I sit upright in the bed, stretching my limbs, and smiling; happy and content. I happen to glance at a clock; 6:30. Typical. I’m always up early. But as I looked more around the room, the smile vanishes. Where the hell was I? I got up, and out of the door. I walk out into the living room, looking around. I had no clue where I was, and this place didn’t seem familiar at all! I then go to a door and open it quietly, to see Forest there fast asleep next to Midnight.
My memory kicked in and hit me like a ton of bricks. I grabbed hold of my head, and closed the door, stumbling into the living room to sit on one of the few chairs there. The rest of the furniture was nothing but mats. I stare at the crack I made in the wall, once again trying to rack my brain around the situation.
Lost in my thoughts, I also lost track of time and presence. Next thing I know a furry hand touches my shoulder. I’m startled, and look up to see a chakat. “Good morning,” She said with a smile. I shrug, “If you say so.” After some mulling around in my head, I eventually remember her as Quickpaw. She lays down on one of the mats by the chair, and looks at me, “You’re up early. Couldn’t sleep?”
“Actually I slept rather well. I’m always up around this time. I got into doing it for school.” Quickpaw nods, “Ah yes, school. Thank goodness I’m almost done with it.” I look at her, “you go to school too?” She laughs, “of course I do. You can’t expect anyone to NOT go to school, can you?” I shrug, “This whole thing is new to me. I don’t know how much has changed and how much stayed the same.”
I sigh, and start to rub my temples, “oh, man...what am I to do? I have no knowledge of this place whatsoever, nor what I am suppose to do to get back.” Quickpaw’s ears perk up, “Then how about making that you’re first priority?” I look to her in confusion, “What do you mean?”
She explains, “Since you probably don‘t know how long you‘ll be here, you might as well educate yourself on the here and now. We’ll take you down to the public library, where you can start catching up on the times.” I think this over for a minute, “You know, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I could also use the time to read up on you chakats. I don’t want to be shocked by something all out of the blue.” She laughs, “Oh, that’s probably for the best.” I was going to ask her what she meant by that, but then we heard an *ahem.*
We look up to find that Goldfur was up, and she appeared to be holding a small, fluffy ball to her breast. It took me a minute to realize that it was a small chakat that was breast feeding. I looked away, blushing as Goldfur talked to Quickpaw, “How long have you been up? Little Stonefur here woke not only me, but hir sister as well.”
“Sorry sis. I’ll take care of hir.” The use of the strange word hir caught my attention, but I figured I was just hearing wrong. I heard Quickpaw walk away, and turned to see if Goldfur followed. Seeing that she was still there, I looked away again. She talked to me, “Am I making you uncomfortable?” I reply without looking back, “A...little.” She seems to have understood, for I then heard her leave too. I wasn’t alone for too long after, because then the rest of the family began to wake up.
While returning their good mornings, my attention was caught by Trina, who walked out wearing nothing again. I gasped out loud, and turned away. Forest reminded her to put something on, which she quickly did so. (Once again I had to wonder if what she wore actually passed as ‘Covering up’)
Just then I noticed that there were a lot of the little ones around, and they all came up to me, sniffing. I looked at each of them, smiling. Forest came over and introduced each of the cubs to me, and I to them. I carried Snowcloud with me into the kitchen, scratching her behind the ear.
Looking around, I noted how the kitchen was much bigger (probably due to the size of the chakats). I turn to Forest, “what is there to eat? I’m hungry.” Forest smiled, “well, there’s eggs, bread, cereal, pop tarts, the usual.” “What, no protein rounds and calcium tablets?” I joke. Forest and the others laugh, “No. You may be in the 23rd century, but you still eat the same foods.”
I nod and grab some Smore pop tarts. I settle down with them and a glass of milk I got from the fridge at the table, soon joined by everyone else who had made their selection. As we ate, Forest asked how I was doing. “I’m copping,” I replied, "It’s not every day that you find yourself a caveman of the times.” Forest chuckled at my joke, “Well, ‘cave-man,’ do you know what you want to do?” I nod and told her my and Quickpaw’s idea. She smiles, “Good. At least you have something to start with. How about we take you right after breakfast. We want to head into town for a few things anyway.”
After we finished our meals, and Kris, Trina, Quick, Midnight, Forest, Kline and I headed out to a vehicle that looked like a customized mini-van. (Lupu stayed behind to be with the cubs.) I look in to find that there are no seats...just the same mats that are in the living room. I point this out to Forest. “Oh! I’m sorry, Spencer. Here.” She pushed a button, and the front mat moved, forming into a chair! I sat down in amazement at this, and buckled myself in.
