((AN: Another new Cats story! Yeah, it's been a while since I've submitted something here, as always; but, as with everybody, having to stay home gives me plenty of time to try and be creative. I wrote this little drabble just off and on because I was feeling some more Munkustrap/Demeter fluffies, and I thought I'd go ahead and put it up. This one still continues my little canon I've established with the other stories. Plus, I thought it would be fun to have a story that goes more into the life of Munk's owner, who was fun to write, even though humans aren't a focal point of the show...I kept it that way by deliberately leaving out any mention of the humans' appearances.
Also, yes, I snuck in a reference to early 80's Doctor Who. x3 I know most like to put the canon of the stage show around the 30's, when the poems were written...but there are stylistic choices (at least in the video adaptation) that make me want to put it in the time frame around when the stage show premiered...references to Queen Victoria notwithstanding, but we can just say that the cats just live long lives or lots of lifetimes. :B It's all still fiction, anyway.
That said, enjoy this little fluffiness! Probably more to come. :3 ))
The Other Side of Home
Munkustrap sat on the little desktop table inside of the junkyard guard-house, watching his human as he meticulously packed up the things that he would need to take home with him that night (including the plastic bowls with which he used to bring the cats of the yard their food). The sun was finally setting outside in gentle colors across a clear horizon, though there seemed to be storm clouds creeping in from the east, threatening to overtake the night with rain.
The silver tabby who usually spent his evenings and nights on watch over the cats of the yard didn't worry about rain, most of the time. His loyal protectors were always keeping watch when he couldn't, and he was always grateful that the other cats were very mindful of their own surroundings. Tonight, Munkustrap decided that it would be a good night to spend with his human family at their flat just a few blocks away. He hadn't spent a terrible amount of his nights with the guardsman lately, though the man seemed to understand. As dutiful as he was to his own job, and as observant as he was of the cats, he just knew that his pet probably had an important position among the little colony that ran around the junk piles.
He also knew that the cat would still be there when he returned to work, or would still come home if he wanted or needed. There was a trust there that was hard to break, and one that human and cat alike could sometimes hardly understand. But it worked, and that was fine for the cats.
The guardsman let out a rough groan as he stood with his pack, his free hand digging a little into the small of his back. "Ah...gettin' too old for this, eh? Well then, Peter boy, time t' be headin' out, if you're joining me. Just gotta fish for the keys in th' old pockets..."
Munkustrap wondered sometimes what the man would think if he could tell him his true name. He would probably laugh and think it strange, as strange as what cats think of the names that humans come up with. Nonetheless, upon being addressed, the silver mackerel tabby let out a loud trill in response and leaped to the chair, in preparation to follow the human out the door.
As he did, though, there came a distant booming noise, which made both cat and human raise their heads in the direction of the slow-rolling clouds of black.
"...Better get a move-on too, eh? A storm's been likely brewin' all day...wha-hoy!" he suddenly exclaimed, rocking back as if nearly tripping over something, as he lifted his boot to allow a small and dark shape to come rocketing at a blurry speed into the guard-house, to hide itself under the desk.
As the guardsman turned and quizzically scratched his chin, Munkustrap immediately leaped to the floor, his eyes trained fully on the dark space between the legs of the table. He emitted a humming sort of "meew" so that the human could hear that the cat was already investigating the disturbance. As fast as it was running, and how small it was, no doubt it was simply one of the others having chosen the guard-house for a shelter from the night's rain to come.
His narrowed eyes soon widened, however, to a look of familiar worry, when he saw that the runner had been none other than his beloved Demeter. The gold-flecked tortie was hunched in the shadows, catching her breath, her tail tucked very tightly around herself. She didn't seem to notice that she'd been caught entering...it looked as if she was just trying to run until it was safe.
The storm...of course...she isn't quite over that fear. At least she hasn't ducked somewhere deep in the yard again. "Demeter? Love, are you alright?"
The mottled queen, a little shocked that she'd been discovered rushing inside (and a little shocked that, in fact, she'd rushed in when the door hadn't been locked yet), whipped her head up to meet the Guardian's eyes, and sighed out in immediate relief...and a little bit of timid embarrassment, as she often felt after one of her skittish attacks. "Oh, you haven't...you haven't left yet. I-I'm fine. I just...I was coming over to say good night, and..." she hung her head a little and grimaced, "...I guess the thunder gave me a bit of a fright. It wasn't even that loud, I..."
"It's quite alright," he gently interrupted, moving closer and placing his paw over hers. "No need to worry. I'm glad you decided to run here if you had to...it's a safe place. I'd especially prefer that you had a safe place to run to now, all things considered," he said with a little sparkle in his emerald gaze as it wandered over her abdomen, heavy with their unborn kittens.
She was about five weeks along now, and other than some sickness every now and again, she'd been having a very graceful and safe pregnancy, for which they both were grateful. It was what made her feel confident enough that she could spend a night in the yard without his constantly worrying, and earlier she'd actually insisted that he go and spend some overdue time with his humans.
Obviously, though, nobody seemed to have predicted that there would be a bit of thunder and rain due over the area. The skittish queen still had a bashful look as she nonetheless smiled at his assuring demeanor. "Well, still...I didn't mean to delay you. You should go…you know I'll be fine."
Munkustrap opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the sound of the guardsman's boots slowly walking up behind him. "Ya get whatever it is cornered, boy? I'd hate t'leave the place with rats inside, boss'll surely have me hide for that...oh!" the human exclaimed lightly, interrupting himself as he peeked curiously under the desk to meet a wide and glittering pair of familiar gold eyes. "Well, Gor-bless, it's your lovely lady! Poor thing, must've been scared in by th' storm, eh? Heheh, gotta hand it to you, lil' girl, I seen many cats run, but you could've beat 'em all in a race jus' now."
Demeter stood her ground, but gave a curious little mew as the guardsman reached out his hand. Slowly (and with a nod of permission from Munkustrap), the queen craned her neck up and reached her nose up to sniff the offered digits, before offering them a little bump of her head in return. He gave the top of it a scratch, and she leaned into it, her fear abating just a little from the kind attention of the human; the only human to really have given her such kind attention in so long.
"...Y'know, I have an idea, Peter boy...why not bring her with us, eh?" the guardsman said with a little smile in his voice. "Just for the night. I know th' landlord might frown upon two cats in th' flat, but...far be it for me to leave a sweet lil' thing all alone an' scared here overnight in a loud storm."
Both cats' eyes widened at the thought, rather surprised that he would actually come out and offer such a thing. Munkustrap met her uncertain eyes again. "There's an idea indeed...would you want to come with us? You can meet my human family, and see the flat."
