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 you wouldn't walk right in if someone wasn't answering...? What if someone inside was hurt?

[Wait a sec for him to say something rude. Here it comes.]

Maybe you're the kind of person who doesn't care if someone is hurt...?

1/2

[ribbonbon]

[She just stares at her journal for a second, completely flabbergasted.]

2/2

[ribbonbon]

[Boom.]

OF COURSE I CARE! I'm probably, like, way more considerate than you are since I don't go busting into people's apartments! Omigod, like who do you even think you are?! You're like, so TOTALLY rude! Don't even try to pretend you thought Shinji was hurt, either! You probably just wanted to hang out in his apartment or something!

[bamboozler]

T-that's not it at all! I was hibernating for a very long time, so I wanted to see if anyone was home!

[ribbonbon]

Yeah, right! If he had been there you'd probably be bugging him right now and wouldn't have even bothered to let anyone know you were back!

[Sorry, Panda, she still doesn't believe you were hibernating.]

[bamboozler]

Ehhh...it's not bugging, it's not bugging! Shinji-kun and I are friends! I'm even good friends with Pen-Pen-san! I know his favorite coffee.

[ribbonbon]

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you're frie-

Wait, um, who's Pen-Pen? What does he have to do with any of this?

[bamboozler]

Pen-Pen-san! Shinji-kun's mature and sophisticated penguin friend! Have you never met him, Pirouette-chan?

[ribbonbon]

[She grimaces at another flubbing of her name, but tries to ignore it for now. She's trying to story through all this Pen-Pen business.]

N-No, I haven't. Wait, wait, so Pen-Pen is a penguin? Shinji has a pet? I've never seen any penguins around here, though...

[This could be a significant development. She leans just a little closer to the camera, frowning.]

[bamboozler]

Ehh...so you're Shinji-kun's friend, but you haven't even met Pen-Pen-san...

[There's definitely some condescension here...of the "I'm a better friend than you" variety, even.]

[ribbonbon]

[That condescension is coming across loud and clear and she doesn't appreciate it one bit.]

Well, I can't possibly meet all of my friends' friends! After all, I don't go around butting into everyone's lives like a certain panda bear...!

[bamboozler]

You live in the apartment right across from Pen-Pen-san, though, Porroette-chan. Isn't it polite to introduce yourself to the neighbors?

[ribbonbon]

...Are you even trying to get my name, right? And how am I supposed to introduce myself to someone if I don't even know they're around?! Besides, how much would he even care? You said he was Shinji's pet or whatever, right?

[bamboozler]

Ehh...I think there's something wrong with you if you don't even notice that your friend has a pet for such a long time. He's really smart. Pen-Pen-san probably thinks you hate him. I'm sure he's noticed you.

[ribbonbon]

I never noticed because I've never been in Shinji's apartment...Besides, there's no way he thinks I hate him! Why would he if we've never met?!

...But where would Shinji have gotten a pet penguin anyway? I always though penguins live in colder places... You're not just trying to trick me or something, are you?

[bamboozler]

Hmm...if someone thinks you're avoiding them, then it's only natural they think you don't like them, right? I'm sure Pen-Pen-san knows who you are.

[He shakes his head. He's not going to put Pen-Pen on the camera because that would be evidence that Shinji's still here.]

I'm not lying. We drink coffee together sometimes.

[ribbonbon]

[Oddly enough, she's actually starting to buy into this. After all, a panda would be able to understand a penguin and would probably know better what it feels than she would. If there is a penguin.]

Well, fine. Maybe I'll stop by and introduce myself to Pen-Pen on my way back to my own apartment, later. And we'll just see what Pen-Pen thinks, okay?

[bamboozler]

Ehhh...I'm not sure if I want to let you in. We'll see how I feel, okay?

[ribbonbon]

What?! You're the one telling me that I should introduce myself or whatever! Maybe we'll see how I feel the second you step out of that apartment!!

[bamboozler]

Ahhh...don't wait outside for me! That's not fair! You can't use your vacuum in the hallway!

[ribbonbon]

I can't? But I was just thinking that I might clean the hallway. I don't think anyone has done it in a while!

[She has the upper hand for once and she's not letting this opportunity get away. After all, it's okay for her to be a little mean once in a while, right? ...Just a little.]

[bamboozler]

[............

Wait.]

You said you'll stop by on your way back to your apartment, right...?

[Maybe he can steal the vacuum in time...]

[ribbonbon]

...I might.

[She's not sure if she likes that question or not, especially since she can never tell just what's going through his head.]

Maybe...Maybe I'll start heading back there right now.

[bamboozler]

So you're not here right now...?

[It would be so, so easy for him! But more importantly...]

If you're not here right now, you should bring back some bamboo.

[Need for food > revenge]

[ribbonbon]

Why should I?! You could at least say please, you know! I guess I shouldn't be surprised, though. You just got back or...or woke up or whatever and you're just as lazy as you always were.

[Though...If Shinji's really gone like he says...It does make her a little sad. And maybe he's a little bit sad, too.]

But maybe I'll pick up a little bit. If I see any.