I will not be as active as I was once on this blog. I will still be around though, but for the time being I will be lurking with the occasional reblog and post making.
they have an obsession to claim things as theirs. books, clothes, vehicles...even other humans, depending on how strongly they feel and and how attach they are to one another. there is nothing wrong with humans claiming things, or people.
("jellylorum, what is that fabric around your neck?"
"a collar, dear brother. anne put it on me yesterday, just before i left. it matches my fur very much!")
but he finds it annoying when a human sees a stray coming up to them -cat or dog- and think that 'the system' is providing them a pet to claim as their own. he thinks it's annoying, and a ridiculous concept.
("oh everlasting cat. well, it was wonderful to have you as a sister, jelly. i shall enjoy what little time we have left together."
"you still believe that silly superstition, rags? you know there is no account of a jellicle transforming into a non-jellilcle cat. and many of our friends have owners who let them come and go as they please.")
"so you say. so our friends say. mark my words, dear sister. there will be a human who will find a way to keep a jellicle inside their home longer than we prefer. and when trap, the connection to the jellicle moon will be severed little and slowly, to where only a miracle will have them find an escape back to freedom. i pray to the everlasting cat that the jellicle won't be you.")
he actually got curious once, if there is a 'system'. his inquiries with his jellicle friends and pollicle associates has him thinking the system is possibly bollocks. it's a system made up by humans because they want an adorable fuzzy warm-blooded 'friend' to pet and feed and play with until they get bored or find it too difficult to keep responsibilities of.
of course, being that he asked only jellicle cats and pollicle dogs, it would be wise to collect answers from non-jellicle cats and non-pollicle dogs. his attempts to query them ended with hisses and growls and the other party running away from him.
if there is a 'system', humans are lucky to keep claiming non-jellicle cats and non-pollicle dogs strays as theirs. regular strays who will be content with living indoors and strung to them with a lease, doing as what their owners wants. regular felines and regular canines who jellicle cats (and likely pollicle dogs) will never understand. not fully as least.
("anne knows very well i can't remain indoors. the last few weeks of my coming and going has her understanding my character very well. if you ever get an owner rags,-"
"i don't plan on getting an owner."
"i said if! if you ever get an owner...oh, i don't know how to explain it. our owners just know we're different. they take us in, thinking for our safety we should become indoor pets. and the next day, they change their minds, and let us be who we are.")
he feels he has a better understanding on them than humans. yes, there are certain nights his body will shift and rearrange to become human-like, as well as gain the ability to become human-size. but the feline features remain, some more obvious than others.
it gets very questionable looks from humans, especially when it's not october, which is the only month where the excuse of, "my american friend is hosting an american halloween party and i decided to dress up as a cat and-fuck you sir, i can do whatever i want!", works.
no, he is not speaking of experience. really, he's not.
tangents aside, the point he is trying to make is that humans make claims of everything and anything. such desire to claim is at its worst when it comes to strays who most likely don't want to be owned, who take pride in their independence.
like himself. he knows that he will never be kept inside four walls, with the window as the only way to see the grand wide world. he stands by the fact he will never, never be claim by a human.
i admit, i really did thought it was a real person because they actually mention details of the chapter proper!
but i found it weird that they referred to munkustrap as munkustrap's (silver-grey). like, i get it because the man over there (thomas) doesn't know his name. but it's weird because it's like...i don't know, redundant?
the thing that made go 'oh this has to be a bot' is the last sentence. like, very very ODD to talk about your other socials on a comment here.
and i actually did look at their account. maybe they're a new user and don't actually know how rude it is to try to get me to see their works on other websites. and yeah, they're a new user.
their account was made the same day i posted the chapter.
maybe the user isn't a bot. but i found their behavior questionable (and honestly rude) to think it is. and this time, i have no shame in hiding their username.
An Account From The Man Over There: Grizabella, the Glamour Cat
(AO3 Link is here)
Just as quickly as it stops, the instrumental of Tugger’s rock song starts up unexpectedly. Everyone is in a frenzy. Thomas isn’t sure when during the frenzy Isis disappeared, but considering her previous vanishing act, he’s not going to question it.
