I'm still here! Took a bit of a break but I'm still writing stuff. Here's an extra long chapter for the wait.
Relationship: Munkustrap and Alonzo's second meeting. Takes place not too long before the events of the musical. Munkustrap is getting used to being Jellicle Protector and Alonzo is still deciding if he wants to join the tribe or not.
This chapter takes place after the previous chapter and will reference a couple things, but it's not necessary to have read it.
It was supposed to be an easy day. Even if Munkustrap had only been recently given the role of Jellicle Protector he felt that, in the present moment, he had a perfectly good handle on things. All he had to do was sit on the tire, watch over the junkyard, and address any minor problems that the tribe brought to his attention. Anything major would be handled by his father.
Not that there was much Munk couldn't deal with, but it was nice knowing that he wasn't immediately being thrown out to the wolves. Or, in this case, cats. Eventually he would take on the full duties of the Jellicle Protector, but for now, he felt more like a glorified babysitter.
As if the universe was listening in on his private musings he was interrupted by a familiar tabby queen.
"Munkustrap, dear, if you have a moment, I would like to speak with you."
Jennyanydots was the only queen in the tribe (with maybe the exception of Jellylorum) that could get away with calling the Jellicle Protector 'dear' without it being condescending. Even Old Deuteronomy couldn't escape being treated like a kitten under her watchful gaze.
"Yes, I have a moment." In fact Munk had several moments since nothing interesting had happened all day, but it was important to at least give off the appearance that he was busy.
"We have a problem. Someone's been taking more than their fair share of food from the communal stockpile." Jenny told him, punctuating her distaste for such an action with a disapproving frown. "Admittedly it's not a large amount, but such careless theft could escalate into something worse."
"That is a problem." Munk agreed. "Do you know who it might be?"
"Not the faintest idea." Jenny shook her head. "Ever since I've noticed the issue I've moved the stockpile next to my den and kept a close eye on it. Or, if I'm not around, Jelly or Asparagus has been keeping watch. It has to be happening at night, but for the life of me I can't figure out who is quick enough to dart through my own home and sneak out underneath my nose."
"Is there another way to access the food?"
"Technically yes, but you'd have to be able to make an impossible leap to reach it. I had some of the stronger toms help create a barricade around the outside."
"Hmm." There was one cat Munk could think of that could perform such an acrobatic feat. Kitten, actually. A certain tuxedo kitten who could disappear in the blink of an eye and reappear on rooftops. Ever since that terrifying night in the snow Quaxo had kept his… peculiarities mostly to himself, but maybe now that the weather was warming up he was becoming more adventurous. It didn't make much sense for Quaxo to be stealing food though, not when he was currently living with Bustopher Jones, the one cat who had access to more food than anyone else.
"Do you know of anyone that could do this?" Jenny asked.
"Perhaps." Munk flicked his tail back and forth as he contemplated the possibility. "But I would like to look into this matter further before I go around accusing anyone. Tell me, has this been happening every night?"
"No. Usually there's a day or two in between the thefts. It's been a couple of days since the last theft."
"So tonight might be a good night catch them in the act." Munk said. "For now don't tell anyone else that you've noticed food disappearing. Tonight I'll stay up and see who's behind this."
"Please tell me if you discover who it is. I would like to have a long conversation with the culprit." Jenny said, tone implying that it would not be a pleasant chat.
"Of course." Munk stood and stretched, bidding Jenny a quick farewell before heading out of the junkyard. Finally something to investigate. If he hurried he could check up on his first suspect and still get a quick nap in before settling down to keep watch all night.
It had been a couple of months since he had last seen Quaxo and Victoria. After the incident in the snow he had managed to convince Bustopher Jones to take the kittens in and hadn't been able to stop by for a visit. Hopefully they hadn't completely forgotten him. A kitten could change a lot in a short amount of time.
After a quick journey he found himself in front of an ornately decorated door. With a quick shake Munk put aside the uncertainty and knocked on the door to Bustopher's lavish home. Immediately he was met with two curious kittens, both noticeably grown from the tiny, helpless kits he had known before.
"Hello, Quaxo. Hello, Victoria." Munk said. "I don't know if you remember me but-"
"Munk!" Both kittens exclaimed, rushing over to give him an enthusiastic hug and dispelling any previous worries. "Of course we remember you!"
"How are you doing?" Munk laughed, returning the embrace. "Are you both behaving for Bustopher?"
"Yes, we're being good. Bustopher says we're- we're 'model citizens'." Quaxo said proudly. "I've already been to some of the clubs."
"Look, Munk, look at my new collar!" Victoria showed off her jewel encrusted collar.
