{Chapter 7}
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything besides the plot and original characters mentioned. Enjoy.
The sunrise found them in much the same position as they had fallen asleep in. Aine's face nuzzled into Munkustrap's chest and neck, their breathing in tune, safe and secure, unaffected by life outside of the den. Despite the cozy picture that they made, neither could stay and they knew that, as sleep gave way to consciousness.
"Morning Aine…" his voice rumbled against her ear, even though she knew he was awake, she nuzzled against his chest, not wanting to move. Munkustrap hugged her gently, pulling her form against his more before letting a paw trace down her back slowly. The gentle petting made Aine start purring softly mumbling into his chest, "I dunwanna"
Munkustrap laughed softly, and rubbed her back firmly, nuzzling his face against her ear, playfully nipping at it until she opened her mixed matched eyes and shifted to look up at him.
"We have to wake up now don't we?" Aine yawned softly and stretched, seemingly reveling in rubbing against Munkustrap once more before having to leave the den.
"Yes we do, Aine." As he said her name, his voice grew soft, before allowing her to shift into a sitting position and following. He was searching for the right words, feeling that he should say something, but his eyes kept falling on Aine's back as she stretched, and images of the night before flashed in his mind's eye.
She slipped out of bed first, yawning and stretching as she tried to truly wake up, and in the morning light looked just as enticing as the night before, but something had changed, his time had gone and he knew he wouldn't have another night with her as lovers again.
As his silver blue eyes met her mixed matched ones, he could see in their depths that she knew it too, and neither would forget what they had shared.
As Munkustrap led Aine out of his den and towards Old Deuteronomy's he watched the queen, admiring her grace though it was not quite a dancers'. There was something in the way she carried herself, a sort of elegance, timidity, and confidence, that almost didn't work and yet…
"Here we go…" He pulled a tarp aside to show her the entrance to the leader's den.
As Aine entered she found the den very warm and cozy and her ears twitched as she made out the distinct sound of chimes somewhere. However, the feelings of warmth and safety that engulfed her as Munkustrap gently pushed her in further, amazed her slightly.
"Hello child…welcome home." His voice was deep and slightly startled Aine and yet she knew she should have expected him there. He sat on a comfortable cushion taking up most of the main part of the den smiling at her, looking very pleased indeed to see her.
"Aine, this is Old Deuteronomy the tribe leader." Munkustrap smiled at the old cat and pulled Aine closer by her wrist, before sitting a bit in front of Old Deuteronomy.
"Pleasure…and thank you." Aine's voice was soft as she hesitantly took the outstretched paw Old Deuteronomy offered her. He pulled her closer smiling, and looking rather proud as he took her in.
"I met your mother once; you are just as graceful and beautiful as she. I am sorry she passed." His voice was comforting as he led her to a seat in front of him, his praise seemed to calm her as she smiled and settled in.
"Thank you…" Aine had so many questions in her head that she was unsure of where to start, and with a soft sparkle in his eye Old Deuteronomy seemed to know her predicament.
"I will indeed tell you who your father is. He is, in fact, my second son, and the reason for your mane and spots." Aine looked down at the spot markings around her wrists and ankles as he said this, listening eagerly as he went on.
"In order, my eldest is Macavity, the hidden paw himself, as you can imagine by what you have surely heard of him, he is not welcomed here in the Junkyard, though he on occasion attempts to wreak havoc for us here, so do keep on your toes." Aine's fur bristled at the very mention of the notorious criminal, but her eyes focused on Old Deuteronomy as he continued to speak.
"Your father, is my second son, usually known as The Rum Tum Tugger, you'll hear most of us call him Tugger. I imagine, as your references of him, though vague and fuzzy they may be now, might find themselves under a bit of an attack when you see him again. Here he was much different than how he was with you and your mother Aine, I only ask you give him the benefit of the doubt and a true chance to be what he is; which is your father." Old Deuteronomy took a breath then, looking off into space as if lost in deep thought about something. Aine tilted her head curiously as she watched him, her ears twitching slightly as Munkustrap caught her eye, looking highly amused at her.
"Ah yes, my youngest is here with us, Munkustrap, our tribe protector and storyteller." Old Deuteronomy clapped a paw on Munkustrap's shoulder and smiled.
"So it's Uncle Munkus?" Aine's eyes shown mischievously, as she gave Munkustrap a slow smile that caused the tom to blush brightly and refuse to meet her gaze instead keeping his eyes trained on the tip of one of her ears.
"Yes, it is." Munkustrap seemed to be having a hard time meeting their eyes as he decided the cushion he was sitting on was incredibly interesting to look at. Old Deuteronomy chuckled and his eyes shown, giving Aine the impression he knew where this sudden awkwardness stemmed from, and Aine didn't question the probability of just that.
