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Post by Eliaza on Nov 3, 2014 14:42:14 GMT -5
Tumblebrutus's grin faded. Skat. Clearly, Grumbuskin saw right through him. The older tom knew better than to believe Tumble's interest was merely idle curiosity. And yet... Would it do any real harm to be at least somewhat frank with Grumbus? If it were Jellylorum or Jennyanydots, now, Tumble would not have got anywhere near this subject. But a tom like Grumbus would understand, wouldn't go all worrywart and fuss at him to "be careful, never stray too far from home, blah blah blah." "Well...a bit," he admitted. "Not as if I'm going to run off and do something idiotic," he added quickly. "I just hope to have an adventure of my own someday. But then, so does everyone, I suppose." He shrugged, trying to be nonchalant.
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 3, 2014 16:54:27 GMT -5
the older tom grinned casing the scars across his muzzle to ripple. then he slowly spread his arms so his many others showed in relief, "don worry feller me lad Ah'll na tell tha Nanny Cats! tis only natural that a young Bucko wants ta go a test hisself, an tha world is a fine thing ta see. but Ah will say this, what AH have seen has shown me that what ya got HERE is worth preservin.
now if ya are serious about this start comin ta me den at dawn and Ah will put ya through yer paces ta learn ya tha basics a blade work. that way ya will have at least a chance a common back ta have tha fair cailín's coo over yer badges." Grum said in a serious tone. then he spat on his paw and held it out to Tumblebrutus.
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Post by Eliaza on Nov 3, 2014 22:11:15 GMT -5
Tumble stared at Grumbuskin for a moment, speechless. He'd expected Grumbus to be at least somewhat supportive and sympathetic - as a tom who had seen wilder days, he would understand how Tumble felt. But this - this was beyond what he'd ever imagined or dreamed! Somehow it seemed that this was the "not yet" he had always been thinking of. How could he go out and have real, proper adventures and survive to tell the queens all about them if, as Grumbus said, he didn't learn how to defend himself? Really properly defend himself, not just lash around wildly with his claws. Trying desperately not to act like a giddy schoolboy, he spat on his own paw and shook paws with Grumbuskin. "Agreed," he said solemnly, trying to match Grumbus's tone - though in reality he could barely contain his excitement.
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 3, 2014 22:40:27 GMT -5
the scarred tom nodded, "good lad! now just ta warn ya what AH'M ta be teaching ya has nothin ta do with fair fightn or rules, those have their place
in formal duel's n such, but na on tha field ey?" Grum said.
"besides in tha meantime twill make ya a better Protector fer tha Yard, an from what Ah heard about tha bloody Ball we be needin that, Ah mean Munkustrap an Alonzo did right well sure enough but we need ta keep it up!" he added.
the older tom did indeed want to give Tumble the benefit of his experience.
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Post by Eliaza on Nov 4, 2014 7:26:52 GMT -5
Tumblebrutus nodded in agreement with him. He already knew plenty of rules; rules were what Jelly and Jenny constantly reminded the kits of: wash behind your ears, dry between your toes, play nice with the others, listen to your elders, don't stray too far from home, don't talk to strangers, don't eat anything you don't recognize... The list was endless. And fair fighting? That was for play fights and tussles and wrestling matches among the young Jellicle toms, but wouldn't do much good "out there." Admetus' fight with that crazy giant Neanderthal tom had been proof of that. "And after what you told me about the Pollicle fight," he responded, adding onto what Grumbus had already been saying. "It certainly sounds like they could've used more paws on deck for that one." He wished he had been here to help, instead of helping Adme and possibly two Henches get out of a sticky situation that Admetus had probably caused himself.
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 4, 2014 8:43:09 GMT -5
the scarred tom cocked his head and looked thoughtful and said, "mayhap, but not having been here tis hard ta say. see numbers tis a tricky thing, too few ya get driven inta tha ground, too many an they get in each others way.
now tha reson that the Bravos and some of the others have such formidable reputations taint cause their all these great fighters, not ta say that they don't have their noteables! it's cause unlike ya landers they fight as a group na as individuals! ifin ya can't do that then tha numbers needed ta swing things are more than we can pull together."
then Grumbuskin grinned again his scars rippling "but ya have tha right of it there feller me lad we need ta get more a ya young bucks up ta snuff!"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 14:13:09 GMT -5
((Would it be alright if I bring in Jemima in this thread? Need a thread to flesh out her personality.))
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Post by Eliaza on Nov 4, 2014 15:59:31 GMT -5
Tumblebrutus looked at Grumbuskin thoughtfully. The older tom had a point. Tumble hadn't considered the fact that, true, they seemed to have plenty of fighters in the tribe, but it was a bit chaotic. Everyone went in and lashed every which way, there was really no unity to it. Of course, in an actual crisis, it wasn't as if one had a lot of time to plan anyway; but if they at least figured out better ways of fighting together and helping one another rather than getting in the way... "Maybe we should all come take combat lessons from you, Grumbus," he grinned.
