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Post by Arya on Jul 8, 2007 19:14:09 GMT -5
-Sobbing- NUUUUUUU!
Milton remind me of my shep though...
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jul 10, 2007 4:16:56 GMT -5
Title: The Protector 13/14
A crushing wall of silence fell around Munkustrap, all sound being drowned out by the roaring in his ears. His mouth felt stuffed with cotton, his knees weak. He couldn’t… he couldn’t…
He couldn’t stand it anymore. With a cry of his own, Munkustrap turned and fled, running, just running. The world was a blur of color around him, but he didn’t notice any of it. He just needed to move, to run, to get away, as far away as he could, as far from that dresser and that family and that grief…
Everything slammed back into sharp focus when he ran into a cat. Stumbling back, Munkustrap shook his head and whined.
“Hey, watch it!”
Munkustrap looked up. Tugger. Of all the cats he could have run into, he had to run into Tugger.
Tugger scowled at him, fluffing his mane again. As another howl rippled through the yard, he scoffed, rolling his eyes. “The cat’s dead. Get over it already!”
Munkustrap shook his head. No… no… they didn’t know who they were grieving. How could they not know? How could the Jellicles not be aware that their Protector was dead? Simbol was dead, he was gone, gone, gone, gone…
“’Straps?”
Munkustrap jumped and stared at Tugger again. That was the first time the other cat had spoken his name in months. “Y-yeah?”
Tugger frowned, stepping forward. “You okay? You look… sick.”
“I-I…” The world was spinning, and staying on his feet seemed a task too far beyond him right now. Munkustrap swayed and felt strong arms wrap around him, steadying him.
“Munkustrap?”
“He’s dead,” Munkustrap whispered, looking up at Tugger’s concerned face. “Simbol’s dead…”
“What?” Tugger frowned. “I thought we were mourning Cattivo…”
“He’s dead too!” Munkustrap covered his face with his paws. “They’re both dead… I couldn’t save either of them…”
“Shh…” Munkustrap jumped again as he felt Tugger hug him, but he soon slumped against the larger cat, nestling into Tugger’s thick fur. “C’mon, Munkustrap. Come with Tugger…”
Munkustrap let Tugger lead him away, not sure where they were going… and not really caring. Simbol was dead. What more was there to do?
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jul 10, 2007 4:19:33 GMT -5
Title: The Protector 14/14
Munkustrap woke up feeling warm and comfortable. His back was a bit stiff, but other than that, he felt rather good. He purred a little, rolling over, and he looked up at the cat he was cuddled up against.
Tugger was stretched out beside Munkustrap, watching over him, stroking along his back with one lazy paw.
“Are we still not talking to each other?” Munkustrap asked sleepily.
Tugger smiled and shook his head. “Nah, that’s pretty childish. I like you better as a friend, anyway.”
Munkustrap closed his eyes and wiggled a little closer to Tugger. “Good. I like you better as a friend too.”
“Sleep well?”
“Mm-hmm,” Munkustrap said, nodding. “Had a horrible dream, though. Dreamt that Simbol died.” He felt Tugger tense beside him and squeezed his eyes shut tighter. “Tugger? It was just a dream, right? Please tell me it was just a dream…”
“I’m sorry, ‘Straps,” Tugger said quietly. “I know how much he meant to you.”
Munkustrap clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “He can’t be dead…”
“He is,” Tugger murmured.
“No, I mean, he can’t!” Munkustrap protested. “He’s Simbol! He’s nigh-invincible! He’s the Jellicle Protector! He’s… he can’t be dead!”
“Munkustrap, he is dead. Dad confirmed it.” Tugger stroked Munkustrap’s fur, running his paw along the main stripe down his back. “He came by earlier this morning. He wants to talk to you, when you have a moment.”
Munkustrap shook his head, burying his face in his paws. Tugger’s stroking stopped, and he wrapped his arms around the smaller cat, hugging him again. “I’m sorry, Ritzy,” he whispered. Munkustrap stiffened at the name, and Tugger rolled his eyes. “Look, there’s no one else around, all right? No one heard – and even if they did, they probably wouldn’t associate Ritzy with-”
“It’s not that,” Munkustrap whispered. “It’s… he knew. Simbol knew about me. And Ritzkin. He knew.”
“What!?” Tugger stared at Munkustrap. “He… how could he have known!?”
“He’s been watching us ever since we were kittens,” Munkustrap said. “He told me… he said he’s known about me ever since we were Ritzy and Rumsy, sneaking across the border… Tugger, what if that’s what Deuteronomy wants to talk to me about?” He looked up at Tugger, pain and fear splashed across his face. “Deuteronomy talked to Simbol before he… before he… before he died,” it was so hard to say that out loud. “What if Simbol told him? What if Deuteronomy’s going to banish me, or kill me, or…”
“Or nothing,” Tugger said firmly. “I won’t let him.”
Munkustrap gave an almost-hysterical laugh into Tugger’s mane. “You won’t let him?”
