The sound that rumbled from the Manticore's chest wasn't the purr of a happy kitten. It was a deep, powerful vibration that shook the very stones of the room, making the teacups on Zazu's tray rattle. The team just stared, their mouths hanging open. It was the sound of a mythical beast, a creature of pure, untamed rage, being completely and utterly baffled by a really good back-scratching.
The entire team was frozen in a state of pure, collective shock. The deep, rumbling purr wasn't just a sound; it was a physical force that vibrated through the floor and up their boots, and into their very bones.
Pip, who had been hiding behind a scratching post, slowly peeked out, his eyes wide with a mixture of terror and profound confusion.
