A/N: So, I realized that I have been making an incorrect preference to what type of feline that Plato is, which has been bugging me all day. You'll have to excuse me for being inaccurate as far as cat breeding goes. He's actually not a tortishell, like my OC, Marceth here, who is an all black with color specking his coat. No, Plato happens to be all-white with colored patches, which would make him a calico, so just to clear up any confusion…
"Cassandra's just gone into labor with her kittens."
The black and white tom jumped up as his eyes widened, "WHAT?" He rolled his eyes upward and through his arms in the air in frustration, "My God, what's next?!" he exclaimed. At first, he was about to talk back to Jennyanydots, but then seeing her still fawning over her son, he turned to Jellyorum. "Please help." He begged his mother. Jellyorum sighed, but reluctantly moved. She quickly asked Zelaphelia and Mistoffelees to assist her. They looked at each other slightly concerned, but reluctantly followed her out of the den, with Alonzo close beside them. Plato, Jennyanydots, and Munkustrap were left alone to discuss everything that had happened during his mental absence…
~^..^~
Two weeks passed in the excited city; two long and tedious weeks for Marcetheus after he had finally received his job from Macavity; his most admired idol. Well…next to Jezabella of course. She had always been so nice to him. But now, his entire opinion of the ginger tom had changed completely. He still couldn't believe that his master had given him the least respectable function in the Warehouse. A guardsman…the tortishell tom thought to himself with disgust. He shook his head feeling his disgruntled head begin to hurt. He wasn't proud of the position Macavity had decided to put him in, but he was clinging onto what his mentor had said about how it could do him good, and how he could learn from the experience. He was completely dependant on those words alone. Jezabella had been a good teacher to him, and to his peers, Ramloweram and Benthelo.
Those two were brothers, practically bred for the type of job they received. Ben had an unusual and sick way of killing a cat, most likely had something to do with the way that Macavity killed. Marceth wondered why he wasn't a torturer instead of an assassin. He enjoyed describing his methods to Ramlowe or Jezabella or him. He always bragged about how if he ever saw one of the Jellicles on their side of the city, he would use his worst of slow and painful deaths on them, if he ever got his claws on one. All of the Warehouse cats felt the same way about the Junkyard tribe. They were weak, spineless, and could very easily be controlled if their defenses weren't so strong. That was the only reason Macavity hadn't taken over the tribe yet. He was still waiting for enough of the strongest of his henchcats to build up into an army that would be able to defeat them. However, the numbers of the Warehouse cats had lessened since Marceth's parents had left. They'd gone on an undercover mission for Macavity for what nearly seemed like a year now, and had left their only son in the hands of one of the last female mentors that Macavity had appointed. Jezabella.
For the past few years, Jeza had been training him, and the twin henchcats, Ramlowe and Ben, in the ways of physical combat and attack mechanisms. She wasn't as good as Macavity or any of his assassins, but she was very knowledgeable. And the three of them had also learned from more of the Hidden Paw's workers. They all taught the young toms how Macavity was with Jellicles, but knowing how much potential he really had over London. His influence had grown over the years, and the Jellicles, being the gutless worms they were, saw him as a threat because he was becoming so powerful, so they banished him for good from the tribe, but the Mystery Cat knew that they had to be taken over, so they wouldn't cause too much trouble in London. However, Jeza and many other henchcats had warned the three of them while growing-up that this vendetta had made the ginger tom extremely malice and bitter towards any cat that merely looked at him funny. The fear Macavity had bestowed upon the city was terrifying.
That was why Marceth had been so nervous to be in front of the Hidden Paw. He had heard so many stories about him from henchcats, and it was beyond intimidating to even be in the same room with him. He had looked up to the ginger tom through-out his adolescence, but now, after completely killing his confidence of being an accomplished henchcat, Marceth wasn't so sure. But Macavity's ruling on his job wasn't as hard as the actual position. The dark tortishell tom had to stay in the darkness of the underground catacombs that Mystery Cat had built years ago to hold his prisoners. It was a long cement wall that was closed off by a long chain of black steel bars. Each cell was separated by an impregnable vertical wall. It was so perfectly symmetrical; foolproof even. If any of the Jellicles stepped out of place, there was no way they'd escape. However, there were no Jellicles in the cells, just some old and crazed Siamese toms that were enemies to Macavity and had captured before Marceth was born. It was one less tribe of cats to worry about. But young cat was spending his job watching these insane prisoners rot in their chains. It wasn't exactly a good leisure for him. Most of the cell space was saved up for the Jellicles that Macavity planned on imprisoning. That would be fun to watch.
