6th Episode [Video]

[bamboozler]

[When Panda wakes up, he knows right where he is immediately. He has those same wings that aren’t quite cute enough for a panda. He recognizes where he is, too. He’s not far from the same building he lives in. Yep, everything is normal so far...except it’s a bit hotter than normal. Maybe he accidentally hibernated? That would explain why he’s been dreaming about home for so long! Almost like he’s been back for more than a few months. But that would be silly.

Of course, if he needs food, he has to check his room. And when that’s empty, he head’s to Shinji’s place. It’s also empty. He almost goes into Pilouette's room, but that's just asking for a vacuuming and it's too hot for that. That’s when things go from bad to worse and a panda who doesn’t know he’s been gone addresses the network. For those who know him might recognize that he’s a bit quieter than usual. That won't last long.]

...Shinji-kun is gone. It doesn’t look like he left anything behind.

[Translated: Shinji isn’t home right now. There’s no bamboo at all. Despite the video being on, Panda is fixed on something in the distance instead...]

I'm sure he doesn't want us to be sad, even if he looks like he is all the time. Instead, he probably wants us to talk about me. [The panda sighs dramatically. It's so tough, being comforting...!] It's getting really hot really quickly, isn't it...? That's not good for my fur at all. Eh...it's so much effort to be cute sometimes.

[He looks down at the journal recording him...is he sad? It's hard to tell sometimes, but he sure looks sad. Before he closes it, he makes one last confession.]

I'll be in Shinji's bed if anyone needs me. I don't really feel like walking anywhere, so someone should bring me some bamboo, right?

[And then he shuts the journal and turns to look at Penpen-san, a pretty clear indicator that Shinji isn't back home. They can make their own fun now that Shinji is gone.]

[ooc; forward-dated to a sane time on the 5th!]

Comments

[shinesbrightest]

[Truthfully, Shinji doesn't really expect an answer back, so he's surprised to hear the murmuring voice again. He's even more surprised, though, when the voice seems to be addressing him specifically. The look of surprise on his face only worsens when he suddenly realizes why the voice sounds familiar.]

Grieving...? [He shakes his head, calling out louder this time:] Panda?! Is that you?

[He actually sounds a little annoyed now. What did he do to deserve this?]

[bamboozler]

[Oh. This person knows who it is. Panda rolls on the bed for a second before springing to his feet. He raises both arms above his head in a "yay" stance and nods at Pen-Pen-san. That means to follow him. It's time to investigate this more closely.

He walks to the door where Shinji definitely isn't. Yep. Not Shinji on the other side. Hmm.]

Right, right. Just a second.

[He walks to where he remembers Shinji keeps the paper, pulls out a sheet, and inks his paw. After that, he presses it against the paper and signs his name.]

I'm coming, I'm coming...

[And then he slips the paper under the door. It now reads "To my #1 fan" and "Panda" on it.]

Let's go back to reading car magazines, Pen-Pen-san. Don't you think I'd look cute in a Volkswagen?

[shinesbrightest]

[Shinji starts to feel vaguely relieved knowing that it's just Panda in his apartment. ...of course, he's also kind of annoyed that it's Panda in his apartment, but at least it's not some weird thief or something. He waits impatiently at the door, thinking that it's going to be unlocked...

...but then he sees the paper slide out from underneath the door. He makes a face, but picks it up anyway, and frowns when he realizes he just got Panda's autograph and nothing more.]

Wait, don't go anywhere! Open the door already!

[Pen-Pen, though, ever the good friend, just follows Panda away. It's not that he doesn't feel bad, it's just that... well, he knows Shinji will be fine. And it's not often he gets to hang out with other animal friends!]

[bamboozler]

[Ah...his fan wants him to open his door? He's already so far away from the door and it would be a hassle to turn around and walk back. Hmm...he stops, looks back at the door, then back at Pen-Pen-san.]

I don't think it's a good idea. This fan doesn't sound like a cute girl, does he?

[But, through some twist of fate, Panda walks back to the door and presses his ear against it. Maybe there's a cute girl outside? Does he need to make his autograph again? More importantly...]

Hmm...if you want to come inside, you'll have to bring me some bamboo. [There's a pause. Panda is a good friend.] Pen-Pen-san would also like some cafe mocha as we grieve. Hey, have you heard? Shinji-kun's back home in his world.

[shinesbrightest]

[He's about to argue that it's completely ridiculous for him to have to bring bamboo and coffee back for Panda when he's just locked him out of his own apartment, but then he hears the last part and he's feeling genuinely confused.]

...what? What are you talking about, Panda? I'm right here.

[bamboozler]

Ehhh...you're not going to trick me. Shinji-kun isn't here anymore. I already told everyone. The places where I hide bamboo are all empty, and that means he's left.

[It makes perfect sense to him!! He slides away from the door and kind of stares at it since he has a feeling that the conversation isn't quite over yet. His stomach also rumbles and he lets out a sigh...how long can this possibly go on?]

[shinesbrightest]

I'm not trying to trick you! And of course there's no bamboo here, you were gone! What was I supposed to do with all of it?

[He latches onto the implied accusations and tries to explain his position, frustrated about still being locked out of his apartment. (And, as a result, doesn't quite catch the part about how Panda told everyone he was gone already.) When it's clear that Panda isn't doing anything, Shinji knocks hard on the door.]

Come on already! What did I ever do to you, Panda?

