FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

So at the request of a friend and a desire to get back into this community i give you the next part in the re:boot of New Beginnings. old readers will remember this iconic scene and hopefully note a few changes. how did you guys even put up with my old writing style!? im so sorry T.T hahah without further ado here it is. A journal will be on the way soon ish im guessing. just fyi

Chapter 6

Ricky stood before the little wolf puppies door, the cub punching a code into the panel on the wall, the numbers completely foreign to Ricky. The Varius had adapted Man's languages, but not their numbers, thankfully the Varius' also possessed a number system that worked in ten's.

"Max, are you sure it's okay for me to be over? You said your mom wasn't home." Ricky asked again, curious and anxious. First impressions always seemed so tricky.

"My name ith Maxie, Ricky," the cub said, sounding offended and turning to face his new friend, "And my daddy and brother are home so it thood be okay. Thith one time I had Dext and Viola and Polo over and Daddy said it wath okay. We played th'ith game and Daxt broked the lamp and mommy wa'th angry and so wa'th daddy, but they th'till let him over." he paused a moment and looked back up, his voice a little sterner "ju'thd don't break the lamp okay?" the little wolf droned, going back to the keypad.

Ricky managed a weak laugh, "I promise." Like earlier with Pence's home, Ricky felt weird about entering Maxie's. Even the second time it felt like entering a cave or a predators space, even thought it was an invitation from the adorable little cub, it felt different. Sadly Ricky realized he hadn't exactly had many other friends invite him into their homes, so it could always feel this way. Damn social awkwardness was going to make him second guess every feeling he had.

Ricky did feel a bit uncomfortable leaving the big group. As odd as it was he had found a sort of piece there. His outburst to Pence still had him feeling ashamed but what was done was done and Pence seemed more than happy to forget it all just as quickly. Healthy male suppression...seemed that existed elsewhere in the universe as well. Perfect.

The door slid open and Maxie once more grabbed Ricky's hand with his little paws and pulled him in. "Daddy I'm home! And I brought a new friend! Is that okay!?" He shouted. Ricky was being dragged towards one of the bedrooms. Ricky was plunged into it all so suddenly he almost chided Maxie for shouting so loud in his own home. Afraid to walk some ferocious parently fur.

Maxie's home was bigger than Ricky's or Pence's. There was the living-room to the left like before, but it was more circular and appeared to have other bedrooms off of it. The kitchen was not up stairs but instead straight ahead, a dining table included like Pence's room. There were still stairs, but Ricky wasn't sure where they went.

Ricky heard loud rock music being played in one of the rooms. Maxie dragged him towards a different one though. "My brother is always being loud!" Maxie stated even louder than the music, knocking on the quiet door. "Daddy!?"

"Come in Maxie!" A voice sounded, the wolf puppies tail wagging a bit as he opened the door and ran in, returning a moment later to take Ricky's hand again and pull him after. "Come on Ricky! Daddy, thith ith Ricky."

Ricky wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but this wasn't it. Behind the door was your average room for a married couple. It wasn't flashy or poster covered, it was plain. Simple and classy. A solid coloured Queen sized bed, pictures on the nightstand of who Ricky assumed was family and their kids, but on the bed instead of a wolf, sat a large black and brown dog with rounded ears. The colouration made Ricky think Rottweiler, but he was no expert on dogs in the least and did not want to offend anyone with breed stigmas.

Maxie's father sat at the end of his bed in a wife beater and Army issue pants, the green cargo one down to his foot paw, 'U.S. ARMY' spelled up the one leg in large black lettering, their insignia after it. The pants were not exactly meant for real mission but this man clearly was. Ricky would have assumed, even before his knowledge of being on a military ship, that this guy was combat ready. He filled out the wife beater and then some, clearly a lot of blood sweat and tears went into his body.

Now it wasn't his species or build that originally threw Ricky off, it was the right side of the dog's body. Displayed for all to see with the wife beater, the Dog had a robotic arm. The slick sturdy metal shined duly in the rooms light, not hard to look at but hard to miss. The contraption started at and included his shoulder. The metal, most likely not found on earth, was not even the arm of a robot you may expect. Unlike a robot in old movies where it hid wires beneath a shield of sorts, the wires on Maxie's dads arm could not be seen at all, and there appeared to be a metallic membrane on the outside that seamlessly covered the inner mechanisms in the material that flexed as he did. Maxie bounded up to his father, the larger dog pulling him in for a hug as he sat at the end of the bed, a smile on both canine faces, and an in-awe stare on Ricky's.

