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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 22:35:41 GMT -5
George shifted, his fist pressed against his mouth still, looking around, scared.
Jerrie started to return, slowly. "Hey, Kit?" He called, feeling nervous. "We got a problem, and, I don't really know what to do."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 22:44:52 GMT -5
"..." She looked at the kit before rising to her feet. "I promise, I won't let you get hurt. Do you understand? Just... please try to sleep. Please?" she asked, shifting him again as she walked around the side of the bin into the open, careful to keep George's back forward. "... George, please sleep..." A prayer that he'd drift off as she stared at the bundle. She knew exactly what that meant.
Fuck.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 22:49:44 GMT -5
Jerrie stood there awkwardly, looking to her with a deep frown. He really wasn't sure of what to do, looking to George as he shifted to try and get comfortable.
"Yeah." He said finally, looking to her. "I really don't... what do I do? I think I know who she was. Didn't really know her but... yeah." He made a face, holding the body carefully so the blanket wouldn't move.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 22:56:11 GMT -5
Kitrina shifted the kitten so he'd half face her but be cradling him. "The body needs to be returned. There might be family that wants to pay their respects." She shifted once more, then looked down to the small kit.
"I'll care for him."
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 22:58:55 GMT -5
Jerrie frowned, hesitating slightly. "Are you sure? I mean, this place ain't good for kits at all." He didn't want to insult her, but... he wasn't sure about this.
"I think I know where he can be. It'd be safer there."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:11:18 GMT -5
"What do you mean?" she said, a bit more defensive then, pulling the kitten closer to her body. "He needs stability. I could be a mom. I could take care of him." Still, there was a sort of quake in her body, a desperation.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:14:23 GMT -5
Jerrie grimaced. "This place though, it's good and safe. I think I knew who this was, I think he might have some family there. There'd be no way he'd get hurt." He looked to her, pleading for her to understand.
"I don't mean anything against you, I just think it'd be safest for him. Really. It's not fair to keep him from what family he's got."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:18:17 GMT -5
"But--"
That face.
Didn't mean anything against her.
Yeah right...
She visibly struggled, options weighed. Mungojerrie was a cat she could trust... one of the only ones... like his sister. And now..?
He seemed certain.
A paw smoothed over the kit's headfur as she reluctantly nodded her head. "... fine."
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:23:25 GMT -5
Mungojerrie wanted to go over to her, and comfort her but... well, a dead body on your shoulder usually made that a bad idea.
"Come on." He said softly, starting away slowly. That look on her face made him feel horrible. She seemed to be very intent on the kitten. She really wanted to keep him. "He'll be safe, you'll see. I promise this'll be the right thing to do."
George had slowly fallen to sleep, his feet kicking a little restlessly. Nonetheless, completely unaware of the small conflict going on in front of him.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:26:22 GMT -5
She fell in stride next to Mungojerrie, face remarkably dry after refraining when she spoke with the small kitten. It felt so warm. So very warm. And then he'd be taken away. Just like his poor mother was. She didn't want to say goodbye to this one. Or goodbye to anyone, really.
He doubted her, she was certain of that. And with that sort of paranoia, she doubted herself.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:29:17 GMT -5
Mungojerrie frowned deeply, occassionally giving her small glances he hoped she didn't notice. He could tell, she didn't want to give him up. It made him feel badly that he was even insisting on giving George to anyone else. She looked so comfortable holding the small tomkit.
"You'll see him again." He said softly, knowing damn well he couldn't know that for sure. "It'll work out, you'll see."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:34:51 GMT -5
She didn't want to reply, eyes set on the ground in front of her, a grimace pulled on her face. "No, I won't." Because that never happened. When someone left her life, they were gone for good. She hated the idea of letting go. If she hadn't let go, maybe the Chris would be alive... maybe Mercurius and Silverna would be alive.
This one would live... but he'd be like the others that came and went, ones she desperately wanted to hang on to.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:38:36 GMT -5
Mungojerrie sighed softly, deciding maybe it was best to keep his mouth shut. Especially when he heard the soft noise of the kitten as he shifted to get comfortable. He couldn't imagine how that made Kitrina feel, but he knew it was best to just... clam up.
