Where Everyone Knows Your Name (open)

[shizoo]

After Stubinz had left, Deuteronomy looked at Tantomile. He reached out & took her paw, stroking it affectionatly. "I think I can use a strong` dose of your good sense, my dear." He paused for a moment searching for words. "I know we must prioritize, & the missing queens must take the bulk of our attention, but I find myself torn in my ability to focus. I'm afraid this will hinder my effectiveness-I don't want to miss anything important. He looked curiously vulnerable, "so before the others catch up. .perhaps you wouldn't mind talking things over with me? Do you have any theories on the missing queens?"
It wasn't the only question he wanted her opinion on, but he wasn't sure he was ready to hear her thoughts on his feelings for Victoria. He truly wanted what was best for the lovely white queen. Maybe she would be better off with Munkustrap-no matter how painful a thought that might be. Then he smiled wryly to himself. He was sure if she had any thoughts on the matter she would speak when she was ready anyway.

[ShirQuickpaw]

Tantomile smiles softly at the Jellicle leader. Sitting next to him as he caressed her paw, she knew her father good enough that his mind were on different matters, as the one he wanted to discuss with her. As he stated himself, he felt his attention torn, so focusing on the matter at hand was difficult. Tantomile was sure, that his mind was mostly on the situation with Feathertail and what she just had learned about his growing affection of the Russian white queen.

She drew a deep breath, as she studied her father's face before she answered,

"Of course I will always try to advise you true, tribe leader. Though I must admit that apart from freeing the missing queens, all if possible, at least those belonging to us else. I can't see a rhyme nor reason to the why. As it seems the unnamed one, our wayward family member has only partial his paws in the plot and it remains vague of its final intent."

Tantomile' voice grew more quiet as she continued.

"I am also in doubt of my own opinion the matter you seemed to avoid to name. I can understand your position on my sibling's mother. I apologize that I stood with them on the matter. I think I was blinded to see you in a relationship again. You were never meant to be alone in that way. But on the matter where your heart seem to lead you ... I don't know, whether it is wise, nor where the queen stands in the matter."

[shizoo]

Deuteronomy's smile warmed at his Tantomile's careful 'non' answer. "I suppose you are correct, my beloved daughter. I need to resolve my tangled feelings if I am to be at all effective in this mess. You were very young at the time, so you may not remember much of the aftermath when Feather disappeared." He paused, trying to bring back a time long past, a time that had quite a bit of trauma for all involved.
"When I courted & won the favor of Feather, I had a friend, one who later betrayed me. As is the way of things, we males competed to prove our worthiness & to gain her eye. She chose me, not him, & she & I were happy for a short time. After Munkustrap was born, we were ecstatic. Then one day she was gone without a trace.
My friend came to me & sorrowfully told me, he had witnessed her death. I had no reason to disbelieve him. Even later when he showed his true colors-apparently, he not only had never forgiven me for Feather's choice, but he then attempted to take little Jemima with him by force when he left, as a revenge. He was thwarted of course, but it still never occured to me to doubt what he'd said about Feather."
The old cat fell silent for a moment. "The truth of the matter is I put my feelings for Feather away & moved on, both for my sanity & to be there for you children. I have had relationships since Feather, but none of them come close to what I feel for Victoria." He admitted. "Perhaps it is time & distance, but even the feelings I had for Feather do not compare. With my past relationships, I'll admit I was a bit selfish-maybe even more than a bit. Please understand, I'm not saying any of the relationships were casual or that they didn't matter, especially the special ones which gifted me with you & your siblings, but I had seen so many losses. .too much pain." His voice deepened to a soft rumble.
" I think I stopped allowing myself to be as emotionally involved with my mates, particularly when you kittens were little. I felt I needed to put you all first, or at least that's what I told myself. Tugger's mother & later Jemima's were sweet, lovely ladies just like your mother was, but they were too soon gone as well.
I am not expressing myself well. With Victoria, it seems different somehow- instead of being focused on myself & my desires, I want what she needs to come first." He swallowed hard, "Even if that means she joins with another male. I would not stand in her way, & I will not allow George do so either." he added softly. "Thank you for your understanding my dear."
He turned to look at her directly, "It means a lot to me that you support me in this manner. I doubt my other children will be as understanding." He enveloped Tanto in a warm hug, holding her tightly for comfort. His eyes began to twinkle wickedly & he added innocently, "Now, what is the story with yourself, Haversham & Stubinz? hmm. . anything you'd like to share?"

[ShirQuickpaw]

Tantomile listened in her typical fashion as her father recalled the time and circumstances of him with Feathertail. Her face and posture gave nothing away from her own inner thoughts on the mater. She had already told Old Deuteronomy, that she would support his decision if he decided again against a re continued relationship with the returned queen. She wouldn't need to add further on the matter.

