As the Jellicles gathered in the feasting hall that evening, the primary topic was the ride in Eliot's space ship and the mishap that brought about its abrupt end.
"Well, apart from Tughar's little misadventure, I think the trip went pretty well," Eliot said. He noticed Mungojery and Rumplteezer on either side of their mother, trying to tell her all about their experience on the Phantom's bridge. "They'll probably be talking about it for years to come," he grinned, feeling strangely pleased with himself.
Jabez, on the other hand, seemed to be having doubts. "I'm not sure it was such a good idea, though," he said. "I mean, here, you've got a very primitive culture that is nowhere near developing space travel on their own, and you take 'em up for a joy ride in your space ship."
"Excuse me," Eliot said in a peeved tone, "but if I recall correctly, I was originally against the idea, and you were egging me on."
"Well," Jabez muttered, "I've thought better of it now."
"You're a little late, friend," Eliot growled. "The damage has already been done. Anyway, we're not the first off-worlders to shake up the Jellicles' culture. At least we've shown them that not all aliens think that Coricum is only good for their own enjoyment. Come on."
"Where are we going?" Jabez demanded as they stood up.
"To thank Old Dutironomy and tell him we're leaving tomorrow."
"So soon?" Pavel cried, a sentiment that was echoed by the old brindled brown Coricat.
"Yeah, I'm afraid so," Eliot said, fighting down a feeling of guilt. "I've got a…delivery to make and I'm already late."
"Well, if you must go, you must," Dutironomy sighed, "but we'll miss you. It's been an education having you with us."
"I'm sure it has," Eliot murmured, looking over his shoulder at the cavorting kittens. "Maybe we can come back some day. If we have time, that is."
Dutironomy nodded sadly, correctly guessing from Eliot's tone of voice that he had no intention of returning to Coricum if he didn't have to.
Munkustrap joined them then, with food for himself and his grandfather. "Our guests will be leaving us tomorrow, Munkustrap," Dutironomy told him.
"Oh," Munkustrap said, a mixture of emotions passing across his grey and white face. "I wish you well. You've made life interesting while you were here."
Misinterpreting this last comment, Eliot stammered," Uh, I-I'm really sorry about the accident with Tughar…"
Munkustrap waved him into silence. "That wasn't your fault," he assured the anxious Terran. "That's Tughar all over. Maybe some day he'll learn to think first about the possible consequences before he does something like that."
"Well, uh," Eliot murmured uncomfortably. "Come on, guys. Let's go say goodbye to Cazondra and Alahnso."
The Terrans moved away, leaving Dutironomy alone with his grandson. "What are you thinking about, Munkus?" Dutironomy asked fondly, stroking the younger cat's head and back.
For a moment, Munkustrap forgot that he was the chief of the Jellicles and rubbed his head against Dutironomy's chest, purring like a thunderstorm. "I was just thinking how fun it would be to build a space ship like Eliot's," he answered, "and fly to other planets, meeting new and different people."
"Indeed," Dutironomy smiled. "Just remember that they're not all as friendly as Eliot."
"I know," Munkustrap sighed. "But I would be careful."
While Pavel and Jabez were still talking to Cazondra and Alahnso, Eliot sneaked over to where Etsetera sat cuddled up to Tughar. The little grey and brown female hadn't left his side since the accident. She smiled at Eliot as he sat down in front of them. Tughar just narrowed his eyes.
"How's the foot, Tughar?" Eliot asked, trying to sound friendly.
"It…hurts less," Tughar admitted.
"Good," Eliot said. "If you keep the wound clean, it should be healed in a couple days."
Tughar nodded and looked away.
Eliot hesitated, then plunged on, "I've already gotten an apology from Plaetoh for that little escapade. I suppose it would be too much to expect one from you, too."
Tughar snapped his head up, his green eyes flashing defiance. "It wasn't my fault!" he protested in the face of all the evidence.
"Not your fault?" Eliot exclaimed. "How exactly was it not your fault? Nobody made you pick up that blaster or pull the trigger. You're just damn lucky you had the thing pointed down!"
Tughar had no answer; he just scowled.
"Tughar, darling," Etsetera said with concern in her voice, "Can't you please tell Eliot you're sorry for what you did?"
Tughar looked into the gold-green eyes of his beloved and shook his head. He knew that what he had done had been really stupid. He could admit that to himself, and he might be able to admit it privately to Etsetera, who would continue to love him all the same. But he knew he couldn't make himself admit it to the yellow-furred Terran.
Eliot shrugged. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised, but I really hope you grow up some day, Tughar."
Tughar hissed half-heartedly as the Terran left them.
The caslikohs were starting to warble their first notes and several of the Coricats began dancing. This time when Vyktorea asked Eliot to dance, he accepted. What the hell, he thought. Tomorrow I'll be gone and Plaetoh can have her all to himself. In fact, Eliot danced with most of the females, even Bombalurina, who was several centimeters taller.
The music began to slow and the cats moved toward the side of the hall. All but two, that is. Vyktorea remained standing in the center of the hall, gazing starry-eyed up at the full moon shining down through the trees.
Plaetoh slipped up next to her and nudged her gently with his head in a place below the belt. She started and jumped skittishly away. Plaetoh edged closer and brought his face down so that they were nose to nose. They sniffed and rubbed intimately against each other; Plaetoh ran his hands down her back and lifted her up over his head so that she was doing an upside-down split. In this position, Plaetoh performed one slow revolution before he lowered her onto his shoulder, stroking her thigh, then swung her gently down to the ground where he lay her on her back. He ran his hands down the front of her body before lying down next to her.
Eliot realized he was staring with his mouth open and struggled to compose himself.
"Are they going to make out, or what?" Pavel whispered excitedly.
His question was soon answered as the music, which had almost faded out, suddenly quickened, and all the other dancers ran out to join the two lovers. The dancing began again, more lively than ever. Almost all of the cats were dancing now, even little Petrah. The only ones sitting out, besides Old Dutironomy, were Tughar and Etsetera who were kitten-sitting Quaxo and Aurhyan.
The dancing reached its climax, and as the music stopped the cats all collapsed to the ground, exhausted. At a call from Dutironomy, they crawled to the feet of the Old Wise One in loving adoration. Then Rhimara gave a cry and they turned to see Grizabella creeping into the hall.
©1999 Delilah