The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Five

He Sees You When You're Sleeping

As Rumblepurr came through the Vicarage Pipe, he could sense nervousness in the Guardian, Shadowdancer. The Black’s Mate, Sundancer, radiated the same sensation. Lounging near the ironmongery pile, Cassandra and Silvana sat. Although they smiled at him, he knew they were waiting for Tugger. Silvana, however, seemed a bit skittish. Rumblepurr sighed. More mysteries to uncover, he thought. 
      “Is there something wrong, Shadowdancer?” 
      The large Black Guardian regarded the smaller male, eyes narrowing, and then he smiled slightly. “Is it that evident?” Seeing the White Tiger nod, Shadowdancer rubbed his chin. “The first thing that comes to mind is that this is the Samhain Moon. If you want a good story, find the Dark Twins and ask them about our recent history with this moon. So far, this particular month is always the creepiest.” 
      That is when the Guardian looked to his Mate. Sundancer was not looking too happy. Her ears were down to the side, and, although seated, her tail was curling around her legs nervously. “When my Mate came into the Yard, we both felt something cold in the area of the pipe. I know it starts to get a bit chilly about this time of year, but not like that. That cold felt like a northern sitting in one spot. Later, it wasn’t there.” 
      Rumblepurr made a couple of notes, and nodded. “Thank you, Guardian.” 
      For the moment, the White Tiger thought about asking Silvana what was troubling her, but that was when the pipe got a tad exciting. A cheerful voice greeted everyone near the pipe. 
      “Good evening! Pleasant night coming.” 
      Rumblepurr turned along with everyone else. An elderly White Tom stood in the entryway of the pipe. He showed his age only in his stance, and the wooden staff he carried in one paw. His face was amiable, and slightly amused, especially with the Guardian. Shadowdancer looked absolutely surprised. 
      “How did you get up the pipe without me hearing you?” 
      “And good evening to you, too, Dancer in the Shadows.” 
      “Excuse me, Grandfather,” the Guardian stammered. “Good Evening.” 
      “Ah, some very pretty ladies here. Sun Dancer, how are ye? Ye are looking radiant, but like the moon behind thin clouds. Dispel them, my dear. And the Priestess. Small wonder the Everlasting Cat watches over this Tribe. And ye have recovered your Staff. That is well. The Balance is coming then. Forest-dancer! Ye have been twice blessed! The Sherwood has lost its greatest appeal when ye left that charming meadow. And who is this? I have not seen ye here, child.” 
      Rumblepurr’s ears went back. “Child?” 
      The White Cat chuckled. “To me, everyone is a child. I am old, Writer.” 
      “My name ….” 
      “Rumblepurr, from the Village, I know. I just have not seen ye here! It is about time, Child. They have needed your talent here to record their history. I am sure they will tell ye all about me.” 
      “I am afraid I do not know who you are, sir.” 
      “Call me Grandfather like everyone else, child. Ah, Rumblepurr. Let an old cat have his affectations. Will I see everyone tonight at the tire? I have a story to tell!” 
      “Of course, Grandfather,” Cassandra said, coming to take his free paw. “Let me escort you there.” 
      “Hey! Count me in,” Silvana added, coming to take the arm that carried his staff. She moved to take it, but he held onto it tightly. 
      “No, do not, child. There is often more to things than what they seem.” He chuckled again, and looked at his escorts. “My! I have not had the pleasure of being so escorted for quite some time. Ye two make me feel young again.” 
      “Just no mischief, Grandfather,” Cassandra chided softly. 
      “Me? I am just a harmless old Tom.” 
      “Hardly harmless, Grandfather,” the Burmese added as the two Queens led him down the path toward the tunnel. 
      Rumblepurr and the two Blacks watched the trio disappear down around a pile. After jotting down a couple of notes, the White Tiger shook his head. “Do either of you know who he is?” 
