Hesitantly, Mina crossed over the barrier, her eyes now completely focused on the panther.  She continued to murmur near-nonsense at Jagger, mostly revolving around admiration for the beast as well as hopeful entreaties for it to continue to be as placid as it was before she entered the circle.<br/><br/>She imagined what it would be like to feel his fur against more than just her fingers - the idea of rubbing her face against his pelt came to mind, as did the idea of straddling that powerful back like that long-lost book cover.  She could feel a tingle go through her, radiating down her legs as the thought of riding through a hot jungle - or even down one of the winter streets - filled her mind.<br/><br/><em>This place could be my escape.  Oh, please, let it be my escape,</em>she thought.