Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Mathematics Building, Logic and Reasoning with Ms. Sophelia Savage, 10:45AM.

"Well done class! Now for tonight's assignment, please answer the questions found in chapter twelve of your textbook. Enjoy the rest of your day!"

Melanie gathered up her notes and textbook into her backpack, avoiding the gaze of her colorful classmate which were boring into the side of her head. After a little shuffling, the girl disappeared from her peripherals. Mel anxiously got up from her seat and slung her backpack over her shoulder, chancing a glance to see if the lizard-girl had left. She was at the end of the lane looking back at Mel with a fiendish smile. She made a peace sign with one hand and then licked an eyeball with her long tongue before turning to leave. Mel frowned.

With a deep sigh, the skunk dragged her feet toward the professor's podium, getting more and more nervous as she approached. The teacher was busy with another student at the moment, but what if she was noticed? Melanie hastened her pace, and started surveying the floor for her missing eraser.

"Looking front this?" Ms. Savage asked, offering a smile and a green-gray lump from her small white and pink paw. "Um, um, yeah it is. Thank you," Mel answered, shakily taking the eraser back. She stared at it for a few moments, then started away. A soft paw grabbed her wrist with a surprisingly strong hold. Melanie looked back to see her teacher's intense and concerned blue-green eyes.

"Are people treating you okay, miss?" Sophelia Savage asked softly with genuine care in her voice. Melanie smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. "Yes, ma'am. I'm fine, thank you," Mel replied quietly.

"You can always talk to me--or a campus counselor, if you prefer," Ms. Savage suggested, letting go of the young skunk-girl's wrist. "Thank you... I appreciate that--but I should get to my next class," Melanie insisted, looking toward the door. Her tail had started twitching anxiously.

Ms. Savage frowned doubtfully, but then nodded and raised her paw in a delicate wave. "Take care of yourself, miss Pourri." Melanie nodded back then turned and walked away with tears in her eyes and an eraser clenched in her claws.

Roger D’Monty

The young capybara yawned as his Introduction to English Literature class ended. He guessed he hadn’t slept well the night before, judging on how heavy his eyes were. He held in a second yawn, as he viewed a second one would be rude to Professor Valiant. Roger generally cared about the goat’s opinion and wished to stay in his good graces. To that end he planned to get a head start on the reading the professor had assigned. While Roger had already known that he would be reading it this semester as he had to buy it in advance, Professor Valiant had stated they would be working with the novel Around the World in Eighty Days.

While Roger had seen movies based on his books, he had never actually read the works of Jules Verne. In fact Roger didn’t recall ever reading a book as old as this one. Still, he had heard that Verne was a father of science fiction alongside H.G. Wells, another man that Roger had only seen the movies based on his works. So that seemed to mean that it would be a good read.

Seeing that he had a few hours before his next class, Roger decided to head back to his dorm to start reading the novel. It took several to get back to the dorms, but Roger didn’t mind as the cold winter air woke him up some. By the time he entered the dorm, he felt fully awake. As he made his way up the stairs to the floor he lived on, he immediately heard a pounding bass. Once Roger got to his floor, it became clear that someone was blasting music. Roger tried to ignore as he entered his room, grabbing his copy of the assigned novel.

He then tried reading it, but found that after one minute that he kept rereading the first page as he couldn’t focus. Letting out an exasperated sound, Roger left his room, novel in hand. For a split second he considered the notion of complaining about the noise, only to decided that he didn’t want to be known as a buzz kill. After all he would have to coexist with his dorm neighbours for the foreseeable future.

Instead, Roger left the dorm and headed to the library, the one place he could guarantee a quiet environment. As soon as Roger entered the library he noticed how unusually busy it was. It seemed like every seat was taken, that was until Roger saw a very large bear get out of a seat that was clearly too small for him. Roger made a beeline for the seat, sitting on it before anyone else got a chance. With a sigh, Roger took out the novel and began reading chapter one.

[Library approx 11:15am]

Standing awkwardly with green tea in hand, Gracie saw a bear about to get up but in her peripheral saw a capybara catch it quicker than her. Sighing she moved on from the common study area and toward the computer lab, fortunately a gazelle had logged off her student profile, grabbed her messenger bag to leave. Quick to respond Gracie practically jogged toward the spot before anyone else claimed it.

