Tumgik
#but like misto joining in or being the only one
demelzathemer · 1 month
Text
Tuggofelees The Greatest Showman AU
I'm just gonna dump my thoughts because I'm currently having a spout of insanity about these cats. And YOU KNOW A Million Dreams is a kitten Misto song. He's had this deep inner world since he was tiny, discovering his magical powers and all that he can do. He didn't have anyone who could understand what he was going through so he'd spent his nights alone in the world of his own, wondering and dreaming about the day he could help everyone with his abilities.
Other cats notice he's different so he's becoming ostracized after growing up. There are magical cats beside him and they have formed a circus of their own, still Jellicle cats but different. Misto joins them to hone his skills but can't find anyone to relate to even amongst them.
Then there's Mr. Popular "I do what I want" Rum Tum Tugger who has a high social standing to maintain but does so more out of vanity than necessity. (Maybe they were friends as kittens, A Million Dreams is a duet after all. Maybe he wonders where's that little tuxedo had disappeared into and goes to look for him.) He discovers Misto's powers by accident after sneaking in while he was practising and is instantly captivated by the sight. Misto is so fine after all!! Beautiful from the top of his ears to the tip of his tail!!
Misto doesn't like that the arrogant celebrity is stalking him, he's used to his own space by now but there's no stopping the curious cat once he's gotten something in his head. They circle around each other for a while, where we end up in Rewrite the Stars. It sounds romantic but the lyrics are actually pretty brazen which is so much like Tugger!! "I know you want me" damn that's direct.
"So who can stop me if I decide you're my destiny?"
No one, that is. Tugger goes into a monologue in his Rum Tum Tugger manner about hell, I like you and you like me so what's the problem?? ("Say you were made to be mine"..)
"You're the one I was meant to find," because Rum Tum Tugger only likes what he finds for himself.
But Misto is reluctant and scared about dragging Tugger down with him. He admits it works when they're alone but it's different in front of the others. What if Tugger becomes ostracized as well because of him? Misto doesn't want that.
He's also understandably worried about the loyalty of the known womanizer. His heart would break if Tugger changed his mind again like he does, and loses interest in him.
"How can you say you'll be mine?"
In the end Misto rejects him and goes back to his solitary life.
Then Old Deuteronomy is gone and Tugger goes back to find Mistoffelees. He's the one who believes in Misto more than anyone. He convinces him to try one of his most ambitious conjurings to save Old Deuteronomy and earn the approval of the other cats.
Rum Tum Tugger has no doubt that Mistoffelees can do it. He will even support him through it and make sure that everyone knows just how amazing and phenomenal Mistoffelees is!! So there goes the song and of course Misto is breathtaking in the spotlight and loving every second of it. The plan is perfect because when Misto believes in himself, his magic can't fail. With the power of Tugger's unshaking love backing him up he can easily conjure the beloved leader back to them.
After the spectacle Mistoffelees is a celebrated member of the Jellicle cats and there's no one who doesn't adore him. Rum Tum Tugger sweeps him off his feet to show off his love and there's nothing stopping them from being togerher anymore.
I might add more thoughts later but that's all for now I just made myself happy thinking about them
13 notes · View notes
jelliclekay · 7 months
Text
Headcanon Masterpost
Alright, so this is mostly for myself but I figured I'd post it. I think I made a post somewhat similar to this before, but my headcanons have changed dramatically since I joined the fandom. Here are (most) of my headcanons for Cats the Musical, including age headcanons and relationship headcanons. I don't really do AUs, so everything here is how I view the world of Cats.
Note: I tried to focus on canon characters only here, but some OCs are pretty vital to my headcanons and will be mentioned if they are connected to canon cats. But just know that if I included my OCs, this would be twice as long.
I headcanon almost every canon character as bi with a few being aroace, and everyone in the Jellicle tribe is poly.
Design Headcanons:
I'm boring, and therefore I use London designs for my headcanons. I have several Broadway designs as separate characters. My Alonzo is B&W Alonzo, while Broadway Golden Lonz is an OC named Lorenzo. Plato is London Admetus, while Admetus is Broadway Plato. Jemima, Sillabub and Sylvani are all separate characters as well. Pounce is London Carbucketty, and Carbucketty is based off Broadway Pounce/Swing cat. (Blame 1998 for the naming choice of the characters okay)
Age Headcanons
Ages I divide into 4 groups. In my world, Jellicle have to be the human age equivalent of 17/18 to attend the Ball. Any Jellicles under that age usually stay with trusted cats close to the Junkyard for the night.
Oldies: The oldest members of the tribe. The Jellicle Choice is almost always picked from this group. Cats in this age group are Old Deuteronomy, Gus, Grizabella, Bustopher Jones, Asparagus, Jellylorum, Skimbleshanks & Jennyanydots.
Adults: The cats in this group are usually the ones tasked with protecting the tribe from potential threats, planning the Jellicle Balls themselves, and generally are seen as the ones in charge. Cats in this age group are: Macavity, Munkustrap, Coricopat, Tantomile, Demeter, Alonzo, Bombalurina, Tugger, Cassandra, Mistoffelees, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer.
Young Adults: A separate group for only three cats really. This group usually does the pas de deux every year with a few exceptions. Cats in this group are: Plato, Admetus, and Victoria.
Kitten: The youngest group, but are still hold enough to attend the Ball for the first time. Cats in this group are: Tumble, Pounce, Carbucketty, Jemima, Sillabub, Sylvani, Electra, Etcetera and George.
Relationship Headcanons
Familial:
Old Deuteronomy is the father of Macavity, Munkustrap, Tugger and George. Munkustrap's mother is Grizabella, but she left the tribe when he was very young. Tugger's mother is a Queen named Tali. However, Tali was very sick after Tugger was born and had to leave the tribe for a bit, so Tugger was also raised by Jenny and Jelly.
Gus is the father of Jellylorum and Asparagus.
Skimbleshanks is the father of Rumpleteazer.
Jemima and Sillabub are the biological daughters of Demeter and Macavity, but are raised by Demeter, Alonzo and Munkustrap.
Bombalurina was orphaned at the Junkyard as a kitten and was raised by Grizabella before she left. Sylvani is the biological daughter of Bombalurina and Macavity.
Coricopat and Tantomile are twins, and just like Old Deut have lived many past lives.
Misto and Victoria are half-siblings. Bustopher Jones is Misto's uncle.
Romantic
Jenny, Jelly, Skimble and Bustopher Jones are in a polycule together.
Old Deut was former mates with Grizabella, and current mates with Tali.
Macavity was former mates with Demeter and Bombalurina.
Tugger, Bombalurina and Misto are in a polycule. Tugger is also mates with Rumpleteazer and Artemis.
Munkustrap, Demeter and Alonzo are in a polycule.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are mates. Rumpleteazer is also mates with Tugger and Victoria.
Plato and Victoria are mates. Victoria is also mates with Rumpleteazer.
Admetus and Sylvani are mates.
Etectera and George are mates.
Sillabub and Carbucketty are mates.
Other Headcanons:
Macavity was ousted from the tribe years before the show's Ball. Demeter left the Junkyard with Macavity, but left to protect the kittens she had with Macavity. Alonzo is a former Macavity hench cat who also left Macavity with Demeter. Macavity took many of the tribe's toms with him when he left, all who became hench cats. The only cat who left and returned back is Lorenzo.
Bombalurina left the tribe shortly after Demeter returns after being deceived and seduced by Macavity.
I interpret the "Jellicle Cats meet once a year" line to simply include those cats who don't live in the Junkyard year round, but most of the Jellicles do live in the Junkyard full time. This includes the cats wearing collars and are mentioned to have owners. I just prefer to consume Cats with all the tribe living together all year round outside of the Jellicle Ball.
Old Deut, Macavity, Tanto, Cori, Misto and Jemima all have magic powers of some sort. Old Deut, Cori, Tanto and Jemima's magic is more inwards and intuitive, while Macaivty and Misto's magic is more physical and showy.
Several of the cats are Protectors, and these cats go on daily patrols to ensure the tribe is safe from any outside threats. Munkustrap is the leader, with Alonzo and Bombalurina being second and third in charge respectfully.
Jenny and Jelly are both trained in medicine and assist any cats who are injured, as well as helping cats who are expecting kittens.
7 notes · View notes
Cats, Stuttgart 04.02.2023 14:30 and 19:30
It’s the remix!
So, first things first: I woke up at four o’clock in the morning to see this wonderful show two times on the same the and one time on the next day. So disclaimer: I was tired and kind of exhausted and stressed out because the actors were going into the audience, so it could be that I saw things differently or my memory broke after being awake for too long. None the less I loved every second I spent there. I wouldn’t see two shows on the same day ever again but I’m glad I did it. Also sorry for the contant time tense switches but I can’t be bothered to descide in which tense I want to write this.
