FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was a cool morning as Erik walked through the town. The sunrise had just begun to crest over the brilliant autumn treeline and the town was awash in its orange glow. Dressed in his traveling clothes, and hauling his dufflebag backpack with a few survival items for the road, he made his way once more to the schoolhouse. Jenny was already there, waiting for his arrival.

“Ah, you're finally here!" She was dressed in her usual attire, and not carrying a bag or anything. It seemed she wasn't prepared for any kind of journey at all.

“It's barely sun up." He yawned.

“I haven't really been here long, I guess I was just excited. It's exciting! I get to go on an adventure!"

“You're not bringing any supplies?"

She looked around at herself. “L-like what?"

Erik shrugged. “Food, water, tools, matches, anything..." He groaned a little bit. Academics were just not cut out for adventuring business. “Well, let's get moving, then, no time like the present."

Jenny looked about one more time. “Oh? Not bringing Kelsey?"

He didn't want to tell her completely. “Let's just say she's left behind."

She chuckled, and they began their journey, heading toward the north end of town. “Oh, I see... Well, I'll take good care of you. Let's move."

“So, you've never been to Bensonville before?" Erik asked her as she trotted along next to him happily, her soft feet making no noise on the ground, but her increasingly whitening fur began to turn a bit brown on the bottoms of her feet from the dirt and mud.

“Nope, always so busy here. Most of us don't get out of our local areas, you know, we're not all adventurers."

“Right. Well, neither have I, but I think I know the way well enough."

She shrugged. “Well, I hope so, or we'll have to use those survival skills you've picked up from Kelsey to survive the night!" She looked to him with a smirk.

He sighed a bit. “It shouldn't take that long, as long as we keep moving."

“Either way, I don't mind." She glanced at him sideways.

There was some silence as they began their trek through town, to the northern edge.

“So, uh, I'm kind of surprised you requested me to go with you on this. Knowing the, you know, the thing." Jenny mumbled. “But only kind of. I could see why you would want me around, too."

The topic had already begun to get to him. “Look, there's reasoning to bring you along-"

“Need a break from the Missus, of course. I understand." She snickered. “And I'm the only other person around who's going to understand this book you need."

“Right, the book." He held his head and thought to himself, 'this is going to be a very long trip...'.

“Oh! Hey, isn't this the place where the Agent came into town?" They stood at the edge of the tall, withering autumn grasses, with the partially barren treeline in the background.

“Yeah, right about here. Seems like so long ago, now. Seems he almost fought with a bunch of the townspeople here, but thankfully, he took it to the Decker farm where he could get wrecked instead."

“Heh, bet he didn't see that coming. You sure showed him."

Erik shook his head. “Wasn't me, I was taken out first thing. The townspeople, the family, and Kelsey of course, they did it. They were the heroes that day, not me."

“Oh. Well, that's still good." She looked about, a bit embarrassed that she didn't know the facts about such an important day in the town's history. “But if you did get to fight him proper, you would have won, right?"

“Nope. He would have killed me right away."

“If you had your sword?"

“Still. It took the town and a surprise gun to stop him."

“Oh." She seemed a little disappointed knowing he maybe wasn't as strong as he seemed, but not that it would discourage her. “Well, you're still strong enough to fight most people, so that's saying something, right?"

“I guess so..."

It wasn't long before they got to the roadway, and the terrain opened up a swift path for them.

“Alright, should be smooth sailing from here, for the most part."

“Sailing?"

“... walking. We're walking there."

“Well, yeah. Of course. So why'd you say sailing?"

“It's an expression... nevermind."

Jenny was quiet for a moment as they began walking east on the road, nearly into the blinding sun. “Hey Erik, what do you know about sailing? Like on the water, right?" It seemed like a good time for her to pick his brain.

“Right, uh, I don't know a lot really, I get what's behind it, but never done it. Why?"

She shrugged. “Oh, I saw it in a book before, really fascinating way that humans used to travel across water. It seems so easy, but those ships were big, right? How does it work exactly? Just with the wind?"

Erik shifted gears into trying to think about sailing, something he hadn't really taken much notice of in the past.

“Uh, well. There's kind of two methods of it, really. The old-style tallships, and the newer sailboats. The old style used many big rectangular sails and had wind blow into it somewhere from behind, which just sort of pushed the boat with the speed of the wind. It wasn't very effective, but easier to understand. I think." He explained.

