You edge along thinking it would be a heck of a lot easier to just install some nice guards only to find the door you entered through is locked.

Peachy. Just peachy. You're stuck on some invisible structure, with the bottomless pit grinning up at you. A flash of movement to your right causes your head to turn. Looking through a window, you note a large black leopard is padding along the hallway inside silently. It's probably a good idea to keep quiet, that thing could be hungry.

Well, you ALMOST kept quiet, but at the last second your foot slips, knocking a few pebbles from the bridge. With a feline sound of inquisition the big cat turns a broad face to look directly at you. Large jungle green eyes peer, not nastily, but curiously at you as you stand awkwardly outside. Before you know it, the door is opened, as the feline stretching up, catching the handle in dinner plate sized paws.

Without thinking for your safety you scramble back inside, knocking the door shut behind you.

The large creature sits, and looks at you unblinking. It seems there is an almost human air to the leopard, a sense of understanding and maybe sympathy?

Talk about your uncomfortable situations. Unsure of what to do, you wring your hands and mumble a thank-you.

Only half expecting a reply, you start as the ebony leopard purrs in a silky female voice that is almost exaggeratedly sultry.

"No problem luv. What were you doing out there anyway? Dreadfully dangerous you know."

The cat's voice has an accent...that's familiar....

Feeling less stupid, you explain you were exploring and didn't know the door would lock. At this the leopard laughs brightly, eyes now a pastel green hue.

"That's all well and good luv, but don't get caught. Jareth isn't in the most fabulous of moods at the moment."

You thank her again and smile, still a little wary.