The Jellicle Tribe was in a state of near panic, due to the closeness of Valentine's Day. This holiday was second in importance to none but the Jellicle Ball, and the cats were rushing to prepare.
Victoria was drowning in the valentines from what seemed like all the toms in the immediate vicinity. Plato, purple with rage, chased all the would-be suitors away, roaring that he would make dog food out of all of them if one more flower popped up that wasn’t from him.
Munkustrap finally loosened up enough to enjoy Demeter’s company without stress. They often disappeared into hidden corners of the Junkyard, leaving Merlin in the care of Jellylorum. She was one of the few cats alone, her mate Crikerpits having died a few years back.
The Rum Tum Tugger, overwhelmed by all the attention, filched a pen and paper from Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer (who, in turn, had filched it from The Desk of Victoria Grove) and drawn up a schedule of who he would spend his time with. Not surprisingly, Etcetera occupied the shortest time on his list.
Skimbleshanks, taking a break from the Midnight Mail Train, fussed over Jennyanydots as if the two were mischievous kittens again. The pair were subject to frequent admonitions because of their nightly caterwauling sessions.
Electra and Tumblebrutus, having just begun an adult relationship, fell into a cycle of heated arguments followed by intense reconciliations.
For the time being, Jemima and Mistoffelees paired, flowing from friends to mates with the same easy grace that they danced with.
Last, but not least, easily the tribe’s most sensual couple, Jezabette and Alonzo continued in their solitary world, absorbed completely in each other. Rarely a day went by without Jezzie sporting another gift or swooning over a sweet phrase from her beloved. It seemed that all the Jellicles had fallen under the influence of the romance in the air---all except one, that is.
******************************************
“My life sucks.” Pouncival’s tone brooked no argument.
Jezzie looked up from a bouquet she had been picking. “What was that?”
“Awww, nothing.” They were wandering through the vacant lot near the Junkyard where flowers had sprouted in the unseasonably warm weather.
“You’ve been saying that a lot lately,” she said demurely plucking a dandelion and twirling it in her paw. She raised her huge eyes to his. “What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing.”
“Now that’s a load of crap if I ever heard one.”
He laughed in spite of himself. “That’s not very ladylike, you know.”
Jezzie stuck out her tongue. “I don’t feel very ladylike, I’m so sorry to say, so you can stick it up your---”
“Ah-ah-ah! Watch your mouth!”
“Well, fine then! We should be getting back--Alonzo might be back, and waiting for me.”
“At least you have someone waiting for you.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Hey, race you!”
“HA! I could beat you any day--hey, come back here!”
“Nyeh, nyeh! Got your flowers!”
“POUNCIVAL!”
******************************************
“Stupid ol’ cod! Th’ decorations ain’t in th’trunk! They’re unner the tire where ya left ‘em!”
“Alright, alright Rumple! Keep yer ‘air on!” Muscles straining, Mungojerrie lifted the tire and pulled out a box labeled “Holiday Dec. Victoria Grove”.
Rumple began to rip apart the box, cardboard flying everywhere until she emerged, covered in duct tape.
Mungo burst out laughing. “Oh, to look at ya! Ya got tape ‘angin’ out o’ yer ears!”
Rumple ripped the bits away impatiently. “I don’ see you ‘elpin’! If yer gonna work yer jaw, at least ‘ang up the tinsel while ya do it!”
Ten minutes later, they had finished hanging up the decor. Tinsel waved, gently sparkling, paper hearts danced merrily, and a banner was draped across the trunk, reading “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Pleased with the results of their work, Mungo wrapped a powerful arm around Rumple’s shoulders. “Ah, love. It looks absolutely bee-yoo-ti-ful!
“Give me my flowers back!”
“Gotta catch me first!” Pouncival, staring behind him, had no idea that he was careening toward disaster.
“Noooo! Not the banneh!” Rumple reached out, trying to stop him. He crashed right through it and smacked his head on the trunk.
