Macavity watched quietly from the shadows as each chair at the meeting room table was slowly filled. He felt himself smile wickedly as he let his yellow eyes roam over every cat, taking in every detail. When only one chair remained empty, the one at the head of the table, he stepped from his shadows, now not looking at any cat. He stepped slowly around the table until he reached his chair, each pair of eyes tracking his progress. Once he sat down he made eye contact with the cat on his right, his second in command.
"The Jellicle Ball concluded last night with Grizabella taking the journey to the Heavyside Layer. All of them believe that you are grievously injured due to the fact that you did not return to terrorise them after you battled with Munkustrap. No one suspects as to who your spies are." The Queen dutifully responded, her gold fur shining as she leaned towards him slightly. Macavity gave her his usual wicked grin.
"Very good, Demeter," He praised, "You are doing wonderful in your act."
"It's all a bit overdramatic," She rolled her eyes, smiling back at him, "But the Jellicles believe it."
Macavity let his eyes roam the table. This group consisted of his most talented henchcats, the ones he did not only consider as his servants. If he allowed himself such a sentiment, these cats would be considered his closest friends and allies. They never failed him, and though he never gave any cat his full trust, these cats knew the most of his plans and ideals.
"Tell me how each of your acts are going." He commanded. Rumpleteazer was next, sitting directly across from Demeter and to Macavity's left.
"Though everyone still suspects Jerrie, they only suspect me through association." She told him, suppressing her smile.
"Everlasting Cat knows why," Macavity reached over and ruffled her headfur. Rumpleteazer was like his family, Macavity had practically raised her. Her father, Skimbleshanks, was always working and her mother, Jennyanydots, was charged with the task of caring for all of the kits in the Junkyard. When Macavity left, he told very few cats where he was going. She was the youngest of those he told, and she has gone to see him as soon as she could. "If only they realised how dangerous you truthfully are."
"I was taught by the best." Teazer's signature smirk curled around her lips as she turned to the next in line.
"Munkustrap doesn't suspect me any more than he suspects Demie." The blank and white tom shrugged, his deep voice coloured with slight boredom. "Fighting with him and 'saving' Demie is already causing him to trust me more."
"Good plan then," Macavity told Alonzo, who nodded.
This update of progress continued in the same way, each cat telling Macavity of how they were fitting in and remaining inconspicuous. Coricopat reported that Tantomile knew but would not interfere. That wasn't a surprise. Tantomile seemed to know everything, it was only a matter of time before she would figure out that Cori was using his Mystic powers for something other than Jellicle work and rituals. Gus Jr. had sat in on several meetings and had notes for Macavity to see, but his cover was as intact as ever.
Plato was given a few reassurances, his new mate Victoria was extremely against Macavity, and he was rather nervous. Up until that point, it had been Admetus who he was around most of the time. Admetus worked for Macavity once upon a time, but had been injured and was now unable to complete missions. He was a well-liked cat wherever he went, so he was still seen around the warehouse, and he often had information to give Macavity from the multiple places he visited. Plato did not need to constantly watch himself around Plato. He would need to with Victoria. Macavity knew Plato was capable, but he was extremely devoted to Macavity and feared doing anything to jeopardise him.
Tumblebrutus asked for his opinion on whether he should continue his recruit attempt with his younger brother, Pouncival. The kit was a bit too energetic and was now joining in on slandering Macavity's name with the majority of the Jellicles. Tumblebrutus had once been eager to have his younger brother on his team, but now he was not so sure that Pounce was cut out for something like that. Macavity advised him to trust his own judgement. Tumblebrutus' I-just-have-a-feeling moments were often spot-on.
Jemima, as the youngest, was the last cat to speak. The young Queen-kit reported how the entire tribe had been practically smothering her. This allowed her to hear more than she was technically supposed to. Teazer began giggling halfway through the young kits story and had to explain that she loved the irony of the fact that the Jellicles were protecting Jemima to defeat Macavity, but in the process they were only making Macavity stronger.
"A cat will often meet his fate on the road he takes to avoid it." Alonzo chimed in, still bored.
"You should stop listening to humans romanticise things." Tumblebrutus laughed, causing Alonzo to make a face at him.
Macavity leaned back, allowing himself to relax as he only did around these cats. Watching them interact, he grinned. Teazer and Demeter fell into a discussion about which tactics could allow a Queen to look fragile while still kicking-ass and they both grinned at him when he laughed. Jemima and Tumblebrutus were formulating a plan to recruit more kits, both of them extremely intelligent and capable. They would give Macavity an outline of the plan once it was more finalised. Admetus, Plato, and Gus Jr. were all talking about Jellicle politics, Alonzo chiming in every once in a while.
The Jellicle Tribe would not know what hit them when the time came.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! It's been a little while since I've actually written anything. This is a story idea I've had in my head for years now, actually. I love this idea, I'm not sure how I did writing though. It's four am, soo...
Anyways, I shan't beg you to review, but it would be lovely and very much appreciated. I am considering making this a story of one-shots or actually turning it into a story, though it's apparent that I cannot update regularly. Opinions on this idea would be very welcome.
Once again, thanks for reading!
P.S. Can anyone guess my thought process on the title of this story? I'll write a one-shot for the first person to guess correctly. There is more than one right answer.