New Kids on the Block
Omen Breaker New Kids on the Block by Assilsasta & VerbmyNoun¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸September 9, 2013¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸A New Start¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ Vic stepped out of the bunk room into the lounge at the back of the bus. The new tour bus was not any roomier, but the floor plan made better use of the space. With the twelve adjustable bunks they could sleep four more furs if they needed to, but they opted for more personal space, the twins even sharing one bunk and using the wall for posters. The front of the bus was set with two booths with tables as opposed to the one booth they had before. The galley area was smaller, but it left them a bigger restroom and shower, along with a good-sized bench coach and more comfortable seating than they had before. The back of the bus where they were now gathered was once used to house most of their instruments and stage props, along with their clothing and outfits. The space now housed a large T.V., closets and two large benches on either side to provide a nice getaway from the rest of the bus. Vic straightened the school uniform jacket as shi glanced around the small room of hir band mates. Ebony lounged in one corner against Ivory. The sisters were closer than any of the others on many levels. Jabyses sat on the same bench across from the pair, filing hir claws. On the other side of the small room Tessa sat at one side of the bench, scanning the want ads, while Rodrick sat at the other end flipping through the channels of the new satellite service that the record label included with the new bus. All but the corgi girl were dressed in their new school uniforms. "So," the fennec hybrid said to get their attention, "How fucking bad does it look?" Shi wore the Chimera Prep female uniform skirt because the extra fur tufts on hir calves prevented hir from wearing the pants properly. Hir top was a mix of the male shirt and tie with the female sport coat. Hir black fur with neon pink and yellow accents, and neon yellow streaked hair clashed with the red and white plaid skirt. Shi scrunched hir face as shi heard the snicker from the twins. "Did you try on the pants? I think they would go better." "Yes, I tried on the pants I can't get them past my calves. I'll need to see if they have shorts or some shit." Rodrick looked over at hir and said, "You know you'll have an easier time if you pick a male or female get up and not mix and match." "And maybe they should take it into consideration that Herms are furs also and have an option better fitted to us." "The male uniform is unisex," he replied. "Why do we have to go to a private school anyway?" Jabyses asked. "It's not like we're going to fit in no matter what we do." Vic dropped into the seat next to the white feline girl. "Because they want to have as much control over what is seen and heard about us in the public as they can. And they can pay the private school to keep things quiet if they would look bad for PR. We all know why we're here, we sold out, and now we have to live with some of the things that are not our choice anymore, and going to this school is one of them. I looked it up, the Headmistress is an advocate for third gender rights and has a good anti-bullying stance as far as the press goes. So it's a good place to hide me, I guess." "How the hell are they going to hide Nadraka the Dragon anywhere?" the dark brown puppy girl said with a smile. "You're a black and neon horned vixen with an attitude." Tessa stood up as she said, "Doesn't really matter does it? You guys need to head out to school before you're late. And I need to get out on the hunt for a job." "Why are you looking for work again?" Ivory asked the corgi. "We blew your advance on the new bus, a new keyboard for me, and new drums for Vic, and then all-new equipment for you two. We still need to eat, so one of us needs to pull in a few dollars." "We can always pull a show at one of the clubs or something," the twins said in unison. Tessa shook her head as she replied, "We don't have time for that with school for you guys and the recording we still have to finish for the album. Besides, if I read the contract right we can be penalized for anything not set up by the label. So, I'll get some crap job so I have something to do while you guys are in class and have a little more cash for stuff until the record sales start to kick in." "Well, let's hit the road and get this over with," Jabyses said as she stood and grabbed her blazer off the back of the seat. "You sure you don't want to take the car, Tessa? You can drop us off you know." "I'm good, I need to get out for a walk anyway," the corgi woman said. "You guys take it and try to keep Vic out of trouble." The group laughed as Tessa smiled and went back to looking over the want ads. ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸Outsiders¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ The group of teens looked around the parking lot at the new sports cars and SUVs that filled the spaces. As Jabyses pulled the faded blue VW bug into the parking space she looked through the car at the other four teens as she said, "We ready for this? First time walking into a school in two years." "Lets just get this over with," Victoria said as shi pushed the car door open. "You know as well as I do we don't belong in a place like this. It's just a matter of time before they kick us out." "Come on, Vic," the twins said in unison, "We our parents were going to send us here before we left." "And your parents are rich," the fennec hybrid said hotly, "The rest of us are just poor trash that happened to make a name for ourselves." As the group started to walk toward the oversized gothic building Jabyses looked at the paper in her paw as said, "Now we are supposed to go to the office to meet a Miss Hutchinson to take some placement and aptitude tests before they make our schedules." "Great," Victoria replied as shi adjusted the skirt around hir bulge, "They want to see just, how stupid we are before they subject the rest of the rich kids to our poorness." "Come on, it's not like anyone here knows who we are or where we come from," Ebony said, leaning against the black furred hermaphrodite. "For all they know we are the children of foreign dignitaries. All we have to do is act the part and they will never know the difference." "Okay guys. We're not here to put on a show or make waves," The white feline said pushing the younger dog girl off Victoria. "Let's just get through the day so we can get back to the studio tonight. We still have to record another set."
