Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

That morning Lady Whitney thought a lot about her cat Sebatian. A fat cat he was spoiled by her and her kids (Her husband hated how fat he had gotten). But they all loved him but one thing that scared them- when he would go missing. He would want to be let out and then come back practically dirty and sticking! It was becoming a problem. No matter what they tried he would sneak out and go heaven knows where! This morning, she was holding him as the children were dancing for them, a show. What a wonderful show it was when, the maid came in. A girl named Joelle. Joelle had been working for their family for years now, she being in her last 50's she is a sweet lady. She too was a cat owner. Her's being a at just as old as she was. She came paring the mail, many letters. Some for dances, some for parties most her pen pals she had met at said events. 

"What do we have today, Joe?" A

"The same as usual Mrs. but also something new-" 

"Oh! What!" A young voice said. "Yes! What? Tell us! Tell us!" Yelled another.

Lady Whitney had two kids a boy named Dean and a girl named Lisa. Two little things that ran around the house like a race car close to the finish. She loved her kids but- did she wish they were quiet? Yes.

"Let her speak, Joe please continue." She made a hand gesture matching her request.

"Well, there's one for you and one for me! I was just as surprised as you look now. She giggled at Lady Whitney's surprised face, "What- what do you mean a letter for you? Don't you have an address to accept mail?" She asked questionly. "Oh! I do my lady and that's what makes it funny! Most of my family used to send letters the same way. They like to play tricks like that Mrs." She waved her hand s she calmed her laughter. Lady Whitney began to laugh alongside her understanding the joke.

"I see now, let's open our letter together then?" Joelle nodded and hand Lady Whitney her letter together the two opened them only to stop laughing. The letters "Mrs. what does your say?" Joelle asked nervously. "Going off what this says the same as yours?" She asked worriedly only for Joelle to read out what her letter said.

To Miss. Hill

We are reaching out to you and asking a simple question,  do you know what it is your cat gets up to when he leaves?

We know the answer is 'no' so we shall provide said answer. We are of simple dreams and ideas.

We only wish to help you and your lady of employment. 

We do hope  you'll accept, please come to **** ***** ***** if you wish to accept.

Oh, and bring your lady she should have a similar letter. 

-Thank you

The two set in silence a feeling of dread watched over them. Looking over themselves wondering just how much these people knew about them. Joelle spoke first "Do you want to go my lady? If you go, I will go with you." Lady Whitney had to think, did she want to? What if something bad happened to her and Joelle? Who would watch over the kids? Her family? Joelle's family? She had to think hard about this. 

"I- I think we should go. Just to see. But first tell over families. So, people know if anything happens." Joelle nodded, the two began to plan. Lady Whitney had to beg her husband to let her go and after a long talk he let her. Joelle sent letters to all her family in hopes they would reach them at some point. The mail wasn't the best at times. The two ladies dressed in long dark dresses, gloves, veils and high heeled boots. Had made it, the theater they were said to come to.

The theater was run down, parts of it looked taped on. The sign had all but fallen of, walking under it had the fear of it falling down on them. Now the two had to keep going. Inside was a sign pointing down the hall. They held each other's hand and began to walk down. Posters of old movies lined its walls, doors locked by chain. Arrows newly painted on the floor led them to one room they could here chatter coming from. Then-!

"Hello there! Names Charlie and this here is my baby girl May!" A redhead lady voice hollered out. She was dressed in jeans with white wife beater shirt and flannel jacket. Her daughter (May) had a flower dress that stopped at her knees. 

"Where you the ones that called us here?"

"Oh, Heavens! No, all us here are just like you. Got a letter a few days ago about our cats. Came here cause we were curios." She said pointing to the others in the room. All spread out across the sits. A tiny old couple sat together, a young girl of 20 and a woman who was her mother or sister sat next to her. A man with big round glasses sat all by his lonesome, A family of four sat a few sits form him, a wife husband and two girls. Then a man dressed in a train conductor uniform, and lastly a lady dressed in rags. 

