Chapter Two - Good Times and Bad
Life was good in the Jellicle Junkyard - the approaching ball would be the first for the year old kittens - the twins, Lylisan, Forrestia, and Rubeus. Jemima would enter adulthood ("Finally," Victoria joked lovingly) and would officially be mated with Victor. Old Deuteronomy would, in a year or so, ascend to the Heaviside Layer, leaving Munkustrap with the responsibility of Jellicle leader ("I feel so old," the tabby remarked). Bombalurina was pregnant with her second litter of kittens, much to Forrestia's annoyance. "Does that mean I'll have to share with them?" she asked her parents huffily.
Yes, life was good.
With all this excitement, the tribe hardly had time to think that there was any danger lurking in the shadows. But there is always a dark cloud in the sky somewhere.
---
"This is gonna be awesome," Jequimas informed his twin. The two kittens were curled up in their room, unable to sleep. The ball was only a day away.
"I'm so excited," Jeniiva agreed breathlessly. "What do you think it'll be like?"
"Lots of dancing, I'd imagine," the tomkit grinned, "It is a ball, after all..."
Jeniiva stuck her tongue out at him. "I know that, Jequimas. But... I mean, what happens?" She smiled and shivered with kittenish delight. "Remember Mum telling us about the year that Macavity crashed the ball? How scary!"
"Wish I'd've been there," her brother sniffed proudly. "I'd've taken him on." Jeniiva laughed and gave him a shove.
"You'd've done nothing of the sort," she said, in an imitation of Demeter that was almost frightening in its accuracy. "You'd have been curled up in the corner just like me."
"Nu-uh! Alonzo's told me stories about it! That old Macavity doesn't sound scary at all!" Jequimas stood and puffed out his chest. "Alonzo told me how he took him on single handedly!"
Jeniiva rolled her eyes. "You notice he never tells that story around Mum or Dad. Mum's told me Alonzo got tossed about just like Dad."
"Dad did not get tossed about," Jequimas huffed. "He was just as tough as Alonzo. He's told me!"
"And you believe everything you hear?" The little queen grinned. "Do you believe everything Uncle Tugger tells you, too?"
"Most certainly do! Uncle Tugs used to be quite a cat about town 'till Aunt Bomby came along." Jeniiva giggled.
"Well, I might agree with you on that," she said, nodding, "Aunt Bomby tells it different though." She yawned. "Lay back down, Tiger. You'll be too tired to take on anyone at the ball if you stay up all night!"
Jequimas frowned, but obeyed his sister. "I guess you're right. Even though I'm not... not sl..." A huge yawn cut him off. "G'night, Niiva."
Jeniiva chuckled. "Goodnight."
The kittens were asleep in no time.
---
The next day, Jequimas was full of energy. "Ball's tonight, Mum!" he cried, bouncing all around her. Demeter smiled.
"It certainly is," she agreed. She stroked his head. "Now run along. I've told your Aunt Bom that I'll help her decorate for tonight." She gently maneuvered her son out of their family's house and headed toward the junkyard. "Go find someone to play with, Tiger," she called over her shoulder, "I don't want you wandering about by yourself!"
"Right, right," the kitten said, wandering off to find a playmate.
---
Most of the kittens had suffered the same fate as Jequimas, and been herded away by their mothers for the sake of their own sanity. Jequimas found them in Hyde Park, engaging in a variety of activities. Most of the toms were wrestling, showing off for the queens, and most of the queens were pretending to be uninterested while watching quite avidly.
Only Orpheus sat alone in the shade of a tree, observing as he always did. Feeling sorry for him, Jequimas sauntered over and sat next to the mute kitten. "Hallo," he greeted him. Wide-eyed, Orpheus turned his face away from the older tom.
Jequimas was a bit taken aback. "Hey, what's wrong?" he said, laying a hand on the tom's shoulder. Orpheus turned to him, his eyes still round as saucers. He shook his head, indicating "Nothing," but he still looked as though Jequimas might attack him at any moment.
"Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you," Jequimas said, dropping his hand. Orpheus' eyes narrowed uncertainly. "No, really," Jequimas continued, smiling. "There's nothing to be afraid of. I know I don't talk to you a lot, but you know..." he shrugged. "You looked kinda lonely over here. Where's your friend?"
