{"sf1_id":193667,"sf2_id":"4nAKxdle","title":"Trying Something New","author":"WolfTales","words":2189,"posted_at":"2010-11-12T04:52:00.000Z","tags":["Clean","Dalmatian","Lizard"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/193667-trying-something-new","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/4nAKxdle","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/33/f1/33f14c0e-8e75-4022-a1a7-3220520e3994","description":"#2 of Library View","content":" **Chapter 2**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nCrossing through the long bathroom, he raised his hand and knocked on the other door.\u0026nbsp; After a few seconds he heard rustling and foot paws shuffling against the floor.\u0026nbsp; He heard the deadbolt slide open and, as the knob turned, a Dalmatian wearing only a pair of baggy sleeping shorts, one ear dropped oddly and rubbing his eyes against the light came into view.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, sorry.\u0026nbsp; I didn't think about the time, I didn't mean to wake you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Nah, it's just the light, don't worry about it.\u0026nbsp; What is it Nathan?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Actually I need your help.\"\u0026nbsp; Suspicion crossed through the watery blue eyes.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"We've lived together for half a year, and besides introductions the only thing you've ever knocked on my door about was the fur in the shower.\u0026nbsp; What could I possibly help you with?\"\u0026nbsp; He cringed at the words, knowing they were all too true, but he thought he saw some regret on the Fur's face at his reaction.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Look, Alan, I know I haven't been the best suitemate, but I was raised in Lizard community.\u0026nbsp; They aren't very accepting of... well anyone else.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So I've heard.\"\u0026nbsp; The distain in his voice was clear.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThere was a strong silence before he felt comfortable enough to continue.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm taking this class on Fur History, and I remember that you're a History buff so...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"You want my help with your homework?\"\u0026nbsp; A low growl emitted from the Dalmatian's throat, but Nathan straightened, holding his ground.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"I have to write a report on Fur Tribal Affairs and I was wondering if you might be able to help me find information.\"\u0026nbsp; The Dog's ears twitched and lowered in anger at the agitated level in his voice.\u0026nbsp; Taking a breath, he tried to calm himself before starting again.\u0026nbsp; \"Let's just say I've had a change of heart and I wanted to try and use this to get another view on things.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAlan's ears went straight up, a sign that Nathan knew as surprise.\u0026nbsp; But suspicion was still strong in the K9's features.\u0026nbsp; \"Why?\u0026nbsp; What caused this change of... heart?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThinking back to the library he let a half smile crack his maw.\u0026nbsp; \"Believe it or not, a girl.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"So your focus is Squirrel Tribes?\"\u0026nbsp; Alan had already skimmed through all five of the books he had checked out.\u0026nbsp; \"That'll make it a little harder, but not as much as your choice in books.\u0026nbsp; You're looking in the wrong section.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nNathan let out and exasperated breath.\u0026nbsp; \"Go figure.\u0026nbsp; What is it with Furs and documenting things?\"\u0026nbsp; There was a strong, awkward silence.\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry.\u0026nbsp; I'm...\"\u0026nbsp; He sighed again.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hey, it's ok.\u0026nbsp; It'll take some time to deprogram your brain from what you've been taught.\u0026nbsp; Think of it this way, have you ever had a bad experience with a Fur?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHe thought long and hard about high school, his only real interaction with Furs before college.\u0026nbsp; \"Before college I never really interacted with them at all.\u0026nbsp; They were scared to death of the community, even though they lived in it.\u0026nbsp; I thought they were weak, but I guess it would make sense.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"There's step one.\u0026nbsp; Trying to relate, even just a little.\u0026nbsp; Putting yourself in their paws.\"\u0026nbsp; There seemed a note of almost pride in his voice and it seemed to resonate through Nathan as well.\u0026nbsp; \"So what about now, in college?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Besides the fur in the shower?\"\u0026nbsp; He smiled, letting Alan know he was joking.\u0026nbsp; \"I've had two professors try to fail me, only on the ground that I don't have fur.\"\u0026nbsp; His anger seemed to dull the pride and humor of the previous moments.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Ok, which teachers?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Stasher, the old Weasel, and Ramer.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Stasher tried to fail everyone.\u0026nbsp; The dropout rate for his class is 50%.