Sunlight peered through the dingy curtain sheets, of the late morning. Through the humid silence, a piercing beeping sound of a clock alarm, blared repetitively. There was a loud groan, and a grey-furred palm slowly reached up, and slammed down upon the clock, shutting it up. The young warthog grimaced and stretched his leg muscles out, underneath the sweat-dampened sheets. Nearby, the young lynx/caracal hybrid licked his dry lips, yawned and started stretching outwards from collarbone to tailbone. Then they both froze. Goresky felt something long and furry brushing against his leg. *What the fuck...* Jacque felt his tail touching up along a long form. *What the heck...* Stiff as boards, they finally and slowly, craned their necks over their shoulders. Only to see a sight that shocked them to the farthest core... each other.
They both stared, wide-eyed at each other, green eyes to hazel, for several seconds, utterly speechless with total shock. Then they slowly turned back around, and drew up the sheets on their side. Seeing what they saw beneath them, they both inched their heads back up, and looked to the floor. And there it was... their clothes mangled into scattered heaps on the floor. Including... their undergarments. Finally, Goresky croaked out, "-Oh... my... god..." Jacque gulped, "-Oh... kay... let's... not... panic... here." Goresky swallowed, "-Too... late... already... panicking." HOW... did... we... end... up... here?!?" "Was... gonna... ask... the... same... thing..." Jacque said. That's when a jolt of memory hit Goresky, and he sat up quickly, forgetting the whole stammer thing. "-You kissed me!" he yelped. Jacque sat upright as well. "-And you kissed me back!" "-WHY?!?" they both shrieked to each other at once. Jacque held his hands up. "-Okay okay... let's just CALM DOWN... let's THINK about this... alright... exactly WHAT happened last night??" "-Oh!" We were at that bar!" Goresky told him. "YES!" Yes we were!" Jacque agreed. "What were we doing??" Goresky thought hard. "Uhhh... drinking!" Yeah!" And you were all-" "Upset!" Jacque squeaked. "I was upset!" And you were saying stuff!" "Yeah yeah!" And then I was getting upset too!" added Goresky. "And then YOU were saying stuff!" "Right!!" And then... I said 'I love you man!'!!" Jacque recalled. "And I said 'And I love YOU man!'!!" Goresky screeched. "Then we hugged!" "And then I kissed you!" "And then I kissed you back!" "Then we kissed each other!" "Then I asked if you wanted to get out of there!" "Then I said yes!" "Then we came back here!" "Then we-" There was a pause. Then they both screamed at once. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
After a full minute of howling in disgust, they both went silent, staring off into blank space. Finally Jacque dared to speak. "...Goresk?" "...Yeah?" the warthog slowly replied. "-I think I'm gonna... use the bathroom... and... get dressed." "-Okay then..." A pause. "-Could you.... turn away for a second?" Jacque asked. "...Oh... right... yeah," Goresky spoke, turning his head away. Nervously, Jacque slid out from the blankets, the cold chill of the room seeping through his fur. He shuddered, for more reasons than one at that. Confirming that Goresky wasn't looking, he leaned down and gathered up his clothes, from the untidy heap on the floor. Then he moved unusually swift to the bathroom door, and slammed it shut behind him. He'd never been more grateful in his life, that the Warthogg twins had a bathroom in/connected to their room. Hearing the door shut, Goresky finally stopped holding his breath. He gave a huge sigh of air. He was still having trouble figuring out exactly WHAT was happening here... Goresky groaned to himself, and felt his aching temples. *Oh the joys of the modern hangover...* Absentmindedly, he stretched his arm back, and rubbed his lower backside, which also seemed rather sore. Just then, he froze. *Wait a sec... since when does alcohol give you a sore ass??* In the bathroom, Jacque had suddenly jumped to the same thought. The conclusion came to them in an instant. An icy pit jagged the feline's gut. The warthog felt his stomach lurch. Jacque gagged. Goresky retched. Then it happened all at once. Both felt their digestive muscles pushing upwards, and the contents of yesterday's meals come spewing out their throats, in an acidy, chunked mess, in one quick burst of appallment of disgust and bewilderment. Goresky leaned over the garbage wastebasket, moaning, as Jacque held his face above the toilet, weakly. So that was it... (in some level) they certainly weren't virgins anymore... Goresky and Jacque had had sex.
