Emily, Thank you so much! It's actually really cool and means a lot that you would compare a chapter of my story to such a well known production. jelliclesoul635, Macavity's a tricky one... We need to keep our eyes on him. Thank you for your review! Wombaat, Thanks! I kind of like seeing Macavity portrayed this way, but this question is, can he keep it up...?
Thirteen
"You must remain calm, Munkustrap," Old Deuteronomy was saying as Tugger entered the den. Munkustrap was pacing back and forth; worry overtaking his face and mind. Alonzo was sitting down, watching his best friend walk nervously. And the old Jellicle leader was lounging in a large body pillow, his face calm and his eyes wise. When he saw Tugger, he smiled widely. "Hello son. Any news?" he asked as Tugger took a seat next to him.
"No," Tugger replied with a sigh. "She wasn't in her old den and I didn't see her on my way over here. I'm afraid she might not be in the junkyard at all."
"Then where would she be?" Munkustrap cried out. "Where could she possibly be?"
Old Deuteronomy raised a paw to silence his son. "Please, Munkustrap. In a time like this, sanity is key. We, and Demeter, all need you to be focused and relaxed." He watched Munkustrap take a deep breath to try and calm himself down. Then he continued, "If Demeter is not in the junkyard, then we need to form a search party. Alonzo, would you please make a trip to Victoria Grove and locate Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer? Their knowledge of the area outside of the junkyard might come in handy. And then, on your way back here, I want you to round up Bombalurina, Skimbleshanks, Victor, and Bill Bailey. Understood?" Alonzo nodded and ran out of the old cat's den.
Old Deuteronomy then turned to Tugger. "I know you've been running around a lot already, but I need you to do a little more."
"Of course," Tugger replied. "I'll do anything I can to help."
Munkustrap was surprised to see his brother so serious, but it touched his heart that he was dedicated to helping.
"Good," Old Deuteronomy said with a smile. "Tugger, I want you to go out and find Plato, Coricopat, Tantomile, Admetus, and Tumblebrutus. Bring them back here. Try not to let our intentions become news to the whole junkyard. We don't want to cause panic, especially amongst the kittens."
"I understand," Tugger said. He leapt up from his spot next to the old leader and sprinted out of the den.
"What can I do?" Munkustrap asked, anxious to be put to work.
"You, my son, can sit next to me and relax." When Munkustrap opened his mouth to protest, Old Deuteronomy raised his paw again to silence the silver tabby. "Munkustrap, please listen to me. You will be no help to me or to Demeter if you are panicked and jumpy. You need to relax. Take some time to breathe and clear your mind. By the time the search party arrives, you'll probably be feeling better and then we can put you to work. Do you understand?"
Munkustrap still wanted to argue with his father. He didn't want to sit around and feel helpless. He wanted to go out and search for Demeter until he dropped. But he knew that his father knew what was better for him, and so he listened. "I understand," Munkustrap said with a sigh. He sat down next to his old father and waited as patiently as he could for the members of their search party to arrive.
Tugger was the last to return. Alongside of him was Plato, Tumblebrutus, and two uninvited guests. Mistoffelees and Victoria walked shyly into the old cat's den, their ears flat against their head, tails dragging sadly on the ground, and guilty looks on their faces. Tugger looked annoyed, Tumblebrutus seemed amused, and Plato just appeared to be indifferent. The five cats stopped in front of the leader and waited for him to speak.
Old Deuteronomy seemed to assess the situation before he finally spoke up. "Well, I see that we have been joined by two unexpected, but of course, welcome guests. Would one of you two care to explain the situation here?"
Victoria flushed bright pink, intimidated by the Jellicle leader. She looked at Mistoffelees for help. Mistoffelees cleared his throat nervously before speaking.
"Well, you see, sir," he said timidly, "Victoria and I were with Plato and Tumblebrutus when Tugger approached them and said that he needed to speak with them about something important. And I guess because Victoria and I are still kittens at heart, we were curious and begged Tugger to let us in on the secret too."
Tugger rolled his eyes, but Old Deuteronomy chuckled, his broad, furry shoulder shaking with amusement. "I'm aware that you and my youngest son have a close relationship. Am I wrong?"
Mistoffelees looked up at Tugger and was shocked to see the faintest blush on his cheeks. Whether it was from being labeled as the youngest son or because his father knew that he was friends with a cat that was just ending his kitten years, Mistoffelees wasn't sure. But, for some reason, it gave him a confidence boost.