"You'll find many of my numerous offspring in the junkyard Aine, or their descendants. I can safely say that there shall be no more direct children from me, before I pass on. But I'm more curious about you my dear, I know Tugger has been looking for you for some time now, with little success." For the first time that day, Aine flushed deeply, a sort of odd smile gracing her features at the news.
"He has? Oh…" She seemed to think about this bit of information for a while before elaborating further.
"Well…about a month after dad left…mum passed away, and not even a month after that so did our owner. He left his flat and me in the care of his grandson. The flat has become a sort of magician's museum, and my new owner is in a musical group so he took me with him. He took me with them while they toured, though I may have tried to explore Paris on my own and gave him such a fright he's refused to take me on tour again for fear of losing me. He's got a flat near Victoria Grove, which is where we live now. I've only been there for a week or so." Aine shrugged and hugged her knees to her chest watching them both.
"And how did you get here?" Aine seemed to have been dreading this question most of all, she looked at her paws before speaking.
"I…followed some jellicles for a while, who er…happened to come into my home late Friday night or early Saturday morning. After the run-in with the dog…I'm not sure how I made it here to be honest." She carefully avoided their eyes, not because she was lying, but because she seemed afraid they wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Ah, well you are very lucky indeed to have gotten away from the dog then. I do think, Munkustrap…that we should head out into the junkyard. You are of course, very much welcome here Aine, it is your home. I'm sure you want to acquaint yourself with your surroundings and its inhabitants. You are of course free to come and go as you please, especially since you do have a human that cares for you. There is only one night where you –must- be present but that is not for almost half a year from now." Old Deuteronomy stretched and stood, holding out his paw for Aine, who took it and was pulled into a proper hug.
Munkustrap and Aine left the den first and Old Deuteronomy made his way behind him towards the tire, where he was most often found when at the Junkyard. Aine was tense, as she looked around the junkyard was only now starting to come alive, she noticed Jenny come out from a den, airing out a rug it seemed as they headed in her direction.
"Morning Jenny, look who's up and about?" Munkustrap rather fatherly wrapped his arm around Aine's shoulders.
"Oh Aine dear, I'm so happy to see you up. Oh yes, you look much better, must get you something for breakfast though…Skimbles dear! Could you bring me some mousecakes?" The last part was shouted back into her den, and Aine's ears twitched as she heard Munkustrap's amused chuckle next to her.
A moment later a yellow tabby cat with a monocle and what seemed to be a vest came out holding a checkered piece of cloth with mousecakes tucked safely in its folds. He seemed very friendly, though Aine thought she saw a bit of a glint in his eyes.
"Ah, mornin' Munkustrap…and hello there lass...I'm Skimbleshanks, railway cat and Jenny's mate…"Aine very quickly decided that she quote liked Skimbleshanks as he gave a sort of bow at the waist and took her paw, lightly kissing the back grinning at her all the while. He seemed very kind, and somehow his Scottish accent made Aine feel very much that he would look out for her.
"Aine, pleasure to meet you Skimbleshanks…" She gave him a smile and tinged a bit as he looked a bit closer at her.
"That so? Lovely name lass, we'll be seeing you about more no?" The way he said this, gave Aine the impression that he had a good idea of who her father was. After a few more minutes of fussing from Jenny, Munkustrap led her away, introducing her to most of the older cats. She met Gus the theater cat, and his daughter Jellylorum, who also attempted to rustle her two sons, Asparagus and Admetus from their slumber to say hello, but had a very difficult time. Aine was perfectly fine with both tom kits sleeping on, to be completely honest, she wasn't sure she liked having to meet everyone all of a sudden. Next she met Alonzo, a black and white tom who was just coming in, it seemed from his patrol.
"Nice to meet you Aine, feel free to come around later, and I'll be happy to introduce my mate, Demeter to you." Alonzo smiled at her before trying to stifle a yawn. Munkustrap would have to go on patrol soon, so he led her over to two cats who seemed to be sunning themselves in the morning rays before their den. Aine looked at them curiously as they looked practically identical and very statuesque at the moment. The only sign that they were alive was the occasional twitch of one's tail and the other's ears. Though both were lounging in the sun, with their eyes closed Aine felt a sort of comfortable pull towards them as she and Munkustrap neared.
"Tantomile, Coricopat, this is Aine. I was hoping the two of you could keep an eye on her while I patrol." Munkustrap didn't seem at all phased as the twin cats opened their eyes simultaneously and turned their heads to them. Aine felt a bit of a shock, not because they seemed to move in sync with each other, but because the female, Tantomile's eyes were on hers. Something like almonds and honey invaded her nose and mouth as she stood there unblinking as she was introduced, a familiar feeling washing over her.
"Hello Aine, we've been hoping to meet you." It was Coricopat who spoke, causing Aine to tear her eyes from his twin to look at him. A scent and taste of vanilla and spice washed over her along with a friendly brotherly sort of warmth. She knew, she would be very much at ease and welcome with these twins.