Sighing in relief she pulled the empty chair before stopping..seeing a tail in her chair’s way, “Excuse me, sorry to bother you-“ She looked to the red panda next to her who responded by just flicking his tail away from her chair. Nodding in appreciation she set her own backpack against the back of her chair and put in her student log-in details, waiting for the screen to load.

“Psst..” A voice pierced her ear, almost shrieking Gracie froze, only moving her eyes toward the strange voice.

She could tell it was a white-tailed buck with golden eyes, “I know you’re on the University’s track team. A natural. Grace, please consider joining The Elite.” His voice was deep and smooth. A pamphlet was now in front of her. Horrified wouldn’t begin to describe her feeling, she tried to keep her heartbeat down. Another strange buck talking to her, she was used to a buck asking for her phone number in the cafe or sitting next to her in class..but to join some weird club?

“Keep it down, will ya’?” The red panda grumbled next to her.

Taking the pamphlet quietly she looked toward the buck but he was gone.

How the hell did this stranger know her name? She didn’t recognize the voice at all..Her chest going up and down quickly, a sweat escaping her brow.

Eukary Cafeteria

---

Zaina entered the cafeteria, having survived another one of her courses. The hour had seemed to drag on but she had managed to make it through the lecture and able to have another brief moment of reprieve. Normally the spotted hyena would go off campus for lunch but she had decided that today she had little desire to battle against the cold and choose the relative closeness of the campus's cafeteria. Upon entering the relative warmth of the building she worked her way down the line haphazardly picking from the selection of food that was offered.

Zaina took her filled tray and went to find a place to sit. Luckily it wasn't filled with many students yet, so Zaina choose the same spot she had taken this morning. She dropped her tray on the table before sitting, taking her phone out to text Natasha and Alya, in case they got out of class soon enough to be able to chat. Before putting her phone away there was one text message she had recieved. It was from her boss, Tholo, more then likely giving her information on what she would be doing at work that evening. She opened it to read the message he had left:

Working inside tonight, try not to rough up the rift raft too much.

Zaina rolled her eyes while putting her phone away. At least she would be out of the cold for the night, maintaining the peace inside the club and throwing out any punks that caused to much trouble.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Quad, 10:50AM.

Melanie stormed toward the glowing red exit signs of the Mathematics Building. She walked quickly through the crowded hall with her hood up and her head down. She let her long, white fur fall in front of her eyes and face, hoping nobody would see her cry.

She opened the door to a gust of wind that chilled her to the bone. As she walked out the door and down the stairs, she looked up to see a darkening sky. The snow had stopped for the moment, but something was brewing.

With a deep sigh that turned to icy mist, the skunk girl reached into her pockets and put on her gloves before trudging across the now, seemingly desolate winter wasteland called the Eukary Quad.

---

Art Building, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:00AM

The walk was long and miserable, but Melanie Rose made it to class just in time. Her professor, Mr. Aaron Ramsey, was already there. He was sitting casually on his computer desk with a friendly smile on his face.

"Welcome, class!" he greeted cheerfully, just as Mel sat down. Turned out she was the last one in. "Today we will be practicing flash photography--so grab your warm clothing and cameras and let's meet outside."

"Ugh!" Melanie groaned, and buried her face in her arms on her desk.

Percival
Location: Library entrance
Mentions: None
Interactions: Open

Perci had grabbed some cheap hot tea and left the library. He sipped on his warm drink as he stepped outside. He tensed forgetting how cold it was. Normally, Perci would need more layers to be comfortable, but he let his fur grow out during the cold season. His white fur curled around the edges of his face and hands.

His lashed eyes with way too much mascara flicked from side to side to make sure nobody was watching before he took a deep swig and chugged the entire drink. It was gone in a split second. Goats can eat just about anything, but it’s a rude stereotype Perci didn’t feel like perpetuating. He wasn’t a glutton- he was quite thin, actually, but he always finished his meals quicker than most others. He tossed the empty cup into the nearest bin.

