I am so incredibly sorry for how long this took!
SOOO today I learned how to write a business letter! Ain't that an interesting piece of information that I'm going to need for the rest of my life. But yeah. If I can't write that then I pretty much fail my LA provincial exam. Which would suck. But on with the story!
Oh yeah. Reno's pretty much fully grown I think. And he is pretty awesome, ain't he?
Reno looked at Jemima in disbelief, as well as with some slight concern. "What?"
Jemima continued to stare at him with determination. "I'm getting my friend back. Can't you hear?"
The tom looked disbelieving. "You don't go back to Macavity's lair. The fact that you got out in the first place is amazing! What are the chances you're going to be able to do it again?"
Jemima shook her head. "You heard me. And that's final. I'm going to get my friend with or without your help." With that she started to walk off.
Reno sighed but jumped in front of her. "Okay! Fine! You win! But I still think this is a crazy idea."
She looked at him with a slight grin. "But isn't that the funnest?"
He chuckled slightly. "Funnest isn't a word, by the way." He looked down at her and saw her look of disapproval. "But anyways, yeah. I guess if I can't change your mind I'm just going to have to go with it. This way." He started heading off, the small queen beside him, overjoyed.
Jemima started to skip happily beside him when she suddenly stopped and winced, clutching her shoulder.
"What is it?" Reno asked, concerned.
She replied through gritted teeth. "I… hurt it… and it's… not… moving very… well." She breathed out.
Reno looked at her shoulder carefully. "How?"
Jemima looked up at him sheepishly, despite her pain. "Well… when I was escaping from Macavity… I kinda… jumped out a window."
His eyes widened. "You are by far the craziest queen I have ever met."
She scoffed. "Coming from a cat that used to work for Macavity."
He grinned. "Can't argue with that logic."
Jemima grinned slightly as Reno inspected her shoulder. "I think it may be dislocated," he reported. "It's hard to tell, but I don't think it's exactly in the right position. But it's definitely not broken." She sighed with relief at the news that she didn't have a broken bone, which would definitely slow her down, but she wasn't exactly overjoyed that she had dislocated it either.
"Okay," she said slowly, "so is it gonna heal?"
He nodded. "Eventually. But it needs time."
She shook her head. "I don't have time. I need to get my friend. You can't stop me."
He nodded again. "I know. But… this is still really risky."
She grunted. "Whatever. Can you do anything for my arm now?"
Reno shook his head. "Not much. Just try not to move it too much."
She narrowed her eyes but then shrugged with her one good shoulder. "Fine. Let's go." She headed off in the direction they started, Reno rushing to keep up.
"Slow down! You're never going to be able to find your friend if you get lost." He cried.
She reluctantly slowed down. "Fine."
He nodded. "Okay. Let's go find your friend."
Macavity woke to a soft knock on the door of his den, followed by "Mistoffelees is awake, sir."
He grumbled and stood. "Good. Thank you."
The henchcat quickly left and Macavity yawned as he walked into the hall. He had been told where Mistoffelees was, and he knew his lair so well that he could find his way with his eyes closed. He grunted and leisurely started walking towards his magical enemy, unsure of where the conversation would head but eager to find out.
…
By the time Macavity reached the door to Mistoffelees' cell, he was starting to become slightly apprehensive. What was going to happen when he walks in there? Macavity didn't know. But not like he could just leave. He had to talk to this tom, whether he liked it or not.
Macavity took a deep breath and walked in, carefully shutting the door behind him. "Hello, Mistoffelees," he greeted the tuxedo tom cruelly. "I assume you enjoyed your nap?"
Misto growled. He was still a little out of it. "What do you want… and where's… Jemima?"
Macavity grinned. "I was hoping to ask you what you wanted, actually."
Misto narrowed his eyes. "Be my guest."
Macavity smirked at the tom before him. "I was wondering why you cared so much about my…" he took a breath, "daughter."
Misto gaped at him with wide eyes. "What?"
"Oh, so you didn't know, then?" Macavity asked in curiosity. "That's new. I thought the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees knew everything!"
Misto looked at Macavity in surprise. Daughter? What was that supposed to mean? He was looking for Jemima, not some imaginary daughter Macavity had. It must have been a trick the evil cat had though up. There was no chance that he actually had a daughter, right? Especially not one named Jemima.
"I'm not looking for your daughter, Macavity," Mistoffelees started slowly, "but I am looking for Jemima, and that would be the queen you took. So if you could just give her back, that would be great." He said the last part sarcastically.
Macavity rolled his eyes. "You Jellicles really are dense, aren't you?" He asked coldly. "That queen you are looking for," he said slowly, "happens to also be my daughter. What's her name again? You said it. Jemima."
