Darkslayer Part Five: Audience With Father, the Bonding Rite, and Departure
      Tyger walked through the corridors of the Lair, planning what he was going to say to Panthro.  Tyger straightened his tunic and ran his hands through his hair, as he approached the hangar a feeling of dread manifested in him as he drew closer to the light in the hallway.  Tyger stopped for a moment, collected himself and went to the doorway.
      Panthro had his back to the door, working on one of the sensor tines of the Whisker, without turning around, or stopping his work, Panthro said, "Hello, Tyger." Tyger walked into the doorway and asked in surprise, "How did you know? I smelled you." Tyger walked around the worktable and sat down in front of Panthro.  Panthro also detected the scent of apprehension, mingled heavily with the scent of his daughter. "Can I help you, Panthro? No."
      Tyger watched in silence as Panthro soldered circuit boards, relays, and wires.  Tyger broke the silence. "What does that tine do? It is a seismic detection unit. Oh."  Another longer more uncomfortable silence followed.  "Um, Panthro? Yes, Tyger?" Panthro answered with edge on his voice. "What can I do for you?" Tyger looked at Panthro in his eyes, he felt like a gazelle in the mouth of a leopard. "I love Ardua. I wish for your permission to court her." Tyger waited for Panthro to murder him. Panthro took off his goggles, put down his soldering iron and looked at Tyger, hard.
      "What does, Ardua think of this? She consents if you do." Panthro could see beads of sweat begin to break through the blue and brown markings on his face.  Panthro liked Tyger very much, but decided to play the part of disapproving father for awhile. "What are your intentions, Tyger? Only the honorable kind." Panthro looked at Tyger and then looked back at the table.  Panthro picked up a hammer, held it in his hand, tossed it in the air and caught it.  "Very well, Tyger you may court Ardua, but let it be understood right now, if I ever hear of you being fresh with her, or you break her heart," Panthro paused for effect, "you have a new nose!"
      Tyger quickly got up, and shook Panthro's hand and intended to exit the door as quickly as possible.  Panthro looked a little friendlier to Tyger and said,  "You know about the bonding? Bonding?" Asked Tyger.  "Yes, tomorrow, say around six o' clock, you will bond to Ardua." Tyger looked at Panthro in complete ignorance.  "Tyger, talk to Couga she will tell you about it.  "Thank you, sir." Tyger left the workshop relieved to still be breathing.  Panthro went back to his work, smiling.  Lion-O unknown to Tyger was also working on the Whisker, and overheard the exchange.  "Panthro, you should be ashamed of yourself, scaring him like that! Well," Lion-O said with a smile. "at least those two have finally gotten together, about time too."  Panthro looked at Lion-O.  "Hand me a six eighths socket." Lion-O laughed.
      Tyger walked down the hall feeling relieved but confused, not knowing what "bonding" was, the only kind of bonding he knew about he was sure Panthro didn't mean.  It was late and Tyger was tired, but he went into the control room and hailed Cat's Lair Third Earth, it was mid morning there.  "Cat's Lair here." It was Claud-Us who answered. "Hello, Tyger I trust everything is alright?" Claud-Us asked with haste.  "Oh, yes. Fine. I was wondering if I could speak to Couga about bonding? Bonding? Tyger, who's the lucky girl? It's Ardua isn't it? Congratulations, Tyger! Panthro must like you, you're still alive!" Tyger was going to respond but Claud-Us ran away to get Couga.  Five minutes later Couga arrived in the control room and began to explain to Tyger what he was to do to prepare for the rite.
     The next morning, all of the Thundercats were seated eating breakfast, as they finished Panthro stood. "May I ask everyone to stay for a moment?" All eyes were on Panthro. "As you know, Panther clan traditions are old, some go as far to say they are old fashioned." Tyger swallowed his juice hard and looked around at the others.  They had looks of curiosity on their faces, all but Lion-O, who was smiling widely at him.  Panthro walked around the table and put his hands roughly onto Tyger's shoulders, "Last night, Tyger asked me for permission to court Ardua."  Bengali and Pumyra turned to look at their son in surprise, followed by the other Thundercats.  "I have consented. Tonight at six o' clock there will be a bonding ceremony performed in the control room, so that the Third Earth Thundercats may witness it as well. I would be honored if all of you attend to celebrate this occasion." Panthro pat Tyger on the shoulder roughly and walked out of the room, to talk to Couga, then to go see Ardua.  Everyone at the table congratulated Tyger joyously, Bengali and Pumyra hugged him tightly.  Tygro and Kera soon joined suit, and eventually all were in a loving embrace.