Orpheus looked confused for a moment, then seemed to understand. "My brother, yeah," Jequimas said, grinning again. "Where is he?" Orpheus didn't reply, but shook his head and motioned in the direction of the junkyard. "Helping Mum?" Orpheus nodded. Jequimas huffed. "Sure, she runs me off, but sure, let Phil help with the ball." Orpheus raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," Jequimas said, making himself comfortable. "So, why don't you wrestle?" he asked, jerking his thumb toward Rubeus and Apostrophe, who were quite pleased with the show they were putting on for Forrestia and Lylisan. Orpheus dropped his eyes and shrugged, shaking his head.
"Don't want to?"
Another shake of the head.
"Don't like them?"
More enthused shaking.
"... Don't know how?"
The kitten was still, and continued to stare at the ground. Jequimas smiled and chuckled. Orpheus' head flew up, his face defiant and hurt. "No, no!" Jequimas was quick to defend himself, "No, I'm not... really laughing at you, it's just... well, I don't know, I just kinda thought everyone knew how to wrestle." Orpheus pouted.
Suddenly Jequimas had an idea. "Want me to teach you?" Orpheus' eyes widened again, and for the first time since Jequimas first spoke to him, he dared to crack a small grin. He nodded enthusiastically.
Jequimas stood and helped him up. "Let's get out of here," Jequimas suggested. Hoping to boost Orpheus' confidence, he added, "I wouldn't want to get beat too badly in front of the boys." Orpheus gave a full-blown smile and the toms left the others.
---
"All right," Jequimas said. He and Orpheus had receded to a far corner of the park for Orpheus' lessons. "You've watched the boys enough to sort of know what to do, right?" Orpheus hesitated, then nodded. "Right then. Run at me!"
Orpheus stared. "Come on," Jequimas encouraged, taking a stance. "Just take a run at me!" Orpheus sighed, prepped, and took a running leap at the larger tom. As soon as he reached him, Jequimas grabbed him and, as gently as possible, flipped him onto his back. A barely audible groan of pain escaped Orpheus. Jequimas pulled him up.
"You've got to be quicker than that," he admonished, brushing off his pupil. "You've got to hit me when I'm not expecting it. Now let's try that ag-" His words were cut short by Orpheus taking a swing at him and landing the punch right on his jaw. The tabby was knocked flat.
Orpheus' proud smile quickly faded as Jequimas shook his head and glared up at him, a growl growing steadily in his throat. "Well, Orpheus," he said as he slowly got to his feet, "You're about to have your first lesson in self defense." With that, the tempermental tom crouched low and sprang.
---
Decorations were going swimmingly in the junkyard when the screech of an injured kitten was heard. The adults barely had time to turn around before a black and white blur came streaking into the junkyard, making terrible gutteral noises.
Cassandra found herself with an armful of a wailing Orpheus, who was nursing a gash in his shoulder. "Orpheus!" Cassandra gasped, cradling her kitten. "What happened to you!?"
At that moment, a fiery-eyed Jequimas stepped into the junkyard. "He STARTED it!" he spat, his eyes fixed on the younger tom. "We were just playing around and he had to go and club me! He hit me hard, too!"
"Well it looks like you hit him a lot harder!" Cassandra fired back, glaring at him. "No matter what he did, that was uncalled for!"
"Jequimas," Demeter said, quietly enough to let the young tom know he was really in trouble, "Come here."
But the tabby kitten stood fixed to the spot, staring defiantly at his mother. "Oh, sure," he said bitterly, "blame me! You always blame me, you blame me for everything! Blame me because I'm not perfect, like Grimterra or Jeniiva! Just go ahead, Mum, blame me!"
Demeter froze. Something in his words, in the entire situation, brought a memory raging back into her mind - a memory from years ago, on the day of the Jellicle Ball...
---
Kasparan came limping into the junkyard. "Mum, Mum!" he called, searching for Amanthia, his mother. His leg was torn open.
"Kas!" Amanthia gasped, running to her son. "Heaviside, what happened!?"
"It was Mac, Mum," the young tom groaned, letting himself be cradled. "We -"
"We were just playing," came the gravely voice of a tom who's voice was changing. All eyes turned to Macavity, who stood leaning against a pile of trash. His arms were crossed against his chest, his eyes fixed on Kasparan. "Just messing around. Then he comes at me serious. I had to defend myself." The older tom's ice blue eyes held no compassion for the injured kitten.
