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Chapter Text

Lady Whitney was a woman of upper rank and status. She was very put together, her long blonde hair was never down, always in an updo to match her nicely cut dresses and makeup. She was a happy mother of four little ones and a cat.

Oh, her cat Sebatian, she loved him since she first got him. She will never admit it, but she may have- spoiled him some. But just some! Well her advisor Ms. Joelle would argue that.

Ms. Joelle or just Joelle had worked for Lady Whitney since they were both young. Because of that they had grown close to each other, a sisterly like bond. That went to their taste in men, fashion, gossip, and of course pets. Joelle had a nice old kitty, if he’s old he count as a kitty? Well in her head he is. 

Today the pair were out for brunch, sitting around with some tea and crumpets. Laughing away at local news. “Joelle, look at this” Lady Whitney passed her the paper.  “My lady, this must be a joke please!” Joelle couldn’t believe her eyes.

The paper was about some crazy people screaming about walking and talking cats. “This is nonsense! My lady please, tell me this isn’t serious?” Lady Whitney only laughed nodding her head, all but losing herself.

Joelle shook her head with a smile, teeth showing just how stupid it was. “‘Please’, is that your new favorite word? ‘Please’?” The pair continued to laugh and enjoy themselves. Not noticing the man in a cloak grinning to himself. 

The walk home was happy and full of joy, but they stopped to be greeted by the mail. “Look a gift” “Lady” Joelle said in a teasing way, the smile then dropped off Lady Whitney’s face as she read the letters. “Joelle, who would send your mail here?” “What?”

And yet, there it was her name on the letter. Pristine and clear as day. Joelle couldn’t shake the shock on her face. “But all my family knows my address? And if so, who would send me something?” “Send us both something…” She nodded at Lady Whitney. “Together?” “Together?”

They opened the letters to see the same thing. 

Dear Reader

I am a voice in the dark

A thought in Light

Waiting down at the dock 

For you to turn a bright 

Your cats go missing more than not

A proper cat they are but

Are you not confused?

Conflicted?

Please meet me here **********

If you want more~

“So, are you going?” Joelle asked her lady who only stared at it her mind already made up. 

It was a week later. The pair had shown up at an old abandoned theater. It scared them little if not a lot. They stood hand in hand, the ticket both had been broken down. The food court was empty and dusty, a bit of the ceiling had all but caved in showing just a bit of sunlight. 

“Well, ain’t that just lovely, we all here and we ain’t been told nothing-! Oh, hiya” A country sounding voice peek out. A feminine voice, it was young sounding and both jumped at the woman. She had rusty red hair tied in a low pony and the brightest green eyes you’ve ever seen.

“Are you the one-?” Lady Whitney gets interrupted “One who sent you a letter? No, see me and my baby were just enjoying our day when this knock came at the door. And I had to sit back because I know damn well, I did cut off all my family. Now see that’s a different story but-” The two let her talk and talk till a little voice peeked out.

“Mama, mama let them sit” It was a cute girl who was a copy of the woman talking. She had the cutest dress ever and then a little gap between her two front teeth. “Haha, sorry ‘bout that, I can talk your ear off. That’s why I need my baby girl, right here when I need you right?” She leaned down to pick the little girl up and twirl around, said girl giggling the whole time.

Joelle only smiled sweetly as Lady Whitney thought of when her kids were that young. “You two are the cutest thing! My name is Joelle and this my lady, Lady Whitney” Both did a little bow. “Thank dolly, and please’d meet cha! Name’s Charlie and this is my sweetie pie May. Come on inside here’s room of us here” 

With that the two were taken inside to be greeted by a cast of colorful people. A family of four, with two girls. Two men, one dressed like a conductor, a man in glasses, and two women who looked to be sisters. Lastly was an old lady dressed in rags.

“Welcome to our home away from home” Charlie joked as the pair only looked around with half smiles. The conductor stood up first “Hello ladies, my name’s Jordan I help run the train down on Oaks” He had a buzz cut and darker skin, he had an overall square being to his person. He held out a hand for them to shake. It was calming and warm, a true gentleman's handshake. 

“Joelle” 

“Lady Whitney please”

“Just Joelle? Not Lady Joelle?” He joked as Joelle laughed with Lady Whitney eyeing her playfully. “Well, then if you love birds, are done, there are more of us here” One of the sister’s spoke out. She was an older lady, maybe 40’s to 50’s. She was plump and round with her sister being just like her but a little smaller. 

“My name is Rose and this is my sister Luna, she’s a little shy so don’t expect much. She only really ever talks to our cat.” She did a little laugh as did Lady Whitney “I understand son is just like that, I swear he spoils that thing harder than me” Joelle coughed into her hand. Getting a side eye.

“Hello, pleased to meet you. My name’s John and this is my wife” “Lilly and these are our girls Sage and Willow” The four were dressed in more daywear clothes not focused on looking nice like Lady Whitney and Joelle or even looking like a country pumpkin like Charlie. 

The man with glasses came next, they were round and big sitting on his face making him look a little funny. “Good to meet you… my name is Jeoffrey- with a G” He pushed up his glasses. The two gave him a nod telling he’s not good at speaking.

“And her?” Lady Whitney pointing to the lady in rags. “She hasn’t said anything we tried. She was here first too.” John picked up Willow to stop him from waving at the lady “Suspicious if you ask me” Charlie crossed her arms.

It was then that the lights went out “What’s goin’ on? May! May! Grab hold of mama!” 

“AAAHHHH” That Geoffrey had such a girly voice. 

“Nononononono” “LUNA! Calm herself!”

“This is not funny!” “Daddy! Mommy!” The two girls yelled out grabbing for their parents, threatening tears.

“Girls!” “John!” 

“Agh!” That was Joelle hitting her head on something.

“Joelle!?” 

The next thing the lights were back on and as bright as ever. The once destroyed theater suddenly sparkled with life. It was like they had gone back in time to its prime. It was shining from side to side, the screen was a nice clear black. May swore she could see herself. 

The two things that caught them next was that they were now somehow seated and the cloaked figure at the front of the room. 

“Who are you? Where are we? Why are we here?” Jordan and Charlie both yelled out different phrases but it was all the same. The figure laughed a light chuckle, his shoulders bouncing with him .

“Didn’t you come here for your cats? That’s the one tie between you all right?” They all turned to each other and yeah, he was right. “So do you?” “Do we what ya creeden?” “Mama!” “Sorry sweets, but this… this ain’t right! I just know it in my soul!” 

“Well, something isn’t right that’s for sure. You have yet to answer my question~” With that he did a little hop. They all looked even more confused and off put by his whole- everything. 

“Yes, I would like to see” It was Lady Whitney leaning forward, shoulders back and chest out. She started down the man with no sign of fear. “Of course if that is what the lady wants, you rest agree?” They could just tell he was grinning ear to ear.

“Yes” Jordan followed as did the rest all but Charlie and John. 

“This just ain’t right, what should I care? It’s a cat!?” “I agree with her, what Sidney does when she’s up is known of over concern” 

“John…”  “No, Lily this is stupid, please let’s get the girls an- I can’t get up!” “What!?” And just like that they all learned they were stuck with nowhere to go. 

“Do you want to see?” The man asked once again.

“Let us out you sicko!” “That will only happen if you all agree to not see” “That’s so stupid what about my girls!” He just shrugged. 

“Here let’s just get this over with it’s just cats” Rose spoke holding a shaking Luna. John sighed a hand going through his hair “I guess you're right…” 

“So do you want to see?” He asked one last time as Charlie nodded her head looking ashamed. With that he clapped and the lights went out and a projection started to play. 

First a cat was seen before a car light flashed by and replacing it was human? 

“What the he-” “Now that is some devil magic!”

