oh what a beautiful morning

[dodd4]

the scarred tom gave Jenny a warm smile, "if ya don't mind ah saw a nice path this'a way when ah was scopeing out a spot fer a den tha tother night," he said. he marveled at his luck, enjoying the smooth way Jenny walked with grace and self assurance after a night and morning that would have left other queens in a sorry state. his heart swelled in his chest at the thought that she was favoring the likes of him! "perhaps ya can suggest a better spot than that little nook ah setteled inta?"

[ShirQuickpaw]

Jenny walked alongside Grumbuskin on the path through the junkyard. As long as she lived here now. as much she had seen and experienced over her years with the tribe, this was a new experience for her. Never had she taken a stroll around on the arm of tom - a tom who favored her company and not because she was the "Aunt" to him. it didn't took Jenny long to rest her head comfortable against Grumb's shoulder and rub her cheek against his fur.


She couldn't stop her slight laughter.

"You can certainly show me where you found shelter here. But I am not sure if I can recommend any different. To be honest, as long as I am here, as much as I know the others, I never had to look for different dens, as I was always staying in the healer's den from the beginning."

[dodd4]

when Jenny rubbed him with her cheek Grum began to purr with a loud rumble in his chest. the scarred tom was amazed at how everything looked fresher and brighter when he was with Jenny!
as they moved along at a relaxed pace he took her to a spot that overlooked the entrance to the Healers Den that while protected from the elements and easy to defend was barely room for the tom and his kit roll of posesions. "ah was na joshin ya when ah said twas na more than a nook!" he said with a grin, "but ah wanted ta be close ta paw! mayhap ah will find a way ta expand it, though ah am partial ta tha view," he said as he ran his paw along Jennys arm gently tracing her markings.

[ShirQuickpaw]

Jenny felt her own purrs starting in when she felt Grumbuskin's finger trailing along her fur. She had to grin when he showed her the little den, he had chosen for himself and had to admit that he was right - it was really just a "nook" as a called it. She felt her cheeks warming up with a soft blush when he mentioned the main reason for his choice - the free view on the healer's den's entrance.

Still she raised an eyebrow with a teasing smirk to her lips.

"As much as I am flattered to be the reason for your choice and that I agree that such close quarters would have certain advantages for having two Jellicles getting "Closer" ... "

She whispered a kiss on his cheek.

"... I still think you should look for a bigger den, dear."

She winked.

"I am too much used to more legroom."

[dodd4]

Grum's scars rippled as he smiled when Jenny brushed his cheek with a kiss. "ahh Jenny muirnín, a fine Den ah will build for ya, see ifin ah dnonnt!" he said softly as he traced the graceful line of her jaw. "an there tis no one that ah would rather get closer to an that Sweet One tis a fact!"
he said as he embraced her in a strong hug rubbing his cheek on hers.

[ShirQuickpaw]

Jenny felt herself flushing when Grumbuskin hugged her tightly for everyone to see. The closeness made it inevitable for her own arms to wrap around his shoulders. To hide the flushing glow around her nose-pad and in her ears she pressed her forehead against the tom's. Taking a deep breath, she withdrew enough to look into his eyes.

"You have no idea how and what the other will talk, if they see us this way, me dear. We will be the main topic of the yard's rumor mill."

Again she felt the flush rushing through her.

"But I agree, I can't think of anyone different than you who I would like to spend time in close quarters.."

[dodd4]

the scarred gray tom laughed, "let 'em talk, an let 'em say what they will!
your tis tha only opinion that matters ta me!" he said as he reveled in the feel of Jenny's strong yet feminine arms.
with a determined stroke he rubbed his head against Jenny's shoulder
quite deliberately marking her with his scent.
"now we'll see what they have ta say about THAT!" he said happily with a throaty rasp.

[ShirQuickpaw]

Jenny blinked! What had just happened? How could have that lovely stroll with someone who got real close and dear to her heart suddenly turn so ice-cold. She felt the heated rush through her veins that left her somewhat icy and paralyzed.

Jenny blinked again, as her nostrils caught the Grumbuskin scentmark on her shoulder fur. How ... how could he? How could he do something like this without her consent. Didn't she tell them both that she needed her time and that she is in no position to hurry? Quickly "how could he" turned into "how dare he?" as the first stormclouds of anger formed on her face and her eyes narrowed towards the tom opposite her.

She took several deep breathes in the somewhat futile attempt to stay calm. With very slow and deliberate movements she removed his paws from her and took a step back. In a very monotonous and controlled voice she answered.

"I think I will return to the healer's den now. Please refrain from following me in the moment ... dear!"

With that she turned and went the quickest route towards her den, all the while squinting away tears and gnawing on her lips.

[dodd4]

Grumbuskin sat there stunned, his heart frozen. what had just happened? compleatly confused and unable to form any words he watched sweet Jenny stalk off.
he slipped into the den with a sigh and sadly he shook his head. a head that spun and ached from the sudden shift of events, but then this was the first time that he had sought a mate since before most of his new tribe had been born no wonder he was out of practice!
slowly he checked the rear wall of the nook, still fully intending to make the expansions
he had mentioned to create a den worthy of Jennyanydots.

[ShirQuickpaw]

Jenny stood in front of the healer's den, one paw on the frame and resting her forehead against the place slightly above where her paw rested. She felt how she started to shake as the tears finally broke clear. She sopped silently, biting her lips from keeping the sops inside. She still felt the anger burning inside her as much as she hurt over the situation. After the sops subsided and she took several deep breaths to find her composure again. She wiped away the tear stains in her face fur with her arm, before she took a whiff of the scent mark, and with an expression that showed a mixture of dreamy and angry she banged her paw on the frame, before she entered her den.


[EXIT Jennyanydots to "In the early Hours"]

[dodd4]

as he nudged and tested the stacks the scarred gray tabby tom sighed,thinking
'well ya have made a right and proper botch of that ta be sure!
Grum me lad how could ya have been that THICK! Sweet Jenny tis a LADY and what do ya go and do? oh not much just go and treat he like a dockside doxie!. he paused and sniffed, then he set his shoulder and pushed and the board shifted opening a way into a space that led deeper into the stack.
'got ta smooth tha edges some ifin ah am going ta win ma love! he thought as he examined the stability of the structure.
(
draw curtain....EXIT Grumbuskin)