Sam's horse was looking at him expectantly, almost as if he was wondering why he wasn't as shiny yet. But Sam had sort of paused in the task, distracted with the attempt to cage the tiger - who kept voicing extreme displeasure at being locked up.
"We're just misunderstood villains," he said, rubbing his forehead with his free hand and taking a step closer too. "It does suck, you're right, but we'll both get through it. Anything is possible with enough faith and effort, I believe that."
But damnit, he was so tired. And hungry. And his defenses were starting to slip, and Shere Khan knew that, like he knew everything about Sam. Which also annoyed him. But yet, Sam didn't know much about Shere Khan. He was deliberately locking that away.
Are you worried that she'll like me better? the tiger purred. I don't blame you. She has a cat, after all. We're all just so precious.