Behind the queen stood a jet black cat with ochre eyes, it approached her and leapt on her with a playful growl. The hunched over tom disappeared and the white returned to the black cat. He watched for her reactions.
Victoria screeched and did a double take. What in the name of heaviside had just happened to her? She shook her head as if to dispel another bought of dizziness.
"What the heck was that?" she asked him, trying not to let the fear creep into her voice.
He guffawed.
"I told you I would get you back for making me eep!" He chuckled; he looked at her face before breaking into hysterics again. Her face was priceless; he just hoped none of the patrols had heard her.
Her eyes slitted in absolute annoyance and a deep frown overtook her features. She hadn't found whatever he had just done amusing. Her fur was still standing on end.
"I don't see what's so funny," she said curtly, trying to groom her frazzled fur back in place.
He pouted slightly.
"It was a little bit. Your face was hilarious." He murmured gently, his ears pinned slightly.
"Hmph," she huffed, "Frightening me half to death shouldn't be so enjoyable for you. I thought that was a henchcat! I'm not sure whatever you just did, but I don't like it!"
She vigorously groomed her fur, but it still stood on end.
He crossed his arms over his chest; starting to get a little annoyed with the queen.
"I've scared you before, what's different this time?" He asked her, his voice raising slightly.
"You've never used your powers like that! I thought it was a real cat!" she growled, "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"I have used my powers like that quite alot! How on earth do you think I saved Demeter? I can't exactly waltz up looking like this! My father would be able to see me a mile away!" He growled slightly, throwing his paws into the air. He turned away from her and mumbled under his breath, soundproofing the den - if this became a fight then he didn't want anyone hearing.
"But, I'm not your father! I don't appreciate being snuck up on by a fully black cat out of nowhere!" she exclaimed, "I seriously thought that was a henchcat! How in Heaviside's name was I supposed to know you could do that?!"
Was this going to turn into a full-fledged argument? She dearly hoped not! All he had to do was apologize and promise never to do that freaky thing again. She would forgive him, if he said he was sorry.
"If I had looked like myself you would have known it was a trick! Just give up Victoria - I scared you for FUN. End of story." He grumbled, his face softened slightly as he murmured. "I thought you would have known I wouldn't ever hurt you out of spite and I thought you would have known about the patrols that surround the junkyard to stop henchcats - they can only get in with Macavity's help."
"How was I supposed to think any of that through?! You startled me! Adrenaline and my irrational part of my brain kicked in! I wasn't exactly thinking over how much you love me when a sudden fight or flight instinct overtook me!" she exclaimed, her tail lashing back and forth, "It's not my fault I got freaked out, it's most certainly yours!"
"If you hadn't jabbed me I wouldn't have felt inclined to scare you!" He roared back. He turned and slashed his claws on the wall. He panted heavily, feeling alot calmer after his outburst. With a word he cleaned up the scratches and repaired them.
"Just drop it Vic. It was both of us, neither more so than the other."
Her face grew hot and she seethed, not feeling inclined to drop the whole matter in the least. Why should she? Didn't he see that he had absolutely horrified her? A deep and hostile frown overtook her features and she growled.
"How dare you yell at me?!" she shrieked, "It was only a playful liitle jab! No need for you to exact terror inducing revenge upon me! I'm not going to drop it! Not until you apologize for scarring me out of my fur!"
"A jab? You humiliated me in front of your parents! You know how I hate it but you did it anyway!" He took a step towards her; he clenched his fists beside his legs. His tail twitched and his pupils narrowed to dots as he hissed.
"JUST SHUT UP!" He rumbled before bolting up his pipe, you could hear the sound of his claws on metal as he raced to get out. He ran to a nearby clearing and looked up at the moon. He stood in the quiet; the only noise was his panting. He touched his cheeks and felt dampness which he quickly wiped away. The tom quivered slightly from the cold of the night.
Victoria sat motionless for a moment. How had one simple little action caused so much anger and pain? She curled up in the blankets with a whimper, guilt and hurt making their way to her eyes and down her cheeks. He had never yelled at her before, and she was incredibly hurt that it had been over something so little as a playful poke. She had done it because she was playing with him. He had been in a playful mood and she had wanted to play back. She didn't know she had absolutely embarrassed him. He didn't even express that. She curled up further into the blankets, silent sobs racking her shoulders.
She hadn't found it all that necessary for him to get back at her, but now she understood why he did. She thought it was a little spiteful, though. He had absolutely frightened her! Why couldn't he just say sorry and she could as well? Why did he have to be so stubborn and run away from the problem instead of fessing up to it? She couldn't just drop it! It had scared her and his yelling at her for it stung like shards of glass in her heart. She loved him more than any cat in the world, and he had absolutely crushed her with his anger. She didn't know whether to be angry, sad, grieved, scared or simply hurt. She felt all of these emotions at once. She quickly snapped the collar he had given her of her neck. She felt like it had started to suffocate her. She needed room to breathe; room to cool down and think. She couldn't think with that reminder of him around her neck.
The moon was almost new, with just a slither of white to illuminate the night. The moon calmed him, the clouds blowing beside it. His head grew clearer now he was away from the white queen. The conjurer walked around the clearing, clearing it of any possible trip-hazards. He let his mind go blank, he didn't want to think or feel after his yelling at Vicky.
The tux refused to acknowledge the events of the evening as he slipped into a dance, the one thing that truly provided escape. He spun his was through a conjuring turn, his emotions allowing him to do nearly forty turns. He leapt and danced around as gracefully as a tom could be. The Tux landed crouched and his tail twitched as he fought tears.
The tom got up. He headed quietly back to his den, he peered into the entrance and saw the collar on the floor. He felt his heart go to his throat and his cheeks grew warm. He glanced away and stifled a sob. He was so confused. He headed towards the exit of the Junkyard, slipping silently past the patrolling Alonzo; he left a note on the gate as he slipped into the night.
'Jellicles, I don't know where I'm going, only that I'm gone. I have not abandoned you - I will return, I just need a while to clear my head.
-Mistoffelees'
The black and white tom headed to Bustopher's house, he crawled through the extra-large cat flap and headed to his uncle. Misto brushed against him before laying down a bit away, letting his pain-filled mind succumb to sleep.
Victoria had decided to go back to her parents den after pondering and crying in Mistoffelees den for some time. As soon as she had gotten home, she realized she had left her engagement collar. She hadn't meant to, she had just wanted to take it off for a moment. She left her parent's den to go back for it, but saw Mistoffelees making his way home. His angry outburst had come to her mind once more. She quickly turned on her heel and ran back into the den. She closed herself up in her room. She settled down to sleep, but was only able to toss and turn for hours on end. Once the sun finally came up, her body allowed her rest.
Mistoffelees hung around Bustophers all day, the tom was content to be played with by the children that lived there and was more than willing to follow Bustopher to is clubs and perform his magic. The tom momentarily pondered if anyone missed him but quickly dispelled that thought - Victoria had discarded his object of affections all over a silly tiff that the both of them had started.
The conjurer slunk back to the house; he sat on a chair by the window and let the sun fall on his pelt.
Jemima raced about, hyper. She had heard of Vicky's engagement and wanted to be the first to congratulate her properly.
There was bustling about the den and Victoria groaned. Why couldn't anyone just keep quiet while she slept? She was so exhausted, both physically and emotionally. All she wanted to do was hide away. She had a deep gnawing feeling inside the pit of her stomach. Something had gone terribly wrong; something besides the obvious discontent between her and Mistoffelees. What was it?
She groaned and slowly lifted her body up on the bed. All she hqad had dreams of was Mistoffelees yelling at her and telling her how awful she was. The worst thing was, she tended to agree with the dream Misto. She was horrible if one little poke had caused an entire argument.
Jemima crawled into the den and leapt on the white queen excitedly, she giggled happily.
"Hey sleepyhead! Where's your collar?" She asked, pointing to the empty hollow of Victorias neck.
Victoria groaned, annoyed and rubbed her eyes with a wide yawn. How did Jemima know? Word traveled far too fast in the Junkyard.
"I forgot it last night," she replied, not looking Jemima in the eye.
Victoria was in no mood for company. She had to go and see Misto. She had to patch things up. She was so incredibly grieved at her actions. She was being a silly queen. She had to patch things up with him. Here she was, concerned over losing him and she had argued with him. She had pushed him to the edge. It was all her fault!
"Why? What happened last night?" The queen asked, cocking her head curiously. "I know Misto left and everything but why did you forget your collar?"
"He left?" Victoria asked, her eyes wide and her heart plummeting into her stomach.