The joints of the arm moved and flexed as easily, fluidly and silently as flesh as the father and son embraced, the inner mechanisms pressed against the membrane with each motion like normal muscles beneath the skin. "Who is this?" The larger asked, his questioning look, although gentle, still snapped Ricky from his stare, he hoped long enough to save some dignity.

"Thi'th is my friend Ricky daddy!" Maxie said, tail wagging and he tromped back over to the human, "We were gunna play th'ome more here, so I just wanted to th'ow you he was here."

His dad smiled, standing and holding out a metallic paw with a smile, "Macy Tequin-Hainse," he stated in a deep, strong voice that reeked of confidence and power, but in a gentle way. Like a floodgate on a raging river, only terrifying if you looked too much into it.

Ricky swallowed, looking at the paw a moment with curiosity that he knew he should save for later, but couldn't help. After a moment he put his hand in the metallic grip, the metal smooth and warm, but definitely not fur or flesh.

"Ricky Pace. It's good to meet you sir," he said quietly, proud to say he kept the rotties strong eyes in sight, trying to seem confident or at least not like a dope.

Macy laughed a bit, "You've never seen a Varius prosthetic have you Ricky?" he asked, flexing his arm for the boy. "Grade A stuff, I'm so glad that our tech is so advanced, all these parts let me move this baby like it's my old one, hell, it even tells me when I'm touching something. I can't feel if it's soft or hard or whatever anymore, but hell, pretty neat stuff."

"Daddy!" Maxie interupted "Mommy doesn't like it when you th'wear!"

The dog smiled, crouching low to his son and holding a finger up to his lips, "It'll be our little secret, okay Maxie? You go along and play now you two, mom won't be home for a while but don't go ruining your appetites with junk."

"We won't daddy, come on Ricky, I'll show you my room!" The puppy shouted excitedly, leading the way.

Before Ricky could leave Macy caught him by the shoulder, turning him around, "Be careful with him. I'm not one to judge people until I know them, but hurt my son and I hurt you," he finished with a playful grin, knowing he was intimidating and milking it for all it was worth.

"Yes sir." Ricky responded, the color leaving his face.

The man laughed and patted his shoulder "He's a good kid. Hospitable to the extreme but being neighborly isn't the worst thing a pup could be. Glad to have you in our home Ricky." he concluded, giving another pat and guiding him out to the excited wolf in the family room.

---

It took a lot of restraint to walk out of the lounge for the lion, his instincts were telling him to run, his heart was beating fast, his mind imagining a wide variety of possibilities, and the ones that were sticking were the ones that had a bad ending.

He imagined every crazy thought from bullies as rare as they were, to fetishists and their obsessive and dominate personalities. Although species-ism was rare, the new 'pinkie' fetish had happened so quickly and scandalously that even though it was equally rare, it still managed a dominate place in his mind. It was one of those things you didn't know about another Varius by scent.

Pence was concerned for a variety of reasons, at least reasons he tried desperately to rationalize for himself. Any good friend wouldn't want their friends molested, kidnapped, bullied, or picked on, especially when that friend happened to be a bit unstable at the moment, ignorant to Varius culture, and unable to defend himself against most. Not even just unwilling, but UNABLE. Even if Ricky wanted too, even being a bigger human, he wouldn't stand a chance if any of the larger Varius wanted to do anything physical. The very thought made him sick to his stomach.

"Pence," Calper called, the sound of hooves beginning on the metallic floors behind the lion, "Pence, what are you doing?"

The question bugged Pence for two reasons, the main one being that he could not really answer without sounding like he had feelings for the boy, and secondly because Calper was being either stupid, nosey or sarcastic because he thought he knew something. "I'm going to look for Ricky," the lion said in a level voice, trying to remain calm. "It's not like I have anything better to do, I've already watched Toy Story."

A hooved hand grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop, making him rip his arm from the grip, but stop all the same with a sigh, "What?"

Calper looked up at him with an expression that asked 'is that seriously your best excuse', arms folded across his chest. "If you don't say it I will." The pig threatened.