"It's beautiful." Munkustrap said, nodding appreciatively and trying not to wonder just how expensive that piece must have cost. "I'm very glad to hear that you're both adjusting well to your new home."
"Oh yes, very much so." Victoria beamed.
"What are you doing here?" Quaxo gave him a curious look. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no. I was just stopping by to see how you were doing and to ask if you've been making any unexpected visits to the junkyard lately." Munkustrap said, giving them both a careful look.
All he received in return were two innocent, puzzled expressions.
"Nothing unusual going on with you two? No… unexpected travels?" Munk tried, looking directly at Quaxo.
"No." The tuxedo tom's face grew slightly red but he did not avert his gaze. "Nothing like that."
"Bustopher says as soon as the weather grows warmer we'll venture out more." Victoria said. "You know how he feels about the cold weather."
"We haven't been out near the junkyard since we were with you." Quaxo added. "And nothing… peculiar has happened either."
"Very well." Munk conceded. Despite Quaxo's hesitancy to openly talk about his unusual abilities there was no hint of deceit in his tone or expression. It was looking like the night's stakeout was going to be his best option at finding who was behind the food theft.
Night fell fast upon the junkyard, sending everyone scurrying for the security and comfort of their dens. Everyone but one particular cat that was currently hunkered down in the shadows between the tire and an old rusted car.
The snow had finally melted, but the nights were still freezing, leaving Munkustrap wishing that he had asked someone else to keep watch with him if only to share body heat. Hopefully this thief would show up sooner than later so he could catch the culprit, turn them over to Jenny and Old Deuteronomy, and go to his nice, warm bed knowing that the tribe was safe once more.
After a while his vigil paid off. A small face popped out of a hollowed out couch, followed by an equally small body. Cautiously they crouched on the ground, eyes darting back and forth across the empty junkyard. Munkustrap ducked down low, ears flattening against his head to better hide himself.
The figure slowly crept across the junkyard, winding in and out of the junk with practiced ease. They were mostly white with brown and grey tabby markings, markings that he had never seen before. Clearly this was not a cat that was part of the tribe, but one that had been making frequent visits to help themselves to regular meals.
Hesitantly the cat sat down at the base of a tall refrigerator that blocked the access to the food. Jenny, with the help of several strong toms, had blocked off the easiest path to the food storage, creating a high barrier that meant anyone looking for food would have to go through her den to get to it. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, since she knew everyone, but Munkustrap got the feeling that this cat was not going to take the easy route.
For a long moment the cat sat and stared up at the refrigerator, ears twitching in thought. Abruptly they turned their back on the blockade, jogging across the junkyard in defeat. Munkustrap sighed in relief and moved to follow. Looks like it would be the end of the theft for now-
The cat had not given up. With a burst of speed they ran back towards the blockade, executing a flawless series of flips and twirls across the junkyard in an unexpected, albeit impressive, display of gymnastics. The momentum was enough for the cat to literally bounce their way over the top of the refrigerator, feet barely brushing the metal as they easily soared over to the other side.
Munk rose a little further from his hiding spot. Well, that explained why Jenny never caught the thief sneaking through her den. This cat didn't need to sneak, not with them apparently having springs for legs that allowed them to jump clear over her home.
With a little less grace the cat appeared back at the top of the refrigerator, chucking a can of tuna down to the ground with a clang. Quickly the cat followed, rolling the can along the ground as they made their getaway. It was now or never. Munk slid down through the shadows, hurrying to block the cat's path.
"Hello, I don't believe we've met." He said, standing up to his full height and stopping the rolling can with his foot. "My name is Munkustrap."
The cat hissed in surprise, backpedaling to put some distance between them. To his astonishment it was not a cat he was talking to, but a kitten. A tabby tom kitten with a distinctive brown patch over one eye. Something tugged at his memory, insisting he had seen such markings before, but Munkustrap was sure he would have remembered this kitten after such an acrobatic display.
"My name is Munkustrap." Munk repeated, trying to dial down his intimidating stance to put the kitten at ease. "Are you lost? I can help-"
Again the kitten hissed, abandoning the tuna in favor of a quick escape. Munk reached out and grabbed him by the tail. He really didn't want to get into a brawl with a kitten and accidentally hurt him. Unfortunately the small thief didn't have such reservations.
"Let me go!" The kitten shrieked, turning around and sinking all of his teeth into Munk's arm.
"Argh!" Munk immediately let go. Once again the kitten bolted, disappearing into the junk and vanishing in the blink of an eye.
"Well, that didn't go as planned." Munk sighed to himself, rolling the abandoned tuna back towards Jenny's den.