"Yeh. Alonzo caught sight of him last night and saw the note on the gate." Jemima said softly, she was the gossip queen of the yard and knew everything that was going on. "He didn't say where he was going or when he will return but knowing Misto he will come back with a bang!"
Victoria looked away from the other queen, tears brimming in her eyes. She had caused this. It was, indeed, all her fault. She was so stupid! Why did she always have to be right all the time? Why couldn't she have backed down?
The tears flowed over her cheeks and she tried to shake them away, but to no avail.
"I'm the worst fiancée in the world," she cried softly, dashing away a few tears, "I made him leave..."
"You can't have, he said he left for him to 'get his head straight' its him Vic, not you." The queen opened her arms for her sobbing friend.
Victoria climbed into her small friend's embrace, sobbing all the harder. Poor, Jemima! She didn't know how awfully she had behaved to her true love last night!
"It is me, though," she sighed, trying to stifle the sobs, but to no avail, "We were playing around, and he used some magic that frightened me. You know me. I freaked out and wanted him to apologize. It ended in a rather nasty argument and he ran off and I took my collar off. I was crying so hard, I couldn't breathe with it on. I had to take it off. I guess he thought that meant that I don't love him..."
"He will come back Vic, give him time." The younger female murmured, rubbing her friends back with her paw. She hummed a soft tune; hoping to soothe the pale queen.
"How many times am I supposed to lose him until he stays?!" Victoria exclaimed in exasperation, "He promises never to leave me, that he loves me, and then something always happens and we're forced away from each other! Is it not supposed to work out between us?"
She was so confused and aggravated. She had hurt him, that she knew, but did he really have to leave her behind? He could move on and forget her, but she couldn't go without thinking about him. She was left with the guilt and the sadness. He was probably doing just fine wherever he was. Who knew? He might even be with a new queen now?
Jemima held her friend and let her rant; she ran her pale tongue over Victoria's head fur softly. She listened intently but had no advice to offer - she had never had a tomfriend.
Victoria finally parted from her friend and wiped her nose with a very unladylike sniff.
"Thank Heaviside you haven't got a tom, Jemmi," Victoria laughed half-heartedly with a watery smile, "They are so much trouble. And the worst part is, they can stop thinking about you, but you can't stop thinking of them."
Jemima chuckled.
"But they can also be the best things in the world - complicated but still the best."
"And they say we're complicated," Victoria sighed, rolling her eyes.
Just then, Jennyanydots walked into the den.
"Vicky, dear, could you please help me?" the maternal orange tabby asked, "Skimble would like to take me on the train tonight, but Jelly's so busy. We were hoping you could watch the infirmary for us?"
"Of course," Victoria said, not as enthused as she would normally have been.
"Thank you so much, deary! There shouldn't be any real need for it, but just to be safe," Jenny explained before rushing out of the den to meet her mate.
"I guess I'm going then," Tori sighed as she slowly stood and gloomily walked out of her parents den, faintly wondering if Jemima would follow as she headed towards the infirmary.
Jemima nodded and followed the queen slightly.
"I'm going to find us some food - we both missed lunch!"
With that she was gone, heading to a clearing to hunt.
Mistoffelees finally left his uncles club, he headed to the alley back to the junkyard and he headed down it cautiously. His pelt crackled with electricity as he approached the sound of maniacal laughter and the whimpers of a kitten. His hackles rose as he leapt quietly onto a large bin, he peered over the edge and saw two henchcats taunting an emaciated, silver tabby kitten. The conjurer watched as the two older toms clawed at her and teased her with their food. The conjurer leapt down with a snarl, landing before the henchcats. He crouched protectively in front of the kitten and his ears pinned when he heard their laughter at his attempts to defend the fragile creature.
The two ebony cats lunged at the tux and Mistoffelees couldn't contain his yowls when claws dug into his neck and bib, the wounds burned as the dank air of the alleyway stung them. The tux in turn clawed and spat at them. He shot a bolt of lightning from his paw at one of them, Misto fought to suppress a shudder as his target hit the wall with an audible cracking sound. Beside him the little queen hissed and spat at the other henchcat.
The remaining tom recognized the cat as the son of Macavity and bolted quickly, his ears flat against his skull and he whimpered slightly. The bloodied tux fell to the ground, panting heavily. He rolled onto his side to see the kitten; she was young, about three or four months. She rubbed against him and licked his chest gently, encouraging him to stand. He managed to get to his feet, picking up the young tabby. He awkwardly held her to him, trying not to stain her coat with the crimson from his wounds.
He slunk into the junkyard and called out loudly.
"Alonzo! Munkustrap! Tumble!"
He wasn't sure which of the three was on patrol tonight.
Munkustrap dashed to the clearing as soon as he heard his name called. It sounded as if Mistoffelees had returned and was in some form of distress. He skirted around piles of junk until he came to the small tux tom and skidded to a halt.
His bib and back were bleeding heavily and he carried a small kitten in his arms.
"What happened?" he asked in near shock, offering his arms in order to take the kitten.
Mistoffelees appeared incredibly woozy. He would sway ever moment or so and Munk thought it best to lighten the small tom's burden.
Misto felt the kitten cling to his torn bib slightly before relaxing into the fellow Tabby's arms. The tux swayed before dropping to his knees, his fur bristled as he fought to keep his meals of today down. He lay on his side for a moment, clutching his head slightly. He felt sick again, the attack had weakened him and his wounds were probably already infected, given the hygiene of the henchcats.
The kitten clung to Munkustrap with her wide, hazel eyes. She looked down at the tux and sniffed slightly, she could smell his blood. She looked at the tom that was holding her and tugged his shoulder gently, wondering what he was going to do.
Munkustrap shifted the kitten to his hip and slowly bent down. He gingerly put his arm around Misto and ever carefully hoisted him up. He wasn't looking to good at all, so Munkustrap knew he would have to get him to the infirmary as soon as he could.
"Come on, Misto," Munk said, quietly, "Let get you to see Jelly. We'll get you cleaned up and you can tell me all about what happened later."
He began to pull the small tom along whilst carrying the kitten. He wondered how he could possibly do all of this, but he managed. The finally arrived at the Clinical den after much huffing and wheezing.
Victoria was just about to fall asleep from her exhausting night previous when her father walked in carrying a kitten and a bleeding Misto.
"What in Heaviside's name happened?" Victoria exclaimed, jumping up to help.
"I'm not sure," her father replied, handing her the kitten, and dragging misto over to a nest, "But he's hurt bad and has a kitten."
Misto collapsed into the nest, his eyes rolling back into his head. He had lost alot of blood from his wounds; one of the claw marks had narrowly missed his main artery. He shivered and winced with the burning sensation on her chest.
The kitten buried her face in Munkustrap's neck; luckily for him she was very light - mainly because of her emaciated state. She looked at the white queen with wonder before returning her gaze to her savior.
Victoria immediately dashed over to Mistoffelees and gently set the kitten on the bed beside him. She quickly ran to the medical cabinet and extracted from it a sewing kit, some gauze, hydrogen peroxide and an herbal salve. She piled the things into her arms and hurried back over to the other side of the nest, placing her gathered items here and there.
Munkustrap stayed a moment in order to see if his daughter would be okay before leaving to find Jellylorum.
Victoria, meanwhile, began to clean Misto's wounds with the peroxide.
Misto couldn't contain his hisses and snarls at the liquid on his wounds. He was comforted by the kitten; she constantly rubbed her head against his paw and licked his arm occasionally. The tom kept his eyes shut, not wanting to meet the eyes of the white queen he had hurt so much. She clearly didn't want him as a mate - why else would she have removed the necklace?
He turned his head slightly and examined the dirty kitten he rescued. He smiled softly to her, stroking her cheek and rubbing behind her ears comfortingly. She mewled in response and swatted his elbow playfully.
"Silly kitten, I'm going to call you Marquis I think, do you like that?" He asked the kitten, in response she nodded and buried herself against his side; she nuzzled him every time he hissed from the peroxide.
"Hold still, Misto," Victoria said quietly, so many emotions running through her as she touched him and he turned from her.
She tried to suppress the sadness she felt at his lack of eye contact. She supposed she really had ruined it between them. She softly ran her fingers over his bib, trying to see which scratches were too deep to heal on their own. Unfortunately, he had two or three.
"I-I'm going to have to sew some of these up, Stoff." Victoria said quietly and hesitantly.
How she wished he would speak to her. The kitten was sweet, but she was there too, after all.
He glanced up at her, nodding before returning his gaze to the kitten that was close to sleep. He watched the white queen prepare a needle to sew how wounds with. It could be worse - he could have to be shaved!
