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From: Januchi <januchi@ufuria.org>
Newsgroups: fur.stories.erotica
Subject: FUR: 'A Matter of Class' (M/M, no smut ;)
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 13:35:16 -0000
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===================
'A Matter of Class'
By Januchi (2003-11-06)
Jory looked up from the pile of leaves he had swept to one side, and
ran the back of his paw across his brow. He closed his eyes and took a deep
breath, drawing in the scent of the rotting leaves and cool air. Jory liked
the autumn. Sure, it could be cold and wet at times, but it was an easier
time of the year. There was less work to be done on the land and it gave him
time to relax after the summer's hard work.
During the autumn it was Jory's job to help out around the stables.
He had spent most of the day sweeping the drifts of fallen leaves from the
courtyard into a large heap alongside the barn. Now there were just a few
small patches remaining on the cobbled yard, and he took a moment to rest,
leaning jauntily on his broom. Several of the other stable hands were busy
cleaning one of the boxes at the opposite end of the yard. Jory watched them
for a moment before he heard hooves approaching on the nearby road. A few
seconds later a carriage pulled by two well groomed horses pulled in across
the stable entrance. Slowly the door of the black carriage opened and a well
dressed figure stepped delicately out. It wasn't often the Lady of the manor
came to inspect the stables. Jory watched with interest.
The land for miles around was owned by the Magellans - a rich family
of tigers who lived in the manor house some way up the road. It was the law
of the land that anyone living on the manor must serve the family. Most
toiled in the fields at harvest time, and though pay was meagre, the
Magellans were gracious enough to see that those who lived on their land
were well fed and supplied materials to keep homes in good condition. For
the most part people were happy.
Jory had grown up on the manor, spending most of his life in the care
of a neighbouring family after his parents had been killed in a particularly
violent storm. In a couple of years when he was old enough he would probably
move into a home of his own - maybe even travel one day and see the outside
world. For now he was happy.
The broom slipped from under Jory's arm and clattered on the cobbles.
He jumped. He had been daydreaming. The Lady advanced on him, one hand
lifting the front of her dress slightly so as not to soil it with the mud
and hay of the courtyard. Jory picked up the broom.
'Stable boy - You will brush my horse,' commanded Lady Magellan.
'This afternoon we ride, and I will not be seen on a scruffy animal.'
Jory nodded hurriedly. 'Yes, Lady.' He bowed.
She turned and headed back toward the carriage. Jory looked past her,
noticing another well dressed figure talking to one of the other stable
hands near the boxes. He recognised him as Korrei - the Lady's son. Jory
watched him fixedly. He had seen the boy at the stables on several occasions
before - each time he had watched him, his eyes studying the beautiful face
with its soft stripes, gentle eyes, and delicate lips. Jory's heart would
beat faster just thinking of the boy. He longed to run a paw over those
gorgeous cheeks... feel the tenderness of those lips against his own. He had
been attracted to people in the past, but nothing quite like this.
Everything about Korrei captivated him.
Jory sighed dejectedly. He didn't stand a chance with any noble born
person like that. In fact, it was wrong of him to even think about it, he
considered. No doubt Korrei would one day marry the daughter of another
noble family, and the manor would be left to him one day. He swept gloomily
at the remaining leaves, shuffling them across to the large pile. Glancing
up he saw the carriage begin to pull away, with Korrei looking out across
the courtyard. He watched the carriage turn on the dirt road, and rumble off
toward the house and out of sight, before propping the broom against the
wall and heading to the boxes. He would need a good deal of time to brush
the horse. It wouldn't do for the Lady to be displeased with his work.
Whistling an amiable little tune, Jory laid the fresh hay around the
box; the familiar and pleasant scent of the dried grasses filling his
nostrils. It was late afternoon; at this time he would usually be finishing
for the day, but it was his job to tend the Lady's horse once she returned
from riding. She had smiled earlier that afternoon, and uttered a few words
of praise at the excellent condition of her horse. Jory had practically
beamed in delight. It wasn't often he received such recognition for his
diligent work.
He had just finished with the box when he heard the sound of hooves
on the cobbles. Stepping backward out of the box and shutting the lower
door, he turned to see that the rider wasn't in fact the Lady as he had
expected. Korrei stepped carefully down from the saddle and led the horse
over to him. Jory bit his lip nervously.
'Stable boy...' Korrei began softly. Jory bowed anxiously. The tiger'
s voice was melodious and soothing. Jory found his eyes couldn't keep
contact for more than a moment before they strayed uneasily. Being this
close to Korrei made him feel light-headed and breathless.
'My mother's horse.' Korrei handed the rein to Jory. 'See that it's
fed and watered. It was a long ride.'
