#cats pril2023

[cryptidvoidwritings]

Let them

have a

mix of

tails again

you cowards

[midnight-mail]

Skimble Shanks the Railway Cat is leading you off the train to the Jellicle ball! 🚂🌕

Finally posting catspril again! I've been busy with testing and I went to comic con yesterday!! Anyways I hope you enjoy my favorite cat

[indianasolo221]

Cats-Pril Day 5: Family

[rainbowratsstuff]

@storyweaverofgondor Cats-pril day 26: Trio

The boys! Tumble has a bad idea, Plato isn't sure whether to join or act more as the protector he's training to be, and Pounce is just happy to be there ^^

[naturepointstheway]

Cats-pril 2023 Prompt Day 20: Collar

When Tugger is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer, his collar is the only reminder left of him when Mistoffelees returns home. For Catspril Event by @storyweaverofgondor.

Not even a second after Tugger had entered the Heaviside Layer, Mistoffelees already ached for him—grief settled into his bone marrow, burrowed into his fur, and lay heavy in the air around him. That night, Mistoffelees, refusing to be hugged or pitied by others in the junkyard—no matter how well-meaning—had stolen away into the night to return to his den and curl up into a ball on his bed. With no one around to interrupt him, pity him, or try to touch him, he allowed himself to cry as much as he needed, wracking sobs shaking his whole body, tail hanging limp over the side of his bed. He hated how cold it felt without Tugger nearby, without his body wrapped around him, soft mane tickling the back of Mistoffelees’ head. The night wasn’t cold, but without Tugger, it seemed an Antarctic winter had settled in the room.

He didn’t care. He didn’t want to be warm right now, afraid it would only hurt. That it would only remind him of the absence of Tugger, always so warm, no matter the weather outside.

Mistoffelees curled up tighter, paws over his eyes, tail curled around him as the dawn broke, too bright, too cheery, and the humans downstairs too noisy and loud (though they were no louder than usual). All he wanted were the constellations of night, the sombre shine of the waning moon, and the humans out of the house to leave him in the silence and solitude he sought.

Only when the noon sun needled weak light through the windows, did Mistoffelees uncurl, whole body numb, throat and eyes stinging, shaky from not having eaten for a whole day. Opening his eyes as he pulled his heavy body to a sitting position, the first thing he spotted were bowls of food and water next to his bed. Evidently, even the humans had seen he hadn’t been eating, perhaps sensing his grief for Tugger, and brought his meal to him so he didn’t have to walk all the way back down into the kitchen.

Miserable as he felt, head aching from all the tears, Mistoffelees used his magic to pull the food and water within reach of his mouth. Sniffing at the water, he turned up his nose at its smell, pushing it away again, nibbling instead at the food. He ate only a few mouthfuls, but nevertheless, he felt somewhat less woozy and shaky now he had some food in his belly.

Deciding he may as well just walk for a little bit, even if just down the stairs and then back up into his room, Mistoffelees forced himself to his feet and padded out. Walking through the corridor to the stairs, the house seemed now too quiet for him, and he yearned for the sound of Tugger singing, racing through the house, or getting up into mischief in the pantry. He ached to hear his purrs one more time, to lock eyes with him one more time and see that unconditional love in his gaze, to hear his cheering as Mistoffelees danced for him (he was sure he’d never dance again now he was gone), or just have one more nuzzle into his thick mane.

Just one more time.

Really.

As soon as he walked into the kitchen, on instinct, he turned his head toward Tugger’s food and water dishes in a corner.

Now he wished he hadn’t.

They were empty, cleaned and left where they’d always been, which wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was when he then spotted Tugger’s old spiky collar on the floor next to the dishes.

His collar.

His spiky collar, his pride and joy.

The collar Tugger was always so extra-careful to ensure he didn’t poke Mistoffelees with when they cuddled together.

It was wrong to see that collar apart from Tugger.

It didn’t feel…right.

Mistoffelees approached the collar at a pace not exceeding a quiet tip-toe in absolute darkness with no stars or moon. Crouching down, ears drooping, tail tucking between his back legs, he sniffed at the spikes.

Tugger’s scent overwhelmed him at once, so strong it seemed he might have returned.

Alas, the collar was the only reminder of him left.

A sudden fear caught Mistoffelees—what if the humans took it and washed it? And then it would not smell like Tugger, but like…nothing. Like just another collar waiting for a new owner. Tugger’s scent would be stolen from him forever.

He couldn’t let that happen.

He wouldn’t let that happen.