Joelle led the two over to a sit in the top corner away from the others. They all were either talking with family or quiet in their own little corner still a person new walked in dressed in all black. Long pants and short selves with a mask to cover their face. Everyone went quiet and watched the new person walk down to the front of the theater and look other all of them before speaking. 

"Welcome to the theater. You all came here with hopes of learning more about your cats and you shall. I shall be your guide."  

His voice sounded like a man, but it wasn't human, something about it made them uncomfortable. 

"Well- what are we learning? That you called us here?" Asked the conductor.

"To learn of where your cats go once a year." 

No one could believe this; they know where their cat goes. It hit them, their cats go off to places they don't know and now this man (If you could call him that) was going to show them. He claps his hands, and a projector could be heard springing to life.

It played a black screen slowly a bunch of glowing yellow eyes appeared blinking. One by one they would appear then disappear. Then car lights driving down the street the lights shined over a junkyard and a cat-person? Was shown, she hissed at the light before running away.

"Stop! Stop! What was that?" Asked the conductor. 

"The truth you seek now quiet." 

"No, explain why I just saw a half cat half person thing!" He yelled at the man.

"Your cats are special just like Demeter there. They are cats that can turn into people. Or well cat people." He said sighing, thinking it should be obvious. They all looked at him in disbelief. 

Another cat this time a male slid across a rundown car. He paused for a second looking around before crawling down car, leaning on the license plate and tire. Next a different female cat appeared, her one leg up with another acting as support. Her one arm stuck out the other holding her up. Then a new male cat appeared shaking his head and nipping at the air. 

The conductor jumped in his sit, that cat looked just like the one at the station. Chief was what they called him, for he did just that act like their chief. He had been there years before he began to work there but always was with them. It was weird to see what looks to be his cat. 

"isn't that the cat at the train station?" Asked Joelle looking at the train conductor who in turn felt all eyes on him.

"I- I do believe he- it the thing on screen! Does look a little like Chief, or that what we call him." He said it as if he was getting something of his chest.

"Good sir I just remember; I see you every day at the station. Yet, I don't know your name. By any chance?" Joelle asked him, he seemed more upbeat and happy to answer.

"My name is Jordan ma'am." He said tipping his hat off to her. She smiled in return.

A black and white cat climbed up the side of something a looked over. From below him twins ran out heads down and arms sticking out, they fell onto the floor going onto all fours. Looking to the audiences left then right. They rose up then slid back down still being on all fours, from the front a younger looking lady cat climbed up. From a pile of broken chairs, a male cat popped out. He clawed out at them.

it Tigris!" Yell one of the two girls. "Sis, keep quiet! We don't know for sure that's him." She moved to calm her, but she too had thoughts about her cat. Wondering what was happening and why that looked to be him. She looked around and bowed her head in shame before speaking.

"I'm sorry for my sister she's a little overprotective of that damn cat. Loves him to death but good God is a pain." She said patting her sister's shoulder.

"My names Luna and her is Rose. Pleased to meet you." She smiled as her sister did a little wave.

The cat from the start ran out from her hiding spot. Only to slid across the floor not getting far. The first male on top the car climbed down before standing up, a spotlight shinning down on him. 

"Are you blind when your born?"  He sang looking up in a surprised but leaderish kind of manner.

"These things can sing?!" Yelled out Charlie holding her daughter close to her. She turned disgustedly over to the man in black. 

"Of course, why wouldn't they? They can walk on two legs, look like cat one minute and a human the next. Why shouldn't they be able to sing?" He spoke dramatically like a play being written out. They all turned to him then back to the screen wondering just what their cat were.

"Can you see in the dark?'   Asked the first cat human thing they say. 

"Can you look at the king?"  Asked the cat they now knew as Chief.

Jorden still couldn't get over seeing chief like this and then for him to see. Yeah, it's weird seeing your cat now as a human, learning this is what they do in their spare time and now to hear them sing? It was over whelming. 

