A short while later there was a knock on the door.

Tumble sat up, wiping his eyes quickly, "Who is it?"

"Jennyanydots, dear. I thought you might like a spot of tea."

He rose, swallowing hard, "Come in."

The tea cart came bouncing in. "Nothing like a warm cup of tea to make things brighter!"

Tumble paled, "But you're...you're..."

"Jennyanydots, yes," she replied and paused. "Oh, a teapot? You'll get used to that. We're all like this here."

"A-all?" He backed up, running smack into the wardrobe.

The wardrobe chuckled. "Careful, darling!"

"Yes, all, except the master," Jenny nodded.

Tumble whirled to face the wardrobe, "Wh-who...?"

"I'm Tantomile," the wardrobe replied. "Who might you be?"

"T-Tumble, ma'am." He sank back down onto the bed again, "This is imp-possible."

"I know it is," Tant replied. "But here we are. Now, what shall we dress you in for dinner?"

Tumble shook his head firmly, wrapping his arms around himself, "I'm not going to dinner."

"Don't be silly, of course you are," Tant replied, eying him as if suddenly worried he wasn't right in the mind.

"I said I'm not going." His stammer was gone as he dug in his heels on the matter.

"You heard what the master said though..."

"He may be your master, but he's not mine!" Tumble snapped, almost immediately regretting it, "I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't m-mean that. I just...this...and..." He shook his head.

Jenny and Tant glanced at each other and Jenny approached. "That was a very brave thing you did, dear," she offered, changing the subject as best she could.

"I couldn't let Papa stay there. H-he'll be able to get well a-at home."

Jenny moved to his side. "Cheer up, dear. Things seem bleak now, but we'll see you through. If anyone can make the best of something, I'm sure it's you."

Tumble offered her a weak smile, "Th-thank you. I...still would rather not go to dinner. I don't think I can face him yet."

"But," Tant started to protest and Jenny just shook her head at the wardrobe.

"Can't face him, dear?" she asked.

"I'm never going to see my father again and he didn't even let me say good-bye. Beyond that, he...I'm afraid I'll s-say something wrong. He's got quite the temper."

"He's a teddy bear on the inside," Jenny attempted. "Very... far on the inside."

Tumble looked skeptical, "I'm still not ready to eat dinner with the man, beast, whatever, who would have left my father to die in a dungeon if I hadn't promised to spend the rest of my life here."

Jenny looked down. "Oh, yes, well," she tried.

"I-I'll think about it," he finally murmured.

"I would advise it, if only for the food," Jenny offered. "Our chef is excellent, even if he is his own stove."

That got a small smile, "I'll think about it."

"Alright," Jenny said. "Well, I'm needed back at the kitchen. I'm sure you'll settle in just fine."

"Thank you. I-I guess I'll see you around."

"Yes, dear," Jenny said, leaving to get back to the kitchen. Tumble watched her go before laying back on the bed with a sigh.

B-B-B

Growltiger sulked in his overly large chair, glaring at the rest of the tavern. "Who the hell does he think he is? I'm done being treated this way."

Genghis sighed, glancing at the larger man, "It can't really be that bad?"

"No one says no to me! I was dismissed, rejected! Publicly humiliated. It's more than I can bear."

"More beer?" The question was in the same tone as his first one, but was directed at the bartender.

"What for? Nothing helps," Growltiger groaned.

Genghis bit back the response that the beer wasn't for the other it was for him and instead turned on his sycophancy, "Come on, you've got to pull yourself together! Everyone here is jealous of you, you're the ultimate man-about-town."

He rolled his eyes and muttered something darkly, looking more at the fire.

The smaller man looked around seeking back-up on this, "You're everyone's favorite around here, I mean, you're the ultimate paragon that they all want to be. You're slick, sly, clever, a great hunter, I could go on!"

The Cronies around the bar cheered in response, lifting tankards. Growltiger's face started to perk up but he refused to move from the chair quite yet.

"You're the handsomest guy in town." He glanced at a couple of the cronies, "Tom, Stan, given your choice, who'd you choose in a fight?"

They cheered together that it would of course be Growltiger and the man in question leaned forward. "No one's like Growltiger!" Tom declared.

"See, I'm not alone when I say you're the most amazing fellow around! You're the strongest, bravest, smartest, wildest, man in town." Genghis glanced slyly at the triplets, "Right girls?"

Cettie was at Growltiger's side almost before Genghis finished speaking, "Oh, yes. Absolutely."

"As a specimen, yes, I am intimidating!" Growltiger said, finally rising.

