FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 8

Harvy awoke with a contented sigh as she stretched and yawned widely. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was past twelve. Oh well. She thought. It's a Sunday. A faint smile graced her features as memories of her wonderful day with Gar played through her head. She giggled lightly at the thought of her dear friend. She heard a knock on her door as her mom entered her room. "Good morning sleepy head! Have any wet dreams?" Harvy froze, her face heating up hotter than the sun. "M-MOM! What the HELL?!" The older wolf giggled innocently with a look that told Harvy she was just having fun messing with her. Harvy sighed in exasperation and briefly wondered why she couldn't have a normal mom like most teenage girls. She just sighed and forced a smile on her face. "Well what's up mom?" The older wolf took on a maternal expression. "Oh I was just wondering if you had any plans today sweety." Harvy thought for a moment. "Uh...not really. Why?" The older wolf grinned. "It just occurred to me that we have yet to see the mall..." Harvy grinned brightly. "Mom, you rock!" The older wolf laughed lightly. "And don't you forget it!"

Gar grumbled indignantly as he rolled out of bed, the afternoon sun beaming umercifully upon his dizzy feathered head. He stretched and yawned in his usual morning display, smiling distractedly as memories of the previous day flooded his mind. Shaking his head in an effort to wake up, he stumbled to his feet and glanced at the clock. 1:30...Crap. Almost late for work. Gar quickly darted to the bathroom and washed up, leaving on his cut offs from the previous day and hastily throwing on a plain black tank top. No need to look presentable, he'd only get dirty at work anyways. He quickly grabbed his blood red flight goggles and darted out the door. He'd be late if he didn't fly, but he'd at least stay within the legal altitude. He was already pushing his luck with the local authorities. Three tickets in a month, a new record even by his standards and he didn't need his father worrying unnecessarily.

Harvy was grinning widely as she entered the door to her house, arms overflowing with bags of cool new clothes. Her mother followed swiftly smiling lovingly at her daughter. "Thanks mom! That was awesome! I can't believe this mall has an 'Alt Girl!' " The older wolf grinned sweetly. "Glad you could find something you like sweety." The two she wolves plopped the bags down with a grunt before collapsing on the couch. Mrs. Sellow suddenly gasped and sat upright in realization. "Oh shoot!" Harvy raised a brow. "What's up mom?" She sighed in frustration. "Oh I just realized I forgot to stop at the market on the way home. We need some tomatoe sauce for dinner tonight." She turned toward her daughter and gave her a sweet smile with large puppy dog eyes. "Honey? Do you think you could be a dear and run down to the corner store for mommy? She's so VERY tired from taking you shopping today..." She batted her eyes as she finished, making Harvy sigh in resignation. "Okay mom...be back in a bit." The older wolf yipped in glee and pressed a ten dollar bill into her daughter's paw before giving her a loving lick on the cheek. "Thank you sweety!" Harvy rolled her eyes and headed out the door.

Harvy smiled kindly at the sweet old desert fox who rang her up, mouthing words of thanks. She sighed as she set out down the street back towards her house, grocery bag in paw. Her gaze fell upon the dazzling sky which had been painted familiar colors by the slowly retreating sun. She thought of Gar, silently thanking him for sharing such an enchanting spectacle with her the previous evening. As she absently thought of Gar, a sudden wind blew the bag from her paw. She gasped and chased after it as it rolled down a hill off the cement path she'd been walking. She finally caught up and snatched it back up with a victorious grin, panting with exertion. As she stood, her gaze fell to a rather spectacular sight before her. A massive quarrey lay just ahead of her, glittering in a collage of breathtaking color in the setting sun. Stones of reds and earthen tones littered the base of the large hole in the earth. She spotted several totems hard at work, digging and moving earth and rock.

As her eyes took in the scene she froze and gasped. One totem stood out. It only took a glance to recognize her dear friend, Gar. He was hard at work, lifting massive stones and flying them over to awaiting trucks. His only item of clothing was his cut off shorts, clearly out of consideration for the sweltering heat and arduous labor. She found herself staring as he gracefully took flight despite the considerable weight clutched in his talons. His well toned muscles rolled beneath his pearl white plumage with every movement, slick with sweat from such demanding work. Harvy watched in awe, her breath catching as she observed him. She felt her cheeks flush as her ears lay flat. Her mother's teasing words from the previous night rang in her ears. But he IS a breathtaking young man is he not? Harvy nodded dumbly as if answering the question. She quickly shook her head. What are you doing Harvy?! You are NOT practically DROOLING over your best friend! As Harvy absently watched Gar, she was suddenly pulled out of her reverie by the sound of a loud whistle.

A rather gruff looking middle aged black labrador stepped into the center of the quarrey and called for everyone's attention. "All right light's gone guys! That's it for today! Great work, all of you!" He then turned his attention to Gar as he finished placing his last stone in the truck before delicately landing and wiping his brow with his forearm. "Hey With! Nice hussle today son! Keep this up and there'll be a bonus for ya!" Gar smiled greatfully and shook the dog's paw. "Thank you kindly sir!" The labrador just chuckled and nodded before heading off. Gar sighed in satisfaction as he scooped up his discarded tank top and headed up the path. He froze when he spotted Harvy staring at him in shock. After a rather awkward silence, Gar cleared his throat and spoke up. "...Harvy? What brings you here?"

