Part One: Out Of The Shadows
Before the Jellicle Ball
Chapter Three: Angel
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance for a break
that would make it okay there's always
one reason to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day...
For a long time Jellylorum could only stare at Jemima as she looked through an old book, it was a Theatre book a play that her Father, Gus the Theatre Cat had once been in. The kitten's Mother had returned, and she had another, a son. But that son reminded her to much of both kittens' Father now, and young Plato was now under the care of his Aunt Bombalurina, which Jelly wasn't to keen on. That scarlet cat was not always the best influence, nor was the company she kept. Old Deuteronomy's son or not, Rum Tum Tugger was less of a good influence than Bomba was.
The elder cat licked her lips with a sigh, her eyes heavy with tears already and she hadn't even told the kit anything... and just how would Jemima react? Would she hate the knowledge of this? Who she hate Jelly for not telling her? It had to be done, the kitten had a right to know the truth and the marmalade cat knew this," Jemima...Jemi honey, can you come here, you and I need to have a little talk." It was now or never.
" Sure Mom." Jemima smiled, her eyes falling on the only Mother she ever knew, and at the moment that Mother was very saddened by something," Did I... do something wrong?" The black and red kitten could not think of anything at the moment, but like all kittens she had a knack for trouble.
"No. I just have something to tell you... it might come as quiet a shock." Jelly paused, her paw shaking with nerves slowly took the younger paw of her daughter... no. She was not her daughter anymore, she was rightfully Demeter's," Jemima... you can't call me Mom anymore. I-- I'm not your Mother. Someone else is..." Why was this so hard? Why had it felt like she hadn't been good enough? With these thoughts the flood gates opened and tears slowly fell.
"I know that... you told me I was adopted by you...I was...adopted right?" A lump rose steadily in the youngster's throat, she had always wanted to know who her real parents were, but now when it was staring her in the face... she wasn't sure if she wanted to know at all.
Jelly slowly shook her head," No honey. I never adopted you. I--- I was just taking care of you until your Mother, your real Mother ever came back and she did. Rumpus... you look so much like her. You're face mostly...Do you want to go see her?"
The shock stung like a slap to the face, never in her one year of life had Jemima expected it to end like this, for it to hurt so much. It felt like everything she had known was crashing down around her. In answer to Jellylorum's question all she could do was give a nod of her head.
"Okay." Jelly softly smiled, patting the younger queen's hand," Okay."
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The Old Ford was a favorite place for most. It was a place to stretch out, get some sun and think with a great view of the yard. Munkustrap was found here the most, it was his look out point, how he kept the yard safe being the Leader's oldest son. Claimed son anyhow. Munkustrap did not even want to begin wondering about the state of the tribe if Macavity had not been renounced from the tribe's ranks and disowned by their Father. Macavity's mother had been different from Munkustrap's, Rum Tum Tugger's and Alonzo's. But both mates of Old Deuteronomy had died shortly after birth. In fact for some reason most of them had, and thus the explanation of the wording of his song made sense.
But Munkustrap was not on the Old Ford to think about his family, he was there to try and figure out how he had messed up with Demeter. What had he done wrong? What had spooked her? She had seemed to stare a lot at the flowers, like she was seeing a ghost," I'm such a loser."
"Care if I join that club Bro?"
The Sentinel of the Tribe turned and shrugged," Space available Tugger. What's up?" He asked, sliding his long form over, making room for his younger brother beside him to stretch out if he liked.
" Eh... not much. Broke off with Bomba." His tone, despite not trying to sounded hurt.
" You'll be back in each other's arms by next week. Don't worry so much about it Tugger." Munkustrap tried to reassure the lion maned tom, but knew it wasn't working.
"Ha! Don't bet on it bro. I told her it was over. I mean like over over too." The mostly black cat sighed and rested his head atop the hood of the Old Ford, laying on his back.
For a moment Munkustrap did not believe it. Tugger and Bomba were about as much of a duo as the two kittens Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer or the dark twins, but after a moment of no punchline he knew it was true," Rumpus. That bites Tugger, really. What did it in this time?"
" Two things bro. We both made the mistakes this time, wasn't just my happy pants. I was hanging around Victoria to much and she asked me why I couldn't be more like you and that was the kicker."
The black and silver tabby just nodded," Funny. I always wish I was more like you." A slight chuckle escaped his lips and soon turned into full laughter.
Tugger, who had closed his eyes suddenly opened them with a curious expression. Munkustrap... laughing? What for? It wasn't that funny was it? His face fell," Figures you'd find it all funny." The cat snorted.
