Demon Panther Shadow

Shadow is a quadrupedal demonic panther with a black body and red eyes. While technically genderless it's often referred to as a she.

Shadow can alter her body in any way, to create additional appendages of any kind, grow or shrink any part of herself, become a shadowy puddle, etc.. When in her default panther form she appears to have short fur. and always walks on all fours. Her mouth has sharp teeth, a pink tongue, and she can salivate like a real panther would.

Shadow is a manifestation of V's will, and will always attempt to fulfill his needs and desires to the best of her ability as well as protect him from harm. She will follow his commands without question even to her own detriment. She can briefly take on V's visual appearance if he commands her to but she cannot stay in this form for very long.

As a manifestation, Shadow cannot die. If she takes too much damage she will lose her panther from and become a glowing orb about the size of a dinner plate until she has recovered enough energy to retake her panther form. She cannot speak any human language and verbally communicates entirely through growls, roars, and chuffs. She can use simple body language to aid in conveying what she wants to communicate.

When she is bored she will display catlike behaviors up to and including enjoying knocking things off of shelves.

Shadow stands guard over V's sleeping friend as V goes to find Nero. While V would never let his feelings of affection show, she has no obligation to follow that example. And maybe she can alleviate some of V's desperate longing if she shows them the affection V so dearly wishes he could display.