"Dunmore Tales"
DT-01 Furry University
By Darrel James VanWinkle
04/30/2003-08/23/2003
Chapter 01
The early May summer warmth mixed with the receding spring breezes were making the Lewis and Clark National Forest region more pleasant than it usually was. The little town of Forestgrove Montana was celebrating its Summer Days Festival and the people were socializing openly with their fellow neighbors. Almost no one took notice of the Greyhound transit bus as it stopped in front of the Dunmore residence.
The bus driver turned his head back towards the only passenger still on board and exclaimed, "Forestgrove. Get your things together."
The young man yawned and opened his brown eyes. He stood up and smiled. "Feels good to be back in Forestgrove, even if only for a short while." He ran a hand through his sandy golden-brown hair. "I hope mom and dad aren't too upset that I had my hair slightly bleached and retoned, but I was tired of the dark look."
The bus driver replied, "I think you look very mature. Let me unload your suitcases." He exited the bus and opened the cargo space. He pulled out three large suitcases, setting them on the nearby sidewalk.
The young man grabbed his laptop case and briefcase, then also exited the bus. He shook the bus driver's hand, then he and the driver carried all the suitcases into the house itself. The living room had not changed at all. It was extremely good to be home from college.
After the bus driver departed, the young man put his suitcases in his bedroom, then headed out into the backyard to his father's workshop. He knew his mother would be helping the women's club in town. But his father would be spending the Saturday in the old wooden shed making wooden crafts for his shop in town. The young man opened the shed's door and stood there looking within. Sure enough, Mr. Dunmore was busy carving a wooden unicorn, though he stopped when he noticed the opening door. The young man smiled.
"Dad. I'm back from college."
Mr. Dunmore smiled and stood up straight.
"Lindsay. Welcome home."
Lindsay hugged his father, who in return, hugged him back. Lindsay stepped back with a smile.
Mr. Dunmore said, "Let me have a look at you." He looked Lindsay up and down. "You look just fine, son. Although I hope your mother is okay with what you've done to your hair."
Lindsay chuckled. "I was tired of the dark forboding look. I wanted to try something that made me look more to my nature."
Mr. Dunmore replied, "It certainly makes you look more angelic. Your mother is helping the lady's auxillery in town. You can look over all the mail you received while you were away at college. I have a unicorn to finish. I hope I'm doing it justice."
Lindsay nodded and headed back into the house. He entered his bedroom and sat at his writing desk. He rolled the wooden cover up, laying eyes on all the accumulated mail and parcels contained within. "Oh boy. This may take me a while."
Chapter 02
After a few hours, Lindsay picked up the last envelope. There was no return address on the outside. Only a name. Omar Kinsbert.
"Dear Lindsay Dunmore:
You are cordially invited to attend a newly started university as either a teacher, a counselor or a student. The choice is entirely yours. I am Dean Omar Kinsbert, previously of the University of Florida. I was hired to oversee this newly started academic college and was asked to contact various people to join us at this institution. The individual who suggested your name to me was a mage named Warneeri. If you are interested in this request, or seek further information, please call me at the toll-free telephone number provided below."
A toll-free telephone number is given.
"As always, your confidentuality will be held in the highest respect. I look forward in hearing from you soon.
Omar Kinsbert
University Dean"
Lindsay blinked. "Warneeri? It can't be." He went over and picked up the nearby hallway telephone and dialed up the phone number.
The phone rang a few times, then a voice answered on the other end.
"Hello? You've reached the university offices. Omar Kinsbert speaking."
Lindsay smiled. "Hello? I'm Lindsay Dunmore. I just got your invitation in the mail at my home address. Well, I was attending a local college and just got home from my graduation. You mentioned Warneeri in your letter. Is she there?"
Kinsbert replied, "She is around, though not present at the moment. I assume you're interested in this invitation?"
Lindsay's heart was racing. Warneeri was actually there. He hadn't seen Warneeri in ages since that adventure with Darek Vanlyone and his friends several years ago. (See F1)
He took a breath and tried to continue speaking. "I am very interested in attending this new university if Warneeri is there. But I am not experienced enough to be a teacher or a counsellor, so if it is okay with you, I would like to attend as a student and help the other students get settled into the new environment. By the way, where is this university located?"
Kinsbert replied, "Well, it is actually located in a modernized portion of the Furry Realms. Warneeri told me you were familiar with that. There is only one condition that I refrained from mentioning in the invitation. To attend this university, you'll have to be given a furry form. Warneeri told me that she'd help you handle that part, and she said she'd make sure you could revert to human whenever you needed to, so you wouldn't be stuck as a furry. Are you still interested in joining us here?"
Lindsay's mind turned back to his shock over being magically trapped in a morphic buck stag body years ago, though, if he had full control over being able to change into that form and retain the human form, as well, he would be more inclined to accept the offer.
Chapter 03
Lindsay said, "I'd love to attend the university, Dean Kinsbert. And you can tell Warneeri that I want to meet up with her again, as well."
