Chapter 9: Initiation
"C'mon guys, we have things to do!" Pouncival called to the kittens in the back of the group.
"What's happening?" Persephone cried. She was being carried by Mungojerrie and Plato to the edge of the Junkyard. "What're you doing?"
"Initiation!" Misto happily sung. He signaled to the cats to put Persephone down and ran to the head of the kittens. "Good morning Jellicles! I'm happy to announce that I'm the emcee for today's festivities. Persephone, step forward."
The baffled Persephone walked forward to stand in front of the tuxedo cat. "Hi, so what do I have to do to be accepted?"
"Well, we have decided that the first task is to withstand torture. Something important to all Jellicles to do, well as long as Tugger sings. Ready?" Persephone shrugged. Misto looked around at his fellow kittens. They nodded devilishly. Misto pulled his paws into himself. He concentrated all of his paws into his fingertips. Then, ZAPP! He shot a bolt of electricity at Persephone.
"Jeez! Don't do that!" Persephone complained, rubbing her arms.
"Get used to it kid," Victoria warned, "he does it all the time."
"Ok, you didn't scream, like my Etcy does, so I guess you passed." Misto decided. "Next, Jemima, step forward please!" The tiny calico ran to the front and positioned herself into a stance of authority.
"Jellicle cats sing and dance. This next initiation step tests your voice. We want to know what kind of singing voice you have. Anywho, I will sing and on the repeat you'll join in with me. This is a song from the last Jellicle Ball. Ready?" Seph nodded and Jemima took a deep breath. And then she was singing her haunting song."
Moonlight
Turn
your face to the moonlight
Let your memory lead you
Open up,
enter in
If you find there the meaning of what happiness is
Then
a new life will begin
After Jemima sang the verse Persephone joined in. Her voice was sweet. A little higher the Demeter's voice. She harmonized with Jemima through the song, staying perfectly on key. When the song was done, the kittens clapped enthusiastically. Tumblebrutus whistled and Pouncival cheered. Jemima smiled happily and gave Persephone a high five.
"You're good, kitten!" Jemima purred. "You must sing a lot!" Persephone blushed and shrugged. Jemima left the her place to Misto and went back to stand next to Etcetera and Victoria.
"And now, for the last test! Er, any suggestions, audience?" He turned to Persephone. "Sorry, we never plan in advance."
"Have her tell us a secret about herself!" Pouncival called. Misto frowned at him.
"'ave 'er go knick somethin' for us!" Teazer laughed. Misto ignored her.
"Any other suggestions?" He asked.
Victoria raised her paw. "She should come up with a nickname for herself. We all have one. Vicky, Misto, Brutus, Teazer, Jerrie, Pounce. Persephone needs one."
"I like that!" Etcetera mewed to the black and white tom who'd elected himself head of the Initiation Committee.
"Well?" Misto asked Persephone. She grinned.
"I've got one." She told her listeners. "I'm Sephone or Seph."
"Now, that's creative!" Pounce whispered sarcastically. Jemima cuffed him around the head.
"Stop it," she hissed.
"Well, she did everything. I guess she's officially a Jellicle kitten!" Misto cheered. Persephone grinned as her friends tackled her, starting a vicious game.
*~*~*
Demeter crouched in the pipe, watching Electra, Etcetera, Pouncival, and Persephone chase each other around the Junkyard. It had grown to night and the kittens had suddenly had an energy boost. Demeter was wary of Persephone, there was something about her scent that Dem didn't like. It was familiar and strange at the same time and it confused her. Being near the new kitten made her hiss and made her fur stand on end.
"Demeter? What's wrong?" Alonzo crouched down by the drain pipe. Demeter shook her head.
"Nothing, Lonzo. I'm fine, just tired." Lonzo shook his head.
"C'mon, Dem, I know that something's bothering you. What is it?"
"I just don't trust Persephone, that's all. I don't think we should accept her." Demeter confided. "There's something bad about her."
"Why do you think so?"
"I dunno, there's just something about her smell and markings that I don't like. She's too familiar, like I've seen her before." Demeter narrowed her eyes. "Did Munkustrap put you up to this? Coming here to ask me what my problem was?"
"N-no!" Lonzo protested shakily, not wanting to be discovered. "I just noticed you weren't acting yourself! Honest." Demeter shrugged and Alonzo scurried off. As soon as Demeter wasn't watching, he went to Munku.
"Well," the gray tabby asked him, "did she tell you anything?"
"Just that she doesn't like Persephone. She doesn't trust her. Thinks her markings and scent are too familiar for her comfort. I couldn't get more then that, sorry." Alonzo apologized to Munku.
"That's great." Munkustrap told his second in command. "I better keep an eye on Seph, Demi's usually right about these types of things. Still, there's something that's been bothering her for several weeks. Thanks Lonzo."
