On Our Side of the Forest (Short Story Compilation)

Zander's Con Survival Guide

Zander's Con Survival Guide

Nervous was, to say the least. My claws tapped on the linoleum floors that chilled my paw pads as I roamed through this vast space. I was excited to be at my very first con. MFF was a time like Halloween where humans could simply walk among us Anthros. They wore these elaborate costumes in honor of how we look every day. Several other false red pandas and other creatures of all colors made a little blue panda like me blend in. Booths were set up everywhere by Humans and Anthros alike. They sold all sorts of things from sex toys to hoodies. Some booths sold the humans paws and tails while many of us animals went to visit vendors that sold human novelties. There's this candy that pops in your mouth! It crackles all in your ears and throat as you eat it! I was excited to see if they had some of that here, and hopefully, I would get to meet up with some of my friends who had got to come.

I believe I had walked around for about an hour, mingling with others who loved the blue and white patterns in my fur. Some human children had stopped just to pet my tail and giggle about how soft it was. I was making my way over to an assortment of bandanas when I laid my eyes on blue. A green-collar playfully displaying the name Enzo on it. My legs were motivated to begin in his direction, this attractive blue wolf. Seconds passed before I was right next to him browsing a selection of hoodies with him. Seconds more passed before I was able to speak.

"First Con?" He turned his attention to me, his badge swaying side to side when he moved his head.

"Yeah, I didn't think it would be this big!" He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. His smile melts my heart. I was lost in his dark eyes as he began to talk about his flight and travels, "What about you?"

"Yeah! Very big! I met a few of my friends here, but I mean it feels like there's so much to do! I never expected all of the people and the costumes! "

"I'd love for it to be a little quieter," Now or never.

"We could get out of here and go for a bite to eat?" My throat hitched as I tried to say the words. They kinda spilled out quickly, my nerves and confidence spilling out with them.

"Yeah, I'd love that," He smiled at me, "I...is this a date?" I blushed. It seems his words were spilling out too.

"I'd like to think that, you feel correct," Correct? What does that even mean? For some reason, he gave me this chuckle and grabbed my paw.

"You feel correct too," I lost my stomach, he hooked me. I simply walked at his side the whole way loving the way his warm paw felt in mine, "May I get your name?" We stopped outside of his car.

"Zander,"

"Well, Zander...I think you look really handsome. Not every day you meet a blue red panda," He chuckled, unlocked the doors.

"Not every day you meet a blue wolf," I chuckled as we drove off to a nice little cafe. I couldn't complain about the rest of the night, and quickly I found his name in my phone with hearts around them. I never thought my first Con would be where I could have found the love of my life. Maybe I just got to be a lucky one to experience a fairy tale ending.