He rubbed his head against her arm when it passed close enough to him to do so before returning back to his normal position as if he had never done anything. He didn't want her to be mad at him but by the looks of things she had already moved on. He sighed and leaned back against the blankets as he prepared to be sewn up. He still felt a little woozy from before but he had it more under control now. He was fascinated by the kit he had rescued but couldn't think of why.
Victoria immediately froze at his momentary affection and was doubly confused once he turned away again. What did that mean? She didn't understand what he was trying to get across. She guessed it was just a nonverbal acknowledgement. That way, he didn't have to speak to her. She sighed as she got the needle ready and swallowed a hard lump in her throat. She couldn't cry now, she wouldn't be able to see her work. But, a tear still slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away and delicately slipped the needle through his skin and sewed up one nasty gash as quickly as she could. As she finished sewing it up, a tear escaped down her face and landed on one of his gashes. She had meant to catch it!
He jumped as he felt the hot liquid against his cut; he looked at the wet patch in his fur before glancing up at her. He longed to hug her and tell her everything would be okay. He licked her arm as she moved onto the next gash; he nuzzled her gently; reassuringly. He didn't want to talk - actions spoke louder than words. He wanted to show her how much he wanted her back, he didn't want to offend her anymore with his terrible way with words.
"I can't concentrate when you do that," she chuckled sadly, closing up yet another cut, "I don't know how you can suddenly go back to nuzzling me again. I don't deserve it. Not after the way I treated you."
She sewed up the last gash slowly, because he tears were clouding her vision. She had been crying too much lately. Wouldn't she eventually dry up if she kept on like this? She missed him, though. She hadn't been able to sleep two hours together since his leaving.
He licked her again softly, bringing himself to speak.
"You've done nothing wrong Vic... It was my fault, I shouldn't have scared you." He murmured softly, being quiet to not wake the kitten beside him. He winced slightly at each tug of the needle, to distract himself he brought one paw to her damp cheeks and wiped them try gently. He took her free paw in his own and pressed his face against it gently.
"It was me," she sniffed, finally closing the wound, "Had I not embarrassed you, which I hadn't realized, then you wouldn't have been inclined to scare me. Then, I wouldn't have been frightened and you wouldn't have yelled. Then you wouldn't have run and I wouldn't have taken of my collar because I was crying that hard."
She dabbed at her eyes and squeezed the paw he had entangled with hers. She picked up the salve and unfurled some of the gauze.
"I can't believe I was silly enough to leave it," she sighed, shaking her head, still in tears and she continued, "I was just so sad, angry and hurt. This might sting a little, Misto."
She cautiously dabbed the salve over his wounds.
He hissed again, biting into the pillow beside him as it touched his wounds. Only when he got used to it did he respond.
"It was both of our faults. I'm sorry though." He murmured, watching as she sorted his wounds. He glanced to the kit beside him. "She is quite the beauty, isn't she?"
He was considering adopting Marquis, he had been found in a situation a lot like the one she was in and it felt right for him to care for her in every way he could. He looked at the white female that was working on his wounds for her reaction to the silver tabby.
Victoria paused a moment to glance at the sleeping silver kitten. She was a darling little creature. A soft smile graced Victoria's lips as she looked at the kitten and the loving look on Mistoffelees' face. Tori had always loved kittens. She worked well with them and they had a very special connection with her. Victoria nodded simply before finishing up with the salve.
"I'm very sorry too, 'Stoff." Victoria said gently, running a paw through his headfur and she kissed his forehead for a moment, reluctant to draw back, "She is a pretty little thing. Could you sit up a moment? I have to look over your back and wrap this gauze around you to keep the medicine sterile and effective."
He sat up; as he did he kissed her gently. He ignored the pain of his torn chest as he showed her how he felt. His paw went to hollow of her throat as he did, he was disappointed to find it bare but at least he had her back!
She deepened the kiss for a moment, stroking a paw over his cheek and through his headfur. She didn't feel that she had done any great thing to deserve him coming back to her, but she was glad he had! She had begun to miss him as soon as he had left that night. She parted from him, with a disappointed and stifled whine.
"I have to clean these scratches before we continue," she sighed, quickly nuzzling over his head, "I'm so glad you came back."
She quickly cleaned over the scratches on his back, applying the peroxide as rapidly as she could. She then added the salve and wrapped the gauze around his torso. Once she had wrapped him sufficiently, she cut of the end with a claw and tucked it neatly in a layer.
The moment she was done he wrapped his arms around her. He held her awkwardly - he was still in the nest after all.
"I would never have strayed for to long - I love you." He murmured to the queen gently, placing a few soft licks on her forehead.
"I love you too," she purred with a sad smile, "You are the cat that I care the most about in this world. I'm going to try and never do that to you again,"
She sat upon the bed so that he could hold her easier. She never wanted him to let go. She had started to develop a nasty habit of losing him. She hoped it would not continue.
"Don't ever run away again," she demanded softly, nuzzling underneath his neck.
He purred softly in response. He held her more securely when she sat on the bed; he buried his head in her neck.
"I won't, I promise; my Snowflake." He smiled up at her, kissing her nose gently. He glanced to the kit that clung to his leg in her sleep and chuckled slightly.
Victoria followed his line of vision and smiled upon the sleeping kit. Heaviside knew where she came from, but Victoria was glad she had found a safe haven in her Mistoffelees.
"I'll hold you to that promise, Ruffles," Victoria purred, kissing his cheek a few times.
She looked over the kitten once more, wondering what had happened to the poor little thing and where Misto had found her.
"How did you end up with a kitten?" she asked, looking into his eyes curiously.
He glanced at his mate-to-be and begun to tell his story.
"I was returning to the Junkyard after spending all day and night at my uncles, I cut through and alley and found two henchcats bullying her by a bin. They took any food she found and ate it themselves. I just had to help - I feel connected to her in some way; like I am with Coricopat and Tantomile. I ended up fighting the henchcats, I killed one."
He took a break in his story and shuddered, his eyes widening as it sank in that he had killed someone. The tux had never thought himself capable of it.
"My magic gave my heritage away and the other one bolted before I could get him with lightning, I brought the kitten to the junkyard before collapsing and Munkus bringing me here."
Victoria petted his headfur as she listened to the tale. Her eyes widened when he told her he killed a henchcat. She was quite surprised by this divulged information. It wasn't as if he had spilled innocent blood, though. Henches were known to be evil and depraved cats. Besides, it was for the protection of the innocent. Had he not, who could tell what would have happened to him or the kitten.
"Do you have to be everyone's hero?" she asked gently and playfully, kissing the top of his head.
He chuckled and licked her jaw as she kissed his head.
"Not everyone's - just yours and Marquis'." He nuzzled her gently, kissing along her jawline slightly. "I was considering adopting her, she seems to like me."
He pointed to the kitten that clung to his leg in her sleep, he stroked her head and muttered a spell to allow her to sleep peacefully for the first time in what must have been since her birth.
Victoria purred at his light kisses along her jaw, her tail curling itself around his form. She smiled tenderly at him, not minding his idea.
"She needs a father," she agreed, and smiled playfully, "But, we'll have to find her a mother, too."
"I think I've found the perfect candidate." He beamed to her, stroking her tail as she wrapped it around him. He kissed her cheeks gently, gazing into her eyes.
"I accept the candidacy," she grinned widely, licking over his nose and taping it with a claw and gazing back at his eyes.
They were the loveliest shade. She couldn't help but be lost in those dark eyes.
He grinned as equally wide, he brushed his cheek against hers gently.
"I could think of no one better for the position." He smiled and nuzzled his queen. He longed for them to be mates all the more, considering he had almost lost her again. Misto closed his eyes for a moment, when they reopened he held her collar in his paws.
He held out his paws to her with a soft, shy smile. He re-presented her with the collar bashfully, she had taken it off last night and this was his way of asking her to once again be his mate - just in not so many words.
She spun around in order for him to place the collar around her neck once more. She had also turned so he wouldn't see the mist in her eyes. She had no idea why the waterworks kept happening, but she couldn't help it. She would never let him go so easy again.
She rubbed her back up against him, nudging him to put the collar around her neck once more. She had missed the soft accessory. She couldn't believe she had misplaced such a treasure. She loved it more than any other collar she owned. Probably, because he had made it himself, but she still loved it the most. She would never take it from her neck again. Not unless it was dirty or absolutely necessary.
He repaired where it had been damaged from hitting the floor before wrapping it around her neck. He clasped it into place and kissed along her shoulder gently. He curled his tail around the tabby kitten at the same time as he entwined his arms around his betrothed's waist. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent that he had missed so very much. He purred gently at her reacceptance of him as a candidate for mateship.
