I finally found a name for this monstrosity! ^-^ (Muahahaha) I was
watching Amadeus for the fiftieth time and some of the lyrics to Mozart's
death mass kinda stuck with me. The title is the English translation (you
know, the confutatis part…)
A/N: Hi all! Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but it took me awhile to come up with a way to get the story going, and I thought I'd see what kind of reaction this generates before it's continued. PG as of now for a little violence and some swearing, but I'd be open to suggestions if anyone thinks it should be rated differently. Misto lovers, don't hurt me! I'm a part of the masses, too! It'll get better, I promise (not before it gets worse, though – muahaha). R&R will earn you my eternal gratitude as well as the remainder of my catnip stockpile. Thank you so much! ^-^
Disclaimer: I don't CATS…
How would you translate that?
Consigned to flames of woe.
You believe in it?
What?
A fire which never dies, burning you forever.
Oh, yes.
~ Amadeus
The stars were beautiful that night – seeming to light up the sky with a magic deeper, stronger, and wilder than he could ever have. Stretching out on top of the pipe, paws splayed comfortably on the rim, Mistoffelees watched the night sky. He always felt a peace when he watched the stars. They were his guardian angels; the one thing that had always been there to comfort him even before he had been truly accepted into the tribe. Even with his guardians, however, he would not have traded the sense of belonging he felt now for anything in the world. It was his magic that made it possible, he knew, and every night as he watched the stars he thanked the Everlasting Cat.
With one last stretch and a silent thankful prayer, the tuxedo curled up inside the pipe and fell asleep. From her vantage point under the old car, a kitten smiled at the object of her vigil and gave herself up to sleep.
* * * * *
"El, wake up!"
Electra yawned and batted her eyes sleepily. "What is it, Cettie?" she mumbled as she looked up at the smiling face of her best friend.
Etcetera was jumping around so hyperly that Electra pondered the possibility of her head falling off, but then she said, "Misto promised me and Jemi yesterday that he'd show us a new trick he thought up today and well it's today now and Tugger's going to be there and everything! Come on, we have to hurry!" Etcetera tugged on the other kitten's paw impatiently. "Tumble and Pounce are already there."
Electra ran a paw through her fur hurriedly as they neared the old brick wall where Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Jemima were assembled. Jemima and Pouncival were talking and laughing, and Electra sighed as she saw them together. She had often seen her younger friend's eyes light up when she spotted the playful tom catching sun rays or victimizing an unfortunate moth with short swipes. Pouncival, too, seemed to be more open and talkative when Jemi was around. It was almost like he was showing off for her. Electra settled down beside Cettie and retreated deep inside herself, where she could pretend that someone cared enough about her to show off for her.
* * * * *
1 "Rum Tum Tugger, if you don't get your egotistical tail out here now, I will personally shave off that oversized mane!"
There was a crash and yelling from inside the Tugger's place, and the Maine coon himself came out at as much of a run as he would ever allow himself to be seen. Misto shook his head. 'The king of peaceful early morning conversation,' he thought. 'Curious beast, indeed.' Tugger grinned broadly and swatted the magician's face with his tail.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Misto! Keep threatening me like that and people will start to think you do have a temper after all."
Misto couldn't help but grin at his friend's antics. "Bomb spent the night again, I take it?"
"Yeah. I love her, but the mornings after are starting to make me wonder."
"Wondering what kind of present she'd like as an 'I'm sorry' gift, no doubt."
His companion sent him a glaring look. "She's going to have to wait this one out. I'm not the one who killed the flower vase against the wall."
The tuxedo tom chuckled. "You two really do belong together. Anyway, we'll be late for the big performance."
Tugger grimaced slightly and pulled Misto along. "Well then let's go before a certain red hellcat decides to follow us to keep 'her Tugger' in line."
"I have a feeling I am going to enjoy Bomb's version of this morning's events. Oh look, Tugger, your whole entourage is present and accounted for."