Jenny listened with rapt attention. “Uh huh..."

“Then there's the other kind, that have a big triangular sail, and it works the other way. It faces sort of into the wind on its side."

She scratched her head. “Facing into the wind? And it moves with the wind, then? How does that work?"

Erik dug through his thoughts for some scientific knowledge on the subject, but had to pull it from aviation knowledge, and not actually sailing. “Well, the way the wind blows onto the triangular sail actually splits the wind around it to make two different pressures, which creates lift to pull the boat along instead. It's like a wing." He realized she might not know what 'wing' meant to him. “Like a gliding bird."

She was impressed. “I... didn't know wind could work that way."

“It's something we made use of a lot in the Before Times, lift. It's a scientific phenomenon based on the, uh... principle of, oh, what his name? Something Italian. Bernardi? Bernoulli. The Bernoulli principle."

“Hmm, no, never heard of it."

His teaching role continued forever, it seemed. “When air is forced onto two sides of an object with two different curved surfaces, it creates an imbalance in force and causes one side to be stronger than the other, pushing it and creating 'lift', it's how birds fly. A sail like that is just a sideways wing."

“Ooh. I didn't know all of this. You just have so much knowledge in there!" She smiled and pointed to his head.

“Heh, I guess. Pretty hard to pull it all out of there sometimes." He chuckled, then realized he was only making her like him more. He was supposed to be doing the opposite.

They walked on for a while, taking a short rest stop near a tiny flowing creek off the side of the road. Jenny dipped her feet in it and sighed heavily while standing in the shade of a tree bough. “Ahh... this 'asphalt' stuff is murder on my feet. I'm so used to grass and dirt."

“Sorry, but this is the fastest path there."

“I know, I know... we'll give it a couple of minutes before we head back out, alright?"

“Yeah." He looked upstream a bit before looking back to her. “I'm, uh, gonna head up there a bit while you rest. I'll be back."

“Nature calls?"

“Yeah." He turned and began hiking slightly up the river and ducked off into the bushes where he couldn't be seen.

For a relaxing moment, Erik relieved himself on the base of a tree with a calming sigh. The trip wasn't something he really relished doing, but hopefully, it would be for the best. Here in the bushes, it was just the wind in the branches, no questions or answers, just peace and quiet. It was almost tranquil. As he zipped up the pants, a bough before him bent down to reveal the large face of a snake.

“Allo." The snake spoke simply, in an odd female voice.

“Ngh?!" He jolted back in surprise, not at all expecting such a face there.

She was taken aback a bit, as well, but dismounted onto the ground in front of him. “Whoa whoa_, tabernacle! Tu est tendu!_"

“Wh-" He had to think about it for a moment, and while he did, he took a quick look over her. An eastern garter snake, thin as a pole and ten feet long, with no legs, but two spindly arms she could use to grip onto things with more ease than otherwise possible. Were it not for the voice, he wouldn't be able to tell if she were male or female, because there were no real discernible features. But she spoke French. He hadn't heard French in so long, he almost didn't recognize it. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a language he really understood, even the local dialects. She stood before him, her tail wound up comfortably, seemingly waiting for his reply. “Uhh... tu... est... qui?"

She looked at him for a moment and snorted, cursing under her breath. “Tête carré, hostie fuck... Fine! I will speak Anglo for you, Erik." She finally responded in a way he could understand, though it was difficult to grasp through her accent. He got the swearing. “I 'ope 'e's giving you a French book so you can study dat."

“W-who are you?"

“I am Jeanne," She responded, “and I am a knower of tings."

It was such a cryptic statement. “What... does that even mean? What do you know?"

“Tings." She smirked, as mysterious as ever.

“Like what things?"

“Like the Creekhouse dere?"

That was a subject he could start to wrap his mind around. “What about it?"

“I will just say dat not all are friends dere. Might be a bit of a 'assle if you stick around."

“What?"

Her tongue flitted briefly. “I would be careful if I were you, Erik."

“What does that mean?" As soon as Erik finished asking her that, she snickered and quickly slithered off, back into the bush, and away from his now burning curiosity. “Hey! Hey! Shit. Not friends? Are they using me?" He looked at the ground for a moment, then shook his head and took his leave of the area. “Know what? Whatever. I don't know who that is, but I have a deal with Darkhill, not her."

