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Etcetera
By~ Hui LIN
Etcetera was born in a nice summer time, and she was abandoned by her parents soon afterwards.
As a kitten, she should be very upset, but Etcetera was a optimistic and positive cat, she knew the fate was grasped by herself. So, she started the life as a street cat.
It's not easy to be a street cat, especially for a kitten, there were so many street dogs and some unfriendly street cats, Etcetera soon heard of the name of Macavity, "The Napoleon of Crime", a very wicked cat who would capture the unowned cats and make them as his slaves.
Certainly, Etcetera wouldn't like to be captured, and she wanted some protection, but how?
Etcetera had a friend who was an old Siamese called Lisa, she was owned by humans and she also belonged to the Siamese tribe. Lisa was a wise cat, Etcetera knew she could give her some advices. So, one day, Etcetera came to visit Lisa:
"Hi! Lisa, may I ask you a question?" Etcetera smiled sweetly.
Lisa nodded kindly, "What question?"
"I want to know if I can join a tribe, like your Siamese tribe and get protection.
"Joining a tribe?" Lisa scratched herself, "It's not hard, every tribe welcomes new member, but you must choose carefully."
"Could you give me some suggestions? How many tribes around here?" Etcetera asked.
Lisa thought a while, then said: "My tribe, the Siamese Tribe and Persian Tribe are very strict about the races, like my leader, he doesn't allow any non-Siamese to join, so you can't join the 2 tribes."
Etcetera was disappointed, "Oh! That's a pity, I want to be with you."
"Come on, kitten." Lisa smiled, "Being in the same tribe doesn't mean we will always be together, it's just an organisation, it doesn't mean friendship, although we do want to establish friendship with every member, but it's hard, it's social problem..." Lisa saw the confused look on Etcetera's face, "Never mind, you will understand when you get older."
Lisa continued, "There are other tribes which are consisted of mixed races, like Rumax Tribe, Jellicle Tribe, and Oxa Tribe. I don't know what race you are, but I am sure you are not Siamese or Persian, and you can choose one of the 3 tribes to join. I think the 3 tribes are all quite good, and I know where they mostly are, I can take you if you want."
Etcetera blinked, "How about the Jellicle Tribe?"
= = =
Jemima, Victoria, and Electra are 3 Jellicles, and they were the best friends.
But, out of three, there must be one who feels a little bit lonely sometimes, especially at this age, they were the same age as Etcetera, in their kittenhood.
At the same day, when Etcetera decided she would join the Jellicle Tribe, Jemima intended to go haunting mice with Victoria, but unexpectedly, Victoria had already gone haunting with Electra, Jemima was so upset about this.
She felt she was always being left behind by them, but she was a nice kitten, she didn't want to be angry with her friends, so she went to the forest to calm down for a while.
In the other hand, Lisa and Etcetera were nearly to the territory of Jellicles, Lisa said:
"Etcetera, go straight ahead, and you will find some Jellicles, tell them your intention, and they will bring you to their leader, i.e. Old Deuterojomy, then tell him about your life so far, don't cheat anything to him, be honest, it's very important."
"Ok! I got it!" Etcetera felt a little afraid, "Lisa, will they like me?"
"Yes! They will." Lisa smiled, "You are a nice and sweet kitten, I am sure they will love you and treat you properly, if not, come back to me, I will take care of you."
"Thank you, Lisa." Etcetera gave her a huge hug, and started to go ahead.
In the forest, Etcetera was planning what she should say when she was interviewed by Old Deuteronomy, she was so intent that she didn't notice that Jemima was lying on her way, and she stepped on her.
"Wow!" Etcetera jumped out immediately.
"Hiss!" Jemima spinned back.
"Who are you?" They both asked.
"You say first." They both asked again at the same time.
They looked at each other and then bursted to laughter.
"I am Jemima," Jemima said, "I am a Jellicle, who are you? Are you Jellicle? Here is the territory of Jellicles."
"I am Etcetera, and I am coming to meet Old Deuteronomy, your leader, I hope to be a Jellicle. Could you lead me to him?"
"Really?" Jemima seemed so happy, "That's great, it's being a long time that we don't have any new member. Please come with me." Jemima leaded the way.
In the junkyard, as usual, a peaceful and merry mood around here. Jennyanydots and Jellylorum were chatting with each other about the things happened recently; some male kittens, like Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Mistoffelees were playing together; Munkustrap, the protector or prefect of the tribe, was discussing the general Jellicle business with Alonzo.
When Jemima and Etcetera appeared in the junkyard, Munkustrap noticed them first, he had a pair of good eyes, and he wouldn't allow any stranger to come inside without checking.
"Hey! Stop!" He jumped down from the tire and ran to the 2 girls, Alonzo followed him.
Jennyanydots, Jemima's mother, surprised , also ran to them.
"Come here, Jemima." Munkustrap demanded, a manner which shows no refusal can be made.
Jemima gave a sorry look to Etcetera then came to Munkustrap, who then showed Jennyanydots to take her away.
Alonzo stood by Munkustrap, in case anything happened he could help him.
Munkustrap then asked kindly, "Who are you? and why are you here?" He knew Etcetera was just a kitten, he didn't want to scare her, although he couldn't allow Jemima to be with her because she's a stranger.
Etcetera told them her intention and how she met Jemima.
Munkustrap gave her a very kind smile, "I will take you to Old Deuteronomy, he's also my father, he will ask you some questions, just answer him honestly, and don't be afraid."
Etcetera felt Munkustrap was a nice tom, and she nodded happily.
Munkustrap then took her to Old Deuteronomy, who was enjoying the sunshine.
"Father, I want to introduce Etcetera to you!" Munkustrap announced.
