Macavity's Queens: Part Two
As a refresher from last time, the Jellicles are using their everyday names to avoid panicing the new arrival to the Junkyard, Demeter. Here are the names and Jellicles they go with: Spot=Rum Tum Tugger, Boots=Alonzo, Alexander=Munkustrap, Andy and Ann=Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, Dusk and Dawn=Coricopat and Tantomile, Miss Jessy=Jennyanydots, Lillie=Jellylorum, Houdini=Mistoffelees, Patch=Tumblebrutus, Marx=Plato (get it?!), and Clark=Admetus (figure that joke out yourself ~ DC reference). When the everyday names are used in narritive, rather than speach, it indicates that the PoV is more strictly Demeter's. Otherwise, Jellicle names will be used.
The Rum Tum Tugger gazed down at the queen den on the far side of the Junkyard. The new queen, Demeter, had been with them for a few days, but was still hesitant to let anyone other than the other queens near her. Most of the toms gave the queen den a good distance; a direct order from Munkustrap. Another direct order from Munkustrap. Tugger reminded himself. The first of which had been to start ad-dressing everyone by their everyday name. Spot, Tugger thought with disgust, Makes me sound like a bloody Policle. There were times he hated the fact that he had been born with his distinctive spotted pattern. Of course, the ladies liked it. It was only when the humans started using that blasted "pet" name...
Still, Tugger couldn't help but smile to himself. He had seen Munkustrap's face when he had brought that queen into the yard, and the look he got whenever she was the topic of discussion. 'Bout time he found someone who sparked a little interest.
"Will you get down from there! The meeting is about ready to start!" Tugger looked down to see a black and white tom, about his age looking up at him. Alonzo, who was essentially Munkustrap's right-hand Jellicle.
Tugger climbed down from his vantage point and started to nonchalantly amble towards the giant tire in the center of the Junkyard that was used for all the Jellicle meetings. "Don't worry 'Boots,' I'm sure they won't start without us." He smiled inwardly as Alonzo shuddered at the name. If there was a Jellicle in the yard who had a dumber name than him, it was Alonzo. Under Tugger's cool expression; however, he was actually quite excited. Munkustrap had told the rest of the tribe that he was going to try to get the queen to come and tell the rest of them about why she was there in the Junkyard. Rumours were flying that covered about all bases. Some were silly, but some were so horrible that none of the more "mature" Jellicles would discuss them with the kittens. Of course, of those rumors, few were so horrible that they would be put past Macavity.
By the time Tugger and Alonzo reached the tire, most of the other Jellicles were already there. The only notable absences were Jellylorum, Jennyanydots and, of course, their new charge. The kittens Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Plato were trying hard to sit still, and Quaxo, only being out of kittenhood by a year, was just as jittery. Munkustrap, along with Asparagus and Skimbleshanks, were trying to calm down the other cats. When Alonzo and Tugger settled in Munkustrap stood on the tire and ad-dressed the tribe.
"As all of you know, several nights ago a new queen came into the care of our tribe. It came to light that she was a prisoner of Macavity who had escaped his den of crime."
There were several hisses and yeowls at the mention of Macavity's name, and several cheers at the mention of Demeter's flight to freedom.
Munkustrap waited for the Jellicles to quiet down before continuing. He knew what he had to say next would raise emotions to unknown levels. "In addition," The Jellicles quieted. "In addition our guest, Demeter, has told us that there are other prisoners being kept by Macavity. There are six of them. Two are queens, the other four are queen kittens." Ghasps of both shock and horror rippled through the tribe. Munkustrap motioned to the back of the crowd. The entire tribe turned to find a very nervous Demeter standing between a reassuring Jellylorum and Jennyanydots. As they guided her through the crowd, the toms made sure to keep a respectful distance. They had all been told about Demeter's nervousness, so even the kittens were on their best behavior. When they reached the tire, Munkustrap extended a hand, indicating that she should join him up on the tire. Demeter looked back at the older queens, who nodded. Then she looked back at Munkustrap, and she recognized him as the tom who had rescued her! He had the same kind eyes and gentle, reassuring smile. Timidly, she approached the tire and stood closer still very nervous.