At least he had an idea of what he was dealing with. The who was still a mystery, but since it was a kitten, at least he could safely assume that he could track them down. It was very unusual for a kitten to be living on their own outside of the junkyard, especially in the late winter months. Tomorrow he would start the search and, hopefully, be able to convince the kitten to join the tribe instead of stealing from it.
The next day found Munk venturing outside the junkyard again, this time heading down towards the nearest neighborhood in an attempt to suss out any cats that might have seen a tabby tom with a distinctive eye patch. Surely there weren't many cats in the world that fit that description.
Again something tugged at his memories, suggesting that did indeed know a tom that fit that description, but before he could fully remember he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an entirely different cat. Automatically Munk jumped into the script he had been rehearsing in his mind.
"Hello, my name is-"
"Munkustrap!" The tabby queen exclaimed, winding herself around him in a friendly greeting. Her orange and black tail playfully flicked his nose. "Whatever are you wanderin' around here for? Kinda odd seein' you out and about in this neck of the woods."
"I'm sorry, have we met?" Munk tried his best to remember where he would have met such a friendly cat.
"Nah, don't think so. Not formally." The queen grinned. "Name's Rumpleteazer. Nice to meetcha."
"Rumple- wait, we have met." It was a brief introduction but Munk did remember a certain pair of cats being caught red pawed trying to pilfer some of Jenny's mouse pies. The queen had quickly and swiftly dealt with the trouble-making pair and since then they hadn't been seen much around the junkyard. If Munk hadn't seen the thief with his own eyes the night before he would have pegged Rumpleteazer as a likely culprit.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't nick any of your valuables." Rumpleteazer giggled. "You're too respectable of a cat to trifle with."
It was not a reassuring statement. Nevertheless Munk carried on, since she was the only cat around that could help him.
"Very well. Have you seen a young tom with a patch over one eye hanging around here?" Munk asked.
"Sure, though I dunno where he is at the moment." She shrugged. "Why're you lookin' for him?"
"I have a couple questions I'd like to ask. Nothing too serious."
"Oo, good, 'cause he's already too serious for his own good. Hang on a minute, I'll see if Jerrie's heard where he might be." Rumpleteazer tilted her head back towards the sky. "Hey! Jer!"
"What?" A similar looking orange, black and white tom poked his head over the edge of a trashcan.
"You've seen our dear friend around lately?"
"Who?"
"Y'know, our dearest, most favorite tom with the eye patch?"
"Wh…" Jerrie looked over at Munk, then back to Rumpleteazer before gesturing down the alley. "Oh. Right. Yeah, I've seen him. Currently takin' up residence a couple blocks down that way. He's made his home in a busted up cupboard, you can't miss it."
"Thank you." Munk said, doing his best not to be unnerved by the identical grins the two cats were giving him.
"No problem, just give him my regards!" Rumpleteazer called as he left.
It wasn't hard to follow Jerrie's instructions, as vague as they were, and Munk found the cupboard that had clearly been abandoned by a previous owner.
"Hello?" Munk called, tapping the door. Silence. He tried something else. "Rumpleteazer sends her regards."
At the mention of her name a very distinctive black and white cat poked his head out of the cupboard, giving the world a slightly haughty, very put upon stare. One eye was covered with a patch of black fur.
"For the last time, I don't know where she stashed the pearls, and I don't know why she keeps telling everyone to ask me-" He stopped, staring at his visitor. "Munkustrap?"
Munk blinked. "Alonzo?"
"This is a surprise."
"It most certainly is." Munk agreed.
"Don't tell me you're caught up in this business with Rumpleteazer."
"No, I'm not, and I'm beginning to feel like I dodged a bullet "
"You have. I'm not even directly involved and I'm sick of it. I get the feeling she's just playing a joke on me by sending everyone here instead of where they want to go." Alonzo sat down in the sun and gestured for Munk to join him. "If you're not here because of her, what are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for someone." Munk said, joining Alonzo in the sun.
"Don't tell me those kittens are missing again-"
"No, no, Quaxo and Victoria are safe and sound, I promise."
"Sure." The look Alonzo was giving him suggested that he didn't entirely believe that statement. "Then who are you looking for now?"
Munk gave a somewhat abridged version of the previous night's events.
"You're telling me that a kitten was able to jump on top of a refrigerator?" Alonzo asked in disbelief.
"Clear over, actually."
"I don't know what kind of food you're feeding those kittens in your tribe, but it's something else." Alonzo said, clearly disturbed.
"That's the thing. I know all the kittens in the tribe, and I have never seen this one before. He's got similar markings to yours."
