FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

See journal for all the usual stuff~ Enjoy! this is the first chapter with any major edits. brownie point to anyone who spots the difference! using a copy of the last story is cheating :P honor system.

Chapter 3

As with most rumours, the one about the halo-screen Ps3 was false. Plenty of kids gathered in the lounge with high hopes, some having their own loved games to play, and all looking for some kid named Iggy. Apparently the lizard was the same from the rumour, but he himself CLAIMED to not have started it, but it was clear he loved the attention. Not to say that no one was trying to get the connection to work.

Pence would have laughed at the two foxes yammering back and forth about some official sounding cable and it not being HDMI or some shit, but he DID want the game to work, feeling the game case too 'Uncharted' in his large pocket.

"What do you mean it doesn't fit?" the larger grey haired fox said, his compatriot was under the halo-screen like a professional mechanic beneath a set of wheels.

"You never gave me a converter that works, this is some Stone Age shit man, I need a bigger model." The orange furred fox rang back in a calmer tone than his brother, never rolling out from beneath the large halo-screen.

"The only thing bigger than the TPV 12-13 is the original Tamorak model dude. Who would have that?" The larger rang in annoyance, looking up at the staring crowd around them, their eyes hungry with expectation. Video games didn't exist in The Heart, hell, a lot that humans had in the form of enjoyment and pleasure wasn't; chocolate, videogames, most music, the idea of YouTube and social networks, cooked and flavoured food as an art, theme parks, anything that wasn't in some way necessary, humans were just more creative and prone to happiness by item.

The grey fox scratched his neck, feeling the weight of a thousand eyes weighing down on him, "Anyone have an old Tamorak converter?" he asked sheepishly.

"Thought you had all the tools necessary," Pence teased with a little grin, reciting the foxes previous boasts over the lizard.

"Yeah!" A little otter girl said, taking it much more seriously than Pence had with her childish need of the incompatible devices. The fox blushed with embarrassment, trying to find words that wouldn't involve yelling at a little girl, making others giggle in their seats.

"Shut up!" he groaned, "None of you could do this, we just need the right part and we'd be able too! Could any of you do that?" Responses went out in quiet voices from the younger ones "Didn't think so."

The orange fox rolled out, a shy smile of reluctance on his face, "Sorry guys."

Pence left now, wanting to put the game back in his room if it wasn't in use, waiting for the chaos that was normally the lounge to resume behind him. The lounge was set in the general middle of the living quarters. The room itself was quiet large to hold the large number of kids that followed their families in the military.

That was how it worked with the Varius; Family was very important, very central. If a parent DIDN'T take their children with them on long non-combat based travels it was like getting a divorce in the twenties, taboo and unheard of, you whispered of its happenings. Even in the military, children stayed on bases in special areas that would keep them safe, sound, and entertained.

The lion hummed a tune from one of his new favourite songs, the band had some weird name that escaped him at the moment, but it would come to him. "Ladies and gentleman please..." he breathed the lyrics, "Would you bring your attention to me..."

"Saliva?" A quiet voice asked from behind him, making the lion turn. It was Ricky, the kid was dressed and standing, even if his eyes looked drained and sad. At least he wasn't going to be the coward. Pence knew he wasn't at heart, but he didn't expect such a swift turn around.

"Umm, yeah," the lion said, a grin growing on his face, "I love 'em, their fast and the beat is catchy. You okay now?"

Ricky slumped his shoulders with a sigh, "Better...thanks for that little wake up. I guess I have to do this, no point is being miserable as it happens."

Pence laughed a little, "That's the spirit," he joked thinking how he should go about any interaction with the currently fragile boy, what was that thing you did with animals on Earth? Pence held out a paw in front of Ricky's face.

The rust haired kid looked at it a bit funny, "What?" he asked, "Is this a Varius thing? I don't get it."

Pence blushed. Maybe he wasn't supposed to let him smell him first... "Ummm, I'm a bit confused on that too. I think it's like a way humans greet other species, like a dog or something." Pence looked up; holding is paws up in surrender, "N-not that you're a dog! I have just seen it done."

Ricky managed to laugh a bit. "No, I'm not a dog, and if I need to classify THAT, we greet feral animals that way. Equals greet each other with a handshake," he said, holding a hand out, "I'm Ricky."

The lion smiled happy the kid wasn't a total stiff at heart, "Pence," he said, taking the smaller hand and shaking it with a surprising amount of power, but an even more surprising amount of control. 'Taking' being the weakest word, Ricky's hand was engulfed in the furry mass. It felt more like slipping on a glove than an actual greeting.

