{"sf1_id":30531,"sf2_id":"0mvbxjvm","title":"Book 1, Genesis: Chapter 9: The Husky","author":"Kiran","words":1749,"posted_at":"2007-08-15T16:57:00.000Z","tags":["Character Development","Human","Husky","No-Yiff","Plot Development"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/30531-book-1-genesis-chapter-9-the-husky","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/0mvbxjvm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e7/9c/e79c378c-540e-4e64-8baf-802cf2ace391","description":"#10 of The Chronicles of James Travant","content":"It had been a grueling time for the young security officer, and the short 2 weeks that passed between Travis' missed date and now had seemed to drag on forever.  \n  \nNow, as she began to pack the last memories away inside her home, a large cruiser labeled 'EUPD K9' Pulled to a slow stop at the curb and shut down, the door opened smoothly and the officer stepped out, quietly pulling the seat back for his companion.  \nThe officer swept the lawn with his gaze, making a cursory note on his comp pad before approaching the front door. The massive example of a dog that was his partner bounded about the yard and dashed between his legs. The officer was obviously well at ease with his partner, not stumbling once despite the shaggy creature shoving its way around his stride.  \n  \nThe officer stopped at the door, one black-furred ear flicking as his icy blue eyes surveyed the repaired frame and paneling before he lifted his hand to press the doorbell and waited patiently.  \n  \nTanya's head flicked up from the pictures, and she put all but the one of them both few days after they met, her favorite one of them at the small country fair. She left it on the floor as she went to the door, the bird flying to its makeshift perch.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; She wiped her eyes with her hands, and it could barely be told that some tears had leaked from her eyes merely minutes ago. The house smelled of scented candles, but otherwise, just of her... obviously she had entertained no one, only the very faint smell on the couch or her bed remained of Travis.  \n  \n\"Just a moment, I'll, uh. I will be right there..\" her voice was low and she kept her hair unbound as she went and opened the first door then went down to the next one and opened it, an eyebrow cocking and her body looking tired. \"Can I help you Officer?\"  \n  \nShe looked up at her hand, rubbing the fixed up frame and rubbing her hand along it with a soft but broken smile. \"Was there an attack nearby or something?\"  \n  \nThe Kaynine smiled down at her warmly.  \n\"No ma'am, just a few worried friends asking me to come by and check up on you, I hear you've had a rough time of things as of the past two weeks.\"  \n  \nThe massive Husky slipped his comp pad into a cargo pocket situated behind the large caliber revolver hung on his hip. \"My name's James Travant, Miss Sonette. May I come in and have a chat?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; She shrugged, \"I'm really quite fine, just needed to sort things out in my life, get things right in my life before I went back to work. But we can chat if you would like proof of that. Don't mind the boxes in the living room, just things needing sorting of my life.\"  \n  \nShe turned around again walking up to the next door she had left opened to her home, \"And I'll give your dog some water.\"  \n  \nShe had the same swaying walk as before but her posture wasn't so much proud as it used to be.  \n\"Would you like anything to drink while I'm in the kitchen?\" She asked as she slipped in there to grab a bowl of water.  \n  \n\"No thank you, ma'am.\" He replied evenly. \"My partner, Ronso, by the way.\"  \nThe large Husky bounded into the house with a happy bark.  \n\"He says he'll happily accept the water.\"  \n  \nJames moved about the living room, eyeing one open box and taking a glance in without prying much.  \n\"Problems with a relationship, I take it?\" he asked as she returned and set the bowl down for Ronso who padded over and smiled up at her, an excessive amount of humor in the animal's eyes, as if it knew something she didn't.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Before she could answer, the Finch flitted over and landed right on the bridge of the Kaynine's muzzle.  \n\"Hello there.\" He said with a small smile, flipping his muzzle so the bird flitted off and landed in his head, chittering happily in one ear.  \n  \nShe pet Ronso on the head, \"Glad to meet you boy.\"  \nShe then looked at the finch, \"Wow, only seen him take to one other like that.\"  \n  \nShe finally eyed the open box in question and sighed, \"You could say that. I'll never know what was wrong.\" She forced a weak smile and moved over to the box lingering as she put that favorite photo into the box and folded it shut.  \n  \nShe looked at Ronso again, then moved to close her bedroom door. \"So what was it that you wished to talk about? If you really must know, my leave ends up in a few days and I will be going back. I just need to get myself back from... you know what change of subject. I don't want to talk about him.... I'll remember in my dreams anyhow.\"  \n  \n\"Maybe you should talk about him, Miss.\" James said, lifting up one hand and letting the bird hop into his palm.