Enter the MANsion... [Action|Video]

[nomansplaything]

Wonderland has a new resident, and he's none too happy about it, not to mention quite confused. This is not his beloved Jungle, and what's more, it reeks of Man.

For those who prefer  video, the cameras in the halls will be broadcasting to everyone images of a huge cat-shaped shadow stalking through the mansion. Whenever he turns around, there is a

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[wings_of_vanth]

[Akihiko looks around the hallway upon hearing the cat's roar, a bit confused by the sound and its source. He's just come back from a run around the mansion, and is breathing heavily.]

[nomansplaything]

[Bagheera hears the panting of the Man-cub and smells his sweat before he sees him.

He slows and proceeds cautiously down the hall.

He rounds the corner and finds the Man-cub, who is facing the other direction.

Ffffffff. Bagheera knows he's going to startle him, no matter what he does. He also knows that Man tends to be loud and ridiculous when startled.

He comes to sit perhaps ten feet behind the Man-cub, attempting to project as much calm energy as possible.

Braceing himself, then clears his throat.]

[wings_of_vanth]

[The cat is a great hunter, because Akihiko doesn't even notice it coming up behind him until it makes another noise.

And just as the panther predicted, he startles. He starts to scream...but holds the rest back and breaks into a run. Oh crud. Of all the times to leave his Evoker in his room...

Akihiko is fast, but he's crazy to think he can outrun a wild cat.]

[nomansplaything]

[ lkak;fafahifanf;kfabaINSTINCT

The Man-cub squawks and runs, and before Bagheera realizes it he gives chase. By the time he comes to his senses, he's already within striking distance. Not wanting to waste more time or scare the creature too much more, he decides to end this foolish chase. Claws fully retracted as to not cause harm, he reaches out a paw and trips the Man-cub.]

[wings_of_vanth]

[Akihiko gasps as he feels the panther's paw hook around his ankle, and crashes to the ground flat on his face.]

Agh, geez! [He slowly turns onto his back and pushes against the floor with his feet, sliding back away from the cat.] Nice kitty...

[nomansplaything]

[Bagheera skids to a stop as Akihiko hits the ground and immediately sits, trying to look less threatening.

But the amusement is probably very apparent on his face.]

"Kitty"?

[wings_of_vanth]

...Cat. [Did that panther just speak?

Akihiko is careful not to make any sudden moves, despite the fact the beast is sitting on its back legs and no longer giving chase. He was pretty sure a normal wild cat would be tearing into him by now.]

Aarrrrrrgh I need to finish my canon icons! DX

[nomansplaything]

I believe "panther" or "leopard" is more accurate, Man-cub. I am no weak-minded housepet.

[Despite his words, he is just calmly correcting Akihiko. In fact, his face is rather... parental, you could say. Definitely not threatening.]

[wings_of_vanth]

[Akihiko stops moving away, not quite certain of the situation. He's just been knocked down by a talking panther that has no intention of killing him...at the moment.

It's hard to tell if this is the aftermath of the last event, the start of a new one...or something that should be accepted as normal here.]

Panther, right.

[nomansplaything]

[Bagheera laughs.]

You can calm down Man-cub, I'm not going to eat you.

Can you tell me, are all of the Men here so pale? I've never seen so many pale little Man-cubs!

[wings_of_vanth]

[He's not that young looking, is he?...well, next to this cat, he's the smaller of the two.

His expression lightens, but still shows confusion when the panther laughs.]

No, not all of us. There are people from all over the world here. And then some.

[nomansplaything]

[As far as Bagheera is concerned... he's on the cusp between cub and adult. But since he did scream and run, he's assuming that he's still a cub.

But he's not sure what this Man-cub is talking about.]

Man from different locations look different? Where does your kind come from?

[wings_of_vanth]

[It makes sense that the cat would only see humans with one flesh tone, depending on where it's from.] Yeah. I'm from Japan.

[nomansplaything]

[He's from India in the late 1800's. Granted, Indian people do come in a wider variety of skin tones... and he probably has even seen a few white people when he lived in the city... but since he's been in the jungle he's pretty much only seen dark brown ones. And he's definitely never seen so many lighter-toned Men in one place.]

Interesting. I wonder if leopards look different in other places... [Zoology factoid: they do!]

I have never heard of a place called Japan. Where I come from if called India, is it far from there?

[See? Bagheera's a nice old guy...]

[wings_of_vanth]

[Akihiko still shows uncertainty. Maybe somebody will come along. But hopefully someone who doesn't want to hurt the cat; if it does have good intentions, he'd feel bad.]

Probably? Biology's not my best subject.

Japan's an island far northeast of India.

[nomansplaything]

[Bagheera's looking all friendly and swishing his tail happily.]

I thank you for your information, even if you are unsure. You still know more than I.

What are you called, Man-cub?