She turned once the collar was back in its place and after he had kissed her sufficiently. She licked over his headfur a few times, gently laying him down onto the nest though she was still entangled in his embrace. She drew her legs up onto the bed, curling up beside him. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, so many emotions that she wanted to express. Yet she remained silent. It was almost as if she didn't have to say anything to him. Uncannily, it was almost like he knew what she wanted to say. She kissed his ears softly, feeling his chest rumble with deep purrs. She smiled and kissed his forehead.
"I love you." she said simply and quietly, as not to disturb the sleeping, and recently dubbed, Marquis.
The pain of his wounds was gone - his love for the queen had taken over, each touch to him only increased the feeling of bliss he endured. His ears flicked at her three worlds and he suddenly felt his heart soar.
"I love you too Vicky." He murmured softly in response, pulling her impossibly closer to him. He buried his face in her head fur before saying. "My whole world is wrapped in my arms and tail."
The tom gestured to Vicky and Marquis with a happy smile, he was on cloud nine. He felt so full of emotion he was sure he would burst open at any moment.
Victoria considered his comment a moment before smiling widely. He looked so happy, his joy was contagious. Victoria looked to the kitten and settled herself upon Mistoffelees' chest.
"We have a kitten." she said as the gravity of the situation dawned upon her.
She gave a small laugh, completely taken aback in awe and tender feelings. She reached over Misto delicately in order to stroke the downy fur upon Marquis' head.
"We actually have a real kitten," she exclaimed softly, her eyes misting at the tumult of feelings contained within her.
She was afraid of failing the tiny queen, worried she wouldn't love her like Misto because she hadn't saved her, blessed to have her dreams of motherhood become a reality. She could scarcely think. A kitten!
Misto smiled at her acceptance of the fact, he licked her forehead gently.
"Yes, we have a kitten. Her name is Marquis and she has the best queen for a mother, no one could compare!" He murmured, seeing her eyes mist slightly.
The conjurer chuckled and kissed Victoria's head gently, he groomed her head fur as he waited for the fact to sink in.
"I-I always wanted to be a mother," she sighed breathlessly, eyes dreamy and shocked, "I wasn't so sure it would happen,"
She was still entranced with the tiny bundle of fur. She nestled her head into the hollow of Misto's neck, purring softly.
"I almost want to say, 'what would my father think?' but, he saw you carry her in," she laughed quietly, closing her eyes.
"He seems to like her too - see how he was somewhat reluctant to put her down. I know she likes him - she was eager to get into his arms. Though that might have been because I was bleeding..." He murmured in response, raising his chin a bit so he could rest it upon her head.
"What do you mean- 'Wasn't so sure it would happen'?! Don't make me laugh please, You're too motherly to not want kits and Bast, even if I weren't your mate I would help you get them. Remember the seven from the hat?"
He stroked her back gently as they converged; he tensed slightly when he felt Marquis cling to his thigh ever tightly.
Victoria fell silent for a moment, unsure if she should tell him why she had doubted it. He did want to bbe her mate, though, so she might as well clear the air.
"My family has, um, a- a history of complicated births," she muttered quietly, not certain of how to continue.
His eyes softened but nodded.
"I know. Demeter told me, that's why she is so careful with the current one - haven't you noticed how she rubs her stomach? It's to feel for movement to reassure her kit is alive." He murmured softly, pausing to let her take in the information.
"Besides - if me and you do have kittens, for one may be enough, Ill store as much magic as I can in the weeks leading up to the birth and I will be on hand to assist Jenny or Jelly that night."
He nuzzled his love gently as he let her absorb what he had told her.
She listened to his words and tucked them away in her heart. He had to be the kindest and most generous tom in the world. How could she ever possibly deserve him? She tried to blink away the tears, but they kept misting her eyes.
"You are too good to me," she whispered, giving him a watery smile, "You care so much. Oh, how worried I was that I would lose you!"
He chuckled softly, kissing her nose.
"If you don't stop with the waterworks you will drown us both." He joked playfully before turning serious again. "You never will; we may have fights but they bring us back as better, stronger partners than before."
She didn't know how to reply to that. She merely sniffed once before thrusting her arms around him and sniffling into his bandaged chest. Why did she have to be so emotional, about everything?
He gasped at her grab to him and fought a hiss; he returned the embrace somewhat awkwardly. The tuxedo buried his face in her head fur lovingly.
"I'm sorry," she blubbered, loosening her grip, "I just didn't know what else to do. You make me so happy,"
He chuckled.
"I'm glad I can do something right. " he murmured, licking her cheeks to remove the saltiness of her tears.
"You do a lot of things right," she told him gently, dabbing at her tears, "Don't short change yourself so much. You really are a good tom,"
He smiled at her praise and rubbed his cheek against hers. The tomcat held her closer as he whispered.
"I wouldn't have been. If your father hadn't rescued me like I rescued Marquis." He murmured, looking up to her eyes. Did she know the story? Or was it time for him to spill?
She gazed in his eyes a moment, simply taking in all of the emotions she could see displayed in them. Never before had she felt so connected to another cat.
"You know, I don't know the whole of that story," she whispered quietly, stroking a paw slowly over his head, dabbing away her tears with her other paw.
Mistoffelees gulped slighty, he pressed into her touches gently.
"Well as a Macavity's kitten my life wasn't good from the beginning. When kittens are born in the fiend's lair they are taken to the tom and examined, I was blind at the time but I could hear everything." he shuddered as he recollected the memories. "The kittens too weak were thrown against a wall, sometimes three or four times until they died. I was about to be thrown by my own father when he noticed the flecks in my coat - I was a mystic."
The conjurer paused, his eyes clouding slightly as he went over the scene in his mind. He could remember his shrill cries as the tom holding him was preparing to toss him at the wall, he could remember the firmer hands that took him from the imminent threat to his life. He could remember the feel of overgrown claws in his downy fluff; He could remember a journey and the sound of his mother's relief when he was handed back.
"I grew up in the nursery for about two or three moons, I was never allowed out and was forced to use my magic for cruel things." he murmured, his voice going quieter. "My father tricked me into killing all the unfit kittens, I was charged with doing so until I was seven moons old - thats when I said no and nearly blew his head off."
The tux whimpered slightly, closing his eyes. He could see a raging Macavity lunging towards him and could feel the claws of his father deep in his skin, The conjurer was sure he was going to be killed. His mother had intervened, she gave up her life so Mistoffelees could keep his own.
"He attacked me but my mother pulled him off - he killed her instead." He murmured softly; his voice staying surprisingly level. "I spent days in a cell, crying out day after day. I was starved and dehydrated to the point of pain, not enough to kill me however."
He paused to touch his throat, it suddenly felt like sandpaper at the memory. He remembered the henchcat that was guarding him, one night he was drunk and the malnourished Mistoffelees collapsed.
"My gaurd forgot to feed and water me that night and I passed out, I think my mind used the last of my conscious energy to contact Deuteronomy, I don't' know how or why but it did and when I awoke again I was in the arms of your father, He was a bit younger then." He summed up his tale best he could.
"The rest, you all know." He finished, he reached to his stomach and brushed the fur the wrong way to show her a faded scar.
"It doesn't look that bad but it was - that is what my father managed to inflict on me before my mother tore him away. It would extend half way round my stomach and be bald if it werent for my magic." He murmured, letting his to-be-mate see the remainders of his past.
"This is how I know when Macavity is nearby, as well as anyone who could pose a threat or is foreign to the tribe." He murmured.
Victoria brought Mistoffelees closer to herself, wrapping her arms around him in order to give some semblance of comfort. She hadn't know all of the terrible parts of his kittenhood or what evil thing that fiend had forced him or tricked him to do. She had only known that she had had a new playmate. Her daddy had brought home a new kitten who was nearly drowned and that was really all she had known. She felt like crying for him. Every so often, a tear did slip down her cheek, but she hastily wiped it away. She had to stop with all this crying.
"I see." Was all she could say in reply.
She took his face in her paws and softly kissed over the whole of his physionomy. She knew it must have been a struggle to divulge that sort of information to her. For some seemingly insane reason, she was glad he had told her. She wasn't glad that his life had been so difficult or that he had missed so much of his early kittenhood, but his telling her brought them closer. She now felt that she knew ore of his secrets than any cat in the world. It made her feel special and appreciated.
He melted into her touches, closing his eyes with a soft purr. Her kisses took his attentions away from his painful past; the conjurer stroked her side gently, trying not to move much in case he woke up the kit beside him. He let her kiss him; his only responses were his strokes to her soft fur and his purrs.