She also nodded almost without notice as he described his growing affection towards Victoria and she was glad to hear that he still held the option open for her to choose somewhat else, that he was really more out for her the white queen's welfare than his own on this matter. She was also glad that the leader finally might interfere with Victoria's demanding brother. Tantomile didn't like the way he treated his own sister, forbidding her participation in tribe life while he got more and more with all kind of Jellicles, regardless if with the tribe or outside.

The wicce raised an eyebrow when her father asked about Haversham and Stubinz. Though she liked the presence of both the older tom, she hadn't spend any real thought about a courtship. She had just enjoyed their attention without any further intention on her side.

"There isn't much to tell...They seem to enjoy my presence and the way they treat me is pleasant to me. Usually I don't rise that kind of reaction out of toms. Mostly they fear me for the powers I once held Those two ... curiously don't."

[shizoo]

Deuteronomy released her from his embrace & cupped her cheek gently. "I love you my dear, but if you have a fault at all, it is undervaluing yourself at times. You are a beautiful queen, with many gifts. You deserve a tom who will treasure you for all that you are & all that you may become. You may wish to open your eyes my dear, because I think the gentletoms in question, could become very smitten with you, very quickly."
Sighing heavily, he settled back in his chair, "Now that we have settled our personal business. .well for now anyway, I wonder what is keeping the others?" He glanced at the door uneasily. "I would have thought they'd be here by now."

[dodd4]

when the tall and lovely red queen entered conversation lulled, and Bombalurina paused for a beat unconsciously striking a pose. then she sashayed across the pub putting a little extra...sway to her walk in time to her name,
(Bomba...Bomba...Bomba...)enjoying the way the toms eyes followed her.
then she flowed in between Tantomile and Deuteronomy purrring
giving each a friendly head rub before settling in, practically sitting in Deuteronomy's lap. "you two look like you need cheering up and well that is something that I do pretty well!" she said in a soft breathy voice.

[shizoo]

Deuteronomy just blinked when Bomba sashayed in with her usual flirtatious style. He had the admit, the lovely young queen was very good at making an entrance. Courteously he started to rise & bow, when she landed almost in his lap. Chuckling he took her paw & gave a little bow. "Good morning my dear, always wonderful to see you."
Briefly, he wondered why he was rather unmoved by so beautiful a queen, but shrugged it off as the vagaries of what the human's called 'chemistry'. Simply, despite her abundant charms & a sharp mind, he wasn't attracted to her that way. Though at her soft touch, he laughed at himself ruefully. Despite Bomba's lovliness, he really rather wished it was Victoria sitting pressed close to him this way-not that he would ever hurt Bomba by telling her that!
He tried a stern look, "Now what are you doing out & about alone, my dear? It's not safe."

[dodd4]

Bomba gave the Jeliclle Leader an friendly rub then she settled back purrring quietly. she cocked her head fetchingly to one side her green gold eyes bright with curiosity, "what do you mean it's not safe?" she asked not pointing out that she certinly wouldn't remain unesscorted for long if she so wished.

[Deleted]

Where in the basements was everyone? It seemed like everyone disappeared! The black leopard male was not happy at all about this. He would have to leave the yard just to find someone. Leaving his baby sister with Gilbert who was in no shape to be around her. He only hoped he made the right decision. The blonde Maine Coon picked up a familiar couple of scents. The spook female and his older sister Tantomile. His fathers, and the lovely scent of Bombalurina. To bad this visit with her would not end in pleasure. After the day he had, he could use some. The black lean leopard male was actually running when he caught up to them. Something no one ever saw Tugger do. The world waited for him. He was usually one to saunter.
"Father...." He called out. He even acknowledged his dad first, unusual when two very attractive females were around. Even if Tantomile was his sister, the thought of her in an intimate setting had crossed Tugger's mind more than once.
He was barely even panting. He was in shape even without all that exercise.
"Jellylorum...Jems and I found her scent. There was some kind of fight. Some blood in the area. I think she was taken." He reported to the elder Maine Coon.

[dodd4]

Bomba arched an elegant eyebrow and narrowed her clear green gold eyes when she turned to Deuteronomy, " is THIS what you meant?" she asked shifting her position to one that would allow her to get up more quickly. Bombas tail lashed fetchingly was the only outward sign of her of her agitation, at least until an adorably thunderous look stole over her face.... "wait a moment STUD....you LEFT JEMI THERE?!"

one of the older toms handed Tugger a jelly jar filled with a foaming black liquid, "here lad this will bring yer wind back!"

[ShirQuickpaw]

Tantomile had stayed in the background in their corner when Bombalurina had sauntered over to them. She didn't have anything against the red queen, but she wasn't going to even start to compete for attention with her.
She watched silently the exchange between Bombalurina and her father, noting that her charm and looks were somewhat wasted on him as he he clearly wasn't reacting "accordingly".