"Of course they are!" The Maine coon grinned. "When I set out to make a friend famous, you know I always draw the crowds."
Misto shook his head. "Then I'll leave the introduction up to you."
"Don't you always?" Tugger winked and leapt up to the wall, leaving the magician to work out the rest of the details. At his cue, Misto concentrated his mind inward and outward simultaneously and appeared on top of the wall in a shower of blue sparkles. As he always did when he was in front of an audience, he scanned the upturned faces for a focal point. Usually the candidate was someone who didn't particularly seem to be enjoying the show, and Misto then made an effort to include them. Last year at the Jellicle Ball, he had chosen Cassandra not because he liked her (as some of the kittens had made a point of saying), but because her eyes had looked at him and whispered to him that she was bored.
Quickly, he glanced around at the assembled kittens' faces. Jemima and Etcetera looked ready to chase their tail like Pollicles in sheer anticipation, Tumblebrutus couldn't keep his eyes off Etcetera (have to store that one away for future reference), Victoria was merely sitting politely with Plato beside her, and Pouncival was engrossed with a grasshopper that had somehow wandered under his paw. Then he saw Electra. Her normally expressive face was blank, and her eyes veritably screamed at him. He was nowhere near as psychic as Coricopat or Tantomile, but he wasn't blind, either. She was the perfect cat for what he had in mind.
He bowed with a flourish, and as his "lovely assistant" R.T. Tugger struck a pose for his posse, the Maine coon was covered in colourful butterflies. There were scattered "oohs" and "aahs" from the kittens as the butterflies dispersed and Tugger had disappeared. Concentrating on one butterfly in particular – a gorgeous blue and gold creature – Misto gave it a gentle psychic nudge. The butterfly fluttered around aimlessly for a few seconds and flew over to Electra. As she watched it, it landed calmly o her paw and showed off its wings. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some of the others chasing the other butterflies (Pouncival), sitting and admiring their beauty (Victoria and Jemima), or pouting and swatting at the things that "ate" the Tugger (Etcetera).
Smiling a little to himself, Misto reached out again towards Electra's butterfly and shifted the colours a bit…just a bit more black… He was rewarded with a small smile from Electra as the butterfly sported its new tuxedo pattern happily. Catching her eye with a wink, he waved his hand to disperse the butterflies. Pouncival flopped down beside Jemima, discouraged. "Almost had him, too."
Etcetera, on the other hand, looked like she was about to cry. "Where'd Tugger go?"
"Ah," said Misto, holding a paw up. "That's the mystery." He leaned in close to the light-coloured kitten and said, "And when you figure that out, you'll know more than me."
She giggled a little, and Misto raised one paw up in the air and snapped his fingers. The Tugger appeared and, holding the magician's paw, bowed and blew kisses to his adoring audience. Misto smiled and disappeared.
* * * * *
He teleported into the pipe and lay down on the rug inside. Even though he had been practicing that trick every day for almost a week, it still felt like a terrible drain on his magic. It had definitely been worth it, though. Misto didn't normally enjoy parading his magic about like some circus trick, but lately he had noticed a change in one particular kitten's attitude. She had always been somewhat of a mystery to him, acting as wild and happy-go-lucky as any other young cat one minute and staring intently at nothing the next. Misto had expected that Jemima might go through a few minor personality alterations after being used as a medium by Coricopat and Tantomile, but there seemed to be no reason for her to turn silent and brooding. Her. Electra.
He had for a long time considered Electra to be the most beautiful queen in the tribe. The thing was, he didn't judge beauty like most other cats did. Sure Demeter, Bombalurina, and Victoria were beautiful, but Dem and Bomb were already spoken for, and Victoria although sweet, could be incredibly shallow at times. Besides, she and Plato had been on again, off again mates ever since last year's Ball. He saw something in Electra that he couldn't quite put his finger on, but knew was there the same.