"We're almost there." Was the only thing he said. Certainly not words of comfort for her.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:45:30 GMT -5
Almost there?
Her head lifted more suddenly then. Why did she know the area? She should know it. She knew she should.
And right at the border, she came to a halt. Jellicle territory. A fear came to her face. Chris had told her stories. How could this place be safe for a kitten??? Yet, Mungojerrie was certain it was better there than with her.
She hesitated again before shifting the bundle closer.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:49:23 GMT -5
Mungojerrie frowned, glancing back at her. "What's wrong?" He asked, pausing slightly, confused. He couldn't understand what could be wrong here, to her... nothing wrong happened here.
Well, nothing bad enough to mention. Definitely not bad enough to warrent any sort of reaction like that. "It'll be fine. I promise."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 21, 2010 23:55:25 GMT -5
"Chris didn't like Jellicles," she mumbled beneath her breath though, reluctantly, she picked up the pace again. It'd be pointless. Absolutely pointless. Why bother stop?
Again, she looked to the kitten, closing her eyes then for a brief moment. He'd be safe. He needed to be safe or she failed. She failed so much.
But he'd be gone.
What if Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer left, too? She'd be alone.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 21, 2010 23:58:03 GMT -5
"I hang with them a lot, it'll be okay, I promise." He said, sighing softly, feeling badly. He couldn't even imagine how she felt. He didn't actually want to.
He didn't want her to be upset though. This was harder than he tohught it would be.
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Post by flashgordon on Apr 21, 2010 23:59:47 GMT -5
Munkustrap perched on a high pile of trash, frowning deeply as he saw the two approuched. He recognized one, not the other. But it was moreso the bundle Jerrie carried that irked him. He wasn't sure if he should go down to greet them, or wait...
Stepping down hesitantly, he waited for them to come closer, unsure.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 22, 2010 0:04:29 GMT -5
"I hope you're right," she answered, maybe more dryly or plainly than she would normally have, but it was time to keep on a face. "... and you're sure it's his family that's here?" Maybe it was a bit of a plea, though the tone was resigned. Maybe she was still too young. Maybe she just wouldn't mate. Wouldn't find another mate.
And there was the presence before him, one of power even though he was far away. Her grip on the kitten tightened the closer she got until she finally stopped. The kitten was held firmly although her shoulders visibly shook. Although she was tall for a queen, around Mungojerrie's height, her small, bony frame made her appear dwarfed, a far too young look.
She wouldn't break eyecontact with Munkustrap at first, then looked to Mungojerrie a bit desperately.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 22, 2010 0:08:45 GMT -5
"It's okay." Mungojerrie said softly, seeing just how unsure she was. She seemed so scared. "Yeah, pretty sure there's family here."
He looked up to Munkustrap, ears perked forward, sighing somewhat. "I think... I think I found Victor and Tumble's sister. Or something, I don't remember. But this is her son, and we need someone to care for him. Someplace safe." He gave Munkustrap a pleading look, somewhat unsure. The tom was kind, but... well, sometimes he didn't understand how he worked. It could be confusing.
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Post by flashgordon on Apr 22, 2010 0:12:47 GMT -5
Munkustrap looked between them, a frown slowly developing on his features as he stepped downward, peering first at the small kitten. He hesitated before going to the body, too focused on the task at hand to notice the queen's reaction to him and the situation.
First he opened the blanket slowly, peering inside and resisting the urge to make a face at the corpse. Swallowing thickly, he nodded slightly. "I think I remember her." He said quietly, tucking the blanket back carefully. "And this is her son? I'll have to tell Victor and Tumblebrutus..." His voice trailed off, unsure. This was... touchy. Very touchy.
"How did you find the boy?" He asked, finally turning to Kitrina.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 22, 2010 0:15:30 GMT -5
"Jerrie heard," she said quietly, pulling the child even closer. "Fangor probably... George was in a dumpster. He said his name was George." Broken little fragments. "Crying his heart out."
She shifted his weight once more, forcing herself to not stare at the ground. "He's... he's probably hungry... I... don't know whether he's still nursing or not..."