The lion blinked off confusion and shifted to defensive. He took a step closer, asserting his height and bulk to intimidate, "Say what exactly Calper?" he asked. "Enlighten me to what it is that is on MY mind, I'm sure you know better than me."

"I know I know better than you," the pig challenged, not the least bit afraid when Pence's eyes weren't feral. "I just hope you acknowledge it instead of suppress it."

"I don't love him that way Calper!" Pence boomed, turning around to walk away.

"I didn't say love."

"You've been implying it," the lion groaned aloud, turning on his heels to re-assert his physical presence in his argument. His paws were motioning and pointing. "Calper, I know I go over the top and all, but seriously, you know better than me who my friends are...specifically the number." The lion said weakly, looking down at the floor now. "He adds one to that group, okay? He's just scared so I care."

The pig smiled in an understanding and almost endearing way, "Your motherly instincts never fail to surprise, but this charity case will look bad if you don't pay attention. When you aren't an actual mother with a guy HIS age, it looks like a crush or brotherly thing." The pig put a hand on his friends shoulder, "I can help, but you have to make it look like the latter if that's what's going on."

Pence refused to grin, but nodded, "Okay...thanks," he managed, his mind half focusing.

Calper revealed a weak smile, taking a seat on the floor, back to the wall, patting the spot beside him. As Pence sat, he went on, "It's a big social game Pence. Every move has to be carefully planned and executed if you want to win. One false move could spell the end for the player, and you have made a few moves without planning, so I guess I'll have to dig you out." He punched the lion's shoulder. "The things I do for you. Go find your man, I'll plan for your next 'move'."

"He's not my man!" Pence growled, not standing up, but grinning a bit, knowing the pig was messing with him.

"Prove it!" Calper shot back, re-entering the lounge, "Find him and contain your inner homo."

"Shut up," Pence said more quietly, standing up to continue walking.

"Fine, inner bestest friend," Calper mocked one last time, before waving goodbye.

"I'm gunna kill that pig one day..." The lion said under his breath, beginning the search for Ricky, his thoughts once more focused on that goal like a laser. There were only so many places Ricky could have gone on purpose, but if he got lost this would be much more difficult. For a moment he wondered why he was so offended by the idea that he could like Ricky. Gay relationships were not exactly ever seen as a bad thing where he came from. It had just caught him off guard, never seemed like an option, but one that might involve a lot of re-thinking and change and that scared him. Especially with his current social standing and the idea of the pickie fetishist stigma.

He shook his head. _That_was the last thing he needed.

****

As said before, Ricky was never really a fan of little kids, they were loud, obnoxious and for some reason always thought they were right, even though they managed to ask questions at world record speeds. Maxie was no different, but for some reason Ricky didn't mind as much. The cubs room was a medium size with much more personality than his parents, adorned with posters of both humans and Varius, toys and boxes of games as well as a few bits of technology that were completely unknown to Ricky. One metallic box no bigger than Ricky's fist was a projector putting T.V. on the wall with a crisper image than most T.V's on earth; the room had a settings button adjusting the light and temperature. Additionally Maxie, as a kid, had his own secret stash of assorted treats and snacks, all of which aside from the glorious bar of chocolate Maxie called dibs on, were unknown to Ricky, so he was a bit reluctant to try any.

"And what exactly are Tyro's again?" Ricky asked, looking at the single serving bag of snacks offered to him. It was just like on earth, but instead of plastic the material was more papery, but they opened just the same. The wolf puppy downing a handful of the strange round and blue snacks.

"Juth eat some and find out Ricky! Ith not gunna hurt you, its'th juth....it's a dried up...umm..." Maxie struggled to find the human words to describe it between bits "It's'th like a tato chip but not th'o thin."

"Salty?" Ricky asked, picking one up and giving it a good once over. It was a dark blue, round and flat, but not crispy like a chip in his hand, but after a sniff for good measure he popped the snack in his mouth and took a slow bite. The blue snacks were an almost uncanny twin to dried apricots. They were chewy but sweet in that apricot kind of way that was sweet, a bazaar kind of it. Regardless of the words he would use to describe them, they were delicious.

"I told you'th," Maxie said with a grin; the little kid cockiness returning. "You just ha'th to give things a try...My mommy alwa'ths says, 'You won't know unless you try Maxie.'" he went on, opening another baggie of something yellow.

