Hello all and welcome! So I recently rewatched CATS and the song "Macavity, the Mystery Cat" really struck a chord in me for a bunch of different reasons. One of the things that came from that was a very specific idea. See, I've had a vague inclination to write a story about the background between Demeter and Macavity for a while now, but I didn't have a very focused idea of what the story would actually be. Now I do, and it's screaming to be written! So here it is, my version of the background concerning Macavity, Demeter, Bombalurina, and possibly a few appearances by Munkustrap and other characters. However, this will mostly be about the first three. Enjoy, rate, and review!
Note: This starts out during the song "Macavity, the Mystery Cat" and the rest of the story will basically be in flashback.
Other Note: This story will be told from Demeter's point of view in third person.
Prologue
When Old Deuteronomy was kidnapped, mass panic ensued in the Jellicle Tribe. The only ones who maintained a semblance of calmness were Munkustrap, because he was required as the leader, Alonzo as his second in command, and (oddly) the Rum Tum Tugger, who somehow seemed to understand that his reputation meant that many would look to him for an example. It was admirable in the first and the latter, considering that the cat kidnapped was their father.
The only others not panicking were two queens, Bombalurina and Demeter—and the latter at least should have been the most distressed out of everyone. As it was, Demeter could feel herself trembling in the semi-darkness. She met Bombalurina's eyes and knew the red queen could feel it too—a stirring. A familiar rhythm, a familiar music, coupled with the desire for the other Jellicles to understand precisely what they had been plunged into.
The other Jellicles looked up with a mixture of confusion and curiosity as Demeter began to dance. Even Bombalurina looked somewhat surprised, impressed that the older queen had really started dancing. While it was not uncommon for Jellicles to burst into song and dance, here it seemed entirely inappropriate, and no one was familiar with the selection of her choice. At first, her movements seemed unsure, almost instinctive but not at all planned, as though she was responding to an unseen stimulus.
Demeter silently thanked the Everlasting Cat that her mate Munkustrap had gone off after the criminals for the moment, and was not present to see her dancing so…provocatively…for him. As it was, she could practically feel her daughter Jemima's wide-eyed stare, and she could definitely hear the reactions of the other cats—normally quite reserved, Demeter never danced like this even at the Jellicle Ball. It was a novelty, which seemed to be helping the panic be alleviated in a way.
"Macavity's a mystery cat
He's called the Hidden Paw
For he's a master criminal who can defy the law
He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard
The Flying Squad's despair
For when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there!"
The tribe became spellbound as Demeter's movements became even more deliberately erotic. Demeter, for her part, could not see the junkyard any longer—she saw the dim lights of a makeshift club, with toms leering at her from in front of the stage…but she was not there for them, she was there for him, and luckily for their sakes most of the toms knew that…no. No, she was at the Jellicle junkyard, and the club was only a memory. Wasn't it?
Bombalurina grinned when she saw that Demeter had lost herself and watched as the black and gold queen continued:
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
He's broken every human law
He breaks the law of gravity
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare
And when you reach the scene of crime, Macavity's not there!
You may seek him in the basement
You may look up in the air
But I tell you once and once again
Macavity's not there!"
Now Bombalurina joined in, and some of the tribe looked relieved—the saucy red queen dancing provocatively was nothing new or unexpected. The fact that she was dancing with Demeter, however, was—they hardly ever associated with one another, yet judging by this song, which seemed as though they had rehearsed and performed it a hundred times, it seemed they had a shared history. But what? Why were they speaking of a hardened criminal, who had just kidnapped their beloved Jellicle leader, with such reverence?
Demeter, for her part, rested in a crouching position and waited for Bombalurina to finish her solo, needing no cue. Her whole body, from her ears to her tail, was quivering with anticipation of the familiar moves. Her stomach was roiling with utter fear, nervousness, and—dare she admit it?—enjoyment. She was enjoying this; she was dancing the ingrained moves with rapture. For him. As if she had never left.
"Macavity's a ginger cat
He's very tall and thin
You would know him if you saw him for his eyes are sunken in
His brow is deeply lined in thought
His head is highly domed
His coat is dusty from neglect
His whiskers are uncombed
He sways his head from side to side
With movements like a snake
And when you think he's half asleep
He's always wide awake!Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
For he's a fiend in feline shape
A monster of depravity
You may meet him in a by-street
You may see him in the square
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!"
Demeter stood, reciting the words and stretching her hand upwards. As she sang, she glanced at the younger queen, sharing a private smile.