Taking the collar, Mistoffelees cradled it to his chest, stealing away back up the stairs, straight back into his bed, now curling up again, not caring when the spikes poked him several times as he hugged it tight. He closed his eyes, wrapping his paws protectively around Tugger’s collar, letting himself sink into the last sensory reminder of him.

I miss you. I want you. I need you.

He must’ve fallen asleep again, as a tugging at the collar awoke him with a start. One of the humans had found him, and was currently trying to pry the collar from his paws. Mistoffelees held on tighter, claws unsheathing as he hissed at the human, who drew their hand back in surprise.

Don’t take it.

But the human recovered from their surprise and extended that hand again, going straight for the collar. Mistoffelees hissed, ears flattening as he swiped at the back of the human’s hand. They yelped, holding their hand, staring at where Mistoffelees had scratched them.

Another human rushed up to them and put a hand on the first one’s shoulder, whispering something in their ear with a glance and nod at Mistoffelees. The first human frowned a little, still cradling their hand, but allowed their companion to lead them back out of the room, leaving Mistoffelees alone again. He stared at the door, waiting for them to come back in and try and steal the collar again, but in the end, it seemed they had taken the hint and were leaving him be.

Curling around again, closing his eyes, Mistoffelees again tugged the collar up against himself, desperate to keep this one last reminder of Tugger close against his heart for as long as he could.

For the rest of his life.

[afairytalestray]

Day 26 of cats-pril by @storyweaverofgondor - trio. Of course I had to pick the gumbie trio! Also on Ao3 here.

..

The sun warming Jellylorum’s fur was briefly blocked. She looked up, and saw Demeter trot past and lie down beside her on the car bonnet. She let out a sigh as her stomach met the toasty metal. Jelly nuzzled her in greeting, and the two of them lay in a companionable silence for a moment.

“I’d like to do something special for Jenny’s song,” Jellylorum mused, more thinking aloud than anything. “The next Ball is on our anniversary.”

“Congratulations!” Demeter trilled. She was such a sweet Queen. Jellylorum smiled at her. “What did you have in mind?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Jelly hummed. “I’d like everyone to be involved, especially the Kittens, she dotes on them.”

“I’m sure we’d all be happy to!”

“Actually, Demeter, would you do something for me?” Jelly had gone back and forth in her mind previously about asking, she really hoped it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition – she knew the two of them adored Jenny.

“Of course?” Demeter tilted her head as she waited on Jelly’s request.

“Would you and Bombalurina consider taking on the verse after Munkustrap’s introduction? Jenny would like that, she sees you two as daughters, you know.”

“Oh, I’m honoured by that!” Demeter gasped. “I’d love to, and I’m sure Bomba would too, we definitely see her as a mother figure as well. But, maybe…”

“Is there a problem?” She hoped not.

“Not at all, I just wondered if it would be better if you joined us to make a trio? You’re her partner, after all, she loves you more than any of us!” Demeter said quickly.

Jelly smiled, affection for both Jenny and Demeter rising within her chest. It wasn’t something she’d considered, but now she thought about it, it would be really nice.

“I love that idea,” she said, leaning in to nuzzle Demeter again. “Oh, maybe we could help the Kittens make beetle and mice costumes to celebrate her work at home?”

“That sounds brilliant! We can work out our verses and harmonies when Bomba gets back from patrol. I do hope Jenny will like it.”

“With the whole family, everyone she loves involved?” Jelly laughed. “There’s no way she won’t!”

[skimbly-shanks]

trying to catch up on @storyweaverofgondor's CATS-pril! 😅

If nothing else, a late Day 1 fic:

[dididems]

Intertwined Tails

Listen. Sometimes you just really want to draw two cat gals with their tails intertwined. Cats-pril day 4 had the perfect prompt for this ❤️

[storyweaverofgondor]

Hello, my fandom friends! A little surprise for you!

A month long prompt event with prompts compiled by yours truly. You can do as many or as few as you like. Be sure to tag any posts you make #cats-pril2023 and tag each day accordingly. for example, #cats-prilday1 or #cats-prilday2 I will attempt to reblog what i can.

Rules:

All types of works are permitted and all ratings are allowed.

All works must be based off or around the prompts listed here.

All works must be Cats the Musical or in the very least strongly connected.

Works must be posted on the day of the prompt it’s connected to

Do not post before April 1st.

Late entries are allowed. Early ones are strongly discouraged but there is no punishment if you do so.

This event is open to everyone. No exceptions.

I will be attempting a collection on AO3. Link is here: CATS-PRIL. Hopefully it works! XD. If you upload any event works to AO3, it would be lovely if you could add them to the collection.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Feel free to go ahead prepare early if you want. And most of all, HAVE FUN!