Some time later, a voice spoke from the other side of the bathroom door. "...Goresky?" The warthog slowly looked towards it. "...Jacque?" "-Are you... 'decent'?" By which, the feline meant whether Goresky was dressed or not. "-Yeah..." he responded. "...You?" "-Yes," Jacque said in turn. The door opened, and the lynx/caracal stepped out, in a much more proper state, save for the peckish/pale color in his face. Not that Goresky would really notice or care, considering he was in the same way. The pair faced each other, nervously, both feeling like they were about to hurl again. "-So..." "-So." The tension was spared any further ado, when the sound of the front door opening and slamming shut was heard. "-Oh honies, I'm homie!" Chislett's voice rang out, jestingly cheery. Goresky and Jacque both whirled in the sound's direction. "-Chislett!" they gulped, in unison. "-I think I better be going now!" Jacque quickly spoke, and left the room. He walked swiftly into the hallway, leading to the kitchen, passing the younger Warthogg brother on the way. "-Hey Jacq-man!" 'Sup?" Chislett inquired. Jacque gave a fleeting smile, and replied, "-Not much!" Gotta go!" Seeya!" And he was out the door. Chislett blinked, confused. *...Riiight... that was just weird...* That wasn't considered 'Jacque behaviour'. But then again... Chislett wondered if he just still a tad 'soused' from the party last night. He shrugged it off. He then turned to Goresky, who had entered the room. "-Hey bro!" How's it goin'?" It took him a minute to answer, but Goresky spoke, "-Oh... just... you know... up and down... the usual." "-'Kay then..." Chislett muttered. "So anyways... what happened with you guys last night?" I just saw Jacq rushing out the front d-" He was cut off by a strange toned yelp from his brother. "-What are you talking about??" Nothing happened!!" We didn't do anything!" Now the younger Warthogg was feeling a tad suspicious. "...Huh?" Realizing the mistake he'd made, Goresky tried acting dumb/clueless, like HE didn't know either. "...What?" Both were silent, with stares for a moment. At last, Chislett broke the trance. "-I was just wondering what you and Jacq did last night... you know... for the whole 'depressive breakup' thing... remember?" "-Oh... ooooh!" Oh you mean THAT!" exclaimed Goresky. "Ah, I see now!" You were talking about that... I get it." "-Yeah... that..." Chislett said slowly. "What did you THINK I was talking about?" His brother scratched his neck, and grinned uneasily. "-Oh... dunno..." Guess I just heard things wrong or something." Whatever." "-Uh huh," muttered Chislett, numbly. Another state of pause. Before his brother questioned him further, however, Goresky finally thought of what to say. "-Know what, I was just gonna make some eggs!" Want some?" Chislett looked at him oddly, as he got the carton out of the fridge, but replied, "-Uhhh... sure, yeah." "What way you want 'em?" Goresky asked, trying to push the previous subject out of conversation and thought. His brother thought this over. "How about an omelet or scrambled?" "-Omelet sounds good," the eldest said quickly. "You wanna get the cheese and onions for me?" "Sure thing, bro," Chislett agreed, getting up, and searching the refrigerator. It was one of those rare instances where Goresky was thankful for Chislett's short term memory/ability to forget something (like this) within seconds or minutes.
