Author's Note: Agh, writer's block! This chapter was SO hard to write… bleh… anyway, everyone say hello to the newest member of my family, the adorable new kitten Eliot! (named after T.S. Eliot of course, only because my mother said no to Mistoffelees, Quaxo, Bill Bailey, Carbucketty, Mungojerrie, Munkustrap, Rum Tum Tugger, and Macavity.) Picture in your mind for a moment Mr. Mistoffelees. *Jacob Brent fan girls happily oblige* Okay… now turn him into a cat… a real cat. Now, turn that cat into a tiny little kitten with big yellow-green eyes… and you have my baby! I wanted so bad to name him Eyebrowsfiveyearslong, but that would have been plain mean,
*~*
Chapter Six: The Storm Begins
He glanced around, somewhat nervous, at all the faces staring at him, waiting for him to begin. There was Old Deuteronomy, sitting there, gazing at him, looking wise and benevolent as always, and for a moment Mistoffelees felt ashamed to have spoken ill of him the day before. At either side of Old Deuteronomy sat his two sons, the Rum Tum Tugger and Munkustrap. Munkustrap was looking great, considering what an ordeal he had gone through. He looked as though nothing had happened, and if something had happened, it was nothing big.
Next to Munkustrap sat his mate, Demeter. Even the seriousness of the situation could not force her to hide the smile she had been proudly showing ever since Munkustrap awoke and appeared to be alright. The joy that Mistoffelees had always noticed in her eyes was back. There was no trace of fright in those eyes, nope, none anywhere. The magician searched them deeply for a moment, for they were fascinating eyes, and then moved on to the one sitting next to her.
If Mistoffelees had been Demeter, he would not have chosen Bombalurina as a best friend. Bombalurina was known to do things on the spur of the moment for no reason other than the fact that she could. She was loud, exciting, adventurous, and wild – certainly not the kind of cat that you would see next to someone as reserved as Demeter. Yet, there she was, at Demeter's side, not being exciting or wild, but being a loyal and caring friend. It surprised Mistoffelees to see her like this, but at the same time he realized it would surprise him more if she was acting any differently.
Next to Bombalurina was Skimpleshanks, wearing a look of concern mixed with anxiety. Mistoffelees reckoned he was probably missing a train to some important place to be there for him. At first, the magician felt guilty, but then he realized that Skimpleshanks was not there to give him support so much as he was there to give his mate, Jennyanydots, support. He was holding her in his arms, and she was clearly on the verge of tears. Not wanting to see strong, optimistic Jennyanydots cry, Mistoffelees quickly shifted his glance to last one in the row of cats – his own Electra.
Yes, Electra. She was there. She came. After everything he had said to her, she still came. She was wearing a blank expression, but he could see it was just a mask. Underneath, he could feel her concern and feel her pain – and he realized just how much his words must have hurt her. Yet she still came.
He wanted to shout out to her, tell her how sorry he was, how he wasn't thinking, that he didn't mean what he had said, but he had wasted enough time already. He had to get this over with – for Munkustrap's safety, for Demeter's happiness, for Electra, who had done so much. He cleared his throat.
"Urgh… ra… arg… rug… lurgh…" were the sounds that came out of his mouth. He wasn't quite sure what he was trying to say, but he knew that 'lurgh' wasn't it. Frantically, Mistoffelees began massaging his throat. Come on, work! Why won't you work?
Old Deuteronomy sensed the magician's panic and cleared his own throat. "Perhaps I can help you, Mistoffelees," he said. The magician shot him a grateful look. "We all know that Cassandra bewitched Munkustrap to make him do as she told him. We know that the spell took five days to become permanent. We know that, somehow, Mistoffelees here saved him, knocking himself unconscious in the process. What we don't know is why Cassandra did this in the first place and exactly how Mistoffelees managed to save Munkustrap. I had asked Mistoffelees to explain to you his side of the story first, but since he seems a little tongue-tied, we'll bring Cassandra in now."
