A/N: Thanks for reviewing, guys! More Skimble and Jenny next chapter (maybe.) I own nothing but Seelniu.
Being called to Macavity's office was never a good thing. He wasn't exactly the type to call cats in for a pleasant conversation, and was forever calling workers in to either scream, punish, or instruct. Today was no different.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer crashed through his door minutes after he'd summoned them, surprisingly on time for once. However, the fact they'd make so much noise when they barged in irritated him- no matter how skilled some of his workers were, they were immature.
Sighing heavily, the Mystery Cat reclined in his chair, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the calico twins. They had been innocent little cat burglars, but he'd taken them in. He'd improved their skills, and they were two of the best workers he'd ever had.
The red tom nodded slightly, gesturing with his paw for them to sit down in the chairs opposite him. They sat, slightly wary expressions on their faces as Macavity continued to stare them down. Mungojerrie had so much potential. Strong, muscled, losing the soft spot for the Jellicles. His siter, however..
Macavity's brow furrowed as his eyes roamed over the female half of the duo. Despite the fact she'd been working for him for over a year, he could still see that she still possessed the soft, innocent heart she'd had when she was a kitten. That, and he knew she was still wanting to go back to the Jellicle Junkyard. Rumpleteazer squirmed slightly, looking at anything but her boss. His scrutinizing glare made everybody trapped in it feel like deer in carlights. It exposed all of a cat's insecurities, and he seemed to know exactly what was going on inside their heads.
"Now.. Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer," Macavity began, a blank expression on his face.
"I know that all my henchcats are aware of my intentions to destroy a sacred Jellicle tradition. That, I can confirm. I fully intend to make my presence known at the Ball," The Mystery Cat smirked, taking note of the calico twins' reactions. Mungojerrie simply looked slightly less fearful than he had done when he entered the office, but Rumpleteazer's ears perked up. Chuckling malevolently, the Napoleon continued to talk.
"I do not wish for my entire organization to accompany me to this event. Mungojerrie, I believe that you would do well by my side. I'd like you to be there as we take down the Jellicles. Rumpleteazer.. You will not be attending. I shall be leaving you here with a higher ranking henchcat," He chuckled, pushing his chair back and beginning to pace around the two cats.
Mungojerrie simply looked stunned- no matter how much anger he felt towards the Jellicles- and his parents- he didn't particularly want to attack them alongside his boss. Still, the reasonable part of him won out over the compassion, and he nodded in confirmation. As much as he didn't want to do this, it was the safer option. What did it matter if he joined a raid? They didn't want the calico twins back anyway. Sighing slightly, almost inaudibly, he glanced sideways to Rumpleteazer' feeling a slight pang as he watched her facial expressions. The pain she was obviously feeling inside her heart was etched onto her face. Her eyes sad and downcast, and ears drooping. He knew she wanted to go back- part of him did, but Rumpleteazer was struggling a lot more.
His muscles tensed as the red cat crouched down next to his sister, scrutinizing her before reaching and taking her chin in his hand. The calico tom had to clench his jaw to prevent himself from growling, but instead resorted for placing a hand on his sister's arm.
Macavity ignored him, lifting her chin up so she had to stare into his cold, yellow eyes.
"What do you say, Rumpleteazer? Are you going to stay here, or am I going to have to lock you in a cell?" He asked, his tone smooth but a warning tone underneath.
The calico queen shuddered slightly, before giving a quick nod. She wanted to get away from Macavity's scrutinizing glare, and she knew he knew it. That was obvious by his chuckle, and the extra second he stared her down. After what seemed like an eternity, he let her go, slowly standing up.
"Mungojerrie, we will be leaving tomorrow. I require you to train until then. Rumpleteazer, stay," He ordered.
'Jerrie swallowed a lump in his throat as he saluted his boss, glancing from him to his sister. She looked a mixture of terrified and sad, but not once did she meet her brother's eyes.
"Jerrie, go,"
The calico tom quickly did as he was told, dejectedly shuffling after several other toms he recognized. He'd get to see their parents again. And their tribe. But oh, how they'd despise him after this.. Oh, how guilty he felt for leaving 'Teazer behind. The calico tom felt as though he was made of completely contrasting emotions.