With his hands now empty, Perci pulled the hood of his sweater up. Two slits on the top allowed his horns to slip through with ease- and it kept the hood from blowing off in case the winds grew too strong. Speaking of wind, a particularly chilly gust hit Perci like a cold wall. He shivered and quickened his pace, all while shoving his hands into his pockets. He hoped it’d warm up by 12 because that’s when he scheduled to leave for his class.

The herbivore dorms weren’t too far, but the walk felt like it took longer than usual. His nose twitched repeatedly, trying to fend off the biting cold. Perci tried to distract himself by looking at the scenery. It was quite pristine since it was covered with a blanket of pretty white snow. He wanted to play in it as he did as a kid, but Perci was too busy now. Man, being an adult sucked.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Art Building, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:00AM

Melanie reluctantly bundled back up in her poofy, pink winter jacket and put on her gloves. She grabbed her camera off the table, fumbling a bit and causing the lens to extend. The girl let out a quiet growl under her breath and pressed a button to zoom back out, withdrawing the lens. She flung the camera strap over her neck then followed after her teacher, leaving her backpack behind.

---

Eukary Quad, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:05AM
Interacting with @Crystal Amalgam

The field was as cold and miserable as it was just five minutes ago. Melanie rubbed her hands together and stared up at the dark, looming clouds as her class walked across the Quad. Her freezing breath blew alway into the sky, carried by the wind. The Fall semester is almost over... I just have to get through my last couple finals--and Winter Carnival-- and then I can enjoy some time on Winter Break..! Mel thought optimistically. Maybe I can try to help the Spring Semester students move in, and maybe they'll be nice to me and we'll be friends one day...

A gruff but friendly voice broke her train of thought. "Alright class, disperse! Take pictures of both people and scenery. You have up to twenty minutes, but head back inside when you are done or you get too cold--I don't want any of you to turn into popsicles! And don't forget--flash photography, please, the professor announced before waving the group off.

Mel turned to a calico cat-girl who was standing next to her. "Hi! Will you be my partner?" she asked. The girl shook up head furiously. "No, no, no! I'm sorry. Katie and me always pair up. Toodle-doo!" she rushed, before disappearing into the crowd. Melanie frowned and turned to the next nearest person. "Hi will you--Oh um, would you--or you... oh..." the skunk-girl's face got longer Nd longer each time she was turned down or ignored. It seemed that yet again Mel would be without a partner and would have to either talk to a stranger and ask for help, or else partner up with her teacher. She shivered at the thought. It didn't feel right, even if he looked nice in his aviator jacket.

There were very few people out and about. There was a big, mean looking polar bear chilling out at on a snow-covered bench, a turtle plodding as fast as his stubby legs could carry him, and a small bird just about to enter a building. The turtle looked friendlier, but Mel didn't want to put him at risk for her school assignment. Mel was just about to build up courage to talk to the polar bear when she spotted one more person coming from the library: a white goat with luxurious fur and a vibrant red coat.

With a sparkle of in her eye and renewed pep in her step, Melanie Rose shuffled through the fresh white snow after the goat. "Hello! Hi there!" she called out across the frozen tundra. "I'm sorry to bother you, but uh, could you help me with my photography assignment, if you're not too busy?" Mel asked as she got closer. She held up her camera eagerly, and looked up at him with her black, pearly, pleading eyes. She caught her breath for a few moments and then added, "Please?"

Percival
Location: Outside the Arts Building
Mentions: @LostButterfly92
Interactions: Busy

Perci was engrossed in his music and exhaling vapor from a pen clutched in his hands. However, he had just realized he was running late and didn’t have time to make a pit stop at his dorm. He kicked the cold ground in frustration. Fuck it, though. He didn’t NEED his laptop for Art History- he’ll just take notes on paper...ew. He had everything else he needed in his school bag. Perci was now glad that he bought a tea to hold him off seeing that he couldn’t run back to the dorm for a snack.

He thought he heard something, so turned around and pulled off his headphones. The goat soon noticed the girl speaking to him. Oh, shit. He squinted at her a moment, trying to remember if he knew her from somewhere. Perci’s mind blanked. He had no idea who this lady was.