They continued just playing around Maxie's room, which quite simply bored Ricky, but at the same time, he was comfy and it wasn't ALL bad. They played an assortment of card games, with stuffed toys of course, and then went back to the living room to watch some Varius vids on the holoscreen. Once again the two snuggled up on the couch, Maxie just resting in his lap as they watched a skunk cub get bullied, fight the bullies, and eventually make friends with the bully. Ricky had to laugh that it really didn't matter where you were, the ideals of 'make love not war' were prominent in a kids education even on a military ship.

Eventually the film ended, and with the credits having rolled in the beginning the main menu popped up "Maxie? Want to watch another?" Ricky asked, his eyes feeling a bit heavy having sat still for a little over an hour. The puppy didn't respond logically, settling for incoherent mumbles. It was only then that Ricky realized he had been asleep on his lap. "Maxie?" Ricky asked again, rubbing his hand over the pups head trying to stir him, "Maxie, come on little buddy get up."

It was kinda cute how the wolf had just collapsed; he sat there like a dog curled up, tail down and ears occasionally flicking from some disturbance. Ricky couldn't help but begin to pet the Varius, instinct taking over, Maxie moving to a comfier position and revealing a toothy grin of affection and pleasure in his unconscious state. Back on earth this was considered therapeutic, dog therapy, and honestly no matter how much Ricky might deny it, it was calming and put him at ease, he even afforded a smile.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" a voice boomed, making Ricky shake and look for the source, his tranquility instantly lost. The voice was strong and rough and perfectly fit its owner. The dog was a Rottweiler mix again, most likely the previously unseen brother, the open door behind him confirming it. He wore a plain red tee-shirt and some shorts, his muscular arms and legs were intimidating to say the least, his bared fangs already doing that job. He looked like a younger version of his father, and for a moment Ricky wondered if saying all of one breed looked alike was as racist as saying it on Earth. But terror snapped him back to the moment.

"You stupid or something?" thebrother boomed, starting to walk over, making Ricky's eyes widen even more, his heart in his throat and his voice not responding to his commands. Ricky felt his body shake. "I'll ask you one more time what you were doing asshole! Who the hell are you anyway?" his eyes were furious, a deep bright blue that made it impossible to look away from their depth.

"I..." Ricky stammered, trying hard to force some form of sounds from his throat, something intelligent or at least a noise. Somehow it felt that the words themselves were a kind of deterrent, if he could just get them to work the fangs would go away and they could talk it out. He prayed desperatly that was the solution.

This is why he was afraid, they were still animals. These 'civilized' Varius were still animalistic and dangerous somewhere inside, this one's eyes proved it. His hands went up to somehow protect himself, even if it was a useless action, it felt natural to put a wall between him and the crazed animal.

"Yeah? What? Cat got your tongue? Spit it out, and get away from him!" The dog grabbed Ricky by the collar and yanked him to the floor, proving Ricky's arms did nothing. The attacker putting his muzzle right up against his face, his dog break rolling past his sharp teeth in hot puffs. "Get a kick outta feeling up pups in their sleep kid? Huh!"

Ricky was absolutely paralyzed, this psycho dog thought he was a pedo; he honest to god thought he was...SHIT!!

"Shit man!" Ricky burst, spittle coming out with it, not exactly sounding innocent with all the fear. "It-It's not what it looks like I swear to god!" he cried in the dog's face, his hands trying to force the paws from shirt, but they didn't budge despite his efforts. This only made Ricky more afraid, he could do nothing to stop what was to come, the fact was, he was levels below the Varius in strength, and no panic attack would change that. No adrenaline rush would make a fight fair.

The dog froze, still eyeing him suspiciously, anger still in his voice. "Explain EXACTLY what it was then bud. EVERY damn detail what you thought that was."

"Miki!" Maxie shouted, finally coming too and taking in the scene from the couch and grabbing at the bigger canines paws, "Let him go Miki! It's okay he'th my friend!" The pup screeched.

Miki looked over at the little wolf, but didn't let go, "He was touching you in your sleep Maxie." He said quietly. "That's sick!" He said louder, turning back to Ricky, all the previous willingness to wait seemed to vanish with Maxie's words.

