Munkustrap groomed himself to the point of perfection on the day of the Jellicle Ball. He was so excited!
Quaxo sat by his side, watching as his 'big brother' prepared himself. Quaxo had been staying with Deuteronomy and Munkus for a few weeks now and saw Munku as his big brother.
"Why can't I go?" Quaxo whined. Munkus looked at him and smiled.
"You're too young for this one, Quax," Munkus explained softly. "But you'll be old enough for the one next year." Quaxo pouted, causing Munkus to chuckle and scoop the little Tux up into his arms. Quaxo stared at Munkus, pouting and crossing his arms. He wasn't going to allow Munkus to cheer him up so easily.
"It'll be alright, Quaxo," Quaxo buried his face against Munkustrap's shoulder.
"But I don't want you to go and leave me…"
"I'm not going to leave you, I'll be back later tonight," Quaxo sniffled against Munkustrap's shoulder. He loved his big brother and spent whatever time he could with Munkus, not liking to be alone without him nearby.
"But…"
"Quaxo, smile!" Munkus smiled at the little Tux in his arms, tickling him slightly. "You'll have a lot of fun with the other kittens." Munkus told him. "Vicky will be there, and so will Admetus and Plato, Etcetera and Electra and even Tumblebrutus and Pouncival!" Tumble and Pounce were Jenny's kittens, who were born just two days after Quaxo and Victoria had come to the yard. Quaxo's ears perked up.
"Vicky?"
"Yes, Bustopher is taking part in the ball, so he has brought Vicky tonight," Munkus murmured as he gently brushed Quaxo's soft ebony fur down.
Victoria was living with Bustopher Jones, which meant she lived outside of the yard with the cat about town, but she was getting spoiled as Bustopher treated her like a princess. He did his best to bring her to the yard every couple of days so she could still see Quaxo.
"Hey, little brother!" Munkus laughed softly as he looked over his shoulder.
"Hey, Tugs, you're looking…nice." Munkus raised an eyebrow as he looked at Tugger. Tugger was fast becoming a bit of a lady's Tom, his mane coming through thick and strong, his features sharpening and giving him a rather handsome appearance. He had added a studded leather belt and a leopard spotted calf tie to his apparel tonight, which Munkustrap found quite…unusual.
"Tugger!" Quaxo greeted cheerfully as he peered over Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Hey, Shorty," Tugger grinned as he strode into the den. Quaxo pouted.
"I not short," Quaxo muttered as he buried his face back into Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Nice going, Tugs," Munkus sighed as he rubbed Quaxo's back.
"What?" Tugger asked, surprised, as he sat down across from Munkus, focusing on his fur once again.
"What have you done now, Tugger?"
"Nothing, Mac," Tugger yawned as he brushed through his mane and fluffed it up.
"Sure," Macavity rolled his eyes as he sat beside Tugger.
Deuteronomy smiled as he watched his three sons and Quaxo talk in the lounge. Munkustrap was looking grown up, smiling, as he held Quaxo close. Munkus's fur was groomed neatly, as the almost Tom laughed with his brothers, his green eyes shining.
Munkus had grown so much and had grown into quite a handsome, charming young Tom.
Tugger was leaning back lazily on his arms, grinning as he chatted with Mac and Munkus. Tugger had grown into quite a suave lady's Tom, with some of the Queens always on his tail, flirting with him. Once Tugger's mane had grown through and he had grown up, he had become quite the confident and flirty Tom. Tugger ran his paws through his mane once more before he adjusted his spiked collar, which he had received for his coming of age.
Macavity was quiet as he listened to his brothers' talk, as he idly ran his claws through his fur, trying to brush it down. Macavity's orange, white and black fur was starting to get long, but he kept it brushed neatly. He had grown into quite a handsome, albeit serious, Tom. He was a strong young Tom too, always training in preparation for being named the next Protector. They were all expecting Tirus to make the announcement within the next couple of weeks so he could start training his replacement.
Deuteronomy frowned.
He knew Macavity was hiding something, since Quaxo and Victoria had been brought in, he had gone a bit quiet and more than once, Deuteronomy had found Macavity staring at Quaxo, seeming surprised or shocked. He was quite protective of Victoria as well whenever she was at the yard. Macavity adjusted the black leather collar, with small cone spikes, trying to set it so it was sitting right.
"Dad, is everything okay?" Deuteronomy was snapped out of his musings by the sound of Munkustrap's voice. Deuteronomy noticed the four boys staring at him and he smiled, giving a nod.
