"Alonzo...?"
The black and white tom was perched on a low beam, an old sock swinging idly from it beneath him. "Mm?"
Munkustrap regarded the sock with suspicion. There was definitely something in that sock, causing it to rock back and forth in little fits.
"What did you catch?" he asked hesitantly, not sure if he really wanted to know the answer.
A slow, crooked grin appeared on Alonzo's face, "My son."
Munkustrap's eyes widened in alarm, "Carbucketty's in there?!"
Alonzo chuckled as the sock shifted, the kitten squirming, "He is indeed. I found him terrorizing Victoria and needed to teach him a lesson."
"What if it falls?" Munkustrap was surprised at the tom, unable to understand the method of parenting.
"He'll land on his feet," Alonzo shrugged.
Munkustrap stared, wide-eyed, "But...surely there's a better way?"
Alonzo heaved a sigh, getting to his feet and leaping down to Munkustrap's level, "The kit's immune to a cuff around the head and-"
He was cut off by Munkustrap's outraged splutter, "You hit him?"
For a moment, doubt clouded Alonzo's expression. Even as kits, Alonzo and Munkustrap rarely disagreed on anything.
"Yes..." he said slowly, his confidence returning, "Not hard, of course..."
"Have you tried talking to him?"
Alonzo gave him a withering glare, "The kit's almost a tom, Munk. Of course I started with a talking to. He's a rambuncious viper, and this kind of time out is the only way he'll learn,"
"A time out suspended over the junkyard? He's probably terrified!"
As if on cue, a tiny mewl sounded from the sock. Alonzo's ear twitched, but otherwise he didn't react.
"Serves him right, Munk," Alonzo said, almost tiredly.
Munkustrap was at a loss, "Maybe I could talk to him? Jemim-"
"Jemima is an angel and prodigy, Munk. I doubt there will ever be a kitten in this Junkyard quite like her. And I don't think it's all to do with your parenting - she was a quiet newborn."
Munkustrap felt chastised, gazing up at his best friend with sad eyes. Alonzo huffed fondly, rolling his eyes and nuzzling the silver tabby affectionately.
"I know what I'm doing, Munk..."
Munkustrap sighed back at him, nodding and nuzzling him back.
The sound of ripping fabric made both of them glance up, and Munkutrap watched in horror as a brown bundle fell. The drop was short, and Carbucketty landed lightly on his paws, claws unsheathed for balance.
A smirk appeared on his smug little face, poking his tongue out at his father before darting into a junk pile.
Perplexed, Munkustrap watched Alonzo sigh and roll his eyes
"What a snake..." he groaned quietly, headbutting his friend in goodbye.
Munkustrap watched as Alonzo leapt up the junkpile, eyes scanning for his son.
Suddenly he understood.
Maybe a difference in parenting was necessary.