A knock at the front of the pipe attracted his attention. Or actually, a lot of rattling, some giggling and a "shh". Misto smiled and called to his guests. "Come on in, guys."
Mungojerrie stuck his head inside of the curtain covering the front of the pipe, closely followed by his mate.
"'Ey, Jerrie, Oi 'fought we was gonna surproise 'im!"
"Not wiv you laffin' ev'ry toime Oi makes a face, we can'," he explained, twanging the end of her whiskers.
Rumpleteazer twitched her nose and sneezed. "Ugh…that wasn' too noice, Jer."
He grinned and ruffled the fur on top of her head, then turned back to Misto. "Anyway, tha reason we came 'eah was to ask yeh ter come wiv us on a job. Tha' li'l disappeary 'fingy'd come in real useful, y'know."
The younger tom sighed. "Sorry Mungo, but I'm not robbing houses with you."
Rumpleteazer winked at him and started pulling her mate away. "Aw, come on, Jer, 'ee's not gonna be any fun today. We cin come back la'eh."
"Yeah Oi guess yer roight, 'Teaza. See ya la'eh then, Misto," Mungojerrie waved as Rumpleteazer dragged him off giggling.
Misto nodded and resumed his comfortable position on the rug. He'd probably be expected to come out later after the show, and he'd at least have to go thank Tugger for helping. Funny, though, he still felt like he had when he had first used the magic. He was afraid to try to walk, his legs felt so weak. Then the real pain hit.
The first thing he felt was a sharp hammering at the base of his skull. Gingerly placing a paw on the back of his neck, he started to head for the clearing in the middle of the Junkyard. Jellylorum would be there, and if she wasn't maybe Tantomile could help. Then his vision clouded over and the familiar colours were replaced with a fierce, screaming white. The hammering was in his eyes now, too, pulling him down to his knees, paws clutched tightly over his head. He wasn't aware of anything except the pain now, but he could somehow hear the beating of his heart magnified in his ears. He must have creamed, for he found himself curled up with his mouth hanging slackly open, and then his mind shut down completely.
A/N: Hi all! Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but it took me awhile to come up with a way to get the story going, and I thought I'd see what kind of reaction this generates before it's continued. PG as of now for a little violence and some swearing, but I'd be open to suggestions if anyone thinks it should be rated differently. Misto lovers, don't hurt me! I'm a part of the masses, too! It'll get better, I promise (not before it gets worse, though – muahaha). R&R will earn you my eternal gratitude as well as the remainder of my catnip stockpile. Thank you so much! ^-^
Disclaimer: I don't CATS…
How would you translate that?
Consigned to flames of woe.
You believe in it?
What?
A fire which never dies, burning you forever.
Oh, yes.
~ Amadeus
The stars were beautiful that night – seeming to light up the sky with a magic deeper, stronger, and wilder than he could ever have. Stretching out on top of the pipe, paws splayed comfortably on the rim, Mistoffelees watched the night sky. He always felt a peace when he watched the stars. They were his guardian angels; the one thing that had always been there to comfort him even before he had been truly accepted into the tribe. Even with his guardians, however, he would not have traded the sense of belonging he felt now for anything in the world. It was his magic that made it possible, he knew, and every night as he watched the stars he thanked the Everlasting Cat.
With one last stretch and a silent thankful prayer, the tuxedo curled up inside the pipe and fell asleep. From her vantage point under the old car, a kitten smiled at the object of her vigil and gave herself up to sleep.
* * * * *
"El, wake up!"
Electra yawned and batted her eyes sleepily. "What is it, Cettie?" she mumbled as she looked up at the smiling face of her best friend.
Etcetera was jumping around so hyperly that Electra pondered the possibility of her head falling off, but then she said, "Misto promised me and Jemi yesterday that he'd show us a new trick he thought up today and well it's today now and Tugger's going to be there and everything! Come on, we have to hurry!" Etcetera tugged on the other kitten's paw impatiently. "Tumble and Pounce are already there."
