Hoppers Story - Chapter One
#1 of (ZOO) - Hoppers Story
Hopper is a rarity amongst the Anthropomorphic students at the High School he attends. As a Whiptail Wallaby, he's smaller than normal for a male of his species, with distinctly effeminate musculature and features. A naturally shy and reclusive type, he is frequently the cruel victim of fellow students sarcastic taunts and teasing, which does nothing to bolster Hopper's already fragile nature. When a new subsitute teacher comes to class, Hopper is quietly called aside, as this teacher is geniunely curious about him - and thinks he might be able to help her with a situation - only one such as himself - is suited for - as Hopper hides a dark secret - unlike most of his kind, even amongst the Kangaroo's - Hopper can speak both feral - and human-like tongues...
Hoppers Story Chapter One (c) Cederwyn Whitefurr 10th February, 2012 All Rights Reserved.
Hopper sat quietly beneath the great oak at the centre of the quad, his short ears twitching as he listened without really paying attention, his eyes downcast as he sketched in an old, battered leather bound book. As a Wallaby, Hopper was smaller than most students - even other kangaroo's towered over this shy, diminutive wallaby. Hopper didn't mind, he preferred that people left him alone; he enjoyed the solitude and peaceful relaxation as he sketched in his old, battered art book. As Hopper glanced up, he instinctive scanned the quad, noting students coming and going, chatting quietly amongst themselves, rushing hither and yon - obviously late for class, some sitting and eating lunch on one of the many benches scattered around - and others just generally socialising. Hopper glanced at the clock in its high tower, then he sighed and carefully put his sketchbook into his battered satchel and slung it over his shoulder.
"Excuse me please - " Hopper muttered, as he threaded his way slowly through milling crowds, mindful of his slender stature and effeminate form - Hopper knew from experience, how easily he could be knocked over - and once - he had accidentally had his leg broken by a fellow student, who collided with him as Hopper rounded a corner. Hopper tried his best to hug the walls and stay out of others way - and for the most part he succeeded, just wishing he wasn't so short...
Standing only four feet six inches tall when standing upright on his long hind legs, Hopper barely come to the chest of most students - yet this was as tall as he was ever going to grow. His slender form would never be as strong and masculine as other kangaroo anthro's he knew - even some of the other wallabies - a rarity Hopper thought to himself - stood a good foot or more above Hopper. He wore a dark red jacket, grey slacks, and a grey shirt beneath the jacket, yet even these clothes seemed to be almost two sizes too big for Hopper. He had recently bought a cheap belt - being a student was expensive Hopper's mind muttered it itself, and even at its highest notch, Hopper had had to add another notch eight inches past the last hole in the belt, before it fit snugly. He had the colourful markings of a whiptail wallaby, with distinctive black over white cheek stripe, a shawl of greyish-white over his slender shoulders, blending into a darker brown from just below the shoulders and down his back. His ears were short, only about four inches long, furred with predominantly the same dark brown on his back, but with pale white around the edges and a greyish-white inside the ear. His slender tail was almost whip like, not heavy and bulky like the more common kangaroo anthropomorphic creatures Hopper knew - but there was one thing in this young wallaby's favour - he could hop like the wind...
Hopper let his mind wander for the most part, but still kept a wary watch on the humans and anthro's alike, as he made his way to class. Being a freshman was hard - being a freshman - with no parent derived privileges or contacts to smooth the way - was even harder. Hopper had never known his sire, his mother having died when he was only three years old - Hopper had been raised by his Aunt, a Grey Kangaroo anthro, who had treated the young wallaby like her own son - but she was not wealthy - not by any stretch of the imagination - and had gone without many things, to provide for Hopper's educational needs. He loved his Aunt with all his heart, and strove to make her happy - studying diligently and earning respectable grades in his classes - but Hopper knew he was no intellectual giant. With a startled squeal, he pressed himself against a rack of lockers as some larger students rushed past him, their hurried rushing showing their tardiness for class.
With a nervous swallow, Hopper breathed out and trembled, before he quietly walked down the corridor and finally - into the classroom. Here, he found his desk and stared mournfully at the human designed chair, before carefully dragging it across the room and returning to his desk, intending to stand, as whilst he had the flexibility, especially in the tail, to sit in a human-like chair, it often brought discomfort and frustration, as Hoppers feet couldn't touch the floor. Hearing some of his fellow students quiet laughter, and a few callous remarks thrown about - Hopper did his best to ignore the cruel taunts, as he placed his satchel on his desk an pulled out his books, then set his satchel back on the floor beside him.