Ball

Memory

Junkyard

Tail

Family

Tribe

Name

Three Words

Dance

Railway

Theater

Tire

Pipe

Rock n’ roll

Pirates

Rehearsal

Protector

Magic

Swag Bag

Collar

Songs

Rebirth

Moon

Everlasting Cat

Den

Trio

Background

1981

Fouettés

Gillian Lynne

[statisticalcats2]

Cats-pril 2023

Day 2 - Memory

[godnattakatta]

day 8 - three names

shamelessly plugging my own family headcanons - Munkustrap, Demeter and Rum Tum Tugger all being siblings + their three words. 

[cryptidvoidwritings]

There are better versions of these gifs somewhere, probably, but George Maniadis made choices that made him such a fun Alonzo to watch.

He's totally got this, he's going to handle it with Munk, NEVermind that weird queen is looking in his direction, oh no he's good he's fine whY IS DEMETER SINGING????

I dunno. I just think he embodies the three words really well in this one moment.

And then, of course, there's 'Shake My Hand in Character'

[midnight-mail]

No one with a fluffier TAIL than Griddlebone!

Hope you like my Griddlebone design! I went with a burlesque look, but tried to keep a lot of her fluffiness. Just wish her song wasn't accompanied by slurs :/. It'd be such a pretty song if that was removed.

[indianasolo221]

So I had planned to post a little ficlet for Day 1: Ball of the Cats-Pril 2023 event...then I got busy and missed yesterday's, too. So here's my first Cats-Pril post, for Day 3: Junkyard!

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

@storyweaverofgondor's cats-pril Day 3: Junkyard

four of my favorite junkyard designs from different non-replicas!!!

i absolutely adore how different productions interpret the Junkyard, and incorporate it SO well into the story of the musical! though i am very, very partial to the opera populaire set, i absolutely adore the steampunk vibes!

top row: kilworth, luisenburg

bottom row: opera populaire, gothenburg

[naturepointstheway]

Cats-pril 2023 prompt: Ball

Late to the party again, but here's a quick piece for the first day of @storyweaverofgondor's Cats-pril 2023 prompt list! Featuring plenty of Bombalurina and mute Mistoffelees friendship, as the latter tries to think what Tugger's approach feels and sounds like under his paws. He knows the others', but what about Tugger's?

Mistoffelees wasn’t surprised in the least that Tugger was late once again to the annual Jellicle Ball, and would once again come in at the least surprising time, catching him off guard. Every time Tugger had arrived at the ball out of nowhere, it had always caught Mistoffelees unawares, and every time, he’d had to slink away to calm down from the unexpected, loud noise from this goddamn Maine Coon. If he wasn’t careful, he was liable to be pushed away or smacked into by Tugger whenever he jumped down from somewhere high on the junkyard.

This year, Mistoffelees wondered if it might be different (probably not, he’d be shocked if it were otherwise), and though he tried not to let it show, his muscles stayed tensed, heart palpating with each sudden noise (just Tumblebrutus doing a flip trick or George chasing his tail and tripping over three of his paws), but still no Tugger.

Some time into the ball (Munkustrap now regaling the story of Thoth, the cat with wit and wisdom and wryness whose eyes shone like full moons), Bombalurina padded over to him, sitting a few feet away, understanding Misto’s need for space before approaching any closer.

“Mistoffelees, are you okay?”

He turned his ears in quick surprise in her direction.

“Sorry, you just seem a bit…tense tonight, love.”

He nodded—perhaps he hadn’t hidden his tension as much as he had thought.

“Is it about Tugger?”

Another nod, and Mistoffelees painted a picture of Tugger arriving at the junkyard with a sudden cacophony, pushing him aside as he had last year.

Bombalurina crossed her front paws over each other, stretching her whole body out, legs long and slinky. Her tail swished over her hip and the floor, back and forth.

“I thought you’d told him not to do it again?”

Mistoffelees nodded again in confirmation. He painted a brief picture of them talking by the fireplace as they had done last year, not too long after that Jellicle Ball.

Bombalurina pawed at the ground, spreading her paw out, claws unsheathing.

“I’m curious—how did you sense Old Deuteronomy’s approach last year?”

Mistoffelees gestured toward her paw.

“Something like this?”

He nodded.

Bombalurina tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. “You can tell who it is before you see them?”

Another nod, a small smile escaping the corner of his mouth. It was already a whole year since he’d revealed his magic to everyone, and he still hadn’t gotten used to other cats actually conversing with him so casually. Mind you, Bombalurina never really minded him being around—Misto had a sneaking suspicion Tugger had told her all about his powers, hence her non-surprise last year at his magical display and her curiosity about his magic.

