And Bright

Author: The Passionate Admiral

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I do not own CATS. If I did, Pouncival would say more than just two words solo in the whole of the musical.

Plot: This fanfic is my thoughts on Pouncival's perspective during the Mating Dance session of the Jellicle Ball and after the Ball itself.

In a certain junkyard in the middle of London, a tribe of cats known as the Jellicle cats was performing its most important tradition: the annual ball.

At the time in general, the Jellicles were undergoing the first half of the all-dancing part of the Ball. Several of the kittens were anxiously looking forward to the Mating Dance. Some of them had already made preparations.

But the youngest of the toms had decided to wait and see who would choose him.

This tom, named Pouncival, was with some of his friends in the junkyard's clearing, and they prepared for the Mating Dance to begin.

Pouncival was one of the knockabout troublemakers of the tribe, and he could cause all forms of mischief, but most of the time, he could be very well-behaved, sympathetic, and warm to his family, friends, and others.

He and his friends watched as Victoria, the oldest queen-kit, slowly approached Plato, who had chosen her to mate with him. The two of them slowly approached each other, and Victoria turned her back to Plato. He ran his front paws down her back, and held onto her waist with them. He held onto her tightly and lifted her in the air over his head.

The two of them held that position for a few seconds, and then Plato rested Victoria's body on his shoulder. He ran one of his paws down her leg to begin the mating process.

All around them, everybody else started to get paired up. Some of the unpaired toms did handstands to alert one of the unpaired queens to approach them. Pouncival was one of these toms.

Pouncival gracefully balanced himself on his front paws and waited in midair.

Okay, this is it, Pounce, he thought to himself, just remember what Mom said: Whenever a queen selects you, be kind, be gentle, be thankful and, above all, do not hurt her.

He frowned to himself and thought I don't even know why she added in that last pointer. I mean, sure I have been known to suffer uncontrollable spasms occasionally, like when I accidentally scratched Grizabella earlier (Oh my EC, I still can't believe that happened!), but I'm not really clumsy. Surely she would know that I wouldn't hurt a queen, especially if she was going to mate with me.

Pouncival hoped that the mating dance would go well. Granted, he had already had plenty of fun and excitement at the ball, but not everything had gone smoothly.

Pouncival had been scolded by Jennyanydots for interrupting her song (TWICE), he had been tripped by Rum Tum Tugger during his song, Bustopher Jones had knocked him over with his spoon during his song, and Munkustrap had caused him to fall onto his face during the Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles skit. He hoped that at least the Mating Dance would run without error. After all, it was his first Mating Dance; he wanted it to be memorable (That is, memorable in a good way).

I wonder who will approach me, Pouncival thought to himself, I just hope that I actually DO get picked and I'm not just left on my own. Tumble would never let that go. But I guess I can't really blame him for that; I mean, if he was left alone and I got to mate with someone, I wouldn't let the matter go either.

Just then, he felt a paw running down (technically "up," since he was doing a handstand) his stomach. The paw was soft and gentle; the queen it belonged to had such delicate posture.

As Pouncival started lowering himself to the ground, he thought to himself Okay, this is it. Don't freak out. He also thought I wonder who it is. Maybe it's Jemima- No, no, no. Even though she and I are good friends, I know she's interested in my brother. Besides, she and Tumble belong with each other. Maybe it's Electra. Nope; couldn't be. Even though we have similar interests, I don't think she'd pick me. Maybe it's Etcetera. Yeah, it could be Cetty. She and I get along pretty well. Oh, wait a minute; I just remembered that Admetus asked her to perform the dance with him just before the ball. Oh well, I should probably stop ranting in my thoughts and see who it really is.

Pouncival turned to face the queen that had selected him. When he saw who she was, his jaw almost dropped to the ground.

The queen was Bombalurina! It was the Red Queen of the Junkyard herself.

Pouncival was at a complete loss for words. He knew that Bombalurina was aware of the mad crush he had on her, but he had no idea that his feelings for her were mutual, or that she would reciprocate his affection!

Nervously, Pouncival said "Umm… uh, h-h-h-hi, Bomby."

She just smiled and said warmly "Hi, Pouncival."

Pouncival desperately thought of something to say. He decided to say the most basic thing in the book: "Y-y-you l-look nice toni-i-ight."

He thought to himself Pouncival, you idiot, stop stuttering. You're making yourself look bad.

He quickly said "I-I-I'm s-sorry if I s-sound ner-ner-nervous; I-I just… I just…"

Bombalurina brought her paw up to his lips and placed it there. She said sensually "Shhh… There's no need for any talking."

Pouncival quickly shut his mouth. He then realized that this was not a dream, or a fantasy. He was definitely awake, and Bombalurina was going to mate with him!

Pouncival did one more handstand, and then he eased himself down on the ground. He gently moved Bombalurina onto her back and the two of them closed into an embrace.

They quickly began the mating process. All around them, everybody else was doing the same thing.

Pouncival nuzzled his head against Bombalurina's; she purred in arousal. Both of them stroked each other on the cheeks and on the sides, and then they began the most exciting part.

Both of them breathed in deeply as they went through the mating process. But they made sure not to breath in too loudly, lest they disturb the others working around them.

Even though this was his first time performing the Mating Dance, Pouncival instinctively knew how to carry out the whole process.

The chemistry between him and Bombalurina quickly accelerated. A certain form of pleasure started encompassing both of them. Pouncival had never felt such bliss in his entire life. He felt the strange desire to just lie there forever, holding Bombalurina in his arms.

Finally, the mating process was over. But the energy remained a little while longer.

Neither he nor Bombalurina spoke for a few moments. Pouncival decided to look around for his brother, Tumblebrutus. He spotted him just a couple feet away. Tumble had just finished mating with Jemima, and she was resting in his arms.

Tumble gave his brother a congratulating nod; Pouncival gave him one in response. Then the two of them returned their attention to their partners.

"For a first timer, you were great, Pounce," Bombalurina smiled up at him.

Pouncival lightheartedly shrugged and said "You'll find that I'm full of surprises, Bomby."

"I'll bet you are," she nodded

The two of them, like everyone else around them, soon drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

Note: The "After Ball" part will be in the second chapter. I'll put that chapter up sometime within the next forty-eight hours.