Part Two.
"Exotica! Oy, Exotica, where are 'ou?" yelled Rumpelteazer.
"I haven't seen her yet this morning," said a voice behind her. Rumpelteazer turned around to see the familiar tuxedoed cat.
"Mornin' Quaxo," said Rumpelteazer. "If 'ou see 'er, tell 'er ta come find me, alrigh'?"
"Will do," said Quaxo. "Where's Mungojerrie?"
"Jerr? He's probably off daydreamin' 'bout Exotica," mumbled Rumpelteazer.
"Oh, I see," said Quaxo, raising his eyebrows. "Well, you had your chance…"
"And what's that suppose' to mean?" cried Rumpelteazer, hey eyes flashing. "I do NOT like Jerrie! Swear to tha Everlastin' Cat!"
"Alright, calm down, I believe you," said Quaxo.
"Good," mumbled Rumpelteazer.
Quaxo was about to say something in response, but just at that moment, Exotica entered the Junkyard. Without as much as a 'goodbye' to the tuxedo cat, Rumpelteazer ran over to the Burmese.
"Exotica!" she cried. "How nice ta see ya! Why don't we go 'ave a little talk, shall we?"
"Um… okay…" said Exotica, looking a little frightened by being suddenly approached in such a way by a cat she had only seen once or twice. "Um… what's your name again?"
"It's Rumpelteaza'," said Rumpelteazer. "With an 'e - l' and a 'z'."
"Ah," said Exotica.
"But 'ou can just call me Teaza', everyone else does," said Rumpelteazer enthusiastically.
"Oh," said Exotica.
"Now why 'on't we step inside this box 'ere and 'ave a little talk, shall we?" said Rumpelteazer, motioning for Exotica to climb into the box first. Exotica did so, and Rumpelteazer quickly followed.
"So, um, what did you want to talk about?" asked Exotica.
"Mungojerrie," said Rumpelteazer.
"Who?" asked Exotica.
"Mungojerrie! He's my best frien', and he's got a huge crush on 'ou!"
"He has what?" exclaimed the Burmese.
"A crush on 'ou," repeated Rumpelteazer gloomily. "And I… bein' his best frien' and all… yeah, that's righ', best frien' and nothin' more… was wonderin' if you felt tha same way."
Glancing around to see if anyone else was listening, Rumpelteazer continued, lowering her voice. "And let me tell 'ou this: you betta' 'ave a good reason if ya say ya don't, because in my opinion Jerrie is one of tha bes' toms in this 'ere Junkyard, and I don't want ta see him get hurt."
Exotica looked at the floor. "No, I'm sorry, I don't have any feelings other than friendship for any tom in the Junkyard."
"So ya won't go with him to the Jellicle Ball?"
"I'm afraid not."
Rumpelteazer sighed. "He's not gonna be 'appy 'bout this. I think he really likes 'ou."
"Yeah, maybe as much as you like him," said Exotica, raising her eyes and looking directly at Rumpelteazer.
"How did 'ou know?" she asked in barely a whisper.
"Well, it's quite obvious," said Exotica. "Listen, after the Jellicle Ball I'm going to be gone, back to my old tribe. But you'll still be here, Rumpelteazer. Ask him out to the Ball."
Rumpelteazer blushed. "Naw, I couldn't do that. Mungo thinks of me as a frien', nothin' more."
"How do you know?"
"'Cause he 'ad a crush on 'you," mumbled Rumpelteazer.
"Still, I think you should ask him," said Exotica. "I bet he'll say yes."
Her eyes were so sincere and so truthful that Rumpelteazer had to agree to ask.
*~*
"Teaza'!" cried Mungojerrie's familiar voice. "Didja talk to 'er? What did she say? Did she say yes? Can I ask 'er to the ball? Come on, tell me, Teaza'!"
Rumpelteazer took a deep breath. "Mungo… she… er… well… she… uh… she's doesn't like 'ou in that way, Mungo… I'm sorry."
Mungojerrie's face fell. "I guess I got them pretty jools for nothin' then," he said miserably.
"No, not for nothin'!" said Rumpelteazer. "Like I 'aid befor', there are lots of queens who would 'ove ta go to tha ball tonight. Jus' ask someone. Betcha they'll say yes."
"Naw, Teaza', I think I'll jus' go solo this 'ear," said Mungojerrie gloomily. "Or ya know what, maybe I jus' won't go at all…"
"No!" cried Rumpelteazer. "You can't miss tha Jellicle Ball, Mungo! It's the most importan' event all 'ear! Don't you remember how much fun we 'ad last year?
"I know, Teaza', but I don't think I really wan' ta 'ave fun righ' now," sighed Mungojerrie. "You jus' don't understand, Teaza', you've neva' 'ad a crush on someone before and not 'ave you're feelings returned."
"How do 'ou know I haven't?" exclaimed Rumpelteazer.
"You mean 'ou 'ave?" cried Mungojerrie. "Why didn't 'ou tell me sooner? Who is it?"
"It's um… well, Jerr… it's you," mumbled Rumpelteazer.
"Me?" exclaimed Mungojerrie.
"Yeah, you…" mumbled Rumpelteazer. "Yeah, I know, you think we shoul' jus' be friends…"
"No!" exclaimed Mungojerrie so quickly that it surprised both him and Rumpelteazer. "You're righ', Teaza', I've neva' thought 'bout you as more than a frien'… until now."
Rumpelteazer smiled.
"And now… I see it was stupid," continued Mungojerrie, "to imagine myself at tha Jellicle Ball with anyone but 'you, Teaza'."
He paused, and reached into a brown sack that was behind him. He pulled out a large velvet box, and opened it.
"Mungo! Those are tha prettiest jools I've eva' seen!" cried Rumpelteazer, the sunlight from the reflection in the diamonds dancing in her face.
"I was gonna give 'em to Exotica," said Mungojerrie. "But now I see they'd 'ook much pertier on 'ou."
Mungojerrie carefully undid the back of Rumpelteazer's necklace and replaced it with the new diamonds. "There ya go, love," he said. "You look beautiful."
"Aw, thank 'ou Mungo," smiled Rumpelteazer.
"Just one more thing, Teaza'," whispered Mungojerrie. "Jus' ta make it official: will you be my mate, Teaza', and go with me to tha Jelliclce Ball tonigh'?"
"Of course, Mungojerrie," said Rumpelteazer with a smile. "And even if we eva' break up, let's stay friends, alrigh'?"
"Of course," said Mungojerrie. "You're the mos' importan' thing in the world ta me Teaza'."
"Yeah," smiled Rumpelteazer. "You're more importan' to me than jools, Jerrie. More sparkly, too."
Mungojerrie smiled.
*~*
Exotica watched them from far away. They made a cute couple, she thought, and they were obviously perfect for each other.
Her gaze wandered in the direction of her old tribe of cats. Tomorrow morning, first thing, she would return to them: return home. In that tribe of cats was her best friend, who had been devastated to learn she might lose her to the Jellicles. Also in the tribe was her sort-of adoptive father, who had taken her in and always been kind to her. In that tribe were also several growing kittens who were always keeping her busy and never failed to make her laugh. In that tribe was her heart.
Also somewhere in that tribe was her very own sparkling jool. She had not found him yet, but she was still young. Her time would come. Someday…
~fini~
Author's Notes: Oy. I was going to wait awhile longer before posting this part, but ah well. This is the first ever CATS fanfic that I've finished, so let's give three cheers! Hip hip hooray!
Don't forget to review… I LOVE YOU! : )
--jemi gr 15-july-03