'Teazer, however, was feeling one. Fear. Her head continued to droop as Macavity sat across from her, clearly relishing in her discomfort. Much to her surprise, however, he ended the agonizing silence only minutes after Mungojerrie left. What he had to say didn't necessarily make her feel better, though.
"Look, Rumpleteazer. Why haven't you grasped on to this by now? Your parents despise you. They sent you away. I don't care how much you miss them, I will not allow you to waste valuable time trying to visit people who loathe you," Macavity sneered, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Yes, I sent Mungojerrie. But your brother recognizes that your tribe do not want you. He will not hesitate to stay by my side. Until you realize that your family don't want you, you'll be remaining here. No 'Jellicle Balls', no sneaky nighttime visits. I have surveillance, Rumpleteazer. And you will not be leaving Seelniu's side until I believe you are no longer the ridiculous, pathetic queen those stupid Jellicles created! Now get out. Find Seelniu. Do NOT go to your brother and hatch some plan. Do NOT lave the Hideout. Dismissed!" Macavity's voice rose higher and higher as he lectured her, his last few words an angry shout.
The calico queen did just that, almost forgetting to salute her boss as she ran out of the office, twisting her way in and out of corridors once she was free. Once deciding she was safe, the queen slid down the wall, her hands on her knees.
Was her boss right? Did her family hate her? No. They couldn't, could they? Perhaps they did..
Sighing, 'Teazer brushed off the harsh words from her boss, idly stroking a strand of her headfur. She wasn't a stranger to yelling, and that left one topic for her to focus on.
Seelniu. By the sounds of it, Macavity was ordering him to be a sort of guard. A warden. A prison officer, without the metal bars. Nono, the cage was the Hideout. And she was the prisoner.
Grumbling bitterly, the calico whacked her head against the wall as she dwelt over the thought of Seelniu. One of Macavity's best. A dark, burly tom, with muscle that rippled threateningly everytime he moved. He had never really said much, but naturally, he'd ordered her around in training. High rank, and all that. From the stories she'd heard, he wasn't one to be crossed when he was mad. He'd killed his own family, so they said.
"A murdurah, abou' as skilled as ya can ge'.. Oim nevah gettin' back ta Ma and Da," 'Teazer muttered, arms folded as she stared at the ground.
"Well, thankyou for the lovely compliment. Perhaps you may find that you can lose the temptation to find your parents. Everything gets weaker in time, no?" A thickly accented voice spoke from above her, momentarily catching her off guard.
Her dark chocolate eyes flickered up to this tom- just as she'd expected. Seelniu. Well- why hadn't she seen him up close before? A well chiseled face, raven black fur, and those muscles were to die for.. No, 'Teazer.
"'Eyup. Oim sorreh if ya moide a woisted journeh, bu' Oi beloive Mac was mistoiken in believin' tha' Oi am jus' willin' ta go wiv ya. No chawnce. Oi'll be Seel-inyu," She smirked, clearly proud of her joke as she stood up to walk away. A few paces in and she halted. A strong black arm clamped around her waist, another around her shoulders.
"Come on. Do you really want to make this worse?" Seelniu growled lowly, before relaxing his grip. "You know it is better to endure these, er.. Phrases of Macavity's?"
"Sentawnces," Rumpleteazer scowled, sighing as her shoulder sagged in defeat. "I'm roilleh gunna 'ave ta teach ya bettah Engloish."
"Zip it, Rrrumpleteazer," He scoffed, his accent rolling the 'R' in her name as he led her down the hall.
Zip it. She had to. Keep quiet, and they'd forget. They'd forget that she wanted her family back. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer would see them again. That was a promise that she repeated silently to herself over the next few hours, staring out at the stars. Little did she know, her parents were thinking along exactly the same lines. Jenny and Skimbleshanks were nestled in a box together, staring at the constellations as their two children played on their minds. Perhaps Macavity would bring them to the ball. They could only hope.
"G'noight Mum.. Dad.. 'Jerrie.." 'Teazer sighed quietly, her words practically a whisper as she quietly closed the barrack window.
"The time for sleeping has arrived."
"As has tha toime for shuttin' tha' 'ell up."
A/N: WHEW! I LOVED writing that chapter! Little challenge for you all- where do you think Seelniu is from? What's your opinion of him so far? Please review!