      “No,” Shadowdancer said calmly. “He is as easy to pin down as the wind. He came in last year, and everyone greeted him as 'Grandfather.' He’s been so tagged ever since. You know him, and yet you don’t. I think he’s in the same group as the Dark Twins, only white instead of black.” 
      “Who are the Dark Twins? I have not had the honor of meeting them.” 
      The two Blacks exchanged glances. “They are called Warlock and Wicca. Along with Coricopat and Tantomile, that is. You have seen Nightchaser, haven’t you?” When Rumblepurr nodded, Shadowdancer went on. “He’s their kitten. They’re an odd set, believe me. You get the creeps around them, but they’re all for the Tribe. I imagine you’ll meet them eventually.” 
      “Beloved? We have company coming,” Sundancer interrupted. “If Tugger’s with them, he’s not going to like his Queens not waiting.” 
      “That’s his problem.” 
      The Tugger came in with Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer and Jennyanydots in his wake. The Tiger Twins grinned broadly at the White Tiger, and even Jenny gave him a cordial smile. 
      “Yo, Big and Little Dancers. Hey! Where’s my Fan Club?” 
      “They already went south,” Shadowdancer replied with a smirk. “It seems they had a better offer from another Tom.” 
      The Tugger actually stared at him with a dropped jaw. “Say what?” 
      Shadowdancer laughed whole-heartedly while Jenny and Sundancer giggled. Rumblepurr merely shook his head with an amused smile. The Tiger Twins covered up their merriment with paws. Finally, Shadowdancer quit laughing. 
      “Grandfather came in before you, and they escorted him to the tire. They may come back for you, if you wait.” 
      The Tugger was not amused. “Very funny, Big Dancer. Rumble? That’s the first change of expression I’ve seen you make. Don’t let it crack that face of yours.” 
      With a wave of his paw, Tugger sauntered down the path toward the tunnel. Rumpleteazer came over and hugged the White Tiger, followed by Mungojerrie’s paw touch. Rumblepurr had to adjust his Pince-Nez after being released by Teazer. 
      “’Ey, ducks. Laike the show so far?” 
      “The Tugger can be amusing at moments.” 
      “Yeah, Guv’nor. 'E’s a bloomin’ t’ree ring circus, 'e is.” 
      “Ya want to come wit’ us and get a good seat? Iffen Granddad is 'ere, it s'ould be a real grand tale!” 
      The White Tiger smiled sincerely this time. “I would be honored.” 
      Putting the White Tiger between them, the three started down the path. Shadowdancer felt Sundancer come up alongside him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. Her arm slipped around his waist, and she rubbed her cheek against his arm. 
      “That guy’s hard to figure out, Sunny. He stands up for Griddlebone, is nervous around practically every Queen in the place, and is a cultured Tom. And yet, he seems to really like those two, and they’re just about everything he’s not!” 
      “They were the first Jellicles he met, dearest. They were his friends first before anyone else accepted him.” 
      “What’s this I hear of you drawing pictures?” 
      “Something that we both found out the last moon. He was taking some notes about the kittens, and I saw a sketch in his book. Maggie does some painting, and Roland does some pen and ink every once in a while. I just learned how to do that by watching them. So, I filled in the sketch for him. After that, I’ve been doing more sketches. He wants it for the histories, so anyone will know what our Tribe looked like.” 
      She smiled, and squeezed his arm. “Wait here.” She disappeared for a moment and then returned with a piece of paper. “Here. What d’you think?” 
      The Guardian looked at a portrait of him standing against the fence. “You make me look like a hunk, Sunny.” 
      “Well, you are,” she giggled. “Especially to me.” 
      Careful not to hurt the picture, Shadowdancer put his arms around her, and kissed her. She nestled against his shoulder and purred. Gently rubbing her back, the Guardian answered her purr. “I hate to do this, but let me secure the Pipe. Then we can get to the tire and do this some more.” 
      “For that, I’ll let you go,” Sundancer said, kissing him this time. “For now.”