"So what exactly are you doing?" Ricky asked, not exactly sure where to start the conversation with his new 'friend.' But honestly, friend or not, he wasn't exactly sure how to start a conversation with a Varius at all. Most of the Varius that attended school on Earth had either stuck to grouping with Varius, or had kept Ricky out of the conversations. Looking back on it, he really was untrusting of them the entire time he knew them regardless of the lack of cause.

The lion shrugged, "Heading to my room, then back to the lounge for some whatever. There are a bunch of others our age in there. Some are older, most are younger, but that's where we all meet normally." He grinned, "Are you going to join us? I'm sure most of the little ones will be plenty interested in you." He said as-a-matter-of-factly, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

Ricky nodded slowly, trying to suppress another panic attack at the thought of being surrounded by a bunch of little animal kids, well, little kids in general. If they were anything like human kids, Ricky would be annoyed. He had had only a few experiences with younger kids, and it wasn't exactly the best. The boy was sick and crawled everywhere, so if you wanted to find him, follow the smell of mess and vomit. Then there was the fact that Ricky always felt like he would step on or hurt the little rascals if he wasn't carful 24/7.

"Better than my plans," Ricky noted with a grin, trying his best to cheer up, "They're...umm..."

"What?" Pence asked, a bit more then curious at whatever it was, would be enough to make him skip past sad, and seem concerned or embarrassed. The lion gave Ricky a little friendly shove, "Spill it!"

Ricky blushed, "Don't take this the wrong way and think I'm a jerk, but I hate little kids, they freak me out," he said honestly, trying his best to loosen up and have a casual conversation, "I feel like I'm gunna squish them or something." Pence laughed, a good solid laugh this time, making Ricky stop walking and glare, "I'm serious! How old are they?" he asked, peeved that Pence was laughing at him, but comforted by the normality all the same.

"Not little enough to squish or squash, I'd say... nine or ten Earth years, yay high." He raised a paw to just above his own waist, "Just don't knee them in the face or something crazy, they are still kids, they cry. Loud."

"Good...actually uh...I'm kinda lost...do you have a map or something? Or know where I can get one?" Ricky asked looking around. He was following Pence for now, but honestly if he was asked to get back to his room...well he didn't even know the room number to tell someone, "All of these hallways look the same to me."

"Yeah I can get you one later, for now don't worry, just follow me. I know this place like the back of my paw." The lion chimed with a smile, walking off down the hall with a particular pep in his step.

After a few more twists and turns he then stopped at a door and slid it to the side, "Here we are," he said, motioning Ricky inside first.

The human child stood there, looking in like it was a nest or cave. Somehow with the Varius, a home seemed more like a den to be protected in Ricky's eyes, then a house to just enter, but the lion WAS inviting him in...

With slow careful steps he entered, eyes shifting all over the place, for what he wasn't sure, but he didn't find it. It looked the same as his own, granted this one had a bit more furniture and personality then Ricky's default abode.

"Home sweet home," the lion stated, pushing Ricky in further, "Relax, take a load off man." He teased, walking into one of the bedrooms, leaving him to stand there awkwardly out of place. The door shut with a quiet but solid click and the room seemed smaller. The boy just focused on deep breaths and partook in some nervous habits, his fingers rubbing together, eyes shifting and body bouncing with nervous energy,

"You back Pence?" a voice called from up some stairs, that in Ricky's room led to a kitchen, "Did Ricky say yes to dinner?"

It took Ricky a moment to recognize it as the lion from earlier that he fell over in his panic. Odd how in his panic he had been able to mentally capture a voice but couldn't even now recall what the lion was wearing or what he looked like aside from 'fluffy' or 'lion-like.'

Pence left his room, a smile on his face, he motioned Ricky over shouting, "Yeah, he'll be over at seven," directing his voice up the stairs. He turned back to Ricky, whispering "Okay, let's freak my dad out," and pulled Ricky into his room, and placing a long bag on his bed, unzipped it, swiftly but neatly emptying it of its innards, "Get in."

Ricky shot him an 'Are you crazy?' look, "What? Why?"

"You're gunna jump out and scare him! Just yell when he opens it okay?" he whispered, holding the bag open like it was a present and not a tomb, a mischievous grin on his face that was infectious and lovable on a Varius, his eyes bright with excitement.

Ricky just stared in a bit of shock. He was just a kid in a big body. Where the semi-serious and consoling feline disappeared too he had no clue.

