"That’s it mom, You’re doing great. Just one more push and you’ll be done."
Bombalurina clenched her teeth and pushed with all her might. Finally the pain stopped,
Bombalurina was gasping for air when Tantomile handed the tiny bundle of fur over to
her. Bombalurina looked at the fuzzy kitten, her kitten. She was mostly red with black
spots and black and yellow stripes, much like her mother’s. You would never know that
her father was Macavity, except for the slightly sunken in eyes, and highly domed head.
But nonetheless the resemblance was obvious to anyone who had seen Macavity before, if
only for an instance. Bombalurina’s scars ached faintly at the memory of the father of her
kitten.
Ferreta hugged her foster mother around the shoulders. "Oh mom, she’s beautiful!
What’ll you call her?".
Bombalurina looked at the sleeping kitten. One front paw was yellow and white,
which reminded her of her sister Demeter, who still was yearning for kittens of her own. "
I think I’ll call her Demalurina."
Ferreta smiled "That’s a lovely name, Demeter will be thrilled when she hears about
it."
Bombalurina frowned "One thing though ‘Reta, tell all the adults that Demalurina is
never to know who her father is. I don’t want his reputation haunting her all her life."
Ferreta nodded. She knew.
As soon as Ferreta had informed all the adults about Demalurina she settled
herself down for a nap. Pouncival was watching Ferval and Prilla, and Demeter was
keeping Bombalurina company. She wouldn’t be needed anywhere for a while. She
drifted off into peaceful oblivion.
Demeter sat with Bombalurina watching Demalurina sleep, and listened to
her sister. "I should hate her, but I can’t. She’s everything to me."
Demeter hugged her sister. "Don’t worry, it’s natural to love the kitten of your flesh
and blood, at least that’s what I’ve been told. Demeter sighed, she wanted kittens so
badly. Suddenly there was a knock on the wall. Demeter jumped up and looked out to
see who was there.
It was Plato. "Umm can I see Bombalurina? I heard she had her kitten."
Demeter smiled, it was common knowledge that Plato had always had a crush on
Bombalurina, and when she had been taken by Macavity, he hardly left the box next to
Bombalurina’s Pipe. "Come on in, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you….I hope"
Plato frowned "Is she OK? I mean I can come back later."
"Oh no no, come in" She led Plato into the cardboard box behind the tire. "Rina,
Plato is here to see you."
Bombalurina looked up and smiled cautiously. "Hi Plato, what brings you here?"
Plato wisely kept his distance, everyone knew how Bombalurina had scratched
Asparagus when he came to check up on her in the middle of the night, when there had
been reports of hench-rats crawling about. She had been extremely sorry when she
realized who she had scratched, but allowed no males any more than 5 steps near her. "I
came to see how you and your new kitten were faring. Speaking of, may I see her?"
Bombalurina gestured to the tiny multi-colored ball of fur that slept next to her.
"We’re fine, thanks for coming, I missed talking to you." Bombalurina felt something stir.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Plato asked.
Bombalurina felt daring at the moment. "Come sit next to me, tell me what’s been
going on in the past few days." Plato hesitated. "Oh come here, I trust you, and besides I
have to start getting used to being around males that I know won’t touch me."
Plato made up his mind, and sat on the edge of the cushion that Bombalurina
occupied. "Well Rum Tum Tugger and Etcetera are definitely a couple now, and
Mystoria it seems has inherited her father’s magical powers."
Bombalurina looked at the mischievous glint in his eyes and knew that that had
come about in an interesting manner. "What, what happened?"
Plato grinned "Well it seems that one day she was being pestered by Striske, and he
said that she was a brainless pollicle, so she glared at him, and sent him flying nose over
tail. Well he landed on a cushion, so nothing was hurt except his pride. Maybe that will
teach him that just because he’s Alonzo’s son doesn’t mean that he can bully other kittens
around. Of course Cassandra was furious with her son when she heard that he’d been
calling other kittens names, but everyone decided that Mystoria had punished him fairly.
Now Mistoffolees is teaching her the right ways to use her powers."
