FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

With my body growing more lazily relaxed, I couldn't help but slowly sink deeper into the cushion of my seat. Every few minutes, I would flip a page belonging to the book resting in my palms. Beyond my presence at the outside world, the town sounded busy with wakening life, but not to the point of being bothersome and annoyingly loud. Here inside the Spellbound Book, Silabus was quietly shuffling around as he took inventory of his stock and storing them on the shelves, all the while possibly listening to me. Since it was so peaceful in here, I couldn't help myself as I hummed as I read; with the occasional Japanese slipping out to the song I had in mind.

I have to admit, I've grown quite accustomed to my voice now. Dare I say even attached to it? The feminine cadence carries a more pleasant tone to it when I sing anything, certainly more than when I was a guy. Still though, I wonder if I get my old body back if I'll miss the ability to sing like I can now. I could take some more music classes to help with it, but that'll have to be much later. For now, I face the disappointment of what I've just read.

This book was about the history of spellcasting along with categorizing all the known elements and spells; at least at the time this thing was written. It stated that the magic of transforming one living thing into something else was a lost art belonging only to the gods and dragons. Though I did learn that the reason why humans and the beast races originally learned magic is because of the gods and dragons, and only because it was a time of slavery and war.

After a light puff of air blew out from the tome due to me shutting it, I stretched out my arms to remove some of the stiffness that began to developed. Part of me wanted to be lazy today since it was comforting cloudy morning, but I knew I couldn't as I already selected job number two for the required community requests. Though it doesn't seem like this one shouldn't be too extensive since it looks like it's that deer Lora asking for some assistance with her store.

After arriving, the work wasn't all that bad as expected. Just helping with sorting and storage. I'll say what I didn't expect was just how much time flew by as the beastwoman called and asked if I wanted to join her for lunch.

“So Telaraya, how are you finding the adventurer's life so far?" She asked as she poured me a cup of tea.

“Well so far it's been pretty simple. I haven't gotten to do anything grandiose just yet." I said before taking a sandwich which Lora had laid out for us.

“Hopefully you find what you're looking for out there."

I hope so too. “I know it might be hard, but I still have to try."

“If it's okay to ask, what will you do when your journey's done?"

“That's…actually hard to say." I took a minute to think about it.

I know I already thought about the possibilities if I fail, but if I succeed, I'm home, I'm human again. The life of Telaraya would be gone, but I'd still have the memories of what happened. Could I even go back to a normal life after everything I've experienced? There's also the question of what happened in my world. Would it be possible to live past whatever the cause of this situation was? How much time has passed where I'm from? Do my parents and friends know I'm gone still? If they do, how would they react to my sudden return? How would my world react to my sudden return? I guess I just wish I already knew these answers so it'll be easier to deal with.

“I guess…I'll just live my life as is."

“You don't sound certain about that, dear." Her tone of concern rang deep into my ears.

“I'm not certain what my life is going to be like after all this."

“If you don't like what you find, you're more than welcome to stay. Plus since you are a registered member of the adventurer's guild, there's always finding a life elsewhere or just living for the journeys."

“I know, I've already had that thought, but my concern now is the kind of person I'll be when it's all done."

“Telaraya sweetie, if you're afraid of finding out you had a terrible past, don't be. Our past is meant to be the stepping stone for us to grow and learn into the kind of person we want to be. Every good moment, all the hardships, and all the mistakes. Who you were shouldn't dictate who you want to be."

That's easy for you to say, but that's only because you're believing my lie. I'll always be Avery McCole, but who's to say that once this is over that I'll have become Telaraya? I just want to be me.

I soon found gentle arms wrapping around behind my head and pulling me into Lora's soft bosom. “You look like such a worrywart, dear, but I know you'll be okay."

“I'm a stranger to you, why are you being this kind to me?"

“Because that's the person I want to be. Someone who has the heart to be kind to others."

“…Thanks."

“Anytime." The deer then let me go and sat back down. “Now how about we change the subject for so you can relax a bit."

After sipping some tea, I let my thoughts ponder a bit. “How do you and Mira know each other? Is she a regular here?"