The tortishell tom sat upstairs in one of the apartments that had been left for him. Since Ramlowe and Ben got a higher ranking status, they had moved out of it and into more fitting quarters for 'real' agents for the Napoleon of Crime. Marcetheus grumbled unappeasably. He hated his life right now. He was still in these disgusting henchcat quarters he thought he would be moving out of, his position in the Warehouse kept him in the dark during the long hours of the day. He had some lack of sleep, since Macavity had him running extra shifts at night. Marceth was actually one of the last of the Hidden Paw's guardsmen. His older ones had died under mysterious circumstances. The older torturers had said that was code for: their throats were slit for provoking their boss. The young tom decided it was best if he stayed fairly obtuse and quiet about his position for the past few weeks, and he had gotten used to the daily routine.
Sometimes he'd come and talk to his mentor. Jezabella was really the only one who understood him. She was great; his only real friend around the Warehouse. Ever since the twins got their positions, they had gotten a lot cockier, acting as if they were a higher lifestyle than him. Marceth suddenly noticed two black toms coming into his den out of the corner of his eye. How ironic; Ramlowe and Ben.
"Really Marceth?" the darker of the twins, Ramlowe started, "Have you just been hanging around this dump all day? Don't you have work to do?" The jeering wasn't half as annoying as the weird smirks on both their faces
"I'm pretty sure neither of you are my boss…" the tortishell tom grumbled, fiddling with his thumbs and sitting on his bed, annoyed and upset by the entrance of his former friends.
Ben came up alongside his brother and started mocking with him, "True, but at least our jobs are out in the sunlight. Actually Marceth, I feel sorry for you; having to live in a dungeon the rest of your life. Must be sad, knowing you're never actually going to realize how fulfilling life is…above ground."
A few snickers passed between the twins. Marceth rolled his eyes, "Really Benthelo? Care to enlighten me?"
The smoky black tom shrugged, "Well, for instance, we get to spend as much time as we want around the queens' den. Do you know how steamy it gets in our apartments, Marceth? I don't think there was a queen that came out without the skin under her being completely red, don't you think Ramlowe?"
Ramlowe smirked, "I have to agree with you there. Around the queens' den, we're studs."
Marceth snorted at the toms as he grinned at the twins, "And that's supposed to be saying something about you hellcats? Everyone knows that any queen that's been connected to Macavity is a complete harlot."
Benthelo and Ramloweram suddenly became unnaturally serious, "You shouldn't be talking that way about our boss." Ben said matter-of-factly.
The tortishell tom spat on the floor near the twins' feet, "Since when do you care Ben?" he shot at him venomously, recalling how the black tom always became so rebellious with Jezabella and how to engage in a fight. He could never play fair to save his life.
Ben's expression didn't change, "He's given us a good place in the Warehouse…" he murmured. Then his smirk reappeared, "You should be glad he didn't kick you out of the Warehouse for being such a wuss."
The tortishell tom scowled at the twins as pleasant mocking grins was exchanged between them. "Just get out of here." He said in an ominously quiet tone.
Ramlowe laughed at him later, "We'll come visit you in the underground sometime; if the lack of sunlight hasn't got you too spooked, that is" He said cheerfully, heading for the door with Ben behind him. "Maybe bring a queen down for ya, I mean, if she actually takes a guardsman." The toms laughed again humorously at the jeering of their former friend. "See ya Marceth!" Ben shouted out behind his shoulder, "Good luck in the underworld!"
The tortishell tom dived down, burying his face into a pillow. "Jerks." His muffled voice let out quietly. Without thinking on it, Marceth punched his fist into the brick wall, actually not caring about the pain. All he felt was the hate for those two idiots. "Hate them." He said to himself.
"I can see why." A low masculine voice suddenly commented. Marceth lifted his face from the pillow and looked up at the entrance. To his complete shock and astonishment, he saw the actual Napoleon of Crime leaning against his door frame with an amused smirk on his face. The ginger tom strode into the den looking intrigued by the young tom, "You seem pretty despondent around my new agents…Marcetheus, isn't it?"
