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THE JELLICLE TRIAD
By Dennis C. Callin (Rumblepurr)
Edited by Jasen M. Lentz (Purrcival) and Tailkinker
(06-24-2004)
Chapter Ten - Aftermath
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The Tribe dozed through the early morning, having nearly exhausted their energy in the celebration last night. Some had left the junkyard - going to Human homes or places outside where they were known. Tugger, Jennyanydots, Skimbleshanks, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, and Gus - all went to their places soon after the Ball broke up. The Railway Cat was just in time to board the 7:55 train to Salisbury, and Jennyanydots waved good-bye to him. As she walked away from the station, she knew that he would stop by when he returned, and her smile told the others that there was a reason she would wait for him. And he knew about her Human home… After taking the Theatre Cat back to his bed, making sure he had his medications, and had eaten some, Jellylorum had returned to the junkyard. She was the Tribal Nurse as well, and she liked her nest under the old bathtub. She did have a few supplies she would have to look for, and she harrumphed at the reason why… If it had not been for Macavity…
When Demeter awoke once again in the closet, she was oddly at peace, and yet… on edge. She knew something wonderful had happened - something that made her happy for a change. After all her time with Luce… well… ever since that time, she had never felt comfortable, or… at rest with her soul.
There was a presence…
Since she had only broken the surface of consciousness, her nose inhaled a warm, almost musky scent of a Tom… Instantly, two conflicting thoughts warred for action in her brain. The first told her to attack and fend him off, and then run and hide… The other merely told her to complete the waking cycle, open her eyes, and accept him…
The calm, peaceful option intrigued her. The warning sensation she had developed because of Luce… “Him…” had not come rushing into play here. Whoever this Tom was beside her - holding her lightly - that Tom was not “Him.” That frightened kitten, the one that crouched gibbering in her mind, wondered at this Tom… Could this be a trick…? “He” had used many tricks to make her think one thing and then smash that… Was it another one of “His” games…? A game to pull her out into the open, and then confuse and hurt her? Her hand was on his chest and her fingers were in his ruff. “He” would never allow such vulnerability. Under the pad of her palm, she felt the steady heartbeat. Why was that rhythm - that pulse of life - so important to her right now? Her curiosity won out over the caution and…
Her green-brown eyes opened…
Silver and black…
Not Ginger…
And then she remembered… All of it…
Demeter could still see the aftermath of the fight on his face. The scratches where claws had torn fur and cut through skin… Tiny stitches of hairline silk had closed the wounds, and the loving hands of Jellylorum had applied ointment… His eyes were closed, and his face was composed in restful sleep. Swellings marked the places where he had been struck, but that face was still handsome. Black eyelashes rested on his cheeks, and she longed to touch them or even kiss them. Seeing the cheek patterns around his mouth and the stripes that ran into his cheek fur and his mane, she wanted to trace them with her fingers and then her lips. And his mouth… Demeter almost ached to feel his mouth on hers again… Looking at her hand resting on his chest, she saw the body stripes - were they silver on black, or black on silver…? She smiled at the thought…
And then she remembered once more…
She had touched those stripes…
All of them…
And his lips…
When they had passionately joined after the Ball…
Demeter felt the “blush” under her facial fur, and the flattening of her ears, and the need to pull her tail loose from… Pull her tail loose? Looking down her body to her legs, which were still somewhat tangled with his, she saw that his tail… his tail had been entwined with hers!
That revelation startled her! She had willfully given herself to him this morning in a way only a Mate would do… as a lover who wished to always do… She felt the blush warm her face again, but she resisted the impulsive movement of her tail. Carefully, she slid her tail back to entwine loosely with his…
Demeter smiled as she stroked his side. She had been the one who made the first move. Knowing that he could be passionate, she had moved in close to him, kissed him, and placed his hand on her body. And she learned that Bombalurina had been right about his hesitations. Although her hand gave him permission, he still seemed to ask for her if this was okay. But when he did finally caress her, the world had started to fade. He was gentle with her, making sure that he was never too quick, or harsh… His hands wandered over her, pleasuring her with his touches, and his kisses. And even so, she had to place his hand between her thighs…
Of course, she had been hesitant to touch him as well. At first, her fingers would stroke his fur and then come away as if he were hot. As he became comfortable with her, her fingers lingered on him. As she gasped at his first touches of her sex, she closed her legs on his hand to keep him from pulling away from her. And then, to show him that his intimate touch was what she wanted, and for him to enjoy her, her hand found him. From there… Demeter shook her head…
“You made me see stars, Munk,” she whispered. “I thought only Luce… I didn’t think any Tom would ever do that for me again… But you did… And then… you allowed me to enjoy you… Luce never really did that… You did… I love you, Munk…”
“And I, you…”
Her gaze came quickly up to see his emerald green eyes were wide open. “How long have you been…?”
“Long enough to know… I never want to make you fear me, Deme.”
“I never have… I was afraid of myself. I didn’t want to get hurt again. Not after…”
Munkustrap sat up and opened his arms to her. She let him draw her to him, and once more enjoyed being enclosed by him. She could feel his heart beating next to hers, and her mouth went to his throat. Her teeth nipped the hollow there, making him shudder. Before he touched her, her hand was on him. Heartbeats later, she had joined with him. Locked together, she pressed full length against him and kissed him hotly on the throat.
Their lovemaking again was intense and breathtaking. Who had the highest and most pleasure would always be debatable, but Demeter would remember it vividly for many years to come… Her Sight told her that she would not only conceive, but would have a beautiful daughter and son to remind her of this pleasure many moons later. With her arms and legs wrapped around him, she would not let go of him for nearly a Turn of the hourglass.