"I can assure you that I have not fathered any kittens." Alonzo said dryly. "In fact, the last cat I invited into my home or spent any amount of time with was you."
"Really?" The question slipped out before Munk could think. Either he had been terrible company and put Alonzo off from hanging out with any more cats or he had been the most wonderful company, it was hard to tell.
Alonzo narrowed his eyes at him, lashing his tail irritably. "I prefer to keep my own company."
"Sorry. I didn't mean it that way." Quickly Munk changed the subject. "I think this kitten is probably living somewhere nearby, since he makes frequent trips into the junkyard for food, but I'm not sure where to start."
Alonzo settled back down and stared thoughtfully down the alley. "I recently moved in here and haven't seen any kittens around. Usually they're all snapped up by humans that are convinced that they're going to freeze in the cold."
"This one seems particularly interested in being on his own." Munk showed him the bite.
"Ah. I see." Alonzo winced. "Well, if he's truly desperate for food, I assume he'll try and return to the junkyard."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because you've got a reliable source of food in a secure place. That's a very valuable commodity when you're living on your own."
"Maybe I can try to catch him again. And not get bit this time." Munk rubbed at his arm.
Alonzo was silent for a long moment, eyes fixed on the bite. Whatever was going through his mind was carefully guarded. All Munk could do was wait.
"Maybe… maybe you'd be more successful if you had some help." Alonzo eventually said, keeping his gaze trained on the bite.
"That would probably be better than me trying to go at it alone again." Munk admitted. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to help?"
"Me?"
"Sure. You're two for two with kitten wrangling so far. Practically a pro."
That was enough to make Alonzo laugh. "Very true. At least we won't have to go trudging through the snow this time."
It was a full week before food started disappearing again. Munk quickly contacted Alonzo and the two of them hunkered down in the usual hiding spot, watching and waiting for the kitten to make his entrance.
"Sure is cold out here." Alonzo muttered, shivering as a breeze ruffled his fur. It did not escape Munk's notice that the cat was inching closer and closer to his side with each breeze. Not that he minded, since he himself was feeling the cold.
"The dens are well insulated." Munk muttered back, wishing the two of them were holed up in his home instead. "And anyone that needs shelter can stay with Jenny."
"That's not surprising." Alonzo rubbed his nose. "Considering she's already tried to adopt me."
Munk bit back a laugh. He had introduced Alonzo to Jenny earlier in the day before their planned stakeout, and immediately she had fussed over how thin he was, insisting that he have a proper dinner before spending the night out in the cold. While Alonzo was glad for the extra meal it was clear that he was not used to such a welcome.
"You're lucky. If you didn't take such good care of your fur she would have insisted on grooming you herself." Munk said.
Alonzo remained silent at that remark, but he rewarded the compliment by pressing said well groomed fur up against Munk's side, finally sharing the warmth that both of them were seeking.
"As soon as we catch this kitten I'm going to have to request that we- wait, is that him?" Alonzo interrupted himself, pointing over towards a rocking chair half buried in the junk.
Munk squinted. There, curled up on the wooden seat of the rocking chair, a figure slowly began to move. How long he had been sitting there was beyond Munk, but it was clear that the cold had set in. The kitten slowly moved, stretching frozen joints and trying to limber up before making the impossible leap over the refrigerator again.
"Yes, it's him. Let's go." Munk reluctantly left the warmth of Alonzo's fur and slid out into the cold.
Wordlessly Alonzo followed, edging around the perimeter of the junkyard counterclockwise to the path Munk tread. They had discussed a plan before night fell, but Munk couldn't help but feel pleased at how intuitively in sync they both were with each other. In no time at all the kitten was surrounded.
"Hello again." Munk said, stepping out into view. "I want to talk to you."
As expected the kitten took one look at him and ran in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for him Alonzo was waiting. With a quick pounce the black and white cat had the kitten pinned, careful to angle the small patched face away from himself in case the kitten decided to try biting again.
"Nice try." Alonzo said. "Now it's your turn to listen to us."
"Let me go!" The kitten hissed into the dirt.
"First, I want to make sure that you're alright." Munk crouched down out of the range of the teeth. "It's too cold to be wandering around at night."
"'m not wandering!" The kitten proclaimed.
"Oh? Then why are you hanging out here?" Alonzo asked.
It didn't take long for the kitten to give up, not with Alonzo and Munk both staring down at him. With a sigh he stilled in the dirt, his only movement being the uncontrolled shivering due to the cold.
"Come on, let's go inside and we can talk." Munk nodded to Alonzo, who somewhat begrudgingly let the kitten stand up again.