"All right," the Appaloosa mare said as she passed out a workbook to each of them, "These here are just some placement tests, just to see where we should place you all. You'll be tested in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Computer Literacy. You'll have three hours to complete the packets, and then a lunch break. Afterwards, I'll escort you all around the campus for a brief tour, showing you where everything is and answering any questions you might have while your packets are being graded and your schedules prepared. Before you begin, do any of you have any questions or concerns?" Ebony, the dark furred of the twin canine sisters, raised her paw and asked, "What's for lunch?" Causing the rest of the group to stifle chuckles. "Not what you're hoping for, I'm sure," her sister replied. "Can we just get this over with," Victoria retorted as shi started tapping out a beat with her paws and pencil. "I just want to get out of this office." Jabyses turned in her seat to look at the trio as she said, " Ban, Dubh, Nadi, zip it unless you have something important to ask." She turned back to face the the equine and added, "I'm sorry Miss Hutchinson, you'll have to excuse them. It's been a while since they've had to mind their manners." The taller limur boy mumbled just loud enough to be heard, "Did they ever have any to mind?" triggering the twins to giggle again. "You're not helping Rod," the white feline said quietly through her clenched teeth. "To answer your question, I think that today it's salmon, wild rice, and green beans with almonds," Janine said. "Thank you Miss Hutchinson," Ebony said over a stifled giggle. She leaned over to her sister and whispered in her ear before looking back at the old woman and winking. "I think we're ready to start Miss Hutchinson," Jabyses said With an obvious distance for the other two girls antics. Nodding her head, the Appaloosa looked up at the clock and said, "Please open your workbooks and begin." Almost instantly the group proceeded to work in almost absolute silence, broken only by the sound of pencils and the tick of the click on the wall. The Silence and concentration lasted only about a half hour before Victoria started the tap out a beat with her pencil and paws again, followed by synchronized humming from the twins. The group continued to work on their tests as Jabyses began to sing softly. Janine looked up from her work to regard the quartet in front of her. They didn't appear to be cheating - the tone and melody was too well-rehearsed to be an exchange of information - and it actually seemed to be improving their focus. As the time passed the group went through song after song, giving the counselor an impromptu concert. One by one they finished the handouts but remained in place. With their eyes closed the twins took up fingering motions as they strummed air guitars. Soon only Victoria was left working, more lost in the music as shi closed hir eyes with the rest of the group and taped out the rhythm on the desk and floor. "Five minutes left," Miss Hutcheson said as she glanced up at the clock. "Fuck," the black furred, horned fennec hybrid belted out as shi opened hir eyes and looked down at the unfinished workbook. "I'm going to fail this shit before we even start." "Vic, language," Rodrick said softly as a reminder that they were in different surroundings than normal. "Can it, Uron, give me the summons. I need something," Victoria said in frustration as shi hunch over the papers. Quickly the twins looked at each other and started to pat a beat out on their desks as they chanted the old Gaelic prose. "Chanadh muid go dtí an t-ardú dragan. Tabhair dúinn do tine dorcha. Dóigh dúinn do fhearg geal. Dóigh dúinn an oíche dorcha." As they finished the began to slowly speed up the pats to almost frantic pounding in the desks while the fennec frantically read through the questions and answers, hir own paws restless. Almost losing track of the time as she watched the unusual display, Miss Hutcheson stammered, "TIME!" giving victoria almost a full extra minute on the work. "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK," Victoria shouted as shi scribbled in a few extra bubbles on the scantron sheet before dropping hir pencil. "Their going to move me back the the third grade, Watch." Putting his paw on hir shoulder, Rodrick said, "No they won't. You're too hard on yourself." In unison the twins said, "Just answer C, thats what I did," then began to giggle at each other. "Okay guys," Jabyses broke in over the laughter, "Let's turn this stuff in so we can get on with the day. We already wasted enough of it." She looked to the adult in the room with a smile, "I think we're ready for the tour now, Miss Hutchinson." "Lunch first," the mare said. "You're in luck, because it's the start of fourth period. There are students on their way to the cafeteria right now, so you'll be able to see what you'll be experiencing later. Let me just hand these in to Seda, and I'll escort you to lunch." Collecting the workbooks as handing them to the equine Rodrick asked, "Can I help you with that Miss Hutcheson?" Miss Hutcheson smiled at the boy, hearing her name correctly for the first time since the group entered the room, "No thank you, Mister White. It will only take a moment." Then turned to leave the room. ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸Mistaken Identity¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ Ebony and Ivory walked up to the table where the lone white feline sat as they talked about the work packet they had just finished, giggling at Victoria's reaction at the end. Soone the fennec hybrid joined the group, bumping the white feline with hir elbow as shi said, "Look as this fancy shit, Jaby. They even put it on plates. What the hell are we supposed to do with this?" "Excuse me," The tundra lion said as she looked at Victoria, her face curled in annoyance, "And who are you?" "You're not Jaby," Victoria said befor he looked over at the twins. "What the hell..." "Hey, Ross," a red squirrel called out as she approached the table, "who are your new friends?" "I'm Ivory, this is Ebony and Vic, and we mistook her for..."The lighter colored dog girl started to say before she was interrupted. "They thought she was me," Jabyses said as she walked up to the table. "Sorry if we're in the way. Come on guys, Rod found a spot out in the quad." "She looks just like you from behind Jaby," The twins said as they stood up. "So you just assume and white feline is me?" "I've started eating," Victoria said leaning over her tray, "I'll move when I'm done." "Nadraka. Tar. Anois," the white feline said hotly at the horned vixen. A moment later everyone looked ward a small mouse as she dropped her tray. The small mouse stood there, wide eyed and mouth agape as she stared at Victoria. The sheep-fennec cross breed looked to either side then back to the mouse as she asked, "What, do I have something on my fur?" After a moment of awkward silence Jabyses put her paw on Victoria's shoulder as she said, "Come on, We don't want to cause a scene before we even get our class schedules." "No!" the mouse squeaked loudly before covering her mouth, smacking her nose hard with her cast. Ross and the squirrel looked at the mouse shocked by the odd reaction. "You okay Sissy?" "She... um... they... It's..." the mouse stammered as she talked through her paws. "Omen Breaker," she managed to say taking a few steps back from the spilt tray of food on the floor. "Who, what?" the squirrel asked. "They're a band," the white lioness named Ross explained. "Not really your cup of tea, but pretty good stuff. But I think you're just imagining things, Sissy. Why would an underground band be at our school?" "That's what I said," Victoria responded as shi stucker her fork into the food on the plate. "Doesn't matter