Chapter: II Time Apart..
Thee next morning Jake awoke early to make sure the small cart was packed properly. He wanted to double check, not wanting Manx to lose any of his precious cargo. The hand crafted music boxes were worth a good bit of money and the right buyer would pay handsomely to own such a gorgeous item.
Jake tied the load down and went back in to make sure Manx had a big hearty breakfast before he left for the long road ahead. While Manx ate, Jake packed food supplies for the trip, not wanting his dad to run out of meals. Jake wrapped a loaf of bread into a blanket, rolling it up nice and neat. He placed fruit in a basket and covered it with a towel, setting it aside with the other bundles. After breakfast Manx grabbed his coat and walked down the stone steps, with Jake not too far behind.
"Well, Ah'll see ye in a few days, Jake. Take good care of the place will ye." said Manx hugging him close. Jake embraced him back, swaying a little where they stood.
"You be careful okay..You have a good amount of food, so you shouldn't worry about starving. I also took the time to draw out the best path to take, since your map is out dated, I wasn't to sure about some of the trails." said Jake passing a map to the older cat. Manx nodded, letting his son know he would be okay. Manx climbed up on the front of the cart, getting himself comfortable on the seat cushion.
"Is there anything Ah can get ye?" asked Manx placing his hat on his head, looking down to the bright eyed Jake.
"A rose, like the one in the picture." answered Jake leaning on the cart, gazing back up at Manx.
"Ye ask for that every time, don't ye want somethin' else?" wondered Manx with a warm smile, knowing a rose was a very special item for Jake to have. "All right, Ah'll get ye a nice rose. Bye Jake!"
Jake watched as Manx set off down the road, hearing the clatter of the cart against the stone trail. He waved and stood there till the carriage vanished from sight over the ridge. With drooped ears, tail and shoulders he went back into the house, reminding him how lonely life would be without Manx.
He took a breath and shook it off, picking up his book and going off to get some fresh foods at the market place. He grabbed his coat and made his way down the steps to the square, hoping to keep himself busy till the older kat made it back.
He went to pick up some glass, and took it home, thinking he would have more then enough time to replace the windows. After getting food and other thing, Jake spent the day going from stand to stand, making small talk with the owners.
They chewed over the weather, but often Jake got the sense no one really wanted to hear about him. That's when he spotted Paul, the homeless cat who went around town. He would ask for a kind gesture from anyone willing enough to give him their time.
"Aims, aims for the poor?' questioned the short kat, wearing only rags and carrying a cane. He held a paw out to couple, who brushed him off and left him behind. The homeless kat sighed and found a couple of shadows fell over him. He turned and saw Burke and Murray, who stood over the shorter kat.
"Well what do we have here, Murray?" asked Burke nudging the other kat. The two like to antagonize the little guys of the town, going around the village and stirring up trouble.
"Looks like the filth of the town to me, Burke," chuckled Murray, eyeing up the smaller one of the three.
"Look, fellas, I don't want no trouble..Please, I'll leave if that what you wish of me." begged Paul, steeping back out of their reach.
"Not so fast pipsqueak." said Burke reaching out and grabbing the male by the cloak, drawing him up off the ground. He held the older male to his face, smirking evilly. "You ain't going no where."
The homeless kat tried to hit the lager male with his cane, only to feel it be pulled from his grasp. The two kats laughed and watched the little kat struggle to break free. Murray snapped the cane and threw it aside.
"Opps, my bad.." laughed Murray watching the older kat's face fall with sadness.
"I believe it's you aren't going anywhere, Burke...As for you Murray apologize to Paul for breaking his cane." came Jake's strong voice. Jake hated to see someone small getting pushed around by bullies like the duo, so he would intervene if the time called for it.
"Well if it isn't, Jake Clawson..Trying to be a knight and shining armor from one of those stupid books, are you?" wondered Burke turning to face Jake, who stood tall as he was able.
"Yeah, come to rescue the damsel in distress." teased Murray shaking Paul in the air, making the older kat stiffen up to keep from being tossed about. "I'd like to see you try to take us on?"