Following text is a mix of both shows. I once sat second row and once first row, so I was able to see the show from both sides, once from left and once from right.
I couldn’t find a cast list, but I think I saw the following actors on this day. ! means I’m certain, ? means I’m not certain and ??? means ???
Alonzo: Sebastian Goffin (!), Bill Bailey: Aaron Hunt (!), Bombalurina: Kayleigh Thadani (!), Gus: Hal Fowler (!), Carbucketty: ????, Cassandra: Erin Gisele Chapman (!), Coricopat: Shakeel Kimotho (!), Demeter: Francis Dee (!), Grizabella: Aimee Hodnett (!), Jellylorum: Anna Campkin (?), Jemima: Lottie Stephen (!), Jennyanydots: Sarah-Marie Maxwell (!), Admetus/Macavity: Aaron Elijah (!), Mungojerrie: Harry Robinson (!), Munkustrap: Russel Dickson (!), Old Deuteronomy: Connor McAllister (???), Mistoffelees: Liam Mower (!!!), Rum Tum Tugger: Daniel Timoney (?), Rumpleteazer: Ella Kemp (!), Skimbleshanks: Freddie Clements (???), Tantomile: Milan Cacacie (!), Victoria: Maiya Hikasa (!).
So, as you see, lot of swings and covers. Additional to this cast Carrie Willis was on stage too. She wore the “BabyGrizz” costume. I will refer to her as Grey Cat when writing this “review”. Different from Vienna I looked a lot at the Cats who were singing at the moment.
Act 1
First cat I saw was Mistoffelees with his green eyes. He was running infront of the stage looking at the audience. This and him getting Old Deut later on are the only two occasions he goes into the audience (aka lava). I was very exhausted but as soon as Demeter stepped on stage I was smiling and happy to be here. During the first number I was mostly looking at who was playing who and I was so happy when Grey Cat stepped out because I was hoping on seeing a female swing.
Bill is best trapez boy.
During the Naming on the Cats Tugger stared directly in my direction. It really seemed like he was directly looking into my eyes. I liked him, very catlike in his staring and movements. The second time I was the man over there (again) and was stared at by Munkustrap and Gus (Munkustrap was so creepy in a good way). 
When everybody was greating each other you could see that Demeter was very stressed out, but she joined the Gumbie Cat song with a bright smile.
I love Jenny in this production. Sarah’s facial expressions are amazing. She portrays Jenny as show cat through and through. The tap dancing seems a little bit more “military” than in Vienna, I think she calls the cockroaches company (like in regement) and tells them to salute.
When Tugger comes in she, Misto and Deme are not happy, but Bomba was really excited and happy, as well as the younger Cats. Admetus couldn’t wait to present the ball to him. Daniel is a very good looking Tugger and I really liked his make up and expressions. He was so much fun. After Bomba’s line she did a follow me gesture with her finger and he did follow her. When he said no, she didn’t seem too sad about it and shrugged it off, joining the dance again with a smile, but Bill none the less laughed at her for being rejected.
(Also, I had one first row ticket and I was so stressed when Tugger went down to pick somebody to dance but I crossed my arms and legs to signal: HELL NO! Also, Daniel seemed very polite when choosing both times and he picked a woman who was there with her partner. He said something to the partner but he talked so fast I couldn’t understand anything even though they were sitting next to me.)
Grizabella enters the stage. Tugger and Bomba are not happy, Munkustrap seems kind of sad, Demeter confused and sad. I love how Victoria and Jemima just walk up to her like it’s the most normal thing to greet her like they greeted every other cat before but the adults react so much, it confuses them.
It also seems like Munkustrap is protecting Grizabella from Bucky, Billy and Admetus. Skimble sits on the left side of the stage, protecting Jemima while Jenny sits with Victoria, Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie on the right side of the stage. She seemed very concerned and checked especially on Teazer and Jerrie, but Munkustrap also walked up to them, took Teazers face in his hands and seemed to check if they were alright with the situation. Rumpleteazer und Mungojerrie were mostly looking down. They didn’t seem to know what to do with the situation.
When Demeter is not allowed to touch Grizabella, Grizabella looks after her but before she starts singing, she turns around to sing at Munkustrap. She seemed angry and sad, not really weak but very powerful.
Bustopher Jones is so much fun. I started with looking at the girls. Jenny and Bomba were acting some of the lyrics out with dancing and gestures. F.ex. Bomba “showed” her leg while singing about the trousers and Jenny was clawing Jelly’s back while singing about his coat. The boys were so much chaos in the meantime. The older ones kind of had to sort the younger ones in a row. Bustopher Jones seemed to be in a hurry and showed Misto is pocket watch, like he was saying I need to go on, but Misto insisted on him staying so he sat down on the top hat.
At this moment the boys and girls are all sorted in two groups. Cori seemed to want to sit with the girls but Jenny gestured him to sit with Bustopher, so he sat before him, Skimble was sitting on his other side, and listened to him. At one time during the song Bustopher Jones “knights” Skimbleshanks with his spoon, and Cori was like, me too, me too, so Bustpher knights him too. Cori was very proud, turned around to Billy and looked at him, like: Look, I was knighted by Bustopher and you weren’t! He was very proud and cocky.
I find the first Macavity scare (pre M&R scare) very interesting. The last four Cats on the stage are Alonzo, the twins and Munkustrap. Alonzo leaves first, Munkustrap seems disapointed. The twins show him which way to go. He takes a deep breath and walks out on the right side of the stage, it seemed like he was getting ready to chase Macavity away while Cori and Tanto leave on the other side.
Mungojerrie and Rumpletezer entrence. The number is fun as always.
Old Deut enters. Tugger and Munkustrap really seemed to like each other during this number. Also, when everybody was rejoicing Demeter had a cute interaction with Bill and she was smiling but then the next Macavity scare happens and suddenly she was stressed again. The cats leave the stage.
Munkustrap is in full on protector mode now. He stands on the right side of the stage, monitoring the audience. There was a cute moment, when Jemima walked up to him and nuzzeled his side as to say, come, nothing to worry, dance with us. For a moment he was still tense but then he walked back to dance and sing with Victoria, Jemima and old Deut. I love the Ball so much. It is so much fun to watch. On one moment Old Deut goes down and walks before the audience which confused me and broke my focus. He kind of blocked the view to the stage which I didn’t like at all, because I love the dance so much. But it is what it is.
This time I looked who was center in the end (in Vienna it was Electra), here it is Jemima! There was so much joy on her face, she smiled a lot.
Also funny, when Griz comes back at the end of the ball, Victoria doesn’t want to leave. Cassandra even passes her when leaving the stage. Victoria really feels for the old lady, she really wants to touch her. Cassandra is not having it.
Grizabella sings her first Memory and then the first Act ends.
Act 2
I personally really didn’t like that they went into the audience because I was always concious of where my legs were so nobody would fall over them, but at the end of the intermission I could hear people laughing from behind. So if you sit further back I think it’s really cool that you get the chance to see them up close too. One time Cassandra passed me on her way to the stage and she was the proudest most beautiful, the other time it was Skimble. Sadly I didn’t see what he did but people laughed. His facial expressions were gold.
We also had the Demeter an Munkustrap flirting with each other at the beginning of the second act. Demeter was very flirty and smiled and him, but at the same time she seemed kind of not yet. Munkustrap was VERY interested in her, but when she showed him her shoulder he proceeded to stare into the audience again. Demeter also looked very sad during the moments of happiness.
To the theatre cat: Deme is now cuddeling with Alonzo, I support. Back in June I already liked Hal Flower a lot. I would categorize his Gus as an entertainer. He is very fun and engaging. I also love looking at the kittens when he sings about the cats these days jumping through the hoop. Cassandra crossed her arms infront of her body and looked so offended. Cori covered over Bucky and put his hands over his years so poor bebe wouldn’t hear the mean old man. Tanto looked at Bombalurina and Bomba looked back at her like: Yeah, he’s talking about you. It is just so much fun.
Also this Gus seems less older and frail (?) than Vienna Gus. I really do like the Pekes and the Pollicles here too. Bill and Rumpleteazer are too early in their part as lead Peke and Pollicle and Gus is just like nonononono and shoos them away again. I love how Munk plays the police dog similiar like he does it in the original choreo. They do not sing the dogs out of every nation part and the part with the scottish dogs. The dogs are very scared of the Rumpus Cat but all in all compared to the older version of the number I think that it lacks dynamic, if that makes sense. They get the costumes and then most of the time they just sit around in them. But what was really funny was Cori throwing a shoe at Mungojerrie in the beginning of the number and Mungojerrie didn’t catch it. Munkustrap was next to him and he looked so done with his chaotic children.
Skimbleshanks was gold. I really liked the actor a lot (I think it was Clements). It’s really hard to put into words but he seemed like somebody who knows that he’s really cool but at the same time doesn’t take himself too serious.
Rumpleteazer tells Billy to misbehave and Cass is quick to tell on him. In the second row Mungojerrie tells a joke to Jemi and Jemi to Victoria and when both girls laugh Mungojerrie tells on them. Very naughty.
When they build the train, Misto is holding the light and Tantomile and Rumpleteazer were sitting next to him. Misto and Tanto waved in my direction and I was so confused for a moment I nearly waved back at them lol.
When Macavity appears at the end Cassandra hides behind Skimble.
I loved the Macavity number today. Dee was absolutly amazing. Acting and dancing wise she seems very torn between yeah I had good times with him and no that cat is disgusting. She smiled and then the smile waniched and the disgust/fear came back. Absolutly amazing. I also love that she frees herself from Macavity. Afterward she covers at the side of the stage and Bomba put an arm over her shoulder. I also loved Bomba, she had more of a deeper more rhaspy voice compared to the principle Bomba.
I love love love the fight so much. Munkustrap is so dramatic. Here Munkustrap and Macavity are the same hight which looks very good when they are dancing next to each other. When Munk was hurt Cori, Jenny and Tanto are by his side but when Demeter comes, they move back so Deme and Munk can have their moment. Bomba is the first one to look after Alonzo but then she gets up to fight Macavity off together with the others.
 During the light scene they were so close to each other it seemed like they would nearly kiss. During Misto they sat next to each other and were holding hands.
I really loved the Misto number again. Liam Mower is amazing. More on him on my other review. Cassandra hides her face behind her hand, she really doesn’t want to be chosen and when she is chosen, she seems kind of defiant (trotzig?) but when Tugger tells her to go back she does.
I was really so confused with them going into the audience but I had two “interactions” with Bomba. First time she ��hit” me on the arm and when I was sitting first row she came down and sang to me and the people around me. She really wanted us to know that Mistoffelees is absolutly amazing.
At the end Grizabella comes again. Hodnett doesn’t play her old and broken and more proud. I don’t know if it was the lighting but her eyes were shining as if she had tears in them. She is a really beautiful Griz and I liked her singing a lot but from the acting I prefer Grizabellas who seem really hurt and weak, she seemed to strong and well in my opinion.
The second cat taking her hands after Victoria is Skimble (?). Munkustrap played so well but hard to describe, unsure at first but when Grizabella nearly falls afterwards he supports her with his hands so she doesn’t fall.
Some other things I noticed in no order: 
Admetus is very popular: Vicky, Tanto, Misto, Billy ... they all seemed to really like him.
Towards the end of the play, Cori was sitting on Tugger and Tugger was holding him.
Deme had some cute interactions with Bill and Cass.
All in all, Cori and Tanto are played very young here as well as Mungo and Rumple so the whole group seems more chaotic and youthful, which is really fun. The “kittens” are basically: Jemima, Victoria, Bill and Bucky, Cori, Tanto, Mungo and Rumple as well as Cass and Admetus during some scenes and Tugger at times, so like half of the cast. I don’t know if Liam also tries to play Misto younger but he interacts a lot with the adults (especially Skimble, Munk, Jelly, Gus, ...) and because he is some sort of second in command after Munkustrap he didn’t seem like a kitten to me (though he does have is chaos moments). Munkustrap, Skimble, Jenny, Deme and Bomba all interact a lot with the “kittens”, same for Mistoffelees. Jelly and Gus more stick to each other. Jenny seems to look after Mungo and Rumple a a lot, same for Munkustrap, while Skimble and Misto had a lot of interactions with Jemima (but more to that in my other review). Munkustrap also listens to Tanto and Cori.
While Vienna seemed more like the usual “horny cats” meet stereotype this tour seems more like a family meeting. The “orgy” does not exist here, It’s not even a cuddle pile if you ask me. They more lie next to each other. Tugger, Bomba and Alonzo “toned down the sexyness” a lot compared to Vienna. But I really enjoyed it!  There were some interesting dynamics here, different from Vienna but really fun and positive.
7 notes · View notes
strawberry-jellicle · 2 years
Note
2,3,5,11,12 demexbombaxmunxkxlonzxcass
OH BLESS!! OF COURSE!!
2. What does the bed situation look like?
One massive cuddle pile in the family nest!! Munk is usually smothered in the middle, but they all take turns! Although when their kittens were younger, Munk and Demeter were the main ones in the kitten nest (again all five of them took turns, but M&D were the main ones until the kittens were weaned off milk from both parents)
3. Who fights more about stupid things and who ends up having to break up their childish arguments?
Alonzo is usually the one starting stuff with his conspiracy theories and infinite questions he bugs his partners with. He usually ends up arguing with Cass and Bomba, and Munk's the one to break it up bc Demeter is too busy finding the situation hilarious everytime
5. Who do people usually think is the third wheel?
Sadly Cassandra 😔 but really only for the fact that Munk and Alonzo were together as a couple publicly before Alonzo (and Munk ofc) stole Cass' heart with how batshit goofy but genuinely sweet he is. (Demeter and Bomba were a couple before coming to the junkyard and joining the polycule)
11. Who has to drag their partner(s) out to be social?
Demeter is always dragging Cass around to interact with cats more. She respects her mate's boundaries, Cass being an introvert and all, but to quote Demeter: "You need more friends! And no, Mistoffelees being your only friend doesn't count! He's great and all, darling, but you really need to get out more." To which Cass usually just kisses Demeter and tells her she's taking baby steps to making friends 🥺
12. Who has to kill the spiders? And who refuses to even get near them?
Bomba is one of the only ones who will go near spiders. Alonzo claims he isn't afraid of them bc growing up around his mother's roach and beetle students make him invincible.... but as soon as he sees one he's climbing up Bomba asking her to release the spider outside. Cass on the other hand likes to collect spiders and show them off to Misto, sometimes they make the spiders fight (.... losing spider gets eaten by either Plato or Tumble)
5 notes · View notes
hysperia · 2 years
Note
bomba,demeter and munk with b3
Tumblr media
Based on @mcnuggyy's set of prompts for polyam-trio art meme and a little inspiration form @sillybub's family portrait. Got a little longer than expected...
"This is the last part we need." The red queen groaned as she heaved the big car battery in it's position." Misto only needs to hook the lights up to this and we're all set for the ball tomorrow night."
Bombalurina sat down on the boot overseeing the junkyard. It was late in the afternoon, she had been working tirelessly with her lover and metamour to get the junkyard ready for the Jellicle ball. A big space had been cleared for the dancing. A tire propped up from where Old Deuteronomy could oversee the proceedings. Festoon lights hung from high points around the clearing to enhance the mood. Mistofelees had ensured Bomba that the car battery he found elsewhere would be enough to power them. She sure hoped so, she had to lug that thing from the other side of the junkyard. Munk couldn't lift it and of course Plato and George were nowhere to be found when some real work was to be done. “Admiring our work?” Demeter hopped on the boot next to Bomba placing her soft hunches firmly againts her lover's and wrapped an arm around her, placing her head on the broad shoulder that she found there. A grey tom appeared from around the corner. “Scoot over! There surely is place for one more.” He smiled. Munkustrap clambered up and sat next to Demeter. With her golden fur next to the red of her wife on the right and next to the grey of her husband on the left Deme felt happy. It had garnered some odd looks in the beginning, but after a while the tribe became used to the skittish golden cat being joined by two partners. It didn't take long after that before Munkustrap in his turn confessed his love for the black and white tom that caught his eye and his heart. Soon he had joined the constellation. When Jemima was born Alonzo was as much as also dad to the kitten as Bombalurina was also a mom. Deme and Munk were grateful for the help they had bringing up their daughter. “Shouldn't Lonz be back already?” Demeter asked. “He's dropping off Jem to Jenny and Skimble for a sleepover, what did you expect? I'm willing to bet the good side of the bed tonight on it that Skimble has had a wee drop of scotch in his tea and started telling one of his long winded stories.” Bomba answered. “And you know Alonzo, he is too polite to weasel himself out of that.” Munk added. “Or he's stuffing himself with Jenny's cookies.” “Likely both.” Laughed Demeter, the others nodded in agreement. “Well don't just sit there! Get yourself into position! We need to rehearse!” It was the stern high pitched voice of Jellylorum. “I haven't spend all that time making those mice masks for the girls and beetle costumes for the rest for you three to half-ass the performance tomorrow! Remember, we want to surprise Jenny and she deserves a good show.” The three Jellicles slid of the boot and got to the mature queen who had already started her vocal warm ups. She guided them through the whole number. Over and over again. From Munkustrap's slow verses, via the harmony that she led herself, to the tap routine which she directed from the side. “From the top! 5, 6, 7, 8!” She shrieked and for the last time the four cats went through the entire number. After the final salute the three younger cats were panting form exhaustion. The elderly cat still looked remarkably fresh. “It shows that you have not be trained by Gus. Youngsters these days.” She shook her head. Bombalurina would have stared at Jellylorum with a look of disbelief. That is, if she could have kept her eyes open. It took all her might to not just fall asleep right there on the spot. She noticed that Demeter had the same trouble, clinging to Bomba's side half asleep as well. She felt another arm resting on her shoulder, turning her head her eyes were met with the grey fur of her metamour, holding on for dear life not to just keel over. The red queen wrapped her arms around both Jellicles and nudged them towards their home. “Well I guess that I'm sleeping in the middle for once.”
