FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

ONE YEAR LATER

Caleb lined up his shot trying to knock the 3 ball in the corner pocket, the cue ball hit the 3 ball with a clank and then the ball ricocheted off the wall right next to hole, failing to fall in. Ears drooped, he stood up and waited as his otter friend knocked his last two balls with ease into pockets and then the 8 ball into a side pocket.

"Alright, that's four straight games. I quit" Caleb said throwing his paws up in surrender and putting his stick back on the wall.

His friend chuckled, "knowing you, I figured you'd know exactly how to work a stick and balls."

"Classy," Caleb said chuckling himself, "but by that logic, you're gayer than I am. Is there something you need to confess?"

"Naw," his friend chuckled, "I like vaginas way too much."

"Suit yourself," said Caleb walking away from the billiards tables and around the many other highschool furs hanging out, "Come on Sam, let's check to see who's performing."

"Ugh, it's just a bunch of wannabe bands with only a couple of good singers. Every year it's the same."

"Yeah, but your girl's in it and you gotta watch if you wanna keep getting into her pants"

Caleb and Sam walked in the room where there were some tables hastily pushed against the walls and a bunch of seats closer to a stage with a worn out curtain stood. Not long after they sat down did the show start. It started off as usual with a few bands that were okay but not great, one that was just awful, and then Sam's girlfriend's a capella group where they were actually pretty good. After they finished Sam gave a standing ovation and whistled loudly "So that she knows I was here" was his explanation.

There were few more performances left to go so they decided to sit it out and watch until the end, it wasn't like there was anything else to do in this town.

The curtain opened where a dalmation sat on a small stood with an acoustic guitar and microphone just below his muzzle.

"Dude, check out the metal foot." Sam whispered loudly into Caleb's ear.

Caleb shifted his head so that he could get a proper look and saw this metal foot of his left leg. It was something that Caleb hadn't seen before. He heard murmurs of others making the same observation.

The canine gave a soft couch to clear his throat and said into the mic, "This is for someone very special to me." He had a smooth voice, a little deeper than what Caleb expected it to be.

As soon as he finished speaking, he strummed the strings a few times and set the mood for the song and sung into the mic slowly,

"Somebody, please tell me, what am I suppose to do?"

The words came accompanied with some soft cords that matched beautifully with the words.

"You died, and I'm here,

thinking that I hear your voice

but it's somebody else.

It's always, somebody else."

The pace of the song quickened a little as he strummed some cords a little harder and the dalmation really got into the song and then bellowed,

"Why did you die? Don't leave me please. I

beg you God tonight, bring me peace.

I'll never sleep without the dreams of you alive

here with me, alive here with me."

Just then he slowed down just a bit as Caleb felt this odd sensation inside him. He was awestruck and surprised by the passion in the music and lyrics, passion that he had never heard before.

"The brightness left your eyes, as I held your face.

Don't tell me it's the right time and your last words will sustain me

until my end, until I see you again."

Eyes closed, the dalmation strummed the guitar as the music seemed to cut into Caleb's fur like gentle blades cutting deeper and deeper

A whisper from Sam couldn't break the spell the Caleb was in, he ignored his friend to just watch this boy, this artist had something about him that Caleb was so moved by. He felt like he himself had just lost someone close, like he could feel the singer's pain.

The singing continued as the canine loudly and stunningly sang,

"Your words evade me, I'll wait to remember you,

and what you have, meant to me, could never be forgotten."

The strumming became harder and rocked the souls of even the biggest musical ignoramus.

"The chains of death

are falling but my heart still beats

It longs for the day

When we will be as one, one, one"

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in applause from all around. Caleb being the first one of many on his feet giving a standing ovation. The dalmation just sat there with a bit of a smile and Caleb could have sworn he saw a tear escape the dalmation's eyes.

The curtain closed and it was time to leave because the place would be closing soon but Caleb kept looking at the curtain as though he'd see an encore from the canine.

"Hello? Earth to Caleb! Come in Caleb!" Sam's paw started waving in front of Caleb's face, breaking him from his spell.

Caleb blinked a couple times, "Sorry, what'd you say?"

Sam had a big smirk on his face "I said stop gawking at him and go up and talk to him. You obviously like him."

"I don't have a thing for him, I've never seen him before. Plus I don't even know his name."

"Well then go introduce yourself, say you liked his music. Then see where that takes you."

"I don't know," Caleb was anxious. He really wanted to talk to him, but he was a little shy around new people.

Caleb felt a tug on his wrist as it was caught in Sam's grip. Caleb tried to pull away, but his friend was too strong. Sam led him up to the backstage area and looked around.

"There he is," Sam whispered, "now go talk to him"

Caleb was about to make a final protest but as soon as he saw the dalmation, packing up his guitar he couldn't form any excuse. His feet seemed to work on their own because before he know it he was standing behind the canine.

"Er- hey there" Caleb said nervously.

The dalmation jumped a bit and stood up quickly to face him with a paw wiping his eye. Caleb knew for sure this time that he had been crying but pretended not to notice.

"You were great out there," he continued, "I've never heard anyone able to sing so well. It really moved me."

The dalmation smiled a bit, "thank you."

"You really have a gift you know," Caleb continued trying to get the shy dog to say some more. "both as a performer and lyricist."

"Thanks, I've been doing it for years and I love music. I hope to find a way to do it as a professional someday," said the dalmation right as his phone buzzed a couple of times. "Oh, it's my mom," he said checking his phone, "I got to go know. It was nice meeting you, uh..."

"Caleb. Caleb Callahan." He stuck out his paw.

"Nick Tennant." The dalmation took the paw and shook.

They let go of each other's paws and Nick picked up his guitar case and headed to the stage for the exit. Caleb just stood there watching him go as a small smile came across his face.