Kinsbert replied with a happy tone, "I am sure Warneeri and Huckleberry will be looking forward towards seeing you, Lindsay. When can you be available towards joining us?"
Lindsay blinked his eyes. "Huckleberry SlyFingers is there too?"
Kinsbert replied, "Why certainly he is here! He and Warneeri are married. Have been for quite a while."
Lindsay blinked his eyes at that! Warneeri married to Huckleberry? He was surprised they haven't killed each other by now. "That is pleasing to hear. So how do I get to this new university?"
Kinsbert explained, "You will need to take either a flight to Fort Lauderdale Florida where I will meet with you and escort you here, or you'll need to, according to Warneeri, find passage through the shimmering air, whatever that means."
Lindsay knew full well what that meant. And hey, it would give him an excuse to see Darek Vanlyone (F1), Reed Huxley, Damon Horse, and the others again. Of course, that meant telling his parents about his new plans. They were always pleased with whatever he wanted to do. "I believe I know what Warneeri is referring to. I'll just have to make another phone call to a mutual friend. When should I come?"
Kinsbert replied, "I would suggest this weekend, or the next, if you have prior plans. Either way, we will be pleased to have you with us here."
Lindsay smiled. "I just need to discuss this with my parents. Like I said before, I just finished a local college course in Architectural Engineering, and just returned home to visit with my folks. I am pretty sure that they will agree to allow me to come to the university. Especially if I don't have to pay for my classes and dorm rooms. I think you can look forward towards seeing me next weekend. I do need some time to clear things here."
Kinsbert replied, "Very well, Lindsay. Next weekend we will be looking forward to seeing you. Thank you for calling me. Goodbye."
Lindsay replied, "Goodbye until next weekend." He hangs up the phone.
Lindsay was excited by all this. He was going to get to attend a real university AND get to see Warneeri again. Now he just needed to complete his visit with his folks. Oh, but wait... he remembered that he had to contact his mutual friend for help. He picked up the phone again and dialed the number for a certain little herbal cures shop in California.
The phone rang several times. Finally, as Lindsay was about to hang up, a teenaged Australian accent answered the other end.
"'Ello mate. 'uxley Cures. 'Ow kin Ah 'elp ya this morn'n?"
Lindsay blinked his eyes. Who was this? It didn't sound like Reed. "Um, is Reed there? I need to ask him something. Its really REALLY important. My name is Lindsay Dunmore."
DT-01 Furry University
By Darrel James VanWinkle
04/30/2003-08/23/2003
Chapter 01
The early May summer warmth mixed with the receding spring breezes were making the Lewis and Clark National Forest region more pleasant than it usually was. The little town of Forestgrove Montana was celebrating its Summer Days Festival and the people were socializing openly with their fellow neighbors. Almost no one took notice of the Greyhound transit bus as it stopped in front of the Dunmore residence.
The bus driver turned his head back towards the only passenger still on board and exclaimed, "Forestgrove. Get your things together."
The young man yawned and opened his brown eyes. He stood up and smiled. "Feels good to be back in Forestgrove, even if only for a short while." He ran a hand through his sandy golden-brown hair. "I hope mom and dad aren't too upset that I had my hair slightly bleached and retoned, but I was tired of the dark look."
The bus driver replied, "I think you look very mature. Let me unload your suitcases." He exited the bus and opened the cargo space. He pulled out three large suitcases, setting them on the nearby sidewalk.
The young man grabbed his laptop case and briefcase, then also exited the bus. He shook the bus driver's hand, then he and the driver carried all the suitcases into the house itself. The living room had not changed at all. It was extremely good to be home from college.
After the bus driver departed, the young man put his suitcases in his bedroom, then headed out into the backyard to his father's workshop. He knew his mother would be helping the women's club in town. But his father would be spending the Saturday in the old wooden shed making wooden crafts for his shop in town. The young man opened the shed's door and stood there looking within. Sure enough, Mr. Dunmore was busy carving a wooden unicorn, though he stopped when he noticed the opening door. The young man smiled.
"Dad. I'm back from college."
Mr. Dunmore smiled and stood up straight.
"Lindsay. Welcome home."
Lindsay hugged his father, who in return, hugged him back. Lindsay stepped back with a smile.
Mr. Dunmore said, "Let me have a look at you." He looked Lindsay up and down. "You look just fine, son. Although I hope your mother is okay with what you've done to your hair."
Lindsay chuckled. "I was tired of the dark forboding look. I wanted to try something that made me look more to my nature."
Mr. Dunmore replied, "It certainly makes you look more angelic. Your mother is helping the lady's auxillery in town. You can look over all the mail you received while you were away at college. I have a unicorn to finish. I hope I'm doing it justice."
Lindsay nodded and headed back into the house. He entered his bedroom and sat at his writing desk. He rolled the wooden cover up, laying eyes on all the accumulated mail and parcels contained within. "Oh boy. This may take me a while."
