<HTML> Here is part 5a where you see how good a party the fox can throw! And don't forget the bean dip! *** 12/24 - 1:30p It was nearing one-thirty, according to the clock on Rickkter's mantle, by the time they were ready to go. Kayla had spent the better part of an hour and a half loosening his muscles and straightening his fur. She had then spent over forty minutes fussing over his wardrobe. She could honestly never understand how some men could care so little about how they looked. But while he complained and bitched and moaned, Rickkter eventually did concede to letting her pick his attire for the evening. Now he was dressed in a black surcoat over a deep purple doublet. The surcoat had runes and magical symbols sewn onto the cuffs and collar with a golden-copper thread. While Kayla had asked about their relevance, Rickkter had just smiled and said they were for decoration. Of course the mischievous glint in his deep brown eyes told it otherwise. The rest of his outfit was a white shirt under the doublet, ruffled at the neck, and black pants. It was simple, elegant, with as few adornments as possible. Just how Rick liked it. Currently the two were heading for a stair well. The tower that Rick resided in was not the same as the one closest to where the Long House was adjacent to, so they needed to cross over on a connecting causeway to it. True they could have gone down and through the lower parts of the Keep, but both agreed this was more... scenic. It was also a little louder. As they were ascending along one of the wide, central staircases, loud, clear laughter drifted up from below them. Rickkter recognized it immediately and left Kayla's side to lean over the side. "Hey Cope! How's it going?" "Arg, Rickkter! What are you doing up there, you masked bandit, you?" "Just off to one of Misha's parties at the Long House right now." "Long house?" the lizard's voice echoed off the stone walls. "You're going the wrong way then!" "This is Metamor Keep!" Rickkter shot back. "You can stand in one spot and get to where you want to eventually. And as for you, why aren't you busy at the pool hall hustling all the visitors?" The response made Kayla blush and Rickkter laugh. While Copernicus and the raccoon traded barbs over the railing, Kayla wandered up a few steps to the next level part of the stairwell and over to an unshuttered window to admire the snow. Apparently they had moved to a side facing south, away from the brunt of the storm. Folding her arms over her chest, she lost herself in the cold beauty of the world beyond. From their current height, perhaps a third of the way up the central tower of Metamor, the blizzard did have some beauty to it. They way the snow swirled about beyond the glass, the light scraping it made when it blew against the window, did have a enchanting quality to it. If one looked hard enough, she reflected, they could almost pick out patterns in the random flurries. The echo of Rickkter's harsh, barking laugh broke her revere. Grinning out of one side of her muzzle, she shook both her head and her tail. Over the last few months she'd grown to know that sound to mean that Rickkter was finished whatever little contest he was involved in and would soon be coming so they could continue to Misha's. Lowering her hands so that they were clasped at her waist, Kayla fluffed her tail out behind her and turned half around to wait for him. "Ha ha, I'll see you around sometime, you old handbag," crowed the mage down to the lizard a story below. He laughed some more at whatever Cope did in response then waved him off and turned to face Kayla. The smile that had been on his face abruptly slid off and he almost stopped dead in his tracks. Kayla cocked her head to one side and tilted one of her ears over in puzzlement. He walked up to her slowly, his tail slowly brushing the backs of his legs as it swayed. When he was a step below her, he reached out, gathering both is paws in hers. Using his thumbs, he rubbed her knuckles in gentle circles, feeling the skin moving under its covering of fur. "You know," he began, his eyes never leaving her paws, "I just realized that I haven't told you how beautiful you look today. And for that I must humbly ask your forgiveness." Kayla's muzzle rose slightly in an embarrassed smile and her tail tried to work its way between her legs. "Oh, Rick. It's not that serious," she said, giving his paws a squeeze. Rickkter brought her paws to his lips, planting a small kiss upon her black knuckles. Like almost all animal morphs, the pads on her palms were dry and slightly rough, but the fur on the other side was wonderfully soft to his touch. "It is to me, love," he responded, shifting his grasp so that his paws enclosed hers and bringing both sets upwards as he moved to stand on the same level as the skunk. "In all the time I've known you, I can't say when I've seen you look more beautiful than now." Leaning forward, he gave her muzzle a small lick of his tongue. She quickly angled her head and turned it into a kiss. The outfit that she had on was indeed striking. She was attired in a dress of deep blue, the