Romantical Cats

Chapter 1: Emotional Turbulence

"Electra," Mistoffelees murmured as he rubbed against me, the dark, younger queen. He tenderly licked my face. I purred to the affectionate young tom and nestled into his side as he lay in his drainpipe. Misto had always been a close friend, but at the recent Jellicle Ball he'd told me that he had a crush on me. I was happy about that since I like him too. In fact the Jellicle Ball this year had been one that established many, if temporary, couples.

Victoria had left kitten hood for Plato. My friend Tumblebrutus and Jemima, one of my sisters, had a brief relationship. It didn't last too long as they're both kittens who don't do well tied to one cat. Alonzo and Cassie had gone further in their relationship. They' were even considering becoming mates for a while. But they too aren't ones to stay fixed for a while. Alonzo bestowed some affection on Jemima and Cassandra went to The Rum Tum Tugger. Demeter and Munkustrap were another pair. They became very close that Jellicle Ball.

But these things don't always work out. Munku and Demi soon discovered that they weren't meant to be together. They split up and became friends instead. Munkustrap never found another queen to love. Where as Demeter has been seen with several cats. She's been with Alonzo a few times, she was seen to cuddle with Pouncival, but it was Coricopat that captured her heart. They were perfect for each other. Corico was sweet and quiet, even a little shy. Demi had her shy moments, but mostly she was flirty and fairly extroverted. She was good for Corico. There was a problem with that match though. Tantomile. One of my best friends. She and Corico were twins. Before, they were never separated. Well, hardly ever. They were so close, mentally. You usually needed one to complete the other and I had the worst time trying to get Coricopat to leave us when I've wanted to talk to Tanti.

Now, Corico sticks to Demeter. I've often found Tanti crying in the back of out Jellicle Junkyard where she thinks no one will hear her. I feel terrible for her! She's not used to being alone. Now, it's just her. I try to stay with Tanti, but she's been avoiding us Jellicles. Besides, my other friends grab me. Misto, Etcy, Jemi, Brutus, and Pouncival want to go explore out in the unknown parts of London and Tanti won't go.

"Lecta? What's wrong? Electra, you're crying." Misto whispered. I was? Why? "Electra, honey, what are you thinking about?" What was I thinking about? Why did Misto call me 'honey'? That's where my current thoughts had trailed. Was I that upsetting?

"Er," I sniffed, "Tanti, I guess. And the Jellicle Ball." I self-consciously wiped my eyes.

"Are you worried about her?" Mistoffelees asked gently. He wrapped an arm around me. I shrugged.

"I wish she'd stop hiding. It's for the best that Coricopat left her. They couldn't be together all the time. It doesn't make sense that way." I explained softly. "I just wish she'd talk to us again. Come with us again." Misto nuzzled my cheek in consolation. Actually, I didn't know I needed consolation. Hmm. Did I really look so distressed. "Do I really look that bad?"

"Course not," Misto purred. "You always look beautiful." Well, what more can you expect from a lover. Especially an adolescent tom. I burrowed into his fur and tried to put my thoughts aside. Whatever it was that had made me cry, I had no wish to revisit. No matter how sweet and understanding Misto was, I didn't want to cry in front of him. Or anyone else for that matter.

*~*~*

"Jemima?" Tumblebrutus called to the calico. He sat on the Junkyard floor and looked up at a tower of rubbish. Jemima was perched up there and stubbornly wouldn't come down. "Please, I'm sorry about what I said about you not being able to tap dance. I didn't mean it. I'm sure you can, Mima!"

Jemima crossed her arms and stared defiantly at the sky. She wouldn't come. Not after Brutus said that the reason she hadn't participated in the second part of her mother's dance last Ball was because she didn't tap dance. Of course she did, she told herself. After all, her mum was the beset tapper in the company. She would not deign to answer Tumblebrutus. And how dare he call her by her special nickname after he'd insulted her?