how you dress us up, we still won't fit in." "You might not fit in," Ivory said with a snicker, "None of the rest of us are neon." "Actually... um... Ross was it?" Jabyses said looking at the lioness, "She's right." "And we're here because we don't have a choice," Ebony added. "But, I'm a little surprised anyone here recognized us." "My former bandmates and I are kind of fans," Ross admitted. "We'd wondered where you all disappeared to so suddenly." "A label made us an offer we could not refuse," Victoria said mimicking the Godfather voice as best shi could. "Something about getting paid for our music or take our chances in jail." "The last show," The small mouse blurted out. "I saw a video of you car surfing on youtube just before everything went dark. It... it was three days after Lilly..." As the mouse spoke, Rodrick walked up behind the cat girl, "Hey, what's goin on?" "Apparently we have fans," Jabyses said, "But we still need to get out of their way." She pointed to sugar headed in their direction. "I'm sure they have more friends than this and it's not polite to just take over their spot. Grab Vic." She looked from the mouse to the tundra loin and said, "I'm sure we'll see you around. Maybe even get you into a show some time." ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸The Halls of Learning¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ "You guys know this isn't going to be any good until we get with Rainstar," Victoria Said as he group sat around the bell tower waiting for the lunch bell to ring. "It's not like it's going to go on this album," Ivory replied, Mister Marks already told us the songs they want us to do." "I don't think that jackass would know a good line up if it fell out of the sky, landed on his face and started to wiggle." The vixen hybrid spat on the ground as shi finished. "Okay , guys, can it," Jabyses said as she pointed into the distance, "Here comes Miss Hutchinson." The group got quiet as the mare approached them. "How was lunch, Ladies and Gentleman?" The equine asked as she walked up to the group. "I could have done with some mac n' cheese with some hot dogs," Victoria said flatly, "This shi... stuff is too fancy for my taste." "It was good, Miss Hutchinson, Vic is just being difficult," Jabyses said glaring at her friend. "Is it time for that tour? This place is so big, I'm actually kind of scared we might get lost." "Yeah, it actually happens a lot with new students," the guidance counselor said with an understanding smile. "Between the original structure, four additional wings, and three separate buildings, getting turned around can get pretty easy. I think Hogwart's is easier to navigate than this place," she chuckled. "Don't worry, though, after a few days of following your schedules, and you'll be able to get from class-to-class without any problems, and you'll learn the rest of the layout as you go." Victoria looked up into the bell tower as shi muttered, "Give me two hours with empty halls and I can find the shortest path to anywhere in this place. None of it looks too tall." "Those two hours with empty halls are time that you should be spending in class, Miss Stone," the mare said as she led them out into the hall. "You'll just have to make due with the nickel tour for now." "Don't worry, Miss Hutchinson, she'll behave herself," Jabyses said as she glared at the horned fennec again. She gritted her teeth as she leaned close to her friend, "Remember why we are here, and not Still back in Cali." "Whatever, Let's just get this over with." The group followed the counselor through the halls as she pointed out the was the school was divided, and the key features of the campus. "So, the main structure was the original Chimera Prep," she explained as they went along. "Over the years, as we produced more and more successful graduates and more parents wanted to enroll their children, we've been forced to expand multiple times. Now, the original part of the school is home to the administrative offices, library, cafeteria, and auditorium, as well as a few classrooms down in the basement." As they walked through a set of double doors, she continued, "this wing here was the first addition to the school, a gift from one of our alumni that went on to become a very successful banker. Most of the Mathematics and Science classes are located here, so that should at least give you an idea of where you should go for those subjects." "And how much did they bribe you to let us into the school?" Victoria asked as shi looked around the halls. "Vic," Rodrick said as he put his paw on hir shoulder and pointed through a classroom and out the window. "We'll have to check out more tomorrow," the fennec said softly before shi looked back at the Counselor and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Hutchinson, that was uncalled for." then continued to mutter under her breath. "To answer your question, Miss Stone, the label is paying your tuition, and nothing more," Janine answered politely. "Chimera Prep has agreed to assist with your educations with the hopes that the record company will be impressed enough with our services to send more young artists like yourselves to us in the future, and possibly donate to our music department. But there are no bribes or under the table dealings, I assure you. Now, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to our Language Arts wing." "See, Everyone is just trying to make a buck off our talent." "This school is a business, and it's the nature of a business to make a profit," the woman explained as they crossed the main hallway towards the second wing of their tour. "But we are not some simple, greedy corporation. A lot of the money that we bring in goes back out into the community by way of scholarship funds and various charity events that we sponsor." "Tessa was also saying that the school administration was also highly involved in the rights issues for the third gender," Jabyses said glancing at Victory as she spoke. "I hear there are even several in the school that have gone public even in this area that has a deep rooted prejudice against such individuals." "That is precisely correct," the woman said as they entered the Language Arts wing. "Additionally, our CEO has an adopted daughter, and we donate heavily towards helping orphans, foster children, and runaways. Anyway, this is where you'll find your English, Philosophy, and foreign language classes." The wins raised their paws simultaneously as they asked, "Can we all just get foreign language credit for the one we already know?" "We're not in class you ditzes," The fennec said with a little chuckle before shi added, "Besides, I doubt they have a Gaelic teacher on paw to grade the tests." "No, no we don't," Miss Hutcheson replied, "but I'm sure that you'll find something here that interests you. We offer Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese. Plus, every student is required to complete one year of Latin." Victoria muttered under her breath, "Great, more classes that aren't going to do me any good." Shi wasn't sure if the counselor ignored her statement or didn't hear it, but the equine continued her tour unabated. "Next stop, we have the arts and humanities wing, where you'll find all of your social