material thick and warm in the cold weather. Outlines of white brocade were stitched at her wrists and around the bust and neckline. Kayla's breasts were not large, but the dress worked to accentuate them. The run of white fur from her chin downwards could be clearly seen, as well as the black fur just at the edges of the dress. The back was also cut low, running down to just below her shoulders to reveal the dual white stripes that cascaded over jet black. Around her neck, visible as a thin, shining yellow line against the ivory and jet of her fur, was the gold chain of the pendant Rickkter had crafted for her many months earlier. The only other jewellery she had on was the leather bracelet with its metal disk and sunburst pattern she had received from Rickkter during the summer solstice festival. But the way the dim sun had hit her from behind, illuminating her shining white fur and deep, seductive black, Rickkter had been right: It was inexcusable for him not to have made mention before. Especially considering his feelings. "Thank you, my love," Kayla said in a soft tone after they had broken the kiss. She freed one paw for the tangle and brought it up to gently rub the cheek of the raccoon she loved. "I really don't know of anything else to say to that." Rubbing and sliding his head along his fingers, Rickkter smiled down at her. "That first part contained all that is important to me." He smiled along with her, leaving his head in her tender grasp several moments longer before withdrawing it. "Now come on.. We've still got to find that crazy fox and his wild party before it's all over." Kayla chuckled, the sound heavily tinged with a skunk's burr, as she slid an arm around his waist and felt his own do likewise. "In that case I hope the food there is good. We'd die of starvation before having wandered around long enough to miss one of Misha's parties." Rickkter just laughed and playfully batted the end of his tail against the hem of her dress as they started off once more. It was several levels until they reached one that was on the causeway to the next tower, the one that would lead them to the Long Hall. It was a sort of round about way to get there, but they were not in any great hurry and took pleasure in the other's company. Coming off a set of stairs into a main corridor, the couple was almost trampled by a pair of rambunctious kids; yelling, screaming, and running down the halls totally heedless of anyone else but themselves. "You know, I don't think I can recall the Keep being this crowded in a very long time," Kayla said as she settled her tail after the initial fright caused by the kids. "Of course what with the weather out there, most people would be intent on staying inside." "This is a time of families as well," Rick remarked to her as they watched the retreating form of the two kids. His walk held a bit of a swagger, but it only gave him an excuse for Kayla to hold on tighter. "It seems like almost everyone is spending it with their families. Bender and Moorly are gone with theirs; the lighthouse up on the hill is where basically all the Hipoccians are; even Saroth, Electra, and Sean are off at Magdalain Island. Or they should be by now, as it's been almost a week since I saw them leave." "And where does that leave us?" asked Kayla, giving Rickkter's waist a quick squeeze. Leaning over, the raccoon imparted a quick nuzzle. She leaned into it, smiling at the deep murr that her love made as she did so. "We have each other and we have our friends," said Rickkter. "What more do we need, really?" "I suppose you're right," she conceded in a contented burr. "Whoop, hold on there," said Rick as he came to a stop, jerking Kayla back with him. The skunk murrfled at her raccoon love before leaning across him to see what he was looking at. "YYEEAAGGGHH!!!" came the bellow of the rhinoceros as he stampeded by the couple and heaved a small body onto an expanse of thickly packed straw. The smaller body cried out as well, as it was propelled through the air. "Dwarf tossing, Shamgar?" Rick asked. The rhino looked back and panted. "Aye! Though more like AR tossing. I'm hoping to retain my title!" The judge called out the distance the now slightly dazed Keeper had flew and Shamgar smiled. "Looks like I'm dong a good job of it so far!" Both Rickkter and Kayla politely chuckled and continued on their way to the party. "Ah, Yule. Some things never seem to change, no matter where you go." Kayla churred at him in a tone he had learned was one way of her asking a question. "I saw that in the town of Ingersoll several years back. It always amazed me that they considered it festive." The signs of the season kept greeting the pair of well-dressed animal morphs as they continued to walk the halls. Kayla often had them stop for a few moments to admire some of the pine bough and holly arrangements as well as listen to the singing of the small choirs, often poorer families from the town, that travelled around the Keep itself in the days before Yule singing carols in the hope of a few coins as the wind howled impotently outside the windows. Rick was often kind