FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The main hall was teeming with students, new and old, clustering around the bulletins, contemplating what clubs to join, what extracurricular to take part in. After all, these choices were no small matter. In making decisions to participate in sports teams and school groups, students were voluntarily sacrificing much of their free time after school. Despite these restrictions, there were advantages, such as building an impressive resume for future employment and higher education.

Some of the clubs were serious, such as the Scarborough Baseball team, which was famous for its membership going on to join both minor and major leagues. Gretchen's eldest brother had been a member, and was now an outfielder in the Wolverines, a respectable minor league team. The mathematics club had posted an equation on their advertisement that all interested freshman were required to solve to seek admission. The Scarborough Fashion Society doubtlessly had the most experienced publicity agents; several beautiful girls and gorgeous guys had established a small cosmetics boutique in front of their recruitment poster and were applying free makeup to interested students.

There were also the groups and circles that, while less prominent, still had a large draw. Several of these included the Cosplay club, the Artists' Guild, and the Debate Society. There were clubs for every taste and every trend. An archery club, a robotics club, a chess club, a history group, an anime circle, and many more added chaos to an already chaotic new semester. There were so many possibilities that a school guide and leaflet with detailed information about each club and their schedules had been distributed free of charge to assist students like Taylor who felt as if they were sinking like a stone amidst the deluge of opportunity.

"See anything you like?" Gretchen asked.

"There's so much," Taylor mumbled.

"Yeah, it's like that."

"What are you and Maxine joining?"

"Our tastes are a bit different," Gretchen admitted. "She's obligated to join the student council and the Politics and Government group like her older sister did. Her sister Jenna is on the student council. Her family is really political and prominent and stuff so it's expected of them, but she'll probably also pick up the debate and history clubs too."

"That much?" the red panda exclaimed.

"She's a workaholic," the other smiled. "Not me though. I keep my focus narrow but diligent. I'll probably join the fashion club and the artists' guild if I can get accepted. I've been dreaming about it ever since I got accepted to Scar."

Taylor's eyes wandered slowly across the boards, searching for something that he might be interested in. He was worried and concerned. Obviously he'd have to make new friends, but what if he was rejected outright? What if the people in the group he liked didn't like him? Taylor began to doubt himself, and his heart started to beat quickly.

"Is joining clubs required?" he said softly.

"As a freshman, you have to join at least one," Gretchen said. She raised an eyebrow. "You're not wimping out, are you?"

"I don't know," the panda admitted. "I just... it's the first day... I'm just not sure if I can handle this yet."

"Spots fill quickly around here. Ask Maxine. If you don't apply quickly, someone else will definitely take your spot."

Taylor began to chew on his nails. He thought about joining the anime club for a moment. How difficult could that be, he wondered. Sit around, watch cartoons and talk about them. That doesn't require too much effort.

As if reading his mind, Gretchen said, "The anime club is one of the hardest to get into. The reason for that is because there are so many applicants, are many of those are hardcore otaku."

"Oh," Taylor sighed. "I'm really not sure Gretch."

"Just take it slow. If you can't find anything in the guidebook, look on the extended wall. There are other, less popular clubs and activities that don't make it into the book. Usually these are entirely student-funded clubs that don't receive a balance from the student council."

The panda nodded and continued to walk down the corridor. At the end of the row was a smaller bulletin with numerous hand-written advertisements and crinkled papers pinned to a cork board. Suddenly his eyes widened as he espied a robin's egg blue leaflet upon which had been written:

**_High school band looking for replacement guitarist

Rhythm a must, lead a plus

3 years experience required

Metal and rock inspired

Influences Include: Death by Association, Furocity, Wolf Pack and Darkchild

Audition today after classes at 3:00pm in the music room

Guitar will be provided

Counts towards an activity credit_**

Taylor beamed broadly. "Gretchen! Look at this!"

The Siamese cat finished penning her name down on the list of applicants at the Artists' Guild booth then made her way over and stood, hands on hips, beside Taylor.

"A band, huh?"

"Yeah!" Taylor exclaimed. "And look at their influences! Those are all great bands! Especially Darkchild!"

"You still play guitar?" Gretchen asked.

