fox x panda

@♡ blinded_pandaᵐ she emitted a tinkering giggle, the sound softening into her palms. the metaphor 'emotional rollercoaster' was ubiquitous, but it was comical, only because it came from panda. currently, his profile picture in the show's group chat was the cartoon panda from a show called 'we bare bears'. as soon as she had seen the picture of the panda, it had served as a nice sense of familiarity, as she too enjoyed the bear characters and the show itself. she even had a diverse collection of wbb merch, but that was secret she would keep to herself. she was in constant denial, refusing to see herself as a hoarder of 'cute' items.

in one episode she had watched, the bears had gone to the amusement park. they had then decided to go on the water log slide. in the beginning, on the ascend uphill, the bears had been excited, brimming with joy, but as soon as the ride had revealed that the drop to the slide had only been a foot high and long, the bears had instantly deadpanned to being unimpressed. hence, when panda used the said terms to explain her paradoxical emotions, it reminded her of the memory.

she continued to smile joyously, listening intently to him. when he posed the thought they'd be unstoppable with john williams or hans zimmer playing in the background, her lips couldn't help but grow into a wider smile. she had been worried, anxious that she couldn't think of a fitting piece or song, but as he narrated and told her to imagine, she could see it. a glimpse, beyond the pod, a guy in a panda bear suit, and everything that he stood for, and all that he had to offer.

"you're a good s-story teller..." she hesitantly told him. her shoulders involuntarily hunched up again, feeling shy and embarrassed for the umpteenth time. she wanted to tell him more; let him know that she probably had way more charming points than she did, that he was the prince charming type, and that he would never be cast as the second lead. second lead tropes were more prominent in k-dramas, not in romcoms. all the things she wanted to tell him, but didn't—it was better unsaid, to be safe, rather than sorry.

"maybe we s-should just choose katy perry's hot 'n cold for everything... a-action and r-romcom, because we're both emotional rollercoasters..." she teased, becoming the solo audience to her own joke. "... i don't think we'd be that bad." she hummed in thought again, crossing her arms across her chest. she crossed her leg as well, collapsing one over the other. it truly was difficult picking the perfect soundtrack. in her honest musical opinion, it was lucrative, just how much a carefully selected soundtrack magnified and elevated the cinematography. however, that wasn't the sole reason she wanted to be careful about her song selections. she wanted it to be perfect, or as close as possible, because she wanted to choose songs that panda would either know of, or would enjoy listening to.

she finally had somewhat of answer—at least, for the action version of their hypothetical rendition. "if you want some cheese, i'd honestly pick the mission impossible theme song—buuut, the dead reckoning version! it's more epic." she then told him about her other option for consideration. "if you um wanted less ch-cheese—something um a bit more intense and u-unconventional—i'd er choose g.o.t.t... 'goosebumps on the track', by simon d and other featuring artists. p-purely m-more for the beats and actual m-music, not so much the l-lyrics..." she quietly elaborated, her voice fading away meekly, well aware of the song's suggestive language. she should have just stayed in her lane—with classical music; her genre and expertise.

it all still came back to the one remaining song she had yet to select; the one for the romcom. her crossed arms regressed into a tight brace for herself. "i think you deserve to be in o-one... i'm too a-awkward..." the notion to tell him that she'd see him in a prince charming role visited her mind once more. she parted her lips open, wanting to speak it to fruition. "i don't see you as second lead." she settled on the statement, deciding it got her view across, without her overstepping.

she frowned, frustrated that she still couldn't think of a song. "i don't feel pressured, thanks to you—" she paused, thinking it over one more time—whether she should say more, or not. she chose the latter, going through with it. her perfectionist ambition got the better of her. "it's just... i w-want it to be perfect. or as close as i can be... to perfection." she slowly said, feeling strange, as the last part oddly felt like she was reading aloud one of her deepest insecurities.

"help~ you said you like listening to jazz, rock and pop... c-can you give me a few artists you like? p-pretty please... just so i can get a feel for what you'd like—would fit us! i mean—our movie! hypothetical—hypothetical movie!" she panicked, her voice rising in pitch. the more she tried to explain herself, the more trouble she seemed to be sinking herself into. "c-collaboration! yes, a collaboration! a feel for what would best match this collab!" she quickly summed up, frantic.

