Neverwinter Forest entropy

The panther's expression remained thunderous despite the delighted sparkle in his tangy eyes. They faced down, each challenging the other's bluster with the assurance that no one's feelings would really be hurt. The dramatics appealed to him on a soul-deep level — he was happiest when engaging in tall tales and flights of fancy, whether it was telling them to a crowd of wide-eyed children or acting them out as if he were still a child himself.

At that last word — sticks — his nostrils flared, and he swung around to snap the swishy branch from its tree in one quick, jerky motion.

"En garde!" he growled, his voice warped slightly by the need to keep his teeth clenched. He bounded forward, whipping the stick at her ankles before darting off with a breathless, slightly muffled cackle. He did not go far before he swung around to face her again, already looking for another opening.