sciences and some of the fine arts classrooms," Janine said as she led them into one of the newer areas of the school. "I know you're all wondering which one is the music room, but that one is in the basement, which is where we'll be heading in just a moment. We need to set that room apart from the others to minimize distractions in the other classes. Right this way." She took them to a stairwell at the end of the hall and led them down a flight of stairs into the school's basement. There were several maintenance rooms, as well as the server and electrical rooms, but there were two classrooms on opposite ends of the basement. "So, this here is the music room. I'm sure any of you could easily get an A in the class, if you feel like coasting. Down here at the other end of the hall," she continued as she led them along, "is the shop classroom. Metal working, wood carving, even glass blowing, all that can be learned right here." As the group followed their guide down the hall, Jabyses stopped and looked into the music class through the small window in the door. "Um... Miss Hutchinson, So far everything you've showed you in this school is top of the line, and no expenses spared. So why hide the music department in the basement in an ill-prepared room with what looks like second-hand equipment? I hope the band gets better treatment." The guidance counselor stopped and smiled. "Now you see why we have taken so much interest in your successes here at Chimera Prep. Granted, we care about all of our students; tuition here isn't cheap, and we don't want the parents to feel as though their money is being wasted." She looked at Jaby specifically and said, "As I mentioned, we aren't hiding the music department - it needs to be isolated from the other classrooms to minimize disruptions. For now, this is the most optimal solution. The equipment, while far from being new, is serviceable, but probably nothing near what professional, signed artists are accustomed to. Yes, the marching band does have better instruments, mainly because they perform at our football games and the alumni association wants to impress our rivals. Still, it would be nice to have a separate facility for our music department, like we do for some of our others. If you all do well while you are here, we hope that we will receive enough in the way of future students and donations from your label to accommodate such a request in an upcoming budget." "Gambling on a bunch of dropouts, hoping that is pays off," Victoria said flatly as she walked over by the feline and looked into the classroom herself. "Wonder how many students you've lost over the music." The group looked to one another nodding in some non-verbal understanding. "Okay Miss Hutchinson" The feine said with a smile, "What's next?" They could hear the sounds of saws cutting through metal and welding torches fusing pieces together as they passed the classroom at the end of the corridor. "Up these stairs, you'll find the last wing on the tour, one of our two gymnasiums. Before you ask, we don't convert one into a music hall because we are that active in sports here. But if you take a gym class, this is where you'll come." The top of the stairs led to a hallway connecting the main building to the gym, and they turned left, walking through an open door into a large wood-floored gym. "This is also where our girls' volleyball team plays, most of the time, and we use it for school dances. Coach Pryde, the Phys Ed teacher's office is right over there, and if you follow me this way..." She made a gesture with her hand, beckoning them towards a door at the far end of the room. She pushed it open and they all stepped out into the warm September afternoon sun. "Out here, you'll see the rest of the campus. Fenris Field is where our baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and football teams play. That large building over there? That's the Cerberus Center, our second gym, where the boys' and girls' basketball teams play, but coming up later in the month, the volleyball team will be hosting a big tournament there. There's the Leviathan Aquatics Complex, where our pools are, and around the corner you'll find the garage, where our aspiring automotive technicians and engineers can get hands-on training, and where we keep the cars for Driver's Ed." "The campus is impressive Miis Hutcheson," Rodrick said from the back of the group. "Lots of opportunities and excellent facilities." As he spoke he looked around, more assessing the area and architecture than really admiring the school itself. After a moment he huffed as the twins punched him from either side. Victoria crossed hir arms as shi asked, "So are we done now?" "Done with the tour, yes," Janine said. "By now, the Scantrons should be graded, and we can do you placement assessments and get you enrolled in your classes. That way, you can all get started." ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸Not Your Locker Room¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ Victoria walked the halls alone, the rest of the group placed in different classes. The twins had been placed in advanced courses, even after two years of not having any schooling. Rodrick and Jabyses were placed back in their normal grade-level classes, while Victoria had been placed as a freshman, a year behind where shi thought shi should be. Shi was just happy that the entire group was going to have to take the Driver's Ed course together in the next quarter, through a bit upset by the fact that Jabyses was told she could not drive to the school again until they had completed the course and obtained their licenses. Shi smiled as shi looked at her class, the one thing shi knew shi would do well in, Physical Education. The name on the schedule paper said Felicity Pryde. As shi walked down the hall to the gym shi wondered just what the P.E. teacher had been told about hir. Shi stepped into the gymnasium, class already in session with many of the teens played badminton or volleyball on the indoor courts. Shi pick out the teacher rather quickly in the starkly contrasting coaches uniform. Shi confidently walked across the gym toward the lioness. The coach turned as she heard some of the volleyballs drop and the game commotion at that side of the gym fall silent, all eyes falling on the black and yellow furred hybrid. "You must be Miss Stone," the teacher said as Victoria drew near. "Now that you've found your way here, I expect you to be on time tomorrow." "Sure," shi replied simply. "Are there assigned lockers or what? I guess I need to change or something," shi said as shi looked around the gym at the other students. "Follow me to my office," the coach said, her tone indicating it wasn't a request. Once inside, she asked, "What size shirt and shorts would you prefer?" "Medium male shorts, or they won't fit right," shi replied, "Shirt really doesn't matter. It will either hang loose or show off my goods." "Large it is, then," the lioness said as she looked the hybrid up and down for a moment. "Here you go." She tossed three t-shirts and three pairs of shorts Vic's way, still in their plastic and unworn. "Now, let's get you a locker assignment. For now, herms and girls share the same locker room, so I hope that doesn't