Bombalurina laughed, it felt good to laugh. She vaguely remembered having that
same thought the first time she escaped Macavity, and had been hanging out with
Pouncival, Ferreta, Mungojerrie, and Rumpelteazer. She stretched, her muscles were lax,
ever since she had Demalurina. A sharp pain across her chest brought back a flash of
memory *The chains, Macavity’s paws all over her, her lashing out with well placed
insults, suddenly a searing pain from her right shoulder to her left hip, the feeling of blood
running down her body, dimly noticing that her blood matched the color of her fur.*
"’Rina ‘Rina! Are you Ok? You just kinda blanked out on me there. Are you sick?"
Bombalurina shook her head, "No I’m just…..tired."
Plato looked at her, his brows furrowing in concern. "Maybe you should get some
rest. I’ll come back later." Bombalurina nodded. "By ‘Rina"
"Bye Plato" Plato left, and Bombalurina looked after him with a odd feeling in her
gut. She then laid down to rest.
Ferreta dreamed ****She walked down a dark alleyway, where was
Pouncival? A dark figure stepped into her way. It then stepped into the light.
Macavity!!! She hissed.
An evil laugh came from him. "Hello Dreamwalker, I know about my daughter, and
I’m going to tell you one thing, She is MINE!! She will never know the ways of the
Jellicles, she will walk the paths of darkness, and follow in my pawprints."
Ferreta hissed again "Over my dead body!!!"
Macavity smiled "Oh you’re a feisty one, maybe I’ll have you bear my kittens once
Bombalurina is dead."
Her anger turned to fury mixed with horror. "Never!! I’d kill myself first, and you
will never get your filthy paws on Bombalurina again! EVER!!!!"****
Ferreta sat up with a start :Was that a dream? I’d better talk to Misto: Ferreta got
up and sought out the magicat that had been her tutor in the magical arts. She ran over to
the secluded area behind the oven where Mistoffolees was teaching Mystoria how to shoot
lightning. She herself nearly got singed.
"Hey watch it ‘Toria!!" Misto looked up. "That will be enough for today dear, I’ll
quiz you on the properties of relocation tomorrow." Mystoria scampered off without a
backward glance. Mistoffolees frowned "Ferreta you know better than to interrupt me
when I’m teaching something as delicate as lightning, so I’m going to assume that you
have a good reason."
Ferreta hoped it wasn’t a mere dream. "Misto what’s a Dreamwalker?"
If it was possible Mistoffolees would have paled, "Why do you ask?"
Ferreta gulped "Because I had a dream where I was walking and I met up with
Macavity, and her called me Dreamwalker, and told me that he knew about Demalurina,
and some other things I wish not to repeat right now."
Mistoffolees almost passed out. "F-F-Ferreta, a Dreamwalker is a cat who can talk
to other cats through their dreams, and possibly alter the future by what is said. Now tell
me everything that was said."
Ferreta began, with the dark alleyway………. "…….. and then I said "Never!!
I’d kill myself first, and you will never get your filthy paws on Bombalurina again!
EVER!!!! And then I woke up."
Mistoffolees rubbed his paws against his forehead, "Well I think your retaliation may
have kept anything from changing, but I wouldn’t count on it. I think you should tell
Bombalurina, and I’ll tell everyone else to be doubly cautious." Ferreta nodded and
bounded off to see her foster mother.
Bombalurina dreamed ****Darkness. A voice from the shadows. "I’m
coming for you my dear." That voice was all too familiar.
"No! Never! You’ll never get me again! I’ll kill you first!!"****
Bombalurina woke up to Demeter shaking her. "’Rina! Wake up! Wake up!"
Bombalurina sat up "You were screaming bloody murder! It’s Ok. It was just a
nightmare."
Bombalurina hugged her sister and started sobbing uncontrollably. "He said he was
coming for me! Don’t let him get me." Plato looked in to see what all the screaming was
about, Demeter gave him a look that all too clearly meant ‘Out! Now!’ Plato spared a
glance at Bombalurina, who had her back turned, and did not know he was there.
Demeter saw the single tear fall from his eye. And in that moment she knew he truly loved
her, but ‘Rina was still too shook up from her experience with Macavity to even think of
looking for a mate. Demeter gave him a sympathetic glance before he removed himself.
She sat there rocking her sister while she cried herself out.
When Bombalurina was done crying she heard the tiny mewling of Demalurina. Even
though the kitten was barely 2 days old she knew that her mother was unhappy, therefore
she was unhappy. Bombalurina picked her up, and sat there cradling the kitten, assuring
her that everything was all right. Finally the kitten’s cries were stopped, and all was well
with her world again.
