The six cats moved slowly through the streets of London. Exotica saw passers by shooting them wary glances, evidently taking them for a group of strays. Plato looked over at Erik. The shadowy cat was evidently in his element. It suddenly struck Plato that he didn't know how long Erik had been on the streets. He wasn't entirely sure that Erik knew himself. It was clear that the teen had been forced to grow up quickly, caring for his younger siblings like a parent. Syrie and Rusty didn't view Erik as a brother – they didn't play with him, or play pranks like the other kittens. They treated him with a love and respect usually reserved for ones parents.
"Where are we?" Jemima asked. Mungojerrie looked up at a street sign. They had been walking for hours, and it was staring to get dark. "Church Street," he declared. "We're nearly there." They continued walking, wary of some of the shadows starting to reveal themselves, but they kept to the lit areas and hurried along. Suddenly Rumpleteazer held up a paw, gesturing to their left. A small shop stood there in the gloom. The words "Off Licence," were emblazoned on one window. "Stay here," Mungojerrie instructed their companions, before the tabby thieves slipped away.
There was a small window that had been left ajar. Far too small for any human, but like a wide open door to the cats. They slid inside, falling lightly to the ground, rolling to absorb the impact. Both cats' ears pricked up at the deep, regular sound emanating through the shop. A dog's low breathing. Mungojerrie could see the heavy set shape of the canine guard in the gloom. He and Rumpleteazer leapt up onto a counter, picking their way carefully across it.
The alcohol was securely locked away. Mungojerrie tugged on the cabinet front, but it would not budge. He beckoned to Rumpleteazer who passed him a long, bent piece of metal from her sack. Mungojerrie jammed the lock pick into the padlock securing the cabinet and gave it a jiggle. It took several minutes, but eventually he got it open. The tabby thief swiped a bottle of brandy from the lowest shelf, before going to close the door. Unfortunately a bottle of scotch on the top shelf had been dislodged and tumbled down towards the thief. Seeing the danger, Rumpleteazer tackled her mate out of the way of the projectile. The heavy glass vessel instead shattered on the floor of the shop. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer held their breath as a snuffling sound emanated from the direction of their escape. The guard dog was awake.
The dog sniffed at the broken bottle, before snarling. "Who's there," he growled. "I can smell you, cat." Mungojerrie silently handed the booty to Rumpleteazer, who stowed it in her sack. "I'll distract him," the tom signed, indicating that Rumpleteazer should leave. The thieves had developed a complex sign language for just such situation, along with allowing them to communicate in secret without the other Jellicles understanding. Rumpleteazer shook her head. "We stay together," she signed. "It's too dangerous," her mate replied silently. "I don't care. I'm not leaving you." "Go!" With that Mungojerrie gave a cough and emerged from hiding before Rumpleteazer could stop him. "Is something wrong officer," he smiled, mocking the dog. The guard growled deeply as Rumpleteazer snuck through the shadows, making a break for the window. "I would love to stay, I really would," Mungojerrie quipped, seeing his mate scramble through the window. "But I have a pressing engagement." "Dead or alive, you're coming with me punk," his captor growled. "I think not," Mungojerrie smiled, making a break for it. The cat leapt form cabinet top to cabinet top and his pursuer gave case. A small, stone statue on a table top was knocked by the passing cat, crashing to the ground on top of the dog, who gave a yelp as he was knock out. Mungojerrie hopped down, approaching the canine warily. He quickly checked the dog over. He was out cold, but there were no broken bones.
The tabby cat slipped out of the open window, to be engulfed by Rumpleteazer. "You're ok," she breathed as their friends gathered around the thieves. "Don't you ever do that to me again," Rumpleteazer pouted. Mungojerrie responded by kissing her on the nose, causing her to giggle. "Did you get it?" Plato asked, helping his friend to his feet. Mungo and Rumple nodded in unison, gesturing towards the sack with the loot in. "Right then," Erik stated. "Let's find a pirate."