FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Ah, good, come on in, welcome." Matts said, eagerly beckoning you inside. "Please make yourself at home, dinner will be ready in just a moment."

Dinner with the Matts. It was a very concept, even if it was just a semi-professional meeting to discuss your artwork being placed at his club. You were close friends, and were delighted to chat about this over a delicious dinner, though you were surprised to see he wasn't cooking.

He excused himself back to the kitchen, and you sat at the table and rapped your fingers on it. A shiny brass bell caught your eye, placed on a side table, looking conspicuously prominent in the room. You stood up and strolled over to it, picking it up to fiddle with. You gave it a gentle shake, and a loud ringing filled the room.

Matts peeked in, looking extremely amused.

"Bored already?" He asked you.

"Sorry." You replied, sheepishly setting the bell back down.

"No no, please. Give it another ring! I keep it around for a reason." He said.

You raised an eyebrow. He really just kept a bell around for entertainment? His expression was that of someone who was getting a joke you weren't. You just hoped the joke wasn't on you.

You gave it another ring, and you heard a sharp exhale from behind him in the kitchen. Was someone else here? You thought it'd be a nice dinner between the two of you.

"And one more."

You rang it again, louder this time.

"Thank you. You can keep ringing it if you'd like, it does have such a lovely sound." He said, and shut the kitchen door again.

You didn't really understand what was happening, and being out of the loop bothered you a little, but you knew Matts wasn't doing it to be mean. You trusted that by the end of the night, you'd get it.

And honestly, if it was so funny, you might as well play along. You picked up the bell and brought it back to your seat, and rang it a few more times.

Shortly after, Matts joined you again, glowing and grinning from ear to ear. "Really enjoying the bell, eh?" He said, practically giggling.

"Dinner almost ready?" You asked.

"Oh yes. Though he may need a little help bringing it in." He said.

"He?" He asked.

"Oh! Hehe. I have a sheep." Matts explained, without explaning very much of anything.

"You have a sheep?" You asked.

"Yes! Now, dinner should be ready any minute. Do feel free to keep ringing the bell." He encouraged you, chuckling warmly.

You eyed him suspiciously and gave it another ring, just as the kitchen door opened and a sheep shuffled into view, wearing only an apron, and clutching a tray. He was drooling heavily, which made you thankful there was a cover on the food.

"Good boy, Beta. Go ahead and set it down. Careful now." Matts said, and the sheep nodded. You rang the bell, and the sheep's eyes rolled up into his head. He let out a quiet bleat, opening his eyes slowly and looking to the wolf for guidance. Matts chuckled and gestured for him to set the tray down, and he seemed to remember.

He managed to do so, and stood, leaning off to one side, drooling heavily onto his shoulder and looking very confused. You gave it another ring, and he straightened up for just a moment, as if trying to stand at attention and being far, far too deep for it.

"Anything to drink?" Matts asked you.

You rang the bell again, and the sheep trembled.

"This is really a neat trick." You said. "Any reason you didn't tell me about it?"

"What would be the fun in that?" He asked, smiling warmly. "Beta, drinks please."

"Drinks." He mumbled, and shuffled back to the kitchen.

"So, do I have a bell too?" You asked, jokingly.

"Don't be silly." Matts said. "All bells sound the same." He smiled smugly at you. "Don't they?"