Some odd half an hour later, the front door opened again. This time however, it was Sir Graff arriving home. "-Mornin' boys!" he said outloud, entering the kitchen. "Or should I say 'afternoon'?" The Warthogg brothers looked to their father. Goresky smiled wryly at Graff. "-Good one Dad..." "-Hiya Pa," Chislett responded, through a mouthful of eggs. Graff gave a snort. "So how late did you youngin's stay up til, huh?" What sort of ingenious havoc did you cause, into the wee hours of dawn?" His second son grinned widely. "Oh you know... the usual... world domination and revolutionary inventions with names no one knows how to pronounce." Like the 'shizzlefitzkakabinglehopper'!" The adult warthog raised an eyebrow. "-Riiight... well that's a new one." Chislett smirked cheesily. "-Yup... basic stuff." Graff was not fooled. "-You went to a party last night, didn't you?" Just got here in the last hour or so?" And lemme guess... there was some drinking involved, right?" His son's jaw dropped. He looked at Goresky. "-How does he DO that???" The brother shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine bro!" Their father shook his head. "-Doesn't take a scientist to figure it out, you know." A father knows his sons." And trust me, I've seen those faces before." Chislett gulped, "-Well it was nothing big!" Only a few shots and that!" It's not like I got pissed outta my mind and passed out on the pool table!" Rolling his eyes, Graff sighed, "It's not what you DID that bothers me the most... it's whether you're bein' HONEST or not about it is what I'm concerned about." The young warthog hung his head. "-Yessir." The father's expression softened. "Oh come on now... I know it might sound like I'm being a hardass... but all I'm trying to do is learn ya some responsibility... you see?" He had a point, and being the parent, Graff was right. Chislett swallowed. "-You're right Pa... I'm sorry." Graff gave a fatherly look, and jestingly tousled Chislett's mane. "-Now that's my boy..." He then looked to the plates on the table. "So what we eatin' here?" Taking another forkful, Chislett responded, "-Goresk made eggs." Their father raised his eyes. "-Oh... well isn't that nice." He averted his gaze to his oldest son. "So who died?" Goresky frowned. "-Daaad..." "-Okay, okay, I'm sorry..." Graff said. "-How much money you want, then?" Goresky threw up his hands. "WHAT?!?" I can't do something NICE for my family, without wanting something from them??" The adult looked sheepish. "...You're right son... my bad." "THANK you," Goresky spoke. Graff then reached into his shirt pocket, took out his wallet, and pulled out a bill. "-Damn... well all I got is a twenty kiddo..." Chislett nearly snorted juice up his nose, as Graff wore a straight face of sincerity. Goresky didn't even blink. Instead of saying something, that time he just snorted air, shoved his chair back, rose and left the table. Graff called after him, "-Oh come on, Goresk!" You knew I was just kiddin'!" Take a joke!" The sound of the bedroom door slamming shut was heard down the hallway. "-Uh... mind you Pa, he had a rough night, from the sounds of it..." Chislett told him. The father blinked. "He did?" Ah cripes.. why didn't someone say something??" Chislett cocked his head. "-You couldn't tell?" Graff sighed, "-NO, otherwise I wouldn't have pushed on his nerves like that!" Chislett let his eyes roll back. "-Yet you could tell MY whole night, from just one glance..." "-Well that's YOU, kiddo... and it certainly ain't rocket science..." That brother of yours on the other hand... even a mind reader would get a headache tryin' to figure him out." "-Really?" Chislett inquired. "I don't it's THAT hard..." Graff turned to him. "Easy for you to say... he TELLS you everything." A slight red color appeared in Chislett's face. "-Ah... right..." But yeah... he usually DOES tell me stuff." Except today... I asked him what he was up to last night with Jacque, and he flipped out!" Even Jacque was acting weird... he was here went I got back, but as