When the patrol team returned, no one was in the main area. It made sense, for it was past midnight.
By afternoon, almost all Jellicles knew that Plate was hurt by a human.
Munkustrap, who knew that the idea of humans hurting cats built up to the redevelopment issue would lead to group worry and anxiety, went around the junkyard: He wanted to keep things in control as much as he could.
He walked around tiredly, peeping through den doors or just listening.
He peeped through Jellylorum's den door: She was cuddling crying Etcetera, who did not let go of her tail. Electra seemed quite scared too – no tears yet but still obvious that she was shuddering. Jemima was trying to act calm by doing the chore of removing the bones from the fish – but it was apparent that this was only to forget what she had heard. He heard Mr. Gus say something like, Our time's worst nightmare has indeed come true. Jellylorum did not say something to Gus about this for she wanted to respect the old cat – but it was undeniable that what the old cat had said made Etcetera cry louder.
Munkustrap then peeked through Jennyanydot's door: Although he couldn't see much, he could definitely hear Exotica and Cassandra talking worriedly to each other. Jennyanydots seemed to be sleeping – he could hear worried snores and groans. Oh, she doesn't get busy until night, he thought.
He now walked to Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer's den. Idiots' den, Munkustrap thought. The door was closed tight, but he definitely could hear their talk:
"Heehee, did you see Munkustrap's look on his face when I snatched the flowers a few days ago? I still can't forget the face!" said Rumpleteazer.
"Hilarious! Indeed!" replied Mungojerrie. Both gave a giggle.
"Anyways, about the redevelopment-ish kinda thing, you know, I'm kinda, you know, worried, and you know, I'm saying this 'cause you're my brother, and you know, I hope no one is hearing us or anything, cause it'd be kinda embarrassing if someone heard the Rumpleteazer worried," said Rumpleteazer. Shoot. Does she know I'm here? thought Munkustrap.
"Well, we're clever enough to find what we can do… right?" said Mungojerrie.
"But, you know… I'm kinda worried," said Rumpleteazer, "I mean we heard about Plato getting his tail crushed."
"To tell you the truth, right now, I don't know what we are going to do," confessed Mungojerrie.
It seemed like Rumpleteazer was giving a few sniffs that goes along with tears. Really? This fast? thought Munkustrap. He always thought of her as a naughty cat with no tears.
"Awwe, come on here sis', troublemakers never cry," said Mungojerrie. It seemed like he was giving her pats on the back.
Wow, an emotional side to the troublemakers, thought Munkustrap.
He then walked towards the Rum Tum Tugger's den. Nothing but snoring was heard. Of course.
Munkustrap than went by Victoria and Plato's den and peeked through the window. (They were mated right before the Jellicle Ball that was a few months ago.) He could see and hear their conversation:
"Plato, poor Plato, my dear Plato…" said Victoria with a sad face.
"Oh, sweetheart, it's fine. It'll heal in no time," replied Plato, making sure she was assured.
"But how can you walk with a hurt tail?"
"Then you'll have to be my legs, I guess,"
"Oh, you're so romantic!" remarked Victoria. She kissed Plato. Lucky, thought Munkustrap, they are way younger than me and are already mated!
"Oh, Victoria… I'm so glad that we can always share our loves each other… even in these worriful times!" said Plato.
"Plato, Munkustrap surely has a good plan. He is going around with the patrol every day! Oh, sorry to mention the patrol… your tail, you know," said Victoria. Munkustrap felt very guilty at what she said (A good plan?).
"Oh, honey, it's totally alright! And I'm sure a good tom will be chosen for my place in the patrol…" said Plato in a calm, loving way.
Victoria gave a long kiss at Plato's half-crushed tail. Both gave a giggle and hugged each other.
Wow, loving each other so much even in these times! thought Munkustrap. He was rather jealous about them already mated and not he. He decided that he and Demeter would mate in the next Jellicle Ball.
Next stop for Munkustrap was Bombalurina and Demeter's den. He knocked the door. Bombalurina opened it and pulled him in with a big smile.
"Your love, Demeter, was waiting so freakin' much for you," the red queen said.
He and Demeter gave each other a long kiss. Demeter was first to speak:
"Munkustrap, I haven't seen you face-to-face so much these days,"
"Honey, I'm really sorry. I'm always thinking about you, though. A few days ago, I tried to pick you flowers, but those stupid Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer snatched them away! Blame upon them…" he said, then giving another long kiss.
"I totally understand… those troublemakers!" said Demeter.
"Oh, Demeter, I want to meet you behind the Rusting Automobile tonight at about eleven… I need to talk to you about something," said Munkustrap.
"Oh…" Demeter looked quite worried.
"Don't worry, a talk plus a longer kiss," assured Munkustrap.
Both giggled and kissed for a lengthy while. Bombalurina rolled her eyes.
After said goodbye to them, Munkustrap kept walking around, checking each den. Overall, there wasn't much of a group panic. Except for Etcetera. Everything was close to normal… including toms wrestling each other… in his den! He gave a sigh of relief for the overall "normalness."
Night came quickly, and Munkustrap and Demeter met behind the Rusting Automobile. Once a working car, now a playground for cats…
"So… what is it that we are talking about?" asked Demeter.
"Well… I just wanted to tell you how stressed I am about the whole redevelopment thing. So much responsibility," answered Munkustrap.
"Oh, honey… it's not such a big deal… well, it is, but you should just relax,"
"Thanks… but it's not so easy relaxing… I mean, think of Etcetera! The poor kitten seems to have a trauma from the redevelopment issue and Plato getting hurt!" said Munkustrap.
"Oh, you know she's only a kitten and is easily scared. And if you're worried like that, just come see me and tell me. It'll feel much more better…" said Demeter.
Both kissed for a very long while. Those, tender, sweet lips, thought Munkustrap…
Both then felt something rather heavy (compared to what you would expect to fall on your legs at night) fall on their upper legs. The two lovers looked at each other and saw that it was…
Jemima.
"Jemima, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in bed!" said Munkustrap, with some worries in his eyes.
"Heehee… sorry. Me and Pouncival were playing tag, kinda, and I kinda fell from the automobile to here…" answered Jemima.
"Well, I'll have to find Pouncival and make sure both of you go to your dens," said Munkustrap, "And Demeter, I'm so sorry I have to go take care of these naughty kittens."
Demeter gave an understanding smile. She and Munkustrap kissed, which made Jemima giggle.
Munkustrap walked with Jemima at his right in the thick night fog.
"Munkustrap?" said Jemima quietly.
"Yes?"
"I just want to say it feels so safe with you around… you're so responsible and trustworthy!" she exclaimed.
Munkustrap felt rather stressed by this. He just playfully wrestled Jemima down to the dirt and said, "Arrrrrgh! I'm Growltiger!"
Jemima giggled so much and tried to break free. Munkustrap didn't let go for a while.
"Munkustrap! Heehee…"
He finally let go of her.
"Munkustrap, I'm just saying… I love you as the protector… I mean… so reliable and all that good stuff…" she said. And she curled around his right front leg and went to sleep.
Such a cute kitten. I hope Demeter and I have cute kittens like her, Munkustrap thought.
He held her by his mouth and went looking for Pouncival.
All night, Munkustrap thought about what Victoria and Jemima said:
"…Munkustrap surely has a good plan…"
"…it feels so safe with you around… you're so responsible and trustworthy!"
He wanted to break into tears from all this responsibility, responsibility to keep all Jellicles safe from everyday life, and from the redevelopment…