Old Deuteronomy didn't ask her too many questions and accepted her as a member immediately because he liked this kitten a lot. Etcetera also felt very familiar to him and very glad that she could become a Jellilce.
Old Deuteronomy said, "We have some rules, Munkustrap will tell you after this meeting, he's the protector of our tribe because he's my oldest son. If you have any problems or questions, ask him, he will be willing to help you." Then he turned to Munkustrap, "Take care of her, ok?"
"Yes! Father, I will." Munkustrap nodded.
Old Deuteronomy spoke to Etcetera again, "I want to introduce my second oldest son to you.....um...where is he, Munkustrap?"
Munkustrap gave him a helpless look, "Sorry, I don't know. I guess he is having a date with Bombalurian or the other females."
Old Deuteronomy sighed, "He never cared about this tribe. Anyway, don't forget to introduce Tugger to Etcetera if you get a chance, and tell him, don't flirt with this girl, that's all I ask. Promise me, Munkustrap."
"I will do it." He answered.
Etcetera smiled, "Who is Tugger? You both seem to be helpless to him."
"You will know him soon." Munkustrap said, "He won't miss any new lady around here."
= = =
The next day, Etcetera was laying on the ground, talking with Jemima, Electra, and Victoria. The 4 became familiar very soon, and now no one felt lonely.
Etcetera found that they all liked a tom called Rum Tum Tugger, she asked: "Is he Old Deuteronomy's second son?"
"Yes!" Electra answered, "He is very handsome and sexy. How do you know him? You just came yesterday?"
"Oh! Old Deuteronomy told me, Munkustrap will introduce him to me soon I think."
Victoria giggled, "I bet you will love him."
"Everyone likes him?" Etcetera was so curious about this tom, she was never being familiar with any tom.
"Well, girls all like him, but I am not sure the toms do or not." Jemima suggested.
Just at this moment, some toms were coming to them, they were Pouncival, Plato, Mistoffelees, and Admetus.
"Hi! kittens." Pouncival shouted.
"Hey! Pouncival, you are just a kitten like us, don't talk to us like that." Electra slapped.
"You are younger than me." He insisted.
"No, we are not!" Electra insisted too.
Pouncival gave her a wicked smile, then pounced upon her suddenly, he was a very naughty cat. Electra hissed, and pounced him back, then they started running after each other.
Etcetera giggled, "They are so funny."
"They are always like that." Victoria said.
Plato, a cat nearly reached his adulthood, seemed quite interested in Etcetera, said: "I think we should set a party for Etcetera, we haven't got acquainted with her yet."
Etcetera gave him a very sweet smile, "Thank you, you are so kind. I think a party may not be suitable, I will get acquainted with everyone soon. How about you first?"
"I am Plato, I like salmon paste!"
Etcetera giggled, "Me too."
Victoria and Mistoffelees soon talked together, Etcetera knew they were lovers afterwards. Admetus was very polite to Jemima, they talked happily, no one was left behind.
Suddenly, a sound of wolf howling was heard, Jemima and Victoria got so excited, "It's Tugger." ( Note: See a note about the wolf-howling in My experience 2)
"Tugger?" Etcetera was confused, could it be a cat?
"He likes to imitate wolf-howling, don't ask me why." Plato was unhappy about Rum Tum Tugger's appearance.
A cat, who had a lion-like mane appeared, he was mostly black, thin but not skinny, walking in a graceful way.
Etcetera was very surprised, to her, Rum Tum Tugger was the most attractive cat she had ever seen, and she was obsessed to him immediately.
Jemima and Victoria ran to Rum Tum Tugger, touching and rubbing against him, Tugger was very happy about this, he enjoyed being the centre of attention of the ladies. Then, he saw Etcetera, a new cat, and more important thing is, it's a lady.
He walked to Etcetera and asked in a charming voice: "Hello! I never saw you here. Could you tell me your name?" Rum Tum Tugger wasn't like Munkustrap or Alonzo, he didn't have any alertness, he didn't care strangers at all. he would flirt with the females even he never saw them before.
Etcetera was so excited, she stuttered, "um...I am..Etcetera."
"Etcetera?" Rum Tum Tugger praised, "Nice name! Um....are you a new member?" He knew Munkustrap well, no stranger could live in Jellicle territory. Etcetera nodded, Rum Tum Tugger smiled, "Good, do you want to get a look of our surroundings with me? I can introduce everything to you."
"Sure!" Etcetera agreed immediately, it's like a date, and she was very happy that she could be with him alone.
Jemima and Victoria both knew Etcetera was obsessed to him, they exchanged a look and giggled. They came back to the junkyard, encountered Munkustrap, who asked: "Have you seen Etcetera?"
"She's with Tugger now!" Victoria rubbed her head against him to show her respect and love.
"What?" Munkustrap signed, "Is she....."
"Yes! Munkustrap." Jemima continued, "She seems to like him so much, maybe more than us." She giggled.
"I am dead, I promise Father that I wouldn't let Tugger to touch Etcetera...." Munkustrap was upset.
"That's ok! Munkustrap." Victoria comforted him, "Etcetera can get acquainted with everyone soon because Tugger is very good at socail, and he will help her. Besides, she is happy about this you know, as long as she is happy, Old Deuteronomy won't mind, it's not a bad thing, Tugger is really cool, no one can resist him."
"Alright, alright." Munkustrap didn't want to hear anything more about how attractive Tugger was, he never understood girls' minds.
And.....in the other site, Etcetera and Tugger were happy. For Etcetera, Tugger was most attractive tom and she was totally obsessed; for Tugger, Etcetera was just one of his fans, maybe the most obsessed one. More or less, Tugger was glad to be with her since he could get the full attention he wanted, then, the story went on.......
The End~
¡@