The tortishell tom was stifled, unsure of what to say to the Hidden Paw. With shock taking a hold of his throat, he quickly nodded. The ginger tom chuckled and continued, "Seems like I have a poor choice in toms, ignorant as they are… but strong. Good choices to lead an army. Still…I need able toms at the Warehouse. Your mentor, Jezabella recommended you to me. Wouldn't stop nagging me." The ginger tom grimaced, but then continued, "Anyway, I think I remember you. You were the brat of a couple of my agents that I sent out north for a mission. Didn't realize a couple of street cats like them could actually be useful, or their kit for that matter. Tell you what…Marcetheus… I have an important prisoner that I expect to be coming one day this week. I've observed your guarding. Pretty pathetic. You're extremely lethargic on duty, but hey, I'm an understanding tom. So, when this prisoner comes in, I'm expecting you not to disappoint me." The ginger tom started to back away, "Figured I should forewarn you; you being my only guardsman left, and a poor excuse for one as well, and me not having that many prisoners. I'll give you more information when my prisoner gets here."
The Napoleon of Crime smirked at the tortishell tom, and then swiftly left the room without anything else to say about his enigmatical statement. Marcetheus leaned back on the wall; feeling like electricity had shot through him. Incredible. Macavity the Mystery Cat had just told him about his first mission. Jeza had been right. His time had come…
^~*~^
Zela was leaning against the wall of the queens' den at the Junkyard with an amused smile on her face. Cassandra had given birth to six healthy kittens two weeks ago. It made the gold-red queen completely harmonious to be seeing how happy the Siamese queen was. And Alonzo was allowed into the queens' den for visiting purposes. It was around this time that the mates were going to pick names for their kittens. It had been an equal amount of both genders in the litter, and the older queens were looking forward on helping.
Zelaphelia had decided to stay at a distance away from the fussing over kittens. She still liked the sight of them, but inside, she envied the newborns. They were going to grow up with a mother and a father and home. The gold-red queen had had her mother for one year during her kittenhood, and then spent the rest of her life scouting for food, searching for shelters from harmful weather, and living on the streets with the threat of being killed by something bigger than her. It was an amazement that she had survived as a stray for so long. But she didn't trust many cats back then, and she'd never trusted humans. Zela growled to herself. Cassie's kittens better not complain about this lifestyle, not with how hard she had it when she was their age.
Zelaphelia observed the new family. The six kittens were gathered around the dark Siamese queen, all so energetic, already beginning to move. What was scary was the fact that Zela and Misto had helped Cassie tremendously during her labor and then some. She thought about the experience for few minutes, needing to keep herself preoccupied,
~~~~(two weeks ago)~~~~
Jellyorum had rushed out of her medical den, having Misto, Alonzo, Etcy and the gold-red queen accompany her. Zela wasn't exactly sure why she was needed. Misto was coming because he magic may be able to sooth Cassandra during her labor pains. Etcy was there because she was the future medical queen, and needed to learn how to birth kits and this situation with the heavily pregnant queen was a perfect opportunity. Alonzo was there for obvious reasons: his mate was about to give birth. Zela wasn't really sure why she was needed, but she would come anyway.
The gold-red queen grunted as the five of them sprinted to the queens' den where Cassandra was lying on the ground in a panic. Bombalurina was there comforting her. As was Victoria and Demeter. Jellyorum quickly rushed over to the Siamese queen's side and shooed the others away, "Back up!" she ordered, "Give her some air!"
The old tabby queen started working herself, putting Cassie in a correct position for birthing her kits. She had Etcy assist her. The poor young tabby looked like she was going to faint over in excitement. Bomba, Demeter, and Vic had backed away at a fairly far amount of distance, observing the medical queen. Jelly quickly called to the magician, "Mistoffelees, use a spell. Any spell you have that can calm her down."
The young magician grunted as he rushed forward, whispering a mysterious incantation as he moved his unsteady paws around Cassie, as if he was sourcing the energy in her body. The Siamese queen was beginning to breathe more calmly, but her facial expression showed that she was still feeling pain. Jelly blinked before propping Cassandra's legs across the ground, trying to find something to support them with. She grabbed a few hard cover books and stacked them on top of each other. Etcy then placed them under the laboring queen's feet and rushed to her side. Jellyorum grunted, "They're coming pretty quickly…" Zelaphelia had been standing there awkwardly, watching, until Jelly finally called to her. "Zela, please help her calm down." She said.
The gold-red queen blinked, feeling that the order was vague. How was she supposed to help in anyway? But feeling that it was an order, she complied. As she rushed to Cassandra's side, she smiled, trying to speak as soothing of words that she could think of, "Okay, Cassie. You're alright. You're doing great. Jelly said that the kittens are coming-"
Zela suddenly stopped feeling Cassandra's sharp claws beginning to embed onto the surface of her skin as she gripped her paw violently. The gold-red queen was forced to lean down as the Siamese queen growled in her ear, "I know what she said!" she exclaimed, breathing in and out at a dangerously fast pace. "Just hold my paw." Zela nodded accordingly, feeling that this was an easy enough task to perform, until Jellyorum proclaimed:"The first one is coming Cass, you have to push."
