Every year, she saw him and every year it was the same thing: one brief dance with him and he was gone. Such was his nature; after all he was known as the "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" and she was only "Cassandra of the Moonlight Eyes". many times she had asked herself what was she thinking, to be after a cat like him? She only saw him once a year at the Jellicle Ball. Never once did it occur to her that he lived next door to her with his family. It definitely never occurred to her that he might have felt the same irritation: one dance and that was all he was allowed. Curse Bombalurina, she always got in the way and Rum Tum Tugger was no better. He always stole Cassandra away after she had danced with Mistoffelees. Just once he would like to have spoken to her away from the Jellicle gatherings, away from Tugger and Bombalurina and the watchful eyes of the older cats such as Skimbleshanks, Jennyanydots and Jellylorum.
"Mistoffelees? Mistoffelees? Hey, Misto, are you all right? You seem down and out, not so cheerful. Fleas, perhaps?" asked Mungojerrie, the resident clown. Mistoffelees shook his head and continued to watch the festivities from the safety of the corner. Mungojerrie knew better and put his paw on Mistoffelees' shoulder.
"No, I'm okay, really. Just a lot on the mind…. For a cat anyways." he replied to the paw on the shoulder. Mungojerrie curled up next to him, prepared to listen and offer advice.
"So, what's your deal? Fleas? Ticks? No more tricks?" he asked. Mistoffelees merely shook his head and was prepared to look down but a sleek black cat caught his eye and he looked up. Mungojerrie looked up to see who had caught the eye of the magic cat and saw his partner in crime, Rumpleteazer, chatting with Cassandra and Victoria. Over it all, Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy watched, like a mother over her newborn kittens. Mungojerrie noticed the look and nudged Mistoffelees with a paw
"So, Cassandra, is it? She's a fine one. Too bad Rum Tum Tugger seems to get in the way. I hear Bombalurina has her eyes on you but it would seem that the feeling is not mutual. You should go speak to her then. I'll even come with you, what say?" Mungojerrie offered.
"Thanks but I'll be okay over here. You go on ahead." Mistoffelees told him. Mungojerrie put one final paw on his shoulder and walked over to where Cassandra and the girls were engaged in lively chatter about Rum Tum Tugger
"Come on, Cassandra, it is evident he likes you. What, other than that he is very conceited, is wrong with him? He is big, brave and very bold. What more could you want?" asked Victoria.
"I agree", chimed in Etcetera who had just joined in, "If I only weren't a kitten, I'd be all over him."
Mungojerrie gently pushed Etcetera over "however, you stand a better chance with Alonzo. Besides, even though Rum is a good guy, he is a bit conceited."
Rumpleteazer rolled her eyes at her companion, "and like Mistoffelees is not? He has stayed over there the entire time. You're the only one he has spoken to. And you call Rum Tum Tugger conceited. At least he talks and socializes…."
"Now, Misto is just shy and we know this is why he doesn't speak much. However, he did make a rather wonderful remark about a certain "moonlight eye" cat." replied Mungojerrie, waiting to see if Cassandra's ears picked up. Sure enough, she picked up and Mungojerrie continued.
"Sure enough, he saw her and said that she was looking absolutely wonderful, that her eyes seemed brighter than her namesake AND that her coat looked even shinier and softer than usual. I think he might be a rather smitten kitten. Oh look, its Electra, I must go have a word with her" and Mungojerrie walked off, rather smug and pleased with himself.
The words stuck in Cassandra's head "brighter than my namesake? He thinks so? Maybe I should--"