A few days later, the effects of the Jellicle Ball had worn off. Everyone but Jellylorum was back to normal. She missed Gus terribly. She still told the stories that Gus left behind to everyone who would listen. Quaxo listened often. Every time he listened, it was always a different story. But as far as he knew, everyone's favorite was The Fiend of the Fell.

Quaxo's wound had finally healed and Jemima had given him permission to do whatever he wanted. So he thought about trying to get his memories back. But then he decided on practicing controlling his magic. Etcetera saw him going off on his own so she followed him.

"Where're you going?" she asked.

"Just to find some open space." answered Quaxo.

"Why?"

"I need some open space."

"For what?"

"Nothing in particular."

"Are you going to practice magic?"

"No."

"Can I come?" she asked excitedly.

Quaxo rolled his eyes. He wasn't very good at lying. "Fine. But stay near something you can duck behind if something happens."

"OK!" she yelled happily.

They found a space near the edge of the junkyard that was open enough. And there were plenty of spaces for Etcetera to jump behind should the need arise. He didn't try much today. He just focused on calling his magic. He thought of himself as invisible and called to Etcetera to see if he had done it or if he was still visible. It took more than ten tries but he finally vanished from sight.

"WHOA!" exclaimed Etcetera. "Where'd you go?"

Quaxo released the magic and he became visible again. "That's so cool!" said Etcetera loudly. She was clearly amazed.

Quaxo smiled. "Thanks. I think that's all I'm going to do today." he said. "Using my magic seems to make me really tired."

"Awwww." whined Etcetera. But she didn't complain any further. They headed back to the center of the junkyard where everyone else was. The instant he walked into the clearing, he saw Bombalurina giving him a disapproving stare and her scarlet fur was slightly bristled. What had he done to make that queen mad now?

But she didn't say anything to him, she just got up from her seat and moved into her den. Quaxo sighed. Just ignore her, just ignore her he told himself. He said good-bye to Etcetera and walked over where Jemima's den was.

"May I come in?" he called.

"Yah." came the answer.

Quaxo pushed aside the light curtain covering the entrance. "How are you?" he asked Jemima.

"I don't know. Sad I guess. And a little lonely." she said. "No one comes to visit me anymore."

"Aren't I someone?" Quaxo joked.

Jemima purred in amusement. "Yes, I suppose you do."

"So what's really wrong?" asked Quaxo. "Are you still upset about Gus and what our tribe does to Grizabella?"

Jemima shook her head. "It is about the tribe, but not about Grizabella." she said. "It's about your powers. Some of them are having a difficult time coming to terms with your talent."

Quaxo suddenly became angry, not with Jemima but everything else. "It's not my fault I have this power." he said. "But I knew some of the other cats were scared I was going to hurt someone. So today I went out to practice."

Jemima looked at him with interest in her eyes. "What did you do?"

"Not much. Just learn to disappear at will." he said.

"Can I see?" asked Jemima.

"I'll try." he said. He called his magic and imagined himself gone from sight in her den. After a little while, Jemima gasped.

"Everlasting Cat!" she exclaimed. "I'm having déjà vu. It's just like when you disappeared from everyone's sight when I introduced you!"

Quaxo laughed and let the magic retreat so he became visible again. Jemima hugged him.

"How do you always manage to make me feel better?" she asked.

"I don't know. I just like to see you smile." He bit his tongue when he said that. That was a little weird. But Jemima smiled again.

"Well thanks." she said.

"And guess what. Remember when I shocked Alonzo?" he asked.

Jemima nodded and giggled. "How could I forget? He thought he'd had a supernatural experience!"

"Well, maybe he sorta did. Maybe that was my magic again."

Jemima thought about it for a second. "Could you do it again?" she asked jokingly.

"Sure!" said Quaxo sarcastically.

They both sat there laughing until they couldn't breathe. Quaxo had tears around the edge of his eyes and so did Jemima. She wiped them away and tried to catch her breath. "You know," she began. "It's not just your powers that make you magical. It's also who you are. Don't let anything change that."

Quaxo wasn't sure he understood, but he nodded.

^..^

Quaxo opened his eyes. When did he fall asleep? Looking around, he realized he was still in Jemima's den. He almost bolted to his feet but noticed Jemima sleeping next to him. If he moved he might wake her. So he just stayed still and tried to calm down. If she were annoyed, she would have woken him up and told him to sleep in his own den. But she slept at his side instead.

He turned his head to the door. It was dark outside. Night had fallen. He laid his head down again and went back to sleep.