The Forest Through the Trees
12 Ngetal
by Assilsasta
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_The New Kid_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Katie leaned against the door of the Ford Ranger and looked out the window at the trees as they drove out of the mountain for the first time in weeks. She fiddled with the cinnamon stick and strange root bound in red thread that hung around her neck. One thing she had learned in the weeks living with her brother and his new wife was not to question Sonnet when she wanted you to do something. No matter how strange it sounded. The doe-husky insisted that the charm would bring her success and protection. But that was the farthest thing from her thoughts as she mindlessly twiddled it in her fingers.
The past few weeks had been the most unusual she had ever experienced. Her father had fallen into a coma; she had learned that her brother was only a half-brother on their mother's side, and that there was an entire side of the family that she had never known existed. Now her world was taking another unexpected turn as she headed down the highway to her first day at a new school. Her mind kept going back to the day that their father finally found Donovan, less so about the events that transpired, and more about the thought that many of the cubs her age that were there would be who she would be going to school with. For the first time in her life she was worried about being labeled a Christian and a bigot, about being judged on what her father had done.
She had stayed with her brother and his wife while their mother took care of what she could in town before she headed back home to ‘tie up some loose ends.’ In that time the trio found themselves snowed in and unable to get into town, or even think about starting school. It felt like the one time she went to the winter camp with the church group. It was cold, and they had fun with snowball fights and fort building when they weren't tending to the local animals and the small pack of feral wolves they had adopted. She was even relieved that Sonnet seemed to wear more clothes when they were outside. The doe’s habit of being nude most of the time still made her uncomfortable, and her brothers new habit of minimal clothing, didn’t help at all. She shook the image of her half-dressed brother out of her head as she tried to think about getting back to school after nearly a month being away.
She sighed as the tree line faded into the more developed and civilized scene of the city. She looked over at Donovan and asked, “Do you know where you’re going?”
The older lynx picked up the paper map that sat between them as he stopped at a light. “Sure, (someone) told me just where it is. It’s not that hard to find really.” He glanced over at her and asked, “Are you nervous?”
Katie crossed her arms and huffed, “NO! I just don’t know why this couldn’t wait till mom got back. Or why we can’t just go home.”
“Well the doctors said they didn’t recommend moving dad… err Emmet. Besides, I wouldn’t be going back with you anyway.”
“Why not?” she protested.
Donovan smiled as he said, “You’ve been with us for a little while now. Do you think Sonnet would be able to leave her home?”
“But We have to leave ours.”
Her brother sighed as he said, “You haven’t seen Sonnet when she is really confronted with things outside the forest. She… she’s never been into town, and right now, they don’t let her near it. I… I can’t really explain why, but just let it be that moving Sonnet would be a bad thing. And now with the… Pups? cubs? our kids on the way… We need to try to keep her in a place that is stress free, and in any town isn’t the place.”
“Yeah I guess,” she replied, still not sure what the doe-huskie’s deal was with the modern world. She hadn’t had a working cell phone since the grove meet. She hadn’t talked to any of her friends for the entire time away. She wondered just what everyone back home was doing, and wondered if she would be back for the next softball season.
“Here we are,” Donovan said as he pulled into the visitor parking at the school.
Katie sighed as she saw the horde of strangers getting off the busses and gathering in smaller groups as they entered the school. She let out a grunt as she glanced over at her brother as he opened the door and picked up the thick wool cloak he had in place of a common winter jacket.
“Do you have to wear that?” she asked as she got out of the truck herself.
“Um… I kinda don’t have a choice. I left most of my stuff back at Sonnet’s grove. Just be glad I managed to get pants and shirts. At least I don’t look like a comic book barbarian.”
The lynx girl sighed and looked down at the ground as she followed her brother into the school. She glanced around at the other kids as she passed, just a bit surprised that she didn’t see anyone pointing or talking as they went. She wondered just how common people dressed like her brother were. That was until she did hear one snicker from a girl not too far away. She was suddenly glad that her fur had thickened up enough to hide her blushing.
She followed him into the office as he went up to the counter. “Can I help you?” a voice called out from the other side.
“Um, yeah, I called last week about registering my sister,” Donovan replied as he fumbled around in a leather bag that hung at his side like a purse. “I have all the paperwork, and a notarized letter from our mother stating her request that I be authorized custodian in her absence.”
“I see,” the older ferret woman said getting to her paws and joining the young male at the counter. “Last name please,” she said waiting for his response as she started typing at the terminal on the counter.
“Hunter, ma’am.”
“Ahh, I see you made it down from the mountains,” another voice said from an open doorway, a large rhino woman stepping from the room into his view. “You must be Donovan… and this would be... Katie I believe,” she said offering a paw to the lynx. “Mrs. Maplethorpe, headmistress of Prairie Flats Preparatory.”
“Nice to meet you, Ma’am,” Donovan said giving the woman a firm handshake. “We would have been down sooner, but we kinda got snowed in. I don’t know if it’s any good, but I did what I could helping her with the work packet my mother brought from her old school.”
Katie just looked on as her brother’s apparent fame preceded him. His reaction to a complete stranger just knowing he was coming didn’t seem to phase him at all. “Um...” she started to ask softly, “how do you know our names?”
Donovan looked down at her with a smile. “I called and told them we were coming when I was in town arranging the truck. It’s not like they know about everything that happens in Wintercreek. Besides, who else would be registering for school in the middle of the season?” He looked back up at the ferret and asked, “What do I need to do? Or what does she need to do? I’ve never really done this before.”
“As for you,” the woman replies reaching under the counter and pulling out a small stack of papers, “there are a few forms that will need filling out. As for your sister, there is the matter of her school ID to take care of, and getting her a copy of her class schedule, building map, student handbook and a few other things,” the ferret said placing a thick manila envelope on the counter. “That you can read through at home young lady. The student handbook, bill of rights, and a few other documents that you will need to look over.”
Donovan glanced down at his sister. “You’re going to have a lot of questions to answer when you get home. Especially if Sonnet sees all this. You might have to read it to her.”
The young lynx sighed as she said, “Whatever.” She looked up at the ferret, “Can we just get this over with so I can get to class or whatever?” She looked forward to meeting cubs her own age again. the opportunity to talk to someone about what’s been happening in the real world instead of just her brother and his wife who seemed so disconnected from it.
“If you’ll just step to the end of the counter, place your right thumb on the scanner down there and look straight ahead we can get your ID taken care of quickly enough,” the older woman replied walking away from the pair and towards the spot she had pointed to.
“There is one other issue we should discuss,” the rhino woman said to Donovan as the younger lynx and ferret walked away from them. “I’m sure if your mother mentioned it or not but since your sister is in the freshman class there is the requirement that she take part in our sexual education class. Normally this wouldn't be much of a bother, but this year we have changed our curriculum in that area and… well your mother seemed to think it would do your sister good to become fully involved in the updated program.” Looking to the younger lynx for a moment she continued, “It’s considerably more than most schools are involved with in that area, and it is strictly voluntary to go all in as they say, but it will require a parental or guardian's signature.”
Donovan looked at the headmistress wide-eyed as he said, “Yeah, I think it would be better to hear things here than from Sonnet. And I have no desire to talk to my sister about that stuff. If Mom said it was okay, I guess I can sign the stuff.”
One eyebrow raising slowly the rhino woman replied, “That will be fine… though I think you and your sister may be in for quite a surprise. I gather that your mother did not discuss the matter with either of you. Either way since she is being signed up for the program you will need to have her at this address,” she said pulling a small card from her pocket and passing it to the lynx boy, “tomorrow before school to be fitted. Also at that time the technician will explain what you both need to know about the suit.”
“Fitted? Suit?” Donovan asked a little confused. “Well, like I said, if mom thought it was a good idea. And I guess I need to borrow the truck again tomorrow.” He stopped mid-way through the paperwork and asked, “Um… what about the contact number thing? I’m...not really in cell range that often. Then keeping it charged is a different story altogether.”
“Well, your mother did say where the girl would be staying was a bit remote…” the headmistress said with a thoughtful look on her face. “If there is anyone you know in the area that you feel you can trust to get a message to you quickly I would suggest using them as a contact number.”
“Um… I really need to think about that one,” he said as he skipped the line on the page. “There are a few people, but I need to get their numbers. I’m not sure I really trust the guy who’s number I do have. can I get it to you tomorrow? I don’t think there will be any issues on the first day.”
“That will be fine,” Mrs. Maplethorpe said nodding a little. “As long as we have a way to contact you should an issue arise is the primary concern for having a number. Does she have any health or other issues we should be aware of?”
“Um... Nothing that I remember,” Donovan said a little concerned. “I mean she’s always playing sports and stuff, so she’s always had to do physicals each year. I’ll just put my cell down for now, but I don’t know if it will work.”
Katie listened to the headmistress and her brother talking. “I don’t have any health issues. And I guess it’s too late to try out for the football team.” She didn’t really care if there was a girl’s team, she had always had to play on the boy’s team anyway. “There goes another season without a championship trophy.”
“I am afraid so, the season is nearly half over,” the rhino woman said turning to look Katie in the eyes. “Such a shame too, I think coach Donaldson could use someone with that kind of an attitude on the team. Though if you do get the chance perhaps you should speak with him in advance for next year. He seems to pay more attention to those who search him out, more so than the ones that just drop in on tryout day.”
“Um… Katie. I’m going to do a few things here in town while I’m here. I don’t know when I will get down here again.” he looked back at the headmistress, “Oh… um… about the bus thing. I was told one runs from Wintercreek. What do we need to do to get her on that? Like to get home today if we can.”
With a slight grin the older woman replied, “The last page of that packet in your paw is the permission for her to use school transportation to and from the campus. Simply sign that and she will be assigned to the proper bus before the end of the day.”
As she finished speaking a tiger girl walked into the office, an aoudad boy right behind her. “Sorry to interrupt Mrs. Maplethorpe,” the girl said stepping up to the counter beside the lynx. “But the same group as yesterday has Ralph cornered at the front entrance again. They won’t even let the guy get to homeroom,” she said leaning back from the counter a little. Bringing one paw to her slightly rounded belly she added, “I mean Jesus, I know they like the belly rubbing and all but get a life.”
“What is he the captain of the football team or some shi… thing?” Katie asked as she looked at the two.
With a bit of a laugh the tigress said, “Ralph? Play football? Yeah… no, he’s Zoe’s boyfriend and the guy that keeps me purring like a motorboat at night when hornhead isn’t around to do it.”
“OoooKaayyy,” The lynx girl said as she rolled her eyes. “Can i just get my class schedule? I really don’t care what classes I take. It’s not like we’re going to be here long.” She paused for a moment at the thought of having to leave her brother behind after her father was out of the hospital.
“I’ll have that and your school ID for you in just a moment,” the ferret woman said as she walked past the pair the counter. True to her word she returned within a few moments with a small plastic card and a sheet of paper in her paws. “Here you are Miss Katie, your Id and your class schedule,” she said passing the documents to the younger lynx. “Welcome to Prairie Flats Prep, I think you’ll like it here if you give it a chance.”