Cassandra suddenly growled in pain, sweat dripping off her forehead as she winced. Zelaphelia felt her paw suddenly hurting as they were slowly beginning to be crushed by the Siamese female's strong grip. She swallowed hard, holding in a yowl, "Ahhh…!" she let out, feeling pain zap through her arm.
Cassie suddenly shot a death-glare at her, "Don't you dare act like you're in more pain than I AM!" she cried, gripping her hand harder, "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT REAL PAIN IS!"
Jelly suddenly shouted at the Siamese queen, "Cassie, you need to push harder!"
The Siamese queen continued to do as the medical queen asked, only causing more pain in Zela's paw. Mistoffelees had apparently decided to be masochistic, and hold onto Cassandra's other paw. The gold-red queen saw him in much pain as she was. However, Cassie seemed to be in the most pain at the moment, until she finally let out a gasp of relief and released their paws. A weak cry of a small newborn kitten could be heard crying around the room. Jelly smiled as she held up the kit proudly, "It's a tom-kit."
The gold-red female let out a sigh, as she rubbed her aching paw. She observed Misto doing the same thing. Thank Everlasting Cat that THAT was over. Alonzo finally stepped forward as he gently cradled his new son in his arms. He came over to Cassandra and showed the little squirming thing to her. The Siamese queen smiled as she gripped her son, but then suddenly gave him back to her mate, looking as though she had experienced a painful electrical shock. Jellyorum stood up, still highly active as she came up to Cassie. "There must be more coming." She said. Zelaphelia had barely heard this statement until she felt her paw being gripped again by Cassandra. The same pain suddenly shot through her arm…
They repeated that process five other times until Jellyorum finally proclaimed that that was left of the kittens. Zela didn't have to endure that much pain five times though. Alonzo had taken over halfway, seeing that she was in major pain from Cassie's grip. But by the time it was over, everyone in the room was exhausted.
That had been two weeks ago, and the kittens were growing. The gold-red queen had watched in horror as Jelly had acted as the midwife, and Etcy as the assistant midwife, and Misto and her being hand-holders of the mother. Zela mentally noted that she would never take on that role during the birthing process ever again. But it had been worth it in the end. Cassie and Alonzo had six lovely little kittens. Zela watched peacefully as the two mates, Victoria, Mistoffelees, Demeter, and Bombalurina all gathered around the little things, fussing over them and acting as if they were the most important matter in the Junkyard. They were about to choose names, which Munkustrap said was essential. But Munk wasn't exactly Zela's favorite cat at the moment. He still hadn't told the rest of the tribe about Plato being back. He had actually seemed to be keeping to himself for quite awhile. He didn't talk to anyone, except going into Jelly's den to check on the impaired tom, and occasionally spoke to Jennyanydots on the matter. Zela had tried to tell him for that past week to explain everything to the tribe, but he would always respond that he was too busy or that he was still trying to sort things out. The gold queen grimaced. Was Munkustrap actually…scared to tell the tribe about Plato?
Suddenly, a long arm extended across the back of the gold-red female and slung around her shoulder. Zela's head jerked sharply in surprise, but then smiled, seeing that it was just Tugger. She purred, "Hey you." He purred back as a greeting, and smirked at her. The Curious Cat and she had grown extremely close in the past week. He came often into her new den, and they'd talk. Most of the time, he'd flirt, and she'd play his game with him, but there were times when they got serious. Zela wanted more than anything to tell Tugger about Plato, the thought of the calico tom rotting her conscious, but Munkustrap had sworn her, Misto, Jelly, Etcetera, Teazer, Mungo, Deme, and Jenny all to secrecy. No one else would know anything about Plato's return.
This didn't bother her too much, because Zela didn't have to talk as much. Tugger would usually do the talking, and she would listen. She was just fine with this process. The Maine Coon grinned at her, and then observed the scene of Cassandra and her kittens. No one noticed them together, them being in the shadows. "So, did you just get bored and decided to watch kittens get smothered?"
The gold-red queen chuckled, shaking her head and looking back at the small family, the rest of the queens, and Misto. "Not exactly." She replied, "They're naming the kittens."
