"The harder they fall, yes." Hannibal rolled his eyes and laid down. "Don't you think that's a little drastic, however? All I've done is purr in your general direction. A sound, if I am not mistaken, that is universal among all cats to be one of happiness. At times, extreme fright, but I'm fairly sure you can tell the difference between the two."
He stretched a paw experimentally. The claws slid out of their sheathes, and he retracted them again, quietly amused.
"Your collar. I take it that it's a special thing?"