“Our decor!” yelled Mungo and Rumple.
“My flowers!” squealed Jezzie.
“My head,” moaned Pounce, and passed out.
Mungo squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shut out the destruction of all their hard work. “Eh, Rumple--is there anywhere else we can get more decorations?”
“I dunno-we’re fresh out at Victoria Grove.”
“Not even Christmas decorations?”
“Threw ‘em down the stairs last week.”
“Ah yes! How could I forget the the smack I got for that operation?” They wandered off, oblivious as Jezzie tried to revive Pouncival.
“Do I have to dump cold water on your head? C’mon, you big lummox!” She managed to roll him into a sitting position and began gently slapping his cheeks. His eyes flickered open and a goofy grin spread across his face as he surveyed the wreckage. “I did this? Oh wow!”
Jezzie stood up. “While you’re enjoying the mayhem you’ve caused, would you mind helping me get this paper off me?”
“Let me help.” Pouncival felt his stomach lurch when he saw Jezzie’s light up as she heard Alonzo’s voice. He started to pick off the ragged strips of tinsel that were hanging off of her. When he was finished, he turned her around and planted a sweet kiss on the top of her head.
“Sweets for the sweet,” he smiled as she blushed. He placed a poorly wrapped package into her paws, looking sheepish. “I’m not very good at wrapping, y’see.......I-I just thought that--”
She gazed up at him, her face bright and adoring. “I love it.” Alonzo took her face in his hands to kiss her, Etcetera bounded in, her face frantic with worry.
“Etcy, what’s wrong?” Pouncival could never understand how Jezzie managed to be so infinitely patient with the vacuous kitten. He heaved himself to his feet and padded away on all fours.
“Hey Pounce, where’re you going?” Alonzo started to move toward him.
“For a walk, not that you care.” He sighed, his remark lost on Alonzo as he turned back to Jezzie.
“Nobody listens to me! Nobody cares! If it’s not, ‘Pounce, shut up!’, it’s ‘Pounce, you’re stupid!’ I wish that one cat, just ONE CAT would appreciate me.” He continued to grumble as he wandered through the Junkyard.
His monologue was cut short as his paw trod on something soft. Pounce bent down to investigate.
It was a tattered, worn, and limp rag doll in the shape of a cat. He pulled it out from under a mattress, and got banged in the head when its head flopped forward.
“Hey, watch it there! I’m a bit sore. Do you apologize?” he added, half in jest. He shook the doll to make it nod.
“You know what, I think you’re the only cat around here who listens to me.” He smiled ruefully. “Pathetic, huh?” He sighed, and the doll nodded again.
“Oh, thanks a lot!”
*********************************************
“ ‘Ey, Mungo, I think it’s gonna werk!”
“Yeah, even leperachans need love!”
Rumple turned to Jezzie. “Waddaya think?” Her expression was so eager and hopeful that Jezzie couldn’t have told her the truth if she had been given a ton of catnip.
“It’s, uh....um, er, uh............very nice. Very..........festive.” She spread her paws and shrugged.
“Aw, thank luv! Yer such a dear!” Rumple and Mungo hugged her tightly and ran off giggling.
“You’re such a liar!” Alonzo whispered in her ear.
She wrestled away from him. “What was I supposed to do--break their hearts?”
“You’re not supposed to be breaking any hearts--least of all mine.”
“Could I ever do that?” She grinned at him, laughing, and ducked away as he tried to hold her. She danced away, her feet moving as gracefully as leaves in a soft wind. Alonzo looked at her in wonder--how could he have been so lucky to have found his match? So few ever did.
Jezzie had begun a slow routine, gradually building in speed and acrobatics.
“She’s really something!” Alonzo jumped at Misto’s voice.
“Sweet Heavyside, Misto! You know I hate it when you apparate!” With an effort, he relaxed and the hair on his neck laid back down.
