Just a Little Sparkle [[open!]]

[Cayran]

Typically, Mistoffelees wasn't the sort to practice his magic in public spaces such as the center of the junkyard; however, today he was feeling particularly bold. He had had a number of successful practices within the last couple of days that the thought of using a few cans as target practice didn't come off as a red flag to him. No, he was good, and his aim was getting better by the day. Besides, there was no wood in the general area that he as shooting at, so he wasn't in the least bit concerned about sparking a fire. 

With a deep sigh, the tuxedo tom closed one eye and pointed a finger at one of the old tin cans.  He felt the surge of energy rise from the earth and up through his legs as he steadied his palm. As he exhaled, he released a single bolt of lightening from his outstretched finger and watched with smug satisfaction as the bolt him the tin can dead on, sending it tumbling to the ground. Mistoffelees smirked as he strolled over to the can, picking it up and placing it back up on the pipe - smoke still wafting into the air from the small burn hole in the center of it. 

Taking an extra few steps back this time, the magician steadied his posture and shot at the can again, this time working on his speed. The can crumpled towards the earth once again, followed by a slight chuckle and the faint murmur of "Bullseye..." 

[eliaza]

The harlequin tom made his way towards the center of the Junkyard, ears pricked forward intently. He'd been making the rounds, keeping an eye out, making sure all was well in the 'yard...and just generally anxiously awaiting the return of Munkustrap and Grumbuskin, hopefully accompanied by the cats they were meant to be rescuing. For a good while, all had seemed ordinary, apart from being somewhat quiet and subdued - as if everyone were holding their breath, waiting to see what had happened on the rescue. There were a few cats chatting in another part of the yard, but Alonzo preferred not to join them just now.

Then he'd smelled something foreign, and thought he heard a slight rustle. He'd looked all over, though, and neither tail nor whisker of any stranger could be found. Either it had been his imagination...or, what he felt more likely, they'd sneaked off undetected by him, which irked him to no end. How could he be trusted as a protector if strange cats could slip in and out of the junkyard without his notice?

Now, he'd just heard some more strange noises, and hurried to see what they were. Coming to a stop, he spotted Misto, arriving just in time to see him hit the tin can with lightning. Oh. So, that had been it... He felt relieved, though also mildly irritated that he'd been frightened by nothing again.

He stood, somewhat uncertainly, wondering whether to speak or not. He was standing behind his brother, and was a little worried that if he spoke, Misto would be startled and inadvertently...well, zap him in the face. He retreated a few steps and then knocked a few things over to cause a commotion and get Misto's attention. At least now if he were really startled, Alonzo could hopefully dodge...

[Cayran]

”Don’t tell me you’re afraid too, Alonzo…” Misto said, his brown eyes cutting back to look at his brother. The elders often shuffled about him still, worried he’d accidentally zap them or cast some “voodoo” spell on them. He chuckled at the thought – how naïve they were. Anything or anyone different was someone to be cautious of, no matter the good they did.

”You seem a little rattled this evening, anything I can help you with?” he asked, turning completely to face Alonzo. With a simple flick of his wrist, he sent the can he was using as target practice black towards the nearest junk pile, his full attention now focused on his older brother. Practice could wait, after all.

”Surely our uncle hasn’t been nagging you about ridiculous notions. You have plenty to worry about with your position and all…” Alonzo’s position wasn’t something Misto was jealous of. He had enough on his “personal” plate. Besides, too much stress caused for horrid headaches, and he tended to avoid stress like the plague.

[eliaza]

Alonzo's ears flattened slightly. Why did his brother have to be so bloody perceptive? "Of course not," he protested, tackling the first question. "On my patrol tonight I've been hearing various noises that made me think someone was prowling around who shouldn't be." He knew it was generally a bad idea to share speculations with fellow Jellicles apart from one of the leaders. Good way to start a panic over nothing. But he more or less trusted his brother not to go about announcing anything, and Misto was somehow good at getting him to talk whether he wanted to or not. The little imp. "So far it's been nothing. Then I heard something over here. Good thing it was just you." He shrugged, trying not to seem so 'rattled,' as Misto put it. "As for Uncle, it's been ages since the last time he read me a lecture. Good thing too. No, I'm just ready for Munk and Grumbus to be back, is all." He nodded towards the can Misto had thrown, hoping to get the attention off himself. "You been practicing?"