“AAHHHHH” “Girls quiet please!” 

“The end! The end!” “Luna, will you stop that!” 

“What was that?” Joelle spoke, staring at the man who said nothing, his back to them as if he didn’t hear them and was just watching. Watching whatever this was…

The cat turned woman went to hide in a tire, showing now a junkyard as another cat made their way out atop a dead car. He slid down to then see a female sticking her leg up and arm out towards us. 

“This is the weirdest shit I’ve seen” “Mama!” “Sorry baby” 

A male jumped out, scrunching up his face. A new face just up over some wires, the highest up so far. Two twins came running out all sneaking like before hitting the floor and turning their heads. A cute but mad looking one popped up in the front. 

“This just gets weirder and weirder huh?” Jordan whispered to himself as Joelle laughed lightly trying her best to hide it.

That was when one came out from what looked to be a pile of chairs clawing out. 

“AAHHHH IT’S-IT’S-IT’S!” “Luna please! Breathe with me! Breathe!” The two sisters (mainly Luna) were in a panic over the cat one screen. “Are you okay?” Lady Whitney asked, doing her best to lean over to them. 

“Yes- well no… see that’s our cat” Everybody jumped “That’s your what?” Geoffrey all but whispered. “Our cat Sir. Tigris, we run a tricket store and we found him when he was a babe. Took him in and raised him, I just didn’t know- didn’t think-” 

“And how could you?” The figure spoke “Did he tell you? Did he have a reason too? No? Yes?” 

“Why is their cat on screen?” “Keep watching? Yes or No?” “This mad man won’t tell us anything” Jordan shook his head, hands in pockets. 

The first cat climbed out and the second, now seen as male climbed down the car and crawled over to the middle. Standing up, his arms out to his side and chest puffed up. 

“ Are you blind when you’re born? ”

“What the hell!” “On God's green Earth!” 

“This is-” “I- what” 

“Rose-! Rose-! Hold me!” Luna flung herself onto her sister. Everyone else was fair for worse. 

“What is this?” Charlie shouted, fighting whatever was holding her down to get up. “What is what?” was all he said.

“This- this- this bullshit! First cats don’t turn into humans and second they don’t fuckin’ sing!” “And how do you know?”

“It’s a cat?” Geoffrey added.

“And what kind of cat?” 

“Um-” That got him, not like he was caught but like he didn’t understand what the man was asking of him. 

“Can you speak clearly for once? Just tell us?” Lady Whitney said getting more bass in her voice. “Where's the fun in that?” 

“Fun? Fun! OHH!! You lucky I can’t move or so help me!” 

“ Can you see in the dark? ” The first one they saw sang. “ Can you look at a king? ” “ Would you sit on his throne? ” 

That got both Lady Whitney and Joelle to jump but mostly Joelle. “That’s my wonder fellow Maxmillian” She said with a pain in her voice, a misunderstanding that- that was her cat. Her poor old soul who now could barely do much if anything at all but lunge around her flat. 

Lady Whitney put a hand on her shoulder, The three small girls all had different reactions. May was indifferent. She lived out in the mud with two cats who did everything and anything to make her mama mad but this was new and sometimes new can be scary. 

Willow being the eldest held onto her sister like life depended on it. She gripped the poor girl so tight it was sure to leave a mark. Sage had the curiosity that only a child younger than six could have. She wanted to see more.

“ Can you say of your bite that it’s worse than your bark? ” 

Rose was all but holding up Luna from dropping. 

“ Are you cock of the walk? ” A younger man-cat thing was seen doing a little walk. A new female came up with her arms up but in like a cat “ When you're walking alone? ” “ ” Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do , Jellicles do and Jellicles would , Jellicles would and Jellicles can , Jellicles can and Jellicles do ”

“The fuck?” “MAMA!” “Baby, I know, I know. Cursing is bad but this is- this goes beyond- I can’t find that word but I know it goes beyond that…” Everyone did have to agree because whatever it was they were watching was going to leave a lasting impact.

“A Jellicle?” Luna spoke up, “Is that what Sir. Tigris is? A Jellicle?” The man then let out a loud laugh. One of pure joy and satisfaction.

“Yes! Yes! You're getting it! I knew you would!” He did a little dance and jump, Lady Whitney picked up on the ballet look to it. Weird, why would a dancer bring them all here to watch cats? 

An older looking cat came up from on a big tire “ When you fall on your head, do you land on your feet? ” She jumped and wiggled a little. The twins stood up as the male spoke “ Are you tense when you sense there’s a storm in the air? ” 

It was then a smaller female was next “ Can find you way blind when you lost in the street? ” A very heavy set cat was next. He stood arms up to the sky “ Do you know how to go to the Heaviside layer? ” 

“Heaven?” Willow asked, looking at her mom, Lily in turn could only shrug.

“What is that?” Joelle looked towards the man who went back to before looking only at the screen as if he was engrossed. Like he was remembering something, something lost to time. 

“He’s no help so why ask?” Charlie spoke up rather rudely even if not intending to. “I just think that it’s not bad to ask…” Joelle turned away a little off put by the tone, May looked at her mom. They started back a forth for a hot minute before Charlie sighed, losing,

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude to ya. I just don’t like this.” “None of us do… But we have to just sit through” Jordan said with his voice with an air of command. Charlie took a hot minute to glare at him before seeing both points. 

“I do understand that I can come off like an ass- May gave her a look- But I just don’t like it…”

“That’s the second time you’ve said that” Lady Whitney added as everyone nodded with her. “I can’t phrase it right! I just- I just don’t like it… You should get it! Hell! I’m scared- No, I know I’ll see my cats up there! How can I go home and play with them? Knowing this!” No one said anything.

“ Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicles do and Jellicles can, Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicles do and Jellicles can, Jellicles can and Jellicles do ” All the cats stood started to stand up and getting a flow of dancing. More even coming out from their hiding spots. 

“ Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?” The female twin added. “ Familiar with candle, ” A different older cat was shown with behind her a white kitten showing as a male watched curiously. 

“Sidney…” Was all John said as he looked at his wife, who looked at him. Both worried, scared and confused. The girls couldn’t help but be in all.

“Is that what you thought Sidney looked like?” Sage asked “Nope… I thought she was younger?” The man let out a small huff of a laugh. No one saw that Geoffrey got a look on his face about one white kitten.

“ With book and with bell ?” “ Were you Whittington’s friend? ” “ The Pied Pipers assistant? ” Each line said by a different cat the last one though, a black male with a tuxedo got a reaction.

“Oh no… oh well- I guess that explains somethings?” Geoffrey said quietly, shammed, looking down at his feet.

“Your cat?” Jordan asked “Pierrot” 

“ Have you been an alumnus of heaven or hell? ” A male came out and did a few cartwheels up to the front. “ Are you mean like a minx ?” “ Are you lean like a linx? ” A different set of twins was spotted, the boy going first then next the girl.

“I’ll be damned, there they are…” Charlie looked at them with something, her face was reading of disgust and horror but her eyes. Her eyes said something else. Something even she didn’t know. 

May was more outright in how she looked at them. They had been with her mama before she was and with them being troublemakers she knew well enough where the place was here. But it still was weird to see her cats as people, she just learned that they were in fact a boy and girl (they were just so dang hard to tell apart as cats, this helped. She was sure her mama felt the same way.) 

A cute little one came out “ Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?”  

“ Where you there when the pharaohs commissioned the Sphinx? ” It was the second female they saw, they could tell her apart because of how different she looked, she was just a clean looking cat. Spot included.  “ If you were and you are, you're a Jellicle Cat ” Pierrot's face was seen but it was a group effort. 

“Still hard to get used to…” They all nodded to that.

“ Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats ” Every cat was now out and up dancing around and singing about being a Jellicle cat. 