"I..." Demeter's gaze wavered, uncertain, though a part of her was also most intrigued. "I...I don't know. I don't want to impose on you...or-or the humans for that matter..."
"It's no imposition," the silver tabby insisted. From the loving look he was giving her, he certainly seemed keen on the idea…more than she expected him to be. "It's only for the night, if you're afraid of the thought of staying inside a building. I...confess that I'd rather not have you stay here all alone either. Stress isn't good for the kittens."
She opened her mouth to argue, but couldn't find the words. Admittedly, he had a point...and though she was getting much better at controlling her anxious habits, sometimes they were still overwhelming—like now—and there were times she could have easily thrown herself into a dangerous situation unwittingly by just running and hiding.
"I...I suppose if it's...alright with you, then..."
He gave a gentle little nuzzle against her cheek. "It is, I promise. You'll be out in the morning if you so wish...it's warm there, and lots of soft places to sleep...and he'll feed you, he absolutely will."
Thoughtfully, she ran a paw under to her swollen belly, feeling for movements...she knew instinctively that she should be eating as much as she could get. And of course...warmth, softness, her mate right there with her for the night...all of it, so very tempting...and it helped to push her decision when another rumble was heard in the distance.
"...Al-alright. I'll come."
With a bright smile and a nod, Munkustrap turned and gave an affirmative "meyah!" to his human, while Demeter crawled up a little closer, giving a pleading trill of her own.
The guardsman chuckled. "Well, I dare say that seems to be a good idea, eh? C'mon then, lovely girl, I'll carry ya in me jacket. Peter'll be right at my heels, too, don'tcha fret. Just a little walk home, and we'll all get a nice helpin' a warm food."
Demeter's eyes tried to stay staunchly on Munkustrap as she saw the human's large, calloused hands surround her on both sides in preparation to pick her up. She was tense, though she didn't mean to be...it had been so long since she was picked up by a human. "M-munk," she stuttered as his palms closed around her body under her forearms, her ears flattening against her head, "I-I must admit I'm afraid of scratching him."
"It's okay...try to relax," he softly urged as she was picked up, "You'll be fine...if you do scratch a little, he's used to it." The silver tom chuckled. "I think he's been around cats all his life."
"I-I would hope so..." she murmured back as she was carefully secured in the front of his jacket, with a gentle little scratch from his fingers under her chin to comfort her; bless him, he actually did seem to empathize with the scared creature in his grasp, who could rip his front end asunder if she wanted to. He held her hind feet steady with one arm and the coat closed with that hand, as he fumbled into his pocket for his keys with the other. The lock engaged with a soft click as it turned, and together, the three of them started on the seemingly-long walk back as the storm kept approaching in its ominous way.
As promised, Munkustrap kept perfect pace with his human's long strides along the way; even going so far as to run along in front sometimes, keeping his black-striped tail raised like a flag as he trilled every so often to make sure that his human was still on the right path.
Whenever he passed to the side, he kept his attention on Demeter. Usually, he knew her well enough that he could just guess her thoughts by looking into her eyes (a skill that she only allowed him to have, aside from Bombalurina). From what he could discern, she was for a while staying frozen still in the makeshift pocket in which she was tucked...but after a bit of walking, she looked a little more curious than afraid, and glanced around with wide and attentive eyes. This made him feel relieved; he knew that his human would handle her (and unwittingly, their four growing offspring) with all the gentleness that one would have given to a baby...it was a matter of her coming to know it.
And the tortie was indeed feeling a little more relaxed as the walk went on. She knew that the junkyard was disappearing slowly behind them, even though they were only going a short way, and the street lamps were only just turning on in their wake. She couldn't turn to see the yard, but her wonder about the destination, where Munk spent many of his nights with his non-cat family, was overpowering her caution; her eyes kept forward instead. It also helped to feel such warmth in the little pocket in which she was carried. She'd forgotten how warm a caring human was. You still surprise me so, my love; even your master can be trusted so eternally.
The little complex of apartments in which they eventually strode was a surprisingly nice-looking area for being downtown; Demeter could smell a mix of flowers and trees planted along the sides between several two-story buildings, softly-lit with the gentle orange or white glows of lamps beside the doors or hanging from the corners, like old-fashioned lanterns on elaborate swirled holders.
As they crossed the lot and started up a set of stairs, the tortie caught Munkustrap having beaten the human to the door. He sat in front of it like a little guardian statue, smiling and watching as they caught up to him.
"'Ere we are, luv...that wasn't so bad, eh?" the human hummed as he caught his breath, grasping his keys to turn the lock.
As he did, Demeter called down in a hushed voice to the silver tom. "I'm rather curious, but does your human not have a car? It seems to me most humans would rather take them to their work and back, than walk."
Munkustrap chuckled as he sent a loud whisper back. "He does have one, but believe it or not, he's very practical and would rather walk, unless he's feeling poorly or the weather is too bad. His daughter uses it more, to go to university."
"His daughter?" her head tilted.
"Oh yes; you'll meet her too in a moment. She's very nice as well."
The sound of the lock clicking open on the door returned Demeter's attention, and she felt a gentle swath of warmth when it was opened and they stepped inside. She had to close her eyes against the brightness of the front room and kitchen lights on in the flat, until she could blink to adjust her vision to the new surroundings.
It was a modest and cozy little place. The front room was sparsely decorated with a sofa and chair facing a television on a little shelf with a coffee table in the middle, and on the walls hung just a few photographs of different people and pets, along with posters of various music bands (probably contributed by the daughter). A quietly-ticking clock hung between the kitchen and the living area, across from the island shelf that also separated the rooms. Three different doors leading to other areas could be seen as well, two at opposite sides of the kitchen and one going off into a corridor from the living room. A record turntable on a bookshelf between the island and television was playing something softly classical.
But it was the scents and the general air hanging over the homestead that caught Demeter's focus the most, and immediately they had started to make her feel more at ease. It smelled completely of the guardsman and of Munkustrap, and of various foods and tea that was already steeping in a pot on the stove; it was all so genuinely calm and comforting, and the skittish tortie felt that there could be no room for fear or caution...especially when she heard her mate's cheerful trill at the guardsman's feet.
"Aye, I know, Peter, let me get settled in, eh? Then I'll set out yer food. And yours too, lil' lady, you're the guest, after all," he said with a grunt as he opened his coat and set the still-slightly-tense queen down on the coffee table. "Would be right rude of me t' let a guest go hungry. I'm sure Peter here'll show ya around, meantime."