After a few minutes, the door opened and a young human woman entered, dressed in an emerald green skirt that come to her ankles, and a slightly paler green blouse. A ponytail ran down her back, ending about mid-way down, and her hair was a rich, nut-brown colour, the same as her eyes. She stood about five feet nine inches tall, at a rough guess, and her breasts were of slightly above average size, looking like two rock-mellons beneath her blouse. Hopper blinked, his ears twitching forwards, as he frowned. This wasn't their normal lecturer...
"Good afternoon class - " Spoke the woman, her voice soft, but competent. "My name is Miss Blackwood, and I shall be your substitute teacher for today. Your regular teacher - Mr. Carmichael, isn't feeling well...so - lets get settled and begin, shall we?"
Hopper blinked again, then tore his gaze off the substitute teacher, but out of the corner of his eyes, he seen quite a few other males giving the substitute teacher, more than a casual look themselves. Hopper swallowed the lump in his throat, before he sighed and shook his head. Hopper liked women just fine - be they anthropomorphic or human - he liked them equally, but never had the courage to ask a girl out on a date...as his insecurity and naturally shy nature made him nervous and frightened around women. Still a virgin, Hopper had almost resigned himself to staying so - as in all honesty - who wanted an orphaned young Whiptail as a boyfriend? He didn't have the muscles the athletic jocks did, he didn't have the smarts the chess-club and debating team had - he didn't even have a proper masculine form of his species - looking more like some gender-confused Doe. With a heavy sigh, Hopper sat upright a little straighter, then picked up his pen...
*
"Master Hopper - " Come the voice of the substitute teacher, as the class packed their books and began filing out at the end of the day.
Hopper blinked, then felt his ears flatten back against his head, and he visibly cringed, feeling instantly, like the eyes of the world were upon him. A few students made some snide remarks about Hopper, and he tried his best to ignore them, but a few barbs sank into him and he whimpered, hearing the students cruel laughter at Hopper's expense.
"Miss?" Hopper asked, clutching his satchel before him, and slowly approaching the intimidating desk behind which the teacher sat, his ears lowering and head slightly bowed.
"A word please - " Miss Blackwood spoke, then began sweeping the eraser over the whiteboard.
Hopper trembled, his naturally high-strung nature making him fear the worst - wondering what he had done to gain the teachers attentions. He waited as patiently as he could, subtle shivers running through his body, that he could not control.
"Wallaby, species..." Miss Blackwood spoke, as she set down the eraser and sat at the desk.
"Macropus Parryi. Miss" Hopper whispered. "Commonly referred too as the Whiptail wallaby."
"Speak Latin do you?" Miss Blackwood inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Very little miss - I...I like to learn things - the Zoological names for we...anthropomorphic animals fascinates me." Hopper whispered, then hung his head and trembled.
"Hey...come on now," Miss Blackwood smiled, then come around to the front of the desk and leant her rump against it, placing her hands against the edge. "Its alright - I was just curious - I've never met one of your kind before."
"We're...not that common...miss." Hopper whimpered, keeping his head bowed submissively, wanting nothing more than to be dismissed.
"Well, no - I imagine not - " Miss Blackwood replied thoughtfully. "Although, your species - your ancestors if you will - are listed as secure..."
Hopper swallowed and nervously stepped from one long foot to the other, visibly struggling to control his fear under the teachers gaze. He nearly screamed, when she reached out and gently lifted his chin, making him look into her eyes.
"Hey...come on - its alright. I won't hurt you - what's got you so...so frightened?"
"I..." Hopper stammered, then quivered. "I'm...just...shy miss - I don't really have...any friends and being...being what I am - "
Miss Blackwood gave Hopper a quick glance, her eyes taking in his effeminate form and she nodded, then smiled and tenderly stroked his ears, lifting them back up. Hopper's heart skipped a beat at her touch, and he trembled - not knowing what to make of it.
"May we...may we go somewhere and talk? I'd love a cup of coffee - its been a long day. How about you Master Hopper? Would you like something to drink? Oh, please- forgive my manners - I don't mean to make you answer twenty questions...I'm just...just so intrigued by your species."