bother you too much." Shi shrugged as shi said, "Whatever, most other schools put me in the male lockers, but I've seen it all." "Okay, then," the gym teacher said as she wrote out some information on an index card. "I'm giving you locker number one hundred eighty-four. Here is the combination to the lock. Don't worry, they all got reset over summer vacation, so no one else besides me knows what it is." Vic took the paper and shrugged again, "Unless they want to steal my boxers I'm not going to be leaving a lot in there. Are showers mandatory or voluntary? I didn't bring any wash." "Since every species is different, and some don't even sweat, it's voluntary, though recommended, if more for sanitation than hygiene purposes," Felicity replied. "Keep in mind that even if you don't land on the floor, the equipment does. It's totally up to you what you want to do, but if it causes an odor problem down the road, we might begin requiring it." Shi muttered under her breath, "That is if you land." Shi looked back up at the lioness and said, "I'll go get changed for class ma'am." Shi walked out of the office toward the locker rooms. Shi paused for a moment looking at both doors before walking into the female room. As shi entered the gym once again in hir uniform much of the class fell silent again. The t-shirt sleeves stopped just before the intricately placed Fellow bands on her arms, and hir shorts showed off the hexagon pattern of pink that separated hir paws from her shins. Hir long hair was pulled back in a ponytail showing off hir pink enameled horns more prominently than when shi had first entered the class. Shi felt a slight bit of pride in hir appearance as the murmur rose among the students. Shi walked over to the lioness and asked, "So where do you want me coach?" "I've got a group of three that could use a fourth member," Felicity said, pointing to where a rather plain vixen, a large, pudgy bear, and an androgynous feline were trying to shoot a basketball through a hoop. "Tabby! Torben! Rachael! Come here!" The trio approached, looking nervously between the coach and the new student. "Yes, Coach Pryde?" the vixen asked. "This is Victoria. It's hir first day here, and since you three are a person short, I'm putting hir with you. I know you're all used to your little social bubble, but suck it up," the lioness said as she saw the uncomfortable looks on the teens' faces. "I want you to make hir feel welcomed and comfortable. Got it?" "Yes, Ma'am," all three voices replied back in unison. "So, Victoria," Torben said as they all walked back over to where they had been previously playing. "Do you have any preferences as to what game we play?" "Please, call me Vic," the fennec replied, "And I'm fine with just about anything. Mostly because I don't think free running is on the list." Shi looked at the group for a moment as she asked, "You're all just taking the class because you have to, aren't you?" "We have to, yes," Rachael said with a shrug, "but we have other reasons as well. Torben's trying to shed a few pounds, even though Tabby thinks he's adorable just like he is." the young fox blushed deeply at the comment, but remained quiet. "Tabby's here because it's a Hell of a lot more fun than sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. Me? I'm working on trying to sharpen my paw-eye coordination and get more self-esteem. Plus, we all get to spend forty-five minutes with our best friends. How about you?" "To be honest, this might be the only thing I'll be any good at here," shi said as shi picked up the basketball they were shooting. "It is isn't active or doesn't have a good beat, it might just put me to sleep." Shi paused from a moment as she aimed for the basket and took a shot." All my friends did better on the placement tests, so I'm kind of just here for now." "There's nothing wrong with that," the tabby said as she caught the rebound and make a solid effort to get the ball through the hoop, though it circled the rim and fell over the side. "None of us will judge you over what you can and can't do." Vic shot forward to catch the ball. Shi rolled it along her arm and across her shoulder as she asked, "You guys want to see something?" Shi tossed the ball into the air as she started to spin on her toes. Catching the ball in the opposite paw shi started moving the sphere around her body as she continued to spin. "It's a little larger than I am used to, but I bet I can keep it off the ground for the rest of class. That is as long as you guys don't drop it." As shi finished shi flicked the ball off hir fingertips toward Torben. "Whoa!" the male bear said, his paws shooting upward to catch the ball as it propelled toward his chest. He caught it, though somewhat awkwardly, and lobbed it back at Rachael. The gray tabby set her footpaws and used both arms to bump the ball high up into the air. "Sorry!" she exclaimed. "Reflex from volleyball!" Without changing the speed of hir movements the black furred fennec rotated into a cartwheel, then a slight jump as shi snatched the ball out of the ai. hir body continued to flip over in the cartwheel motion as shi landed on her paws and spun to toss the ball back toward the group. "Pretty nice moves," Torben said as he caught the ball and sent a gentle pass in Tabby's direction. The quiet girl shied away a bit, but still caught it. She looked back at Vic and meekly said, "Catch." She tossed the ball back at the fennec-sheep mix, but the pass was definitely uncoordinated and a little over hir head. "Oops, sorry," the younger fox squeaked, covering her eyes. The hybrid swiftly move to compensate for the awkward toss. Hir body rolled, contorted and spun. Shi planted hir hand paws on the floor as hir legs shot out in what looked more like a breakdancing move than anything as they whipped around hir catching the the ball between her legs and bringing it back around. Shi lifted her body, balancing it on one hand paw as she reached between hir legs and palmed the ball with the other. She paused for a moment as her spin slowed to a stop. Slightly winded she held herself in place, balancing her body by spreading her legs, tail, and free arm. "Okay, I wasn't ready for that one." "Uhm, guys..." Tabby said softly, pointing at the rest of the class. "Everyone's staring." She shyly moved behind Torben's much larger body, feeling uncomfortable with all the attention. Vic lowered her body and returned to her footpaws as she reacted the shy feline's words. Shi walked back over to the group and looked out at the rest of the class as she said, "What? Never see someone with skill? Or are you just so stupid you got mesmerized by how hot the girl is?" "That was aweso -" a male husky started to say, taking a few steps towards Vic. "Korpieski, knock it off," Coach Pryde said, making the boy back away. "Miss Stone, I'd like to have a word with you, please." The hybrid rolled hir eyes as shi tossed the ball back the trio and asked, "What is it, Coach?" as she started to walk toward the lioness. The teacher led Vic into her office and closed the door, motioning to the seat across from hers. "Have a seat, please," Felicity said as she sat down and made herself comfortable. Shi dropped into the chair and crossed her arms as she said, "Go