"It's alright, dear. No one is going to hurt you here." Jennyanydots whispered from just off the tire. Demeter swollowed and tried desperately to believe her. There were so many toms around... but none of them looked like they were going to do anything... In fact, they didn't look a thing like Macavity's henchcats. The toms were all well-groomed and had bright expressions in their eyes and on their faces.
"Miss Demeter," Munkustrap's voice snapped Demeter back to attention with a start. The gray tabby paused a moment, looking slightly concerned. Demeter managed to give him a weak smile as she rubbed her hands together. Somewhat reassured, Munkustrap continued. "Miss Demeter, what can you tell us about your friends? How can we help you and help them?"
Demeter took a deep breath. This was where she would find out if she was to recieve the help she so desperately need to rescue her friends. "Over the course of several years, myself and six other queens were taken as prisoners by Macavity." She looked around nervous, but Munkustrap gave her a reassuring smile and the cats in the audiance were giving her their full attention. About a week ago we decided that at least one of us had to escape, if nothing else than to get help for the others. Four of the prisoners are kittens, and they are constantly taunted, humiliated and frightened out their wits." Demeter choked back a sob and continued. "I was the one that they chose to escape while the other two queens distracted the guards. Please," she dropped to her knees before a startled Munkustrap, "help them!"
Munkustrap was taken aback at the sight of Demeter sobbing before him, not sure what to do. Thankfully, Jellylorum and Jennyanydots were quick to rush to the side of the grieving-queen, giving him a moment to collect himself. "You've all heard her request." Munkustrap turned to the tribe. "Are there volunteers?"
Everything was silent for a moment, and Demeter looked up from the arms of Jennyanydots, wondering if her plea had fallen on deaf ears. Then, from the back of the crowd the white and black tom she had heard called Boots stood up. "I'm in!"
Tugger stood up and looked at Alonzo. "If zebra-boy's going, then so am I."
"I'll be coming along as well." Skimbleshanks added, getting an approving nodd from Jellylorum. "Someone's got to keep you kits in line."
Asparagus stood up next to his friend. "You're not forming a rescue party without me."
"We will come too." added Coricopat and Tantomile.
"And you'll need our 'elp if ya want to find your way through Macavity's lair!" Came two voices from the top of a garbage heap. The rest of the tribe looked up see two striped cats sitting next to each other. The Jellicles knew that Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer had at one time been part of Macavity's syndicate, but they had quickly dropped out when they found out the extent of the crimes he wanted them to carry out. They might be cat burglers, but they drew the line at killing another cat. It had taken a while, but they were trusted absolutely by the rest of the tribe now. Thankfully, they had pulled out before any of Demeter's group had been taken prisoner.
Munkustrap smiled. "Good. I had hoped that this is what I would hear. The rescue will take place tomorrow night," he turned to Demeter, "if you feel that you are well enough to accompany us. I doubt that your friends will come unless you are there as well." Demeter nodded, although her heart sank at the thought of returning to Macavity's lair, the place she had waited so long to get away from. "Everyone in the rescue party is to get a good rest before tomorrow night. We all know that the only thing we can expect from Macavity and his horde is treachery."
As the crowd dispursed, Demeter saw Munkustrap turn to face a small tom with a tuxedo pattern coat. The little tom looked just a little older than the kittens, but he had an odd glint to his eyes that she couldn't quite place. For some reason the air around him felt a little electrified. She had him called Houdini by the other cats, a reference she didn't understand about some famous human, and dispite his obvious youth, he was treated with an enormous ammount of respect. He looks like a pedigree cat of some sort. That's probably it. Demeter thought to herself.