"Put him down or else." demanded Jake cracking his neck and loosening his shoulders. The two bullies glanced at each other, then to Jake. They burst out into a fit of laughter, pointing to the shorter male.
"You, I'd like to see you try, Clawson." laughed Murray slapping a paw to his forehead. He never saw Jake fight, and doubted he even could hold his own in a brawl.
"Yeah, you skirt wearing skinny loser." said Burke gesturing to Jake's getup, thinking his style of clothes were weird.
With that Jake lunged at them and in a flash grabbed Paul, landing behind the pair. He set Paul down, making sure he was okay. Paul gasped and watched as the two turned to face Jake, who didn't seem scared in the least.
"All right Clawson, you asked for it." said Murray as the pair went for him. Jake, thinking fast grabbed Paul and leaped upward, hanging onto a sign that hung over them. The two lager kats hit the pavement, knocking heads before slumping to the ground. Seeing they were good and in the clear, Jake jumped down and went to retrieve Paul's cane.
"I'm sorry about how they treat you..Why don't you come to my place and I'll get you something to eat while I fix this for you." said Jake looking at the two halves, and lending the older kat his arm. Paul stood and took Jake's arm, letting the kat guide him through the town.
They passed several kats, who whispered and pointed to Jake, who assisted the gaunt and grubby looking kat. Jake saw their stares and simply smiled to Paul, who felt the many eyes upon them.
"Than you for your kindness..You seem to be the only one to help out an old kat like me." said Paul with a laugh, coughing a little. They went to the house and Jake got the kat some food, cooking up a big plate for him. Paul ate and savored the wonderful dish, smiling with joy. "This is the best, thank you young man. Now what can I give you in return for such a good deed? Surely there must be something you desire?"
"I'm fine, your thanks and smiling face is enough of a reward." answered Jake working on making a new cane for the aging kat. He knew most would want something out of sharing their food with the older kat, but Jake wasn't interested in getting something out of it for himself.
"That's a very goodhearted thing for you to say..I hate to say others are not as sympathetic or warm to an old fella like me." said Paul glancing about the small, yet homey like atmosphere. "I maybe poor, but I've seen more of the world then you could ever imagine..In all my travels, in all my years I've met many, many kats..And I can tell you, kind people are hard to come by..Rare even..Like a precious treasure that's buried under the sand..But with time and patients, you will find it."
Jake listened and felt bad, knowing the kat had been mistreated by several others. He knew there were both good and bad kats out there, but he couldn't imagine being mean or cruel to someone for things they couldn't help.
"I fixed you a brand knew cane, sorry I couldn't fix peoples attitude or the world." said Jake passing a cane with metal plating around it, making it break resistance. "Look, I can speak with Manx, and maybe we could give you a place to stay. I mean we have a spare bedroom, and I know winter will be here soon."
As Jake spoke, the older kat took the cane and ran his paws over it, treasuring the handcrafted object. Hearing Jake offer him a place to stay, was too much for the kat. Paul was silent and sniffed a bit, feeling moved by the act of Jake's generosity.
"It's the very few kats like you that make this world livable." said Paul with glassy eyes, turning to Jake with hope filled eyes.
"I only wish I could do more." replied Jake placing a paw on Paul's shoulder.
"You living is enough." said Paul.
Jake let Paul stay the night, wanting to make sure the older kat was okay. The next day Paul left and went out, seeming happy and brighter. Seeing the older kat filled with hope brought joy to Jake. Giving was truly better then getting and that's why Jake did his best to help the less fortunate, only because he enjoyed it and not for pride sake.
Jake went to the town and spoke with a few kats, trying to put forth a little effort. Jake wasn't an extrovert and was more of the introvert type, finding it easier to be on his own. Though he liked his space, there were times he wish he had someone to talk to, to share his love for books and learning with.
He spoke with the villagers, but it never seemed to be what he wanted. Tired of socializing and making small talk, the orange auburn kat took a seat by the fountain, reading over his book in peace.