What Thomas is questioning though, as the instrumental of Tugger’s song plays, is Tugger deciding to show himself as an ass to Thomas, and moon him.
Yes, moon him. Thomas hastily covers his face with his hands.
If I’m being tested, the end results better be worth it…
Thomas keeps his hands over his face as the music continues, clearly about to enter a reprise.
But the reprise never comes. The sudden melancholy of a cello note interrupts, no, ends it.
Thomas uncovers his hands, and sees Tugger on the boot of the car, pointing. A pure look of disgust and hatred is on his face. There’s something uncomfortable to see the happy-go-annoying nature of Tugger is gone. And fitting to this change, Tugger pops his mane, and says two words that while Thomas can’t hear, knows what they are.
“Fuck you.”
Tugger then disappears.
Thomas turns his head towards the direction Tugger was pointing at earlier, and he sees her.
Thomas heard about her from a local postman, Mr. Callaghan. Thomas never took his words to heart until now. Thomas thought what Mr. Callaghan told him was a gross embellishment. An exaggeration to tease a worrying veterinarian.
But Mr. Callaghan was right. He was so, very, very right.
She walks with a limp. It’s a limp that was neglected from the story.
Tuxedo Cat stares at her with a genuine curiosity. Silver-Grey gently pushes the tom away, takes his stance. He gives her a powerful, formidable stare.
Her coat is very matted and dirty, stained from mud and other earthly elements.
Mia goes up to her, a hand outreach. Silver-Grey looks at Mia, but doesn’t push her away. And that’s because Glass-Green Eyes intercepts. Glass-Green Eyes worryingly pulls Mia away, keeping her close to him. He’s protecting Mia from her.
She is very thin. Quite dangerously thin.
Bombalurina deliberately strides to her. The two make eye contact, briefly. Bombalurina also has an expression of disgust and hatred. But Bombalurina’s holds more malice than Tugger’s. There’s a pain to Bombalurina’s eyes that reads almost personal between her and the other cat.
If she was any thinner, Thomas could see her ribcage.
Tortoiseshell also goes up to her, hand also outreaching. Jenny quickly smacks the hand, and sends the younger cat running.
Thomas sees Collar-Patches, Simple-Face Tom, and Patches in conversation in the background. The former two are talking to Patches about something. They push Patches forward, and Patches is alone, gesturing her to come near him.
Thomas sees Isis once again near the pipe, who is now in a dark sleek coat. There is so much to be said about Isis and her changing coat. There is lots to say about Isis now.
For one, unlike the other adult cats, Isis’s expression is neutral. There is no like and care, but there is also no dislike and repulse to her.
And secondly, no one seems to realize Isis is among them. She is nearby other cats, but they don’t notice her presence. They don’t sense she’s there with them.
Maybe it’s because everyone is focus on Patches. All of the adults show concern as Patches outreaches his hand. But they don’t do anything. They don’t try to stop him.
And she limps to him. And he scratches her.
Patches run away, with Collar-Patches and Simple-Face Tom hiding behind the adults for protection. To think that they need protection from the former Glamour Cat, Isabella.
No, thinks Thomas. She’s Grizabella now.
She hasn’t been Isabella for a long time.
Gold Queen skittishly walks towards her. Both of her hands are out, like she wants to embrace the older queen. Gold Queen is the only one to recognize the truth.
But Gold Queen can’t do it. She runs away, scare and giving into pressure. Gold Queen gives her a pitiful look, before running towards Bombalurina. Bombalurina gives her friend a reassuring hug of doing the ‘right’ decision.
Maybe it is the ‘right’ decision to a Jellicle cat. But Thomas is human. And he isn’t bound by their rules. He didn’t tell himself he would do as the Romans do.
And not one of the Jellicles told Thomas what he should and shouldn’t do.
Thomas sees Grizabella and Silver-Grey in the center. Silver-Grey is in a protecter stance. There’s something admirable about Silver-Grey protecting the clowder.