Lifting a paw, Mistoffelees painted a picture of himself growing still, front paws splayed on the ground, ears pert and eyes unblinking as the silhouette of a cat approached. A few seconds passed before he revealed the cat as Old Deuteronomy, and then as Plato, and then Munkustrap. He wasn’t sure how to express in a way Bombalurina would understand the way the vibrations of their paws rumbled under his paws even from a long way if he concentrated hard. Munkustrap’s paws flicked in short steps, planting pads into the ground with confidence and a constant rhythm—one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. Old Deuteronomy’s paws shushed against the ground, slow with a certain unbalanced cadence to their rhythm. One…two, three, four. More frequently than not, there would be a long pause before the cadence of his paws resumed with his slow approach. Plato’s had assured, youthful rhythms, soft and careful, an almost lulling cadence.

But Tugger’s?

If Mistoffelees were to be honest, he had never bothered to really listen to and learn the rhythm of Tugger’s footsteps from a distance. After all, they lived together in the same place all the time, and Mistoffelees never really had a reason to learn his steps. Why would he, if he knew Tugger was always somewhere nearby?

He drew the best picture of this as he could to Bombalurina, who appeared to understand what he was saying.

“Makes sense to me,” she said, tail now resting across her hips, the tip flicking idly. “You live together, he was always nearby, no need to, right?”

Mistoffelees nodded.

“But if you really concentrated, could you tell it was him?” Bombalurina shrugged. “I mean, I don’t have your magic, but I can tell when Tugger is nearby.”

Mistoffelees tilted his head as though to ask how.

“Well…” she chuckled in some amusement. “He is loud.”

You don’t say.

“Would you say…his paws have a kind of thumping quality to them?” Bombalurina demonstrated by readjusting her position to thump her front paws—forte vibrations rumbled from them under Mistoffelees’ own paws—on the ground.

Mistoffelees had to think about that one, closing his eyes to try and summon any semblance of the script of Tugger’s paw steps from his subconscious. A deep, drumming vibration, booming with a confident—even swaggering—rhythm, and only when Bombalurina spoke up again did he open his eyes.

“Omigod, your smile!” Bombalurina purred loud, her eyes sparkly with joy. “You know his paw steps, it’s just you’re used to them, right?”

Hmm…she’s probably right.

Mistoffelees again pointed his paw at her with a gesture of agreement.

Bombalurina laid down low on the ground, leaning her head on her front paws, an ear turned to the ground.

“What about now?”

Mistoffelees pressed the pads of his paws into the ground, ears flickering as he concentrated hard, listening and feeling for the drumming rhythm of Tugger’s approach. He closed his eyes, filtering out the dazzling dancing around him, paw twitching with concentration as he stretched it out, hovering over the ground, searching for Tugger’s approach.

And then—

There it was.

A drumming, a deep confidence, each paw step burning with passion, ego, love, and everything in between. The tempo quick, never hurried even despite already being late. He had not a care in the world, and Mistoffelees’ heart ached, wondering how it felt to be like that. To not care so deeply what others thought of you, to have so much confidence all the time.

Once upon a life I did.

That unexpected wayward thought disappeared as quick as it had come, Mistoffelees shaking off his confusion, forcing himself to concentrate, waiting until he was just a couple paw steps away to open his eyes and—

With the swish of one paw, he threw a bright spotlight right where Tugger leaped into sight on the junkyard with a loud meow, Bombalurina springing to her feet with an excited shout. On top of the junkyard, Tugger stopped mid-pose, looking around at the spotlight beaming down on him with slight puzzlement before it seemed to dawn on him. His eyes roved the junkyard until he made eye contact with Mistoffelees, who still had his paw out, grinning with unbridled pride and excitement he’d pulled it off.

Tugger grinned, blowing a kiss in Mistoffelees’ direction with a wink and swagger of his hips. He preened his mane, puffing out his chest, glancing back at Mistoffelees again with another wink at the tuxedo cat’s dramatic eyeroll.

“Misto! Bomba!” he jumped down off the upper junkyard, running up to them, spotlight following him as he swept Bombalurina off her feet, she linking her arms around his neck, nuzzling into his mane with loud purrs. But his eyes remained on Mistoffelees, shining with admiration and love for him.  

“Damn, Misto, how did you know?”

Mistoffelees simply smiled with a mysterious air, lifting his chin as he preened at his chest fur, brushing off his paws.

But inside, pride swelled warm and strong in his heart.

Now you’ll never surprise me, Tugger. Not that I’ll ever let you know.