He was enjoying it when he saw a young she kat, watching him with big curious eyes. He smiled over to her and gestured for her to come closer.
"Here, would you like to hear a story?" asked Jake in a kind voice, pointing to the book. The little girl came over and stared, wondering what was in the book. Jake smiled and began to read aloud, gaining the attention of other kittens. Soon several kittens sat around, listening eagerly to older kat.
Jake changed his voice and gestured with his free paw, making the story sound even batter for the kittens. Jake found it great to share the story with the young ones, thinking it might get them to read and learn.
Reading is important, it helps to make you smart, It's the key to knowledge, to explore new worlds, It can guide you, when you feel lost, If you need to find an answer, here's what you can,
Jake sang and held the book out for the kittens to see, wanting to get others to see the joy of learning. The kittens with wide curious eyes studied the pages and saw only words. They seemed disappointed until an illustration came into view. They smiled at the visual to the story, giving them a example of the characters.
Open up a book, filled with words and even pictures, Journey to brand new place,s where adventure lies, It's not hard to find, it's just at your finger tips, Why wait any longer,
It was like magic the kittens use their imagination, allowing them to fall away from reality. Their boring little town disappeared as the story came to life in around them. They were near a kingdom, watching knights fighting with shining swords.
Read of amazing tales, from history to myth, Travel to other lands, where you've never been, Read of heroes, or magic being, And you'll see, yes you'll see, how spectacular it is,
Jake loved the feeling of reading, it was an escape from the life he lived, to a world where he longed to be. A place where he wouldn't be judged, wouldn't be an outcast, wouldn't be disliked. It warmed his heart to see the kittens share this feeling with him. They were young, so it was more fun if anything.
Open up a book, to a fantastic place beyond here, Where your mind can soar, push your imagination, You'll find that any dream, anything can be accomplished, If you have passion and believe,
Open up a book, it's only just in your reach, It will be there forever, when you need it, It's a friend when you're alone, and can't seem to go on, As long as you hold hope near, You'll never, be lost.
They were imagining of the far off lands they could visit, places they'd only ever heard of. It was more fun to dream of then actually going, for they could glorify the land and surrounds to anything they wanted. Jake was leading the trail of kittens around the street, catching the eyes of the adults. Jake finished his song and the kittens jumped up and down, wanting him to read more. They cheered and Jake nodded, opening the book back up.
"You, Clawson! What do you think your doing?" questioned a mother, who came looking for her son. Her son glanced up to his mother, with pleading eyes, wanting to stay and hear the story. The kitten went and clung to Jake's legs as the orange auburn kat said nothing, watching as other adults came over to him. The mother went and took her son's paw, pulling him away from the lean male. "You should be ashamed, young ones need to learn how to work, not waste time reading those long eared book."
She took her winning son back to where she was working. Soon some of the fathers saw their kittens having to be drug away from Jake. The males nodded to each other and went to deal with the kilt wearing kat.
"Please, I meant no harm..Your young loved the story, and I think it would be good to read to them." said Jake feeling bad, watching the sad kittens be pulled away from his side. Jake was about to speak but stopped when he saw a group of tom kats walk over to him. He tried to run, but was cut off and grabbed by the collar.
"When will you get it through your thick head, that we don't want your queer ways rubbing off on our young." snapped the male, who held Jake by the shirt. Jake frowned, not liking that he used the word queer to describe his unusual ways He knew the man didn't know any better, still it hurt.
"You intolerant, and unwilling kats! Can't you see how much good reading will do?" said Jake glancing about at the taller males, holding his head high. The toms looked with questionable expressions, sharing shrugs from left to right.
"Look, we don't understand half the thing you said to us, but if we find out there bad, you're going to be in a world of hurt." said one kat, hitting his fist into his palm.
"This is what I mean! If you read more, you'd know what I meant." said Jake raising his voice in frustration to the thick headed toms. He hated how he used what he though were normal words to the unintelligent town folk.