ahead, it won't be the first time and I sure it won't be the last. I didn't do anything wrong. Doesn't anyone have any common courtesy? I'm sure they all can tell that Tabby girl is a little self-conscious or something." "You're right, you didn't do anything wrong. That is, not until you implied that your classmates may be stupid," she caught the look on Vic's face, but continued talking. "You're not in trouble, Miss Stone. Not yet, anyway. I received word of your enrollment in my class barely more than an hour ago, and only had a brief moment to glimpse at your information. Your classmates got no notice at all, so naturally, they're curious. Especially after the flashy stunt you just pulled. Look, I understand it if you had a difficult time before coming here, so I'm going to cut you some slack with the attitude early on, but I'm going to get progressively stricter on you as the year goes on. In the meantime, I know I'm not a herm, and I know I haven't dealt with the same stuff you have, but if you need someone besides Miss Hutcheson to talk to, I'm here." Vic huffed a quiet laugh as shi said, "Fine. First, I don't like being call Miss or Mister or anything like that. You can just leave it all off for all I care... Second, that wasn't flashy, it was warm-up. Third, If I need someone to talk to, I'll let you know." "Very well... Vic," the lioness said, leaning back in her chair. "If that's what you prefer. But if that was just a warm-up, then you definitely have some athletic talent. You know, sports are a great outlet for youths with troubled backgrounds. So is music," she added as she saw the frown forming on the hybrid teen's muzzle. "But, if you ever decide you need something more, we have a lot of programs that might interest you. Just something to consider, as well as my offer to listen, if you need to talk. Neither is something that you are required to do, I'm simply making you aware of your options and opportunities." Yeah," the horned fennec started, sitting up in the chair, "We really don't have any time for extracurricular activities." Shi tossed up air quotes to emphasize the politically correct part of her statement. "Well, if that ever changes, my door is always open," Felicity replied. "Come on, let's get back out there so you can rejoin your classmates." "Sure thing, Coach," shi said as she followed the lioness's lead back into the gym. "Do I just go back to what we were doing or what?" "That'll be fine for now," the Coach replied. "Since it's still so early in the year, I'm letting the students choose their games as a group to get them loosened up and familiar with each other. We'll get into more organized team activities next week." Shi walked back to rejoin the trio as she said, "So... what now that I've embarrassed you in front of the whole class? Look, I'm sorry. I don't really think about it when I start dancing. It kinda just happens as I try to hit my mark." "It's okay," Tabby said as she gave Vic a slight smile. "I just like to avoid attention. I get nervous in large groups. You didn't know." Vic smiled as she shook hir head. "There's something else I'm not very good at. I kind of stand out in a crowd even if I try not to, not that I really ever try." She glanced around the gym, noticing some students still watching her. "So what do you guys want to do? Just shoot some hoops?" "If you want," Rachael said. "New kid gets to pick." "Nah, one of you pick," Shi said looking around again, "I'm already drawing enough attention. Don't want you to be more uncomfortable than you have to be. I can deal with any level of attention." "Fine," Torben said, giving his female companion a hug. "Why don't you pick, Tabby?" "Okay," the vixen said, thinking for a minute. "One of the badminton nets is open? How does that sound?" "That's kinda like tennis, right?" Vic asked as shi looked over toward the net. "I think I can play that. How do you want to pick teams?" "How about you and Tabby against Torben and me?" the feline suggested. "I think you and I are the two most athletic in our group, so we should be on opposite teams, and it would give Tabby a chance to get more comfortable around you." "Sounds good to me," Vic said with a smile as the group started to move toward the badminton court. Torben headed off to get rackets and a birdie for the group. Shi paused to the edge other court as she saw another group of more athletic boys heading their way, led a bull that looked like he was about hir age. Shi glanced over toward the the teacher, who seemed preoccupied resolving a dispute about a volleyball game, and sighed as she saw what was coming. The trio shi had been paired with seemed more protective of the feline girl and would likely back down without putting up any fight if the bull and his buddies moved in on them. Taking a racket for Torban as he jogged over to the court shi said, "You guys take that side," placing herself as the front line the approaching group. "Tabby, you take the front up by the net for this round." Shi tensed up as she turned hir back the other group and asked, "So how does this go?" "You just try and serve the birdie over the net using the racket," Rachael said. "An overhand serve is a little harder to hit, but easier to get over the net." "Sounds easy enough, Just like tennis." Victoria cringed as shi heard the hoof beats walk behind hir. "Hey, move over so we can use the court," the boy said from behind hir. Shi thought about how everyone had told her to try and keep a low profile, and how badly she had done so far. She closed hir eyes and waited a moment. Maybe she was wrong and the other group would back down if one of the others said something. This was a different place, with stricter rules and higher-class furs attending. Torben ducked under the net and put himself between his friends and the bullies, puffing up his chubby bulk as much as possible in an attempt to appear more intimidating. "We just got here. You guys just want the court because you think you can take it." "And what are you going to do about it, tubby?" As the bull spoke, Vic clenched hir fists as shi tensed not turning to look at the group. "Why don't you and the rest of the chick squad just go back to playing ballet or whatever it was." "Please, go," Torben said, his nervousness starting to show through, but he refused to back down. "We were here first, and we're just trying to have fun with our new friend." Vic heard the paws hit the bear's shoulder as the bull said, "Why don't you make us?" Shi glanced and grabbed the boy's arm before he could pull it back. "Why don't you just back off? We were here first and you're a dick." Shi turned to face the shocked bull just as he regained his composure. "And I was even thinking furs at this school might be better class than others." "And who do you think you are, little girl?" The bull said as he pulled his paw away from the shorter fennec-sheep. "Just because you're a freak weirdo doesn't make you special. Just move so real athletes can use the court." Vic glanced to the teacher again seeing that she was still occupied with other students, then back to the bull. "You really think your size and arrogance bother me? You're wrong. First, I'm not a girl and I bet mine is bigger than yours." Shi pause as a look of