{
  "submission_id": "3657499",
  "keywords": [
    {
      "keyword_id": "2036",
      "keyword_name": "cheetah",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "15927"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "123",
      "keyword_name": "female",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1104278"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "165",
      "keyword_name": "male",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1214552"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "2712",
      "keyword_name": "micro",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "13745"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "420",
      "keyword_name": "mouse",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "54771"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "564",
      "keyword_name": "size difference",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "70829"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "36810",
      "keyword_name": "worldbuilding",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "348"
    }
  ],
  "hidden": "f",
  "scraps": "f",
  "favorite": "f",
  "favorites_count": "0",
  "create_datetime": "2025-07-06 10:44:49.346471+00",
  "create_datetime_usertime": "06 Jul 2025 12:44 CEST",
  "last_file_update_datetime": "2025-07-06 10:43:17.762145+00",
  "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "06 Jul 2025 12:43 CEST",
  "username": "Firros",
  "user_id": "1208735",
  "user_icon_file_name": "360826_Firros_firrosavifr2.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/360/360826_Firros_firrosavifr2.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/360/360826_Firros_firrosavifr2.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/360/360826_Firros_firrosavifr2.jpg",
  "file_name": "5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
  "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
  "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
  "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
  "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
  "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
  "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
  "thumb_huge_x": "300",
  "thumb_huge_y": "300",
  "thumb_large_x": "200",
  "thumb_large_y": "200",
  "thumb_medium_x": "120",
  "thumb_medium_y": "120",
  "files": [
    {
      "file_id": "5629551",
      "file_name": "5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
      "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
      "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
      "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.txt",
      "mimetype": "text/plain",
      "submission_id": "3657499",
      "user_id": "1208735",
      "submission_file_order": "0",
      "full_size_x": null,
      "full_size_y": null,
      "screen_size_x": null,
      "screen_size_y": null,
      "preview_size_x": null,
      "preview_size_y": null,
      "initial_file_md5": "aa2668c7b518bae84843baf2f2dc88f6",
      "full_file_md5": "aa2668c7b518bae84843baf2f2dc88f6",
      "large_file_md5": "",
      "small_file_md5": "",
      "thumbnail_md5": "a0fd0f169010d54c22902a7eae631b00",
      "deleted": "f",
      "create_datetime": "2025-07-06 10:43:17.762145+00",
      "create_datetime_usertime": "06 Jul 2025 12:43 CEST",
      "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
      "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
      "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5629/5629551_Firros_danielleandfirros.docx.jpg",
      "thumb_huge_x": "300",
      "thumb_huge_y": "300",
      "thumb_large_x": "200",
      "thumb_large_y": "200",
      "thumb_medium_x": "120",
      "thumb_medium_y": "120"
    }
  ],
  "pools": [
    {
      "pool_id": "96426",
      "name": "Firros Correl",
      "description": "Art or stories involving Firros Correl the cheetah.",
      "count": "7",
      "submission_left_submission_id": "3442453",
      "submission_left_file_name": "5240461_Firros_firros_and_renee_3.txt",
      "submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5240/5240461_Firros_firros_and_renee_3.jpg",
      "submission_left_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5240/5240461_Firros_firros_and_renee_3.jpg",
      "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5240/5240461_Firros_firros_and_renee_3.jpg",
      "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300",
      "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300",
      "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200",
      "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200",
      "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120",
      "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120"
    }
  ],
  "description": "Firros meets with an enterprising young mouse from an outer colony, someone who's never had to live with the fear of predators. Things are in the works, but will it work out the way they hope, or is Danielle getting in way over her head...?\n\n\nAs always, there are four or five stories ahead of what's here in the Vern Discord server linked on my profile page somewhere. ",
