The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Five

April Showers

 Rain. In some ways, rain is the dreariest of weather’s many forms. Most of the time, the Spring rains come in cold and wet, soaking through the skin and chilling the bones. And yet, when the rains leave, the sun reappears, warms the Land, and plants begin to grow. Leaves sprout from bare branches. Flowers bud, and then bloom. Grasses turn whole landscapes green. 

      April’s poetic propensity to have the showers that “bring May Flowers” is not as common in this part of the countryside. Most of the rains leave by March. This morning, however, a gentle rain swept over the Land. Many of the birds in the area had decided to remain sequestered, and wait for a break in the wet weather. Most of the Jellicles were of like mind. 

      Rumblepurr capped his pen and laid it carefully in the crease of the volume he was working on. So many notes, and so many histories, from so many Jellicles. Four volumes were full now, and he had even made some headway on the fifth. As he stared at the ones already finished, he wondered. Who would read them? 

      Stretching, the Writer Cat ambled to the opening of his den. A light, but persistent, rain was falling today. The sky was a brooding shade of gray with no trace of blue in sight. Nodding, he went back in. He took the pen and replaced it in the box of his supplies. Closing the volume, he carefully placed it on the shelf alongside the other four. He checked his notepad, and noticed it was getting low on pages. Slipping it into the pocket of his vest, he made a mental note to get a refill next time he was out. Time to visit the Nursery, and see if anything was happening. Tailkinker was getting toward her time, and it was always good to be there to record the event. He went to the opening of his den, and then placed his Pince-Nez in its pocket. Knowing he would get slightly wet, he stepped outside and ran for the Nursery. 

      Coming in through the heavy drapes, Rumblepurr was met by Jellylorum almost immediately. As she handed him a fluffy towel to dry off, he glanced around the Nursery. One occupant had left, but three others remained. 

      “Did Silvana go home?” 

      “Yes, poor thing.” Jellylorum sounded sincere, but her mouth tried not to smile openly. “The twins are starting to move around now, and we can tell they’re going to be the terrors of the Tribe. We did learn one thing, though. The second male, Maahes? He’s the one she can touch minds with. So, she has some means to keep track of them.” 

      “How is Tailkinker doing?” 

      “She is doing fine! Angel is there for certain, and is ready for her debut. I’m expecting her to call for me any second.” 

      “And Electra?” 

      “Coping,” Jellylorum said, rolling her eyes. “Little Bill is a handful for her. She’s the first of our former young ones to have a kitten, and I swear we have four sets of Fathers and Mothers for him! I’m really going to have to watch that group!” 

      Rumblepurr looked to the last couple. Right now, there was a large mound of black fur on the pillow. “How is Sundancer?” 

      This time, Jellylorum looked concerned. “She’s due next month. The kitten is doing well, and so is she, if it weren’t for one thing. She seems to be sleeping more than usual. She doesn’t want to leave here right now, and she told me why. Last time she went home, her Humans wanted to take her to the Vet. If they find out she’s having a kitten, you know what that might mean.” 

      “Yes, I am most definitely aware of that,” Rumblepurr replied. “I have been fortunate that my Humans do not think along those lines. As long as I behave myself around the house, as they put it, they do not particularly care. Really! A 'house cat' may mark his territory, but I certainly would not!”