Chapter 4

A New Love

Victoria sat alone silently on an old, rusty car on the back of the junkyard.

The bright light pouring down from the full Jellicle Moon surrounded her, making her white coat gleam all over. She gazed up at the beautiful moon, but her mind was elsewhere. Well, that was it, her first Jellicle Ball. She had stayed with her new family and her new tribe for how long she felt she couldn't even count. The big night which had risen her curiosity, then intrigued her, and then amused her, had come and gone, and she seemed couldn't even remember what she's been doing all this time.

She had watched Mistoffelees dance; his slender body moving gracefully under the moonlight and his steps almost as light as a feather. She saw him lifting his half-white hind legs, reaching almost as high as his head, and watched him waving his white right paw in the air like a wing of a bird. She did not go near him much, but found herself as if in a dream when she watched him from a distance. She then saw him near the end, when Tugger sung his song with great enthusiasm and praise in his voice, a song about the magical Mr. Mistoffelees alone, and him descending from a rope that was hanging from nowhere, wearing a shiny outfit that was almost completely black, and lit up and glowed all over. She watched him moving his small steps and jumping nimbly from here to there across the junkyard with the rhythm, spinning swiftly and throwing blue lightning strikes, making fireworks out of cups and hats, and moving things in the air without even touching them, making all the kittens screech and with amazement and the other Jellicles clapped along with the music and his dancing, and blowing her breath away at the same time with his lithe movements and his surprising tricks. He was exactly what he was described in the song: clever, magical, and phenomenal.

Victoria let out a heavy sigh. She couldn't say that she had not enjoyed herself at all. She danced along with the other Jellicles, though not much. But she was singing and laughing, though comparably less than the others, with the Jellicle Moon shining brightly above their heads. She accepted the queen kittens' invitation to join them to hang around Tugger and she went along, though more quietly, with the giggling and squealing fan club just for the fun of it. Sure, Tugger was the queens' tom, but that didn't seem to amaze her as if did the other kittens anymore. He just wanted to play with the others, she knew it, and Bombalurina was watching the entire time like a guard anyway. But all through the ball, when Tugger has been the center of attention, Mistoffelees always seemed to be on the side, being a silent observer and listener. However, it was his, and no one else's company that she felt she wanted and needed all through the night, and Tugger to her was no more than an older playmate.

It was true that her shy nature was somehow in her way of fully exposing herself to the spotlights in front of everyone, but that didn't prevent her from having at least some fun, if not all. However, now, everything was quiet, she suddenly felt something missing inside. The night was probably the most fun night she's ever had in her life, and nothing at all had gone wrong. She got to know all the Jellicles even more, and felt herself had truly become one of them, although she didn't even know how when she was dancing with the music by herself for she was a bit shy to be in front of the big groups all the time, all the kitten toms were staring at her. And she did not know how much the other young toms wanted to be near her and dance with her. But she did not pay too much particular attention to the others who were interested in her. However, all through the ball, she was only looking at one.

How handsome he was while he had changed into his black, shining suit, and how beautiful his entire form! How gorgeous was his dancing, which was a bit kittenish while he hopped agilely through the air, but elegant and refined while he moved on the ground. And how was lovely his voice, which was childlike yet mature at the same time! Although he never talked much, it was obvious that other kitten queens also admired him, and Electra was on the side the entire time, cheering and mimicking his movements. Things did not appear to be changing much between them after Munkustrap and Demeter had talked to her, except that they had now grown into inseparable friends, and Victoria, regardless of her shyness, could no longer deny to herself that that wasn't enough for her. But he was no less shy than she was, and she didn't know what to do anymore than he. Would Munkustrap and Demeter talk to him, too? Victoria again let out a sigh, and lowered her head.

"Vicki!"

As if waking up from a trance, Victoria perked her head up to look at the direction from which the call came from. She saw Mistoffelees coming from behind her, still in his sparkly outfit, the glittering of which shone in her eyes, and he was smiling at her as he walked. Under the moonlight, he looked like a black angel, with his slim figure clearly showing in his black silky outfit, and his small feet moving the smallest steps. Victoria shyly turned her eyes away, so that he wouldn't catch what she was thinking.

"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Mistoffelees asked, walking up to the car.

"Oh, nothing, I just wanted to find a quiet place," said Victoria.

Mistoffelees smiled, and nimbly jumped onto the car to sit beside her. Victoria had to turn her head away.

"What a beautiful night," Mistoffelees said dreamily.

"Yeah, the moon is beautiful, and the stars," said Victoria.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" Mistoffelees asked.

Victoria nodded. "In fact, I've never been to anything like this before."

"I knew you'd like the Jellicle Ball," Mistoffelees smiled, "it's the best time we'll ever have all year!"

Victoria again nodded.

"But I didn't seem to see you dance that much," said Mistoffelees, "like the others."