"Houdini, you are in charge of security of the Junkyard while we're away. As soon as the queens and their escort are safely back, you are to secure the area. I don't care if some toms are straggling, the safety of the queens is our primary concern." Munkustrap instructed Mistoffelees. The small tom gave a quick nodd and bounded off into his staked out drainpipe to do who-knows-what. After Mistoffelees had melted into the darkness of his pipe, Munkustrap turned back to Demeter. "Ms. Demeter, I know... I know that going back to Macavity's lair is the last thing that you want to do, but you do realize why I feel it is neccessary that you do come?"
Demeter nodded. "You're right. I don't think they'll be too willing to trust strange toms. Especially the kittens." Demeter sat down on the giant tire and pulled her leggs into her chest and buried her head in her knees. Munkustrap could see that she was struggling to keep back tears. Looking around, he saw that Jellylorum and Jennyanydots were nowhere to be seen, most likely having gone off to keep the kittens out of trouble. That left him with the emotionally battered queen. He felt his stomach knotting up, he wasn't good with dealing with emotions, that's what the two older queens were always there for, or at the very least, Coricopat and Tantomile. But as he saw Demeter's shoulders shake, he couldn't ignore the feeling he had to protect this vulnerable queen. That was his nature, to be the protector of any cat who came seeking asyulm in the Jellicle Junkyard. And, he had to admit to himself, he thought he felt himself falling in love with this queen, even though she was thuroughly conditioned to hate him.
Hiding her face in her knees, Demeter bit her lip to keep from crying, the though of Bomby, Cassie, and the kittens still being held prisoner by Macavity while she was free was getting to be too much for her. She felt a light touch on her shoulder and started and she quickly spun around to see Munkustrap kneeling in front of her with a look of surprise, mixed with one of concern. Demeter started to feel warm tears of shame running down her face. This tom had saved her life and was going to risk his own and those of his tribe by trying to save her friends, and she still couldn't even trust him enough to let him give her a reassuring touch.
"Ms. Demeter,"
I can't even bring myself to look at his face.
"What's wrong?" She looked so small, Munkustrap felt his heart reaching out to her. He swallowed and slowly crept towards her. When she didn't do anything, he slowly reached out and drew her towards him. Demeter's eyes flew open, but when she felt no harshness, no roughness, no malice at all in the gray tabby's arms, she let herself just go limp and fell into him.
He's so warm. Demeter thought as she burried her head in his chest. His arms felt like the most secure place to be in the entire world. As the two of them just sat there, in the center of the Junkyard, Munkustrap held Demeter like a parent would hold a small child. He rocked her gently back and forth and she heard a deep, reassuring purr vibrating from his body over into hers. It was a purr that was almost sing-song in it's tone, almost musical. She felt his tail occasionaly brush her feet, wrapping them for mere seconds in a cacoon of warmth. One paw was gently stroking up and down her back. Macavity had done this to her too, but Munkustrap was being cautious not to go anywhere on the queen's slight frame that might be considered improper. In spite of herself, Demeter couldn't help letting off another shiver, but this time it wasn't of fear, but from some unkown electricity that this tom was sending though her body. Munkustrap felt her small jump, but when she made no other attempt to move, he decided that it must have simply been a chill of some sort.
All the same, she should get some rest. He thought to himself. And with that (and a rather surprised squeak from Demeter), the gray tom swept her up in his arms and started off in the direction of the queen's den. He noticed Demeter blushing as he made his way accross the Junkyard.
"I... I can walk, really..." she managed to stammer.
Munkustrap smilled. "We're almost there. Besides, it isn't everyday I get to be this gallant." Demeter looked like she was going to protest for a moment, but then decided against it and settled down in Munkustrap's arms with a small smile on her face.
I hope to Heaviside he can't see my face, she thought.