"My what a guy!" Genghis gushed, though there was something almost calculating playing around his blue eyes, "Ladies, and gentlemen, I give you the greatest man living: Growltiger! The best there is and ever will be."

"After all, not only am I roughly the size of a barge, but I use antlers in all of my decorating!" he declared, already flirting with the three girls who swooned over him regularly.

Genghis rolled his eyes at that, but before he could say anything else the door to the tavern was thrown opened and Skimble stumbled in, "Help me! Please, anyone, I need your help!"

"Skimbleshanks?" Growltiger's brows rose at the entrance of the old man.

"Please, you've got to help me." He was frantic as he looked from one man to the other, focusing on Growltiger finally, "He's got him locked in a dungeon! Please."

"Whoa, slow down old man. Who's got who locked up in a dungeon?"

"Tumble! A beast...he-he's got my son locked in his dungeon!"

There was a beat as the entire tavern stared at the man. "Is it a big beast?" Growltiger asked, trying not to laugh.

"Huge!" Came the reply.

One of the cronies neared, "With a long ugly snout?"

"Hideously ugly!"

Genghis hid a smirk, "And sharp, cruel fangs?"

"Yes! Yes! Will you help me?" Skimble's voice was desperate and nearing panic.

"Sure, old man," Growltiger drawled. "We'll help you out."

Genghis smirked, motioning to two cronies as Skimble breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh thank you, thank you so m-" He broke off as the other men grabbed him and hauled him toward the door, "Fine then! I'll find someone else to help me!" The door slammed in his face and the cronies turned back to return to their drinks.

"Crazy old coot. He's always good for a laugh at least."

"Crazy old Skimble..." Growltiger said, and frowned slightly, as if considering something. "Crazy old Skimble! Genghis, I'm afraid I've been thinking..."

"That's a dangerous pastime, Growltiger," Genghis' tone was too serious to be genuine.

"I know," he replied without irony. "But the wheels in my head have been turning. He's Tumble's father, and his sanity is only so-so. Since I've promised I'll marry his son, right now I'm evolving a plan..."

"A plan? Like what?" The smaller man looked a bit confused while wary too.

Grabbing him by the scruff, Growltiger pulled him over, whispering furiously into his ear.

Genghis grimaced, but listened his expression changing from skeptical to finally nodding slightly, "This could work."

"Of course it could," Growltiger huffed. "It's my plan isn't it?"

"I meant that Tumblebrutus might even go along with what you expect this time. I know your part of the plan'll work."

"Let's go then!" He declared, already heading for the door.

Genghis shook his head, but followed Growltiger, "As long as you get what you want at the end of it, everything'll be fine."

B-B-B

Mistoffelees and Jennyanydots were sitting nearby the fireplace, talking quietly together, Jenny telling the candelabra about Tumble's reactions earlier. Coricopat entered the room, making his way over, "How is he doing?"

Jenny shook her head. "I'm not sure. I haven't the foggiest what he likes to eat so I've just had everything in the kitchen cooked. He's sad but I think he'll make it. He doesn't want to call this place home."

"Whereas we get no choice," Mistoffelees said quietly.

"Well, perhaps a good dinner will help at least a little bit," Cori murmured.

"I do hope so, that poor dear," Jenny sighed.

"Is dinner ready? Or nearly so?" The clock asked.

She nodded. "Shortly. I'll double check with Admetus."

"Then I'd best go see if the lad is ready." He turned to go. Both Mistoffelees and Jennyanydots gasped when they noticed what looked like a winding handle on his back. He paused at that sound, turning back, "Wh-what is it?"

"You tell him," Mistoffelees tried but Jenny shook her head quickly.

"I can't."

"Tell me what?" Coricopat's expression grew wary and his tone held a note that could have been panic.

"Now, don't get upset," Mistoffelees tried, moving closer to him. "But... you have something on your back."

He turned, trying to get a look at it, "What are you talking about?"

Mistoffelees swallowed and pointed toward the nearest mirror, shooing Cori towards it rather than trying to actually explain.

The clock moved over, turning his head enough to look at his back. He paled, "Wh-what is that?"

"It, I think it looks like a winding handle..."

"G-get it off," his voice was rising by the moment.

Mistoffelees reached forward with Jennyanydots, but neither of them could make it budge. "It won't come off."

"Wh-what do you mean it won't come off?" He turned to face them, his grey eyes wide, "It wasn't there last night when I went to bed. Wh-where did it come from?"

"It must be the spell," Jenny offered.