enough to oblige them with a bronze or two and the occasional silver. It took longer than either expected to reach their final destination, though neither one really complained, not after all the festive sights they had seen. For once Rickkter was not forced to explain his presence to the Long House guard. There was only one guard, and it was quite apparent he was a simple youth who got the bad luck of the draw when it came to duty assignments. He had on chain mail armour and a tunic bearing the red stallion on black field that was Lord Thomas' personal emblem, the edge of which he was fidgeting with. There was a short sword at his hip and a shield leaning against the wall. The llama looked up at Rick and Kayla when they walked by. "Pardon me, do you have the time?" the young soldier asked. "Um, should be about quarter after three by now," Rickkter told him, stopping a moment. The llama nodded before thanking him and returning to his fidgeting. "Waiting for your duty to end so you can join your friends in the celebrating, aren't you?" Rickkter guessed with a wry smile. Snorting, the llama lowered his head in embarrassment. "Aye, sir. First Yule as a soldier, and this time the other guys in my squad all planned a celebration at the Mule. And I was the only one with bad enough luck to get called to guard duty." "Well, at least you're in here, where it's warm, and not outside freezing your ears off on the walls," Kayla offered. The guard smiled at the mephit and nodded. "I suppose, ma'am, but I'd much rather be guarding this place from the inside," he said, inclining his head towards the open doors of the Long House. The two party guests chuckled before bidding the young soldier well and heading on inside. Upon emerging from the anteroom of the Long House's single entrance, both were struck by the spectacular transformation the place had undergone. Where before it was open with rather austere décor it was now awash in colour and gaiety. The uncluttered flagstone flooring was crowded with celebrating Keepers of every sort, the walls clustered with chairs, stools, benches, and whatever else that could be procured for the throngs. There were the ever-present pine boughs and holly clusters flanking the old tapestries. Decorative candles were in abundance, adding a certain air and unique fragrance to the otherwise torch lit interior of the Long House. At one end there was a band of four keepers playing for others on a makeshift dance floor. Along one entire wall there were tables bedecked with all manner of food and desserts, flanked by a pair of bars, one for non-alcoholic and the other for alcoholic beverages. Rick could guess which was the latter due to its far larger size. The rest of the free space was filled with milling keepers, all laughing, dancing, or engaged in loud and boisterous conversation. "Now all we have to do is find that crazy fox who invited us here in the first place." The pair soon found their host and hostess at one of the dessert tables, the fox holding and feeding some pasty dusted with icing sugar to the female otter before him, teasingly holding the treat almost higher than her bite could reach. "Not very nice, is that?" commented Rick as he strode up to the pair. Misha and Caroline looked over at the new arrival, smiles coming to their muzzles immediately. "Rick, Kayla, I'm so glad you two made it," Misha beamed, the otter echoing his sentiments around the rest of her hard won treat. "Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Rick told him as he stuck out his paw and the fox gave it a strong shake. Misha's dress did credit to his personality and position, being of fine weave and earthen colors. His doublet was a rich, dark ruby red with a good deal of gold threading in the trim, the shirt under that the color of emeralds and appeared to be made of silk. His pants went with the doublet, though they were of a lighter red. The soft leather shoes on his paws and a very ornate gold dagger on a belt of gold and silver clenched at his waist finished his ensemble. Caroline, on the other hand, was a figure of striking beauty. She was in a dress that looked to have come from one of the finest tailors in the valley and was bedecked in a multitude of fine jewellery. The dress was a deep, rich blue; not quite navy, but a really deep sky blue, it had a long hem and long flowing sleeves trimmed with lace. Her small otter ears held a pair of gold hoop earrings and her fingers held a handful of rings, all most likely crafted by her father. The last piece of jewellery was a golden broach around her neck, held there by entwining chains of gold and silver. As a couple, her and Misha seemed to radiate beauty and wealth. "I see I wasn't the only one who was forced to get dressed up for this fiasco." Rickkter commented as he flicked at the lapel of Misha's doublet. "Well, we ladies can't have ourselves be led around here by a bunch of disheveled slobs, now can we, Kayla?" Caroline murred humorously. Kayla nodded in agreement, smiling over at her raccoon. "Oh, it's not that bad, love," said Misha as he gave Carol a hug. "The food sure