Except one thing ::HUNGRY!!:: Bombalurina caught the half-formed thought from
her daughter.
She smiled, "Fine we’ll feed you." Not even realizing that her kitten had spoke to
her mind.
Plato sat in a dark corner of the junkyard feeling overwhelming waves of
depression. :He haunts her dreams every time she sleeps, I want to hold her, and tell her
that I’ll protect her, but that will just scare her. Oh ‘Rina I love you so much and I can’t
even help you when you need it the most!:
Mungojerrie saw a figure hiding in the shadows, and cautiously edged towards it,
claws extended in case it might be Macavity or one of his ilk. He relaxed when he caught
the familiar scent of Plato. :Plato? What’s he doing back there?: "’Ey Plato wot are you
doin’ back there all by yerself?"
Plato looked up. Mungojerrie, well that was Ok then. "Hi Mungo."
"Boy ye’ sound a bit in th’ guttah’, wot’s troublin’ ya?"
Plato sighed, :Well I have to tell someone: "Mungo, you know how ‘Rina won’t let
any tom so much as look at her, or else she gets hysterical." Mungojerrie nodded "Well I
think, no that’s not right, I know I’m in love with her. I pretend I don’t notice when she
flinches away from any male that gets near her, and I know when she wakes up screamin’
from nightmares of HIM." The venom injected into that word made Mungojerrie happy
that it was not him that it was projected at, but at Macavity. "..And I want to hold her in
my arms and tell her it will be all right, but I know I can’t, and that makes it worse. I
don’t know what to do."
Mungojerrie felt true sorrow at his friend’s predicament. "I don’ know what ta’ tell
ya’, but I guess all ya’ cn’ do is wait for ‘er to get used to males again. But ‘ey, if ya evah
need a shouldah’ ta’ lean on I’m there fer ya’"
Plato smiled "Thanks. I needed to tell someone."
Mungo smiled "Anytime" Plato watched Mungojerrie’s retreating figure, and
pondered on what he had been told.
Coricopat and Tantomile had been watching the entire thing. "Do you think
she’s ready?" Tantomile asked her brother.
Coricopat frowned thoughtfully "Probably, lets go talk to her, then we’ll be able to
decide." The twins walked toward to where Bombalurina was staying, until she felt like
moving back into her pipe.
"Bombalurina"
"we think that you need to"
"get used to being around males"
"again." The twins said, finishing each other’s sentences.
Bombalurina looked at them. "But I’m so scared."
Tantomile sat next to her while Coricopat stayed the required 5 steps away. "You
should pick someone you trust, it’ll make it easier on you."
Bombalurina frowned, "Must I?"
Tantomile nodded. "Demeter had to go through the same thing, and now look at
her. She is comfortable around any male in the junkyard." :Even if she is still kind of
skittish when males look at her the way HE used to look at her, but Munkustrap set them
straight right quick.:
Bombalurina sighed "I suppose you’re right."
Tantomile smiled. "I knew you had the courage to see it through. So who will it
be?"
Bombalurina thought about it. "Well the only one that I’m willing to let near me
right now is Plato, so I guess It’ll be him."
Tantomile looked at her brother ::Well what do you think of this?::
::I think we have a soul-bonded on our paws::
:: Really!?::
:: Yes really, and the only other time that happened, was when Tritala and Skriten,
Deutaronamy’s parents met. And look at how he turned out.:: Tantomile let out a purr.
Bombalurina looked at her with a questioning look on her face. "Um. Plato is an
excellent choice. Coricopat will tell him right now." ::HINT HINT!!:: Coricopat
chuckled, and left.
"What do you suggest we do?"
Now was the time to set everything in motion. "All you have to do is tell him your
fears, confide in him, let him comfort you when you need comforting. I know it may
sound like an intrusion of privacy, but it helps. Once you trust one male, you will start to
trust others."
Bombalurina nodded, accepting this method. :I hope it works: Coricopat returned
with Plato close at his heels. Tantomile nodded at her brother. "Well we have to go, but
remember, trust is the key."
Bombalurina nodded once more. And the twins left. Plato stood at the ‘doorway’
until Bombalurina gestured for him to sit. "Are you going to be Ok?" Plato asked
cautiously.