"Could you sit on his throne?"   Another cat coming out a trash can sang. 

Joelle breath stopped- that was her cat! That was Maximillian, what was he. . .? Then she remembered the letter she got. She looked up at him and down at her hands, the ones just before coming here and pet him. Was this the thing she had touched? Loved? Cared for all these years?

"Can you say of your bite that it's worse than your bark?"   Sang Sir Tigris puffing out his chest fur. 

Lune and Rose both looked down wondering what was the matter with their cat? 

"Are you cock of the walk?"   Went the black and white cat walking across the car, mocking the way rich people walk.

"When you're walking alone?"  Say a younger sounding girl.

"Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do"  Sang them all  beginning to stand and dance around weirdly.

"Jellicles do and Jellicles would"

"Jellicles would and Jellicles can"

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"Is that what they are?" Asked Lady Whitney.

"Yes, they are Jellicle Cats, cats of old and of magical for long have they breathed and lived the same earth as you." The man spoke voice still as mysterious, but they were used to that.

"Explain then, what's a Jellicle cat?" Asked the round glasses man.

The man seemed to jump and want to answer him before turning back to the screen. They took that as a sign to stop and go back to the show? Could it be called a show?

"When you fall on your head, do you land on your feet?"   Say an older looking lady cat as she jumps and shakes her hips and little.

"Are you tense when you sense there's a storm in the air?"   The twins raise and the male sings, they two arms move a wave like motion.

"Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?"   A tiny little kitten comes out a sing.

"Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer?"   Say very old male cat with a deep voice. 

"Oh! Dear look it's Shakespeare." The old lady says patting her husband's arms. He looks up and his face freezes at the cat man.

"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"   One by one they come out their hiding spots to sing and dance.

"Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?"   The Female twin speak.

"Familiar with candle,"   An older lady cat and younger sing together

"with book and with bell?"  A younger one  finishes

"Were you Whittington's friend?"   A younger 'hot' looking cats lady sings slapping her thigh.

"The Pied Piper's assistant?"  A tuxedo cat jumps out.

The man with the round glass froze before speaking "My- my Pierrot?"

All eyes turned back to the poor man and well he wasn't doing so good.

"Have you been an alumnus of heaven or hell?"  A new male cat comes in a does two cartwheels. Next two new twin cats run up.

"Are you mean like a minx?"  Came the male his sister running up and grabbing at his  arm.

"Are you lean like a linx?"   She finished the rhythm. 

"Mommy!" The little girl: May said. 

"I see sweet, I see all right." Her mother: Charlie repiled.

"See what?" Asked Jordan, "Our cats, October and September. Little babies we took of the street." She sounded as if she was questioning her cats because she was. She was seeing the two kittens she had raised now on screen as whatever a 'Jellicle Cat' was. 

"Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?"   A very young little kitten sang.

"Where you there when the pharaohs commissioned the Sphinx?"   Sang one of the first cats they'd seen.

"If you were and you are, you're a Jellicle Cat"   They all came together to sing and dance.

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze"  A cat came flying across the  screen.

"We can turn double somersaults, bounce on a tire"

"We can run up the wall, we can swing through the trees"   The first male cat had picked up a white one and span her around over her shoulders.

"We can balance on bars, we can walk on a wire"   They all began to do a little dance.

"This is what our cats do? They leave to go dance and sing?" Ask Charlie in disbelief. 

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"That seems to be it." Replied Joelle

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"Well, forgive me language but this is straight bull!!" Charlie yelled out.

The children all flinched at her voice.

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"Calm yourself! We are here for the same reason. Our cats are people, and they do this in their free time. What else can we do?" Came the husband with the family.

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"Why should we be calm? Those things were in our houses! Sat on our laps! Played with our kids!" Charlie's voice got louder with each word.

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"We understand your mad. Who wouldn't? But think about like this, they were just cats?" Joelle jumped in as lady Whitney shock her head but it was to late.

"What do you mean "jus cats" look at the thing on screen! How is that a cat!" Charlie seemingly wanted to aruge.

