Chapter 9- Persuasion Attempt
The sun began to set, shrouding the town of Honevray with shadows. One by one, the numerous residents began to return to their homes to have dinner or get an early night. The UTSE was tomorrow, and most of the residents would want to get up early for it. But there was one animal that had no intention of retiring just yet, not to bed or his career as mayor.
Mortimer stopped as he turned a corner, finding himself face to face with Hortimer. He rolled his eyes, turning around to walk the other way, only to find Portimer behind him. The old tortoise sighed in annoyance, before asking irritably, "What do you two want?"
Portimer replied first, saying calmly, "To put it simply, you need to call off the bet." Portimer leaned against the wall of a house, but as the three were in a narrow gap between two houses, Mortimer was still unable to escape.
Mortimer made a 'tch' noise, but said, "Yeah right. Nice try, little brother, but, to put it just as simply. Not going to happen." He made a move to try and get past Portimer, but Portimer exited his leaning position and stood in the way.
Hortimer stepped forward now, making the gap between the three tortoises smaller. The older tortoise continued, "Do not be selfish, [i]little[/i] brother. The fate of one of Honevray and Endavcra has now been put at risk because of this. One of the two towns is going to be ruined, unless Aquatos or Celedron wins."
Portimer chipped in, "What he said!"
Mortimer smirked slightly, folding his arms, "Correction. If Honevray wins, one of the cities will be ruined. But that is not going to happen, and if Endavcra does win, then Honevray will become a decent town for once. Now, please stand aside." He tried to move past again, this time past Hortimer. But again, he was not allowed past, so continued, "You two are beginning to annoy me now, just get out of the way. I assure you, Honevray will be much better under my control instead of Tortimer. If the three of us make sure Tortimer does not win, then there will be no problem." He tried one last time to step past Portimer, and this time, the younger tortoise stood aside and Mortimer was allowed to leave.
Portimer turned to Hortimer, who was watching Mortimer disappear into the distance, "Why do I have the feeling that disaster is going to come from this?"
Hortimer replied dryly, not looking at Portimer, "You share the same feeling as myself. No good whatsoever can come from the bet. I'd hate to see this lovely town turned into a money-making city like Endavcra. I'd also hate to see Endavcra ruined under Tortimer, he will not be able to cope with the pressure of running it as well as Honevray. But I have to agree with Mortimer, Endavcra is in more danger if Tortimer wins than Honevray with Mortimer winning..."
Portimer nodded in agreement, before asking, "So what are we going to do now?" He went back to leaning against the house, putting on a pair of sunglasses, despite the fact the sun was covered by clouds.
Hortimer sighed, shoulders slumping as he smoothed out his suit, "We do nothing. It is time to see what fate has planned for these two towns. But the one thing we have to try and do is win, one of us two. We cannot let Tortimer or Mortimer win, under no circumstances. Agreed?" Hortimer extended his right hand for the younger tortoise to take.
Portimer glanced at the hand uncertainly, saying, "I don't think my team this year has what it takes. But yeah, if it's to try and stop one of our brothers winning, then agreed." Portimer then shook Hortimer's hand, smiling weakly.
Hortimer smiled back, saying, "Well. The UTSE is tomorrow, we should get some sleep, little brother." Hortimer nodded to Portimer, before walking away. Portimer sighed, before turning and walking the other way, both wondering what would become of Honevray and Endavcra if Tortimer or Mortimer won.