Beautiful Creature

Mistoffelees took a deep breath. This was it. He had to tell her how he felt. Hold on – something wasn't right. Something was missing. What had Tugger said? Mistoffelees mentally ran through the conversation he'd had with the older tom earlier.

"Uh, hey, Tugger?"

Tugger looked down and smiled when he saw it was his younger cousin. "Well, if it isn't the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees," he teased fondly. "And what can I do for you, O Great Magician?"

Mistoffelees jumped up onto the abandoned car and sat down beside Tugger. "I need some advice."

"Who is she?" Tugger asked immediately, not missing a beat.

Mistoffelees blinked. "How do you know if that's what I want to ask you about?"

"Well, what other sort of advice would anyone seek from me?"

"True," Mistoffelees admitted. "Okay, so I'm in love with…a certain queen, and I want her to go to the ball with me. Problem is, I don't think she likes me…like that." His ears drooped. "What should I do?"

Tugger laughed gently. "Oh, Misto, just keep it simple. Go up to her, tell her you like her and why, then ask her to the ball. Queens adore simplicity."

"Really? It's that simple?" Mistoffelees asked, wide-eyed with wonder.

"Sure. Maybe throw in some flowers – say, red roses – and she won't be able to resist. Now are you gonna tell me who the lucky queen is?"

Mistoffelees gulped. Maybe it had been a bad idea going to her father for advice… "Uh, i-it's Jemima," he managed to squeak.

"Ah, well, you should have no problems, then." Tugger winked knowingly as he slinked away.

Mistoffelees frowned. What did he mean by that?

Roses! That's what it was. Mistoffelees quickly conjured up a bunch of luscious, fragrant, red roses, before silently making his way over to his angel. He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly. "Ummm…Jemima?"

Jemima turned around, causing Mistoffelees to gasp. She was as beautiful as ever…indeed, she was stunning. She smiled. "Hello, Misto."

Mistoffelees shuffled his hind paws nervously, feeling somewhat embarrassed and very self-conscious. "Uh, I just wanted to tell you…" He paused, gathering his courage before continuing in a rush, "You're the most beautiful creature I've ever met, and you're kind and caring and I love you. Will you go to the ball with me, Jemima?" There. He'd done it. His breathing quickened as he waited for her reaction, as did his heartbeat.

Jemima's smile widened. "Yes, of course I'll go to the ball with you, Misto."

Mistoffelees' eyes widened. "You – you will?"

Jemima nodded. "Yes, I will. I love you, too."

Mistoffelees returned her smile, relaxing visibly. He handed her the roses.

"Oh, they're beautiful!" she exclaimed, burying her head in the bunch and inhaling their scent.

"But not as beautiful as you," Mistoffelees murmured, taking her paw. "Nowhere near."

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of the characters mentioned in this story; they belong solely to T.S. Eliot and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I DO, however, own this story, which is protected under my name by Australian Copyright Law dating back to 2010.