“I actually knew her since she was practically a small thing"

“You knew her that long? So I'm guessing you also know Darter too."

“Of course, I did help him raise Mira after all."

“I didn't know you two were that close. So then what about Mira's parents?"

“I never had the chance to meet them." Lora's face turn slightly dour.

“How come?"

“You don't know, do you?"

I went still realizing what may come. “Know what?"

“Mira's parents were killed before she and Darter came here."

I don't have the right to ask Lora how it happened, and I actually feel kind of selfish right now. My situation may be reversible, but Mira can never get her parents back. Despite that, she manages to put on a smile every time I've seen her. I know you can't be sad forever, but I don't know what I'd do if I lost my parents.

“Let's talk about something else." I anxiously warbled. I didn't mean to step on what could be a touchy subject.

Before she could respond, a knock on the door interrupted the deer. Lora excused herself to go answer, and not long after, I heard her happily chatting with a familiar sounding woman. Footsteps approached as Lora returned while walking behind her was Sarah.

Thank you for coming at the right time. Help us change this conversational track.

“Tela, it's nice to see you. How are you doing?" The human greeted.

“I'm doing good. What are you doing here?"

“I'm off duty, so I thought I'd have lunch with Lora."

Noting their personalities, yeah I get that these two can be friends.

Just like with Lora, Sarah had asked how being an adventurer was treating me now. I pretty much gave the same response I did to the beastwoman, and afterwards, the two women went about chatting about their day. Eventually their conversation shifted once Lora asked how Sarah and I knew each other, and once that was explained, the blonde woman said that I reminded her of Lora's daughter.

“Are you certain she reminds you of Abby? Because from what I've seen so far, Tela might be showing me a different side of her." The deer chuckled.

“Oh believe me, you should have seen how much she was rushing during her training."

“Well that does sound like something Abby would do, but you should have seen Tela before you came in. I think she's more of a good girl with a nervous heart."

“Yeah I can sense that part of her, but I have to ask, nervous-nervous or embarrassed-nervous? Because I've already gotten to see the latter."

“I haven't gotten to see an embarrassed Telaraya yet. If I may ask, what happened?"

“Nothing too bad, we just caught her singing in the showers." Sarah snickered.

I silently continued my lunch as I felt like I was being teased by two mothers as they gossiped on.

“I didn't know you could sing, Tela." Lora turned to me.

“Quite beautifully too I might add." Sarah quickly added.

“It's just something I do to pass the time and have a little fun." I took another sip of my tea with some flushed cheeks as my eyes darted away.

“Well I'd love to hear you sing sometime." The deer smiled.

“Though I will say the one thing that surprised me is the fact that Tela knows the language of that island nation towards the west." Sarah said before taking a nibble of her sandwich.

Lora went silent for a moment as it looked like she was suddenly pondering something. “Maybe…This might be a guess, but Tela, despite your amnesia, maybe since you can remember another language, that might be a key to restoring your memory."

There's a place that knows Japanese in this world? Actually since this place has been speaking English, I shouldn't be surprised there are other languages known here. Though I should wonder just how many languages are spoken in this world. While it could be interesting to visit, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to find answers there. Plus this also just made me realize something, I'm going to have to think of an excuse now. Since I told her, if Mira blabs to others that I learned a foreign language through schooling, I may have screwed myself over. I don't know, maybe I could work it as something I briefly remembered.

“That could actually be a good start, maybe you're from there Tela." Sarah perked up.

“What's the place called?" I curiously asked.

“I'm trying to remember what it's called in their language, but I believe it translates into the Nation of the Cherry Blossom Dragon." Sarah furrowed a brow trying to remember.

“I could visit it, but do you happen to know about any locations occupied by dragonkin? Maybe someone would know me there. I want to try all possibilities first." I soon inquired. If there's any chance of finding out what happened to me, then maybe it has to be the place where this species I've been turned into is from.

“If that's the case, you could try Kelda. For that you'd need to head north and then charter a ship to their capital."

“Any idea what's the soonest I could do that?"

“Unfortunately since it's the stormy season for their side of the ocean, it's not really safe to travel towards there just yet. So you may want to wait a while before going." Lora answered.

