Once Munkustrap finally gathered up the nerve to ask Demeter, news of their engagement spread like wildfire. By day's end everyone was talking about it and congratulating them. Jerrie was sent to give the news to Deuteronomy and escort him back so he could preside over their mating dance. As jellicle leader, it was his presence and blessing that made a union official. Not that he had ever denied his blessing to any couple or prevented a couple from mating (at least to my knowledge), but everyone always asked for it as a sign of respect.

From what he told me, Munkustrap's proposal wasn't spectacular by any means, but a quiet and intimate affair with just the two of them. They went to their favorite spot (the location of which was known only to them) and just as dawn was breaking he asked her to be his mate. I knew I should have been happy for them, the proposal had been idyllic and he seemed to be the happiest I'd ever seen him, but I couldn't help but feel a little resentful of Demeter. It should have been me with him before dawn and it should have been me he was preparing to dance with once Deuteronomy arrived, not her.

To add insult to injury Munkustrap had asked me to present Demeter to him. Traditionally the father of the queen would present her to the audience in a short dance before she danced with her tom and if the her father had passed or was unable to dance, the responsibility would fall to Munkustrap as protector. However, Demeter's and Bombalurina's father had passed when they were young and Munkustrap was to be her mate so he couldn't present her either. I should have been honored that they asked me to play such an important role in their mating dance, but it only served to rub salt in the still weeping wound that their announcement had left on me. Naturally, saying no wasn't exactly an option. Despite my desire to move beyond that point, Munkustrap was still my best friend and he was to be mated to the queen he loved so I spent most of the afternoon dancing with her so we'd be ready for the following morning. Deuteronomy was expected to arrive late in the afternoon and the festivities would begin after everyone had greeted him and he'd had a chance to rest from his journey.

The hours leading up to a mating dance were always a time of celebration. There would be a few large dances for everyone, but it was mainly solos and duets similar to the ones performed at the Ball. This time though, they were performed in honor of the couple to be mated so instead of performing our their own songs they'd perform new ones they prepared just for the couple. If the couple or their deceased parents had songs it was also traditional to have them performed as well.

The final performances of the night were by Mistoffelees and Cassandra and Tugger and Bombalurina. Mistoffelees and Cassandra performed their usual blend of dazzling choreography and spectacular illusion, and Tugger and Bombalurina both performed a song in honor of their respective siblings before performing a stunning duet completely out of character for the two of them. Tugger's new song for his brother was true to form, glitzy and vaudevillian. Bombalurina's tribute to her sister was equally vaudevillian, though it did seem to lack the copious pelvic thrusting of Tugger's performance. When the two came together to perform their duet, nobody expected what came next. We all thought we were in for more lighthearted entertainment and quips at the couple's expense. What we got though, was a stunning ballad that left all of us speechless. Their dancing was just the right mix of sensuality and elegance and their voices were so perfect it was as if they were releasing liquid gold instead of sound from their mouths. By the time the last harmony faded from our ears, everyone present was in tears.

Once everyone had dried their eyes Deuteronomy stood and addressed the tribe. "Every so often I'm asked by a young kitten what makes us as jellicles different from other cats. What is it that sets us apart from them? It isn't our song or our dance. Other cats may not have our sound or our grace, but they have their own ways. It isn't that we are a tribe, there are plenty of tribes. What separates us from the rest is the bond we share with each other. Each one of us is permanently and inseparably bonded to each other and nothing can ever change that."

As Deuteronomy finished his sentence a loud crash was heard as a pile of junk came tumbling down just beside him. The sky that had just been warming in the first rays of dawn was painted red, and a voice was heard booming over it all. "Nothing father? Nothing at all? I beg to differ." A silhouette appeared atop the highest point in the yard. "Have you forgotten about me father? Or have you just chosen to deny my existence, father? I must say Munk, I am rather offended that you didn't invite me to your mating dance! Me, your own brother. You didn't even bother to tell me you'd begun courting Demeter!"

"What do you want Macavity?" Munkustrap growled.

"Well, an invitation would have been nice. Now though... I'll be needing a little more than that."

Munkustrap jumped to his feet, claws bared. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Macavity laughed before flicking his wrist. "Down kitty." An invisible force slammed into Munkustrap's chest and sent him flying into a pile of junk, knocking him unconscious. "Now then, any one else feel like resisting?"

Mistoffelees stood, sparks dancing between his fingers. "Yeah. I do." He raised his hands to cast a bolt of lightning, but he too was hit by an unseen force and sent flying back.

"Come now Quaxo. We both know you're no match for me. Just ask your poor mother. I understand Coricopat and Tantomile could help you prepare the seance. Now then, if there's no one else, Demeter I'll ask you to come with me." We all watched in horror as she was levitated and pulled towards Macavity. Her attempts to struggle were in vain; her arms and legs were bound by Macavity's magic. I ran to grab her, but before I could lay a paw on her I felt a burning on my chest before I was thrown to the ground. My head slammed against the dirt, and the last thing I remember was a bright flash of light as Macavity and Demeter disappeared.