A/N: Thanks to Victoriadancer2014 for being so sweet about this story ^_^ Updates may be limited. Its exam time. Hell no. In case you were wondering, Seelniu is from Russia, and I'll be including some Russian phrases. Translations at the bottom. Enjoy.
The first night in Seelniu's barrack hadn't been unpleasant or pleasant. The amount of cats in the room was extremely limited- a couple of scratty newbies, Seelniu, and her. It hadn't been much different to Rumpleteazer's own living quarters, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being a prisoner off just yet.
Plus- her brother was going to the Yard soon. Despite the fact he was going somewhere 'Teazer didn't really see as dangerous, she worried about him when he went on missions. Maybe he'd accidentally hurt a Jellicle, then be exiled for once and for all.. Perhaps their parents would get hurt.. Maybe Jerrie would get hurt. That was a thought she couldn't bear to think about.
Her mind was active throughout the night, abuzz with these many, many questions and lingering worries. Her brain hadn't once let up and fallen dormant, so naturally, when she heard the other residents begin to stir, she groaned and buried back into her pillow.
Idle chatter filtered through the room to her ears, but she merely flattened them in an attempt to shut the others out. The sound of the door slamming provided her with a small smile- excellent. Now she'd sleep..
Not for long. Just as she'd reached the point where she could fall asleep any second, a thick, husky voice spoke up from beside her.
"Dobroe utro.. Rumplejester?" Seelniu greeted, a slightly tired tone to his voice.
When he didn't recieve a response from the calico queen- who was mentally cursing him and wishing he'd end up in a trash can with a starving pollicle- he raised an eyebrow in amusement. It was obvious by the way her ears had twitched towards him that she was awake, and was playing jest with him. Chuckling, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened, but still tried to pretend that she was asleep.
"Come. We may have nine dates, but you must not waste days by.. Erm, Logging?" Seelniu began, his voice confident, but wavering towards the end of his sentence. As 'Teazer had commented the previous night, his English still wasn't the best.
Despite herself, 'Teazer snickered, deciding to give in and drop the facade of being asleep. A soft smirk danced on her features as she sat up, discarding the blanket. Much to her irritation, Seelniu sat down next to her, his elbows resting on his knees and his chin on his paws.
"Awlroight, ah few thin's. Moi name is Rumpahlteazah. O' 'Teazah. Secondloiy, we 'ave noine loives, and its sleeping, not logging. Thou ya 'ave caught on ta a goime cawlled Slopin Logs," She smirked, her voice surprisingly soft as she corrected him. There wasn't much point in arguing with him- she didn't want to be stuck with a guard who hated her.
"My apologies, kotyonok. I have not yet mastered this language.."
"Whot did ya cawll Moi? Oh, nevah moind.."
"Okay, Mungojerrie, Alex, Zainx, Luka, get ready to move out," Macavity's rasping voice resonated from the Hideout exit, as Mungojerrie and three other toms clipped on belts full of weaponry. Alex was a patched tabby, Zain a scratty Manx cat, and Luka a quiet, but lethal Bengal. Four of Macavity's best toms.
Mungojerrie found himself zoning out of the toms' conversations as he tightened the leather around his hips. It seemed to add to the heaviness of his heart- no matter how many times he lectured himself, he still felt sorry for his sister. He hadn't seen her since he'd left Macavity's office- was she jailed? Or with one of the toms who'd try force themselves on anything of female gender?
Thief? Yes. But if any tom tried that with his sister, he wouldn't just be a simple criminal. That was a promise.
Sighing, 'Jerrie snapped himself out of his reverie to realize he'd been left behind- Zain's stumpy tail was just disappearing round the corner. Crap. Casting a final look over his shoulder, Mungojerrie jogged after them, hoping that this would be over with quickly.
Macavity had given him time off work to guard a queen. Honestly, Seelniu had never, ever, ever spent time with a queen, and had been rather apprehensive about having to guard one. However, he was surprised to find that he wasn't really struggling with Rumpleteazer- if anything, she amused him more than she annoyed him.
"So.. What is the business you are having about the Tribe Jellicle?" He spoke, his dark eyes focused on the slim calico queen. She hadn't spoken since the group of toms and her brother had left to ambush the tribe. She'd been sat, absolutely silent and fidgeting for at least two hours.