“Hm? Oh- hi,” he started. His ears twitched as he listened to the girl’s plight. Oh, photography? So she was an art student, too? Wait, fuck, did he know her? Perci thought to himself momentarily. No, he still had no idea who she was. He then pulled his phone out and checked the time. It was around 12, and class started in half an hour. A normal person would’ve said “no”, but Perci had a phobia of refusing others, so he nodded. Art History wasn’t even that important...

“Uh, sure- just as long as I can leave before 12:30.”

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Quad, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:10AM
Interacting with @Crystal Amalgam
Melanie's heart sped up anxiously as she realized halfway through her spiel that the goat-boy had headphones on, but he took them out to listen, which was encouraging, and actually agreed to help her! Mel gently wagged her tail a couple times, then scrunched up her eyes and nose in a grateful and pleased smile.

"Thank you, thank you! My name is Melanie, by the way. It should only take a couple moments. A few photos is all I ask. You can pose any way you like. Please forgive the flash, it's dark out and required for my assignment...: the skunk-girl blabbed on nervously while adjusting her camera settings and finally snapping a photo.

She looked at her preview screen approvingly, then nodded and smiled back at her model. "You are very photogenic," Mel complimented, meaning it. "You have a an artist's flair. What is your name, if I may ask?" she continued on, while preparing for another shot.

Percival
Location: Outside the Arts Building
Mentions: @LostButterfly92
Interactions: Busy

Perci quickly pulled off his hood and teased his hair. Gee, now he wished he put more effort into his appearance this morning. He guessed his smudged eyeshadow would have to do. He couldn’t help but feel a little awkward...but happy? He hadn’t modeled for a picture for a while, and he missed it. Perci was just so damn busy with his job and being an adult.

Perci listened to the girl as he posed. Man, she liked to talk. The goat didn’t think that was a bad quality- in fact, he was a little jealous. He wasn’t always the most sociable… Perci’s always been a bit more socially anxious than the average person/animal. He felt his cheeks heat up as he was complimented. Even now, somebody thought he looked nice? He wondered if Marcello thought he looked nice-

“I- uh, thank you-” The words stumbled out of his mouth. He had just realized he paused too long while thinking about Marcello. Dammit! “I’m Percival. Fuck, just call me Perci- Thanks again, by the way…”

Nice going, dipshit.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Quad, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:15AM.
Interacting with @Crystal Amalgam

A few moments passed and another flash went off, capturing the goat in motion as he tossed his luxurious fur. He went through poses in quick succession and Mel snapped photos like paparazzi with a superstar. Mel was pleasantly surprised that he didn't seem bothered by the flash at all. In fact, he seemed to relax and got this dreamy look on his face... Perfecto!

The skunk-girl stopped to look through her new photos, and the boy nervously introduced himself as Perci. Melanie looked back up to him and smiled her scrunchy-nosed, closed-eye smile. "Oh no, thank you! You were the one doing me a favor," she giggled. It felt great to be treated like a real person, but the social interaction was making her feel like she might explode.

"Anyway, I better let you go. Hope I didn't take too much of your time. It was nice meeting you, Perci!" Mel rushed, smiling shyly. She nodded, and with a small wave of ine gloved paw, she turned and started trotting away through the snow.

Percival
Location: Outside the Arts Building - Art History Class
Mentions: @LostButterfly92
Interactions: Busy

Perci let out a chuckle as the skunk spoke. “Please,” he replied, “you’re too nice to me-” He began pulling up his hoodie again, seeing that she was done taking pictures. He felt a little better about himself after being an impromptu model for this girl. He gave her a curt wave as she left

“Good luck on your assignment, by the way. It was nice meeting you, too.”

With that, Perci turned to leave. His step bounced a bit more despite the freezing cold. The walk to his Art History class seemed a bit shorter that day, so much so he didn’t bother putting in his headphones. He pushed the door to the building opening- only now realizing how cold he’d been. Perci shivered.

Class, while he was there, was largely uneventful. He was zoning in and out, scribbling on the corners of his notebook paper and occasionally writing something he thought was worthwhile. It was something about romanticism. Whatever, Perci thought to himself, he could just read the textbook while doing the study guide. It was amazing how boring the professor made the class. He couldn’t fuck around on his laptop and play Sims either. Fuck.