[Cayran]

”Yeah, you could say that,” he said, glancing over his shoulder to where the can had been sitting. ”More like passing the time. It is too early to call it a night and I’m bored. I’ve got to entertain myself somehow.” He smiled, though the smile faded slightly as he observed the posture and overall aura of his brother. Alonzo seemed stressed – well, more so than he typically was. He didn’t like the pressure his brother put himself under, and with a sigh Misto walked over to Alonzo.

”Where did Munk and Grumbus go to?” He asked, tilting his head curiously. It probably was none of his business, but whatever it was or wherever they had gone to had put his brother on edge, and if a member of his family was upset, then it automatically made it his business.

”Come on now Alonzo, somethings got you jumpy. Typically you aren’t so tense over a few questionable noises.” Misto gave Alonzo a questioning look, crossing his arms over his chest.

[eliaza]

Alonzo let out a resigned sort of sigh. Might have known there was no distracting Misto. Had he said too much already? Alonzo had thought Munk and Grumbus' whereabouts to be common knowledge, but now he realised how silly he was to assume any such thing. Why should the whole tribe be burdened unless it became absolutely necessary? That was what the protectors were for. Perhaps Alonzo wasn't even meant to be blabbing it about that Munkustrap and Grumbuskin had gone anywhere.

But now that he'd said it, he supposed there was nothing for it but to be honest. His attempts at sidestepping his brother were clearly not going to work anyway. "They went to investigate a group of cats they heard about," the patched tom proceeded, trying to put it in as little worrisome a light as possible. "Supposedly being kept prisoner in some sort of human facility. If it proves true, Munk and Grumbus intend to bring them back here for safety."

[stubinz]

((you mind if I bring in Gus?))

[eliaza]

((Fine with me if it's fine with Cay ^^))

[Cayran]

Misto's brow creased in concern as he glanced to the side. He didn't like the idea of cats being held captive. He wasn't "Mr. gallant" like Munkustrap, rushing in to save the day, but it wasn't something that rested well with him. "I could have helped. My bolts can do more than just knock over cans, you know that Alonzo." He sighed heavily, his brown eyes coming back up to look at his brother. His intention was to not blame Alonzo by any means for not being asked to help, but more so for reassurance. The tribe still underestimated him, and it was frustrating.

"Well, regardless, I hope they are successful in freeing the poor things. None of us deserve being locked away in a cage." He shook his head, clearing the thought from his mind before he motioned to Alonzo. "I take it you are on patrol tonight then, or at least until they get back? I was going to have to stay and chat for a bit, but I understand if you are busy." They rarely had time to chat anymore. Alonzo was an important member of the tribe now after all, he had more important things to do than kick around with his younger brother. Mistoffelees was proud of him though - he had made something of himself and was admired. He wanted nothing more than to see both of his siblings succeed.

(sure, stubinz!)

[stubinz]

when the old tom looked spectral stepped into the moonlight in Misto's view behind Alonzo. his gaunt features had a ghostly appearance until he spoke, "if I may me dear young sirs I believe that Misstoffolese was left behind on the same auspices as young Alonzo, to wit....some one had to remain to protect the Junkyard and those who dwell within."
Gus said, then he shrugged his hanging fur rippling. "myself, some well meaning individuals saw fit not to tell me because  they
were afraid that the excitement would be to much for me. HA!" he added then he shook his head.
"Cest la vi."   