Bombalurina looked at him, her eyes full of haunting memories. "I hope so. But
every time I try to sleep, He comes and haunts me. Sometimes it’s what He already did to
me, and sometimes, its Him telling me He’s coming for me, He says He won’t ever let me
be. I’m so afraid that he’s right." And she burst into tears, and not for the first time that
day. Plato was torn between common sense, and wanting to comfort her. He finally
ignored his common sense, and put his arms around her, as she sobbed into his fur. She
held him tightly, not wanting to let go. "M-m-most of the t-time I have nightmares of
that first night when he.. he.." She started wailing, and rocking back and forth, trying to
dispel the horrid images that went along with that memory.
Plato cried with her, his fur was getting extremely damp, but that didn’t matter.
What mattered was that he was there, when she needed him. And he knew that he would
never leave her without a shoulder to cry on. Bombalurina’s wailing had reduced itself to
muffled sobs. He held her gently, and let her go when she sat up straight. "Feel better?"
She nodded. "I got you all wet, I’m sorry." She then noticed the tears shining on his
face. "Do you cry for me?"
Plato nodded. "I’m so sorry for what He did to you. If I could I would go back in
time and prevent any of this from happening. But I can’t. All I can do is offer you the
scant comfort of being here to listen to you, and lend you a shoulder to cry on."
Bombalurina was touched by his sincerity. "That’s all I ask of you" Feeling
completely at ease with him, Bombalurina hugged him. No more, no less.
Two Weeks later
Bombalurina and Plato were sitting in Bombalurina’s pipe, watching
Demalurina pounce on a ribbon. ::Got it! Got it again!:: Bombalurina still found it
interesting to know that her kitten had telepathy, but was so used to talking to Ferreta
with it that it barely bothered her at all. She just hoped that it would not intrude on her
learning how to talk. ::Momma! Momma!:: Bombalurina ignored the mental summons.
Mistoffolees told her that if Demalurina got used to talking mind to mind, it might prevent
her from learning to say something, in words. "M-m-momma!"
Bombalurina smiled, she learned quickly, "Yes dear?"
"hungry!"
Bombalurina frowned "What do you say?"
Demalurina scrunched up her brow "Please?"
Bombalurina smiled. "Okay, dinnertime."
Dema smiled "Yay!" Bombalurina lay down so Demalurina could eat dinner.
Plato smiled fondly, "She’s going to be a beautiful queen, just like her mother."
Bombalurina smiled, but there was sorrow in her eyes. Plato looked at her askance, "Why
so sad?"
Bombalurina looked down. "I could almost wish that she wasn’t as beautiful, after
all that’s why Macavity wanted me. Because I was beautiful." She said bitterly "He used
to call me his beautiful queen."
Plato looked at her wistfully, "You still are beautiful, besides, it’s not your fault.
He had a lust for Demeter for a time too. You can’t help who you are."
Bombalurina smiled gratefully, "Thanks, I needed to hear that."
Plato smiled shyly, "I never thought I’d have the courage to tell you this, but
Bombalurina, I…..I love you."
Bombalurina’s eyes got big, and her heart started fluttering. "Oh Plato, I don’t
know what to say. I always wanted to hear that from a tom, but when you hear it for the
first time from someone that you love, it’s more incredible than anyone can imagine."
Plato looked at her confused "Wait, does that mean you do love me?"
Bombalurina grinned "Of course I do." *BURP!* Bombalurina looked at her
daughter, "Demalurina! What do you say?"
Demalurina looked at her mother, who was apparently appalled by her daughter’s
conduct. "’scuse me!"
Bombalurina stifled a laugh, "Why don’t you go outside and play?" Demalurina
scampered outside. Bombalurina got up, and walked close to Plato and put her paws
around his neck and kissed him. Plato’s head reeled, he’d been kissed before, but nothing
made him feel like this. This was love.
Coricopat and Tantomile looked up at the same time. "It has been
acknowledged" Coricopat said.
Tantomile looked off in the distance, "Yes. I felt it." ::Corico. Sometimes I wish we
could find cats to fall in love with.::
Coricopat smiled. ::We will. I can feel it.::
Mystoria found Bombalurina and Plato curled up next to each other, with
Demalurina asleep next to them. "Ahem." Bombalurina and Plato sat up with a start.
‘Toria blushed "Um. ‘Rina, my dad wants to talk to you. He says it’s urgent."
Bombalurina stretched and nuzzled Plato. "Would you keep an eye on Dema’?"