[bamboozler]

Ehhh...I wasn't gone. I was hibernating. [Or so he thinks.] You should've saved it for me, Shinji-kun.

[Since Shinji sounds frustrated (and only because of that), Panda finally unlocks the door. He still takes a second to do so, but yep. That's Shinji's voice. Maybe he was hibernating, too? A normal person would realize that they've made a mistake, but Panda's too unconcerned to bother correction or mentioning his journal communications. He said it once, why repeat it?]

Ahh...! It really is you, Shinji-kun! You're still here!

[shinesbrightest]

[When the door finally opens, all Shinji can do is sigh. It's about time! Having to stake out or break into his own apartment were not things he really wanted to have to do today.]

Of course I'm still here. Wasn't it obvious? All my stuff is still here. Pen-Pen is still here.

[bamboozler]

But the bamboo wasn't here...and I was going to live here with Pen-Pen-san...

[It's more of a mumble under his breath as he moves out of the way of the doorway for Shinji. He hangs his head a little.]

I was really worried you were really gone...I don't want one of my friends to leave without saying goodbye again.

[shinesbrightest]

[Shinji walks into the apartment when Panda finally moves aside, holding the autograph in one hand and a bag in the other. He probably should've just left it in the kitchen when he realized he was locked out, but it's too late for that now. He just had to do some shopping today...

The last part of what Panda says, though, surprises him a little.]

You were really worried?

[Panda? Worried?]

[bamboozler]

Mm. This is the first place I came when I woke up outside. I must've sleepwalked out of my room, Shinji-kun. You should've taken better care of me.

[He still doesn't believe he's been gone...how could he? He actually barely maybe likes one or two people here, and going back and forth is impossible for a panda like him. It's easier to come up with and accept a far-fetched theory than to look at what's easiest.]

Ah, but now Pen-Pen-san and I can't live together...you can go on vacation for a while if you want. I'll live here and take care of Pen-Pen-san.

[shinesbrightest]

[For a second there, Shinji actually felt kind of bad for not being there when Panda showed up, even though there was no way he could have known he was coming. ...but then it sounds like he's trying to get rid of him, and he changes his mind about feeling bad.]

I couldn't go on vacation even if I wanted to. There's nowhere to go here. [...he doesn't know why he's telling him, he should know that already!] Besides, Pen-Pen can take care of himself. Probably better than you can.

[bamboozler]

[It's not that Panda wants to get rid of Shinji because he doesn't like Shinji! It's because he likes Pen-Pen more. There's a big difference!]

So...does that mean you're staying here with Pen-Pen-san? [He nods, then speaks in a quieter voice.] That's a very nice thing to say to Pen-Pen-san, but I have a part-time job. You probably shouldn't get his hopes up like that.

[shinesbrightest]

Maybe you should say that a little louder so he can hear it. [Shinji says this with a frown. ...Pen-Pen probably doesn't even care, though. He doesn't look like he's paying attention.] But yeah, it's just the two of us now.

[bamboozler]

Aaah, Shinji-kun, Shinji-kun...! You don't have to be so shy. [He tries to wave Pen-Pen over, then places both paws on his cheeks.] If you want it to be three of us, I'm okay with that, too! I'll move in right away.

[shinesbrightest]

Wh-what? I never said that!

[He shouldn't be surprised that Panda is already making assumptions but it is frustrating all the same.]

[bamboozler]

You don't have to, Shinji-kun! It's written all over your face. I'll move in right away, okay? That way, Pen-Pen-san and I will have someone to talk to when we're bored.

[He looks over at the penguin.]

Isn't that a great idea, Pen-Pen-san?

[shinesbrightest]

[Pen-Pen seems pretty indifferent, unfortunately. But that's just the way he usually is.

Shinji, on the other hand, feels like he could die. This is so not cool, he better not be serious!]

It's a horrible idea!

[bamboozler]

It's a great idea, Shinji-kun! Pen-Pen-san even agrees, see?

[Indifferent, Inschmifferent.

But that raises an interesting question. For once in his life, Panda tries to have a little tact...as in, he uses an appropriate tone for a change.]

Shinji-kun, where's Misato-san?

[shinesbrightest]

[...oh. That's right. Panda was still here when Misato was. Fortunately, he's mostly over that now, so he doesn't seem distraught at all when he answers.]

She left a while ago. [Months ago now, wow. It was hard to believe... But he wasn't going to talk about it with Panda.] It's just me and Pen-Pen now.

[And that's it!]

[bamboozler]

[Oh...he had a feeling that was it. He'd almost forgotten about here, but sitting here and talking like this...it reminds him that something's missing. Almost like Full-Time Panda-san...]

Did she say goodbye?

[shinesbrightest]

[The question actually catches him off-guard. He was over it, Panda!! But now he's thinking about her letter and the things she said and... Ugh.]

O-of course she did. [...he's probably going to regret this, but he reaches into his shirt and pulls out the white cross necklace that Misato always wore.] And she left this for me, see?

[bamboozler]

Ahh...that's so pretty, Shinji-kun! [He steps closer so he can see it more clearly, then takes a step back.] Shinji-kun, Shinji-kun...! I learned something while I was hibernating.

[shinesbrightest]

[Shinji holds it out so he can see it, but he makes a face at what Panda says next. He's expecting him to ruin the moment.]

How do you learn something while you're hibernating?