She took the papers and turned from the counter as she mumbled, “Yeah, no sports, no friends, new kid at the school, I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“I’m sure it will be better than hanging out with Sonnet and me out in the woods,” Donovan said as he signed the last of the papers. “I’m sure Mom will have a better idea of what’s going on when she gets back.”
“Sure, whatever,” Kate said as she looked at the map to find her first class. She didn’t really know what she wanted. She missed being one of the sports stars at her old school, and the attention she got there. But she wanted to be with her brother, in ways that she knew were wrong. She walked into the hall leaving Donovan and the other cubs in the office. “Now to figure this place out.” she looked up to see the moose boy that the other girl must have been taking about cornered by a group of girls. She just shook her head and looked at the map again to find her homeroom.
“Ummmm… hi,” a soft voice said from behind the lynx girl. As she turned to face her the ermine girl offered her paw and said, “hi, my names Joyce, you’re new here aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” She replied. “Today’s my first day. What’s up with the guy in the corner?”
“Oh that?” the ermine girl said with a blush coming to her ears. “That’s Ralph Daniels and his girlfriend Zoe Bell, the red panda girl trying to get the others to leave him alone. He…. well they, well she’s kind of a little bit pregnant,” the girl said softly, her blush growing darker as she spoke. “They’re kind of a big part of the new sex education program thing they started a few weeks ago.”
“A little pregnant?” Katie asked, “So how does a little pregnant work?” She paused for a moment as the realization hit her, “What… so he’s the dad or whatever? And what does that have to do with sex ed? Do they have live demonstrations or something? At my last school they showed us how to put condoms on cucumbers.”
“Sorry…” the ermine girl said shyly. “I guess it still seems a little weird to me to think of someone our age being pregnant. And no… not really anything like a live demonstration of having sex or anything like that. It’s just that with the suits… and feeling him rubbing her belly and pressed up against her at night… some of the other girls get a little too frisky when they see him.”
“Okay, Whatever”, the lynx girl said. “As if having to deal with my… sister-in-law walking around nude and Don half-dressed all the time wasn’t enough, I’m going to have to deal with this sex ed stuff also.” She shivered a little at the thought of her brothers toned body. “Well um… my brother’s wife is just a couple years older than me, and she’s pregnant, so I guess I didn’t think it would be that unusual… I mean with the um… furs up in the mountains and all.”
Cocking her head to the side Joyce asked, “So you think everyone here is a perv or something? We’re not really all that different than the furs anywhere else. It’s not really any more common for a teen girl to get pregnant here than anywhere else.”
“No, I mean… um…” She paused as she tried to think of what the word was for the things her father had told her about what happened in places like Wintercreek. But then she thought about how Donovan had told her it was nothing like that. “I don’t know what I mean. I don’t really know anything about this place I guess. I mean I would never have thought of my brother getting married, let alone to someone almost my age, and getting her pregnant. It’s just i figured it was normal or something.”
“Well it’s not normal, but it does happen,” Joyce replied her voice going soft again. “Not just here but all over the world. That’s one of the things we learned in sex ed class and part of why they're doing this new program.” Pausing for a moment, her paw going to her belly and smiling a little she added, “I, ummm… I understand why those other girls go all weird when Ralph is around, but I just can't be that forward or anything.”
“Well, I guess I’m going to be fitted for one of those suits tomorrow or something. So I guess I’ll find out about that then.” She looked back at her map and asked, “So where is room 225?”
“Down that hallway,” the ermine girl said smiling and pointing to her left. “Up the stairs and it’s the fifth door on your right.”
“I don’t even know how long I’m going to be going here,” She mumbled. “And I’m going to have to learn all this stuff just so I don’t look like a noob.” She looked back at the ermine, “So um… do you live down here or up in um… Wintercreek?”
“We… my parents and I live here in Prairie Flats… but my grandma lives in Wintercreek. My mom lets me go visit her sometimes, especially when there are big events going on. My dad doesn’t like it, kind of, but he still lets me go.”
Katie felt herself blush as she said, “Big events? So I guess you were there for that thing last month.”
“Yea…” Joyce said shaking her head a little. “But I guess all the good stuff happened when grandma and I went back to her house because she forgot some of her crafts that she was going to sell.”
“Um… what good stuff?” Katie asked more curious about what stories were going around about what happened. She wondered just how many of her new classmates might actually recognize her from the meet up.
“Well…” Joyce said leaning in a little closer, “I heard that some guy from a long way away showed up and started going all crazy. He supposedly ran off into the woods and got lost and froze to death.”
“Oh, wow. So um… How many people actually saw what happened?” She asked swallowing at the thought of being associated with the ‘guy that went crazy’. She knew her dad had done and said things that people didn’t like, but she didn’t have any idea that she would actually have to live with the consequences of his actions.
“Not too many, at least that’s what I heard. I guess the adults kind of herded up the younger kids and kind of sheltered them when the guy went weird. Probably some of the older kids that go here might have. But it’s not really that big of a deal I guess. They get people from all over up there at the meets and sometimes there will be one or a few that think what goes on is weird or some kind of a sin or something.”
As the ermine girl spoke a bobcat and bear girl walked past them. “Hey isn't that the girl…” the bear said before her friend elbowed her and harshly whispered, “shut up, she’s not the one that went all fury and fire… that had nothing to do with us, or her so leave her alone.”
Katie sighed as she heard the exchange, “Just kill me now.” She handed a pen to Joyce as she added, “Just go for the jugular or something. Any thing has to be better than being ‘that girl’.”
“Ummm…” Joyce said, her eyes going wide at the lynx’s comment.
As the ermine girl took the pen the lynx nearly shoved into her paw a male voice from her left whispered, “Hey isn't that the hot girl you were talking about from the grove meet? The one that was dancing with Sonnet and that guy of hers?”
“Sure looks like her,” another voice responded. “Even if it is you need to get a grip Raymond, she’s way out of your league.”
“Just make it quick before I totally die from embarrassment. I was doomed before I even woke up this morning.” She looked over at the quizzical look on the ermine’s face as she added, “What?”
“I really doubt it’s as bad as all that,” Joyce said rolling her eyes a little. “Besides, unless you burned down the grove or something like that it’ll pass pretty quickly and be forgotten soon.”
“Yeah, you didn’t see what my dad did,” She replied as she put the pen back in her pocket, “Then on top of that, my brother apparently married the local nutjob hermit's daughter or something. Not likely that someone won’t pass up a chance on a target like that.”
“Ummm… wait a minute,” the ermine said raising an eyebrow and cocking her head to the side. “You… your brother is the guy that married Sonnet?”
“See,” Katie said with a wave of her paw, “That’s what I mean. Not even here a day and people are already going to have opinions of who I am. I’m doomed, between my dad’s spectacle and my brother’s… whatever it is. Then trying to figure all this stuff out for myself...” she trailed off as her mind roamed to other subjects she really didn’t want to talk about.
“I guess…” Joyce said shrugging, “I think you’re making it a bigger deal than it is myself, but we need to get to class before we’re late.” Turning and starting down the hall she looked over her shoulder and asked, “Looking for a tardy first day, or you coming?”
Katie shook her head and started to jog down the hall toward the stairs. She could tell already that it was going to be a long day.
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_Unneeded Necessities_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Donovan pulled into the car lot, not sure what he was thinking. He knew he needed a way to get Katie places, even a way to get around himself if he had to go farther than Wintercreek. Today was proof enough of that. But the thought of buying a car, something he had always wanted to do, somehow seemed wrong now. He couldn’t help but think about the pollution that they spewed out. His time with Sonnet had changed his way of thinking so much, that he almost detested looking at the manufactured machines.
As he got out of the truck and looked around the lot his mind roiled with thoughts of how manufacturing plants polluted the world even more than the cars themselves. The smoke that filled the air, toxic runoff from refinement processes. He had never really considered these things in the past. But now they occupied his mind more than anything else as he looked for one of modern life’s status symbols.
He stood there as the cold wind flowed around the heavy cloak, and thought about how out of place he must look. Just as out of place as his thoughts about the world he had once been a part of. He felt so disconnected as he walked through the lot looking at the trucks and SUVs. They were the worst things on the road, but they would be more suited to his needs out in the rural mountains.
He walked through the lot as he thought about what he could look for that was more environmentally friendly while still of the caliber he needed to be able to travel in the winter. Then he thought about when they went back to the grove, whatever he got would need to be able to sit for long periods of time with little, or even no use.
“Jerry… looks like we got a live one on the lot,” the panther woman called out as her co-worker walked past. “Try not to screw this one up…. or Henry will can your ass.”
“If he has a problem with my sales record then he shouldn’t be in a state with such tough lemon laws,” the bobcat called over his shoulder as he walked out of the small office and onto the sales lot. Seeing the lynx boy, mid… maybe late teens from the look of him, seemed more than a little out of place with the way he was dressed.
“What turnip truck did you fall off of boy?” the mountain cat said shaking his head slowly. Slipping a paw into his pants pocket and retrieving one of his cards as he walked closer he called out to the youth. “Mornin son, in the market for a good used car? Or are you just admiring the shiny things?”
Donovan sighed as he thought about what they guy must think of him. “I’m looking for something that is… um… good for a bit of tough love in the mountains, but on the environmentally friendly side. Maybe a biodiesel 4x4, or something easily converted. But it will sometime be sitting for a few months, especially during the spring and summer. You have anything like that?” He tried to cover as many of his bases to limit the salesmen’s opportunity to show him things that were not really what he was looking for. He thought about what he was told by the man he thought was his father.
“So a green SUV… not much in the way of choices for those, and nothing like that on this part of the lot,” the salesman said taken aback a bit by the young man's knowledge of cars given his appearance. “I might have a few, but to cover most of what you’re looking for there’s one that jumps to mind. Now if you're not too concerned with looks… it might just fill the bill.”
The lynx took a quick look down at himself, then back to the bobcat as he said, “Today is the first time I have seen anything besides snow and trees in close to a month. And it is more about need and function than looks. But, don’t try and sell me a piece of shit just because you see a teenager from the wrong side of the river.”
“First off, there is no wrong side of the river to me,” the salesman started as he turned and walked away from the lynx, motioning for him to follow along. “Secondly you’re a lot safer here, and with me than with most other salesmen anywhere. Colorado has the toughest anti-lemon laws in the country, and I take it personal to keep on the good side of those. Just for verification though, there are a few vehicles here that might be decent enough for you, but with the criteria you laid out this one is the closest fit.” Turning and walking backwards to look the youth in the eyes he added, “so why don’t you and I just clear the air of the misconceptions and bull shit now. You’re here to buy a reliable vehicle because as you just said you need one. I’m here to sell you one because I have a gift for gab, a good personality and I make my living hawking the crap that other people have either grown tired of or learned too late they didn’t like. You know your shit, but it’s obvious this is probably the first car you’ve ever bought. Unlike many, I couldn’t feel good about putting someone like that in a piece of crap that’s going to cost more in upkeep than it’s worth. Part of why I won’t waste your time or mine showing you the overpriced heaps up here. That one,” he said pointing out a gunmetal grey 2011 Nissan Juke in the back lot, “is the one I have in mind.”
Donovan looked at the smaller car and said, “Gas electric hybrid? What about it setting for say three or four months? I’m not really near any electrical outlets, if you catch my drift.” He walked around the car as he added, “And how does it do in say a few feet of snow if it had to?”