"Jemima, please. I didn't mean it. I just meant, well, I don't know. I know you dance beautifully, I've seen you!" Brutus pleaded. "If I hadn't seen you, we wouldn't have been together at the Ball. I wouldn't have noticed you." Brutus winced at his words. He shouldn't have said it, he knew, but it was too late now. Jemima pursed her lips and began to fume silently. Oh, so that was it. The only thing that made her noticeable was her dancing. So her appearance and voice meant nothing to the tom. And what about personality? Did that count for anything? She got up from her seat and slunk down the opposite side of the pile and into the city. She could postpone seeing Tumblebrutus for a while.

*~*~*

I climbed out of the drainpipe. Mistoffelees was sleeping peacefully. He didn't wake when I crawled out of his arms. I had to get outside. I had to find out what was wrong with me. I snuck up to the tire in the Junkyard where I could sit and look at the sliver of moon. There weren't many cats in the yard. Most were with their humans in London. Some only came here once a year for the Ball, such as Gus, Bustopher Jones, and Old Deuteronomy. Munkustrap ruled the yard. Well, he protected it while Deuteronomy was away.

The only cats who always stayed in the Junkyard were Munkustrap, the twins, Demeter, and Alonzo. The rest of us were here most of the time, but would sometimes stray away to our homes or another fun part of the city. Tonight, though, I couldn't see many of the permanent cats. I saw Tanti's tail poking out from the oven where she and Coricopat had once shared. Alonzo was on the big chair up near the top of the heap. I heard a voice on the other side of the Junkyard. It was Tumblebrutus calling to Jemima. I figured Demi and Corico were out somewhere. But where was Munkustrap? He was always here! Oh well, it meant I could have to tire all to myself.

I sat for a while, staring reverently at the glowing slip of moon. It was so beautiful, bone chilling. I began to think after a while. What had made me cry? What was I thinking about when I began to cry? Well, Tanti, Corico, and Demi. That made me sad, but not to the point of tears. I just wished that Tanti would act her chipper self again. What before that? Munkustrap and Demeter, Jemima and Brutus, and Cassie and Lonzo. That wasn't tear wrenching. Well, except that all three broke up. But they all found someone new!

Except Munkustrap.

Was that what had brought my tears? Was it Munku being alone that had made me cry without even noticing? I didn't know. What would Mistoffelees think if he knew that the thought of Munkustrap alone had made me cry? Or were my tears simply for our leader who had been left off the couples list? Would I ever have answers to my many questions? Everlasting Cat help me!, I thought urgently.

A soft paw brushed my arm. "Electra? What are you doing up?" I started and turned. It was Munkustrap. I nearly had a seizure. This was awkward. Why did I have to leave Misto and the drainpipe?

"Oh, nothing, er, m-much really," I managed to stammer. I shook with fear of crying again or saying something stupid. "Sorry."

"No," Munkustrap murmured in his soft, husky voice. He looked sad. "I'm sorry if I startled you." He then saw my shivers, my fur standing on end. I regretted mentally describing his voice as soft and husky. "Electra, what's wrong?" I wished he wouldn't ask me that! "You're shaking!" He touched my arm. "Why's your fur on end?" Don't ask, I thought.

"N-no reason. I don't really know. Cold, probably. I should get back to Misto." I excused. I tried to leave to safety of Misto's lair, but Munkustrap grabbed my paw.

"You aren't scared are you? Are you sensing anything?" He looked worried. "This is the way…Demeter would act before a Macavity scare." He searched my kitten eyes with his wise ones. I glanced away quickly, afraid of what he'd see there.

"No, no. I'm fine. Please," I took my paw back and ran. Like hell. I slid quickly into the pipe. Misto lay there and woke up at my sudden entrance.

"Lecta…" he saw my worried and upset face and sat up. "What's happening? What's wrong?" I burst into silent tears and kept running through the drainpipe. Away from Mistoffelees. Away from Munkustrap. Away from my thoughts.

Or so I thought. My thoughts caught up quickly. Did I have…feelings…for Munkustrap? Was there anything in my regard for him stronger then respect and awe? I hoped not. For my sake. For his. For Misto's. Everlasting Cat, I prayed, help me please. I can't find my emotions alone. I sat on a box in the alley that the drainpipe led to. I cried till dawn. I felt hurt and shunned. Mistoffelees hadn't come after me. I'd have felt worse, but at the same time better.

This couldn't work. I'd had to figure out my feelings before I returned to the Junkyard.