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

[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?

[bamboozler]

It was in a dream, of course! Do you want to hear it or not?

[shinesbrightest]

[Well, he guesses that could make sense. He holds back a sigh as he asks:]

Alright, Panda. What did you learn?

1/2

[bamboozler]

[He looks away, over at the door that leads to Misato's room.]

Even when someone you care about is gone, you can't give up. You have to work even harder, so that when they come back, you can greet them with a smile.

[bamboozler]

[He looks back at Shinji. He actually means it, too. He spent eight days in a row working by himself, even in the rain...]

I'll work extra hard to take care of you, Shinji-kun!

[shinesbrightest]

[...did Panda just... say something meaningful? Shinji blinks at him in surprise. That wasn't what he expected at all.

Though, just as he figured, Panda does totally ruin the moment eventually. So he responds to that first, because it's the easiest.]

I-I don't need to be taken care of. But, uh... Thanks. I guess. I'll... try.

[bamboozler]

[He's matured a little in the time he's been gone...he's seen a lot of things, and he's learned to work a little harder.

Even if it doesn't show all the time.]

Someone moved all of the stuff out of my apartment, so I have to find new things...but when I do, I'll come and pick my room, okay? I'll take the one that hasn't been used before.

[shinesbrightest]

[Jeez... How can he say no now? He would actually legitimately feel bad if he kept protesting.

This could actually be emotional blackmail if he thought that Panda was capable of it! But he doesn't think Panda would go that far.

...he sighs.]

Alright. It's all yours, Panda.

[bamboozler]

[Well, it was already his in his own panda bear mind...]

Ah, it's going to be so much fun...! Just the three of us! I'll have to go and get ready. Do you need anything from the stores, Shinji-kun? Maybe...orange juice?

[shinesbrightest]

N-no, I'm fine. [He shakes his head.] You don't have to worry about me. Just worry about yourself.