A Match Worth Making
Skimbleshanks wandered down St. James Street, looking for a certain black and white cat. Usually he wouldn't go seeking out Bustopher Jones, but what with the Valentine's Day dance that some of the cats had organized, he wanted to be certain that Bustopher wasn't going to ask Jennyanydots. It was quite obvious that she had a crush on him - funny thought, her having a crush at her age - and after he gave her his flower at the Ball, Skimble was worried that Bustopher shared the feeling.
He knew that Jenny liked him as much as he liked her, but Skimbleshanks wanted to make sure that nobody else asked her to the dance. He had arranged a surprise for her, and it wouldn't do if she went with someone else.
Spotting the large Jellicle waddling up the street, he called out, "Bustopher! Bustopher Jones!" The other cat turned, stopping with a smile on his face.
"Skimbleshanks! How are you, lad?"
Skimbleshanks mentally sighed at the cat's use of 'lad'. Skimble was as old, if not older, than the other cat, hardly a 'lad'. "I'm fine, Bustopher. I was wondering if you were going to the Valentine's Day dance that is being held at the Junkyard."
"Oh, yes, of course, can't miss a good party, can we?" Bustopher laughed hardly. "Why were you wondering?"
Skimbleshanks tried to appear nonchalant. "You weren't going to ask Jennyanydots, were you?"
"No, I hadn't thought about it."
Skimble struggled to keep his face neutral. "Thanks, Bustopher, you helped a lot." He looked at his small pocket watch that his humans had put in the pocket of his vest as a joke. "Well, the train is leaving soon, I must be off!" Waving over his shoulder, Skimbleshanks ran off.
Bustopher watched that cat go, confused at the events that had just transpired. "Why would Skimbleshanks be wondering if I was going to ask Jenny?" he said aloud. Then a thought occurred to him. "Of course! He must be wanting to ask someone else, and he wanted me to ask Jenny so she wouldn't feel left out!"
Feeling very pleased with himself for figuring that out, Bustopher headed toward the Junkyard.
Skimbleshanks patrolled the train with much more cheerfulness than he usually showed, and the passengers noticed.
"Look at Skimble, isn't he in a good mood today?" one woman observed. "Why, just look at that jaunty walk of his."
Her male companion laughed. "Well, it is almost Valentine's Day, maybe he's found a sweetheart."
You have no idea how right you are, Skimble thought with a smile. If his package had come into Carlisle, this day would be perfect.
Skimbleshanks waited for a long while at the designated meeting spot until a couple minutes before the train was to leave, watching fearfully for Duntzkin. He had to come today, the dance was before they stopped here again!
"Skimble! Where's Skimble!?" he heard the conductor call.
Skimbleshanks turned back to the train with a regretful sigh, when he heard paws slapping the stone behind him, and a slightly muffed voice calling, "Ait! Ait!"
Skimble turned back around to see the brown and black Duntzkin running toward him, package clenched tightly in his mouth. Dropping it at Skimbleshanks' feet, Duntzkin apologized for the wait.
"I'm sorry, but I got lost on the way to the station… again. I'm very sorry, Skimble!"
"That's all right, it's here. Did you get it the way you were hoping to?"
Duntzkin nodded with a wink. "She'll love it!"
"SKIMBLESHANKS!" the conductor bellowed.
"Uh, gotta go," Skimbleshanks said sheepishly, grabbing the package, and dashing on board.
After hiding the package back at the station, Skimbleshanks headed off to the Junkyard. This dance would be perfect, he'd wait until just the right moment before giving it to her… Skimbleshanks daydreamed all the way to the Junkyard proper. Spying Jennyanydots sitting with Jellylorum, he headed over, smile broad on his face. "Hello, Jenny," he said brightly.
"Hello, Skimbleshanks. Did you need something?"
"I was wondering what your plans for the Valentine's dance were."
"Oh, Bustopher asked me, wasn't that sweet of him?" Jenny said, face glowing with happiness.
"He did?" Skimbleshanks mumbled.
Jenny looked at him curiously. "Is there something wrong?"
"N-no. Sorry to bother you." Skimbleshanks moped off.
Mistoffelees and Asparagus watched the scene unfold from their perch atop the old car. "Hmmm," Asparagus said. "That was odd."
Mistoffelees nodded. "I think that we have some matchmaking to do."
The two slid off the car, and went to plan.
The dance came quickly, and it was quite a success. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had put their thieving tendencies to good use, and had brought some nice cuts of meat for the cats to snack on. Cassandra and Exotica had gotten some sushi from somewhere, and where the other cats didn't mind the raw fish, the seaweed and rice was a little much. Therefore, all of them let the two who had brought it eat it by themselves - except Pouncival, who had taken an odd liking to the stuff.
