18. Chapter 18

In the upstairs lounge, Tygra had selected a change of

clothes for Rangerkitty as well as for himself. She had mentioned that she’d

wanted to warm up in the hot tub for a while before lunch. He’d been informed

upon returning to the lodge that Argo was out there already, so Crystalandra

had said that she was going to change into swimwear and get her mate a fresh

set of clothes to change into as well.

Tygra sat in one of the comfortable deep arm chairs, feeling

the room spinning slightly; a side effect from the larger than normal amount of

whiskey he’d imbibed that morning. Pleased he’d managed to outdo his cousin by

staying in the cold water longer, he grinned and rested his head back on the

cushioned furniture. A few minutes passed when he heard someone approaching.

Opening his eyes, he saw Bengali arrive and flop down into a chair across from

him.

“Dude, you’re hard core. I can’t

believe you stayed in the water as long as you did.”

“Thanks.” Tygra grinned and reclosed his eyes resting his

head back again. “You did pretty well yourself out there since I know it’s been

a while for you.”

“Well, speaking of a while, it’s gonna be quite some time

before all of me warms back up.”

Tygra chuckled. “Well, maybe a little time in the hot tub

will help cure that. You’ve got an incredibly hot girlfriend who can set any

man aflame with those eyes and that body of hers—you shouldn’t be too concerned

about your ability to perform.”

“You think so?”

“I know so…”

They sat quietly together until they heard Crystalandra

approaching. Tygra re-opened his eyes in time to see Bengali’s gaping

expression practically drooling over whatever he was looking at. Tygra rotated

in his seat and thought he was seeing double, or seeing something that wasn’t

there. He rubbed his eyes and when his vision cleared, he saw that he had seen

right. Something wasn’t there…Crystalandra’s clothes.

She smiled and twirled modelling her new sequinned lavender

bikini for the two tigers who sat dumfounded and captivated at the sight of

her.

Bengali stammered and gulped. “Wha--wow…”

Tygra blinked a couple of times—he had to admit her physique

was…simply amazing.

“Well…What do you think?”

She asked brightly.

“Where are your clothes, Crys?”

She stopped and looked at him motioning, “In my bag here,

along with clothes for Argo. What’s the problem?”

“I don’t see a problem at all…” Bengali said without

thinking, shaking his head slightly. God’s she was stacked!

“My dear…” Tygra offered, standing up using the arms of the

chair for assistance. “The hot tub is outside, and knowing your disfavour of

the ice and snow, don’t you think it would be more appropriate to cover up?”

“Oh…I wasn’t thinking…Actually I didn’t think it would be

necessary.” Crys replied blushing. “My bathing suit lacking proper protection

will be quite detrimental against the cold.

Thanks for the warning, Tygra.”

“Yeah thanks for the warning.” Ben grumbled; he had wanted to ogle the

statuesque she-cat in her bikini…Argo was one lucky devil.

“No matter…” Being

ever the gentleman, the orange tiger shrugged out of the overcoat he was

wearing and held it open for Crystalandra to put on. “That will keep you warm until you’re safely

in the hot tub.”

“Thank you, Tygra.”

She smiled slipping it on. “I

appreciate this.”

Crys stood on the concrete floor alongside Tygra and Bengali

watching the trio in the Jacuzzi—Rangerkitty and Galina were snuggled

comfortably against the Tiglon with contended smiles etched on their faces.

“My... this certainly is cozy.” The hybrid frostily quipped huddling inside

Tygra’s coat. “Are you enjoying

yourself, Argo?”

“Uh hmmmm….” He

sighed lost to the soothing warmth of the pool and because his eyes were closed

he didn’t see his mate’s dour face.

“This is heaven…”

RK, who had been contentedly luxuriating beside the Tiglon,

opened her eyes when she heard the edge in Crystalandra’s voice. Uh oh…The

smile fell from her face when she observed the Sh’iar queen sporting a teeny

tiny bikini that basically revealed how fit the she-cat was! The tigress elbowed Argo who remained blissfully

unaware of the situation.

“Crys, there is plenty of room for you to join us…come on

in…” He invited.