“Munk?”
“Yes, Deme…” Munkustrap was also holding her hard, stroking her back and mane. Between his knees, their tails had twisted around each other again.
“I don’t want to let you go…”
“I know… I don’t want to let you go either…”
“I need to, though…”
“Why?”
“I need to see Bomba.”
Her face came away from his throat, and she stared into his eyes. This time she let herself get lost in them. As she stared into the depths, she easily found what she wanted to see.
“What is it, Deme?”
“You love Bomba, don’t you?”
“Yes, but…”
“She wants you as much as I found I did, Munk. I will not take this from her.”
“What are you talking about, Deme? We…”
“…Will not mind if she is with us.”
His head cocked to one side, trying to solve the riddle she just placed before him. From what he could tell of her facial expressions and her ears, she was both serious and pleased. If that was so…
“What are you telling me? You want her to be with… us?
Reluctantly pulling herself off of his lap, she stood. Holding out her hands, she smiled. “Come with me, Munk. You’ll understand me soon enough.”
Curious, and far from being disagreeable with a happy Demeter, Munkustrap allowed her to take him to the opening in the closet. He went out first, and turned to help her. When he did, her arms went around his neck, and her mouth pressed to his. Now locked this way, he drew her out into his arms…
“You two better go back in there,” a husky voice chided.
Munkustrap turned them so that both Demeter and he could see Bombalurina.
“We were just on our way to find you,” the black-gold Queen said as Munkustrap lowered her to her feet.
“Oh? If I were in your position… and I do mean that… finding you would be one of the farthest things from my mind… Hi, Handsome.”
Demeter came to her, her hands outstretched to take hers. “You were right… Right about everything, Bomba. I would have lost something very dear to me… In fact… I would never have what I will have because of you.”
“Deme? You’re confusing the redhead. Munkus? Do you have any idea what she’s talking about?”
He smiled, understanding at last, as Demeter embraced the Scarlet Queen. “Not about that... But I do know one thing that she wants to tell you. I think you better call me 'Munk' from now on.”
“Okay, you just kicked it up another notch. Only Deme can call you that if what happened last night happened. And from the look on Deme’s face, we had a massive earthquake centered right here on this spot.”
“Bomba…?” Demeter looked up as her friend turned her amber eyes to her in an expression that asked 'Well?' “I want you… no, WE want you to join us…”
“Join you…?” Bombalurina blinked, and then shook her head. “That’s crazy. He’s your Tom, Deme. I’m not going to take him away…”
“Bomba?” Munkustrap came over and put his arms around them both. “You’re not taking anything we aren’t able to give you freely. I think,” and he looked for Demeter’s nod, which he got, “we want to share our love… with you.”
“A threesome?”
“Yes, Bomba,” Munkustrap said, nuzzling the Scarlet Queen. “I think Father mentioned this in my lessons one time. He called this arrangement a 'triad.' Not everyone can do it, but I think Deme believes differently. She thinks you and I love each other as much as she and I do. I feel a bit selfish, but it’s true, Bomba…”
“But…” Bombalurina looked first at Demeter and then at Munkustrap. “I don’t… I can’t… You did this, didn’t you, Deme?”
“Yes, Bomba. I don’t want to take him away from you, and I don’t want to lose him myself. This is the only way I can have him, and still see him with you.”
Bombalurina was amazed with her friend. “What about us?”
The Scarlet Queen looked at the smaller Black-Gold Queen speculatively. Demeter smiled, and then nuzzled her.
“We were friends before… and now we’ll be… maybe… Well, we can work that out later… Be with us, Bomba.” Demeter hugged the Scarlet Queen and lightly kissed her. “I want you there.”
“Munk?”
“What she said…” Munkustrap smiled and then laughed, which puzzled Bombalurina.
“Hey! What’s that for?”
“Tugger… I just thought about what his reaction is going to be when he sees me like this! He’ll be out of his ever-lovin’ mind!”
Bombalurina felt the laughter bubble out of her to join with Munkustrap.
Between them, Demeter looked puzzled. “What’s going on?”
“We’ll tell you later, baby,” Bombalurina said, shaking her head, and then laughing again. “Definitely a 'gotta-be-there' moment…”
The three walked carefully back to the closet. As they got there, all three tails locked together for a moment as Munkustrap kissed them - first Demeter and then Bombalurina. As he helped the two Queens in, Munkustrap used a little more hands than was really needed, eliciting a few shrieks of feminine protests that were more in fun than in actual complaint. Drawing Munkustrap in, he was handled with the same manner…
*****
The diesel locomotives did not hiss and rumble as their older steam ancestors, and they had a more pungent quality to them with the addition of the petrol fumes. Regardless, the orange Tabby trotted up to the edge of the station platform with a cheerful heart. Behind him, catching up to him and then reclaiming her breath, Jennyanydots stopped in the lee of the concrete slab that protected them from the train.
Skimbleshanks looked very much like the elegant railway stationmaster of the Steam Era. Because of his coloring, he seemed to have the starched white collar, the brown vest, and the white linen cuffs. When he appeared to her and the other Jellicles, he even had a small pocket watch that he could extract from his vest. Consulting it, he turned back to Jenny.
“Ach, lassie. I had a grand time last night. It’s always great tae share the old times, and sing our songs. And I was verra happy tae have ended the night with ye by me side…”
“We have always been good friends, Skimble,” she replied primly. “I just wanted to be by a handsome Tom when everyone parted…”
“And ye picked me? I’m verra honored, me dear.”