  "description_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>Firros meets with an enterprising young mouse from an outer colony, someone who&#039;s never had to live with the fear of predators. Things are in the works, but will it work out the way they hope, or is Danielle getting in way over her head...?<br /><br /><br />As always, there are four or five stories ahead of what&#039;s here in the Vern Discord server linked on my profile page somewhere. </span>",
  "writing": "    This place was huge. Danielle was not expecting it to be small of course, but hadn't really \nanticipated just how much difference in size there was actually going to be. From the window of the \ncar it was almost like flying to the mouse, and had the windows not been rolled up she could have \neasily been taken by the wind. \n     Beside her, an attentive lynx was driving, eyes darting between the road ahead and a directional \ndisplay on the dashboard leading them to Danielle's destination. The car likewise was huge compared \nto her and she sat secured in an elevated platform affixed to the front passenger seat. It was still \napparent even to her that his vehicle was a size lower than these streets, prompting the driver to \nslow down whenever another, usually larger car drove by. \n     The houses here superficially resembled the ones where she had been living, albeit significantly \nscaled up. Murid dwellings were typically retrofitted into houses that had once belonged to felids, \nand as such a single house could hold dozens of apartments, enough to form their own small \ncommunities. Many generally had schools and basic medical facilities, but more complex services \nand many sundries still required smaller folks to leave their homes. \n     It was surreal therefore to think that some of these even larger buildings might only have a single \noccupant. As the car began to slow, she withdrew a small mirror from her pack and made sure she \nlooked presentable. Her green eyes stood out vibrantly against the tan and brown mottled pattern of \nher face, and her darker brown hair was combed to hang down to her right cheek with an elegant \nponytail holding behind. She pivoted the mirror in her hand to check that her navy blue coloured \nmeeting dress was still clean and straight. \n     'We're here, Miss Wrynn.' The driver alerted her as the car came to a halt. 'Do you require escort \nto the door or shall I lower you to the kerb?' \n     'Kerb will be fine.' Danielle replied. 'Thank you Jaunn.' As she waited, the door lifted from the \npivot point at the front of the car, before the raised platform affixed to the passenger seat extended \nand lowered not unlike a wheelchair lift. She undid her seatbelt and stood from the seat before \nretrieving her satchel purse and glancing ahead. She made sure there were no larger pedestrians \nbefore stepping off the platform and onto the rough concrete. She wished she hadn't bothered with \nshoes, as they rested uncomfortably on the grit but at the same time she wanted to make a good \nimpression. \n     She walked briskly despite this and approached the front door of the enormous dwelling before \nher. As she walked she sent a message from her phone to the house's occupant to alert him of her \narrival, since she was undoubtedly too small to reach the doorbell. The door opened a minute later \njust as she reached the step just outside. \n     'Miss Wrynn?' The house's occupant, an amber eyed cheetah with red hair wearing a smart casual \noutfit, greeted her. \n     'Danielle is fine.' She smiled. 'Mr. Correl?' \n     'Firros.' The cheetah smiled in return. 'Do you need any help?' \n     Danielle eyed the step before her, a paltry and almost insignificant thing to the large cat but \nalmost twice her height to the top. She glanced backwards for a moment, ensuring that the lynx was \noccupied with his phone, then took a quick two steps and leaped to the top easily. \n     'I guess not.' Firros replied, stepping back and allowing the mouse to walk inside. Once the door \nwas closed, the mouse turned to him and raised a hand. \n     'I'll get a lift from you now, if you don't mind?' She asked, looking up with a somewhat awkward \nsmile. 'My dad just hates it when we let it look like we need the felids. But we'll still be doing this \ntomorrow if I have to walk everywhere in this place.' \n     'Ah, of course.' Firros nodded, kneeling down and allowing the mouse to step onto his palm. She \nknelt and held onto his curled fingers as he stood and carried her up the hallway and into what \nseemed to be a bedroom transitioned into an office. Along one wall was a large desk set up with \nmultiple computer monitors and what looked to be sound mixing equipment. \n     'What's all this?' She asked, running a hand over a dial big enough for her to sit on as she was set \ndown on the desk top. \n     'Oh, sometimes I work from home.' The cheetah shrugged. 