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Post by cookingspray on Jun 10, 2007 14:57:40 GMT -5
The smile that had again reappeared on the Tugger's face with Etcy's affections was just as soon replaced by another perplexed frown as she made her next query. For some reason, she was uncomfortable with the compliment, it seemed. He couldn't think of why. Etcy was usually more than happy to accept all praises he gave her, because they were, of course, from him - the Rum Tum Tugger, her idol, the light of her life, the wind beneath her proverbial wings, etc., etc. (He assumed this was where her name came from.) And she had been brave - Monnik invasions were nothing to be joked about, especially in the cases of young kittens.
Unless, of course, there was something she wasn't telling him.
"Nonsense, Etce, you're the bravest princess I know," he assured. This was a bit of a hollow consolation, since he was only well-acquainted with three princesses (not counting the kitten), but she was still the spunkiest of the number. "And if the Tugger says so, it is so."
He flicked his tail at her and grinned. "Of course, if you ever stopped being brave, you know the Tugger'd be here to help you out anyhow. Okay?"
He continued to smile, hoping (confidently) that his words would relift her spirits.
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 10, 2007 15:04:34 GMT -5
"You weren't there," Etcetera said, looking up at him. "You didn't see how scary the Monniks were, or Macavity, and Munkstrap wasn't protecting us like he says he would, he was sleeping. Except he was all icky. And Bomba was screaming and there was a dead cat and every time I tried to fight Macavity, he just kept going BAM and knocking me away, and then he tried to take Apollinax, and he hurt me, and I was scared, Tugger..." The words had just come pouring out of her as the kitten clung to her idol's legs and hid her face in his fur. "I wanted to cry, but I didn't, because I'm not a baby..." Tugger's confidence in her had made it easier to tell him what had happened, and really, Etcetera did feel better now that she had told him and wasn't lying about how brave she was anymore.
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Post by cookingspray on Jun 10, 2007 16:14:19 GMT -5
Tugger was actually mildly shocked at Etcetera's verbal outburst, expecting a more positive response. Apparently, however, her woes weren't so trivial that they couldn't be glossed over with a few charming words and a smile intended to make you forget your name. He looked down at the princess, who was clutching at him more possessively than ever, and suddenly realized how tiny she was - it's not that he'd ever really forgotten their age difference, or anything, but somehow her fear and neediness had made her seem all of her age. She was no longer Etcetera, Tugger's #1 Fangirl, but Etcetera, Needy Kitten. Tugger was considerably less experienced at dealing with this new incarnation, but Etcy's current state was so pathetic that he knew he had to try.
"Shhh, Etce," he whispered, in what he imagined was a comforting tone, and what was hopefully less like the whisper he usually cultivated for purposes quite different than comforting kittens.
The Maine Coon stroked her back, a bit hesitantly at first - while he was no stranger to physical affection, of course, he was once again concerned that this could have the wrong connotations. Since when did he worry about these things?
"You did your best, okay? That doesn't make you a baby. Even I get a little scared some- Well, I don't get scared, but lots of toms like me get scared. And that doesn't make them babies."
He decided not to mention that there were no toms like him, as it didn't seem particularly helpful to the whole business of restoring her self-worth, and continued to stroke her supportively.
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 10, 2007 16:22:48 GMT -5
Etcetera continued to cling to Tugger's legs, but after a few minutes of him petting her back and talking to her, she slowly began purring again. Her grasp became less of a deathgrip and more of a hug, and she finally turned her face up to him with a happy smile. "I fighted Macavity because that's what you'd do, if you were there. You wouldn't let Macavity be big and scary. You'd be brave and fight him. So I did that! Except... you would've won." She rubbed her ears bashfully. "I kinda lost. A little. But I won when we tugged-of-war with Apollinax!" She put her paws on Tugger's knees and leaned up toward his face. "I did good, right Tugger? I did good?"
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Post by orangekittencream on Jun 10, 2007 16:37:56 GMT -5
Pounce gasped, trying to compherend the massiveness of Alonzo's house. How odd! It was like that one time he had been captured and taken to a Human's place. So big! And so many interesting things to get into! Maybe that's why he wasn't with them anymore. No matter, he didn't like it there anyway.