He returned to Jenny, still resting in the shade.

“Hey, about time!"

“Yeah, sorry. When you gotta go, you gotta go, right?" He tried to put the cryptic snake woman behind him, both literally and figuratively.

She smirked. “Right."

“Well. We'd better get a move on. That road isn't going to travel itself."

The two set out again, wandering briskly down the old road, with nothing to see but piles of trees on each side and weeds bursting through the road's cracks. Were the journey being done in a car, at least they would have radio to listen to, Erik thought. But the journey was so uneventful, it would almost have been a godsend for bandits or something to come by. When not having a conversation with Jenny, Erik started mumbling to himself to pass the time, and take attention away from his feet.

“What's that, Erik?"

“Hm? Oh, sorry. Just... talking to myself, I guess. Reminiscing."

“Anything good?"

“I don't know. Just old memories, things I thought would always be around. I haven't been here all that long, and so much has happened already, and so much more is to come. I'm still adjusting, you know? Forgetting all those old things that don't – or didn't – matter is going to take some time."

“Like what?"

“Music, TV shows, movies, old friends and acquaintances..."

She could do nothing but shrug. She might never really understand the things he remembered. “But now you have lots of new things. All of these new opportunities, new experiences, new friends and family."

“New things are great, but they're supposed to come with time, not... after a couple of months. I'm still not over it all."

She looked to him with a sweet smile. “Would you like someone to comfort y-"

“No."

She huffed a bit. “So grumpy..."

They walked most of the day, Erik occasionally rebuking another pass at him, until the evening began to come along. As they neared the town, a fisher guard stopped leaning on a tree, and paid attention to the two approaching the town. Specifically, because a human was approaching. He met them on the road, armed with a sharpened stick, like most other town guards seemed to have.

“Hold there, human." He growled, his voice throaty from a dry day on guard duty.

Erik responded by raising his hands half up. “We come in peace."

“Are you Erik?"

“That's me, Erik Barnes."

He lowered his spear. “Heard about you. You're expected. But don't linger too long, most of the locals don't know or care that you're expected."

“Alright, great. Say, which way to the tavern?" He asked the guard. Both Jenny and the fisher looked to him strangely.

“Forward until the white house, left to the blue, then right to the green bottle sign."

Erik bowed his head. “Thank you."

As they walked past the guard, into the town, Jenny looked to him with surprise. “Wow, expected? Looks like they have a warm welcome planned for you."

He shrugged. “Yeah, I'm surprised. I figured I would be given a hard time."

“Well, the tavern does sound like a nice place to go. But we should get that book before too long, as well. Night's coming, after all. And we'll have to spend the night."

“Don't worry, it'll all be covered."

The town was much more than either were expecting. Unlike Goldenmere, which was once a small hamlet or former farming community, Bensonville seemed to have actually been a town. Many buildings were still relatively intact, and used as homes and businesses. People transported small goods and food around in old milk crates and wheelbarrows and traded with each other out in the streets.

“Wow, this place is actually bustling with activity."

Jenny looked around with incredulity. “Yeah! I didn't know it was so busy here."

People occasionally slowed down to glare at Erik, but no actions were particularly taken. Following their directions, they were led straight to the tavern. An old, two-storey house with algae-stained siding awaited them, as they ascended the stairs and entered through the old wooden door. A can on a string made a light clatter as the door opened, and the clamor of the locals drinking and eating suddenly died off as they looked to the door like a monster had just walked in. A couple of people stood up, their chairs grinding on the cracked linoleum floor.

“Uhh. Tough crowd..." Erik mumbled to himself lightly, continuing through to an open table, under the flight of stairs heading up, which was cordoned off. Presumably, the owners lived up there.

Jenny slid into the seat with her back facing the door, and Erik faced it. “I've never felt like prey as much as I do right now..."

“That's just because I'm here." He looked around, some of the faces started to look away and continue their lives. Eventually, one face peeked around a corner. It was Colton, still scarred and ragged from his previous brushes with death. He held up a brown-covered book so Erik could see it. “Well, I'll go order some drinks, tea or something?"

“Ah, yes please." She nodded, and cupped her hands on the table as Erik got up and walked away.

He approached the bar, but met with Colton instead. As they met up, they shook hands, something he didn't think would happen for some time.

“Good evening, Erik. Good to see you're still in one piece."

