Pawprince's head brushed Munkustrap's paw in confirmation of the camaraderie the touch on the shoulder expressed. It was the simple gestures that expressed more to Pawprince than any flashy show of promise ever could. Friendships are defined by comfort and Munkustrap always allowed Pawprince to feel wanted and comfortable.
"I think I can whip something up. You can show me or give directions on where the soon-to-be-not-strays are convalescing," he said to both the other Jellicles.
"It would be my way of thanking the Jellicles for being so welcoming for me," he followed up, the fond memory of his Jellicle meeting still fresh in his mind.
Flash back: The day he met the other Jellicles was a cloudy day. Pawprince had only ever been out of his new house once before and he didn't wonder very far. The gloomy day did not fill him with confidence that anything significant was going to take place.
Pawprince had gone perhaps a block or so down the road when the smell of fresh fish filled the air. Now, there is hardly a force on this planet that can keep a feline away from fresh fish. Even a well-taken care of cat such as the Prince of Paws couldn’t ignore the allure of such a treat.
Without even thinking Pawprince continued to just put one paw in front of the other and let his nose lead him to the source. A couple of moments later and he’d found it. There was a human truck that appeared to be passing fish in to a local restaurant. Pawprince moved to a more not-readily-seen location and continued to spy on the situation.
In no short order, and like a well-oiled machine, other cats swooped in and out. Between the pair of them they’d managed to grab a large whole fish. However, one of them was a rather large tom and his getaway was causing the other cat to slow down to keep up.
“Hey, you stupid cats...,” cried a human as it exited the back of the building. Even though Pawprince didn’t know either of felines, instinct made him act. Before he fully understood what he was doing Pawprince ran directly at the human. A thrill flowed through his muscles as the blood rushed through his body. The human was going to try and grab the plump black cat and the black and white smaller cat had dropped his end of the fish and was begging the other to abandon the prize.
Just as the human was going to lean over and put his hands on the rotund feline Pawprince issued a horrible hiss. The human’s head quickly turned to take in this new sound and panic made its eyes widen. Pawprince was aware that he appeared very similar to a larger hunting cat and he was counting on that now.
The human did not fall for it completely but it did give the larger cat time to fling the fish to the tuxedo cat. Unencumbered by the fish, the large black cat was free to scamper under the truck and make a getaway. The tuxedo cat caught the fish and rolled on to his back with it. Pawprince continued his run and shot by to hook the tail end of the fish with his teeth.
Not understanding what was happening the tuxedo tom quickly kipped up to his feet and remarked with a saddened, “Hey, that’s our fish.” Pawprince was dragging the meal behind him and the head was bobbing up and down the alley as it skipped over the pavement. With a mouth full of fish tail Pawprince only had time to mumble, “phen coom un.” Even though the words were not clear the tuxedo cat seemed to understand, “then come on.” He put some speed in his paws and soon the three of them were gone.
Once it was clear that the human wasn’t going to continue the chase Pawprince and the tuxedo cat paused long enough to allow the heavy cat to catch up. With everyone together Pawprince let the fish out of his mouth.
“Hey, thanks for the assistance friend,” said the Tuxedo cat.
“You guys looked like you could use the help,” replied Pawprince.
Huffing and puffing the larger cat leaned against the side of the building, “Oh….Oh my, that was indeed a show.”
“I’m Mr. Mistoffelees and this extra pound of fur is my friend Bustopher Jones.”
“Hello there,” Pawprince greeted Bustopher, “I’m Pawprince.”
“You’re new here huh?” asked Mistoffelees.
“I’ve only been here a few days,” Pawprince said and allowed his eyes to search the cloudy sky, “You folks are the only others I’ve ever been far enough away from the house to meet.”
“ohh, a house cat,” Mistoffelees purred.
“What’s so wrong with a house cat, I may ask,” put in Bustopher with a slight roll of the “R” sound in wrong.
“Nothing. It’s just not something we get a lot of around here,” came the reply.
“Well,” Pawprince said, “either way, I can’t change what I am. But, yes, I have wonderful humans that take extremely good care of me. I’m kind of a big deal to them. They like the prizes I get them at the cat shows.”
Mistoffelees smiled wide and the laughter nearly boiled out of him uncontrollably, “You’re a show cat? A real bona fide silver spoon?”
Pawprince didn’t appear to understand.
“That’s amazing! It’s good to meet you Pawprince. I’m kind of a show cat myself,” continued Mistoffelees.
“Ohhhh.”
“Mistoffelees is quite the act,” chimed Bustopher Jones.
“Say friend,” Mistoffelees purred as he slipped a paw around Pawprince’s shoulders and bumped his head with his, “the least we could do for the help is share this feast. But, it’s not just for us, we’ve got some kittens that need food. You want to come meet the rest of the Jellicles?”
“Jellicles?” asked Pawprince curious.
“The best family you’ll ever have.”
“Uhh, sure,” mumbled Pawprince in quiet futility as Mistoffelees was already walking with him slowly down the alley.
Bustopher Jones cleared his throat with some authority and the two toms turned around. Bustopher Jones look from the fish to them and then back to the fish. “Oh yeah, the fish! Follow us and you can meet everyone,” laughed Mistoffelees as he grabbed the head of the fish and waited for Bustopher Jones to work the tail. Then the three toms took their time traveling to the kittens and chatting.
As they closed in on their destination Mistoffelees asked Pawprince to swap out with him and once the head was no longer under his control he took off. Since Bustopher Jones didn’t seem to take this as a bad thing; Pawprince continued to slowly walk the direction they were already headed.
Moments later, Mistoffelees and some other felines rolled out and the fish was subsequently hauled away by a smaller, excited, crew.
“Pawprince, this is the Junk Yard,” Mistoffelees explained, “This is where we Jellicles call home. And as a show cat I’m sure you don’t mind if I put the spot light on you. You’ve helped me and Bustopher Jones out of a jam and to return the favor I’d like to sponsor you an invitation to the Jellicles. It’s not just up me, I hope you understand, but if you’ve got chops I know you can win the rest over. I want to act fast before you have a chance to fall in with a….different…group. What do you say? Can you give us a tune?”
As if on cue, a slow roll of thunder sounded overhead. Pawprince couldn’t see them all, but he knew many sets of eyes were upon him. He was nervous for a moment as emotion stirred up within him like a pony realizing that it’s no longer bound by fences. And then…Pawprince just ran with it.
Small drops of rain slowly began to make their way from the sky. And as his song poured out of him the rain increased its tempo as well. And in time he was singing and dancing with clashes of thunder lending him its voice at key moments.
“If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Whoa, whoa
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah
If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song
Beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Everyday I will
Remind you
Ooh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah
You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go
Never say goodbye
You know you can
Count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Oh, oh
You can count on me 'cause I can count on you.
When everything was sung and done the song and dance had taken them all in to the heart of the Junk Yard and in to shelter from the rain. As the last note echoed off the surrounding area Bustopher Jones handed Pawprince a piece of fish and with a smile on his face, that was almost as large as the tom himself, he made a welcoming gesture with his paw and bowed slightly at the waist. “Pawprince, I’m delighted to say, thank you for your help today, and welcome to the Jellicles. You’ve moved us all with your song and stolen our hearts.” The sound of padded paws clapped together was softly heard. Pawprince smiled wide for the first time since he’d arrived and he took a massive bite of his fish. Then there was only giggles.
He spent the rest of his time that evening meeting those who were gathered and getting the nickel tour of the place.
…:::fade to present::::…
Pawprince was still living in the memory of his first Jellicle moment and didn’t sense the approach of another cat. (Tumblebrutus)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsvwwp6S7Q