[Library]
[Outside the arts building interacting with @Lostbutterfly92]

Staring at the pamphlet in her hand, Gracie could no way focus on her studies for class that started in forty minutes. The pamphlet has the words "Welcome to the Elite" in bold gold colors. A majestic looking male lion and a bighorn ram was on the cover, wearing black suits with accented royal purple ties. Their look of snobbery and pretentiousness put a pit in her stomach, why this random stranger thought she'd be interested was beyond her.

Shoving the pamphlet in her bag, she sighed and logged off. After finally finding a place to sit, she couldn't be cooped up. Her heart was pounding, she needed fresh air. Collecting her bag and her now luke-warm green tea she strided out of the library, uncharacteristically in a fit of a hybrid of rage and anxiety.

If it weren't for the snow, Gracie would jog this off. But at this time the gym would be too busy for her.

"The Warren. That's where I'll go.." She thought to herself, a local sports bar in the area. She usually had a familiar face there, some food and the fresh air along the way should help.

Taking a large inhale through her nose, holding for 5 seconds, and a exhale through her mouth as she was walking started to help. She crossed through the arts building and saw some animals with cameras. Being camera shy herself she tried to stay out of any shots, it wasn't until she saw a familiar animal from the morning. What fortune that they seemed to be crossing paths, seeing a friendly face calmed her nerves greatly.

"Hey, Mel was it?" She said after making eye contact as they were walking toward each other, still a very slight panic in her voice. "They're having you guys take pictures outside, huh? Hope you're staying warm." She spoke with sincerity as she tightened her own fuschia scarf.

Lobelia

Grabbing up her books as the Professor releases them she starts her way down the steps in the classroom thinking about what she wants to do her report on, the Professor talked about the history of the city and for the report all the students have to pick a spot or a building. Lost in her thoughts as she moves down the halls of the History building wondering which spot in the city would make for an exciting report, knowing most of her classmates are going to pick the University in hopes of getting bonus points for picking it. Jumping at the vibrate in her pocket she quickly digs it out of her pocket, a slight thought that it might be that lion Vance she met earlier today and had exchanged numbers with before she rushed off to her local history class. A chuckle escaping her lips as she just stands still for a moment thinking about earlier and how he seems so interested in going to the Wolf Pack with her, shaking her head as her phone vibrates faster signaling the call is about to end.

Answering it as she walks out the door making her way towards the cafeteria starving because she had forgotten to bring some snacks into class with her today. Growing quiet as the voice on the other ends talks about the Student Council needing to meet up to discuss the last minute details for the Winter Carnival, asking a few questions about where they are meeting and if she has a few minutes to grab a late lunch. Hanging up her phone after a few minutes she rushes off towards the cafeteria grabbing up two meat substitute burgers and a soda before heading back out the door and down towards the library. The student council meets upstairs once a month though it changes to weekly if there is a event going on for the University, they hadn't scheduled one for today but apparently the President wont be able to attend the meeting they had set in place later in the week.

She stops running only when she gets through the doors at the library knowing the Librarian will yell at any student who runs or makes too much noise in her building, waving to a few of her basketball teammates as she passes them on her way towards the stairs and lets out a grateful sigh to see she not the only one running late to the sudden meeting. Taking her seat at the top of the conference table that most students will use when they have to do group projects, she pulls out her burgers chewing on them as she glances over the President quietly going over his notes. The Student Council President is a hawk who is only a few inches shorter then her but his personality demands control of the room and he doesn't but up with any kind of foolishness, she has never seen him outside the meetings which always makes her wonder if he has any friends.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Quad, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:20AM.
Interacting with @IronPhinx

Melanie Walked away with a smile on her face and pep in her step. Somehow, the day seemed brighter and the air not quite so cold. She flit about the field, finding beauty where she had been seeing barren wasteland before. There were glistening icicles hanging from rooftops, footprints, a lost red mitten, snowmen and angels, and fresh, sparkling snow on every surface.

While Mel was snapping a photo of the lonely mitten, she noticed a newly familiar face walking her way. She smiled and put the mitten in her pocket, then started walking toward her newfound friend with the camera safely put away under her arm.