When they reached the den, Munkustrap carefully set Demeter down at the door and turned to leave. "Umm, Alexander," Demeter said timidly, inwardly wishing that he would stay. She saw some of the fur on the back of his neck bristle at the name, and she wondered if she had made him angry for some readon. But when he turned around, the same gentle expression was on his face. He didn't say anything, he just looked at her with a quizical look. With those eyes that do all his speaking for him. she heard herself think. "Umm, I was just.., I mean... I wanted to say..." Damn! She was stuttering like some lovesick kitten over some tom she hadn't even really met in all honesty!
Munkustrap's gentle smile broke into a small grin as he got the jist of what she wanted to say. "We help all cats who come to us. We have a duty to." He didn't offer any more explanation than that. "But you should sleep now." He continued, "and so should I. My family will be worrying about me if I don't check in soon."
Demeter's ears stuck up. "You actually live with humans?"
"Yes. Many of us do."
Demeter was surprised that he said this so matter-of-factly. What kinds of cats lived with humans, really? "Humans?" She asked again.
Munkustrap gave her a sad look. It was becoming more and more obvious that this poor queen had not lived a good life. "Humans are quite like cats." He explained. "You have ones that are like Lillie and you have ones like Macavity. I have ones that are quite nice. All they want is for me to give them a rub every so often and purr on occasion. They even gave me this." Demeter looked to where he was pointing and saw a leather collar with small silver studs on it. "This means that they care for me enough that they want to make sure that if the Catchers ever caught me, they wouldn't make me sleep."
"I din't know that there were humans like that." Demeter murmered. Munkustrap smiled.
"Those who are captured by Macavity generally don't discover the truth until they're free."
Demeter looked at him quizzically. That was rather a cryptic statement. But Munkustrap offered no explaination once more. He gave her a slight bow good-night and slipped off into the Junkyard.
Demeter wandered into the queen's den and found her sleeping area between Tantomile and Rumpelteazer. Cats who live with humans. Very strange. Also strange, she found her mind wandering, was how "Alexander's" fur had bristled when she had called his name. He hadn't been upset with her for any reason, that much she was sure of. I guess he just isn't too fond of his name.
She had noticed that most of the cats here had very odd, un-catlike names. They were all like names humans would give their cats. This couldn't be because they lived with humans. Marx and Clark were strays, and so were Boots and Patch. She was pretty sure Dawn and Dusk were too. Demeter let out a soft sign as she curled up for the night. This was a strange tribe. But they were kind. And they were going to help her rescue her friends.
Cassandra slowly walked from one side of the cell to the other. It had been nearly a week since the escape of Demeter and there was no word from their friend. The brown queen was getting more and more worried by the day, but didn't dare let it show. The kittens were worked up enough as it was with her gone. No need to let them see her fear.
"Cass, I really wish you'd stop that pacing."
Cassandra turned to see Bombalurina streaching herself out.
"Wearing a run in the floor isn't going to help anything."
Cassandra gave a low hiss. "I just can't help but feel so helpless. What if something's happened to Demi?" she asked, pulling Bombalurina out of earshot of the kittens. "She's been gone for nearly a week. Don't you think she should have come back by now?" Bombalurina shrugged.
"It's hard to say. We don't really know where we are. We could be miles away from the next nearest tribe. It might also take a while for her to find some tribe willing to take on Macavity in his own lair." She paused a moment and looked over her shoulder at the kittens. "Right now I'm more worried about those four. We can take care of ourselves, but they're just kits. It's only a matter of time before Macavity takes one of them for... you know."
Both of the queens gave an involutary shudder of the thought. Macavity kept them around for one reason: his own personal twisted desire to have dominion over queens of his choice. So far he hadn't touched the kittens. His desires had never gone further than the three adult queens, mostly Demeter and Bombalurina, although he had been eyeing Cassandra more and more often since Demeter's escape.
In the far corner the four kittens were curled up in one gigantic fur pile. As usual, Victoria was near dead silent, Jemima was twitching at every sound, and Etcetera and Electra huddled against each other. They looked like a sorry group.
Demeter, wherever you are, please hurry with help. Cassandra thought.
