14. Chapter 14

Rangerkitty awoke the next morning to the sensation of Tygra

nibbling her ear. His breath was warm and soft as it drifted over her neck,

causing her to shiver in delight. The crispness of the air in the room

contrasted deliciously with his warm kisses, and the sudden sensation caused

Rangerkitty to start to feel aroused. She turned her body towards him and her

lips sought his, and once she met them, he pressed into hers with a deep

passionate kiss. This was the kind of kiss that she knew, usually preceded

lovemaking. Happy to oblige, she kissed him back and moved on top of him as

they continued to kiss and caress one another. Neither of them had bothered to

re-dress after being intimate the night before; but had been content to simply

hold each other as they slept that night. His warm body pressed up against hers

had been all she had needed to stay warm during the night…

Rangerkitty touched the polished banister of the maple wood

staircase letting her fingers run down it as she descended the stairs into the

main living room of the rustic mountain lodge. She smiled at the sight of the

fire still burning brightly in the hearth.

I guess they always

keep the fire going--how nice.

She wandered into the cozy room admiring the pine trees

decorated with lights that seemed to magically twinkle as she walked around

them. Several ornaments had also been hung on the branches by small hooks or

with colourful ribbons. Some were made of carved pieces of wood, seashells, or

moulded out of clay and were painted with bright colors.

RK admired another tree that was closer to the fireplace and

saw this one was decorated with ornaments made of hand-blown glass. She was

delighted there were snowflakes, snow bunnies, deer, trees and other works of

glass art, some having tinctures of color in them to make them even more

magnificent. These glass pieces reflected and shone, illuminated by the white

lights that gleamed through them.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Came an unexpected voice. Rangerkitty glanced over her shoulder and saw

the owner of the lodge standing a few feet behind her.

“They’re truly wonderful.” She agreed, turning back to

admire the trees.

“Every winter solstice we receive these ornaments--gifts from

our friends and often, from our guests. We have been collecting them since we

first opened and decorate with them every year. Each tree holds so many special

memories for me and my staff.”

“That’s a wonderful tradition…” the tigress offered noticing

there was a glistening in the older feline’s eyes while he took in the

room. Ranger knew he saw not just

decorated trees, but many years of history, friendships, and memories.

“Will you and your friends be giving each other gifts this

holiday?” He inquired, “if so, I would

like to invite you to do it here in this room where it is considered

traditional for us to share the gift-giving. Both the guests and the staff can

share in the celebration, and it gives the solstice a true atmosphere of

friends and family.”

Rangerkitty considered this. “That’s a nice idea. I will be

sure to tell my friends about it.”

“We will have food and drink, as well as music. I do hope

you choose to join us.”

She thanked him for his kindness and politely excused

herself when she saw Galina walking sleepily down the stairs and head for the

kitchen. Following, Ranger could not

help but notice the white tigress’ gait was slightly off. Holding the wall at

times for support, Galina successfully made it to the dining area and made a

beeline for a table in the front of the room that had coffee brewing. She

selected a white mug and had started to fill it when she saw Rangerkitty

approaching. Galina took a second white

mug off the pile and resumed what she was doing, “Hi RK.”

“Well, good morning, princess. Sleep well?”

Galina shook her head wordlessly, placed the first mug down,

pressed the knob on the urn, and filled the second mug with the delicious

smelling freshly brewed coffee.

“Did you sleep at all?”

Again, Galina shook her head and looked around for the

cream. Rangerkitty picked up the small silver container and handed it to her,

along with the bowl of sugar to save her the exertion of another bleary eyed

search. Galina took them from her and added the cream and sugar to each cup and

stirred them trying to blink the sleepiness from her eyes.

“Okay, was it as a result of too many late-night cocktails

or did Bengali keep you busy all night? Or both?” Rangerkitty asked with a

smirk.

“Neither.” Galina crankily answered taking both mugs with her

as she walked away, then stopped to sit down at a small table and began to

drink the first one. Rangerkitty watched and acquiesced that neither of those

cups of coffee had been made for her, but as a refill and a saved return trip

for her friend. Ranger selected a cup

and fixed one for herself, then joined the white tigress the table.

“So why are you tired?

What have you been doing?”

Galina moaned and stretched. “We were having so much fun

playing charades and a card games that we forgot the time. Argo and Crys

eventually left and Ben and I stayed up later. Even some of the staff came over

and joined in. We wound up staying up really late… or really early—I don’t know

which because I can’t think straight yet.”

“What time did you go to bed?”

“About an hour ago…”

“Well, what are you doing up, silly girl? Why don’t you go to bed?”

“I’m hungry.” Galina replied simply.

They both fell silent and sipped at their coffee watching

the snow falling outside and enjoyed the calm comfort of the early morning.

Except for the sound of the kitchen staff working behind closed doors and the

sound of the crackling logs in the fireplace, the lodge was serenely quiet.

The dining area was a long room, with huge windows framing

one entire side. Each panel had a collection of snow, lathering the bottom of

each square of glass. There were several small tables and one large, long

rectangular table that could seat up to ten people in the center of the room.

It was intended for larger parties or for couples and singles to be able to sit

together and eat as they became acquainted. It was lined with a red tablecloth

and the folded red napkins were presented in gold napkin rings. Candlesticks

adorned with holly leaves and winter berries became a centerpiece and the

silverware and china were definitely the high end collection usually reserved

for both special guests and occasions.

Rangerkitty felt her own stomach rumbling smelling the

delicious aromas wafting in from the kitchen. Identifying the menagerie of

smells which were--scrambled eggs, bacon, cinnamon toast and fresh butter

croissants, she heard the familiar sound of heavy footsteps rushing down the

stairs.