Maxie sighed, lifting the bigger dog's shirt and vigorously stroking his belly, "I thought you were the th'mart one! He'th just used'th to it and it feel'th pretty good and you know it!"

The bigger dog's hands loosened for a second in brief pleasure. "Stop it Maxie I get it okay, it doesn't change the fact he was still creeping on you in your sleep!" He persisted. "That may be okay with feral mutts on earth, but here that's a sign of affection you sick fuck. Do you LOVE cubs that way? Huh?!"

Maxie gasped, "I'm telling! You said a bad word!"

"Shut up! I'm trying to help you not get molested!"

'Shit!' Ricky thought on the verge of tears, his arms still failing completely to break the rotties strong grip. How was he supposed to know?! It seemed second nature...like to pet a dog, he was just there! He wasn't a creep! He was still gripping Miki's paws with all his might, pushing away from himself. He could feel the involuntary tears and snot of his mind numbing panic. "Please I'm sorry I didn't know!" Ricky managed, "Please it won't happen again." Ricky shouted, kicking at Miki's chest, doing his best to keep Maxie out of his wild strikes... THAT was the last thing he needed.

The idea of all of this happeneing and then Kicking Miki was almost too much. His stomach dropped. What would this psycho do if he _abused_his brother like that?! He was nauseous.

"What part of feeling the shirtless child in his sleep sounded like it was okay?!" He demanded, "You were literally with a shirtless child stroking his belly and chest while he slept. How old are you?" he demanded, making it seem strange even by Earth standards. "This pup is nine dude. Nine, like what gives?"

"Stop it Miki!" Maxie shouted, "Stop it stop it stop it!"

The bedrooms behind them opened, the father walking out "HEY!" he boomed, making them all jump. The room had been loud, but his voice cut through it as easy as a child screaming in a church "What's goin' on!? Miki! What the hell are you doing to Maxie's friend!?"

The smaller rott turned to his father, ears lowered, tail docked, but eventually regained his composure. "This guy here was stroking Maxie while he slept like he was a filthy mutt!" The dog explained, his voice lowered to a respectful level when he spoke to the bigger Rott... Ricky thought he almost sounded guilty... he didn't even look his dad in the eyes as he spoke.

"Jesus Christ," Mr. T-H said, his fingers pinching his temple, "It's called petting on earth Miki, are you retarded? Use your head a little." he said in a strained voice, talking down to his son. "I get where you're coming from, but this shit will NOT happen again Mikelan... do you understand me? Cultures mixing will be hard to overcome, but that's basic for a human okay?" He turned to Ricky, there was unfiltered pity in his eyes. "Let him up Miki, you didn't mean anything by it right?"

"No sir," Ricky whimpered, he could feel his eyes pooling over and the tears streaming now. His face felt beet red.

"Good."

"Would he have said yes?" Miki pushed, getting a death glare from his dad and shutting up instantly, paws loosening their grip. Ricky for some reason felt it necessary to feel his neck even though the grip had not been choking.

Then his instincts kicked in and he ran. Booked it straight for the door that refused his exit. He was blind to the conversation he had left, blind to the puppy that tried to make him feel at home; had succeeded for a while even. He wanted out and the door would not slide open. Ricky's hands fumbled for the key pad he could not locate. He felt a hand on his shoulder, a sturdy metal one that weighed heavily. With all of his focus on leaving he didn't see it coming and fell to his knees in shock of its presence.

He tried desperately to control his breathing. To calm down and not scream offensive things he would regret especially with no way out and _especially_in light of that pitying look. Ricky had hated it. Like he was lesser and the man needed to hold his hand.

"Just sit down here for a moment Ricky. Please." Macy asked. The floodgates back in place. "I want to give you the oportunity to calm down and have a talk with you three."

"Why me?!" Maxie cried out. He went ignored as Ricky found his legs and, seeing no other real options found his way to the couchs were the three Varius sat.

"Okay, I get that we are both different races you two, but I ask you BOTH," he emphasized, "To try and understand the others taboos and normalcies." Ricky nodded a little, Miki huffed, but nodded also, both a bit afraid to speak and cut off the commanding Rott. "Now in light of some of our traditions Ricky I ask that you and Miki kiss and make up," Macy continued, arms folded.