Plato smiled warmly. "Of course I will" Bombalurina smiled gratefully and left with
Mystoria.
"So what’s up ‘Toria?"
Mystoria giggled. "What I want to know is what’s up with you and Plato."
Bombalurina smiled. "Nothing that kitten ears need to hear."
Mystoria pouted. "But I’m going to be an adult in a week, that’s when the Jellicle
Ball is going to be you know."
Bombalurina started "A week? Oh no! I haven’t even worked with Demeter for our
dance number!"
Mystoria frowned. " I don’t think anyone will be expecting anything spectacular
from you this year."
Bombalurina grinned. "All the more reason to shock and surprise them."
"But what about the Toms?"
Bombalurina’s smile faded "I think I’ll be able to live with them."
Mystoria grinned. "Great! Everyone will be there!" They walked to Misto’s talking
about the upcoming ball, and who was getting admitted into the ‘adults’. ‘Toria grinned,
"And Striske is going to be admitted too."
Bombalurina looked at her questioningly. "Why are you smiling? I thought you
hated him."
‘Toria blushed, "we, um, worked out our differences."
Bombalurina laughed. "I’ll bet you did"
"Rina!" Bombalurina just laughed again.
They entered Misto’s domain. His obviously serious demeanor, quelled their mirth.
Bombalurina frowned "What’s up Misto?"
Mistoffelees frowned. "Bombalurina, I have reason to believe that Macavity will try
to take Demalurina."
Bombalurina growled low in her throat. "Over my dead body!"
Misto grimaced. "Yes I thought you’d say that. The thing is, we think he’ll try and
take her while everyone is busy at the Ball."
Bombalurina dug her claws into the dirt. "He would, the bastard."
Mistoffelees flinched at the pure hate in her voice "Well I wanted to know what you
planned on doing with her, I mean, we obviously can’t leave her with one of the older
queens, they wouldn’t be able to help if Macavity came."
Bombalurina growled at the name "..the stupid son of a pollicle…"
Misto ignored the rest of her mutterings, and gave Mystoria a look that meant ‘this
is not for kitten ears, you’d better leave.’ Mystoria took the hint, and quietly removed
herself. Then Mistoffelees’ eyes lit up. "Hey I know! Ok "Rina here’s what we’ll do."
And he proceeded to whisper his plans to Bombalurina who grinned more and more at
each word.
"Not for kitten ears, hmph. Well I won’t be a kitten much longer, then they
won’t be able to use that particular excuse."
Striske trotted up to his friend. "What’s up ‘Toria?"
Mystoria glanced up and saw the striking form of her friend Striske. Not feeling too
talkative, she decided to change the subject, doing so ever so subtly by pouncing on him,
which ended up as a friendly tussle, which was exactly what Mystoria had in mind. :good
he’s probably forgotten about asking me why I was in such a bad mood. Gosh he’s
handsome, I wonder who he’ll dance with at the ball:
Striske was having similar thoughts. :Well at least she looks happier than she did
earlier, although if she didn’t want to talk about it she could have just told me. Or not.
She’s really pretty, maybe I should ask her to dance with me at the ball…:
They both flopped down in the dirt, exhausted by their sudden tussle. Mystoria
grinned, "You know, once we’re adults we won’t be able to do this anymore." Striske got
a evil glint in his eye, "No we won’t, but we’ll be able to do other things….."
‘Toria gasped "Striske!" She glared at him, but couldn’t hold it for long, and soon
burst out laughing. Striske joined her, and soon they were both laughing so hard, that they
could hardly breathe. Suddenly a tiny ball of fur ran into both of them. Mystoria looked
up alarmed. She would’ve heard someone running, so how did they get there? The ball of
fur turned out to be Demalurina who was mewling hysterically. ‘Toria couldn’t make any
sense of what the kitten was trying to tell them. She looked around quickly, there was no
one else in the junkyard. She glanced at Striske who was trying to calm the frantic kitten.
Noting that he was busy, she screamed with her mind
::DAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYY!!!!!!! HELP!::
Mistoffelees cringed at the sudden mental intrusion, but hearing Mystoria’s
frantic mindcall, he teleported himself and Bombalurina to where he sensed her presence.
When he got there he saw his daughter looking around, while Striske was trying to calm
down a very frantic Demalurina.
