Don't own Cats or any characters

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It was now only days away from Talent Night. Thinking about it set my heart racing and fingertips tingling. Oleander had me practicing the routine until I could dance it in my sleep. As the exciting night grew closer, the yard grew more energetic and busy, cats talking excitedly, practicing and taking a chance to relax before the performance.

I sat in one of the quiet corners of the yard, giving myself a wash and contentedly sharing a comfortable silence with Pounce beside me. Or so I thought.

"ARGH! I can't take it anymore!" I jumped at Pounce's sudden outburst and turned to stare at him, his body standing beside me.

He turned around to face me, and sat down so our eyes were level and our noses a mousetail apart. His gaze was hard and serious and I fidgeted under it.

"Why are you torturing Quaxo?" he asked.

"...What?" I let my confusion easily heard in my voice and I looked at him with wide eyes. Was this supposed to be some sort of prank or joke?

"We are all, Misto included, pulling our head fur out at how utterly oblivious you are!" Okay. Now I was really lost. I gave a nervous laugh.

"Is this a prank? Is Tumble hiding somewhere behind us ready to scare me or something?" I looked around as I asked the question but this irritated Pounce even further.

"NO! What on earth made you think this is a joke!" He asked in annoyance.

"Because I have no idea what you're mewling about!" I bit back, exasperated. I was completely lost as to what was going on. Pounce sighed, letting his head fall into his paw an shook his head.

"You truly are clueless" he muttered. I was about to reply but he held up a paw to stop me speaking.

"Look. I'm going to tell you, because at this rate, you're never going to figure it out so here it is. Mist-"

"POUNCE!" Pounce's voice was cut off and a very flustered Misto rushed over to Pounce and jumped on him, trapping him with one paw to his mouth and the other gripping his chest fur.

"What did you tell her!?" He growled as his ebony ears angrily flattened back. I looked at him in shock. I had never once heard Misto raise his voice or show his temper before. However the small enraged tom before me didn't look so small anymore.

"Chill, Misto. I didn't get to say anything thanks to your interruption"

"So you were going to tell her?" The tuxedo tom asked in horror.

"Well someone's going to have to tell her" Pounce shouted.

I watched the whole scene in absolute cluelessness. This entire thing was frustrating. What was I missing? What was Pounce going to tell me? What doesn't Misto want me to know? Why doesn't he want me to know?!

The argument went silent as Misto glanced from me to Pounce before dragging the tom away from me muttering something about a private talk. However Pounce stopped the two of them far enough away so that I could see them but not hear them and the conversation continued. Their 'private talk' however looked more like an argument that Pounce was currently dominating. He kept pointing at Misto and I knew somewhere in there I was mentioned as Misto glanced at me a few times. He looked like a mixture of angry, annoyed, sad, nervous and slightly horrified all at once. The whole thing was very perplexing and all I did was sit and watch, absolutely blind to what was going on. Eventually the toms stopped arguing to what looked like an agreement and the sauntered off, without one more glance at me.

'What just… happened?'

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Before I knew it, Talent Night was upon us and I felt my heart beat a little bit harder at every passing moment. Soon enough it was only a few minutes until we started. I wiggled to myself in excitement as we crowded around the circle stage, low murmurs of nerves and energetic whispers filled the air around the clearing. Misto came and sat down next to me, his demeanour formal yet more relaxed than usual, ochre eyes flashing to mine and giving me a warm, shy smile. I smiled back, nudging him as I tried to calm my trembling nerves.

"Excited?"

"Quite" I turned to see Pounce sit next to me, followed by Tumble and Jemima. Etcetera sat further off with Tugger, eyes shining in admiration for my uncle. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the makeshift stage as my Dad stood up, ready to start the performance, the sun dipping low in the strawberry and beryl painted sky.

"Welcome to Talent Night!" The yard erupted into a series of cries and shouts. Munkustrap raised a hand to quieten the crowd. "For those new to our clan, Talent Night is a night dedicated to showcasing your talents and supporting others in their own. So, let's begin!" The crowd applauded as Skimbleshanks stood up, ready to tell a nail-biting and stomach-laughing tale of his times on the train, completed with his upbeat Scottish accent and ever expressing body.

The night progressed similarly to this, Tugger getting up to sing, hips rocking in a manner that disgraced dancing yet made the queens swoon. Pounce and Tumble awed the crowd in their dare-devil acrobats and stunts, causing many a laugh with their kittenish antics. Jemima brought them into a teary wonderment with her beautiful, angel like voice, and Plato and Alonzo staged a game of strength through an amazingly realistic, choreographed fight. Etcetera did a breath-taking series of jumps and twists on the swings and trampoline while Cassandra and Exotica twisted their bodies into shapes so unimaginable it was disturbingly beautiful. All too soon the night was ending and Munkustrap stood up, ready to end the amazing night. It was now or never.