There was only one thing missing: Skimbleshanks. This dismayed his two friends, who had come up with a seemingly surefire way to get him and Jennyanydots together. However, being the stubborn cats that they are, they didn't let this deter them from their mission.
"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match…"
"Mistoffelees, if you don't stop singing, I am going to hog tie and gag you," Asparagus threatened.
"No, you wouldn't, then you'd have to do this all yourself."
"So? At least then I wouldn't be serenaded by 'Mistoffelees Sings the Greatest Hits from the World's Musicals'."
"Hmm, maybe I could tour…"
"We do have something we are trying to do, you can work out your tour dates later."
"So you think I should?"
"I think you should shut up and help me find Skimbleshanks. We have a match to make."
"Matchmaker, matchmaker…"
"MISTOFFELEES!" Asparagus bellowed, and turned on the giggling magical cat. "Look," Asparagus sighed. "How about you go find Jennyanydots and I'll go find Skimbleshanks, and then we'll meet… out by the old truck. You know, the one that they piled pillows in the back of?"
"Right," Mistoffelees nodded, then scampered off.
Asparagus sighed in relief, glad to be free of the little music box. He wandered off, and absent-mindedly began humming something. Upon realization of what it was, he stopped dead in his tracks. "Is that cat going to get it…" he grumbled, storming along trying vainly to get 'Matchmaker' out of his head.
Skimbleshanks was sitting alone, staring at the moon, when he heard footfalls behind him. Turning slightly, he sighed. "Hello, Asparagus."
Asparagus walked up to him. "Hey, Skimble. How come you aren't at the party?"
Skimble shrugged. "What's the point?"
Asparagus noted the glint of gold that sparkled in Skimbleshanks' paws. "What's that?"
Skimble held it up so the other cat could see it. "I had it made for Jenny. I was going to give it to her tonight, at the dance, but…" His voice trailed off.
Asparagus tugged at the tabby's paw. "Come on, I want to show you something."
Skimbleshanks sighed as he let the other cat drag him along. "What is so important…"
"Hey, you aren't doing anything, what could it kill but a couple of minutes?"
Asparagus was right, he did have nothing better to do. "All right," Skimble agreed.
Mistoffelees sidled up to Jennyanydots as she sat, watching the younger cats dance. "Jenny, can I talk to you for a minute?"
She turned, smile appearing on her face. "Sure, Misto, what about?"
"Not here," he said, and silently hoped she would come with him.
Jenny looked puzzled, but followed him anyway. He led her through the twisting paths until she ventured a question. "Mistoffelees, where are we going?"
"You'll see," was all he said. Finally, they came out in a small clearing, containing a large blue truck that had been dumped there many years ago. Pillows had been piled in the back, making it a popular spot for some of the younger cats.
"What…?" Jenny asked, confused as to why Mistoffelees had brought her here.
"Just wait," Mistoffelees said, disappearing back into the clutter surrounding the clearing.
Jennyanydots had just sat down on one of the cushions to await his return when another cat walked into the clearing, staring about him in confusion.
"Skimbleshanks?" Jenny asked.
He turned, seeing her for the first time. "Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you, Asparagus said that someone was waiting for me here…" He turned to leave, but Jennyanydots stopped him, bemused smile on her face.
"Mistoffelees led me here under the ruse of needing to talk. My dear Skimbleshanks, I believe we have been set up." Her gaze took on a more concerned tone. "And as for you… what's wrong? You were going to ask me something about the dance, but something I said disturbed you…"
"Jenny… I was going to ask you. I really wanted to go with you; I had everything planned out… It was going to be perfect." Skimbleshanks shrugged. "I guess I messed up a little, huh?"
"Well…" Jennyanydots said. "We're both here now."
If Skimbleshanks had been a human, he would have blushed. "I… I had this made for you," he offered lamely, and held out the gold piece of jewelry he had been holding.
Jennyanydots took it from him, nearly breathless in her surprise. "Skimble… it's beautiful." The slender gold collar was engraved with little mice, and her name.
"Turn it over," he said, gaining confidence at seeing how pleased she was.
Wordlessly, she read the words that he had requested be place on the back. 'To Jennyanydots, with love, Skimbleshanks.' Tears of happiness brimming in her eyes, she hugged him tightly.
The two sat down, and gazed at the moonlight, enjoying the solace and peace in each other's company.
Watching from behind and old board, Mistoffelees and Asparagus silently congratulated each other on a job well done, and headed back to the proper to catch the rest of the party.
By Jadadaye