He nodded to Skimpleshanks, who promptly got up, leaving his mate whimpering. A moment later he returned, carrying Cassandra, who was tied up and still bloody from her fight with her brother. Mistoffelees shuddered a little to think that his blood was also spattered all over his sister's fur along with her own.
"Cassandra," said Old Deuteronomy, sounding as kind as ever. "Please explain to us why you did this."
"You want to know why?" she said angrily. "You want to know why?"
"That's what he said, wasn't it?" shot Bombalurina.
"Shut up!" roared Cassandra. Bombalurina hissed, but Cassandra took no notice. "I'll tell you why. It's because of you," she said as she pointed towards Demeter, "and you," she said as she pointed towards Munkustrap, "and you," she said as she pointed to Old Deuteronomy, "and every single one of you bloody rotten Jellicles!" she screamed. "But most of all, yes, most of all, it is because of you," she said, pointing a wavering paw at Mistoffelees.
"Me?" said Mistoffelees, his rage suddenly enabling him to speak again. "What did I ever do?"
"Nothing, really," said Cassandra. "Except dishonor our entire family!"
"Oh, and I suppose you are carrying on our name real well," said Mistoffelees sarcastically.
"I'm not the one who had to change his name so the stupid Jellicles wouldn't kick him out," said Cassandra. "Saying that Tugger knew you were a magician, and you had to change your name and your appearance so that he wouldn't recognize you and get you kicked out. Please."
"But it was true!" protested the Rum Tum Tugger angrily. "I did know him! I did eventually recognize him!"
"So what?" said Cassandra.
"So he was right in changing his name and appearance, because if he hadn't explained things the way he did I would have gone to Pop and had him kicked out! He could have been dangerous, I wouldn't have known any better," said Tugger. "If he wanted to stay in the Jellicle Tribe, then he was right to change himself."
"Oh, but it never had anything to do with your stupid little 'Jellicle Tribe,'" said Cassandra. "Once you've been kicked out of about 30 or so tribes of cats it stops mattering to you. You just go find another one. However, there was something different about this particular tribe that made Mistoffelees want to stay here so badly without being recognized as a magical cat." She turned and pointed towards Electra. "Her."
"Me?" said Electra.
"Isn't that what I said?" said Cassandra, mimicking Bombalurina.
"Don't talk to her like that!" shouted Mistoffelees angrily. He would have made a swipe at her, but his Better Judgment told him not to.
"Oh shut up!" shouted Cassandra. She made a move for Mistoffelees, attempting to break the ropes that bound her, but Skimpleshanks caught her in time.
"You're not going anywhere!" shouted the orange tabby fiercely.
"WATCH ME!" she roared.
"Her fingers!" yelled Mistoffelees, but it was too late. Cassandra had snapped her fingers and was gone. The tuxedo cat sank down next to Electra, and Skimpleshanks, who had fallen over as Cassandra disappeared, remained on the floor in a stunned silence.
"She'll be back," said Old Deuteronomy.
"I wouldn't count on it," said Mistoffelees. "Why would she?"
"Because she left you behind," said Old Deuteronomy in barely a whisper. Munkustrap looked up at his father as if he were insane.
"Father, be reasonable, Cassandra can't do anything to Misto… she'd be a fool to even try!"
"I think I'm being perfectly reasonable," said Old Deuteronomy calmly. He then quickly changed the subject. "Even though Cassandra left before giving us a full explanation of her motives for what she did, I do not doubt that Mistoffelees will be able to fill us in."
"What?" said Mistoffelees. "I don't think I… I don't know… How should I… what?"
"There was a method to Cassandra's madness," said Old Deuteronomy. "I know it, you know it, and Cassandra knows it. Cassandra, of course, knows it the best, though she probably wouldn't give us a straight answer anyway. Since Cassandra is not here, the burden falls upon you, Mistoffelees. It is probably best that way, since you can understand her better than I can." The look he gave Mistoffelees at this point was so penetrating that the magician began to feel sick.
"Father, not to be rude, but don't you think we should have some cats go out and search for Cassandra?" said Munkustrap. "She's obviously proved herself to be a danger."
