Lorum: The Family Tree by Mystilorum

Lorum: The Family Tree (Part 1) By Mystilorum Prologue “They’re coming, Jaestyer, they’re coming!” shouted Firena, “They’re coming!” Jaestyer ran over to his queen. “It’s all right,” he comforted her calmly. “The pain is the only bad part. Everything else you just need a little love for.” Suddenly, a tiny head popped out. “Firena! Look! It’s a girl!” “Oh my Everlasting Cat…” breathed the female in disbelief. “I’m a-“ “You’re a mother!” Soon, the whole litter had come out. As Firena licked them dry, she exclaimed, “They’re all girls! What are the chances of that? Not that I’m unhappy, I’m just surprised!” “Well, we better start thinking of many female names.” “I think- I think we should name them all- oh, this will just sound silly-“ “No, please, Firena, dear, go on,” smiled Jaestyer. “I think we should all name them with a –lorum at the end of their names. You know, like Rainyalorum, the only female leader of the Jellicle Tribe in Jellicle history.” “I think that sounds wonderful, dear,” beamed Jaestyer. “They’re all so beautiful- just like you.” Firena giggled at this. “Let’s see…this one shall be Silyulorum, and this one shall be Shyulorum, this one Pebyulorum, and this one,“ she said, pointing to the first kitten who had been born, the oldest, “the one who looks like me- shall be Jellylorum.” Part 1 “Come on, Bom!” shouted Jellylorum to her friend, Bombalurina. “Let’s go play!” “Okay- but can I bring Demeter? I’m afraid she’ll get abducted again. She’s yelling at me for ‘mothering’ her, but I can’t help being so protective! I know what it’s like to be in Macavity’s lair, and it’s not fun!” “Oh, fine. Just don’t pretend I don’t exist!” said Jelly, who had been feeling neglected by her best friend after Demeter, Bombalurina’s little sister, had been catnapped by Macavity. All Bom seemed to do lately was protect her sister from the dangers of the world. Suddenly, Jaestyer, Jellylorum’s father, came running up to her out of breath. “Jelly,” he gasped, “your mother’s having her second litter! Come! Please! She wants you to be a witness!” Jellylorum, who was very excited since she had never witnessed a kitten’s birth, ran along with her father to the old VW Beetle the family lived in alongside Bombalurina (and Demeter, much to Jellylorum’s dismay). “Jelly! Jaestyer! They’re here! And they’re all girls!” “Again?!” exclaimed Jaestyer. “Yes! And I’ve named them, too. This one is Hellnalorum, this is Jutirylorum, this is Kittylorum, and this one is Mystilorum.” “Oh, Mother, they’re adorable! All of them!” Suddenly, three young queens appeared; Liotale, Arabesque, and Pouncivette. “Hey, Jel! We heard the kittens were coming, so…well, you know. Here we are!” “Oh, hi! These are my new sisters: Kittylorum, Jutirylorum, Mystilorum, and Hellnalorum. I wonder if she’s the kitten from Hell?” Firena sighed. “Yes, she does look like a problem child. Just like you were, Jelly…” “Oh, Mom, shut up,” said Jellylorum playfully. She went off to play with her friends. “Well, you sure seem disinterested,” said Pouncivette. “Yeah, I know, but I’m not.” She then added under her breath, “Believe it or not.” Scarlett bounded up to the young queens. “Hi! Congratulations, Jel!” “Well, it wasn’t me who had the kittens, but thanks anyway!” They then went to find the rest of their friends; Fritti, Muncaster, Shadow, Jizzabuzz, Jennikous, Psalmity, and a menagerie of other cats. Six months later… Tigera, Electra, Etcetera, Jemima, Victoria and Sillabub were wandering around the Junkyard, with nothing to do. Their friend, Mystilorum, was at her master’s house, and the white cat with yellow stripes always thought up the most creative ideas out of any of them. So they were stuck with wandering. Suddenly they came upon a Jellicle they had never seen before. “Hi girls,” greeted the attractive new tom. “My name’s Tomfoolery, but you can call me Tom.” The six queens sighed dreamily over the sight of this new tom. They introduced themselves, and talked for awhile. Soon Tomfoolery had to go, and the six decided to go visit Mystilorum. They went to her master’s house, only to find her waiting outside for them. “Hi!” she greeted. “What’s new?” “Oh, nothing,” said Jemima slyly, “except the fact that I’m the future mate of Tom.” “Ha!” answered Victoria. “That’s where you’re wrong, Jemi! I am, of course.” “You guys are crazy! I’m the one he likes! Did you see the way he looked at me?” “Yeah, like you were some drooling Pollicle or something!” “He’s mine!” “No!” “I’ll scratch you’re eyes out!” “ME!” “No, me!” “He likes me!” “Stop!” commanded Mystilorum. “If you guys can’t decide, I will. Let’s have…a contest.” “A contest?” asked Etcetera. “Yup! Follow me,” said Mysti as she led them up to the roof. “Okay. We’re going to jump off the roof. As it seems, only the most graceful cat here should be worthy of becoming this ‘Tom’s mate. Whichever one of you lands the most gracefully, wins the contest and the guy! Oh yeah,” she added, “and if I win, nobody gets him! Got it?” “Got it,” they agreed in unison. “Ready? One…two…three…you can start jumping NOW!!” They jumped. They all landed on their feet and then slipped. Then, Victoria leaped off gracefully. She landed perfectly, but then was pushed over by Electra’s tail. At long last, Mystilorum did a perfect swan dive off the roof. She landed purrrfectly on her feet, and didn’t fall over. “Ha! There you go,” said Mystilorum in a victorious tone. “I won.” “Aww!” came from all the other queens. They then went home for the night, excited about the adventure that lay ahead the next day- their first Jellicle Ball.