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Because just like you I've seen my cat here and well, he had a reason to hind this." Charlie jumped in with an even angrier voice.

"They had to hind it because I would have shot them dead. I can't believe those things were near my May!" She grabbed hold of her daughter petting her.

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"I do believe that we shouldn't have to find out about our cats this way but killing them?"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cas"

Charlie wanted to keep going before Jordan stopped them. "We can fight about this later let's watch for now."

They all came together in a group standing on a platform, the ladies all sang together first.

"Can you sing at the same time in more than one key" 

"Duets by Rossini"  

"And waltzes by Strauss."    Rang the boys. 

"Aaaah, ahhhhhaaa" They sang coming back  together.

"And can you (as cats do) begin with a C" 

"AAAAAAAAHHHH" Came one cat surprising everyone. 

The family handle close together at the sight of their cat.

"That always triumphantly brings down the house"

"Jellicle cats are queen of the nights"

"Singing at astronomical heights"

"Handling pieces from the Messiah"

"Hallelujah, angelical choir" 

A boot came falling down, the cats all stopped to look at it before singing once again.

"Can we talk about it now? Our "pets"?" Charlie rounded her eyes at the word. They others said nothing.

"Sure, why not. I still can't believe that my Pierrot! His here. Why is like that? I- I loved him and to find out his- whatever a 'Jellicle' is." The round glass fell off his face as he looked down at his hands before crying. May and the other two girls went over to comfort him. 

"Jellicle cats are queen of the nights"

"Singing at astronomical heights"

"Handling pieces from the Messiah"

"Hallelujah, angelical choir" 

"Angelical choir?" Lady Whitney asked herself.

After finishing they all got quiet and straighten up. Put out one hand (paw?) at a time. One over there. Church music began to play.

"The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity"

"Round the cathedral rang "Vivat!" " 

"Life to the everlasting cat!"

The cats sang like they were at a church, voices sounding like angels as they praised (?) they everlasting cats. 

"So now they have a religion?" Yelled out Charlie, getting madder and madder.

"Feline, fearless, faithful and true"

"To others who do what"

"Jellicles do and Jellicles can"

As if on que they all ran off and back to dancing.

"Jellicles can and Jellicles do"

"Jellicle Cats sing Jellicle chants"

"The cats that we loved are monsters who would have guessed." 

"Ms. Charlie plea-" Lady Whitney was interrupted. 

"Mrs. To you lady." She held up her hand, as if hoping she had a beer.

"Jellicles old and Jellicles new"

"Jellicle song and Jellicle dance"

Jordan was the first to speak this time "Yes, this is weird and not something we planned or wanted to learn. But we know this. So, what do we do when they come home?"

"Shot it dead?" 

"No" Came Joelle.

Spinning, jumping and running in circles they could do it all!

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Why you want that thing laying on you?" She joked but no one laughed.

"I- I love Maximillion. No matter what he is. He's- mine." Joelle looked down at her wrinkling hands. 

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"So what? He was with you for a few years?" Still no one laughed.

"His all I left! Is that so wrong!" Joelle hollered. Lady Whitney grabbed her shoulder and did a half hug. 

"Practical cats, dramatical cats"

Pragmatical cats, fanatical cats"

"What? You're a cat fucker now?" 

"No! Is it so worng to love them! To hold them as we've done!" Charlie stopped talking and stared as Joelle stood up.

"Oratorical cats, delphioracle cats"

Skeptical cats, dispeptical cats"

"My Maximilion. He's all I have left! I don't care if he's some old! Human thing! He's mine!" She held herself crying. Lady Whitney joined her in the hug.

"Romantical cats, pedantical cats" They begin to whisper sing.

"Critical cats, parasitical cats" 

"He's all that's left of Him, he's my only reminder that I wasn't always alone!" She cried.

"Allegorical cats, metaphorical cats"

"Statistical cats and mystical cats" Slowly picking up the volume.