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Post by flashgordon on Apr 22, 2010 0:19:46 GMT -5
Munkustrap nodded, looking down at George and reaching out and touching him gently, curiously, as if to take him. "Might be eating solids now. Jenny would know." He said, sighing slightly. He wasn't sure what to do, how to tell the brothers about what had happened... this was difficult.
"I can take him to Jenny and Jellylorum, they'll take good care of him."
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 22, 2010 0:26:49 GMT -5
For a moment, she sucked back, looking between him and Mungojerrie. Two queens? Two other queens taking care of him? Brothers here? Uncles, really?
"He's-- he's young--" she half-spluttered, paws tightening more around the sleeping bundle, thick tears sliding down her cheeks freely then. "Jerrie, please... please don't..." A beg. A useless one.
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Post by flashgordon on Apr 22, 2010 0:32:01 GMT -5
Munkustrap sighed, frowning. He glanced back at Jerrie, who looked like he didn't know what to do. Looking back to the queen, his expression gentle but firm.
"Please, he has a family here. It really would be best for him." He said, taking a gentle hold of the kitten. He hated how high-and-mighty he sounded. Telling a queen he didn't know, that it would be best for him to take this kitten, to cats she didn't know, and may never see again. He would want to hit himself in this situation.
But there was nothing he could do.
"Please." He said again, his voice softer, looking to her gently.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 22, 2010 0:36:32 GMT -5
Mungojerrie went to Kitrina's side, putting a gentle paw on her shoulder.
"It'll be okay, I promise." He said, for what felt like the millionth time. "They'll take good care of him here, it'll be like one big family. He'll be loved real good, he'll never be hungry, and he'll never be alone. I can check up on him for you and stuff, even." He wanted to wipe away her tears, but wasn't sure how she'd take to that. Otherwise, he didn't know how to comfort her... Not now.
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Post by Kitrina on Apr 22, 2010 0:39:47 GMT -5
She gripped snugly, but the other arms around the infant were stronger, and with each spoken sentence she felt weaker and smaller. Keywords stuck out, mainly one. Family. He had family there.
Kitrina had none.
Not that she remembered much in America, memories becoming distant, harsh memories save for the day she met Chris and followed him like a dog until the day he died. Here, what little 'family' she had was dead. She had two cats somewhat close to her, and even then there were walls put up. They had each other. It was Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. There was no Kitrina anywhere, no Coalie. It was their show--she was just an extra. Disposable.
George left her arms, and she shivered at the cool air on her bare stomach over gaunt ribs. The contact on her shoulder was processed, and she jerked away from the hand, turning her back to the duo as a paw rubbed by her face. She couldn't watch. She couldn't watch a happy family, one she was excluded from.
Maybe it was cowardice that made her run, maybe something different, but she drew further and further away from the Jellicles, the child, and the corpse, and then she was gone.
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Post by Mungojerrie on Apr 22, 2010 0:49:56 GMT -5
Mungojerrie watched her leave with a guilty look, sighing heavily. He felt so badly. Somehow he felt like in that short time, she had managed to get an idea in her head. Even though she knew he'd have to go somewhere else, she still somewhat felt she could keep little George.
He went to the corpse, staring at it, frowning. He'd have to do something big to redeem himself in her eyes. At least, that's how he felt.
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Post by flashgordon on Apr 22, 2010 0:51:59 GMT -5
Munkustrap let out a heavy sigh, holding the kitten gently across his shoulder. The baby squirmed a little, but didn't wake. He felt badly for the queen, but there was little he could do. This was what was right... yes.
"I'll get Tumblebrutus and Victor." He said softly, starting back into the main of the junkyard, a deep frown on his features.
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Post by Victor on Apr 22, 2010 2:06:20 GMT -5
Victor was moping around the edge of the yard. One tends to mope when nursing a broken heart at fifteen. It had been a week, and he still wasn't over it.
He had been wandering the outside, lapping most of the day around the fence, not wanting to go back in. Nevertheless, he was approaching the entrance again. Maybe he should go in, before they come looking for him?
They were already pestering him about his behaviour.
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