HAT: Yay! Another chapter. Odd pairing, I know, but I'm not the first to have thought of it... Anyway, signifigance of the three of hearts in the last chapter... you tell me *smiles evilly* though I already know... Anyway! This chapter's where-
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and any cats I might throw in there. Other than that I'm using this as a way to express my creativity... I don't know, just enjoy if you do.
The Maine Coon shuffles as he trudges to his father's den, tail swaying gently as always when he walks, but his ears are slightly down turned. Upon his entry he sees his family there: father and brothers. Munkustrap seems to want to burst into laughter at the sight of his older brother and his father seems... amused and shocked. He knows right then that the youngest brother has told of the game that Tugger so foolishly partook in. Tugger's tail twitches behind him as he narrows his amber eyes to the tux cat who's sapphire eyes were still amused, but they hold the slightest touch of fear. Of course the younger brother, even with his magical powers, is afraid of big brothers.
"You told," Tugger states flatly.
"Well, at least they should know... besides, you know it's gonna get around. I made sure that Skimble is the only one that doesn't know, though."
"You know, I don't have to do this," the maned cat says.
Mischievous grin from Munkustrap. "That's where you're wrong."
Tugger turns to Old Deuteronomy. "What's he talking about?"
"You agreed to the game," their father says.
"I can handle losing," Tugger says.
Munkustrap scoffs. "You? Losing? I doubt it. I bet you're too scared to do it."
"Fine! I'll pursue him," Tugger says angrily. "And I'll win this game."
"Good luck," the three of them say as Tugger stalks out.
He's halfway to Skimble's den when he stops. He couldn't possibly do this to Skimble, dear Skimble! He doesn't have the heart so he closes his amber eyes and turns to walk away, but sadly Munkstrap's there and eyeing him with an air of amusement as he gestures for Tugger to continue. The maned cat scoffs and then turns to the den, calling out for permission to enter and when it's granted his heart is heavy. Skimble is too good of a tom to do this to. Perhaps one of the she-cats that he's already broken the heart of? No, he knows he'd feel guilty in that case as well, but this is what's happening and he doesn't want to go through it at all.
He breathes in the scent of tea, railroad, Scotch, and another undefinable smell. The smell of a friend, the scent of Skimble.
"Tugger!" Skimble says, blinking, his Scottish accent obvious. "What is it yer doin' here, lad?"
"I've come to talk to you," Tugger says truthfully, still fighting the internal battle.
Skimble can see it's tearing him up and gestures for Tugger to sit. "You can tell ol' Skimble what's on yer mind."
Tugger takes a deep breath. "I..." he starts with a suave voice before he shakes his head and puts it in his paws, letting out a miserable voice now. "I can't do it."
"What is it yer tryin' to do?"
"Mistoffelees got most of us toms in a game and... well it started as naming off a male more masculine than you that you wouldn't mind mating with in hypothetical circumstances, but then he has us get pieces of paper and then Pouncival pulled out a card with my number and..."
Skimble's tail twitches as he observes Tugger's face with his glass-green eyes. "Hm... an' I'm guessin' that you chose me and he had the one that was chosen to do something... what is it you 'ave to do?" he questions.
In all honesty Tugger didn't expect the cat to get it so quickly, but then again Skimble is pretty amazing when it comes to observation skills. "Yes... I'm supposed to go after you and... something along the lines of getting you to be my mate or close to it, to win the game... I just can't do that to you... I guess I lost the game after all."
"Maybe... or maybe not," Skimble mutters, a mischievous smile on his face.
HAT: *wipes away tear from laughing* I'm sorry, I couldn't help but cut it off before... anyway, now that Skimble' gonna help Tugger win the game (btw, you all just lost The Game (not the tv show) [For those that don't know here's the rules: you think about The game, you lose The Game, play The Game, lose The Game, you win The Game, you lose The Game... basically you never think 'The Game' as in The Game for your entire life]) how will it turn out for them? Will Tugger win? Will Mistoffelees find out it's fake (well... maybe not in the next chapter, but still) and what'll happen next? I'm asking you like you're the one writing it instead of me... Anyway, review!