"Everything is just fine," Deuteronomy answered. "Actually, Munkus, there is something I wanted to give you." Munkus tilted his head slightly, confused. Deuteronomy walked over and knelt beside his youngest son. Quaxo purred as he nuzzled at Deuteronomy's arm, causing Deuteronomy to chuckle and ruffle his ears. Deuteronomy turned his attention back to Munkus as Tugger and Macavity watched silently.
"Munk, from the moment I brought you into the yard, I always considered you to be part of our family," Deuteronomy said softly. Munkus smiled. "And over all of this time, I've watched you grow and watched as you transformed from a skinny, frail, beaten and bruised nameless kitten, who couldn't look at anyone in the eye to this confident, happy, bright young Tom, who I am proud to call my son." Munkustrap cast his eyes downwards, blushing slightly, as tears pooled in his eyes.
"And I know that I am usually meant to give you your collar when you come of age, but seeing as you're just a few days away from becoming a fledgling Tom, and it is the Jellicle Ball tonight, I decided you should wear it tonight." Deuteronomy produced the box and smiled as Munkus looked up, eyes wide, as he slowly took the box from him, opening the lid. Munkustrap's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the collar inside. Quaxo craned his neck forward so he could see the collar inside.
The collar was a nice black leather base with diamond shaped studs and an O ring hanging off of the front.
"Oh wow," Munkus breathed as he took the collar from the box, resting it in his paws. "Dad, t-thank you!" Macavity and Tugger grinned as they watched Deuteronomy take the collar and put it on, making sure it was secure.
"Lookin' good, Munkus," Tugger nodded, grinning. Macavity nodded in agreement.
"Very nice!" He murmured. Quaxo stood up in Munkus's lap, bracing against his chest so he could examine the collar. Munkustrap chuckled as he watched the kitten. Quaxo grinned up at him as Munkus cuddled the kitten close.
"When you're old enough, Quax, I'll get you your own one," Munkus murmured in the kitten's ear. Quaxo purred loudly as he nuzzled Munkustrap.
"Munk, perhaps you should take Quaxo to join the other kittens now, the ball shall be starting soon," Deuteronomy murmured as he glanced out the door to the pink dusk sky. Munkustrap nodded.
"Say goodbye to the others, Quax," Munkus told the kitten softly. Quaxo stumbled out of his lap and over to Macavity, wrapping his arms around the elder Tom's middle. Macavity's gold eyes widened in shock as he sat there awkwardly, wrapping an arm around Quaxo.
"Uh, yeah, see you later, Quaxo," Macavity mumbled before Quaxo trotted over to Tugger, clambering onto his lap and grabbing his mane, grinning up at the large Tom. Tugger sighed as Quaxo messed up his perfectly styled mane.
"Bye, Tuggy," Quaxo grinned, knowing Tugger hated that name. Tugger rolled his eyes.
"See ya later, Shorty," Quaxo pouted before he went over to Deuteronomy, cuddling in close to the old Tom. Deuteronomy hugged the young kitten close.
"Have fun with the kittens, Quaxo, I'll see you tomorrow morning,"
"'Kay, Grandpa," Quaxo purred. Munkustrap got to his feet and Quaxo wandered over, grabbing his paw.
"C'mon, Quax," Munkus smiled before they walked out into the evening air.
"Munk?"
"Mm?"
"Do you have to go?" Munkustrap looked down to Quaxo, sighing sadly as he saw the purple-green eyes staring up at him dolefully. Munkustrap turned and crouched down, Quaxo immediately wrapping his arms around Munkus's neck, cuddling in close.
"I have to do this, Quaxo," Munkus murmured. "It's what I have to do as a Tom, and as a son of the Jellicle Leader,"
"But…"
"I'll be back to see you before you know it," Munkus promised. "As soon as the ball is over, I'll come and get you,"
"Promise?" Quaxo whimpered.
"Promise." Munkus swore, smiling as he nuzzled the kitten. "Come on now, Vicky will be waiting!" Quaxo grinned and they set off towards Jenny's den once more. Munkus could hear the ruckus inside the den as they approached, making him smile. Munkus stepped inside the large den and gave a laugh as he watched the kittens rolling about with each other.
"Oh, hello dears!" Jenny breathed, exhausted, as she approached. Jelly looked up from where she was sitting in the corner, smiling exhaustedly.
"Go on, Quaxo, go see Vicky," Munkus murmured as he spotted the white Queen-kit sitting with Electra and Etcetera, with the new Queen-kit, Jemima, who had been found in the outskirts of the yard. Quaxo hugged Munkus's leg tightly.
"As soon as you're done, right?" Quaxo asked him. Munkus nodded.