"Let'e just teach him a good lesson and be done with it." said another kat, raising his fist up and shaking it. The others agreed and with that they surrounded him and started throwing punches to Jake, who placed his paws up to try and keep them back. Not knowing what else to do, Jake curled up on the ground, trying to protect himself from the on coming blows.
Over by a window, stood Turmoil. She took a breath and spoke.
"You are zee most beautiful, talented, superior among zem all..No one else deserves you, but at least I know our kittens vill be lovely." said Turmoil to her reflection, seeing the Lieutenant enter into her focus. The Captain rolled her eyes, wondering why the Lieutenant chose such poor timing. "Vhat is it Lieutenant?"
"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am. But a certain kilt wearing kat is in distress." chirped the Lieutenant, knowing the news would cheer up the Captain. She watched Turmoil fix her cape and stood tall, smiling slyly.
"Oh, it's hero time..I'm not finished vith you yet." said Turmoil taking one last look at her reflection before strolling off with a whip of her long cape. The Lieutenant grinned and trailed not too far behind her.
The group lead Jake out of town, pushing him from left to right like a rag doll. With a mighty shove Jake was thrown to the ground, holding his arms out to catch himself. He tried to sit up, but his book was chucked at his head, knocking him down once more.
"And don't let us catch you pulling a stunt like that again!" yelled one of the father out of the group of grumbling animals. They left and went back to work, leaving Jake laying on the ground. He lay there for a moment, feeling too hurt to move. As he lay there the last thing he wanted was to be disturbed by Turmoil in his hour of humiliation. She was unaware of this and walked over to the down kat.
"Don't vorry Jake. You can't vin zem all." said Turmoil lending him her paw, pulling him to his shaky feet. He was dust covered and had a pair of black eye, showing they beat the crap out of him. Blood dripped from his bottom lip and his clothes were torn and one sleeve was completely ripped from its shoulder. Turmoil brushed him off and reached down to get his book, cleaning it off as well. "So, vhy did they beat you zis time?"
"Because I was reading aloud to the young ones. Those narrow minded brainless fools, I tell you one of these days, I'm just going to pack up and leave." spat Jake wiping the blood off his muzzle, seeing it stain his sleeve. He pulled at his torn sleeve and limped to his home, wanting to be left alone.
Turmoil walked after him, reaching his side with a smile. She had to say, he wasn't much of a fighter, which would make him the perfect submissive. It was obvious the she cat only wanted a guy around to control and be master over.
"Jake, zee only kittens you need to vorry about are your own, ours future litter." said Turmoil trying to cheer up the male. She wasn't getting any younger and at thirty three, the time to produce was now or never.
"I don't want kittens, at least not yet, maybe never..." stated Jake glancing over his shoulder to the pursuing she cat. He opened the gate to his front garden and walked through the flowers, careful to not step on the plants.
"Vell, I do... For simple town folk like us, it doesn't get any better." said Turmoil, jumping the gate and landing on the beautiful flowers, stomping them into the ground. She stepped on the plants, not wanting to get her polished heels dirty.
Jake grimaced and his right eye flickered a few time and his fur stood up every so slightly, watching her destroy his hours of work. He gritted his teeth and turned to her, ready to speak his mind.
"I maybe a farmer, but I'm not stupid or simple in anyway." said Jake facing her again, pointing a finger to her. Turmoil found this side of Jake to be quite a turn on, making him all the more worth while to pursue. He calmed himself by taking a breath, not wanting to loose control. "I know you mean well, but I'm happy being alone."
"Oh, Jake..Do you know vhat happens to males who loose zeir family..Look at Paul, his family burned to death in a fire, leaving only him to live. Several, including myself, sink he's a bit slow and incapable to family of his own. He goes around town begging for scraps, that might be you one day." said Turmoil folding her arms over her chest, giving him a sympathetic look. She hoped to assure Jake marriage was the only way to a good life, otherwise he'd be left to wander the streets.
"Your, wrong, he's smart and no different then the rest of us. You see what you want, not who he really is. For that you and the rest of is town are the simple ones." said Jake getting mad that she spoke down about the aging kat, who was his friend.