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"It could be something's come up and I may be able to help you find him, or at least some information about him.\"  \n  \nHe smiled as the bird flitted from his hand. \"A finch, don't see many of them about anymore, good to see this one though, it's been awhile.\"  \n  \nShe froze at his words, her mind reeling back to what Travis had said about the finch. \"...What did you say? Oh never mind, you mean you've seen other finches in this city? I've only seen this one friendly fellow.\"  \n  \nShe looked to James with a look that said she really didn't want to remember. \"Talking about him won't bring him back. I'd imagine that he's doing him job, already forgotten about me.\"  \n  \nShe smiled, \"It was... really nice while it lasted I'll say that much. I can't believe I fell for him in such a short time.\"  \n  \nNow she chuckled, \"I think I'll remember my time with him forever, though opening up like that to someone else is out of the question.\"  \n  \nShe smiled, \"You sure you don't want something to drink? I'll be making myself some tea in a moment. I need it to wake up and I've got plenty of things to drink.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The Husky's ears flicked. \"Tea you say? Well, if it so happens to be green tea, I'd enjoy a cup, actually.\" He gave the Kaynine equivalent of a knowing smile. \"I'm afraid I prefer it brewed the proper and old fashioned way however.\"  \n  \nThe finch chittered at him some more before flitting to his lifted hand. \"Yes, little one, go on, we can do our own catching up sometime later.\"  \n  \nShe nodded, \"It's the only way to drink it when your here I'm afraid. Tea is something I follow with ceremony. If you can handle that...\"  \n  \nShe caught the words to the finch as she entered the kitchen and raised her brow, mumbling to herself. \"Catch up? Hmm...\" She turned around and started the tea, leaving it a little while to let it sit and somewhat steep the leaves in the hot water as she returned to the living room.  \n  \nShe peeked at Ronso's half empty water bowl as she passed it. \"Ha... looks like he was thirsty.\" She smiled softly, her eyes soft and something of the past flitting through them... she really did love animals.  \n  \nShe collected the dish from the floor, her eyes seemingly always glossy as if always ready to shed tears old tears, and vanished into the kitchen to return with the glass kettle out on a tray with two glasses, exactly how she did with Travis that night.  \n\"Come, sit. I'll pour you a cup.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; James turned from staring out her balcony window. \"Of course.\" He said simply, moving to sit on the opposite side of her, Ronso immediately coming to his side and sitting as well.  \nTaking his cup from her, he thanked her happily and took a sip, managing it flawlessly despite having a muzzle to contend with.  \n  \nShe took a sip as well, \"I have to ask, and I hope you don't take it rudely... but how does it feel? I mean with, well never mind. I guess some things I'll never know.\"  \nShe blushed and took another sip of her tea.  \n  \n\"So are you satisfied that I'm not going to kill myself... or for whatever my co-workers sent you to check up on me for? I'm just... trying to repiece my heart together so I don't break down in front of anyone, if I must be strong and somehow get over such a perfect love... then, I needed time to.. At least try.\"  \n  \nJames set down his cup and grinned at her. \"It's a new freedom from human form, no lies there. And I wouldn't give up so soon, miss. Love itself never dies, but it can change form.\"  \n  \nShe gave him a surprised look, and he looked down, giving a sharp yip to his partner, who immediately stood and padded out the door.  \n\"Don't look at me that way, not all EUPD officers are so dull to nature and other unrelated stuff.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; She shivered and her brow rose. She set her cup down after finishing it. Her eyes followed to the door to which Ronso left. \"He didn't need to leave...\"  \n  \nShe looked back to him, and she got entranced in his eyes for a moment, seeming lost and confused, but also almost in great pain before she looked away.  \n  \nShe breathed a heavy sigh, \"He... used to talk about wanting to become part of the Kaynines. Hell I wouldn't mind it either.\"  \n  \nShe grinned, \"But I'm only in security. It's a dream to not come true, I'll say this much, wherever he is, he'll keep my heart. And I'll see him, smell him... feel him everywhere.\"  \n  \nJames' eyes glittered as he looked into hers for a moment, then there was a scratching at the door and it was nudged open again slightly, his partner peeking through.  \n  \n\"He's not gone.\" He said quietly, climbing to his feet and turning from her. At a flick of his ears, Ronso nudged open the door fully and walked in, carrying a single long stemmed rose in his teeth. He padded over to Tanya and lowered his muzzle, depositing it delicately in her hands before stepping away.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Chronicles of James Travant","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/26542-book-1-genesis-chapter-8-the-journey-begins.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/31289-book-1-genesis-chapter-10-familiarity.json"}}