#to help protect macavity and give him the space to work on his magic

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

i've been thinking about my stray tugger AU, and about tugger coming to the Ball, and his interactions with grizabella, and i started thinking about what might have been going through munkustrap's head, and then this happened.

When the strange maine coon newcomer entered into the Ball, Munkustrap was surprised.

When Mistoffelees, usually so quiet and shut away, gave the tom a beaming smile and voluntarily allowed himself to be pulled into a dance, Munkustrap was shocked.

When Grizabella showed up at the end of his song, stumbling into the moonlight, Munkustrap was scared.

It was second nature to protect his tribe, though his soul broke as he laid eyes on his mother for the first time in years.

It was the maine coon stranger's Rum Tum Tugger's reaction to Grizabella, however, that shot an arrow of pain through Munkustrap's heart.

He approached her with none of the fear and trepidation that the rest of the tribe held. He strode forward, swagger and pride surrounding his form, and readily reached out, grasping the old queen's paws in his hands and pressing his forehead against hers in a familiar, loving gesture.

As Grizabella began to sing, Munkustrap then noticed the little grey and red kitten tucked against her fur, watching the tribe around her with big, mismatched eyes that were full of wariness.

When Demeter and Bombalurina began to sing, transforming Grizabella's song into a cautionary tale, the spark of joy in the Rum Tum Tugger's eyes disappeared, and his face...

His face grew cold and closed-off.

He bent down, sweeping the kitten up into his arms with the practiced balance of an experienced father (He looked at the kitten the same way Munkustrap looked at Jemima), and extended his elbow to Grizabella, who looked up at him with warm, loving eyes.

The eyes of a mother.

Munkustrap couldn't stop his loss of balance as he stumbled back slightly, feeling Demeter's steadying hand on his arm.

What had happened between those two cats?

What had happened to his mother to cause her to look so tattered? To have this stranger, this tom he had never seen before, guide her with eyes filled with adoration and love?

To do the job that Munkustrap should have been doing.

When the time came for Old Deuteronomy to make his choice, Munkustrap was surprisingly... not surprised to find his mother making her way back into the main stage area, a final attempt to be Chosen.

Following her was the little kitten, who immediately darted to her father's side, where he stood beside Mistoffelees.

Munkustrap saw the way that the father and daughter were the only two who did not turn away from Grizabella as she sang, the little queen kitten even humming softly along to Grizabella's words.

He was perhaps the only cat who heard the Rum Tum Tugger's soft gasp as Victoria approached Grizabella, touching her paw with the gentlest smile.

Grizabella's shock at the tribe accepting her made Munkustrap's eyes prick with tears, especially as he faced his mother, who simply squeezed his paws in her own, tugging him forward gently to press a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I'm so very proud of you, darling." she whispered, and Munkustrap could only squeeze her paws in return, watching as she moved on, the tears in his eyes now falling into his fur.

He watched as the Rum Tum Tugger stepped forward, the last cat before Old Deuteronomy, and a grin spread over the maine coon's face.

It was not the grin full of pride and swagger that Munkustrap had seen over the course of the night.

It was a genuine smile, filled with bittersweet happiness and joy.

Grizabella took one of his paws, placing the other against his cheek, and gently rubbing her thumb against a spot beneath his eye, a scar of an old injury where fur simply never grew back.

Munkustrap had a feeling there was a story surrounding that scar.

The glamour cat smiled softly at the tall tom. "Thank you, my son."

The Rum Tum Tugger's eyes widened ever so slightly, and he leaned into Grizabella's touch, a weight leaving him, as though something unsaid had been put into the air, and Grizabella's small smile trembled, tears in her own eyes.

As she stepped back, the little grey and red kitten latched onto the older queen, burying her face in the grey-streaked black fur, nuzzling against her.

"I love you, Nana." the little kitten whispered.

Grizabella returned the kitten's hug with a ferocity that surprised Munkustrap. "I love you more, my darling little kitten." She peppered the little queen's face with kisses, making her giggle. "You make sure that you and your dad take care of each other, okay?"

The kitten nodded, a very serious look now on her face, and she stepped back to cling to her father, who knelt and pulled her close as they watched Grizabella embrace her mate for a final time.