Bombalurina took one look at scene before her and immediately ran to her kitten,
::What’s wrong Dema?!::
Demalurina calmed down slightly when she saw her mother "Bad cat! Bad cat hurt
‘Lato!" Bombalurina had a pretty good idea as to who the ‘bad cat’ was. Bombalurina
picked up Demalurina in her mouth and ran over to her pipe. When she got there, the
sight of all the blood made her queasy, getting over it she saw Plato lying in a pool of
blood, most of the damage seemed to be from some very deep cuts on his forepaws, and a
cut on his forehead. Bombalurina immediately started washing his wounds, her anger
seeping over into Demalurina who was hissing and spitting at Mistoffelees, and Mystoria,
and Striske who had followed them. If they had been under any other circumstances,
Demalurina’s posture would be comical, her fur was all puffed out, and she was hissing
like there was no tomorrow.
Finally when she knew she could do no more she turned to Mistoffelees who was
busy trying to keep anyone from getting scratched or bitten by the furious Demalurina.
Bombalurina looked at her daughter, and forced herself to calm down, finally
Demalurina’s fur smoothed down, and she stopped trying to kill everyone. She looked at
her mother and went over to Plato, and curled up by him, and (to all appearances) went to
sleep. Bombalurina turned to Misto, "Can you do anything for him?"
Mistoffelees walked over to Plato’s limp form, careful not to step on the sleeping
form of Demalurina, and looked over the wounds. Bombalurina fidgeted. Mystoria
walked over and put a comforting arm around Bombalurina’s shoulders, "Don’t worry, he
knows what he’s doing."
Bombalurina looked solemnly at the young queen "I hope so."
Mistoffelees put his paws over Plato’s wounds, and they started to glow blue, while
doing so Misto’s eyes turned from green to black, the sign of a magician working his
powers. Suddenly there was a bright flash, and all of Plato’s wounds were healed up. The
only sign that there had been a fight, was the blood all over the ground. Plato sat up and
groaned slightly, putting a paw to his forehead. Bombalurina ran over to him, and started
licking his face furiously, he hugged her tightly, glad she was Ok. Bombalurina stood up
reluctantly and walked over to Misto, who was smiling. She kissed him on the cheek,
"Thank you so much. He means so much to me."
Mistoffelees blushed. "Bombalurina, you are lucky that I’m a mated tom, or else I
might get the wrong ideas."
Bombalurina grinned, and went back over to Plato, and ‘made sure’ he was
absolutely alright. Mystoria poked her dad in the side, giving him a mock-stern look, and
winked at Bombalurina. "You young man have worn yourself out. I demand that you get
yourself to bed immediately!"
Mistoffelees looked humbled "Yes Oh great and mighty Bastet, your wish is my
command." He disappeared with a sparkle. Striske put an arm around Mystoria’s waist
and led her away from the…..er……happy couple.
Ferreta felt when Bombalurina’s rage overwhelmed her, and immediately bounded
for the junkyard, she slowed down when she felt the rage dissipate, and be replaced with
the relief that her mate was all right. :Mate?!! I thought I felt something last night,
but………who?: ::Er.. Mom?::
::Huh? Oh hello ‘Reta::
::Who is it?::
Bombalurina chuckled ::I can’t get much past you can I?::
:: no you can’t. Now who is your new mate?::
:My my aren’t we a bit pushy? If you must know its Plato::
::Yessss I knew it!::
:: Yeah sure you did::
::Well what was the matter?::
::That stupid bastard Macavity attacked Plato::
::Oh my! Is he Ok?::
::Yes, Mistoffelees took care of him::
Ferreta sighed with relief. ::Well I’m coming over now::
:: Ok kitten, see you in a bit::
"You idiot, she’ll never let you get her kitten."
"Don’t call me an idiot, you worthless queen."
"Worthless? Who made you the Napoleon of Crime? Who took care of you when
we were abandoned?" Macavity muttered, she had him on that one. Selerity grinned, she
knew she had won that one. "Oh my dear brother, you seem a bit cranky."
Macavity hissed at her "Of course I’m cranky! The queen I wanted is mated to
our stupid half-brother Plato, and my attempt to retrieve my kitten backfired!"
Selerity looked at her fuming twin. "Well I always knew you were stupid, but this
is about to top the list of stupid things you’ve done."
Macavity growled at his sister, "Please dear sister, enlighten me. I would love to
know what your brilliant plan is."