Jory gave a nod. It seemed the tiger was studying him carefully. He
didn't move out of politeness, having not yet been dismissed. Korrei leaned
forward and plucked an errant piece of straw from the raccoon's shoulder.
Jory trembled slightly and dropped the rein. He hurriedly leant down and
snatched it back up. The tiger's lip curled slightly at one corner. Jory
couldn't tell if it was a smile or a sneer.
'Your name is Jory - is that correct?' asked Korrei.
'Yes sir. It is.' The raccoon gave an anxious little nod and bobbed
in politeness.
Korrei shifted his shoulders and adjusted his jacket about him before
giving a nod and a gentle smile. 'You may go.'
Jory gave another nervous bow and led the horse over to the box, his
heart pounding, thankful to be free of the situation. It had been a strange
conflict of feelings; fear, anxiety, pleasure, contentment. It had been the
most difficult and awkward moment of his whole day, but at the same time,
the best.
The wind howled and lashed against the stable walls. Huddled in the
corner of one of the empty boxes, Jory sat - a saddle blanket wrapped about
him for warmth. He had been caught out by the weather. The rain and wind had
picked up throughout the evening, and by the time Jory had finished brushing
the muddy horse down, it was almost enough to sweep the raccoon off his
feet. Rather than risk the journey home in the dark, cold and terrible
weather, he'd decided to weather the storm at the stables, and now he was
beginning to wonder if it'd ever pass. It seemed to be growing more violent
with each passing minute. The boards of the wall by his head creaked under
the onslaught of the gale; the sound of wood under strain. Jory shivered at
the cold, and wished he were warming his hands in front of a warm hearth,
and not sitting in the cold, barely wrapped in an undersized threadbare
blanket. Gaps in the wooden door and walls of the box were permitting a
faint breeze which chilled the raccoon to the bone. With each breath, pale
clouds drifted into air in front of his face. Jory sniffed. His nose was
wet, and tingling with the cold. He brushed a blanketed arm across his
muzzle and sniffed again.
There was a dull cracking sound from somewhere behind Jory's head. He
sat upright and turned to listen. Suddenly there was a loud thump against
the back wall of the box. Jory gasped in surprise and jumped to his feet.
All about the stable, the wind was a high wailing and the boards were
shuddering and clattering. The raccoon span in a slow circle, listening to
the distressed sounds about him. Next there was a low groaning and the sound
of splintering wood, and the last thing Jory remembered was a tremendous
crash from above.
* * *
Jory's mind was wracked with fevered dreams and a rush of disturbing
garbled visions. He awoke to a bright light, forcing him to keep his eyes
nearly shut. His head throbbed painfully.
'He's awake,' came a familiar voice.
'M... mother?' Jory's voice was dry and cracked. He tried to open his
eyes, but the light hurt.
'He appears a little delirious still. Korrei, close the curtains.'
The light dimmed and Jory opened his eyes slowly. 'Where... uh... My
Lady?' He tried to sit up.
'Don't move. You've taken quite a blow to the head. You shouldn't
move for a day or two.' Lady Magellan pushed his shoulder back against the
bed.
'But I'm out... of... my place. It's not for me to be here.' A sharp
pain lanced through Jory's skull. He groaned in pain.
'If you don't rest, you'll make yourself worse. I shall have
something sent up for you to eat. Look after him, Korrei.'
Jory watched as Lady Magellan left the room, and then noticed Korrei
come into view around the end of the bed. He had been out of sight until
now. The boy watched him uncertainly for a moment, until Jory plucked up the
courage to speak again, his head spinning a little.
'Wha... what happened? How did I get here? Why...' Jory swallowed
nauseously.
The tiger's lips curled - Jory still couldn't tell whether it was
with amusement or discontent. 'A tree was blown into the stable during the
storm.' He hesitated. '... We're very lucky you weren't killed. You were
found the next morning by one of the stable hands and a message was sent up
to the house. The carriage was sent out to collect you and you were brought
back here.'
Jory rubbed his aching eyes. 'I should've finished the horse quicker
and been at home, instead of stuck in the boxes.'
'I should've returned the horse to you sooner, and then you wouldn't
have been left there during the storm,' Korrei soothed.
'No... It was me... Uh...' Jory peered at his arm. 'What happened to
my clothes?'
'Oh...' Korrei began. 'When you arrived, you were covered in mud and
hay... I... undressed you, cleaned you up a little and put you to bed.'
There was a moment's silence.
'You did? But... why not someone for you?' Jory watched Korrei,
groggily.
'You... were hurt... It was my fault.'
'N-no... I...' Jory's voice wavered into silence.