LORUM: THe Family Tree

Part 2

“It’s my first Jellicle Ba-all! It’s my first Jellicle Ba-all!” sang Mystilorum happily. “Mysti, PLEASE shut up. It’s only my second, and I’m not bouncing off the walls like a certain kitten I know, hint, hint,” responded an annoyed Jellylorum. “No! Never! I shall NEVER shut up!” screeched the younger of the two, bursting into a fit of giggles. Jellylorum sighed. She started to call the other kittens. “Hellna! Hellnalorum, where are you?!” “I’m right here!” said the kitten, popping out from behind the accelerator. “Hellnalorum,” groaned Jellylorum, “how many times do I have to tell you that going back there is DANGEROUS? Do you want to die? Huh? Huh? Huh? Didja want to commit suicide?” “Maybe,” said the defiant kitten. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” “You’re a little brat, did you know that?” “I know you are, but what am I?” taunted the kitten who was, as a matter of fact, the kitten from Hell (or so she seemed it). Jellylorum knew that this was her cue to give up. “Oh, Helly, next time I’m making Silyulorum watch after you whether you or she likes it or not!” “What about Shyulorum?” “No way, she spoils you rotten every time.” “Jelly,” said Hellnalorum, at last cuddling up to her older sister, “didn’t we have another sister? From your litter?” “Yeah,” said Mystilorum. “How- how did you know?” stammered Jellylorum. “Well, we sorta heard Mom talking about one day to Aunt Jennyanydots. She said something about how she ‘would never have another litter after that last one’. We thought it meant that she didn’t like us, but…” “But then we heard her say something about her ‘lost kitten’,” added Mystilorum. “I think her name was Penolorum or something.” “Close, Mysti, it was Pebyulorum. And she- well, you know Bombalurina?” “Of course, Jel, she’s your best friend!” “And you know her little sister, Demeter?” “The one that you can’t stand?” “Uhh, yeah, that’s the one. Well, you know how she was abducted by Macavity?” The kittens shuddered. “Yes, we do.” “That’s- well, that’s-“ the older queen started to cry, “That’s what happened to Pebyulorum.” The kittens gasped in disbelief. Soon they began to sob too. Kittylorum and Jutirylorum ran up to them. “What’s wrong?” Their older sister told them the whole story. Soon everyone was wailing. “Is she dead?” asked Jutirylorum through her tears. “I don’t know,” sobbed Jellylorum. Well, soon enough they got over the shock and began to get ready for the Jellicle Ball. Mystilorum went out to explore. She went about the outskirts of the Junkyard and while doing so came upon a cat. Not just any cat, mind you, it was a very well-known cat. In fact, the cat was Macavity, the Mystery Cat. “Hello,” Mystilorum greeted cheerfully, not knowing the cat’s identity. “Oh, why, hello to you, too,” said Macavity, surprised that the kitten had not recognized him. “Are you from the Junkyard?” “Yup! I’ve lived there alllll my life!” “I see. So you’re a Jellicle?” “Yeah, are you?” queried Mystilorum. “Why- yes. I am. But I am in such a sad situation. I have absolutely no idea when the Ball is to take place. I was wondering if you knew?” “Sure, you silly! It’s tonight!” “Thank you SO much for your kindness and generosity- oh, what was your name?” “Mystilorum, but you can call me Mysti.” “Oh, thank you, I’ll be sure to be there. Look for me,” said the ginger cat as he sauntered away.