Ricky looked up at the smaller, but momentarily more ferocious looking rott, "I-I'm sorry," he managed. He understood what was wrong now that it was mentally scarred into his mind. He didn't realize all of the courtesies and customs he would have to be made aware of when coming into a new culture.

"Words mean nothing human." Miki spat, getting a throaty growl from his father. Miki sat up and changed his tone. "In human terms he literally wants us to touch noses. It's a sign that you hope the other bares no grudges and doesn't bite you in the face," he said with a small smirk.

For the life of him Ricky could not tell if Miki was joking, he looked over at the others with what he hoped was a questioning look but was most likely a fearful one. They just nodded in confirmation. The human did not trust the dog, he was terrified. "On earth, touching noses is affectionate..." Ricky managed weakly.

"At The Heart what you did was filthy," Miki pointed out, but to Ricky's surprise it was less intense and a bit more understanding, "I guess times are changing for both of us." Miki sighed, his ferocity leaving, his eyes calming down. Then he closed his eyes and extended his snout to Ricky, "put your nose to mine, eyes closed and whatever..."

Ricky froze up, culture shock was a bitch. His gaze moved around the room, his eyes wide, he REALLY didn't want to Eskimo kiss/apologise to this dog, but, he resigned to what Miki and his dad had said, times were changing... Hesitantly he moved his face closer to the canines finally touching noses and squeezing his eyes closed with a heavy swallow.

IT was a strange but familiar sensation. Like dogs on earth the Varius' snouts were wet and warm, their breath thick and constant. Miki's whiskers tickled Ricky's face, but he tried desperately to think of other things, he was face to face with a GUY for one; and an ALIEN VARIUS for another.

"Guess I'll go first," Miki started, the motion of his maw nearly gave Ricky a heart attack. "I'm sorry I attacked you like that. I really hope there are no hard feelings...it was just what you were doing seemed so...off." was the word he decided on. A good change from 'sick fuck'. "I hope we can at least try and be friends, you know, unless you're a total bitch all the time and a coward who cries at dang..."

"Miki," His dad warned.

"Yeah yeah, that. I'm sorry." His dog breath rolled up to Ricky's nose, he had always hated that smell, but the Varius brand of dog breath seemed a little less pungent, still not his favorite scent, but he wasn't gagging. What else shocked the human was the total shift in personality; this vicious attacker was now asking if they could somehow be friends? What the hell kinda shift was that from a choke hold to a kiss thingy apology to friends?

"Your turn," Miki noted after a moment.

"Oh...umm, apology accepted?" he offered, pulling his nose back and opening his eyes.

Miki glared at him, "No, now you apologize."

Ricky gave himself a mental face-palm; he probably looked like the most confused asshole in the world...universe, telling him he forgave without actually asking for forgiveness himself. He re-touched noses, "Umm, I'm sorry I..." 'What was he sorry for? The culture shock thing? Was that the apology they were looking for...' he thought. "I'm sorry I'm so ignorant of your peoples ways and stuff," Ricky managed, thanking God they did this eyes closed so the rotties eyes wouldn't making him start stuttering again. "I didn't mean to be rude or creepy or anything...It won't happen again."

"Yes it will," Miki said, pulling his snout away and wrinkling it a bit, "I mean apology accepted but I just have to get used to it I guess." He held out a paw and helped Ricky to his feet, then re-held out the paw, "Miki Tequin." He said with a weak grin. It took Ricky a moment to realize Miki was blushing a bit. Was that, embarrassment?! Ricky was defiantly shocked at the turn of temperaments.

"Umm, Ricky Pace," he stated unsurely, taking the paw awkwardly and shaking it, Miki immediately sniffing his paw afterwards.

"So now that we are all friends and stuff how but we all go and-" The eldest Canine started, but was interrupted by the door opening, and in walked a grey wolf adorned in uniform. To be honest, one more surprise in regards to the events in the last few minutes meant nothing, but he was still staring.

She was tall and grey with a white neck that stretched along her chest beneath the Varius army uniform. The uniform itself was a navy colour and consisted of a plain pair of pants and a vest that left her stomach exposed at the bottom, covering only her torso and bore an emblem on the shoulder that meant nothing to Ricky except maybe rank. The white chest patch ran under her belly button area...did Varius have belly buttons? Ricky shook off the dumb question.