But not admirable enough to stop Thomas. Thomas stands up, and takes a few steps.
“Don’t, Tommy.”
Thomas turns back around, and sees Jellylorum and two of the younger cats, White Queen and Boy-Crazy Queen. Both of the younger cats are staring at him with intriguing eyes.
“Don’t,” repeats Jellylorum. Her voice is most austere. “Please, don’t.”
The coldness and detachment in Jellylorum’s voice from when they last spoke is jarring.
“Remark the cat who hesitates towards you…”
Thomas turns back his attention back to Silver-Grey and Grizabella. She is singing now. Going by her appearance, Thomas wouldn’t have guessed she has a strong, powerful singing voice.
“In the light of the door which opens on her like a grin…”
Silver-Grey is no longer in his protector stance. Not completely. But the way he stands, there’s a sense of shame. Even his expression is different. Maybe Silver-Grey recognizes now that she won’t do any physical harm, and is taking a more lenient approach to her presence.
Thomas sees that Boy-Crazy Queen and the White Queen give each other brief glances, and make their way towards Grizabella. Jellylorum has a panic look in her eyes, and hovers over them. Her trembling hands are hovering over their heads. Thomas stays behind them.
Grizabella turns to their direction, and narrows her eyes in their direction.
“You see the border of her coat is torn and stained with sand!”
Grizabella sings more to Jellylorum than to Boy-Crazy Queen and the White Queen.
Jellylorum manages to hurdle the two younger cats away. Grizabella stares at him, and quickly turns her attention elsewhere. Thomas follows to where the older queen is looking at.
She stares at another adult queen, standing and posing similar to an Egyptian hieroglyphic. She has a dark, sleek coat, with her face having some white. Her collar has decorated jewels on them also. There are plenty more housecats in the junkyard tonight than Thomas thought.
“And you see,” continues Grizabella, “the corner of her eye twist like a crooked pin.”
The queen slowly moves and slinks towards Silver-Grey, and the two share a passing look. Silver-Grey stares at Slink Queen. It’s a stare that has Slink Queen slinking away to another tom. He’s black and white, but not a tuxedo cat. He’s a bicolour cat that looks like he would be found fighting anyone who dare crosses his path in an alleyway.
Silver-Grey moves aside. Grizabella is now limping away. Thomas quickly and quietly moves back to the edge, and slowly follow her. Thomas doesn’t care if she doesn’t notice him follwing. He doesn’t care if the Jellicles think him stupid to follow her.
“She haunted many a low resort…”
Thomas briefly looks at the center of the junkyard. He sees Gold Queen in the center. Bombalurina stares at her friend with concern. Her hand is outreach, as if she attempted to stop her friend.
Thomas returns his attention back to Grizabella. She is still walking away.
“Near the grimy road of Tottenham Court…”
Grizabella walks away with holding her head high.
“She flitted about the no man's land, from ‘The Rising Sun’ to ‘The Friend at Hand’…”
Her face is slightly out of his line of sight. But he can tell that she’s smiling.
“And the postman sighed as he scratched his head,
You'd really have thought she'd ought to be dead…”
Word for word verbatim of what Mr. Callaghan told Thomas.
“And who would ever suppose that thaaat…”
Grizabella pauses, and hunches over in pain. Physical? Emotional?
“Was Grizabella the Glamour Cat.”
“Grizabella the Glamour Cat,” sings Bombalurina. Her voice has so much spite in it. There’s a clear disdain between her and the Glamour Cat that runs deeper than originality thought.
“Grizabella the Glamour Cat,” hears Thomas. The two queens are singing together.
Grizabella slowly stands back up, and continues her walk. It’s not as proud as before.
“Who'd have ever supposed that thaaat….”
Thomas hears everyone joining in now. He can hear everyone holding her in contempt to different degrees. But it’s contempt all the same.
“Was Grizabella the Glamour Cat?”
Grizabella totters away into the darkness that is the rest of the junkyard.