"Mah!" Munkustrap vocalized in avid agreement as he leaped up to sit next to her. Instinctively, she tensed, as in the back of her mind she knew that she was deep inside a space that belonged only to one cat, and that could have meant a sound correcting...if it were any other cat, and any other situation.
But he saw her discomfort and leaned close with his eternally loving smile, his head bowed to offer her a nuzzle, which she gladly accepted, and allowed him to pull her close. Surrounded by the warmth of his body and the closeness of the scent that lingered all around, her fear was entirely banished. I'm not trespassing...I've been invited, she reminded that tiny bit of her mind that always seemed to stay afraid and cautious.
Munkustrap as well wanted nothing more than to make sure she was comfortable...his precious queen, and their precious litter still waiting to see the world...oh, he couldn't think twice about inviting her into any sanctuary he kept, and especially when she could feel her gratefulness through the weight of her body leaning into him and her nuzzling back against his neck and face.
The cats' reverie was cut short soon enough. Upon the sound of the door's latch closing again and the guardsman hanging his coat and keys on the hooks next to it, there then came another voice from down the closest corridor, younger and more feminine. "Dad? That you?"
"Aye, just got back," he called in kind and brushed some dust from his palms, while the animals on the table sat up straight and listened. "You put the kettle on, Brit?"
A sigh. Her voice and accent seemed a bit more polished than the older man's, probably as a result of her pursuit of education. "Yes, you should've been able to see it from the door."
Demeter tilted her head. "Her name is 'Brit?' Little unoriginal even for a human name."
"It's short for Brittany," she felt Munkustrap chuckle a little. "It's a part of his speaking habits."
"Oi, so touchy, y'are," he gruffed with a bit of a humorous chortle as he went to the kitchen and started rummaging around.
"Sorry," the girl hummed back, and they could hear her getting up from wherever she was. "Spent much of the evening studying; Professor's gonna run me ragged at this rate. How are the cats?"
"Hah," he guffawed, "You ask about th' cats and not about my day?"
"Dad, the cats are the first things you talk about! Every day! But yes, do tell me how you are too," she primly added.
He snorted and started pouring the tea, as well as warming up something on a plate. "It was good as always, nothin' t' boast about. But, I did end up doing somethin' different on the way home," he added with a bit of a sly note in his voice, as if he were up to something worse than bringing in another cat under everyone's nose.
The girl, who looked perhaps no older than twenty, poked her head out finally from the doorway to fixate on her father in the kitchen. "And what would that be, then?"
"Well first of all, Peter's home tonight...and second, we've brought along a friend from the yard," he pointed to the coffee table with a smirk, where the cats were sitting close and attentively.
"You did what?" she exclaimed as she turned to spot them, her brow rising with interest at the visitor, who crouched a little at the sound of her raised voice. "Oh, my god! Dad, why'd you bring one of the other cats home? Surely you can't adopt it..."
"Relax, Brit, I know I can't, eh? Th' poor little thing heard the storm coming, dashed right inside the guard-house as I was closin' the door. Well, Peter and I agreed not to leave her there, so...she's here, waitin' on a good meal. She'll be back there tomorrow, so don't be on me about it."
"Well, I can't fault you," She rolled her eyes and started over to the coffee table, leaning down in front of the cats and to get a closer look. "Still, if you were allowed, and had the space, I'd bet that you'd bring every single one of the cats in the yard home."
He had to laugh. "Guilty as charged. Careful with that one, though...only human she seems to see regular is me. Bit of a fearful one, can't at all guess what she must've lived through."
"Aw," she hummed and regarded the cat with a smile, as she regarded the human back with a very alert expression and hunched shoulders. "Hallo, darling...she's quite pretty. Friend of yours, Peter?" she said as she reached up to rub his head and scratch behind his ears, which he leaned into with a rumbling purr. "I should think so."
"Well, I wouldn't just invite any cat into the house who wasn't Peter's friend, eh?" The cats heard the refrigerator opening and closing.
Brittany giggled. "Good job it's a tortie, too. Legend has it it's good luck if a tortie cat chooses to sit in your home." She held out her hand, fingers curled for the cat to investigate, just like her father always did. "It's okay, little girl. Can I give you a pet?"
Demeter sniffed her hand, glanced over to Munkustrap questioningly, and at his little nod, she allowed herself to be stroked across her head and cheek, and she instinctively started up her own quiet purr. The girl had a comforting demeanor, but still a bit of a more serious air, something she wondered if she picked up from her father.
While one hand combed through the queen's fur, the other inspected her collar tag more closely. "Neat collar she's got...oh! Your name's Demeter? Goodness!" she laughed a little. "Don't just have us a good luck tortie, we have a goddess!" She stood back up and turned back to her father, quirking an eyebrow. "Doesn't she have an owner?"
The guardsman gave a long and thoughtful hum, his lip pursing as a sad light seemed to cross his eyes. "I more suspect she's abandoned, or a stray. I see her in the yard at all hours when I'm there, along with another older molly with the same kinda collar...and it was hard to earn her trust first time I met her. Plus her coat's a mite dusty from the yard, and the collar's crackin' with age, see? She has t' be living there now."
Brittany turned back to regard the cat, a hand over her mouth. "Oh, you poor little dear..."
"Ah, don't worry too awful much though, eh?" her father said with a more upbeat tone as he came through the kitchen door with two plates full of freshly-ground meaty foods for the cats, "She's a tough one, no doubt the other cats help watch out for her. And Peter here's become quite fond of her," he winked as he set the plates down, and the cats approached them with their tails held high, "I catch them cuddled up together in the cat bed all the time."
"Really!" her brow raised again as she watched the two choose a plate and immediately tuck into their meals together. "Well, that's just adorable. I can tell he seems rather protective of her. He's staying close."
"Oh, he's smitten. Warms me heart too," he laughed. "Let's let them eat, anyhow."
"Well, I'll have to study out here," she insisted, skipping a little as she moved back into the corridor. "Let me just fetch my book..."
"How about takin' a break instead, help me make dinner, eh? There's a reason I bought meatloaf yesterday."
"Oh, very well," the girl could be heard sighing dramatically, though she had a smile on her face as she eventually acquiesced to the kitchen help. "Have to say, if I ever caught up to Demeter's old owner, I'd slap them for wanting to give her up, and after giving her such a pretty name. Someone else out there actually likes Greek names for cats."
"Ah, you don't know the situation. They probably did love her, but had to give her up, eh?"
"On the streets though? It's no excuse, still. Not at all."