"Well yeah, I mean, I'm self-taught, but I play a few hours every day. It's pretty much what I do in my spare time when I'm not playing video games." He grinned sheepishly.

"It sounds pretty serious though," Gretchen said. "I mean we're not just talking about playing songs in a bedroom. This is a real band it sounds like."

"Yeah, but look, it says it counts toward an activity credit!"

Gretchen thought for a moment, then smiled. "Well, Taylor, if this is what you like to do, I say go for it! The audition's an hour from now. If you get turned down, you can always pick something else. Just have backup options in mind."

"Will you go with me? To the audition?"

"Of course," the feline grinned. "You scared?"

"Yeah," frowned Taylor.

"Why?"

"What if they're really good? Like... way better than I am?"

"Then you'll just have to work harder at it," Gretchen reassured him. "Look, you'll never know until you go to the audition, right?"

"Right."

An hour later, the two found their way downstairs to the subterranean level of the school where the majority of the arts clubs held their meetings. The corridors were dark, the lights dim and floors dusty and dappled with dried paint.

"Do they ever clean this place? I'd bet my tail the maintenance guys never even come down here 'cause it's just us insignificant artists," scowled Gretchen.

As they approached the band room, they began to hear music and voices. Taylor's hands were shaking. Suddenly he turned to Gretchen, white as a sheep. "You know what, l-let's just forget it," he stammered nervously.

"No, no, no," Gretchen chuckled. "We've come this far. It's time for you, Taylor, to strut your stuff." She knocked on the door.

"Wait! Don't!" Taylor hissed.

"Come in," a voice said from within. Gretchen opened the door.

The music room looked like an underground venue itself. Golden rays of sultry afternoon light speared through the duskiness of the room, highlighting the dust in the air and the dirt on an old, baby grand piano in the corner of the room. The floor was old tile checkered pea green and dandelion yellow. There were wires running across the floor connected to various amplifiers and speaker cabinets and a few lamps that were placed atop boxes. A strange smell hung in the air causing Taylor's eyes to tingle.

"Is this the band room?" Gretchen asked.

A tall, burly-looking deer swiveled around on a stool, a joint in his hand, and stared at them sharply. After a moment he said, "Yeah. Whaddya want?"

"We're here for the audition," said the cat.

"Both of you?"

"No, just him."

"I hope he's better at guitar than he is at finding lockers," Jasper laughed, getting up from the floor. Taylor's eyes lit up.

"J...Jasper!"

"Hey, kiddo. It seems there's some serious serendipity going on today, ain't there?"

Taylor nodded. "If this your band?"

The wolf laughed, shaking his head. "Naw," he smirked. "It belongs to the guy behind you. I believe you're already both acquainted."

Taylor turned to Wyatt sitting atop an amplifier smoking a cigarette. His eyes were oddly cold and placid.

"Well, saves us time on the introductions," Wyatt said abruptly, pushing himself off the amplifier. "Let's get this audition started."

"S...sure!" Taylor mumbled. Gretchen went and sat in an old desk by the window. Jasper followed her as her hips swayed, his mouth curving into a slight grin.

"What bands do you listen to?"

"Darkchild is my favorite band!"

"Fine. Which musician do you like best?"

"Talis!" Taylor spurted instantly.

Jasper and Wyatt exchanged glances.

"Why?"

"Because he's dedicated, honest in his playing, and has a keen ear for writing good solos and chord progressions." He mentioned nothing of the fact that he admired the fact that Talis was also a cross-dressing musician.

Wyatt walked past Taylor, barely taking notice of him. He picked up a guitar and plugged an amp cable into the instrument. A momentary popping noise echoed across the room.

"Do you know any of their songs?"

"Most of them," Taylor replied.

Wyatt pointed at the stag. "Put that joint out and get on your drums. Jasper, let's do On All Four Paws."

"That's a great song!" the panda glimmered.

Wyatt ignored him, handing him the guitar, then walked up to the microphone. He tied a yellow and black silk scarf around the top of it. "You ready kid?"

"Yes!"

"Alright. Drew, whenever your ready."

The drummer slumped down onto his stool picking up his sticks. "Ready."

"Count it off."

