As the June-reddened sun melted behind piles of urban castoffs, the falsetto shrieks of queenlings rang out in the Junkyard, agonizing so that nearly all other inhabitants sheltered their ears.
A kitten scampered ahead of her fellows, with a usual grace, her coat luminescent in the evening light. "Oh, I wish we could've stayed longer! He's so handsome!"
"Oh, really, Victoria!" crowed her younger sister, Electra. "You already have Plato! Isn't that enough?"
With an atypical gleam she purred in reply, "Maybe not."
"Vicky!" Jemima caught up with them, giggles ringing.
Electra rolled her eyes, before adding, "I can't really blame you, of course. He is so charming!"
Jemima unconsciously batted her lashes, "And dreamy!"
"He's perfect!" The kittens turned to a cream-coated cat, whose whiskers turned upward in a grin that they returned in agreement. Etcetera had been the farthest behind because she, as usual, was the longest to tear herself away.
"Ohh," Etcetera moaned in near depravement. "I can't wait to be mated with Tugger!"
Electra frowned. "Etcy, you know you're too young."
"My chances are as good as yours. We're the same age."
Electra shook her head adamantly. "I'm older!"
"By a week!" she snorted. "Besides, I'm mentally older than you!"
"You're so full of-"
"Electra!" Jemima squeaked.
"Anyways, you squeal more than a newborn when he's around!"
Etcetera stuck out her tongue. "Well, he still pays more attention to me!"
"Only to shut you up!" she retorted.
Jemima and Victoria exchanged smiles of exasperation. In the Junkyard, Electra and Etcetera's squabbles were common as unmatched boots. But despite these displays, everyone knew the pair were thick as thieves, practically sisters. It may have been because of this they argued so frequently. Jemima spoke up.
"Etcetera, we should be getting back home. Papa said to be back in an hour, and it's been nearly two!"
Etcetera grinned at her little sister. "He knew we'd be gone longer when he said that."
"It's a good thing you asked him," Victoria laughed. "Your mother wouldn't have let you go at all!"
Etcetera sighed. "Sometimes I almost wish Auntie Bombalurina was our mother!"
Electra snickered. "Are you kidding? She'd definitely wouldn't let you near Tugger! We are competition, after all."
"Yes, thank your lucky stars Demeter practically hates him," said Victoria.
Etcetera shook her head. "Alright, Jemima, let's go."
"Bye, girls!" Jemima cried.
"Bye Etcetera! Bye Jemima!" Their friends called back.
As they made their way back to their home-den, Jemima asked, "Why doesn't Mama like Tugger?"
Etcetera shrugged. "She says it's because he's too vain."
"Oh."
Etcetera grinned, then leaned in close. "But I think it's because he's too fun."
The sisters raced home in a fit of giggles.
"I envy you your popularity."
Eyes closed, stretched out on his back, Tugger gave a light shrug. "Not my fault, Mr. Third-In-Command. Maybe if you weren't so busy you could spend time enough to become nearly as attractive as me." His lips curled into a grin when a derisive noise replied. He opened one eye. "Aren't you still thinking of making a commitment?"
Alonzo stared vacantly from his perch on the car hood. "I don't know. I feel as though I'm practically committed, given all my attention is divided between only two queens. You're right, you know; with my responsibilities I barely have time for multiple dalliances." He looked down at his friend. "Besides, Bombalurina seems to like you more."
Tugger lifted his chin thoughtfully. "Mmm…she knows I'm not about to commit."
"Well, I might like Cassandra more anyway."
Tugger showed his fangs in a chuckle. "Well, there's no hurry. You're only competition is me - and like I said, I don't commit."
Alonzo slid down to Tugger's side. "Which is why you aren't in a chain of command."
"Please. I'd rather you than me!"
Alonzo laughed. "You? Assuming responsibility? Demeter leaving Munkustrap for you is more likely."
Tugger smirked impishly. "Much more likely."
"And Pekes will fly."
Tugger abruptly sat up, his spine taught and expression tense, jaw slightly agape as he scented the air.
"What is it?" said Alonzo.
Tugger growled. "My brother."
Alonzo frowned. "What's wrong with-"
"Alonzo!"
He lifted his gaze, and sure enough, there was Mistoffelees, Tugger's half-brother.
"Alonzo," he repeated, nearly of breath. "It's Macavity!"
Alonzo felt a shadow pass over him, and Tugger's exclamation sunk in. He quickly turned his head, but the maine coon was no longer present. Looking back, he met Mistoffelees' fearful gaze.
"Quickly, to Old Deuteronomy!" Alonzo shouted, giving Mistoffelees' scarcely any time to regain countenance as he chased after the older tom.
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