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| Thanks to Griffinstorm~* for the idea! |
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| "Do what, Tugger?" Quaxo said. "Redo what you set in motion with Macavity?" |
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| "I didn't mean to. He never said he would hurt Demeter." |
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| "You have a plan to rescue Deuteronomy?" |
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| "Alright. I can play Mistoffelees for awhile." |
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| "This isn't one of your travel stories," she said. "This is life." |
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| "I suppose you knew that when Victoria caught your eyes?" |
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| Skimbleshanks snarled at him. "I made a mistake!" |
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| Jellylorum touched his shoulder. "Skimble?" |
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| "I know...I'll forget..." |
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| "That's not what I wanted to ask." |
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| "Yes, I want you to come with me." |
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| "I'm telling you, he's changed!" |
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| Munkustrap turned away. "No one like that can." |
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| "I was with him last night. He's not like when he was my mate." |
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| That was when he smacked her. "Demeter, he raped Jemima yesterday!" |
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| She shouted through her tears. "I'm leaving, and you can't stop me. You're not my mate!" |
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| Alonzo rolled over to wrap his arm around her. "Demeter rejected me." |
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| "That's not why you've changed," she whispered. |
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| "I had a talk with Macavity." |
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| "But you said...your coloring...?" |
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| "That's only half of it." He pinned her down. "I feel alive, Bombalurina." |
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| "Keep it up. You won't be for long." |
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| "Lazuli and Breecia just had their kittens. Are you going to poison them, too?" |
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| The kitten Macavity couldn't move for being surrounded. "It was an accident." |
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| Deuteronomy finally intervened between them. "Do not jump to conclusions, Tertius. Ailuro." |
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| "Say that when he runs off with your mate, Deuteronomy." |
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| "Everyone around here knows you're the best." |
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| "Not better than him," Mungojerrie retaliated. |
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| "No one is better than the boss," the other tom chuckled evilly. |
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| She didn't move. "I won't leave you here." |
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| "You don't have the choice, Rumpleteazer," Macavity hissed, flexing his claws. "Your brother knows too much." |
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| He was coming, she knew. He would come as he did every night. Do the same things. Nor could she stop him. She was defenseless. She had only her dream of the tom that so often came to her. Someday he would take her away. But not now. Now he was coming for her. |
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| "I love you, mother," he called, knowing she could hear at least that before she disappeared into the clouds of Heaviside. Other cats said likewise, but could hardly manage the same meaning. |
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| "The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity..." |
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| The cats sang, but none so clearly as Munkustrap. Finally, he could forgive her. |
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| Pouncival knew the risk he was taking. Munkustrap was the kindest, bravest cat he'd ever known. But the words so enticed him. |
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| "I can show you the same powers," the tom hissed. "All you have to do is what I say. Obey me." |
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| There was no going back. Pouncival took Macavity's paw. |
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| Coricopat lay next to his sister, but would do nothing more. |
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| "Why must we do the same as our ancestors?" |
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| "Do not question it," Tantomile hushed, purring deeply. "It must be this way." |
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| "To protect our bloodline. Our powers." |
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| "You don't have a choice..." She closed her eyes. |
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| Hopefully more to come... |
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