Deuteronomy shook his head. "I find that very hard to believe, son," he said, his tone gruff and disappointed, "Kasparan's just a kitten -"
"So am I, Dad!" Macavity interrupted, dropping his arms. He glared at his father. "But no! It's so hard to believe that for once I was the victim, isn't it?"
The newest addition to the tribe, a frightened Demeter, stood in the shadows, watching.
"It's so hard to believe that someone might have attacked Macavity!" The fiery red tom was livid. "Go ahead, Dad, that's fine. I know I'm not smart like Munkustrap or popular like Tugger. That's fine. I'm the problem child, aren't I? So you have every right to blame me ALL the time. Go ahead, Dad.
Blame me."
---
Demeter shook her head, trying to banish the memory. But try as she might, she could only see Macavity's icy stare in the eyes of her own son now. "No," she whispered, "No, not again."
Jequimas' glare turned to a gaze of concern. "Mum?" he said timidly, "Mum, are you all right?"
"Demi?" Cassandra said as she stroked a quieting Orpheus' head.
"It's... it's nothing," Demeter said, shaking her head again. She hardened her eyes against Jequimas. "You, young sir," she said, her voice only quivering slightly, "You are in very big trouble. I don't know what went on, but I do know that Orpheus is hurt, badly. I hate to have to do this, but..." she sighed, "The only punishment I can think of is... well, you can't come tonight, Jequimas. You'll not be coming to the Ball."
Jequimas' eyes widened, filling with tears. "Mum... Mum! You can't do that!"
"I can. And I will. I'm sorry, Jequimas, trust me, but... you've just got to learn to control your temper. You may think you had a perfectly good reason to hurt Orpheus -" Orpheus wimpered and Cassandra shushed him, "But honestly, your temper can get out of control. This is the only way I can think of to get through to you."
Jequimas blinked, tears rolling down his cheeks. He turned swiftly and glared daggers at Orpheus, who was quietly sniffling against Cassandra. Their eyes locked for a split second, then Jequimas turned and ran from the junkyard toward home.
---
Macavity's eyes burned holes through Kasparan as Deuteronomy doled out his punishment upon his son. "I don't care who started it, you injured him," the large tom said, "And you're insane if you think I'm going to allow you to go to the Ball tonight. Kasparan certainly won't be able to go, not with his leg in that condition. I think it only fair that you share the same fate as him."
Macavity growled under his breath, narrowing his eyes at Kasparan. The smaller tom shrank away from his gaze as though it physically hurt him. "Yes. Sir," Macavity answered, turning slowly and marching, sulking, out of the junkyard.
Demeter quivered in the shadows.
---
"Jequimas?"
"Go 'way."
Jeniiva crawled into the cat bed next to her brother. "What happened?"
Jequimas turned away from his sister. "They always blame me. It's stupid. Orpheus hit me and I fought back."
"Orpheus? Hit you?" Jeniiva shook her head, "That doesn't make any sense, Tiger. Orpheus would never hurt anybody."
"Well..." Jequimas paused, "I was kinda teaching him how to wrestle. You know, like the other toms do. But he hit me when I wasn't expecting it."
"That's how you always fight."
The tabby tom growled in frustration. "I know, Niiva, but it's different when you're in a fight and when you're just practicing. He hit me hard too." He rolled over and stuck out his chin. "Feel, there's a lump."
Jeniiva shook her head lovingly and stroked his chin. "That's quite a lump, Tiger. What'd you do to him?"
Jequimas dropped his eyes sheepishly. "I took a swipe at his shoulder. He ran off." He sniffed, half in pride and half in tears. "It just made me mad."
"I know it must have," his sister said, her voice full of concern, "But you've always had quite a temper. You've just -"
"Got to learn to control it," Jequimas finished. "You sound like Mum." His voice betrayed more hurt than he would admit. "Don't tell me you're taking her side."
"I'm not taking sides, Jequimas. But this time she's right. You wouldn't get into trouble like this if you'd learn to control that temper." There was silence for a moment. "So what kind of trouble did you get into?"