[eliaza]

Alonzo nodded absently in vague agreement as his brother mentioned that his powers were for "more than just knocking over cans." Absently, not because he was thinking of something besides what Misto was talking about, but because he was contemplating just how true it was. Not just for knocking over cans? Better believe it. Misto's powers had certainly done more on the night of the Ball than any strength Alonzo possessed. He had only narrowly managed to keep Demeter from being captured, and couldn't even protect Munkustrap from Macavity's attacks until the queens jumped in to help. Misto, on the other paw...he'd managed to get Deuteronomy back all on his own! Everyone knew that. So it seemed silly, to Alonzo, that Misto was even suffering the least insecurity that anyone thought he couldn't help. If anything, they probably found his powers somewhat intimidating. But most likely he'd been left here for similar reasons to Alonzo - so that the Tribe wouldn't be left completely helpless while Munkustrap and Grumbuskin were off on the rescue.

Alonzo was trying to figure a way to explain this to Misto, when old Gus appeared and more or less did it for him. "Evening, Gus," he greeted, giving the tom a slight grateful look. "I'm...sure they were glad to have you here to help, as well," he added awkwardly. He wasn't good at this whole using-words-of-affirmation-to-make-others-feel-better thing... "He's right," turning back to Misto, "someone's got to be here to make sure all is well."

[Cayran]

The black magician nodded in a quiet and quick greeting to Gus as the older tom entered the clearing. "Evening,Gus..."he said, nearly at the same moment as Alonzo. It must have been a sibling thing. He and Alonzo weren't twins, but they were close enough in their own right.

"True, but I do not hold any substantial position. I am sure regular members aren't included in these sorts of matters, which is fine. What I am trying to say is that I would be glad to assist in these sorts of matters if ever considered. Sometimes clever tricks can do a lot more than muscle and brawn." He said, shrugging his shoulders as his arms folded over his white chest. " But I am sure they'll do just fine at getting them out themselves." He was seconds away from adding something snarky at the end, but Misto kept his mouth shut due to the fact that his brother looked genuinely concerned. He didn't want to stress his brother out any more than he already was with his attitude.

"Since none of us will be much help to our gallant heroes, shall we change the subject?" Misto smirked, leaning back casually against the old tire. "There is no sense in wasting our worries and time on something we can't do anything about."

[stubinz]

the old tom chuckled, "well I am tempted to crash there party as it were after the new arrivals come,
after all it does serve them right!
but is see your point." the the thin old cat laughed swishing the tail that was his pride once long ago.
"in the mean time so....Rummy?" he asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.

[eliaza]

Alonzo couldn't help feeling a slight twinge of amusement as he and Misto said "evening, Gus" nearly simultaneously. He wouldn't say the two of them were very much alike most of the time, but it was certainly obvious they'd both been raised by their very "proper" uncle and had all the right manners and formalities pounded into them from an early age.

The patched tom shifted his paws somewhat nervously when Misto mentioned changing the subject. He had just made a full round patrol of the whole 'yard and all seemed quiet. However, no one else was patrolling or keeping a watch, and that made him anxious. Supposing something were to happen, he'd be the one to blame. "I can stay a few moments, Misto," he said, "then I'd better have another look around, make sure nothing's amiss..." He turned to Gus in confusion as the elderly tom spoke of 'Rummy.' At first, Alonzo thought he was referring to Tugger by a nickname; but then he recalled he had heard that name somewhere. "Rummy?" he repeated. "Isn't that...a humans' game? Something with little bits of paper they hold in their paw--er, hands?"

[Cayran]

"Bored of my already?" Misto joked, grinning at Alonzo as he ran a hand through his short, but styled head fur. "I'll be glad to go patrol around with you if you'd like the company." He suspected that Alonzo might want a little alone time to get his thoughts together, but he figured he'd offer just incase his brother wanted a little company. It would actually give Misto something to do.

Glancing back at Gus, Misto's head cocked to the side, somewhat confused. "I don't think I have heard of that game. Though, my humans are more tech-savvy. They are constantly on their phones or tablets. I do not know how to play that game, so I am going to have to pass..." that, and human games didn't interest Mistoffelees. Other than popping in every now and then to assure his humans he hadn't gone missing, Mistoffelees tended to stay out of their affairs. Misto assumed Gus learned how to play it from the humans at the theater. It sounded like a game to casually pass the time playing.