Misto grinned. “I know-I just can’t help myself.” He turned himself back to Jezzie. Sensing their eyes on her, she looked up and smiled sweetly. Raising her right leg, she grabbed her foot and pulled it up parallel to her side. Letting go, she slowly slid into the splits, wobbling slightly. Unconsciously, Alonzo rose and reached out to her, his eyes shining. Her arms strained for his, and in the instant that they would have reached each other, a heavy sack fell on top of Jezzie
“Jezzie!” Alonzo rushed over to her, his eyes wide with fear. Pouncival’s head popped up behind a pile of trash.
“Er, is she okay?”
Alonzo glared venomously at his younger brother. “You-you-you-”
“Didn’t cause any harm.” Jezzie scrambled out from under the sack. “Geez Louise, Pounce! What do you have in there?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Pouncival grabbed the bag and hoisted it over his shoulder. “Just some trash, s’all.” He backed away nervously, obviously disturbed by the trio’s interest in the sack. “Er, nice talking to you all, but I gotta go.” With that he raced away, muttering agitatedly to himself.
Jezzie threw a puzzled glance at Misto and Alonzo. “I wonder what that was about.” She winced slightly as a sharp pain knifed through her chest, leaving her gasping for breath.
“Angel, what’s wrong?” Alonzo’s eyes were dark with concern.
“Nothing, nothing--I’m fine.” She waved him away, but Misto noticed that there were hollows under her eyes, and even though she had always been slender, her ribs were more prominent than was healthy. Something was wrong, but what?
*************************************
Pouncival set the doll up against the wall of the stove. No one expect perhaps Jezzie or Tumblebrutus ever came into his den, so this was a safe place to conceal his new “friend”.
“I have never done anything so idiotic in my life, I’ll have you know, and coming from me, that’s a very broad statement.” Pounce sat down across from the doll. In spite of its careworn, ragged appearance, the doll had sparkling gold button eyes and soft velveteen fur.
“You’re not bad to look at, you know that?” Pouncival leaned back, now at ease with his insanity.
“But you need some sprucing up, y’know, some jewelry or something. All queens need some.” He stood up and stretched. “I’ll be back, sweeting.” He blew her a kiss and left. The rag doll continued to smile her tiny painted smile, and waited.
********************************************* “Open it already!” Alonzo leaned over and nibbled Jezzie’s neck gently. She squealed and pushed him away.
“Alright, alright! Quit it!” She was still laughing as he kissed her on the lips. When he drew back, her eyes were wide and loving.
“I thought you wanted me to open it.”
He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Sweet Heavyside, he loved her-her shining eyes, her silky fur, her tiny toes, her bubbling laughter, how her lips, even now, begged for him to kiss them....the list went on forever.
She was peeling the wrapping away from her gift. The anticipation was killing her-she hadn’t had enough time alone with him to open it yet. However, she would take her time and relish how Alonzo drove himself crazy with anticipation.
“Oh!” She lifted a sapphire collar out of the wrapping paper. A tiny heart studded the front of the collar, and in a spidery script the word “Angel” was written.
Alonzo pulled her close to him, snuggling closer so he could whisper in her ear.
“I thought that the blue would match your eyes, my Angel, but I should’ve known nothing could rival them.” His lips trailed down the side of her face to her mouth.
The collar forgotten, Jezzie wrapped her arms around him, sighing blissfully. All the pain in her life was forgotten in the joy of the moment.
Pouncival stole up on the pair, his eyes searching the area. They fell upon the collar by Jezzie’s side-perfect! He leapt out silently and snatched it. He was back to his den before the kiss was over.
***************************************
“I must say, you did clean up nice!” Pouncival fixed the collar and stepped back to admire his handiwork. The doll’s velveteen fur shone as if it had been scrubbed (which it had), and a crown of flowers (snitched from Victoria) rested on her head. Jezzie’s collar graced her cotton neck.