"Hi, um, Gracie! Yes, that's me. Funny to run into you again so soon," Melanie replied with a friendly smile and a nod. She looked up into the dark, cloudy sky and wiggled her nose, feeling the cold. It seemed her poor wet nose was going numb.

"That's the problem with fall semester Photography class. I should have known better!" Melanie chuckled, shaking her head. Come to think of it, most of her classmates were cold-weather animals. But then, more serious, she looked at Gracie and smiled, wagging her fluffy tail slightly. "Don't worry. I've got warm clothes and we're only allowed to stay outside for a short time on days like this. I actually should be heading back shortly."

She looked toward the art building, then back at Gracie and smiled nervously, rubbing the back of her head. "I, uh, was wondering if it would be cool if we hung out sometime? I'm still pretty new to the school, and I'm looking to make new friends..." Melanie trailed off, lamely.

[Outside the arts building]
[Interacting with @LostButterfly92

Her heartbeat slowly coming back to a normal pace, Gracie was very thankful to be in the presence of her new acquaintance. Tucking her hands in her coat pocket and shivering slightly from a wind breeze, "Well I'm glad that you're staying warm--I understand that you should get back though! My class starts soon as well." She lied, not really wanting to admit that she was going to The Warren at this time of the day.

She blinked down at the mammal in front of her, not expecting her question. "Oh!" She reacted in surprise, "I'm totally cool with that, I remember how scary it was for me when I first got here too.." She rummaged through her bag, avoiding the cult-like pamphlet in her bag. Reaching for a pocket journal that she was given as a gift from her parents. The paper was stylized with outlines of the forest and leaves. Getting her pink pen she jotted her number down along with her name and a quick sketch of a doe-smiley face, then tearing the paper out of the journal. "Here," She handed the paper down to her new friend, "I'd love to hang out again soon, Mel! Maybe we can make snowanimals again if the snow keeps up." She smiled, a snowflake touched her ear as soon as she mentioned the snow, causing her large ear to bounce in reaction.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Quad, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:20AM.
Interacting with @IronPhinx

Melanie nearly jumped at Gracie's suprise, but beamed when she agreed. Her pearly black eyes sparkled excitedly as she held the pretty piece of paper in her paws. "Thank you, Gracie... really!" Mel said with a mod, smiling and tearing up. She put the paper in her pocket then dabbed at her eyes and sniffled. "Sorry, the cold must be getting to me..." the skunk-girl mumbled quietly, not wanting to admit she was crying with joy.

After taking a moment to recollect herself, Melanie nodded and smiled up at Gracie. "We better get back to class, then. See you around!" she said with a wave of her paw. Mel turned around and trotted off, following her classmates back inside the Art Building.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Art Building, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:25AM.

As Melanie followed the group into the art building, she noticed, strangely, that Mr. Ramsey was no longer wearing his aviator jacket. He didn't seem bothered at all by the cold, probably due to sheep's naturally warm coat. It seemed he gave it to a smaller animal--a rabbit-girl--who was suffering from the cold. The jacket ended below the knees, dwarfing her, and she held the long, floppy arms against herself and hopper about happily. Mel shook her head gently and smiled. Her teacher was always looking out for his students.

"Good work class. Thank you for being good sports and playing safe out there is the cold weather. Now, I would like to see your three best photos from today's shoot. I will be here if you have any questions or want critique befor you turn your assignment in," Mr. Ramsey instructed. He nodded, then began his rounds.

Melanie gratefully sunk into her computer chair and sighed. Her nose and ears felt like they were burning, but it was much better than the bite of cold air. But her relief and relaxation was short lived. She was just about to start working when she noticed that her backpack was not the way she left it-- it was tipped over, and the zippers were unzipped and her books were falling out. Melanie's heart nearly stopped, an a heavy feeling weighed down on her.

Most of her things were still there: notebooks, pens and pencils, used textbooks, the things that mattered. Somebody had gone and defaced her notebooks with messages like 'Stinker' and 'Pee-yew' among more vulgar things. A self-portrait now had wiggly-lines around it. Her spare coins and lunch money was missing as well as her snacks.