"The pleasure is mine…" Aine did feel a bit shy suddenly, but Munkustrap gently pushed her forward, and Tantomile, shifted over so she could sit between them easily. Munkustrap turned and head out of the junkyard to start his patrol and Aine with her two companions watched.
They sat in silence, the patch of sunlight warming Aine and slowly relaxing her. She thought that perhaps the twins would have been a bit like some of the other cats she had already met, a little too eager for Aine to talk more but it seemed neither twin was keen to move at the moment. Which for Aine, was a bit of a blessing, she was still trying to sort out her nerves at having to meet so many cats. She was so unused to socializing properly that it had made her rather uneasy when Munkustrap led her around.
"It will get easier…there is no need to fret." The voice was of the female twin, and was melodious and calm to Aine's ears. Almost lazily, the two queens turned toward each other, and Aine understood how very much alike they would be, at least in thinking.
"I'm just not very good at socializing, it was just my mum and I…and dad when he spent days with us…" Neither Tantomile nor Coricopat seemed alarmed or judging of what she said. Gently, they had started to purr, and the first to move was Tantomile, who gracefully sat up and rubbed gently against Aine's shoulder, Coricopat's tail gently brushed Aine's own, and she understood they were trying to help her.
Aine vaguely remembered being this cuddly with her mum and dad when she was a kit, it had always made her feel safe and secure, and now it was no different, except for this gently prodding she felt in her mind.
"You're mystic cats aren't you? I felt one of you come into the junkyard while I was staying with Uncle Munkus…" Without realizing it the loudest purring had been coming from herself, and continued at a softer tone as she spoke.
"That would have been my sister you felt, Aine. Your mother was a magician's cat wasn't she?" Coricopat's voice was gentle and deep enough to distinguish him readily from his twin, he was giving her a gentle smile wanting to encourage her to speak.
"Aye…she taught me a bit before she passed away…but…" Aine had a sudden wish that she wasn't so alone, though it was clear both twins quite liked her, the warmth they were sharing with her (besides the patch of sunlight that was starting to shift as the sun rose) was proof enough of that. She couldn't help but envy that they had each other.
"You can borrow him as a brother whenever you'd like, some days I just try to give him away…" Tantomile's smile was both sincere and teasing as she rubbed her cheek against the younger queen's head, sensing her thoughts.
"Oi, you can't just give me away. Though I bet Aine wouldn't get into nearly as much trouble as you sometimes Tantomile…" Coricopat's voice was a bit stricter and at first glance Aine wondered if she hadn't started some sort of fight, before he chuckled.
"Don't be too sure about that Cori, Aine seems to have a bit of a streak in her if I do say so myself…" Tantomile's tongue grazed Aine's cheek in a very sisterly fashion.
"I don't go looking for trouble it just seems to find me sometimes…" Aine laughed Tantomile's tongue was tickling her and she couldn't help herself as she leaned away from her and landed against Coricopat, who snuggled her close as if knowing she had needed a hug.
"Ah, that seems to often happen to us, especially magical cats. Even if you don't remember what your mother started to teach you. Tantomile and I can help, and of course, whenever he comes around so can Mistoffelees himself." Tantomile stretched with an odd sort of smirk on her lips as she took in Aine's excited look over her brother's mention of the magical conjuring cat.
"He'll be very interested in you Aine, I'm sure especially once he sees your charm…work. I'll leave you with Cori for now, I fancy a bit of a walk…" Aine watched Tantomile saunter away, her tail high as she walked.
Coricopat and Aine were happy to just lay there for a while, he didn't seem to mind the younger queen using him as a bit of mattress, and she didn't seem to mind him grooming her headfur. They watched the rest of the junkyard inhabitants saunter out of their dens, Aine had met most of the older cats but was still trying to remember everyone's name.
"Don't fret, you'll soon find it easier to remember them each. Look here come the kittens. The highly energetic queen kit, is the youngest, her name is Etcetera. And wherever you see her, you'll also see her sister, the slightly calmer Electra. They are both pretty inseparable and very friendly. Etcy, especially is rather keen to pounce and snuggle if she likes you." Coricopat sat up more as he spoke, and pointed out the kittens for Aine.
"There the reddish queen kit hugging onto Alonzo's leg is Jemima, she's also rather friendly and loves asking questions. She's mostly with Etcetera and Electra." Aine watched as Jemima ran from Alonzo and was eagerly greeted by Etcetera and Electra, who quickly became a pile of snuggling queen kits all giggling.
"Oh that all white queen, should be around your age I think, though she spends most of her time with the kittens. Her name is Victoria, and she's been recently mated to that tall tom with her, his name is Plato." Aine nodded watching the scene, her tail and ears twitched in interest. Suddenly as they watched two toms with very similar markings and colorings as Plato, though one had a brown patch over his right eye and the other the patch on his left eye, ran from behind where Plato was kissing Victoria, bumping into the two and pouncing onto the pile of queen kits causing them to squeal with laughter.