10 notes · View notes
Text
Unpopular opinion(?): The "terrible bore" line is better coming from Munkustrap and Alonzo and I will die on this hill
44 notes · View notes
Text
Vienna-Based Mistos and Their Obsessions With Bustopher’s Tail
So, all Vienna-based Mistos and Skimbles have the same act going during the first verse of Bustopher Jones.
Bustopher Jones always has some amount of chaos going on in the background, but it takes different forms in different productions. In London-based shows, Munkustrap takes charge, Misto assists him, and one or the other is low-key freaking out the entire time. In Broadway-based shows, Misto and Skimble compete for Bustopher’s attention and cause enough trouble that one wonders why Munkustrap doesn’t intervene. Vienna-based shows are similar to Broadway in that they focus on Misto and Skimble, but the dynamic is actually pretty different.
We begin with Misto sensing Bustopher’s arrival and getting excited:
Tumblr media
Amsterdam Misto does some miming to tell everyone who’s here.
Tumblr media
Paris Misto has a very sweet smile
Tumblr media
Vienna Misto literally jumps for joy
Tumblr media
Zurich Misto does what I call a Kitten Slide. Sometimes, kittens will slide around on the floor while crawling when really excited about something. Misto goes into Happy Kitten Mode when Bustopher shows up.
Skimble joins Misto and they usually greet Bustopher together with Most Gentlemanly Bows, but once again, Vienna and Paris are confusing.
Anyway, Misto just randomly seems to have the idea to pull Bustopher’s tail. Skimble notices him approaching Bustopher from behind and stops him.
Tumblr media
Amsterdam Misto looks like he’s about to pounce
Tumblr media
Paris Misto looks sneaky behind Bustopher, but it’s not clear what he’s up to, so Skimble appears to be overreacting.
Tumblr media
Vienna is pretty straightforward
Tumblr media
Zurich is pretty much the same as Vienna at this point, but there’s an added detail. Like with Gumbie Cat, Zurich is ever-so-slightly different. When Bustopher first appears, Misto and Skimble bow:
Tumblr media
Then, Misto goes off into the corner and does another bow
Tumblr media
He’s practicing his technique. But, Bustopher didn’t see it! Misto is mute, so he’s not sure how to get Bustopher’s attention. Pulling Bustopher’s tail is like tugging on someone’s sleeve and Misto doesn’t know that that’s considered impolite.
Vienna, Amsterdam, and Paris Mistos don’t have a clear reason why they want to pull Bustopher’s tail, but Zurich has this little background detail that gives him one.
Anyway, Skimble stops Misto, but when his back is turned, Misto tries again and is far more successful:
Tumblr media
Amsterdam Misto is quick and proud that he managed to pull that off.
Tumblr media
Paris Misto is really vague. He appears to briefly touch Bustopher’s tail, but Skimble reacts as if he pulled it. Maybe that’s Paris’ unique spin on the whole thing. Normally, Skimble is basically playing the straight man here, but in Paris, Misto is still being Bustopher Crazy, but Skimble is overreacting, so they’re on equal footing.
Tumblr media
Vienna Misto pretty much tackles Bustopher. Jenny looks slightly concerned.
Tumblr media
Skimble told Misto not to pull Bustopher’s tail, but he didn’t say how he was supposed to get his attention without doing that, so Misto goes ahead and does it.
I’ll end this by briefly mentioning how 1998 fits in with all of this. Both the Gumbie Cat opening and the antics during the first verse of Bustopher Jones originated either on Broadway or in Vienna. The only reason they’re in 1998 at all is because they cast a Broadway Misto in a mostly London-based production. Wherever London Misto and Broadway Misto differ, 1998 goes the Broadway route.
The joke with Gumbie Cat is between Mistoffelees and Munkustrap. 1998 had a Broadway Munkustrap as well, so the whole thing went down the same way it did onstage. But, the Bustopher Jones stuff is between Misto and Skimble. London Skimble doesn’t play as big of a role in this number. The result is that you have a Broadway Misto in what is otherwise the London version of Bustopher Jones, where Misto is normally more level-headed. 
This is why when Misto pulls Bustopher’s tail, he’s not really scolded for it. Munkustrap steps in and distracts Bustopher, which is what Skimble usually does after the tail pull, but he’s not quite as frantic and he never tries to stop Misto from pulling Bustopher’s tail in the first place. Munk is being London Munk while standing in for Broadway/Vienna Skimble, but not quite.
Tumblr media
20 notes · View notes
Text
the Songs of the Jellicles
okay so here’s my theory (and new hc) for how the music in the ball comes to be, and why some cats have a Song, and others don’t:
The Everlasting Cat provides the music for the Ball. I picture Old Deuteronomy somehow being able to communicate with the E.C., so he knows exactly which cats will be performing at the Ball, and lets them know ahead of time. That’s why we have cats like Old Deuteronomy, Bustopher, Skimbleshanks, and Mistoffelees performing (not that Misto’s performance was planned, of course).
How does a cat get their Song, though?
The Everlasting Cat waits until a Jellicle has performed a major act, whether positive or negative, and guides the Jellicle (or their family/close friends, Gus Sr. and Bustopher for example) into creating their songs. Perhaps a Jellicle has achieved a certain age, or provided a certain amount of wisdom, or performed an act of heroism for the tribe. 
In Macavity’s case, they are a danger to the Jellicles, and therefore the E.C. created his song to warn the younger Jellicles to stay away from the magical cat.
Let’s take Mistoffelees’ song for a moment:
Everyone joins in for the melody, but no one except Tugger seems to know the major lyrics. They’re all enthralled with the song, and even Mistoffelees seems surprised at some of the lyrics Tugger sings (”pulled seven kittens right out of a hat” moment).
Mistoffelees was terrified of his magic for so long, terrified that the tribe would see him as a follower of Macavity. However, as soon as Old Deuteronomy was taken, Mistoffelees stepped up, willing to do whatever it took to get his tribe’s leader back, even if it meant losing his home in case the Jellicles reacted badly. 
The Everlasting Cat saw this, and chose that moment as Mistoffelees proving himself, and gave him his Song, giving the lyrics to Tugger, who couldn’t help but grin as he finally knew how to praise his magician.
I like to think that:
Tugger got his Song when he reconciled with Munkustrap after Macavity’s departure with Demeter and Bombalurina, or when he stood up against attackers and protected his tribe when wounded.
Bustopher received his Song when he provided food and supplies to the tribe during a rather horrible winter in his younger years, saving them from starvation because of his position in society.
Jennyanydots received her Song after caring for every creature that passed through her den, mice, birds, and kittens (particularly Tugger and Munkustrap after Grizabella left). 
Skimbleshanks’ Song came because of his kind nature upon his train, and how he always strived to return home, no matter the weather or the time, and how he gave everything for his family.
Gus Sr. received his Song because of his achievements in the theater, proving that an old Jellicle could still perform and give their very best, while still remaining at their family’s side.
Grizabella first received her Song after becoming a theater star, a very happy, praise-filled version of “Grizabella the Glamour Cat”, that obviously changed when she came into the Junkyard that fateful night. Her second Song, “Memory”, only came after she realized that she simply wanted to return home to her family, no matter what they thought of her.
Munkustrap won’t receive his Song until he takes the mantle of Jellicle Leader, just like Old Deuteronomy, but Tugger and Demeter are convinced it’ll put every other song to shame.
Receiving a Song obviously isn’t something that happens to every Jellicles, yet the Jellicles know that receiving a Song from the Everlasting Cat is always a cause for celebration, as every Jellicle can feel when one of their own now has a Song.
(and now just picture Tugger in some corner of the Junkyard during Jenny’s song, pleading with the Everlasting Cat like “please, please, please let me have this! i’ll listen to dad for a whole month, i won’t strut around for a week, just let me mess with the lineup!” and the Everlasting Cat, who thrives upon the chaos of the Jellicles, is just like “lmao bro i gotchu”)
122 notes · View notes
thunderwhenhepurrs · 3 years
Text
Some behind-the-scenes thoughts about good old Bustopher Jones as he is in my and my friend’s main modern AU verse.
This is long and rambling, but tl;dr: as haughty and opinionated as he can be sometimes, Bustopher is a joyful, generous man and a damn good uncle.
Bustopher’s entire family was rich, and he grew up in the lap of luxury. He was the younger of two sons, the older of which was exactly like their father and was in every way the perfect son. Then there was Bustopher, who liked the theatre, and cooking, and fancy clothing, and also men. His parents were that low-key homophobic where “it’s all right but couldn’t you be more manly?”
This internalized homophobia in his head, Bustopher decided to distinguish himself (and prove his manliness) by joining the Royal Navy. Coming from a pampered upbringing, it was a kick in the teeth. After a rough start, however, Bustopher found his sealegs and settled into his position, intending to be there for the long haul. He fell in love with another sailor, but kept that fact quiet.
While he was in the Navy, tragedy struck his family multiple times. His mother passed shortly after he joined, and within a couple years his father followed her. Seemingly in a good position, his older brother, half-heir to a vast fortune, married and began living the socialite life. He and his wife had a daughter, Victoria, who Bustopher only saw very briefly during his home leaves but absolutely adored.
Then Bustopher got the news that his brother and sister-in-law had died in a car wreck, leaving his eleven-year-old niece behind. Though it meant leaving the life he had built for himself and the man he’d fallen in love with behind, Bustopher got himself discharged on compassionate grounds and returned home to take over care of his young niece.
Bustopher had never imagined or intended to have children, so adjustment to being a father figure of a grieving child was nearly as rough as joining the Navy first had. It did not help that as soon as he left the service, his long term relationship began to fizzle. But he loved Victoria and she fiercely loved him in return, and together the pair created their own life and dynamic together. He found great joy in raising her, but also in pursuing hobbies he was now free to without judgement — he invested some of his now great wealth in the theater and in restaurants, became a well-known critic (of both theater and food), and a dapper man about town that suddenly had the respect he never had gotten as a young man.
Then, right after she turned sixteen, Victoria brought home a longtime friend. Bustopher at this point new Misto well; he had been the first friend Victoria had made after Bustopher had taken over her care and moved her to London. In Bustopher’s mind he was a fine young chap, but he had never been privy to how troubled Misto’s life was before then. Misto was all but homeless at the time, had gotten himself into trouble with the law, and was absolutely miserable as he waited to be shunted into yet another foster home. Victoria begged Bustopher to let Misto stay with them a while.
Bustopher did her one better. He had plenty of money, plenty of room, and plenty of affection to give. Within a week he had greased the wheels enough to get official adoption papers for the boy. He felt that he had never quite managed father figure, but he was a damn good uncle, if he did say so himself.
Now that Victoria and Misto are both grown and moved out, his life is a little lonelier than it was, but he has many friends and the pair have even prodded him into — goodness me — dating a little. They have a dedicated “family brunch” tradition for every Sunday (though occasionally it must be done via electronic means).
Victoria inherited her share of wealth when she turned eighteen, and technically, Misto did too, as Bustopher had quickly put together a sizeable trust fund for him. Misto, forever stubborn, refuses to use it, so Bustopher regularly shows his affection with gifts or by finding sneaky ways to slip him cash that he cannot refuse, just to make certain Misto is taking care of himself.
In personality, Bustopher is a bit haughty in ways — he’s very opinionated about matters that interest him, hence becoming a critic — and he greatly enjoys his life comforts now that he has them again. He’s very proud of his service and makes sure it is noted wherever appropriate. He thrives on being the center of attention. He has very classic tastes and puts an emphasis on order and manners.
But he is also extremely generous, for which he gained his respect, and fair in his critiques. And when he loves something, he loves it with his whole heart and very loudly. Small restaurants have found themselves with a flurry of business because Bustopher Jones tasted their food and sang their praises to high heaven. He will talk up his niece and nephew to anyone who will stand still long enough to listen.
He has his flaws, but in general he is a joyful, generous man who has earned the respect and praise he gets from his community.
21 notes · View notes
rainbowratsstuff · 2 years
Note
In the 90s film of Cats, there is a really pretty black cat who looks similar to Cassandra, but her name is Exotica and she only appears sparingly throughout the film (The actress Femi Taylor was a guest star from the original London cast). Do you have any headcanons about her? Mine is that she’s from the same litter as Cassandra or they share one parent, and that she’s a LOT more introverted. (She only participated in the Beginning/End of the Ball as well as for part of Skimbleshanks’s number).
She's not a character I've thought a ton about but I do find her a very interesting character to make headcanons about. Her hardly appearing can give her some unique traits
I really like the idea of her and Cass being related. I can see Cass being the talker for her but I also see Exotica being a very gentle and caring person, always taking care of Cass and reminding her to tone it down if she's getting too snarky.
But another headcanon I really love is her being the mother of Coricopat and Tantomile. She shares theirs powers of telepathy and I really like the idea of her having shape-shifting powers as I think her appearance changes in the show.
I agree that's she's very introverted and quiet. She finds it hard to join in even though everyone would always love her to and she finds it easier to talk through telepathy.
Another weird headcanon I kind of have is that she was the first one to suspect Misto had magic, given her own kittens powers. But like always she didn't know how to bring it up.
16 notes · View notes
0zzysaurus · 3 years
Note
Tuggoffelees, "dress" or "cooing" I can't choose lol
Cooing:
It had been a year since the last Jellicle Ball. Between then and now, Tugger had certainly come of age. Jennyanydots made it a regular routine to praise him for what a robust tom he’d grown to be. No longer was he a lanky, awkward, short-furred adolescent - tripping over his own legs and tangling himself in the junkyard debris. The tribe would be in for quite the shock.
Since then, he’d sprouted a wonderfully full and shiny mane. A spectacular indicator of overall peak health. The frizziness of his tail had relaxed, and now it snaked around alluringly. Even his laugh had deepened from a croaking sqeak to an utterly delectible rumble. The junkyard queens were helpless against his siren songs. 
Tugger preened his claws in the afternoon sun. All around him, a slow trickle of cats arrived. Family from far and wide converging together for a week of celebrations leading up to the Jellicle Ball. There was no doubt in his mind that he would have a date - he just wasn’t quite sure who it would be yet.
Beside him, Munkustrap settled to observe the arrivals.
“So,” The silver tabby smirked. “Have you chosen any of your adoring fans to take to the ball yet?”
Tugger sighed dramatically in response. “No, I just can’t make up my mind, Munk. I keep settling on Cass, but then I see Tanto and I’m like, I wanna take her too. And don’t even get me started on Bomba. That vixen is gonna be the death of me.”
“Sounds like you’re spoiled for choice, hm?”
“It’s a nightmare.” 
As the two brothers chatted, another group of toms entered the junkyard. Bounding over in a blur of patchwork fur. Munkustrap slid down from the junk pile to greet them while Tugger did his best to act aloof.
Down below, he could hear the recently cracked voices of Pouncival and Tumblebrutus. They laughed at some joke that Tugger couldn’t quite hear. What he did hear was their not-so-subtle gasps of surprise at Tugger’s appearance.
“Is that really him?” Tumble whispered.
Pounce simply stared with his mouth agape, until Tumble closed it for him with a helpful paw. 
“Yes, it is. Try not to feed into his growing ego, would you?”
Tugger couldn’t help but chuckle at his brother’s comment. But it hadn’t just been Tumble and Pounce who had joined them. Still inspecting the yard at the front gate was someone he’d been waiting for. Mistoffelees. Tugger took the opportunity to leap down - briefly giving Tumble and Pounce a quick show of his agility before sauntering over to his best friend.
Oddly, the closer Tugger seemed to get, the shakier his steps became. Misto’s features slowly came into clear focus, and Tugger could see the healthy sheen in his fur. Misto’s chest fluff had grown voluminous, and he’d donned a silky, plum coloured ribbon around his neck - knotted into a bowtie. 
Even closer, and Tugger noticed the subtle curve in Misto’s hips - a gentle sloping of his waist that eased down into strong looking legs, and ended in a snake-like tail that twisted and curled with anticipation.
Once Tugger looked back up, however, it was all over. Eyes that had once been a soft, baby blue, were now mix-matched. One was an icy blue, the other a piercing green. His ears were delightfully curved upward, and his cheek fuzz cupped his face perfectly. Tugger couldn’t help but think about his own hands cupping that face too.
And that smile. Oh, boy... the smile. It wasn’t until Tugger was right there, right in front of him, utterly lost for words in a stunned silence, that he heard something unusual. An odd rumble. Only it wasn’t as deep as a rumbling purr or a growl. It was light and airy. It sounded like pure happiness in a jar. An excited trilling that could only ever come from a cat who had just seen the most beautiful thing on earth.
Before he even had time to explain himself, Misto was hiding a quiet giggle behind an elegant hand. Tugger felt his entire face burst into a deep, flushing heat. If he could stop the embarrasing trill in the pit of his chest he would, but he couldn’t. Misto was just too stunning.
“I...” Tugger started, still scrambling to find something, anything to say. “I uh... Hi, Misto.”
 As Tugger spoke, the trilling only seemed to grow louder from his open mouth.  The tuxedo tom smiled.
“Hello, Tugger. Wow, you’ve grown, haven’t you?”
Tugger was going to explode. Even Misto’s voice had changed into a deliciously smooth, gentle tone.
“H-Hi...” Tugger stuttered. “Oh! Uh, you too! You got a lot taller. I like the bowtie - look’s real nice.”
Misto raised an eyebrow, and gave a knowing smirk. “You think so? Well that’s good. I remember you saying purple was my colour.”
“Did I say that? Huh, you probably remember last year’s conversations better than I do. But I guess past-me was right. You look fantastic.”
As their conversation continued, it was becoming harder and harder to suppress the trilling, and the louder it got, the more flustered Tugger became. With the flustering came more trilling and so on and so forth. It was a deadly cycle.
“You’re wanting to say something to me, aren’t you Tugs?” Misto inquired with a devilish look in his eye.
Tugger was helpless to it, and so was the rumble in his chest. He looked back with a desperate expression, not wanting to open his mouth again lest the loudest most embarrassing chatter were to come out. It was just his luck then that Misto had undefeatable intuition. 
“If you want to take me to the ball, you’re going to have to court me first. I don’t do flings, Mr Rum Tum Tugger.”
For the remainder of that week, Misto found himself being waited on hand and foot by the love-struck tom. An array of flowers, feathers, gifts of food and all kinds of thoughtful catering - vying for his affection. All the while escorted by the pleasant echo of a deep, infatuated trilling. 
53 notes · View notes
afairytalestray · 3 years
Text
Black&White Family 3
Bustopher Jones edition. So I’ve been away for a week or so, but I return bearing gifts: the next part of my pre-canon hc series (masterpost here)! 
Bustopher Jones’ younger brother was the father of Alonzo, Victoria and Mistoffelees, making them his nephews and niece. However, he’s not aware of that at first. He doesn’t visit the Junkyard very often. He had a big falling out with his brother many years ago, and they never spoke or heard from each other again. Bustopher is thus unaware he has any living family, as it was after this that Alonzo and co. were born, nor was he even aware of his brother’s death until ages after. Most of the tribe (with the exceptions of Old Deuteronomy and Gus) are also unaware of the connection: Bustopher’s brother left the tribe after their falling out, and neither of his future partners were Jellicles. Old D is the one who seeks out Alonzo and Victoria after their father’s death and invites them to come live in the Junkyard and join the Jellicles. He also looks for Misto at this time, but is too late - Macavity gets to him first. Alonzo and Victoria decide to live part-time in the Junkyard and part-time with their mother at first, to see how it goes (their mother doesn’t care for this - she’s kinda a snob, and looks down on the Jellicles as many of them are street cats). However, a few weeks later, Alonzo overhears Old D talking about how Misto’s mother had died and how Macavity had then gotten to Misto before he could, and Alonzo and Victoria decide to move to the Junkyard permanently to try and help. This is the catalyst for all the guilt Alonzo will carry with him for a long time - he knows who Macavity is and the evil he does, everyone does, and the thought that by turning Misto away from the only family he had left (although tbf he didn’t know that at the time) Alonzo had condemned him to that, haunts and tortures him. 
Old D doesn’t reveal to Alonzo and Victoria right away that they have an uncle, he thinks they have quite enough to be worrying about as it is. He also wants to talk to Bustopher first anyway, to see how he’ll react to the news that he has nieces and nephews. Especially given Misto’s current predicament. When he does eventually get to it, Bustopher is initially surprised, but ultimately happy about it. However, he opts not to tell the three of them that he’s their uncle. He keeps an eye on them from afar to ensure they’re all ok, but doesn’t take on a more active roll than that. Bustopher is a creature of habit, he has a way of life and a routine that he doesn’t like to be interrupted. He’s not parental, he never has been, but he does care for his niece and nephews in his own way. Perhaps the most important realisation that led to this decision was that honestly, none of the three of them really needed him. Maybe if they had, and Bustopher had known before he did, it would have been different, but by the time he’s aware of it, the three of them are well settled into their lives in the Junkyard. He also thinks that bringing it up would be hella awkward considering the family history (read: family drama), so he ultimately decides to treat them as he would the other young Cats, if not maybe a little nicer.
That being said, he secretly grows very fond of Mistoffelees, and is a lot more lenient with him than any of the other Cats. Misto has kinda worked it all out; he spent a lot of his early time in the Junkyard hiding and observing, and noticed that when Bustopher visited he tended to watch the three of them rather closely. There’s also a slightly more noticeable family resemblance between Bustopher and Misto than with Bustopher and Alonzo or Victoria. Bustopher kinda knows that he knows, but neither of the two of them ever bring it up. Misto keeps it to himself (maybe he’s wrong, or maybe Bustopher has a good reason for keeping it a secret), and Bustopher is grateful for it, hence the fondness and leniency.
23 notes · View notes
jelliclekay · 2 years
Note
How does your family tree and romantic relationships differ from your human AU to the cat one?
There are a few differences, but it's relatively the same! Also I haven't worked in every single character into this AU yet, but I'm working on it!
Tugger and Munk are still brothers with Old Deut being their father. But Griz is explicitly their mother in this AU (Cats Universe I hc Griz to not be related to the Deut brothers at all). Old Deut and Griz are divorced, but are one of those divorced couples who are still very close and Griz is always around the house and shows up to events and family vacations. I like to think Human Old Deut is a gay man who remains best friends with his ex-wife, so Tugger and Munk were still raised by the two of them together.
Macavity is in this AU, but he isn't related to Tugger and Munk like he is in my Cats headcanons.
There also aren't as many open relationships in my human AU compared to cat AUs. The Jellicles are a poly normative society, but human AU it's not as common. Even still, Tugger is in a happy and stable poly relationship with Bomba and Misto. Munk is with Demeter, and eventually the two meet and fall for Alonzo who joins their relationship as well.
Bombalurina and Demeter are best friends who lived together for awhile after Demeter left Mac. They are very much those best friends who get very touchy feely with each other (especially when they are drunk).
Misto and Victoria are still siblings, with her being only a year younger than him. Victoria is still with this Plato in this AU and she's very close friends with Teazer and Jerrie as well.
Gus is Old Deut's brother, and he's their well-meaning but very out of touch Uncle who they love but he sometimes says the most out of pocket things out of nowhere.
Jerrie and Teazer are explicitly twins in this AU (I go back and forth with the cat universe since their relationship is always played differently depending on production) with Skimble and Jenny being their parents. The two are TikTokers (if you know the Voros Twins on Tiktok, their content is roughly the same as that) and Skimble and Jenny are very confused about how their kids make a living off dumb internet videos.
Cettie, Electra, Tumble and Pounce are all sophomores in college in this AU who work minimum wage part time jobs. Cettie is a barista at Starbucks (she likes to draw cute little hearts next to Tugger's name when he goes to Starbucks). I don't really have headcanons for what their relationships specifically are, but all four are very close.
3 notes · View notes
Text
Some ramblings on the female cats and the reason I believe Griz is an outcast (the second part wasn’t planned but just happened while writing)
Took the discourse on other Blogs as inspiration to ramble a little bit. I myself am a wlw (to nobody’s suprise) and one thing I absolutly love about Cats is that even thou most of the song cats are male, in most production you have an either 50/50 male/female cast and in smaller production you even have more female dancers. And even if there are only three women who are song cats (Grizabella, Rumpleteazer and Jennyanydots), the women sing a a lot of the songs and a surprising amout of them have their own arcs (I know Lynne isn’t perfect but I think we can thank her for that because she made the choreo).
The coming of age arc was given to a female cat, Victoria. Even thou it’s quite small she has two points in the choreo where she is allowed to shine. Firstly she has her Solo at the beginning and then she has the pas de deux with whomever during the Jellicle Ball.
And then we have Demeter who is also a very important character if we look at the text. She carries a lot of the little plot that is there. She is usually the first cat on stage, nowadays she sing the Old Gumbie Cat song, Grizabella’s song and the Macavity song while being one of the only cats who has a romance sub plot going on with Munkustrap (or Alonzo).
As someone who wrote quite a few papers on gender during their time at University (also to nobody’s surprise) I would also argue that the female characters are surprisingly well done compared to other musicals and to other media around the same time. They are complex characters who don’t only have one character trade or one function (me discussing this is mostly based on the 1998 movie and the Vienna Revival, because I know these two the best).
Take Bombalurina for example. She was designed to be the sexy woman, the “whore” (when we look at the madonna-whore complex, and yes as somebody from vienna I have to bring Freud into this), the femme fatale, if you want. But she differs from other “whore”-characters. Firstly she is well liked by most of the other cats, in some productions she also functions as protector and the toms usually respect her and want to be around her, want her attention and to dance with her. She also has some “madonna” in her. She is also caring, especially towards Demeter. And she is not cold in any way. “Whore” characters are ofthen portrayed as emoitanlly cold. She on the other hand is very warm and welcoming, she joins in a lot of the songs, not minding that she herself is not the center of attention. She gets her time to shine during the Jellicle Ball.
One reason why a character like her is possible is because after all they are cats and cats do not have the human concepts of “whores” or “madonnas”. When we look at the 2019 movie when can see that hollywood today is seemingly still unable to portray more complex female characters: Her “madonna” aspect vanishes and she simply becomes a “whore”. Now she is a woman who is only defiened by being “the sexy one” and whose only character trade becomes liking Macavity, while she is far more complex in the original text.
Another cat a absolutly adore is Cassandra (duh). In other media women like her would be shown as being despicable. She is proud, she is aloof, she doesn’t take shit from nobody, she is even haughty and still she is seen a part of the community and the other cats do like her (because they are cats and a lot of them are like that, no double standards for female and male here). Her being that way is accepted. Some of the male cats behave similar to her: Misto is described as being aloof, proud, a little bit stuck up (or in some production very stuck up), Alonzo too. The cats make no differentce between her and her male counterparts, just because she is a female cat. And she is also more than that. She can also be seen as being fun and having fun, joining Bomba in her dance, she can seen as being protective and caring (especially when Griz arrives and sometimes even with Macavity).
And then we have Demeter: Don’t get me started on Demeter. For me she carries the whole show. Jacob Brent said during his viewing that she fled from Macavity and is looking for shelter with the other Jellicle Cats. She is welcomed. She is understandably very scared of Macavity but she is still able to join the fun songs and play around with the younger cats. She also developes feelings for Munkustrap (or Alonzo), has her own little romance subplot and I also think that she is Macavity’s motivation for showing up. I think most fans agree that he just showes up because he is evil but with what Jacob Brent said, I think he really shows up because he wants Demeter back (but the tribe won’t give her back). Old Deut is kidnapped as a diversion. The toms leave and the queens stay back, Macavity returns to take her but Munkustrap/Alonzo can prevent that from happening. Without Demeter Macavity showing up would be even more random in my opinion.
She also has some conection to Grizabella. She is the only one of the adult cats who tries to touch her. She has a lot of compassion for her and I think they could be two explainations for that: Firstly she met Grizabella before and is friends with her (or even lovers, duh duh duh duhmm), secondly she can feel with her. Maybe she was an outcast too when she was with Macavity. So she knows how this feels, so she wants her to be welcomed back too. She knows that Grizabella has still a place with them and in this perspective is even smarter then Old Deut. It took him a whole song to realize that she is worthy of their love, while it took Demeter only one look.
Yeah, we can argue that compassion is a very “female” trade in most media and literature but here it is portrayed as the ultimate goal, as something that is right and at the end all the cats can see that (even the mean little goblins that tormented Grizabella before).
And let’s not forget that the main character of this whole show is a female cat: Grizabella sings what I would call the title track, the reason why some people even choose to watch this show. And while I myself never cried during “Memory” (my mum had and then explained me: you will understand when your older) I think the moment when Grizabella is welcomed back and one cat ofter the other touches her is so fucking strong. She is also the only female character in my opinion on whom we can see that there IS a double standard between how the cats treat male and female cats and that starts when they age.
I may be overdramatic here (and again I’ve read my fair share of feminist writings and they clearly influenced my view on Grizabella) but it also bugs me the wrong way that Grizabella is the outcast.  That the two old male cats, Old D. and Gus, are very beloved while she is shunned by the others. This is gonna be a hot take and a reading with which a propably will be alone.
I’m not sure if I can explain this well (especially in english) but I try: For a long part of european history older women weren’t seen as worthy of love, time or even existing. Women fullfilled two function (and we are back to the madonna-whore-complex) being a attractive and desirable lover to men or being a mother. If she was old and had fulfilled both these functions she was seen as an abnormaly, as useless (we just need to look at witch trails and their hatred for older women).
Cats were written by two men: T.S. Elliot and AWL (and that one dude who reworked the lyrics for Memory). If we look at the lyrics of the song (not the costumes and the casting) we hear an old or older woman lementing her lost youth. Jemima begins the song with the “roses that wither away”. Somebody became older. And than during this song Grizabella sings following:
“I can smile at the old days I was beautiful then I remember the time I knew what happiness was”
Her happiness seems to be conected to her youth and her “beauty” (a very subjective category when we think about it). Two things that women need to have to be seen and respected. My mother often described the process of getting older as a women as becoming invisible to the people around you and I think that was one of the reason she cried, when I first showed her the movie. She really could feel what the older female cat was singing about. This feeling of only being worth something as woman when you are young, “fertile” and desireable by men.
We have no context, no clue to why Grizabella is cast out but when I look at the lyrics and the lyrics alone (I hear one of my profs screaming in the back of my head: Look at the text, don’t make shit up) it seems to me that Grizabella was cast out for one reason and one reason alone and it is a very shallow reason: That she is an old cat, that she doesn’t serve a function in the tribe any more. She WAS beautiful, she HAD her good times but now that she is old, these times are over.
And you may argue: But what about the old Gumbie Cat? She is old two. But when we look at the character and the og charatcter design firstly I think she isn’t as old as Grizabella. She is younger and she makes herself useful in and around the house (please remember the poemes are from the 20ies, the musical is from the early 80ies). She still has her worth, she functions as mother for the younger cats, or even is their mother. Her “beauty” may be a of the past too but she has still functions to fill.
Same with Jellylorum. She is also one of the older female cats but she is mostly portrayed as caregiver for Gus (”the elderly”).
I love Jenny and Jelly two and I too think they have more to their characters then just being caregivers for young and old. They also serve as protectors in some productions.
So for me the really sad part about Grizabellas backstory is not that “she’s a hoe” (it’s very clear in the musical that that’s not a problem for the cats) or that she worked for Macavity. For me the really sad part about Grizabella’s backstory is that she is treated different from her male counterparts (one of them being a performer too) with the only seeable reason being that she is female AND old.
Maybe that’s where the compassion from the younger female cats comes from, especially from Demeter. She knows and understands that she could become an outcast like Grizabella as soon as their beauty and usefuleness fades. She propably has been there (because of Macavity) and knows how it feels and is scared that it will happen again in her future. When they are young the female cats do not get discrimnated for their gender in their tribe but Demeter sees how that might change if they become older.
I think it is quite interesting that the younger toms are cruel to Grizabella and mock her while the female kittens show compassion and confusion. They don’t see a difference between her and for example Gus and the don’t understand why she shouldn’t be welcomed.
Of course when you read Grizabella’s character like that the ending has a bitter taste too. The solution is not treating her differently (the musical wouldn’t work that way, I know, I know) but giving her the chance to be young and beautiful again.
Honestly, I never vibed with Grizabella accending but I absolutly live the part where she is welcomed back into the tribe. I love it so much during the Vienna Revival. It feels so genuine and loving, especially when Bill Baily and Carbucketty walk up to her and nuzzle her legs (like they do with other adults) after being so mean to her. It feels so right? in a way.
Wow, that text dind’t go where I wanted it to. I actually wanted to write about wlw ships I love but that whole Grizabella part went out of porpotion and I think I just leave the post like that and write about my fave wlw ships on another post.
I also want to state that I do not believe that the creators planed her to be an outcast because of her being old AND female (they propably go with the “she’s a hoe” hc). I think that that’s a personal reading of mine that is greatly influenced by own readings, opinions and what my mother said about being an older woman in society (my mother got children “quite late” compared to other women, she is now in her late sixties). I thought abt not posting this but I spent too much time and because it is quite a long piece I think not many will read it so I just post it.
52 notes · View notes
marvelsdc22 · 3 years
Text
Christmas Spirit
Intro: Hello, lovelies!! I hope you guys are having a good start to your Christmas week!! This one was requested and I didn’t completely do the whole request, but! I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless!! :)
Note: Y/N is the daughter of Santa Claus, no one knows, not even her girlfriend Tori, when the Christmas spirit starts to go down, what will Y/N do to help that?