“As for the electrical question, sitting unused for long periods of time isn’t an issue. These things can sit idle for over a year and still retain nearly 100% of their charge. The electrical system for the drivetrain is separate from the system for the rest of the car. Torque vectoring all-wheel drive makes it as sure footed in snow as a feral mountain goat. May be a bit of an issue if it’s half buried in powder, but get it up on top of it and you would be fine. Since it’s lighter than those behemoths out front it doesn’t dig into the soft stuff as bad so the lower ground clearance isn’t that big of a deal.”
“Can I give it a test drive?” The lynx asked, “I’m not going to buy anything if I don’t like how it handles at least in the city. And do you guys offer any warranty?”
“A test drive would be a good idea, and I’d worry about you a bit if you didn’t want to take it for a spin. I’ll have to accompany you for that though because of the insurance standards of the state. And yes, all our vehicles are sold as certified pre-owned so there is a…. let me see, on this one it’s a twenty four month extended warranty.” Turning to walk back towards the building he added, “you’ll have to leave your license here with the girl at the counter… it’s required as collateral to keep folks from taking off with one of the cars.”
Donovan followed the bobcat into the building as he fished his license out of his pocket, along with the folded up order of emancipation in anticipation of the reaction to his age. He sat the license on the woman’s desk and continued to follow the salesmen as he tried to avoid any more contact than he absolutely had to have. He kept wondering just what energies he might bring back to Sonnet when he noticed the unpleasant glare on the woman’s face.
“Don’t mind sour puss,” the bobcat said, chuckling a little as he glanced over his shoulder. “She’s having a bit of man trouble and taking it out on everyone else.” Stopping at a large board with small hooks that held the keys to the cars on the lot he retrieved a set and turned back to the young lynx. Passing them to the youth he said, “Names Jerry, and I’ll be your passenger for this ride, may want to head west from here when you pull out of the lot. Big abandoned parking lot down the street they never plow anymore, good place to check out how she handles in snow.”
“It’s not really her I am worried about,” he said as he took the keys. “Name’s Donovan.” He smiled as he realized it was the first time in months he was not recognized on site by someone that spoke more than two word to him.
As they drove, Donovan listened to the salesmen run through the list of features and point out tips on driving in the snow. After several laps in the parking lot and a few starts and stops in general traffic they returned to the lot. “Okay,” the lynx said flatly, “How much to drive it away today?” His mind started running through the numbers he had not looked at since he met Sonnet.
“That’ll take a few minutes to figure out,” the bobcat said leading the way back inside and to his small office. “I assume there are none of the big discounts to consider, like safe driver or insurance on a vehicle for over a year. Rough shot of the cuff would be no more than ninety nine fifty for a three year old model without a butt ton of miles on her. Biggest factor now will be the prime rate and where you plan to finance it.”
The lynx counted on his fingers for a moment and said “I can do ninety-two hundred, considering I still have to do the registration and licensing. “
Putting his paws on his desk and halting halfway seated the bobcat looked up at the teen lynx and with a wide grin said, “You’re talking cash sale then? Completely different story there, as a straight out cash sale I can go lower…” Looking over his desk a moment before pulling a file from a small pile and opening it his grin grew wider. “In fact for straight up cash I can drop it another two thousand.”
“Oh, um… okay,” Donovan said slightly confused. “Guess I can look at the solar panels again for charging the phones and stuff. So, do I need to go to the bank, or can you take my check card?”
Looking around, seeing none of his co-workers close enough to ever hear the bobcat said, “Little insider info for your next negotiation. Big ticket items like cars and such have an inflated asking price, to cover expenses and for waiting to actually get paid in full for the item. When you pay cash you have some leverage to get the price lowered. Pretty sure we can take your bankcard without a problem… but you're not quite ready for that.” As he started entering information into the computer on his desk he glanced over to the lynx and added, “I’ll get you the bill of sale printed out so you can go and get insurance on it first, and state law requires it to even drive off the lot with it.”
“I have the insurance thing covered,” the lynx said, “I just have to call them and give them the VIN and they will fax over the proof of insurance. Oh… Um… do you have a fax?” Having never dealt with the actual buying process Donovan was glad the bobcat seemed to be honest. Then he wondered just how much of his luck was thanks to the charm Sonnet had given Him and Katie before they left. “Oh, and I guess I need directions to the DMV or whatever they call it here.”
“Yup, DMV here like in most states,” the man said from behind the desk not looking up a t the lynx across from him. “But it’s not necessary, all the paperwork is filed electronically and the bill of sale is sufficient proof for now. We provide a temp tag for the vehicle and your regular license plates will arrive at your mailing address within three to five weeks.” Leaning back and turning his seat a bit he retrieved a few sheets of paper from the small printer behind him. “Top one is your personal info, next on is your bank info, which you’ll get back as soon the sale is finalized for security purposes. Next is the contract of sale and the last on is your copy of the bill of sale,” he said passing the papers over to the lynx. “Just a bit of writing and a transfer of funds once the proof of insurance arrives and you're on your way with a nice newish car. Oh,” he said looking over the top of his desk a moment before grabbing a small card from a pile. “Here’s the fax number for that proof of insurance.”
With the card in one paw, Donovan pulled out the small flip phone and tapped out a text with the other paw without looking, before he went back to filling out the paperwork. “Um… thanks, this was a lot easier than I thought it would be.”
With a bit of a chuckle the bobcat said, “You’re lucky they pawned you off on me. Unlike the other salesmen here I’d rather get you in what you need and get you on your way then try and make friends or feed the customer a line of crap. Buying a car can be a hassle, but why make it one if you don’t have to?”
The lynx fiddled with the small bundle of cinnamon and dried root that hung around his neck as he smiled and said, “I don’t think luck really had much to do with it today.” Then he slid the finished papers back over to the bobcat.
Taking the papers from the lynx, giving them a quick look to be sure everything was in order the salesman grinned at the sound of his printer coming to life again for a few moments. Retrieving the printed page he turned back to the boy and said, “Well, they were right on top of that one. Okay proof of insurance is valid and current…. just a quick couple of lines to fill in and sign here,” he said as he added the information to the papers in front of himself. “And…. there we are, now bill of sale, copy of the contract of sale… emissions papers and sticker,” he said laying each item on top of each other as he listed them. “Guess the only other thing you need now,” he said pushing the paperwork across the desk to the teen boy, “are these,” he finished as he slid the keys across the desk to Donovan.
“Thank you, sir,” Donovan said with a smile. “I’ll just have to come back once I get someone that can help me get both cars back up to Wintercreek.” he neatly folded the papers and slipped them into the large pocket inside the robe as he stood to leave. Without much of a second thought he gave a slight bow and said, “Blessed be.” then turned to leave.
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_Confusing Clarification_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Katie had managed to spend most of her classes without having to interact with anyone. She was glad that the school year was so well into the classes. Most of the teachers just gave a quick, ‘this is our new student’ intro and let her take a seat.
She looked at her schedule, one more class before lunch. Her stomach grumbled as she had gotten used to just snacking on dried meats and berries whenever she wanted while they were snowed in. The audible sound made her think of the trail mix Sonnet had insisted she take with her. She pulled out the small pouch of nuts and dried berries as she approached the door to the classroom. Just as she opened it to look inside someone bumped into her as they passed, knocking the mix to the floor.
“Watch it, Dick,” She nearly shouted without thinking as she dropped to her knee to pick up the bag. She wasn’t sure it was an accident or someone intentionally giving the new girl a hard time. At that point she really didn’t care; she just wanted to get through the next class so she could eat. She started to mumble to herself, “You could at least stop and help clean up the mess now that I can’t eat it.”
“Actually, I have three options,” a male voice replied in a smooth baritone. “I could ignore you completely and go on my way. Or I could stop and help as you so graciously requested.” After a brief pause, a slightly larger male puma knelt beside her and began to help with scooping up the scattered mix. “I rather prefer to take the third, which is to assist a pretty young lady and then, if she will permit me the pleasure, to take her to the cafeteria for an early lunch. And it’s Dameon by the way, not Dick,” he finished, sneaking a glance at the lynx and grinning broadly.
Katie was once again happy that her thick winter coat concealed the blush she felt burn in her cheeks. “I… um… I think I should probably go to class since it’s my first day,” She said as she looked for some excuse to not look like a total fool in front of the handsome feline that ran into her. Almost instantly her mind was flooded with every corny pickup line she could think of, But he hadn’t used any of them. “Um… maybe some other time.” She quickly scooped as much as she could into her paw and ran into the room, unconsciously taking the first seat she came to. She dropped her head to the desk and muttered, “You’re such a dweeb.”
“That you may be,” a voice called out from the back of the room. “But Jamal Anderson you are not, and since I do not recall your face I can only assume you are my new student… a miss Hunter I believe correct?”
She groaned at getting called out in class like that as she said, “Yes Ma’am,” before she stood up and did her best to keep her usual proud look about her. She tried not to make eye contact with any of the other students as she heard a few snickers from around the room. The lynx made her way to the teacher with her schedule in paw, “Katie Hunter, Ma’am.”
“Miss Pergandy, or Rebecca, or teacher… or hey you but please no more ma’am. I hear that and I start looking for my own grandmother,” The oddly young looking squirrel woman said with a huge grin. “its fine Katie, and trust me it’s normal to be a little flustered your first day here. You are in the right class,” she added looking down to the student roll in her desk before her. “Though I’m not so sure it’s going to make you feel any more comfortable today.”
She sighed not really sure what the teacher was talking about, “Yes ma’am… Miss Pergandy.” Katie wasn’t sure how the day could get much worse unless her brother suddenly showed up. Or worse, someone actually recognizes her from the meet and blurts something out loud. She was glad that so far everyone had kept their comments to whispers so she could imagine that they were talking about anything else but her.
“Jennifer Howell, raise your paw please,” the teacher said gathering up a few papers from her desk. As a skunk girl raised a paw into the air she added, “Your seat is the one behind her for today miss Hunter. That will change again tomorrow when this groups mates rejoin them.”
“Mate?” Katie asked confused as she looked down at her schedule and groaned again at the words, ‘sex ed’ printed in the subject box. She started thinking about the vague explanation she had gotten from Joyce, and the strange reactions from the other girls in the hall toward the moose they had cornered. It was hard enough having to deal with Donovan and Sonnet, she wasn’t sure she was ready for anything else. She took the seat behind the girl and grunted as she felt her stomach rumble again.
Out of desperation to get something into her stomach before interrupting class with one of her growls, Katie reached into her backpack for the bundle of food her brother had packed for her. She groaned quietly to herself as she thought about what he had said. ‘It should keep until lunch.’ As she unwrapped it in her lap her stomach rumbled at the scent of the dried, seasoned jerky that she was certain would be what would make her fat if she stays with Donovan and Sonnet much longer. Without looking up she pulled a small piece out and slipped it into her mouth as she looked up at the front of the class.
“God damn it moose face….. you and those damn paws,” a brown furred bear girl nearly shouted from the back of the room, her words accompanied by the sound of a paw rapidly thumping a desk.
“No shit….” a light furred ferret to the lynx girl’s right said, murring happily as she sank lower in her seat for a moment. Her head suddenly snapping up as she looked around at the lynx the ferret said, “Who’s got the eats? That shit smells goood.”