@♡ blinded_foxᶠ even without seeing her, he could feel the vulnerability and sincerity in her voice. he leaned back into his chair, sinking into the comfy and cozy feeling of the seat and the mere conversation he was sharing with fox, and let out a soft chuckle. her openness and honesty touched him deeply, and he felt a strong desire to comfort her, to let her know she wasn’t alone. "hey, if being a two-faced emotional rollercoaster makes you human, then i'm right there with you," he said reassuringly. "besides, i think it takes a special kind of talent to laugh and cry at the same time. you should add that to your resume."

he could hear her shifting on the other side, and he imagined her wiping away her tears. her compliment about his laugh made him smile even more. it was a rare moment of vulnerability on his part too, revealing a bit of his own insecurities. "well, thank you. i guess we both have our charming moments," he said playfully. "and hey, being comfier than a couch is probably the highest compliment i've ever received." he leaned forward slightly, his mind racing with thoughts of how best to keep the conversation light and engaging. her struggle to choose a song made him chuckle again. he pictured her sitting there, brow furrowed in concentration, and he couldn't help but feel a wave of affection for her. her dedication to making the right choice was endearing, and he wanted to ease her tension.

"i get it, picking the perfect soundtrack is serious business," he said, leaning forward slightly. "but who says we have to stick to sappy romcoms? i mean, come on, can you imagine our lives scored by john williams or hans zimmer? we'd be unstoppable." he could feel her apprehension, her hesitation to choose something too personal or revealing. he understood that she was afraid of being judged, and he wanted to alleviate that fear. he wanted her to know that he appreciated every bit of her passion and enthusiasm.

"okay, how about this," he suggested, a playful lilt in his voice. "imagine we're in a cool action movie. the scene is us, running through the streets, dodging explosions and narrowly escaping danger. what song would be playing in the background? and don't worry about it being too cheesy. after all, the best action movies always have a bit of cheese." he thought about the thrill of an action scene, the adrenaline, the excitement. he wanted her to feel that same exhilaration, to let her mind wander and escape from her worries, even if just for a moment.

he let the silence linger for a moment, waiting for her response. "unless you wanna continue thinking of a sappy romcom, because hey, don't you think we deserve to be in one?" it was inevitable really, his need to in hopes of keeping everything lighthearted and at ease. he only hopes it was working. "unless you see me as the equally stunning but wont-get-the-girl second lead of course, then maybe I'm deserving of a sadder track, hmm." with that, he let out an exaggerated sigh, shoulders slumped as if she could actually see his little act.

"and hey, no pressure. whatever you pick, i'm sure it'll be perfect. because it's coming from you," he added softly, hoping his words would reassure her and keep the conversation light and fun. he wanted her to feel comfortable, to know that she could be herself without fear of judgment. as he waited for her to respond, he found himself genuinely curious about her choice. he realized that this conversation, this connection they were building, was becoming something special to him.

@♡ blinded_pandaᵐ initially, before they had started conversing, she had been anxious that panda would judge her for being an awkward, barely sociable wreck. now, she was scared—fearful that she had exposed too much, too soon. she didn't want to scare panda off. she genuinely liked his presence and company. she wanted to get to know him more. she wanted to know about his musical passions; the artists he liked, the songs that spoke to him. she was hoping, in the slightest chance, that he'd stay—let her continue talking to him, for a while longer.

she expected silence, or a closing statement—a polite farewell that would wrap up their time together. but he said neither. instead, panda reassured her. just like his persona, his words were kind, warm and thoughtful. they wrapped around her shaking heart, their empathy enveloping her—soothing her. it was the perfect coalescence of warmth, support and humor. even with her being such an emotional mess, he was still trying to provide comic relief. she wiped at her tears with the pads of fingers, partially still crying, while let out a shaky chuckle. the thought of the other being an avid justin bieber fan was too funny not to.

"s-stop~" she protested, her lips jutting out into a pout. "you're gonna make me l-look like i'm t-two faced—suddenly crying and then laughing l-like this... i didn't think i'd c-cry so early on either..." she laughed, before finishing her sentence with a sniffle, finally managing to settle. a short, but comfortable silence then took place between them. it was like a fermata—a short musical pause, a longer hold on the final note, just before it completely faded away. the sound lingered just long enough, before it picked up again, transitioning into another bar.

