FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Hey, I want to ask you something" the bigger lizard unexpectedly said.

That made Héctor jump back slightly; he honestly had never expected the komodo to talk to him, even less that sudden. It was half an hour before classes' start, but the Academy was already filling up with students, both new and returning. Héctor had concluded using the main entry would prove bothersome, as it meant going through the furson-filled hallways, and thus decided to use the back staircase which lead directly to the third story. It was there where he ran into the lizard.

Héctor remained silent, failing to register the words at first. The komodo thought of this as an affirmative and continued.

"What were you trying to do?" His question drew a face of confusion from the tiger. "The last day of the propaedeutics, when the golem trapped me I noticed you coming in my direction. Just what was your purpose?"

The tone hadn't been accusing or suspicious, but more like aloof, so Héctor was able to think of it calmly and with ease. He remembered the episode, but he himself didn't have an answer; it had been just a spur of the moment. If it was up to him, he normally wouldn't participate in such events, but whenever he had to, in the end he would take it seriously. To get caught in the atmosphere like that was something that annoyed him a little afterwards though. So most likely he had just played along with the setting; they were supposed to be a team, or at least that's how it had seemed, and helping out teammates looked like the accurate thing to do.

"Nothing really, I wasn't really thinking at that moment." Even though he was looking at the monitor's direction, his eyes were focusing on the air past him.

"Huh, for a moment it looked like you were going to my rescue."

Héctor's ear flicked with annoyance at that statement, and was about to respond something when he remembered who the other furson was. Next he was annoyed at himself for confusing a stranger with 'that furson'; it was unlike him to do that kind of mistake, but the lizard had acted very much alike. Even the taunting words were similar; however, it hadn't been a taunt at all. The komodo had spoken as aloof as before, his thick tail still.

"Well, it doesn't matter in the end." He started to climb up the stairs. He looked like about to leave the feline behind, but halted after some steps. "Ain't you coming? We're already here so it's more convenient to go together."

"Eh?" Héctor didn't see that one coming, but he had no reason to refuse. "Okay."

He would have liked one though as the walk to the lecture hall was quietly awkward. When they arrived there was no one to be seen so Héctor thought they were the first ones, but he noticed the lizard staring at the board at the front of the hall.

"Sorry but some issues came up, let's meet at 12:00. You don't have classes today so work in pairs and try to get to know each other. Work on your teamwork because honestly, from what I saw last week, it's horrible, ha ha!"

The message had a childish writing, even some scribbled flowers around it, and it gave off an air that annoyed the tiger somehow and made his ear flick. He put that aside when he noticed something else written below. Shortly he was outside again, at the base of the back staircase, in another awkward situation.

"Then" he began tentatively, "what should we do?" He asked the partner he was supposed to work with.

But the komodo didn't respond; he kept staring ahead at something unknown. Héctor could only deduce he was being ignored. The situation was really unfavorable for him as the other party seemed to be even more introverted. The tiger had grown used to deal with lively and outspoken fursons, everyone else back in his hometown pretty much fitted that category after all, but another one like him, honestly, was a first.

--I wonder if he uses ice magic too-- he joked to himself. Héctor would at least work in groups when required, even if sometimes grudgingly, but it looked like his partner would not. He found himself in a thought spot; he didn't know how to start a conversation, even less maintain it, and that was only if he somehow managed to make the lizard talk back. And above all he wondered why he had to be so concerned about it; he knew the answer, because it was the assignment.

"Anything is fine" the komodo said suddenly, "is there somewhere you want to go?"

Héctor was grateful the lizard was cooperating, but that had been the reply the tiger had wanted the least. He was no good when it came to take the lead; he normally wanted to evade that position because it was troublesome, however, he had to try if he wanted some progress. He thought about it, but actually nothing came to his mind. He wanted a place where he could minimize the possibility of an awkward moment, yet he was unsure what that place could be. In the end, it was his stomach that came up with an answer.

"What about the Dining Hall?" He had had no breakfast at the castle.

"As you like" was the aloof response.

The tiger was truly satisfied how that came out, yet that didn't make the trip towards the Dining Hall much less uncomfortable.

"Look, it's someone from the Knight Class!" Someone said nearby as they were crossing the gardens outside the Main Building.