"I hope you won't flaw me for my past, I've become a better tom from it." He murmured softly, opening his ochre eyes slightly.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Victoria replied softly, her heart aching for him as she saw the pain masked in his eyes.
She settled down to stroke over his headfur, nuzzling her forehead into his cheek. She gave a small smile as she ascertained her affectionate caresses were comforting to him. It was so good to know she could help him cope with his past, even in such a small way as an accepting touch. She would never hold his past against him.
"I will not hold you responsible for the sins of your father," she whispered quietly, "You are an entirely separate cat. You are nothing like him,"
He ensnared her in his arms, pulling her flush to him at her comment. He buried his face in her neck, fighting a sob. The conjurer had truly picked the best queen in the world to be his mate; he shifted slightly when he felt the kitten beside him stir. Misto refused to let go of Victoria as instead turned his head so it still rested on the white queen's shoulder but he could see the silver tabby kitten. He sniffled slightly, he had only ever told Munkustrap and Victoria about his past and when he told Munkus he had cried for days on end, he hoped he wouldn't be the same with Victoria.
Victoria laughed quietly once he embraced her. It wasn't so much as the situation was funny or even what he did was humorous to her. She supposed it was her reaction to how horrible his past was. That may sound strange, but laughing was one of her ways of accepting things. besides, he was really quite cute and sweet when he was being sentimental or emotional. Toms could be emotional too, after all! She stroked over his headfur even more, shushing him gently even as he gazed at their new tabby kitten.
"Don't cry, Stoff," she cooed, and kissed his forehead again.
Mistoffelees nuzzled her shoulder gently, trying his hardest not to cry. His body shuddered with each stifled sob.
"Damn him. To Bast, Damn him!" he hissed, not one of anger but one of hurt. "Still my father is having an effect on me."
"Please don't curse," she mumbled, rubbing her head over his as she squeezed him all the tighter, "I've told you that once already,"
She kissed over the top of his head, wondering how she could get him out of his dreary mood. She thought it would be best if she simply let it play itself out.
"If you really need to, you can cry my love," she whispered gently, nuzzling into the top of her head with her muzzle, "Don't take my suggestion as a command,"
He shook his head slightly, he heaved a sigh. He rubbed his cheek against hers and closed his eyes to calm himself. He drew away from her, wiping his damp eyes. He glanced at the Tabby kitten that had been stirring earlier; he forced a smile as he saw two dark blue orbs staring up at him. He stroked the kittens head.
Victoria hadn't realized the kitten had woken up until she saw Misto pet her head. She looked to Misto and then the tiny silver tabby, a broad smile over her face.
"Well, hello there," she cooed gently, snuggling onto Mistoffelees at that moment.
Marquis released Mistos leg and glanced at the white queen. She felt she could trust them both, the skinny kitten reached to touh Victoria's leg efore ducking shyly behind misto.
The tux grabbed her playfully and placed the tabby in his lap. He began grooming her headfur gently. Under all the grime her pelt was alot lighter and seemed to glitter slightly. The tom continued to groom her face. She was quite a pretty kitten.
Marquis leaned against his chest lightly, closing her eyes and purring. She opened them again to look at Vicky in wonder and awe. She had seen her actions with Misto and the kitten could easily tell she was a kind queen. The tabby meowed to her lightly; her hand unconciously rubbing her underweight abdomen.
"Such a sweet baby-girl," Victoria muttered softly, stroking a paw over the kittens head when she got a chance to, "Are you hungry little one?"
The poor little kitten looked absolutely emmaciated!
The kit pressed into the touch and rubbed her stomach again. She purred softly to show her approval before nodding to confirm it.
Misto smiled to Vicky.
"You seem to know what she wants and you were the one who doubted your abilities." he murmured, smiling in approval at her actions. He had groomed the tiny kit down to her shoulders and chest. His eyes widened at what he found.
Victoria blushed slightly and slid off of the bed in order to retrieve some cream Jenny stored in the medical den. She wondered what Mistoffelees was looking so surprised over.
"What is it?" she asked him, arching a brow in minor concern.
"She sparkles! Not like well-groomed sparkle, but real sparkles." He ruffled her shoulders to prove his point, he drew his paw away and found it covered in silver glitter. He looked up at Victoria. "She's a mystic!"
Marquis shivered as he paws touched her shoulders and the thin, crisscross scars that covered her back. She gazed at the cream Victoria held longingly before returning her gaze to the tux.
He stroked down her back again and his eyes widened once more.
"Her back is covered in scars, almost like the ones that cover Deme's back - Possession marks. She's another of Macavity kittens." He murmured to his mate-to-be. A Macavity kitten was one of Macavity's kits gifted with magic, Misto was suddenly very glad that he had rescued this kit - not every Macavity kitten could cope with what he would make them do.
"It's a miracle you found her," Victoria answered breathlessly, hurrying over as she saw the kitten's longing look for nourishment.
Victoria hadn't know so much about the Napoleon of crime up until now. She supposed it was one of the things she would learn in having Mistoffelees as a mate. Macavity was, in fact and in blood, his father after all.
Her heart went out to the kitten as Mistoffelees touched over her scars and through her shoulder tufts. It seemed to unnerve the small kit a little bit.
"It's okay, Marquis," Victoria cooed, giving the kitten the small bottle of cream, "Mistoffelees' is not going to hurt you. He has sparkles too,"
And Victoria ruffled Misto's shoulder fur as he had done with Marquis. Her fingertips were covered in glitter as well and she showed them to the tiny silver kitten.
"See?" she asked, holding out her paw for beter viewing.
Marquis timidly touched the golden dust and looked up at the queen, her eyes widened again as she looked to Mistoffelees, she nuzzled him gently before taking the cream in her paws. She held it to her mouth and begun to drink.
Misto shivered slightly as his fur was brushed in several directions, he wondered briefly if that was how it felt for Marquis. He even looked at the content of her paw in amazement, He was still astounded by the dust that floated from his pelt with every spell. He returned to grooming his new kitten, wrapping his tail around Victoria's torso gently. He drew back when his work was done, the kitten looked healthier now she was clean. He guffawed suddenly.
"She looks like Munkus!"
Marquis timidly touched the golden dust and looked up at the queen, her eyes widened again as she looked to Mistoffelees, she nuzzled him gently before taking the cream in her paws. She held it to her mouth and begun to drink.
Misto shivered slightly as his fur was brushed in several directions, he wondered briefly if that was how it felt for Marquis. He even looked at the content of her paw in amazement, He was still astounded by the dust that floated from his pelt with every spell. He returned to grooming his new kitten, wrapping his tail around Victoria's torso gently. He drew back when his work was done, the kitten looked healthier now she was clean. He guffawed suddenly.
"She looks like Munkus!"
"She does, indeed, look like him," Victoria stated in slight wonder, "Who are her parents and where exactly did she come from? Or, rather, how did she end up in that alley?"
Victoria wanted to know everything about this little kitten. She had no earthly idea why any cat would want to harm such a tiny and innocent creature. She looked to her paw and laughed quietly at Misto's magic dust. It was an entirely foreign concept to her, having magic and capabilities, but she didn't mind so much. It gave him an air of mystery and wonderment. No, she didn't mind it at all. He was rather attractive because of it.
"How do you get this off?" she asked him, still gazing at the golden glitter.
"I tolerate it." He murmured, blowing it slightly so it clung to her face. "Now you really sparkle."
He smiled to her gently; he loved his she looked with golden specks on her face - not all of the dust, just a few flecks. He was relieved she admired his strange traits. He contemplated her questions.
"I'm thinking she's the daughter of Macavity himself and of the queens I grew up with - Micaela. She is silver with darker markings. The stripes come from Macavity, as does the magic dust." He chuckled at the sudden picture of Macavity trying to be intimidating with bright red glitter coming off his shoulders.
Marquis finished her cream and laid between her adoptive parents, she looked up at them both, listening to their words without truly understanding.
She scrunched her face up in annoyance, spluttering from the dust. She gave a tiny squeak of a sneeze and glared at Mistoffelees for a moment before sighing and giving up. She could never stay too angry with him, ever.
As she listened to his supposition, a thought dawned upon her. She wondered if his mind had already considered what was if his statement was true.
"Mistoffelees, that would make Marquis you're half-sister," she exclaimed quietly, a large grin on her face as she stroked the kitten, "You can teach her to be a Jellicle! And use her powers for good!"
He chuckled and kissed her nose.
"She may be my half-sister, that would explain the connection I felt with her, but I would prefer for her to be my daughter, our daughter." He murmured softly, reaching to stroke Marquis. He hissed when he stretched his wounded torso yet still managed to pet the tabby.