      Ardua awoke, when she opened her eyes, Thorn dragged his wet tongue across her face.  "Ardua, breakfast in ten minutes. Coming, 'Kit."  Ardua hastily ran to the bathroom and washed then went downstairs.  Wilykit had made muffins as well as eggs, and pan fried meat fruit.  Ardua sat down and Brod got up.  "See you later, 'Dua I heard you two turn on the cultivator last night so I assume it works now? Oh, yes runs like a scared chicken."  Brod smiled and walked out of the house.  Wilykit smiled at Ardua and she smiled back. "Well? Well what? You came in a little late last night, didn't you?" Ardua looked down, and Wilykit smiled wider.  "I didn't mean to embarrass you, dear. W-we didn't do anything that was um, wrong, Wilykit." Ardua said sheepishly. "Tyger has asked to court me. And?" Wilykit scooted to the edge of her seat. "I told him to ask Panthro." As Ardua said this Panthro stepped through the door.  "And Panthro has consented." Ardua leapt from the table and hugged her father.  Panthro hugged back and presented her with a box.  "Is this Tyger's token, dad? Yes."
      As the bonding ceremony entailed, a Panther clan female's father upon his accepting her potential mate, gives his daughter a piece of jewelry to give to the male who seeks courtship.  "It's really pretty, dad. My father wore that until the day he married my mother.  It has been passed from father to daughter for generations." Panthro smiled at Wilykit.  "What time have you decided on for the ceremony, Father? Six O' clock."  Ardua turned and looked at Wilykit. "You will all come won't you? Of course we will. Congratulations, dear." Panthro, Ardua, and Wilykit all sat and talked and ate muffins.
      Tyger walked down the street, he had taken a small break from work to go to a local jeweler, Baron Tass.  He walked with a feeling of pride, as he carried the box that held the token that would allow him to court his best beloved.  Tyger didn't have a lot of money to spend on his token, but it was pretty and Tyger thought he had bargained quite well for it,  it didn't hurt that he was a Thundercat either.  The token was a copper and brass bracelet, he would have made one himself, but he needed the jewelry in a hurry.  Tyger prayed it didn't turn Ardua's wrist green. He was tired, but the memory of the evening under the candy fruit trees kept him going.  Tyger talked late in the evening before with Couga, who was a Panther clan member, and Thundercat who was presumed killed when First Thundera burned.  Couga told Tyger all he must know about pursuing Ardua,  and the many boundaries.
      Couga explained to Tyger that he would, along with Ardua undergo a small informal ceremony called "bonding" it's ancient Panther pronunciation is "Kortuda-Ma" which he learned means "little wedding". Tyger also learned that as part of the bonding rite, he would present Ardua with a piece of jewelry and she would do the same for him, to advertise their connection to another, and that they are no longer eligible for others.  Couga told him what he was to say to Ardua during the ceremony, much to his relief it was only three words.
      Tyger learned that he would have to seek Panthro's permission before he took her out anywhere, and have her back when he said, no excuses. There was to be absolutely no pair bonding, and the only form of physical affection that could be shown in public or private was hand holding, and kissing.  Couga also informed Tyger that he must also get Panthro's permission to marry Ardua before he proposed to her, if the relationship got serious enough.
      Tyger walked into the forge,  and began to resume his work.  Bengali, and Pumyra were happy that Tyger was finally able to talk Ardua into a relationship with him that comprised more than trying to kill each other with punches and kicks.   All Tyger talked about that day was the upcoming ceremony, and Ardua.  Pumyra and Bengali both enjoyed watching their smitten son work that day, for Tyger in love was surely something to see.  Pumyra and Bengali were pleased to say the least, neither one of them liked Zia. Bengali and Pumyra both tried to not say anything to Tyger about her, but they knew that she was trouble waiting to happen.
      Panthro flew back to Cat's Lair and prepared for the bonding rite that evening, Ardua had decided to stay with Wilykit until the next day as she planned, and just ride with Wilykit and the rest of her family to Cat's Lair and back the same evening.