"You'd keep that thing around all for the feeling of not being alone? Whose next to you now!" Charlie hollered.

"Political cats, hypocritical cats"

"Clerical cats, hysterical cats"

"he's all that's left of my husband!" Joelle finally shouted as her tears fell so did she. 

"Cynical cats, rabbinical cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

No one spoke. Not a single person just the sounds of Joelle crying with Lady Whitney holding her.

"Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats"

"There's a man over there with a look of surprise,"

"As much as to say, "Well now how about that!" "

"Do I actually see with my own very eyes"

"A man who's not heard of a Jellicle Cat?"

"What's a Jellicle cat?"

"What's a Jellicle cat?"

"So- any question?" Askes the man, grinning.

Chapter Text

"So- any question?" Askes the man, grinning.

"Questions? Yeah, I have a lot. First of what did we just watch?" Charlie spoke first standing and going over to the man. 

"You watched your cats? I am confused on what you want me to say" he said tilting his head. 

"You know damn well that isn't what I meant. Explain- everything!" Her voice raised. 

"Everything? Well, I can't do that, the story most go on."  He was playing with her now.

"Then just tell me how! How can they do that!" 

"Mhm? Explain please." 

"What is a Jellicle cat?" The man gasped and held his breathe. 

"Just- any other questions?" Lady Whitney spoke.

"Why do they do this?" 

"That to will be explained. You all just choose to talk and not let them show you." It was obvious to everyone he really wanted them to stop asking questions.

The cats all came together in a weird group. Some standing some sitting, now all singing together.

"The naming of cats is a difficult matter"

"It isn't just one of your holidays games" 

Back to the singing it would seem, but this time the cats were beginning to feel less as their own cats and more as one cat. One big cat that was broken down into- how every many of them there are. Charlie still felt it was wrong and hated it, she just couldn't wrap her head around it. 

"The naming of cats? What so special about that?" Asked the father. His turned to look over at him, before shaking her head. 

Lady Whitney nodded her head, Joelle sat up straight.

"You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter"  First an older cat was shown, next was one of the female cats they didn't know. She had been seen a lot.

"When I tell you a cat must have three different names:"  A full view of all the cats before zooming in on Sir Tigris. 

Rose began to shake and call out to her cat. Luna wrapped her arms around her in an attempt to calm her down.

"First of all, there's the name that the family use daily"   Throughout the next few lines it moves from close up on a cat to far away. Off to the side, a group shot and many more.

Charlie shook her head, different names? Really? She felt her blood raising as May reached and grabbed her hand.

"Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James"

"Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey"

"All of them are sensible, everyday names"

"Why the different names?" Asked one of the two little girls. "I don't know dear." Answered her mom. 

Joelle watched and wondered did that mean her Maximilian went by a different name? Was she calling him something he didn't like? Just what is she to call him? She shook her head before looking over at the man. He was nodding his head, he then caught sight of her a waved. She looked away. 

"There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter" 

"Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames"

"Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter"

"But all of them sensible, everyday names"

They all sat confused and wondered why? Why does a cat need three names? Just what did they all mean? Was there something about it? Was it that they just didn't like the names their humans gave them? 

"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?"

"What pride? These things take pride in living in poor people's houses? Getting all up on us when this is what they are?" Charlie asked no in particular. 

"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"

"The names being listed are important. Most of the cats you've seen have these names." The man said. 

"What do you mean? Don't they have three names?" Asked the round glasses man. 

"They do, but most of the younger kittens don't yet have a name that the other cats all them. And so go by their pet name."He gave a toothy grin. 

Chapter Text

The cats all then run off to the sides. Watching as one all white stepped forward.

"Who is she?" Asked May. The man smiled sweetly at her brother looking over.

"That is Victoria, this year she and many of the others young kittens shall go from kits to young adults!" The words trilled of his tongue as he spoke. 

"Kittens? They got babies?" Asked Luna as Rose nodded alone. The man nods his head as he begins to explain. 

