Chapter Text
Pouncival and Tumblebrutus went exploring in the junkyard at a respectable distance to not annoy the adults but also not too far that they might get in trouble with other street cats.
There were all sorts of interesting things around. Pouncival had found a giant carboard box which hadn't yet collapsed from the rain and still felt firm and stiff. Tumblebrutus had found a giant red metal frame which had human seats inside which were a bit scratched up inside but only a bit.
Pouncival came up with the genius idea of pushing the cardboard box under the empty space of the metal frame so the box would stay nice and dry. It took the two brothers the combined effort for a few hours to move the box where the knocked over a few piles in the process. Notably the giant pile that just collapsed when Pouncival accidentally stepped on a metal plate and pulled it out under his feet. Luckily the pile collapsed behind them so they paid the mess little mind.
After the two finally got the box under the metal frame, Pouncival started licking himself to cool down. Tumblebrutus followed suit as the combined effort of a rare sunny day and a lot of hard work took their toll on them. Pouncival felt like the heat was suffocating him and licked his fur to get it out. After a bit of licking Pouncival looked up. There was another small wooden box in the messed up pile.
He felt the urge of curiosity and bounded up the disturbed pile to the curious artifact. It was wooden box with a lid and a hinge. Pouncival got on the box and tried to leverage his weight to pull the lid open but it wouldn't budge. Pouncival jumped down and looked at the front. It had a lock on the outside which prevented Pouncival from opening it.
Tumblebrutus had just walked to him and continued licking his paws.
"Aww can't open the teeny box by yourself? Do you need my help for that?"
"Shut up, its not like you can break it either, theres a metal lock."
Pouncival took the opportunity and jumped Tumblebrutus. They pushed and swiped at each other a bit rolling a few times. Eventually Tumblebrutus pushed Pouncival off who took off full sprint and ran around for a bit before returning and lazily sprawling on his back.
"Maybe we could break the wood instead of the metal."
Pouncival turned to him and sat up.
"You think we could do that?"
"Breaking wood isn't too hard if we go at it long enough."
Pouncival paused, in a rare moment of quiet, and looked at the metal frame.
"We could try it but let's put the box under the metal frame as well. That way no other cats see our prize."
The two cats get up and start pushing the box until they let it roll down the hill where it smashes into a concrete block and it's contents start spilling out
Pouncival jumped when the box crashed into the block with a loud crash. Tumblebrutus spared Pouncival a look.
"Don’t be such a baby, that wasn't scary."
He then made his way down to look at the broken box.
"I wasn't scared! I was just... surprised!" Pouncival followed then pawed the broken remains of the bottom of the box.
"I guess it makes sense for the bottom of the box to be more soggy. It had been wet for a long time. we probably could have broken it pretty easily ourselves."
"Lets move the box so we can see what's inside." They pushed the box upright, with the contents making clattering noise, and peered inside. from what little Pouncival can see there were shiny gems inside.
Tumblebrutus nudged over some necklaces and coins which spilled out earlier.
"I guess it had jewelry inside."
Pouncival stuffed his head and paws inside the box. He then pulled out with a bunch of jewelry on. Namely about six glittering necklaces of a couple different colours and a shining red ring on one of his paws
"Look at me! I am so pretty."
"You look like a queenie."
Tumblebrutus had a bit of a snide tone which irritated Pouncival.
"You're just saying that because you want to wear it too."
"No I don't. I am not a queenie."
"I am going to tell Demeter you said that!"
"No you wouldn't. You're not a rat."
"Do you really think so?"
They stared at each other in a dare until Pouncival started walking.
"No wait! I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
Satisfied Pouncival sat down and observed his paw where he put a ring. Tumblebrutus glared at his brother a little ashamed until his eye caught the box again. He looked in the hole then turned to Pouncival.
"What colours did you see in there?"
"Are you also a queenie now?"
"I thought we weren't going to do that! I'll tell Demeter!"
"Nevermind I'm sorry... I think I saw some sapphires in there they're like really dark blue."
Tumblebrutus put his head in and pulled out a sapphire necklace which he then put on.
"I think the blue goes well with your fur. You should keep it."
Tumblebrutus looked down at his necklace and smiled. He then looked at Pouncival as he did little poses with all of his necklaces.
"I think you have too many necklaces you should get rid of a bunch."
"But I like my necklaces! I don't want to get rid of them."
"Since most of your necklaces are red and purple-"
"Ruby and amethyst!"
"Then what if you only keep one red and one purple. That way they both stand out and everyone can see both of them"
Pouncival looked at his necklaces and thought.
"Okay but I want to keep my ruby ring."
Pouncival took off 4 necklaces and put them back in the box.
Tumblebrutus and Pouncival spent the rest of the afternoon doing little shows and showing off with different styles of jewelry. Until they were called in for dinner that evening.