“And what about me?”
“For a while, I thought ye wanted tae gae after Bustopher…”
“He wouldn’t stay…” Jenny looked down at her fingers in her lap, and then she looked up meaningfully. “You did.”
“I had tae care for Jemmi, me dear. I couldnae run off and leave her unprotected.”
“I know…”
“Ye cared for her as well…” Taking her hands in his, he brought one up to his lips, and softly kissed her knuckles. “Even if we did needlessly protect her against Grizabella…”
“I hissed at her…”
“We all did, me dear. And yet… we all accepted her, and were accepted by her in the end. Me dear… I need tae gae soon, and… well…”
Raising up on her toes, Jenny put her arms around his neck, and kissed him. As she did, she was not surprised when his arms closed around her, and he returned the kiss. For several heartbeats, the warmth of his body, and the taste of his mouth, was the world to her. When they finally broke apart, she smiled when he did not let her go completely.
“I willnae ask why ye did that, Jenny… But I will say that I am glad ye did…”
“When will you be back, Dearie?”
“Iffen naething delays the rails…” he said as he pulled a timetable drawn on notepaper from his pocket. “I should be back in three days, arriving here at 10:42…”
“Would you like me to be waiting for you?”
“Ach, that would be a bonny sight for me tae see, but I wouldnae like ye coming doon here alone, Jenny. Wait for me in the Yard, and that would be fine…”
“I will be at the Yard at 11 o’clock, Skimble.”
Hearing the diesel horn sound, Skimbleshanks checked his watch. “Bother… I’m late… Bye, Jenny.”
He pecked her quickly on the lips, gave her a squeeze before he released her, and sped off to the open doors of the baggage van. One of the crew seemed to be expecting him, and the Human grinned as the orange tabby jumped inside. As the door closed, the train’s engine sounded the horn for departure, and the train began its journey. Jenny waved secretly at the train, even though she knew Skimbleshanks probably could not see her. Her spirits high, Jennyanydots skipped… yes, skipped… back to her home on Rose Court…
*****
Each time they made this trip, the return to the old theatre seemed longer. Jellylorum had to support old Gus a lot as he shuffled alongside her. After the Ball, he had gone very silent, as if he had seen something she had not, and the sight was troubling him… The Old Codger, as Jellylorum called him to her friends, normally told her all sorts of things - most of them being things she had heard many times over. But this morning… he mumbled under his breath, and his hands shook more it seemed than normal.
“Dearie… What is troubling you? You can tell me, you know.”
“You will call me a barmy old sod, Jelly…”
“More than likely, but then I always do.” She smiled, but quickly noted that he did not return the gesture as he usually did. “Gus, please…”
“I saw him tonight…”
“Who, Dearie?”
“Firefrorefiddle… I saw him bow to me…”
“Fire… Are you certain?”
“As clearly as I am seeing you now,” he replied, looking straight at her.
“But, dear, that was only a role you played… He isn’t even real…”
“Jelly, he is as real to me as many of the characters I played during my time on the boards. An actor must breathe life into his part, or the audience will not believe the part is alive. He was my greatest role, and my legacy… And I believe that this will have been my last Jellicle Ball…”
“Nonsense… You’re just tired from all the excitement. And you got to see young Gus play Growltiger…”
“Yes… and Genghis honored me…”
“What?”
“With sword and dance,” the Old Codger said softly.
As Jellylorum steered him into the alleyway that was the Stage Door’s locale, the Butter Calico was troubled. The dark Wicca, Coricopat, had bowed to him, yes… but Old Gus was taking this whole thing much too seriously.
“Well… here we are, Dearie. I’ll tuck you in and make sure you take your medication before I go back home…”
“Jelly? Have I ever truly thanked you for your help?”
“Many times…” One of the basement windows was broken, and Jellylorum steered Gus through the open pane. The room was the Old Codger’s favorite haunts: an old prop room. Many of the seldom-used props, stage pieces, old costumes, and assorted bric-a-brac were stored in this room. Their destination was a garishly painted throne with a velveteen pillow. Here, Gus was happy, it seemed. Jellylorum placed him on the pillow, and sought out the bottle that contained laudanum and a mixture of some powders that Jellylorum used for his palsy and other ailments. Gus did not particularly like the medicine, but he endured it.
As she put the bottle under the pillow, Gus smacked his lips, and stretched. Getting comfortable on the pillow, the Old Codger knew the opiate medication would soon make him drowsy, so he touched her on the arm before she could leave.
“My dear? I wish to thank you for your service… You have been very kind to bother with an old coot like me…”
“Gus, it was no trouble…”
“Balderdash… I’m a barmy old fart and you know it. You should be looking after some young Tom of your own, and raising kittens to suit your nursing mannerisms. Instead, you dally it away on me… Well… I fear you will no longer have to trouble with me…”
“Gus, stop this! I don’t want to hear you say things like that!”
“Jelly, I’m old and I know when I have reached the last act… Damn it, I’m an actor, and I know my part is coming to an end! All there is left to me is to say my final line, take my bow, and retire. Is that so difficult to comprehend or accept? Last night was my curtain call, Jelly… I know that… and I think some of the others do, too. Everyone except… you, dear girl…”
Shaking, his hands still reached out, and clasped hers. “Dear, sweet, stubborn girl… You care so much that you were blind tonight. The Dark Cat is waiting in the wings for me, and I must go… Even he applauds me, Jelly… Perhaps… he was the one who put on my old costume, and played Firefrorefiddle for me… It’s my time…”
Slowly, the medication took its effect, and the Theatre Cat drooped on the pillowed throne. As she had done countless times before, Jellylorum arranged the Old Codger so he would be comfortable. Arranging the blankets around him, Jellylorum kissed him on the forehead.