"As soon as I can," Munkus reassured him. Quaxo smiled before he headed over to his sister, nimbly stepping out of the way of the wrestling Tom-kits, consisting of Admetus, Plato, Tumble and Pounce.
"Sure you don't want any help, Jenny?" Munkus asked as he eyed the tumbling kittens. Jenny shook her head, smiling.
"Nothing I can't handle, my dear, and Skimble and Asp will be coming around every now and again."
"Besides, we already asked." Munkus grinned as he turned around to see the twins standing behind him, looking over his shoulder at the chaos of kittens and toys within the den. Cori stepped around Munkus so he could nuzzle his mother. He grinned and gave a laugh as Tumble and Pounce rolled into his legs, both of them staring up at him, shocked.
"Careful there, little brothers," He chuckled as Tantomile went to nuzzle Jenny. Pounce and Tumbles grinned before they stumbled over to wrestle with Plato and Admetus.
"Go on now; the ball will be starting soon!" Jenny smiled as she ushered them from the den. "Have fun, my sweets!" Cori, Tanto and Munkus waved to Jenny as they walked towards the clearing where the ball was taking place. Munkus looked to Cori and Tantomile as they moved gracefully towards the clearing, both of their furs groomed and shining in the silvery light of the Jellicle Moon.
"Munk, Cori, Tanti, over here!" The trio looked around and smiled, before heading towards Demeter and Bomba, who stood by the oven, smiling. The two had suffered another loss two weeks prior with their aunt just suddenly leaving, to pursue a more glamorous life.
"You two look stunning!" Tantomile smiled as she hugged the two. Munkus and Cori nodded in agreement.
"Very beautiful," Munkus murmured, making Demeter beam. Bomba just smiled teasingly as she fixed a part of her head fur, before resting a paw on her curvy hip.
"Why hello there, ladies!" Bomba purred and jutted her hip out more, taking a sexy pose.
"Hello there, Tugger," She purred as Tugger and Macavity walked up to them.
"Deme," Macavity greeted softly as he took her paw, gently kissing it. Demeter blushed softly.
"H-Hi, Mac," She smiled. Macavity looked to Munk, who just smirked at his brother.
"Did Quaxo go okay?" Macavity asked him. Munkus gave a nod.
"Excuse me for a moment, guys," Demeter murmured before she hurried over to her mother, who was sitting off by herself, no matter how hard Cleo tried to coax her over to join her, Nathaniel and Antony. Alonzo bounded over, grinning widely.
"Heya, Munk!" Alonzo grinned as he leapt onto Munkus, knocking them both to the ground.
"Lonz!" Munkus groaned as he batted the splotched Tom off of him. Alonzo grinned and sat back up, fixing his fur. Munkus grinned at his friend before he fixed up his own fur.
"Get ready, young ones!" Skimble grinned as he walked past them. "It's almost time!"
"Let's get to our spots," Munkus murmured. The twins nodded and followed him as the others stayed behind and chatted some more. Munkus huddled with the twins beside the car, trembling in excitement.
The air seemed to be filled with the electricity and excitement of the moon, making the Jellicles fur prickle and making them anxious to begin so they could dance and sing their hearts out.
"Can you feel the magic in the air?" Tantomile breathed softly. Cori nodded, purring softly. Munkus looked at the twins, seeing their eyes had a glow behind them. He turned his eyes back to the clearing and watched as the others slowly slunk around, getting into position. Tirus walked by then, double checking everything was in order; he glared at Munkus, who just stared at him.
That was a first for him, he'd never usually meet Tirus's glare, he'd always lower his eyes or avert his gaze, but the Jellicle Moon filled him confidence and told him to not be afraid, to meet his glare.
Tirus huffed and walked away. The twins looked to him and smiled before they leaned in, both nuzzling him softly. Munkus smiled at them.
"Thanks guys," Munkus murmured. The three tensed up in anticipation as they watched Deuteronomy step forward.
"Don't forget to find us during the mating dance!" Tantomile quickly murmured to him. "You're hanging out with Cori and me!" Munkus gave a nod, smiling, just as Deuteronomy's deep voice echoed over the clearing.
"Jellicle Cats come out tonight, Jellicle Cats come one, come all, the Jellicle Moon is shining bright, Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball."
It had begun.
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Okay, firstly, I am so so sorry it's taken so long to update! I had issues with head-aches and eye-aches, which had me sleeping a good portion of the day and unable to use the computer for long periods of time…and then when that started to get sorted out, my anxiety returned and just made me blah…so so sorry!
Thanks to those who did review!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP!