Chapter Text
Mistoffelees allowed Munkustrap to escort him back into the ballroom where every young lady - and frankly, every young man, too - was abuzz about the latest arrival.
“He’s even more handsome than I thought he’d be,” one girl simpered to her friends.
“I hear he’s been galavanting about the continent for a year,” one guest said with an air of jealousy, likely concerned he was about to lose his choice of partners for the evening.
“I wonder if he’ll dance with me,” a young man inquired, excitedly.
For his part, Mistoffelees simply allowed himself to observe as guests separated themselves into three categories; those who envied the man, those who admired but were too shy to approach, and those who boldly waltzed up to introduce themselves.
“Well, he never fails to make an entrance,” Munkustrap said, rolling his eyes.
“He does seem quite popular,” Mistoffelees replied as he continued to observe. “He must be a fine dancer.”
“Oh, very fine, we received excellent instruction. He’ll go through half the ballroom before the night is through, have no doubt about that," Munkustraps tone was slightly sharp, indicating he did not seem to approve of this behavior.
A rake then. Mistoffelees filed that information away in case Victoria ended up among the crowds of giggling admirers.
Still on Munkustrap’s arm as he escorted him through the crowds, Mistoffelees realized he was possibly about to be dragged into the thick of it and felt his heart rate kick up. He certainly did not want to be there among the masses of those vying for this man’s attention; the thought had his head aching a tad.
And yet, as they drew closer, Mistoffelees noticed a familiar head of white curls. Evidently, Victoria had been dragged over by another young lady with auburn colored ears and dollike brown eyes. It seemed he was going to have to brave the group after all…
“Would you like me to return you to your uncle before I greet my brother?” Munkustrap inquired politely.
“No, it seems my sister has been ensnared already so i’d like to stick close. Please, carry on, I should catch up with her.”
“In that case, I can make a formal introduction if you’d like?” the older man offered, continuing to lead them toward the doorway.
“Oh, no I doubt that will be necessary.” Munkustrap bit back a laugh.
“Glad to see i’m not the only one bothered by the antics my brother’s presence inspires. You and i shall be good friends.” Mistoffelees felt a smile creep onto his face. Being friends with Munkustrap was a pleasant notion indeed.
“Oh, Misto-ffelees,” Victoria quickly corrected herself, realizing that using a nickname in public was perhaps not proper etiquette. “Have you come to be introduced as well? Miss Jemima here says that he’s the most sought after for a dance at every ball, i should love to dance just one with him,” his sister gushed. Not an hour away from each other and Victoria had been swept into society’s flights of fancy, though he wasn’t surprised. She was always the one more likely to gossip.
“Miss Victoria,” Munkustrap said, “I can, of course make an introduction for you if you like.” His sister and her new friend, Jemima, nearly squealed from excitement.
“Oh, no don't trouble -” Mistoffelees began.
“Yes, that would be lovely if you don’t mind!” His sister’s excited interjection won out. With that, the twins found themselves both being accompanied through the crowd, guests parting to let Munkustrap through to his brother. As they walked, Mistoffelees finally allowed his gaze to settle on the man who had captivated the room.
And-
Oh.
That was why everyone had turned to look.
In front of him was likely the most beautiful man Mistoffelees had ever laid eyes on.
He was dressed in a fine black suit with an elegant fur lined collar that almost matched the honey brown color of his hair. Two golden brown ears poked out of his mess of curls which looked so beautifully tousled it had to be intentional. But what truly caught Mistoffelees were his eyes. They were warm amber like the color of the brandy his mother preferred, or his favorite topaz brooch which Victoria had given him for his sixteenth birthday. They sparkled with mirth as he smiled a devilishly handsome smile at everyone who greeted him. A long tail, even more perfectly fluffed than his sister’s, swayed lazily behind him as if to show he had no qualms about being the center of attention. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it.
“Tugger,” Munkustrap said as they now stood close enough that Mistoffelees could see he was a whole head shorter than the man.
Great…
“Munk!” The taller man greeted in a rich baritone voice before hugging his brother so hard he lifted him slightly. Not a care for decorum, it seemed. Mistoffelees bit back a laugh.
“Ah, I missed you, how have you been?” the taller cat asked, releasing Munkustrap.
“Very well-”
“And of course I missed all of you as well,” Tugger added, throwing smiles and a few winks at all who surrounded him, earning sighs from the admirers who remained near.
Mistoffelees fought the urge to gag a little.
“Yes, and i’m certain you’ll find time to dance with all in due course,” Munkustrap added a touch louder, subtly addressing the crowd to clear off. He seemed to share Mistoffelees disdain for the simpering... Taking the hint, the young men and women dispersed with coy remarks of saving a dance for Tugger later in the evening, leaving Munkustrap with only Mistoffelees and Victoria by his side.
“Tugger, I’d like to introduce two new members of our ton,” the tabby man said, gesturing to both twins. “Miss Victoria and her brother Mister Mistoffelees.” The taller man’s face brightened at the mention of new people as he gave a polite bow.
“Pleasure to meet you both,” he said as he stooped to place a charming kiss on Victoria's gloved hand. Mistoffelees feared his sister’s face was moments from exploding, the rouge on her cheeks only worsening when Tugger threw a flirtatious wink at her.
Then he faced Mistoffelees and for one heartstopping moment, the younger man realized he was about to grace his hand with a kiss as well. Yet, just as Tugger's brown gloved fingers caught under his, Mistoffelees gave one graceful step back. With a subtle "ahem", he faintly snapped his hand away, pulling it over his chest as he swept into a rather showy bow, hinging at the waist and leaving his left leg extended in a flawless line.
He kept his eyes locked on the taller man the entire time, keeping the point clear that he was not going to simper and blush demurely over this flirt.