“ We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze ” And just like they said a cat was on the trapeze flying back and forth with the dance moving with her. 

“And now they are acrobats…” Rose said with a pained look. The kids were loving it, watching a cat do circus tricks. Neat was John and Lily’s only thought, meanwhile people like Jordan, Joelle and Lady Whitney were thinking one of two things.

1. My cat is too old for that
2. My cat is too fat for that

“ We can turn double somersaults, bounce on the tire ” The rolled onto their backs and then the first male to speak stood up grabbing the white kitten, throwing her on his shoulder and spinning with her. 

“Do you think?” “Oh 100%, if he could he would…” The sister’s gossip about their Sir. Tigris, knowing how often he comes back smelling. You know what.  

“ We can run up the wall, we can swing through the trees ” They all did a spin before continuing “ We can balance on balls, we can wire the walk ” Sir Tigris’s face was now seen. 

Rose let out a huff as Luna did a little laugh “Talk about him and he shall appear” “Oh, yes, yes, yes. He does this all the time and goes missing then once we say his name he’s home!” Luna grabbed her sister's shoulder as the pair laughed.

“Good to see them in good spirits” Lady Whitney had a smile on her face watching them “We need it sometimes, especially with this…” Joelle gave her a funny look, causing Lady Whitney to laugh too. 

“ Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicles can and Jellicles do ” They all walked in a circle like dance before stopping to split up and dance around in pairs but still as one big group “ Jellicle song for Jellicle cats, Jellicle song for Jellicle cats, Jellicle song for Jellicle cats, Jellicle song for Jellicle cats ” 

They all then climb up by the only cat who never came down to dance, an old male cat fur all a grey and dirty brown. The ladies went first “ Can you sing at the same time in more then one key ” 

“Our cats are musical geniuses. We get it, can we move on?” Charlie spoke, getting annoyed with the singing already.  A small giggle was heard, but before Charlie could see who it was gone. She only looked down at the small little muffin sitting next to her.

“ Duets by Rossini and waltzes by Strauss ” The ladies sing the first half, the men the other. They do hold it out for a split second before pushing one arm out as if reaching for something. “ And can you (as cats do) begin with  C ” Then they pull in only for a “ AAHHH ” 

They all had no words but the two girls whose cat it was “Sidney can really sing!” Willow was bouncing in her seat. Sage was about ready to clap before she remembered where they were. Their parents just had to let it sink in that their cat could do a C.

“ That always triumphantly brings down the house ” They all while standing together came started to sing in pure joy and happiness a choir of cats “ Jellicle cats are queen of the nights, Singing at astronomical heights, Handling pieces from the Messiah, Hallelujah, angelical choir ” It was mid them singing a boot fell causing them all to stop a stare at it. 

“Hahahahaha!” Everyone was laughing at that, some harder than others. It’s a cute gag. Charlie though would rather die before she admitted it. 

“ Jellicle cats are queen of the nights, Singing at astronomical heights, Handling pieces from the Messiah, Hallelujah, angelical choir ” They all then put out both hands, one another the other. “ The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity, Round the cathedral rang "Vivat!", Life to the everlasting cat! ”

“What am I? At church?” Jordan joked, keeping that laugh going. 

“True though, why do they sound like that? Where would a cat learn to talk like that? Do you take your cat to church?” Joelle asked, looking around.

“You?” she pointed to Rose and Luna who nodded with a giggle “Oh, no never-” “-If we took Sir. Tigris he’d make a fool of himself flirting with all the ladies” A loud laugh rang out.

“I would never, my Sebatian would just lounge about, make a home in the kitchen as a taste tester”

“If we did bring Sidney the church would be filled with mice by the next day! Poor girl can’t do her job right” 

“I just know Max would be a sleepy old man! He’d sleep through the whole sermon!” 

“I know that chief would try to run the show, right up by the preacher and telling him off for any mistake!”

“My Pierrot is a quiet cat, I think he’d fit well in a church!”

“October and September-” Charlie started before stopping, “Mama?” 

“They would run about and get into all sorts of trouble, they jump on currents, break dishes and make a mess everywhere they went” It turned from being a ‘what if’ and more a memory.

They stopped laughing to let her be, she just grabbed her baby and held her as they all let the show carry on. 

“ Feline, fearless, faithful and true, To others who do what ” The cats then all jump down from their spots to dance around and sing as before “ Jellicles do and Jellicles can, Jellicles can and Jellicles do, Jellicle Cats sing Jellicle chants, Jellicles old and Jellicles new, Jellicle song and Jellicle dance ” 

It was amazing to see the cats jumping and dancing around in circles. But it still left a bad taste, the happy moment leaving as quickly as it came. 

“Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats” The all formed a giant group to jump in a forward motion going round and through the junkyard. 

“ Practical cats, dramatical cats, Pragmatical cats, fanatical cats, Oratorical cats, delphioracle cats, Skeptical cats, dispeptical cats, Romantical cats, pedantical cats, Critical cats, parasitical cats, Allegorical cats, metaphorical cats, Statistical cats and mystical cats, Political cats, hypocritical cats, Clerical cats, hysterical cats, Cynical cats, rabbinical cats ”

“There’s cat politics? Do you think they're worse than ours?” Jordan once again told a joke hoping to reach that high only for the man to answer.

“Not that I know of? Though some do end in fights, I heard a cat lost an eye once.” They all stopped to look at him , eyes wide. The first thing he says in a good minute is that? Really? 

“ Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats” And with that they finished the lights going out. 

It was then that Maxmillian came up “ There’s a man over there with a look of surprise, As much as to, ‘Well now how about that?’ ” The first to sing then came up behind him “ Do I actually see with my very own eyes, A man who's not heard of Jellicle cat? ”

“ What’s a Jellicle cat? What’s a Jellicle cat? What’s a Jellicle cat? ” 

“So what did you think” He turned back to them, a smile in his voice

Chapter Text

“What do we think? I think I just saw my two cats in a junkyard- which would be fine. What’s not fine is that they turned into fuckign people!” Charlie stomped her foot trying to get out to reach the man . 

“Mama! Calm down!” May did her best to hold onto her mama trying to stop her from hunting herself. “No baby, this is wrong! This is weird and I just don’t like it!”

“And you think we do!” It was Lady Whitney, her fist balled up.

“I didn’t mean it like that”

“Because you're not thinking of us, that we too saw our cat- but no I didn’t” And that’s when it hit them that not once did she wince or flinch like them.

“If you didn’t see your cat then why are you here?” Geoffrey asked with a chill in his voice. She had no answer but to hold her ground and stare at the man . “Why am I here?” She asked.

“Because your cat is here, but he’s not- fit? (Let’s go with that) he’s not fit enough to do all the dancing. He sits up high watching and singing but waiting for his time to shine.”

That did not make her feel any better, like at all. 

“Any more questions?” “Yes, why are we here?” It was Jordan who spoke up, crossing his arms.

“I thought that was explained?” The man tilted his head “No, we know you wanted us to see the cats. But why do we have to see them? What is good for us to see them? What good does it do to know this about them?” There was silence for a hot second before a laugh.

A hard rough laugh bursted through the theater, the man was leaning over grabbing at chairs as he fell to the floor. His laughter could still be heard. As his hand came back up to help himself . He had to take a hot minute to get his breathing back together. 

“Oh, this is why I love humans…” What?

As he stood up again they could see the grin on his face and the whiskers- whiskers?! 

“You- you’re-” Lily started trying to pull her daughters closer fighting whatever was keeping her seated. “I’M?  Go on, guess! Oh! I love guessing games” 

“You’re one of those things” Charlie spat with venom in her mouth. He leaned forward before taking a bow “Yes, yes I am” The all gasped, not expecting him to just say it.