“Sweet Dreams, you silly old cat…” she said as he began to snore lightly. “I’ll be by at sunset to check on you…”
Moving up to the window, she paused at the windowsill and looked back down. Gus was curled on the throne’s pillow, and the dim light made him look like a miniature king wrapped in his own cape… She blew him a kiss and ducked outside. A half-an-hour later, she came through the old Railway Pipe, and ran past the post where Munkustrap used to sleep. With Demeter now as his Mate, the new Sentinel had taken up a new residence in an abandoned closet.
As she was just about there, Jellylorum stopped at an unusual sight. Munkustrap was indeed with Deme… but Bombie was with them, too… As she watched, the two Queens snuggled up next to the Silver Tabby, and then she noticed their tails… All three tails were twined together! The suggestion of the tails made Jellylorum fan herself slightly… When she saw Jenny next, she would have to tell her about this!
Slipping by the closet, Jellylorum managed to get to the overturned bathtub without encountering anyone else. As she entered her domain, her eyes went first to the “table” where she prepared her medicines, potions and tonics. She noted that she was getting low on the laudanum, and she would have to swing by the apothecary before too long. The glycol and the brandy were still fine, so she would only have to make one trip. Perhaps when she saw Gus that afternoon, she would swing by the apothecary shop in the Village before she went through the Yard and over to the old Theatre…
Arranging herself on the pillow, Jellylorum felt the warm sensation of being in her home, and inside her realm. Sleep came easy to her, but the dreams… She dreamt she was in the theatre, and was sitting out front as Gus played Growltiger as he did in his youth. There was another Griddlebone, which made Jellylorum growl slightly. How dare some other Queen take her part! She laughed with the rest of the audience as the two hammed up the act, and did not think one thing about being the only Jellicle among the Humans… And the “Siamese…” During the “Ballad” part, where the audience sang right along with Gus, and… that other Queen… the “Mongolian horde” snuck in and surrounded them. Baffled by the show, the Siamese formed an impromptu orchestra with their weapons, and the audience just roared. Jellylorum had tears in her eyes from laughing as they finished that part… Genghis screamed at his horde, and they went back to taking care of Growltiger… After Griddlebone left (thank the Great Cat), and Growlie walked the plank, Gus came back out. And, Genghis whirled and twirled until he stopped before Gus… As the old Theatre Cat had said, the Siamese bowed gravely to him, and whirled offstage. As the audience cheered, Gus bowed to them, threw a kiss to Jellylorum, and exited…
In her dream, and part of the reason she awoke, she went backstage after the show, and she could not find him… Shaking her head, she realized that she had just dreamed what they had talked about… Yes, she nodded to herself as she got up again. She would go over this afternoon and make sure he was all right… just like she had been doing for the last year…
*****
No matter which way he tried to lay on his pillow, Alonzo could not get comfortable. He positively hurt all over, and each movement pointed out the worst points… Whatever made him try to take Macavity on practically by himself…? Did he think he could impress Demeter or any of the other Queens and Princesses there?
Giving up, he rolled upright, and found a place to just sit. One cheek was starting to swell and he bet that eye would probably close shut… And it was just his luck that it was the white side… He groaned and hung his head. Even that movement hurt.
“Hey, Lonzo!”
Oh, just great. “Come on in, Pounce.”
The small Tom slipped inside and instantly noted the woeful look of his friend.
“You really should go to Aunt Jelly and have her look you over.”
“Is that what you came over here for?”
“No, but you should…”
Alonzo looked up. “Then what are you doing here?”
“Munkus is looking for you.”
Sighing, Alonzo got to his feet, and swayed a bit. “Did he say why…?”
Pouncival came up and steadied the White-Black Tom. “Hey, whoa up here, Lonzo. Maccie must’ve gotten in a few good swats in on you… Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Where’s Munkus?”
“In the Square near Old D’s tire. Come on. I’ll make sure you get there.”
Sighing, Alonzo knew he was not going to get rid of the teen, so he maneuvered his way out of his lair on the other side of the old car. At one time, he had seriously thought of trying for the engine compartment, but he could never find it… Coming out, they blinked in the morning sun, and headed towards the tunnel that led to the Square. As they scooted through, Alonzo almost ran into a Queen coming out of the one lair inside the pile. He let her go first, and scented her… Cassandra?
“Hey, Cassie?”
The Burmese exited the tunnel and waited for him to come out. His good eye widened a bit when he noticed the two cuts above her right eye.
“I see you didn’t fare too well from our run-in with Maccie either.”
She smiled faintly. “I did not expect him to be as fast as he was. Are you… hurt?”
When her hand nearly touched his bruised cheek, Alonzo grinned. “I hurt all over. I’m going over to see Aunt Jelly and see if she has something for the eye. Perhaps… uh, she could do the same for you…”
Pouncival cleared his throat. “Well, I can see you have all the help you need. See you later, Lonzo… Hey, Jemmi!”
As the small Tom ran off, Alonzo started to escort Cassandra towards the back of the old bathtub. “I didn’t know you had gotten hurt, Cassie.”
“I was trying to help,” she replied. “After Macavity threw Munkustrap, and then you… everyone tried to run him off. I just happened to get too close… You… I…”
Before he could find out what the Burmese was trying to say, someone called out his name… Whatever she was going to tell him might never be said… Turning, he found Munkustrap crossing the Yard with Demeter and Bombalurina. Alonzo expected the Gold-Black Queen to be with the Silver Tabby. The Scarlet Queen’s presence surprised both Cassandra and him - more than just a little.