Hopper swallowed an even bigger lump in his throat, then gave a meek nod of acquiescence, then followed the teacher from the classroom.
*
Hopper sat on the ground, bracing himself with his tail, as he clutched the cup with both paws, before sipping the hot tea through a straw. Miss Blackwood sat on the bench, about six feet from him - which was as close as the frightened and nervous Hopper would allow her to come.
"Master Hopper - " Miss Blackwood began.
"Please miss...call me Hopper - " he replied, taking another nervous sip of tea.
"Master...I mean...Hopper - " She smiled, then set down her cup. "I do work, when I'm not a substitute teacher - for a voluntary wildlife and rescue organisation. Naturally, we don't work with your people - as there are highly skilled Veterinarian's, who are trained to help Anthropomorphic people..."
Hopper twitched his ears, his eyes downcast, but due to the nature of his eyes, he looked to be staring into his cup, but also watching this strange woman intently.
"What...what do you want to know Miss?" Hopper whispered, glancing up shyly, then turning his attention back to his cup.
"oh...you'll think I'm silly for asking - " Miss Blackwood chuckled delicately.
"No I wouldn't - " Hopper breathed, barely audible.
"Pardon?" Miss Blackwood inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing miss - " Hopper replied, then sipped his tea, his ears flattening nervously.
Hopper's mind swam with impossibilities. She had heard his barely whispered comment...from six feet away - with all the ambient noises...no, it wasn't possible...
"I...I don't meant to pry...Hopper - but...but can you...can your kind..." Miss Blackwood stammered, then sipped her coffee and set it back down, before turning to face Hopper. "Can your kind...well - you in particular...can you...speak with..."
"With ferals?" Hopper asked, glancing at her and closing his eyes, then giving a weak sniffle.
"Oh gods - I'm so sorry - I didn't mean too offend you..." She hurriedly answered, then made a move to come closer, forcing hopper to squeal and back-pedal.
"Hey...hey Hopper..hey...it..its alright - I...I won't hurt you." She whispered, holding out her hands in a placating gesture.
Hopper squeezed his eyes closed, then swallowed nervously and took a firmer grasp on his cup. He had an active dislike of people getting too close to him without his consent, as it just naturally made the already tightly wound wallaby even more skittish.
"Sorry - I...I didn't realise you were so...is it a common trait amongst Whiptails?" Miss Blackwood asked, as she slid another foot away from hopper, watching him relax slowly.
"Sorry miss - I..I'm just naturally...very nervous and...well..." Hopper nervously sipped his lukewarm tea and swallowed, before continuing. "My species, are generally very shy by nature - and...yes...I can..."
Setting his tea down, Hopper coughed weakly before he turned to face her, his eyes closed as he seemed to be concentrating with considerable effort, before he uttered a quick string of what sounded like barks, grunts and growls, before he coughed and shuddered.
"You..." Miss Blackwood frowned, not understanding.
"That...was an answer to your question - yes...I can speak feral Whiptail. Please - don't misunderstand - ferals' do not communicate..like us - their language is...I wouldn't even call it primitive. Its more instinctual; like food, water, safety, mate...that sort of thing. They probably do not think like us...as we anthropomorphic creatures do not think like you humans - no offence Miss."
"None taken - " Miss Blackwood whispered in awe. "I've never...met one of your kind who could - "
"Not many can - those few who can speak feral...do not, or have long forgotten how - " Hopper sniffled, then picked up his tea between his paws again and sipped the straw.
"Would you...I mean...could you - if I asked...please come to the sanctuary one day...preferably as soon as you can? I could really use your...unique talent - we got a injured young Whiptail, she won't feed, she won't drink, and we're worried she will starve to death. Of course, we wouldn't allow that - we'd force-feed her if it come down to it...but if...if you could - somehow - get her to trust us...and at least drink...it'd mean so much...and I...I'd be grateful." Miss Blackwood stammered, then smiled wanly. "She's such a pretty doe - I'd hate to lose her. We don't want to resort to force-feeding her - as that'd only make her stressed and...."
Hopper's ears twitched, and he nervously looked at the woman, sensing she told him the truth, but something about how she spoke made Hopper nervous....
To Be Continued...