Jequimas turned away from her again. He was quiet for a minute, then, "Can't go to the Ball."
"What?" Jeniiva exploded, "Can't go to the Ball!? That's ridiculous! It was just his shoulder, it's not as though you took off a leg!"
Jequimas looked over his shoulder and grinned at her. "Now you're talking."
Jeniiva was up and pacing. "That's just plain stupid. This is your first Ball!"
"Not anymore."
"There must be some way we can change her mind."
"You try it."
The silver queen stopped and sighed. "You're right. Besides, by now she'll have told Dad and you're in for a tongue-lashing anyway."
Jequimas had very much the look of a doomed prisoner. "I know."
Jeniiva looked at him, her eyes softening. "Jequimas..." she sighed, "You know that-"
"You'd stay with me if you could," Jequimas finished. "Yes, I know. But I also know how much you want to go to this Ball." Jeniiva nodded. "I don't mind. Really, I don't. You go. You dance with Rubeus." The queen's eyes widened. "What, you thought I didn't know that, too? I'm your twin, Niiva, you can't hide much from me!"
Jeniiva blushed and her brother laughed. "Really though," he said, ruffling her hair, "You go and have a good time. I'll get over this whole thing. Besides, it's not as though I'm the only one staying home. The younger kits won't be able to go either."
Jeniiva nodded and gave him a hug. "Good luck with Dad," she whispered before whisking out of the room.
---
It was later that night, and Munkustrap and Demeter sat together at the Ball, watching the coming-of-age kittens dance. Their evening would have been much more enjoyable had both of them not been thinking of the sobbing son they had left at home.
"It was the only thing to do, Demi," the silver tom consoled his mate, "Really it was. The boy had to learn a lesson. He can't go letting his temper get the best of him like that. You were right in punishing him."
"I know, Munk, I know..." Demeter replied, staring at the stars, "But... I got to thinking about it later on, and it's exactly what your father did to... well, you remember."
The Jellicle protector nodded gravely. "I remember. But Demi, you've got to remember that Jequimas is not Macavity. He can be stubborn, tempermental, a troublemaker... but he's not cruel, Demi, he's not evil." He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "He's not evil."
---
Life was good in the Jellicle Junkyard - the approaching ball would be the first for the year old kittens - the twins, Lylisan, Forrestia, and Rubeus. Jemima would enter adulthood ("Finally," Victoria joked lovingly) and would officially be mated with Victor. Old Deuteronomy would, in a year or so, ascend to the Heaviside Layer, leaving Munkustrap with the responsibility of Jellicle leader ("I feel so old," the tabby remarked). Bombalurina was pregnant with her second litter of kittens, much to Forrestia's annoyance. "Does that mean I'll have to share with them?" she asked her parents huffily.
Yes, life was good.
With all this excitement, the tribe hardly had time to think that there was any danger lurking in the shadows. But there is always a dark cloud in the sky somewhere.
---
"This is gonna be awesome," Jequimas informed his twin. The two kittens were curled up in their room, unable to sleep. The ball was only a day away.
"I'm so excited," Jeniiva agreed breathlessly. "What do you think it'll be like?"
"Lots of dancing, I'd imagine," the tomkit grinned, "It is a ball, after all..."
Jeniiva stuck her tongue out at him. "I know that, Jequimas. But... I mean, what happens?" She smiled and shivered with kittenish delight. "Remember Mum telling us about the year that Macavity crashed the ball? How scary!"
"Wish I'd've been there," her brother sniffed proudly. "I'd've taken him on." Jeniiva laughed and gave him a shove.
"You'd've done nothing of the sort," she said, in an imitation of Demeter that was almost frightening in its accuracy. "You'd have been curled up in the corner just like me."
"Nu-uh! Alonzo's told me stories about it! That old Macavity doesn't sound scary at all!" Jequimas stood and puffed out his chest. "Alonzo told me how he took him on single handedly!"
Jeniiva rolled her eyes. "You notice he never tells that story around Mum or Dad. Mum's told me Alonzo got tossed about just like Dad."
"Dad did not get tossed about," Jequimas huffed. "He was just as tough as Alonzo. He's told me!"
"And you believe everything you hear?" The little queen grinned. "Do you believe everything Uncle Tugger tells you, too?"