As we drove along, I decide to try to talk to them, “You know...with it being the 23rd century, I thought I would have seen a lot of new technology, you know? The flying cars, the personal teleporters, video telephones...” Forest shook her head, “The science breakthroughs were put on halt in the end of the 21st century when the gene wars began. All funding was transferred to helping to support one side or the other.”
THAT got me to whip my head to look at her in shock, resulting in me spraining it a bit. As I rubbed my neck, I asked, “WAR?! You mean to tell me we had another war?” Forest nodded, “Yes. It was a war over the right to give morphs lives equal to normal people. But I can’t re-tell it all to you. It’s best if you just read about it at the library.”
The rest of the journey was more silent, and I kept to myself a little until I said good-bye while in front of the library. “This place closes around six,” Forest said, “We’ll be back to pick you up around then. Good luck.” I waved at them as they left. I took in a deep breath and entered the library, unsure of what I was about to discover.
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I jog down the steps at around 6:05 to the waiting PTV (I learned the proper name during my studies). I got in, returning their happy smiles with a grin. “So, did you find anything interesting?” Forest asked as we pulled away. “Just about everything I read,” I replied, “The creation of genetically enhanced creatures. The rigorous enslavement forced upon them. The war that almost led to our destruction...It was amazing!” Kris spoke up from the back, “From your perspective maybe. To us it’s a tragedy. Do you realize how much grief, pain , and sorrow came from that time?”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, Kris,” I said, “I know full well how terrible any type of war is. Especially ones involving persecution. I’m just saying it was very interesting to read.” Forest smiled, “That’s good to hear. Anything else you read about?” I nodded, “As a matter of fact there is. And it’s something I want to talk to you about.” Forest looked over to me for a second before putting her...no HIR...eyes back on the road, “oh? what is it?”
“I read up on you chakats, and I have to say that it was probably the most interesting thing I read today,” I said, “But some of what it said also got me a little concerned.” “How so?” asked Midnight. “Well...mostly the bit about your...openness.” I said, choosing my words carefully, “I understand that you like going without...uh...clothes...when you are home...but I don’t. I’m also...not to comfortable with discussing certain things...”
Forest laughed, “Then you are DEFINATLY in the wrong company, my friend. But don’t worry. We’ll try to tone down on it a little. We like to make sure our guests are comfortable when staying with us.” I smile, “Thanks, but that brings me to my next point. You chakats are loud, according to what I read. And to make long story short...I don’t want to wake up to YOU...” I pointed to Forest, “or any of YOU...” I stuck my thumb behind me to signify the others in the vehicle, “in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean.”
This time everybody (except for me) laughed. We pulled into the driveway. As we climbed out, Forest looked at me with reasurrence, seeing the look on my face, “Look, don’t worry. We won’t do too much...but we can’t make any promises.” I nod in thanks and understanding, then follow them inside.
I halt as I enter. There was a large stack of clothes on the table. I could easily tell they weren’t for the ‘taurs, because they had pants and were obviously for men, not herms or females. I look to them in question.
Midnight explained, “We figured it was best for you not to be wearing the same outfit everyday.” I look over the clothing. Not exactly my taste, but I had no room to complain, and they were surprisingly close to my size. I thanked them all, getting ‘your welcome’ hugs in return. I took all the clothing back to the room, and came back out to find that supper was ready. I happily ate with them, discussing some of the other things I’ve learned.
After eating and helping to clean up, I headed back to get a shower. Forest helped me out a little with the controls, and left me to shower in the much too large cubical in peace. The rest of the evening was spent just talking and getting to know each other. I don’t know why, but I felt rather comfortable around them. Whether it was the fact they could be so open with each other or if it was the fact that they were so friendly about it, I didn’t know. Either way, I liked it.
Eventually I stifled another yawn, and excused myself to the guest room. As I laid down, I began to think. ‘Alright. Now you know where you are, who these people are, WHAT these people are, and all the crap you’ve missed. But now the BIG questions are open. How the hell did I get here? How the hell am I suppose to get home? CAN I get home? How would I live here without any forms of Identification? hoo-boy. This is gonna take some time. Oh, well. One thing at a time, I guess. I make myself comfortable as I gathered my thoughts. I start to fall to sleep more easily tonight, but then start hearing mewling noises through the wall. I smirked, shaking my head and trying to ignore it. It wasn’t easy, so I put the one pillow over my head, and it was silenced enough for me to go into slumber.
Part 3: http://pastebin.ca/1331267