"To see such talent in our clan is-"

"Wait!" I threw my hand up and, quickly remembering Jemima, grabbed her. The crowd fell into silent shock as I stepped my way through the throng of bodies and up onto the stage. Dad looked confused and once I reached him, stepped towards me to whisper.

"Victoria, what's going on?" I smiled but ignored his question and turned to the audience.

"There is one final performance" The cats whispered to themselves, confusion hanging uneasily in the air. I couldn't help but smirk slightly before turning to whisper into Jemima's ear. She opened her mouth to question me but I simply pleaded with my eyes until she nodded. Spotting Mungojerrie, she motioned the tiger striped tom over, getting him to bring his hand-made stringed instrument. She whispered into his ear and nodded, tuning the strings slightly before sitting on a broken chair, ready to play. Munkustrap looked completely unsure of what was happening but stepped aside all the same as Jemima made her way to the side of the stage, giving me complete reign of the floor. I nodded at Mungojerrie who nodded back, strumming the beginning notes of the song I had requested. I fell into my beginning stance easily, letting my quivering muscles relax and senses tune out everything around me and gladly let my mind, body and soul fill with the music.

Jemima's voice joined with the soft guitar strumming and I danced.

I flowed with the music and Jemima's crystal voice, twirling, jumping and bowing, my arms like branches of the weeping willow, smooth and curved, following my body's floating movements.

The crowd gasped but I ignored them, doing a wide, elegant sweep before reaching up, toes on pointe and stretched like I was reaching the sun, only to let me legs slide from underneath me and into the splits, stretching my flexible body back. I could see the moon glow off my fur, turning it a silvery white and I smiled at the sight. I was mesmerised in the music, and they were mesmerised with me. And for the first time ever I felt truly beautiful.

However, all too soon the music came to an end and my body lowered, bowed before the clan like a servant before her king. Silence followed, filling every gap and corner of the yard, making me swallow nervously in my bent position.

Was it… that bad? … No, I wouldn't think like that. I knew I had a talent, and whether I was good or not in their eyes, I didn't care, I loved dancing and would continue to do so as long as it pleased me. I raised my head up, rising from my humble position to stare daringly out to my large family. I would've laughed at the sight of their eyes almost comically popping from their heads if not for the tense atmosphere. I stood tall and proud, trying desperately not to shift or fidget.

A sudden clap started and I glanced at around, spotting Misto as he stood up, mouth upturned and eyes a flurry of emotions as he clapped. I smiled at his support, sending him a grateful smile. Suddenly Pounce joined in, followed by Tumble and Etcetera, followed by my father and before I knew it the entire clearing was alive with sound of clapping, shouts, whistles, astonished exclaims.

I stepped back in surprise and gazed at the supportive cheers and cries. Before long I was grinning, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. Jemima came over to me, hugging and crying uncontrollably, dishing out compliment after compliment as she gazed at me with admiring eyes. Pounce was the next to approach me, practically tackling as he grinned down on me with proud eyes. Tumble and Etcetera soon followed and I suddenly found myself squished in a bone-crushing group hug. Once released, I was swarmed with questions as the rest of the yard approached me. I backed up, hands up at the overwhelming situation. I couldn't hear a single word being said to me and I glanced around in search of an escape. Unfortunately, Pounce's arm around my shoulder prevented such attempt and eventually I had to submit myself to continuous grinning, sending thankyous in every direction possible. The crowd finally dispersed when my father decided his daughter had been swarmed enough and sent cats off to their respective homes and letting the temporary stage slowly empty. Eventually it was just my father, Demeter, Uncle Tugger and my friends. Etcetera, Jemima and Tumble all gave me one last hug, commenting on how amazing I was before heading on home. Waving them goodbye, I noticed Tumble's arm around Etcetera and filed the interesting information away for later … or possibly blackmail if the need for it rose. I released a breath, turning to my best friend and smiling at his bright look of complete awe.

"I… wow, just wow… that was beyond amazing Tory" I smiled and hugged him gently.

"Thank-you, Pounce" However he pulled back and stared at me deeply.

"No, I seriously mean it. You had such amazing talent hidden away and you didn't even tell us! I can't believe it, you cheeky thing!" I gave him an innocent grin and he sighed and shook his head. He glanced at where my family was waiting and decided to leave the questions till tomorrow.

I waved him goodbye before turning to my father nervously. Tugger however beat him to the punch.

"You sneaky little vixen" He ruffled my head fur and I pulled back with a protest, my cheeks puffing into an annoyed pout. However much to my surprise he pulled me into a hug.

"What did I tell you?" He said, a smug tone evident in his words. I rolled my eyes but hugged him back and decided to lay off the retorts and come-backs, just this once.

"Thank-you for everything Uncle Tugger" He sighed, and pulled back.

"I'm here for you little vixen" He shot me his infamous grin before pushing me over to my father. I stumbled to the silver and black tom and felt my hands unconsciously fidget with my stomach fur, blue eyes looking everywhere but at him.