"That's a good idea," said Old Deuteronomy. "Skimpleshanks, why don't you and Jennyanydots go and organize a search party? She will need to be alerted of her punishment, when we decide on one."
"Shouldn't I go too, Father?" asked Munkustrap anxiously, and seemed to Mistoffelees that he was looking for any reason not to listen to what he had the magician had to say.
"No, Munkustrap," said Old Deuteronomy as Skimpleshanks and Jennyanydots left the small room. "You need to hear this." With that, he nodded at Mistoffelees, who was at a loss for words.
For a moment, he didn't speak.
"Cassandra and I are… well… different," he began. He expected someone to comment about the obviousness of his statement, but nobody did. He continued. "We haven't had it easy… mother died… father left… sister died… kicked out of almost 20 different tribes of cats… always moving…" Then he realized that this was becoming just one big pity party for him and quickly changed the subject. "Cassandra was right in my reason for wanting to stay. If Electra was not a member of the Jellicle Tribe, I could have cared less whether you accepted me or not." He paused, and realized the falsity in his statement. "Alright, so that's not entirely true. After being shunned for so long by so many different cats, it would have been nice to be accepted for who I am… but another tribe of cats wanting us out would not have made such a big difference."
"Cassandra and I started observing the Jellicle Tribe a few days before wandering into the Junkyard. We were looking for a.) any cats who were magical (proving that this tribe was one that didn't shun all magical cats) or b.) anyone who we may have known from another tribe and therefore knows we are magical. I recognized Rum Tum Tugger immediately; he's rather hard to forget." Tugger smiled proudly. "However, I didn't tell Cassandra this, because then the Jellicle Tribe would be out of the question, and that was the last thing I wanted, because, you see, I had this hopeless crush on Electra."
Electra blushed furiously upon hearing this and had to turn away from the group.
Mistoffelees continued as if he did not notice. "So Cassandra and I decided to join the Jellicles. However, I decided that I was going to stay in the Jellicle tribe as long as possible, because of Electra, so I didn't want anyone to know that I was a magical cat. When Cassandra asked why I suddenly went by my first name, and why I suddenly didn't look nearly as 'magical' as I used to, I told her the truth: I recognized Rum Tum Tugger from somewhere and didn't want to be found out. She thought that I wasn't being quite honest in this, and I wasn't. However, she agreed not to tell anyone who I really was and to try her best not to use her powers. I didn't think anything of it then, but now I do think… something… of it."
He looked cautiously at Munkustrap, then at Demeter. "Cassandra had a few of the younger toms give her a second glance, but she didn't want them. Cassandra knew she could be able to have any tom she wanted… she felt she should have any tom she wanted. She felt like she had been pushed to the side for too long when she had the power to kill anyone at any time… when she had the power to rule…"
"It was never about Munkustrap," said Mistoffelees suddenly. "Well, it was about Munkustrap, actually, but not about him personally. He was coming into power. He would one day be the leader of the Jellicles, and Demeter would be his queen. Cassandra got jealous. She thought that… that she deserved to be his queen more… that she could rule better because she had more power. And then, Cassandra started to crave power more and more… so much more that it became almost frightening for me to see her… I listened to her speak to the darkness in her mind… I told she was going mad. I began watching her closely, making sure she never endangered any of you. She kept everything she did well hidden, but she knew I would eventually find out. If only she could delay my knowledge of her plans until the end of five days, then Munkustrap would be hers. No one would have to know. She would make him break up with Demeter and take her as his queen. Then he would come to power, which basically would mean she would come to power. The only one who would know it was her would be me… and with Munkustrap testifying against me… I would lose and get punished; she could kick me out of the tribe (or kill me, for that matter) and never be bothered with me again."
"Fortunately for us, however," continued Mistoffelees. "Munkustrap has been saved. Her plan has failed. But that will not stop her from trying again."
There was an awkward silence. A few of the cats glanced over at Munkustrap, a few looked down at the floor, and a few just sat and stared at Mistoffelees.
"But what was it," said the Rum Tum Tugger suddenly, "that made Cassandra want to have power so much? I mean, you don't want it, and you're… magical, right?"