“Remember what I said about pushing beyond your limit? That applies to here too." Sarah quickly added, shooting down the notion that I was going to rush for answers.

“Yes, Mom." I groaned.

Sarah's eyes widened a bit before she joined Lora in chuckling. “Now pray tell, do you truly think of me as a mother?"

“Well you certainly act like one." I casually replied after as more Earl Grey slid down my tongue.

I couldn't tell if her smile was hiding some annoyance or if she was honestly happy, but Sarah soon asked; “May I ask why you think that?"

“Your caring disposition. The few times you were willing to scold me. The few times you caught me after a shower to make sure my hair was properly brushed out so I wouldn't damage it. The two times I said I was going to skip dinner after training because I was too exhausted, so you offered to make me something light just so I'd have some nutrients. The one time you forced me to eat lunch since I planned on skipping it to try and sneak some more practice in when Gerbera wasn't looking." I listed off.

“Oh my, I think she actually gave you a complement." Lora giggled as she brought a hand up to her cheek.

“I guess all that time I spent taking care of my brothers helped."

“So then, did Sarah help you with your makeup too, or did you do that?"

I cocked an eyebrow. “Makeup?"

“You mean that's not makeup on your cheeks?" The deer inquired.

“No, that's just how the fur is around there." I've checked. It goes all the way to the roots and my scales.

“You know, you should try a little bit of makeup, Tela." Sarah spoke up.

What?

“No, I think I'll pass on that."

“Oh it'll be fine. Lora, do you have any spare makeup, or did Abby leave some here that we can use?"

“Is this because I called you a mom?"

“No, I'm just generally curious as to what you'd look like afterwards."

“Well I'll still have to pass on that."

“…Maybe something around your eyes to help bring more attention to them." Lora added.

Please no…Please don't side with her.

“Don't worry, we'll only do this once and then you can decide if you'd want to do it again in the future."

After much protesting, I eventually found myself sitting anxiously as Sarah stood behind helping me stay still. Lora had recently returned with a small bag, and as my eyes remained shut, I felt the beastwoman press something along my canthi. My claws dug deep into my knees due to not wanting this along with being nervous of having something so close to my eyes. All I could do until she finished was scream in my head as my mouth remained tightly shut.

Not long after, the deer stopped brushing my eyes. “Okay, you can look now."

A nervous groan squeaked out of me as my gaze shifted towards a mirror that Lora was holding. I was still uncertain about it and dissatisfied we all went through this, but as Lora said, the eyeshadow she applied did bring more attention to my sapphire colored peepers. The makeup itself wasn't really big and standing out like I've seen girls at my school do, but it was more subdued and blended into my fur along the canthi while being the same red as the markings on my cheeks.

“I didn't want to add to much, and I wanted it to look natural for you. I think it helps bring out the beauty in your eyes." The deer smiled.

“I don't know. I've never done anything like this before."

“Well if it helps you think things through, just consider it a natural part of you. Like the little fur pattern you have on your face." Sarah added.

Again, a anxious squeak escaped me. There wasn't anything I could do about it now aside from getting on with the rest of the day trying to ignore it. With lunch ending, Sarah had eventually left; leaving Lora and I to resume working. As I was in the process of continuing where I was with stocking stuff, my sights gradually turned to a nearby reflection of myself in the window. It was a brief moment, but I quickly cleared all thoughts out of my head as I could feel my cheeks warm up with a rosy color. I then sighed.

Lora was at least very gentle doing it, and she did seem proud of her work. Plus she was also right about getting it to look like natural fur coloring for me. I should give her a little bit of praise at least.

I soon cleared my throat. “Moshi kotoba wo motazu tomo, kaze no you ni..."

It was the only song that I could think of at the moment, but as I continued to sing, I could sense the deer's presence finally be pulled to it. This was the only way I felt like I could give her a reward since I knew I'd wouldn't be able to form the words “thank you" for something I felt uncomfortable sitting through, but she didn't do a bad job and I wanted her to feel I was okay with it now. She is trying her best to be nice to me.