Before another word could be uttered there was a rapping at the classrooms doorway. The young puma boy Katie had been ran into by stuck his head into the room along with the sound.
Shaking her head a little as she turned and saw the young male cat Miss Pergandy said, “yes Dameon… let me guess… you brought up snacks from the cafeteria again right?”
Nodding and blushing slightly as he entered the room pulling a small cart behind him the boy replied, “yes ma’am, just trying to be helpful… and I was down there already anyway for lunch,” as he looked around the room, finding the pretty lynx girl from a little bit earlier and grinning at her sheepishly. “And I know at least one of these lovely young ladies must be about to starve. Besides, they already had the cart fixed as usual. Just needed to be delivered and I wasn’t doing anything else at the moment.”
Katie looked from ferret to her side to the puma at the door confused. Unable to say anything with the dried meat in her muzzle she swiftly wrapped the food back up and shoved it in her backpack and sat up in her seat. She checked the savory morsel as she swallowed the flavor fill saliva and leaned to the ferret and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Ever since they started his new program in sex ed they’ve been having little snacks in each of the classes for us. Some shit about it supposedly making us hungrier or something. Anyway it beats the shit out of sitting here half-starved waiting for lunch. That and I think Dameon is trying to flirt with you… which is kind of weird,” the ferret said looking from the puma to the lynx girl oddly.
“What?” Katie asked as she returned the other girl’s odd look, “Is he gay or something? Or am I just…” She trailed off before she finished her thought. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.
“Him…. no not gay. Trans yes, but not gay, but he hasn’t really shown any interest in anyone in like over a year now,” the ferret girl said, smirking at Katie. “Don’t know how you were gonna finish that last one, but you’re nowhere near ugly, dorky, or any of that shit fluff tail. You’re kind of hot to be honest.”
The lynx slumped down in her chair as she mumbled, “Great. I go from the football star to the hot girl that attracts the weirdos. This is just awesome.” She sighed as she took another bite from the jerky in her paw. “At least no one has said anything about…” She trailed off again, as the near thought dredged up the nearly insane ranting from her father, coupled with what little she knew about her brother’s wife. “Get ready for a banner rest of the year, Katie.”
“Thank you Dameon,” the teacher said with a little giggle. “Though I bet if you were honest you’re here more because of what we’ve been discussing in class this week.” Turning to look at her class as she walked from behind her desk she continued. “For the benefit of our newest arrival, a little back history of our class this year: We have some new rules that go along with the new program and its goals. One of those is that no subject is forbidden, taboo, or off limits.
Kate huffed and mumbled from her slouched position, “Off limits? Should see my brother’s wife. I don’t think she knows what limits are.” She snickered a little at the thought of the nude doe-husky prancing around and digging through her bag when she first got to the camp. Then she shivered at the images of Sonnet and her brother cuddling by the fire. She almost wished it was her in her brother's arms, but always declined when Sonnet would beg her to join them. “I’ve seen my fair share, thank you very much.”
As the snickering in the room died down Dameon sheepishly replied, “you got me on that on Miss Pergandy, with my dad being a genetic researcher and all, it does kind of get discussed at home quite often.”
“I can only imagine,” the squirrel woman replied shaking her head slowly. “Alright, last time this group were together we left off with…. April’s question if I remember correctly. To remind everyone,” she said referring to the pages of notes she held in her paw, “the question was… if you could be certain that there would not be any severe physical or mental problems as a result would you have a child with your sibling?”
As the question was asked Katie’s eyes widened and she slid just a little further down in her chair. She swallowed hard as the images of her dream resurfaced. She felt almost as if the topic was directed at her. She shook her head to get the image of Donovan’s half-dressed body out of her head and leaned over to the ferret again and asked, “Is she serious?”
Almost as if to answer the lynx’s question the discussion started up in earnest.
“I don’t know… I mean everyone I know keeps spouting off about how wrong, and immoral and all it would be to mess around with my brother,” a weasel girl at the front of the room said.
“Yea, we all get that kind of shit about how wrong it is from like everyone. Parents, the preacher, the news, everyone,” Jennifer chimed in before turning to the lynx behind her. “Yea, she’s serious as a heart attack. Has something to do with the like five hundred or so research projects tied to this pilot program crap… or so I heard. Anyway it makes for some damn lively convos in here.
Katie buried her face in her paws for a moment and sighed as she raised one in the air. She wasn’t sure how everyone would react to what she was about to say, but it might be the only chance she had to get answers, considering she wasn’t going to talk to Donovan about it, or her mother.
“I see a new paw in the air…” Miss Pergandy said with a smile on her face, “Jumping right in I see. Alright you have the floor Katie, whatever it is just throw it out there.”
She stood up and looked at her desk, not really able to bring herself to look at the class. “Well, um… my brother was… like my mom had him after having sex with her brother, and he seems fine. He’s really smart and all. But I’ve always been told by my dad… and mom that it was wrong to do stuff like that… So, if our parents did stuff like that, what should we think when they tell us not to?”
“You should think they’re full of shit and talkin outta their ass if your dad is your uncle and they’re still tellin ya that shit,” a deer boy across the room from her said giving the lynx girl a smarmy look.
“No, My dad’s not his dad and he didn’t know until... “ She started off defensively. “We didn’t know he wasn’t both our dads until like last month when he came out to bring my brother home and my mom…” She started to blush and wasn’t sure if her fur would hide it at that point. “Never mind,” She muttered softly and sat back down.
“And there we have the social, and moral stigma of incest at its finest,” the squirrel teacher said leaning back against her desk.
Katie slumped down to where her eyes were level with the desk and muttered, “Yup, if I hadn’t lost it before, there goes my social life.”
Continuing on with the discussion Rebecca added, “the facts are that yes, there are increased risks of genetic problems when furs directly related by blood engage in sex and produce offspring. But the part that nearly always gets left out is that it is the continued practice to ‘keep the bloodline pure’”, she said throwing air quotes in emphasis, “that is the root cause of those increased risks. As far as what should you think? That depends entirely on you. Certainly what you have been taught to believe by your parents will play into it, as will the religious beliefs you have learned over time. But to be totally honest, in the end it comes down to what you consider to be right and wrong in your own mind.”
The teacher’s emphasized words played heavily in Katie’s ears as she thought about what her mother had told them when she explained what happened. The squirrel woman's comments on religion and what she had been told didn’t help clear anything up. Even now she felt as if the rest of the class looked down on her just for having mentioned her brother, even though she didn’t outright say she had feelings for and had even fantasized about him.
“When is the class over?” She mumbled as she looked at the schedule and her watch. “Like it matters, next is lunch.” She sighed as she resolved to just remain silent for the rest of the class.
“What…. what we say in here stays in here right?” a shy chipmunk boy near the front said looking around the room oddly. “I can…. I can count on you all to keep it yourselves right?”
“As long as it’s nothing severely illegal, or a criminal offense yes Homer,” the teacher said cocking an eyebrow at the usually silent boy.
“How… how about everyone else? I really hate not being able to say this anywhere….” he added trailing off waiting a little impatiently.
“Like I’m going to say anything,” Katie mumbled.
“Yea ya can trust us Homer,” a long wooled sheep girl in the back chimed in.
“Okay… I, I love my sister. Not like a brother should, but like a brother should not. We… we have to hide it from like everyone and it sucks ass, but we ummmm… we do it every chance we get.”
“You asshole,” a voice cried out from the front of the room, a Corgi boy jumping to his foot-paws. “You asshole, you’ve been lying to me about that shit and letting me try to get in good with her for how long now?”
“Nothing says you both can't do her,” Katie mumbled before she slapped her paws over her mouth. Her mind raced with the thoughts of the kiss she shared with Sonnet and the fleeting thought of being with the doe-husky and her brother. “I mean, it’s not like it is any more wrong than what’s already happening, right?” She said as she tried to recover her uncalled for comment; her mind swam with how many things she just condoned that she had been taught against her entire life.
“She…. she said the same thing kind of after the last time you asked her out,” the chipmunk boy said, a deep blush coloring his fur a pale pink.
The lynx covered her face again as she mumbled, “Dear god, did i just set up a three-way with a brother, sister, and their friend? I am SO going to Hell.” She sat there quietly as she tried her hardest to get the image of Sonnet kissing Donovan out of her mind unsuccessfully. The new pilot class was more than she could have imagined, though not as educational as she expected to that point. To top things off, she was certain that she didn’t have a chance to be considered normal or fitting in at school ever again.
Only a moment passed before a new question hit Katie as she raised her paw and asked before being recognized, “Wait, How old is your sister? I mean like, everywhere I’ve can think of you have to be like eighteen to do that kind of stuff legally. Am I missing something?” Her mind shifted to the age difference between her brother and Sonnet, and herself.
“Ummm, I think you might be confusing age of consent to marry with age of consent to sex,” a slightly taller equine boy in the back corner. “Every state has an age to get married and different laws that cover having sex. Not always the same age limits or restrictions on those.”
“But don’t people go to jail for stuff like that,” She asked. “I mean… Like my brother is seventeen but he got emancipated over the summer and his wife is like fourteen or something. I never got a real answer. So how does that work. I mean shouldn’t someone be doing something about it?” Katie wasn’t sure what she was trying to accomplish. But she felt that somehow she needed to get an answer about the other girl in her brother's life. But the lingering thought of getting Sonnet out of the way tingled in the back of her mind.
“In the state of Colorado, as long as they are less than four years apart in age, and both consent to the actions then it is legal for them to engage in sexual activity,” the horse boy said matter-of-factually. “Since I assume they were married in Wintercreek then it is a legally binding marriage and there is really nothing anyone can do about it. Unless one of them becomes physically violent towards their spouse…. “he added standing up to look directly at the lynx girl. “Your brother is a lucky guy to have a sister that worries so much about him.”
Katie held her breath as the equine boy said 'less than four years apart in age’. She was almost thirteen, just a little more than four years younger than her brother, and two younger than Sonnet as far as she knew. She was only brought out by the equine boy’s direct comment about how lucky her brother was. “Yeah… lucky,” she murmured as If only he knew about the need seeded motives behind the question. He might have thought a little differently about her.
“But back to your original question. Yes it is illegal for anyone to have incestous relations with their family members in the state of Colorado, and I’m afraid there is a broad definition of family members that are included. The penalties are quite harsh as well, but that is not to say that it doesn’t happen here.” The equine boy leaned back against the wall behind him, taking a posture much like a professor giving a lecture or a defense attorney making a well-defined point. “I would assume that those who are irresistibly drawn to their sibling would generally keep quiet about it, evidenced by Homer’s own admission that they have to ‘hide it from everyone.’” Looking around the room as he paused for dramatic effect a smirk came to his muzzle when he continued. “But there are a few other things about this state, and the area in particular that not many think about. Many of the communities here have an unspoken don’t ask, don’t tell mentality about things.”