'It can be easier without someone \nlooking over your shoulder, you know?' \n     'Ugh, I hear that.' Danielle rolled her eyes. 'My father is so success driven that it's impossible for \nme to have any fun. Even this trip was about finding my own investments and being able to earn my \nown way in life. He freaked out too when I told him where I was going. Bought all the legal defenses \nand crap. Just doesn't trust me to look after myself.'\n     'Right.' Firros nodded slowly. 'Speaking of, you do know why you're here, don't you? I was actually \nreally surprised when I saw a mouse reply to my posting. Truth be told I had to research to find out \nwho you are.' \n     'Haha!' Danielle laughed. 'Oh yea, I read your posting. I know exactly what this is about. I'm doing \nexactly what my father wants me to do, in a way that I just know is going to piss him off. Still, \nentertainment is big business, and that means big bucks. Talk me through your idea.' \n     'Alright...' Firros nodded. He took a moment to step across to the far right end of the long desk, \nbringing up a video on one of the screens. He beckoned her over and provided a pair of books \nstacked to provide a makeshift chair. On the screen was a low budget animation that looked to be \nconcept art for a game show called Last Chance. \n     Danielle watched intently as the cartoon played out, depicting seven mice competing against one \nanother in physical contests and puzzle type brain teasers. As scores increased, the mice were \neventually ranked, with the top three earning a place on the podium, the fourth place mouse being \noffered the chance to walk away or play again, and the bottom three being dropped through a \ncomically drawn trap door to land in a waiting, equally comical, cat's mouth. \n     She laughed as the animation came to its conclusion. 'So seven players, three winners and three \nlosers?' \n     'That's right.' Firros nodded. 'My cousin originally had this idea, but that was five years ago. In his \nmodel, the mice were eliminated round by round. It was also before Equality laws passed here, so \nthe mice were competing... involuntarily. The studio said it would never pass legal requirements, \ncalling it as just unnecessary cruelty.' \n     'So why is it different this time?' Danielle asked. \n     'Because mice can willingly sign away their lives now.' Firros smiled and shrugged. 'The city's \nsupport institutions are pretty solid, but plenty of people still go bankrupt with some bad decisions \nand worse habits. Particularly naïve mice who don't know the value of the opportunities they have \nhere.' \n     'So you think you'll be able to attract competitors?' Danielle asked. 'Is that why there are only \nthree losers in your model? Slightly better than a fifty percent chance to at least survive?' \n     'Exactly.' The cheetah nodded. 'Only having one winner would be too scary for most. But it \nwouldn't just be mice either. I'm sure we could up a class and have some episodes for squirrels, \nrabbits, so long as the competitors are in a close enough size bracket to prevent any unfair \nadvantages.     \n     'It sounds perfect.' Danielle nodded, standing and turning to face him. 'There's always a visceral \nand morbid fascination people have watching others risk their lives for a chance at glory, you know? I \nthink something like this could really draw crowds. Might be some naysayers as well, but as long as \nthe contestants sign the waivers and contracts and whatnot, what's really to stop us?' \n     'And you don't have any moral issues with it?' Firros asked, raising an eyebrow. 'We'd be sending \nmice to... well, a rather unpleasant death.' \n     'Oh, fuf.' Danielle waved a hand dismissively. 'It happens every day here anyway, right? Besides, \nmy dad might be one of those mice sticking up for mice types, but I'm a lot more pragmatic than \nhim. I understand that real survivors look after themselves. If this makes money, then it keeps me \nsafe.' \n     'And he'll be okay with that?' Firros asked. \n     'Hell no.' Danielle laughed. 'He'll probably disown me. But if we get this underway while I still have \naccess to my inheritance then it won't matter.' \n     'Alright.' The cheetah nodded. 'My friend at the studio said this was pretty much a sure thing so \nlong as I could find at least one extra financial backer. So if you're absolutely sure, I can organise the \nmeeting and contracts to be ready in two days.' \n     'Sounds good.' Danielle clasped her hands together. 'I can't wait to be out from under that man's \nthumb!' \n     'Family issues?' Firros asked, already typing his correspondence to whoever his studio contact was \non one of the other computers. 'Or is it all just your father?'   \n     'Pretty much just him.' Danielle answered, walking slowly across the desk to stand beside where \nthe cheetah's hands were working his keyboard. 'Doesn't trust predators, micromanages the hell out \nof the company, wants all of his kids to earn their own way. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't given \nhimself a heart attack. Still, I have three younger siblings, so there's time.' \n     'How old are you?' Firros asked. \n     'I'm seven.' Danielle answered. 