>Be anon >5 months ago you ended up in a world of anthros >You weren't the only human of course, but you were still a rare sight >A restaurant in the city had hired you after a few weeks >They really admired your skill >And boy could you cook an amazing spaghetti bolognese >It didn't hurt that you didn't have fur to get in the food >The pay was enough for you to rent a decent apartment not too far from your work >And you still had a decent amount of money to do whatever with >Today is your first day off in a while and you were going to enjoy it >Nothing beats a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day >Luckily you had a little balcony with a view >You were just setting up a chair in the sun when you hear a knock at the door >A look through your peephole tells you who it is >A tall grizzly bear wearing slim fitting pants and shirt waits patiently on the other side >"Oh hey Susan, come on in." >She squeezes in, barely shorter than the door frame >"Can I get anything for you?" you ask her as you open your fridge >"Cream soda if you have it," she rumbles. >You chuckle >After the time she nearly threw a chair out the window, you make sure to keep some in your fridge >You toss her bottle and she pops the top off with a flick of her giant thumb >"So what can I do for you" >"I was just wondering if I could use your balcony" >Is that a blush you see >Her fur is brown enough that it's hard to tell >"Sure I was just going out myself" you gesture to the chair you were setting up >"Thanks Anon" >She grabs one of the folding chairs you have by the door on her way out >One flick and the chair is up >The chair sinks under her considerable weight as she flips out a pair of shades >She is almost pure muscle, you wonder how often she works out >You take your seat and take a sip of your lemonade >Your balcony gives you a view of the edge of the city and beyond >The roofs of suburban houses and rolling hills for miles >Days like these remind you why you like this place so much >Things hadn't always been this good though >Memories hit you >It was a couple days after you arrived >You were basically homeless >No money >No job >And no one wanted to hire a human >You were considered a freak, a fur-less disgrace >It was raining, you remember >With nothing but your jacket to stop the rain you were soaked >A pair of dogs walk by and you can hear them laughing at you >All you could do was glare at them >But that just made them laugh harder >Frustrated almost to the point of tears you sit down against the wall of the building >You feel a break in the rain and look up >There's an umbrella over you >and holding it is a bear >You sniffle >This is the first time someone has been kind to you since >well you aren't sure >She offers you a paw and you gladly take it >"You look cold, let me get you something warm to eat" >"What's your name, human?" >Her voice is deep, but oddly comforting >"A-A-A-Anon" It's hard to speak when you're shivering so much >"My name is Susan," she continues "It seems like you could use some help." >Making sure the umbrella stays over you, she walks you to her building >Stepping inside she shakes herself dry >As you walk to the elevator she strikes up a conversation with you >"So, how long have you been here?" She asks >The elevator doors open >"Oh, about 4 or 5 days" you respond as she hits the button for the 11th floor >As you take the elevator (this thing was slow) you talk about yourselves >Turns out she works as a news anchor for the local network >And while you don't have a job here, you used to work at EataBurgerâ„¢ >She tells you what it was like growing up in the city and not liking being cooped up >Whenever she got the chance, she'd go outside for a walk or play with the neighbor's kids >You tell her about your more suburban upbringing >Video games and indoor activities were more of your kind of thing >Though you remember you joined a LARP group once >(You'll never tell anyone you did that. NEVER) >You continue to talk until the doors open on her floor >She pulls out a key ring and fumbles with the lock for a little bit >The door opens with a slight squeak as you enter >It's well furnished with everything you'd expect, and then some >A leather couch faces a 40 inch tv on a stand >What is probably faux wood covers most of the floor >The exception is the bedroom which has soft looking carpeting >Some posters and paintings hang on the wall >She leads you into her sparkling kitchen and turns on her stove >Soup is simmering on the burner before you know it >"Let me take that for you Anon; You must be cold" She coaxes >Swapping your wet jacket for a warm blanket she makes sure you are comfortable >She hums a tune you don't know while hanging your jacket in the bathroom >The two of you chat a little while longer while the soup cooks >As she pours the soup into two bowls you realize what she's done >She got you out of the cold >Invited you into her house >And made food for you >A tear rolls down your cheek at that thought >"Anon, don't cry please; I hate to see people cry." she protests >You can barely choke out a simple "thank you" through the lump in your throat >You spend the next couple of days in her guest bedroom at her request >A couple days rest and good food brings you back to normal >It isn't long before you feel ready to get back into the world >Susan surprises you by putting in a good word with a friend who works in a restaurant downtown >Before you know it you've got an interview scheduled >You put on a smart looking outfit that Susan helped you buy (with the promise that you'll pay her back) >The interview goes great and you're hired on the spot >You start by washing dishes, but in a few weeks you're a full fledged chef >And that means you can afford your own place >Looking through the papers you find an ad for an apartment in the building >Though there are a lot of places you could go, you know that there's no place you'd rather be >Had it not been for Susan's help, you might not have lasted your first week here >But now, you're the happiest you've ever been >"Hey Anon" >Susan's voice brings you back to reality >"Did you fall asleep?" she looks a little worried >"No, just reliving some memories." you say with a smile >"Good ones I hope" >"They most certainly are" >You raise your glass >"To summer" >"To summer" she agrees