shock crossed the faces of the invading group. "Second, I bet I can take you and your friends any time, any place." "Vic, don't," Torben said. "They're not worth the trouble, not on your first day." "That's right chubby," the bull retorted. "Get your freak on a leash." "Freak?" Vic stepped directly in front of the bull and looked up at him. "What do you mean freak?" "What's going on over here?" Coach Pryde said as she approached the teens with Tabby following far behind, knowing that the bullies would know who had ratted them out. Vic watched as the bull turned and said, "Nothing, Coach, just talking to the new kid." Vic scrunched her face as she nearly shouted, "Damn right nothing. Beef for brains and his lackeys think they can just come over here and push weaker furs around." "The court was empty when we got here, Coach," Torben explained. "But before we could start playing, they came over and demanded that we leave." "Rachael? Is this true?" the lioness asked as she looked over to the feline girl. "Yes, ma'am," Rachael replied. She had her tail gathered up in her paws and was anxiously plucking bits of her fur from it. "We were just asking if we could use the court for volleyball, there are more of us than them," the bull tried to explain for the group. "And they were playing basketball or something before. Then the new kid gets all uppity with us. She has some sort of hormonal issue or something." "It wasn't spoken as a request, ma'am," Rachael said, earning herself a glare from the bull. Vic reached up and grabbed the bull by the horn. The quick movement made him flinch as she jerked him off balance and directed his heavy body to the floor. "Try that look with me and I'll turn you into a soprano, beef stick." "Vic, enough," the P.E. teacher said. "Mister Lee, my office. Now, you others, unless you want to join him, I'd suggest you find something else to occupy your time." Getting up to his hooves the bull dusted himself off and muttered, "You're lucky the coach was here, freak." Then started walking toward the office. Vic stood there for a moment glaring at the bull as he walked away. Shi turned to the trio she was partnered with and said, "If any of them do or say anything, let me know." Shi looked up at the lioness, hir resolve melting as shi saw the look on the coach's face and shi realized just how bad shi may have screwed up. Not just for hirself, but the rest of the band. "Remember our earlier discussion," Felicity said with a warning tone. "I'm going to have to document this incident, but I'll make it clear that you weren't the instigator. But you need to keep your paws to yourself in these situations, or you're just adding to the fire." "Yes ma'am," the fennec said in a half-annoyed, half-sincere tone. "I'll try harder." As the lioness left shi looked over at the group and said, "You guys should probably just stay clear of freaks like me. I'm sure it will be easier on your lives." "That's no way to talk," Torben said as he clasped Vic on hir shoulder. "Friends stand by each other to help one another get through the hard times, not bail just because things get tough. Besides, those guys would have targeted us even if you hadn't been around." "He's right," Tabby said softly. "You're new here, and if you want a place to fit in, look no further," Rachael added. "We're all freaks, in our own ways." Vic chuckled as the feline talked. "You really have no idea who I am. I don't even really fit in with my friends, and we've been together for years, and we really are all freaks." Shi paused for a moment before muttering, "At least I think that's what the forum said." "No, you're right, we don't," the quiet vixen responded, putting her paw on the hybrid herm's arm, "but that doesn't mean we wouldn't like to. There's no judgment here, only companionship. The offer's on the table, if you ever decide to take us up on it." Vic gave a slight smile at the sincere offer from the small group of outcasts. "Okay. Well let's get to the badminton game. It's going on my record, might as well get some fun out of it." ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸Job hunt¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ Tessa had walked through many shopping centers and malls looking for any kind of work. Many places accepted the applications unenthusiastically, giving her the impression that not only were they not hiring at the moment, but that they thought she wouldn't be a good fit for the company anyway. Having set her mind on just heading back to the bus for the night she strolled leisurely down the sidewalk. The day had not progress well and she felt like she needed a pick up, but all the band's gear was still set up at the studio for the recording session that evening. She paused for a moment in front of Guitar Center, looking in the window at the keyboards and other instruments. She smiled as she thought about how many times the group had gone into other stores from the chain, only to be kicked out for Victoria being too rough on the display drums. She noticed a now hiring sign in the window, which brought a smile to her face. If she would fit into any workplace, this might be her best option. The corgi walked into the showroom, still doing more looking at the merchandise than aggressively going to the counter as she had been doing all day. She stepped behind an Access Virus TI v2 Polar. The integrated synthesizer keyboard system might have been the most expensive thing in the section. She ran her paws over the keys, tapping a few without turning the device on. Soon a giraffe girl walked up to her. She couldn't have been more than eighteen years old. "That one's a beauty. Do you play?" "A little," She replied, "but I don't have it in my budget right now for a rig. Wouldn't mind trying it out through." She placed both paws on the keys and started tapping out the chopsticks practice exercise most music teachers start young cubs off with. "It's nicer than what I'm used to." The giraffe gave her smirk and replied, "If you say so. But if you only play a little, then you used to play a lot, and something changed to make you cut back. That's a simple tune, but you played it with the relaxed ease and comfort of a pro." As her fingers absentmindedly rolled across the mute keyboard she looked at the giraffe girl and said, "I'm just out looking for a part time job. I saw the sign in the window and thought I might check it out." "Let me get this straight," the girl said as she reached under the counter and pulled a paper application, setting it down on the surface. "You play 'a little,'" she used her fingers to make quotation marks in the air and rolled her eyes, "but you want to get a job selling music equipment. If you're not serious, don't waste your time. One of my band mates is a killer vocalist, but didn't get hired on because she didn't know anything about instruments. Brad doesn't care if you're pretty; he wants staff members that know about what we're selling." Tessa shrugged as she leaned over the counter and started to fill out the application, "I can understand that, pisses me off wen I know more about what I am looking at than the putz trying to sell it. Can't hurt to try anyway. Everywhere else doesn't seem to be interested." She glanced up at