Misto gaped and sat there, dumbfounded. That… that couldn't be true! Macavity must be just trying to confuse him. Well, it wasn't going to work. Misto was far too smart for that. "Right. And I assume you found that out… how, exactly?" He asked casually, "did you just stroll up to Demeter and ask, 'hey, Jemima's our daughter, right?' cause it doesn't work that way."
Macavity once again rolled his eyes. "Obviously they didn't tell you, Mistoffelees. But it is the truth."
Misto glared at him. "How can you be so sure?"
Macavity chuckled. "It was obvious to me after a number of events. Of course, I am much smarter than you, so I don't feel that I should have to explain it to you."
Misto looked at the ground and his look turned to confusion as he recalled the events leading up to Jemima's capture by Macavity. It was true; there were some things that were suspicious. But… his daughter?
Macavity's grin grew wider. "Not so sure now, are you?"
"Where is she?" Misto demanded.
Macavity smirked. "I'll bring her to you. I'm sure she will be happy to see you."
As the ginger tom left the room, Misto yelled at him angrily. "You'd better not have hurt her!" The tuxedo tom cried as the door shut behind Macavity.
Jemima was silent as she walked towards Macavity's lair with Reno. Every once in a while she would open her mouth to say something, then close it again because she didn't know what to say. Eventually she just looked at the pavement in front of her and immersed herself in her thoughts.
Reno was concerned about the kitten walking beside him. She was withdrawn and quiet, and she didn't even seem to care about her shoulder, which obviously was making her uncomfortable. He didn't want to disturb her, but he didn't know what else he could do.
He summoned his courage. "Are you alright?"
She lurched her head and looked up at him. "What?" Then she blinked. "Oh. Sorry. I'm a little out of it right now," she said sheepishly.
He nodded understandingly, wanting her to answer his question.
She sighed. "I-I'm fine. I just…" she drifted off.
Reno continued to look at her, urging her on.
Jemima sighed again. "I guess I'm just… afraid. For my friend." She said quickly, but later adding quietly, "and for myself."
Reno smiled slightly. He knew how she felt. Only too well. But he didn't want to remember that. Not yet. Besides, he was here for Jemima, not to reflect on his own dark past.
Jemima looked back up at him. "What?"
Reno didn't realize that he had been drifting off into his own world, but started when she spoke. "I- nothing. Sorry." He said quickly.
Jemima looked at him for a moment longer before turning back. Reno was grateful that she didn't press.
Reno stopped and Jemima did too. Reno nodded. "This is it," he stated.
Jemima was sceptical as she looked at the building before her. "Okay…" she murmured.
Reno nodded at her expression. "It's okay. You probably got out from the other side. It's a lot different looking over there."
Jemima continued to look sceptical but she nodded anyways. "Okay. So how do we get in?"
Reno started explaining and she listened intently. "Well, there is a little crack along here somewhere," he searched with his eyes. "Yes! There it is. Anyways," he continued, you go through that, and then it's a bit of a tunnel for a ways, and…" he drifted off, trying to remember. "Oh, right! Okay, so you get out of that little tunnel place, then you go… up, and to the left. That's where the prison cells start. I think."
Jemima was lost. "Umm… okay. Mind saying that again a little slower?"
Reno looked at her sheepishly and Jemima huffed.
"Why can't you just help me as we go through?" Jemima asked slightly impatiently.
Reno sighed and looked at the ground. "I… I can't go with you," he began, as Jemima gaped at him. "I'm sorry. It's just… if I go back in there… I just think I'll have to learn to deal with some problems I can't get over just yet. So… yeah. Please don't hate me."
The look on Jemima's face turned from shock and slight anger to understanding. "Umm… okay. That's fine. I promise I'll be okay." She spoke with a slight smile, which they both knew was forced, but it still reassured them.
Reno nodded solemnly. "Good luck, little kitten."
Jemima nodded back at him. "Don't worry, mister. I'll get Misto back safe and sound. I promise."
Reno smiled sadly at her. "Don't mess it up, kid."
"What's her name?" Jemima's question took Reno by surprise.
"My mate?" Reno asked. Jemima nodded.
"Calla," he stated, smiling with content.
"Calla," Jemima repeated. "Cool. Tell her I said hi, okay?"
Reno nodded.
"Will I see you again?" Jemima asked him.
A wide grin grew across Reno's face, real this time. "Count on it."
With that, Jemima set through the small crack that led her towards her friend, and Reno continued to gaze at her.
It would be fine except for one little thing.
Something Reno had forgotten to tell her.
And that would mean danger. And possibly death.
No turning back. No matter the risk.
Yaaay! It got finished!
My poor back. Doing high jump in gym is super fun, but the fun starts to go away when you land on the bar a couple times. Yeah.
And choir is almost over! Just a couple more four hour recording sessions left and then no more late night practices! Ugh. Five to nine on Thursday. And standing the whole time.
Oh well.
Bye.