Rumpleteazer lifted her gaze for a second, before dropping back to the floor.
"Why woul' oi tell ya? Aftah awll, yah ah undah 'Mac's ordahs.. Ya'd laff at moi," She muttered, folding her arms across her chest.
Seelniu frowned, before pushing himself off his bed and sitting down next to her.
"I do not know for what reason I am your guard," He shrugged, a curious expression on his face.
A few seconds passed, and she still didn't reply. Her small shoulders simply sagged, as the raven tom waited quietly for her to tell him.
"Awlroight."
Almost an hour later, and 'Teazer had given him all the information he needed to know. Every detail and every feeling, despite the fact she barely knew this tom. Maybe she had made a bad choice explaining everything, but what could he do? Even if it got back to Macavity, it wouldn't surprise him. She suspected that he already knew everything- freaky magic.
"So tha's it.." She trailed off, leaving the ebony tom silent. He hadn't spoken for the entire time, and had simply waited for her to finish. Probably storing every bit to tell Macavity.
However, 'Teazer was incorrect. Surprisingly, Seelniu was thinking about his own life. There were some similarities here.. Family, misery.. No. The past was in the past. He'd been dubbed the killer, the evil murderer who'd wrecked his life before he came to the Hideout. When you were given a name like that, it was easier to keep to yourself and keep the truth to yourself.
"Well, I believe that it is understandable. I would have the many questions. I do not believe it is possible for any parent to lose love for their children. I think Mungojerrie feels bad because they hurt you," Seelniu replied quietly.
'Teazer's head snapped up at his words- had he really jsut gone and been nice to her? He'd understood, and was on her side? THat was unexpected. Maybe Macavity had put him up to it.. Still.
"Thankyou."
"You're welcome, kotyonok."
"Look at them.. Absolutely ridiculous! I mean what are they doing, yoga?!" The Bengal whispered, earning a small snicker from every cat excepting the calico tom.
Even Macavity sniggered at Luka's comment, his arms folded across his chest. The five toms were well hidden behind a stash of bins- somewhere that apparently wasn't frequented by the Jellicles.
Mungojerrie folded his arms as he observed what was in fact a stretching class, led by Munkustrap. From years of experience, 'Jerrie knew that they were preparing for the Ball in a couple of hours. It took all his self control to remain in place- that tom had exiled them from the tribe. Split them from their family. Broken his sister's heart, and been absolutely awful to them.
How could they? Shaking his head to clear it, Mungojerrie glanced up to his boss.
"Two hours. Then, we strike. As soon as the Jellicle Moon rises in the sky, we shall give those Jellicles a little greeting.."
"Where's me waistcoat? Ach! How do ye expect me to do me song without it?" Skimble fretted, practically a blur as he ran around the den, turning everything upside down in his search for his vest. A tap on his shoulder halted his search.
The Gumbie Cat smiled softly, handing the folded up waistcoat to her mate.
"I cleaned it," She murmured, leaning in for a soft, sweet kiss as the Railway cat took his precious waistcoat.
"Thank ye, me luv. I can't believe the Ball's here again.." Skimble mused, kissing her forehead as he pulled his mate in for a hug. He knew that she hoped Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer would turn up- he did, too. Macavity always attacked, and he changed his accompanying workers every year.
"Maybe tonight," He spoke in a hushed tone, snuggling into his Gumbie.
"Maybe tonight," She agreed, as Skimble set them both down on a cushion.
"For now, let's rest. You need it, being so busy," He commented, gently resting his mate on the soft fabric.
"But Skimble-"
"Hush, luv. Sleep."
And sleep she did. Skimbleshanks joined her after several minutes, tail curled protectively around his mate as they, like all the other cats, prepared for the Jellicle Moon to rise.
Preparing for the moon, just like the other Jellicles.
Preparing for the moon, just like Macavity.
A/N: Dun dun duuu. Bit of a filler. Not sure when I can next update, but I hope you enjoyed this! PLEASE review and let me know what you think, nothing pleases me more than seeing I've got a new review :D Opinions on Seelniu? I'm going to go into him in a bit more detail in a few chapters or so. Would you like to know more about him?
For the record:
Dobroe utro : Good morning
Kotyonok: Kitten.