“No…That’s all right…Three is a crowd.” Her response was neutral as she walked past

the group towards the pool. “Well since

the hot tub is fully occupied Bengali, I suggest we move over to the heated

pool.” Tossing her purple mane, she

removed the loaned coat, tossed it onto a lounge chair and dove in—Bengali

wasn’t far behind and grinning from ear to ear, he joined her.

Tygra observed the cosy trio, “You look quite relaxed there

cousin—having a good time with your company?”

The Tiglon opened his eyes grinning. “What more can a lucky he-cat ask for? I am fortunate to have two very beautiful

tigresses in my presence.”

“I think you had better also add one jealous wife to the

equation.”

“What?” Argo asked

confused. “Why would she be jealous?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Tygra pointed to the adjacent pool; the

Tiglon craned his neck wondering what his cousin was talking about.

Rangerkitty reached across the Tiglon to pinch Galina who

was happily cuddling against Argo’s chest.

“Gali—you had better check this out.”

“What is it?” The

white tigress groaned. “Can’t you see

I’m comfortable?”

“Yeah and so is Bengali... he’s in the pool...with Crys!”

“What are you saying?”

Galina shot upright and stared with her mouth open. Sure enough there was the white tiger in the

adjacent pool with Crystalandra and he was fixing the tie on her bikini

top! Talk about being up close and

personal! She gritted her teeth, “BEN!”

This action didn’t go unnoticed by the Tiglon. What

are you doing?! Argo sent growling

his displeasure.

If you can have fun

with the tigresses then why can’t I with Bengali? She challenged. What’s

good for the goose is good for the gander.

Come on Crys I thought

we were beyond that?! We are all friends

here…

Are we? You make it seem like more!

What?

The butler came outside before the group informing them that

lunch was ready to be served which saved further arguments from occurring. Without a word, the she-cat emerged from the

pool, flicked water from her mane, and exited walking daintily past her

astounded husband into the main lodge without stopping to put on a coat!

Tygra helped RK out of the Jacuzzi and handed her the

package of clothing he had brought for her which she gratefully accepted.

“Thank you hun…” She

watched guiltily as Crys disappeared.

“Wow she was really angry…Gali and I didn’t mean anything…we were just

keeping Argo company.”

“I know…” The tiger

answered. “You should understand by now

Ranger how possessive Crystalandra is over her mate and him of her.” Tygra nodded towards Argo who was glaring

furiously at Ben.

Rangerkitty couldn’t help but feel bad. “…And we were all getting along so well,

too.”

“I think I should be able to salvage the situation…You

finish changing and try to maintain peace between everybody.”

“Where are you going?”

Tygra sighed. “To try

and reason with Crys…”

The orange tiger stood outside Crystalandra’s room and

rapped softly against the wooden double doors.

“Go away, Liargo!”

She promptly answered. “I don’t

want to see you!”

“Please Crys…It’s me Tygra…May I speak with you?”

He heard silence, then the sound of her stomping towards the

door. The handle was unlocked, followed by more stomping, then silence again.

The door remained shut so he assumed he was to let himself in but refused to do

so unless Crys said it was okay.

“You may enter…” The

Sh’iar queen called, more softly than before.

Tygra entered the room and was surprised by its enormity—he

should have known his cousin would have booked only the best for his wife. It was richly decorated with a huge canopy

bed in the center and an opulent fireplace that kept the room pleasantly warm. The she-cat was standing before the huge bay

window, still clad in her bikini.

“Well Tygra what do you want to speak to me about?”

He smiled at her.

“It’s nice to see that you are appropriately dressed for the

weather.” If he had been hoping to get a

chuckle out of her, it didn’t work; her face remained stoic. The tiger cleared his throat. “About what happened downstairs…”

“There is absolutely nothing to discuss.” She said dismissively. “I’ve decided since I am a bore I will remain

here in my room for the duration of the trip.”

“No Crystalandra, you will not…”

“I beg your pardon?”

The she-cat gasped in surprise not used to hearing anyone disagree with

her. “What did you say to me?”

Tygra squared back his shoulders. “You heard me Crys. You are not going to

spend the rest of your vacation in hiding.

Besides, do you really want to deny me the pleasure of your company just

after we have decided that we actually like each another?”