looked good," Rick mused. "Is it as fetching as it first appeared?" "More so," Caroline informed him. She turned to Misha. "I'm going to get you back for that pastry, you know." He only chuckled. "Somehow I don't doubt it, honey." Rickkter echoed his friend's chuckle and guided his mephit love over to the other side of the first couple. There was jelly rolls, apple cobbler, peach cobbler, honey cakes, small custard filled pastries lightly sprinkled in icing sugar, various fresh fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and cherries. For the herbivores there were several varieties of salads and other greens. Kayla clapped her hands before her and gave a little squeak of delight at all the food. The other three had a quick chuckle at that before moving up and starting to pick over the sumptuous selection. They were spread out in a line - Caroline, Misha, Kayla, and Rickkter pulling up the rear - when they were brought up by Rickkter's laughter. They all turned around to see him holding one of the baked chips from a bowl of them, its end holding a small amount of brownish paste. "Beeeaann dip," pronounced the raccoon before snapping off the paste covered end. He had a wide grin upon his face as he chewed, his eyes dancing with mirth. "What about it?" asked Misha, one ear flicking about. "Oh, nothing. Just that I heard that you and Laura Calamar were... connoisseurs of this stuff, and that I should ask you if I wanted an interesting tale about it, I'd ask you." The look on the red fox's face was one of almost pure murder. "Don't even go there Rick." The raccoon, on the other hand, was still smiling and nibbling on various snacks and swished his long tail about. "Oh, come on, Misha! You can consider that my gift for the year. How about that?" Misha continued to glare. He lifted one finger, pointed it right at his friend and said, plainly and simply, "No." Then he turned around and started off. "Oh, come on, Misha!" "No." "Come on." "No!" "Come on. Please?" "NO!" "Well, are you positive about that?" Until that time, Rickkter didn't know foxes could growl that loud. "Okay, was only making sure." They found a good spot next to one of the larger hearths that kept the fierce winter chill from the room, each couple taking a place close to their respective mates. Fortunately the food, wine and conversation soon had Misha back in good spirits. Rickkter finished first of the four of them. Picking up his cup of wine from where he had set it on the mantle, he lounged back against the wall and looked out over the hall full of people, children, and animals, all of them having a very loud and probably very good time, feeling the wine warm his belly. "You know, I love this," said Rickkter as he leaned over a little and draped an arm around Kayla. She was licking a little errant filling from her fingers. "I have everything I could want. Good food, good drink, good friends," he said gesturing with his stein at Misha and Carol, "and most important of all," he said, his gaze meeting that of the skunk under his arm, "warmth," he concluded, turning away and pointing with his drink at the fire place. Needless to say, everyone within earshot burst out laughing. "Oh, warmth, is it now?" burred Kayla as she slipped out from under his arm and around to his front, grasping the lapels of his doublet. "Well, you just wait until we get back to your place, then I'll show you some real warmth." The crowd roared with lusty approval as she leaned up to give him a kiss. "I apologize, but I must take my leave of you, Rick," commented Misha as he looked across the Long Hall in the direction they had come. "Carol, honey, shall we get ourselves some more desserts before some of the other guests start to notice them?" Carol saw where he was looking, and the rat there. She knew, too, his reason for wanting to return to the table. "Sounds good to me, love. I remember seeing a few things I couldn't carry myself last time." "Then we'll catch you two later," said Rickkter as he gave Kayla's shoulder a squeeze. "I want to mingle a little, see who else is here yet." The two waved off the other couple then looked around and surveyed the room, Kayla following his gaze. "Looking for anyone in particular, love?" she asked. "Just a friend or two," Rick commented as he finished his drink. "How about you? Who are you going off to see?" Kayla cocked an ear back. "Oh? Getting tired of me already, are you?" Rickkter turned back to her with a smirk then ran the side of his muzzle across the top of her head in a quick nuzzle. "No, I don't think I ever could, especially not that easily. I just want to see my friends, and what we would talk about would probably bore you to death. Same that you and your friends would do for me." "Rather, I believe you want to talk about women, and all the nasty things you do with them." Before he could object, Kayla reached up and tapped his nose. "I know how you soldier types are. Since today is special, I'll let you have your little fun," she said with a smirk as she headed off into the crowd, her lush tails swinging around her legs. End part 5a </XMP> </HTML>