As the light of the summoning faded, and Florian's new magical animal companion took form within the circle, their excitement for the initiation turned to dread. Before the entire assembly of Guardians stood a five foot tall anthropomorphic dog person, its fur a bright pink shaded in deep blues and purples. It wore a cropped blue t-shirt that barely contained its fluffy breasts, and cutoff jean shorts that hugged its wide hips. Its eyes opened and fixed on Florian, who immediately broke out in a nervous sweat.
"Master Florian! Greetings from the magical plane! I am your familiar!" Its voice was high pitched and plucky. "My name is Holly!"
"I know," Florian groaned, putting their face in their hands.
There was a strained silence among the assembly. Around Holly and Florian there were numerous familiars standing with their Guardians: leopards, eagles, wolves, even a few house cats along with more fantastical creatures. They all looked... like animals. But what the spirits of the magical plane had formed to represent Florian's inner light was this neon half-human thing taken directly from the sketches Florian had commissioned on cohost and tumblr. There was no hiding it. Holly was so clearly a fursona.
Please tell me at least Lara isn't here, Florian silently pleaded, just as they picked out her face within the crowd. She was grinning from ear to ear, casually resting an arm on her own hyena familiar. Kill me.
"Ahem, well... welcome to the order of Guardians, Florian and... Holly," Grandmaster Giselle intoned from her dais. "Go forth and defend the mortal plane from evil." This concluded the ceremony, and the assembled Guardians all immediately broke into excited conversation. Holly bounced eagerly over to Florian and wrapped them in a furry hug. Florian was frozen in horror. Nearby Guardians began to approach, offering congratulations and remarking on what a fascinating familiar Florian had been granted.
"Such beautiful coloring!"
"I've never seen one like it, the spirits must favor you."
"She's certainly, uh, unique."
"My pronouns are it/its actually!" Holly quipped. Florian's cheeks were burning.
"Oh, apologies."
"Are you a... wolf?"
Holly smiled and put its hands on its hips, "I'm an australian cattle dog!"
"We need to go." Florian grabbed Holly's paw and hurried out of the chamber, head down to avoid the curious gazes. Once outside, Florian put their back against a stone wall, put their palms over their eyes, and heaved a deep sigh.
"Are you alright, Master?" Holly stood next to them, paws clasped in worry, "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"
Florian dropped their hands to look at their fursona made real. "No, Holly, you... you didn't do anything wrong. It's just... hard to explain."
"No kidding," Lara's voice sounded from Florian's other side. She was approaching with her hands in her pockets and the grin still on her face. "I can't wait to hear someone explain furries to the Grandmaster." She took one hand out of her pocket to lean it against the wall next to Florian. Her hyena familiar sat silently next to her, a smug look on its face.
"Wha-what, no I'm not... I'm not a furry!" Florian stammered out, panicking with the knowledge that their crush must surely think they were some kind of freak or pervert.
"Florian, please," Lara said sardonically, "I mean, look at it." Holly's tail began to wag as both their attention turned to it. "Why be ashamed?"
Florian had no answer. They simply shrugged.
"It's pretty cute," Lara continued, "It suits you." Florian's heart did a quick little backflip while Lara stood up straight again and gave them a playful punch on the arm. "Gotta get back to 'defending the mortal plane from evil' and all that. I'll see you two around."
"Y-yeah, see you," Florian managed before Lara was out of earshot. Her hyena turned its head around to smirk at them as they walked away.
Holly grabbed Florian's hand in both of its paws. "Master! I think she's into you!"
Florian sighed again. Maybe this isn't so bad.
