Running from Family
By Actress of Broadway
Edited by Skimbleshanks the Railway CAT
I don't own "CATS." I just own the new cats.
Chapter 9: Ringmenka's Origins
Over the next two months, Quaxo and Etcetera helped Ringmenka get on the tribe's good side again. It wasn't an easy task to accomplish. The adults didn't trust her around the kittens. The kittens didn't trust her at all. But with some extra help from Victoria, Rumpleteazer, and Mungojerrie, Ringmenka regained the trust of almost all of the cats. Coricopat and Tantomile still didn't trust her for some unknown reason. They always tensed up and stalked off whenever they saw her.
Over time, everyone noticed a few differences about the red cat. She refused to take off the purple ribbon and refused to tell anyone who gave it to her. She was able to be near Skimbleshanks. He could even take her hand and she wouldn't react. Plato gained her full trust as well. However Alonzo still had no luck. He was able to touch her without her reacting but she still stubbornly refused to leave him alone with Jemima. Yet the red Jellicle refused to say why she was like that.
But despite the fact that she fully trusted everyone now, Ringmenka still held onto some beliefs of hers. She said that Tugger was not acting his age and that was a big turnoff for her, despite the fact that she still thought he was very cute. Therefore, she continued to walk haughtily away whenever Etcetera and Electra started talking about him. She still thought Pouncival and Tumblebrutus were immature since they could rarely sit still. But she was able tolerate them.
She also said what she thought of Bustopher Jones. Jennyanydots was curious and asked the young queen about her views on the Brummell of cats. Ringmenka said that she didn't see anything special about him. She just saw an overweight black cat with spats, nothing more. When Jennyanydots tried to explain that the cats looked up to him because he was the richest cat to ever visit the junkyard, Ringmenka's response was, "So?" The gumbie cat tried to persuade Ringmenka but the young Jellicle stubbornly held on to her beliefs and Jennyanydots had to quit.
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Finally Ringmenka's coming of age Jellicle Ball had arrived. As the family was getting ready to leave, Etcetera asked, "Are you ready for your coming of age Ball?"
Ringmenka smiled minutely and nodded. "Yes, I am."
Etcetera then asked, "Are you hoping for a certain cat to approach you? Who is it?"
Ringmenka bit her lower lip and stole a glance at Quaxo. Quaxo just gazed moodily at her ribbon and left the room. Etcetera squealed. "It's my brother? Neat! I just know he'll approach you."
Ringmenka just barely nodded and murmured, "I hope so."
When the family started for the junkyard, Quaxo approached Ringmenka. "Have you come to a decision yet?"
Ringmenka sighed and shook her head. "Not yet. But I will. I promise."
Quaxo just nodded and didn't say anything else. Ringmenka lowered her eyes and looked away. She had been thinking about that subject ever since she and Quaxo had talked on the roof. The decision was not easy for she cared about both personalities. But she also knew that she had to choose only one. She figured that she would sort it out before the mating dance.
Before long, the Jellicle Ball was underway. Ringmenka took Asparagus' place in the opening song. Listening, the cats heard that she had an adult singing voice. However some of the adults also realized that her voice sounded quite a bit like Griddlebone's. That made them even more suspicious about her.
But as the song went on, Ringmenka started to show a side of her that no one had ever seen. She was smiling brightly during the whole song. She was no longer hiding in the back. Instead, she tried to be in front as much as she could. She even did the high note with Jennyanydots, which surprised everyone. At the end of the song, she was between Etcetera and Victoria and her friends could tell that she loved being in the front. Just then, she noticed that a woman was watching and drew everyone's attention to her. She and Munkustrap thought that it was rather interesting that the lady had never heard of a Jellicle cat. In fact, Ringmenka looked downright insulted.
As two years ago, the cats explained to the lady about the Naming of Cats. Those who were near Ringmenka noticed a few changes. She looked and sounded like she was in a trance. When they told of another name that is unusual, her words were forceful but settled down when they told of why they have the second name. When she said the word "pride," the word came out very throaty, almost like a purr. Towards the end, she left the group and went to the corner, waiting for the cue.