Selerity hissed at his sarcasm "Moron! Plato was always a do-gooder. If you had
kept a better guard on Bombalurina, then you would have both her and your kitten. I just
hope the kitten hasn’t inherited your stupidity, or else she might be in trouble. As for a
plan, don’t try anything until their precious Jellicle Ball is underway, that’s when they are
the most vulnerable. And if a dipwad like you can’t figure that out then….."
Macavity hissed "Oh shut up! I knew that, that’s why I attacked them two years
ago during to ball to get Demeter and Old Deutaronamy."
Selerity laughed "Ha! See! You couldn’t pull off a simple catnapping, when they
were vulnerable!" Macavity tackled her, but she (being the better fighter) soon had him
pinned, her claws digging into his shoulders. "Admit it! You couldn’t even catnap your
own daughter! You’re a failure! You don’t deserve the title of the Hidden Paw!"
Macavity yelled "Give me one more chance! I’ll get Bombalurina and Demalurina!
And to make you feel better I’ll even get Munkustrap for you."
Selerity got off him, her claws leaving deep gouges in his shoulders. "And how are
you going to manage that?" She asked, her voice silkily cruel.
Macavity smiled "Leave that up to me dear sister. By the end of the Jellicle Ball,
you will have Munkustrap all to yourself." Selerity purred, she had always wanted to see
what the silver tabby could do. Macavity left her drooling over what she was going to do
to Munkustrap, to work out his plans.
Bombalurina had cleaned most of the blood off Demalurina (since she had lain in
Plato’s pool of blood, while Mistoffelees healed him) and was trying to wipe up the blood
with an old towel that she had found in the trash. It wasn’t working. The reek of blood
was still in the air. Bombalurina sneezed. Plato rubbed up against her. "You and
Demalurina can stay in my box with me, until we get your place cleaned up.
Bombalurina kissed his cheek, "thanks love."
Ferreta was entertaining Demalurina by dangling her tail right in front of the kitten’s
nose, and pulling it away when the kitten swiped for it. Demeter trotted into the junkyard,
"Bombalurina! You were supposed to meet me at….hey do I smell blood?"
Bombalurina walked over to her sister. "Yes you smell blood, Plato and Macavity
got into a fight, but Mistoffelees healed Plato."
Demeter looked around. "So is everyone all right?"
Bombalurina nodded. "Wait just a sec Dem." She trotted over to Plato who was
trying to mop up the blood. "Hey love, I have to practice for the ball with Demeter, will
you keep an eye on Dema?"
Plato grimaced, "Are you sure you want me to do that, I mean, I didn’t do that good
of a job last time."
Bombalurina kissed him. "Hey, you’re both alive, that’s all I worry about. Besides
I’m giving you a chance to redeem yourself." Plato grinned. Bombalurina sauntered
away, with Demeter to practice for the upcoming ball.
When they reached their human’s house the young girl-child, Tracy, walked out.
"Oh Rose, I’m glad you and Lightning came home, mom says you have to stay inside, but
I’ll let you out when you want to go out."
They watched Tracy walk back inside. "Why do you think they want us inside?"
Demeter asked.
"I don’t care, I’m not going in if they’re going to try to keep us in." Bombalurina
replied. They both ran away quickly, before the humans saw them. A few minutes later
they reached a small clearing they had found when they were kittens. They stood in the
circle of trees, and looked into each other’s eyes, a haunting melody came from nowhere,
and they began to dance, imprinting each step into their minds. Sometimes they would
stumble, but it always managed to look graceful. They leapt and twirled, they did
paddeshivals and tendus and Russians. Finally the music slowed down and came to a halt.
They finished with a graceful slide into the splits away from each other, creating a ‘V’.
They looked at each other and smiled. They had a dance for the ball.
The ball began differently every year, this year it began with Mystoria showing
Etcetera what her father had taught her, but a spark startled Etcetera, and she jumped and
ran off, while Mystoria covered the spark with her paws, then everything went black, and
when Munkustrap poked his head out, the moon came out, casting an unearthly glow
upon the entire junkyard. Then as they did every year, each cat crept out cautiously, and
began to name the qualities of a Jellicle Cat. They welcomed old friends, and introduced
new ones. Then Coricopat and Tantomile sensed something. Mistoffelees and Mystoria
sensed it too. Old Deutaronamy! They welcomed their leader, and the ball began! Every
dance was new, but it reminded the older cats of the past Jellicle balls, when they were as
limber as the new kittens, being welcomed into adulthood.