The poor girl's lips quivered and eyes welled up as she glanced around the room. Most people were hard at work, but two girls, a ferret and the calico from before, were giggling and looking her direction while they munched on blueberries and Kricket-Krispies. Unsurprisingly, those were the exact things she packed for snacks today.

Melanie swiveled back around and slumped into her chair and got to work.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Art Building, Photography I with Mr. Aaron Ramsey, 11:45AM.

By the end of class, Melanie had relaxed and nearly forgotten about the bullying, because she was engrossed in her work. She sat hunched over her desk, eyes just inches from the screen and her eyes were open wide. Her tongue stuck slightly out the side of her mouth as she worked. In the end, she decided to submit a macro photo of the lost red mitten with several beautiful snowflakes scattered and glistening in its fibers and wonderful depth, and then two photos of the goat, Percival. Both were wonderful with dramatic lighting, but she really loved the one where he seemed to be daydreaming with a lovestruck look on his face. After a deep breath, she clicked her mouse and pressed 'send'.

As everybody got up to leave, Melanie stayed behind, ignoring the giggling girls awaiting her at the door. Instead, Mel stayed in her seat and rested on her elbows on the desk with her face in her paws, looking at that picture. If only I had someone who thought about me that way... she thought dreamily. It was nice to meet people who considered her a real person, or even a friend, but to be somebody's world seemed like a faraway fantasy.

A couple minutes passed, and the girls grew bored and left. Melanie powered off her computer, grabbed her bag, and started for the door. "Miss Pourri," a ruff voice spoke up as she grabbed the door handle. Melanie turned around to see Mr. Ramsey standing up and leaning over his desk. Her heart raced and her tail twitched, wondering if he was going to comment on the bullying and only make things worse.

"Excellent work today. I see some real potential here. Keep it up!" he complimented with an approving smile, thumbs up, and a wink. Melanie smiled and looked down bashfully. "Oh, um, thank you professor Ramsey..." she answered. The bighorn sheep nodded, then turned his focus back to his computer and clicked away. Melanie continued out the door and the door clicked behind her.

Melanie Rose Pourri

---

Eukary Cafeteria, 12:00PM

The walk across the Quad was easier than before. Perhaps it was because of the few good things that happened today, or perhaps it was because the clouds were insulating the planet and the air was warming up. Whatever the case may be, Melanie was too hungry to think about the science behind it.

As soon as she opened the door to the cafeteria, Mel was overwhelmed with sensation. The lights were bright, the music and chatter was deafening, and all kinds of wonderous scents tantalized her snout. She briefly blocked the light as she entered the building, saying 'excuse me' automattic8slly as she went through the crowd. Noon to o'clock was one of the busiest times of day because it was lunch time for most and breakfast for many night class students.

Mel grabbed a warm tray from the stack and looked around the cafeteria, weighing her many options. As an omnivore, she could eat just about anything served. She had even started trying human food since she attended college, trying breads and pastas and pastries not considered healthy for most animals, but that stuff sure was good. Her mouth watered just thinking about it.

After grabbing a few things from the buffet tables she found a with a few empty spaces between her and the next person. It was not as good as an empty table, but it would have to do. She sat down, ignoring the silence that followed and the few sets of eyes glaring her way. A minute later, the chatter at the table resumed.

But something felt different today--and not in a good way. People seemed angrier, tense. Some were in hurdles, whispering and pointing at newspapers and phones. Some people were speaking loudly, with furrowed brows, bared teeth and clenched fists. Groups were forming between species or least... humans and other animals? Mel looked back to the other end of the table and saw that the two humans staring back at her. She slid as far away as she could, then took cautious sip of worm-noodle soup. What is going on? Melanie wondered anxiously. Her paw shook slightly as she lifted her spoon.

"YOU DARE CALL ME AN INFERIOR SPECIES!" a buff baboon bellowed at a tall, blond-haired human and unusually handsome human male. The baboon slammed his fist on a table
causing a newspaper to float and land on the bench beside Melanie. He then stood up and pound his chest. You are a VIRUS, a PLAGUE, on earth!" All eyes in the cafeteria turned toward the scene.