Munkustrap's eyes flicked between his parents and the Rum Tum Tugger, watching as the maine coon gently whispered to his quietly crying kitten, the little queen raising her paw to wave at Grizabella as she rose with Old Deuteronomy.

As old Deuteronomy bid farewell to his mate, and turned back to face his tribe, Munkustrap decided that he would want to get to know the tom who had obviously meant so very much to his mother.

[bullseyegames]

Today at 1:00 PM EST I saw Cats the Musical at the Shubert Theater with my mom. Here’s the saga:

Overture:

Mistoffelees was right next to me in the overture with glowing cats eyes and I nearly died right there.

I started crying during the overture, my mom gave me a tissue. Going great so far.

I started screaming at the end of the overture, people are starting to realize I’m a crazy person.

Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats:

Omg they’re here and they’re real and I’m here! I’m crying again.

I pointed out Cassandra to my mom as she came up the aisle. Mom is questioning why I know all the cats names.

MISTO AND TUGGER ARE CUDDLING EACH OTHER HOLY SHIT

The guy the cats call out for being surprised was right in front of me he looked So confused and scared and I was just grinning behind him.

Naming of Cats:

I’m whispering the words along with the cats. Plato made eye contact and smiled at me. I’m crying again.

Watching Victoria in the background is so much fun. She’s getting really into this.

Victoria’s Dance:

Invitation to the Jellicle Ball:

Misto sneaking up on Victoria with a mischievous look in his eye is a mood.

Victoria looks so annoyed with him, they are literally me and my brother and it makes me so happy.

I love this Misto’s voice and he’s so fucking graceful and elegant and I love him!

MISTO AND TUGGER ARE DANCING TOGETHER OMG

Mungo and Rumple try to greet Munk and he rolls his eyes and tells them to go away. Jerre is very upset at this.

Gumbie Cat:

Looks like the trunk is either broken or not functioning in this space so Jenny just kinda slid out onto the top of it but she’s so beautiful so I don’t care.

Misto is being such a helpful and concerned boy whenever Jenny is around. He’s very concerned when Jenny spaces out for a solid minute.

The Gumbie trio are angels and I will take this belief to my grave.

Plato being a snarky little shit during the dance break made me laugh.

FOR SHES A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW

The Rum Tum Tugger:

He’s here and Skimble is not happy about it!

Misto and Skimble are arguing in the background. Looks like misto is saying Tugger is cute and Skimble is disagreeing.

Misto makes sure Skimble isn’t looking before joining the dance.

Skimble stop trying to pull cats away from Tugger he’s a big sexy magnet and you can’t stop those hips.

My mom is singing along, this makes me so happy.

Misto is just twitching and squealing like a kitten he loves his boyfriend so much.

Munk has given up, just rolled his eyes and walked off stage.

Skimble is now complaining to Jenny, Jenny is too busy staring at Tuggers ass to pay any mind.

Grizabella the Glamour Cat:

Oof. No one is happy rn.

George is extremely startled poor baby.

Munk is trying his best to keep Demeter away and she is not happy about it.

Bomba actually walked up with her arms extended only to hiss and scamper off at the last second. That’s cold girl.

Munk is being very protective of the cats around him. Tugger walked off and Misto ran after him.

Demeter has such a pretty voice and Bomba is so sultry and AH SHIT I’m crying again.

Platoria alert! PLATORIA ALERT!

Bustopher Jones:

Misto continuing to be an extremely helpful boy making everything glow.

The actor did a great job but I honestly prefer his Gus more but we shall get to him later.

First Macavity Scare:

AH SHIT ITS GETTING SPOOKY

Misto and Tugger reaching out to each other before running off in fear.

Bomba being the last cat onstage showing that she don’t give a damn.

Plato is protecting both Cassandra and Victoria. I’m noticing a lot of Plato and Cassandra moments and I’m not sure how I feel about that just yet.

Mungojerre and Rumpleteazer:

ENTER THE CHAOS GREMLINS!

I love them so much and they were extremely slinking baby bastards.

The cartwheel was better than my best dream I’m so happy I’m gonna cry again!!!

Munk and Alonzo ain’t too happy with their shenanigans.

Old Deuteronomy:

“Old Deuteronomy?”

