Disclaimer: I don't own Cats, or any of the characters.
Mistoffelees' stomach twinged unpleasantly as he stepped out after Tugger in to the sunlight; a couple of kits were waiting for their favourite tom, but hadn't realised that their favourite magician might be appearing too. The were already squealing at Tugger, but when they laid eyes on Mistoffelees, their hysterical meowing became even louder.
"Mistoffelees!"
"Tugger! Mistoffelees?"
"What were you doing in Tugger's den, Misto?"
Only the kits called him 'Misto'. The last question came from Jemima, one of the quieter kits, who was known for being as sweet as her best friend, Victoria, even though Victoria had become a Queen almost a year earlier. Mistoffelees gave Tugger an exasperated look, before turning to Jemima with a softer expression, "I needed a warm den to sleep in, since it's getting colder now, Jemima," The kit nodded, satisfied, not asking what Mistoffelees knew the older cats were bound to ask; about the humiliating lack of his own den. Tugger grinned at Mistoffelees, laughing at his discomfort, before nodding his head towards the main clearing of the Junkyard.
Mistoffelees followed hesitantly, unsure about how he felt with the new friendship he seemed to have kindled with Tugger, although it wasn't as if they had been hostile before, he supposed. Mistoffelees tended to keep himself to himself, not because he disliked the rest of the cats, but simply because he was naturally quiet, and found it easier to practise his magic in private most of his time, rather than to stand awkwardly around cats he barely knew, listening to their conversation, hoping to join in. Everyone was used to his solitary way of living, and they would greet him when they saw him, but they all respected his boundaries. Tugger was a particularly loud cat, so Mistoffelees wasn't all that sure that sleeping in his den was a good idea, on top of the fact that it looked a little odd anyway. Taking a deep breath, he had to remind himself to calm down; he'd always been a bit of a worrier. Tugger wasn't, not by a long shot. Tugger was warm and social and animated, whereas Mistoffelees was quiet and introverted and lonely, even if he wouldn't quite admit it to himself.
Still focused on his breathing, Mistoffelees hadn't quite registered where Tugger was leading him, until they neared a group of cats close to the edge of the clearing. Munkustrap was talking to the group at large; Jellylorum, Demeter and Bombalarina being the only queens in the mix. Tugger easily fitted into the conversation, which seemed to be about increasing safety measures around the Junkyard, especially for the kits. Tugger made some comment about how Jemima was almost a Queen, and so was very capable of taking care of herself, and everyone made room for him, although there were a couple of disgruntled looks. Mistoffelees was a little taken aback at the ease with which Tugger had been accepted, wondering if he himself could pull that off, when Tugger happened to glance back at him, standing a few feet away. His brow creased, and he nodded his head, trying to get the black and white tom to join the conversation. Mistoffelees moved closer a little reluctantly, standing on the edge of the group. Tugger rolled his eyes obviously, and turned, nudging him further in to the group. Demeter had noticed Tugger's movement, and watched the interaction, confused.
"Hello, Mistoffelees," She aimed for a friendly, if a little quiet, greeting, trying not to make him feel uncomfortable. Mistoffelees looked up quickly, smiled a little and greeted her back, "Hello, Demeter," He didn't say anything else, for Munkustrap was still speaking, but it seemed Mistoffelees' luck wasn't with him, for Munkustrap had heard Demeter, and smiled a wide smile.
"Well, Mistoffelees! I haven't seen you in a while,"
Demeter resisted the urge to give a sigh at his lack of tact, although he hadn't been too awful, he had drawn attention to both, the young tom's absence from the main clearings of the Junkyard, but also the fact that Mistoffelees had actually joined the group. He shuffled uncomfortably, and opened his mouth to speak, when Tugger stepped in quite dramatically, "He's sleeping in my den, Munk," as if that answered more questions than it raised, and the poor black and white tom was stuck looking absolutely appalled as the group stared at Tugger and him. Demeter breathed in deeply, "Why is that, Tugger?"
"He was sleeping in a horrible box with rotten holes in, shivering half to death from the cold. I wasn't about to leave him there!" Tugger's chest puffed out a little, albeit unconsciously, but Demeter glanced at Mistoffelees, sympathy building in her chest for the small tom. He looked utterly trapped.
"Well," Demeter attempted, "That's kind of you Tugger. What were you saying, Munk? About the safety precautions?" She hoped she hadn't made the question too pointed, but Munk caught her drift and began reiterating what he'd been saying before Mistoffelees had even gotten there. She stole another glance at him, and smiled what she hoped was a warm smile when she realised he was looking at her; he gave a little nod, as if to say thank you. She nodded back, and glanced up at the Rum Tum Tugger. It had pained her a little to call him kind, but if the story was true, he had indeed shown what little compassion he contained in his tiny heart. He was gazing at Mistoffelees, and Demeter guessed he was trying to read the expression on the younger tom's face. Mistoffelees was looking pensive, with his brow drawn together, biting his lip. She smiled again at the bafflement on Tugger's face; he had never been one for empathy. If Mistoffelees was going to be staying with Tugger for a little while, Everlasting Cat help his soul, she was going to have to have a few conversations with the Rum Tum Tugger about treading carefully.