Marquis purred, burying herself between them contentedly.
"I don't mind having a daughter," Victoria purred in agreement and gave a soft and brief laugh, "My mother said not to have kittens too soon, though,"
She resumed petting Misto's headfur, every once in a while stroking Marquis' shoulder. For some unexplainable reason, Victoria was simply happy and content. She sat with her fiancee and her kitten, curled up in a purring mass of three furry bodies. What more could any feline ask for?
He purred contentedly too. In this moment there was just him and his family. He chuckled at the comment about Demeter's request; he stroked Victoria's shoulder gently. He closed his eyes slightly.
"Well this can't count - she technically isn't one of our own." He murmured, smiling. His ears flicked when he thought he heard someone entering the den. Mistoffelees leant more into her touch but shifted himself so their bodies couldn't be considered anything inappropriate.
"True, in a sense," Victoria agreed, prodding one of Mistoffelees wounds underneath the bandages to see how it was doing, "But, I still think she would be surprised,"
He yowled at her prod to his chest, playfully nipping her paw when Tugger burst in.
"Meow!" The Maine coon grinned, approaching them. His eyes widened. "Sheesh Mist, I knew you and Vicky were together but how the heck did you knock her up so fast?"
The tall Tom pointed to the bundle of fluffiness between them. His eyebrows went into his head fur in shock.
The tux flushed furiously.
"It's not like that Tugger! I saved Marquis and we have adopted her. It's not what it looks like!"
Tugger waggled his eyebrows playfully.
"And what exactly is it supposed to look like Misto?"
"It's supposed to look like you leaving," Victoria mumbled and rolled her eyes, giving an aggravated sigh, "How on Earth would that be possible? I'm saving myself until after my mateship,"
She rolled her eyes once more and curled into Misto further. Why did her uncle have to be so incredibly dense?
Misto held her closer, licking her ears gently. He glared at Tugger, they had a love-hate relationship. Sometimes the coon could be Misto's best friend, other times he could be a right pain in the rump. The conjurer sniffed the air and his eyes narrowed.
"You didn't."
"Yes. Yes I did."
"No. I won't do it. Not in front of my mate and kitten, or at all for that matter."
"Oh lighten up, you're in pain aren't you?"
"Yes, but that's no excuse." The wounded tom hissed slightly at the flirt. He held his mate to be and kitten closer to him.
"Be like that then." The coon sat down on the edge of the nest, he peered at the kitten in wonder. "She is quite pretty for a kitten, prettier than Cettie."
Mistoffelees gritted his teeth slightly, where was Munkus when you needed him?
As if summoned by the thought, Munkustrap entered and his eyes narrowed at his brother. If looks could kill, Tugger would have been dead. Twice.
"I sent you to be on patrol!" Munkustrap exclaimed, smacking his forehead in annoyance and dragging his paw along his face, "Why did you fancy you could simply leave?"
"Oh, Daddy," Victoria exclaimed, "Please remove him!"
Tugger rolled his eyes at his older brother.
"Chill Munk, I was bringing Misto some pain relief." He murmured, holding up a small bag of green stuff, he tossed it at the conjurer who shrunk back from it slightly.
Tugger tugged his mane up, fluffing it out. He chuckled at Victoria.
"Is that really anyway to be treating your uncle, Icky Vicky?" He teased the younger girl gently. He touched her nose before turning to leave.
"See ya guys. It's clear when Im not wanted." He feigned a look of sadness before leaving, narrowly avoiding being hit by a flying ball of blankets.
Misto sighed and let the blankets drop to the floor before looking at the older Tabby, trying his hardest to ignore the bag of green that was tossed at him.
"Hey Munkus, have you met Marquis? She is technically your granddaughter now." He murmured, hoping the Tom would be as accepting as earlier.
"What do you mean by 'My granddaughter?'" he asked, walking leisurely towards the bed.
He had remembered the kitten from earlier, but had been so concerened about Mistoffelees that he had given her much attention. He was taken aback to see how much she looked like him. Her dark blue eyes entranced him and she was certainly very pretty.
"We, um," Victoria began, looking to Mistoffelees very warily.
She wasn't sure how much her father could stand in one day.
Marquis looked up at Munkustrap and immediately outstretched her paws for him, wanting to be held by him. She smiled excitedly, her wide blue orbs glad to see another cat she recognised, especially after the big hairy one scared her.
"Well... Uh... We decided to adopt her; she is a mystic and needs to learn from one." He murmured, ducking slightly to avoid any blows that might come his way. With his tail he tossed the bag of a green away, he did not want to have catnip near him whilst he had a family to care for.
Munkustrap was stunned for a moment. He wasn't angry in the slightest. He was surprised the little kitten liked him, though. He was usually flocked by kittens, but he didn't think himself particularly gifted with them. he reached down and scooped her up, a large smile on his face. His mind went back to when Victoria was that small, how she only had to see him and a suddenly wide smile would spread across her face. His eyes misted as he looked t this little kitten. She was an easy reminder of how small his daughter had been. Now she was grown, with a fiancé and a kit of her own. He tried hard not to cry.
"You know that's a huge responsibility," he murmured more out of obligation and instinct, still focused on the silver tabby.
Marquis buried her face in the larger tabby's fur, smiling and clinging to him. Her tail wrapped around his arm. She looked down at her parents.
"We know. I'm going to call it practice for the future, who knows whose kits we may be charged with babysitting?" He asked, grinning slightly as he watched the two tabby's interact. He nudged Victoria gently as he saw the tears in Munk's eyes.
"Are you crying?"
"No," Munk immediately replied, "It's... its liquid pride. Gosh, you guys grew up so fast,"
He turned his attention towards Marquis' lifting her into the air gently and reclaiming her to his arms. She was such a sweet baby, who could ever abandon such a cutey?
"We hoped you'd approve," Victoria stated, assuming Misto had felt the same way, "We've both grown attached."
"You are such a little sweety." he gushed, hardly hearing Victoria's words.
Mistoffelees smiled at their fathers approval before laughing at his actions with Marquis. He wrapped his arm around Victorias waist. He murmured softly to the queen he held dear to his heart.
"I honestly can't wait until their next kitten is born. Mushy Munk is hilarious." He chuckled.
Marquis giggled in delight, clapping her paws ecstatically. The young kitten snuggled into his arms, she loved her family. Her father and mother were so kind and her grandfather was so funny! She touched the older tabby's face with her paw and smiled, revealing her ivory teeth.
"That's my face," Munk told her, grinning widely.
"Leave my poor father alone," Victoria giggled, elbowing Misto in the side, "He was the same way with both of us,"
Munk lifted Marquis into the air a few times more, making it as if she was flying. He was officially hooked.
The kitten squealed in delight, she clung to the Tabby as he made her fly. She purred in delight, rubbing her head against his. She touched his face again.
"F-face."
Misto eeped loudly, covering his mouth with a startled gasp. He glared at her playfully before his attention was caught by a bell like voice, his eyes widened as he heard Marquis first word. He glanced to Victoria, wondering if she had heard it too.
"Did she just...?"
"I think so.." she answered, her eyes wide with wonder and surprise, "She, she just.."
"And you were making fun of me and I got her to talk," Munkustrap simpered, almost too proud of himself.
He turned his attention back to his little grandaughter once more, smiling softly at her. He nuzzled her affectionately. He was already so proud of her.
"Good job," he purred to her, smiling all the wider.
She purred in response, returning the nuzzle. She patted his face.
"Face!"
Mistoffelees chuckled. He nuzzled Victoria.
"Looks like Munkus has a new nickname!"
"Munkahs!" The kitten murmured, she was learning new words and attempting to pronounce the ones she deemed suitable for her level.
"I think that new nickname is replaced by an actual name," Victoria said with a smirk, "Wonder what she'll call you, Stoffles of mine,"
He bounced the baby on his side and gave Misto and arch look.
"I don't mind being called 'Face' by a kitten, but if you try," his look melted into a grin, "I'll have to poke you in the side. Does your daughter want a mouse for a dad?"
Misto stuck his tongue out slightly.
"I am not a mouse!"
He pouted childishly, rubbing his sore chest. He looked down somewhat sadly. He hated being called a mouse by everyone except Demeter.
Marquis giggled as she was bounced, she brushed Munkustrap's chest fur gently.
"Munkahs." She whispered softly, nuzzling him gently.
"Yes. I am Munkus, grandpa," he stated elongating each syllable so she could hear the sounds of the words.
Victoria rubbed her head against Misto's purring softly. Her father had always teased Misto ever so slightly. Sometimes, he could get on one's nerves; at least, on her father's.