"Yes, Tugger and I are good friends and I was hoping that our friendship would give him a reason to tell me, but it didn't. He stayed silent and shooed us away. But Victoria and I really wanted to know what was going on, so we hid behind a few junk piles and listened in as he spoke to Plato and Tumblebrutus. And I know we shouldn't have done it because it was none of our business. And we really are sorry. We won't tell a soul. We swear to the Everlasting Cat."
Old Deuteronomy nodded and smiled encouragingly at the younger cats. "Well, you're involved now, and so I expect the two of you to pull your weight and be active members of this team and misson. Do you understand? No more kitten behavior."
Mistoffelees and Victoria nodded their heads vigorously.
"Wait a minute!" Tugger interjected. "These two are nothing but kittens! Are you really going to allow them to take part in such a serious matter?"
"They're not much younger than Tumblebrutus or Bill Bailey," Old Deuteronomy replied calmly. "And yet, I have not heard you complain about those two. Come to think of it, they are not much younger that you either, my son. It's just a few years younger." Tugger scoffed and opened his mouth to argue, but Old Deuteronomy continued speaking. "They can both be very valuable to our task. Please trust my judgment her, Tugger."
Tugger's blush deepened. "I… I would never doubt your judgment…" he stammered.
Mistoffelees knew that Tugger had the upmost respect for Old Deuteronomy and the fact that anyone would question that flustered the Maine Coon. Mistoffelees couldn't help but feel sorry that he had caused trouble for his friend. He knew Victoria felt bas as well and she was afraid that Munkustrap was going to get angry with her later in the privacy of their den. However, despite all those negative feelings, Mistoffelees was excited to take part in the mission and rescue Demeter from wherever she was. He was excited to work hard and do whatever he could to aid the others.
"Now," Old Deuteronomy spoke up again, "you're all here for on specific reason. Our dear friend, Demeter, has been missing since last night. As far as I am aware, none of you have any idea of where she may be. Am I right?" Everyone nodded and murmured something about how they hadn't seen her for quite some time. "Very well then, we need to create a sort of search party. However, new of this cannot be spread to anyone outside of this group.
"Mungojerrie, Rumpelteazer, your knowledge of the world outside of the junkyard may come in handy here. I want the two of you to listen to the gossip of the cats in Victoria Grove. Ask questions and see what you can find out. Perhaps someone has seen Demeter wandering around out there. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir!" the orange calico siblings replied eagerly, saluting Old Deuteronomy. They jumped up from where they were sitting and scampered out of the den.
"Now, Tugger, you will be in charge of the group that will stay within the junkyard. Those of you who will be staying here, I want you to pay attention to any strange behavior within our borders. I need you to constantly be on guard, making sure that someone from the outside is not, somehow, coming into our home and causing trouble. Those who I want to stay in the junkyard are Bombalurina, for I figure you should be one of the first to know if your sister should return, Plato, Bill Bailey, Mistoffelees, and Victoria. Plato, please take the first watch. Then return to Tugger and report anything. He will then tell you who to find to take your spot and the cycle continues. Understood?"
The group nodded and they filed out of the den. Tugger was the last to leave, giving Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy a sad smile before he departed.
"Munkustrap, you will lead those who will be searching outside of the junkyard. I want you to search the borders of the junkyard. See if there are any signs as to whether or not Demeter might have been there. And then, slowly, start to move outwards. Explore the world outside of the junkyard. This is a bit more dangerous, so please, all of you be careful. If things become too risky, please return. Following Munkustrap will be Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Tantomile, Admetus, Victor, and Skimbleshanks. I trust you all to be safe and alert. Good luck to you."
Munkustrap bowed to his father and then led his party out of the den and towards the outskirts of the junkyard.
Old Deuteronomy turned to the remaining cat. "I want you to stay by my side. I hope you aren't offended, but I am aware of the power you and your sister possess. I feel that it would come in handy in aiding us."
Coricopat nodded. "I will be glad to do anything I can to bring Demeter back home."
"Thank you," Old Deuteronomy said with a smile. "I figure Tantomile would be helped outside of the junkyard with Munkustrap. And if you and I need to relay any messages to Tugger and his group, you can go to them. Would that be alright with you?"
Coricopat nodded again. "Yes sir. I'm willing to do everything you need me to do. And I know Tantomile is too."
I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update. Thanks for reading!
Mew Painappuru