“I trust Pounce told you I wanted to see you. Hello, Cassie.”
“Munkus… I…”
Slightly contrite, he grinned as he noted her glances left and right of him. “Things went a little differently than I thought they might… Deme and I pledged… and then she added Bomba.”
“A triad?”
“Yeah, Cassie…” Bombalurina smirked slightly. “I thought I gave Deme away, but she didn’t let go of my tail.”
The Burmese kept her face blank and her eyes hooded. “Yes…”
“Lonzo?” Demeter looked up to her new Mate, and received a nod. “I asked Munk to find you for two reasons. First… I wanted to thank you for helping to rescue me…”
The awkward look on her face told both Cassandra and Alonzo that she wanted to do so in a way that was not appropriate here. For a heartbeat, Cassandra considered walking away and giving Demeter privacy, but then that was before she saw the Scarlet Queen appraising Alonzo. Let her look, the Burmese thought, and stayed by the Tom’s side.
Although she seemed nervous, Demeter leaned forward and kissed Alonzo on the cheek. The chasteness of the contact still made him smile because she was a pretty Queen, and doing this in public meant the thank-you was real. He had thought of attempting to court her, but he was slightly intimidated by Bombalurina. Apparently, Munkustrap did not have that problem…
“What’s the other reason,” Alonzo asked.
“We both want to thank you,” Munkustrap said seriously. “It wasn’t easy trying to fight off Macavity on your own… and you tried… Alonzo? I need someone to replace me on the Railway Pipe… and, well, I talked this over with… these two. We all think you are the one to become the Railway Guardian.”
Alonzo felt his jaw drop slightly, and then he grimaced as Munkustrap playfully cuffed him on the shoulder. “I… I don’t know what to say…”
“Just say, 'Yes, sir,' and be done with it,” Bombalurina quipped.
“Uh, yes, sir…”
Munkustrap shook his head as Bombalurina chuckled. “I’ll see you later to go over your duties. Right now, I think you better escort Cassie over to see Aunt Jelly. She looks a little woozy right now…”
Before Alonzo turned, Cassandra’s right eyebrow went up. When Munkustrap smiled, she gave him a look that said I will deal with you later.’
“Uh, yes, sir…”
As he escorted the Burmese toward the Bathtub’s entrance, Alonzo noted that she did lean a little on his arm…
*****
As the trio watched the White-Black Tom and the Burmese walk away, Munkustrap noticed movement up on the pile near the Mantle Clock. The sunlight was behind the clock, so he could only see the one moving in silhouette. When the figure stopped, he squinted against the glare, and groaned.
“What is it, Munk?” asked Demeter, and then she followed his gaze.
When Bombalurina noted their stares, the Scarlet Queen made it unanimous. “Leccy?”
“Uh, I, uh, need to talk to her,” Munkustrap said nervously.
“Oh?” Bombalurina looked him in the face, but his eyes refused to meet hers. She nodded. “Deme? Lover boy here has some unfinished business to tie up. Why don’t we go look around the place and see if we can make our new pad a little nicer. Don’t be too long, Munkus… er, Munk.”
Demeter looked a bit lost, but she allowed her new Mate-Sister to lead her off. Now free, Munkustrap felt his insides twist a little. Since Electra had not moved, he climbed up the pile to the where the clock sat. The brown tabby Princess had found a place to sit, and she was nervously examining her claws as he came close to her. She would not look at him when he sat down in front of her.
“Leccy?”
“I see you’re with her,” she replied sullenly. “What’s Bomba doing there?”
“She’s with Deme… and they’re both with me… Leccy, I…”
“Oh, don’t bother, Munkus,” she said, standing up and turned to walk away from him. His hand caught hers before she could.
“Don’t, Leccy. We need to talk, and you know that…”
Her lips pursed slightly, and she nodded. “I really don’t see what’s to talk about, Munkus. You found your Queen, and…”
“And?” Munkustrap was still trying to get eye contact. Was she embarrassed about something? “Leccy, what aren’t you telling me?”
“It turns out I don’t need you to… uh… well, I don’t need you to make a Queen outta me, anymore…”
Munkustrap blinked. “What?”
“I did it with Misto…”
“You… with… with Misto? When?”
“While Vickie was… well… you know…”
He felt his head nod, but he was still mystified. “Then, what’s wrong? Why won’t you look at me, Leccy?” When the young Princess… no, Queen, began to cry, Munkustrap pulled her gently into his arms and began to rock her against his shoulder. “Shhh… It’s all right, Leccy…”
“No… it… isn’t… now nobody… will want me…”
“Shhh… don’t think that way. Besides, it’s not true.”
“Whatta ya mean? *sniff*”
“Bomba’s with me, isn’t she?”
“Yeah…”
“Well… Leecy? You are not to tell anyone this… promise?” He felt her nod against his shoulder, so he pulled her away so she could face him. “Bomba gave herself to me when we were still teens.”
“But that’s Bomba!” Electra sniffed and then rubbed her hand across her wet nose. “No Tom cares if Bomba does that!”
“Hey… I do… She’s with me now, and I cared… Leccy. You just have to be yourself. Besides… Vickie didn’t stay with Plato, did she? I think she still wants to be with Misto, even if he wasn’t the one who made a Queen of her… Leccy… the Courtship causes a lot of things to happen, and you… you just needed someone… It happens.”