“Are you one of them?” “One of what?” “A Jellicle” Joelle continued. As he just stood there before saying “You’ll have to guess” 

Charlie gripped the seat as May pushed herself closer to her mama. Jordan was ready to jump at hi,, Geoffrey was not doing well and Luna, she was about to pass out if not for Rose.

“So then, what is it?” “What is what?” “What is it you wanted us here for?” “Just to see” “Just to see?” Lady Whitney was getting tired of this back and forth.

“Can we leave now? Since we just had to see, and we saw!” “No, no, no you have yet to see the best part!” That got them all.

“The what?” Geoffrey said, trying to sink into his seat. The man nodded once again. “The best part! Where we meet the cats!” 

“But I know Sir. Tigris” Luna shouted as Rose held her hand. The man only did a light head shack. “He can be more, you know you can now talk to him, see him as he is. Don't you want that?” 

That got them all to sit and think… did they want to see more? Watch their cats dance and sing? But if what he said is true would they really learn more about them? These pets that they love so much? Joelle looked over at Lady Whitney and both nodded before looking back at the cat-man ? 

“We would like to see more” He grinned and looked towards the rest. “Do you all agree?” John and Lily looked to their kids who nodded a little excited and the “Yes”

Jordan thought about it for a hot second, thought of that cat, the pride in him and he did want to learn more about him. “I want to learn more”

Geoffrey looked over at the others and then he nodded to himself before “I want to see more” 

“Do you want to?” Luna asked Rose who just stared at her sister “Of course I want to! Look at him, I want to see more of my boy” A smile across her face.

It all came down to Charlie and May. May looked up at her mama pleading eyes, Charlie tried, she really did try and get that ‘no’ to come out her mouth but it was lost the more she saw her “Fine, we can see more” May all but clapped bumping her fists.

The smile on his face as it started up again. 

All the cats were standing around each other, like a bonfire as they sang out in perfect unison. “ The naming of cats is a difficult matter, It isn't just one of your holiday games, You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter, ” There was a close up on two female cats. “ When I tell you a cat must have three different names ” A close up of Sir. Tigris did get a few jumps out of them. 

Joelle started “Why were I fine with the first two?” “But the second one?” Jordan finished for her. A giggle was shared between the two. “Two, too, to such a nice word” That man spoke and everyone was confused as to why he said ‘two’ so much?

“Doesn’t that mean that we aren’t calling our cat by her right name?” Sage looked up at her dad. “Well-” John was cut off by the man jumping in “No, because a cat has three names. One such being a name that the family calls them. So you are deed calling her by her name. Just one of them. No need to worry too much.” He did a little hand thing that was guessed to make her feel better.

John and Lily were upset about it.

“ First of all, there's the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey, All of them sensible, everyday names ” With same names they got a close up of a cat, Alonzo, Bill Bailey, George, and Victor.

“Is- is that their name?” “That is what they are called, yes” He answered with a nod. “But don’t cats have three names?” Willow asked, peeking up. “They do, sometimes a name just fits better then others. Many are very happy to have their name said, it’s a great honor” He did a little thing with his feet that made John and Lily were once again upset. 

“ There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames, Such as Plato, Admetas, Electra, Demeter, But all of them sensible everyday names ” This time all the names got a face shown, it was weird to see a face that should be human but it was so close to being a cat.

“Fancier names?” Rose asked with a light laugh, he nodded. “Indeed, these cats are well loved by all. A name like that commands respect.” He puffed out his chest, well they were learning a lot about cats it seems.

“ But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular, A name that's peculiar, and more dignified, Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? ” Different close up of the cats from all kinds of angles.

They were never going to get this to the close up, this was something that they were just not here for. Which then made some think of their host and what he might look like under all that. 

To see on in person- yeah they would rather not think about that.

“ Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum, Names that never belong to more than one cat ” Once again each name that was said a had face to go with it, the cats then began to spread out. On all fours, backs arched into the air and tails sticking straight up. They circled around each other. 

“Is this a cult?” Rose spoke only to watch as Luna began to panic.

“What do you mean a cult! Sir. Tigris can’t be in a cult! That’s bad! Bad! Bad! Very bad!” Rose was left trying to calm down her sisters as the others thought about it. It made sense but they still needed more to go off (No one really like the idea of their cat being in a cult)

“ But above and beyond there's still one name left over, And that is the name that you never will guess, The name that no human research can discover, But the at himself knows, and will never confess ” As all this was happening a the small white kitten was making her way over to the center.

“What’s she doing?” Sage pointed her out as May and Willow nodded, they liked her. “Getting ready” “For what?” “You’ll see”

“ When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation, Of the thought, Of the thought, Of the thought, Of his name” They had broken apart into three different groups all while the small one looked around and saw none of them were looking at her. They were staring off into space causing her to pout if just for a minute.  

“Poor thing, ain’t nobody done seen walk off like that” Charlie must have choked to have said something sweet about one of the cats. They all looked at her like she had grown two heads.

“I can be nice to ‘em when I want to” She crossed her arms, embarrassed and looked away. May laughed and did her best to snuggle up next to her mama. 

“ His ineffable, effable, effanineffable ” The kitten had stretched out her back and legs bouncing with it.  “ Deep, and inscrutable, singular name (echo) ” She continued to do little stretches here and there before standing up and doing a little twirl.

It was then they all made room, climbing up and out her way. Letting her be given another room as she prepared to do what looked to be a dance.

“Is she gonna dance? Oh! Please say yes!” Both the kids and Luna were bouncing in their seats to see what she would do. Rose chuckled and leaned back into her seat. Relaxing before something happened that would cause her sister to lose it. 

John and Lily laughed at their kids' excitement to see the cat- girl dance. It was cute. Jordan had mixed views but would not let them brother others, Geoffrey was getting into it. He liked the dancing? Still though, he didn’t like how much that white kitten looked like Angel…

Lady Whitney and Joelle were enjoying themselves and the show if not put off by it, but that feeling was leaving the longer they stayed. And Charlie was conflicted, she had no idea what to think, but she was getting used to it and that- that scared her.

Chapter Text

Everyone was on the edge of their seats to see what was coming up for them. It would be a lie to say they weren’t excited to see what the small kitten had in store for them, but it was still weird. 

Up in front of all the other cats there she stood beginning her dance. 

.10 - Start

“Her control is magnificent” Lady Whitney let out looking over the dance. “She understands her body and where it’s going. Who it’s going to and where it’s going to become. How did a cat learn all this?” Luna shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s really beautiful, right Mama?” May look up at her mama with big round eyes. Charlie knew preemptively to not look. “Right Mama?” This child was trying to get her and it will not work. She will not lose to a child, she will not (again).

John wasn’t much of a dancer but even he could tell the skill and that the man was beaming with pride. 

.20

Joelle couldn’t help but be in awe, this cat was better at dancing then she was and she danced for 15+ years! It was embarrassing…

.35 

“No… she has to stop, I can’t look at this and not-” “Joelle?” “I’m sorry this is making me want to practice again but, I don’t think I still have it.” Lady Whitney laughed at her friend patting her on the back. 

“I’m sure if it’s you, you’ll be fine!” She had a smile on her face that didn’t really help to boost her confidence.

“You dance?” It was Jordan smiling at her, now that lifted something. “Um- I used to. I don’t practice as much” She looked away shyly as he just kept his smile “Still I would like to see. My ma tried to get me and my sis into it, nerve worked” They shared a laugh.

“Are they married?” Willow whispered to her mom who laughed “No, not yet.”  

.43

Lily really wanted to be her daughters in some kind of dance, and said daughters wanted to be in some kind of dance. John knew what all three were thinking and sighed knowing he’d have to explain they can’t.