Word Count: 1264
*I knew this seem strange but Christmas in a few weeks so why not get into the Christmas spirit?* would you do tori x reader where y/n is the daughter of Santa *family business and her friends don’t know* like she’s trying keep people *who are poor* Christmas spirit up by having volunteer at soup kitchen but fail. Tori feels sympathy and hates seeing the look of heartbreak on y/n and wants to help her gf Plus mistoe kiss *y/n tells her secret* @perfectartisanwerewolf​ 
Tumblr media
This time of the year was your favorite, not just because of being able to go all out in decorating, but the fact you get to see your father do his job best, him in his suit and flying around in his sleigh, delivering all the presents to the good little girls and boys in the world… Did you mention your father was Santa Claus? The only thing that worried you was his cookie eating problem, which you and your mother scolded him for time and time again “They’re the ones that leave it out! I can’t help myself” he’d say every time you guys confronted him, which made you more worried since his health was starting to weigh him down, but this year you were determined to help him as much as you possibly could.
“Yes dad, Tori and I are doing okay” you told your father, him having called you to check up on you and you and Tori having been dating for a little over a year now, but this was the first Christmas you two would be living together “Are you okay? You sound sick” you said, noticing how he sounded a bit raspier than usual “I’m fine… The Christmas spirit is just a little low this year” Your father told you, making you frown as you opened up your tablet and pulled up the spirit-o-meter you had on it, seeing that the Christmas spirit was at an all time low this year “It’s probably because of the pandemic” you said, knowing that a lot of people were affected by it “I’ll see what I can do, okay? I have to go, Tori should be home soon, I love you” you said, smiling when he returned it before you hung up.
As you hung up, you heard the front door open and Tori’s muffled voice “Y/N, I’m home!” She called before pulling her mask off and putting it in her jacket pocket before she hung it up “In the kitchen!” You called, looking over when you heard her enter the kitchen “Whatcha making?” She asked, coming over to you and wrapping her arms around you from behind “Cookies” you said, stirring up the batter “You’re as bad as your dad” she teased, her having met your parents at the fourth of July party you guys had “Am not!” You screeched, looking at her and laughing at the look she gave you “Okay, maybe I do have a sweet tooth, sue me” you chuckled, going and spraying the pan.
After a bit, you had gotten so lost in thought, you didn’t hear Tori asking you questions “Sorry, what?” You asked, looking at her and seeing her furrow her brow “Are you okay?” She asked, going over to you as you put the cookies in the oven “I’m fine… Dad’s not feeling too well, I’m trying to think of what I can do to help” you said, her not knowing your father was Santa Claus… No one did “Well, we could bring them some soup?” Tori suggested, looking at you and you shook your head “I think my mother has that all handled” you chuckled, knowing your mother could be very motherly when it came to family being sick “Tomorrow I’m going to go volunteer at the soup kitchen, want to join me?” You asked, looking at her and wrapping your arms around her neck while hers wrapped around your waist “I wish I could, but I have work… I’ll drop by though” she promised, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips while you sighed, you’ll take what you can get.
The next day, you showed up at the soup kitchen in your very festive Christmas mask, going and speaking with someone, who got you set up at the cooking station… Which you failed at, so they moved you to the food line, you trying to make people a little more happy by be a little more cheery, but that didn’t work either and by the time Tori showed up, the sad look on your face was the worst she’s seen it, feeling bad for you, she came over to you and took your hand, tugging you over to the side.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Tori asked, cupping your face gently and wiping some tears with her thumbs “I just wanted people to be happy this Christmas, I know having the pandemic sucks, but I just want people to be happy that they get to be with their loved ones and that they have so much going for them, even in this tough time” you cried, your voice muffled by the mask and Tori frowned under her mask before she pulled you to her, holding you as you cried and waited until you calmed down before she pulled back “Come on, lets go spread some holiday cheer” she said, nodding towards the line and you looked at her with wide eyes “But, you have work” you said, looking at her and knowing that her lunch break wasn’t that long.
Tori looked at you and gave you a smile, you able to tell from her eyes “I do, but making you happy is what’s important to me right now, so come on” she said, taking your hand and leading you over to the line, the two of you working together to make people happier and it worked, people laughed more and conversed with you more, on the quick break you took, you took the time to check the tablet once more, seeing the Christmas spirit going up again which made you extremely happy.
After a few hours, the two of you came back home and collapsed onto the couch after taking your masks off “I love you” you told her, looking at her with a smile “I love you too” she said, pressing a kiss to your nose, you sighing when your phone went off, but you got up and went to answer it “Hey dad, how are you?” You asked, walking around some as you talked to him, him telling you that he was feeling much better now that the Christmas spirit was back up “That’s great, I’m glad you’re feeling better… You and mom still coming for dinner tomorrow?” You asked, leaning against the doorframe to the laundry room and not noticing a certain plant hanging on the top of the frame “Good, we’ll see you then” you said, smiling some before you told him that you loved him and hung up.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked, looking at Tori who approached you with a smug smile and following where her finger was pointed just as she stepped under the mistletoe with you “Gotta follow the rules, you know” she said, giving you a smile which you couldn’t help but return before you pulled her into a kiss, you loved this woman and one day you’d tell her your family secret, and while today was not that day, you would enjoy it just the same, this Christmas was going to be one to remember.
Permanent Taglist: @rianncreates​ / @natasha-danvers​ / @youngandwildx7​ / @hopingforbarnes​ / @xxxtwilightaxelxxx​
End Note: I hope you guys enjoyed it!! I have a few more for you for this Christmas, if you’d like to be tagged in anything, shoot me a DM or an Ask!! Have a good day/night!!
Requests Open
69 notes · View notes
rice-pudding-slaps · 3 years
Text
So... How did the rest of the tribe took cryptid Misto being gone?
Continuation of this this this and this
Well... It wasn't exactly easy.
The reunion between him and Tugger was mostly Tugger singing and apologizing to him. Cuddling him in his mane and not letting him go. Loving him like he so dearly wanted for so long. His warm paws and fur against Misto's eternally cold body. They missed each other way too much.
Quaxo hugged him too. And after that came a long conversation about magic. Turns out, since Misto was gone, Quaxo filled the role of the vessel for his magic, and also the one that had to do a lot of the things that Misto did without almost anyone knowing.
Keeping demonic creatures out of the junkyard, finding things that went lost a long time ago, bringing mice with an enchantment when the kittens were hungry (The pipe piper's assistant, after all), keeping nightmares at bay, sending regards from the Heaviside Layer. Even keeping Macavity away was a job that Misto took in complete silence. And Quaxo wasn't ready to do it all when he could barely wake up in the same place he fell asleep.
Everyone started slowly noticing how things changed. And at the same time, that Mistoffelees wasn't the monster that they should be scared of. With that creepy face and weird antics, he wasn't a bad cat. He did more than they gave him credit for.
And suddenly everything that ever Tugger said about the magical cat started making sense to the rest of the tribe.
Every time he called him "Marvelous" "Magical" "Wonderful". And looked at him with wonder in his eyes. They started to understand. Slowly. And too late. Mistoffelees probably was dead far far away. And not only did they gave him the cold shoulder. They ignored him. They outright replaced them. For someone who they deemed more deserving of love.
And holy shit they regretted it.
So they decided to not make the same mistake two times. And they filled Jemima with as much love as they could give her. And they tried. Really hard. To make her feel like even being from other dimension, she was family.
The other kittens gave her the bones of their meals and listened to her talking about her friends from other dimensions. And the adults cuddled her and constantly told her how loved she was. How much they appreciated. Remembering how Mistoffelees used to be alone in a pipe until Tugger came for him. They made sure she was never lonely.
And Tugger was so grateful for that. Because he knew how bad was being a kitten for Misto. And he didn't want his niece to go through that. He was her number one fan. And he went to all the tea parties she invited him. And they saved a seat for Misto everytime. Just in case.
Munkustrap was... Late to come around. Even if he understood how useful Mistoffelees was to the tribe, he also understood how dangerous he was. It wasn't until his dear daughter. His beautiful and sweet Jemima. His little girl. Started to show the same signs that when he understood the marvel in Tugger's eyes when Mistoffelees levitated and changed form.
Because when Jemima started to levitate and present him her shadow friends, he was scared as fuck. But he was so amazed at how wonderful and magical his daughter was. He got it. And he understood how bad he treated Misto. And the tought of that happening to Jemima...
It was during a tea party. When he entered the room where Tugger and Jemima where. Nervous like they never imagined he would be. And he said sorry to Tugger. For ever being so harsh to his mate. For everything he did to Misto. And for being so so late to understand.
Tugger forgave him. And he sometimes joins the parties now.
42 notes · View notes