The sad look in young Mistoffelees' eyes stuck into Plato's mind that afternoon to where he didn't notice what was around him, or who in this case, so it took him a moment to realize that Cassandra sat glaring at him from across the clearing. When he finally noticed the brown Queen, he couldn't help but return her dirty look tenfold. She hissed at him softly, something it seemed only Cassandra could do.

"What's your problem?"

The Queen stretched her long, lanky legs towards to setting sun, arching her back and bending her knees. When she finally relaxed back to her previous position, her tail flicked irritably.

"Forgive me for not kissing your arse, lover boy."

Even though most of the Jellicles had accepted Plato after making his relationship with Victoria plain, Cassandra was an exception, but she had always disliked the Tom ever since she first met him two human years ago at the harbor. He himself was not too fond of her.

"I'll leave you to mope, then." He began to walk away, but she meowed at him, and he had never heard the independent Queen sound so desperate. "Cassandra, is there something I can help you with?"

She bit her lip.

"Well...Skimbleshanks. You're with him frequently aren't you? And he's close with Alonzo. I was wondering if Skimbleshanks had said anything about him lately..."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied. "What do you want with information about Alonzo?"

She turned her head away from him.

"...It's nothing."

Plato shrugged and continued on. He turned back to look at her; the beautiful Queen laid with her head bowed, defeated, and though he was not fond of her he couldn't help but wonder what was so important about Alonzo that she would actually talk to him?

"Plato?"

The Tom was brought out of thought by his name, called in a familiar, milky voice. One of the Mystical cats stood before him, tall and erect with his ears perked high atop his head.

"Coricopat, how lovely." Plato bowed his head respectfully; the Mystics were thought highly of, even if they were often gossiped about in rude manner. "Is Tantomile away with Mistoffelees?"

The blank expression of the dark patterned tabby didn't change, but he tilted his head and stared with his wide eyes.

"No, I'm not sure I know what you are talking about. It is I who is actually seeking the kit. My sister is off with miss Demeter." He tilted his head in the other direction. "Why would you suggest that she would be with the magician?"

Plato shook his head.

"Oh, I-I don't know...well, I have heard that she is rather fond of him, but I suppose if you say otherwise...you must know your sister best."

"Indeed."

The odd Tom said no more, but continued to stare, unblinking, unmoving, as if paralyzed. Plato didn't mind the Mystics so much, though he did agree that they were indeed strange Jellicle cats. They were often caught staring into nothing simultaneously, their chests not even rising to show breathing, and Plato wondered if this was one of those famous moments.

"Am I in your way?"

Plato was startled as the cat spoke, but shook his head.

"Oh no. Please excuse me, Coricopat."

He continued on his walk, passing by Coricopat, though he did not give Plato a second glance. He looked back over his shoulder after a few moments and saw that the Mystic had yet to walk away, but he himself kept going, this time more aware of his surroundings. He didn't care much what Coricopat wanted with Mistoffelees, but he made a note to tell Victoria that Tantomile was not romantically interested in her tuxedo friend; information like that would surely please her if not give her something to occupy her time with.

Plato continued on for some time before reaching the gates of the junkyard. He jumped up to the top of a garbage truck and looked off into the city. The beginning of houses was rather far off from the junkyard, but he could see them well enough with his keen vision. He remembered the first time he had ever seen the junkyard only one and a half human years prior. It had actually been Victoria who had brought him here despite Skimbleshanks' many months of trying. Thinking back on those times, Mistoffelees was the first friend he made after Victoria and though they weren't close, he still owed much to the kit. The same could be said for Skimbleshanks, but given the current situation he didn't want to think too much about the railway cat.

"It's a wonderful afternoon."

Plato shook his thoughts away as Demeter pounced to his side. With a motherly smile, she rubbed against him and purred, retreating to her own space after a few moments. Demeter had a habit of treating orphans as her own and Plato, though they met into his Tomhood, was no exception. He couldn't say he liked having a mother figure in his life, but he couldn't honestly think that he disliked in in the least either.

"I heard you were with Tantomile."

Demeter stared into the sky.

"Well, I was. She...had business to take care of, if you can call it that..." The Queen gave a yawn before patting the Tom on the head. "You know, you seem to be awfully stressed lately. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

Plato stared into her eyes; though she was a motherly figure in his life, they had never actually talked about much.

"Maybe...Deme, do you know what Tugger's problem is lately?"

The Queen's face seemed at first to sink but she soon recomposed herself.

"What do you mean, hon?"

"I just mean...well, he's always been trying to be Misto's first but all of a sudden he won't leave the poor kit alone! He's not just talking about intercourse, he's talking about dating and all kinds of crap like that. He's taking it too far."

The Queen shook her head.

"Oh, you know how he is...we aren't very close, that's no secret, but Munkustrap's been on about this too. Tugger seems to be convinced that Mistoffelees is his soul mate. What rubbish! All this rejection has finally gotten to him, is what I think. But Munkustrap seems a little cheery that Tugger's thinking about having a mate, even if poor little Mistoffelees is losing his head over it..."

