#not to mention both deme and munk have that feeling of never really being wanted by their parents

[munku-collar]

How did Munkustrap and Demeter approach the idea of having a kitten together? Did Munkustrap come to her with the idea or vice verse? And when they decide to start trying what was that like? I think you might’ve mention something about Demeter having infertility issues? Ngl that really breaks my heart and all I can imagine is them trying for a kitten so hard and Demeter feeling really bad about herself :( But they eventually have Silly and everything works out! But any thoughts or headcanons?

So Munk approached Demeter with it, but it really just started as kind of a gentle joking suggestion, and when she didn't outright reject the idea, it became kind of a teasing thing back and forth where he would suggest it and she would give him the run around with "maybes." But at some point maybe wasn't the right answer anymore, and she was ready to try. Her initial resistance wasn't for lack of wanting another kitten, but for the work it takes to bring one into the world. Her pregnancy with Jemima was for lack of a better word, traumatizing, and although she wouldn't be alone this time, would have a loving mate and family to support her, she was nervous about it.

As far as fertility, I've mentioned there are two kinds of Jellicles: Jellicles who can produce entire litters in one pregnancy and get pregnant quite easily, like regular cats, and those with more human reproductive tendencies, averaging 1 to 2 kittens at a time with a few exceptions. Demeter is the second kind, and given that she spent a good chunk of her youth a little malnourished, and then in a major period of stress, and the circumstances around Jem's birth were complicated, her body is a bit resistant to conceiving. It's a bit unforgiving for what its endured. It's the same reason she developed chronic pain.

So once they were ready to try properly, they did a few things: namely have lots of sex, moreso than usual, with the specific goal in mind (so no more cleaning her up quick/being haphazard with semen), try to limit her stress, and keep her comfortable, and really just hope and pray a lot. Munk made it very clear that another kitten was a wish, not a demand or requirement for his happiness, that he was perfectly content with just Jemima, and that helped take a lot of the pressure off. They were very 'go with the flow' about it, didn't even tell any other tribe members that they were trying, which also limited the pressure. They knew statistically it was just a waiting game, and wait they did, and after about three months of serious attempts, it worked.

Deme was the most shocked, though Munk never doubted, and they were both overjoyed about it. There were lots of tearful laughs and kisses when the change in her body was palpable enough to be sure. They kept quiet about it for about two weeks, just to be extra sure, and boy was it hard to keep a secret. Jennyanydots caught on the quickest. She noticed the way Munk had started resting his paw on her midsection whenever he held her from behind. Nothing gets past her!

Demeter was definitely nervous about the pregnancy moving forward, especially once the rest of the tribe found out, but Munkustrap was there every step of the way to support her, to ease her fears and make it a good experience. And with someone as doting and as understanding as him, she felt much better than dealing with it all by herself like the first time. Now, after Sillabub, she's come to even enjoy the idea of carrying, and would be open to having another kitten, even if it takes some hard work to make that a reality. <3

#crying in da club #asks #my shit #cats the musical #cats 1998 #demestrap #munkustrap #demeter #cats demeter #demeter cats #jemima #sillabub #jennyanydots

[godnattakatta]

neither Demeter or Munkustrap really had any parents growing up. in Demeter's case, Grizabella spent most of her time outside of the junkyard without Deme, and her father was unknown. and while Tugger, who for all practical reasons was her brother, had his mom in the junkyard (i'm thinking it might be Jenny but not sure yet) and whoever his mother was would have been more than happy to "adopt" Demeter too, Deme never let her. and Deuteronomy probably could have been a parent, but he wasn't for any of his children, instead being much more of a grandpa/leader of the tribe rather than a father. so all in all the closest thing she had to a parent (in terms of like, raising her) was Munkustrap

whereas for Munk, the above about Grizabella and Deuteronomy were the same for him. unlike the Demeter, however, he was more willing to let other cats raise him so i think he was co-raised by most of the other adults in the tribe, although it never fully replaced having a parent

#deuteronomy family #demeter #munkustrap #idk just some thoughts #and to be fair - macavity's parents didn't do much for him either #i do have more thoughts about griz and deme but not for now #headcanon #not to mention both deme and munk have that feeling of never really being wanted by their parents #the difference being munk is more forgiving/puts the blame on himself whereas deme is more angry #because i mean munk clearly looks up to deut but i highly doubt deme does #(wouldn't surprise me if they got into arguments about that when deme was a teenager #- especially not since she would press people's buttons on purpose) #(tugger secretly agrees with deme but he's nicer about it) #and i mean - munk essentially 'failed' since deme ran away with macavity #(except that isn't fair at all because he was a teenager when deme was born and a young adult when she left) #(and deme didn't do anything to make it easier lol) #but that doesn't mean he doesn't blame himself - he does #and tugger probably does too to some degree but in a different way #yeahyeah deut just. didn't do anything about his children lmao #main