"You are definitely no mouse," she whispered lowly, giving him a flirtatious grin.
Misto smiled, hugging her gently from the side. His heart sped up just the tiniest bit more at her grin.
"I don't mind if I'm your mouse." He smiled back coyly.
Marquis cocked her head, listening. Her black tipped ears flicked as she listened to each syllable.
"Gwanpa Munkahs." She murmured, clinging to the tabby more. She looked like a deformed attachment of looked around for her discarded bottle. squirming in his arms slightly.
She leaned her head against his shoulder, watching her father play with Marquis. She wondered if that was how it had been when she was that tiny. She assumed so.
"Do I have to catch you, my mouse?" she asked quietly, still smirking smugly.
"That's right! Grandpa munkus!" Munkustrap exclaimed, beaming at this time.
He noticed the kitten's squirming and fidgeting in his arms and looked about him, trying to figure out what, exactly, she was trying to find.
He chuckled and shook his head, rubbing his chin on the top of her head. He licked her ears a few times to fix a few stray furs.
"No – I'll give myself to you willingly."
The kitten meowed at her grandpa, pointing to something beside her two snuggling parents; her bottle. She patted Munkustrap's face before pointing to the object again.
"Munkahs?"
"I don't mean to interrupt, but she needs something and I don't know where or what it is," Munkustrap said, causing the lovers to stop what they were doing, "What does she want?"
For a moment, Victoria couldn't quite place what the kitten wanted until she shifted her weight and felt the hard plastic of her bottle underneath her leg. Reluctantly and partly embarrassed because of her father, Victoria detached herself from Misto and jogged over to her father, handing Marquis the bottle.
"She was just hungry, Daddy," Victoria explained.
"That was usually you mother's department," Munkustrap retorted, ears going back slightly in minor shame.
Marquis nuzzled her grandpa, putting the bottle to her lips and suckling hungrily. She leant more against the tom and snuggled into his warmth. She purred contentedly.
Mistoffelees chuckled slightly, opening his arms again for Victoria.
"It's okay Munkus - I couldn't even tell what she wanted!" He smiled comfortingly to the tom.
"How is it that queens know?" Munkustrap asked simply and curiously, rocking Marquis back and forth with a loving look.
"It's trial and error," Victoria replied, walking back over to Misto and curling up in his open arms, "There are only a few things kittens want. You try everything and whatever works is the answer. Besides, she's so emaciated I wouldn't be surprised if she started suckling on you, Dad,"
She settled into Mistoffelees more, hoping his previous bout of sadness was gone and away. She hated to see him so grieved and hurt. It made her feel like crying everytime, and, often times, she would. She would gladly curl up into him, though, if he still needed comforting.
"Seems like cheating to me," her father replied, causing her to shake out of her reverie, "You queens seem like you have a sixth sense and it is only trial and error?"
Marquis held up her empty bottle with a pout before touching her grandpas cheek, she patted his fine fur gently. She shifted uncomfortably in his arms and sniffled slightly.
Mistoffelees laughed at Munkus and Victoria's comments.
"It can't be trial and error - Marquis is our first kitten. Queens definitely have a sixth sense when it comes to kittens." He murmured softly, holding his queen close against him once again. He never wanted to be further away from her than he had to be.
"You forget, my dear one that I have taken care of many kittens before. I kitten-sat, remember?" Victoria asked gently, giving Mistoffelees a very fond nuzzle.
"Yes, Marquis, you have found my face," Munkustrap said quietly with a large grin.
Mistoffelees chuckled before gazing at Marquis, his ears twitched when she began to cry. He swatted his ears slightly, not used to such a sound.
"What's wrong with her?! What did you do Munk?"
Marquis sobbed in the older cats arms, her chest hurt and she didn't quite understand why.
"I-I don't know!" Munkustrap exclaimed, looking over the kitten in forlorn worry, "All I did was hold her!"
Victoria rolled her eyes and squirmed out of Mistoffelees grasp, too concerned over Marquis to even be reluctant at leaving the warmth of the Conjurer's arms. She walked over to her father, deftly took the kitten from her and held her chest close to her own chest, patting the little kittens back.
Marquis eyes widened as she let out a belch. She snuggled against her mother.
The conjurer got up and went to stand by Munk.
"Looks like we both have alot to learn, especially with your kitten due within two weeks."
"There you go, my little one," Victoria cooed to her daughter, snuggling against the precious kitten, "My sweet baby girl."
"I thought I had already learned once," Munkustrap sighed, shrugging his shoulders, "At least you have one now to learn from,"
Marquis purred, licking Victorias neck gently. She clung to the white queen, familiarising herself with her scent.
Mistoffelees prodded Munkustrap gently with a grin, the tomcat was in a playful mood now.
"You surely did, but then again... At your age its normal to forget things." He smiled playfully. "But then again, little mice don't have the longest memories either!"
"Speak for yourself, Mouse," Munkustrap retorted, though with a well-meaning grin, "You be thankful that your mate can teach you. I was patrolling a lot more the first time."
"Mommy's got you," Victoria whispered quietly, closing her eyes as she took in the scent of Marquis' little body, completely enraptured in her kitten.
"Looks like you have some competition," Munkus whispered with a grin, nudging Mistoffelees, as he nodded toawrds the little kitten.
Marquis purred loudly and patted Victoria's head fur gently with her paw. She yawned tiredly.
"You think this is bad? You became a pile of mush with her - how will the other queens and toms react?" He asked, chuckling. He bent to pick up the bag of green stuff Tugger had brought for him and offered it to Munk.
"Can you get rid of this for me? I don't want my mate to be or kitten seeing me with that stuff ever again - whether for medicinal reasons or not." He murmured softly to the tabby before walking over to the white queen and Marquis. He opened his arms.
Marquis turned to face the tux and reached for him, she climbed into his arms and ran her paws through his bib. The magician wrapped his tail around Victorias waist and pulled her close too. He looked at Munkus with a smile.
"Speaking of your patrols, I can do a couple if you want. Just to help out you know, before your kitten is born." He offered shyly, rocking Marquis in his paws.
Munkustrap examined the nip for a moment, shaking his head. He still hadn't quite forgiven Tugger for getting Mistoffelees hooked on the stuff. He was very proud of Mistoffelees for getting over the habit. He smiled at the little family, still amazed that those were once his kittens who were on their way to becoming mates.
"Thank you, Misto," he answered nodding his head, "I could use some help. If you can pry yourself away for a moment, that is,"
Victoria grinned at her father, rolling her eyes. She was so glad she had come to Mistoffelees after her break-up with Plato. He was the better choice for her temperament. Now, she couldn't live without him. She had already tried!
"If you two want to be mates now," Munkustrap suddenly mused aloud, "I could take Marquis. It'd be no trouble."
Mistoffelees nodded.
"I don't know how, but Ill manage." He murmured, his eyes sparkled at Munkustrap's later words. Happy thoughts of elopement filled his mind and he glanced longingly to Victoria. He honestly would love if they were mates right now, it would make him the happiest tomcat alive.
"You have to be careful what you say - I may just take you up on that offer!" He smiled playfully.
Victoria caught Misto's gaze and quickly looked away, blushing. She hadn't seen a look quite like that on his features before. She didn't mind the idea of elopement, except for the fact that it seemed a little rushed. She loved him to pieces, but she wasn't quite ready to be his mate. There were still a few things she wanted to know before that time.
Munkustrap wriggled his eyebrows, in an uncharacteristic playfulness that most cats never saw. he grinned widely, stroking over Marquis' head before making to exit the den.
"We'll see, Misto," he laughed, stepping through the doorway and leaving the two young cats to be alone whilst he discarded of the nip.
Mistoffelees chuckled, squeezing Marquis slightly. The tom purred as he rubbed his face against the kittens. He placed her down in the nest and she curled up. He smiled to his mate to be, opening his arms slightly.
"It seems your father approves, Marquis definitely helped, as well as he could see how much we loved each other."
"Approves of what?" Victoria asked as she slid into his embrace and nuzzled his chest fur.
She didn't quite follow him. She was supposing he meant elopement, but she would rather feign ignorance than assume anything at that moment.
"Us as a couple Vic. Considering he was forbidding us to see each other a little while ago I'd say he's taking it all with good grace." He murmured, trying not to wince when she touched his wounds. He licked her head gently.
"I'm so glad, too," she purred into him, removing herself a little as she remembered the sores underneath the bandages she was snuggling, "For a second there, I thought you were talking of elopement,"
He chuckled and licked her ears gently, rubbing her back with his paw gently.