" Err. Sorry Tugs. I wasn't laughing at that, just how they all want you to be like me and I wish I was more like you. A bit ironic I guess." He grew silent for a moment and then spoke again once he was sure the air was cleared," So... you needed something?"
RTT shrugged, and went about grooming his mane," Nah. Just wanted to talk mostly. How's Deme? I know she's half of Bomba's problem. Heavyside knows I'd be acting the same way if it was you or Lonzie. "
Munkustrap could not answer that question, he felt it was not his place and without a word lept down from the hood of the Old Ford, leaving his brother there alone," I'm going to go check Alonzo. Make sure he's doing okay at his post." With that the large tom was gone, leaving his brother bewildered and wondering what he had done or said wrong this time.
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"Demeter? Are you awake you have some visitors." Jennyanydots was in a much better mood since yesterday, even despite the fact she hadn't spoken with Munkustrap yet about the flowers. Hearing movement in the young queen's room, the Gumbie Cat escorted both Jelly and Jemima into the golden queen's room and shut the door behind her with a sigh," Oh Everlasting Cat let this go well."
"They in there with the lass, Jenny?" Skimbleshanks was home for a few days, he had spent most of the time lounging about and reading the paper to catch up on important things in the world he had missed.
" Yes. I do hope it all works out okay. I feel the worst for Jemi, poor dear. Having that-- that son of a pollicle for a father!"
Skimble could only pat his mate on the shoulder, both their eyes locked upon the door that separated them from the other three.
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Demeter felt air catch in her throat as her eyes fell upon the pretty kitten in Jelly's company. In an instant she knew who it was, her first born. Her daughter. Macavity's daughter. She had his red coloring, as well as her mother's black. The gold queen felt very strangely, she could understand also how Jemima was feeling. She had found out who her mother was in a similar manner. Only it was a harsher reality... and her once lover and mate had told her. Grizabella the glamour cat. Who like Macavity was shunned from the tribe, but had been so longer just after Demeter's own birth in fact and it had been her own sister and the queen before her, Jellylorum who had raised the golden queen.
"Deme... you have something to tell Jemima don't you?" Jelly could do nothing to keep her tears at bay. She had raised both the cats in the room with her, with Demeter she felt as though she had somehow messed up and Jemima had been a chance to rectify the mistakes. If only she knew the truth, if only she knew that she hadn't made any mistakes at all and that Demeter had done it all on her own.
" You might want to sit down, please." Demeter spoke softly, her eyes never leaving that beautiful face of her daughter, who did as asked and settled on the floor at the feet of the queen who had raised her. For a long time silence rang, it surrounded them, but then the hazel stare met the soft amber one of Jelly's and the golden queen broke," She's so... so perfect Jelly. I thank you, I'm so proud and I will never be able to repay you for your kindness, for all you've done for me." Tears sprang from her eyes, moistening her cheeks and collecting in her fur," For all you've done for Jemima too."
Jellylorum could only nod, her tears had broken sobs from her lips and no words could leave them at current. Her eyes wavered to Jemima before her and a shaking hand softly fell into the kitten's mane and gently ran through it, in a soft and gentle manner.
" I-- don't understand... are you... you can't be can you?" Jemima had found her voice, the golden queen before her was so familiar, she had seen her often in her dreams. She remembered a stormy night, the face staring at her now full of fear as she ran, clutching a barely born version of herself and stopping at a door, asking the queen behind her to raise her daughter, to take care of her and someday she'd come back," ...Mother."
Jelly knew that it wasn't directed to her, that the kitten before her was hers no longer. Her job was done, and had been done well. With a sob, the marmalade cat gave the black and red kitten a push forward," Go to her. You both need this. I'll...I'll be outside." Before a protest could be made, Jelly was gone and collapsed crying into the arms of her sister and brother-in-law beyond the door.
Demeter did not know what to do or say, this was something new to her. Plato she had kept, only because Macavity had wanted an heir. A female would do him no good and so she had to give her Jemima away," I know this must be quite a shock to you... and I wish I could make it easier on you, but I can't. I'm so sorry for that Jemi...really I am." By now the kitten had found her way into the gold queen's arms and was crying. Demeter did her best to comfort the girl, stroking her fur, but in truth a part of her want to push the kitten away, for all she saw was red and black when she looked at her. Macavity," You...um... have a little brother. His name is Plato. He's with your... your Aunt."
At this news, anything Jemima was going to say to her mother was lost. She only gripped the golden queen tighter and then slowly let go. Why hadn't she been kept? Why had her little brother gotten the pleasures of knowing their mother when she had been born first? Why had she been forced to live a lie when he didn't have too. It was unfair. It wasn't fair at all.
End of Chapter 3...