"Out of all the cats you see there are about 5 different age groups. Kittens or babies, young adults, adults, older adults and then elders." He nodded once again to everyone. Everyone was left wondering a few questions. 

"What's the difference? Aren't adults and older adults the same thing?" Charlie asked getting a little upset over something she thought was stupid. The man answered shaking his head as if joking he opened his mouth to speak. "The main difference is older adults are close to be elders. Their getting up there in years. Now please watch her, she practiced." He grinned before turning to the screen.

The other wonder just how he knew that but (mostly) shock it off.

0:10 

The little girls watched the cat with big eyes; curious and suspired as she held her leg.

The rounded glass man jumped as he saw his cat in the background. Or what he thoughts was his cat (He hoped it wasn't).

0:20

"That turn was beautiful..." Joelle spoke both her and Lady Whitney in awe. 

Luna nodded along not really understanding. Rose gasped, her hand on her heart.

Charlie rolled her eyes, crossed her arms and looked away.

0: 26

The cut to her hand was awkward but they followed along. 

0:35

Rose clapped as she watched Victoria. "OH! If only she weren't a cat! She'd go on as one of the greats!" Luma shock her head, smiling sweetly at her sister. 

"Wha'chu mean? That's a cat! Don't matter what she is or was or going to be! She'll be a cat today and be a cat tomorrow!" Charlie yelled; Rose snuck into her sit as Luna held her. She glared at Charlie who in turn called May back over to her. (Who in turn got mad, she made new friends).

0:42

"Di- did she just go all the way down?" Ask Jordan shocked at what he just saw. The father and rounder glasses joined him. Both shaking their heads and in pain.

0:50

"Ahhhhhh!" Rose sighed, gripping her heart. 

0:56 

The two sister (children not Luna and Rose) laughed thinking her feet looked like little paws.

May wanted to go join them, but her mom had sat her in her lap. She wasn't going anywhere any time soon. 

1:00

All three girls, Joelle, Lady Whitney, the men, Rose and even Luna all clapped as another cat came up. 

The men then spoke.

"I would like to give you all an invitation to something amazing." 

Chapter Text

They all sat curious as to what would happen next. 

The cat knew as Pierrot ran forward; his arms flung out as he stood above Victoria. She in turned followed his movements, his hands came in the down to her. Running them down her torso and to her legs. He did a 'go' motion and go she went. Spinning off to the side.

The round glasses men blushed at his cat, wondering just where he learned this. 

The man shook his head. Grinning to himself. 

"Jellicle Cats come out tonight"   His rose to standing on one leg, arms raised.

"Jellicle Cats come one, come all"    His arms went round in a circle as he called on Victoria to join him in his dance.

"The Jellicle Moon is shining bright" Together the two dance, coming forward - 

"Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball"   Then back. The two swung round back to what would be the 'front'

"Jellicle Cats come out tonight"   The join the others, dancing in the center. Pierrot calling the other up to join.

"Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball"  It cuts to a young cat as he jumps down before back to Pierrot.

All the children clapped as May jumped from her mom's lap; only to be pulled right back. She wined and crossed her arms mad. Her friends waved to her and wished to play with her again soon. Charlie just didn't like it. She didn't like that her cats the two she had found and raised as her own; her two troublemakers were-were these things! It hurt, it hurt like hell. She just couldn't shake that feeling of betrayal but most of all pain. 

The round glasses men shook his head at his cat. Pierrot as the kind of cat to leave the house and come back a few hours later. He had found him the streets, he hadn't found him as a baby but as young adult (the vet said so at least). 

The cat had years to his life that even he didn't have. Making the cat seem old but young. He would carry himself as this old and lazy cat but would jump around, his zoomies were a nightmare. He truly acted young then. 

A cat they had seen before stepped forward. Arm outstretched. 

"Jellicle Cats meet once a year"   At his worlds the others jumped down, the first time they had listened to anyone.

Joelle nodded to his and looked off to the side. Lost in thought.