Harvy laughed nervously and looked at the ground. "O-oh...umm...you see..my mom sent me to the store to pick something up and the wind blew my bag away, so I chased after it and sorta...wound up...umm...here..." Gar chuckled in good humor. "Well I must apolgise for my less than presentable appearence. I did not expect to meet you here." Harvy blushed. "O-oh not at all! I uh...didn't mean to intrude..." Gar chuckled gently again. "Oh it's no bother." Harvy smiled warmly. "So...uh...you have a job huh?" She winced inwardly. No duh miss obvious! Gar grinned sheepishly. "Yes well...my father cannot work so the duty falls to me..." Harvy gave him a sympathetic smile. "Wow...must be rough..." Gar uncounciously flexed his poweful chest muscles, making Harvy suddenly go short of breath as her eyes bulged. "Oh not at all! I'm quite used to manual labor!" Harvy looked away in a futile attempt to mask her discomfort. No kidding!

Harvy quickly composed herself and stood up straight. "W-well I won't keep you Gar. Umm...good night. I'll see you tomorrow at school okay?" Gar nodded sweetly and Harvy swiftly turned and set off for home, leaving Gar to sigh to himself and do the same. He was slightly embarassed that Harvy had to find out yet another detail of his difficult life and hoped she didn't let it bother her too much. Pushing the thought aside he spread his wings and took to the sky, thoroughly looking forward to a leisurely and calming flight home.

Harvy closed the door with a sigh and tried desperately to calm her rapidly beating heart. She had been blushing like mad, all the way home and couldn't get the image of Gar's well muscled form out of her head. She violently shook her head. HARVY! Get a GRIP girl! Her mother called from the kitchen. "Honey? That you? I could use that sauce!" Harvy quickly headed to the kitchen and set the bag on the counter. "Here you go mom, sorry." The older wolf smiled greatfully. "Thank you sweety! But what kept you?" Harvy paused for a moment, wondering if she should tell her mother the truth. Deciding she would easily detect a lie she chose to tell her part of the truth. "Oh...well umm...I ran into Gar on the way back..." The older wolf beamed at the mention of the young raven. "Oh? How so honey?" Harvy gulped and breathed deeply. "Umm...the wind blew the bag away so I chased after it and wound up at a quarrey...where apparently Gar works..." The older wolf's eyes widened in amazement. "You mean that sweet young man has a strenuous job like that? My goodness...poor boy..." Harvy just nodded and quickly retreated to the couch, clicking the T.V. on. She would rather not tell any more of what she saw that evening...

Gar quietly entered his trailer and clicked on the lights. He glanced at the empty couch and felt a pang of worry in his chest. He quickly entered his father's room only to find it empty. He violently kicked the wall and screamed in frustration before sliding to the floor as tears stained his facial feathers. Slowly standing he made his way to his father's bed and collapsed, slowly drifting off to sleep as his tears flowed unabated...

Harvy awoke with a start, her heart beating fast and an uncomfortable cold sweat slicking her fur. She held her head in her paws and let out a frustrated sigh. Ugh! She'd been having certain...dreams...concerning Gar the previous night and fought viciously to clear the visions from her head. This is getting creepy now Harvy! She thought bitterly. Cut it out already! Her alarm blared a moment later and she groaned as she slammed her paw into the annoying device. Sighing heavily, she lept out of bed and groggily stripped as she made her way to the shower, pausing a moment outside the stall. Cold shower... She thought to herself, nodding in conviction before turning the knob and jumping into the icy torrent.

Harvy sighed for the umpteeth time that morning as she made her way to her locker. Whether it was from exhaustian or frustration she wasn't entirely sure. She was desperately trying to figure out why she kept thinking of Gar in such a...personal...way. Could she be going into heat? She panicked for a moment before realizing her cycle should still be more than a week away. What was it then? Her thoughts shifted slightly as she began to wonder if Gar had ever known intimacy before... She knew it was unlikely and the thought saddened her. So lost was she in her reverie that she failed to notice the object of her deep contemplation standing before her and she nearly collided with the white raven in question.

Grinning nervously like a child caught doing something naughty, Harvy tried desperately to calm herself as she greeted her friend. "H-hi G-Gar! Good m-morning!" She froze as she noticed his distant expression, but it vanished as a small smile made it's way onto his face as he responded. "And a good morning to you 'Dire Wolf.' " Harvy frowned. She could tell something was bothering him but wondered if she should ask. "Umm...is everything...alright Gar?" Gar smiled sweetly. "My world is always at peace in your prescence..." Harvy tried desperately to fight off the intense blush that followed that statement. Dammit... She thought. Does he even realize what he does to me? Shaking her head again she just smiled kindly back. "That's sweet Gar. Just remember I'm always here if you need to talk okay?" Gar nodded greatfully. They were interupted by the warning bell and quickly made their way to class.

