my best self

Upon hearing the news he'd been accepted Armando did his best to maintain a dignified expression even though he felt like a relieved sigh and a dab across his brow would be more appropriate. He settled for a satisfied expression and a gentle pat on his chest to calm himself. The fear of rejection had weighed on him more than he'd thought it would but now that the weight was lifted he could feel just how heavily it had rested on his shoulders. This was the start of something new for him and that gave him a bit of hope. Here was his chance to make a real mark on Boreas; to settle somewhere and surround himself with the wealth he desired.

"Thank you, Eligos, I am grateful for this chance you've given me and I look forward to the work ahead." The query about his accommodations was a delightful surprise. Never in a million years would he have expected it. It caught him a bit off guard. "Oh," he murmured, surprise slowing his response time. "Well if you have a garden then I'd love a plot of bamboo as that is chiefly what I eat." He can and would eat small mammals and eggs if given the opportunity, but for a normal red panda they were only an occasional treat. For him they'd become a staple as bamboo became harder to find during his travels and his waistline was proof enough that living that way was a bad idea. "Assuming none already grows here, of course."

As for his other question, Armando answered that with a smile. Perhaps he should have added that to his introduction. "Oh," he said with a chuckle. "Sometimes I forgot my people generally sedentary lifestyle has made knowledge of us woefully scarce among other species. I am a red panda. No relation to the dark garbage fiends, the raccoons, though I can't deny we look like their more attractive cousins."