They barely had enough for them and the cat, there was no way they had enough for this.

Geoffrey nodded, this brian jumping through hope to understand why a cat could do and why it would. But well, he got to see Pierrot in the background being cute so that didn’t really matter to him. It would fit him to be watching his sisters dance.

.51

Luna couldn’t stop herself from crying the more she watched it causing her sisters alarms. “Luna- Luna hun, what’s wrong?” “It’s like what mama used to do…” And that got Luna to stop and think, yes it was.

She remembered their mother dancing around the house as their father laughed at her. She remembered sitting as Luna and mama danced the night away and repeat. 

Her and papa would yell that no work was being done and that got, papa. She leaned over to Luna and hid her crying face.

1.02 - End

They all were left speechless at the dance. Rose started to clap and soon they all did, even Charlie was feeling less tense. 

Chapter Text

“That was very pretty” May said gidding, Charlie just looked at her daughter with a happy sigh leaving her mouth. “Well, this might not be so bad…” May light up like a christmas tree. 

“The smile on your face is all this mama needs” She did her best to reach with the chair to squeeze her daughter but it was still awkward. “Awwwwwww” That was all the women. Charlie blushed and pulled away.

“Yeah, yeah, eat it up. This is the most you gettin’ outta me” She crossed her arms and everyone laughed even the man . Which made them all look at him and for him to shrug. “What? I can’t laugh?” “It’s just weird man …” He crossed his arms but was upset.

“Now, what is next oh wise cat man” With how John said it they all knew he was gonna be more upset. “Why should I tell you?” “Awe, does the pussycat want scratches?” That got a laugh from everybody.

“You’re not funny! And for your knowledge I don’t let mean humans scratch me,so you lose!”  “Oh my God he is a cat!” Jordan yelled, getting even more laughs.

They all were doubling over, the man they had feared as the show went on showed (ha) more and more signs of being a cat. It was funny they all couldn’t help but make fun of him. 

Treating him like their own cats because he seems to know them. What a fun idea, he knew their cats. Do the cats talk about them? Tell the other cats about their owners? A funny thought. 

“Are we starting the next one?” Geofrrey asked, wiping his tears (Yes, it was THAT funny). The cat-man only growled before turning to the screen as it lit up. 

Coming up from his hiding spot was Pierrot. He ran up to the kitten and threw his arms down and then up before starting to sing “ Jellicle Cats come out tonight, Jellicle Cats come one, come all ” As he danced the cats all came out of their hiding spot to join in. 

Geoffrey got a little jumpscared by seeing his cat up there. Singing and dancing like that was his element. The girls were bobbing to the beat. 

“ The Jellicle Moon is shining bright, Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball, Jellicle Cats come out tonight, Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball ” Him and the kitten began to dance side by side as more came as if being called out by Pierrot’s announcement. 

“Ball? You have a ball?” Lilly asked the cat-man , who still wouldn’t face them. She rolled her eyes before continuing “A ball huh?” 

“Oh, a ball! Soooo a princess dress!” Willow tried to jump in her seat “Yep, that’s a ball. A pretty gown for a pretty lady like yourself!” Rose leaned forward to reach out and give a little pat on the head.

Willow giggled away as Sage did little twirls imagining herself at a ball with the biggest of dresses, shinnest of shoes and tallest of hair. She sighs happily to herself. May thought of well a more down to earth ball and meeting the guy of her dreams! She cupped her heart.

Lady Whitney thought of when she met her husband Lord Hall. A ball, they were both younger then. They were new to the world, to love, to all that comes with it. She sighs heavenly thinking of their wedding of Joelle as her maid of honor at her side.

Her babies birthdays and all the balls that came with them for Lord Hall would have no less for children. She reaches over to hold Joelle’s hand who welcomes it and the two share a happy, knowing look. All were joyful at the memory of all but one homeless woman in rags.

She looked up at the cat-man and had a strong feeling, a feeling like no other. She knows this cat. She knows all these cats, and she remembers very well and why they are here today.

“ Jellicle Cats meet once a year ” Munkatrap began as the cats all sat down to listen to his command. 

“Is he a leader?” Geoffry whispered only to have Joran hear “I think, I’ve seen the cats all form around him or wait for him to start. Same at the start they all waited for him to speak.” 

“So what is their set up?” Rose asked next to a jumping Luna. “I don’t know but they do have a leader and I think it’s him” 

“ At the Jellicle Ball where we all rejoice ” Only after he spoke did the others jump ‘rejoicing’ “ And the Jellicle Leader will soon appear ” 

“Guess I was wrong… but he is in some position of power” Jordan shrugged a little off but still he was close. Or he hoped he was. 

“ And make what is known as the Jellicle Choice ” The cats all came up next to him, sticking out a leg and arm. Following in tune of his movements. “ When Old Deuteronomy, just before dawn, ” When he jumped out he jumped out and then pulled back in to let him shine.

“Old Deuteronomy? What kind of name is that?” “Don’t you disrespect him!” The cat-man shouted in anger.

“Keep that man’s name out your mouth, he has been through more than you humans can understand.” He turned his body still filled and jumpy. They all shut up at that, feeling that fear from the start again. 

“ Through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife ” Munkustrap stands back up straight as do the others following his lead. “ Announces the cat who can now be reborn, And come back to a different Jellicle Life ” 

The group leaned forward to hear just what this was. A new Jellicle life? What could that mean? And how does this all fit together? 

He brings the other cats down onto one knee and then he steps up and out, holding up his arm and waving around his fingers “ For waiting up there is the Heaviside Layer ” The white kitten could be seen not fully paying attention but just following Munkustrap.

“That’s the second time they’ve said it” Geoffrey pointed out, shocking everyone as he was mostly quiet. “That heaviside Layer, they've managed it before. The first song”

“You’re right…” Rose whispered as if scared.

“But, this all feels- feels-” Joelle didn’t want to say it. She too was scared.

“A cult. It feels like a cult, a group of people all saying they’re together but in truth it's just what this leader says. What he thinks but in truth it’s a lie” Charlie spoke venom in her voice as the cat-man turned quickly to face her.

“What are you trying to say?” “That you’re in a cult, something just to use you, abuse you and then throw you away” The man’s body grew tense and the room could see bright yellow flashy and glaring at Charlie but she didn’t back down.

“No, that’s how these things work. You’r just brainwashed, you’re not thinking for yourself. You're just thinking what they want you to think!” Her voice was rising with each word. As the man’s eyes got narrower and narrower.

The two were staring each other down, not letting up. “You know nothing of how the Jellicle Choice or Heaviside Layer works. You’re just speaking from your own past, correct?” His voice had a grin to it. A slit hit of the power imbalance act between the two. 

“Let’s all just stop, there is no sign that this is bad or hurting them in any way” Joelle jumped in. “So? That’s how a cult works, sweet and simple.” Charlie was really pushing it and going for a fight.

“This is a cult! Heaviside Layer? Heaven? He’s sending them to die!” “And?” It was Luna, shaking but she had to keep going. 

“And? Your cat is up there! He could be chosen!” “And he’ll be happy about it,” The man added jadedly. They all looked at him, he kept his glare and didn’t stop. Charlie rolled her eyes. 

Joelle turned back to Charlie “Please, just let’s hear them out” “I can’t do that Joe…” She didn’t know they were on a nickname bases but okay-

“I’ve been in that position before. I grew up in one just like it, let’s just say that I was hurt badly by those powers that be. I thought they were my leader to show me the light only for me to crash and burn. Hard…” She looked away ashamed, that got the man to let up his glare. 

Luna spoke up  “But, they can’t all be like that… I know my cat-!” “No you don’t that’s why we're here” Luna took a breath as Rose held her arm in shock at her sister's move. “I understand that, but that time we spent with them. All that they are and were. How can we judge?”

