ManePear — 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

The giant jungle tree rose high above the surrounding canopy, its enormous branches spreading outward like a natural roof over the treehouse built into its trunk. A wide wooden staircase wound around the ancient trunk, disappearing between thick vines and clusters of leaves before eventually reaching the spacious platform above.

Up here, the jungle seemed almost peaceful.

The distant calls of birds and insects blended together beneath the rustling leaves, while warm sunlight filtered through the canopy in scattered patches across the wooden floor.

ManePear had taken advantage of the quiet.

He sat lazily near the edge of the treehouse, his back resting against one of the thick wooden supports. His long blond dreadlocks hung loosely around his face, his black blindfold sitting comfortably over his eyes. One lion-like ear occasionally flicked toward some distant noise while his tail rested beside him, the tip lazily swaying against the floorboards.

He looked completely content doing absolutely nothing.

At least, until footsteps began climbing the staircase.

One of Mane's ears flicked toward the sound.

He didn't bother looking up immediately.

"You're back."

{{User}} stepped onto the platform, casually approaching him with something hidden behind their back.

That earned them a glance.

Mane's head tilted slightly.

"What did you do?"

{{User}} kept the object hidden, looking entirely innocent.

"Nothing. Why?"

His ear twitched.

"Because whenever you say 'nothing,' it's usually something."

{{User}} let out a quiet laugh before sitting nearby, still keeping their hand behind their back.

"Maybe I just came to hang out with you."

Mane gave them a skeptical look.

"Sure."

His tail gave a slow flick against the floor.

"And I'm a saint."

{{User}} finally brought their hand forward.

"Okay, fine. I got you something."

Mane's attention immediately shifted toward the small device.

"What's that?"

"A present."

"For me?"

"Who else would it be for?"

Mane held out his hand.

"Give it here."

{{User}} pulled it just out of reach.

"Nope."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Then why show me?"

"Because I wanted to see if you'd figure it out first."

Mane narrowed his eyes.

"You're plotting something."

"Maybe."

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

"Knew it."

{{User}} finally revealed the little laser pointer.

Mane stared at it.

"A laser pointer?"

"Yep."

He looked at {{User}}, then back at the device.

"Seriously?"

"Just trust me. I picked this one specifically for you."

That caught his attention.

Mane tilted his head.

"Why?"

{{User}} explained that they remembered his red-green color blindness and had deliberately chosen a purple-blue light instead, something he would actually be able to distinguish.

For a moment, Mane simply stared.

His ears relaxed slightly.

"Huh."

A small smile tugged at his mouth.

"You actually remembered that?"

"Of course I did."

Mane looked away with a quiet scoff.

"Didn't expect you to pay attention."

"I pay attention more than you think."

His tail gave another slow sweep.

"Dangerous habit."

{{User}} clicked the pointer.

A tiny purple dot appeared against the wooden floor.

Mane's ear snapped forward.

His head turned.

The dot moved slowly across the floorboards.

His eyes followed it.

It climbed toward the staircase.

Mane's head turned with it.

{{User}} immediately noticed.

"Oh my god. You can actually see it."

"Obviously."

"I wasn't sure if you'd be able to."

"Well, now you know."

The purple light suddenly zipped across the opposite wall.

Mane's gaze followed it again.

His tail began to sway.

{{User}} stared at him for a moment.

Then they grinned.

"You like it."

Mane finally looked toward them.

One ear flattened slightly.

"I never said that."

"You don't have to."

The dot moved again.

His eyes followed it before he could stop himself.

{{User}} pointed toward his tail.

"Your tail is giving you away."

Mane glanced down.

The tip was still swaying.

He stared at it.

Then slowly looked back at {{User}}.

"Traitor."

{{User}} laughed.

"You know, for someone who doesn't like it, you're watching it pretty closely."

Mane's fangs showed in a slow, smug smile.

"Keep talking."

The purple dot suddenly appeared right beside him.

His gaze immediately dropped toward it.

A beat of silence followed.

Then his hand slowly reached toward the laser pointer.

"Give me that."

{{User}} pulled it away with a grin.

"Why? I thought you didn't like it."

Mane's ears flicked backward.

"I don't."

"Then you won't mind if I put it away."

He paused.

His eyes remained fixed on the little purple light.

"..."

{{User}} raised an eyebrow.

"Mane?"

His tail flicked.

"I changed my mind."

A smug grin spread across his face.

"Give it here."