\u0026nbsp; Ramer doesn't usually fail people without reason, can you remember anything specific?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah, that was last semester right before my counselor... Oh.\"\u0026nbsp; That was the class that he had turned in the rather racist essays.\u0026nbsp; He felt the skin on his cheeks warm a little from embarrassment.\u0026nbsp; \"Ok, I guess that one I kind of edged her on.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Had a feeling.\u0026nbsp; So is that it?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nNathan thought for a few minutes.\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, I mean, I pretty much keep to myself and my studies.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Alright, what you need to do is not focus so much on what you were taught, but your experience with Furs.\u0026nbsp; Maybe when you're walking, say hi or ask someone for direction, see how they respond to you.\u0026nbsp; Now every race has their bad-apples, but don't let that one soil the whole lot.\u0026nbsp; As for your report, I suggest looking in the Folk Lore section, rather than History.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"How will that help with a historical report?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Furs find different things important than Reptiles, stories being one of them.\u0026nbsp; A lot of Fur Folk Lore is based on history, and it's pretty easy to tell them apart if you know what to look for.\u0026nbsp; If you want, I can help you.\u0026nbsp; You do the looking and find the books and I'll help you tell fact from fiction.\u0026nbsp; Sound good?\"\u0026nbsp; He held out his paw with a genuine smile across his muzzle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nNathan looked at it for a long moment before he reached his own hand up and grasped him in a hand shake.\u0026nbsp; \"Deal!\"\u0026nbsp; He tried to hide his surprise at the warmth in the Dalmatian's paw.\u0026nbsp; It was the first time he had touched a Fur in anything but anger; he had forgotten that they were warm blooded.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then.\u0026nbsp; Just knock on my door when you get in.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thanks, Alan.\"\u0026nbsp; He blinked at him for a moment before smiling again and, tipping an imaginary hat, headed back through the bathroom.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHe couldn't help but smile.\u0026nbsp; It had been a long time since he'd even had a long conversation with anyone, his parents often too busy to stay on the phone more than just a few minutes.\u0026nbsp; He wondered if working on this research together would make him and Alan friends.\u0026nbsp; To his surprise, the thought was warming.\u0026nbsp; He hadn't thought about it, but he didn't really have any friends at the school.\u0026nbsp; In fact, all he ever did was eat, sleep and study.\u0026nbsp; When had his life become so boring?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhat was he even going to school for?\u0026nbsp; After this semester he would be done with his gen-ed requirements, what was he going to do then?\u0026nbsp; He sighed again and threw himself on his bed.\u0026nbsp; Hitting the light on the nightstand he decided to think about that tomorrow after some sleep and then some research.\u0026nbsp; With that thought, he let his mind slip back to the library.\u0026nbsp; Though his eyes were closed, he smiled at the thought of seeing his inspiration again.\u0026nbsp; Maybe it should have been weird, maybe it was, but there had been a time when little more than loin cloths were worn.\u0026nbsp; The image of her red and white fur, cover by only a small piece of leather was his last as he fell into happy dreams.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWaking close to mid morning, he dressed in a hurry and started looking through his cupboards for something to eat.\u0026nbsp; Setting a plate down on the counter, he spotted it, sitting there almost as if daring him.\u0026nbsp; His meal-plan card.\u0026nbsp; He had never used it; there must be a tone of money on it.\u0026nbsp; Glancing at the bathroom door, he thought about what Alan had said.\u0026nbsp; Putting the plate away and grabbing the card he scooped his stuff up, locking the door behind him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHis ears were ringing slightly at all the nose.\u0026nbsp; There were Furs and Reptiles everywhere, tables packed with too many people, windowsills' covered in backpacks and some people actually sitting on them.\u0026nbsp; Several tables near the door were looking at him strangely; he realized he had simply been standing there staring.\u0026nbsp; Digging his card out of his pocket, he made his way through the sea of tables and bodies to the food counters.\u0026nbsp; They had a lot more choices than he'd thought.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nGrabbing some pizza and a drink he made for the counter and swiped his card.\u0026nbsp; Leaving the line, he stopped in his tracks again.\u0026nbsp; There wasn't an empty table in site.\u0026nbsp; Looking in every direction, he finally saw a small four chaired table that was being emptied.\u0026nbsp; He weaved and hopped over backpacks, trying to reach it before someone else spotted it.\u0026nbsp; A sudden jerk and only his fast reflexes kept his drink from spilling on more than just his shoe.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, crap! I'm so sorry!