"Just try to relax," Mistoffelees moved in front of him, trying to find his eyes. "Just relax."

"R-relax? H-how can I relax? Wh-what's going to go next, Mistoffelees? My mind? My ability to move? To speak?" His gaze flickered around, focusing mostly on Mistoffelees but drifting to the the changed castle moment by moment.

"Calm down," Mistoffelees tried again, moving the sides of his candles to Coricopat's cheeks, careful to make sure the flames were out. "It will be alright."

The clock's gaze locked with his, his voice muted, "I'm frightened, Mistoffelees..."

"I thought you were the one that wasn't supposed to panic," Mistoffelees smiled faintly. "I know though. But you are not alone."

That earned a faint smile, "I don't panic. And...thank you."

"We're all in this together," Jenny offered from the side, smiling faintly at the pair.

Coricopat's gaze flickered to her, but he placed a hand on Mistoffelees' arm, managing not to wince at the sound of the metal on metal before stepping back, "Well, we've a dinner to finish."

"Yes," Mistoffelees agreed, stepping back rather abruptly.

At that moment Tugger stormed into the room. "It's time for dinner," he growled, looking around. "Where is he?"

"I should go see about him," Coricopat managed, "Won't be a minute." He slipped out of the room, glancing briefly at Mistoffelees.

Mistoffelees watched him go before looking down. Tugger was pacing up and down in front of the fireplace. "I told him to come down! What's taking so long?"

"Try to be patient, sir. The boy's just lost his father and his freedom at once," Jenny replied.

"Master..." Mistoffelees finally look his gaze from where Cori had left. "Did you think he might break the spell?"

"Of course I have!" Tugger replied and grumbled, "I'm not a fool."

"Great! So, you fall in love with him, he falls in love with you and poof! The spell is broken! We can be human again by midnight!" He couldn't stand being stuck this way, and Cori growing an entire windup handle had sent a shock of fear through Mistoffelees.

"Misto," Jenny said, giving him a long look. "It's not that easy. These things take time."

"But we don't have time," Mistoffelees protested as Tugger stared into the fire. "The rose's begun to wilt already and besides..." He stopped, shaking his head. He'd fallen all but in love at first sight, he really couldn't see what would be so hard about this.

"It's no use," Tugger declared, shaking his mane. "He's beautiful and I'm... well just look at me!"

Mistoffelees and Jenny winced. "He has a point," Mistoffelees sighed.

"Shhh!" Jennyanydots scolded him. "Master, you must help him see past that," she soothed the beast.

"I don't know how," he groaned in defeat.

"Well, you could start by making yourself more presentable," she remarked, looking him over. "Straighten up, act like a gentleman!" His spine went up.

"Impress him with your wit!" Mistoffelees offered.

"But be gentle," Jenny admonished.

"Shower him with compliments!" Mistoffelees added, having all the practice in the world with that.

"But sincerely," Jenny put in.

"But above all..." they both started and paused.

"What?" Tugger demanded, feeling like his head was already spinning.

"You must control your temper!" they yelled him down at once and he winced at the pair of them.

The door opened quietly, Coricopat cursing his luck silently as he slipped into the room, hoping against hope that he would go unnoticed.

"Well?" Tugger demanded, turning to him to escape the barrage from his other two servants.

"Hm? What?" The clock really really hoped he could get away with this.

"Where is he?" Tugger asked, spreading his paws and glaring at the clock like the clock was an idiot.

"Who? O-oh, the lad...Well, actually he's in the process of..." he glanced past the master to Jenny and Mistoffelees, "Circumstances being what they are..." He swallowed, murmuring, "He's-he's not coming."

"What did you say?" Tugger asked as Mistoffelees mouthed shocked words at the clock.

"H-he's not coming," Coricopat flinched back.

"We'll see about that!" Tugger roared and stormed toward the room he'd given to Tumble earlier, Mistoffelees and Jennyanydots trying to follow him, though he lost Jenny along the way.

Coricopat hurried after them, "Your highness! Your grace! I'm certain there's an explanation!" His voice quietened again, "Please don't break down the door..."

Tugger growled as he approached the door, Mistoffelees trying to insert himself in the front. "Mistoffelees, stand aside," he said, moving the candelabra aside with one foot before wrenching the door open and stomping inside.

Tumble startled, sitting bolt upright on the bed as the door slammed against the wall, "What on earth?"

"What did I hear about you not coming to dinner?" Tugger demanded, Mistoffelees and Coricopat trailing into the room, and Jenny catching up as well.

