Title: Moment of Sadness
Summary: She shouldn't be surprised that Munkustrap wasn't on her side; he knew she was his mother, of course, but she had been absent much of his life after she left Old Deuteronomy.
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Cats.
Grizabella staggered into the clearing where the rest of the Jellicle Cats were. The sounds of celebration died almost immediately. All the older cats knew her story.
Several of the younger cats came up to her tentatively, only to be defended by their elders. Munkustrap stayed close on Grizabella's tail. She noted how remarkably similar he looked to his father, but she could faintly see her own features in his whiskered face as well.
One cat – Demeter, was it? – strayed close to Grizabella, arms slightly stretched. Munkustrap watched her tensely, but the female withdrew last second and scurried away, propelled by a look from Munkustrap. Grizabella wondered faintly if the female cat and her son were mates.
Munkustrap still watched her warily, almost as if he were afraid of her. He was defensive of the other Jellicles, being that he was second in command. She felt a flicker of anger. She had never hurt anyone in her life; it was the rest of the tribe who turned on her. She averted the eyes of Old Deuteronomy, who was watching his son and former mate with pity etched on his face. Munkustrap seemed torn between accepting his mother and protecting the rest of the tribe.
Grizabella tried to walk with her former elegance, but her slight limp ruined the illusion. Munkustrap watched her as his mate began singing. When Demeter reached the words, "And the postman sighed as he scratched his head, you'd really think she ought to be dead…" Munkustrap's head snapped towards her. Once again, he seemed unsure whether to defend Grizabella or join Demeter.
Grizabella hunched over at the cold words. More followed: "And who'd ever suppose that was Grizabella, the Glamour Cat…"
Grizabella shut her eyes tightly at the pain of hearing her former title. Munkustrap's gaze returned to the bedraggled cat. Soon, everyone around him began to sing along with Demeter and her sister. Grizabella wasn't very shocked when she heard Munkustrap join them in their taunts.
She had been Old Deuteronomy's first mate many, many years ago. Munkustrap was the only kitten they had had together. When Munkustrap was barely a year old, she left the tribe, and Deuteronomy, to try and become a famous showcat.
Everyone turned on her after that, shocked she'd leave her kit and their leader to go out into the harsh, unpredictable world. Old Deuteronomy had mates after her, but his heart still ached from her departure. She shouldn't be surprised that Munkustrap wasn't on her side; he knew she was his mother, of course, but she had been absent much of his life after she left Old Deuteronomy.
She had actually succeeded in her dreams, for a few wonderful years. Her glory days, as she thought of them. Alas, they had ended long ago.
Grizabella was overcome with the pain of these memories. Trying to keep her head raised with pride, she staggered away from the tribe as she had many, many years ago. As she left, Munkustrap extended his paw slightly in the direction she was leaving, as if a piece of him was hurting for the mother he never knew.
The End