soon as I came in and said hello, he was out the door just like that!" Graff looked confused. "-Huh... that's odd... doesn't sound like something he usually does." "Tell me about it!" Chislett exclaimed. "What on Mobius could've happened to make them act all weird like that, in one night?" Graff shrugged. "Beats the heck outta me, personally..." They both thought in silence for a minute. Suddenly Chislett yelped out, "-Hey I think I know!!!" "Yeah huh?" questioned Graff. "-Well see... before I went out... Goresky and me were talking about his ex's-" "-Chislett!" Why would you bring up a subject like that with him??" Graff interrupted him. "You KNOW how hard he took the last one, especially!" Chislett protested, "I know I know!" I said sorry!" But then JACQUE came by, and turns out... Jordin left him." Coincidence huh?" Graff looked concerned. "-Jacque got split?" Oh geez... poor kid." Is it just me, or are he and Goresk having a real rough time with the girls lately?" Chislett blew a mouthful of air. "-You're tellin' me Pa..." But anyways, they said something about going to the bar and being 'miserable' together or something." You know... lost love, massive alcohol consumption..." Graff put his face in his hands. "-Aiiie... I know what that's like." Sheesh, I hate the thought of my own kid doin' it tho." Chislett thought some more. "-Maybe... he and Jacque got really drunk... so drunk... that they did really stupid and crazy things... which led to them ending up waking up with hookers in their beds and unremembered tattoos and piercings!" Graff stared at his son. "-I certainly HOPE not!" For Pete's sake... now that's just-" He paused for a minute. "-Oh God, what if it DID happen??" he moaned. "Bloody hell... it would certainly explain the behaviour alright." Chislett spoke reassuringly, "-Oh come on Pa... maybe it's not that bad." That was just a GUESS!" How about I try and ask Goresk about it later, kay?" Graff sighed heavily. "-Alright... but if you're unwittingly right about that 'assumption' of yours, don't think I won't go beatin' your head in with a sledgehammer." Chislett gulped. "-Riiight... I love you too Pa." Graff smacked his lips. "-Anyways... so how's these eggs?" Before Chislett could respond, Graff picked up a fork, and scooped some of the eggs off his plate, and took a mouthful. "-Hmmm... cheese and onions." He's really good with those omelets." Chislett yelped, "-Hey!" Graff gave him a look. "-Oh please... don't you 'hey' me..." You already had two plates, didn't ya?" "-Uh... NO!" One and a HALF, thank you!" Chislett snorted. Graff smirked, "-Same 'dif'." I haven't eaten since this morning, and all I had was some dry toast." Shove over." Chislett reluctantly shifted over to the next seat, as Graff sat in his. Chislett frowned as his father started finishing the rest of the eggs. Graff saw the glare, and said, "-If you're still hungry, then why don't you finish off the leftover pasta in the fridge, my little 'garbage disposal' laddie?" "-Oh boy... frozen pasta." Goody goody," Chislett sniffed, sarcastically. But he got up and opened the fridge anyways, his bottomless appetite getting the better of him. As he stuck the pasta in the microwave, Graff asked, "-Hey... is there still some ketchup in there?" Chislett shrugged, "-Guess so." "-Could you get it for me, then?" The son gave a snort. "-Get it yourself, old man." Graff didn't take any offense to the remark. He knew what he was doing. He simply smiled and said, "-Hey Chis... did I ever tell you about how you were conceived-?" That did it. "-AaaaAAHHH, OKAY OKAY!, I'LL GET IT!" GOD!" Chislett freaked, rushing to the refrigerator. Graff smiled with a sincere satisfaction. *Works everytime...*