'Rise and shine!' A large woman bustled into the room carrying a
breakfast tray. 'It's time for your breakfast. You'll be ill again in no
time without a good meal in the morning.'
Jory pulled himself up against the headboard of the bed. 'What day is
it?'
The large woman smiled brightly. 'Today would be T'hursd'y. About
time you were out of bed and getting some exercise if y'asks me.'
'Thursday? How long have I been here?'
'Well, let me see... You were brought in on T'uesd'y, which'd make it
two days... and it was last week, so nine days altogether.' The tray was
placed down across his lap.
'Nine days?!'
'Of course, y'ave been asleep through most of it. Hasn't stopped the
young Master sittin' in and keepin' y'company though.'
'Master? You mean Korrei?'
'That's right! He's been sat here most days I can recall. Not healthy
just to sit 'round all day and night if y'ask me, but I'm not to be tellin'
people their bus'ness.'
Jory stared at the dinner tray.
'Well, come now. You're not going to get any better if you don't eat
anything. I'll be back in half an hour to fetch the tray, and I hope to see
it spotless.'
When Jory awoke again, it was getting dark. The dwindling, pale,
pinky-orange light of dusk entering the room through the half-open curtains.
Feeling more his old self, Jory carefully pulled himself up in bed,
surprised to see a head resting at the foot end. There was a faint murmur
and an intake of breath as the figure stirred. Korrei looked up from where
he'd fallen asleep at the end of the bed, and noticed Jory watching him.
'Uh... hi,' said Jory.
Korrei cleared his throat daintily. "Excuse me. I feel asleep," came
the familiar gentle voice. It put Jory in mind of an angel's voice.
'Korrei... I mean... Master? Why do you watch over me?' Jory gave the
tiger a puzzled look.
'Uhm... Well, I told you. It's my fault you were hurt... and
please... call me Korrei.'
'No... It's not your fault... Really. Besides, I'm feeling a lot
better now and I'll be ready to get back to work soon.'
Korrei looked crestfallen at Jory's words and wandered slowly to the
chair set to the side of the head of the bed.
'Is something the matter?' asked Jory.
Korrei remained silent.
'Ma... Uh... Korrei?'
The tiger fixed Jory with those gentle eyes. 'Do I... scare you,
Jory? I mean... I've seen you watching me before... at the stables. You
always seem nervous when I'm there.'
Jory's mouth dropped open. 'Sir, please forgive me. I feel so rude
and impertinent to have been such a burden on your family. I have no
right...'
Korrei moved closer. 'Jory?'
The raccoon trembled at the tiger's proximity. 'I... I'm not scared
of you...'
'Then what?'
Jory bit his lip.
The tiger moved closer again.
Jory turned away. 'Please...'
Neither of them moved, until Korrei placed a hand gently on to the
raccoon's shoulder. He felt Jory tremble this time. 'What's the matter?'
Jory turned to the tiger.
Korrei looked into Jory's eyes and noted the fear, the apprehension,
and the tremor in the expression. There was something else...
Jory almost melted beneath the tiger's gentle touch. 'It's... beyond
by station to hold a conversation with you... yet I find myself...' the
raccoon hesitated, '... taken by you.' His eyes fell to the bed in shame.
The tiger's mouth opened and closed a few times before he spoke.
'Taken...? By me? You mean...'
'I mean... I... I think you're beautiful.' Jory felt a hot flush
across his face. He dreaded to hear the tiger's response, but nothing came.
After what seemed like an eternity of silence, Jory slowly looked up. The
tiger was wearing that familiar expression which always confused the
raccoon. 'Korrei...?'
The tiger's face broadened into a gentle smile. 'You look so peaceful
when you sleep. I will miss that when you're no longer here, Jory.'
Jory swallowed; his heart thundered in his ears. He looked down at
the arm resting on his shoulder. His eyes followed the vibrant patterns of
colour, now dim in the half-light; tracing the lines along and up the arm,
before placing one of his own hands gently on the tiger's forearm. Their
eyes locked. 'Korrei...? May I... I mean... would you allow me to...'
Korrei gave a single solemn nod, his eyes remaining fixed on Jory.
The raccoon swallowed again, and leaned slowly toward the tiger. His
heart raced faster and his breathing faltered as his sweet fragrance of the
tiger's clothes and body filled his nostrils. Korrei closed his eyes and
squeezed gently on the raccoon's shoulder. Jory's spare hand moved softly to
the tiger's cheek; his thumb running tenderly over the delicate lines of
fur. Now he could feel the warmth of the tiger's breath against his muzzle -
hesitant like his own. The paw slid down, fingers uncurling to caress the
elegant neck, and sliding behind to pull the boy closer. He felt the tiger
swallow under his touch and then their lips met. It was electric.
---
J