Octavia had found Misto and, having tried to warn him but sensing it wasn't making any impact, had gone on to find his mother.

Entering Griddlebone's room, Octavia found her, as always, subdued after her sons visit. She loved him dearly and, each time he came she found it harder to say goodbye, always worrying that this time would be the last.

She was stubborn though, and despite Misto's' best efforts, she would not join him and his sister at the junkyard. She felt a sense of loyalty to the queens she looked after and also to Macavity. She knew how things could upset him and when he was upset, her hurt people. Who knew what he would do to the queens if she was gone?

Octavia approached Griddlebone carefully, so as not to startle her. She seemed to be in a daze, unaware of her surroundings.

Unsure of how to comfort the hurting queen, Octavia simply sat down next to her. They sat in silence for a short time although it seemed much longer to Octavia.

"Misto says she has a beautiful voice" Griddlebones' voice was the first to break the silence.

"Yes", agreed Octavia, "She takes after her mother in many ways" She wondered where this was going. Deciding it would be best to talk to Griddlebone about her son sooner, rather then later she began:

"And speaking of Misto…"

"Bring her to me" Griddlebone cut her speech short. "She will have many questions and I think it's about time I answered a few of them. The kit deserves that much"

"Yes, ma'am" Octavia muttered, as she made her way out. Although she and Griddlebone were very close, Griddlebone was still head queen and the formalities slipped out sometimes.


Romani giggled. It was the first time she had laughed in what seemed like years and it felt good.

At first the black tom had startled her. She has just woken up, and was stretching, when a black and white head had peered round the doorframe. She screamed, jumping violently and tumbled backwards onto the floor.

The tom had been just as surprised as she was and his head had disappeared so fast, Romani had found herself laughing in spite of the scare he had just given her.

Still giggling, Romani brushed herself down and flicked her tail off her shoulder. The contact with the cold floor had thoroughly shaken her awake and she rushed to the door to see if the tom had run away like last time.

She peered round, half hoping he'd gone. He was sat, leaning against the wall, panting heavily.

"I didn't give you that much of a shock did I?" She asked. She hadn't screamed to loudly had she?

"No" The tom muttered, still trying to get his breath back, "I just wasn't expecting you to see me"

"Why were you here anyway?" She asked, walking back into her room so she was more comfortable. He followed awkwardly, shifting his feet as he answered.

"I… I.. Liked the song you were singing before?". If he was honest with himself, Misto didn't really know why he'd come but what he'd just said seemed like a good enough reason.

Romani was quiet for a while before saying.

"It was my mothers lullaby, she used to sing it to me and my sister." She couldn't help the tears beginning to fall.

"Oh… no.. I… I'm sorry!" What had he done?

"STUPID MITSO! STUPID MISTO!" Misto was rebuking himself quietly for making Romani cry. He looked so cross with himself that Romani couldn't help laughing through her tears.

"No.. It's fine umm.. I'm just sensitive about it I suppose" The awkwardness returned and they sat in silence.

Misto was growing desperate and was just about to comment about the weather, when Octavia burst into the room.

She hissed at Misto, who scattered, falling over his feet in his haste. Romani sniggered at the clumsy tom but a stern look from Octavia stopped her so quickly, she got the hiccups.

"Griddlebone would like to see you"

Not seeing why Misto, as she had heard the black tom calling himself when he had upset her, had to be hissed at in such a hostile way, she stood her ground.

"Not 'til you tell me what you have against Misto" She folded her arms crossly. He was the only young cat she had met here who didn't seem to work for Macavity and it was nice to have some fun in this depressing prison.

"Hmmm… where to begin?" Octavia positioned herself down next to Romani. Griddlebone had said she wanted Romani to have her questions answered so she wouldn't mind them being a bit late would she?

"Well" began Octavia, "I suppose I'd better start from the beginning."


Again not very exciting. The next chapter will focus on Mistofelees' history. Thankyou for all you're comments and for being patient!