'I think that's equivalent of early twenties for someone your size? \nI've never really spent much time around felids back home. Mostly because there aren't any.' \n     'Young adult.' Firros nodded. 'So he's putting the pressure on you to look after yourself.' \n     'I guess.' Danielle shrugged, her eyes scanning as he typed. 'Are felid parents like that?' \n     'Kind of.' Firros nodded with a wry smile. 'Best parents in the world until you learn how to walk. \nAfter that it's... learn everything and learn fast. Learn to hunt, so you can look after yourself even if \nyou make terrible decisions with your money. Aaand so on. I guess your dad hasn't completely let go \nyet, not if he's bought you hunting immunity. So, the Immigration Department should have given you \na Vero Device, right?' \n     'Sure did.' The mouse nodded. 'It's at home.' \n     Firros sighed in amusement. 'The whole point of that thing is that you keep it with you when you \nleave your house every day. It's a warning to predators that you're off limits. And a failsafe in case \nthey're disobedient about that.' \n     'Oh, should I have brought it here, big cat?' Danielle looked up at him with a wry grin. 'Are you \nplanning to be sneaky once you have my money and gobble me up?' \n     'Of course not.' Firros replied, blushing through his tan fur. 'I-I just thought you should know that's \nwhat the thing is for.' \n     'When was the last time some poor mouse went down your gullet?' Danielle pressed. 'Don't be \nnervous. I don't care if some hapless other mouse ends up as cat food.' \n     'Uhh... Nine days? I think?' Firros answered. 'Met her on Preddate dot net. She was, uhh...' \n     'Delicious?' Danielle grinned. \n     'Eager.' Firros breathed deeply with the reply. 'Keen on the idea of being prey.' \n     'Those weirdoes.' Danielle laughed. 'Well I'm the first to call myself a thrill seeker, but I don't think \nI'd ever go that far. Although...' \n     'Although?' Firros asked, finishing his typing and taking a moment to reread it. \n     'When I can get back here without a... babysitter...' She began, grinning slowly. 'I wanna sit in your \npocket or something while you run. I wanna feel how fast a cheetah can go.' \n     'Sounds... fun?' Firros almost laughed. 'As long as you don't throw up on me.' \n     'I'll make sure I have an empty stomach.' The mouse laughed. 'Speaking of actually, I'm starving. \nYou up for lunch? I haven't eaten anything all day.' \n\n     In order to avoid Danielle being seen getting carried in public, the pair instead organised for a \nmeal delivery. The mouse called and dismissed her driver, instructing him to pick her up in the next \ntwo hours while she and Firros discussed further details of the project. When the food arrived, he set \nup in his kitchen, organising a small table for her out of a tea saucer and a stack of business cards. \n     'What are you gonna call the show?' She asked, lifting a handful of tiny shredded salad to her \nmouth. As much as he had tried to figure something out, Firros had been unable to provide anything \nanalogous to cutlery in her size. Despite his embarrassment, she had not truly cared. She was an \nheiress, but she was no princess and no stranger to her own animal side. \n     'Nothing too fancy.' He replied, lifting a forkful of steaming steak to his face. 'I was thinking the \nname Last Chance conveys just about everything we need.' \n     'Well, I suppose the working title works.' She shrugged. 'Got a host in mind?' \n     'Not yet.' He shook his head. 'I'm sure we could organise an audition if you're interested. It's \nprobably a good idea to have a host or at least a co-host that can talk to the contestants face to face.' \n     'Sounds fun.' Danielle grinned at the thought. \n     '...Telling mice they're about to die?' Firros stared at her with mock horror on his face. 'You're a \nbigger monster than I am.' \n     'We're all still animals.' She retorted, dipping her face into her bowl and eating noisily. When she \nlooked back up with a slew of salad dressing on her muzzle and a single tomato seed balanced on her \nnose, the ridiculous look prompted Firros to start laughing softly. \n     'Careful, your delicious side is showing.' He joked. 'Don't go seasoning yourself in front of cats, you \nhear? That's the sort of thing that leads to tragic misunderstandings. And that's a thrill you don't \nwant to seek.' \n     'Getting a kiss from a big cat?' She retorted between bouts of lapping the dressing from her own \ncheek with her tongue. 'I think that's a thrill I could stand to endure at least once.' \n     Firros sighed with a smirk. 'You are a tease.' He reached down towards her, extending a single \npointed claw and poking it into the seed still on her nose. As he lifted it slowly away, she stood and \njumped after it, grabbing his claw with her hands and biting the seed back into her mouth. He could \nhear the audible crunch as she worked it between her teeth, followed by an equally loud gulp. \n     'Waste not.' She shrugged, letting go of his claw as he slowly withdrew it. \n     'Want not.' He concluded, once again showing light red on the skin beneath the fur of his cheeks. \n'So then, how about I give my friend at the studio a call and we conference out some details to make \nsure we're all happy with this?' \n     'Sounds good.' Danielle nodded, causing a drop of dressing to land on her foot. 'Uh, can I use your \nsink first?' \n     \n      \n",