As Demeter listened to the conversation while she ate, she noted that the guardsman didn't have anything to say to that, other than a quiet grunt. Her eyes closed, and she just focused on the taste of the food that she took in heartily.
...They could have loved us once. But that they could think of nothing else to do but leave us...
"So," she heard Munkustrap break the silence as he gulped down a mouthful and glanced to her, "What do you think of all this?"
She had to smile back, taking another look around. "It's...actually quite nice. Nicer than I thought it would be." There was a pause as the guardsman's daughter sat down again on the couch with a cup of tea, apparently having helped all she could and now just opening her book again. "As she is, too. It's funny." Her expression fell a little, her smile turning sad as her memories took her back. "I'd forgotten how nice it was to be in a home like this."
Munkustrap's head tilted, his lip quirked up. "It has its perks. But...I don't imagine you'd ever choose to live in a human home again."
After a thoughtful moment, Demeter's head shook. "No. I've gotten far too used to the freedom of the yard, and the companionship of the other cats. And even if a human home is nicer...there is always the possibility that they could move, and this time take me along, so that I never see it...you...again. I would run away first. It's...after experiencing both, I know I belong there."
She felt him nudging her cheek gently with his nose. "We all do. At least we can rest assured that we'll all be sticking around for a long time to come. I would never leave you either."
At that, she flattened her ears back a little bit, looking uncertain. "Your humans, though...they are so nice..."
"They are...and what makes them that way...is I think that they would understand. Some humans are remarkable like that...able to know what we would do, or think. The guardsman is one such human. Of course, I'll stay with them for as long as I am able...but if I had to choose, I would choose the tribe."
His gaze lingered on hers for a moment longer, and she felt the truth in his words, as always, unable to break. "Thank you, darling. For inviting me."
"I've wanted to for a while, to be honest," he smiled shyly and nudged her again with a chuckle. "You've opened up so much to me...I want you to know that what's mine is yours. Now, finish up your plate as best as you are able, love. The kittens need that nourishment too."
"Ever the worrywart," she said with a stuck-out tongue as she tucked back into her meaty mix, wondering if he could hear her racing heart.
Once they started to finish their meals, they heard the guardsman sitting down with his daughter's plate, as well as his own, next to them on the sofa. He chuckled as he ran a large palm along each cat's back. "Always glad to see your lady eatin' well, eh boy? Heh, very well, seems to have gotten a tad fat, actually."
"Dad!" Brittany suddenly hissed from beside him. "You don't say that to a lady!" She reached out to pet the back of Demeter's head (while the cat herself gave a little snort, and the silver tabby seemed to glare). "Don't smite us, please, sometimes things like that just come out."
"Well, if she takes offense, I apologize then," he chuckled. "T'was a compliment to her health, more than anything."
The daughter shook her head and turned back to the cats, and she gave the queen a stroke down her back as her other hand scratched behind the tom's ears. It was then that she paused when looking Demeter over, her eyebrows furrowing curiously as both hands ever-so-gently clasped her midsection. The tortie, surprised, completely froze up. Glancing at Munkustrap, he had his eyebrows raised; less an assessment of a threat and more as if an unspoken question of his was going to be answered.
"Uhm...actually, Dad...now that I see, I don't think she's fat. I think she's pregnant."
The older man's fork was heard clattering to the plate as he turned with wide eyes. "Gor' almighty, ya sure about that?"
She nodded. "Yes, very much. Feel 'round her body, it wouldn't be so firm if she were just fat. I think I can even feel them moving!"
As the guardsman did so, Demeter began to feel rather nervous at all of the attention and prodding from the humans. Her ears flattened as his thumbs pressed everywhere on the underside of her midsection; he even lifted her up a little to see her belly and milk-laden nips (that was when, out of respect, Munkustrap turned his gaze away). At that point, she couldn't take it any longer, and let out a loud growl of warning, her tail starting to whip.
"Oh, blimey, 'm sorry girl," said the man as, to his credit, he immediately let go. Demeter backed up a little, crouched protectively over herself; only to calm a little when her mate crouched beside her and bumped her brow with his.
The humans, meanwhile, were sitting back on the couch and regarding them with smiles, the guardsman shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, I should've known from the start, eh? Congratulations, y' little sweetheart. Heh, now I would hope them kittens are Peter's," he laughed heartily as he ruffled Munkustrap's head (and the tabby stuck his tongue out in a bit of a shy, though proud, gesture). "Good thing ya got a job, you sly thing you, heh!"
"Well, I would sure guess they are his, considering all the attention he's paid her," Brittany laughed along. "These two would make such lovely kittens, too." She carefully offered her fingers to Demeter again. "Sorry for bringing attention to you, though, I had to point it out; better than being called fat."
Demeter considered her hand for a moment with her eyes narrowed, and then slowly nudged her head against the digits with a bit of a silent trill, as if to say that things were forgiven. She couldn't help but give a little purr again when it earned her a gentle scratching along her ears.
Once the humans went back to eating, the queen turned her back and leaped down to the carpeted floor, feeling like she needed a bit of air. Munkustrap followed along with her, a look of concern on his face. "Are you alright, darling? I'm sorry that they got a bit touchy when they figured it out...I knew that they wouldn't hurt you, though..."
Demeter turned to him with a light smile. "It's quite alright, Munk...I knew I wasn't in danger, otherwise you would have cut in, I should think...it's just...I don't feel like being the center of attention right now. I'm suddenly exhausted, being so full, and in a new place..."
Immediately, he leaned himself against her and draped a paw over her shoulders, his tail curling around her body as he pulled her into a close and comforting embrace. "I know how you feel, love. Would you like to explore the flat? It isn't very large...and I did promise to show you around, unless you'd like some time to yourself." She felt his soft grin. "And the little ones, of course."
As always, she couldn't help but feel a whole lot better, and more secure, in his loving and protective grip. "I...I would like to explore a little, actually, yes. Just so I know my bearings." She playfully bumped against his chin. "And I think I will do that myself, too. You've still been more with me than your humans. I insist you spare them some attention." When he looked into her eyes again, there seemed to spark a bit of nostalgia, happy and sad all at once...something from her past at which he could only guess. "A family like this is nothing to take for granted."
At that, he smiled and rubbed his face against her cheek and neck in a deep and soft nuzzle. "You know that best, my love. Rest assured though; I have always appreciated them, and will continue to do so. But, of course, I can never leave you out of the appreciation. You are my family, too."
"I know that now," she replied, returning the attention in full before slowly parting from him. "I'll find you again in a little while, I'm sure."