"Victoria" I bit my lip and slowly looked up into my father's face. His face was neutral and I stood there nervously. The silence stretched, teasing me cruelly and I opened my mouth in attempt to break it but warm arms enveloped me instead.

"I am so proud of you" His deep voice whispered in my ear and I felt damp pricks on my shoulder. Was he… crying?

I pulled back and looked at him. Sure enough a slow stream of water escaped his eyes but he ignored it, pulling me back into the hug.

"Where on earth did you learn to move like that? Is that where you've been going all these nights?" I nodded and he made a noise crossed between a sigh and laugh.

He let go and gazed at me with loving eyes, his pride for me practically glowing.

"You looked just like your mother. She loved to dance as well"

My eyebrows shot up and I stared at him in disbelief.

"She did? Mum … danced?" I looked down in complete disbelief. She loved to dance.

My heart swelled and suddenly my much loved passion meant so much more to me. I clutched my chest, feeling the tears threaten to fall again and I let them fall, my tears of happiness joining my fathers as we laughed together in the pale moonlight. Once we had calmed and the waterworks had finally stopped, Demeter came up to the two of us, hugging me also.

"You were fantastic, Victoria. I have never seen such a beautiful queen" My cheeks pinked and I hugged the lovely feline back.

"Thankyou"

We sat there and talked, father looking like he was about to cry again while Demeter laughed at his antics, rubbing his back comfortingly. I laughed with them and watched the loving pair with happy eyes. We talked late into the night, about my dancing, my mother, about Talent Night, the Jellicle Ball.

My eyes dropped and mouth yawned, my mind struggling to focus on the older felines words. My tiredness had hit my like a truck and eventually I had to excuse myself, heading off to a much needed sleep. As I slowly walked back through the dark quiet junkyard my mind turned back to Demeter and my father. They were… perfect, their love and affection obvious but not overdone, simple, loyal dedication and devotion to each other. I sighed at the sight of the two of them and let my mind wonder.

Maybe someday…

A hand grabbed me, pulling me into a dark corner of the junk yard and I gasped, filling my lungs to shout when a hand covered my mouth and a voice whispered in my head fur.

"It's me" His breath tickled my sensitive ear, sending shivers down my spine as I let out my breath through the white furred fingers at the familiar voice and wacked his arm indignantly.

"Misto, don't scare me like that!" He gave a chuckle, letting go of me so I could turn to face him and gazed down at me fondly.

"You were amazing Vic…" His voice faltered and eyes turned troubled, glancing away from my own sapphire ones and I frowned in worry.

"Misto?" He turned back to me and gazed at me with a foreign emotion I couldn't recognise.

"Vic" His voice turned scaringly serious and he bent over me, forcing me to look up at him, face suddenly intimately close and molten gold orbs ensnaring mine, staring deep into them as if seeing into my soul. His voice changed, turning husky, the sudden deepness freezing the blood within my veins.

"Who exactly showed you how to dance like that? . . .

And I want the absolute truth"

I stared at Mistoffelees, completely frozen under his smouldering gaze. I stood there, completely immobilized until I realized he wanted and answer. Unfortunately neither my brain nor mouth was currently working at that stage.

Wetting my lips, I forced my brain to relax and concentrate, trying hard not to panic under his inquiring gaze.

"No one taught me. I've been self-learning for a while. I have watched other cats dance every now and then to help but apart from that it was all self-taught" My voice came out remarkably strong and confused and I thanked the Heavyside Layer for it.

Misto seemed to scrutinize me for a few moments, searching my eyes for something hidden before sighing, completely deflating in character and taking a large step back from me. His presence gone I felt I could breathe freely again and took the chance to take in deep gasps of air. He glanced at me and gave me a guilty look.

"Sorry, I'm… not sure what came over me… ah- it's just… your dancing reminded me of…someone" He went quiet, gazing at the floor in contemplative thought before his cheeks flared a sudden red and he turned his head away, covering it with a hand in attempt to hide it.

"Uh-umm I had…. Better let you, ah, go then" With that the once again shy tom scampered away from our hidden spot and disappeared quickly into the night air.

I stood there in the dark corner for a few moments, letting my heart calm down and breath return normal.

Caught under Misto's gaze I had felt completely defenceless and even a little bit scared. Such a feeling frightened me, the fact that a cat could render me completely immobile with just their eyes . . . I didn't want to think about it.

After a few quiet, calming moments I left the shadowed spot, hoping to also leave behind the confusing memory with it.

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I am sorry again for the latenss. I am finally on summer holidays however and will have all the time in the world to write up more content, so hopefully I'll be able to update at a much more regular, shorter rate. Didn't really edit this, wanted to get it out as soon as possible so I apologise for any mistakes. I planned on cutting this one short at a small cliffy but I've been trying to slowly lengthen my chapters.

Anyway, I hope these very long, late updates aren't boring you.

I hope you enjoyed it and promise to be stop my long updating habits and I thank you all for your encouraging reviews, they really help me and my writing.

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A.S