Cats Musical OCs (and Victor) that I made via PowerPoint in 2024 and forgot until until recently clicked on Power Point. I figure I'll clean them up and post them, for I'm still very proud of my OCs. Also:
Pollicle Dog OC! If you played Ghost Trick, you know what everything about Pollicle!Missile is referencing regarding GT!Missile.
I think one of the things that makes the TS Eliot poems in Old Possum's book delightful is that the cats are clearly based on normal cats you'd encounter in everyday life, but have just been whimsy-fied.
Jennyanydots is a cat that gets zoomies at 3am
Skimbleshanks is the cat that lives at your place of employment and everyone refers to as "the manager"
Rum Tug Tugger is a cat who yells at you to let them in and then walk away when you finally open the door
Mistophelees is a cat who steals and hides your stuff
Macavity is a cat who has committed vehicular manslaughter
Hello!!!! This is definitely my new favorite drawing I made!!! And I wanted to apologize for not putting the speed paint on this drawing, it didn't want to load since I spent a good few hours making this drawing.
[Originally published on 09/11/2021, the AO3 link is here.]
Sally can say she is truly minding her own business, walking down the hallway from the library, when she hears someone running up behind her. Before she can turn around to the confront the person, Sally feels two arms suddenly hugging her. She then sees the arms of a pink and white striped sweater. Sally rolls her eyes, holds back an annoyed sigh.
Only one person wears that sweater on Friday. To the owner, it’s a Friday type of sweater.
“Why are you—” begins Sally, before she hears the shushing of the girl currently behind.
“I’m not hugging you, Sebald,” interrupts Miranda, her voice full of disappointment. “I’m in fact, grabbing you from behind. That’s what I do to all thieves that take something from me.”
“Thieves?” Sally couldn’t believe what she is hearing right now—what she is being call right now. “Sebald, what are you talking about? What did I steal from you!?”
“Don’t lie to me now of all times, Sebald!” Miranda’s voice is now of disappointment and angry. “I been waiting for you for over ten minutes, and I have little patience! Now, this is something I technically expect from your brother, especially since he doesn’t think about reading from time to time. But you…what a low blow! This is nothing I would expect from the likes of you!”
“Miranda, will you please get to the point? I truly don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“Sebald, you are guilty of stealing and eating my chocolate-strawberry pudding. I even put both of my initials on it. How on Earth could you mistaken M.C. for S.S. of all things?”
“Oh…I thought M.C. stands for Milk Chocolate,” answers Sally, her cheeks still feeling warm. “No wonder it tasted a bit funky. It also explains why it had two different colors in the first place.”
“You do know that doesn’t excuse for stealing my dessert snack,” says Miranda.
Sally gives out a small chuckle. “True. I’m pretty sure I broke a rule by stealing someone’s lunch. Say…I’ll tell you what. You know that new little café that opened up a block from here? I’ll buy you something to replace the pudding.”
“…You’ll buy me something of my liking?” Miranda’s voice is a bit high pitch, as if she’s thinking about taking offer up.
“Provided it’s in my price range,” replies Sally. “Due to my constantly good behavior, I was given a wonderful bonus in the form of money by Ishmael, of all people.”
Sally feels Miranda’s arms let go of her. She then feels Miranda grabbing her right hand, before getting drag down the hallway. Sally says nothing, but she smiles as she hears Miranda speaks once again, this time of glee and satisfaction.
“We don’t have time to waste then, Sebald! We have to get to the café before lunch time ends! There’s no way I want to be mark tardy for our next class!”
-
Sally strolls down the sidewalk with many folders in her arms, as well has her purse that is very close to falling off from her shoulder, when she hears someone running up from behind her in what she can tell is high heels. She feels glad that it being quite early in the morning —the sun can barely be described as up— or else she would have heard pedestrians complaining. Before she can turn around to the confront the person, Sally feels two arms suddenly hugging her.
The arms belong to someone wearing a familiar grey long-sleeve shirt, with their nails painted white as snow. Sally also sees a silver ring engraved with a small ‘C’ in the middle, being worn on the right middle finger. Sally knows that ring rather well; she gave it to the woman on the birthday they both became of age.