The wicce was about to reply to the red queen's question, as why it wasn't safe for queens to wander unescorted as her youngest half-brother found his way towards them. She chuckled silently at his haste, so not typical of him. But the news he brought were the dire ones they had feared but still hoped to be untrue. Jellylorum had been taken. That was grave news indeed and also meant that young Plato was on his way into the same threat on his search for the matron.

Somewhat started by Bombalurina's outburst concerning her youngest sibling, she quietly stated.

"Peace, tribe-sister. I am sure our tribe-brother didn't want to imply that he has left young Jemina, where they found the tracks of the matron's capture. I am sure he escorted her back to the safe areas of the junkyard before heading towards us here."

She then turned her hooded eyes towards the Rum Tum Tugger, which flashed steely for a second.

"Or am I mistaken, tribe-brother?"

[Deleted]

Tugger's eyes widened at the scarlet queens out burst.
"Easy red" He started but was cut off by some tom handing him a random jar of a tarry liquid.
"No offense, but I ain't drinking that" He made a face and handed it back to him.
"My wind is just fine"

He heard his sister speak up. Yes....oh yes, she looked very attractive today. So did Bombalurina. He almost hoped they'd start to wrestle. Maybe mud fight. He blinked when Tantomile addressed him. Disappointingly, his little fantasy poofed away.

"She is safe in her den. She is helping a friend of mind who is injured. " He said vaguely. He did not have time to get into all that with them.

"I couldn't find Munkus...and Plato is gone too. I am assuming they found the trail earlier then we did. I am going after them and following it myself." Tugger said and started to turn away and head back to the direction that they saw the blood.

[shizoo]

Old Deuteronomy was a bit bemused by Bomba's easy grace. It was amusing to watch her stop traffic so to speak. He'd barely registered Tugger racing up to them (Tugger running?) & then his blood ran cold when he heard Tugger's message about Jelly. Before he could even respond, Bomba jumped all over him about Jemi. Even Tantomile was looking doubtful. Deuteronomy just couldn't believe Tugger would be that careless with his cherished baby sister. He knew how close the two were. Then Tugger replied about what he was going to do. Before things got out of hand again, the regal old cat raised a paw.
"Peace Ladies," he rumbled. "I am sure Tugger is right, & Jemima is safe in the yard. That is likely why Tugger was running to catch up with us. He would never endanger his little sister."
He turned to Tugger with worried eyes. "Before you leave, the news you bear is grave indeed, my son. Do you have any idea who took Jelly or where they went?"
Deuteronomy figured they could get into the whys of it all later. He had a cold feeling in his gut; this was smacking of a personal attack though, something far different perhaps, than the heinous activity of capturing random queens. Sadly, he could almost smell his wayward son's involvement in Jely's capture. "We shouldn't be running about without a plan. Munkustrap is going to be meeting us very shortly. Why don't you wait a moment & tell us exactly what you two found."

[dodd4]

the older tom looked at Tugger increadulously then he walked away with the drink muttering something about "not wasting good Guninness on tha likes a haim! nanceyboy probabaly want a bluddy fruit drink!"

Bomba settled in back between Old D and Tantomile readjusting her fur and washing herself.
the disapearance of her friend bothered her greatly, far more greatly than she allowed to show from behind her fluffing and preening.
this might require some hard thought and well that WAS when she did her best thinking!

[Autumn]

It was as the older tom was ambling off when a voice called out "OOO!! A drink!!" And a silver paw easily snaked out and snagged the dark frothy drink and was about to guzzle the thing clean down to the bottom had another voice not butted in.

"Ooh no, no no nononono. Its bad enough you get high off our humans truck battery as it is. I'd hate to see what alcohol does to you." The owner of the second voice easily lifted the beer mug from the silver paws as the group consiting of haversham, Stubinz, Munkus, CP and Chromechaser entered the place.

"Relax, I'm sure it wont do any harm" Said a calmer voice, that of Munkus, who easily lifted the beer from his cousins paws and took a sip. The only affect it had on him was his whiskers curling into dreadlocks and a slight bristling of his tail tip. "On second thought" Munkus said in a slightly higher tone "it might. AHEMM" Munkus then cleared his throat to try and get his voice under control

And then he saw his brother, his father, sister and Bomba.... "Dad, I know you like redheads, but Tugg's girl, seriously. Have you gone barmy ?" Munkus had a hint of humor in his eyes and tone as he spoke.

Chromechaser also saw Bomba, "WOOO! A redhead!!" The silver tom took one step forwards and landed flat on his face as the dark calico grabbed Chromechaser at the tailroot and with that open tackle then sat on him. "Ok, OK, I'll keep my distance!!" The poor silver tom seemed to more or less be a one Queen guy.