"I'm just trying to help you. I can make you a very happy husband." said Turmoil with a suggestive expression, placing a hand on her hip. "This is our vorld Jake, and you can either join in the dance, or stand on outside looking in."
"Turmoil!...We won't make each other happy, kats can't change that much..I know this is hard to hear, but I will never marry you." said Jake entering his home and shutting the door behind him, using it like a shield to keep her back.
Turmoil placed her hand on the door, but could do nothing but stand there as Jake shut her out. Turmoil sighed and turned, grinning and leaving the house. She liked a challenge and wouldn't give up until he was her's and her's alone.
Jake alone at last leaned on the door with a sighed. He went to his room and locked himself away, hoping she would leave. With a grunt he removed his clothes and sat on his bed, staring at the floor boards. He sat for a few moment then lay down fully, placing his paws behind his head. He thought over what Turmoil said about dancing, and how he stood outside the loop.
What was hard, was how different he really was. But what the town saw as odd, was simply who Jake was as a person. He was himself and never tried to be anything he wasn't, never wanting to pretend just to get others to like him. He figured if you didn't like who he really was, then you weren't worth his time.
He was gay, but didn't acted like the stereotype. He was a farmer, but dreamed bigger then the fields and crops. He was a reader, but enjoyed working with his bare paws and never worried about getting down and dirty. (By dirty he meant getting grimy, not sexual.). He was a mash up and knew who he was.
He wasn't like the others kats, who masqueraded about town, never knowing who they really were. They dressed a certain way, acted a certain way, all in hopes of fitting in. There were thous who said they weren't like the conformist, yet they too had rules and customs that made them conformist.
Jake took a breath and prayed to the Great Creator before turning over to sleep. He stared out the window, wondering how Manx was, hoping the older kat was all right and well. After some time, Jake feel asleep and slumbered peacefully.
The next morning Jake lay in bed, feeling achey from the beating he got from the day before. He stayed there feeling pretty good, until a knock at the door interrupted his rest. He got out of bed and went down stairs, thinking it might be someone in trouble, so he never bothered to cover his bare chest. he had a kilt on to cover his undergarment, not anyone to see such a privet area.
Jake unlocked the door and opened it, thinking it might be Paul. When Paul was chased off or needed help he would turn up at their door step. Jake was all ready to offer his home to the aging kat, but groaned when he realized it wasn't Paul.
"Hello Jake, I came to return your book and see how you were doing." said Turmoil leaning herself on the door still, obviously not giving up.
"Good, till now." retorted Jake taking the book back, finding this game of hers to be getting old. He folded his arms over his bare chest and wondered why she hadn't gotten that he turned her down. "So, is something broken in your home, door hinge, window?"
"Actually, yes something is broken..My heart, and only you, Jake can fix it." said Turmoil making her way into the house, pushing the door along with Jake backward.
Jake was strong, but he was no match for the taller, stronger she cat. He was sent into the wall and could do nothing more then watcher her walk in, her cape flowing behind her tall build.
"Have you tried drinking..I hear that cures a broken heart." said Jake seeing her make her way around his house, seeming to inspect the place. He knew she liked him, but he'd sooner die alone then settle down with a brainless selfish woman like here. "Look, Turmoil, can you please leave, I have a lot to do today.."
"Ve're still on a lats name basis. You can call me by my first name, Jake." said Turmoil lounging her back on the table, holding her chest out as if trying to impress the he kat. Jake swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling very awkward around her, and not in the good way. Turmoil grinned thinking he responded to her and stood, walking slowly over to him, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. "Come on Jake, I'm putting myself out here, and yet you do all you do is ignore me..Just give in and I can show you a good time."
She placed her paws in his paws, trying to force him to wrap them around her waist. She stood above him and stared down into his bright brown eyes, watching them widen.
"No, what I want is for you to leave." said Jake breaking from her grasp and stepping back. He pointed to the doorway and stood firm, letting her know he meant business.
"Oh, really.." said Turmoil strolling over to him, swaying her hips from side to side. He remained strong and kept his gaze with hers, continuing to point his index finger for her to leave. She took his paw and stared down, feeling him freeze up in her hold. "Are you sure about that?"
Turmoil pinned Jake to the door and ran her paw down his cheek, stroking him tenderly. She gave him a seductive look, thinking she could allure him into her arms .
Jake's back was against the wood surface and he glanced about for a way out, knowing she was being risque to win his attention. The she cat's plan failed, for Jake wasn't buying into it and spoke out.
"Yes, really!" said Jake ducking under her arms and pushing the door, along with Turmoil out. He slammed the door shut and quickly locked it, hoping she wouldn't try to come back. He flung himself to the door and held his breath, listening for her.
Outside Turmoil stood with wide eyes, unable to believe he just kicked her out like that. She was so close, just a few more seconds and he could have been hers.
"You, can't hide in you home forever Clawson! You can't! Ohh!" groaned Turmoil throwing her paws up and stomping her heel down, whipping her cape about and storming off. Waiting for her was the Lieutenant, seeing the Captain in a foul mood.
"So, I guess it didn't go to well, huh?" said the Lieutenant with a shrug. Turmoil whirled about and glared darkly, making the Lieutenant back up. She swallowed and glanced off to the side, breaking the moment.
"I von't be made a fool of, I vill have him as my husband. It's only a matter of time." said Turmoil grabbing the Lieutenant by the collar and lifting her off the ground. The Lieutenant nodded and said nothing, not wanting to upset the Captain any further. Turmoil dropped her and walked on back to the village, where she would be welcomed and idolized.
Jake poked his head up from a windowsill, scanning to see if the she cat was still in his front yard. Seeing no sign of her he grinned and went to get a shirt on. He came back down and looked around the house, deciding to do some repair work and other jobs he had been unable to do.
"Can you believe it, me the husband to that petty arrogant fool." said Jake rolling up his sleeves and getting his stuff together to fix the windows. As he worked he began to sing.
Mr. Clawson and his wife, Mrs. Turmoil Clawson, the very thought, It makes me made, I can't stand it, I long to go far beyond this place,
He climbed to the roof and stood looking out over the horizon, seeing rolling hills and towns far off. He dropped and took a seat, staring out wondering if that's what he truly wanted.
I yearn to explore and see the wide world, places I can't even say, Yet to do it alone, without another, presence, is it really what I'm after.
The sun shown down and Jake turned and went to work, patching the old leaky roof. He hammered away and thought deeply on the topic. He wanted to leave, but this was his home, and was all he knew. Plus to explore the world on your own sounds like a lonely life, a life he didn't know if he wanted to live.
Manx rode the cart along a nice quiet area of the forest. Manx glanced over the map, making sure he was going the right way.
"All right, it looks like there's a short cut up ahead. If we take that we can get there a day sooner." said Manx seeing a path that seemed to cut through the twits and turns if the trail Jake had marked for them. "Aye, what do ye make of that Phillip?"
They walked to the fork in the road and Phillip glanced from right to left. The right path was bright and beautiful, while the left appeared dark and spooky.
"What are ye waitin' for Phillip, let's go to the left." said Manx in a chipper tone, wondering why the horse stopped. You've got to be kidding me. Thought Phillip moving to the right, not wanting to take this short cut. Seeing the horse turn Manx spoke out. "Oh, come now Phillip, it isn't that bad."
Says you, but I don't like the looks of it. Though Phillip taking a step to the right. Manx took the reins and steered them to the left path, hoping to shorten their trip. The went farther and farther, deeper and deeper into the woods, finding it to change a bit. The sound of an owl put the pair on edge.
"Ah wonder where we are now?" wondered Manx looking at the map again, seeing what part of the path they might be one. "Ah knew Ah should have gotten a more up to date map, Jake warned me this might happen sooner or later. Curse me and me cheep ways."