She smiled to herself. Argo’s

awake… Sure enough, the large tiglon

entered the dining room and grinned spotting the tigresses sitting together.

Galina was slightly more dressed this morning, wearing a blue form-fitting body

suit with a white belt and white furry boots that came up to her knees.

Rangerkitty, on the other hand, wore a long sleeved black mock turtleneck, dark

blue denim jeans, and a black belt along with black furry boots. Her long hair

was unusually wavy and hung loose over her shoulders.

Argo approached the table and soon as he drew near,

Rangerkitty stood giving him a hug. He returned the hug, his arms around the pretty

tigress ‘waist. “Looking good Ranger, as always.”

She smiled back coyly, “You too… as always, Argo.”

At the sound of tiglon’s voice which seemingly woke her,

Galina surveyed him up and down with wide hungry eyes--she was suddenly much

more awake. Argo wore a cream-color

woven sweater over a plain white T-shirt, but had on the same jeans he’d had on

the day before. Galina made a mental note to cheekily sneak a peek at his

derriere when he had his back to her. The

tiglon’s behind was nicely rounded and tight looking in those pants.

While Galina gawked, Argo grinned. “Do I meet your

approval?”

Suddenly embarrassed, she turned back to her coffee and

shrugged indifferently. “Eh, you look alright.” The white tigress said

dismissively, hoping he had not seen her cheeks flush.

Argo, you’re torturing

her! Rangerkitty scolded. You’re

terrible!

He waggled his eyebrows and feigned innocence, “Who me? I

don’t know what you’re talking about. I

would never do such a thing.”

The white tigress at that point polished off her second cup

and left the table to get two more refills.

Argo glanced around; seeing no one and no food in sight, he

questioned Rangerkitty. “Where’s breakfast?”

“Cooking. Where is Crystalandra?”

“Sleeping. She needs

her beauty sleep, all you women do.” Pausing, he noticed the glare that

Rangerkitty was giving him. “Er, present company excluded, of course!”

The tigress chuckled, “Nice recovery.”

“With a mate like Crystalandra, I have to be quick thinking

on my feet.”

“I bet you do.”

Rangerkitty and Argo saw Tygra entering, he was dressed

similarly to Rangerkitty, but had pulled a black cable-knit sweater over the

shirt.

“Hey Cuz!” The tiglon

greeted, “Good morning!”

“Good morning. What’s on today’s itinerary?”

“Well, hopefully it’s starting with breakfast, if it ever becomes ready!” Argo called loudly

in the direction of the kitchen.

“Argo!” Rangerkitty exclaimed in a hushed tone. “Don’t be

rude! It’s not their fault that we got here so early!”

The Tiglon growled softly under his breath and strode over

to the coffee table to join Galina and make himself a cup of coffee.

Tygra took the advantage of being along with his mate for a

moment. He slipped his hands around her waist and held her as he stood behind

her and nuzzled her neck. “You left the bedroom while I was still in the

shower. I came out and you were gone.”

“I knew you’d find me, babe. If I’d still been in bed when

you were done washing, you know we would have both missed breakfast.

Well that’s true.

He kissed her neck and released her. They went to sit down at the larger table

and were joined by Galina and Argo who sat across from them. Several waitresses

emerged from the kitchen, laden with covered trays of steaming food. Their

mouths were watering as the trays were set down and the covers were removed to

reveal all of the items that Rangerkitty had correctly identified earlier.

Scrambled eggs, thick cuts of French toast, a plate of crispy bacon strips, a

platter of warm croissants and a bowl of fresh cut winter fruit.

The ThunderCats helped themselves to generous helpings of

the food; Rangerkitty snuck a glance over at the empty staircase. “What about

Crys and Ben? Shouldn’t we wait for them?”

“We will keep breakfast warm for them, milady.” The butler

offered as he refreshed all of their coffee cups. “Please enjoy your meal.”

No sooner was this said that they heard footsteps rapidly

descending; Argo looked up beaming when he saw Crystalandra appear. She had smelled the breakfast and had

immediately awakened to join in the repast and boy, was her appetite raging

after spending an energetic night with her frisky tiglon. Rangerkitty, Galina, and Tygra were taken

aback seeing how absolutely radiant Crys appeared. The Sh’iar queen was wearing a lilac coloured

oversized shaker knit sweater over a pair of skin tight black leggings and

laced up combat boots. Her purple mane

was tied back in a high pony tail that curled softly around her face, her

attitude was quite relaxed as she stood before the group grinning.

“Good morning I hope everyone slept well!”

“Very well thank you!”

Ranger and Tygra both answered noticing the high colour in her cheeks;

Galina merely grumbled her response.

“Oh dear it seems someone woke up on the wrong side of the

bed.” The she-cat mused, pulling a chair

over to sit beside Argo who made room for her.

“Oh it’s nothing like that at all Crys.” The orange tigress commented buttering her

savoury croissant. “It seems after you

two left Gali and Ben stayed up and continued playing with the staff…”

Gali yawned, “I only managed an hours worth of sleep.”

The hybrid and her mate exchanged subtle glances with each

other as neither had slept either, but felt invigorated from their night of

passion. Crys reached over to snag a

piece of bacon from Argo’s heaping plate and was immediately awarded with a

light slap to her hand.

She blinked at him in surprise. “So I can’t help myself to a little slice

from your plate?”

“Marozi, if you are hungry there’s a buffet over there where

you can choose what you want.” He

replied shovelling scrambled eggs and toast into his mouth. “This is mine.”

“All right but you don’t have to be so territorial about

it.” The she-cat grumbled rising out of

her chair; however, Crys ran her hand affectionately through the Tiglon’s wild

mane ruffling it.

Rangerkitty, Tygra, and Galina chuckled over the mock fight.