“Nope.” Tugger nudged Munkustrap’s chin. “I’m gonna tell you a secret, all right?” Munkustrap looked up with a frown, and Tugger grinned. “I’m his heir.”
“What?” Munkustrap was fairly sure he had misheard Tugger.
“I’m his heir,” Tugger said. “He told me a few months ago. Should something happen to him, I’m in charge!” Munkustrap stared. Tugger huffed and fluffed his mane. “Oh, come on. I won’t be that bad!”
“I’d leave that to the tribe to decide,” Munkustrap said faintly.
Tugger flicked Munkustrap in the forehead and smiled at him. “Yeah, well, bugger the tribe. Now, see, since I’m his heir, that pretty much makes me the number two top cat. And if I say you’re in the tribe, or I’m out, well, he’ll listen to that. I don’t think it’ll come to that, though. Dad likes you.”
“Liked me,” Munkustrap said with a shake of his head. “Would he still? I’m one of the enemy, I’m a murderer, I’m an imposter…”
“You’re a Jellicle, you’re a guardian, you’re loyal…” Tugger sat up, pulling Munkustrap with him. “Come on. You’re just glum because of Simbol. I’m sure Dad’s not going to kick you out of the tribe. Now, are you ready to go or what?”
With much wheedling and coaxing from Tugger, Munkustrap stepped outside. The sky was overcast, and thunder rumbled in the distance, promising rain later. A cat wail started off in the distance, and the rest of the Jellicles picked up the call. Munkustrap laid down and covered his ears, not wanting to be reminded. Tugger stood over him, thankfully not wailing as well. When the cry ended, Tugger gave Munkustrap a nudge. “C’mon. Dad’s in the piano.”
Munkustrap staggered his way over to the old grand piano the Jellicles used as a winter den, and Deuteronomy used as a den when he was in the yard. Tugger kept pushing him along, keeping him moving, and would pick him up after every grieving wail. Eventually, though, they arrived at the piano.
One end of the piano was simultaneously buried in and propped up by a mound of rubbish, and the other end stood on one spindly leg. A hole in the base allowed the cats to get in and out, and over the generations, they had emptied the inside of actual piano stuff and filled it with the thickest blankets and pillows they could find in the yard. The piano was roomy and well-insulated, the perfect place to spend the cold winter months in.
Underneath the piano, Alonzo and Plato were slumped against each other. Admetus stood beside them, his face a stony mask of pain. All three of them watched Munkustrap and Tugger approach.
Munkustrap faltered as he saw the group that was waiting. They were all guardians. If Deuteronomy was going to banish him, he’d do it with the guardians around, so they could chase him out. Tugger gave him a shove, though, not letting him just stand around.
“Old Deuteronomy is waiting,” Admetus said quietly, pointing up at the hole.
“Thank you,” Munkustrap whispered, stumbling forward as Tugger nudged him again.
“If there are any problems,” Tugger whispered into his ear, “just call my name and I’ll be up there to defend you.”
Munkustrap nodded and took a deep breath, and then another. Tugger patted his tail, and then Munkustrap jumped up and into the piano.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness of Deuteronomy’s den, but once he had, he could see the old Leader waiting for him, reclining on some thick pillows. Deuteronomy beckoned Munkustrap closer.
“S-sir? You wanted to see me?”
Deuteronomy nodded. “You are aware that Simbol passed on to the Heaviside Layer yesterday, correct?”
Munkustrap’s gaze dropped to his paws. “How could I not be?” he asked mournfully.
Deuteronomy reached forward, placing his paw on Munkustrap’s shoulder. “He had the utmost faith in your abilities, Munkustrap. You made him proud.”
Whatever Munkustrap had been expecting to hear from Deuteronomy, it wasn’t that. He looked up at the old cat, confused.
Deuteronomy smiled sadly. “We’ve been speaking for some time about who our successors would be, should something happen to us. Yesterday, as he lay dying, he told me that he wished to stick by his decision.
“He wanted you to be the next Protector.”
The world dropped out from under Munkustrap’s feet at those words, and he swayed again, gaping at Deuteronomy. “Me? Protector?” Munkustrap backed up, shaking his head. “No, no, no… I can’t… I couldn’t! I don’t know the first thing-”
“You don’t?” Deuteronomy asked with a frown. “I was under the impression that Simbol had been specially training you for months now, introducing you to all his contacts,” (Munkustrap remembered meeting a rat general, Milton the police dog, a colony of pigeons…) “familiarizing you with his human partner, Tomtail,” (long sessions of letting the human pet him, learning his language, learning his family, learning how the human helped keep the junkyard safe…) “and explaining what went into being the Protector.” (talking out decisions with Simbol, discussing rosters and organizing hunts…). “Are you sure you don’t know the first thing about being Protector?”
