The Birth of a Queen

The Birth of a Queen

Greetings, humans! In case you've forgotten, this is Emma, your feline goddess speaking. I have a little story to tell today...

Eleven years ago, my human mom (Marie) came to The Humane Society. Two months after suffering a great loss regarding her longtime feline companion, she was ready to open her heart again. When I saw her from my cage, while shoved in there with my troublesome brothers, I deigned to look my best as I always did when potential foster families came to the building. I tried everything I could to show her I was sweet and a good kitten, the perfect fit for her. 

So unlike the other two, right? It's every kitty for herself in a place like that! ♥

And guess what? It worked! The die was cast, the ruse a success. Finally, I was away from the nightmare, prepared to thrive as queen of my own domain. 

I was on my best behavior while this lady signed all the paperwork involved in said adoption. I was even good when Marie placed me in a shopping cart and wheeled me around some store called PetSmart. I acted afraid of all the big toys, and found the perfect feather wand and bed, which were deserving of my regal presence. 

I preened at the oohs and aahs of other customers when they saw me. How magnanimous I was!

Two hours later, I was already officially installed in my new home. 

It took time to get used to those surroundings, the various smells which weren't unpleasant yet certainly unfamiliar. Some kind of barrier was put up to prevent me from discovering other rooms, but I climbed the monstrosity like a total boss. 

Did you ever doubt I could?

I had a great laugh over how worried and frustrated my human slave became. I told her just what I thought.

"Ha! Too late now, human. You can't return me. You signed a binding contract. You're stuck with me, and you'd better treat this Royal Miss well. You'll also have to get a model release from me any time you even think about taking a picture. I know, I know. I'm gorgeous, but you can surely control yourself, right? Unless you're really that dumb..."

I hear Marie whispering now...

"How many of you have ever personally felt victimized by a cat?"

So? Suck it up!

Needless to say, it's taken years to try to get all the idiot humans in the house to understand me, even when I speak slowly to make it easier on them. 

I plan to rule the universe one day, minions! Never doubt your highness.

But I digress. Today is what the human's call a 'birthday'. At the time of my adoption, Marie was told that I'd reached six weeks of age. So...she can only guesstimate that April 30th must be an appropriate time to set the date I was born. Of course, kitties never create such a day to commemorate each year. 

No...to us every day is a reason to celebrate our perfection. Provide food, water, treats, a pristine litter box, the perfect spot to nap, a great place to bird-watch, maybe throw us the occasional catnip toy or wave a string around, and we're usually happy.

For myself, I have more refined tastes. I always have, though I won't snub my nose at the aforementioned items. I deserve to reign over both humans and the animal kingdom. I am their sovereign. Why can't they get it through their thick skulls, huh?

Even Katerina, or Kit Kat - that ebony thing that they let in from the cold years ago - overlooks my superiority. I've tried to master her, beat her into submission. What do I get in return? A claw in the eye. Thanks for nothing! But I've known from day one that we'd never be 'friends'. I just don't lean that way. I deserve to be worshiped.  

Last year, we lost my adopted brother, Smokey, the gray tabby. I know Mom misses him a lot. She doesn't say so, and probably doesn't think I realize how sad she got. But I believe she's ready to have another male kitty in the house. 

What do I think? Uggh, no way! Boys are gross. Plus, there's no more room for anyone except me. Mom doesn't give me a choice about Kit. I have a hard enough time competing with the human she calls a fiancé for her attention. 

Hey, what is an 'ego'? Marie once said I have a massive ego, that it was probably due to the trauma I'd suffered before she adopted me. She thinks I still harbor resentment, and quite a bit of anger about the whole thing.

Trauma? Hmm...not really. Just give me a run at that stranger who locked me in a bucket in the hot sun (before I had to be re, ah, resuscitated?), and he'll be sorry for it, I promise! 

 
Why are you looking at me like that? There's nothing wrong with capital punishment, right? ;)

Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah, telling you all about my birth. I know it's been a while since I popped in here to say anything. Marie has been trying to ban me from use of her blog, but as you know, I'll never be kept down. 

Ha! Who's in charge? Mmm-hmm. That's right. 

The inferior humans will learn someday. In the meantime, let's celebrate moi. Why not? It's a great reason to party.

Happy Birthday to Your Supreme Ruler! Let me hear all the applause for your queen here. Shower me with treats and petting. Seriously...don't get too handsy. I bite! I know, I know. I'm the cutest cat ever, but you humans smell strange. Definitely not purrfect like a kitty. 

 
OMG, how can you not bathe with your tongue? It's just weird to dunk yourself in water. What are you trying to do, drown every day? SMH.

Plus, lately Marie's kept so busy with blogging on her other blogs and numerous author obligations - not to mention doctor appointments and family stuff - that she's worn out. I am exhausted just looking at her.

Ah, I'm tired now. 

I am signing off. Have a nice month of May, human slaves. Until next time...goodbye for now and meow, meow, meow, et cetera, et cetera.