"I'll be here," he promised, giving a parting bump of the head before turning around and leaping back up to the table, only to make a second leap between the two dining humans with a loud trill, startling them and making them laugh. She watched the interaction for a second longer, before turning and going to see which parts of the flat were the most quiet.
It surprised Demeter, as she padded around for the next hour, just how she'd forgotten about the storm that had been brewing outside. The comforting quiet of the living space, coupled with the sounds of laughter and talking that she could hear from the humans, kept her concentrated on a methodical search.
It was a little exciting, confidently exploring a new place; a feeling that she only captured before as a kitten. Even when seeing the junkyard for the first time as an adult, she couldn't quite find that adventurous little spark through her constant, anxious need to be on guard, feeling like she had to memorize every sight and smell very quickly. Here, now, she felt like she could take her time...like in her first human home, where she met Bombalurina. She pretended back then, to take her mind off of the unfamiliarity of it all, that she was a brave explorer, out to chart new lands.
The intrepid explorer, at it again, she had to smirk to herself as she sniffed every little corner and edge she found poking out, every which way smelling just the tiniest bit like Munkustrap, which she loved...wherever anything of him lingered, she knew it would not be a dangerous place. Coyly she would rub her face against those edges, adding her scent alongside his, as well as just enjoying the feeling of a smooth surface on her cheek.
She couldn't open the kitchen door furthest to the left, so she peeked into the one opposite and found a little washing area, along with a water bowl, with which she satisfied her thirst.
Creeping past the island table and cabinets, she made a game of not even catching any attention as she darted into the shadowy darkness of the living area corridor. There, she kept her whiskers spread to catch anything that she might miss upon looking around. There were three doors here at the end; the middle, at the very head of the hall, was the human lavatory. The door to the left had a dim light still shining through it. She peered inside to see that it was from a lamp that hung over a desk, with notebooks open upon it.
The daughter's room, probably, she guessed with a hum, confirming it with an extra sniff to catch her scent all around (it was hard for a cat to discern between human scents, unless one was careful to observe the differences, and were used to it, which she hadn't been in so long). The final door, to the right in the hall, had to be the master bedroom; the guardsman's hardy smell was all over it.
Still feeling adventurous, the tortie couldn't help but creep inside the dark room, observing how large the bed was and how spacious it was underneath; perfect for if a cat needed to hide. Not that she imagined Munkustrap needing to hide from anything...but all cats needed a sense of darkness and safety every so often.
Yet that next second, she seemed to have found his space anyway, in the presence of a well-used soft cat tower beside the closet. Her mate's scent covered it the most, and stepping inside the little man-made cavern, it felt like being embraced by him.
I feel I shouldn't linger in here...but, I doubt that he would be mad, if he found me. He did say what was his was mine. Mm, this is the last room anyway. I would be due back.
But just as she was turning to exit the cat tower, there suddenly came a familiar, heavy set of footfalls. Accompanied with a tired groan, the guardsman flicked the light on as he entered, none the wiser that she was hiding there, hunkered down in caution.
Demeter was never really afraid of humans...but she knew from all her experiences on the street that they could be dangerous if you weren't careful, and you didn't know how to take advantage of their world. The guardsman though...he was one of the few humans she'd come to truly trust, despite his rough appearance...for a hard-working, toughened man, he had a gentle demeanor; he and Munkustrap were indeed alike in many ways.
He looks like he's getting ready for bed...he DOES get up before dawn. I should perhaps thank him for his hospitality.
With a quiet and questioning "mew?", she stepped out of hiding to see him lift his head, a smile showing on his ragged face.
"Ahh, so that's where you went off to, eh? Heh, can't fault a cat for wantin' to wander. Peter got himself lost in every li'l nook and cranny you can imagine, when I first brought him home. I have lotsa good stories about him, if ya ever wanna listen," he said with a wink and a chuckle, scratching on the bed to his side as an invitation to jump up.
Demeter hid a little laugh of her own behind an amused "mrrr," as she leaped next to the man and, after a pause when he lifted his hand, bumped her head against his palm.
Surprisingly, he seemed to understand as his fingers scratched her ears. "Ahh, no need t' thank me for lettin' you stay, sweet girl. Especially glad I decided to now, eh? Sorry I got you a bit angry earlier...hard not to be excited for kittens."
No hard feelings, she thought as she gave another of her soft meows with a purr, briefly wondering if he was a human who could hear her if she tried to really speak to him. His hand continued to stroke the top of her head as he went on, and there was a note of wistfulness in his voice.
"Y'know, I do really hope them other cats take good care of ya in that yard. I know m' boy does; never seen him so close with a lady. M' daughter has a point...if I were t' run into your old family meself, I'd probably give 'em a good piece a' my mind for losing you however they did. You're a special one, lil' Demeter. Hopin' you also take good care of my Peter boy when he can't come home, eh?"
"Mrraow," she answered in a sincere affirmative through her purring, clear and high as a bell, making him chuckle.
"Ah, I trust so, lil' lucky goddess...I'd adopt ya meself if I could, but then again, something tells me you wouldn't go for it either...but, you should let us see those kittens when they arrive, promise? I know Brit's probably already got ten names picked out. Anyway, gotta beat the dawn to sleep, as always, eh? Peter and me will take ya back down tomorrow. Go on then, go spend time with your love." He gave another hearty, humming laugh. "My lil' Peter, gonna be a father, imagine that."
With another high-pitched trill, Demeter did as told and took a careful leap down from the bed, immediately heading for the door with her tail in the air. He will definitely be the first human to see the little ones after they arrive, that's for certain. I'd even be honored if he gave them their everyday names. But...that is a moment that will be foreseen.
As Demeter padded her way back into the living room, she noticed that the lights were all either off or dimmed, save for the ever-shifting colors emanating from the television. The daughter, no longer deciding that her nose should be stuck in her books, was watching with a calm, anticipating smile, while Munkustrap was laying beside her in a position more relaxed than he ever usually slept: front arms fully sprawled in front of him and over the edge of the couch.
Demeter allowed herself a little chuckle before stepping within eyesight, at which point her mate caught her approaching with an ear cocked in her direction. He immediately looked up with his warm and loving smile.
The girl, noticing that he moved, grinned at her as well. "There you are, Demeter. Just in time for a bit of telly before bed."
Munkustrap gave a meow of approval to the girl, before meeting eyes with the gold-flecked queen and gesturing with a nod of his head for her to join them.