The pair couldn't help but feel cool as fog came from nowhere, surrounding them in a white cloud. I don't know about you, but something feels off about this place. Thought Phillip, stopping and staying still. Manx held up the map and made sure he didn't lead them down some dead end trail. It was hard to figure out where they had come from and where they were going, due to the thick vapor.
"Great now where have ye taken us, Phillip." asked Manx turning the map this way and that. Me! It was you who brought us here. Thought Phillip with a snort. Manx fixed his glasses and glanced about. "Let's keep movin', we're bound to find somethin'"
They strolled about a while longer, until a growl caught their attentions. The pair turned and saw a pink winged bat like creature, came out from behind a tree, eyeing them up.
"Kats alive! What is that thing?" wondered Manx crumpling up the paper as he stared at the creeplings. The creatures hissed and moved closer, bring more with it. They flew over the older kat's head and Phillip ducked as one tried to strike him.
"L-let's get out of here!" exclaimed Manx, using a stick to bat them away. Way ahead of you. Thought Phillip bolting forward and pushing the creepling out of his way. Phillip huffed and puffed as he ran off the path, tearing through brush and vines. The path was rough and the wagon hit a log, ripping from the horse and tumbling over and over in a heap of dust and gravel. Manx was air born and landed on Phillip, who stood under where he fell from.
"Aye, good boy Phillip. Ye saved me." said Manx stroking the horse. We're not out of the wood yet. Thought Phillip taking off as the sound of the creepling could be heard. Manx hung to the horse's mane and kept the other to his hat as they dashed through the forest.
Phillip stopped when they came to stone wall with towering metal gates attached to it. They saw it surrounded a large garden area and quickly pushed through, letting the gates slam shut behind them. Safe and sound on the inside the two went to the center, where a small pavilion stood. They looked around the area, and found it to be lush and beautiful. The flowers and shrubs were trimmed and kept nice and neat, showing the owner took great pride in keeping them clipped back.
"Ah wonder why Ah never heard of this place, it's absolutely lovely." said Manx seeing a water fountain in the center of the greens and small trails. "I wonder who keeps this garden lookin' so nice. Aye, it's a shame Jake isn't here to see all this, wait till Ah get home and tell him."
"Hey, let's go check out that buildin' over there. Ah would like to thank the man who owns this lovely place. Also thank him for providing safety for us." said Manx looking about and noticing a building off in the distance. It was gray and he wondered if someone lived there. The pair came out from behind some shrubs and saw a mighty palace standing before them. With a gaped mouth Manx could help but what to go in, dismounting from Phillip and stepping up the staircase.
He glanced from left to right, then to the large doors, wondering what lay behind them. With a tug he opened the door, letting a cold breeze hit him in the face. He stood there and sniffed the air, finding the scent to be a mix of food, stone and something else. Manx made his way over the threshold, hanging his coat on a hanger.
"Hello, anyone here..Ah'd like to thank ye..Ah be a simple weary traveler who got lost in the woods." said Manx looking around the large area. His shoes made a tapping nose that echoed through the big building, showing just how massive it was. The older kat's eyes darted about the space, never noticing the hanger shaking his coat out in the background. "Well, if it's all right Ah'll just warm me self by the fire."
Manx walked over to a fireplace, seeing two chairs and a small table sitting on a rug in front of the fire. The flame blazed in the stone fireplace, crackling and making it feel homey. He rubbed his paws together over the fires warmth, feeling a bit cold.
On a windowsill sat a candlestick and a clock. They appeared to be still till their faces moved and their eyes watched the new comer. The candlestick was yellow, a gold ish silver color, with long eyelashes, showing it was a female..
"Look, Uncal Faral, a guests at last.." whispered the candle, glancing from the kat to the clock, who had a emotionless expression. The clock was dark brown with black trim, showing he was a a male.
"Shush Felina, we don't want to give away our position.." whispered the clock, throwing her a dark glare and closing his eyes, trying to act as though they weren't there.
"Who's there?" asked Manx turning and glancing about the room for the owner of the voices. His ears flickered this way and that, trying to pick up where the owner could be. His ears picked up at the sound of a piano, playing from one of the rooms down the hall.
