Auhtor's notes: Etcetera is going through an emtional spot I think, if this story seems disjointed so far or something doesn't make sense to you please tell me, I'm just writing randomly with only a small idea of where this is going.
Summary: Munkustrap experiences a few home truths and Etcetera is confusedabout her identity. Will the Jellicles see right through her or will they lap up her story? Read on and find out!
Etcetera stood before Old D and the entire Jellicle tribe. There were a lot of faces she recognised and a few she didn't. These included Electra's other kittens. Kadia, a tall slender red furred kitten with narrow yellow snake like eyes, was standing near to her mother on her right. On Electra's left stood Xia-Sera. The small golden furred kitten was staring back at Etcetera with her huge piecing honey eyes. She gave a small sweet smile and turned away again. Ebony was hiding behind her mother but when she saw Etcetera watching her she gave a cheery wave and a smile.
Etcetera also noticed the absence of Gus and Skimbleshanks. She came to the conclusion that Gus had died of old age and Skimble had been run over by a train. She'd ask Electra later.
"Please step forward."
Etcetera did as she was told and walked slowly towards Old D. The aged cat smiled warmly down at her and mentioned to Munkustrap, who was sitting next to him. The silver tabby walked forward to greet the queen.
"Why do you look so familiar?" Etcetera teased, testing whether he remembered her or not.
Munkustrap leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "Don't play games Etcetera." He whispered a little harshly, "I don't know what game you're playing but you can't keep it up, they'll find out eventually."
"Then why are you covering me?"
"Because I want you to make the right choice, whatever's right for you. I don't want to make you do anything."
Etcetera stared at Munkustrap as he pulled away and gave her a forced smile.
"Please, tell us your name." Old D asked.
Etcetera opened her mouth but paused. Munkustrap was glaring daggers at her. A lump caught in her throat as she tried to decide whether she could give them her real name or the made up one she'd invented. She glanced around uncertainly at the other cats that were starting to mutter amongst themselves.
"Is everything ok?" Old D asked.
"Yes, everything's fine." Etcetera said a little breathlessly.
"Then could you tell us your name please."
Etcetera glanced at Munkustrap then back to Old D. "My name's… my name's…"
"Yes." Old D said, starting to frown.
Etcetera sighed. "My name's Bastet-Kira…"
"Interesting." Old D said with a nod of his head.
Etcetera continued to bite her tongue as Old D welcomed her to the tribe. Where the hell had that name come from? She was intending to tell them all the truth but her tongue had slipped. This wasn't even the name she was intending to call herself; she wanted to be called Naomi.
"Bastet-Kira, welcome to our tribe."
Etcetera glanced up at the queen standing before her. Jellylorum had certainly aged since she'd last seen her; she was skin and bone and had dark bags under her eyes. The expression she wore was one of sorrow. "Hello, I don't think we've been introduced."
"I believe that is correct Bastet-Kira." Jelly answered, taking Etcetera's outstretched paw and shaking it weakly.
"Please, that name is far too long for my liking, just call me Kira err… sorry I didn't catch your name."
"Jellylorum."
"Interesting, do you have any kits?" Etcetera asked to make conversation.
"I had once, she wasn't actually mine. Myself and Jenny over there helped raise her as a kitten when her mother left."
"And what was her name?" Etcetera asked, already knowing the answer.
"Etcetera, a very sweet but troubled kitten."
"How do you mean troubled?" Etcetera strained a smile, gritting her teeth.
"She never knew that neither me nor Jenny were her real mother."
"And what happened to her?"
"No-one knows. One day she just seemed to vanish. I haven't seen her in over two years."
Etcetera glanced into the older queen's watery eyes. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation. Jelly actually seemed to care about what ever had happened to her and this made Etcetera very uncomfortable. "I would love to stay and chat but there's someone I need to speak to."
"Ok then Kira, I'll see you about sometime then."
Etcetera ran from the old queen… and right into Munkustrap. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a quiet corner.
"Etcetera," He hissed quietly but dangerously, "Why did you do that? Why didn't you tell them the truth?"
"I don't know, I was going to but that came out instead, please don't be angry at me, I wasn't thinking…"
"You weren't, let's just hope Jenny and jelly don't find out, they'll have a heart attack. You have no idea how much they've suffered since you left. Don't lie in future Etcetera; it'll get you into serious trouble."
"You'd know." Etcetera muttered, irritated by his constant lectures.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Munkustrap asked venomously.
"Well… correct me if I'm wrong but where you the one who mugged and stole in your early years? Weren't you the one with a catnip empire and ran a whore house with Macavity, your brother? Wasn't it when he wouldn't follow through on a deal that your empire collapsed and you decided to settle down? You buggered my mum then vanished, 'conveniently' returning when she was out of the way! So don't you talk to me about lies, you're just some bastard who lost all he had! You're just in denial…!" Etcetera felt a paw slap painfully over her mouth, she hadn't realised that her voice had been rising.
"Etcetera please." Munkustrap begged, "Don't tell anyone. I don't know how you found out but please, no one must know."
"Now who's lying?" Etcetera spat, ripping the paw from her mouth.
"This is why I didn't want you to lie, look what's happened to me. I've been lying to everyone all my short and miserable life; I don't want the same fate to happen to you. You may think that what you've done is something small but one day it's going to come back and haunt you. I lied about my name and look where it got me."
"Your real name is Munkustrap isn't it?" Etcetera asked uncertainly.
"Yes, that's true but please don't tell anyone."
Etcetera studied the tom in front of her for a moment. "Ok, I'll keep your secret as long as you keep mine."
When Munkustrap reluctantly agreed and Etcetera left him to go and find Electra.
In your face Munkustrap! Soz, he's one ofmy favorite charactersand that's what I do to all my favs. Humiliate them, hurt them in some way, send them through emotional termoil... I'm not really picking on any random cat, everything has its purpose in this story, nothing just becasue I want it there, it's all part of the greater picture. All you, the reader, has to do is work out what that picture is.