"Oh, but I do want it," said Mistoffelees suddenly, looking intently at Tugger. "Of course I want it. Who doesn't? Magical cats especially want it, more than you can ever comprehend. We are treated so poorly. Having hate inflicted upon you your whole life will most certainly make you hateful. You judge us. You whisper about us when you don't think we're listening. You teach others to hate us as well. It's enough to make anyone go mad. It's even worse when you know that you have the ability to give horrible revenge to all those who ever hated you…"
Tugger ever so slightly backed away from the magician, but the tuxedo cat did not notice.
"It's all I can do not to give in to the little voice in the back of my head that tells me that I could rule… that I could be great…" whispered Mistoffelees, mostly to himself than to anyone else in the room. "That little voice in the back was Cassandra's downfall. She was tired of always getting pushed aside. She wanted to be noticed… she wanted to rule… she wanted to make everyone who had made her life miserable regret it…" He paused, and everyone in the room for a fleeting moment saw the intense pain on his face before he turned away. A few moments later, he turned around, and smiled. "And that, friends, brings to a close the story of the downfall of Cassandra. I have explained it to you with the best of my ability. It is hard even for me to comprehend. I do not expect you to understand everything I have said. Thank you." He walked over and sat down next to Electra, who wanted so very bad to put her arm around him but did not.
"Well, it is quite obvious that Cassandra will have to be punished, if Skimple and Jenny can find her," said Old Deuteronomy, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen after the tuxedo cat's speech had finished.
"I motion expulsion from the Jellicle Tribe," said Munkustrap, knowing that the system of motioning and seconding things was just what his organized father liked.
"I second," said Bombalurina.
Mistoffelees shook his head. "That won't work," he said plainly. "Weren't you listening to a word I said? She'll find another way to get what she wants."
"What does she want?" asked Electra suddenly.
"Several things," said Mistoffelees. "One, the Jellicle Tribe. Two, to be Munkustrap's mate. Three, me dead."
"But why us? Why the Jellicles?" asked Bombalurina suddenly. "Why not one of the other tribes you two got kicked out of?"
"Because all the other tribes kicked the both of us out. But you accepted me, and not her," said Mistoffelees plainly. "She's jealous. Banishing her from the Jellicle tribe won't stop her in the least, silly rules don't apply to her, she thinks she's above them."
"But we accepted her, right?" said Bombalurina. "We let her into the tribe."
"But you never really accepted her," said Mistoffelees. "She was always on the outside looking in. She never became more than 'the new cat.' I was treated the same was, until Electra." He looked over at her and smiled. She tried to smile back, but could not.
"Unfortunately, though, Cassandra never found her equivalent of my Electra," said Mistoffelees. "She felt unwanted. She felt she had to make herself wanted."
There was silence.
"I motion the death penalty," said the Rum Tum Tugger boldly. Mistoffelees heard Electra gasp.
More silence.
"Does anyone second?" said Munkustrap after a while.
"I do," said Demeter softly. Everyone looked at her in surprise, all thinking the same thing: did quiet, reserved Demeter just second to put a cat to death? "I second," she said again. "I second the death penalty for Cassandra! Why is everyone looking at me?"
"I, for one, say no to the death sentence," said Old Deuteronomy, his voice somewhere between anger and kindness (if that were possible.) "I will not kill another cat, no matter what they did."
"You don't have to kill her," said Tugger. "I think Mistoffelees should."
"No," said Mistoffelees, so quickly and so angrily that Tugger put up his paws in a 'Whoa, calm down' manner.
"You shouldn't ask him to kill his sister," said Electra defensively. "Would you ever consider killing Munkustrap?"
"If he turned evil and tried to take over someone's mind, perhaps," said Tugger.
"Well that just proves you're a cold, heartless jerk!" shouted Electra.
"Calm down, Electra," said Old Deuteronomy. The young queen did as she was told, but did not look happy about it. "The death sentence is not going to be an option, case closed. So far, the only reasonable motion is expulsion from the Jellicles. Are there any other motions?"