"Most certainly do! Uncle Tugs used to be quite a cat about town 'till Aunt Bomby came along." Jeniiva giggled.
"Well, I might agree with you on that," she said, nodding, "Aunt Bomby tells it different though." She yawned. "Lay back down, Tiger. You'll be too tired to take on anyone at the ball if you stay up all night!"
Jequimas frowned, but obeyed his sister. "I guess you're right. Even though I'm not... not sl..." A huge yawn cut him off. "G'night, Niiva."
Jeniiva chuckled. "Goodnight."
The kittens were asleep in no time.
---
The next day, Jequimas was full of energy. "Ball's tonight, Mum!" he cried, bouncing all around her. Demeter smiled.
"It certainly is," she agreed. She stroked his head. "Now run along. I've told your Aunt Bom that I'll help her decorate for tonight." She gently maneuvered her son out of their family's house and headed toward the junkyard. "Go find someone to play with, Tiger," she called over her shoulder, "I don't want you wandering about by yourself!"
"Right, right," the kitten said, wandering off to find a playmate.
---
Most of the kittens had suffered the same fate as Jequimas, and been herded away by their mothers for the sake of their own sanity. Jequimas found them in Hyde Park, engaging in a variety of activities. Most of the toms were wrestling, showing off for the queens, and most of the queens were pretending to be uninterested while watching quite avidly.
Only Orpheus sat alone in the shade of a tree, observing as he always did. Feeling sorry for him, Jequimas sauntered over and sat next to the mute kitten. "Hallo," he greeted him. Wide-eyed, Orpheus turned his face away from the older tom.
Jequimas was a bit taken aback. "Hey, what's wrong?" he said, laying a hand on the tom's shoulder. Orpheus turned to him, his eyes still round as saucers. He shook his head, indicating "Nothing," but he still looked as though Jequimas might attack him at any moment.
"Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you," Jequimas said, dropping his hand. Orpheus' eyes narrowed uncertainly. "No, really," Jequimas continued, smiling. "There's nothing to be afraid of. I know I don't talk to you a lot, but you know..." he shrugged. "You looked kinda lonely over here. Where's your friend?"
Orpheus looked confused for a moment, then seemed to understand. "My brother, yeah," Jequimas said, grinning again. "Where is he?" Orpheus didn't reply, but shook his head and motioned in the direction of the junkyard. "Helping Mum?" Orpheus nodded. Jequimas huffed. "Sure, she runs me off, but sure, let Phil help with the ball." Orpheus raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," Jequimas said, making himself comfortable. "So, why don't you wrestle?" he asked, jerking his thumb toward Rubeus and Apostrophe, who were quite pleased with the show they were putting on for Forrestia and Lylisan. Orpheus dropped his eyes and shrugged, shaking his head.
"Don't want to?"
Another shake of the head.
"Don't like them?"
More enthused shaking.
"... Don't know how?"
The kitten was still, and continued to stare at the ground. Jequimas smiled and chuckled. Orpheus' head flew up, his face defiant and hurt. "No, no!" Jequimas was quick to defend himself, "No, I'm not... really laughing at you, it's just... well, I don't know, I just kinda thought everyone knew how to wrestle." Orpheus pouted.
Suddenly Jequimas had an idea. "Want me to teach you?" Orpheus' eyes widened again, and for the first time since Jequimas first spoke to him, he dared to crack a small grin. He nodded enthusiastically.
Jequimas stood and helped him up. "Let's get out of here," Jequimas suggested. Hoping to boost Orpheus' confidence, he added, "I wouldn't want to get beat too badly in front of the boys." Orpheus gave a full-blown smile and the toms left the others.
---
"All right," Jequimas said. He and Orpheus had receded to a far corner of the park for Orpheus' lessons. "You've watched the boys enough to sort of know what to do, right?" Orpheus hesitated, then nodded. "Right then. Run at me!"
Orpheus stared. "Come on," Jequimas encouraged, taking a stance. "Just take a run at me!" Orpheus sighed, prepped, and took a running leap at the larger tom. As soon as he reached him, Jequimas grabbed him and, as gently as possible, flipped him onto his back. A barely audible groan of pain escaped Orpheus. Jequimas pulled him up.
