Page 43 of Purring, Presents, and Parties

“What’s in it?” Ari asked, sinking to her knees and drawing the glove off the small hook.

Baz crouched next to her with a rumble of amusement. “Open it and find out.”

Ari upended the glove, dumping out the colorful contents. Among brightly wrapped candies and colorful artificial stones was a small package wrapped in bright gold. With shaking hands, she ripped it open then gasped.

“How did you get this?” she whispered, holding up the small object. It was a smooth, oblong piece of Old Earth amber. Looking closer, she could see a very small, perfectly preserved leaf inside. If she had to guess, she’d say it was a bit of fern. It was a treasure from Old Earth that Ari never thought to receive.

“I’m sorry to say I’m not sure,” Bazium said. “It was found in a derelict ship floating in an area of Orlok space we took over after the war was over. We tried to trace the origins of the ship but didn’t find anything. It looks like it was dumped off a larger cruiser as people were evacuated from planet to planet.”

“This belonged to a human,” Ari whispered, meeting Bazium’s gaze.

“At some point it did,” he agreed. “We think it was traded to an Orlok because there was no other evidence of humans on the derelict ship or in its records.”

“This was probably special to someone,” Ari murmured, feeling tears burn the back of her eyes. “Someone tucked itcarefully away and left Earth. Then they had to give it away, probably for something as simple as food.”

“Probably,” Baz agreed. “I thought this would be a good gift, but I can see I was mistaken.”

He reached over to take it from her open palm, but Ari slapped her hand closed and held it to her chest. She smiled up at him even as a tear streaked down her face.

“No, I love this gift!” she announced. “This little bit of amber found its way here, with us humans, to a place where we’re safe and cared for. Maybe that means the person who owned it will find their way here too.”

Baz drew her close to him. “That’s my sweet, determined human. I’m so happy you’re back.”

“Me too,” she agreed with a sniff, letting a few more joyful tears escape her eyes.

They held each other until Danisal stopped at the edge of their rug and sounded a concerned rumble. “Is everything well? Should I find Rossimun?”

Pulling away from Baz, Ari looked up at Danisal. “I’m good! I was dealing with some big feelings because all of this has made me so happy!”

“Ah,” Danisal said with a purr. “I’m glad Bazium is here to help with your big feelings.” Then she moved on to the next hearth to see if they needed anything.

By now, almost everyone was sitting around their pot fires eating, talking, and laughing. Ari noticed several people with familiar little bottles, and the box Jalin had been carrying earlier was empty and discarded in a corner. She didn’t mind that she hadn’t gotten one, memories of her hangover were still too fresh to imbibe again.

Baz made her stay on the rug while he fetched food. She sat in his lap and let him feed her, occasionally sucking one of his fingers into her mouth. It always made him rumble withamusement but sometimes his rumble would dip into the lower, slow register of arousal.

“Stop that,” he admonished after she gave him a light nip on his upper thumb. “You’re going to make me engorged, and then I’ll be forced to sit here until the blood dissipates.”

Ari giggled and did it again. Bazium growled threateningly and pretended to bite her neck, making her wiggle and laugh. She opened her mouth to suggest they leave the celebration early to spend some time alone when everyone suddenly went quiet.

“What’s going on?” Ari asked, then saw what made everyone stop talking and her jaw dropped open.

Striding into the tent was Norrium with several massive bags slung over his shoulder. It wasn’t his burden that caught Ari’s and everyone else's attention, it was his outfit!

He was dressed in bright red pants, but unlike the normal Talin style that stopped at the knees, his went all the way to the floor. Even more strange was the matching top he was wearing. So far, the only Talin’s Ari ever saw wearing tops were healers, and those were never in red. The top was sleeveless, like the healers’ green, knee-length tunics, but unlike the healers’, this tunic was lined in some type of white fur that peaked out at the arm, neck, and bottom.

Even more strange was the white fur on Norrium’s face. The upside-down triangle of white fur started under his eyes and ended at a point far past his chin.

“Santa!” one of the kids shouted and ran right at him, arms opened wide. Norrium stopped in his tracks, quickly dropped his burden, and let the child fling herself into his arms.

“Hello, Luli,” Norrium greeted with a purr. “I have gifts for everyone because you’ve all been good humans.”

“Me too?” another young child asked.

“Yes, you too, and your sire and dam, and your sibling,” Norrium answered, setting the child back down. “Everyone listen carefully as I call out names.”

Laughter and quiet chatter started up as Norrium opened up the first bag and started naming children. Soon the first bag was empty, and every child from Daniella and Christo’s baby to the older teenagers had received their gifts.

Soon children were running around with balls that changed color every time they clacked together, and others were making clear bubbles that could be handled for a while before breaking apart.

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