((I don't mind if Dodd doesn't. ^^))
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 4, 2014 16:37:57 GMT -5
(oh I don't mind! bring on the fair young Maid!)
the older scarred tom laughed, "well feller me lad Ah don think that some of tha Boy Scouts twill be willin ta give up tha Marquis a Queensbury Rules!
not that tis a bad thing havin some onboard who have a line that they won't cross,
reminds us that we're civilaized an not like tha Monkey's ey?" he said with a bright gleam in his eye. then he froze having heard a light step approaching he gave Tumble a friendly shake to the shoulder, "someone's comin feller me lad ya stand fast an Ah'll blend ta cover yer six!" Grum said before swarming up the junk stack into his Hide.
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 4, 2014 16:50:20 GMT -5
(oh I don't mind! bring on the fair young Maid!)
the older scarred tom laughed, "well feller me lad Ah don think that some of tha Boy Scouts twill be willin ta give up tha Marquis a Queensbury Rules!
not that tis a bad thing havin some onboard who have a line that they won't cross,
reminds us that we're civilaized an not like tha Monkey's ey?" he said with a bright gleam in his eye. then he froze having heard a light step approaching he gave Tumble a friendly shake to the shoulder, "someone's comin feller me lad ya stand fast an Ah'll blend ta cover yer six!" Grum said before swarming up the junk stack into his Hide.
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Post by Eliaza on Nov 5, 2014 7:28:44 GMT -5
Startled, Tumble immediately went on the alert as Grumbus disappeared back into his junkpile. He stood a moment, racking his brains to remember what one was supposed to do in this situation. Finally, he just took up the defensive stance he'd often seen Munkustrap do, and watched for whoever was coming. Would there be an attack now, so soon after the Pollicle?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 18:34:10 GMT -5
Jemima had been gaining the courage to check out the front gates ever since he had heard of the Pollicle attack. Ever curious, but still scared that there may have been another dog nearby, she had taken the trip to the front gates five times, but never got close enough and always wound up back at her den. Finally, however, as she daydreamed about what she'd do if there was another dog at the gates, she steadily made her way there.
The black calico queen had her thoughts in clouds, as her feet automatically walked in the direction of the gates. She had drifted to the dog rushing at her, teeth bared and a big meaty paw with claws extended being flung at her and then penetrating her shoulder. She had been so petrified of her own thoughts, that when she saw Tumblebrutus standing there, in a defensive posture, she had for a split second her mind warned her of danger. Her eyes had widened and with a scared scream, she went down to her knees, hiding her face.
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Post by dodd4 on Nov 5, 2014 18:56:51 GMT -5
up in his hide Grum facepalmed with a silent groan, thinking 'who comes along but a fair little cailín an what does Tumble do? scare the scat out of her, oh this young Bucko was going ta go far with tha Ladies!'. the scarred tom hesitated revealing himself knowing how frightening he could look.
MEANHILE.....
Stubinz was hurrying along on his errand when he came across the tableau at the gate. "here now what's this?" the old tom demanded stepping between Jemima and Tumble with a thunderous scowl "first that sláthach Tucker threatens a harmeless stray queen an now Ah come ta tha yard an find this? do ya haie an explanation?"
he said to the young tom.
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Post by Eliaza on Nov 5, 2014 21:59:14 GMT -5
Tumblebrutus, upon seeing that it was only Jemima coming through the gate, relaxed from his defensive posture. Seeing her reaction, he looked stricken: he must have appeared more terrifying than he'd realized, for her to get that upset. He half extended his paw towards Jemima, then thought better of it - that might only scare her more, so he pulled his paw back. "Jemima..." he began, aghast. Just then, Stubinz showed up and before Tumble could speak, the older tom began berating him. Tumble flattened his ears, feeling like a scolded kitten. It had been an honest mistake, and he couldn't understand why Stubinz flew off the handle like this. The thought made Tumble angry, and he didn't trust himself to speak to Stubinz at the moment. So he turned back towards Jemima, speaking as gently as possible while still keeping his distance to not scare her again. "Jemima... I'm so sorry, truly I am. I was guarding the gate with Grumbuskin, and when we heard pawsteps... Well, I suppose I overreacted because of all that has been going on here lately." He hung his head, hating how pathetic he sounded. So much for learning to be a protector and proving how good he was at being an adult and taking care of things. He did glance around, wondering when Grumbus would show himself.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2014 14:42:26 GMT -5
Jemima had expected...something. A hit, a growl. But nothing had happened. With still round and petrified eyes, she peeked them out from beneath her arm (firmly covering her face). Was she seeing things? At the sound and appearance of Stubby and seeing Tumble's ears fold downwards, she realized that she wasn't daydreaming the scene before her. They were indeed there, and there had been no scary pollicle running at her. When it occurred to her just how foolish she had probably looked when she screamed in fear in front of friends...family. Well, that was hard to recover from, especially in front of an attractive tom. "I-I-I-I..." She started, stopped, and closed her ridiculous gaping mouth. Licking at her lips, she frowned. "Iiiiii....dd-d-d-dddidn't mean to..." She finally stuttered out, not even sure if she was trying to apologize for Tumblebrutus, or if she was apologizing for her own foolishness.
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