"I'm not hungry."

"I am the master of this castle and I'm telling you to come to dinner," Tugger rumbled.

"And I'm telling you I'm not hungry!" Tumble snapped in reply.

"You're hungry if I say you're hungry!"

Tumble gaped at him for a moment, "Don't be ridiculous!"

"What did you say?" From his spot at the door Mistoffelees winced, glancing at his fellow servants in no small amount of fear. So much for wit and charm.

Coricopat glanced at the other two, hesitating as Tumble answered, "You can't go around ordering people to be hungry. It doesn't work like that."

"I can..." Tugger started.

"Besides, it's rude." As soon as the words left Tumble's mouth, Coricopat took a distinct step back.

"Oh, rude is it?" Tugger asked, spreading his arms. "Then how about this, if you don't come down to dinner, I will drag you by the hair..."

"Master!" Mistoffelees jumped out in front of him, waving his candles and trying to draw his attention before continuing in a furtive whisper. "That may not be the best way to win the boy's affections..."

Coricopat joined Mistoffelees, "Please, your highness, attempt to be a gentleman."

"But why is he being so difficult?" Tugger demanded, looking down at them. He looked up and walked further toward the bed. "Why are you being so difficult?"

Tumble resisted the urge to get off the bed on the other side of it, "Why are you being such a bully?"

"Because I want you to come to dinner!" Tugger nearly wailed.

"So, you admit you're being a bully," Tumble nodded firmly, his stammer from earlier having deserted him for the conversation in his irritation.

"Yes!" he thundered.

"Deep breaths Master, deep breaths!" Jenny squeaked from behind him.

Tugger visibly paused, and took a deep breath. "Alright. Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner?" he offered as kindly as he could.

Coricopat cleared his throat, murmuring, "We say 'please'?"

"Please," Tugger added.

"No, thank you," Tumble replied testily.

"Fine! Then starve!" Tugger thundered. Tumble flinched as Tugger whirled to leave the room, his servants hurrying after him.

"Master, please!" Mistoffelees tried.

"If he doesn't eat with me, he doesn't eat at all!" Tugger roared.

Mistoffelees let him walk away, looking devastated. "What were we thinking, we'll never be human again."

Coricopat swallowed hard, but nodded very slightly, "So it would seem..."

Jenny patted Mistoffelees' metal shoulder as that sunk in. "Well, what would you have us do? Give up? I won't until I hear my boy running down the hall again."

Coricopat drew himself together, "Q-quite right, Jenny. We...we can't give up. There's still some sort of a chance here. Mistoffelees, I want you to stand watch here and if there's the slightest change, inform me at once."

Mistoffelees gave him a mock salute with one of his lighted candles. "Of course, my captain!" That garnered a bit of a smile from the clock as he nodded and turned to go. Mistoffelees sighed, leaning against the wall by the door.

B-B-B

Tugger paced his lair. "I ask nicely!" he snapped at the walls. "But he refuses! What does he want me to do, beg?" He slammed his hands against the table, staring at the rose as a petal fell off it. He looked for a moment like he was just about to cry. Instead, he lifted the mirror. "Show him to me!" he commanded it.

Tumble sat on the bed, talking to Tantomile, the wardrobe, "I told you all earlier I wasn't going to dinner, I don't know why you all were so surprised. I didn't want to eat with him."

"Well, he's temperamental," she offered. "But underneath that fur he's not such a bad fellow. Give him a chance?"

"Why should I? Did he give my father a chance?"

"Well, no," the wardrobe sighed. "But once you get to know him-"

"Don't you get it? I don't want to get to know him! I want nothing to do with him!"

Tugger's face twisted and he set the mirror down, bracing his arms on the table. "I'm just fooling myself. He'll never see me as anything except just a monster." He slammed his hands down again. "How long must this go on? I made one wrong decision and now I'm stuck like this, and my entire castle with me..." His shoulders hunched. "Is there no one who can show me how to win the world's forgiveness?"

Looking up another of the rose petals fell and he groaned. "No! What did they say to me?" He started pacing, snapping his fingers. "Shower him with compliments, impress him with wit, and act like a gentleman. Act like a gentleman." He laughed at himself, shaking his head. "Act like a gentleman..."


The failed dinner, oh the failed dinner. Most of the servants aren't sure who they should be facepalming at the most, but it's quite a mess there.

Thank you everyone who's read or otherwise left feedback on this story! It's greatly appreciated. Always remember, that little review button makes your authors very excited and happy. Sorta like puppies with a new toy.