“You’ll never believed what happened at the Mulctuary Money Management interview, Sally!” Miranda’s voice is full of excitement.
Miranda quickly let go of Sally, and then turns her around so the two could face each other. Sally couldn’t help but feel her cheeks becoming warm. It took some time, but Sally is rather fond of Miranda’s surprised hugs, even if they happen in rather inappropriate moments. Sally doesn’t think this isn’t one of those moments though.
“I guess you’re too excited to wait to tell me over the phone?” asks Sally, shrugging her shoulders. “You do realize I’m rather full on my hands at the moment.”
Miranda gives out a laugh, before placing her hands onto Sally’s shoulders. “I needed to tell you in person! You’re the one who even made it possible after all! You lend me the clothes, help me practice answering questions…you even help me do a proper handshake!”
“Will you just tell me?” asks Sally once again, this time with a laugh herself. “As much as I enjoy the suspense, I really don’t want to drop these folders. They’re full of reports for V.F.D., and I don’t want to go re-type them all if they managed to get ruined!”
“Oh fine! I got the position as secretary at Mulctuary Money Management! Do you know what that means?” Miranda gives out a giggle. “My mother will have to keep her promise to postpone my training at Caligari Carnival to be the next Madame Lulu!”
Sally feels her arms dropping, and hears the folders falling onto the sidewalk. She even hears her purse slipping down as well, landing with a soft ‘thud’! But Sally doesn’t care though. All she cares about is the words that came out of Miranda’s mouth. Or rather, one word: postpone.
Sally then grabs Miranda’s hands. They were soft and smooth, and always warm when compares to Sally’s own cold hands.
“Oh Miranda, that’s wonderful news!” says Sally. “I’m so glad you got the position!”
Miranda gives out a small smile. “I would rather listen to my boss ordering me to bring files of paperwork, coffee, jot down notes, or anything else if it means I get to be closer to you! The drive from the Carnival to the City was starting to eat my bank account away!”
“We have to celebrate right now.” Sally soon let go of Miranda’s hands. “I don’t think any café is open right now, but my place isn’t that far from here. I could make you a quick breakfast if you want, as my treat. I know how to make a rather tasty meal of French Toast.”
“French Toast sounds wonderful!” Miranda soon frowns, and then looks down at the sidewalk. “I do think we should take care of this problem first. Sorry for making you drop them.”
Sally gives out a scoff. “I think the sidewalk isn’t that dirty enough for me to re-type them all.”
-
Sally places her arms on the metal railing, and then takes a look her watch, before taking a glance at the bag besides her. Miranda has been keeping her waiting for the last fifteen minutes. Usually, it’s Sally who is running late. Maybe Miranda wanted to switch things up a bit, or maybe she was held up with Olivia. Sally did recall Olivia is supposed to be visiting last week. Perhaps Olivia picks this day of all days for the right reason.
“I’m not surprised Miranda would put family first. Who wouldn’t do such a thing? I know I normally would…but Gustav is such a sweet brother to give Miranda the afternoon!” Sally smiles, and thinks about how her and Miranda’s day will be.
Even though both enjoy the off season, their hectic work schedule made such a desire to be impossible. However, the impossible made today all more perfect. It’s Sally and Miranda’s birthday, and Gustav agreed his present to Sally is to have the afternoon with Miranda.
Sally turns around, and squints her eyes. The sun could be getting to her, but Sally sees one Georgina Orwell, of all the things the woman can do, trying to roller skate. The keyword here is ‘trying’. The spectacles wearing older woman is wearing arm pads and kneepads but no helmet, and has her arms out to keep balance.
“Sebald, move your ass!” Orwell screams at the top of her lungs.
Sally watches Orwell about to fall over the railing and into the bush. She probably would have, if the decision to grab Orwell with her free hand never happen. Sally pulls Orwell back, and holds her close. They weren’t necessary hugging, but their position is close to one another. Their faces are a few centimeters apart. Orwell looks rather taken back by Sally’s heroic action.
“Hear I thought you still hold a grudge against me, Sebald,” says Orwell, giving her a cheeky smile. “I guess time heals all wounds after all.”