Electra ran a paw through her fur hurriedly as they neared the old brick wall where Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Jemima were assembled. Jemima and Pouncival were talking and laughing, and Electra sighed as she saw them together. She had often seen her younger friend's eyes light up when she spotted the playful tom catching sun rays or victimizing an unfortunate moth with short swipes. Pouncival, too, seemed to be more open and talkative when Jemi was around. It was almost like he was showing off for her. Electra settled down beside Cettie and retreated deep inside herself, where she could pretend that someone cared enough about her to show off for her.
* * * * *
1 "Rum Tum Tugger, if you don't get your egotistical tail out here now, I will personally shave off that oversized mane!"
There was a crash and yelling from inside the Tugger's place, and the Maine coon himself came out at as much of a run as he would ever allow himself to be seen. Misto shook his head. 'The king of peaceful early morning conversation,' he thought. 'Curious beast, indeed.' Tugger grinned broadly and swatted the magician's face with his tail.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Misto! Keep threatening me like that and people will start to think you do have a temper after all."
Misto couldn't help but grin at his friend's antics. "Bomb spent the night again, I take it?"
"Yeah. I love her, but the mornings after are starting to make me wonder."
"Wondering what kind of present she'd like as an 'I'm sorry' gift, no doubt."
His companion sent him a glaring look. "She's going to have to wait this one out. I'm not the one who killed the flower vase against the wall."
The tuxedo tom chuckled. "You two really do belong together. Anyway, we'll be late for the big performance."
Tugger grimaced slightly and pulled Misto along. "Well then let's go before a certain red hellcat decides to follow us to keep 'her Tugger' in line."
"I have a feeling I am going to enjoy Bomb's version of this morning's events. Oh look, Tugger, your whole entourage is present and accounted for."
"Of course they are!" The Maine coon grinned. "When I set out to make a friend famous, you know I always draw the crowds."
Misto shook his head. "Then I'll leave the introduction up to you."
"Don't you always?" Tugger winked and leapt up to the wall, leaving the magician to work out the rest of the details. At his cue, Misto concentrated his mind inward and outward simultaneously and appeared on top of the wall in a shower of blue sparkles. As he always did when he was in front of an audience, he scanned the upturned faces for a focal point. Usually the candidate was someone who didn't particularly seem to be enjoying the show, and Misto then made an effort to include them. Last year at the Jellicle Ball, he had chosen Cassandra not because he liked her (as some of the kittens had made a point of saying), but because her eyes had looked at him and whispered to him that she was bored.
Quickly, he glanced around at the assembled kittens' faces. Jemima and Etcetera looked ready to chase their tail like Pollicles in sheer anticipation, Tumblebrutus couldn't keep his eyes off Etcetera (have to store that one away for future reference), Victoria was merely sitting politely with Plato beside her, and Pouncival was engrossed with a grasshopper that had somehow wandered under his paw. Then he saw Electra. Her normally expressive face was blank, and her eyes veritably screamed at him. He was nowhere near as psychic as Coricopat or Tantomile, but he wasn't blind, either. She was the perfect cat for what he had in mind.
He bowed with a flourish, and as his "lovely assistant" R.T. Tugger struck a pose for his posse, the Maine coon was covered in colourful butterflies. There were scattered "oohs" and "aahs" from the kittens as the butterflies dispersed and Tugger had disappeared. Concentrating on one butterfly in particular – a gorgeous blue and gold creature – Misto gave it a gentle psychic nudge. The butterfly fluttered around aimlessly for a few seconds and flew over to Electra. As she watched it, it landed calmly o her paw and showed off its wings. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some of the others chasing the other butterflies (Pouncival), sitting and admiring their beauty (Victoria and Jemima), or pouting and swatting at the things that "ate" the Tugger (Etcetera).