"Hm." The curious cat mumbled, "Anything interesting yet?" He purred huskily into her ear, rubbing up against her head.
Zela giggled, shooing the leopard-spotted tom away from her face as she smiled, "Stop it now!" she exclaimed playfully, "They've just started…… Now shush-up, I want to listen."
Tugger grunted annoyingly. He normally was never told what to do, and even if he was, he never listened to it. The Maine coon wasn't accustomed to this in the least, but he had been complying for Zela. She was happy about this, and enjoyed the Curious Cat actually listening to her. The two cats listened as the two mates began. Cassandra picked up her oldest son, a little patched tom that resembled Alonzo, but there was a bigger black blotch on his face and dark smudges of brown on his left leg. Misto grinned, walking over to the Siamese queen and ruffling the tom-kit's newly grown fur. "He's a mystic, Cassie." He explained, resting his paw on the kitten's head, "Not as strong a power as mine would be, but once his magic's fully developed, he maybe able to read minds or telepath to non-mystics. Quite useful, if you ask me." One of Misto's many powers was the ability to prophesize what a mystic's power would be. The Siamese queen smiled happily at her son, cradling him in her arms, "Giacomo…" she whispered, looking up at her mate. "He looks so much like you, Lonz…"
Alonzo gently wrapped his arm around Cassandra's shoulder, gazing at his son, "He's perfect…" he commented. Suddenly, the black-white tom looked up at Mistoffelees, "You'll be the godfather, won't you Misto? After all, he's going to need a teacher when he can start using magic."
The tuxedo tom blinked, and looked taken a back, as if not expecting the offer, "I'd be honored! Of course I will."
Cassandra smiled, putting the little tom back with his littermates, and then picked up her oldest female. A tortishell queen-kit with light ginger patches covering her whole backside and several dark spots speckled across it. She was a beauty, indeed. Cassandra chuckled, studying her daughter, "She looks like a little lark…" she commented humorously. The Siamese queen suddenly looked as if she had gotten an idea, "Kalendre."
Alonzo nodded accordingly, "It's graceful…exotic…it suits her." He took his eldest daughter in his arms, scratching her chin in a fatherly like manner.
Cassandra picked up a scrawny grey tom with a shiny black head fur striped shortly onto his shoulder blade. He was probably the most handsome of the tom-kits. "Lazarus…" Cassie said quickly. The little kitten grinned at his mother mischievously before trying to swipe at her face. Cassandra quickly put him down, patting him on the head.
Tugger bent down to Zela, "Maybe that one's actually my tom…" he joked in a sly whispered tone. Zela scoffed at his jeering and elbowed him in the ribs, "Shut up!" she ordered, still smiling.
Alonzo had handed his daughter to Bombalurina, who he had happily claimed as the godmother, and scooped up his next kit; the middle kit actually; a silvery white queen. The little thing had been twisting around as if she were already learning how to dance. "Arjetta?" He quickly suggested. He looked to Cassie for confirmation. She nodded after a moment's pause of pondering. "It's sweet…very unique…" she commented lightly.
The black-white tom smiled, looking at his daughter in the eyes, "And I'm going to be spoiling you rotten!" he said happily. The little queen-kit mewled at him confusedly. Alonzo smiled, putting his daughter in Vicky's arms.
The Maine Coon seemed not being able to resist a chuckled, "Looks like the daddy's girl has been chosen." He whispered.
Zela didn't even comment this time. She simply shushed him. Cassandra continued by picking up her youngest son. He was a smoky black, resembling his mother with an aura of white faded in the darkness of his head fur. The Siamese queen seemed completely serious at the look of that kit. "Delano…" she said quietly. For some reason unknown to Zela, there was almost a melancholy tone to Cassie's voice as she spoke the name. Alonzo took the tom from her gently, studying his sun with a certain appease. He didn't seem to notice her mood changing.
Tugger had though, "Well, now what's going on? I don't get any of this." He said quietly.
The gold-red queen huffed as she turned to him sharply with an annoyed smirk on her face, "Are you ever going to shut up?" she asked with mild amusement.
The Curious Cat shrugged, "No." he replied simply. Zela grunted as she shook her head at her feet. "Maybe we should-"
Suddenly, a paw grasped Tugger's shoulder and spun him around. The leopard-spotted tom looked around confusedly before seeing that it was Munkustrap. Zelaphelia hid behind the Curious Cat, but hadn't the slightest doubt that the silver tabby had already seen her. She had certainly seen him, and he didn't exactly portray the picture of health. He looked like he was completely overworked. There were dark shadows under his eyes, and his paws were shaking slightly. "I need to talk to you for a minute, Tugger." He said, his teeth gritted in agitation. Before the Curious Cat could respond, Munk started dragging his brother by the arm away from Zela.
