It was beginning to get dark, and everyone was on edge with anticipation. Those who were especially excited were those who had never been to a ball before. The not-so-kittens sat in a circle, talking about what they thought the ball would be about.

"I bet something crazy will happen," Pouncival mused. "Like the tall piles fall down, and someone gets hurt!"

"Don't say that!" Jemima said as her eyes grew wide with horror. "You might jinx it!"

"Well, I hope something eventful happens," Pouncival muttered. "I mean, if we aren't allowed to dance…"

"I watched the one last year," Tumblebrutus said. "The grown-ups think I was in bed, but I watched from inside the oven."

The group leaned in, ready to hang on every word that came out of Tumblebrutus' mouth. Etcetera was the one to ask the question.

"What's it like?"

Tumblebrutus stared at the sky, searching for words. Victoria smiled at him. "Why don't you do what Jenny teaches us?" she offered. "If you can't think of how to say it, sing it." At that, Tumblebrutus smiled.

"Everyone's invited, this is how we live," sang Tumblebrutus. "We're all here for each other; happy to give! All we have we share, and all of us we care, so come on!"

"Welcome to our family time, welcome to our brotherly time," Plato joined in, a broad grin brightening his face. "We're happy giving and taking to the friends we're making! There's nothing we won't do!"

Some of the older cats padded over, hearing the young toms singing. Rum Tum Tugger threw an arm over Plato's shoulder and joined into the song. "Welcome to our family time, welcome to our happy to be time! This is our festival, you know and best of all we're here to share it all!"

The bright tune of the song brought everyone to their feet, and Munkustrap strode into the group, smiling at everyone. "There's a bond between us nobody can explain,"

Jellylorum and Jennyanydots joined in, "It's a celebration of life and seeing friends again!"

Tumblebrutus playfully punched Pouncival on the shoulder. "I'd be there for you, I know you'd be there for me too... so come on!"

Everyone joined into the song, hearing the melody in their hearts and letting their voices carry the words. "Welcome to our family time! Welcome to our brotherly time! This is our festival you know and best of all: We're here to share it all!"

Gus the Theatre cat sang out from his spot on a couch, "Remembering loved ones departed,"

Plato grinned at Victoria, "Someone dear to your heart," She smiled and took his paw and sang with him, "Finding love, planning a future."

Gus gestured to the surrounding cats, "Telling stories and laughing with friends, precious moments you'll never forget!"

"This has to be the most beautiful, the most peaceful place I've ever been to," Electra sang quietly as her friends rejoiced around her. She thought back on when she'd lived with her mother, strangely grateful she'd given her up to the Jellicles. "It's nothing like I've ever seen before. When I think how far I've come I can't believe it...and yet I see it—in them I see family, I see the way we used to be…"

"Welcome to our family time! Welcome to our brotherly time!" Everyone sang together, dancing in together as though the ball had already started. "We're happy giving and taking to the friends we're making! There's nothing we won't do! Welcome to our family time! Welcome to our happy to be time!
This is our festival you know and best of all: we're here to share it all!"

Even though everyone could feel that the song was over, they continued chatting animatedly with each other about what they thought would happen at the ball. Electra smiled warmly at everyone. She could tell this would be one of the best nights of her life.


[A/N] The song is Welcome from Brother Bear. I love that movie, and got the inspiration for this while listening to the soundtrack!