That attracted Héctor's attention, and he glanced sideways to where two student girls stood observing a furson sitting under a tree not too far. He recognized it as Arlen; the lion was leaning against the trunk with a content expression, his tail lazily swaying at his side.

"Really, how do you know?"

"Silly, only students from the Knight Class are allowed to not wear uniform."

The comment made Héctor observe Arlen too, and indeed he wasn't wearing the uniform. From what the tiger could make, the lion wore a simple green poet shirt and dark brown trousers. That aside, it was the first time he heard of such regulation.

"I guess it's true what they say about that class. Ain't he really handsome?"

"Yes. I wonder if the others students are that good-looking too. I want to see them!"

"I heard there are only boys this year, the Spirit of Love must be smiling at us!"

--Spirit of Love...-- repeated Héctor jadedly. He wondered from where that way of thinking could possibly come from. The issue about the Knight Class members being supposedly all attractive also unsettled him a little. He had expected the possibility of the Advanced Course being seen differently by other students, but that kind of thing he hadn't considered it, and it sounded troublesome. Héctor wanted to attract the least attention, so if those girls were telling the truth he thought maybe he could go unnoticed for a while as long as he kept wearing the Academy's uniform.

Something unusual at the tree's top caught the feline's eye, a bit of bright orange color among the green leaves; it was Egon. The bat also seemed to be resting, sitting over a branch. Héctor remember that those two were to work together, but had to question why one was at the top and the other at the base; he thought maybe it was variety thing.

"Is there a problem?" the komodo asked, startling him.

"Sorry!" Héctor realized embarrassedly he had spaced out and slowed his pace.

They arrived shortly at the Dining Hall. The edifice had a spacious porch, there were round tables and chairs for the students, creating a relaxing atmosphere; inside the air was stiffer, with refectory tables and benches to sit. A few students were present at that hour, only those that didn't have breakfast at home or didn't have time to eat at the dorms. The pair stopped by the entry to consider, at least Héctor, what to do next. The tiger had brought his own food because of Sir Collins' claims about bringing it from the castle being better; he just hoped he wasn't being a nuisance to the chef. But at that moment he was more concerned about how to tell that to the lizard.

"So, are you going to order at the counter?" The monitor asked surprisingly.

"Eh... Ah, no. I brought my own breakfast" Héctor responded automatically.

"Is that so? I'll go for something then. Please, take a seat first."

And then, the komodo walked off to get some food. Héctor thought that, considering the circumstances, things were going well. The feline took a seat in place where the less furson gathered, but also close to the counter as to not make the lizard walk too much for him. He was about to bring out his lunchbox when someone approached him.

"Yo!" The furson called.

Héctor found himself a tad surprised and thrilled to see two white tigers like him standing behind; aside from his father he hadn't really met any other. They were evidently students too, from another class, and were wearing the same white uniform, but Héctor noticed they also had armbands.

"Are you one of the first-years?" The one with red armbands spoke "Welcome to Fremont Academy. The name's Robert." He offered his paw and Héctor politely took it in a pawshake.

"I'm Victor. A pleasure to meet you." the other greeted. He also wore two bands on each arm, but of white color.

"And what's your name? If you don't mind me asking" Robert said with a smile.

"Ehm, Héctor" he responded, still baffled at the sudden exchange.

"Héctor, huh?" Robert confirmed. "So, what do you think of the Academy, pretty neat, right? Are you also a Winged Student?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess." He was refereeing to the campus; he had no idea what a Winged Student meant, and was already growing uncomfortable with the situation.

Fortunately for Héctor at that moment the komodo returned, with a tray of food, and halted to view the visitors. The two white tigers also acknowledged the lizard, turning their heads to observe him better. Victor kept a calm face, but Robert's expression visibly showed rejection of the scalie's presence and his tail swished once behind him. But the feline quickly composed himself and returned to Héctor, an amiable expression again.

"Oh well, that's not of much relevance, actually. Let me present ourselves. We are from the White Tiger Association. I am the current President, and Victor here is the Vice-President. For the sake of such a gracious variety as the white tiger, our objective is to ensure that our white tiger companions can lead a comfortable school life, as far as to see for their wellbeing even after graduation. It really pleases us to have you here, Héctor, and if you ever need it you're always welcomed to come to us. Actually, we have a meeting today after classes, so if you have some free time you can come to our Base at the fourth floor of the Main Building. We would be honored to have you." He flashed another smile. "Enjoy your meal." He referred to both fursons, before turning and take his leave.

