there really was someone and they were just hiding outside the building, peaking through the windows. Watching him. Like an ambush, and this really was a cowboy movie. Oh Jesus, was he about to get skinned alive? How would that be for fair treatment, flaying a cannibal and eating them alive. Karmas a bitch, and that bitch is hungry for meat.

When was the last time he ate? Two, three days ago? And it was something superficial too, like a salad. As far from homemade as they can come. No ceaser allowed kid, too much bacon.

Is that fair treatment? Depriving a kid of bacon bits because they ate a person? Did cannibals act out of an encouraged taste palette? Would the bacon bits trigger this primal urge inside of him to hunt and kill? Like how Popeye could bust open a can of spinach and kick a room's worth of ass?

He shook his head. No that's no true at all. Beef jerky was a favourite of his growing up, with the only thought being whether or not this scary 'cho-lest-er-ol' stuff could kill him one day.

"Oh shoot, sorry, you must be really... disoriented by all of this."

It dawned on Ryan that there may be a lot of social interactions ahead of him. "How many of you guys are there?" The question brought about that feeling of 'ripping off the band aid'.

"Quite a few. A 'flavourful few', as the teachers call us." He said it jokingly, yet without a smile.

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Teachers?"

"Jeez, you really didn't read the reports for this place?"

"Don't read."

"Fair enough. Totally boring, right?"

Ryan shook his head. "No, I never learned."

"...how to what." The fox blinked. "How to read?"

Ryan nodded, "I can do the numbers, and all that stuff. I just get stuck on all those symbols... all the ones on newspapers."

"Letters?" The fox was noticeably biting back his hesitation to be polite. "That's fine, man. All good."

"All good?"

"Yeah, man. All good." He punched Ryan in the shoulder. "Don't sweat it. Plus, I've got some audiobooks you could totally just use whenever. Sci-fi stuff, you might like it."

"That's sweet of you."

The fox's tail wagged side to side, "Aw, ya know, just doing what I do... if I was a _real _sweetheart I'd offer to teach you, but we're not quite there yet." He chuckled, "don't feel bad, though, we just met. Kyle, by the way."

"Ryan." They shook paws again.

"And now its official. Just make sure you don't call me my actual name when we're around other groups. Its weird, man, I know. But there's a culture and you'd be smart on learning it." He eyed him up and down. "You still got that note they give you before coming here?"

Ryan knew the one and he forked it over.

Kyle glanced over it and gave a series of nods like he was ticking off a checklist in his mind. "Well, no surprises... you didn't circle your crime though. Anything special?"

_Oh yeah, mine was something special. Saving and savouring, baby, pine needles and flesh stinking on his fur. The rays of sunset painting dad's disfigured face, warming the fleshy craters that once housed his blue eyes. You look just like your father... he must be so proud... _"No, not really."

"Don't worry man, I won't pry. It's personal, I get it." The fox stared off for a second and nodded. "Although, since you do need to circle it to start the entry process, how 'bout I just read the whole thing out to you. That way you can make an informed decision, as well as feel a-okay about what goes on here. Two big birdies with one wordy stone. How's that sound?"

The coyote took a single step forward before pulling the arctic fox into a hug, and he hadn't wanted to make it a tight one, but his sturdy muscles squeezed the fox regardless.

Kyle's face went so red it was like someone went back in time to change his heritage and it was only catching up with him now. He felt like he was overthinking the hug, because all that was on his mind was how firm the coyote's shoulders were, yet how soft the rest of him were. The coyote was also a head taller of his, so when he finally recovered enough to hug back, his arms slipped under the coyote's strong arms and held the curve of his back.

He opened his eyes to see Benji staring at him from across the court. The black fox shook his head and then violently kicked one of the basketballs, then another. He screamed out and started chewing his own arm like a rabid animal.

He silently begged for Benji to stop. Mouthing the word repeatedly, sometimes that would deter him. He saw the blood

(look what you're making me do, Kylio, you enjoying this?)

dripping off the fox's arm like a dripping tap, splashing onto the floor into a horrible puddle.

"Stop." Kyle muttered as the fox went for his own hand.

Ryan quickly backed away, slipping out of the hug. It occurred to him that maybe he was rushing things. But the appreciation needed to be showed, the fox deserved that much... well, he deserved to know he was appreciated.

Regardless, he was staring at something and Ryan turned to face it. Nothing there. So where are they, huh bucko? I know dem spies are watching, you bet your bottom dollar...

Yet he looked horrified. And he looked true. No act, no façade. Whatever he had seen had shattered the screen to form that single expression of utter dread. It looked wrong on the young fox. It made him look old.

"No need to be sorry, man." The fox swallowed and lost interest in whatever he was looking at. "Righto. Let's see what we can do about that note" He managed a wry smile.

Dear Ryan,

Thank you for considering one year at Camp Loosewater as a choice of sentence. We understand that these may be difficult times for you, but please know that our friendly camp staff are always willing to lend a paw if you are in need.

As this facility has been repurposed into a High School, we please ask that you stay within the confines of your campsite during school hours. This is a zero tolerance rule. You may also want to adjust your sleeping schedule so that you can attend all required activities without fatigue, as many are demanding, and are placed over chunks of the day, as well as throughout the night. Breaking your sleep cycles into two chunks taking place at dawn and dusk is recommended-

Kyle peered up from his note. "Don't interrupt me bro, this is important."

Ryan "Didn't say nothing."

"Huh? Could've sworn you..." He looked genuinely confused, and it took a few seconds of head-scratching for him to drop his gaze again.

-to meet this adjustment. Due to the juvenile instability of your peers, we ask you to attend activities with a smile as to avoid aggravating your fellow students. We are required to inform you that members have passed away due to aggressions in the past.

Please circle the category that applies to your crime:

A: Minor status offences / Illegal purchases

B: Vandalism / Larceny

C: Drug and alcohol abuse

D: Assault / drug production

E: Violent Crimes

S: Disturbing crimes

You many notice that these crimes are ranked, this is intentional. Your ranking will correspond to the severity of your activities. You may be given a nickname corresponding to your group / crime to help you fit into the group.

We don't see your species. We hate everyone equally. Try not to let us hate you less equally than others.

Kind regards, Principal Death.

"And here's what's so amazing:" Kyle smirked, "that really _is _his name."