“I wanted it to be with you…”
“Well… I’m sorry, but I can’t give you that… I promised I would if I did not find a Mate… I did… And now… I can’t…”
“That’s all right, Munkus… I’ll survive…” Her mouth came up, and claimed his for a brief while. She even placed his hand on her breast for the same duration before she pushed him away from her. “I gotta go… somewhere… and don’t worry about me. I’m not going to do anything stupid… I just gotta get away from you…”
Before he could stop her this time, Electra darted around the clock and was gone…
For a few heartbeats, Munkustrap sat next to the clock and tried to understand what had just happened. And sighed when the answer totally eluded him. He would just have to watch her carefully for a while - until the next crisis came up…
“Yo! Munkus!”
Munkustrap’s head fell back, and clunked against the mantle clock’s glass face. Tugger…
“I’m up here, Tugger.”
The slender blonde-maned Tom looked up and shielded his eyes against the sun. “What are you doing up there… alone…?”
“Deme and Bomba went off, looking for stuff,” Munkustrap said casually, and then he perked up… Tugger… “I needed a rest…”
If anything caught his half-brother’s interest, that factor was an open-ended statement. Tugger’s mouth opened part-way before his brain engaged.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa… Let me see if my ears heard this correctly. I can see you getting tired from Deme because you aren’t the stud I am, but did you say, uh, Bomba…?”
Munkustrap was trying very hard to keep a straight face. “Yes, I did… You know how normally you get some rest after the Jellicle Ball? I didn’t get any at all. This is the first time I’ve had anytime to myself this morning…”
Tugger shook his head, and then checked one of his ears for wax. “You’re foolin’ with my brain, bro, aren’t you? I mean… You and Deme… and Bomba?”
“You got it…”
This time, Tugger came up the pile and found a place to sit in front of the Silver Tabby. “No, I ain’t got it. Now, you picked up the Deme chick, and that’s cool. I mean she’s already a bit freaked out and all, and I’m sure your calming nature zoned her out real good. But now here’s where I’m sure I’m not picking up the right channel… Did I hear you right, and no foolin’ here, Munkus. Did you say… and Bomba?”
“I’m not fooling, Tugger. Those two just about finished off what Macavity tried to do…”
“Bro? It’s not nice to mess with moi’s head this early in the morning…”
“Tugger, I’m not… say… what are you doing here so early? Didn’t you pick up someone last night?”
“Well… If I did I would have had them standing in line, and you know that ain’t too cool to do the poor Queens…”
“Struck out, eh?”
“Don’t go there, bro… I could’ve had a couple of chicks, but I couldn’t go through with it… Well… one chick really… okay, Cettie… She’s not my style, Munkus. You know Cettie! She wouldn’t be a challenge for the Tugger, and she wasn’t! So, I gave her a little thrill and sent her home… And I didn’t do anything!”
“Talk about a set-up,” Munkustrap mumbled.
“What?”
“Deme? Bomba? Up here!”
Tugger turned around and gaped. The two Queens looked up, and Bombalurina had a Mona-Lisa smile that meant she was ready for a little fun. Before Demeter could start up, the Scarlet Queen stopped her.
“Hey, hotstuff,” Bombalurina said with a sensual growl. “What are you doing up there with the loser…”
“Nothing much, Bomba,” Tugger said with a wink.
“I was talking to the Silver Wonder there, Tugger…”
“But I… what’d you say?”
“Munk? Deme and I are through looking around the place, and we got a few things we’d like for you to look over…”
“A couple of items, at least,” Demeter put in, and that earned her a raised eyebrow from Bombalurina.
“Nice one, girlfriend. I’ll have to remember that… Well, Munk?”
“I’ll be right down. Later, Tugger…”
“You… uh… later?”
Munkustrap grinned as he managed the way down, and stepped between the two Queens. Demeter and Bombalurina linked arms behind the Silver Tabby’s back and around his waist while his arms went around their shoulders. All three looked over their shoulders at the maned Tom. His blank stare took in the three intertwined tails as the three went off across the Square, and he shook his head…
“Rumpus… Life just ain’t no fair…”
*****
Victoria and Mistoffelees curled around each other, holding each other tightly as the sun came over the buildings and trees of the Village next door to the Junkyard. Both watched the golden rim of the sun break the horizon and blaze up into the blue sky. The gray clouds of an approaching rainstorm in the west seemed to wither back against the majestic bright globe, but both lovers knew the cool wetness was on its way. They still had time to enjoy the morning rays and each other before the rain chased them indoors.
This time, when she joined her body to a Tom, she felt completed. She still knew that the world had disappeared for a while as they had made love to each other. The first time was almost embarrassingly awkward, and the joining was anything but graceful, but the passion was there this time…
“Misto?”
“Hmmm?” he purred against her neck.
“Are you truly magical now?”
Raising his head, he studied her blue eyes. “What do you mean, Vickie?”
“When we… you know… did you…?”
He chuckled softly. “If I invoked any magic during that wonderful moment, it was totally without my doing it. Why?”
“I just… I felt like you and I went somewhere… somewhere where we could see the stars as plainly as we can the street lamps. We were alone, but not the type of 'alone' that frightens you. I felt safe… and… loved…”
“You are, Vickie… I do…”
“Misto?”
“Yes?”
“How did you really find the Leader?”
“I saw him in my mind,” the tuxedo Tom said after a moment of thought. “Cassie helped me see him, and I knew I had him. Then, I just visualized him under the cape instead of Cassie.”
“What about Cassie?”
“I put her momentarily in his place. I knew where he was, so I sent her there, and then brought him back. Later, I merely found Cassie again and brought her back. The ones guarding that box never knew I had taken the Leader, or Cassie.”