"Elopement does seem like a wonderful idea but I would never do it - Munk knows it, why do you think he took it playfully? I couldn't look any of my friends in the eye knowing they hadn't seen my mateship ceremony." He explained to the queen gently. He held her close as he could without his wounds stinging and rubbed her cheek with his own gently.
Marquis watched from the basket, mesmerised. She yawned and kneaded the blankets before curling up with a soft, content sigh. She promptly fell asleep.
"I love you," Victoria purred contentedly to him, kissing the tip of his nose, "I'm glad you feel the same way I do."
She glanced back at Marquis and a soft smile graced her lips. She could have a little bit more Misto time now that the kitten was asleep; not that she wasn't getting any before...
"Hey, we're alone," she stated playfully, giving him a flirty smirk.
He grinned playfully, pressing his nose to hers gently.
"So we are, what are you going to do about it Snowflake?" He asked, holding her closer so his wounds slightly stung. He ignored it and grinned at the queen in his arms as he put her on the spot. He wanted to know what kind of game she was playing and how he could join in.
"Do we have to do anything about it?" she asked flippantly, bringing her face a few inches towards his.
How far could she tease him until he either couldn't stand it anymore or wanted to move on. She didn't know, but she was definitely going to find out. Her father was gone and her kit was asleep. She was now free to do almost anything with her fiancé.
He chucked, leaning forward slightly. He let his warm breath tickle her whiskers. He whispered softly.
"We don't, never. We could stay as we are forever - but I think we would get a bit bored of doing nothing after a time, seeing as we are both playful cats. "
"Are you a playful cat?" she asked, arching a brow coyly, glancing to his mouth for a moment before drawing closer, "I knew you were loads of fun, but playful?"
He chuckled again, waggling his eyebrows.
"Of course I'm playful - I love to banter and play silly games, I thought when we got together you might have known this." He murmured gently.
He pulled up a paw to tap her nose gently, trying to ignore how close she was - he wouldn't lose this game.
"Have we bantered before?" she asked, feigning ignorance once more with a wide and playful smirk, "I don't recall playing any games with you,"
How much was he assured that he'd win this? She wondered. She knew what she was going to do. As soon as he caved, she knew precisely what she would do.
He grinned, tracing her jawline with a claw gently. He was careful not to cut her with it, for his claws were very sharp.
"Of course we have. I can recall several times; unless to you they aren't important enough to remember." His bottom lip stuck out in a kittenish, playful pout.
"Would that upset you if it had, perhaps, slipped my mind?" she asked innocently, inching his face towards his ever so slightly.
He kept his pout on his face, looking down as if saddened.
"Of course it makes me sad." He murmured before returning his gaze to his mate-to-be.
There was a slight twinge in her heart at his sadness. She knew he was only saying it in jest, but there was, certainly, an element of truth in it. She didn't like to see him sad, ever. He had lived a life full of hardships. She hoped to alleviate a few.
"Can anything make you happy again?" she asked in a whisper, inching her face so close to his that their noses were touching.
His shoulder ruffles bobbed in a little shrug.
"I could think of one thing..." He murmured, twitching his nose so his whiskers touched her cheeks. His pout was replaced by a small smile as he shyly asked. "...may I kiss you?"
"Hmm..." Victoria thought as she touched her lips to his and suddenly pulled away, "I'll have to think about it."
She smirked up at him. She was only curious how hard to get would affect him. Now that they were in a stable relationship, she wanted to see where it would take her. She never would have done it if they weren't engaged.
He pouted in frustration at her quick kiss. It only increased his desire for her touch. He licked her nose gently.
"Now you're being like Bombalurina." He chuckled playfully.
"Maybe," she replied with a smug look, and glance over his face, "Would that be a bad thing?"
She would rather be just like herself, but perhaps, she was behaving a tad like the Red queen. She had given her some advice on the subject. Only, this time it was safe. There was no way she could lose Misto over a silly kissing game. She physically shivered at the thought. She had just recently done that. She glance to his chest and was saddened for a moment. He had, in truth, acquired those scratches because of her. Had he not left because of their tiff, he wouldn't have been in that alleway. But, he wouldn't have saved marquis either. It was really bittersweet for her.
"Maybe - I don't like her very much." He murmured, his nose twitched as she looked at his chest. He ran his paw down her back gently. His claws tracing her spine; Mistoffelees ears perked slightly as he ran his cheek against the top of her head - a struggle for him to accomplish given how close to her height he was. He nipped and tugged on her ear playfully.
"I just would prefer to have my Vicky back."
"Yeah," she agreed, thrusting her arms about his neck and snuggling over his face, "I don't think I pull of that kind of flirting,"
This was known territory for her. She could nuzzle, touch and snuggle him all day. Bombalurina, though beautiful and flirty, wasn't the cuddliest cat in the yard. In fact, she was sometimes more prickly than a porcupine. Victoria did not want to be a porcupine!
He chuckled, snuggling against her again; looks like he won that little game. He placed soft kisses on her cheeks gently.
"You can and you do, I just don't like when it takes over your personality completely." He chuckled softly. He loved her the way she was, soft and sweet Victoria - his snowflake. He held her as close as he could without painting his wounds.
"Besides, Soft and Snuggly Victoria is alot better for Poor, Wounded Mistoffelees any day." He smiled playfully, licking her head gently.
"Poor wounded Mistoffelees," she scoffed, though she was smiling widely and a warm feeling overtook her heart at that moment, now she was very inclined to love on him and she didn't even care so much that he had won their little game.
There again, she had been experimenting. She would win the next time. Although, she would still shy away from his kiss just to see what he would do. She had never really thought of it before, but Mistoffelees enjoyed touches of affection. It was the type of loving he responded to the most.
He purred gently, untwining their bodies. He headed to Marquis to cover her with a blanket and stroke her head fur softly before climbing into the nest; he patted the space beside him for Victoria if she wanted. He wanted to stay up all night with her and talk with maybe a few kisses here and there.
She gladly accepted his invitation and clambered up onto the bed, stroking over his headfur before she snuggled into him and lay her head upon his chest ever so carefully. She didn't want to agitate those wounds any more than she had to.
"I'm so glad I get to take care of you, though," she purred, rubbing her head gingerly over poor, wounded Mistoffelees.
He nodded and licked her head fur.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, my love." He whispered softly to her, grooming her ear as he did. He purred softly in response to her head rubbing his chest. His wounds stung a little but that only added to the enjoyable feeling of her touches.
"I'm not hurting you, am I?" she asked, in genuine concern, tilting her head up enough to make eye contact with him.
She would rather keep her Stoff as a pillow, if he didn't mind. He was so soft and warm, she was loath to move.
He shook his head softly. She could never hurt him, unless of course she left him - but he was against those thoughts and banished them from his mind.
"Of course not. I like having my pretty white blanket." he murmured, snuggling closer to her. He kissed her nose softly; glancing to Marquis as she shifted in her sleep.
"And I love having my black and white pillow," she purred back teasingly, licking underneath his chin as it was the only thing she could reach in her current position.
He purred, raising his head slightly so she had access to his throat - another sign of pure trust for the queen to receive. The throat of a cat was quite vunerable, all the main arteries ran through it. The tux purred slightly louder, stroking her back with his paws.
She smiled widely and shifted her weight ever so slightly so that she could groom over his neck. She loved the melody of his purr, drifting higher and lower, forward and back like the crashing rumble of the ocean tide. She could always get swept away in his gentle and low purrs.
His purrs grew in volume and his strokes to her back grew more frequent and firmer, he even dared to catch her tail and tug it gently. His eyes closed in delight as she groomed his white neck; he smiled when her tongue touched his bow-tie spot
"You're getting a little rough," she whispered against his neck, licking over his spot a few good times before licking up the bridge of his nose.
She wished she could tug on his tail a little too, but Marquis had a firm grip of it, so she decided to tug on his ear with her teeth instead. She settled back down once more, resuming her previous positioning and she closed her eyes. For some reason she was incredibly tired.
He shivered at her breath on his neck, his ear twitching madly at her nips. He held her around the waist, licking her ears gently.
"Go to sleep Vicky, you've been up all night."
"I couldn't help it," she sighed, snuggling further into his embrace and fitting her head into the hollow of his neck, "I was so distraught over what I did to you,"
She yawned widely, her tail swishing lazily from side to side as it hung of the nest. He was very comfortable. His presence was soothing to her and she couldn't help but note how quickly she was falling asleep. He was like a lullaby, in a sense; soft and gentle.
He smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
"Sleep Vick. You need it."
He nuzzled her and hummed softly, when she was asleep he let his mind wander.