"He's outwardly respectable…"
"I know he cheats at cards…" Bombalurina's mouth twitched in an effort not to laugh.
"And his footprints are not found in any files of Scotland Yard's."
"
And when the larder's looted—"
"Or the jewel cases rifled—"
"Or when the milk is missing—"
"Or another Peke's been stifled—"
"Or the greenhouse glass is broken—"
"And the trellis past repair—"
"There's the wonder of the thing:
Macavity's not there!"
Now—now! Now Demeter always sang for him and only him, and this time was no different. She could practically feel him watching her, could practically hear his praise—despite the scream in the back of her head that remembered everything he had ever done, to her or to others, somehow, here, it eventually never mattered.
"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity!
There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity
He always has an alibi and one or two to spare
Whatever time the deed took place, Macavity wasn't there!And they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known…"
"I might mention Mungojerrie," Demeter said with a smile, back to back with Bombalurina.
"I might mention Griddlebone," Bombalurina replied with a similar smile.
"Are nothing more than agents for the cat who all the time
Just controls the operations
The Napoleon of Crime!" they shouted out together, drawn into an ecstasy they could feel was almost taboo. They danced, feeling electrified, and continued:
"
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
He's a fiend in feline shape
A monster of depravity
You may meet him in a by-street
You may see him in the square
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!"
They stopped.
They stopped, and for a moment there was shocked silence.
Then Demeter realized, almost too late, that his presence had not been an imagined memory after all. She realized the trick, and she jumped on Macavity without hesitation, revealing his disguise. The rest was history—Macavity disappeared, and the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees managed to somehow conjure Old Deuteronomy from thin air. And they were all hailed as heroes.
Demeter wanted to sob.
Maybe Macavity really had been trying to take over the Jellicle Tribe, but she didn't honestly think that was the real reason he had come back. No, he had been there for her. She was sure of it.
Afterwards, alone in her den, Demeter looked up when Munkustrap came in. His features sagged with tiredness, but his eyes were bright with hurt.
"I saw you dancing," he said brokenly. "I saw you singing that song. Demeter, you looked like you were enjoying it!"
"I hate that song," Demeter said passionately. And it was the truth. She did hate that song, a hate so strong that some might have mistaken it for love—or perhaps it was a hate that could easily transform to love, and vice versa. "The tribe deserved an explanation, and that was the best way for them to be able to understand what they were dealing with."
"Damn it, Demeter!" Munkustrap snarled, "I saw you. You were dancing for him, not for the tribe! And I…I just don't understand! After everything he did to you, you still…!" Overcome with emotion, the protector of the Jellicles sat down, exhaustion apparent in his face.
"I never meant to hurt you," Demeter said quietly.
"I think the only thing more painful would have been if you physically clawed my heart out," Munkustrap admitted with conviction. Demeter flinched, her own feelings of betrayal welling up inside her. She looked at her mate with open dismay, but no surprise. Without a word, she got up and left, unable to say a single thing in her own defense.
She walked and walked, efficiently keeping out of sight and scent of the other cats. She spotted her daughter Jemima with a group of friends and paused to listen.
"…just never seen her like that before," Jemima was saying. "I knew that Dad had rescued her from Macavity, but I didn't know anything beyond that."
"No offense, Jem, but the fact that she was dancing with Bombalurina of all cats was pretty weird," Etcetera replied.
"I know!" Jemima exclaimed. "I just don't understand it! I mean, I've never seen her sing or dance like that even at the Jellicle Ball!"
"Maybe you should ask her," Victoria suggested.
That was when Demeter fled, her heart full of turmoil. How could she tell Jemima that story, full of darkness and hatred? It was the last thing she ever wanted to tell anyone. Even Munkustrap didn't know the full extent of the tale. With her heart pounding, the black and gold queen settled inside an old pipe far away from the normal junkyard paths, curling up in a tight ball.
Even though she would rather have died than relive it by telling her daughter, the memories still tortured her, rising unbidden in her mind.
She could remember the exact moment she first heard his name…the exact moment she became involved…the exact moment when she should have run but didn't. And the memories came with a tidal force, reverberating inside her skull in a ceaseless motion. Demeter squeezed her eyes shut, seeing the light of the moon at her very first Jellicle Ball…
So? What do you think? I'm not sure how many people will actually be interested in this, but yeah. I should be updating once every week or two. Please review!