She did so with just a few hops and a jump, followed by an almost involuntary groan as she turned in place on the couch cushion to find her comfort spot. The softness of the fabric, combined with the silver tabby's warmth as he allowed her to lay against him, was like heaven to her suddenly-tired muscles and sore pads.
His voice wove quietly through her ears as he rested his chin atop her brow. "Have fun exploring?"
"Mm...yes. It's a lovely little place." She hummed a little laugh. "I just left the guardsman to sleep. He wants to see the kittens when they come."
"Of course he does," Munkustrap hummed back, and she felt him smiling. "I can just imagine the look he'll have."
She enjoyed his attentive nuzzling against her head and the back of her neck for a few moments (the two of them were almost always cuddling when together, but Munkustrap seemed even more earnest to be in physical contact ever since she announced that she was pregnant), before they heard Brittany give a giggle above them, but directed at the flickering television. The volume wasn't too loud to keep most humans awake, but certainly enough for two cats and a still-awake human to hear.
"So," Demeter yawned, "What's on?"
"Ah, some silly science-fiction show that the girl really likes," he lifted his head so that they could watch together. "It's actually fairly entertaining, and strange...gets a little scary though too."
Her head tilted at that. The man on the screen wore a very fancy white suit, with a sprig of some sort of plant pinned to his lapel. He was walking out of a large blue box that hummed. "Scary?" She scoffed. "I doubt that anything in the telly could scare me worse than I've been scared before. Besides, it sounds exciting. Though, this is the first time I've seen a working one in...in ages. I'll probably watch anything that's on."
Munkustrap chuckled in agreement, nestling himself against her so that they could hold each other up and watch together. "I suppose I would agree."
The television was on for another couple of hours, during which the cats (to varying degrees) would actually be quite entranced on what was going on...though the human girl was also very entertaining, with her almost-exaggerated reactions to surprising scenes...or every so often growling "run, you bloody idiot!" as quietly as she could to the characters on screen, as if they could hear her, while slipping into her father's accent a little.
It all reminded Demeter of such nights at her previous family's home...snuggling warmly with everyone as they watched the television or read the paper, or just napping with a young Bombalurina on their laps...nights that she thought would be there forever. A little sadness would slip into her memory then, of the nights afterward that she had to spend on the streets without the background noise, or the subtle electrical humming of a warm house, or the friendly chatter of a human family...
But then, she felt Munkustrap shifting into a newly comfortable position, a contented smile on his muzzle...and the girl would every so often stroke both of their heads and backs while muttering something or other about something on screen...and the queen would know that it was still there: the comfort, the warmth, and the security. It was new, yet familiar all the same, the memories she held onto for so long and had waited to feel again.
The silver tabby noticed after a moment between commercials, how quiet Demeter had gotten. He was about to ask if she was alright, when he felt her face burying into his shoulder. He'd been with her long enough to know that she did that when she wanted to be assured of something, but couldn't say what...things she thought were foolish to wish for now, like that he was real, and there, and that he wouldn't leave. He figured correctly that being in a human home for the first time in forever had dug it up in her mind...things that she had lost before and feared losing again...and he could understand.
So, Munkustrap did what he always did to banish those thoughts, also silently, by surrounding her with his warm body and grooming her ears and brow.
The quiet was soon broken with a long yawn from the girl, who turned the television's volume down a little more and got up from the sofa, looking down at the inquiring cats with a smile. "Time for me to retire too, I suppose...classes won't ever get done, I swear..." she placed her palm on the tabby's head and scratched his ears with her fingers. "Always good to see you when you're home, Peter. If I don't see ya in the morning, say hi to the yard cats for me. And Demeter," she said as she let her hand hover over her head, as if asking permission to rub it, "Been good to meet you. Dad always talks about you, y'know. Honored and happy to have met you, finally. And by the way, if you have a daughter, I have dibs on naming her Persephone," she chuckled with a wink.
"Mrreh," Demeter answered with a noncommittal trill at that, bumping her head against her palm and enjoying the little rub that was given. Good to have met you too.
And with that, the cats watched as she made way to her own room, leaving the two of them together on the warm couch, basking in the television's light. The storm outside could barely be heard, if there had been any of it left. It was still the middle of the night...for them, time that they could spend themselves, together.
Demeter felt a shifting in the couch cushion, and turned to see Munkustrap standing and stretching his legs with a little growl; she could hear a few muscles and bones popping as a result of inactivity, and she laughed a little. "Seems to have been a while since you had a whole night to just laze about."
"Hah," he half-scoffed and stepped over to where the girl had been sitting, which had left a nice warm spot that he was testing with his pads. "I'm too used to it, I suppose; activity, always up and around, always strolling and watching. Sitting still for so long gives me the aches anymore."
"The diligent Guardian, stuck inside, forced to relax; oh, woe is he," the tortie teased.
He stopped to stick his tongue out with a playful smirk of his own. "Yes, trapped by the will of the human overseers..." his eyes turned half-lidded, "...And by the beauty of a goddess."
Demeter scoffed, feeling herself flush with warmth. "Munk, shush."
"Oh, but she grips my heart and can't let go..." he continued in his theatrical fashion, clutching his chest and falling over on his back, his head just about hanging off the edge of the couch. "Command me not to be silent, fair queen, for you will find that I cannot, not while I am here to gaze upon you."
She couldn't help laughing at his playful behavior...he really was still a kitten in ways. She grinned and stood up, stretching a little as well before placing her paw in the center of his chest. "Then allow this fair queen to share the warm spot, O great silver warrior."
He took in a deep breath and sighed it out, his smile wide as he clasped her paw in both of his. "My dearest, I would endeavor to give it to you." He then rolled over to the other side of the cushion, patting the space to invite her into it. "I wanted to anyway. I can't deny my honored guest a nice warm spot while it lasts."
"You are most kind," she giggled and stepped into it, holding in a comforted hum as she turned into the spot and once again curled up to lie down, mostly on her side so that the unborn kittens weren't bearing her weight. Her eyes closed as she felt his paws rubbing on her shoulder-blades, while she reached up to unclasp her collar so that the spikes wouldn't be a discomfort. "Still, I would rather share it. Even the warmest, softest pillow would be cold without you."
He couldn't help but feel flushed himself at that, letting his pads flex gently over the sides of her shoulders and arms while placing her collar on the couch arm, out of the way for her. Munkustrap knew that while she had become more independent and self-assured in her time with the tribe, he also knew that a long time with a lack of gentle attention had given her a bit of touch-starvation...she loved it when he kept her close...and he had to admit to loving it too. Not just because it made her happy and safe...but because, perhaps, he had become a little possessive of her as well.