"Hope to see you there" Victor added, and followed the other white tiger.

"Does it interest you?" The komodo abruptly asked as he took seat beside Héctor.

"Uh, what?"

"About that White Tiger Association. Do you plan to go to the afterschool meeting?" Again his tone was aloof, which made the tiger ask himself why he would ask if he didn't seem interested.

"Oh, not really" Héctor replied, growing a tad more used to the lizard.

"Huh, why not?"

"I'm not one for clubs, and the idea of a variety club doesn't make sense for me."

"They hold and gather power. It's better to build connections whenever you can, and make the best use of them, even if sometimes you have to use nasty means. To prostrate, to cheat, to beg, to deceive, to gain the favor of an influential family, that's how someone climbs up to high society."

"Huh" Héctor exhaled, dragging the word; the komodo's lecture on society had managed to annoy him. "I'm not really interested on such things." He pulled out from his bag his food.

"Sorry, I went too far" the lizard apologized, and that time his tone did change and told he meant it.

"Ah." That surprised the feline, who realized he was turning rude too hastily towards someone he barely knew. "No, it's alright."

Silently, they began to eat. The atmosphere had turned awkward again for the tiger. He wondered if he should try to talk about another topic or wait until they both had finished their breakfasts. Unexpectedly, a loud clatter shifted Héctor's focus, and also brought the attention of various fursons, the komodo included. Next, loud footsteps could be heard as someone rapidly ran towards in the tiger's direction. Héctor twisted his head to see whatever was going on, and froze when he saw the approaching furson; a wolf student of black pelt, with a white colored blur going down his chin and neck. He stopped beside the pair, the lizard ending at the middle.

"Héctor!?" Arcem exclaimed with hushed voice.

The wolf's expression told he couldn't completely believe what he was seeing; the tiger's was comparable, but also gave off a hint of fear. Shocked was an understatement for Héctor. He never thought of the chance of Arcem ever going to the same Academy, far from Garda; the wolf wasn't supposed to be there. The tiger subconsciously backed away slightly, his ears flat. The komodo didn't miss any of the feline's reactions and stood up, and directed to the wolf.

"May I ask who are you?" His tone was back to kind of aloof, but clearly firmer.

Arcem was taken aback by the scalie's actions and almost let go of a snarl. But he remembered his manners, and also the place he was, and fixed his posture, standing straight and solid, tail high up. Though he tried his best to hide it and be courteous, his face revealed his dislike for the lizard's intervention.

"Valen Arcem. First year, Iron Division. And you might be?"

"That doesn't concern you." That reply made Arcem grit his teeth.

"Fine! But I must ask you to step aside. There are some issues I must discuss with Héctor that aren't of your concern."

The komodo didn't comply, and just stared sternly at the eyes of the wolf, who defied the gesture equally. Each one had already started to dislike the other.

"What are you doing here?" Héctor asked abruptly, shakily.

At once, Arcem's attention shifted to the tiger, and erased any thought of the komodo. He put a mildly outraged face.

"That's what I should be asking you!" He said louder than intended, which made him flinch himself. "No" his expression turned remorseful, "that's not right. Sorry. It was actually all my fault. Sorry."

The tiger turned curiously to see the wolf, thought he was still visibly uneasy. Héctor thought that he had never heard Arcem apologize that way, that honestly.

"I should say, here doesn't seem the best place for this. Classes will start soon. You should save it for later." The komodo intruded.

That time Arcem didn't hold back a growl, but promptly calmed and gave up. He composed himself and spoke towards Héctor in formal voice.

"I do want to speak with you, but... he's right. I must handle this properly. I would like to do it soon, but right now there's something I cannot leave unattended. If it's alright with you, we can talk calmly after the Placement Test. I think this should also give you time to collect your thoughts. What do you say?"

Héctor turned towards his lunchbox on the table and considered it. He didn't know how long that would be, but any more time he was grateful for it. He simply nodded his agreement, disinclined to speak at that moment. Arcem bowed his farewell to both fursons and retreated. He walked regally again, ignoring the curiosity of the others at the Hall. Once outside he took direction to the Main Building.

"He..." he spoke quietly to himself, with an unreadable expression "he's here."