As the boy finished his little speech, Katie’s thoughts went back to what her father had said about Wintercreek being a secretive cult that followed their own rules and the laws of God and the civilized world. She was suddenly caught between all the conflicting thoughts in her head. She had feelings for her brother, feelings that a sister shouldn’t have. They were both in a place that might turn a blind eye to that kind of relationship if they had one, but it was still against the law and would need to be a secret. Then there was Sonnet, her rival. From what the boy said she was there to stay. But there was something different about the doe-husky, like she knew Katie’s secrets. And that feeling that she could not explain, the desire to kiss her again. But she wasn’t a lesbian, was she? She had feelings for her brother, and was attracted to other boys. At least she thought she was.
The lynx girl dropped her head to her desk and grumbled, “This is more confusing than algebra. Can’t we just go over how to put a condom on a cucumber, and watch really bad videos about STDs like my last school?”
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_Unfamiliar_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Sonnet spent much of the morning mixing and packaging some of the dried herbs they had left from the meet, and tending to the wolf cubs as they played and slept. That was until the strange sound filled the air. It was distant at first, then drew ever closer. It sounded a lot like the automobile that Mark had, only much larger. The sound and smell didn’t seem right. The wind carried a foul odor from the direction of the cabin, the dark, deserted place that she had avoided since brother Mark had left it.
She started to make her way toward the cabin as she lit a small bundle of sage. the pups feed off her caution as they followed close behind her. She could feel their anxiety and fear as they moved closer to the sounds. The doe-husky soon made it to the edge of the clearing to find a gathering of strange, monstrous things and several older furs around the cabin.
She ran out, waving her arms as she tried to shoulder above the noise, “You must leave. This place is tainted, be gone before the darkness can feed on you!”
Turning towards what for the life of him sounds like a female voice Jason McDougall stopped dead in his tracks.
“Saints preserve us,” he nearly whispered in his heavy Irish accent. “What in the name of Saint Patrick has gotten into that lass?”
Turning to see what the Bison was staring at Thomas Johanson said, “What the…. oh bloody hell. That must be that druid girl…. thing they were warning us about.” Shaking his head and with a heavy sigh he added, “no matter, just shoo her off and get back to work. We have a contract to fulfill and Mr. Jameson was emphatic that this cabin be stripped down and out of here by the end of the year. We don’t have time to be dealing with some nut job treehugger.”
“Okay boss… but if she starts trouble what should I do about her?” the larger man asked with a frown on his muzzle.
“I don’t care… tie her to a tree for all the shit I give on it, just get her out of here or we’ll let the authorities deal with her for trespassing.” Turning back towards the job at paw the weasel added, “just what I need, some naked girl throwing herself at these guys when I’m trying to get some work done…. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”
With a shrug the Bison man turned back to where the little doe-husky stood and started walking towards her as he called out, “I don’t know nothing about no darkness or taint little one. But you need to scoot on out of here before the boss man gets his knickers in a knot. Go on…. shoo on back wherever you came from girly.”
As the Bison approached her, Sonnet heard the small pack of pups rush from the tree line as they yipped and barked at the large fur. “You don’t understand. This place needs to be cleansed. Anger and malice permeate everything here. To destroy it would only set the energies loose on the forest.” She looked him in the eyes and bared her canine teeth as she said, “I can’t let you do that. Not here, not near my children.”
Seeing the young doe-husky bare her teeth the Bison stopped in his tracks for barely a moment. He took a few more steps towards her as he said, “aye and ya can na stop either wee lass.” Stopping a few paces from her, lowering himself down to one knee he continued, “but ya got it wrong lassy, we’re na here to destroy it. Our orders are clear, we take it apart piece by piece, load it up and take the timbers to a field ta other side of Wintercreek. I heard someone say somethin’ abou’ a ritual or some other such witchery when it gets there… but that’s none of my business.”
The anger and defensiveness drifted from her as she looked at the older man. He was different from the others. The all had thick, heavy red aura of activity and determination. They were all set on continuing their task, regardless of what might stand in their way. As she looked around, a few of the workers even had specks of burgundy and arousal in their energies. But, the bison had something more, a caring green tinted at his core. She could see he really wanted to help her understand things that he didn’t even comprehend.
“You…” She started to say softly, and then she looked up at the large machines they had brought. “Do… do those have to be here? Spewing their poisons into an already wounded space?”
With a heavy sigh the man answered, “Afraid so lassy, we have an agreement with the owner to get this done as quickly as possible. Without those this would likely take over a year to get done. As it is we’re pushing it with the weather and all, but we plan to be finished and out of here within two weeks at most.” Pausing to look around him a slight grin came to his muzzle. “The sooner we do the sooner she can begin ta heal the wounds.”
“Two weeks,” she said followed by a softer, “one half turn of the moon.” She looked up into the sky as she muttered, “The moon will be nearly new. That will be good.”
“Aye lassy, a half-moon at most, sooner if the weather holds out. We can na be here longer than that or the agreement says we start losing money in penalties, the boss dunna like losing money so we’ll be finished on time or before.” The entire time he had been speaking with he doe-husky the big man had purposefully avoided looking at her nude form, most of the time looking past her or to the side. As he spoke again he looked her directly in the eyes, an almost fatherly look on his face. “Dunna worry little one, Mr. Mark and Mr. Stardreamer both gave me specific instructions of what not to let this lot do. I intend to follow that to the letter.”
She returned his gaze with a stern, almost commanding look in her eyes, which seemed out of place with her young features as she said, “Don’t harm my brothers and sisters, and keep your poisons out of my forest. Stay in this circle.” Without waiting for a response she turned and walked back toward the trees, followed closely by the group of wolf pups.
As the young girl walked back towards the forest Jason quietly said, “Charles said you were one of a kind lassy…. he understated things a tad bit I wager,” shaking his head slowly.
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_Friends... or Not_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Katie looked down at the floor as she walked to lunch. Her mind whirled with all the taboo topics that were brought up in the unusual sex ed class. Nothing that was said really helped clarify any of her questions, but at least she knew she wasn’t the only one with the same feelings. There was even a short lived talk about lesbian relationships. It all seemed so confusing and awkward to talk about the subjects so openly in a classroom. The fact that the teacher was involved made everything seem even more odd. She looked up just in time to not run face first into a pillar. She squeaked at the sudden sight of the large white obstacle that she almost collided with.
She took a moment to look around the large cafeteria. The place only differed from the one back home in that it was inside, protected from the winter weather. There were the usual crowded tables as friends gathered in their clicks. There were the usual jocks, nerds, and emo kids, as well as the random groups that didn't really fit into any subculture. The lynx sighed as she looked for an open space to just sit and eat. Even with all the classes she had already gone to, she hadn’t really met anyone she thought would want the new kid hanging around.
She sat at the only vacant table which was almost in the center of the cavernous room, and pulled out the bundle of food she had dipped into before the snacks showed up in the sex ed class. She sighed again as she unwrapped it to reveal the dried fruits and meats that she had been living on as snacks between helpings of stew for the past few weeks. The smell of warm pizza and burgers made her stomach rumble and mouth water. But she knew it would be at least a few more days before Donovan would be able to give her anything to buy lunch with. She huffed a little as she picked up a dried banana chip and popped it in her mouth.
“That’s a snack for a hike, not lunch,” an unfamiliar voice said from behind the lynx. “Mooseface, haul ass back up there and get her something decent will ya sweetie?”
“I guess so… but maybe you should ask her first if she wants something else Zoe,” a slightly familiar male voice responded.
She looked up at the moose and red panda as she said, “It’s fine, would have been cold stew if we had a dish to put it in. Just getting a little tired of the same thing all the time.” She shrugged as she added, “But what can you do when the quicky mart it like an hour drive down the road and you don't have a car?”
As the lynx girl finished speaking Zoe turned to her boyfriend and with a smirk on her lips said, “see… it’s fine. Now scoot and get us some lunch, double of both like last time and a plate for… oh sorry, I didn’t even think to ask your name first. I’m Zoe and this is mooseface, or Ralph which ever fits better for you.”
“Um, Katie. But you really don’t have to get me anything. I meant what I have is fine.” The lynx girl said as the names clicked in her mind from all the whispers and comments. These two and the sex ed program were possibly the only saving grace that kept her and her family from being the main gossip topic.
“Yea… good luck winning that one with her” the moose boy said nodding towards the red panda girl and smiling at Katie. “So anyway, cheese pepperoni or combo? She’s not gonna let up until she gets her way on this so we both may as well just give up.”
“Wow, dad said you would finally figure out when you were losing fur face,” the panda girl said with a giggle as she sat down across from Katie. “He is right though, I mean you’re obviously new here, so just let the crazy panda girl get lunch okay?”
“Yeah, crazy isn’t what everyone talks about,” Katie muttered as she slid the leather bundle over to the panda and said, “Might as well have a snack while we wait, I guess.”
“Fair enough,” Zoe said turning back to the moose boy. “Move it fur face, we’re hungry here.” Reaching into the satchel that hung around her with one paw the panda girl grinned as she said, “trade ya… been awhile since I had jerky and fruits, that actually looks pretty decent to me,” as she slid a Twinkie across the table to the lynx girl.
Katie’s eyes went wide at the sight of the processed pastry package. “Oh dear god, Sonnet would have a conniption if she saw that.” Swiftly she snapped up the treat and tore into it like she had not eaten in weeks. She let a slight sensual moan slip past her mouth full of yellow fluff and cream. “God, I miss real food.” She licked the bits of cream and leftover cake off the small board the the twinkie sat on. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll keep you in all the one hundred percent natural jerky you can eat if you can supply me with this stuff.” She stopped for a moment as she thought about what she had just said. “Oh god, I sound so desperate.”
“A little bit yea,” the moose boy said as he returned to their table, a large tray in his paws with three heaping plates of pizza and several burgers. “But I think I can understand that.. I’ve heard a few tales of Sonnet and she sounds kind of nuts.”
Hearing someone else say the words almost made Katie mad. She had thought it many times and knew that others most likely thought the same thing, but in the few weeks that she had been with the doe-husky she did realized that there was a good reason why she did a lot of thing the way she did. “She’s not nuts,” Katie blurted out before stopping. “She… she’s just different. I mean, She’s never been out of the woods, really. So…” She trailed off as she found herself defending the girl that she was contemplating how to get rid of not even an hour before. “I mean, it is really different when you’re not close to anything. Besides, we were kind of snowed in for a while so we had to deal with what they could trade for at the meet.”
“Different…. an interesting perspective on her for sure,” a somewhat deeper male voice said as it drew closer behind the lynx girl. “And you're mostly right, she has been out of the woods as you put it, but it was a very long time ago.” Walking over to the moose boy an older Bernese Mountain Dog boy smiled at Katie as he said, “sorry to intrude but I need to borrow Ralph for a moment if it’s no trouble…”
“Ummm, sure thing Mark…” the moose boy said as a concerned look came to his face. “Excuse me a minute girls,” he added as he rose from his seat and the two males walked a short distance away before starting to speak quietly.
Katie watched the strange event before she just chalked it up to guy stuff. She looked over at Zoe and said, “I guess Sonnet is kinda famous or something. And I guess that makes my brother kind of her keeper or something. At least that what it sounded like.”
“Beats me,” the panda girl said with a shrug. “What little I know of her is from the stories I’ve heard since Ralph and I got together. She sounds a little weird, but then again we’re all a little weird in one way or another I guess.” Hoisting a slice of pizza in her paw Zoe paused before stuffing it in her muzzle long enough to ask, “so how are you liking the area and school so far? It’s kind of a bit to get used to.”