"And you can rest assured...wherever I sleep, you are welcome to join me, if you ever need to; there's nothing I won't share with you," he murmured softly, concentrating his rubbing on places he knew could be sore. "I'm sure you know that, though. We can't get much closer than we have," he pointed out, and she could hear his little smile in his voice as he briefly rubbed over her swollen belly.
Demeter hummed in contented bliss. "I do know...but I always like to be sure. And now I think I've seen everywhere you do sleep," she chuckled. "Like that adorable cat tower in the guardsman's room."
He barked out a quiet laugh at that, actually looking a little bashful. "Being part house-cat does come with some interesting inventions, yes."
"Don't be embarrassed, love, it seemed quite comfortable," she reassured. "Besides, Bomba and I had a veritable condominium in our old home...of course, everything pales in comparison to the junkyard. Still, it makes me wonder." She turned over a little to look at him, her head tilting playfully. "When did the guardsman first bring you here? Were you a kitten when he adopted you?"
"Ahh...yes, I was still quite young," he started on a happy reminiscing note as he stopped his rubbing and sat, glancing upward. "It was actually Jenny's idea that we have humans to take care of us, me and Tugger. It wasn't long after Grizabella had left..." his face fell a little at that. "We were two kittens essentially without a real caretaker...Old Deuteronomy of course couldn't always stay in the yard, though he'd cared to take part in the decision. Jenny, of course, filled out the caretaker role nicely, though she was a little more of an aunt or teacher. So when we were old enough, we were to just be taken to find humans close by to take us in.
"The guardsman was the first I'd met...he'd actually found me by accident...I think I'd strayed a little from Jenny and Tugger...he'd laid out some delicious food that I wanted to try. But the next thing I know, I'm cradled in a warm, massive pair of hands, and carried off. I was a little scared, but...I didn't call out, because somehow...I just felt that I'd be safe.
"The first day and night in the flat was a little overwhelming, to say the least. I got into everything. I don't think he quite knew how to kitten-proof things...but we both learned soon enough. The daughter of course loved me at first sight. He'd named me first though...gladly, because otherwise she'd have called me Perseus."
Demeter immediately barked a laugh so hard that she snorted, and the ridiculousness of the memory made him join in, the two of them losing themselves in their mirth, and in each other's melodious, cheerful voices.
"Hah...anyway," Munkustrap continued as the laughter died down, "It was soon decided that he'd take me to work with him, since most of the time nobody would be home to look after me...which was good, as it meant that I could still be with the others in the junkyard, grow up with the cats and the humans."
Demeter hummed thoughtfully. "Are you not in turmoil sometimes? When you are needed by the Jellicles, but your humans need you too? Do you feel like you live in two different worlds?"
"...I've been sometimes, early on," he hummed back, laying his head on his paws, "Especially after I was told that I was to be a Guardian. But...thankfully, the humans understood that a cat would have a need to be independent. And the guardsman surmised that I already had a family here. So he let me stay some nights if I insisted. Now...there's an understanding. I don't feel like I live in two worlds now...I live in one, and the humans have a part of it."
"Well...that's quite ideal if you ask me," the gold queen chuckled as she stretched out, rolling slowly onto her back, "We were never let outside at night, Bomba and I. The most we saw outside the house, when we could be lucky to get out, was about a circle of five blocks around. You have been incredibly blessed."
He smiled softly. "I suppose. It's all I know, really, so I don't want to act like a privileged cat. I must look out for everyone who doesn't have it so well. My circumstances are perfect for my position."
When he heard a sleepy hum of agreement, Munkustrap raised his head, and he couldn't help but stare a little as, still on her back, she gave her arms and legs another comfortable stretch. Her pregnant stomach (and everything else) was on full display beneath a soft, rolling swath of white fur, so contrasting to her dark black and gold-flecked body. Everlasting Cat, how much more beautiful can this queen become?
Demeter caught him staring when she relaxed fully on her back, and he immediately turned his head, trying to look innocent and just looking adorably flushed. She giggled and placed a paw under his chin, turning his head back to meet her eyes. Her half-lidded gaze was warm and inviting. "You very well know that you can look at me," she murmured in such a soft voice, it made his heart rush.
His smile back was much like the one he had when they'd first made love: a little bit timid, a lot adoring, with respect and reverence in his gaze. "I know...I still like to make sure that you don't mind. I had to look away when the humans were holding you up...it wasn't a time to stare then."
She sighed, yet she couldn't help but smile. "The humans were just excited...can't fault them for it now. And anyway, you call it staring...but I feel more than that from you. You're ever so considerate...I feel well and truly loved when you look at me, even like you are now. And besides," she giggled, turning her head to give him an inviting sideways glance, "It isn't as if I haven't admired you too when you haven't noticed."
"Oho?" Munkustrap grinned a little at that, albeit a shy light still shone in his eyes. He allowed himself to be pulled closer, one arm going over her other side to hold himself up above her. "What could there possibly be about me to admire, hm?"
"Oh, where to begin..." she purred, the tips of her pads drifting from his shoulders and down his arms, "Your confident stride, your heavenly eyes, your regal coat, your strong yet comforting touch...how you make me feel safe with everything you do, or say, because you're sincere. I could be wrapped up with you for hours." She giggled and shyly pawed at the tag on his collar. "So, it's a mutual lust, I suppose."
He hummed a chuckle back and leaned down to nuzzle her face, finding it just as warm as his own. "There's a mutual love there, too. Sadly, though...I'm afraid we must wait to have any fun...we could probably wake the humans otherwise."
"Ah...of course," Demeter sounded a little disappointed, but her long, contented sigh breezed across his ears like a soft note when she nuzzled him in return. Her paws wrapped up around his neck, and she nipped playfully at the side of his cheek. "Will you still lie with me? I feel like I must rest my legs a bit longer."
"Of course," He smiled and leaned down so that he was nearly on her, chest-to-chest, and nipped back at her bare white throat, ever gentle. "I'm not heavy like this, am I?" he asked, his voice in a whisper.
"Not at all," she breathed back. "It feels safe...as if nothing could move you from there."
"Not a single force in this world," he promised. The declaration made her giggle a little, for there was plenty in the world that could move a cat...but she knew that Munkustrap would put up the greatest resistance.
"So..." she hummed, and one of her paws dropped down to feel her own stomach, "Do you have the same opinion as Jenny? That the kittens should have humans?"
