[Color=pink]Melanie Rose Pourri[/color][hr][I]Eukary Quad, 12:25PM[/i]
[Color=pink]"I don't  know... I have to get to my next class soon,"[/color] Melanie protested anxiously. Melanie's heart raced, her tail was raised and twitching, and her mind was blank. She didn't know what to do. Behind her there were angry humans who rightfully suspected her a rat, but leading her away was a large predator.

The lion smiled and shook his head. [Color=red]"Don't worry. It's fun, [i]safe[/i], and I'll make sure you get to class on time. I promise,"[/color] he assured her with a gentle squeeze.  She couldn't say what or why, but something carried her forward.[hr][i]The Warren, 12:30PM.[/i]
The Warren was in a small, red building that was dwarfed by the nearby New York sky scrapers. It had a rooftop deck and an patio that was shoveled off but closed off for the season. A bell jingled as the lion-boy opened the door. [Color=red]"After you, milady,"[/color] he said with a smile and nod, though he seemed to be distracted by something or somebody behind her. Melanie took a deep breath, then walked through. The bell jingled behind them.

[Color=pink][i]"Ooh, wow...[/i][/color] Melanie breathed as they walked in. Her eyes sparkled all colors of the rainbow as she looked around at the strung holiday lights. The ceiling was slightly lower and cozier than she was used to, probably because the bar was aimed toward the smaller herbivore or prey crowd. She put her gloves away in her backpack then reached her pink-padded paws up toward the colorful lights, and it felt like she could almost touch the stars. The lion chuckled, watching her with his head tilted and a little bent over to avoid his curly mane getting tangled in the lights.

The lion thankfully lead her past the bar and found them a booth with leather seats. Melanie plopped down, bouncing a bit, and the lion sat down across from her. She couldn't help noticing how he seemed to take up the whole seat. His shoulders were broad, his chest and arms so muscular...

[Color=red]"Here, take a look at the menu,"[/color] the lion spoke up, breaking her train of thought. [Color=red]"You look like you're starving. My treat,"[/color] the lion offered encouragingly, with a somewhat nervous looking smile. [Color=pink]"Oh, um, thank you,"[/color] the skunk-girl stammered, her face flushing under her fur. [Color=pink][i]What am I thinking!? My dad would kill me if I didn't bring another skunk home, or at least a rich mustelid-boy...[/i][/color] Mel thought as she took the menu. She started to look through halfheartedly, but quickly found her belly growling at the pictures.

[B]"Welcome to the Warren. May I take your order?"[/b] a soft, feminine voice asked. Melanie looked up to see [url=https://static1.e621.net/data/0d/e1/0de11f60725056b0fdbb954bfe26604a.jpg]red squirrel woman[/url] with sultry eyes. Her features were slightly lanky, and Melanie wondered if perhaps she had mink or other mustelid ancestry. The woman seemed to give her companion a once-over, then smiled. [B]"Should I give you two a minute to decide?"[/b] 

[Color=pink]"Oh, um..."[/color] Melanie stammered, frantically reading through the menu. [Color=red]"I would like the pub burger and a root beer. Two patties, please,"[/color] the lion politely requested. [Color=pink]"Mm, a burger sounds great... Could I get a single-patty burger and a glass of water?"[/color] Mel asked hopefully. The waitress nodded, [b]"Coming right up."[/b]

Mel watched the waitress walk away to kitchen, then got a better look around the bar now that her eyes had adjusted. It was pretty quiet and quaint, with older music playing in the background. A lot of the walls were wood and there were exposed beams on the ceiling  Every now and then she heard the clatter of pool balls or the toss of a dart. A few people were chatting. A television was playing basketball. One fox-boy was actually studying.

The lion brushed his long, curly mane nervously with one paw. [Color=red]"So, um, sorry to drag you here, Melanie. I don't know what you did, but you really pissed off a bunch of humans. Somebody nearly jumped you..."[/color] he explained in a hushed voice. Melanie's eyes went wide. [Color=pink]"They did? Wow, I had no idea..."[/color]she trailed off as as glanced anxiously toward the door. 

Melanie twirled her hair vigorously with worry, when a thought came to her. [Color=pink]"How do you know all this? Have you been following me?"[/color] she asked suspiciously, leaning forward. The lion scratched his beard nervously. [Color=red]"I have been trying to work up the nerve to talk to you. Your art spoke to me, and I want to get to know you better,"[/color] he admitted, looking her in the eye. Melanie softened and relaxed, settling back into her seat. 

The waitress returned with their drinks and the two animals said their thanks in unison. Mel giggled, he chuckled. For a few moments they gazed in one another's eyes. Mel looked away shyly.[Color=pink]"So um, what is your name?"[/color] she asked, before taking a sip. [Color=red]"Nolan. Nolan Aurelio,"[/color] he answered, smiling before taking a sip from his own drink. [Color=pink]"Nolan... thank you. I'm glad I met you,"[/color] she nodded, smiling.  Nolan grinned, showing his pearly whites. [Color=red]"Likewise."[/color]

The red squirrel retunes yet again, this time bringing plates with mouthwatering 
Veggie burgers and heaps of fries. Melanie took a fry and ate it, her eyes beaming with joy as she chewed. Nolan smiled, then hunched over his burger, grabbed it in both claws, and took a chomped. He seemed to chew for quite some time, savoring the bite while Mel ate bite after bite. He set the burger down, then wiped his face and beard with a serious look on his face.

[Color=red]"Whatever you found against the humans, you can't turn it in. They will find you and hurt you. Humans can be vengeful, hateful beings,"[/color] he warned with concern in his blue eyes. [Color=red]"Avoid teachers, administrative, and the press. If you stay under the radar, this whole thing might blow over."[/color] Melanie nodded, chewing more slowly and thoughtfully, and swallowed hard. [Color=pink]"I, I'll try,"[/color] she answered with a nod, and the two continued their meal in silence.