The lynx shrugged as she took a burger in her paws, “School is school, not much different here then back home. Through the sex class is a kick in the head. As for the area, can’t really say I’ve seen much more than a bed and breakfast in Wintercreek and snow covered mountains. We got snowed in just after I got here. My brother says it will be spring before they can go back out to Sonnet’s grove. So I guess I will be staying with them until my mom and sister get back. I haven’t been able to call my friends or tell anyone about what’s going on. It's not like I had any way to charge my cell phone, even if I had reception.”
“Wow… that’s gotta suck,” Zoe said between bites of her pizza slice. “It would probably drive me looney being cut off from everyone like that. It’s bad enough being knocked up, not being able to talk to anyone would probably drive me over the edge.”
“Yeah,” Katie said fumbling with her burger. “I kinda had a lot to think about and there is always something to do. Sonnet is actually kinda fun. She’s not much older than us. but she’s never had any of the toys and junk we do. So she comes up with interesting things to do. Through I don’t recommend skinny dipping after a snow storm. My brother had a book, but I finished reading it in about a day. The rest of the books are like… the little engine that could and stuff. he’s trying to teach her to read. It’s hard not to laugh when she has a hard time with words. But I guess it’s just now that I’ve really thought about not having that stuff and talking to my friends. I didn’t even think about grabbing my phone before we left. I should have charged it by now.” Her eyes went wide as she thought about it, “Almost a month of text messages and Facebook that’s waiting to blow up my phone.”
“God I can’t even imagine being out of the loop for that long,” the red panda said wide eyed. “Though it sounds like you’re getting used to things being with your brother and all.” After a pause, cocking her head to the side a little Zoe asked, “so… anyone caught your eye yet or are you …. not interested in that kind of thing?”
Her eyes went wide at the question, the image of her brother instantly popping into her mind, “Um… no, I really…” She stumbled through her words. “I mean it’s my first day here, I haven’t really thought about it. I mean, I don’t know anyone and… sure there are cute guys but…” She shrugged, “then the fact that I am farther out than anybody, it’s not like I’m going to get much chance to hang out with furs outside of school.” She paused a moment. “I usually go out for sports and stuff and that’s how I usually make friends, but it's too late for that,” She said as she tried to steer the topic to a less pointed one.
“Fair enough,” the red panda said leaning back in her chair, a burger in her paw. “So with you being out of touch for so long and all… I guess there isn’t some love sick guy… or girl, back home waiting to hear from you?”
“Well,” she thought for a moment, “there was this one boy, I think he wanted to ask me out, but he never did. We were on the same softball team. They didn’t have enough girls that wanted to play to have our own team. So I always played with the boys. I caught him peeking at me in the shower a few times.”
“Really? Caught him checking out the goods and neither of you went for it huh?” Zoe asked with a grin on her face. She shook her head and added, “I’m sorry… over look that shit, God I’m starting to sound more like my mom every day.”
“I… I really didn’t think about that kind of stuff then,” She said as she felt the blush burn under her fur as she thought about the first experience she had. “It’s not like he was the only boy that looked, he just did it more and tried to talk to me a few time after practice.” She paused for a moment as she thought about everything that had happened since the start of fall. “And… I’m not really sure if I’m into guys or girls. I mean, I like guys, but… um…” She trailed off for a moment before she continued, “I’ve kissed and stuff with girls too and… I kinda like that too.”
“Sorry if I sounded kind of pushy,” Zoe said as the moose boy rejoined them at the table. “I really didn’t mean to be nosey just… was kind of wondering about who you might pick as your mate for the sex ed class is all.”
Katie's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she said, “Oh god, I didn’t even think about that. I mean, I kinda read about it in the class paperwork, but…” She looked down at her half eaten burger as she said, “I don’t know anyone that I would pick as a um… mate or anything, even if it’s just for class. I mean, what are we even supposed to do with our partners? Class discussion was freaky enough.”
“Well… as far as I know the idea is for the couples to spend as much time together as they can and just kind of let things go how they go between now and when the babies are born,” Zoe said as if it were common knowledge.
“I mean, how’s that supposed to work. I mean, shouldn’t there already be a partner for each of us or something? Or does someone not have a partner? It all sounds kinda weird to me. Like, will someone else get put into the class to be my partner or something?” She looked around as she said, “Like what if someone’s parents didn’t want them to take the class, and they don’t have enough people to pair up. I know my brother had to sign some release or something.”
“Participation in the class is state mandated, but the pilot program is strictly voluntary,” Ralph said as he joined in the conversation again. “Since your brother had to sign a release though, I’d say that your parents decided that you’re in for the whole ride. But you don’t have to have a partner, you can go through this as a single mother kind of thing is how it was explained to everyone. Zoe just thinks everyone should be part of a couple is all.”
Katie breathed a sigh of relief as she said, “Well, I guess I’m going to be a single mom. It’s not like I’m going to suddenly be the hot chick that everyone is fighting over or anything. I just want to get through this until my dad wakes up and I can get back to my regular life.” She said the words half-heartedly as she thought about the fact that no matter where she was, her life was never going to be the same. She sighed heavily, “who am I kidding? My life is so screwed up right now, I’ll be lucky if I have kids that have a kinda normal life.” The lynx sighed dejectedly. "and apparently the only furs willing to be seen with me are the outcasts."
“Outcasts? You think we’re outcasts?” the red panda asked tilting her head a little. “Oh God, you’re another one of those attention whores aren’t you?”
“What?” she spouted out surprised. “No, it’s not like that. I mean…” She trailed off as she thought about what she said and how the red panda responded. “I mean, like, everyone else is pretty much hanging out with their group and… you came over and sat here. Pretty much the only table in the place not taken by anyone. I just thought…” She trailed off as she felt herself digging deeper into her hole of first day impressions.
Shaking her head and rolling her eyes Zoe replied, “Yea… that’s more to give moose lips a break from the other girls driving him crazy. Lunch time is about the only time I can get him away from them and keep them at bay. I mean… I understand why they’re kind of after him… but some of them seem to forget that he’s mine, and only mine.”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Not much in accounting for taste through,” the lynx said with a shrug. “He’s not really my type. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed him if not for the commotion.”
Zoe nearly jumped to her foot-paws, slamming his paws on the table as she leaned over it closer to the lynx girl. “You may not think he’s much to look at, but he’s the best guy in this damn room. When we found out he knocked me up he fought for me and for our babies. When both of our fathers jerked up and wanted to force me to abort he took them both on and did what he had to to make sure we would be safe and happy.” Grabbing up her tray she added, “you might want to get that big muzzle in check… before it gets you bitch slapped stupid…” before turning and walking away.
Getting up and grabbing his own tray Ralph shook his head and said, “overlook her a little… hormones and all.” He turned to follow his girlfriend but stopped and looked back at the lynx to add, “she does have a point though, insulting people you know nothing about around here will get you shunned like you have the plague.”
Katie dropped her head to the table as she mumbled to herself. “Yup, there goes me having any friends. I wonder if I can pull off staying home sick? But I’m not sure that’s much better with Don and Sonnet.” She got up as she heard the bell ring signaling the end of lunch. As she slipped another piece of jerky into her mouth she pulled out her map and started her way to her next class.
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Donovan followed the pickup back up to Wintercreek as he drove his new car for the real first time on the open road. He was actually surprised at how well it was handling on the packed snow. His only real concern at that point was how to explain it to Sonnet, and where he was going to keep it, considering she would likely not want it in their camp.
He found himself on autopilot as he split off for the road that led out to Mark’s cabin and the grove site. Somewhere between those two locations was where Sonnet had picked to camp until spring. His mind wandered through all that had happened over the past month. The revelations about his family. Him having to see after his sister. The man he thought was his father in a coma. Everything seemed to have crashed down on him all at once.
His biggest concern was his sister. She was pulled away from everything she knew and thrust into a world of confusing contradictions. He knew exactly what she must have been going through. And on top of all that, the dream travel, the looks she gave both him and Sonnet. She was going through a time in her life that he had no idea how to deal with. He thought back to his younger teen years as he remembered how he never really got the ‘talk’, and was certain that Katie hadn’t gotten it either. His new lifestyle, and what she was going to be exposed to with the local community and the type of events that he and Sonnet attended, he knew she was going to need more than he got. But he had no idea how to go about it.
As he turned down the trail to the closest thing to a parking lot he knew near their camp, Donovan was pulled out of his thoughts and concern for his sister and thrust into a new panic. In the clearing around the cabin he was confronted by a crew of workers and machinery that were in the obvious process of dismantling the cabin. A sudden burst of anxiety rushed through him as the small car slid to a halt on the packed snow. His mind raced with some of the whispered warnings he had gotten from some of the residents of Wintercreek, about keeping Sonnet away from people. His concern instantly jumped to his cubs as she got out of the car and moved toward one of the workers.
“Excuse me!” he shouted over the sound of the machinery. “Has anything happened out here? Anything strange?” He hoped his worry was not too evident in his voice as he thought back to when he and Sonnet first meet. The faithful meet when his faith was first truly called into question as he watched the doe-husky go after the candle maker.
“Aye, ya kin say that,” a large Bison man said turning and walking towards the lynx teen. “I’d surely call the appearance of a naked doe husky as a strange event.”
“Oh god,” he said as he heard the mention of Sonnet. “Is she okay, was anyone hurt? Where is she?”
“Aye, fine she be for sure laddie,” the larger male said as he drew nearer to the boy. “Though she du na like us bein here much. She and I had a bit of a speak and no one ended the worse for wear on either side. As ta where she is… she scampered off inta the woods, no idea where she went from there.” Cocking one eyebrow as he looked the boy over more closely he added, “ I take it ya be with her then? Ya seem quite concerned for just an acquaintance.”
The lynx dropped to his knees and he muttered, “Oh thank god.” he looked up at the bison as he responded to him, “She’s my wife, it’s my responsibility to take care of her. She’s pregnant and I’m not sure how she would take something like this. Wh.. what did you say to her to get her to leave you alone?”
With a slight chuckle Jason replied, “Then a lucky lad you are indeed. Were I a younger fur I would envy you young man. But I got the impression your job is more to watch after her than take care of her, she seems to be a force to reckon with I’d wager. I’m na sure how she took it, but she was set on shooin us outta here right quick. As I said she and I had a few words, and I told her what our orders were about the cabin an that Mr. Jameson and Mr. Stardreamer made it quite clear what we were ta do with the timbers.” Wiping his paws on his jeans the bison man added, “she seemed satisfied that they are ta go ta a spot in town for some kind of a ritual… or some such thing”
Donovan smiled with a little chuckle, “More likely she saw it as moving one thing she hates to a place she won't go. And knowing her, that’s not really how she left it.” he looked around at the group of workers. As he added, “She really did get to him, didn’t she?” He spoke more to himself than the bison as he stood up. “Healing the scar on the land. I would never have thought he’d do anything like this. I’ll do what I can to keep her clear of you guys, but I can’t promise anything. Keeping track of her in these woods when she doesn’t want you to is like trying to keep lightning in a jar.”