Munk and Tugger duet. ;-;

Platoria cuddling. ;-;

MISTO SMILING AT ME AS HE PASSES. ;—;

Second Macavity Scare:

Everyone just fucking bolted. No protecting, no character interactions, just pure fuck this shit I’m out.

The Jellicle Ball:

This was the happiest I have been in a very long time.

The dancing was gorgeous and the character interactions are absolutley amazing throughout the entire sequence. It was truly a wonderful sight. And yes I did cry again, I’m running out of tissues.

Pas de Deux:

I love that there was no awkwardness or hesitation, just pure love and devotion and OH MY GOD HE ALMOST DROPPED VICTORIA.

Like everything was fine in the end but he visibly stumbled and old Deuteronomy looked very startled for a hot sec. Still very beautiful.

Memory:

DANGIT GRIZZABELLA I HAD JUST STOPPED CRYING!

In all honesty my favorite part was old Deuteronomy looking longingly at her in the background. He misses her so much. ;-;

INTERMISSION :3

Moments of Happiness:

Old Deuteronomy’s voice is so strong and his vibrato is simply heavenly.

Deut pats cori on the head, cori pats Jemima on the head, Jemima sings like an angel.

Look at all those angels!

Gus the Theater Cat:

Jellylorum has such a lovely voice and her gentle movements are lovely.

Gus insulting the kittens is absolutely adorable, they’re so insulted.

Gus playfully hissing at Jemima before booping her nose makes me so soft.

Cat puns making the audience laugh is always wonderful.

The Pekes and the Pollices:

Whispered to my mom before hand “get ready for some chaos”.

Winsome Chinese :3

Misto with a boot on his head is more hilarious than it should be.

Gus has such a wonderful voice and it’s very clear he’s having a blast up there.

Gus received the standing ovation he deserved. Bless that wiry cat man.

Skimbleshanks:

“SKIMBLESHANKS THE RAILWAY CAT”

Alonzo and Jenny playing cards in the background while Skimble sings has a very specific vibe to it.

Mungo is so happy to be dancing with his dad and is just running around like a kitten.

Misto has slipped away to unleash his inner laserpointer.

Macavity Kidnapping:

DEMETER IS DOWN FOLKS SHE IS OUT LIKE A LIGHT.

Munk trying to shield everyone’s eyes and accidentally looking at Macavity and passing out.

Aaaand there goes cat dad.

Macavity:

Deme baby looks so startled.

Bomba we get it you have the hots for Macavity stop biting your lip like that.

YES GURLS FUCKING WORK!!!

Macavity Fight:

Poor Munk getting thrown around like a rag doll, Plato too getting flipped over.

Alonzo like “BITCH LET GO OF MY BOYFRIENDS GIRLFRIEND!”

Mac trying to use his magic to rehypnoitize the cats and looking genuinely scared when it doesn’t work.

Black out!

Mr. Mistoffelees:

Tugger being like alright y’all shut up while I sing about my boyfriend.

PJ is so graceful and beautiful!!! His voice is also very gentle and lovely and him and Tugger being so touchy makes me so happy.

THEY HUUUGGED!!!!!

OH WELL I NEVER WAS THERE EVER A CAT SO CLEVER AS MAGICAL MISTER MISTOFFELEES?!?!! ;—;

Memory:

This was a simply gorgeous performance. This Grizabella made some wonderful character choices and there was a beautiful satisfaction when Victoria took her hand.

I did notice that even after he touched her Tugger looked very uncomfortable at Grizabella’s presence.

Journey to the Heaviside Layer:

Oh.. oh my god I didn’t realize the tire flew that high. OH MY GOD I DIDN'T REALIZE GRIZABELLA ACTUALLY FLEW AWAY.

Addressing of Cats:

Heavenly Deut voice, audience bursted out laughing at the “cat is not a dog” line and I can’t blame them. Crescendo, bows, and it’s over...

POST SHOW :O

After the show me and my mom went across the street to buy cookies and when we came out we saw them striking the set! Here’s them putting the tire in the truck! :3

Overall this was a magical experience and you bet your sparkly ass I’ll be looking out for when the tour comes back around to me. Now if you excuse me I need to buy more tissues.