Maruman's Surprise

By Mistostar

“Are you sure these cats can’t get out? I’d hate Sooty to get lost”

“Relax, the only way out of the house is through the chimney”

Starflower poked her head cautiously around the corner, “Coast’s clear. The humans are gone, shopping for houses.” Turning back into the room she looked at her mate “Misto! Wake up!!” She pounced on him

“Wha-? Gerrof me Star!”

Maruman was rolling around on the floor laughing. He hoped that he would find a mate that he was friends with as well as lovers like his sister had.

Starflower meanwhile was pouncing on Mistoffelees’ tail, trying to get him out of bed. She made a face at her brother “He’s just not a morning cat”

At this, Mistoffelees rolled over and pounced on Starflower. The couple played like this for a while, whilst Maruman just laughed at them both. Eventually Mistoffelees remembered his manners.

“Hungry Maruman?”

“Nope, Star and I ate while you were snoozing magician”

Mistoffelees was a little annoyed at Maruman, “I do have a name you know, three of them in fact, pick one of them and use it will you?”

At this point, not wanting her brother and mate to get into a fight, Starflower broke in gently “Misto, he knows you’ve got a name, go and eat will you so we can get moving? Maruman Dreamwalker you leave my mate alone. Stop picking on him!”

So Mistoffelees ate and Maruman pouted

“Okies, we ready to go now?”

“Just a second Misto, I have to get something.” Starflower darted into another room and came back with a ribbon “I thought Jemima would like this”

“Where did you -? Never mind, I don’t want to know where you got it from. Let’s go!”

Starflower grabbed Maruman’s paw as Mistoffelees twisted his tail around hers.

“Hey Star… What’s going on here?”

“Close your eyes Maruman, don’t panic”

Maruman shrugged and did what he was told.

{Author’s note: Having read the other parts to this story, I’m sure you know what happened next….}

When Maruman opened his eyes, he had to admit that the little tux was indeed magickal as he had claimed. Instead of the room that they had been in when he had closed his eyes, they were in a clearing, surrounded by human junk. He sat down, a little bemused as Mistoffelees and Starflower began to sing.

Maruman was a little confused by this, but before he could open his mouth and as what was going on, a black and white tom came out singing

Maruman heard a strangely sinister laugh, interrupted by a loud crash. A tall, slender ginger cat limped into view, “Demeter, could you please stop doing that? I’ve apologised for the incident at the Jellicle Ball, I was nipped okay? You made me fall off the rubbish bin… AGAIN!”

The queen he had addressed just giggled “But it’s funny to listen to the laugh.”

{Authors note: I know, between the start of the story and now Macavity’s character has changed slightly. Blame a story written by a lovely cat that writes under the name Demeter…. Embroidery anyone???}

A black and silver tabby stalked over to where Maruman was sitting. “Who are you and why didn’t the guard cats tell me that you were here?”

Maruman stood up and hissed, his fur bristling. He didn’t like to feel threatened “I’m me and they didn’t tell you because they didn’t see me arrive, right magician?”

Munkustrap was about to start ripping into Maruman, when Starflower decided that she had best diffuse this situation. With a small sigh she insinuated herself between the two cats. “Munku – “ He glared at her “Nope, just deal with it. Munkustrap, I’d like to introduce you to my brother.”

Munkustrap was a little confused by this “But I already know Alonzo”

At hearing his name, Alonzo came over to where the cats were talking. “Did I hear my name being taken in vain again? Tsk tsk Munku, you should know better. Hi Star, how’s tricks?”

Maruman stared at the black and white tom that had arrived in shock, “Santheocles?” he whispered

Alonzo’s ears perked up “How do you know that name Vicky?” He took a closer look at the white cat before him “Hey you’re not Vicky, who are you?”

At the identical dumbstruck looks on both of her brothers faces, Starflower couldn’t help but laugh “Lonzo, this is hahahahahahaha I can’t go on… Misto! Help me!”

Mistoffelees shook his head slightly, the problems having Star’s twin around was going to cause, and, taking his mate’s plea to heart decided to help out with the confusion.

“Munku, calm down. He arrived without detection because, well I brought him, and we still haven’t figured out a way to sound an alarm when a feline arrives using magick. Alonzo, this isn’t Vicky as you’ve guessed. This one’s a tom, not a queen.” Misto glanced at Maruman, “You’ve been told, or already know their particular names, so I’m just going to introduce you to them using yours, besides, I don’t think you like the family name your human gave you much. Munkustrap, I have thee distinct honour of presenting Maruman Dreamwalker to you sir. Alonzo, he knows your particular name for the same reason Star does. His mother told him all about his elder brother, who had a mirror twin who died.”

“You mean -? He’s my -? I have another sib?” This chorused from both of the brothers.

“Yes, congratulations Alonzo, it’s a baby brother! He’s Star’s mirror twin.”

Naturally, Alonzo and Maruman went absolutely berko. Alonzo had, within 24 hours, found out that he was going to be an uncle, and also found out that he had a younger brother. He was ecstatic!

Munkustrap drew Mistoffelees and Starflower aside. “This is going to get confusing. How are we going to tell Maruman and Victoria apart? They’re virtually identical”

“With respect Munku, Mar’s a tom, and Victoria’s not. That should be the obvious way to tell them apart, and if that’s not enough, Maruman wears a black collar with a bell on it, and Victoria wears a white jeweled one.”

Munkustrap was a little embarrassed, he hadn’t noticed the collar difference. “I can see why you called us out though. There’s no doubt that he’s a Jellicle. Although we still have to introduce him to – “

Coricopat, Tantomile, Starflower and Mistoffelees all turned, literally as one to the entrance “Old Deuteronomy”

Munkustrap gave a wry grin, “Yes him”

“I heard a couple of Jellicles giving an invitation, so I thought I’d come along and see what was happening.”

“Old Deuteronomy, may I present my younger brother Maruman Dreamwalker?”

“A brother Alonzo? Your family is growing rather rapidly isn’t it?”

“It is sir, and I couldn’t be happier”

Alonzo eventually got around to introducing his brother to the rest of the Jellicles, while Starflower, Munkustrap and Mistoffelees sat in the sun at Old Deuteronomy’s feet talking.

They had more adventures, but they are stories for another day and time

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