Neverwinter Forest entropy

The panther warmed further to the woman when the fortune she told was almost favorable, as he had been expecting more irreverent jokes at his expense. That would have pleased him too, but instead, he felt flattered by the kindness in this admittedly ridiculous future. He maintained his air of fawning intrigue until her composure broke — and then he held his own long enough to feign offense:

"Do you laugh at my fortune, spirit speaker?" he accused. Next he addressed the bird, his tone severe: "Your maidservant mocks me."

He broke character a little to accept the piece of jerky from Tulugak, his bright eyes crinkling briefly in thanks. He turned and offered it to the bird with genuine wonderment, having never gotten the chance to actually interact with one before. Her spirit must be gentle to have befriended such a flighty creature.

"I thank you for your guidance, wise spirit," he said when his mouth was free, reclaiming his character. "But you, knave, must answer for your disrespect. I challenge you to a duel of honor!"

Perhaps he was just a little too "into" playing pretend.

"You may choose our battlefield. Is it to be wits? Skill? — Sticks?"

His eyes alighted on a thin, whippy bough that hung just withing grabbing distance, but he did not lunge for it just yet.