“Do you know where my home is?”
“Not yet… But I do know where mine is! Do you want to meet a really nice little Human Girl? She calls me 'Misty.' I’d like to know what she’d call you…”
“She knows your name?”
“I’m not sure about that,” he laughed lightly. “She’s only a kitten in her years. But she loves to pet me and play with me. What about your Humans?”
“They are wonderful… and I believe they are considered well off. I have my own room, would you believe it? And this collar? The stones on it are diamonds - something that they say are expensive, but my Mistress says I am worth it…”
“I’ll say…”
“Oh, hush…” she giggled. “They call me 'Lady...' Misto, do not laugh at this, please…”
“Why should I laugh?”
“I am actually named 'Lady Victoria Regina' after the old Queen of the Land.”
“That sounds too important to laugh at, Vickie, but it makes you sound… well, stuffy.”
“I know. I’m supposed to act dignified around my Humans and any Human that comes to our home.”
“Is that why you dance the ballet?”
“Yes,” she giggled again. “And, that is why I have to get out and 'boogey' with the other Princesses at times…” She sighed as she squeezed him in her arms. “But the ballet is such a beautiful dance. When I allow the music and the movement to take me, I almost feel like can fly, or dance upon the clouds…”
“Speaking of which…” A raindrop tapped the board next to them. “I think we’d better go. Come with me this time? We’ll go to your place next time.”
“Am I presentable?” she asked as she smoothed down her fur and patted her short mane.
“You are a goddess, my dear Victoria…”
“Then take me home before we get wet.”
Taking her hand, he grinned broadly. “Hang on then… PRESTO!”
In the spot where they stood, there was a brief shower of silver-white sparkles. When the sparkles faded, they were gone.
*****
Quiet time… Outside, it had started to rain again - part of the on-and-off cycle that came with the Spring. When Old Deuteronomy really wanted to find peace and quiet, he would slip into the Vicarage, and climb up into the lectern. The Vicar was used to Old Deuteronomy being inside the enclosed podium, and he had placed one of his old sweaters in there for the old cat to curl up in. Of course, a Bible and a prayer book also took up some of the interior room, but there was more than enough room for the large brown tabby to relax.
Most of the Jellicles did not know where he went at times like this. Munkustrap would be told, of course, since the Silver Tabby had just become the Sentinel. And then there was…
** Old Father? **
Old Deuteronomy’s head lifted up off the sweater, and then he groaned. “Yes, Cori?”
** May we come in? **
Sitting up in his Jellicle form, he faced the two books. “Please do…”
When they appeared, both were sitting on the prayer book, which sat on the Bible. The two dark calicos blinked, and then looked at what they were sitting on.
“Problem?”
Old Deuteronomy grinned as the Twins they regarded him darkly.
** The Creator has a sense of humor, I take it? **
“Of all the Jellicles I know, you should be aware of that, Cori.”
** Very droll, Old Father… **
“Cori? Tanto? Not that it truly bothers me, but can we speak and not use telepathy? I find if I do too much of it lately, I develop a headache.”
“Of course,” Coricopat said in a whispery baritone. “We were wondering…”
“…about what you thought of the Jellicle Ball,” finished Tantomile in her smoky alto.
“And please try to have only one of you speak a sentence,” Old Deuteronomy growled lightly. “It’s like watching a tennis match… or two birds contesting a rose bush…”
The Dark Twins smiled simultaneously.
“What part are you interested in? We have Munkustrap and Demeter…”
“And Bombalurina, too, Old Father,” Tantomile supplied.
“What? A Triad?”
Coricopat nodded. “Just this morning. Tugger was not amused…”
“No, he wouldn’t be,” Old Deuteronomy said, rubbing his face with a large hand. “Was this it?”
“Mister Mistoffelees has found his magic, Old Father,” Tantomile replied.
Old Deuteronomy nodded. “He must have, since I am here. Otherwise, Lucifer…”
“He is now Macavity, Old Father,” the Wicca warned gently.
“He who was Lucifer is hidden,” the Witch Cat added.
“Very well…” the old Jellicle said, slightly troubled by the correction. “If Misto hadn’t brought me back, I might still be in that box Luce… Macavity had me in. Since Demeter is with Munkustrap, I assume that Macavity did not go back to take her away?”
“He tried to do so, Old Father,” Coricopat nodded. “Munkustrap and Alonzo kept her from being taken. When Munkustrap went down, the Tribe arose to defend him.”
“Your chosen Sentinel is well respected,” Tantomile finished.
Old Deuteronomy nodded. “That is good… Now, is that all?”
“No,” Coricopat smiled. “The Choice…”
“Ah, yes… the Choice of Grizabella. What about it?”
Tantomile shifted on the book cover, pulling on leg slightly under her, and holding onto the upraised knee of the other leg. “Did you have a member selected before her?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. I was thinking about Gus… I am not sure I should have…”
“He just passed into the outer realms, Old Father,” Coricopat said quietly.
“What?” Old Deuteronomy’s wide eyes indicated that this was the first he had heard about the death. “Just now?”
“Yes,” Tantomile nodded. “He was dreaming of performing Growltiger again, and receiving standing ovations. When he went offstage, the Dark Cat met him. He went peacefully, Old Father.”
“Oh, dear… Was… was Jelly with him when…?”
“No,” Coricopat said, shaking his head. “She was already back in the boundaries of the Yard when he passed away. We believe her heart knows about it, but she has not accepted that he would. She will be disappointed when she returns this evening…”
“Poor Jelly… She has taken care of him for so long…”
“She has others to take care of, Old Father. And new ones to think about,” Coricopat chuckled dryly.
