15 September 2012
I was tossed into a green metal box, the floor was covered with straw, and the metal was covered in tiny little drilled holes. I growled slightly before I was injected with a dart that put me to sleep.
I woke up and the world was fuzzy around me, I tried to yawn but my mouth was taped shut. I was in an enclosure, I was sure of it. There was a thick metal fence surrounding me, and the inside of the enclosure was thick with lush trees, mud, dirt, grass, and bubbling springs. It was heaven in comparison to what I was used to.
I heard a voice. I sat up. Hoards of people had surrounded my enclosure, and a man was shouting joyously in an American accent. "Roll up! Roll up! Come and see the extinct blue panther! Here for a limited time only!" He looked familiar. I just couldn't put my finger.. Paw on it.
I decided I'd put on a show, perhaps they'd let me stay here longer. I stood up and tried to growl, but of course, the cursed tape wouldn't let me speak. "Ten dollars for the removal of the tape!" shouted the american man. One plump lady coughed up twenty. I felt a slight tingling sensation, and the tape was gone.
I gave a magnificent growl, and charged headlong at the fence, growling at the first person I saw. I heard "ooh's!" And "ahh's!" From the crowd, and then a sudden silence.
What was going on.
The joyful American man stepped forwards again. "And now, ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome Hurricane! Our male breeding blue panther! And hopeful girlfriend to little Ailsa!" I heard screams of "aww!" from the crowd, and a gave an innocent whimper. How does a panther act in love? I heard an awful clashing sound of metal on metal, and a gate to my right was rising slowly. I saw my supposed 'lover' Hurricane. He was huge, with glossy sky blue fur, and huge sparkling white teeth. He gave a deafening Roar, and padded into the enclosure with swagger. He ruled the place. I would never be superior to him.
'remember Ailsa.' I thought. 'You're a panther in love.'
I walked towards Hurricane cautiously. I could see his eyes, a deep fiery amber colour that grabbed my heart. I was falling in love with him, and we'd not even locked eyes yet. I could hear faint murmurs of suspense from the crowds. And I stood still, my heartbeat drowning out any other sounds. He was walking towards me, he was walking faster, and then he was running. He kept running until he reached me, and then he bowled me over with his gigantic front paws. He gave a low growl as we touched, more of a purr. I lay on my back, Hurricane lying on top of me. What was I supposed to do? I was staring into the eyes of a panther, just like me.
I tried to shuffle my way out from underneath him, but he wouldn't let me go.
The suspense was killing the crowds.
And then he licked me.
Like a kiss, only catlike. He licked me in-between my eyes. And the crowd went crazy, drowning the American man in thin paper notes.
Did he love me?
I guessed only time would tell.
Claws 3: American Breeding • Opuss № I