"This feast," Old Deuteronomy said, "Is in the honour of my granddaughter: Cressida who has returned to us after a day of horror" he stated as Cressida have him a nod of thanks, "And to the queen who has also returned to us after many years, welcome back to the tribe Moxicle" the Jellicle Leader stated as the tribe looked around for Moxicle. "How rude! Where is she?" Jelly muttered as Jenny emerged from the pipe, "I'm sorry we took so long!" she sang as she looked at the tribe. "Come on now dear, let's not doddle" The Gumbie Cat chimed as Moxicle emerged from the pipe – her head fur trimmed down and her fur combed; she looked very much different from how she looked like when she first arrived in the junkyard, this earned gasps from the older Jellicles and cheers from the younger queens.
"Moxicle You…" Tugger remarked as Moxicle took her place beside Cressida, "Jenny gave me a make-over, and I like it" Moxicle replied as she turned to Jenny and gave her a smile; the Gumbie Cat giggled as Old Deuteronomy smiled, "Welcome home dear" he stated as Moxicle smiled. "Thank you Old Deuteronomy" Moxicle chimed as she turned to Admetus who had a small grin on his face, "I think he likes you" Cressida whispered as Moxicle blushed; "We can't say" The Ginger queen replied turning to Tugger who was with Bombalurina. "Let the feast begin" Old Deuteronomy announced as the Jellicles cheered.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Admetus approached Moxicle who was seated on TSE1, "I am, it's been sometime since I've been to a feast like this" she replied as the tom offered her milk. "Thank you Admetus" Moxicle smiled as the tom nodded, "I like your makeover" Admetus chuckled as the queen blushed; "Thank you but I think Jenny deserves all the credit" Moxicle stated as the tom nodded. "Will you be joining the Jellicle Ball?" Admetus inquired as the queen nodded, "I'll be in The Aweful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" Moxicle smiled as the tom's face it up with a grin. "I guess I'll be performing with you then" Admetus said as Moxicle's ears twitched, "Did you hear that?" she asked as Admetus turned to Munkustrap who was looking at the gate of the junkyard.
"Help!" A cry came from the entrance as the toms ran towards the clearing, "What's going on?" Moxicle approached Cressida and Demeter. "I don't really know, but I feel weird" Demeter muttered as Cressida held on her paws, "It's a queen isn't it?" Moxicle asked as Demeter nodded; "Jenny! Get some bandages ready!" Alonzo panted as the queen nodded before rushing to her den, "What's going on Lonzie?" Cressida inquired, "There's an injured queen" Alonzo replied as Cressida turned to Demeter whose paw was shaking. "Dem, are you?" Cressida stopped when Demeter shot her ha stare, "Could you please bring me to my den?" Demeter asked as Cressida nodded; "Will you be okay on your own?" Cressida asked as Moxicle nodded, "You go ahead, I'll wait here" she smiled as the other two made their way to Demeter's den.
"What's going on? You're skittish again" Cressida whispered as they exited the pipe, "I don't know either Cressie, but there's something wrong" Demeter replied; "I can feel it" The golden queen continued as they entered the cupboard that served as a den to Demeter, Munkustrap and Jemima. "The moment I heard that queen's cry for help I started shaking" Demeter took a seat on a can of tuna, "I feel him" she mumbled as Cressida held her wound before taking a deep breath; "Maybe you just need some rest Demeter" Cressida went to her, the golden queen nodded in response. "You go back to the yard, I can take care of myself from here" Demeter smiled as Cressida shook her head, "I'll stay with you" she insisted as the other shook her head; "You don't have to Cressie, enjoy the night" Demeter walked to her bed as Cressida went back to the yard where Jenny was treating a Harlequin Queen on the tire.
"Who is she?" Cressida asked taking a seat next to Misto on top of the microwave, "She said her name was Macadia, she was a prisoner of-" he cut himself off upon looking at Cressida's bandaged wound; "You know who" Misto muttered as the queen held his paw, "Moxicle" Cressida called over the ginger queen who looked less impressed by the new comer. "Is there something wrong?" Cressida whispered as Moxicle gave her a nod, "I haven't seen her before" she whispered in reply as the latter turned to the queen who was narrating her story to Munkustrap; "I don't think she's really a captive, there most queens that I've seen are in worse condition and Macavity wouldn't let a queen like her escape" The Ginger Queen muttered as the Harlequin shot her a smirk, "She's something else" Moxicle whispered as Cressida turned to her.
"I don't feel so okay around her too Misto" Cressida held her tomfriend's paw, "We can't just tell Munkustrap that" Misto responded with a small frown. "I wonder why he even stopped questioning every single cat that came about here" Cressida sighed as Misto chuckled, "Well, he has changed since Demeter and you know that" The tux responded as the Moxicle shook her head. "There's something Macavity about her but I just can't put my paw on it" Moxicle mumbled as the tux whined, "It doesn't mean you haven't seen her before, you have every right to deny her" Misto hissed as Cressida turned to him; "Misto" Cressida snapped as the tux jumped off the oven, "I'm sorry Cressie" he ran off to join the crowd around Macadia. "And he leaves the injured on top of an oven" Cressida laughed as Moxicle turned to her, "You do not doubt her?" she asked as the latter shook her head; "I am in no place to doubt," Cressida sighed, "What happened between me and Macavity changed my absolute view of certain things" she smiled as she held Moxicle's paw. "It taught me not to judge" Cressida smiled, "If I judged you first, I never would've trusted you to get us out" she explained as Moxicle nodded; "And for that, I am thankful" Moxicle jumped off the oven as well, leaving Cressida. "Go ahead, I'll be fine" Cressida assured her as the ginger queen nodded in response; "I'll get your dad" Moxicle smiled as she entered the pipe.
./.
"Griddle, how long has it been since your last jellicle Ball?" Macavity asked as the Persian turned to him, "I don't like going to those things, too much fuss" Griddle responded as the Ginger Cat turned to her. "Would you like to come this year?" Macavity asked as the Persian shot him a confused stare, "Yes, I plan to pay my tribe a visit on the day that they hold dear" he laughed as the Persian shuddered. "Do what you must Macavity" Griddle sighed, "It's not like I have any power over you" she continued before heading towards Macavity's door.
"I'll get you back your friends" Macavity chuckled, "Moxicle, the girl and maybe even my children" he continued as Griddle gasped. "Macavity, I do not wish to disagree with you but-" Griddle stopped upon hearing Macavity claw his desk, "I will do what I want Griddle and you yourself told me that" he hissed as the Persian left his office.