The cub was surprisingly charming, in her own way. Panya was the first child gembound Bacchus had met since he was himself a child, and he had not expected to find her anything more than a brief curiosity that he witnessed hatch and then promptly moved on from.
He considered correcting her grammar, but this was not
his child.
...
Oh, that was an intriguing idea, was it not? He had not considered ever having his own children, but he instinctively had known it was possible. But it was a possibility that had not appealed to him, until another thought had occurred to him: Children, as well, would be a
legacy.
Not now, of course. He had to gather plants for the organization's garden, at the moment. However, in the tentative future... The idea appealed.
"Then we must move elsewhere," Bacchus smoothly told Panya, not giving his thoughts away.
"The prey may have been frightened away by our voices, as they are sensitive to sounds, so we must be quieter," He added, as he began to prowl forward, his gaze sweeping over the area.
And he sees a mouse. He glances towards Panya, trying to catch her attention, then nods at the mouse to indicate that this is, indeed, prey.
@Panya
If it had not been clear by her feline shape, it was clear from the cub's expression that she was indeed a carnivore and therefore had the instincts of one. Her overall posture was mostly correct, even if her steps were not quite as quiet as they would eventually be. Such could be forgiven, considering the freshly hatched state of the cub.
Considering the distance, Bacchus decided to speak though his words were in a whisper only for Panya to hear.
"You must approach quietly, in a posture akin to your current posture, while trying to stay out of their sense range, which includes primarily sight, hearing, and smell." He obligingly demonstrated the correct posture using his own form.
"When you feel you are close enough to pounce, do so. Use your claws or teeth or even both to dispatch your prey. Sometimes you may need to chase prey as well, but that is typically larger prey in my experience. Mice such as this one can be killed in one bite if you are skilled enough. If a mouse runs, it is very quick. You may or may not be able to chase it successfully," The leopard gives guidance and warning both in his hushed voice.
@Panya
It seemed he was an adequate teacher, Bacchus thought to himself with amusement. He had never imagined that such a trait was in his skillset.
Perhaps teaching was another way he could leave a legacy, though he imagined there were students he would be unable to tolerate. Panya, however, seemed to be a delightful pupil.
She had finished off her prey somewhat clumsily but nonetheless, it had gone quickly. She seemed to have taken his words to heart, and even now she looked to the leopard for approval.
"You did good, Panya," He warmly praised her, using her name for emphasis.
"You should eat it before it gets cold or turns to oil," He advised.
A purple gaze contemplated the cub.
"What will you do with your hunger sated?" The leopard inquired. It seemed a shame to Bacchus to part from this creature that so easily listened to him and his advice.
@Panya
Bacchus was puzzled by the mouse leg tossed his way for but a moment before the realization occurred to him. This was the child's idea of a gift. He carefully held back a chuckle, not wishing to offend the cub.
"Thank you, Panya," He warmly encouraged her instead, and then he leaned down to consume the mouse leg in one bite.
The leopard considered Panya's response carefully, purple gaze gleaming with ideas. But, he was briefly distracted from responding as the cub leaning up to sniff him. He chuckled and sniffed near her nose in return.
"And I shall know you, as well."
Her hopeful words were exactly the opportunity he was looking for.
"I am to be a founding member of an organization, a group of several gembounds, that procures what other beings want, whatever that may be. While I myself focus on plants, I imagine there could be a need for hunters as well. If you joined, you could both hunt and have others to socialize with," He suggested, his tail swaying lazily behind him.
"I am certain there are many other skills you may learn as well in such a group, if you are interested?" He added a questioning note to the last part, not wanting to seem as if this not a choice.
Still, he was not opposed to tipping the scales somewhat.
"Personally, I would be delighted to have you join us."
@Panya
The leopard held back his usual rumbling purr from emerging, not wanting to startle the child like he had done before when he had made such a noise. Nevertheless, his purple gaze was bright with his delight.
"Then we shall do that," He agreed, pleased.
"I am glad to have your company, Panya," He sincerely told her.
Bacchus might have been a sadistic individual, but he was as equally social as he was sadistic. He genuinely enjoyed the company of others.
And, the idea of a mind that he could mold from this cub that followed him... That appealed too.
[Exit Bacchus]
@Panya
tagged for visibility