Melanien picked up a paper and read:

HUMAN VIRUS RESPONSIBLE FOR GENETIC CONTAMINATION

The article went on to say that a virus, still alive in us today, was responsible for our genetic similarity to humans. Humans, it seemed, were the only species to reach sapience on their own. Other animals, skunks included, piggy-backed on their evolution with help of the virus. However, the same virus that made animals sapient and anthropomorphic were slowly turning all creatures more and more human with each generation...

Melanie didn't know what to think of the article she was reading, but was becoming uneasy by the rift it was causing between species. Her heart raced as she looked back to the two male primates. The human crossed his arms and said something, but she couldn't hear what. Nearby humans laughed and that was it-- the baboon snapped. He howled, beat his chest, and charged.

Percival
Location: Art History Class
Mentions: None
Interactions: Open

The professor droned on, and Perci continued to barely pay attention. He started doodling on his page. He was thinking of a logo for his new band. Still didn’t have a name, but he wanted something that reflected their sound. He wasn’t entirely sure what their sound was, but he played drums and did the occasional writing.

A sudden commotion from a group of students to his right snapped Perci out of thought. He looked over, ears twitching to listen to what they were saying. It took a minute of prying, but he was able to gather that a fight was starting in the cafeteria. How immature... Perci rolled his eyes and picked his pencil back- but then his phone vibrated. He got a text. In most classes, he wouldn’t check his phone, but the lock screen preview read “HEY DIPSHIT”.

Perci clicked on it, quickly entering his 4 digit passcode. The message was from the one and only Fenzi, a fuzzy American lop rabbit he knew since freshman year. They were in the band together, too. He quickly skimmed her messages. They were about the fight. Why the fuck was he messaging him about this?

Then he saw it. She sent him a video and said “Isn’t that your boyfriend?”. Perci was now curious. He made sure his phone was muted before pressing play. He saw three figures standing, the most slender of the two wedging themselves between them, arms raised to keep them apart. Perci didn’t know what they were saying since he kept the volume off. One of the figures, which he could now tell to be some sort of large ape, grabbed the middle person. Fenzi, who was taking the video, zoomed in. It was a maned wolf. The only maned wolf he’d seen in school was Marcello. Just then the ape swung at the wolf, who he assumed to be Marcello. The video ended.

Then it made sense, Fenzi was the only one he told about Marcello. Perci now felt sick to his stomach. His brow furrowed as he texted Fenzi. “Is he okay?” He then waited for a response.

Meanwhile, in the Cafeteria…

Marcello wasn’t sure what happened, but his entire muzzle stung. He was lying on the cafeteria’s cold tile floor, winded. His face was scrunched together, and he covered his nose with his hands. He could feel and taste blood. That fucking monkey just punched him on this nose! He let out a whine as he sat upright. A small crowd had now gathered around him and the assailant.

“What the hell, man?!” He barked, still seething.

Eukary Cafeteria
Interaction: @Crystal Amalgam Marcello

---

Zaina had been just about to leave the cafeteria when a commotion caught her attention. Students had began gathering around a couple other individuals in only what she could guess was a fight going to start. She easily pushed herself to the front of the small crowd of students to see what was going on. On the ground a lanky looking maned wolf was sitting up, blood dripping from his nose while gazing angrily up at the culprit of his current injury. The culprit was some large ape, perhaps not as tall as the maned wolf but definitely looking far more muscular. Zaina briefly thought that the ape could snap the wolf like a twig if they wanted. She contemplated of just leaving, after all it wasn't her problem and for all she knew the maned wolf could of been asking for it. Yet somehow she couldn't make herself leave and internally groaned as she made up her mind on what she was going to do. Hopefully it wouldn't effect her working hours for the evening.

"Hey banana breath!" Zaina bark out, hardly giving the ape enough time to turn before slamming her fist against the side of his partially turned head, causing the ape the fall down and meet the ground head first, knocking him out cold and hopefully stopping whatever escalation that would of happened if she had walked away

"There you had your action now fuck off you vultures unless someone else wants a go!" She growled at the stunned and now silent small crowd of people, before offering a hand to the downed maned wolf.