the younger girl, and added, "Names Tessa, by the way. Even if I don't get a job here, I might be in a lot. I like checking out new rigs when they come out, kind of another side job." She continued to fill out the application. "So you're in a band? What kind of band?" There was a flash of recognition and surprise in the giraffe's eyes when Tessa gave her name, but the girl played it cool. "We're a small garage band, only been together for a few months now," she said with a shrug. "We just had our first gig, a birthday party, last weekend. Right now we're just covering other bands while we try and figure out our own style, mostly rock and alternative stuff, 'cuz those are the songs that work for our singer's sound. Personally, I'd like a little more punk and grunge, but it's been fun so far." "Must be good if you're doing parties," She said as she finished the application, leaving the prior work section blank. "I like a good alternative sound. You got anything on tape, a demo? We... I always like getting a feel for the local groups. They always have a... more unique sound that most label bands." "Not really, no," the clerk said, leaning back in her chair and setting her hooves up on the counter. "Like I said, we've just been together a few months and we're trying to define our sound." Then she brought her hooves back down and leaned forward. "Oh yeah," she exclaimed, "One of the guests at the party posted some of our performance. The sound quality is shit, stupid cell phone cameras, but it should give you an idea." She fished around in her jeans pocket for a moment and produced her phone, and a moment later set it down on the counter for Tessa to see. The corgi watched the video more analytically than just listening the mid quality sound through the garbled background noises. "You guys aren't bad. Actually really good for only being together for a few months. Sounds a little off, though. Singer seems to get a bit distracted, but really good overall. Is there a studio around that has open house for recording? You should try some of your own stuff." "Yeah, it was her first time on a stage, so blame the nerves. She's a lot better in the garage. I also think she was afraid that her ex was going to show up," the girl said as she tucked the mobile device away. "And... I dunno. Maybe? We haven't really explored that option yet. I know there's a small studio in Old Marblecliff, but it's nothing too fancy. Not sure if they do open houses or not. We've been more set on refining our sound and getting the funds together to go to one of the larger studios down in Boston." Tessa smiled a little listening the girl. The words reminded her of the Omen Breakers before they hit the road. "You know what? I've got some portable recording equipment that I guess I don't need any more. It can set up in a garage easily enough. When do you work next? I can bring it by." The girl's eyes narrowed a little at the gesture. "That can't be cheap, and you don't even know me, or my band. Why would you do something like that?" Tessa Shrugged again as she said, "It's not new equipment, and it is just taking up space. Besides, one day you might be famous, then I can say that... what is your band's name? You do at least have one picked out, right?" A playful grin appeared across the giraffe's muzzle as she said, "The Roman Incident." The corgi's eyes wide as she asked, "You mean like when you hurl during an eating competition? Vic would love that shit." "That's part of it," the girl said as she stood up and walked around to stand on the sales floor. "The other part is a... tribute to my next door neighbor, the 'esteemed' Councilman Zaritzky. We're always butting heads with him over the 'noise.'" "Yeah, neighbors, you can't live with them, and you can't just pack up and run away either," Tessa said as she slid the application over to the giraffe. "I should get you get back to all this exciting work. I still have an appointment this evening." As she turned to walk out she glanced over her shoulder and said, "I never did get your name." "It's Vivy," the giraffe said. "I'll put this on Brad's desk for you, and he'll get it in the morning. After his three cups of coffee and half-dozen donuts. Fat-ass. Anyway, thanks for stopping in, Tess. I'll try and talk you up to him." "Thanks, and it was nice meeting you." She said as the reached the door. "Maybe we can jam together some time." Then she let the door close behind her. As she continued her way down the street toward the trailer park where the tour bus was parked she thought about how they were so much younger than the giraffe and her band when they got started, and how far things had come, even if the latest turn of events was not what they expected. She glanced at her watch and muttered aloud, "Shit, they should be back by now and we have to record tonight." ¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸Day's End¸¸?·¯·?¸¸?·¯·?¸¸ Tessa squeezed into the front bench seat with Victoria and Jabyses as the feline asked, "So how was your day?" "I think I might have found a part time job, if I can get the interview at the Guitar Center," the corgi replied. "Even met a member of a fresh start band. I'm thinking of giving them our old recording equipment." "A band?" one of the twins asked from the back seat. "Do they have a name yet?" "They went with the Roman Incident." She paused as Jabyses and Vic chuckled at the name. "It has a double meaning for them. Apparently some guy named Roman is their neighbor and is a dick about them practicing." She stretched her arm across the back of the bench seat as she asked, "So how was school?" "It was good until Vic almost kicked someone's ass." Jabyses elbowed the hybrid at her side. "The fuck wad was asking for it," Victoria reasoned angrily. "He was a dick from moment one and only dug his grave deeper everytime he opened his mouth." Ivory leaned forward as she said, "You should have seen it. We were just changing out of our uniforms in by the car and this bull walked up with a small army and started ranting at hir about something that happened in hir gym class." Her sister picked up where she left off. "We held her back until he started talking about the gender thing. I'm not going to get hurt for some jackass." Rodrick added, "I went and got one of the security guards. That put an end to it before he got himself hurt. He was one of those guys that thinks he is bigger so he must be stronger... and right." "Fucking asshole will get buried if he or his flunkies do anything to Torben, Tabby or Rachel." Everyone in the car fell silent for a moment before Tessa asked, "Who?" "The group I was put in for gym," the fennec-sheep said a little more quietly. "The bull and his buddies tried to bully them out of a badminton court." ""And of course the Dragon had to step in and do something," Jabyses interrupted. "You're lucky you didn't get in trouble right then. But that guy had it coming to him if Miss Shelby didn't step in. He was an ignorant asshole. Doesn't even know the difference between transgendered and Hermaphrodites. I just hope we don't run into him or his buddies away from the school." Tessa looked at her watch and said, "Sounds like it was an exciting day, but we got to get to the studio for today's set."