"At the Jellicle Ball where we all rejoice"   Just as before they followed his voice or more so his movements. They all jumped up excited! 

"And the Jellicle Leader will soon appear"   At the mention of a leader they all straightened up.

"They got a leader?" Charlie asked a bit surprised and confused. The man nodded.

"And make what is known as the Jellicle Choice"

"The what?" Lady Whitney spoke, covering her mouth. How unlady like! She blushed as Joelle patted her back. 

"When Old Deuteronomy, just before dawn, through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife"   As he moved so did the others. The were really following him. Just who is he? 

"Announces the cat who can now be reborn"   They all straightened up once again showing just how serious this is

"Um- sir will you explain what this is about?" Joelle asked the man, he nodded grinning.

"And come back to a different Jellicle Life"   They slowing suck to the floor

"For waiting up there is the Heaviside Layer"   He did a weird dance

"Heaviside Layer?" Asked Rose. Luna just looked confused.

"Full of wonders one Jellicle only will see"   He yelled up one finger as he went around

"And Jellicles ask because Jellices dare"  He stalked his way back to the others who rose as he came over. Joining them in a group, him at the head as the leader.

"Who will it be?"   He spoke

"Who will it be?"   They repeated

He turned around as a few of them went to play with him. Holding out their paws? Hands? Some even scratching on him. He did a head nod to a younger looking girl. Then did a shake(?)  with Pierrot. 

Touched the check of an elder one, offered his arm to shake to one his age then an elder. Put his arm out for another to rub on (Demeter), as one grabbed him and pulled him down. He then went over to one and rubbed heads. 

Standing next to him was Pierrot, one hand on his hip another outstretched. The one that could order them stood with his legs and arms wide out. He opened his mouth to sing.

Chapter Text

"Well, you must have some questions, may I right?" They could hear the smirk. Charlie stood up, May on her hip. 

"Yes, what is this a cult? My cats are a part of a cult?" She all but yelled, he shook his head laughing to himself. 

"If you wish to call it that, but personally I see it more as something they all believe in. As you know your cats have a life outside of you. They're your 'pets' you love them and well this is what they love to do. Go out and join other cats, singing and dancing about what you think is a cult." The way he spoke was as if he was trying to defend it, like he took what Charlie said personal.

Why? Was Joelle first thought, she was very much wondering a lot about their host. Just how was he connected to all this?  "Can you explain what that all was? Please? I would like to learn about Max as well they want to learn about theirs." 

He jumped and turned to her "Your cats are Jellicle cats, and they have a very strong belief. The belief being that once a year one of them is chosen to go to the Heaviside layer!" He stood on one leg, his other on one of the sits. "To go to the Heaviside layer is a blessing, it is a great honor- to them" The way he threw out the last line made them curious. 

"What about the cat leading them?" Lady Whitney asked, "What do you mean?" 

"There was a cat that came out and acted as a leader" Jordan added. "He came in and was singing about their leader?" He was confusing himself. 

"OHHHH! Him, that was Munkustrap! He acts as the leader as they wait for the real one. Even then, he trying to prove that is he good enough to lead them, when the current leader dies that is." He shook his head sadly. 

"So, it's a cult?" The mother spoke. He got really mad and shook his head, sitting down. He threw his hands up in the air. "Just watch!" He hissed at them. 

It picks up where they last were. The cat now known as Munkustrap began to sing. 

"I have a Gumbie Cat in mind"   Pierrot did a little dance, it shows the two (October and September) joking about it.

Charlie held her heart, May clapped. 

"Her name is Jennyanydots"  At the embracement Pierrot goes away only for the younger ones to comfort him. 

"Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes and leopard spots"   As he did something, it switched back to the younger ones copying him.

"How old is Pierrot? When I first fond him the vet said he was young, but I didn't think that young" 

"He's not that young, but he is young. Him and the kits get along because they're some of the youngest." 

"All day she sits upon the stair or on the steps or on the mat"   He twirls around going to one side before he 'tells' something to Pierrot who runs off. 