"What other choices are there?" mumbled Bombalurina. "I mean, if we don't want to kick her out or kill her, then what?"
"Well, there's always imprisonment," said the Rum Tum Tugger helpfully.
"That won't work, she'll just snap her fingers and disappear!" shouted Electra, who sounded as if she just wanted to argue with Tugger on every point possible.
"Well, there is this one spell," offered Mistoffelees. "It takes away the ability to do magic, but I'm afraid it isn't permanent, and I don't think I'm quite up to doing it so soon… but I will, if you think imprisonment is best."
"No," said Tugger instantly. "If you don't think you can do it, there's no way I'm going to let you. We'll come up with something else."
Bombalurina looked fondly at the Rum Tum Tugger. Was that a bit of paternal instinct she had just detected? She would make a good father out of him yet. Oh, how her mate's reputation would be spoiled if the kittens of the Junkyard found out what a caring, sensitive soul he really was!
The deep voice of Old Deuteronomy startled Bombalurina out of her thoughts. "I motion for permanent expulsion from the Jellicle Tribe," said the Jellicle leader.
"I've told you, that won't work!" cried Mistoffelees. "Who won't you listen to me? Don't you trust me?"
"Yes, of course we trust you," said Old Deuteronomy. "However, it seems as if there are no better options at the time."
Just then, Skimpleshanks and Jennyanydots came bursting into the room, both breathless and soaking wet.
"Did you find her?" asked Old Deuteronomy anxiously.
"We had just organized a search party when the storm began," said Skimpleshanks breathlessly, attempting to shake some of the water off of his fur.
"We told everyone we'd start looking first thing to tomorrow morning," said Jennyanydots. "We're real sorry, but you know how us cats get about water – it would be impossible to get anything done in this weather and we'd all be miserable anyway."
"Yes, I believe you made the right decision," said Old Deuteronomy heavily. "First thing tomorrow morning, I'll make the announcement that Cassandra is now banished from the Jellicle tribe."
Jennyanydots nodded. "You might want to make a new rule that no one is allowed to travel anywhere by themselves, even if it's just across the Junkyard. She'll be less likely to attack if she's outnumbered."
Mistoffelees rolled his eyes at this pathetic statement. Cassandra could easily take on all of the kittens without using any of her powers. However, he did not say anything. He could just imagine Old Deuteronomy's reply. 'Be that as it may, Mistoffelees, strength in numbers may be the only strength we have…'
"I'll make the announcement tomorrow morning, then," sighed Old Deuteronomy. "Jenny, Skimple, please make sure all the Jellicles will be there…someone will need to alert Bustopher Jones and Gus the Theatre Cat…"
"I'll do that," said Munkustrap. "I'll do it right now. I don't care about the rain."
"I'll go with you," said Skimpleshanks. "A little water can't get to me." He shook his fur, splattering his mate with water. He looked at her and laughed playfully. Jennyanydots did not look nearly as amused.
"Alright," said Old Deuteronomy. "Be careful, and hurry back. We need you two."
Skimpleshanks nodded, and the two left the room.
"I think, if nobody minds, I'd like to go back to my place now," said Mistoffelees.
"Of course we don't mind!" cried Jennyanydots. "Poor thing, you must be exhausted…"
"May I escort you back to your pipe?" asked Old Deuteronomy kindly.
"No, thank you," said Mistoffelees. He knew that Old Deuteronomy didn't want to let him out of his sight longer than necessary, and it bothered him greatly. He wanted to shout, 'I can take care of myself, thank you very much,' but thought better of it.
"Come on, Electra, I'll walk you home," murmured Mistoffelees to his mate. She nuzzled against him affectionately and then allowed herself to be steered out of the room.
Bombalurina sighed. "They remind of a couple of cats that I know."
Demeter looked up at her. "Really? Who?"
"You and Munkustrap, of course!" exclaimed Bombalurina. "I would have thought that would be obvious."
"Oh," said Demeter.
"You're being quiet," said Bomba. "What's up?"