Mystoria was ecstatic, she danced with her father and mother as she had never
danced before. Striske was in awe of Mystoria, she was radiant. Then the loss of
innocence was imminent, cats paired up with their chosen mates, as the new cats (no
longer kittens) shyly found a partner. The two chosen to signal the dance were Mystoria
and Striske. Little did they know, but their dance was similar to Victoria and
Mistoffelees’ two years ago.
Finally when all the cats laid down to rest, Coricopat and Tantomile sensed an evil
presence lurking nearby, they sat up quickly, and an evil laugh filled the air. Bombalurina
hissed, she knew that laugh, but wasn’t scared, she was mad. But they were ready for
him, all the fighters had been warned that he might show up. As Macavity entered the
junkyard, he headed straight for Bombalurina knocking away any cats who tried to
intervene. Bombalurina kissed Plato, and pushed him away. Macavity came close to her,
"So my dear, we meet again"
Bombalurina growled "I’m not afraid of you." And with that she struck at him, he
jumped back, but it was too late, her claws had left deep gashes across his belly.
He hissed, "Fine, if that’s how you want it, we’ll fight."
He didn’t give Bombalurina a chance to answer he jumped at her, claws extended,
but she was too quick for him, she stepped aside, and he fell face first in the dirt. She
tackled him her claws raking his belly, and her teeth searching for his throat. Macavity
struggled and managed to get a good slice right across her cheek. But soon she had him
pinned, with blood trickling down her face and through her claws as she grasped his
throat, "You bastard!" she snarled "You thought you could rape me and get away with
it! You pollicle! Say you’re sorry!"
Macavity gasped, she had her claws around his throat "Never, I’d do it again, and
again and again!" he said defiantly. Bombalurina screamed her fury, and ripped his throat
out.
A crash of thunder and a cat that looked just like Macavity appeared. She was
obviously female, and was much better groomed than Macavity. Bombalurina jumped off
Macavity’s carcass, and walked over to the ginger female, blood dripping from her claws.
"You killed my brother." The female said calmly.
Bombalurina snarled "Your brother raped me."
The female laughed "My brother is….was an idiot. You Jellicles may have feared
him, but I will be more feared than he ever was. Soon, all of London will know the name
Selerity! And I will get what I want from you Jellicles."
Bombalurina glared at her, "Which is….?"
Selerity grinned evilly. "Munkustrap" She walked over to the stern Munkustrap,
and kissed him. Demeter screamed, and jumped at her, but Selerity knocked her away.
Demeter fell to the ground, unconscious.
Munkustrap saw his fallen mate and glared at Selerity. "You’d better leave, before
I decide to kill you."
Selerity laughed. "My dear Munkustrap, why not come with me? I’m positive that I
could show you a better time than that barren, scrawny queen of yours." Munkustrap
hissed. Selerity patted his face "Just letting you know that the offer stands." And she
disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Munkustrap ran over to the limp form of Demeter and started nuzzling his
unconscious mate. Slowly she came to, and when she saw Munkustrap, she threw her
arms around his neck and started sobbing. Plato came up and hugged Bombalurina. He
was so afraid that she might die during the fight with Macavity. But she hadn’t.
Old Deutaronamy stood up, "Despite all that has happened here tonight, I must
insist that the ball resume. Alonzo and Pouncival dragged Macavity’s body away, and the
dancing resumed. Finally at the end of the ball, Asparagus was chosen to go to the
Heaviside Layer. Everyone thought it was right that he follow his brother Gus, who went
up last year.
When the ball was done, all the cats dispersed, leaving only Ferreta, Pouncival,
Mistoffelees, Plato, and Bombalurina. "So Misto, what exactly did you do with my
daughter?" Bombalurina asked the smug magicat.
Mistoffelees grinned, "I put her in a place between places. Macavity couldn’t find
her, but he tried."
Bombalurina looked confused "Misto I’m not going to even try to understand what
you just said." Mistoffelees laughed, and snapped his fingers, and a sleeping Demalurina
appeared in Bombalurina’s arms. She smiled at him. "Thanks Misto"
Mistoffelees bowed, "Anytime." And disappeared. Everyone laughed, and walked
home.