"you're super c-comfy..." she whispered back, unable to say more. "c-comfier than this couch..." she then smiled contently, hearing the sound of his laugh. "you have a nice laugh." she complimented, only to have her cheeks flush in shyness again, realizing what she had just said. "er—back to sappy romantic comedy movie soundtracks..." she sheepishly stated, trailing off.

leaning back and sinking herself more into the couch, she imagined as if panda were sitting next to her, to gain some inspiration. however, she immediately shook her head vigorously, feeling herself growing shy again at the thought. squeezing her eyes shut, she tapped at her cheeks with the palms of her cheeks, reminding herself to concentrate on picking a song. "this is a difficult q-question..." she stammered, her eyes still closed. her mind was a jumble of rushing thoughts. she didn't want to pick something too heavy on the romance, worried that panda might take it or see her in the wrong way. the song couldn't be too sad or depressing either, they deflected with humor. "it can't be something cheesy... because that would just be too lame..." she murmured. "can't be too happy either..." she opened her eyes again, pouting. "does it have to be sappy romcom movie? why can't we be in a cool action or sci-fi movie~ i'm much better at choosing soundtracks for t-those..."

@♡ blinded_foxᶠ he listened intently, his warm smile never fading as she spoke. even through the walls of the pod, their shared love for music created a palpable connection between them. he leaned back into the plush cushions, feeling the fabric mold to his body, and closed his eyes for a moment, fully absorbing the nuances of her voice. "it's really refreshing to talk about music like this," he said gently, sensing her nervousness. his fingers traced the outline of the cushion beside him, grounding himself in the present. "not many people appreciate classical music as much as you do, and it's a joy to hear you speak about it with so much love."

when she mentioned her mutual love for the two movies, he chuckled softly, his mind replaying iconic scenes from both films. "hans zimmer's work is just... transcendent," he added, his voice trailing off as if he were momentarily lost in the memories of those soundtracks.

it was clear to him how timid she was, judging by how soft spoken and almost fragile she sounded. "you don't need to thank me. recognising how much classical music means to you isn't hard when you speak about it with such passion. it speaks volumes about who you are." he hoped his words would wrap around her like a warm blanket, offering comfort and reassurance. alas, he could sense her vulnerability, even without seeing her. "hey, it's okay to feel nervous," he said softly, leaning forward slightly. "we all have our moments. if you ever need to ramble on about anything, i'm here to listen." he wanted her to feel his genuine interest and care through his words.

when her voice began to tremble and her words faltered, he leaned forward, his voice filled with empathy. "it's alright," he said gently, his own throat tightening in response to her raw emotion. "emotions have a way of catching us off guard sometimes. you don't sound like an off-key goat at all. more like a charming, slightly nervous, but very endearing kitten." he chuckled softly, hoping to lighten the mood and make her smile through her tears. “didn’t think i would be making a girl cry this early,” he managed to joke yet again (clearly humour is his defence mechanism).

listening to her story about the wedding and the song, he nodded understandingly, his own memories of poignant moments surfacing. "i can see why 'lifetime' holds such a special place in your heart. it's not cheesy at all. those moments, even the hard ones, shape who we are." he could picture her standing at the wedding, guitar in hand, her heart both full and breaking, and felt a deep empathy for her experience.

when she apologised, he shook his head, his tone reassuring. "you don't need to apologise. i'm glad you felt comfortable enough to share that with me." he hoped his words would lift some of the weight off her shoulders. “might i add, i’m a hugeeee belieber,” it was exaggerated, maybe, but the sheepish grin that accompanied his words was just another hopeful attempt at making her feel at ease.

he paused, giving her a moment to collect herself, listening to the faint sounds of her breathing as she steadied herself. "if you ever need to talk more about it, or anything else, i'm here. sometimes sharing with someone new can be easier, and i'm more than happy to be that person for you." he leaned back, feeling the cushions envelop him once more, a soft smile on his face as he awaited her response. "and if you ever need to ramble on about music or anything else, i'll be your enthusiastic audience. just, you know, try not to make me cry too," he added with a playful laugh.

he let the silence linger for a moment before speaking again, playfully curious as he questions. "so, tell me foxy, if you and i were in a sappy romantic comedy, what song would be the soundtrack to our movie?"

@♡ blinded_pandaᵐ as she continued to listen to him, she did not once stop smiling so keenly. it was clear, even through the walls of the pod, that their views of music were similar, if not the same. outside of her coworkers, in reality, she would never be having such a conversation regarding just music. many people would have entertained her love for it for some time, but after awhile, they would deviate to another subject of interest. furthermore, not many—if any, would encourage her to rave on about her love for classical music.