  "writing_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This place was huge. Danielle was not expecting it to be small of course, but hadn&#039;t really <br />anticipated just how much difference in size there was actually going to be. From the window of the <br />car it was almost like flying to the mouse, and had the windows not been rolled up she could have <br />easily been taken by the wind. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Beside her, an attentive lynx was driving, eyes darting between the road ahead and a directional <br />display on the dashboard leading them to Danielle&#039;s destination. The car likewise was huge compared <br />to her and she sat secured in an elevated platform affixed to the front passenger seat. It was still <br />apparent even to her that his vehicle was a size lower than these streets, prompting the driver to <br />slow down whenever another, usually larger car drove by. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The houses here superficially resembled the ones where she had been living, albeit significantly <br />scaled up. Murid dwellings were typically retrofitted into houses that had once belonged to felids, <br />and as such a single house could hold dozens of apartments, enough to form their own small <br />communities. Many generally had schools and basic medical facilities, but more complex services <br />and many sundries still required smaller folks to leave their homes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was surreal therefore to think that some of these even larger buildings might only have a single <br />occupant. As the car began to slow, she withdrew a small mirror from her pack and made sure she <br />looked presentable. Her green eyes stood out vibrantly against the tan and brown mottled pattern of <br />her face, and her darker brown hair was combed to hang down to her right cheek with an elegant <br />ponytail holding behind. She pivoted the mirror in her hand to check that her navy blue coloured <br />meeting dress was still clean and straight. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;We&#039;re here, Miss Wrynn.&#039; The driver alerted her as the car came to a halt. &#039;Do you require escort <br />to the door or shall I lower you to the kerb?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Kerb will be fine.&#039; Danielle replied. &#039;Thank you Jaunn.&#039; As she waited, the door lifted from the <br />pivot point at the front of the car, before the raised platform affixed to the passenger seat extended <br />and lowered not unlike a wheelchair lift. She undid her seatbelt and stood from the seat before <br />retrieving her satchel purse and glancing ahead. She made sure there were no larger pedestrians <br />before stepping off the platform and onto the rough concrete. She wished she hadn&#039;t bothered with <br />shoes, as they rested uncomfortably on the grit but at the same time she wanted to make a good <br />impression. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She walked briskly despite this and approached the front door of the enormous dwelling before <br />her. As she walked she sent a message from her phone to the house&#039;s occupant to alert him of her <br />arrival, since she was undoubtedly too small to reach the doorbell. The door opened a minute later <br />just as she reached the step just outside. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Miss Wrynn?&#039; The house&#039;s occupant, an amber eyed cheetah with red hair wearing a smart casual <br />outfit, greeted her. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Danielle is fine.&#039; She smiled. &#039;Mr. Correl?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Firros.&#039; The cheetah smiled in return. &#039;Do you need any help?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Danielle eyed the step before her, a paltry and almost insignificant thing to the large cat but <br />almost twice her height to the top. She glanced backwards for a moment, ensuring that the lynx was <br />occupied with his phone, then took a quick two steps and leaped to the top easily. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;I guess not.&#039; Firros replied, stepping back and allowing the mouse to walk inside. Once the door <br />was closed, the mouse turned to him and raised a hand. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;I&#039;ll get a lift from you now, if you don&#039;t mind?&#039; She asked, looking up with a somewhat awkward <br />smile. &#039;My dad just hates it when we let it look like we need the felids. But we&#039;ll still be doing this <br />tomorrow if I have to walk everywhere in this place.