Burdens [Furry BxB]

Chapter 48 - Warnings

"What developments?" Roger asked. He had been called into his teacher's office to retrieve a study guide, but now he was forced into a dialogue of which he knew not the purpose.

"Ah, well, some such developments, not so much in, uh... class, you see, but with you. Not to say it's a bad thing, don't, uh, get me wrong. No... not a bad thing. Not a good thing, just a thing," the skunk told him. It was the same cryptic way of speaking that the fox could not figure out, though perhaps it was not so much cryptic as it was just that the teacher did not want to settle on any specific word.

"What do you mean by that?" the fox asked. He was unsure of where the skunk was going with what he was saying, and it was difficult to follow.

"Well, hm... when you came into the, uh, class, you were a bit... how do I say it? Reserved. Quiet, I suppose. You still are, that's not... different. No, probably not so much," the skunk began. He leaned back in his chair and began to look at the ceiling, as if in thought. His paws came about together and he began to prod his fingers together. "No, no, not so much.

"I used to, and I guess still do, uh... measure others. Maybe not measure, not like in degrees or feet or meters, but... hm, perhaps judge would be a better word? But I'm no judge, just a teacher. Another life, maybe." He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and softly said, "Another life, that's what it was.

"To the point, I would like to say that I've... noticed, perhaps observed, a change in your... personality. Your demeanour, possibly. The way you conduct yourself, sure, is the same. But... how do I say it? You seem... not the same. Different than when you first stepped foot into the classroom. Well, obviously you're the same, of course, but... hm. Do you understand?" he asked.

Roger shook his head. "Not really, no. What do you mean that my personality has changed? At least I think that's what you're trying to tell me. I don't really notice anything different." His statement was only partially correct, as he had observed something, but he did not feel that the skunk needed to know such a thing.

The teacher returned back to sitting with his legs planted, hunched over his desk resting on his elbows, giving the fox a stern expression. "You seem a bit more positive, Mr Colton. Much can be said to how someone... carries oneself, the way he or she acts and interacts with others. You've, uh... acted more positively throughout the past week, I'd say. That's the key... phrase, I guess, time frame if you will. It's only been a week you have exhibited a drastic change. While for the... better, I'd say, any drastic change in such a short time might be a warning sign," he explained.

The fox blinked. "A warning sign for what?"

The skunk stood up and began to pace back and forth. "Well, usually, and I won't say always because it isn't always the case... well, sometimes, I guess, when someone changed so much, it's as a result of some sort of... event, something traumatic, as it were. I've seen such things before, surely, and if that is what happened, then I merely wish to... uh, know. And of course, if it's something bad, I would help you however I can, though you would uh, truly be the one to fully help yourself."

"No, nothing like that has happened," the fox responded. "It's been a pretty normal school year, I'm just getting warmed up into it, that's all. First, a few days are always like that for me."

After sitting back down, the teacher asked, "Are you sure? Has all been well at home? I don't really, uh, know the situation for you, of course, but sometimes that could be the root. No? Well, how about with Mr Wright? I know you two are quite different, and it usually befalls his - how do you say it, character? - to bully someone less, hm... physically apt, I would say. If this is what has occurred, you could allow me the knowledge, and we could work through it as quietly as possible, to, uh... avoid any difficulties you may experience."

Roger shook his head quickly. "No, it's not like that. He's a good guy, he hasn't been bullying me or anything. If anything, I'm the one guilty of a few less than appropriate words, but he's accepted my apologies for that. We're friends now, so that's fine."

The skunk seemed to have calmed down somewhat. His demeanour even changed and he leaned back in his chair again. "If that's so, then all is well, if you, uh... are being honest, of course. Well, that was the primary reason I requested your presence this afternoon. Thank you for indulging me. As far as the test goes, it would benefit you most to help Mr Wright in whatever way you can. Between us, I... uh, have spoken with the other... teachers about his case.

"As you know, he is not a very bright student, though some progress has... manifested. I imagine that is in due part to your, uh, invaluable assistance. This is good, and I urge you to continue to help. However, if his grades falter at any point, it seems that the coach wishes to, hm... allow him the chance to focus on his studies by giving him... how should I say? A break, from football." The skunk was now looking off to the side.

He then returned his gaze to the fox and asked, "If you believe this would benefit Mr Wright, I could pass on... approval so that his coach could execute such a thing immediately. They, hm... trust my judgment, and I trust yours."

Once more, the fox shook his head, but with much more energy. "No, absolutely not. Football is what Hunter loves more than anything, taking that away would only be a detriment. If you trust my judgment, then I give it to you: don't let them take it away from him."

The teacher smiled. "Ah, well, then I shall pass that onto his coach. I'll give my attempt to, uh, persuade him into avoiding such an action, but while he... hm, trusts my judgment, it is ultimately his decision. Only time can tell what will be done, and I can only do so much. Now, this is... all that we can speak of, at the moment. You're free to go unless you have any questions?"

Roger nodded, then remembered the picture. Curiosity gripped him and he had to confirm his thoughts. "That picture, of your family I assume?" The skunk looked over and nodded when he identified the object in question. "It's pretty old, why haven't you exchanged it for a new one?"

The teacher stared at the picture. "It would be, hm... difficult to get a more updated picture when not all members are present, as it were."

The fox quirked his head, and the skunk took a solemn tone. "Mr Colton, I advise you to be careful. Everyone has their weaknesses and to a point, can be very fragile. It just so happens that a lot of individuals are fairly susceptible to traffic accidents." He looked down and Roger could hear him, but barely, whisper to himself, "Another life...."

He looked back up at the fox. "Do you have any other questions?"

The fox declined the offer to ask a question. "N-no, that's alright. I, uh... should probably get going. I'm sorry for asking and sorry for your loss."

As he turned to leave, he heard the skunk reply, "It's alright, Mr Colton. As I've said, I can only do so much."