The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Seven

The Name of the Game

 Morning was about to steal over the Yard once again, and Rumblepurr tapped the notepad against his paw as he walked back from the Railway Post. The stories indicated something to him that he could not quite put his fingers on. Something seemed obvious, but, like a prophecy, the answer remained cloudy. Slipping the notepad into a pocket, he came over the ramp into the Square. 

      The Writer Cat chuckled as he watched Artemis give Plato a quick kiss outside the old car, and then the larger young Tom snag her for a longer kiss. Giggling, the red Princess darted under the front end to disappear inside the old car. Pettipaws snuck in right behind them. Smiling, Rumblepurr enjoyed the play, but saw some of the seriousness behind it. Artemis would dance for Plato, and he would answer - that was obvious. But now Pettipaws, when she went out, who would answer her? He did not know, and wondered once again if he should seek Demeter’s thoughts. 

      For now, he had another mission. Since they Mated, Rumblepurr enjoyed one thing now more than he had before. He would come back, then take Altaica up to the old mantle clock, and watch the sunrise. After they enjoyed the cuddle, and the appearance of the sun, then they would retire to the crates. Inside, they would slip into a private cubicle, and they would love each other. Benoni knew what was going on, but he respected their privacy, and waited until they returned to the sleeping blankets to curl up with them. If they decided to stay with each other, he would still wait for them. 

      As Rumblepurr approached the den, he looked up at a shadow near the top of the boxes and crates. Surprised, he saw that it was Altaica! Climbing up, he slipped into the place beside her, and wrapped the blanket around his legs. His arm went around her shoulders, and she immediately turned to give him a kiss. Being newly Mated, she kissed him passionately and felt him struggle to assert his own. Chuckling in her throat, Altaica kept the Writer Cat down until he surrendered. When he relaxed and accepted her, she released him after enjoying the kiss. He shook his head and returned her smile. 

      “I fight dirty, Rumble,” she said. “You know that.” 

      “Yes, I do. Someday, I will learn to counter that move, and I will be victorious.” 

      “And you think I’ll mind?” 

      “As a matter of fact, I believe so. You like to win.” 

      “Rumble? When it comes to loving you, I really don’t care which one of us wins or loses. Anyhoo, you have a new story?” 

      “I have several to report, and some rumors to give to our resident Scouts.” 

      “Odd you should use that word, Rumble. Here.” 

      She reached under her left hip, and withdrew one of his notepads. One of his eyebrows (the one on the white side) rose as she handed it to him. He took it and flipped open the cover. On the top of the first page, he read the title: “My Dream.” 

      “You found Tarfur last month,” Altaica said and her voice caught. She shook her mane and willed herself to continue. “I found someone before you came back. I knew who she was because I saw you. And now I know why you affected me the way you did.” 

      “You dreamed?” 

      “In big capital letters, Rumble.” She took his paw and pulled the blankets off. “Come on. You want to go up and watch the sunrise, don’t you?” 

      “With you, anytime, my dear.” 

      The two went down, paws touching, and across the Square. They chose another route so as to leave the trio of teens in the back seat undisturbed. Affy and Doni had chosen Misto’s and Victoria’s old pad, and Augie and Melinshade found one closer to the Nursery. Nimbly, Altaica led Rumblepurr up onto the pile where the old mantle clock sat. Someone had played with the hands, and the old clock read 11:05 now. Rumblepurr glanced suspiciously at the position, but Altaica would not let him linger. An old leather cushion awaited them and Altaica let the Writer Cat sit before she did. With his back against the clock, she pressed back against him. As he slid his arms around her, she guided his paws to her breasts. She heard him groan, and then she felt him react. His paws cupped her and his mouth nipped her neck under her jaw. It was her turn to gasp as he caressed her.