“You too, Colton."

“So, that's her, huh?" He glanced over. “Fine looking lady. Great fur, nice voice. You sure you want to part with her?" He handed the book forward.

Erik snorted. “She's been trying to be a thorn in the side of my marriage for a while now, please do." Erik took a hold of the book, sight unseen. “Remember, she's smart, so she likes gadgets and history, and strong guys."

He chuckled lightly and smirked. “Alright. I'll take care of Jenny. You take care of Kelsey."

He nodded. “Always." He looked back to her. “You know, I kind of feel bad doing this."

“Why?"

“Well, she does trust me, and I'm just kind of ditching her and disappearing."

He waved his hand. “Don't worry. I'll keep her so occupied, she won't even think of you."

He nodded again and headed for the door. “Thanks, Colton."

Awkwardly, he disappeared out the door, as Colton sidled up to the table with some tea. Outside, as the sun threatened to go down soon, Kelsey lay in wait, leaning against a low rock wall.

“Get it done?"

“Ah, there you are. Yeah, I got it done." Erik looked to the book finally. “I got, uhh... 'The Basics of Woodworking' in the trade." He responded in a muted tone. “Well, maybe it'll be useful?" He sighed a bit.

“You alright?" She put her paw on his shoulder.

“I feel kind of awkward about it all. It's kind of a weird plan, what if she doesn't go for it? She's gonna leave and find out I'm gone, just dropped her off here. Are we like him, in those days, for plotting?"

She shrugged. “It's different, I think, because we're setting her up with a single guy that she'll probably like. Maybe? I don't know. Maybe we should just go home, it's getting cold."

“Tell me about it, I'm not ready for this weather."

She quickly hugged him. “You will be. I'll find a way, I promise. For now, a hug will do, right? But really, we have to get back home. Come on, let's get moving."

Erik shook his head. “Kelsey, it's going to get dark soon. Maybe we should find somewhere for the night."

Kelsey raised her finger at him. “We're going to find somewhere to sleep, just like old times." She grinned. “It'll be fine! Trust me."

As they walked past the final windows to the building, they could see in. Colton and Jenny were still at the table, both laughing and carrying on while enjoying their tea. It didn't seem she was any the wiser he had left.

“Look at them, Kelsey." He stopped to see the scene. “They're... actually having a good time."

“See? It's fine, he's got it all under control. She doesn't even know you're gone! Erik who?"

“For once, I'm happy to feel forgettable." He smirked a bit, turning to leave.

Suddenly, he was faced with a small group of townspeople. A pig, beaver, crow, skunk and porcupine stared him down, armed with thick bashing sticks.

“Human, what are you doing here?"

“Just making a trade with so-"

He wasn't given time to really explain it. “This ain't Goldenmere! You're not welcome, get outta our town!"

“I was just leaving-"

“Get out now!"

Erik wasn't in the mood to fight, and Kelsey was easily outnumbered. He simply raised his hands a bit and backed off. “We're leaving, we're going."

As they left, the group followed them to the edge of town, other townspeople looking on, guards doing nothing either way. They wouldn't let Erik out of their sight for a moment, until he was well and truly gone. Thankfully, the angry group did not follow them out of the town.

“Jerks..." Kelsey grumbled. “I could've taken them."

“Don't worry about it. We were getting out of there anyway."

“Well, yeah, but... they didn't need the push us out."

“It's fine, dear. Really. All the more reason why Jenny can't find me, right?" He shrugged. “Let's just go. We'll find somewhere to sleep out here. And hopefully... Colton has everything taken care of."

Between the two of them, they did have enough of their survival gear to deal with the night outside of the town. Kelsey located a ruined home in the bush, which had long been plundered of almost everything but the boards and nails, but it did luckily have an old brick fireplace still intact. The old brick was plenty dirty, and the chimney partially plugged up by nests and other clutter, but it did thankfully hold a fire, made from the sticks and chunks of branches they were able to scrounge from the area. The two had to curl up in front of the fireplace just to keep warm on the cool night, but it beat sleeping outside where the cold was really able to get to them. Kelsey encircled him, keeping him warm in her fur and catching the heat from the fire. It was almost like old times, just like she said, only this time, they actually had a proper structure to shelter in.

This was what they truly looked forward to each day, even if they had nothing with them but the clothes on their backs, the time spent together was precious.