"You've got to be quicker than that," he admonished, brushing off his pupil. "You've got to hit me when I'm not expecting it. Now let's try that ag-" His words were cut short by Orpheus taking a swing at him and landing the punch right on his jaw. The tabby was knocked flat.
Orpheus' proud smile quickly faded as Jequimas shook his head and glared up at him, a growl growing steadily in his throat. "Well, Orpheus," he said as he slowly got to his feet, "You're about to have your first lesson in self defense." With that, the tempermental tom crouched low and sprang.
---
Decorations were going swimmingly in the junkyard when the screech of an injured kitten was heard. The adults barely had time to turn around before a black and white blur came streaking into the junkyard, making terrible gutteral noises.
Cassandra found herself with an armful of a wailing Orpheus, who was nursing a gash in his shoulder. "Orpheus!" Cassandra gasped, cradling her kitten. "What happened to you!?"
At that moment, a fiery-eyed Jequimas stepped into the junkyard. "He STARTED it!" he spat, his eyes fixed on the younger tom. "We were just playing around and he had to go and club me! He hit me hard, too!"
"Well it looks like you hit him a lot harder!" Cassandra fired back, glaring at him. "No matter what he did, that was uncalled for!"
"Jequimas," Demeter said, quietly enough to let the young tom know he was really in trouble, "Come here."
But the tabby kitten stood fixed to the spot, staring defiantly at his mother. "Oh, sure," he said bitterly, "blame me! You always blame me, you blame me for everything! Blame me because I'm not perfect, like Grimterra or Jeniiva! Just go ahead, Mum, blame me!"
Demeter froze. Something in his words, in the entire situation, brought a memory raging back into her mind - a memory from years ago, on the day of the Jellicle Ball...
---
Kasparan came limping into the junkyard. "Mum, Mum!" he called, searching for Amanthia, his mother. His leg was torn open.
"Kas!" Amanthia gasped, running to her son. "Heaviside, what happened!?"
"It was Mac, Mum," the young tom groaned, letting himself be cradled. "We -"
"We were just playing," came the gravely voice of a tom who's voice was changing. All eyes turned to Macavity, who stood leaning against a pile of trash. His arms were crossed against his chest, his eyes fixed on Kasparan. "Just messing around. Then he comes at me serious. I had to defend myself." The older tom's ice blue eyes held no compassion for the injured kitten.
Deuteronomy shook his head. "I find that very hard to believe, son," he said, his tone gruff and disappointed, "Kasparan's just a kitten -"
"So am I, Dad!" Macavity interrupted, dropping his arms. He glared at his father. "But no! It's so hard to believe that for once I was the victim, isn't it?"
The newest addition to the tribe, a frightened Demeter, stood in the shadows, watching.
"It's so hard to believe that someone might have attacked Macavity!" The fiery red tom was livid. "Go ahead, Dad, that's fine. I know I'm not smart like Munkustrap or popular like Tugger. That's fine. I'm the problem child, aren't I? So you have every right to blame me ALL the time. Go ahead, Dad.
Blame me."
---
Demeter shook her head, trying to banish the memory. But try as she might, she could only see Macavity's icy stare in the eyes of her own son now. "No," she whispered, "No, not again."
Jequimas' glare turned to a gaze of concern. "Mum?" he said timidly, "Mum, are you all right?"
"Demi?" Cassandra said as she stroked a quieting Orpheus' head.
"It's... it's nothing," Demeter said, shaking her head again. She hardened her eyes against Jequimas. "You, young sir," she said, her voice only quivering slightly, "You are in very big trouble. I don't know what went on, but I do know that Orpheus is hurt, badly. I hate to have to do this, but..." she sighed, "The only punishment I can think of is... well, you can't come tonight, Jequimas. You'll not be coming to the Ball."
Jequimas' eyes widened, filling with tears. "Mum... Mum! You can't do that!"
"I can. And I will. I'm sorry, Jequimas, trust me, but... you've just got to learn to control your temper. You may think you had a perfectly good reason to hurt Orpheus -" Orpheus wimpered and Cassandra shushed him, "But honestly, your temper can get out of control. This is the only way I can think of to get through to you."
Jequimas blinked, tears rolling down his cheeks. He turned swiftly and glared daggers at Orpheus, who was quietly sniffling against Cassandra. Their eyes locked for a split second, then Jequimas turned and ran from the junkyard toward home.