“You need a name.” Pouncival rested on his heels and rocked back and forth. “Well, you couldn’t tell me what name you want, ‘cuz you don’t talk much. In fact, you don’t talk at all, which means you can’t yell at me--hey, I got it! Bellvoix! Do you like it?”
No answer, yes or no, was heard from the doll. She continued to smile innocently, her eyes wide and sparkling.
“I wish you were real,” Pounce said, his demeanor turning serious. “I really envy all those toms with queens, especially Alonzo. I mean, look at him! He’s got the most beautiful female that ever walked on four paws madly in love with him. If you were alive, I would treat you like that--even better!” His face darkened.
“But you’re not real, so who am I kidding? You’re just a doll! A doll covered with stuff other guys gave their queens. My life sucks!” He stomped out of his den.
Silence reigned after his departure. Bellvoix still leaned against the wall, her limp arms hanging limply at her sides. They began to sway gently as a breeze blew softly. Her entire form began to shake as the stiffness of the doll melted away. Her lips parted and breathed in air, her whiskers (no longer plastic), twitched, and real fur took the place of fake.
She was alive!
**********************************************
“Where is it, Pounce?”
“I swear, Lonnie! I don’t know!” Pounce felt the unpleasant sensation of all his bodily organs hitting his spine as Alonzo slammed him into a wall of trash.
“Stop it! I don’t know!”
“Alonzo! Drop him!” Jezzie stalked up, paws on hips. As Pounce picked himself up, she offered him a paw.
“I’m gonna search your den, Pounce! I’ll just bet you’re lying!”
“No, Lonnie!” Pounce tore after his brother, catching him just as Alonzo tried to open the door.
Alonzo folded his arms. “If you’ve got nothing to hide, prove it. Let me in.”
Beaten, Pounce opened the door and collided with--
“Bellvoix?”
“Pouncival!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately.
Jezzie, arriving in the middle of the action, stared slack-jawed from Pounce, to the stranger, to Alonzo, and then back to Pouncival.
Bellvoix released him slowly, allowing herself time to gaze at him. Pouncival was, for once, completely speechless. A beautiful, exotic queen had just kissed him like he had never been kissed before--like she had actually wanted to.
“Thank you for freeing me!” She embraced him again, her eyes glowing.
“Wh-wh-what do you mean?” Pounce’s mental processes were slowed to a crawl at this turn of events.
“You freed me! Freed me from the spell!”
“What spell?” Jezzie’s eyes widened. She could sense the magic coming from Bellvoix.
“You might want to sit down--it’s kind of a long story.” Bellvoix knelt and sat down--oh, to be able to use her legs again! Pounce immediately sat beside her, his arm encircling her shoulders. Jezzie had to admire Bellvoix’s beauty--she had lionlike gold eyes and a coat of black tipped with gold that shimmered with her every movement. She had a lithe, athletic figure and there was a wild, feral look about her.
“It was back during the bad times, years ago, when Banshee was still around. My family wasn’t magical, but many of our friends were. So, when Banshee came through, my parents were killed because of who they associated with.” Her paws balled into fists at the memory. “I had to watch them die.”
Jezzie moaned. “Oh Bellvoix, not you too!”
She nodded sadly. “After Banshee had had his fun----well, you know what he does. My two sisters died because he was so rough with them. I was the youngest, and when my turn came around, I fought back. He couldn’t have me, so he tried to kill me. At that point, it would have been a blessing to die.
“I wasn’t that lucky, though. When he tried to kill me, he changed his mind. He decided that dying would be what I wanted, so he trapped me in the form of a doll until someone would fall in love with me. I thought it would be impossible, that I would be a doll forever.” She smiled shyly at Pouncival. “But you did. You saved me, and you love me.” He slipped his paw into hers and smiled back at her. Their eyes were only for each other as they dissolved completely into love.
Jezzie and Alonzo knew that moment well. They rose silently and left Bellvoix and Pouncival to themselves, alone in the moonlight......as a new day began.