"Oh, that must be the owner." said Manx tugging at his shirt and fixing his wig. He followed the sound of music, leaving the warm fire. Manx was trying to figure out which room the music was came from, hearing it echo through the long hall. The Scottish kat came to a room and opened the door, peering in to look for the owner. He heard a gasp as the piano stopped suddenly, it's candle flickering out. "No one appears to be here, yet how could music be playin' without a pianist?"
"Hello, is anyone here? Ah'm sort of lost and wondered if ye could help me?" asked Manx looking about the ball room, that was full of cobweb covered crystal chandeliers, and elegant support beams. He sniffed the air and found no trace of a living being. "That's odd there's no one in here."
The kat was about to leave when the sound of a pan dropping caught their attention. Manx thought the owner must be in the kitchen, so off he went. He entered a dinning area and found a place set at the head of the table.
"Look at that food.." said Manx, smelling the wonderful aroma. Manx made his way to the set place and glanced over the bread, fish and small salad. He sniffed it and looked over the fancy dinnerware. His stomach rumbled and so he ate at some of the food, taking a drink out of a glass. It had been a few hours and with his supplies gone, the kat was quite hungry.
He stopped and studded a tea cup, noticing the design on its side was that of a face. He leaned in and squinted watching it closely. Suddenly its painted eyes opened and stared back at him.
"Hi..I'm not suppose to speak, but I'm too friendly not to." said a perky child's voice, glancing about with a shy smile. Manx's eyes were wide as the saucers on the table and slowly stood back, placing the food in his paw back down. He swallowed his mouth full and didn't know what to make of the talking item.
"How, nice..A-a talkin' tea cup..Ah must to have hit me head harder the Ah thought." said Manx calmly with a tiny chuckle, thinking he'd lost his mind. White as a sheep Manx fled down the main hall and opened the door from where he entered, spotting Phillip grazing on a patch of grass. "A-Ah don't know what kind of witch craft this is, but Ah don't want to stick around and found out."
Man made it down the steps and got on Phillip, steering them away from the castle. Manx glanced back over his shoulder and wasn't watching where he was going and when he turned back around he spotted something. Before him was a rose bush, with several roses to pick from.
"Aye, a rose for Jake, how could I forget...Ah tell ya, how convenient, yet ironic it is we stumbled over these roses." said Manx going over to the roses. He dismounted and went to pluck on from the vine. As he did this Phillip got the feeling they weren't alone. The horse turned quickly and saw a dark figure dart by. The horse fussed, hoping to get the older kat's attention. However this all went unnoticed by Manx, who pulled a single rose off. "There, wont Jake be happy when he sees this."
The older kat was yanked from the ground and sent threw the air. He landed on his back, and sat up, seeing a large shadow fall over himself.
"What, do you think your doing breaking and entering into my humble abode." asked a cloaked figure, staring down with glowing red eyes. Manx trembled and didn't know what to say, shaking with fear filled eyes. The creature was taller then he and his left side seemed covered by scales, or at least the part he could see. The figure growled and clenched its fist. "What are you staring at?"
"Nothin', Ah be starin at nothin'," blubbered Manx, not wanting to upset the mutant feline in any way. Manx blinked a few time, trying to get the courage to speak again. "Aye, Ah was lost and lookin' for a place to saty for the evening..It's getting colder and Ah-"
"Very, well I'll give you a place to stay." interrupted the mutant cat, reaching out and grabbing Manx by the shirt, hauling his up with ease. Manx gulped and froze unable to move out of fear.
Phillip, seeing the mutant, broke the reins and took off like a shot, knowing he had to hurry and find Jake. The horse peered back over his shoulder and saw Manx being taken away by the monster. He grunted and pushed himself to full speed, wanting to reach Jake before it was too late.
Author's Note: I would like to point out, the song Jake sang to the kittens, is to the melody Stories from Beauty and Beast, the enchanted Christmas. Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far.