 

As always,

 

Ruler of the Universe and Supreme Feline,

 

Emma A.K.A 'the Munchkin' Mulrooney

 

Emma's Kitty Corner Interview: Tiklaus from Kayelle Allen's Bringer of Chaos Sci-Fi Series!

This is Emma here, your feline host and goddess. Surely you've heard of me before. I thought it might be fun to have some more kitty guests on this blog, which I'm, of course, stealing away from my favored human now and then. Today, we have a special, purrfect treat...a cat character who has come to inform us about his life, and a little about the book he is featured in. Tiklaus, take it away!

Interview

Emma: Welcome, Tiklaus, to Kitty Corner, where cool cats like us are featured. 

What a lovely coat you have! It almost rivals my own, sleek and refined...well, you know what I mean. Though I guess we don't look too much alike, since I'm a calico. And I must say, Tiklaus, you are quite larger than the other kitty guests we've had on the blog. They were more, um, er, domesticated.


Oh, my! Good grief...who is this thing you've brought with you? You know humans are not allowed on here. 

The companion of Tiklaus:

I have been asked to speak on behalf of Tiklaus. My name is Pietas. Some refer to me as king of the immortal Ultras, but for this interview, you may think of me as the pet of Tiklaus.

My feline friend has no gender and does not reproduce. We use the term 'it' which sounds cold, but the panther dislikes being referred to by human terms such as he or she.

Emma: I see. Well, they are not only human terms, but as long as you're not a mere 'human', I'll allow your presence. Only for translation, of course.

Tiklaus, tell us a little about you - who you are, where you came from, that sort of thing...

Tiklaus: Tiklaus. Cage.

Pietas (the big cat's companion): 

Tiklaus is the alpha of its tribe and directs all activity. Cage refers to the place where the tribe was created. The image I get is of a cold, steel room with heavy bars. My impression is a cage inside a lab. There was sometimes a view outside, but again, only an impression. Perhaps when doors were opened for a delivery of some kind.

Emma: Well, I am the feline ruler of my universe too! It's abhorrent that utter cruelty was done to you! For myself, I would never allow such treatment. 

So, what is your chief cat image? In other words, forget about the way humans or other species define us. Deep within you, Tiklaus, what cat role do you take on? As aforementioned, I am the queen of my domain.

 
Tiklaus: (Brings a rabbit for Emma and puts head down.)

Pietas: 

Tiklaus is offering tribute to you and paying homage. My panther friend sees itself as alpha, which is equivalent to the way I see myself. King. Ruler. Leader.

Emma: Well, I can respect that! Thank you very much for your gift, Tiklaus. Maybe I can swindle one of these useless humans into cleaning and roasting it for me. Mmm...rabbit stew. ;)

All right. Tell us something else.

How did you get chosen to be in a book? Are you good friends with the author (a pet human), by any chance?

Tiklaus: Promise.

Pietas: 

Promise is what Tiklaus calls me. The panther has been at my side since Kayelle Allen began writing about me. In the Bringer of Chaos series, she is discovering my origins and along with that, how my panther companion and I connected.


Emma: Nice! 

Barring the fact that humans/other owners are our slaves (feeding and taking care of us), is there one you feel closer to? Someone you're attached to, or imprinted with? For myself, when Marie came to the Humane Society looking for a feline, I knew she was the perfect target. And yeah, most of the time we get along. The strange woman doesn't always believe I should be in charge, however. She is mistaken, of course!

But I digress. Who is your favorite?

Pietas: 

I have a direct answer for that from Tiklaus. A little embarrassing, but I always tell the truth.
 
Tiklaus: 

Humans. Bad! Bad! Pietas good. Pietas pet.

Emma: Ah. Gotcha there, buddy. 

So, what is your favorite food? Fancy Feast?

Tiklaus: 

Bad humans. Good rabbit. (Pietas nods, chuckling.)

Emma: Oh, I have to agree. Humans would taste terrible! Yuck!

I can't say I've had rabbit (a lot of other meats) before, but I am certainly open to it. ;) One of my favorites is chicken.

Tell me this...are you a heroic cat (fight for a cause) in your book, or do you take on a tamer persona at home?

Tiklaus: Tiklaus alpha.

Emma: I hear you. I prefer being a leader! But honestly, it's much easier all around if I make my slaves do all the heavy-lifting. Of course, it would be no trouble to command a whole army!

Do you have a hobby, Tiklaus? For myself, I like strings! This drives my human slave crazy when the holidays roll around, because I go after all the bows and ribbons! Ha ha!

Pietas: Tiklaus says this is not a tribe word. The actual answer was 'unknown command'. I get that a lot.


Emma: Okay! 

What do you want, more than anything else in the world? For myself, I keep telling everyone I am the feline ruler of the universe. Perhaps one day these silly humans will bow to me. Good plan, right?

So, what do you want, Tiklaus?