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Ah, of course.&#039; Firros nodded, kneeling down and allowing the mouse to step onto his palm. She <br />knelt and held onto his curled fingers as he stood and carried her up the hallway and into what <br />seemed to be a bedroom transitioned into an office. Along one wall was a large desk set up with <br />multiple computer monitors and what looked to be sound mixing equipment. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;What&#039;s all this?&#039; She asked, running a hand over a dial big enough for her to sit on as she was set <br />down on the desk top. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Oh, sometimes I work from home.&#039; The cheetah shrugged. &#039;It can be easier without someone <br />looking over your shoulder, you know?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Ugh, I hear that.&#039; Danielle rolled her eyes. &#039;My father is so success driven that it&#039;s impossible for <br />me to have any fun. Even this trip was about finding my own investments and being able to earn my <br />own way in life. He freaked out too when I told him where I was going. Bought all the legal defenses <br />and crap. Just doesn&#039;t trust me to look after myself.&#039;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Right.&#039; Firros nodded slowly. &#039;Speaking of, you do know why you&#039;re here, don&#039;t you? I was actually <br />really surprised when I saw a mouse reply to my posting. Truth be told I had to research to find out <br />who you are.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Haha!&#039; Danielle laughed. &#039;Oh yea, I read your posting. I know exactly what this is about. I&#039;m doing <br />exactly what my father wants me to do, in a way that I just know is going to piss him off. Still, <br />entertainment is big business, and that means big bucks. Talk me through your idea.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Alright...&#039; Firros nodded. He took a moment to step across to the far right end of the long desk, <br />bringing up a video on one of the screens. He beckoned her over and provided a pair of books <br />stacked to provide a makeshift chair. On the screen was a low budget animation that looked to be <br />concept art for a game show called Last Chance. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Danielle watched intently as the cartoon played out, depicting seven mice competing against one <br />another in physical contests and puzzle type brain teasers. As scores increased, the mice were <br />eventually ranked, with the top three earning a place on the podium, the fourth place mouse being <br />offered the chance to walk away or play again, and the bottom three being dropped through a <br />comically drawn trap door to land in a waiting, equally comical, cat&#039;s mouth. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She laughed as the animation came to its conclusion. &#039;So seven players, three winners and three <br />losers?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;That&#039;s right.&#039; Firros nodded. &#039;My cousin originally had this idea, but that was five years ago. In his <br />model, the mice were eliminated round by round. It was also before Equality laws passed here, so <br />the mice were competing... involuntarily. The studio said it would never pass legal requirements, <br />calling it as just unnecessary cruelty.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;So why is it different this time?&#039; Danielle asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Because mice can willingly sign away their lives now.&#039; Firros smiled and shrugged. &#039;The city&#039;s <br />support institutions are pretty solid, but plenty of people still go bankrupt with some bad decisions <br />and worse habits. Particularly na&iuml;ve mice who don&#039;t know the value of the opportunities they have <br />here.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;So you think you&#039;ll be able to attract competitors?&#039; Danielle asked. &#039;Is that why there are only <br />three losers in your model? Slightly better than a fifty percent chance to at least survive?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Exactly.&#039; The cheetah nodded. &#039;Only having one winner would be too scary for most. But it <br />wouldn&#039;t just be mice either. I&#039;m sure we could up a class and have some episodes for squirrels, <br />rabbits, so long as the competitors are in a close enough size bracket to prevent any unfair <br />advantages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;It sounds perfect.&#039; Danielle nodded, standing and turning to face him. &#039;There&#039;s always a visceral <br />and morbid fascination people have watching others risk their lives for a chance at glory, you know? I <br />think something like this could really draw crowds. Might be some naysayers as well, but as long as <br />the contestants sign the waivers and contracts and whatnot, what&#039;s really to stop us?