Demeter awoke to the sound of feet scampering all around. There were hushed voices just outside the queens' den which gradually cleared and became understandible as she came to full wakefullness. Outside she could hear the voices of the toms as they discussed how they were going to get into Macavity's lair. Every so often she would hear a giggle from Ann and a hushing noise from Andy followed by muffled giggles from Ann.
Demeter walked to the enterence to the den where Jennyanydots was grooming a very pouty Pouncival. The older queen looked over at the other and smiled. "Good morning. Did you have a good night's sleep?" Demeter nodded.
"Yes, it was very nice, thank you."
"Good to hear, good to hear." the Gumbie Cat murmured to herself. "How are you feeling about today?"
Demeter looked at her feet, tracing circles in the ground in front of her. "Like I'm about ready to walk into a Policle's yard."
Jennyanydots nodded. "It's to be expected, my dear. None of those who are going like the idea either. A few of them have seen the inside before, and from what I've heard, it's not a place that they want to go back to."
"Then why?" Demeter asked, confused. Her confusion grew even more when Jennyanydots gave her a confused look. "Why is your tribe placing themselves in danger for cats you've never met? For all you really know, I could just be some henchcat sent to lead you all to your doom." Jennyanydots shook her head sadly at the confused state of the younger queen. Pouncival; however, had plenty to say.
"You can't be a bad cat." he piped up as he gave her a gentle head rub.
Demeter was startled at the tom kitten's actions. That was the first time she had allowed a tom to touch her, aside from Alexander, and she probably would have jumped had it not been for the kittenish smile on Pouncival's face. "You can't be a bad cat," the small tom continued. "Alexander wouldn't let a bad cat in here where we could be hurt and anyway, you're too nice and pretty to be a henchcat." Demeter blushed slightly at the unexpected complement.
Jennyanydots smiled at the kitten and patted him on the head. "That's very nice of you to say, dear, now run along and try not to get too dirty." The Gumbie Cat watched as her words went completely unheeded as Pounce plunged headfirst into a wrestling match with Tumblebrutus at the base of the junk piles. She sighed and shook her head. "Someday, when he's ready to find a mate to settle down with, he's going to have to learn proper grooming habits." Demeter giggled, inspite of herself. Jenny grinned. "Ah, so there is a bit of life in you yet. Now, come along. The toms are proabably about finished figuring out what they're going to do to get your friends out."
Demeter walked as quietly and as low to the ground as she could as the band of rescuers passed through dark alleys and by-streets. On one side she was flanked by Tantomile, and by Coricopat on the other. Asparagus and Skibleshanks brought up the rear while Tugger and Alonzo walked in front of the queen. A little further ahead of the rest of the group was Munkustrap, making sure that if there was a surprise attack, it would be focused on him, rather than the rest of the party. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer were off somewhere, acting as advance scouts. Every so often one or both of them would scamper along a rail or a wire and report to Munkustrap about the activities surrounding Macavity's lair before dashing back off into the dark.
Further on back in the group, the twins' tails were twiching in synch as they sensed the nervous energy pouring out of Demeter like a waterfall. Her head would jerk in the direction of the slightest noise that was out of the ordinary (of course, to her, that was most of them), and she was practically jumping at the sight of her own shadow. Occasionally she would be rubbed reassuringly by Tantomile, and would smile back nervously. Then she would grit her teeth and try to remember why she was returning: Cassandra, Bombalurina and the kittens.
Suddenly, up ahead, Munkustrap froze in his tracks, and the others did the same. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer jumped down from a fence on the side of the alley they were in to stand on either side of Munkustrap. The rest of the group then moved slowly forward until they were right up behind the grey tom.
They were looking down a sloped road that led straight to the docks.
Mungojerrie crept up right beside Munkustrap.
"That's where 'e is." he wispered.
"We gotta be careful from now on." Rumpelteazer added.
Demeter's heart felt like it had frozen in her chest.
She was going back.
Back into a place she could only call Hell.