Chapter 02
After a few hours, Lindsay picked up the last envelope. There was no return address on the outside. Only a name. Omar Kinsbert.
"Dear Lindsay Dunmore:
You are cordially invited to attend a newly started university as either a teacher, a counselor or a student. The choice is entirely yours. I am Dean Omar Kinsbert, previously of the University of Florida. I was hired to oversee this newly started academic college and was asked to contact various people to join us at this institution. The individual who suggested your name to me was a mage named Warneeri. If you are interested in this request, or seek further information, please call me at the toll-free telephone number provided below."
A toll-free telephone number is given.
"As always, your confidentuality will be held in the highest respect. I look forward in hearing from you soon.
Omar Kinsbert
University Dean"
Lindsay blinked. "Warneeri? It can't be." He went over and picked up the nearby hallway telephone and dialed up the phone number.
The phone rang a few times, then a voice answered on the other end.
"Hello? You've reached the university offices. Omar Kinsbert speaking."
Lindsay smiled. "Hello? I'm Lindsay Dunmore. I just got your invitation in the mail at my home address. Well, I was attending a local college and just got home from my graduation. You mentioned Warneeri in your letter. Is she there?"
Kinsbert replied, "She is around, though not present at the moment. I assume you're interested in this invitation?"
Lindsay's heart was racing. Warneeri was actually there. He hadn't seen Warneeri in ages since that adventure with Darek Vanlyone and his friends several years ago. (See F1)
He took a breath and tried to continue speaking. "I am very interested in attending this new university if Warneeri is there. But I am not experienced enough to be a teacher or a counsellor, so if it is okay with you, I would like to attend as a student and help the other students get settled into the new environment. By the way, where is this university located?"
Kinsbert replied, "Well, it is actually located in a modernized portion of the Furry Realms. Warneeri told me you were familiar with that. There is only one condition that I refrained from mentioning in the invitation. To attend this university, you'll have to be given a furry form. Warneeri told me that she'd help you handle that part, and she said she'd make sure you could revert to human whenever you needed to, so you wouldn't be stuck as a furry. Are you still interested in joining us here?"
Lindsay's mind turned back to his shock over being magically trapped in a morphic buck stag body years ago, though, if he had full control over being able to change into that form and retain the human form, as well, he would be more inclined to accept the offer.
Chapter 03
Lindsay said, "I'd love to attend the university, Dean Kinsbert. And you can tell Warneeri that I want to meet up with her again, as well."
Kinsbert replied with a happy tone, "I am sure Warneeri and Huckleberry will be looking forward towards seeing you, Lindsay. When can you be available towards joining us?"
Lindsay blinked his eyes. "Huckleberry SlyFingers is there too?"
Kinsbert replied, "Why certainly he is here! He and Warneeri are married. Have been for quite a while."
Lindsay blinked his eyes at that! Warneeri married to Huckleberry? He was surprised they haven't killed each other by now. "That is pleasing to hear. So how do I get to this new university?"
Kinsbert explained, "You will need to take either a flight to Fort Lauderdale Florida where I will meet with you and escort you here, or you'll need to, according to Warneeri, find passage through the shimmering air, whatever that means."
Lindsay knew full well what that meant. And hey, it would give him an excuse to see Darek Vanlyone (F1), Reed Huxley, Damon Horse, and the others again. Of course, that meant telling his parents about his new plans. They were always pleased with whatever he wanted to do. "I believe I know what Warneeri is referring to. I'll just have to make another phone call to a mutual friend. When should I come?"
Kinsbert replied, "I would suggest this weekend, or the next, if you have prior plans. Either way, we will be pleased to have you with us here."
Lindsay smiled. "I just need to discuss this with my parents. Like I said before, I just finished a local college course in Architectural Engineering, and just returned home to visit with my folks. I am pretty sure that they will agree to allow me to come to the university. Especially if I don't have to pay for my classes and dorm rooms. I think you can look forward towards seeing me next weekend. I do need some time to clear things here."
Kinsbert replied, "Very well, Lindsay. Next weekend we will be looking forward to seeing you. Thank you for calling me. Goodbye."
Lindsay replied, "Goodbye until next weekend." He hangs up the phone.
Lindsay was excited by all this. He was going to get to attend a real university AND get to see Warneeri again. Now he just needed to complete his visit with his folks. Oh, but wait... he remembered that he had to contact his mutual friend for help. He picked up the phone again and dialed the number for a certain little herbal cures shop in California.
The phone rang several times. Finally, as Lindsay was about to hang up, a teenaged Australian accent answered the other end.
"'Ello mate. 'uxley Cures. 'Ow kin Ah 'elp ya this morn'n?"
Lindsay blinked his eyes. Who was this? It didn't sound like Reed. "Um, is Reed there? I need to ask him something. Its really REALLY important. My name is Lindsay Dunmore."
Comment