Finally she stood up and started her solo dance. While she was dancing, she continued to think about whether it was Mistoffelees or Quaxo she loved the most. She couldn't think of an answer and it greatly discouraged her. But another thought rang in her mind as the end of her dance was getting close. It was tradition for the brother to send the young queen off, like Quaxo did with Victoria two years ago and Pouncival with Electra last year. She didn't have a brother. As she ended her dance, she closed her eyes and hoped for the best.
She heard someone run to her and made her strike the final pose. She felt a hand rub her "kitten" side off of her and sat up to see who it was. To her surprise, it was Mungojerrie. She smiled as he sang the invitation to the Jellicle Ball. They danced a little and she said a silent thank you. Mungojerrie just smiled to her.
This time, Ringmenka got more involved in the Ball. She took Jellylorum's place for Jennyanydots. Nonetheless, she sniggered at the other cats dressed as rats and weevils. When asked why, she simply said that she thought they looked ridiculous. But she still enjoyed being a part of the song.
When Tugger came out, Ringmenka rolled her eyes and watched him from on top of the car with half amusement and half disgust. She agreed with Quaxo, saying that Tugger was "a terrible bore." She tried to ignore him but that was rather hard. During the break in singing, Tugger went to her and she looked away. Grinning, he playfully scratched her down the length of her back with both hands. She cringed at his touch and hissed and took a swipe at him when he went on to flirt with the other kittens. When the singing resumed, she decided to just have fun and join the females, despite the fact that she didn't enjoy his flirt.
At Bustopher Jones' arrival, Ringmenka rolled her eyes and groaned. She didn't even try to hide her annoyance. She refused to sing with everyone and kept looking at everyone with displeasure and crossed arms. She did stay with the females but she didn't show respect. Instead, she laid on her stomach and had her head on her hand. She made it quite clear that she was bored to tears. Jellylorum and Jennyanydots told her to sit up but the young cat refused, saying that she didn't kiss up to anyone. When Jennyanydots continued to sing about him, Ringmenka didn't pay any attention. She just found a string of yarn and played with it, rolling her eyes at everyone.
As normally happened, Macavity's alert went off and Ringmenka reacted before anything happened, covering herself with a nearby blanket. She ran for cover just as fast as she did the year before when Demeter alerted everyone. Munkustrap was still very suspicious about her actions, especially since she didn't explain them when he asked.
After the cats ambushed Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer stealing a few things, Quaxo, Coricopat, and Tantomile sensed that their leader was coming. As Munkustrap sang about Old Deuteronomy, he noticed that Ringmenka was not around. However he shrugged it off, thinking that she was still hiding after the Macavity scare.
But to his and everyone else's surprise, Ringmenka came out from behind the oven and sang the second half. Munkustrap approached her, asking her with his eyes if she trusted the Jellicle leader. As she sang, the red Jellicle just nodded. Munkustrap took her hand and led her out in the open where they sang the chorus together. When Old Deuteronomy arrived, Ringmenka put her arms in front of her chest in her "X" position, looking a little nervous. When he looked at her, however, she smiled, lowered her arms, and bowed.
The peace didn't last, though. Another Macavity alert rang out. This time, there was something different. Ringmenka didn't react beforehand and Demeter didn't scream the fiend's name. Everyone was greatly confused by this and cowered near the edges of the open area. Ringmenka stayed near Munkustrap, poised for attack. Munkustrap tensed up, looking for the enemy of all cats. He didn't have to wait long.
A brightly colored young cat jumped down. He looked about Plato's age. He looked exactly like Macavity. But he had a white tail. Demeter looked confused about who this tom was. Ringmenka, on the other hand, backed up and her eyes grew wide with fear. Mungojerrie got in front of her and hissed. Rumpleteazer hissed as well. Munkustrap faced the young tom and asked forcefully, "Who are you?"
The brightly colored tom looked at Munkustrap and bowed. "Good evening … Munkustrap. My name is Anonmusent."
Munkustrap's eyebrow raised. "How do you know my name … and why do you look like Macavity?"
The tom called Anonmusent smirked. "I have heard a great deal about you … and about all the other cats in this tribe as well. As to why I look like the Hidden Paw … there is a very simple reason for that. He is my Father … and Griddlebone is my Mother … which is where my tail came from."