"She sits and sits and sits and sits"   He runs over to Pierrot, witting on a broken-down car truck. 

"And that's what makes a Gumbie Cat"   Pierrot begins to lift up the truck with by just waving his hands. 

"HOW! HOW! What is going on here!" Yelled Charlie. The round glass fainted. 

"Why, because he's magical~" 

"No!"

"That's not possible!"

"OH! Why, what Sir-" 

"Don't go there!" 

"Mommy what if-" 

"Hun, what is going to happen when ours is shown?" 

"I don't know dear."

"Calm down, he's the only magical cat. You all can relax." Was that meant to make them feel better? 

"That's what makes a Gumbie Cat!"   The truck lifted to reveal a cat just as described. 

"Sidney!!" Yelled out the mother. "Let me guess yours?" Asked Jordan.

"Yes, that's our cat Sidney. Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves. I'm John and this is my wife" 

"Lily, please to meet you all. These are our two little girls Willow and Sage." 

"But . . ." 

"When the day's hustle and bustle is done" Three female cats started to sing as Sidney rolled out the truck

"Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun" The three had a leg up and their arms out

"And when all the family's in bed and asleep" They point following her as she walks

"She tucks up her skirts to the basement to creep" Sidney or Jenny waves at the younger ones

"That's true she does walk at up at night and go out." John said as Lily nodded along with him.

"She is deeply concerned with the ways of the mice" They do a cute little dance and point again

"Their behaviour's not good and their manners not nice" Jenny puts her hands on her hips as she shakes her head

"That's why we have so many mice! She's not eating them." "Then what is she doing?" Asked Willow. 

"So when she has got them lined up on the matting" The little ones all come up, wearing makeshift mice heads.

"She teaches them music, crocheting and tatting" They down as she waves her hands around. They follow with what was sang as little notes can be heard.

"Teaching them." Charlie said, laughing to herself. 

"I have a Gumbie Cat in mind"   As he returns to singing, Jenny peeks up at her name.

"Her name is Jennyanydots"

"he curtain cord she likes to wind and tie it into sailor knots"   plucks something off Munkustrap as he sings.

"Yep! That's Sidney one time she hissed at Mommy for how she was cleaning!" Sage yelled her sister giggling with her. 

Their mother blushes at the thought, John shakes his head listen to what Munk is saying. 

"She sits upon the windowsill or anything that's smooth and flat"   She continues her cleaning

"Wow, an interesting cat you have." Jordan says. 

"Very" Both John and Lily say.

"She sits and sits and sits and sits"   She slides under/between his legs.

Lily, Joelle and Lady Whitney blush

"And that's what makes a Gumbie Cat"   Steps over her, off to the side. He grabs hold of her tail and begins to pet it as the three from earlier come up from behind. 

"He has game?" John joked cause Jordan and Charlie to laugh.

"But . . ."

"When the day's hustle and bustle is done"   The three begin a little dance

"Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun" 

"She thinks that the cockroaches need employment"   Jenny yells the last part

"Sidney no...." Lily shook her head; John had his head in his hands. The girls laughed at their parents.

"To prevent them from idle and wanton destroyment"   One cat dressed as cockroach follows what Jenny does, even getting a little slap on the butt.

"So she's formed from that lot of disorderly louts"

"A troop of well disciplined helpful boy scouts"   They do a salute  

"With a purpose in life and a good deed to do" 

"And she's even created a Beetles tap too!"   With each note a pit of her out coat is removed. 

"What the hell..." said luna as Rose's jaw dropped. 

More cats dressed as cockroaches come out. They make a line for her to walk down. The commander of her army. They do her beetles tap. They even over show her as they do a turn.

"This is why we have so many cockroaches?" Ask Sage, Willow nodding

She's acts like a drill sergeant having the cats tap. 

"For she's a jolly good fellow!"   Sang the cat as they all salute her, they drop to one knee as she come up. 

"Thank you my dears!"