Crys glanced away.

“It’s all right—you don’t have to pretend you like me for Argo’s sake…”

“Nonsense!” The tiger

frowned. “As it so happens, I like you

very much. There is a side to you that I

am seeing for the very first time which allows me to finally understand why my

cousin is so infatuated with you.”

She snorted. “How can

he find me so infatuating when he is busy flirting with Rangerkitty and

Galina? When they are around I feel like

a fifth wheel! Not much use for anything... I can’t ski, I can’t

snowboard! I just hate the snow! Believe it or

not Tygra, I too want to have fun

like the others but I do so feel left out.”

He approached and laid a gentle hand upon her shoulder as

she sat down on an ottoman in a huff.

“Have you told Argo any of this?”

“No… He would say I am not trying hard enough…That I am

purposefully sabotaging our trip.”

“Argo is many things but he is more understanding than that,

Crys.” Tygra said gently. “He loves you very much and is trying his

best to pick activities he thinks you might enjoy…” His brow furrowed then he grinned. “I have an idea of something that you would definitely like, tobogganing!”

“Does it involve me being outside in the cold?” She asked warily.

“Yes, but trust me Crystalandra, you’re going to love it!”

“Really? How many times have I heard that before.” However, the Sh’iar warrior’s mood seemed to

lighten. “Okay, I guess I will give it a

shot, but only if you will show me

what to do.”

“Wouldn’t you prefer your mate to do that?”

She shook her head.

“No…I’m upset with him right now.”

“You really have no reason to be, Crys. Despite Argo’s

habitual flirting, he does love you very much!

Why, I remember when he initially met you all that tiglon did was rave

constantly to the high heavens about you every waking moment of the day, and to

this day he still does.”

“Then why does he flirt

so much? It bothers me to no end.” Crystalandra fumed to him. “I thought after being with me he would have

stopped but no, he does it all of the time!”

Tygra appeared sheepish as he looked off into the

distance. “Perhaps…perhaps you have me

to blame…”

The she-cat stared open mouthed at the tiger. “Whatever do you mean?”

The tiger sighed; closing his eyes wondering how could

explain but decided he didn’t want to broach that topic just yet. He re-opened them. “Do me a favour and talk to Argo about his

flirting. For now, come with me downstairs for lunch.” He waited and watched to

see her expression, which to his dismay, had not changed. “Will you accompany me?” He extended his forearm towards her. “Please?”

“All right…” She

acquiesced. “But give me a chance to at

least change into something more appropriate.”

Lunch consisted of a hearty meal of clam chowder loaded with

thick pieces of clam and freshly baked steaming hot bread. Complementing the

meal was a seasonal glass of hot fruit cider.

The conversation around the table was minimal and strained at best

between the ThunderCats. Each time Argo

made an attempt to touch his mate, she would pull her hand away or shift her

seat closer to Tygra. This hurt Argo tremendously

and he merely picked at the delicious meal, not having much desire to eat. Rangerkitty felt bad for the Tiglon and felt

the leopardess was being unfair in her treatment towards her husband.

“Is there something wrong with the meal Argo?” The tigress asked popping a generous spoonful

in her mouth in an attempt to encourage the Tiglon to eat. “You don’t know what you are missing... this

is superb!”

“I’m not as hungry as I initially thought I would be.” He replied morosely sending his life mate

longing glances which she pointedly ignored.

Oh Crystalandra why

are you being so heartless? Can’t you see how you’re affecting him? Rangerkitty wondered; she pushed her spoon

aimlessly about in her bowl.

Tygra noticing the sublime mood around the table decided to

do something about this. Wiping his

mouth with the napkin he gave a huge smile.

“You know everyone, I had a wonderful idea for an activity we can all do after lunch…I was speaking with

Crys earlier and I think it would be nice if we actually did something in which

she could participate and have fun with the rest of us.”

Bengali nodded his head in agreement. “I for one think that’s a brilliant idea.”

“I do as well.” Argo

spoke up and openly glared at the white tiger. Ben got the message and busied

himself with finishing his meal. “What

did you have in mind, Tygra?”

“Well…” The tiger

drawled and explained.