“I can judge because I was them!” “No you weren’t and never will be” The man finally calmed down. “I do understand that you were hurt, but please… understand us and where we are coming from. Being a Jellice is being a family and the choice isn’t some one way ticket to death. It’s just a sign that you are ready” 

“Really meaning you’re not good enough yet-!” “No, we love each for who we are, the choice has nothing to do with it. The choice is just that, a choice, and it’s an honor to be chosen. And the ones who aren’t chosen don’t think we aren’t good enough we do our best understand why Old Dueteronomy choice them” 

The silence was loud… they didn’t think they would get all that. The two kept looking over before the man looked away. 

Charlie sighed and turned back to May who was just confused as to why her mama was yelling. She had never heard this before, was it because she’s too young? (yes). It hurts her, it hurts her mama.

“I will let it go for now, but I am not happy” He turned back to her before sighing and letting it play. 

“ Full of wonders one Jellicle only will see” He held up a finger making his way back to the others “ And Jellicles ask because Jellices dare” They all stood up, looking straight ahead. “ Who will it be? Who will it be? ”

He turned to be greeted by one cat, then the other all reaching out in different ways. Some young running and climbing up to get his attention. Some old waiting and letting him tend to the others. Then the ones who looked his age he treated with care of siblings or cousins. 

The show went off.

Chapter Text

The silence continued for a good second before the man spoke again. “What you will now see are the candidates for Heaviside Layer.” That got them all to jump.

“There can be candidates?” Lily asked “No, not in like they are chosen by Old Dueteronomy but more of- which ones we think will be chosen. 

“So, you cats get to pick?” Charlie followed, he nodded. 

Now that got them all to think, if there can be a choice who's to say one of their cats won’t be chosen. What would they do if they lost their cat? Jordan couldn’t think of the station without Chief; he was a family member. The glue that held them together, he had this habit of just knowing when to step in or when not to and they loved him for it.

Geoffrey tried to think of his life without Pierrot and couldn’t think of life without that little cat, the small kitten he had found in that box. It was even more special when Pierrot’s sister got picked up too. He got to know her and knows the two have playdates. He didn’t want to think about that. Even if she too was A Jellicle and would understand, didn’t help him. 

Lady Whitney didn’t even want to think of the thought, the thought of her Sebatian leaving her. She didn’t want to think of it. It hurt her, she wanted to cry. She didn’t want him to leave, she’d loved him, spoiled him, fatted him up. Showing to the world how cared he was, he can’t just leave! 

Joelle was more calm, she understood her Maxmillian was old and that it was better this way. She knew that letting him rest would be good but she just- she just can’t! She leans forward with her face in her hands. He’s been with her through it all. Her early years from when she lost her big break into theater and how he was so caring and to this day he’ll sing with her. She can’t lose him, she loves him and she knows he loves her. But- it all just hurts.

John had been with Lily since high school but even they had a break up, and what did they find. A sweet sleepy kitten lord did they know she would jump to life the moment they went to bed, worse they caught her playing with her food middle of the night, she saw them and went to sleep right there in her mess. It was funny but also annoying. But she was theirs.

It also would hurt Sage and Willow, she was there for when they were little ones. She was there when they were born, she was everything to their family and she just couldn’t leave. She couldn’t Sage was trying to hold it in for her little sister but she could and the two did their best to cuddle and cry about it. Willow was young but she did understand death, she understood enough that Sidney would be gone. 

Charlie was upset, more so than before. She was made when she found this out, she was mad when she learned that they could turn into humans and do all this. She was mad when she learned they were in a cult. She was mad now learning she may lose one or both. May was better than her mama when it came to emotions. Her mama was brash and loud and October and September didn’t help being the trouble markers they are. It was a happy little balance and without them it would be… nothing.

The woman in rags didn’t have to think of that, knowing her cat would never be chosen. She knew the hatred they felt for both of them. 

The man looked away before coughing. “Would you like to see the candidates?” No one spoke before “Yes” It was Charlie her eyes were wet from fighting tears but she needed to know.

Geoffrey nodded, Jordan let out a breath, John and Lily hugged each other. Joelle was gripping Lady Whitney’s hands as they all said. 

“Yes” 

It starts with a little jump in time, Munkustrap can be seen about to start with Pierrot at his side. Arm out and in a pose as if Munk was about to sing about him.

Geoffrey flinched and ducked away not ready. 

“ I have a Gumbie cat in mind ” That got poor Pierrot laughed at as Munk just looked at him confused. October and September had a little laugh about it. 

Geoffrey let out a breath of air he didn’t know he held in. 

“ Her name is Jennyanydots ” The other cats (what looked to be kittens) came up to comfort Pierrot. “ Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes and leopard spots ” Munkustrap at tiger put his hands up to mimic a growl, a young kitten copied him but going the extra mile. At leopard he did a little hip dance that September copied, causing her brother to laugh.

“Well, I’ll be damned” “Mama” “Sorry, even here they act like little fools!” Charlie laughed, whipping at her eyes. She wasn’t crying, you're seeing things.

“ All day she sits beneath the stair or on the steps or on the mat ” He made a motion to Pierrot who grinned all happy like and ran off. 

Geoffrey laughed, knowing that look. That’s when Pierrot got excited knowing it was his time to shine and after being juked. It was only fair. Jordan wondered what the cats were doing. What are they planning? A grin on his face.

“ She sits, and sits and sits and sits ” He went around to all the cats doing a little leg dance. Before coming up to the run down car, there on top stood Pierrot waiting for his call. 

They all were ready for what they were going to do.

“ And that’s what makes a Gumbie cat” Pierrot put out his hands before making them rise as so to do the trunk.

…

…

…

“My cat is magical?” 

“Your cat can do magic…”

“Street magic?”

“I can’t tell”

“Has to be…”

“Has to…”

They all sat up to get a better look and thought: There must be a string or can in the back helping him. Yeah.

But Geoffrey knew his cat, the look on his face was him being proud of something he did. Not anyone else. Him. So that meant his cat really did magic and he had to keep that all in. Yeah, it’s fine his cat can just do REAL magic, no biggie. NO biggie. 

No problem- it’s all fine. I mean who’s cat can’t do a little magic… Geoffrey’s sure can. A fake smile plastered on his face. 

Just like he did, the trunk opened and inside was Sidney, Pierrot on top was so happy. He did a little nod before jumping down, Chief could also be seen waving at her. “ That’s what makes a Gumbie cat! ” 

Sage felt even more tears coming down her face and her shirt where Willow was. Their cat was a candidate.

“I don’t know what to say.” John managed to get out as Lily just looked at their kids. “She’s leaving us John” “You don’t know that” 

“She is…she’s chosen that” “Lily please-” NO John! Our cat is leaving us! My sweet little girl, who sleeps all day like that stupid song said! I bet they’ll tell how she’s up all night and all that comes with it! I’m tired… I'm tired…” John could only look at his wife confused.

“What do you mean?” “I- i’m just tired of a lot of things”

“You can’t just say it like that”

“I can and will” She crossed her arms sadly. Letting them drop down to her sides.

John could only look at her beforeing looking back at the screen.

Munkustrap turned to the three cats sitting on a pile of trash and they started up. “ But… When the day’s hustle and bustle is done ” Sidney now in a big puffy coat rolled out the trunk with some help of course. “ Then the Gumbie cat’s work is but hardly began ” 

That got a laugh from Joelle who couldn’t but look over at John and Lily, it was not fun. The song and dance was cute though.

Sage and Willow had kinda stopped crying, they could agree with the song. That did sound like Sidney. 