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;And you don&#039;t have any moral issues with it?&#039; Firros asked, raising an eyebrow. &#039;We&#039;d be sending <br />mice to... well, a rather unpleasant death.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Oh, fuf.&#039; Danielle waved a hand dismissively. &#039;It happens every day here anyway, right? Besides, <br />my dad might be one of those mice sticking up for mice types, but I&#039;m a lot more pragmatic than <br />him. I understand that real survivors look after themselves. If this makes money, then it keeps me <br />safe.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;And he&#039;ll be okay with that?&#039; Firros asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Hell no.&#039; Danielle laughed. &#039;He&#039;ll probably disown me. But if we get this underway while I still have <br />access to my inheritance then it won&#039;t matter.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Alright.&#039; The cheetah nodded. &#039;My friend at the studio said this was pretty much a sure thing so <br />long as I could find at least one extra financial backer. So if you&#039;re absolutely sure, I can organise the <br />meeting and contracts to be ready in two days.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Sounds good.&#039; Danielle clasped her hands together. &#039;I can&#039;t wait to be out from under that man&#039;s <br />thumb!&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Family issues?&#039; Firros asked, already typing his correspondence to whoever his studio contact was <br />on one of the other computers. &#039;Or is it all just your father?&#039;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Pretty much just him.&#039; Danielle answered, walking slowly across the desk to stand beside where <br />the cheetah&#039;s hands were working his keyboard. &#039;Doesn&#039;t trust predators, micromanages the hell out <br />of the company, wants all of his kids to earn their own way. I&#039;m honestly surprised he hasn&#039;t given <br />himself a heart attack. Still, I have three younger siblings, so there&#039;s time.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;How old are you?&#039; Firros asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;I&#039;m seven.&#039; Danielle answered. &#039;I think that&#039;s equivalent of early twenties for someone your size? <br />I&#039;ve never really spent much time around felids back home. Mostly because there aren&#039;t any.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Young adult.&#039; Firros nodded. &#039;So he&#039;s putting the pressure on you to look after yourself.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;I guess.&#039; Danielle shrugged, her eyes scanning as he typed. &#039;Are felid parents like that?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Kind of.&#039; Firros nodded with a wry smile. &#039;Best parents in the world until you learn how to walk. <br />After that it&#039;s... learn everything and learn fast. Learn to hunt, so you can look after yourself even if <br />you make terrible decisions with your money. Aaand so on. I guess your dad hasn&#039;t completely let go <br />yet, not if he&#039;s bought you hunting immunity. So, the Immigration Department should have given you <br />a Vero Device, right?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Sure did.&#039; The mouse nodded. &#039;It&#039;s at home.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Firros sighed in amusement. &#039;The whole point of that thing is that you keep it with you when you <br />leave your house every day. It&#039;s a warning to predators that you&#039;re off limits. And a failsafe in case <br />they&#039;re disobedient about that.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Oh, should I have brought it here, big cat?&#039; Danielle looked up at him with a wry grin. &#039;Are you <br />planning to be sneaky once you have my money and gobble me up?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Of course not.&#039; Firros replied, blushing through his tan fur. &#039;I-I just thought you should know that&#039;s <br />what the thing is for.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;When was the last time some poor mouse went down your gullet?&#039; Danielle pressed. &#039;Don&#039;t be <br />nervous. I don&#039;t care if some hapless other mouse ends up as cat food.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Uhh... Nine days? I think?&#039; Firros answered. &#039;Met her on Preddate dot net. She was, uhh...&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Delicious?&#039; Danielle grinned. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Eager.&#039; Firros breathed deeply with the reply. &#039;Keen on the idea of being prey.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Those weirdoes.&#039; Danielle laughed. &#039;Well I&#039;m the first to call myself a thrill seeker, but I don&#039;t think <br />I&#039;d ever go that far. Although...