To both of their surprise the kitten allowed them to steer him to Munk's den and made no attempt to escape. He did dramatically flop down on the nearest blanket and roll himself into a burrito, staring up at the adults with suspicious, angry little eyes.
"So." Munk sat down, trying his best not to further anger the kitten. "Would you like some food?"
"No." The kitten muttered.
"Want to tell us your name?" Alonzo stretched out on the nearest blanket, conveniently blocking the exit.
"Tumble." The kitten's eyes darted around in a desperate attempt to find an escape route. "Uh, I mean Tumblebrutus."
"That's quite a name." Munk said, crouching low so he could look Tumble directly in the eye. "My name is Munkustrap."
"Yeah, I know." Tumble fidgeted. "I remember."
"I'm Alonzo. Nice to meet you. Now tell me, Tumble, do you know that stealing food is wrong?" Alonzo asked.
"Yeah."
"Then why are you stealing?"
"'cause."
"You don't have to be afraid." Munk assured him. "If you're hungry we can help you."
"'m fine. 'm not afraid." Tumble mumbled, hunching his shoulders. "I can take care of things. We don't need help."
"We?" Alonzo exchanged a look with Munk.
Tumble froze. "I mean me. Just me."
"Tumble, is there someone else that needs help?" Munk asked.
"No!" Tumble hissed, retreating further into the blanket. "Leave me alone!"
"If you are in trouble, I can help you, I promise-"
Munk was met not by words but by a growl. Tumble became an uncooperative ball inside the blanket and did not reemerge despite Munk's best efforts to coax him out. Alonzo watched the proceedings with a degree of resigned pity. Eventually he motioned for Munk to join him in a private conversation just outside the den, leaving Tumble to miserably huddle in his cocoon.
"It's better to just leave him for now." Alonzo murmured. "Trust me, if he's this stubborn about not wanting your help he's not going to change his mind until he wants to."
Munk sighed. "I just don't understand how someone so young could be so against joining the tribe. Especially since he's obviously living in the cold with little access to food."
Alonzo gave him a long look. "You've never lived outside of the tribe by yourself, have you?"
"No." Munk admitted. "And I know I'm lucky to have had such an upbringing."
Alonzo sighed. "Look. You obviously care very much about the safety of others. I can see why you're the Jellicle Protector. But even if you're the most trustworthy cat in the world with the greatest of intentions it can be hard to... to convince someone of that fact. Especially if they're used to not being able to trust anyone."
"Do you trust me?" Munk asked, looking Alonzo square in the eye.
"I..." Alonzo looked away. "I'm trying. You have to understand that it's been a very long time since I've really..."
"Really trusted anyone?"
"Yes."
"I won't push you, but I will say in all honesty that you can trust me. And, if it's any consolation, I didn't exactly trust you when I thought you had kidnapped Quaxo."
Alonzo rewarded him with a small smile. "I do remember you threatening to scratch my eyes out."
"I was not going to scratch your eyes out. I said no such thing." Munk huffed. "I was maybe going to kick you until you gave up where he was though."
"Remind me never to get on your bad side." Alonzo angled an ear towards Tumble's cocoon. "Seriously though, I think if you're patient Tumble might come around. But the more you push it the less he'll trust you."
"Understood. For now I am going to insist that he spend the night here. Hopefully after a good night's sleep in a safe place he'll be willing to tell us a bit more."
"Us?" Alonzo asked.
"Oh, I assumed that… that you were going to stay." As Munk said the words he realized that there really was no need for Alonzo to stay. Somehow the thought of saying goodbye didn't sit right with him, much like when he had previously told the tom goodbye. "I won't force you to, but you seem to understand him. He might be more willing to talk to you."
"Right. That makes sense." Alonzo shifted his gaze between Munk and the inside of the den. "I suppose I can stay for a while."
"Great." Munk didn't try to hide his relief. Now that Alonzo was sticking around he could focus his attention on convincing Tumble that he wasn't trying to kidnap him.
It wasn't the first time Munk had sheltered a wayward kitten, having been the temporary guardian of Quaxo and Victoria when they first arrived at the tribe, but it was the first time he had such an uncooperative one in his care. Luckily Tumble seemed to favor Alonzo, eventually crawling out of the blankets to seek shelter at his side.
Alonzo, for his part, was very obviously surprised to have Tumble attached to him but did not try to push him away, instead settling down and quietly purring to relax him. Stubbornly Tumble held on to Alonzo's arm, fighting to keep his eyes open.