"right!" she said in utter accordance, nodding in fondness. she accepted their comfortable silence, before starting to speak again. "r-right again..." she continued with a falter, talking in a softer volume. "i l-love both lion king and inception..." it's all she managed to let out, too flustered and flattered with the generosity of panda's compliments and encouragement. even without a mirror, she knew she was already blushing. taking her hands out from the insides of her sleeves, she fanned at herself, trying to dissipate the rosy hue from her face.

feeling a bit cooler and less light-headed, she spoke. "t-thank you, truly... classical music isn't the most popular of genres with most people, but you recognizing how much it means to me... s-speaks volumes." she abruptly paused, before facepalming herself again. she made another unintentional bad pun. this time, she wouldn't address it, in hopes that panda didn't pick up on it.

she picked up the cushion, and put it in front of her face, blocking the camera from capturing her moment of humiliation. after a few seconds of reflecting in regret, she hugged the cushion to her body. the furniture's accessory covered the lower half of her face, her eyes only visible, peering out from the top of the cushion.

"hmm..." she hummed in thought, tucking her chin, over the top edge of the cushion. she had moved it slightly away from , in fear that the audio director wouldn't be able to pick up on her voice properly. a look flashed over her eyes—a glance of reminisce—an epiphany. it was bright, but then it dimmed instantly—disappearing as fast as it came. a look of sadness and hurt glossed over her brown orbs instead.

she forced herself to smile, but her lips trembled, threatening to break out into a soft sob. "i-it's c-cheesy but..." she stops again, because she's clenching her jaw tight, pressing her lips firmly together against each other—as hard as she can muster. she was angry, furious at herself. just why was she even crying? out of all the times, why now? it had been a long period of normalcy—

her tears fell, a single drop streaming from her left eye first, before they all bombarded down, pouring from both of her eyes, down her cheeks. she knew why. but she didn't want to admit it. she was choosing to be blind to it. swallowing her emotions, she made her lips smile harder, more widely. "s-sorry... i got n-nervous a-again..." she finally stated, her voice obviously uneven. "i probably sound l-like an off-key g-goat, don't i..." she joked, trying to make light of the entire regressing situation.

"it's justin bieber's 'lifetime'... i was a bridesmaid to a friend's wedding, it was the song to their first dance. it was a beautiful celebration... i played the guitar for it, while another friend sang the lyrics—" she took another shaky deep breath, forcing herself to continue. she needed to be honest, and maybe it was best with someone she hardly knew. someone who didn't know her enough yet, someone who still would hopefully, have the benefit of doubt with her.

"it was one of the best moments... but also one of the hardest. not because i wasn't happy for the bride and groom or a-anything!" she clarified. "but because, it was then i r-realized that someone i thought would be my 'lifetime' wasn't going to be—" she interjected midway, because she feels terrified again. "i'm so s-sorry. i a-apologize... i shouldn't have—this isn't a conversation that we should be having. i don't know what came over m-me..."

@♡ blinded_foxᶠ he listened intently, a warm smile spreading across his face as he sensed her excitement. even through the nerves, her passion for music shone brightly, making him feel a deep connection. he leaned back into the plush cushions, fully immersed in their conversation. "looney tunes and bambi, absolutely," he said with a chuckle. "the music in those cartoons is incredible. it's like the soundtrack becomes a character in its own right."

her stifled giggle made him smile even wider. "and of course i know suite no. 1. those opening notes are unforgettable. it's like the music wraps around you and pulls you into another world." when she mentioned hans zimmer, he couldn't help but laugh lightly at her enthusiasm, almost fond of her evident passion for music. "hans zimmer is amazing. his work on movies like 'inception' and 'the lion king' is just breathtaking! don't worry about getting carried away—it's great to hear you so passionate. it shows how much music means to you."

he leaned back again, feeling the cushions envelop him, a grin spreading across his face. "as for me, i have pretty eclectic tastes. i love a bit of everything—rock, jazz, some pop. i'm a big fan of movie soundtracks too. they have a way of making moments feel epic. but classical music... it has a grounding effect, doesn't it? almost like it brings a sense of peace and reflection." he paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. he could sense her nervousness, but also her eagerness to connect, almost mirroring his very own emotions. "i can tell how much music means to you, and that's really special. it's like you said, music is a universal language. it speaks to our souls in ways words sometimes can't."

he shifted slightly, the cushions rustling beneath him. he wanted to keep the mood light, to make her feel at ease. "so, tell me," he said with a playful tone, "what’s a piece of music or a song that’s really special to you? one that brings up memories or emotions every time you hear it?" he grinned and added, "and if you ever need to ramble on about music or anything else, i'm all ears. i love hearing what makes people tick—unless it's off-key!"

as he waited for her response, he felt a comforting sense of anticipation. the darkness of the pod seemed to melt away, replaced by the growing bond between them.