“Just because I saved you from a well deserve fall doesn’t mean I won’t forgive for breaking my brother’s heart in the most humiliating way possible,” growls Sally. “You put the ‘itch’ in bitch. Besides, I didn’t want you ruining Miranda’s birthday gift. That’s my main priority.”
Orwell does a weird side glance, and then returns her attention back on Sally. The cheeky smile is still on her damn face. All of a sudden, Orwell gives a small bop on Sally’s nose and whispers, “I guess your grudge against me will just get bigger. Hope you have fun explaining why we’re in a somewhat compromising position one can be in public.”
Orwell grab Sally’s chin, and turns it sideways to where she was looking before. Sally feel her eyes widening in horror. Her mouth opens up, but no words could come out. All those words are still scramble in Sally’s brain, as well as a very terrible thought. With the bitch ruining both Gustav and now her own life, Sally hopes Orwell has a very pleasant and painful death.
Standing in front of them is Miranda on her bike, wide-eye from shock. Miranda is wearing her red hibiscus dress that goes down to her knees and a sunhat Sally bought last summer back on sale. In the bike basket there is a small wrap present, with a heart-shape tag that says ‘Sally’.
Miranda’s eyebrows narrow, and her mouth forms into a scowl. Without hesitation, Miranda quickly bikes off in the opposite direction, with Sally hearing the shatter that is of her own heart.
-
“Sally, are you sure you want to do this?” asks Gustav, still sitting in the motorcycle sidecar. “Even though I was able to explain to Olivia the whole situation —it helps Olivia never like Orwell either— she told me Miranda is still furious at you. You know how stubborn she can get, especially after a heartbreak. Remember what happened to her and—”
“In that situation, Miranda cooled down in five weeks times and the two went back to being friendly associates again. Gustav, she been giving me the silent treatment for five months.” Sally takes of her helmet and hands it to Gustav. Sally then tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I think if I personally explain it to her, as well as giving her a belated birthday gift…”
Sally soon sighs. “Gustav, you know all I want is for us to be friends again. Well… I mean, yes, I also hope we can get back together, but it’s a fragment of hope. It’s a ‘maybe-it’s-a-happy-ending’ hope. It’s a hope I don’t realistically expect to happen, as much as I desperately want it.”
Gustav gives her a tired smile and knowing look, as he hands Sally the bagged-gift sitting beside him. Sally grabs the bag, and then gives a small wave at Gustav before walking away down the street. Miranda’s apartment is a few blocks down, but Sally didn’t want to take the risk of getting spotted. Sally hopes Miranda is in a good mood to at least hear her out.
As Sally continues walking, she couldn’t help but think about the day she accidentally ate Miranda’s chocolate-coconut pudding. Even though they had formal talks as students, that conversation was their first personal interaction with one another. If she never ate the pudding, neither of them would have become friends, and eventually so much more.
When Sally approaches the building, she sees Miranda exiting. Since today is a Friday, Miranda is wearing a pink and white checkered dress with short sleeves. She had outgrown the pink and white striped sweater when they turn seventeen, replacing it with a dress of the same colors. With Miranda holding the door for some reason, Sally figure it’s her chance to call out.
Sally stops herself in time though. Miranda holding the door for reason is because she’s holding it for Thursday, of all people. Sally feels her face burning out of embarrassment. She forgot Thursday is back in the dating field, given how he and his ex-wife’s divorce is finally finalized.
She still can’t understand why after so many years of a happy marriage, his ex-wife got tired of him. Sally can’t see why. His personality is rather pleasant as pleasant can be, his eyes are in a wonderful shade of the most common eye color the population can have, and a face shape Sally admits is perfect for him. She can truly see why Miranda —and once upon a time, the ex-wife— is smitten by the man. Sally isn’t surprised Miranda said yes to a date with Thursday.
As she watches Thursday open the passenger door of his car for Miranda, Sally continues to stands and stare at the car driving off to who knows where.
snowghoul
titsay
yousharknotpass