"He always looks like he's about to blow up lately. Earlier Tugger kept calling him 'Quaxo' and he damn near blew his crotch off."

Demeter took a moment to laugh.

"That would be a sight! The Rum Tum Tugger without his assets!"

Plato grinned; her laughing always made him smile.

"Are you okay, Deme?" he finally asked. She looked at him, puzzled. "I mean...you used to go out all the time, but lately you've taken to staying in the junkyard. Is everything alright out there?"

The Queen averted her eyes. It was true; she had been staying in the junkyard lately though she usually roamed when Munkustrap was busy with his duties. It was an odd change, but one only an observant Jellicle would really notice. Not even the gossiping Queens seemed to care about Demeter's personal life.

"Dearest, it's nothing."

He knew she was lying, but decided not to pursue the topic any farther. He himself had his suspicions, but she was such a kind cat that he couldn't bring himself to make her confess anything.

"Munkustrap's happy to have you around more...even if he is busy." He placed his paw on her thin shoulder.

"Let's not talk about Munkustrap."

"Then who should we talk about?"

The Queen's eyes lit up.

"How about Skimbleshanks?"

Plato scoffed. The sound of the Tom's name brought both positive and negative feelings into the pit of his stomach. Demeter seemed to notice, ears perking up.

"Mistoffelees tells me things, you know. Victoria, too."

"Is that the only thing you all have to do all day? Sit around discussing my love life?"

The Queen smirked deviously, pursing her lips as she looked him over. He turned away from her, but he could feel her eyes on him.

"This is stupid, is all. I'm fine with Victoria! Why do I need to complicate things and include...Skimbleshanks? He's good looking enough, if he's really so lonely he can go out and get someone else!"

"...You aren't even the slightest bit curious?"

Plato's ears twitched at the strain on the single word. Curious. Of course he was curious, most young Jellicles were very curious. The Rum Tum Tugger never stopped being curious. Still, no matter how curious he was he didn't want to risk a lover and a friend over youth's impulses. Besides, there was still something oddly sadistic in his mind about the entire situation and especially the thoughts that came to mind about what could happen if he really did have both Victoria and Skimbleshanks.

He shook the thoughts from his mind.

"You and Mistoffelees can fan-girl-gasm all you want, but leave me out of it."

Demeter merely watched as the Tom pounced away, flustered and confused. She couldn't help but smile, though, at the thought of someone else being as confused about love as she had once been. She only hoped that he would make better decisions than she had, and was jealous that his situation was so much easier than hers had been. She was so lost in thought that she barely noticed Tugger crawl up to her resting place.

"Tryina' knock boots with Plato too?"

She didn't dignify him with a response, though her scarlet ears swiveled in the direction of the sound. The large Tom crept behind her, staring daggers into the back of her skull, before sliding himself around her, head held high as he left little distance between them. She smelled Bourbon and nip in his fur, which made her nose wrinkle.

"You act so high and mighty, love."

"Are we talking about you now?"

A hiss escaped Tugger's lips and she could feel his hot breath on her forehead.

"A bit cheeky, are we?" His golden eyes stared her down, but she refused to look at him but rather stared past him. "Have you forgotten what you did?"

Finally, her eyes shot up to look at him, her gaze hard and unwelcoming.

"You speak as if you don't do it every day." Their previous meeting had haunted her for nights afterward, and after hours of thinking she could only grow angry with Tugger. Yes, she could hurt Munkustrap with her actions, but who was Tugger to act as if he was above her? He spent his days courting Queens who fell over his words as easily as if their paws were tripped, believing his promises just to have their hearts ripped out. He had caused more problems among lovers than any other Jellicle ever had, yet he looked down on Demeter for her need to feel closeness. She didn't blame Munkustrap the slightest for her actions, but she would not stand by and let the Rum Tum Tugger harass her for a mistake he made every day. "I don't want to hear another word of this. Mistoffelees is right, you are a terrible boar. It's no wonder he doesn't want anything to do with you!"

Tugger just stared down at her, eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar. It was a well-known fact that she didn't fancy him in the least, but she had never actually stood up against him before.

"...I can have Mistoffelees if I really want him."

Demeter was appalled at where the conversation had gone; it was classic Tugger to drop a matter to defend his own ego. Still, she preferred to steer their encounter away from herself.

"He wants nothing to do with you," she told him. "You're more of a burden to him than anything else. Besides, he already has eyes for another Tom."

The Queen couldn't help but grin as Tugger's eyes grew wider, his face reddening from anger.

"Who?" he demanded.

Demeter shook her head.

"...I cannot tell you that much. But I can tell you he's quieter than you. He's more gentle than you. He's much more reliable than you. And...well, Mistoffelees thinks he's more handsome than you, too."

Tugger clenched his fists, claws digging into his own skin. He growled down at the Queen. A Tom more handsome than the Rum Tum Tugger? He had had enough of her boldly rude behavior, so he turned and left her once more to sit alone and ponder the situation, only this time she did not cry as she held herself proudly, glaring at him as he retreated.

Somewhere on the other side of the junkyard, Coricopat stirred.