"Ah, wondered when those two would make an appearance. Plat's brothers, the one with the brown patch on his right eye is Tumblebrutus; the one with the patch on his left eye is Pouncival. Both are also around your age, possibly a bit younger though they act like kittens more often than not. Be prepared they're both complete flirts and will flatter you as much as they can once they see how pretty you are. They're both good toms though, more mischievous than malicious." As he spoke, Aine watched Plato chase his younger brothers for bumping him earlier, much to the amusement of the queen-kits watching, and the disapproval of the older cats.
"Ah and the last two toms, already being warned by their mother Jellylorum are Asparagus, who is the tom with the browner coat, and Admetus. Asparagus can sometimes come off as a bit snobbish and likes to scold the other kittens, but his brother Admetus is often with Tumblebrutus and Pouncival, though he tries, in vain to keep them from trouble." Things had started to settle down with the kittens, who were all excitedly speaking or starting their usual games as Coricopat stretched, standing and offering a paw to Aine.
"Shall we go introduce you then? I promise I'll stick with you until you're comfortable to stay with them on your own." With a gentle and reassuring smile, Coricopat led Aine down from where they were and towards the main floor in front of the tire where Old Deuteronomy sat. The queen kits, and toms had of course been playing but soon noticed that Caricopat, who was a favorite among the kits because he told them stories, was leading someone over they didn't know.
Aine noticed that Etcetera was the first to tentatively sniff in her direction, her eyes large and excited at seeing a potential new playmate. Electra, Jemima and Victoria followed close behind her, the toms also looking impatient to see her fully as she had been covered from full sight by Coricopat. Her breathing had hitched a bit as Coricopat pulled her in front of him and set both his paws on her shoulders, squeezing gently to reassure her.
"Morning you lot, this is Aine, she's a new Jellicle come to join our tribe." He hadn't fully finished his sentence before Aine felt something warm and fuzzy rubbing against her leg, and looked down to see the adorably impish face of Etcetera grinning and purring up at her.
"Hi! I'm Etcetera, wanna come play?" Even as she spoke she hadn't stopped snuggling against Aine's leg, purring loudly. It took several minutes for Aine to shake paws with all of them, the queens often rubbed shoulders against her, and Aine didn't know how she'd ever get used to all of this.
The toms however proved to be much funnier as each attempted to outdo the other when introducing themselves. Pouncival had done a handstand, but it turned into a somersault when Tumblebrutus bumped into him, which started a very odd tumble involving the two. Asparagus attempted for a bow like the one Skimbleshanks had given her earlier, but failed miserably because he was too stiff, and ended up toppling over as the ball of action that was Tumblebrutus and Pouncival caught his tail and he let out a painful yowl before landing on his rear. Admetus blushed brightly under his fur as he shook her paw, but at least avoided falling over.
Coricopat was true to his word and only left her side for a moment, after making sure she was alright, to help Plato pull apart the still scuffling toms. After both were given quite the dressing down by Plato in front of them all, which Aine assumed was why it seemed to work in the first place, Coricopat came back to stand by her, giving her a one armed hug before letting her go. A moment later Plato had crossed over to her to apologize for his brother's antics but only got about half way through before Etcy let out an almost impossible squeal of delight.
Aine curious as to why in Everlasting Cat's name the queen kit would be squealing turned and almost forgot to breathe as she spotted a very familiar looking mane headed their way.
It was slightly difficult to see him fully with the rush of all the queens and some of the toms in his direction, but the sudden tightening in her stomach and chest were enough for Aine to clench her paws around Coricopat's arm. She was mostly obscured from view between him and Plato who was behind her, but it wouldn't have mattered as with the rush of bodies she could barely even see his mane anymore as he was bending in greeting apparently.
The entire mob of cats came back to where they were standing, Coricopat shifted as they went by, and Aine caught the familiar scent etched in her brain. Slipping easily between Coricopat and Plato, she quickly reached out with her right arm and wrapped her small paw around the right wrist of the tom who had been walking backwards by them. He stopped suddenly, the entire mob did and traced her arm with his eyes. She knew this because she felt his eyes looking at her, as she dared to step closer pulling his wrist to her bringing his paw to her face, sniffing deeply her own eyes closed.
Though it must have happened fairly quickly, it seemed that time had slowed down as the only sounds heard at all in the junkyard were the movements of mice who were currently ignored, all eyes on the scene in the middle of the floor unfolding.
Aine's mixed matched eyes, blue and green, opened and met the warm gold brown eyes of the tom she had been waiting for.
"Poppa?" Her voice was soft and her lips twitched as the single word left them.