The day progressed at a snail's pace and Harvy groaned out of boredom. She found her gaze drifting over to Gar througout their classes together, an unreadable expression on his face.She felt a pang of worry for her dear friend who seemed to be struggling with something. She hoped he would let her help him with whatever it was. As the lunch bell rang that day, Harvy yipped in triumph. FINALLY, she would have a chance to talk with Gar in depth. She rushed to her locker and tossed her bag in before racing off to the cafeteria. Finally she made her way to the court yard, lunch tray in hand. First she glanced over to the tree which was deserted. Frowning, she glanced over to the roof and began to grow worried when she realized that it too was deserted.

As her worries began to consume her she felt a familiar gust of wind and rolled her eyes in exasperation. Spinning around with a wide grin on her muzzle she faced her smirking friend. "Gar! Why do always have to do that?" The bleached raven just chuckled lightly. "My sincere apologies 'Dire Wolf' but I do so enjoy seeing you live up to your namesake..." He finished with a wink and Harvy playfully smacked his beak with her tail as she passed him on her way to the tree. Gar grinned happily and swiftly followed. He politely set down their trays and offered a talon to Harvy as he helped her sit. She grinned at the sweet gesture and made herself comfortable. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes before Harvy spoke up. "Oh! Gar. I wanted to tell you something." Gar tilted his head in that distinctly corvid manner that she found so damn adorable and she had to fight to keep from giggling. "...U-umm...I was reading the books you got me the other day...THANK YOU SO MUCH BY THE WAY...and umm...I got into this book that talks about the Native American tribes of earth that was...It's SO cool! And there was this chapter talking about their beliefs in the spirit of the earth and animal spirits and it said that 'wolf' and 'raven' were the closest of the spirits and always together! Apparently in the wild wolves and ravens actually eat and play together, and the ravens would actually lead wolves to prey so that they could both eat! It said that wolves and ravens were the closest of souls. Isn't that wild?!"

Realizing she had gotten over excited AGAIN, Harvy winced and flattened her ears. Her gaze fell to the ground as she laughed nervously. Gar grinned warmly and lifted her chin with a gentle talon. "Yes...our kind have been kindred for as long as time records. Two halves of the same soul...one bound to the earth...the other, the sky...ravens, the keepers of secrets and knowledge...the eyes of Gaea who guide souls to the spiritual realm...wolves, the guardians of the earth...the warriors of Gaea who defend all that is sacred and pure with hearts that match..." Gar finished with a smile that exuded warmth and sincerity and Harvy felt her breath catch as she was frozen in place by his otherworldy eyes again. The icy blue pools seemed to resonate with centuries of untold wisdom and knowledge. She had to fight to look away. When she did she flattened her ears in a deep blush. "...W-wow...Gar...How did you know all of that?" He gave a humoress grin. "Far too much time...and FAR too many books..." He said with a wink, making harvy giggle.

She grinned warmly as Gar's words sunk in. Somehow she felt infinately better about her awkward thoughts about him as of late. What he'd said about wolves and ravens made it feel somehow natural and...right...for them to be so close to each other. Her heart was warmed by the thought and she gave Gar a quick hug, not really caring about her intense blush at the moment. Gar smiled tenderly and gently stroked her head fur, a habit of his she'd grown to greatly love. Harvy's self counciousness returned as she remembered something she'd wanted to ask Gar since that morning. She gently pulled away and rung her tail in an uncouncious nervous habit which Gar took note of. Just like her tail wagging he found this too to be very cute, and grinned at the thought. "Ummm...Gar?" The avian's head tilted again. Harvy smiled but it quickly faded as she pondered how to approach this particular subject. "Please...let me know if this is too personal but umm...I was just wondering if you...were ever really...close...to anyone before..." Gar took on a look of puzzlement. Harvy sighed in exasperation as she realized the question Was too vague. "What I mean is...have you ever really had a m-mate...before?" Gar's avian eyes widened in realization and Harvy could swear she could detect the hint of a blush as he briefly looked away.

Fearing she'd gone too far she quickly apologized. "I-I'm sorry Gar! Forget I said anything! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable! I was really just curious!" Gar gently silenced her with a raised talon. He smiled kindly and Harvy sighed in relief. "No. I can safely say that I have not." Harvy nodded in understanding but could not fight the sad frown that made it's way onto her muzzle. She looked up as he continued. "Love is...a sensitive subject with ravens...unlike most avians...ravens mate for life...and while they may have one or more mates before choosing their life mate...it's not a subject to be taken lightly..." Harvy's eyes widened in awe. "Just like wolves!" She exclaimed in glee, before her features contorted into a frown. "My dad being the exception..." She gasped and covered her muzzle with a paw as she realized what she had let slip. Gar just smiled sympathetically and then did something that made Harvy's heart nearly stop. GAR WITH, leaned in and HUGGED her, tenderly stroking her head fur with a talon...