Pence hoped he wasn't being too pushy; he didn't want to get too friendly with Ricky at risk of freaking him out again. He was naturally this way though, he always did things with over the top and crazy fun; his dad was the same, so they often played pranks on one another because mom was off limits. He just hoped Ricky would be a good sport. Honestly Pence hadn't received much human interaction, wanting to stick with known friends, and was avoided when he tried to make human ones.

Although the lion was crazy and extreme, Ricky kinda liked the idea, but every fibre of his being asked why the fuck he was going to just willingly enter a body bag. What part of that seemed smart?! 'No' he told himself, 'You need to chill out. They won't hurt you. Pence and the other were not hostile...it's just a prank...'

Regardless of self-assurances the boy just shook his head, "I really don't want to get in there... I don't want to freak out on you again." Which roughly translated to, "I swear to god If you put me in there I will freak the hell out!" But you know, details details.

"Don't worry about me." The lion tried to console, guiding Ricky into the bag with a steady hand, "I'm a big boy I'll be fine!" he replied, ignorant of the true trajectory of Ricky's last claim; ignorant of his companions discomfort and claustrophobic panic previously. Without a hint of real regret he zipped the bag over a frozen, submissive Ricky.

That's about when Ricky started to panic and at his first shot at freedom he shot from the bag, scaring Pence's dad...then broke some plates that fell off the table, slammed his head and cussed at the felines in a mad dash for the door.

Being good neighbours they did not allow him in public in such a state and the three were soon awkwardly sitting at the table once more. Pence tossed the last remnants of plate into the trash and Ricky shared awkward glances with Maze.

How had the prank gone wrong? It was so simple and innocent and...Remembering the warning Pence sighed. It's not like he shouldn't have seen it coming. With folded ears and a glum expression he joined the awkward lunch circle and started filling a glass of juice; eyes completely ignoring his companions.

"So you were from the Big Apple right?" The lion apparently named Maze asked, trying to break the silence, slathering some mustard on a piece of bread. He was quiet and shared the same embarrassed and unsure qualities of his son. The two had folded ears, scratched idly at their manes a lot and ran their tongues over their teeth. He had been very civil though and regardless of the broken china and scene just moments before had shaken hands with the trembling human, more aware of Earth customs than his son.

"Yeah I am, nowhere specific though, we moved around a lot." Ricky managed to get out, relieved his voice wasn't cracking. He tried to keep his voice level and his breathing calm.

"Well that couldn't have been fun in the friends department huh? You have any close friends? It was just you and your dad right?" He was trying to break the silence but glowered at himself, unable to do much then interrogate the poor human.

The boy sighed but managed a chuckle and a shake of his head, "Word spreads fast here huh?"

They both nodded, "Oh yeah, rumour is all we have around here!" Pence finally tossed in, putting a plate in front of Ricky. The other two shot him looks and Pence suddenly found his plate very fascinating.

"I guess, yeah it was just me and my dad. I didn't have many close friends," he said coolly, "Just a few people I hung out with now and then."

"That's a shame," the older lion said, very focused on the symmetrical-ity of his creation, his eyes and hands unsure to do in the tension. His hand motioned a thin layer of mayonnaise over his cheese with a surgeon's grace, "A kid needs solid friends to grow up right. You'll find a few crazies on board here but mostly you cubs are all good right?" He asked Pence playfully, "Definitely following all the rules and never getting into trouble?"

"Of course father," Pence mocked innocently, but immediately returning to his own sandwich with an internal sigh.

That was the rest of the banter. After the last little exchange communication sort of...ended. The atmosphere of the room became strange. Everyone wanted to say something, but no one really knew how to do it. It was like toddlers, unsure how to communicate and express wants and needs, but you know they're thinking SOMETHING. After that bit of awkward, Pence and Ricky left for the lounge, Ricky very thankful for the meal though still hesitant to speak up.

"Thank you again!" he had called quietly into the home just before he and Pence left. Getting a "You're welcome, stop back any time you hear? Doors always open for yah."

It was a simple gesture in theory, but it meant a lot to Ricky; if he could ever find the room again that was.

"Sorry my dad and I are so quiet," Pence apologized as they walked, the true aim of his apology clear, "Normally some communication happens, trust me, I guess neither of us really..."

"...Knew how to start," Ricky finished. "I felt the same, but at least you and your dad normally talk," he paused, "How about your mom?" He asked timidly.

"She's great," the lion said with a smile, "Strict and bossy, and don't even get me started on her OCD for punctuality, but it all shakes out." He finished, looking down at Ricky who once again achieved a gloomy aura. 'Crap, did he bring up his OWN sore topic?' Pence thought, "What about yours?" he asked to get it out in the open; it was risky, but important for future knowledge.

