Our scene opens as your "eyes" adjust to the darkness of this room. Unlike the oppressive shadows of total blackness, little pinpricks of morning sunlight are filtering in through toothmarks on the blackout curtains covering the window. Similarly, small splashes of color dances on a nearby wall, hues of red spilling from the cord of a heated blanket as its settings scroll across a tiny display. It's not that light has abandoned this place, sealed out and away, the denizen of the room simply requests that the sun remain a quiet and respectful guest.

Speaking of denizens... A low rumbling catches your "ear" as your attention is drawn to a king-size mattress laid out on the ground, where a large bed lump is comfortably relaxing, only an onyx-black tailtip poking out from under the covers and flicking back and forth. His muffled churrs of comfort spill out into the open air of the room, complete with growling trills when he does a particularly good stretch. As is feline custom, this blanket lump has absolutely no intention of getting anything at all done today, perfectly content to be warm and spend his day kneading the bed in bliss.

But just before as someone knocks on the door, the feline sniffs the air and rapidly shifts onto his side, sprawling out on the mattress. Doing his best to suppress any noises, he turns the bed into a nearly-still landscape of fabric, his body forming mountains of kitty bodymass and drooping into valleys comfortably cradled by his four limbs.

Even though no one can see it, his eyes are shut when the door creaks open, sunlight spilling into the room through the doorframe. Only for a moment though, as the door quietly shuts with a certain someone taking particular care to ease the feral-accomodating door lever into a neutral position.

Unable to help himself, the bed lump opens his mouth slightly and takes a few deep breaths beneath the covers, tasting the air and licking his lips as his suspicions are confirmed. Orange blossoms mixed with a distinct taste of Me and Them, comforting and reassuring. His pet had always refused to use scentless shampoo, preferring to change which floral scent followed them off a whim, so they had to compromise. Their blue-and-purple collar never got washed, maybe rinsed here and there, but never washed.

That way everyone knew exactly who was in charge, and why it amused him so much when strengers or new friends got it the wrong way around. But even if the panther was in control of most things, there were certain parts of life that his canine pet insisted on, and this was one of them.

"Come onnn, it's time to get up!" The dog's voice was quiet but whiny, he clearly wanted to start the day. Sitting between their Owner's forelegs and hindlegs, they lean back, resting a bit of their weight into soft bellycushion as the pup pouts and huffs. "I know you're awake down there. I can hear your rumbling from my kennel when you have your blanket on." Still trying to enjoy his bed for a bit longer, the panther doesn't respond, although he shifts a bit in protest beneath the blankets.

"The sun's been up for two houuurs!" Lifting up the edge of the blanket, the lab burrows their way under, turning the blanket into a little tent as their back lifts it up into the air. The panther's face is entirely unrepentant for the laziness as he yaaaaaawns, stretching out his dark limbs and then wrapping them around his pet as they yip in surprise! Not resisting the cuddles, the puppy squirms and blushes as their Owner rubs his cheeks all over their collar and fur, messing both up and marking them with scent before grooming the fluff back into order.

Under the blankets it was warm, comfortable, and smelling of Me and Him. Even if the day was starting, the sun's warmth couldn't compare to the all-encompassing feeling of rightness that they felt underneath their Owner. "... Well all right, five more minutes couldn't hurt."