FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter One, Nothing goes that Easy

Allen paced the living room of his house, anxious as all get out from the email he received that morning. He hoped that this "Zoroark" character would be the one, so to speak. He blushed over and over at the crinkle of plastic which was his own devils mark, making the takers all but charge out of his home, tail between their respective legs. He sighed, and looked to the wall which held A news paper clipping saying "Hero survives major explosion with severe nervous system damage." He sighed more, feeling his tail lift up as he cut a loud fart in the empty house, filling the halls with a long and drawn out, "FPHHHRRPP!" He blushed more, and hoped no accidents happened when this Zoroark showed up, if he even did.

Zoroark hopped off the bus stop in front of a high end neighborhood, and couldn't help but stare. Each home had at least three cars, and about an acer to two acres of pure land alone, not counting the massive houses on each property. Coming from an apartment stack, Zoroark held up the print off of the email he got back, and re-read it to himself. "Go down two blocks, and look for the house with the flags in front of it. Buzz the entrance, and wait for me to let you in." No "Thank you for accepting the Offer," or, "I hope you do well on your job application." Just cold facts. He sighed, and started walking, his more feminine mixed clothing bringing a few of the neighbors to draw their foals and kids close. He grinned and glared friendly up to one family who was rushing themselves indoors, saying, "Good morning!"

This actually caused them to slow down, and the eldest to shake his head, looking embarrassed at taking the lead of the groups charge to the entrance. Feeling upset for such a quick judgment to be passed on a passer by, the eldest walked, albeit a bit hesitantly, back to Zoroark and bowed his head slightly. "Good morning, ah, sir. How are you today." His voice was shaky and loaded with fear and embarrassment. Zoroark sighed and offered a paw for shaking. "It's fine, sir. I've been met with far worse treatment for my 'Looks'. Say..." He smiled a bit, hoping to melt the arctic levels of ice, "Would you mind helping me a bit? I'm looking for someone who was offering a job around here. "Here is his address, but would you mind pointing me the way?" The elder fur was nearly overjoyed at the task, and gave Zoroark the information he already knew himself. He smiled again, said "Thanks" and started off down the lane, getting less hated reception from the suburban furs.

Meanwhile, Allen was sipping on lemonade, trying to settle his stomach and mind at the same time. He checked his clock, and cursed his nature of being early and overly prepared. Not that I have anything else to really do, he thought cynically to himself. Sighing heavily, he picked up a game controller, and powered on his console of choice: An Xbox One. He didn't put in his headphones and put in "Call of Furry: Phantoms," switching to "Extermination" mode. He smiled and started relaxing, video gaming taking priority now that he couldn't make it far without needing... Assistance. He grinned as the lobby he was in filled, two of the other three members having mics of their own. "Sup" He said. "Ready to beat 'Nightrise?' That boss at the end is a bitch."

The furs on the other end of the internet agreed, and they started working, the one without a microphone "bouncing" along the virtual terrain. About halfway through, in the midst of defending a bomb, the street box buzzed, letting him know someone was knocking. He sighed, and logged out, saying goodbye begrudgingly and being met with a few "It's allright, man" responses. He picked up the speaker and said, "Hello?"

"Hello." Zoroark said, holding on to the other end. He looked up past an electrically charged gate at the small house on the lane, a good walk up a brick drive. "My name is Zoroark Shﾃ肱zo. I'm here for the job." A buzzer sounded, and the door swung out and opened. An electric buzz came from the receiver, followed by a "Welcome, come on in." Zoroark walked up the brick road a bit hesitantly, feeling extremely out of place. He half expected a police car to round the bend and haul his flank out of there. But as he made it to the door, he heard the owner walk toward the other side of the entrance and disarm the locks.

"Welcome to my home, sir." Said Allen, smiling and offering a warm handshake, "How are you today?" Zoroark shook the equines paw, blushing at the warm reception. "I'm Fine, sir, thank you. Are the kids home today? Or is there some other form of arrangement?" Allen blushed now, and shuffled uneasily. "Um... about that." He said, rubbing the back of his head behind his ears, "If you would kindly follow me please? I'd rather not explain it right on the front lawn." Allen offered a paw and lead Zoroark into the main room, again offering him a seat. He poured a small drink of lemonade and offered the canine fur a glass. Zoroark blushed, not used to such warm welcome and reception from a stranger, let alone a potential employer. "Thank you, sir. Now, what was this problem you had that couldn't be explained on your front porch?"

Allen Sighed and shuffled, unable to sit down. Time to be out with it, He thought. He began to explain, starting with, "Well, you read the ad online, correct?" Zoroark nodded, and he continued. "Then you know that The ad was for a person to help care and clean like a nurses aid. And well..." Here he faltered, and sighed in frustration. "A few years ago, there was a soldier over in the Afghan mountains. Earned almost six silver stars, and was well on his way to a purple heart. Then an injury from an explosion ended his life in the limelight, and he disappeared from the media entirely. Now, take a look over at that wall over there." He gestured with a paw to several plaques on the wall to his right. the biggest was actually a medical report, with the bold words being "Nervous System Damaged, Body Systems Unbalanced." This was followed by a picture of a young horse, his eyes closed and red mane cut back from the operation to "Help stabilize his nervous system, and allow basic movement." That same Horse, now older and with his mane grown back, looked at Zoroark with tears threatening to overtake his face. "So, you see, there comes a time when you can't take being called a Freak. You seek help, but when so many turn you down, you get so... Forsaken, that you don't know what keeps driving you to get up every morning." He sighed, and sat down, a loud crinkle coming from his puffed out pants. He put his face in his paws, not even wanting to face Zoroark from so many who rejected him before.

Time Passed, Zoroark unmoving, processing and digesting all that exposition. Shuffling and breathing deeply, he finally decided. "Sir, I don't care what happened to you, and after hearing that, I don't care about the pay. You need somefur to help you, and that's what I intend to do."

Allen took a moment, having already launched into what was said so many times before, "Its fine, just don't tell- Wait" Realization hit him, and he looked up. Even though he was red eyed and tear stained, he forced himself to meet Zoroark's eyes. "Are you serious?" He whispered, incredulously, "Do you really want to stay and help me?" Zoroark nodded, and he shakily stood up, walking over to the Canine fur. Weakly, he took Zoroark's hands and started pumping them up and down, now on the verge of breaking down in relief. He held it together, though, and said in a voice laced with joy. "Would you be willing to start today, even?"

Zoroark blushed, and nodded as he said, "Yes, I would." He almost regretted those words, as He was quickly squashed to the horses chest in a bear hug. "Thank you, sir! Thank you so much! I promise you, you won't regret this decision," Allen belted out excitedly, his overjoyed voice filling the small manor home. Zoroark croaked out, "You're.. crushing... me" and Allen blushed, releasing him from the hug.

"Sorry, sorry... I guess I got a bit carried away." Allen blushes, and rubs his feet into the hardwood floor. "Say Zoroark, if you don't mind me calling you that," He said with another blush, "Since you're gonna be here awhile, do you wanna... I don't know, just hang out until I need you?" And So their day began.