“ And when all the family's in bed and asleep, She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep ” The trio were doing a cute little dance as Jennyanydots or well Sidney? Was bouncing around and taking care of kittens (Telling them off for messing with her tail).

The girls laughed as did Lady Whitney getting into the spirit of things. It was a cathay song. Lily and John still weren’t looking at each, it was getting worse.

“ She’s deeply concerned with the ways of the mice ” They went to point at her as she nodded along “ Their behaviour's not good and their manners not nice ” 

“Don’t cats eat mice?” Rose said with confusion written on her face, John spoke up this time. 

“Not Sidney or Jenny-something dots- she never once killed one and even when we told her she looked horrorfind guess we’ll find out now” That got his girls to laugh, all but one.

Next came up four cats with hats to match the mice “ So when she has got them lined up on the matting, She teaches them ” Jenny cut in “ music, crocheting and tatting ” The music slows down to show her teaching them. The kittens mimicked her hand motions. 

“Is she- is she serious?” “That’s why we have so many mice? She just wants to teach them?” That got both of them to lose it, she was such a little mom, it wasn’t even funny.

“Maybe we can help Sidney!” Willow said to her sister “Maybe- or maybe we let her deal with them..” Sage wasn’t a fan of mice or bugs in general…

“ I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, Her name is Jennyanydots ” Munkustrap started to sing with Jennanydots smiling sweetly at him. “ The curtain cord she likes to wind and tie it into sailor knots ” She saw something on his coat and plucked it off as the two of them watched it fall. She too falls with Munkustrap catching her.

Sage and Willow kept up the laughing. Jordan could shake his head happy this wasn’t Chief. Luna and Rose knew that, gosh did Sir. Tigris push their buttons. Lady Whitney understood. How many times had she caught Sebatian in a mess of some kind? And then he would only grin.

Joelle thought back to when Max was young and how wild he was. She remembered catching that man with like two females, at once! He was crazy, she’s happy he mellowed out. 

Picking where he left off Munkustrap continues “She sits upon the windowsill or anything that's smooth and flat” Letting him sing She goes to look at what must be a dirty spot before she goes to clean it herself. “She sits and sits and sits and sits” She makes her way around him to wave at the trio.

“Is that true?” Luna asks them as Lily nods a smile on her face “Yep, she’s a sleepy girl. I think it comes with age?” “What doesn’t is being up all night” John adds, she doesn’t respond and his face sours. 

Luna frowns going to speak but Rose stops her shaking her head. 

“ And that's what makes a Gumbie Cat” Jenny, seeing her moment, slides under Munkustrap’s legs. Peeking her head through with a smile before yawning. “ That's what makes a Gumbie Cat! ” He picks up her tail and scratches it. Waking her up as she reacts to it.

John and Lily’s eyes widen, he is much too young for her! Their SIdney is a cougar oh good heavens…

Jordan and Geoffrey share a laugh, while Joelle shakes her head not seeing Lady Whitney putting her head to her mouth. 

Charlie finds it gross but funny, she stops and looks at May who doesn’t get it. Thank the lord. Charlie says a quick prayer she won’t see her kits up there- doing this.

“ But… ” The three in the back start as Munkustrap helps Jenny up. “ When the day's hustle and bustle is done, Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun, She thinks that the cockroaches ” They do a little dance as another cat comes up dressed like a cockroach?  “ Just need employment! ” 

Sage’s eyes grow wide out of her head as “AHHHH!!” 

Everyone flinched at the sound.

John thinks but to the many a times they had to call someone for their roach problem that just never went away and Sidney- oh! That cat was gonna get it! 

Lily just could stare, a memory of a roach sleeping on Sidney and scarring her half to death, it was because of this wasn’t it?

“ To prevent them from ” The trio starts up and Sidney butts in. “ idle and wanton destroyment ”

“No.. Sidney no…” Is all that John can say. 

“ So she's formed from that lot of disorderly louts,A troop of well disciplined helpful boy scouts ”

The family of four is stoned face all but Willow who bounces to the song. 

“ With a purpose in life and a good deed to do ” That when Munkustrap and few others come up to help her get her clothes off? (Can you call them clothes?) “And she's even ” The jacket unbuttoned. “ Created ” It opens more and more, hinting at a sparkly outfit underneath. “ a Beetles ” More of it is coming off now. “ tap too! ”

She rips of her gloves, kicks up her feet and one by one off the boats(?) Go. Hat follows as out from the side comes the cats all dressed as cockroaches. Finally she jumps out the jacket showing off her new look.

No words but the clapping of Willow and Luna. Rose and Sage just look at their sister. John and Lily look at each for the first time in a while and just- shake their heads. The bills this cat gave them just to teach these damn things. 

They form a walkway for her as she makes her way to the front and they begin to tap

Geoffrey had taken a few dance classes and this being one, he was impressed by them and did nod along to the tapping. Joelle and Lady Whitney were acting as if this were an opera. 

The dance went on till they stopped to salute her with a “ For she's a jolly good fellow! ” Getting down on one knee and an arm out to let her sine. “ Thank you my dears! ”

The clapping that followed was immense. She was great but John and Lily weren’t doing so hot.

“I do say that was amazing!” Lady Whitney spoke first with Joelle nodding. Charlie was dealing with a happy little May bouncing and dancing in her seat. 

Jordan and Geoffrey, having formed a man-bond(?), did a little nodding. It was so good, it was a show for the ages even, they had a fun time. 

John turned to his wife “Lily I understand how you feel about this…” “No you don’t”

“Yes, I do. She’s my cat too. I was with you and her through hard times too! You act like I wasn’t! For the longest time it was just the three of us! Then four, then five! I get it. It scares me too that this may be the end of her. But it’s not our choice to make…” 

Lily didn’t look at him but she started to shake. “I can’t lose her John…” It was then that she broke down in tears and let John hug.

Everyone let them be.

Chapter Text

“Are you alright?” The man asked in a shy voice, now facing them just to see it. John didn’t look up from holding Lily as the girl’s did their best to comfort their mother.’

“Do you wish to see more?” 

“Can you just let them have a minute?” Charlie spoke out of breath, feeling tired. “We’ve seen enough as it is, can we just get a break?” The man only now looked awkward turning away.

“No…” “No…?” “There are no breaks…” “Why?” 

“Because- if you wish to stop it shall stop and that will be all…”

They all looked at him. It wasn’t even funny. ‘

“You mean to say that if we stop that’s it?” Geoffrey added, he nodded. 

“Can’t you just fix it?” “That’s not how it works. A collective groan escaped them. 

“Do you wish to see more?” He asked a little more sheepishly as they all nodded.

Next thing anyone knew a kick ass beat started to play, a male cat appeared after he ripped a paper out his face “ Meow ” 

Luna fainted and Rose just started with no idea what to do. 

“That’s-” “Yes…” They all looked with a pikachu face because what-

“ Meow ” 

“ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat ” He jumped across a pile of junk“ If you offer me pheasant I’d rather have grouse ” 

“ The Rum Tum Tugger huh?” Jordan asked no one in particular but he could see the sisters losing it. 

“ If you put in me a house, I would much prefer a flat ” He came down from his pile and to the rest of the cats. He saw a young kitten and motioned for her to follow. She was so excited.

“How can you just nod and they follow?” John was not here for it. nHe had just gotten used to his cat. He was not- no- nu uh!

Lily was still red eyed but even she knew better and went to cover her girls eyes. “But-!” “No buts!” Charlie just kept her arm wrapped around May’s head. “Mama…”

“Won’t work this time”

“ If you put me in a flat then I'd rather have a house ” The background cats not into what he was doing were all looking just as horrified as the humans were. He dropped down to one knee to continue “ If you set me on a mouse then I only want a rat, If you set me on a rat then I'd rather chase a mouse ” 

“How are you two doing?” Lady Whitney asked if the sisters were still frozen in shock. This was their cat? Now what he was saying was true but just the whole vibe. They could tell he was going to do something stupid. 