Tiklaus:

Play. Chase. Tickle. Climb. Hunt. Much much climb.

Pietas:
Anything Tiklaus likes gets 'much' tagged on the end and a really beloved thing is much much.

Emma: I get the picture! And who can blame this beautiful cat for those goals? I can agree with most of them!

Well, Tiklaus and your inferior companion Pietas, thank you for taking the time to visit my little stage over here. It was a true pleasure! 

As you sign off, show off your cat self a little with some teasers!

Trouble, yeah! That's what mom calls me sometimes! 

(murmurs in the background)

What was that, Marie?

Marie: I said it's rather fitting that you debuted your first cat interview on National Pet Day, when it's all about pets! ;)

Emma: Yes, I suppose it is. (Snickers.) She doesn't get that she's actually the pet in this scenario, just like Pietas is your pet, right, pal? 

Humans! (Emma shakes her head.)

Let's move on and learn a little more about Tiklaus' book.

Love Romances Cafe Best in Science Fiction/Futuristic Nominee

When the immortal Pietas is marooned on a barren world with no food and few survival tools, he knows it could be worse. He could be alone. But that's the problem.

He's not.

Half a million of his people sleep in cryostasis, trapped inside their pods and it's up to Pietas to free them. He can't release one at a time. It's all or nothing. He's facing over five hundred thousand hungry, thirsty, homeless immortals who will call on him for rescue and he has no way to answer.
It's not all bad. The beautiful telepathic warrior he's loved for lifetimes is at his side. He's bonded with a sentient panther. He hates humans but the one dumped on this planet with him has become a trusted friend.

Before Pietas can build shelter, figure out how to grow food, or set up a government, he must take back command from a ruthless enemy he's fought for centuries. His brutal, merciless father.

Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever...

Warning: Contains angst, humor, sweet romance, betrayal, vengeance... and a ginormous, sentient panther who wants to be Pietas's "kitty."

Universal Purchase Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bpW7Kg

Let's see Tiklaus in action with an excerpt.

Tiklaus batted at him, knocked Pietas onto his back and then flipped itself down beside him. The panther wrapped its front legs around his arm and gnawed at it in gentle play while the hind feet kicked him without injury. Claws flashed, but did no harm.

Now I know how a chew toy feels. Pietas blew out a breath.

When the panther draped itself over his chest, Pietas struggled to slide out from under but could not get up. The animal weighed less than he did, but with no visible effort, it kept him from rising.

"I concede, my friend. You win."

The panther ignored him.

"Tiklaus, off."

Nothing.

"Off, please."

The panther yawned, opening a huge maw. Fangs flashed.

Pietas tried a signal that worked with sparring partners and asked for release by double-tapping the panther's side.

The cat stood at once and stepped over him. It shook from nose to tail, then sat and groomed itself.

He stood and brushed himself off. Standing beside Tiklaus, who reached him mid-thigh, Pietas took pride in knowing this sweet, playful cat was also the snarling ball of animal rage that had nailed his father to the ground. The man had not seen it coming.

He should have let the cat eat him when he had the chance.

Pietas ensured no one was on the path in either direction before he knelt and scratched the cat's ears. "Who's a good kitty?"

The animal sneaked in a lick of his hand and face and flopped down on its back.

"My Tiklaus, that's who. Tiklaus is a good kitty." He rubbed the smooth belly. "Yes, you are! Such a good, big kitty. You're my kitty, aren't you? Good, good kitty."

The panther accepted the attention, one paw twitching. After a moment, it stood and shook itself. A purring sound rumbled from its chest. It sat, licked one paw and added a lick of Pietas's face as well.

"Thank you for the bath." He hugged the panther's neck. "You have as soft a heart as I do but you don't show it either. Pact, my friend. I won't tell if you won't." He kissed Tiklaus on the nose.

The panther bumped its head against Pietas, then bounded to a tree and up it.

Wow! Nice one!

It certainly sounds like an interesting series!

We'll be sure to check out this science fiction tale with a touch of romance!

Well, maybe humans will. I can't read. I'm a kitty. Why would I even need to? ;)

 
 

Human Author Bio

 

Kayelle Allen writes Sci-Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She's a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she's tenured.

Author Links:


Website:  http://kayelleallen.com

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/KayelleAllen/e/B003ZRXVN8/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/710889.Kayelle_Allen
Google+: https://plus.google.com/116022131333186423293/
https://plus.google.com/collection/cym4DE 
Romance Lives Forever Reader Group:  http://kayelleallen.com/bro/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kayelleallen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayelleallen/


 
Kayelle's Books:

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, to our feline guest, thank you, Tiklaus, for visiting us here at Marie's blog. That was a beautiful fur coat you had there, and your story was rather entertaining! We hope you'll come back sometime.

 

For the rest of you humans, I'm signing off... meow, meow, meow, et cetera, et cetera.

As always,

Ruler of the Universe and Supreme Feline,

Emma A.K.A 'the Munchkin' Mulrooney