Chapter Text
“Hello Macavity!” Greeted Mistoffelees, walking on the tips of his toes like an elegant ballerina. His entire posture and walk changed around the older cat.
“Ah, Mistoffelees,” greeted Macavity in a hissing voice. Macavity had changed in recent times, his fur becoming unruly, tangled and insane looking, his voice no longer smooth, but instead sharp. He nuzzled Mistoffelees cheek, and licked behind the tuxedo cat’s ear, cleaning.
Mistoffelees frowned and whined, “Macavity!” Okay, he couldn’t help but turn back into a kitten when Macavity did stuff like this!
Macavity chuckled, as he wrapped an arm around Mistoffelees, leading him deeper into the abandoned building the two nested in. “So, how was your day?” He asked, nodding to Demeter and licking her cheek.
Mistoffelees glanced over to Demeter, who pulled away with a sneer. “Fine, I’ve been eyeing up the Purple Paint Museum. One of the paintings there is large and beautiful, and I think it would look lovely above the fireplace.”
Macavity chuckled, “you really are my apprentice.”
Mistoffelees smiled, his chest puffing out slightly. He enjoyed being praised, being recognised for his abilities, but sometimes, he preferred doing nothing with Macavity, he preferred not stealing things. He wished he didn’t have to go out and steal. Yes, he enjoyed it and the rush, but sometimes he wished everything would just pause. Because of this, and the stress and intenseness of everything, he both loved and hated Macavity.
“Though, I did hear a name,” Mistoffelees said, slowly. He was unsure if he should bring up Tugger, yes he knew not to tell Macavity everything, but at the very least he could ask about Tugger.
“What name?” Asked Macavity, walking to a box full of food.
“Rum Tum Tugger...” Mistoffelees said, trailing off.
Everything fell silent for a moment, and Mistoffelees noticed Demeter perk up. It made him wonder if she knew who Tugger was...
Suddenly, Macavity spun around, eyes wide and crazed, sharp fangs on show with spit flying from his mouth, “what?!”
Mistoffelees stepped back, standing up straight, as a shiver shot down a spine. He hated when Macavity got like this, mad, angry, manic. “R-Rum Tum Tugger... I just... I-I heard the name! It-it doesn’t matter!” He rushed out, “I-I just wanted to know — !”
“Silence!”
Mistoffelees jumped, and backed up, standing in line next to Demeter. “Right! Right! Sorry boss!” His shoulders were tense and up to his chin, and he frowned; he really hated this.
Mistoffelees flip flopped between being treated like a son, and being treated like a subordinate. Demeter was treated worse; treated like a lover... if a lover was a punching bag.
“Tugger is a Jellicle Cat who sleeps around,” spat Macavity, shoving his face into Mistoffelees. “He is a worthless, pathetic excuse of a cat! Just stay away from him! He is useless! He is nothing! And, he’ll be a distraction! Do you understand?!”
“Yes sir!” Mistoffelees assured, heart racing, and his body shaking. It didn’t happen often, but Macavity lost his temper and would lash out at Mistoffelees.
“Go practise your turns, Mistoffelees.” Macavity spat, turning away from Mistoffelees. “Demeter. Come here.”
Mistoffelees and Demeter glanced at each other, before walking in opposite directions.
“Macavity?” Came Demeter’s soft, nervous voice, as she came to stand next to him.
Macavity’s ear twitched, but didn’t look at her. “How did he come across such a name?” He sneered, and sniffed. “Well... who cares.” He gently traced Demeter’s chin, and he ignored her sneer. He glanced over to Mistoffelees, and watched the tuxedo cat spin on the ball of his foot.
He was good, sturdy, but overall Macavity couldn’t let Mistoffelees get better. Yes, the young tom thought that Macavity was teaching him and encouraging him, and yes Macavity was teaching him because it was fun to be kept up with. But better? That’s when Macavity would discourage him.
“Sloppy!” Called Macavity, arms crossed.
“Sorry!” Called Mistoffelees.
“I should keep a closer eye on him,” grumbled Macavity. He looked over to Demeter, “Demeter my dear... has anyone in the Junkyard talked about Mistoffelees?” Yes, he knew Demeter went to the junkyard, but she stayed in the background, eyeing everyone and reporting back to him.
“No Macavity...” Demeter said, softly.
Macavity nodded, “good.” He nuzzled his cheek into hers.
Demeter tensed up, and let him nuzzle her.
Macavity thought back to Rum Tum Tugger again. He hated the curious cat, he was a flirt, and was probably infested with diseases. His father constantly overlooked him, focusing on Munkustrap and worrying about Tugger. It was Tugger that ruined everything, always taking up the attention...
He turned to Mistoffelees who was now stretching. “Keep working on those turns!” He called, before walking out.
“Yes, Macavity!”
Demeter watched Macavity leave, and instantly relaxed once he was gone. She glanced over to Mistoffelees, who fell into an elegant split. Mistoffelees was a lovely cat, and she trusted the little angelic devil. Honestly, she wished that tom cat would escape from here.
When she was allowed to go and spy on the Jellicles, she noticed the twins but said nothing. Then she met... Munkustrap. He was ever so kind and refined. He treated her like a lady, soft and sweet to her. He wasn’t much of a flirt, but she could feel her heart racing whenever he smiled at her.
That all being said, yes... Tugger had mentioned a Mistoffelees, and was instead told about Quaxo. Everyone in the yard had heard about Quaxo, about the cat that ran away, about the cat who willingly left the tribe, about the cat who had similar powers to Macavity. The story went; Macavity killed him eventually. Demeter never believed that. But... the implication being that Mistoffelees and Quaxo are the same tom?
As she walked over, she frowned and stopped in front of Quaxo, who paused in his leg lift.
“Yes Demeter?”
Demeter swallowed, “I know you met Tugger. He’s been asking about you. He asked the twins about you.”
Mistoffelees stood up, “and he didn’t ask you?”
“I uh... I’m not exactly advertising that I’m a part of... Macavity...” Coughed Demeter, rubbing the back of his neck. “So... you met him?”
“We bumped into each other,” said Mistoffelees, staring deeply into her eyes. Vague. “It means nothing...”
“Nothing?”
“No. Nothing... it was a one off thing... and I must have just... piqued his interest.” Shrugged Mistoffelees, at complete ease. Aloof.
Demeter scowled, “huh... well... good to know...” She nodded, and turned. “I’ll be all the Junkyard again, keeping an eye on them for Macavity.”
Mistoffelees nodded, “okay... stay safe.”
Mistoffelees watched Demeter leave, and grinned. So, Tugger was a flirt who slept around? Well, the magical cat didn’t mind that... not at all. Hopefully, tonight Tugger and him will have sex... here’s to hoping.
Well, he has a milk date tonight, so he best get a nap in.