"Well, I..." Victoria sighed, not wanting to finish.

"Is there anything wrong?" the astute little magician looked at Victoria.

"No, nothing, it's just..." Victoria sighed, not knowing what to say.

"Vicki, you can tell me," said Mistoffelees gently, "there's something you're holding inside, and I can already sense it. I don't have to read your mind, do I?"

"Hey, don't abuse your powers and get into my mind without my permission," Victoria tried to smile. "It's nothing, really. I'm a bit tired, I guess."

"Yeah," Mistoffelees smiled, but couldn't help watching her closely. "A night like this would make anyone tired."

"Well, that song of yours, it was great. I liked it a lot," Victoria said shyly, hoping to keep the conversation going.

"Well, I'm glad so," Mistoffelees smiled, "Tugger wrote it with Bombalurina actually, and well, I decided to go along with them, though I really think that that song is a bit too over praising."

"Oh, I don't think so," Victoria said, "that song is exactly you! Also, I really like your dancing... a lot. You looked great up there." Victoria's lips shook a bit.

"Well, thank you," said Mistoffelees, but not keeping his eyes off of her.

"And your magic... it was... breathtaking. I could hardly believe what I was seeing," said Victoria.

"Well, if you'd like, I'll let you see more later," said Mistoffelees.

"I'd love to," said Victoria, evading his gaze.

"Well, you had fun, didn't you?" Mistoffelees asked.

"Yes," Victoria replied.

"All by yourself?" Mistoffelees asked.

"Well, not really. I was with the other kittens," Victoria said.

"Well, ha, yeah! I saw you and Tugger's fan club," Mistoffelees had to stifle a laugh. "And I guess now the club has just gained a new member."

Victoria noticed the strangeness in Mistoffelees's tone.

"I'm there just because my friends are," said Victoria, "and I had to do something to fit in and somewhat amuse myself. Besides, Tugger is pretty cool to tease, and he appears to enjoy attention, so..."

"Ha, you know, every Jellicle queen, except for the old ones and the ones that are taken of course, all agree that Tugger is hot stuff. Gee, I wish I were that lucky," Mistoffelees sighed.

"I think he's fun to be around, that's all," Victoria whispered, "you don't think I'm... crazy about him just like the others, do you? I mean, he has Bombalurina, isn't that enough? Besides, I think he's old enough to be my father, to tell the truth."

"Well, not that old," Mistoffelees couldn't control it anymore. A burst of laughter slipped out of his lips. What an innocent little thing, he thought. But at the same time, his heart was filled with joy.

"Nobody has invited you to dance?" Mistoffelees asked.

"Well, Plato and Tumblebrutus did, but I didn't feel like dancing with anybody," Victoria sighed.

"Was it because, you knew that, I was saving the last dance for you?" Mistoffelees said carefully, and gently put a paw on top of Victoria's.

Victoria stared at him suddenly, looking into his eyes. Her expression carried on a look of both excitement and uneasiness. Slowly she moved her eyes away, tried to keep herself calm, and looked away.

"No, I didn't know that," said Victoria, her voice barely above a whisper, "but, I have to confess, I was kind of... hoping that you would."

Mistoffelees smiled. He gently took her paw and led her down the car.

"The last dance will always belong to only the two of us," he smiled, and waved a paw through the air. A soft music suddenly started around them, and Mistoffelees gently slipped an arm around Victoria's small waist.

"I'm not a kitten anymore, you know," he smiled. He gazed passionately at the beautiful little white queen in his arms, not moving his vision a bit, as if afraid that she'd disappear if he closed his eyes for even a second. "So I guess I don't need to hide anything from you much longer."

"I know," said Victoria.

"Maybe next year, I'll be the one chosen in the mating dance with a young queen," said Mistoffelees, turning gently with her.

Victoria turned away from him, but did not speak.

"Hey, maybe two years from now, it'll be your turn," said Mistoffelees, "we're all growing up fast!"

"Misto," Victoria called gently, "let's not talk about these things right now."

"All right, if you say so," Mistoffelees smiled, "what do you want to talk about then?"

Victoria stopped her steps, and for a while, the two of them just stood facing each other, with the Jellicle Moon shining above their heads and veiling them in its luminous silver light, and the soft music still floating in the air.

"You know, I was hoping that you'd come and dance with me," said Mistoffelees, "but you didn't. So I had to save this dance for you when it's over."

Victoria stared at his young, innocent, yet irresistibly handsome face; a tear suddenly fell from her beautiful eyes.

Mistoffelees gently wiped away the tears with his small black paw. The moment his paw touched her face, Victoria put a white paw on top of it. She stared at the little tuxedo in front of her; tears suddenly began to stream down her face like they were coming out of a broken faucet.