Munk busied himself with procuring food for the three of them, leaving them within Tumble's reach but not pushing the point. Even with Alonzo nibbling at it to show that it wasn't poisoned Tumble did not eat. After a while the kitten lost the fight with keeping his eyes open and slumped down against Alonzo's side.
"You can get some sleep." Alonzo murmured to Munk once Tumble's eyes drifted shut. "I can keep watch."
Normally Munk would have protested, but with the bizarre events of the day catching up to him he quickly settled down, Alonzo's purring lulling him into a peaceful slumber.
When Munk awoke he found Tumble eating some of the food he had left out. Alonzo, upon seeing Munk awake, gave him a small nod before closing his eyes. The tom must have been exhausted but kept watch as promised. Munk would have to find a way to thank him later.
Slowly Munk stretched, trying not to startle the kitten. Tumble was too busy to notice. It quickly became apparent that Tumble was not eating the food but instead squirreling it away into the blanket, trying to tie it into a bag that he could sling over a shoulder. It was not going well.
"If you'd like I have something you can use to carry all of that in." Munk told him.
Tumble froze. "Uh. I- I-"
"It's alright." Munk rummaged around until he found a more suitable bag for Tumble to use. "Here. This should work better. Anything else you'd like?"
Tumble stared down at the bag, nervously chewing his lip. Munk didn't have to wait long for an answer.
"I... I have a brother." Tumble admitted. "A younger brother. He needs me."
"You've been taking food from the tribe to feed him." Munk realized.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. Not sorry for giving him food, but for making you mad."
"I'm not mad." Munk assured him. "Just worried. It's hard for anyone to take care of themselves during the winter, especially if they have to take care of someone else too."
"'s fine." Tumble muttered. "'s not like it's been any other way."
"What's his name?"
"Huh?"
"Your brother."
"Pouncival. I call him Pounce."
"Pounce." Munk repeated the name. "Can he jump as high as you can?"
"No. Not yet. Thankfully." Tumble gave him a tiny smile. "He'd get into all kinds of trouble if he could."
"I can only imagine." Munk said. "I saw you jump over that refrigerator the first night we met. It was very impressive."
"Thanks." Tumble fidgeted under Munk's warm gaze, clearly not used to such praise.
"Tumble, I understand why you're hesitant to trust me, I really do. I'd be scared too."
"'m not scared." Tumble muttered.
"Then you're braver than I would be." Munk met the kitten's gaze. "I have something I want to tell you. And you don't have to agree to anything, but I want you to at least hear me out."
"Okay."
"There's plenty of food and shelter for you and your brother here in the tribe. If you'll allow it, I'd like to offer you and Pounce a place to stay. You don't have to stay with me, we could find somewhere just for the two of you, but I'd be around in case you needed anything."
Tumble stared at him, clearly mulling it over.
"And at any time you two want to leave, you can. You won't be kept here against your will." Munk added. "I promise."
"Can I… can I think about it?" Tumble asked after a long while.
"Of course. If you'd like I can help you take this food to your brother."
"Can Lonz come too?"
"Yes." Munk smiled at the nickname, recalling that Quaxo and Victoria also referred to Alonzo that way. "Once he's had a chance to sleep we can go."
"I'm fine. I can go." Alonzo was awake and watching them both, face unreadable. He clearly had heard Munk's offer but did not comment on it.
"Very well." Munk scooped up the food into the bag and slung it over a shoulder, noting how Tumble's eyes tracked it. "I'll carry this for you. Lead the way and we'll follow."
With a hint of reluctance Tumble led them out of the junkyard, crawling through a convoluted system of tunnels that were a bit of a tight squeeze for the adult cats. Once outside it was a surprisingly quick journey down a nearby alley to a large pile of abandoned boxes and bits of garbage.
On top of the pile was a wooden box with an umbrella perched on top to keep out the rain. The whole situation seemed rather precarious, but with practiced ease Tumble scaled the pile and disappeared into the box. Without a word between them both Alonzo and Munk followed.
Inside the box was a single wool coat. A coat that, upon hearing their arrival and the rustle of the bag of food, started moving.
"Tumble! Tumble!" A tiny head poked out from underneath the coat. "'m hungry!"
"Yeah, Pounce, you're a bottomless pit." Tumble grinned. "Got lots of stuff this time. Might even be enough to fill you up."
Pouncival crawled out from under the coat, staring up at Munk and Alonzo with clear awe. Like his brother he also had a brown patch of fur over an eye. Immediately he grabbed his own tail and held it in front of him like a security blanket.
"Hello." Munk said, trying not to laugh as Pounce's eyes grew wider and wider. "My name is Munkustrap. This is Alonzo."