Late afternoon, at the Celaya home, Jacque was up in his room, in a somewhat 'bedridden' state, with the hangover and aftershock of last night's events. Just then, a voice called from the opposite side of the bedroom door. "-Jacque?" Are you awake?" Wearily lifting his head up, from under his pillow, he muttered outloud, "-Eh?" The door opened, and an adult lynx came in. It was his father Marco. Jacque looked up woozily. "-Huh?" What?" Marco held up the phone he'd brought with him. "-It's for you." Chislett's on the phone." Hearing the name, his son immediately yelped, "-No!" Nonono!" Dad, I can't talk to him now!" Tell him I'm not home!" The lynx stared at him oddly. "-Okay..." He lifted the phone mouthpiece to his face. "-Sorry Chislett... he says he's not home, right now." Can I take a message?" Jacque's jaw dropped at his reply. *-Thanks ALOT Dad...* He did a face plant into his pillow, and groaned. "-Alright, I'll let him know." Nice talking to you Chislett." Bye." Marco hung up. He stared back to his son. "-Now what was THAT all about??" There was silence. Finally Jacque replied, "-Long story... you don't wanna know." His father looked concerned. "-Are you two fighting or something?" Not knowing what else to say, Jacque murmured, "-Sure... that's it." Listen Dad, I'm really tired... can we talk about this later?" Marco set his jaw. "-I suppose so... are you okay, son?" The young feline waved his hand. "-Yeah... I'm great." "-If you say so..." the lynx sighed. "Well dinner's gonna be ready in less than an hour, just so you know." Jacque grimaced. "-Eh... I think I might pass." I'm not sure if I can keep much down, right now." Marco gave him a look. "Are you SURE you're alright, Jacq?" "-I'll be fine...'night Dad-" Jacque said drowsily. Shaking his head, the father closed the door behind him. *-Kids these days...*
After finding no second option in getting the scoop from Jacque, Chislett tried all afternoon to get Goresky to talk. By evening, he approached their father. Graff was sitting in one of the living room chairs, reading, when Chislett walked in. He set his reading material down. "-So then... anything at all yet?" Chislett breathed, "-After hours of tryin', careful consideration, two punches in the same shoulder, a magazine in the back of my head, and a close shave of his foot goin' up my ass, I've decided I really don't wanna know about it THAT MUCH." But if YOU still wanna know Pa, then you're kinda on your own here." On the bright side tho, he probably wouldn't hurt YOU as much, right?" Graff slowly blinked. "-Is he acting more screwier by the hour, or somethin'???" Chislett shrugged. "-Sounds like a accurate guess to me." Yeesh... I'm considering sleepin' on the couch, just so I'll actually feel SAFE tonight." For all I know, he might stick my hands in warm water while I sleep or somethin'!" "-Eh... I don't think so Chis... that sounds too cruel for something Goresk would do, even in this recent mood of his," Graff disagreed. Chislett snorted, "-Oh come on Pa... you knew I was over-exaggerating...you get the jist." Graff sighed, putting his knuckles to his chin. "-Well... I guess this sounds like something that we CAN'T help Goresky with." We'll just have to let him deal with it himself, for once." Chislett protested, "-But what if-" "-Chislett... no," his father said, sternly. "You're gonna have to keep your nose outta it, this time." Ca pishe?" The young warthog was reluctant, but agreed. "-Oh alright." If I HAVE to," Chislett grumbled. He hated being out of the loop.
That night, the Celayas and Warthoggs went to sleep, hoping their sons would be in better humour and state the next day. And they were, healthwise at least. But both still refused to breathe a word of the other night. They would either straight out say they didn't want to, or somehow change the subject, and make their family forget the previous topic of conversation. Chislett managed to get a hold of Jacque that day on the phone, and they chatted awhile, but as soon as Goresky was mentioned, Jacque choked up, made a flimsy excuse, and hung up. Same thing with his brother. At the hearing Jacque's name, Goresky froze up and asked to be excused from the room. Both the families were rather frustrated by it all and driven by mad curiousity at what was going on. But how on Mobius could they find out when neither would tell?