The gold-red queen stared after them confusedly, curious as to what Munk needed to say to Tugger, and also why he looked so irritated. What had Tugger done? Before she could quiz herself further, a voice called out her name, "Hey, Zel!" Zela spun around. Vicky had seen her. Everyone else's head turned to see the gold-red female. Cassandra waved, and then gestured her to come into the den.
Reluctantly, she did. Demeter stood up, having the little tom-kit, Delano in her hands. The gold queen cradled him in one arm, and then gently grasped her daughter's shoulder, bringing her closer into the room. "Have you been watching?" her mother asked curiously.
Zela's head wavered, but hesitantly changed to a nod. Demeter grinned, "Why didn't you say something?"
The gold-red queen shrugged; the thought of Tugger was in the back of her mind, "Something was keeping me occupied." She explained vaguely.
Her mother gave her a puzzled look, but smiled and shrugged, "They're naming the last kitten, now…" she pointed out. The two of them sat with just one kitten left sitting on the ground. She was a cute looking little kitten. A dark, creamy chocolate-brown, with jet-black paws blending with the rest of her fur pattern and a faded white bib. According to Etcy, this was the kitten that had almost died do to complications. Jelly thought the poor queen-kit wasn't going to make it through the week, her being the runt of the litter. Luckily, her prognosis had been wrong, and the kitten was actually quite alive. Cassandra was examining her last daughter with intrigue. She turned towards Alonzo. He shrugged, looking just as confounded. The Siamese queen hummed as she studied her daughter further, "Funny…" she mused, "I don't actually have any names for the last one. I didn't think there was going to be a sixth. Never planned ahead."
There was a murmur of discussion of what the last queen-kit's name could be. Zela smiled at the little kitten. She was so playful…mysterious. A lot like her mother, and according to Alonzo, she was one of the quietest, but also fun-loving. A suggestion suddenly popped out of her mouth, "How about……Vitalee?"
All head turned to the young Jellicle queen. She backed away a step nervously, beginning to second-guess herself for being spontaneous. But these thoughts immediately ceased when seeing Cassandra's smile. "Vitalee…" she repeated to herself. Her smile increased, "It's fitting… …Lonz?" she looked at her mate questionably.
The Black and white tom glanced up at Zela with a grin, then down at his mate, and then to his last daughter. He smiled, and nodded, "I like it…" he said. Abruptly, Lonzo turned to the golden-red queen, "Zela…" he said, "We were wondering if you would be her godmother?"
The question had been so quick and abrupt, that Zela had barely realized it had been directed towards her. She blinked, staring at the patched tom, "Uhh…come again?"
Cassandra smiled and repeated the statement in a paraphrase, "Zela, we want you to be her godmother."
Zelaphelia thought about it for a second, knowing how rude it would be to decline the offer, but she never really enjoyed kittens. They were strange; small; feeble. It scared her, how easily she could kill something so tiny. She could kill adult Pollicles…It wouldn't take much, even accidentally, to kill a kitten… The gold-red female quickly pushed the thought in the back of her head, refusing to give into the side that Macavity had given her. She swallowed hard before grinning, "I'd be honored." She said simply.
Cassandra smiled, picking up her youngest daughter, and looking up at Zela hopefully. She held up the kitten in front of her. The golden-red female knew it suggested that she wanted her to hold the kitten. Zela was highly tentative, backing away hesitantly, but Demeter's calm, motherly paws stopped her, and gently nudged her forward. She gulped before reluctantly stepping forward, and carefully placing the kitten between her two paws. Demeter helped to correctly place the queen-kit in a cradling position in Zela's arms, using her spare hand. When the kitten had finally been placed in her arm, the young Jellicle queen stared at her goddaughter with interest. Her eyes were the most intriguing. They were two different colors. One was a dull grey-blue, and the other was a brash sap green with gold flecks in the center. She was so unique…powerful…as if she could enchant. The thought passed her mind, and Zela abruptly looked up at Mistoffelees with questioning eyes. Could the kitten be a mystic? Misto was already looking at her with a sly grin. He nodded conformingly, as if he had read her mind. Zela stared back down at the kitten curiously, instantly growing an attachment to her. Zela smiled at the queen-kit, a new hope arousing in her, Vitalee…