@♡ blinded_pandaᵐ throughout the show, she tried to take comfort in the notion of anonymity. behind a wall, she believed she would feel safer—nobody could see her and vice versa. yet, the wall works to her disadvantage in some ways. ironically, she feels more vulnerable—self-conscious and insecure. panda would not be able to have any preconceived thoughts about her based on her looks, but he would be able to judge her, on how their conversation would progress. the sentiment constantly ruminates in her mind, often withholding her from fully indulging. however, the music speaks to her—the harmony she hears, it's familiar to her, despite it being her very first listen.

"t-thank you." she barely says aloud, the statement of gratitude sounding more like a whisper. she shrugs her shoulders up, and tucks her chin into the cushion within her embrace as if she were going to curl or sink into the fabric herself. his remarks on her tattoo make her warm and fuzzy. the feelings converge into elation, as he talks about his philosophy on music. her head perks up in interest and her eyes light up brightly, beaming with joy.

she sits up, her back against the couch, her feet back to touching the floor. out of happiness, she swings her legs back and forth a few times, like a metronome. she's excited to hear that someone else is just as passionate about music as she is. amazed by his words, she nods eagerly, her mind forgetting the fact that he couldn't see her reactions.

"precisely." she simply states in great enthusiasm, thinking against herself at the last second from starting a passionate speech to every single one of his comments. she couldn't have said it any better than the way he had. "have you ever watched looney tunes? or bambi? i found the music in cartoons and movies such as those were always astounding." she then brings a hand up to , to cover up and stifle her escaping giggle. "i can't believe you actually know suite no. 1... most people recognize it by hearing it, but not usually by name."

feeling more than comfortable and engulfed in the discussions of her element, she doesn't hesitate to answer, when asked about her favorite composer. "hans zimmer!" she blurts out, her voice being the loudest its ever been, for the entire duration of the show. "s-sorry... i just really really love him as a musician ..." she says delicately, immediately hushing her voice. "i apologize, i think i'm getting carried away... we don't have to keep talking about classical music, as i know it's not your forte—i m-mean your interest—" she stops abruptly, feeling terrible about the unintentional pun. her mind is overwhelmed with both nervousness and anticipation—so much, that she could even feel her vocal cords tremble. "w-what um m-music do y-you l-like?" she quickly stammers out. her palms sweaty, she unclasps them, before pulling up the sleeves of her sweater over her hands. covering them, she makes a fist, balling up the ends of the sleeves to a close, drying her perspiring hands.

@♡ blinded_foxᶠ he sat on the other side of the pod, his heart beating a bit faster at the sound of her voice. he took a moment to visualize her, imagining her sitting comfortably, perhaps nervously fidgeting with her hands. there was a comforting warmth in her voice, despite the clear nervousness. he adjusted himself in his seat, taking a deep breath to calm his own jitters. the enclosed space of the pod felt intimate, almost like a confessional booth, where honesty was the only option.

"that's beautiful," he said, his voice steady and warm. "a treble clef and a daylily... it's poetic. i can tell music is a huge part of who you are. it’s great to meet someone so passionate." he leaned back, feeling the plush cushions of the pod against his back. he had always found it easier to talk when he could focus on a single point, so he stared at the wall in front of him, as if he could see her through it. he reminded himself that this was about connection, not perfection. he felt a strange mix of excitement and vulnerability, knowing that they were both laying their hearts bare in this unusual setting.

"you know, i've always found classical music fascinating," he continued, trying to find common ground. "it's like a time machine, you know? you can hear the emotions and thoughts of someone who lived centuries ago. it's incredible how a piece written so long ago can still resonate today. plus, there's a sense of mystery—like decoding a secret language." he chuckled softly, hoping to lighten the mood. "and, of course, there's the fun side of it. have you ever seen those cartoons where classical music is used to depict everything from a dramatic chase scene to a romantic moment? it's amazing how versatile it is. it makes me think of how adaptable and timeless it can be."

he paused, letting the thought settle in the pod. he imagined her on the other side, perhaps smiling, maybe relaxing a bit more. he wanted to make her feel comfortable, to let her know that he was genuinely interested in getting to know her. the silence between them felt charged, not awkward, as if they were both holding their breath, waiting for the next revelation.

"i'm a bit of a music fan myself," he said, shifting slightly to get more comfortable. "though i can't say i know much about classical music. i admire how it seems to tell a story without words. it's like a universal language, isn't it?"