They both stared, wide-eyed at each other, green eyes to hazel, for several seconds, utterly speechless with total shock. Then they slowly turned back around, and drew up the sheets on their side. Seeing what they saw beneath them, they both inched their heads back up, and looked to the floor. And there it was... their clothes mangled into scattered heaps on the floor. Including... their undergarments. Finally, Goresky croaked out, "-Oh... my... god..." Jacque gulped, "-Oh... kay... let's... not... panic... here." Goresky swallowed, "-Too... late... already... panicking." HOW... did... we... end... up... here?!?" "Was... gonna... ask... the... same... thing..." Jacque said. That's when a jolt of memory hit Goresky, and he sat up quickly, forgetting the whole stammer thing. "-You kissed me!" he yelped. Jacque sat upright as well. "-And you kissed me back!" "-WHY?!?" they both shrieked to each other at once. Jacque held his hands up. "-Okay okay... let's just CALM DOWN... let's THINK about this... alright... exactly WHAT happened last night??" "-Oh!" We were at that bar!" Goresky told him. "YES!" Yes we were!" Jacque agreed. "What were we doing??" Goresky thought hard. "Uhhh... drinking!" Yeah!" And you were all-" "Upset!" Jacque squeaked. "I was upset!" And you were saying stuff!" "Yeah yeah!" And then I was getting upset too!" added Goresky. "And then YOU were saying stuff!" "Right!!" And then... I said 'I love you man!'!!" Jacque recalled. "And I said 'And I love YOU man!'!!" Goresky screeched. "Then we hugged!" "And then I kissed you!" "And then I kissed you back!" "Then we kissed each other!" "Then I asked if you wanted to get out of there!" "Then I said yes!" "Then we came back here!" "Then we-" There was a pause. Then they both screamed at once. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
After a full minute of howling in disgust, they both went silent, staring off into blank space. Finally Jacque dared to speak. "...Goresk?" "...Yeah?" the warthog slowly replied. "-I think I'm gonna... use the bathroom... and... get dressed." "-Okay then..." A pause. "-Could you.... turn away for a second?" Jacque asked. "...Oh... right... yeah," Goresky spoke, turning his head away. Nervously, Jacque slid out from the blankets, the cold chill of the room seeping through his fur. He shuddered, for more reasons than one at that. Confirming that Goresky wasn't looking, he leaned down and gathered up his clothes, from the untidy heap on the floor. Then he moved unusually swift to the bathroom door, and slammed it shut behind him. He'd never been more grateful in his life, that the Warthogg twins had a bathroom in/connected to their room. Hearing the door shut, Goresky finally stopped holding his breath. He gave a huge sigh of air. He was still having trouble figuring out exactly WHAT was happening here... Goresky groaned to himself, and felt his aching temples. *Oh the joys of the modern hangover...* Absentmindedly, he stretched his arm back, and rubbed his lower backside, which also seemed rather sore. Just then, he froze. *Wait a sec... since when does alcohol give you a sore ass??* In the bathroom, Jacque had suddenly jumped to the same thought. The conclusion came to them in an instant. An icy pit jagged the feline's gut. The warthog felt his stomach lurch. Jacque gagged. Goresky retched. Then it happened all at once. Both felt their digestive muscles pushing upwards, and the contents of yesterday's meals come spewing out their throats, in an acidy, chunked mess, in one quick burst of appallment of disgust and bewilderment. Goresky leaned over the garbage wastebasket, moaning, as Jacque held his face above the toilet, weakly. So that was it... (in some level) they certainly weren't virgins anymore... Goresky and Jacque had had sex.
Some time later, a voice spoke from the other side of the bathroom door. "...Goresky?" The warthog slowly looked towards it. "...Jacque?" "-Are you... 'decent'?" By which, the feline meant whether Goresky was dressed or not. "-Yeah..." he responded. "...You?" "-Yes," Jacque said in turn. The door opened, and the lynx/caracal stepped out, in a much more proper state, save for the peckish/pale color in his face. Not that Goresky would really notice or care, considering he was in the same way. The pair faced each other, nervously, both feeling like they were about to hurl again. "-So..." "-So." The tension was spared any further ado, when the sound of the front door opening and slamming shut was heard. "-Oh honies, I'm homie!" Chislett's voice rang out, jestingly cheery. Goresky and Jacque both whirled in the sound's direction. "-Chislett!" they gulped, in unison. "-I think I better be going now!" Jacque quickly spoke, and left the room. He walked swiftly into the hallway, leading to the kitchen, passing the younger Warthogg brother on the way. "-Hey Jacq-man!" 