"Mu… Mungus…." Pounce tried to sound it out but such a long name was difficult to conquer.
"Just call him Munk." Tumble said, taking the bag from said cat and putting it in the corner of their tiny den.
"Wow." Pounce breathed, clearly enthralled with the sight of the strangers. "You're huge!"
"He… uh, he hasn't really seen many other cats." Tumble admitted.
"Clearly." Alonzo tried to appear dignified but it was difficult with Pounce trying to bat at his tail.
"Are you gonna live with us now?" Pounce asked.
"No. We're just visiting." Munk told him.
"Oh." Pounce's disappointment was quickly overshadowed by the realization that he had an audience. "Watch me! Mungus, watch this!"
Immediately Pounce scrambled out of the box and disappeared out of sight.
"Pounce, no! You're gonna fall on your head again." Tumble let out a frustrated groan and made to go after him, only to be stopped by Alonzo's outstretched paw.
"Munk'll make sure Pounce doesn't hurt himself, right?" Alonzo asked, giving Munk a peculiar look.
"Yes. Don't worry about it. I'll go get him." Munk said, scurrying out after the energetic and seemingly fearless kitten. He would have to talk to Alonzo about that look later.
Fearless wasn't a strong enough word. Pounce had climbed up as high as his little legs could take him and he was perched precariously on the edge of the pile, eyes wide with barely contained glee. Munk muttered a prayer and started to climb up after him, careful not to dislodge the pile under his feet.
"Mungus, look how high I am!" Pounce proclaimed.
"Yes, you're very high off the ground." Briefly Munk's mind flashed back to Alonzo telling him how he found Quaxo and Victoria on top of a roof. What was it with kittens and dangerous heights? "It's time to come down now."
"Okay!" Pounce grinned, legs coiling under him like a spring.
"No, wait-"
Too late. Gleefully Pounce launched himself into the air, momentarily defying gravity. Without a second's thought Munk leapt after him, grabbing Pounce mid flight and tumbling to the ground. After a brief bit of rolling they came to a safe stop in the alley.
"Again! Again!" Pounce laughed.
"No. We're going back now." Bringing this bouncy bundle of joy back to the junkyard was going to be a trial, Munk just knew it. Hopefully Tumble wasn't giving Alonzo this much trouble. With Pounce tucked securely under an arm he made the climb back up to the box and ducked inside.
"- should at least consider it. It's probably the best offer you're going to get." Alonzo was saying to Tumble.
"I guess. But why aren't you living with them then- Pounce!" Tumble's attention snapped to his brother. "What did you do?"
"Mungus grabbed me when I jumped and we flew!" Pounce exclaimed.
"What?"
"He tried to jump off the pile." Munk clarified. "I made sure he didn't hit his head."
"Didn't hit his head?" For a moment the worry on the kitten's face made Tumble look much older than he actually was. "He didn't actually jump, did he?"
"Don't worry, he's fine." Munk assured him.
Tumble sighed and glanced over at his brother, who was happily devouring a bag of old cat treats. Munk moved to comfort him but was cut off by Alonzo stepping in between them. Again was that peculiar look, a look that Munk was quickly recognizing as a silent request for him to go along with whatever Alonzo was planning.
Despite Alonzo admitting to not trusting the Jellicle Protector he was certainly putting his faith in the cat with all this silent communication and secret looks. Might as well see where this was going to go. Wordlessly Munk stepped back and let Alonzo take the lead.
"Well, now that you're both safe and secure, I guess we should be going." Alonzo said, ignoring the confused looks from everyone around him. "Right, Munk?"
All eyes were on him. Especially Alonzo's. As much as it pained Munk to turn away from the disappointed kittens something told him to follow along.
"Yes. We should be heading back. Tumble, you know where to find me if you need me." Quickly he turned away so he wouldn't have to see the kitten's reaction.
As soon as he and Alonzo were a ways down the alley he turned to the cat, who was standing with his back turned to the box and patiently waiting for… something.
"What are you doing?" Munk asked. "Why the hurry?"
"Just wait." Alonzo murmured. "I guarantee you that he's-"
"Munk, wait!" Tumble's voice echoed down the alley towards them. "Wait!"
The kitten's feet beat an impatient pattern on the pavement as he ran towards them. Alonzo gave Munk a knowing nod.
"Yes, Tumble?" Munk asked, waiting for the words that he knew the kitten was about to say.
"I guess we could try it. For a while." Tumble's voice was strong but his eyes were uncertain. "If you'll let me and Pounce come to the junkyard."