Smiling a little to himself, Misto reached out again towards Electra's butterfly and shifted the colours a bit…just a bit more black… He was rewarded with a small smile from Electra as the butterfly sported its new tuxedo pattern happily. Catching her eye with a wink, he waved his hand to disperse the butterflies. Pouncival flopped down beside Jemima, discouraged. "Almost had him, too."
Etcetera, on the other hand, looked like she was about to cry. "Where'd Tugger go?"
"Ah," said Misto, holding a paw up. "That's the mystery." He leaned in close to the light-coloured kitten and said, "And when you figure that out, you'll know more than me."
She giggled a little, and Misto raised one paw up in the air and snapped his fingers. The Tugger appeared and, holding the magician's paw, bowed and blew kisses to his adoring audience. Misto smiled and disappeared.
* * * * *
He teleported into the pipe and lay down on the rug inside. Even though he had been practicing that trick every day for almost a week, it still felt like a terrible drain on his magic. It had definitely been worth it, though. Misto didn't normally enjoy parading his magic about like some circus trick, but lately he had noticed a change in one particular kitten's attitude. She had always been somewhat of a mystery to him, acting as wild and happy-go-lucky as any other young cat one minute and staring intently at nothing the next. Misto had expected that Jemima might go through a few minor personality alterations after being used as a medium by Coricopat and Tantomile, but there seemed to be no reason for her to turn silent and brooding. Her. Electra.
He had for a long time considered Electra to be the most beautiful queen in the tribe. The thing was, he didn't judge beauty like most other cats did. Sure Demeter, Bombalurina, and Victoria were beautiful, but Dem and Bomb were already spoken for, and Victoria although sweet, could be incredibly shallow at times. Besides, she and Plato had been on again, off again mates ever since last year's Ball. He saw something in Electra that he couldn't quite put his finger on, but knew was there the same.
A knock at the front of the pipe attracted his attention. Or actually, a lot of rattling, some giggling and a "shh". Misto smiled and called to his guests. "Come on in, guys."
Mungojerrie stuck his head inside of the curtain covering the front of the pipe, closely followed by his mate.
"'Ey, Jerrie, Oi 'fought we was gonna surproise 'im!"
"Not wiv you laffin' ev'ry toime Oi makes a face, we can'," he explained, twanging the end of her whiskers.
Rumpleteazer twitched her nose and sneezed. "Ugh…that wasn' too noice, Jer."
He grinned and ruffled the fur on top of her head, then turned back to Misto. "Anyway, tha reason we came 'eah was to ask yeh ter come wiv us on a job. Tha' li'l disappeary 'fingy'd come in real useful, y'know."
The younger tom sighed. "Sorry Mungo, but I'm not robbing houses with you."
Rumpleteazer winked at him and started pulling her mate away. "Aw, come on, Jer, 'ee's not gonna be any fun today. We cin come back la'eh."
"Yeah Oi guess yer roight, 'Teaza. See ya la'eh then, Misto," Mungojerrie waved as Rumpleteazer dragged him off giggling.
Misto nodded and resumed his comfortable position on the rug. He'd probably be expected to come out later after the show, and he'd at least have to go thank Tugger for helping. Funny, though, he still felt like he had when he had first used the magic. He was afraid to try to walk, his legs felt so weak. Then the real pain hit.
The first thing he felt was a sharp hammering at the base of his skull. Gingerly placing a paw on the back of his neck, he started to head for the clearing in the middle of the Junkyard. Jellylorum would be there, and if she wasn't maybe Tantomile could help. Then his vision clouded over and the familiar colours were replaced with a fierce, screaming white. The hammering was in his eyes now, too, pulling him down to his knees, paws clutched tightly over his head. He wasn't aware of anything except the pain now, but he could somehow hear the beating of his heart magnified in his ears. He must have creamed, for he found himself curled up with his mouth hanging slackly open, and then his mind shut down completely.