the panther
As you reach your hand toward the great black shape, his ear twitches and his eyes open. The low rumble of purring abruptly stops. The panther's big, green eyes meet yours, then he looks at your hand. You hold still as the huge cat cranes his neck and sniffs your hand. The green eyes meet yours again. In the firelight, you can barely see some motion that might be his nostrils flaring and his whiskers twitching. After a moment, the great cat drops his head back to the carpet and gazes toward the fire. The purring hasn't resumed, and his eyes are still half open. You catch the abrupt motion of his tail switching once.
You slowly reach your hand toward the panther's shoulder and notice no reaction at all when you touch his fur. You gradually begin to stroke the cat's side and back. Just as gradually, he resumes his low, rumbling purr and closes his eyes.
The great black feline's fur is thick and healthy and soft, much softer than you expected. Petting the back and side of his neck, you can feel the vibration of his purring coming from deep within. Beneath the soft black coat. you feel the panther's warm body, densely muscular except for the softer pouch of fat at his belly. This is a comfortable, well fed cat.
The panther takes a deep breath and gives the unmistakable feline equivalent of a sigh. His purring becomes quieter as he starts to fall asleep.
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