"Nothing… I'll tell you later," mumbled Demeter. "I don't want to say it with everyone else here."
"Oh come on, Jenny and Deuteronomy and Tugger are all involved in their only little conversation, they're not paying any attention to us," said Bombalurina. "Tell me."
"Oh… okay." Demeter scrunched up her face. "Now, I know this is very unlikely… very, very unlikely, but what if, just maybe… I don't know… Mistoffelees is working with Cassandra?" The amber queen misread her friend's expression. "Yeah, I know, it's stupid. He wouldn't do that."
"No, actually, I wasn't thinking that at all," said Bombalurina. "I was just thinking how it was just a few days ago I was trying to convince you of what you're saying is true now."
"I know," said Demeter. "I really didn't think it would seem at all likely… but why was he so quick to say no to the idea of the death sentence for Cassandra?"
"A good question," said Bombalurina. "I agree, I mean, they are brother and sister, both magical… and what about that whole little spiel on power Mistoffelees was reciting? He seemed to have zoned out for awhile there."
"You really think he's untrustworthy?" asked Demeter.
"Everyone's untrustworthy," said Bombalurina with a wave of her paw. "But seriously… it is a valid concern… we should tell Deuteronomy…"
"No, don't!" argued Demeter. "I don't want to get him in trouble or kicked out or anything, after what he did for Munkustrap…"
"Oh, Old D.'s not going to kick him out just because we suspect that something might be up," sighed Bomba. "He'll just keep a closer eye on him, that's all. And isn't that a good thing? I mean, if Misto is working with Cassandra… well, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?"
"I suppose…"
"Deuteronomy, Demeter and I have a concern," said Bombalurina loudly. Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, and the Rum Tum Tugger abruptly ended their conversation and turned to face the two queens.
"Yes?" asked Deuteronomy.
"Well… uh… Bomba and I think… well, mostly Bomba thinks… that… maybe… Mistoffelees and Cassandra… are… uh… maybe… working together?" stammered Demeter.
"No, they're not," said Tugger defensively.
"How do you know?" shot Bombalurina.
"Misto wouldn't do that," protested the Rum Tum Tugger. "I know him, he's got a good heart, no matter what you guys say."
"Tugger, Bombalurina and Demeter have expressed a valid concern," said Deuteronomy. "Mistoffelees and Cassandra are brother and sister, after all…"
"It just seems so unlikely," muttered Jennyanydots with wide eyes.
"Yes, it does," said Old Deuteronomy. "However, we can't do anything without good solid proof… in the meantime, I'll try to keep and eye on our conjuring cat… does that sound fair to everyone?"
Everyone nodded, except for the Rum Tum Tugger, who stubbornly did not move.
"It's not true, I know it," he said.
"We're not saying it is!" said Old Deuteronomy anxiously. "We're just saying that it's a possibility. A highly unlikely possibility, but you never know, right?"
"I suppose not," muttered Tugger.
"However, if something should come up from a reliable source that proves that Mistoffelees is working with her, I shall have to act as I see fit."
Bombalurina, Demeter, and Jennyanydots nodded. The Rum Tum Tugger still did not move.
Old Deuteronomy sighed. "Well, there's nothing else we can do tonight. I'll escort you all back to your homes… maybe the Everlasting Cat will give us some answers in our dreams…"
Outside, in the Junkyard, a Siamese cat smiled. Her plan was coming along nicely. Tomorrow, Old Deuteronomy would have his proof and she would have Mistoffelees.
Raising her right paw, she snapped her fingers and disappeared out of the Junkyard, only moments before the door to the room she was eavesdropping on opened. Out of that door stepped the Jellicle leader, followed by four others. None of them had any idea that the one they were all terrified of had stood right there only seconds earlier.
Lightning flashed, thunder clapped, and the rain poured down harder.
*~*
Author's Note: Okay, yeah, I know, it was terribly boring, but hey. I cut out what happened to Mistoffelees when he was saving Munkustrap simply because it was too much explanation for one chapter. Reading over it, I realize how boring it truly is… ah well. It'll get better, I hope.
-- jemi gr 9-july-03