Smiling broadly at the youth Jason said, “Better luck with the lightning I’d say. I expect she’ll be keeping an eye on u, but… she was rather curious about how long we’d be amblin around here, muttered somethin about the moon when we would be gone too.”
He shook his head lightly as he said, “I really couldn’t tell you what she’s thinking. Everything for her revolves around these trees, the moon and the mountain. When I think back when preachers would talk about living your beliefs, it takes on a whole new meaning when I look at her.” He looked up at the bison as he added, “Don’t be surprised by anything you find out here. The one thing I have learned is that regardless of what people say, there is magic out here, and stranger things than a nude husky can happen.”
“Unlike my coworkers… I have na doubt of that lad, no doubt a tall,” Extending a large paw to the younger male he added, “been a pleasure meetin ya, an if there be nothin else I need ta get back to wrangling this motley crew.”
Donovan shook his paw as he said, “I hope we don’t have to meet again, Nothing against you or anything.” he turned and pulled out the small flip phone as he started to walk back to the car. He quickly dialed his phone uncertain if Mark would answer considering school was still in session. And if he remembered correctly, Mark had not yet graduated. As he listened to the ring, it dawned on him that the Bernese boy would likely be going to the same school as his sister.
“Hello?” the Bernese boy said uncertainly over the phone, having not recognized the number that came up on his phone, “may I help you?”
“Thanks for the heads up on the destruction crew,” Donovan replied. “I was down in Prairie Flats when they got here. Luckily I think one of the guys knew just what she needed to hear to leave them alone… for now.”
“Donovan,” Mark replied with a heavy sigh. “Yea, not like I could just call you and I don’t happen to have any trained feral carrier pigeons… though Sonnet would probably adopt them anyway. Sorry about any problems from this… but it’s what has to be done. I don’t expect you to understand… but with what is in that cabin having come from me…. it’s better that I stay as far away from there as possible until the cabin is dismantled and removed.”
“You know what, I don’t understand, I get it. And in all reality, I don’t really care what you do with your cabin. That’s not really why I called, through it is what made me settle on who to call.” The lynx sighed as he prepared to ask the favor. “Basically two things. First, as I’m sure you know, my sister is going to school down there and I’m not really in a position to be a good emergency contact right now…” he trailed of as his mind hoped Mark would piece the comment together.
“That’s not what I…” the Bernese boy said, his voice trailing off to be replaced by a quiet electronic hum for several long moments. “You want to use me as an emergency contact for your sister…” Mark asked with a surprised tone, trailing off again to consider what the lynx was asking of him.
“Look, it’s just until our mother gets back from California,” Donovan said as he tried to ease his way into whatever was going on with the other boy. “I’m almost certain she is not planning on camping out with Sonnet and I when she gets back. I just need a number that is more likely to ring than mine. She’s a good girl so I don’t think she is going to be getting into too much trouble. I just want someone that I can… You know, if she gets hurt or something… Someone that can get word to me.”
“But I’m not….” the Bernese boy said pausing for another moment before continuing. “Fine, with the situation you're in and all... do it, and if anything should happen I will get word to you as quickly as possible. There are a few furs in town that I can trust to take it seriously and get word to you in as short of a time as possible.”
“Thank you,” he said, genuine gratitude in his voice. “To be honest, I really didn’t have anyone else I think I can trust with her.” He paused for a moment as he considered what he just said. Only a few months ago he was determined that he would have as little as possible to do with the bernese boy. And every turn he made, every time he asked, Mark came through for him, even if he never really showed the gratitude he deserved. “And… um… one more thing.” He smiled weakly at the phone as if the dog boy could see. “I bought a car so that I could get Katie around when I need to… but the thing is… I was going to park it by the cabin, since you weren't here and all. But with what you have going on now… Do you mind if I leave it over here, that way it’s not too close to the camp, but not a two mile walk to get to it? I can pay for any power I use.”
After a short pause the Bernese boy replied, “That’ll be fine. Though you'll want to put it a little west of the cabin site, just to be sure the workers don’t accidentally damage it. But what do you mean about any power you use?”
“I tried to find something like a biodiesel, but the guy sold me on this gas electric hybrid. Something that I thought might be a little better for the environment. You know, for Sonnet. You know how she is when it comes to poisoning the forest. But really I shouldn’t need to charge it up that often. As long as I drive it on the gas engine enough it should keep the batteries mostly charged. And I picked up some solar chargers also.” Donovan stopped himself as he realized he had started rambling. “It’s just if it came down to needing it, I’m not going to be a leach. Or try not to anyway.”
“I see, that makes sense honestly, though I don’t envy you trying to explain to Sonnet that it runs off of the sun so to speak. All the more reason to put it west of the current cabin, I have a guy coming up there in three days to put up a temp power pole until construction starts on the new residence. Something far more fitting of the land and it’s hoped for inhabitants. Which reminds me, I hear congratulations are in order.”
The lynx stifled a laugh as Mark mentioned the running on the sun, “I didn't even think about that shit. Runs on the sun.” The giggling in his voice almost made him blush. “New residence? Well, none of my business. As for congrats, I think Sister Sonnet would much rather hear it from Brother Mark in person. And getting her to take it easy… is going to kill me I’m sure.”
“Hear it from me she shall,” the Bernese boy said, his voice sounding more jovial than it had so far. “Just as soon as that abomination is removed from the mountain. I think you may have better luck with getting her to take it easy when it is closer to time for the arrival of your child though. Until then… good luck with that, I think you may need it.”
“To be honest, I’m more worried about what she might do around here right now,” Donovan said in a slightly somber tone. “One of the guys said she didn’t like them being up here. But whatever he said seemed to fend her off. But, if I know her, that's only the beginning of her dealing with things in these woods. I’m going to do what I can, but tomorrow I have to take Katie back down to get fitted or whatever. So that will be a few hours she has to herself.”
“It sounds like she spoke to Jason… so I wouldn’t worry too much about her. While he himself doesn’t practice it much, he does come from a long line of Irish druids. He probably understands her better than any of us do. When I checked out the company to hire them to dismantle the cabin and learned he worked for them he and I had a long talk about who they might encounter and what to expect. I told him specifically what was needed in regards to the cabin, knowing he of all of them would understand what they were dealing with. I also told to him guide the others in their task and to watch for Sonnet. I was fairly certain their presence wouldn’t go unnoticed by her with them being that close. Although I don't think he truly understood what is planned to cleanse and sanctify the timber… he knows enough to have been able to pass information on to Sonnet that should put her mind at ease at least enough to keep her out of their way, I hope.”
“I think that’s about all we can do, at least until it comes to going to town. Every time she’s even gotten within a few miles she turns around,” Donovan said as if Mark would understand. “Every so often she gets it in her mind she wants to go see it. But I don’t think she’s ready for anything like that. And she knows it. We never even made it all the way up to the ridge for her to see it from a distance. She always finds some reason to turn back. I just hope these guys being out here isn’t going to push her too far. I think that is what scares me the most,”
“As do I Donovan, which is why I put them on a short timeline to complete their task. They have to be done in no more than two weeks or they start losing money on the deal. I’m certain they think I’m crazy, and I don’t care. Getting them in and out of there quickly to keep the impact on Sonnet to a minimum is my only concern. If you and she weren’t snowed out of her grove it would have been a different story, but we work with the circumstances the fates drop on us don’t we?”
“You might be an arrogant dick,” Donovan said with a smirk, “But at least you're a decent arrogant dick. Thank you for considering Sonnet when you made your plans. I think removing the cabin alone will do a lot for her while we are stranded here, even if that has nothing to do with why you are doing this.”
With a slight chuckle Mark replied, “And you might be an insufferable ass, but at least you’re taking care of your mate, and one of the greatest gifts the Gods have ever graced the earth with. But don't kid yourself; Sonnet has more to do with the removal of that eye sore than you think. Okay, if there’s nothing else I need to get my furry ass to my next class,” he said waiting for the lynx to respond.
“No, that was all, thanks.” He looked at the phone for a moment as he hung up to let the other boy get back to class. It had been almost half a year since he got his GED and left everything behind. He never imagined things would turn out the way they had. He walked back over to the car to move it out of the way.
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Katie sat on the bus as it traveled back up to Wintercreek. She was alone in the seat, her paws up next to her, knees to her chest as she felt everyone staring at her. She wasn’t sure if it was just the fact it was her first day, or the combination of everything that happened leading up to it, but she felt like she wasn’t herself through most of the day. She buried her face in her knees as she started to cry a little. She had the chance to make friends, but blew it every time. She knew that most of the kids probably had no idea who she was, and those that did likely didn’t know everything that happened.
Then her debacle at lunch. Ralph and Zoe were so nice to her, even got her something other than the jerky and fruit that she had for lunch. Then she had to go an put her paw in her mouth by saying something rude to someone she hardly knew. She hadn’t meant anything by the comment about people's tastes in guys. She was sure Ralph was a good one, just not someone that interested her. She had just gotten too relaxed with the red panda and let the comment slip as if she was with one of her friends back home. She thought about how they would have laughed it off, and the memories of her friends just made the tears worse. Everything had been ripped from her. And all she could do was try and put things back together. And nothing that had happened that day helped her sort any of her questions out in her mind. She just wanted to go back to the camp and crawl under a mountain of blankets and forget the day had even happened. She felt as if what she had done was going to be the defining moments of her life in Colorado. She Had doomed herself to being the mouthy new kid no one would want to hang out with. And without her one outlet of sports, she had nothing but her brother to hang onto. The rest of her freshman year was doomed.
“So what's your story cupcake?” a voice said as someone flopped down in the seat with the lynx, nearly sitting on her foot-paws. “Some cute guy turn you down or did someone steal your lunch money?” Turning to look at the other girl the key deer raised an eyebrow at her. “Come on.. it can’t be all that bad hell.”
“No,” the young lynx said. “Just mourning the death of my social life… and everything else.”
“Ahhh,” the deer girl said almost sagely. “Let me guess, new in the area and you were kind of a big deal where you came from. I mean, you're pretty enough, so either the hot chick, the popular chick, or maybe a sports star.”
Katie shrugged as she said, "I think it was more that I was the only girl on the team. But that’s really not the issue. I just made an ass out of myself every opportunity I got today."
“Yea, sounds about right for the new kid… but what team? I mean if you're any good we should get you on ours for sure,” the deer girl said with a huge grin on her muzzle.
"I made the football team before I left, but they said it's too late to get on the team. I don't really know how long I'm going to be here either. When my dad wakes up, he's probably going to divorce my mom and I don't know what will happen then. Life is just Thirty-two flavors of fucked up right now."
A little wide eyed the deer girl said, “oooookay…. first off making the football team, that’s kind of impressive. The thing about your folks sucks major sweaty balls, and I don’t think I can do anything about fixing your life. Looking at you though, and the fact that you go to Prairie Flats Prep… yea you have to be over twelve so if it comes down to it you can decide which of the ‘rents you want to stay with. If you’re gonna be around long enough though, and you're into the rough and rowdy sports like football ya might want to try out for the hockey team, it’s mixed gender and anyone that wants has a shot at it.”