All but Ringmenka, Mungojerrie, and Rumpleteazer reacted in surprise. They had no idea that Macavity had a son. Anonmusent smirked evilly. "I am a little surprised that you don't recognize me. I helped Father with his little deception two years ago. How else would he be in two places at once, in the corner and approaching you in disguise? I was the one who pointed Father out to you." He then chuckled. "I still couldn't believe that you cats fell for that trick."
Munkustrap's fur stood up a little. Looking around, Anonmusent saw Etcetera hiding behind Tugger and Electra hiding behind Tumblebrutus. Anonmusent smirked arrogantly. "Ah … there you two are. Father was supposed to give them to me as a gift last year but they disappeared. Too bad … I would have had fun with you two."
The cats reacted to his pronouncement. Electra and Etcetera shivered and cowered even deeper behind the toms. Raking the junkyard with his glance, Anonmusent's eyes fell on Ringmenka and he smiled with cruel joy. To Mungojerrie the son of the fiend hissed, "Move out of the way … or face my Father's claws the next time you see him."
Mungojerrie refused to move but felt Ringmenka put her hand on his shoulder. Catching her gaze and nodding, he stepped behind Ringmenka, who tried to stand tall but still looked terrified. Anonmusent then said to the young queen, "Ringmenka … how long has it been? Two years? It's been far too long."
Munkustrap looked at her and asked, "Ringmenka … do you know this tom?"
Nervous, Ringmenka looked at the silver tabby and shook her head. "No. I-I-I don't know him."
"Then how does he know your name?"
Ringmenka bit her lower lip. "Um … he just overheard a cat say my name in the past. I really don't know him!"
Munkustrap didn't believe her but he didn't get a chance to ask her again. Anonmusent chuckled. "Ringmenka … I'm insulted. How can you say that you don't know your own big brother?"
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer's eyes grew wide when they heard Anonmusent tell Ringmenka's secret. Everyone looked at the red queen with wide eyes. They could not believe that they had an offspring of Macavity within their tribe. But they now understood why she was so protective of Jemima. Jemima was born after Macavity violated Demeter. Strictly speaking, Ringmenka and Jemima were half-sisters. Ignoring the tribe, Anonmusent reached out his hand, making Ringmenka take a step back, and continued, "Come. Father said that you can come home."
Ringmenka saw the looks in the other cats' eyes and took a few steps forward. Mungojerrie put his hand on her shoulder to stop her but she brushed him off and approached Munkustrap. He tensed up and she looked into his eyes. "Yes … it's true. Macavity is … my Father. But … I am not like him. I am not like that family at all!"
Listening in, Anonmusent realized that she would not come willingly. He had to lie in order to make her come with him. Thinking for a moment, he came up with the perfect story.
"Ringmenka, how can you say that you're not like Father? After all, you're the one who suggested that someone should spy on the tribe. You even volunteered to infiltrate and kill the silver tabby when Father gave you the signal."
The cats looked at Ringmenka stunned. She glared at her brother angrily. "What did you say?"
Anonmusent smirked evilly and winked at her. "You heard me."
Hissing, Ringmenka flew at him and tried to skin him violently. However Anonmusent grabbed her wrist and casually scratched her hard across the face. Then he lifted her head to look into her eyes and dug his claws into her face. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that. Besides, have you forgotten after all this time? I always was the better fighter."
Ringmenka grew more terrified. She tried to run away but Anonmusent pulled her toward him and wrapped his arm around her neck. "You're not getting away this time."
Ringmenka tried to push his arm off of her as she begged the other cats to help. Victoria and Quaxo wanted to help but Plato and Jellylorum stopped them. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer wanted to help as well but were held back by Alonzo and Tugger. All the cats then turned away so that they wouldn't look at her. Seeing this, Ringmenka looked with horror at Munkustrap and begged, "Please! Help me! Don't let him take me back!"
But Munkustrap ignored her pleas. He wasn't about to help her, the daughter of the Napoleon of Crime. Instead he looked away and said to Anonmusent, "Take her."
Anonmusent smirked. "Thank you."
Ringmenka froze and looked at the silver tabby in disbelief. "Munkustrap …" she whispered as she lowered her head and started to cry.
Hearing her cries, Quaxo and Victoria tried to go to her again but Jellylorum and Plato refused to slacken their grasps. With his little sister in a headlock, Anonmusent jumped up on the broken radio and said, "Be seeing you cats around." With that, he jumped out of sight, Ringmenka's cries still rending the air.