"Yeah! Tugger would know! He knows a lot of things!"
With that he bounded off the counter, scattering a few papers as he jumped. He cringed at and looked over at his shoulder, giving Tumble an apologetic smile.
"Oops?"
With that he began to run off to find Tugger.
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 10, 2007 16:40:50 GMT -5
Tumble grabbed for the papers, managing to catch a few and get them back on the counter before he jumped after Pouncival. "You have to be more careful!" he scolded the kitten. "Or you can be the one explaining to Bombalurina why we need to move her kittens in this weather!" He trotted behind the energetic kitten, though, following him wherever he went.
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Post by orangekittencream on Jun 10, 2007 16:49:47 GMT -5
Pounce pouted at the statement, now feeling bad. He didn't mean to cause trouble he just. . . Did. He pawed at the ground a moment before nodding. He would try not to be so bothersome anymore.
"I'll try."
He spotted Tugger a few yards away on the railroad tracks. With Etcy. What was she doing? Blabbering on about nothing again. Well, Pounce had a question to ask so he would! He caught up to them and stood in front of his idol, grinning.
"Tugger, why are Human's houses so funny?"
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 10, 2007 16:54:06 GMT -5
Tumble nudged Pounce's side. "Hey, it's okay. Just try to stay out of trouble while we're here. We should be back in the junkyard soon, and then you can get into as many messes as you want." He sat back as Pounce asked Tugger his question, listening for the answer. He was curious too...
Etcetera turned and shot Pounce a glare as he interrupted her alone time with Tugger. It had been just the two of them, until that stinky tomkit showed up! And Tumbley too, but he wasn't a stinky tomkit. He had even promised to help her flip better when the snow went away.
But Pounce was a stinky, interrupting tomkit!
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Post by cookingspray on Jun 10, 2007 17:29:12 GMT -5
It was nice to know he could inspire kittens to put to do reckless things like taking on the Mystery Cat while using him as a role model. Except for the fact that Tugger hadn't actually fought Macavity at the last Ball. . . But the sentiment was nice. Still, he was of the opinion that the tug-o-warring was much more suiting to Etcy's livelihood.
"Yes, Etce. You did very goo-"
His statement was cut off by the obnoxious bellowing of a tomkit, which not only caused him to scrunch his face in displeasure at the offensive racket, but to develop a good amount of annoyance at his interruption.
He turned his face, expression now voicing said displeasure, to face Pouncival, who had asked something.
"It's rude to interrupt, Pouncey," the Maine Coon sneered, patting Etcy sympathetically on the head. How dare he cut off the Tugger! Pearls before swine. . .
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Post by orangekittencream on Jun 10, 2007 17:40:32 GMT -5
The Tomkit's face dropped as he seemed to be . . . Scolded? By Tugger. His hero! He shuffled his paws around on the ground. He was just asking a question! He and Etcy weren't talking anyway. Not when he got there.
"I was just trying to ask you a question Tugger," he mumbled, looking at the ground. Great, now he was going to get the Tribe kicked out and Tugger wasn't speaking to him. Some brave and useful Tomkit he was.
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 10, 2007 17:45:21 GMT -5
Etcetera grinned when Tugger agreed with her, that Pounce was a stinky, interrupting little tomkit. She purred and rubbed her head against Tugger's paw when he patted her. Take that, Pounce! Tugger liked her best! (well, of course he did, they were gonna be mated just as soon as she was old enough, after all... but it never hurt to have it proved!)
Tumble stepped forward, offering Pounce another friendly nudge. "Sorry, Tugger," he said. "We didn't realize you and Etcetera were talking. We didn't mean to interrupt, we were just curious." He felt bad that Pounce looked so upset - and it had been his idea for the tomkit to ask Tugger, anyway, so it was kinda his fault.
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Post by cookingspray on Jun 10, 2007 20:14:53 GMT -5
The Tugger relaxed his expression slightly, and felt a little sheepish for the overreaction - but still, he didn't like little tomkits preventing him from finishing his sentences. And really, couldn't he always be expected to side with the girl?