"Why are you crying?" Mistoffelees said, trying hard to control himself, but tears were welling up in his eyes at the same time. "Oh, Vicki, please, please don't cry. Your tears make my heart want to break."

"Why are you always so nice to me?" Victoria asked, her voice suddenly sounded just like that little kitten that Mistoffelees saw for the first time in the garbage dump that night.

"Vicki..."

"Misto, tell me the truth. Say it. I want to hear it," her voice was still gentle like flowing water. "I know that, I'm just a silly little kitten, too young for things like... but oh, I feel I can't wait anymore!"

"Vicki," Mistoffelees sighed, pulling her gently into his arms. He could feel her breath on his chest, and feel her body shaking with her low sobs.

"Misto..." Victoria slowly sank herself deeper into Mistoffelees's arms. "No one has ever cared for me this much in my whole life. All this time that I've stayed with you, I've felt something that I thought I'd never feel in my entire life."

Mistoffelees didn't reply. He only gently stroked Victoria's back and rubbed his chin on her head. He heard a soft purr coming out of her.

"Vicki, I love you," he heard himself whisper into her small white ears.

Victoria laid her head on his shoulder and gently touched his chin.

"I can feel it," she smiled, "I've been feeling it for a long time. I knew that I knew it, but I just had to wait for you to say it to me yourself. You have no idea how long I've been waiting."

"Really?" Mistoffelees asked, though he rather knew the answer already.

Victoria nodded. "I loved you that first night I was with you."

"So did I," Mistoffelees whispered, "the moment that I saw you in the garbage dump, I felt a feeling that I've never felt before. I wasn't even sure what it was until much later. For a while, you've been a mystery to me, but more and more I just can't control myself to want to look at you more. Everyday under my eyes, you grow ever more beautiful. And when you're dancing, you look like a dove, an angel, a white belle."

"White belle?" Victoria asked.

Mistoffelees lowered his head and brought his paws to her chin to pull her face closer to his. Softly, he felt her thin little lips touch his. Her purr grew a bit louder, and Mistoffelees heard a purr coming out from his own throat to match up with hers. It was a rather short kiss, more like that belonged to two young teenage puppy lovers rather than two fervent lovers caught in a moment of passion. But it was sweet enough for the both of them, at least for the moment.

"Yes, a white belle," Mistoffelees smiled, "white and beautiful."

Victoria leaned her head against Mistoffelees's chest and stroked his shoulders.

"I am your white belle then," she whispered.

"Mine alone," said Mistoffelees.

"Hey, you need a bath?" Victoria suddenly raised her head, "you look kind of sweaty and dusty from such a crazy night."

"That would be nice," said Mistoffelees, "let me get out of this first to be more comfortable." He snapped his fingers, and instantly, he was turned back to the black and white cat that Victoria was more familiar with.

They walked hand in hand back to the old car that Victoria was sitting on a while ago, and climbed into the back seat. When they settled themselves comfortably, Mistoffelees leaned contently against Victoria, as Victoria gently licked the small white tufts on top of Mistoffelees's ears, those little ears with unusual sensitivities as she's grown to know, as she wrapped her white little arms around him, and listened to his soft whisper of purr in her ears. The tickle of Victoria's little tongue made his ears flinch occasionally, but he only purred on and kept still.

"I'm tired now," she said after a while.

"Go to sleep then," said Mistoffelees, as he gently stroked her face.

"What are you gonna do?" she asked.

"Watch you," Mistoffelees smiled, and gently pulled Victoria into his arms and started licking her white ears, and listened to the purr coming out of her that sounded like the low sound of a lullaby.

"Sing me something to make me fall asleep," he heard a sleepy voice by his ears, followed by a yawn.

"Um, what do you want me to sing?"

"Anything, anything you like," Victoria said, slowly closing her eyes.

"Moonlight, turn your face to the moonlight, let your memory lead you, open up, enter in..." Mistoffelees gently began, his soft, lovely voice flowing through the air, making Victoria feel as if she was melting into a cushion of marshmallows. Mistoffelees looked at the small white queen in his arms, who was now slowly sinking into a deep sleep. Gently he laid her down; her eyes were all closed. He quietly lied down beside her, and slipped his arms around her soft, svelte body, holding her close to him, and feeling her small claws gently curling into his fur. His purrs again kicked in, and this time, going beyond his control. He didn't try to control it, and he pressed another gentle kiss on her forehead. She flinched a little at the touch of his lips, but did not open her eyes.

"If you find there the meaning of what happiness is, then a new life will begin..." Mistoffelees felt his own eyelids touching each other as he finished the song.

"Misto?" he heard a soft whisper.

"Yes?"

"I love you, too."

"You do?"

"Yes. And at the next Jellicle Ball, I will not dance with only myself anymore. But I will dance with no one but you."

It was all-silent and still around them. Other than the soft sounds of the purrs coming from the both of them, nothing else could be heard.