"Why are we apologizing and making up?" she asked in a voice that was sweet but somehow carried an edge that demanded authority at the same time it was kind. A grin crossed her muzzle, and her paw went out to Ricky. "Utada Tequin-Hainse," she greeted. "And you must be the human boy everyone's talking about."

Ricky blushed a bit, she was beautiful even for a Varius, her curves and pose and her eyes...they all screamed beauty. "Umm...uhh, Ricky Pace...what exactly are people saying?" He managed, shaking her paw. Then more culture shock, she bent forward and licked his cheek, and if he wasn't beat red by now it was official.

Miki howled quietly when he saw how embarrassed Ricky was, making the human turn in response with angry embarrassment, his face flustered. He had never been so embarrassed, and for once he didn't go to the pity answer of he never had friends to be embarrassed around, even if it was true.

"Oh hush," she snapped at her son. "Friendly greeting Ricky, and don't worry, it's just all rumour since you got here. Now what," she continued, scooping up Maxie who had a delayed run at his mother to greet her for coming home, "Are we apologizing for?"

It was Miki's turn to blush, even if it didn't show, he still looked down in sudden disinterest in people and interest in the floor patterns, short tail doing its best to go between his legs, "Just a misunderstanding."

"Nothing too big dear, Ricky and Miki here just had their first bite of each other's traditions. It'll pass, innocent enough."

"Enough?" she questioned, lifting an eyebrow, "What happened Macy?"

"I'll tell you later dear," he grinned, kissing his mate, "Welcome home."

She scowled, setting down Maxie, but let it go, "Right, well, will you be staying for diner Ricky? Or do your parents want you home soon or what?"

Ricky snapped to attention, "My dad is in the cryo...whatever and-Oh god, what time is it?"

"Around...umm, human hours...6:30 pm? 18.30 hours? I think that's right," she added, her shoulders shrugging a bit. A sense of work ending and her mind wanting to relax crossed Rickys mind. It was so normal and...until recently he would have said 'human.'

"Uh oh," Ricky stated rather bluntly, walking towards the door. "I need to go, I uhh, I'm having dinner elsewhere tonight," he clarified.

"Oh okay dear... Another time perhaps?"

Ricky just nodded. "Uhh, sure, if you'll have me that is... I don't want to be a burden," he added shyly, his level of social skills pissing him off at the moment. Maxie ran over to activate the doors key-pad.

"Of course we will," Macy said with a grin.

"By Ricky!" Maxie shouted, getting a hug goodbye.

"See yah little budd," Ricky wasn't sure why he bothered saying it, but it felt right, "Ummm, do any of you know where..." Ricky realized he didn't know Pence's last name, "Oh man...some lions," he offered.

"I know where Pence lives!" Maxie shouted, putting a paw into the air, "Can I take him mommy!? Pleas'th!"

She looked at him with squinty eyes, "If you're not back in five minutes you're in trouble mister, I need your help with dinner."

"Got it mommy, okay Ricky le'th go!"

****

Pence moped around his house, the smell of food floating around; it should have been tantalizing, but his mind was elsewhere. He had search the halls for roughly an hour and a half eventually deciding not to look like a stalker and going home to wait, praying Ricky would be there for dinner. His mom had been pestering him about when his new friend was going to show up, and the answer 'I'm not sure mom,' was obviously getting on her last, 'punctuality is key' nerve.

Pence's adrenaline still hadn't totally cleared his system, so even sitting his foot was tapping, that on top of his not helping with diner made his parents think something was up and he knew it even if they didn't say it.

At long last a knock came to the door, Pence shot up and stumbled to the door, stopping just before it to catch his breath and not LOOK crazed and stressed.

"Hot date?" his dad teased, making Pence glare and remember to cool it. He finally opened the door and there stood the little human.

"And where did you go?" Pence demanded with a smile. 'Where did you go?' he reviewed in his own head, 'stupid, stupid, stupid!'

"I-I was at Maxie's home, sorry if I smell like dog," Ricky said, doing the one thing Pence was afraid of and seeming ashamed of leaving Pence's side and not telling him. He wanted to be an inviting friend not a parent!

"Uhh, relax dude, I'm just messing with you," Pence half lied, "Come on in, diners cooking." he waved an arm into his home.

Ricky smiled, entering the home again with the carefulness of a cave, and followed the friendly lion to the source of the smells.