“Hmmm?”
“New ones, Old Father… Surely with Munkustrap’s triad, you should expect something to come of it…” Tantomile suddenly smiled. “Demeter already knows…”
Old Deuteronomy rubbed his forehead. “Kittens, too…”
“It has been a long time since we have had kittens born within the Tribe itself,” Tantomile commented.
“You still know how to bless one, do you not, Old Father?” Coricopat added.
“And I can still paddle tails, too,” Old Deuteronomy said with a baneful stare.
“I think we have troubled him enough, my All,” Tantomile said, standing and then bending over to kiss Old Deuteronomy on the cheek.
“One thing more,” Coricopat said, coming over to gently press his forehead against the old Tom’s. “How are you feeling, Old Father?”
“Are you meaning do I feel like Old Gus, Cori? No… I am tired, yes. The years weigh heavily upon me, but letting Grizabella receive the Choice has taken away a great deal. I did not want the Shunning to take place… you know that. By granting her the Choice, I have given her a second chance to become what she should have… Who knows? She may come back as one of those kittens you have commented about. But as for me? I am not ready to go to that sleep yet. I have Munkustrap to prepare for coming after me. And I want to see those kittens…”
“Then we shall leave you to the Creator’s blessings, Old Father,” Tantomile said, stepping back to be with her Mate.
“Fair dreams, Old Father,” Coricopat said, taking his Mate’s hand.
** Until we meet again… ** the two said as they disappeared…
*****
Sitting atop the stack of wrecked cars, Munkustrap was glad of the old rug that Pushdragon had placed on the relatively undamaged hood. Demeter found a lodging place between his knees and against his chest while Bombalurina pressed against his back. The spring morning was warm and comfortable, with lots of fluffy white clouds passing overhead.
“Are you sorry, Munk?”
“Sorry about what, Bomba?”
“Taking both of us on as Mates?”
“Not as long as I’m still young and healthy…” he laughed when she cuffed one of his ears. “Seriously, Bomba? I think Deme said it best. I love both of you… and this is the only way to have both of you in my life. I just hope we can always work things out, is all. I mean, look at all the problems I had before… and I was the reason for a lot of it, Bomba…”
“You forget I put in my fair share, Munkus… Munk…” Bombalurina shook her head against his mane. “Damn… I’ll get re-used to it again before too long…”
“Both of you need to put what was past behind you,” Demeter said softly, her hand smoothing over the fur of her belly. “Consider what you had as a warm-up for what we will have… All three of us…”
Munkustrap’s hand came down on hers. “You’re thinking a long way ahead, aren’t you? We only made love this morning.”
“It was the way we made love, Munk…”
“Okay, you two… remember number three back here…”
“Your turn will come, Bomba…” Demeter said, and then her voice went distant. “You have known his pleasure before and will taste it after me…”
Bombalurina eased over Munkustrap’s shoulder. “Girlfriend? What are you talking about? What…? Munk?”
“I think she knows, Bomba… Deme? Deme, come back to me…”
“Wha…? What happened?”
“Before and after, Deme…” Munkustrap said, holding her so she could look at Bombalurina and him. “You went into your Sight, and said 'Before and After'…”
Demeter and Bombalurina looked at each other, and something pleaded in the backs of her Mate-Sister’s eyes. “Bomba knows about the love I have received from you, Munk. And she will know it in full while I am pregnant… We will both make you a father before too long.”
“A Fa…? You’re not joking, are you?”
“No,” Bombalurina said, closing her eyes in relief. Demeter had kept her secret, and would allow her to explain things later. “She’s not, Munk.”
Holding Demeter in his arms, and being held by Bombalurina, Munkustrap looked out over the Yard. Demeter had kept one of his hands pressed against her lower abdomen, as if to let him know there was Life inside her. And Bombalurina’s subtle movements behind him reminded him of days a couple of years ago… Did she…? If she did, she had never told him. If she did, would she eventually tell him? The thoughts played inside his mind.
Then, he realized his gaze had come up, and he looked across the parking lot of the Human’s Office, across the street and at the warehouses. Munkustrap knew that in one of those buildings… maybe even more than one of them… Macavity plotted.
Macavity…
Somewhere inside Munkustrap’s thoughts, he knew that the matter of the Tribe, the Yard, and this beautiful Black-Gold Queen was not over and done with… Munkustrap still remembered that one point when Old Deuteronomy had been taken from them… When Macavity had stopped and pointed at Demeter, and stated quite plainly.
“I will be back… for you…”
Suddenly, the spring day was not so warm…
“Munk?”
“Y-yes?”
“For a moment, you squeezed me very tightly… and I saw… Him… Were you thinking about him just now?”
“Yes… Yes, I was…”
“We will prevail, Munk.”
“Deme? Cue the redhead here.”
“Macavity, Bomba,” Munkustrap answered. “Deme just confirmed to me that we will face him again…”
Bombalurina reached forward and took both the Tom and Queen in her arms. “You won’t face him alone, Munk.”
“I think I can count on that, Bomba… When it started, it might have just been him and me. But Alonzo helped out, and then the others joined in…”
“It is because of us, Munk,” Demeter said softly. “We are the Triad that has focused this… You… Macavity… and me… Three friends and three lovers - each revolving around the other two. It began with us… and it will end with us…”
Munkustrap pulled Demeter in close to him, and let Bombalurina enfolded them both. “Then the Eternal Cat have mercy on us all…”
***** Finis *****
***** End of the TRIAD *****
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