\"\u0026nbsp; Turning slightly he saw a short orange tabby cat, eyes wide in horror, staring at him.\u0026nbsp; His first reaction was anger, but both his hands being occupied, all he could do was fume.\u0026nbsp; Seeming not to notice, the girl turned back to the table she had risen from and grabbed some napkins.\u0026nbsp; \"Here, I'm terribly sorry.\u0026nbsp; It didn't stain anything did it?\u0026nbsp; Oh, I'm so sorry, let me buy you another drink.\"\u0026nbsp; He blinked several times, shocked by her willingness.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"N-no that's ok.\u0026nbsp; Thanks though.\"\u0026nbsp; She met his eyes, concerned.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Are you sure?\u0026nbsp; It really was my fault, please.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"No, not that much of it spilled.\u0026nbsp; Thanks for the napkins.\"\u0026nbsp; Her eyes were still apologetic as she smiled and started to move around him in the direction she had intended to go before bumping him.\u0026nbsp; He surprised himself further by smiling back.\u0026nbsp; Not a forced smile; one that just crept up on him.\u0026nbsp; Turning away from her as she moved easily through the crowd, he found the table he had been making for was being filled.\u0026nbsp; His mood dropped, but he was still far from angry.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nFinding and empty spot on the windowsill, he managed to make a table out of his lap, securing his backpack behind his legs, and watched the room as he ate.\u0026nbsp; There was lots of laughing and several other people bumping into others, almost taking a few to the ground.\u0026nbsp; It was hard for him to hear anything specific, but the mood of the room was altogether infectious.\u0026nbsp; Actually watching furs, instead of sneering and looking away, gave him a much better view.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAs he was leaving, he made a point of smiling at everyone who met his eyes.\u0026nbsp; Some turned away, most smiled back, and one, a tall, slender chocolate lab, bat her eyelashes and he saw her look him up and down before giving him an alluring smile.\u0026nbsp; He smiled to himself, shaking his head as he went through the double doors and into the afternoon air.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIt seemed his feet couldn't take him to the library fast enough.\u0026nbsp; He almost tripped over himself and a loose brick before he finally made it to the doors.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hello, Mrs. ... uh..\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe black tabby from the night before smiled and his skin redden.\u0026nbsp; \"It's alright.\u0026nbsp; My names Grater, but please, honey, call me Karen.\u0026nbsp; I don't need any help feeling old.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Alright Karen,\" he held out his hand.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm Nathan.\"\u0026nbsp; She looked at him curiously, but smiled and shook his hand.\u0026nbsp; \"I was wondering if there was anyone in the library who specialized in Squirrels.\u0026nbsp; Preferably the tribal years.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hmm,\" she pursed her black lips and tapped them with a slender finger.\u0026nbsp; \"I actually don't think so.\u0026nbsp; David did, but he felt the university last semester, very unexpected.\u0026nbsp; We haven't have time to find anyone else to fill the department yet.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"There's a department for it?\"\u0026nbsp; He couldn't keep the surprise from his voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"We try to keep a small department for ever species if we can, but it's getting harder and harder every year.\"\u0026nbsp; He looked down at the backpack he's set on the counter.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry honey.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"It's alright.\"\u0026nbsp; He met her eyes again, hardly deterred.\u0026nbsp; \"Is there anyone who can help me find the section on fur folk lore?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Ah! Now _that_ I can help you with.\"\u0026nbsp; Picking up the phone sitting closest to her, she rang back into the main office.\u0026nbsp; \"Can you send Gary out; there is a student who needs help finding the fur folk lore section.\u0026nbsp; Thanks Penny.\"\u0026nbsp; She hung up the phone and smile at him again.\u0026nbsp; \"He'll be out in just a minute.\u0026nbsp; Go ahead and wait.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Thanks, Karen.\"\u0026nbsp; Turning he walked to a nearby ring of chairs and waited.\u0026nbsp; When a figure came into the corner of his vision, clearly looking at him, he turned and made to rise, but froze half way through the motion.\u0026nbsp; \"Y-you're Gary?!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah,\" the tall blue Lizard smiled down at him.\u0026nbsp; \"You must be the guy looking for the folk lore, right?\"\u0026nbsp; He could only nod slowly.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, grab your stuff and I'll show you the way.\"\u0026nbsp; With an unsure sigh, he hauled himself the rest of the way out of the chair and off at the other Lizard's quick pace.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Library View","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/99093-change-of-heart.json"}}