"Just be quieter next time," he mumbled irritably, and just so they both got the gist of who was the biggest kitty in the conversation, he stood, easing his legs out from under the puddle of princess.
Shaking out his mane for good measure, he surveyed the two intruding tomkits. "Now, what was it you were asking, Pouncey?"
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Post by Coricopat~Tantomile on Jun 10, 2007 20:21:39 GMT -5
((Man, I'm sorry I haven't been around. The past few days have been crazy with graduation parties and work. I didn't have time to go online. Sorry!))
Tantomile wiggled her fingers and laughed. She was glad to have most of her movement back. She still couldn't do too much with her back bandaged up, but it made do. 'Too bad Plato cut my brother loose, too,' she thought, watching as a variety of Jellicles came and went. Exotica sat near Cassandra, but she didn't go over to greet her just yet.
Coricopat woke up when the Rum Tum Tugger bounded in. 'He is too obnoxious,' Coricopat thought a little jealously. He wished he could be just as suave with the queens as the Tugger was. Problem was, Cori was just too shy to do anything. Exotica entered and he blushed. The sleek Abyssinian was the queen of his dreams! 'I wish I had the courage to talk to her."
<Hey little brother, pollicle got your tongue?> Tantomile asked. Coricopat gave her an angry look. <Just talk to her. What's the worst that could happen?>
<I'm all covered in bandages!> Coricopat protested.
Tantomile sighed. Cori could be so unreasonable! <So? Tell her what happened. You'll impress her, trust me.> He didn't budge, and she sighed again. Desperate times called for desperate measures. <Mr. Squeakers is so going to be mine once the house is safe again, understand?>
<Fine!> Coricopat stood on shaky legs and walked over to Exotica. "H-hi," he stammered nervously.
Dart shook Scythe awake. He was supposed to be back at the train station an hour ago! "Scythe, c'mon!" Dart whispered urgently. Distantly, he heard Grumbuskin and the ship's cook shouting for the brothers. "Wake up! I don't want to you to be killed by the Captain!" Scythe swatted at his brother and mumbled unintelligibly in his sleep. "You've got to be at the train station with the Jellicles!"
"WHAT?!" Scythe shouted, leaping to his feet, all thought of sleep forgotten. He shouldn't have dipped into his catnip stash. It always made him sleep too deeply. "I have to go. Be good and do as Cookie says!" He ran up the stairs, down the gangplank, and into the city.
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Post by orangekittencream on Jun 10, 2007 22:53:18 GMT -5
At least he didn't seem so mad now. He actually wanted to hear the question. Maybe he was such a failure after all. And Tumble stuck up for him! He loved his best friend. In a clearly platonic way only. Of course. Pounce was manly like that!
"Well, you see, we were looking at some papers that Humans had and I was wondering why Humans used such weird script and stuff and why they're so weird anyway."
He ignored Etcy's glare. She was always glaring at him. Besides, his question was more important than arguing with a princess anyway.
Ukir was up and about, waiting to go already. He was twitching again, hand on his whip the whole time. He pacing up and down the deck, sniffing about. A death. Oh well, as long as there wasn't a mess. He wasn't about to have blood (unless he made it) on the ship this early into being here. It was dirty. And Ukir did not like the ship to be dirtier than it had to be and than it already was.
"Are we leaving yet?"
He questioned, arching a brow as he gazed at Grumbuskin.
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Post by Munkustrap Etc. on Jun 11, 2007 4:44:54 GMT -5
Etcetera slid between Tugger's legs and purred happily, watching the tomkit. "Humans are weird in the same way Pollicles are stupid," she told him, knowing the answer to this. "They just are. It's not their fault they weren't born as super-cool cats. Right, Tugger?"
Tumble didn't really think that was the answer, so he looked to Tugger as well.
"Soon," Grumbuskin said, stroking the railing of his Lionfish with one paw. "Just as soon as those thrice-blasted Things get up!"
Curculio went racing off to where the Things usually slept, hoping he could find and wake the siblings before Grumbuskin got too much angrier. While he didn't mind attention, he already was a bit sore, and he didn't need more injuries before the battle with the Monniks.
Munkustrap watched quietly as Coricopat went to talk to Exotica. A stammer from that tom? Hmm...
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