The gap between question and answer indicated the sore topic, and the sigh that escaped the boy with no attempt at hiding it was a second indicator. "She left," Ricky said quietly, feeling at the necklace beneath his shirt, "Dad said she was like smoke, at the first shot she would be gone. Last I heard she was like ten states away and counting."

Pence could hear the hollowness the story gave off. There was no doubt in his mind it was true, because there was no way a fake story could generate such emptiness, no, that kind of emptiness could only be cause by a true suppression of emotion.

Human ways were strange to most Varius though. Such a separation of family would only be caused by death, such abandonment and ill harboured feelings for each other was pretty rare. "Do you miss her?" He probed, knowing immediately he had overstepped his bounds, but curious all the same how deep the wounds went.

"Sometimes, but... Look I just don't want you to think I'm this depressing lump all the time." He clarified. "I do miss her, but only now and then when there is like, a mother son dance; or a question for a mom and not a dad. I'm not usually a peppy charismatic cheer leader or anything, but I'm usually not so... sad."

At least he was thinking rationally, and thankfully the word 'mother' wouldn't put him in tears. "Don't worry about it, it's been a hell of a day." The lion understated, "And here's the lounge." Pence pointed to the door emanating noise in order to change the subject. Ricky stopped just before the door, an unsure look on his face, "Don't worry, its fine." Pence said, grabbing his arm and giving a little pull. "Don't worry. They won't bite no matter what their counterparts on Earth do, okay?"

Ricky shook his head, "I don't think I can do this. I just I... I can't..." He didn't shout it. It was a very calm and sure statement.

"We're just like people. Try to think of it as looking at people of a different race okay? They are different that you, but that's fine. You're not racist right? Cause this only works if you aren't racist."

"No I'm not," Ricky stated, any joking gone, he was truly petrified, "This is different; this is very, very different Pence."

"Come on," Pence urged, "This is necessary, you might be able to avoid us on the ship, but you stand a snowballs chance in hell of avoiding us at 'The Heart,' for four years Ricky."

Ricky wasn't listening though, he heard the multitude of voices echoing around him, the countless voices, meshing together, feeling like additions to gravity. Fear immobilized his legs making them feel like lead, and keeping his eyes trained on the doorway just five feet ahead. Laughter, yelling, screaming... This was okay right? He didn't like these crowds on Earth. Why would he like them here? He didn't NEED to go in, he wouldn't enjoy himself anyway... He rationalized.

The lion noticed the daze, waving a paw in front of the rust haired kid's eyes, "Ricky? You okay?"

Ricky snapped out of it, looking up at the lion. 'Shit' he thought to himself, 'Please not another panic attack...' He felt his symptoms re-awaken, his palms sweating and his heart pounding, the feeling of claustrophobia in the large space. He didn't see the concern in Pence's eyes, he saw the feline pupils, nor did he see the words form, he saw the fangs and the fur. He saw the animal, he FELT the animal. It was grabbing him...

"Let go!" Ricky shouted, pulling at his hand, vaguely remembering the beasts name in the midst of panic, "Pence LET GO! I-I can't do this!" But his hand got no freer with his struggles.

"Ricky, Ricky, Ricky! Calm down man! You can do this." The lion spoke, trying to sound re-assuring, but not exactly knowing how to react to a panicking human, "Dude come on, I'm here, there's no reason to freak out, they won't hurt you!"

"You're one of THEM!" Ricky shouted, feeling no guilt, and still only seeing the beast and not the hurt in Pence's eyes, "Let GO! I don't want to!"

Fortunately Pence knew Ricky wasn't in the right state of mind, but still, the fact that on some, even a panicked, level, Ricky couldn't see past the fur, "Okay, now you're being ridiculous, come here," the lion said, hoisting the human up on his shoulders and carrying him down the hall away from the lounge.

The human's struggles made the trip more of a hassle, but were never too much for the lion; who was more than one hundred pounds heavier than Ricky's 160 at 270. They reached Ricky's room, Pence knowing he just had to take a chill pill and relax until dinner.

He put Ricky down on his bed and took a back step to the door to avoid any punches that fortunately didn't fly. "I'll be back to get you at 6:30 okay? You know where I'll be until then."

Ricky stared wide eyed at the lion, a fear fed frustration in his eyes mixed with a sad understanding of his actions. On some level he was ashamed; embarrassed, "Get out!!"

"With pleasure," Pence breathed as he left. What had he gotten himself into?