Munkustrap sat down rather heavily, staring wide-eyed at the space in front of him. Simbol… named him his heir. Simbol trusted him… Simbol had been proud of him. Even… even after what happened yesterday, with the whole Ritzkin blow-up… Simbol still wanted Munkustrap to protect the Jellicles. “Sir, I…”
“And he said one more thing to pass on to you,” Deuteronomy said, coming forward and putting his paw on Munkustrap’s shoulder again. “No matter what mistakes you made in your past, no matter how horrible things seemed, he knew you risked your life to try and save his. He knew how much danger you put yourself in… and he says you have his eternal gratitude for bringing him back to the yard, so he could die with his family around him.” Deuteronomy placed his other paw on Munkustrap’s other shoulder, seemingly oblivious to the way the younger cat was choked up and trying not to cry. “And you have mine as well, for not only bringing Simbol back to us, but Cattivo as well. Munkustrap, if you feel you are up for it, I would gladly name you Protector of the Jellicle Tribe.”
Munkustrap looked up at Deuteronomy before taking a shaky breath and nodding. “Yes. If… if Simbol wanted this… if Simbol thought I could do it… then yes. I can be the Jellicle Protector.”
“Then, Munkustrap, you will be the Jellicle Protector. You will lead our guardians. You will guard our tribe. You will be my right-hand cat, my second-in-command. By taking my paw,” and Deuteronomy released Munkustrap’s shoulders to offer him his paw, “you are acknowledging that you are up for this task. You will serve the tribe with unwavering loyalty and the utmost respect. No tribe member is beneath your attention, from the smallest kitten to the oldest queen. You will protect and defend, even if it means giving your life for the life of another. Are you prepared?”
Munkustrap took a deep breath before reaching out and seizing Deuteronomy’s paw firmly. “I am.”
“Then, Munkustrap, I name you Protector of the Jellicle Tribe.” Deuteronomy pulled Munkustrap forward and engulfed him in a hug. “Congratulations. I know you will do an amazing job.”
“Thank you, sir,” Munkustrap said weakly.
“Now, come on.” Deuteronomy lead Munkustrap toward the hole. “It’s time to meet your guardians.”
Your guardians. Those words didn’t sound right, being associated with Munkustrap instead of Simbol.
Tugger was the first to look up as Deuteronomy and Munkustrap exited. He got to his feet, looking between them. Admetus then pushed himself up, and Alonzo and Plato rose last, still leaning against each other. “Well?” Tugger asked. “What’s the verdict?”
“Guardians,” Deuteronomy said. “Tugger. I would like the honor of introducing you to our new Protector – Munkustrap.”
While Tugger made appropriate sounds of awe and congratulations, and Alonzo and Plato leaned off to the side, Munkustrap met Admetus’ eyes warily. As Simbol’s oldest son and one of the top guardians, Admetus should have been first on the list to take over for him, not the street-tom half his age. To Munkustrap’s surprise, Admetus bowed low before him. “As you are our Protector, we are your guardians,” he said. “Wherever you lead, we shall follow.” Alonzo and Plato dropped into bows as well, reciting the words that every Jellicle knew in their hearts, just as they knew the steps to the Jellicle Ball, or the truth of the Heaviside Layer. “Whatever you defend, so shall we. Whatever you value, so do we. We are here to serve, to assist, to guard. We pledge our lives to you, Protector.”
“I accept your pledge,” Munkustrap said, knowing the proper response. “And I shall hold you to these oaths you make.” The words felt funny in his mouth. He remembered Simbol speaking them to him, when he pledged his life as a guardian, and now, here he was, speaking the words to these three guardians who were pledging their lives to him. Things had come full circle now. Munkustrap turned his face up to the sky as the rain finally began to fall. He was now the Protector.
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Post by Arya on Jul 17, 2007 16:25:13 GMT -5
Ohhhhhhh!-gets candy and sits with Shannon-
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Electra (Nia)
Kitten
TOO COOL! I MADE AN ICON! Apparently, I'm not so dumb....
Posts: 44
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Post by Electra (Nia) on Jul 17, 2007 17:57:55 GMT -5
*stands behind Arya and Shannon then sits down, stealing some of their poppy-corn and candy*
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Post by Arya on Jul 17, 2007 19:02:44 GMT -5
Hey there girl!-frowns at missing snacks- I BLAME MUNGOJERRIE AND RUMPLEEAZER!
Mungo and Rumple: We didn' do it!
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Electra (Nia)
Kitten
TOO COOL! I MADE AN ICON! Apparently, I'm not so dumb....
Posts: 44
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Post by Electra (Nia) on Jul 17, 2007 20:56:10 GMT -5
*snickers and looks away, munchin' on poppy-corn and candy*
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Post by Arya on Jul 18, 2007 0:09:54 GMT -5
Rumple and Mungo: SHE DID IT!-points to Electra-
Me:-tackles Electra- GIVEITBACK!
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Electra (Nia)
Kitten
TOO COOL! I MADE AN ICON! Apparently, I'm not so dumb....
Posts: 44
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Post by Electra (Nia) on Jul 18, 2007 7:46:25 GMT -5
*ish tackled* NO! MY POPPY-CORN!!!!!!!!!! * glares at Mungo and Rumple 'cuz they are ratter-outters*
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