"Of course. We'd be happy to have you both." After they kitten proofed a couple places that kittens couldn't normally reach. Having two incredibly acrobatic kittens was going to make the place a lot more interesting.
"Great! I'm gonna go get Pounce, just a sec. Oh, and the food." The relief on Tumble's face immediately made him look younger as he bounced back to fetch his brother.
"You knew he was going to want to come back to the junkyard." Munk said to Alonzo, careful not to let Tumble hear.
"I suspected but I wasn't sure." Alonzo admitted.
"What made you suspect it?"
"Because if I were in his position I would have taken your offer." And with that Alonzo left him to go help Tumble with the food.
The return trip would have been uneventful had it been just Munk and Alonzo, but with the two rambunctious kittens it was all they could do to keep them focused and headed in the right direction. Pounce especially was difficult to corral, as it became quickly apparent that he had spent most of his time in the box and was now curious about absolutely everything that he laid his eyes on.
Alonzo quickly solved the problem by hoisting the small kitten up on his shoulders to hold him still while Munk patiently answered the never ending questions. Their teamwork was rewarded with the four of them arriving at the junkyard without incident. Now all they had to do was try and keep Tumble and Pounce out of trouble while they got the energetic kittens settled. It wasn't the first time that Munk was glad to have Alonzo around for kitten wrangling.
"Well, I guess congratulations are in order." Munk tried his best to keep a straight face at the sight before him.
"For what?" Alonzo asked.
"You're a father now." Munk gestured to the two kittens sprawled up against the black and white cat's side.
All the excitement of the day had caught up with them and they were both fast asleep, using Alonzo as a warm, furry pillow. Whether or not Alonzo had willingly agreed to such an arrangement was up for debate. At least the four of them were cozy and safe in Munk's den and not huddled in a box in an alley.
"No, I'm not." Alonzo shook his head but made no move to get up. "This is temporary. I'm going home in the morning."
"That's a shame, they really seem to like you."
"I'm sure you can find someone else they'll like just as much."
"I doubt that." That remark earned Munk an odd look.
"Well, regardless of your high opinion of me, I'm still leaving." Alonzo said, voice quiet. "I don't… I need to go home."
There was something else the black and white cat had meant to say, Munk just knew it, but he also knew that pushing the matter would only result in a stubborn avoidance of the subject.
"I won't keep you here." Munk promised. "But I'm glad you're staying the night."
"Me too." Alonzo replied.
With that Munk settled down on his side of the den and tried not to laugh as Pounce drooled all over Alonzo's normally pristine fur. Drooling and snoring aside, it was easy to pretend that the four of them were a little family. A contented purr rose up within him and quickly filled the room. Alonzo answered with a quiet rumble of his own and the two of them drifted off into a comfortable sleep.
Morning came far too quickly. Tumble and Pounce were both literally bouncing off the walls after spending their first night sleeping in a safe place and having a robust breakfast. There was zero hesitation when Munk suggested they go visit Jennyanydots and formally introduce themselves, especially once he mentioned that she was famous for her mouse pies. It seemed that the promise of food was the key to earning their trust.
With Tumble and Pounce occupied that left Munk to see Alonzo off at the edge of the junkyard. Again. He was beginning to wish that he had come up with a better excuse to keep Alonzo in the tribe for another day. But, like with Tumble, he wouldn't force any cat to stay when they didn't want to.
Still, he had to put out the offer. Just in case.
"If you want to stay here, you can." Munk tried to keep it from sounding like a plea. "You've done more than enough to prove that you belong here."
"I… I need some time to think." Alonzo said carefully.
"I understand." Munk squashed his disappointment. At least it wasn't a no.
"But it was nice seeing you again." Alonzo added.
"It was nice to see you too."
Awkwardly they stared at everything but each other as a silence descended between them. Munk quickly searched for something else to say.
"You know, the Jellicle Ball is in a couple of months." Munk ventured.
"The Jellicle Ball?" Alonzo asked. "Isn't that just for… for your tribe? For Jellicle cats?"
"All cats are Jellicle cats." Munk said firmly. "That includes you. And, if you don't want to come for the ball, I could use some help wrangling Quaxo, Victoria, Tumble and Pounce. I'm sure they would be happy to see you again."
"Oh, I see." Alonzo teased. "You just want me to be a babysitter."
"It comes with the territory of being well liked, I'm afraid. And I'll be right there with you as Protector."
"I'll think on it. Might be worth checking out." Alonzo smiled, gently bumping his shoulder up against Munk's before sauntering off. "See you soon."
Despite it being a goodbye Munk felt happier than he had before. He would have to trust that Alonzo meant what he said. For now he could be patient.