"Why did I want more girls in the tribe?" asked Jellylorum of the surrounding Junkyard, as Exotica and Electra argued about which was the nicer coat – smooth or fluffy.
Exotica was the sleek dark point chocolate Abyssinian cousin of Cassandra, and Electra the fluffy dark brown, ginger and black Mackerel pattern Tortoiseshell daughter of Gilbert. Both types of fur were beginning to get more than a little ruffled as the argument went on.
Meanwhile Jennyanydots's daughter Etcetera and Skimbles daughter Jemima argued about which of them the Rum Tum Tugger liked best.
Jemima claimed that she had a spiked collar like Tugger did, so she was the favourite, while Etcetera had been his fan for longer, so thought she was loved more. Things were becoming heated and the older Queen's one white ear had begun to flick back and forth in agitation as she listened.
The boy kittens were off exploring, inventing things to dance about and seeing which of them could do the highest leaps. The girls however were just hanging about and squabbling.
Jellylorum was getting ready to scream when Munkustrap walked into view and she called out, a tinge of desperation in her voice. "Oh look girls, it's our story teller!"
As if attached to strings the kits heads turned and sighted on their prey – the Jellicle Protector. The silver tabby froze, and as he was swamped by excited girl kittens he gave Jellylorum a look that promised retribution. But she was already on her way to Jennyanydots for a well-deserved drink and a gossip.
….
"Where have you been?" Alonzo asked Munkustap when he eventually escaped the kittens and got to meet up with his friend.
"Do not ask," the silver tabby replied, collapsing into the moon-shadow cast by an old stove. "Let's just say it started with sorting out one of the Rum Tum Tuggers trespassing spats and ended with hours of torture by the yards Queen kittens. I am done!"
"Ah, the heady life of a protector. We must be mad." Alonzo rested his head on a paw after he leapt up to lounge gracefully atop the stove.
"Moon mad," Munkustrap agreed with his friend. "How did you go watching that stranger on the border?"
Alonzo scratched thoughtfully at a flea, then settled again with a dismissive sniff. "There was magic in the cat, as the twins said, but he left without any exploration onto our territory. Coricopat never said why they wanted him watched, only that there would be a stranger, and there was one."
"Hmm, unhelpful. Their gift is … flawed," Munkustrap noted. "They have just enough sight to hint, not enough to reveal. Must be maddening."
"They like being as they are," Alonzo pointed out. "And at least they can do something productive with their talents. Little Mistoffelees can only do tricks and create sparkles. Great for entertaining a cat, but not really useful."
Munkustrap smiled at his friend, the magical kitten had both charmed and worried Alonzo since they had met. An uneasy mix.
"He may surprise us yet, 'Lonzo. Only time will tell."