"so, when you play or listen to music, do you feel like you're connecting with those old composers, like having a conversation across time?" he smiled, thinking of her earlier words. "and bach's cello suite no. 1 in g major—what a piece to choose. those opening notes are iconic. it's like being part of a very long, ongoing story."

as he waited for her response, he thought about how these pods were designed to strip away the superficial and focus on the essence of a person. he was curious, eager to peel back the layers and discover more about her.

"by the way," he asked gently, leaning forward slightly as if to bridge the gap between them, "what other pieces or composers do you love? do you have a favorite?" he hoped this question would open another door, inviting her to share more of her world with him.

@♡ blinded_pandaᵐ she was already in the pod, anxiously awaiting for his arrival. in preparation, she had come early, deciding to take some time to get used to the pod space. she still felt like she hadn't fully settled in yet—needed to adjust and adapt, but most of all, engage more. ever since she had set foot into the studio, the most she's talked to was not who—but a what; the camera. somehow, the future viewers and the production team already knew more about her than her fellow contestants. however, perhaps, starting with panda, she could slowly start to introduce herself.

she was furiously writing, her pen flowing freely across the already filled page, when she heard him enter. she froze, mentally startled. she was in distress, as she wasn't done her list of 21 questions (conversation prompts). she felt dependent on the completion of the list, but now that it wasn't done, she felt off-guard—frazzled. internally, she scolded herself for drinking that single glass of champagne last night. the beverage was probably the reason she had woken up an hour later than her planned alarm, hence leading to this moment—unfinished work. just how was she now going to keep up a conversation with someone she didn't know a single thing about? she had no script to go off, no task list or sheet music to follow. she felt doomed, and apologetic, that panda would pretty much be talking to a malfunctioning wall of a personality.

she listened; hearing him ask about a hypothetical tattoo, followed by the explanation of his own—a compass, should he get one. she agreed his reasoning is a bit cliche like he's said, but nonetheless, she still appreciated it—especially at the fact that it's an ode to himself and his qualities. panda's voice was calm—the pacing of his speech andante in tempo, the natural timbre of his voice rich, sweet, but smooth—like cutting through the layers of her favorite tiramisu cake. if she had to classify the musicality of his voice, she'd definitely put him in the with the woodwind instruments.

with a deep breath, she started off with a timid greeting. "h-hi." she said bashfully, curling up into a ball on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest. "yes, i'm fox ... nice to meet you, p-panda." she paused, trying to drown out the sound of her nerves—her heartbeat pounding against the temples of chest and ribcage. ignoring their tenacity, she continued to speak. closing her eyes, she only concentrated on what she wanted to tell the other. "i think that'd be a very nice tattoo ... i also agree with you on something small, detailed and with meaning. i think i'd get a very minimalist tattoo of a treble clef wrapped around the stem and flower of a daylily, followed by the first musical notes of bach's cello suite no. 1 in G major."

realizing that she was probably exhibiting too much of her classical nerd side, she added in an uneasy, sheepish chuckle. "sorry, as you c-can probably tell ... music means a lot to m-me."

@♡ blinded_foxᶠ he took a deep breath as he stood outside the door to the pods. he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling inside him. he adjusted his shirt, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped into the pod.

the room was softly lit, with a cozy, intimate atmosphere that made him feel a bit more at ease. he took a seat on the plush couch, letting out a small sigh to calm himself, and leaned slightly forward, trying to project a relaxed vibe. “hey there," he cleared his throat, aiming for a warm and friendly tone. "i'm panda. and you must be... fox?"

he chuckled softly, he could never not be amused at the concepts of animal representation that they had. his eyes catch the neatly written prompt on a card placed on the coffee table, and he hummed out in thought as his gaze flickers over the words carefully. "so, if you were to get a tattoo, what would it say or what would the graphic be?" leaning back, he awaited her response, genuinely curious about what she might say.

after a moment of silence, he nodded to himself, deciding to share his own thoughts. "for me, i've always thought about getting a tattoo of a small, intricate compass. it might sound a bit cliché, but it's about finding direction and staying true to myself. plus, it’s a nod to my love for adventure and trying new things." he paused, then added with a playful tone, "also, it would be handy in case I ever get lost. just kidding... mostly."

feeling more relaxed, he continued, "i think a small, detailed design would suit me best. nothing too flashy, just something that has a lot of personal meaning." he leaned back, feeling a bit more confident and eager to hear her thoughts on the subject.