The drummer tapped his sticks together four times. In his haste, Wyatt came in a little early, but he found the rhythm quickly. The intro of the song went well. Gretchen began to sway slightly to the beat. Then Wyatt began to sing.

His voice was beautiful. No, beyond beautiful. Cosmic. It was pure, vibrant, and charismatic. It was infused with energy and drive, and the mongoose made it look effortless. Taylor was so in awe of the boy's voice that he hadn't even noticed he stopped playing.

"What happened?" Wyatt said, his voice impatient.

"I...I..." Taylor fumbled for words. "I'm sorry, I just... I didn't expect... I'm sorry. Can we try again?"

"You wasting my time, kid?" the mongoose asked.

"No, I didn't mean to do that," Taylor apologized. "I'm sorry. I won't mess up again."

"From the top."

Drew counted them off again, and the song was underway. To Taylor's ears, it sounded pristine. Perfect. Jasper played the bass line to perfection, his slapping and popping of the wicked-looking four-stringed instrument nothing short of professional. The drummer's fills were tight and he never lost the beat. Taylor felt as though he was playing in the presence of giants. Gods of rock, roll and metal.

When the song concluded, Wyatt walked back to the amplifier, sat down, and lit another cigarette. "You play the solo differently," he stated flatly.

"Yeah, I improvised a little. I'm really not as good as Talis."

"The solo is one of the easier solos Darkchild plays," Wyatt countered.

The panda looked down at the floor in dismay. "I... I know..."

There was an awkward silence. "We could play another song," Taylor suggested.

"No, I've heard enough," said the mongoose. "Thanks for trying out."

Taylor felt his cheeks burning. Wyatt began leafing through the pages of a small, well-worn black book. The panda looked at Jasper who put his bass down.

"You play well," the wolf said.

"Thanks for giving me the chance."

Gretchen rose from the desk. "Thanks for giving Taylor the chance," she smiled warmly. "You guys all sounded really great together."

"I didn't catch your name," Jasper smiled, playboyishly.

"Gretchen," said the Siamese cat.

"Coming from a fine feline such as you, Gretchen, I take that as a compliment," the wolf winked.

Gretchen stifled a laugh. "Heh, your welcome."

Taylor and Gretchen walked out in the hallway. Letting out a deep sigh, Taylor slumped down against the wall.

"I wasn't any good, was I? I wasn't good at all."

"You sounded fantastic," Gretchen reassured him. "Honestly, if those guys don't want you, there's something wrong with them, not you."

"Thanks Gretchen, but really, I know that I suck."

The cat frowned. "You've really gotta stop beating yourself up all the time. You did your absolute best."

"But I let them down," the panda protested. "And did you hear the mongoose sing? He was so good he made my fur stand on end." He sobbed.

Gretchen knelt down and wrapped her arm around her friend. "If you work at it, I'm sure there will be more chances for you to play in a band. If not this one, another one."

Taylor's mind was on Wyatt. He hadn't acted at all like he had earlier that day. He had seemed in a foul mood, upset even. Maybe Taylor had upset him. Wyatt had wanted to impress him. He wanted to be Wyatt's friend so badly that without his friendship, he didn't even want to be at Scarborough High at all. He wanted to run away. He wanted a hole to open up in the floor and swallow him up. He wanted to disappear.

The door to the practice room opened and Jasper stepped out. He exhaled a deep puff of smoke.

"So, you got your own guitar?" the wolf asked.

"W...what?"

"A guitar. You got one?"

"Oh, y-yeah..."

"Well then does tomorrow after school work for you?"

Taylor shook his head. "What? What do you mean?"

"To start practicing."

The panda blinked. Jasper took a hit of his cigarette. "To practice?"

Jasper looked at Gretchen. "He's cute, but he's a bit slow, isn't he?"

"Yeah he can be sometimes," the kitty giggled.

"The band starts practicing tomorrow. Can you bring your guitar and start tomorrow?"

"But I thought Wyatt just rejected me!" Taylor gaped.

"When did he ever say you didn't make the cut."

"Then...then you m-mean-"

"I don't know how I else I can spell it out for you, Taylor. You're in. You've got the gig if you want it."

The panda's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Of course I want it!"

Jasper smiled and flashed his tongue across his fangs. "Welcome to Affurmation."