      The hour of six struck and all the Thundercats, and friends were in attendance in the control room, the monitor was on and all of the Third Earth Thundercats were watching as well.  Couga, Wilykat, Terra, Nica, Jaroc, Kelec, Cena, Zac, and Claud-Us all watched with smiles, except for Jaroc, as Ardua and Tyger stood before one another.  Panthro took Ardua's hands and placed them in Tyger's, then told them about the seriousness of their commitment, and the responsibilities they held for one another, Panthro then nodded at Ardua.  Ardua took the torque from her father and placed it around Tyger's neck, she politely kissed him on the lips and said, "I claim you."  Tyger took Ardua's hand and smiled at her as he slipped the bracelet onto her hand, it wasn't fitting well.  Tyger hadn't taken in account her larger hands, Ardua looked at Tyger worried, he finally worked the bracelet onto her hand, and said with relief, "I claim you."  Tyger then kissed Ardua on the lips, a little longer than she had him.  Panthro stepped forward and as his final duty of the ceremony announced, "Ardua is no longer eligible." There was more laughing, rejoicing, congratulations, and hugs.  The Third Earth Thundercats stopped communications, while all the rest went into the grand dining hall, where a feast of Panther clan delicacies were waiting for them, courtesy of Panthro.
      Later in the evening as the party was winding down, and people were departing Ardua and Tyger stole away to the courtyard, so that they could be alone.  "Well, Tyger, what's it like to be bonded? It feels good, and I got this nice collar too."  Ardua laughed and Tyger put his arm around her.  "When you get back,'Dua swing by the forge and i'll widen that bracelet.  It's a wonder it went on, I didn't hurt you did I?  No, it was just a tight fit over my hand, it's loose on my wrist." Ardua put her head on his shoulder and looked at the moons of Plundarr with him, but they looked different to her somehow.  Romantic, maybe.
      Tyger kissed her cheek, whispered, "I love you." in her ear, Ardua then raised her head, and kissed his lips.  Wilykit walked out of the door and was going to turn to leave but Keena and Tark followed and their noise interrupted the couple.  Ardua and Tyger stopped kissing and turned to see Wilykit try to control her energetic children. "I have to go 'Tyg," She smiled. "my ride is here. I'll see you as soon as I get back, o.k.? You better, i'm going to take you out to dinner, if Panthro lets me.  He will," Tyger looked at Ardua with doubt in his eyes. "he likes you, I think he's just playing the tough dad, so you will play nice." Tyger kissed Ardua again and got up. "You'd better go, I think the kids are getting restless." Keena and Tark were doing their best to climb their father, and make the guards loose their attention stance.  Ardua walked out of the courtyard with Tyger and the rest, through the corridors then out of the front doors of Cat's Lair.  Panthro put his arms around Ardua and kissed her and she thanked him for the feast.  Ardua got into the vehicle with Wilykit and her family, and left for the Valley of Snarfs.
       Panthro and Tyger watched the vehicle leave.  Tyger and Panthro sighed together and walked back into the lair.  Tyger walked through the Lair with Panthro and they spoke to one another about various things then Tyger asked Panthro a question, "Panthro, when Ardua returns, may I take her out? Where? To dinner. You may, but have her back by twelve o' clock. Thank you for the feast, Panthro." Panthro looked at Tyger. "You're welcome."  Tyger went into his room and to bed.  Panthro went to his workshop and began taking a machine part apart, thinking of how quickly he would be arranging a wedding.
      Form Ardua's return from Wilykit and Brod's farm, to the time in which she was to leave, Tyger and Ardua spent as much time with each other as possible, sooner than anyone would have liked, it was time for her to leave.
      When the dread day approached Ardua was in no hurry to depart, she had already told both Panthro and Tyger that she would not be renewing her contract with Interplanetary Control.  Ardua knew that she could work in Cat's Lair with her father, be a technical engineer, or even work in Bengali's forge, which would thrill Tyger to no end, she assumed.  Ardua also knew that it was a matter of time until she got seriously hurt being an evil chaser, given her luck.  All Ardua saw day in and out was grey buildings, the scum of the universe, and bars, Ardua rationalized that she was no more than a prisoner herself, Ardua had also been in a few scrapes the Thundercats didn't know about that absolutely terrified her, if there was a time to get out it was now.

      The day of Ardua's departure had come.  All the New Thundera Thundercats filed out of Cat's Lair and bade Ardua farewell with hugs and kisses.  Panthro and Tyger walked past the front gates with Ardua.  Panthro hugged Ardua close to him and said, "You be careful now. I'll try, father." Panthro kissed Ardua and walked to where everyone else was standing. Tyger wrapped his arms around Ardua and hugged her and smiled as he looked into her eyes.  Tyger then politely and briefly kissed her on the lips, for everyone was watching, especially Panthro.  Ardua turned, wiped her eyes under her visor and jumped onto her bike, as she blasted off, she waved to everyone on the ground.  Tyger fiddled with the torque on his neck as he watched Ardua's bike fade into the atmosphere, knowing a year and a half couldn't go by fast enough to suit him. him.  Tyger didn't join the others in the Lair, he walked towards the forge deep in thought already missing Ardua.

Continued...

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