The older man’s amber eyes widened a bit in surprise before his mouth split into a smirk.
“Very pleased to meet you, indeed, Mister Mistoffelees,” said Tugger, practically a purr, appraising Mistoffelees as if he were a new challenge.
Oh that would not do.
Mistoffelees bit back the snide remark he wanted to make, knowing full well that nothing truly untoward had occurred, that it was not his prerogative if this admittedly dashing man wanted to be a flirt, and that he should absolutely refrain from disrespecting one who was older and of higher rank. So with all the composure he could muster, Mistoffelees put on his most confident smile and replied with all the charm and decorum he had.
“The pleasure is all mine.”
~
Exhausted was not even close to the proper word to describe how Mistoffelees felt when they finally returned home. It had to be past midnight by the time their carriage rolled up to the Jones House, depositing a happily tipsy Bustopher and his cheerfully overdanced charges at the door.
“Yes, Jenny dear, could you call for some warm milk and whatever is leftover from supper to be brought up to our rooms. I think it time to retire,” he said to the ginger housekeeper who awaited them in the foyer, “but these two barely ate a bite at Lady Grizabella’s tonight. I’ll not have you going to bed hungry! Tomorrow morning is certain to be exciting.” With that their uncle kissed each of their cheeks and sent them to their rooms.
“Oh, Misto, wasn't it thrilling?” Victoria gushed as they changed, leaving their adjoining door open so they could gossip. “Dancing the night away! And there were so many handsome boys there… wouldn’t you say?”
Mistoffelees couldn't help smiling at his sister’s enthusiasm. She was right, it had been a magical evening.
“Indeed, sister, it was wonderful. You seemed to find many a handsome cat to dance with. Did any stand out in your mind?”
“Oh certainly! Mister Pouncival and Mister Tumblebrutus were both wonderful dancers and ever so funny,” she continued excitedly. “What about you? You danced with more guests than i did i think!”
“Ah, well, dancing is my strong suit. Mister Mungojerrie and his sister were excellent partners. And Miss Cassandra was also lovely. I’m not sure what to expect tomorrow, but I'd be happy to see any of them as callers come morning.”
“Do you think you will go to call on anyone?”
That was a good question. Their society was separated primarily by age, with younger cats being the ones to be courted and the older members doing the courting. However, while nearly every cat spent their first season, if not longer, in the category of being courted, Mistoffelees and Victoria had debuts delayed meaning they had the choice. To court or be courted or both. Victoria had made it clear she wished to be courted, but Mistoffelees… Well, he felt content to do the same but remained open to pursuing if he found someone he desired.
“Not at the moment, i don’t think,” he replied cooly. “But that may change at the next ball. I certainly wouldn’t mind dancing with Pouncival next time. Shame i had to turn him down tonight.”
“Ah, that’s right, you did disappear for a moment,” Victoria, now in her nightdress, entered his room just as he was finishing wiping the luster from his eyes. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder gazing into his eyes through the mirror. “Was everything alright?”
“Yes, Vic, just got a tad overwhelmed. A moment of fresh air and some pleasant conversation with Munkustrap cured it right away. Though then i walked back into that minefield with Mister Tugger’s arrival.” Upon mention of the man, his sisters eyes lit up.
“But he was ever so dashing! Misto, did i tell you he danced with me? I think you were with Miss Jemima for the quadrille, but he actually danced with me!” Mistoffelees sighed at his sister’s enthusiasm.
Based on what Munkustrap had said, he couldn’t let Victoria get involved with such a rake. He thought of Uncle Bustopher's warning about flirts, of the young Mister Alonzo staring after Munkustrap on the dancefloor and never making a move while entertaining a dozen others. He thought of his sister's romantic spirit, her childhood and youthful dreaming about a man who would have eyes for her and her alone- a reality she deserved more than anyone in Mistoffelees’ opinion. No, a flirt like Tugger would not do.
“Victoria, please promise me you are not actually considering him as an option?”
“Oh hush, Misto,” she cut him off. “I'm old enough to recognize a rake when I see one. He was simply an entertaining diversion, and he did me plenty of favors in garnering attention!”
“Vic, dear, you were doing just fine catching every eye in the room,” Mistoffelees said, setting his hairbrush down and turning to face her on his stool. Blushing, Victoria gave his shoulder a playful shove, sending them into an almost kittenish fight, the likes of which they hadn't had in years.
It was collapsed on the bed in fits of giggles that Jennyanydots found them, cooing as she brought them their late night snacks. The excitement of the evening finally started to wane as warm milk settled in their bellies and Victoria finally bade her brother goodnight.
Now alone in the quiet darkness of his room, save for a single lamp by his bedside, Mistoffelees let his body succumb to bone deep exhaustion. He borrowed deeply into the forest green silk of his bed and stared at the flickering light from his nightstand feeling his consciousness waning.
As his mind became ever more beguiled by thoughts of rest and sleep, he felt even too tired to reach his hand out and extinguish the lamp. Mistoffelees found himself wishing the thing would turn itself off so he didn't have to move.
So when the lamp flickered out in perfect sync with this thought, Mistoffelees eyes widened. Had that been a coincidence? Sure the lamp had run out of oil at the perfect time.
He checked. The oil in the base was nearly full. Of course, Jenny would have refilled it while they were out.
With all thoughts of sleep suddenly gone from his mind, Mistoffelees sat now puzzling at the offending lamp. He thought of waking Victoria but wondered if there was truly any reason.
Perhaps it had been his imagination. Perhaps he was actually asleep and dreaming!
Mistoffelees laughed incredulously and gave himself a firm pinch, wincing when it hurt.
And as he did, the lamp flicked back on.