---
Macavity's eyes burned holes through Kasparan as Deuteronomy doled out his punishment upon his son. "I don't care who started it, you injured him," the large tom said, "And you're insane if you think I'm going to allow you to go to the Ball tonight. Kasparan certainly won't be able to go, not with his leg in that condition. I think it only fair that you share the same fate as him."
Macavity growled under his breath, narrowing his eyes at Kasparan. The smaller tom shrank away from his gaze as though it physically hurt him. "Yes. Sir," Macavity answered, turning slowly and marching, sulking, out of the junkyard.
Demeter quivered in the shadows.
---
"Jequimas?"
"Go 'way."
Jeniiva crawled into the cat bed next to her brother. "What happened?"
Jequimas turned away from his sister. "They always blame me. It's stupid. Orpheus hit me and I fought back."
"Orpheus? Hit you?" Jeniiva shook her head, "That doesn't make any sense, Tiger. Orpheus would never hurt anybody."
"Well..." Jequimas paused, "I was kinda teaching him how to wrestle. You know, like the other toms do. But he hit me when I wasn't expecting it."
"That's how you always fight."
The tabby tom growled in frustration. "I know, Niiva, but it's different when you're in a fight and when you're just practicing. He hit me hard too." He rolled over and stuck out his chin. "Feel, there's a lump."
Jeniiva shook her head lovingly and stroked his chin. "That's quite a lump, Tiger. What'd you do to him?"
Jequimas dropped his eyes sheepishly. "I took a swipe at his shoulder. He ran off." He sniffed, half in pride and half in tears. "It just made me mad."
"I know it must have," his sister said, her voice full of concern, "But you've always had quite a temper. You've just -"
"Got to learn to control it," Jequimas finished. "You sound like Mum." His voice betrayed more hurt than he would admit. "Don't tell me you're taking her side."
"I'm not taking sides, Jequimas. But this time she's right. You wouldn't get into trouble like this if you'd learn to control that temper." There was silence for a moment. "So what kind of trouble did you get into?"
Jequimas turned away from her again. He was quiet for a minute, then, "Can't go to the Ball."
"What?" Jeniiva exploded, "Can't go to the Ball!? That's ridiculous! It was just his shoulder, it's not as though you took off a leg!"
Jequimas looked over his shoulder and grinned at her. "Now you're talking."
Jeniiva was up and pacing. "That's just plain stupid. This is your first Ball!"
"Not anymore."
"There must be some way we can change her mind."
"You try it."
The silver queen stopped and sighed. "You're right. Besides, by now she'll have told Dad and you're in for a tongue-lashing anyway."
Jequimas had very much the look of a doomed prisoner. "I know."
Jeniiva looked at him, her eyes softening. "Jequimas..." she sighed, "You know that-"
"You'd stay with me if you could," Jequimas finished. "Yes, I know. But I also know how much you want to go to this Ball." Jeniiva nodded. "I don't mind. Really, I don't. You go. You dance with Rubeus." The queen's eyes widened. "What, you thought I didn't know that, too? I'm your twin, Niiva, you can't hide much from me!"
Jeniiva blushed and her brother laughed. "Really though," he said, ruffling her hair, "You go and have a good time. I'll get over this whole thing. Besides, it's not as though I'm the only one staying home. The younger kits won't be able to go either."
Jeniiva nodded and gave him a hug. "Good luck with Dad," she whispered before whisking out of the room.
---
It was later that night, and Munkustrap and Demeter sat together at the Ball, watching the coming-of-age kittens dance. Their evening would have been much more enjoyable had both of them not been thinking of the sobbing son they had left at home.
"It was the only thing to do, Demi," the silver tom consoled his mate, "Really it was. The boy had to learn a lesson. He can't go letting his temper get the best of him like that. You were right in punishing him."
"I know, Munk, I know..." Demeter replied, staring at the stars, "But... I got to thinking about it later on, and it's exactly what your father did to... well, you remember."
The Jellicle protector nodded gravely. "I remember. But Demi, you've got to remember that Jequimas is not Macavity. He can be stubborn, tempermental, a troublemaker... but he's not cruel, Demi, he's not evil." He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "He's not evil."
---