During the Ball
the1andonlyofo, I would be tempted to feel sorry for Admetus, but then again I'd give anything to walk in on a sight like that. sfeather, no worries, it's nice to hear from you! It's been fun as heck to watch the DVD and figure which little 'moments' might mean more than they appear to. HGP, thank you so much, dearie!
A big thank-you to CrazyIndigoChild for beta-reading!
6. And Famous in Rhyme
(This chapter takes place during "Old Deuteronomy." Because dang it, I like the idea of Misto and Old D having a father-son type chat.)
The trek to the junkyard was a lengthy and tiring one, but always worth the effort. As much as Old Deuteronomy cherished the peace and tranquility of the nearby village, where there was nothing for him to do but nap the day away and dignifiedly request food and treats from the vicarage groundskeeper, a part of him definitely missed the exuberance of the junkyard. He enjoyed the Jellicle Ball, of course, and made a point to stay in the yard for a few days afterwards, enjoying the time spent with his sons, the young ones of the tribe, and the growing families there. Including his own growing family, he thought with a smile.
His visits were growing scarcer and scarcer; certainly, he attended every Jellicle Ball, made the effort to travel over for Christmastime, though most of his visits took place during the gentler summer months. It was not so much that he was growing feeble and unable to walk the two hours over to the junkyard; but he intended for the tribe to grow less and less accustomed to his presence. Old Deuteronomy was not so old, but he knew he would not be around for the tribe forever, and perhaps it would be best if they looked up less to him for wisdom and leadership, and more to his sons.
Munkustrap was certainly growing into a fine Jellicle Leader; though Old Deuteronomy certainly had to admit that Tugger's leadership would be an interesting one to behold.
It would certainly suit a tribe as… unusual as Old Deuteronomy's.
He often had the occasion to speak with the other cats who liked to laze about the vicarage grounds. Most were like him, elderly toms and queens, some of who had human families in the village or frequented their own colonies of cats, as Old Deuteronomy did with his own junkyard tribe. They frequently swapped stories, and he suspected many of these toms and queens thought him completely mad when he told them of the happenings of the junkyard.
Really now; was it his fault that amazing and unusual events kept happening to his tribe? His Jellicles were an unusual bunch. It was a point of pride for any cat to belong to unusual bunches.
Pausing for a moment to rest at the entrance to the junkyard, Old Deuteronomy's ears pricked up at the graceful tread of paws and he smiled as he spotted the approaching cat. Speaking of the unusual…
"Old Deuteronomy, good evening," Mistoffelees greeted with a shy smile.
Always so shy, this little one, Old Deuteronomy mused. And to think, he'd seen the small tuxedo tom grow from being a kitten to having kittens of his own. "Mistoffelees! How are you, young one?"
"I'm very well," Mistoffelees said, smiling as Old Deuteronomy happily draped an arm over his shoulders to help himself along. He wasn't so old and decrepit that he genuinely needed the help in getting around, but it was a pretext for innocent affection.
"How are my grandkits?"
"They're very well, and very much a handful. All perfect little Tuggers."
Old Deuteronomy chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less. How is the tribe?"
"Celebrating the Ball with energy, of course," Mistoffelees said. At once, a small shadow of fear passed over the young tom's face. "Old Deuteronomy? Did you encounter anything—or anyone—unusual on your way over?"
"I'd be interested to see what one shouldn't consider unusual."
"I meant—dangerous, I suppose."
"Not in the least. Why do you ask?"
"We thought… some of us thought we felt Macavity's presence. Not for long, just a fleeting sense… it was probably nothing. But I wondered if you saw anything on your journey over."
"Macavity," Old Deuteronomy sighed. That was a troubling thought.
The Hidden Paw's deeds were known even in the tranquility of the village. Old Deuteronomy had noticed how quiet the evil cat had been lately, ever since that terrible business with Mistoffelees and Demeter nearly a year ago. He tightened his hold on the small tom's shoulders, pulling him close for a comforting hug.
"If Macavity is prowling around, Mistoffelees, he hasn't shown himself to me. I'm certain we're all perfectly safe within the junkyard. I just hope this scare hasn't spoiled the night for yourself or Demeter?"
"No, no, we're fine," Mistoffelees said. Despite his assurance, he did gratefully burrow a little closer into Old Deuteronomy's fur. He was a shy tom, though definitely a brave one, having gone through so much for one so young.
"But while you mention Demeter… there is something that's troubling her more than Macavity, I think. You must remember a queen named Grizabella?"
The old cat grimaced sadly. "Grizabella! Now there is a sad story. Of course I remember her."
"She came here tonight. She showed up unexpectedly. It… caused quite a stir in the tribe. They chased her away."
"Oh my," Old Deuteronomy sighed. "How was poor Grizabella? I can't imagine she looked too well."
"She looked… sad and pitiable, I suppose," Mistoffelees said. At once, his expression hardened. "But it's just as well. She did some awful things and doesn't deserve to be welcomed back."
"Did you know her, Mistoffelees?"
The small tom frowned. "Well, no. But I've heard the stories from everyone. And I've seen how she upsets Demeter. I don't think she deserves to be forgiven."
"Well," Old Deuteronomy said. "Doesn't everyone deserve to be forgiven?"
"Macavity certainly doesn't," Mistoffelees mumbled.
The old cat slowly cocked his head in agreement. "I suppose not, considering the terrible things he's done to you and to others. But what about Grizabella? The interesting thing about forgiveness is that it works twofold; it brings happiness to the one forgiven, and peace to the one forgiving. Demeter may yet learn that. As may the tribe."
Mistoffelees nodded thoughtfully, though Old Deuteronomy couldn't help but wonder if he was giving the words any thought, or merely agreeing with the ramblings of an old patriarch.
"All the same," he said, patting Mistoffelees' shoulder. "It doesn't matter, if she has gone now. The Ball and the Jellicle choice are what matters tonight!"
"I would say so," Mistoffelees agreed with a smile.
"The moon is looking splendid tonight," Old Deuteronomy happily sighed, doubly pleased as the throng of happy Jellicle rushed to greet their approaching leader. Before reaching them, he turned to Mistoffelees and said, "Which reminds me—dare I hope for another litter of grandkits soon?"
It was good that the young Jellicles' happy cries soon drowned out Mistoffelees' response. Old Deuteronomy would have been quite puzzled to hear his groan of dismay.
Incidentally, "Old Deuteronomy" is one of my favourite songs from the show. The melody is so lovely to me (though it's a heck of a tough song to sing!)