&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Although?&#039; Firros asked, finishing his typing and taking a moment to reread it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;When I can get back here without a... babysitter...&#039; She began, grinning slowly. &#039;I wanna sit in your <br />pocket or something while you run. I wanna feel how fast a cheetah can go.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Sounds... fun?&#039; Firros almost laughed. &#039;As long as you don&#039;t throw up on me.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;I&#039;ll make sure I have an empty stomach.&#039; The mouse laughed. &#039;Speaking of actually, I&#039;m starving. <br />You up for lunch? I haven&#039;t eaten anything all day.&#039; <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In order to avoid Danielle being seen getting carried in public, the pair instead organised for a <br />meal delivery. The mouse called and dismissed her driver, instructing him to pick her up in the next <br />two hours while she and Firros discussed further details of the project. When the food arrived, he set <br />up in his kitchen, organising a small table for her out of a tea saucer and a stack of business cards. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;What are you gonna call the show?&#039; She asked, lifting a handful of tiny shredded salad to her <br />mouth. As much as he had tried to figure something out, Firros had been unable to provide anything <br />analogous to cutlery in her size. Despite his embarrassment, she had not truly cared. She was an <br />heiress, but she was no princess and no stranger to her own animal side. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Nothing too fancy.&#039; He replied, lifting a forkful of steaming steak to his face. &#039;I was thinking the <br />name Last Chance conveys just about everything we need.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Well, I suppose the working title works.&#039; She shrugged. &#039;Got a host in mind?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Not yet.&#039; He shook his head. &#039;I&#039;m sure we could organise an audition if you&#039;re interested. It&#039;s <br />probably a good idea to have a host or at least a co-host that can talk to the contestants face to face.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Sounds fun.&#039; Danielle grinned at the thought. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;...Telling mice they&#039;re about to die?&#039; Firros stared at her with mock horror on his face. &#039;You&#039;re a <br />bigger monster than I am.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;We&#039;re all still animals.&#039; She retorted, dipping her face into her bowl and eating noisily. When she <br />looked back up with a slew of salad dressing on her muzzle and a single tomato seed balanced on her <br />nose, the ridiculous look prompted Firros to start laughing softly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Careful, your delicious side is showing.&#039; He joked. &#039;Don&#039;t go seasoning yourself in front of cats, you <br />hear? That&#039;s the sort of thing that leads to tragic misunderstandings. And that&#039;s a thrill you don&#039;t <br />want to seek.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Getting a kiss from a big cat?&#039; She retorted between bouts of lapping the dressing from her own <br />cheek with her tongue. &#039;I think that&#039;s a thrill I could stand to endure at least once.&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Firros sighed with a smirk. &#039;You are a tease.&#039; He reached down towards her, extending a single <br />pointed claw and poking it into the seed still on her nose. As he lifted it slowly away, she stood and <br />jumped after it, grabbing his claw with her hands and biting the seed back into her mouth. He could <br />hear the audible crunch as she worked it between her teeth, followed by an equally loud gulp. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Waste not.&#039; She shrugged, letting go of his claw as he slowly withdrew it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Want not.&#039; He concluded, once again showing light red on the skin beneath the fur of his cheeks. <br />&#039;So then, how about I give my friend at the studio a call and we conference out some details to make <br />sure we&#039;re all happy with this?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &#039;Sounds good.&#039; Danielle nodded, causing a drop of dressing to land on her foot. &#039;Uh, can I use your <br />sink first?&#039; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /></span>",
  "pools_count": 1,
  "title": "Firros and Danielle",
  "deleted": "f",
  "public": "t",
  "mimetype": "text/plain",
  "pagecount": "1",
  "rating_id": "0",
  "rating_name": "General",
  "ratings": [],
  "submission_type_id": "12",
  "type_name": "Writing - Document",
  "guest_block": "f",
  "friends_only": "f",
  "comments_count": "0",
  "views": "12"
}