FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Alius pulled back the flap that led into his adventuring companion's tent. Smiles, a gnoll his party had picked up, lay inside, twirling a pair of rocks in his hand, while lounging against his supplies.

"What took you so long? I thought catfolk were supposed to be swift." true to his nickname, Smiles had a massive grin permanently plastered on his face. Alius had always been mildly curious what the story was behind that. Smiles had said something about a curse when he'd first joined up, but hadn't said much about it afterward. Alius assumed it was a touchy subject and hadn't pried.

Besides, Alius had always found the smile infectious, even if it was somehow related to a curse. you just couldn't help but be at ease around Smiles.

"Some of us have jobs to do you know" he said, more as a knowing jab than any kind of insult.

Smiles let out a barking laugh. "What, you think I'm not working? I'll have you know that I am working my ass off right now."

"Ah yes, the most difficult of jobs imaginable. wasting time."

Smiles let out another laugh, "see? you get it."

Alius let out a small chuckle of his own, "well, I'm sorry to interrupt your busy schedule, but you did say you had something you wanted to show me."

Smiles' grin didn't fade, but he seemed to grow slightly nervous. "yeah. that." he paused for a moment. "Yeah."

Alius paused for a moment. Something seemed off. "You good Smiles?"

"What? Yeah, I'm fine." Smiles took a deep breath, "Alius, do you trust me?" The grin never left his face, and his voice still had a joking tone to it, which clashed oddly with the serious question he'd just asked.

"I... what?"

"Do ya trust me?" Was the hyena planning something?

Alius thought about all of the times Smiles had saved his hide, and the entire crew. They'd all been somewhat wary at first, given the reputation that gnolls had earned around these parts, but Smiles had done more than enough to earn the trust of the crew.

Alius nodded.

"Cool. next question. Do you remember that weird hand language the boss taught us for when we need to talk without speaking?"

Alius nodded again. "Smiles, where are you going with all of this? is something wrong?"

"Nah, nah, nothing's wrong" Smiles reached behind the pack he'd been laying on and brought out a small bundle. "I just need you to put these on."

Alius took the bundle, which turned out to be a blindfold and a pair of earplugs.

Alius looked back up to Smiles, about to question what was going on, but stopped when he met Smiles' eyes. there was a quiet intensity behind them that didn't match the grin. Now that Alius looked closer, the fur beneath them was matted and wet. Had he been crying?

"Please" Smiles whispered, almost as if he was struggling to force the word out.

Alius simply nodded, and put on the blindfold and earplugs.

After he did, he felt a massive paw take his hand and lead him to a sitting position. the same paw began to manipulate his hand into the signs their boss had taught them.

"No, I'm not fine. I'm very not fine."

Alius felt small drops of water fall onto his hands.

"I can't speak because of curse. I have to be happy. nobody can see or hear otherwise."

Alius let out a small gasp. Was this the same gnoll that had never taken any of what they'd been doing seriously?

The gnoll's paws shuddered, and the wetness continued to cover their hands.

"I couldn't take anymore. I had to find a way to be something other than happy with people. I couldn't keep doing this alone"

Alius nodded and spoke aloud, "So you found a loophole. nobody can see or hear you be upset, but I can neither see nor hear you now."

There was a momentary pause, the gnoll gripping his hands tightly. then his paws began to move Alius' again.

"Yeah."

Alius was taken aback. Had this really been lurking beneath that smile this whole time? They'd all assumed the curse was something minor. Gnolls were an odd folk, known for being slightly insane, so none of them had given the matter much thought.

Alius felt a crushing guilt begin to pull at his heart. He was supposed to be the party's paladin. One willing to help with any infirmity, whether it be of mind or body.

And he had ignored the one who had most needed his help because of what he was.

"I... I'm sorry." tears began to well up in Alius' eyes and seep through the blindfold. "I- I should have listened when you mentioned the curse. I should have done something-"

A single furry finger was placed over Alius' mouth. His hands began to be moved by the paws once more

"Don't be sorry. It's ok. I'm used to most of it by now." there was a momentary pause, "can't blame you either. Gnolls can be crazy at times. I just fit what you'd heard."

Alius nodded slightly, before realizing what he was doing, then shook his head vigorously.

"No. I'm supposed to be better than that. I gave my word that I would give the mercy of heaven to all, regardless of what I thought of them."

Alius stood. "I must atone for mistreating you, and must do what I can to remove this curse from you," He took a deep breath and raised his hand towards where he was pretty sure Smiles was sitting, " By the power of-"

A massive paw clamped itself over Alius' mouth before he could start the ritual.

The paw remained for a moment, making sure that Alius had stopped trying to speak through it, and then pulled itself away, and began signing again.

"No. it is better for me this way."

Alius was dumbfounded. How was it better for him to be cursed to have to hide so much against his will?

Smiles continued manipulating Alius' hands. "If I returned to normal, I would be compelled to go back to my tribe and serve them again. As things are now, I am free to do as I wish. To wander the world and find new friends." tears began to fall on Alius' hands again. "I do not want to go back to being a monster."

Alius sat there in silence. What was there to say? If his friend did not want to have his curse lifted, then what could he do?

No, there was something he could do.

"Then I'll be here for you whenever you need me. If you need to be able to get something out, come and get me, and I'll gladly come and listen."

They sat in stillness and silence for a moment.

Then Smiles took his giant paws and wrapped them tightly around Alius, pressing his body against his companion.

Alius was surprised at the sudden affection, but calmed as he realized that he could feel Smiles' shaking sobs through his chest, almost like a second, shuddering heartbeat.

Alius wrapped his arms around Smiles as well, and buried his face in the fur on his neck.

He would be here for his friend. He would atone for his mistakes.

He would make sure Smiles never had to suffer alone and in silence again.