He paused at that, thinking a moment before hesitantly licking across his lip. "I think...that they should be the ones to decide that. I want them to meet my humans, of course...but they should choose their destinies. And they will, no matter what we say in the end," he pointed out with a chuckle, and traced a trail with his pads down her underside to stop beside hers, splaying them over the surface and caressing it.
The golden queen laid her head back, reveling in his touch. "Mm...I agree. I want them to be able to experience everything they can. And if they don't have humans...they don't need them, when they have such a full family as ours, parents and all."
Munkustrap nodded and opened his mouth to answer...but just then, evidence of the storm briefly rumbled overhead outside, even so as to overtake the quiet volume of the television. Demeter instinctively cringed, curling up a little on herself, and as a result felt her mate pulling her close, arms wrapping around her shoulders.
When the thunder faded off into the distance, the tabby heard her breathe in and out deeply. "I don't want them to fear as I do," she murmured into his fur. "I don't want them to feel helpless, abandoned, unloved, as I had once."
"You can't stop them from having fears," he gently pointed out while one paw rubbed at her shoulder-blades. "But we can help them understand them, move past the things they face. You're doing so much better, yourself...and your courage would be an inspiration to them."
"Yours more so," she argued, her face still buried into him.
He gave a little squeeze to her body. "They will learn from both of us," he truthfully compromised. "In the end, we do what we can, and they will forge their own paths, and find what home means to them." He then placed a paw under her chin, lifting it to meet her eyes. He was grinning softly. "As will the litter after that, and after that..."
She barked out a laugh. "Thinking a bit far ahead, aren't we? We don't know if we'll have that many...or what will happen."
"I know I'm all yours, until the next life," he hummed, his chin resting on her brow as she nestled her cheek back into his neck. "'Home is where the heart is,' right? Whether with the humans or the tribe. Right now, it's right here."
The way she felt her heart race then (and she wondered if the kittens' hearts were now beating too), Demeter couldn't agree more...even though she had to give his chin a bump with her head at how cheesy he'd become.
They spent much of the night like that, curled up closely and basked in the television's glow as they watched or listened to whatever came on. Sometimes they got up to explore together, or sat to look out the window and see whether the storm was passing (which it finally was, to Demeter's relief, leaving a wet sheen behind on everything under the glow of the lights on the buildings and the street lamps). They even napped a little before the light of dawn, when the sun was warming the world and awakening the humans...thus ending the cats' lovely night indoors.
Chasing away a little cabin fever that had set in, the pregnant tortie was the first to dash outside, to the sound of chuckling at her back, booming from the guardsman and from her beloved at his side. She didn't wish to be carried this time, and instead took to a bit of exercise on the walk back, breathing in the scent of the fallen rain.
It was a nice little jaunt, and she felt a sense of familiar comfort when the junkyard came back into sight, as well as the sloped roof of the guard-house; which was like a little piece of the human's home while at work.
The first thing that the cats spotted when he opened the door was Bombalurina, having taken over Munkustrap's cat bed sometime during the night. When the latch clicked, her ears craned up, and her eyes tiredly opened half-way to the disturbance.
When she saw Demeter, there was a loud gasp, and she was immediately on her feet and bounding over.
"There you are!" cried the red-spotted tabby as she greeted her younger sister with a head-bump, and sparing only a quick trill at the guardsman when he leaned down to stroke her back. "I could not find you at all last night! The storm had me worried for you!"
"Bomba, don't worry," Demeter laughed. "I was with Munkustrap. I almost spent it hiding in the guard-house, but...his human took me home too for the night."
"'Took you home'?" the red queen echoed with a quirked eyebrow. "Now that is quite different. Normally I'd think you wouldn't go near a human home. Especially with you expecting!"
"It was my fault," Munkustrap piped in with a chuckle as he bowed his head. "The guardsman invited her, and I extended it too. I apologize that we made you worry...but I would not have let anything happen to her, you know."
"Oh I know, I know," Bombalurina rolled her eyes and let out a breath that she seemed to have been holding for a while. "Well, at least that's that. If I can trust anyone with Demeter and the little ones, it would be you, Munkustrap." She gave him a gracious head-bump and turned to the younger queen with a huff. "But next time you endeavor to accompany him home, do send word. I won't spend another night anxious!"
"I will, promise," Demeter replied with a chuckle and nudged her as she walked past toward the cat bed. "You are already such a worrisome aunt."
"Well, with you, I've had practice," she primly pointed out while taking a moment to groom her wayward fur-tufts. "That said, now you have me curious," she quirked her brow, "What is the guardsman's home like?"
"I will tell you later," Demeter yawned as she claimed a corner of the cat bed and nestled into its familiar scent, her own mixed with Munkustrap and Bombalurina, long set into the fabric. "I practically ran all the way back here. My legs need a moment."
"Hrmph...I would endeavor to know that at least it's safe," the red queen huffed, glancing again at the silver tabby, who was making his way towards the bed as well.
"You have my solemn oath, it is," he answered truthfully. "And don't worry; as nice as it was, Demeter still chooses the junkyard for her home. What of you though?" he curiously tilted his head. "You don't miss the life of a house cat?"
Bombalurina looked up from her grooming to see the two of them looking at her for an answer. She gave a sigh. "I gave the humans a chance. I would not give them another. It may seem more like it affected Demeter more so than I to be tossed aside like garbage in the streets...but it took its toll. No offense to the guardsman, of course," she added with an assuring grin, "He seems like a wonderful companion. I trust him." She flicked her tail as she made her point by rubbing on his leg, earning her a lovely scratch on her spine. "Mmh. But, I would not be owned by him. I have all the freedom in the world here in the yard."
Munkustrap sighed with a smile and a nod, taking his place beside his mate in the cat bed. "Very understandable. Your true home is here, too. As it is Demeter's, as it is mine."
The red queen looked to start speaking, but just then, the guardsman announced in his scratchy and booming voice, "'Ere, y'loverly scarlet lady, breakfast, for holdin' the fort, eh?" He sat down a little container of various warm meats, which she tucked into with a grateful trill as he turned to get to his desk.
"Of course," Demeter piped up then with a grin, "I would endeavor to think that he would be a good companion to one or more of the kittens."
Bombalurina swallowed her bite and licked her lip clean before answering. "Well, of course. Just because we have opinions, it does not mean that they won't. I'd say living with a good human would be nice for them."
The tortie felt her mate's body shake with his chuckles as he nestled around her. "I suppose that's decided."
The cats wouldn't dwell any more on what made a home what it was...they knew it, they lived it...all that mattered was the present, and they would revel in it, talking until their next nap on various ways the kittens could become wonderful self-made Jellicles.