"I don't know how to ice skate," the lynx said quietly. "Wasn’t really a big thing and no hockey team so..." She looked down at her knees as she said, "and if I had to pick who I was going to live with... I think it would be my brother. Sure it would be awkward, with his wife and all. And they kinda just live out in the woods. But he's never lied to me, and apparently my mother has, and I don't know if I want to live with my dad, he's..." Kate trailed off as she thought about how she should try to explain her father.
“Probably a typical father, overbearing, bossy, and thinks he knows what’s best for everyone. Mines the same way, I love him mind you, but there are times when I just want to throw him off a cliff somewhere,” the deer said shaking her head. “If you’re serious about the living with your brother thing… if I remember right as long as he’s legal and all that it’s doable here. A friend of mine’s parents split up like three years ago and honestly I think she hated them both for the things they said and did to each other in the divorce. She had an older brother and the courts let her go with him since he was old enough.”
"Yea, but Don and Sonnet really just live out in the woods. We spent most of the last week building an igloo out of ice. Not sure if any court would say that's a good permanent environment for me."
Looking at the lynx girl sideways the deer said, “you sure you’re not part mule or something? I mean you’re about as hard headed as a rock ya know? Fuck girl I’m trying to give ya a little hope for something better here and you keep trying to shoot everything in the paw the moment it comes outta my muzzle.”
Katie shrugged again as she mumbled, "I guess it's just kinda hard to see the bright side of things when really nothing's gone right for so long. I mean Dad basically ran my brother off over the summer. Then he ends up in a coma after chasing mom off into the woods. The doctors say it’s not a good idea to move him, so I have to switch schools. I didn't even really get to say goodbye to any of my friends. I spent the last few weeks snowed in in the mountains with no power, internet, or cell service. Then I figure out that a California girl really doesn't fit in at school here. I think I made the only two people that were nice to me hate me. It's just been a banner month I guess." She paused for a moment before adding, "and now I'm here crying and whining about my life to a stranger. What else can go wrong?"
Frowning at the girl in the seat next to her the deer said, “wow… you have lived a sheltered as hell life haven’t ya? God damn girl, things go right or wrong because you let them. It sounds to me like you just wait for shit to fall on you instead of stepping out of the way. If that comes from being a California girl…. maybe you should stop that shit before things get worse.”
"Yea? How am I supposed to do that?" Just as she asked the question the bus pulled to a stop. She glanced out the window and sighed at the sight of her brother standing there in the same heavy, hooded cloak he had on that morning. "God, if he doesn't look like the grim reaper on winter vacation... I guess we're walking back out to the camp. I wish I brought my cell phone and charged it."
“Who?” the deer girl asked looking past the lynx between her and the window of the bus. “Holy hell… who’s the hot stud in the cape?” Leaning over Katie’s shoulder, nearly pressing her nose to the window she added, “THAT… is THAT your brother?”
"Yeah, and he's married," Katie said with a sigh of disappointment. "And if he went back to the camp I bet he's half naked under it. I swear if it weren't for me they both would be nude all the time."
“Well… I don't know what you’re sister in law looks like, but him walking around nearly naked or totally naked…. brother or not I’d be all for that shit,:” the deer girl said a moment before she leaned a bit farther over the lynx and licked the window.
She tried to ignore the comment, even though the image of her brother's body filled her head. Kate raised an eyebrow as she said, "Okay, someone that doesn't know about Sonnet. Not sure whether to be surprised or amazed. I thought everyone up here knew about the... eccentric doe husky out in the forest."
“Hmmmm?” the key deer girl said pulling herself away from the window and getting up from the seat. “Sonnet? Doe husky? Meh, probably heard the name around town, but I really don’t listen too much of the gossip and shit up here. I mean the town is nice enough and all, but some of the furs that live here are kind of fucking weird.”
"Yea, tell me about it" Katie said as she got up from her seat and grabbed her backpack. "Weird doesn't even begin to cover it. I guess I'll see you around." She quickly started following other furs off the bus.
“Yea, if your still around here ya will,” the deer girl called over her shoulder as they walked towards the front of the bus. “Seriously though… California girl, if ya can roller blade it’s the same shit as ice skating, think about it.”
She stepped down off the bus and walked over to Donovan, her head down still disappointed at the outcome of the day.
"So you about ready to head back home, or you want to do something in town first?" her brother asked as he put a paw on her shoulder.
"Isn't it like a three hour walk back to camp?"
"Well, actually it's quite a bit more, but we're not walking."
"Did you borrow someone else's car?" she asked as she looked around only to see a small gunmetal grey car. "How do you get these people to let you borrow their cars like that?"
"Well, that one's ours. I bought it today."
"You're shitting me. You bought a sissy car to drive in the mountains? I thought dad taught you better than that."
"Dad... Emmett never really thought me anything about buying a car. But that one is all-wheel drive, it had good handling in the snow, even with the low clearance. and we don't really have to take it off road."
"What did Sonnet have to say about it? I mean it's not a thing of nature."
"Well, I haven't really told her yet," the older lynx said as he started to walk over to the car. "I was kind of preoccupied with figuring out what she was putting together for the work crew that is taking down Mark's cabin. So how was your day?"
"Hold on, don't change the subject here." Katie said as she walked to the other side of the car. "Someone is tearing down the huge cabin? But why, the place looked awesome. Couldn't you have asked if we could stay there or something?"
"There's more to it than that. And we did stay there once. Sonnet couldn't spend the whole night in the cabin. And that is part of why the guy is having it taken down. It sounded like he was going to build something new there, something that fit into the forest better or something."
"What is up with everyone bending over backward for the town loon? I mean, yea she’s pretty and she's your wife, but they seem to do a lot to accommodate her... eccentricities. I mean they even had like check-in of stuff for the gathering thing. And I think I heard them talking about her when they were doing it."
"Okay Katie, I know it's hard to understand, but Sonnet is special. And a lot of the people around here see her that way. But there are also things that you don't know. They don't want her in town. When I came in to set up borrowing the car I was stopped by a guy with a gun. He just wanted to make sure Sonnet wasn't with me. There are some people that are scared of her, and some that just don't understand her way of life. But there are those that love her and have supported her and her grandfather since before she was born. And they do what they can to maintain her way of life for her. Yea, it's strange, but I really think I like it. I don't know. Just being with her seems right, even if I have nothing else. So what some of the people do for her is their choice, and some of the strive to live as much like she does as they can, but none of them can sever the ties they have with the modern world. Ties that she never made."
"But you're teaching her about this stuff, like reading and things. Isn't that like defeating the purpose of her living out there or something?"
"Okay, let me see if I can explain this, I'm not even sure I really get it. But Sonnet and I are mated, and we are from very different ways of life. I am learning as much from her as she is from me. Maybe more. She wants to know about my life as much as I want to know about hers. Once we got together, and got married, I have left so much behind, things that I thought were necessities, but I have strived to answer everything she's asked about my life outside the forest." He paused for a moment, "and damn am I going to have to figure out how to explain some things to her if what I read about that sex ed stuff is right."
Katie sighed as she said, "You have no idea. Half the class was spent talking about incest with your siblings."
"Wait what?"
"One guy even talked about the legal stuff, but it was more about the sexual side of things and the outcome. The moral part was only like a few minutes."
"Yeah, about that," Donovan paused for a moment as he pulled the car out into the street. "Did mom or da.. Emmett ever talk to you about that... stuff?"
"Not really, but the wait till you're married stuff. I learned how to put a condom on a cucumber in school. And they flooded us with the STD videos."
Donovan rolled his eyes, "So that hasn't changed much."
"Well it's different here," Katie said as she blushed a little, "Class left off talking about guys having sex with other guys. It was kinda... ewe."
"Can you please not put that picture in my head."
With a giggle Katie blurted out, "Gay butt sex!"
"God, I am so going to tell mom."
She leaned back in the seat as she said, "You're going to tell her I told you about what I learned in school? Good luck with that. I mean, what about what she told us... about her... and you."
"Okay you win, just... not gay butt sex please. And if you do meet a guy... or girl... or whatever, and you want to do things like that... be smart about it. Use a condom and stuff. And don't let a guy talk you into anything you don't want to do."
"Be smart about it?" Katie asked. "Look who's talking, you knocked up your fourteen year old girlfriend. Are you sure it wasn't a shotgun wedding?"
"Okay, that’s enough about me and Sonnet. How was the rest of your day?"
"It sucked."
(¯`·._.··¸.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.,-(_Cats and deer-dog_)-,.-~*´¨¯¨`*·~-.¸··._.·´¯)
Sonnet finished tieing the last of the charms to the oversized yellow machine, as she saw the strange grey automobile drive into the clearing. She climbed down off the last of the floral covered contraptions ready to bolt into the woods. Just as her hooves hit the ground she saw Donovan and his sister through the window. She frowned as she sniffed the air. Something was different. It didn't smell of the same thing as Mark's thing, or the monstrosities that the workers had brought.
She started to walk over to the car as Donovan got out and said, "Sonnet, What are you doing? I thought you promised to leave them alone."
She tilted her head as she said, "They're not here. I only cleansed the area and made it more acceptable."
"You... you covered them with... where did you get all those dried flowers and stuff?" Katie asked as she walked around the car. "That has got to be... I so wish I could Facebook that."
Donovan turned to his sister, "Don't encourage her. We want them to get done and get out of here. I hope this doesn't slow things down. Are you done?" He looked at Sonnet as he asked.
"Yes, but what is that?"
"Its a car, just like what Mark had only smaller, remember?"
"No, it's different, it... smells different," the doe husky said as she walked cautiously over to them.
"Okay, I should have known you'd notice that. It's electric... like my cell phone and camera."
She tilted her head as she asked, "What about the..." she trailed off as she tried to think of the word.
"Batteries?" Donovan finished her sentence. "Well, I got these things that will fix them up using sunlight."
Katie just covered her face with her paw as she shook her head.
"You just be quiet, you didn't always know what solar power was."
"Then I turned five."
Donovan ignored his sister's comment as he ushered Sonnet to the back of the car and opened the trunk. "I was hoping to do this during the day tomorrow, but since you've being sneaking and already here..." He pulled a box out and opened it up. " This is a solar panel. It turns sunlight into electricity. I hook it up to this thing and it can charge the batteries in the car while it sits here."
"Sunlight?" Sonnet asked "What if the sun is behind clouds, or at night?"
"Well some sun still gets through the clouds, that's why it is still light even on a cloudy day," Donovan said with a smile. "And at night the moon light works, it’s just a lot slower."
Katie watched as her brother explained the simple technology to his mate as the Doe marveled at it. She wondered just what her brother saw in the girl. She looked over Sonnet's nude body as the memory of their kiss and the somewhat graphic discussion between two lesbians in class rushed into her head. She found herself wanting to kiss her brother’s wife and feel her warm body close to her. She shook her head and muttered, "I'm not gay."
Donovan looked over at her and asked, "Did you say something?"
"Um... I getting hungry. Are you two about done," She swiftly said to cover what she unintentionally let slip out. As if to confirm her story her stomach rumbled.
Sonnet trotted over to her joyfully as she wrapped her arms around the lynx and kissed her on the cheek. "I have a new stew made, it should still be warm on the fire. You will like it, I'm sure." Sonnet took Katie by the paw and pulled her back toward the camp, followed by Donovan as he smiled and shook his head at his wife and reluctant sister.
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