He kicked a ball thrown at him that went up and over Pierrot’s head before crashing and breaking something. He came up to front and did weird hip thing “ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat ”

“Does your cat have any kittens?” Joelle aske as Rose perked up “No- not any that I know of-” 

He thrusted his hips into a another cats face

If Luna wasn’t out before she was now

“ And there isn't any call for me to shout it ” He found something on his foot and fed it to another cat who happily took it. “ For he will do as he do do ” He put his one arm to his body and just ran over it. “ And there isn't any call for me to shout it ”

“This is crazy, he has them all on a stick huh?” Jordan said with Geoffrey and John laughing one more free then the other. A wife was glaring holes into her husband.

Charlie could just stare a smile on her face. Joelle and Lady Whitney started to blush.

There was a quick break for some of the boys to do a little head shake as they danced. Sir. Tigris did a quick little something before pointing to a kitten, she looked happy but embarrassed. 

Next Pierrot was next to him and Tugger puffed out his fur leaned down and “ The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore ” before he walked off with an eye roll. Tugger looked heartbroken but only for a second. 

“Is Pierrot- are they?” Geoffrey had to think hard about it.

“Just one line relax” John added, giving him a pat on the shoulder. Geoffrey just nodded but- no he wasn’t going to think about it.

Tumming his way along he continued to a group of kittens “ When you let me in, then I want to go out ” He walked away leaving them dancing as two males came up, falling when he knocked them over. “ I'm always on the wrong side of every door ”

“Man to huh?” Joelle joked as Lady Whitney laughed with her. Rose just shook her head at the two and all that she was seeing.

Luna was still out.

“ And as soon as I'm at home, ”  As they went to get up he sat on one’s back and did a one, two on his butt. Then he kicked the other one in the butt knocking him over. “ then I'd like to get about ”

He really was doing both, Joelle and Lady Whitney shouldn’t be feeling this way about a cat. Better yet-?

Geoffrey shouldn’t be feeling this way about a cat, a male cat at that. 

He crawled down onto the floor to continue “ I like to lie in the bureau drawer ” He got up and to help make his point did a few hip thrust. On his knees, back arched, arms behind his head. “ But I make such a fuss if I can't get out ”

Charlie was losing it and was just trying to keep her girl from seeing this. Lily was all about to drop dead; this was too much from a cat, was it age? Sidney was never like this. Him being male? 

“ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat ” A group of cats had lined up to make a chair for him to lean on “ And it isn't any use for you to doubt it ” Peeking out from the line were two girl kittens one overly excited. 

“ For he will do as he do do ” He did his little hip circle dance as to the right were men and to the left some ladies. “ And there's no doing anything about it! ”

“By the end of this song do you think-” 

“No-”

“But-”

“Not with my cat please…” Joelle only rolled her eyes playfully at poor Rose’s freak out,

He then started to shake his leg about, sticking out his tongue and making a face. No one wanted to guess what he was meaning. He played around a little ones neck before “ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious  beast ” Her arms moving down her body

They all jumped back at a lady, it seemed she was shooting her shot. The men all grin, dancing along to the song. The few who were Lady Whitney and Joelle followed. 

Jordan thought back to his school years, he remembered being a Tugger in his youth. Running around chasing girls, having them chase him. Good times. John just thought when he tried and would see a pissed Liy making him run as she chased him. And Geoffrey, well he wasn’t big on women.

“ My disobliging ways are a matter of habit ” A group of guys came up from behind him to do a little dance. The girl was swinging her tail as she made her way over.

“This is not happening” Was all Rose could say, Luna had woken up but went back out. “He is not- why- oh! I knew I should have gotten him neutered!” She stomped her foot. 

Everyone else laughed at her.

He knock over a pile of fancats “ If you offer me fish, then I always want a feast ” The red female came up to him and two did a little ‘dance’ his hands on her hips as they shimmied “ When there isn't any fish, then I won't eat rabbit ”

Charlie, John, Lily and Lady Whitney all stopped to lean forward. Being the only parents they were getting way too involved in watching this cat and just all that he was getting up too. Some take it as more of a joke than others. 

“ If you offer me cream, then I sniff and sneer ” He pointed at her as she came over, kicked her leg and he brought her in closer. Her smirking like she won the lottery.

“He’s gonna do it! He’s gonna do it!” Jordan yelled, playing it up as Joelle and Lady Whitney laughed. 

They all were waiting for it (Not his owners-).

“ For I only like what I find for myself… ” He brought his hands up to her chest and rubbed under her chin before  “ no ”

“HOT DAMN!” Charlie ignored the ‘Mama’ that followed. 

Rose followed after Luna.

Geoffrey, Jordan, John, Joelle and Lady Whitney were all laughing their ears off. As Lily just shook her head.

Said girl was doing pretty good after being rejected and being pushed over. “ So you'll catch me in it right up to my ears, If you put it away on the larder shelf ” But man did she try as he did that hip circle there she was trying at his side “ The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing ” He looked over and lightly pushed her away, with his hips. 

“‘Artful and knowing’? Knowing when to hit and when not too?” Joelle joked as Lady Whitney looked at her “I didn’t you had it in you!” She yelled and hit her friend in the back.

Jordan just looks at her in a way that speaks volumes.

“ The Rum Tum Tugger ” The started and he finished  “ doesn't care for a cuddle, so I'll leap in your lap in the middle of your sewing, For there's nothing I enjoy like a horrible muddle! ” He did a little jump before running to the other cats.

Some kittens were dancing along and enjoying themselves. Then he went back around cutting into the older cats, including Sidney giving her and another lady a kiss on the check. He came down to see some girls looking over his butt and he rolled his eyes and shook that thing right at them before walking away.

“This man-” Charlie cut herself off with a laugh. This was great. Joelle and Lady Whitney were holding themselves to stop from laughing a bit too much. 

John and Geoffrey were leaning on each, because this was taking too much out of them. Lily only glared at John daring him. He did his best to keep it in but that butt move got him. She rolled her eyes. 

Meanwhile Luna had woken up right there, screamed and went back out again. 

Another female looked to be seeing something beyond them. He made a little joke with his hand over her eyes. She seemed to not see or just didn’t care causing him to just roll right over her giving her a kiss. She hissed.

“This cat- man I can’t” John was leaning over laughing this was too much for him. 

“ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat, The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a cuddle ” He got up in front and did a little dance all happy like to be the center of attention. Flashing his arm up as did the rest, the older cats all shaking their heads and gossiping.

“That little-” It was Jordan “Mhm?” Joelle asked him as he shook his head. “Chief always knows when we gossip and he’ll just sit there, still we stop. Hates the thing yet here he is!” That got a laugh from her.

The little group dance kept up “ The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat ” He started as a group as kittens forming around him “ And there isn't any need for me to spout it ”

John nodded, thinking of it and Lily knew he was before she whispered in his ear “Their cats… remember that and they’re unlikely to want anything with you cause they’re cats. Cats~ Cats~” He just looked at her, his dreams crushed. 

He did a motion for them all to back up. “ For he will do as he do do ” 

“ And there's no doing anything about… ” A group of girls had crawled their way over to him and he was going to play with it. He did that hip spin getting them all to meow out “ About… ” He held that out as he switched his hips around. “ About… ” He hit a high note only for a young kit to join him. Even getting louder, he let her go but when she didn’t stop he put a hand over her mouth a finished.  “ About it! ” 

By now everyone was laughing (even Lily, just a bit!). All while Luna and Rose were stuck out, the kids were just left confused. Great times all around.