'Sup?" Chislett inquired. Jacque gave a fleeting smile, and replied, "-Not much!" Gotta go!" Seeya!" And he was out the door. Chislett blinked, confused. *...Riiight... that was just weird...* That wasn't considered 'Jacque behaviour'. But then again... Chislett wondered if he just still a tad 'soused' from the party last night. He shrugged it off. He then turned to Goresky, who had entered the room. "-Hey bro!" How's it goin'?" It took him a minute to answer, but Goresky spoke, "-Oh... just... you know... up and down... the usual." "-'Kay then..." Chislett muttered. "So anyways... what happened with you guys last night?" I just saw Jacq rushing out the front d-" He was cut off by a strange toned yelp from his brother. "-What are you talking about??" Nothing happened!!" We didn't do anything!" Now the younger Warthogg was feeling a tad suspicious. "...Huh?" Realizing the mistake he'd made, Goresky tried acting dumb/clueless, like HE didn't know either. "...What?" Both were silent, with stares for a moment. At last, Chislett broke the trance. "-I was just wondering what you and Jacq did last night... you know... for the whole 'depressive breakup' thing... remember?" "-Oh... ooooh!" Oh you mean THAT!" exclaimed Goresky. "Ah, I see now!" You were talking about that... I get it." "-Yeah... that..." Chislett said slowly. "What did you THINK I was talking about?" His brother scratched his neck, and grinned uneasily. "-Oh... dunno..." Guess I just heard things wrong or something." Whatever." "-Uh huh," muttered Chislett, numbly. Another state of pause. Before his brother questioned him further, however, Goresky finally thought of what to say. "-Know what, I was just gonna make some eggs!" Want some?" Chislett looked at him oddly, as he got the carton out of the fridge, but replied, "-Uhhh... sure, yeah." "What way you want 'em?" Goresky asked, trying to push the previous subject out of conversation and thought. His brother thought this over. "How about an omelet or scrambled?" "-Omelet sounds good," the eldest said quickly. "You wanna get the cheese and onions for me?" "Sure thing, bro," Chislett agreed, getting up, and searching the refrigerator. It was one of those rare instances where Goresky was thankful for Chislett's short term memory/ability to forget something (like this) within seconds or minutes.
Some odd half an hour later, the front door opened again. This time however, it was Sir Graff arriving home. "-Mornin' boys!" he said outloud, entering the kitchen. "Or should I say 'afternoon'?" The Warthogg brothers looked to their father. Goresky smiled wryly at Graff. "-Good one Dad..." "-Hiya Pa," Chislett responded, through a mouthful of eggs. Graff gave a snort. "So how late did you youngin's stay up til, huh?" What sort of ingenious havoc did you cause, into the wee hours of dawn?" His second son grinned widely. "Oh you know... the usual... world domination and revolutionary inventions with names no one knows how to pronounce." Like the 'shizzlefitzkakabinglehopper'!" The adult warthog raised an eyebrow. "-Riiight... well that's a new one." Chislett smirked cheesily. "-Yup... basic stuff." Graff was not fooled. "-You went to a party last night, didn't you?" Just got here in the last hour or so?" And lemme guess... there was some drinking involved, right?" His son's jaw dropped. He looked at Goresky. "-How does he DO that???" The brother shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine bro!" Their father shook his head. "-Doesn't take a scientist to figure it out, you know." A father knows his sons." And trust me, I've seen those faces before." Chislett gulped, "-Well it was nothing big!" Only a few shots and that!" It's not like I got pissed outta my mind and passed out on the pool table!" Rolling his eyes, Graff sighed, "It's not what you DID that bothers me the most... it's whether you're bein' HONEST or not about it is what I'm concerned about." The young warthog hung his head. "-Yessir." The father's expression softened. "Oh come on now... I know it might sound like I'm being a hardass... but all I'm trying to do is learn ya some responsibility... you see?" He had a point, and being the parent, Graff was right. Chislett swallowed. "-You're right Pa... I'm sorry." Graff gave a fatherly look, and jestingly tousled Chislett's mane. "-Now that's my boy..." He then looked to the plates on the table. "So what we eatin' here?" Taking another forkful, Chislett responded, "-Goresk made eggs." Their father raised his eyes. "-Oh... well isn't that nice." He averted his gaze to his oldest son. "So who died?" Goresky frowned. "-Daaad..." "-Okay, okay, I'm sorry..." Graff said. "-How much money you want, then?" Goresky threw up his hands. "WHAT?!?" I can't do something NICE for my family, without wanting something from them??" The adult looked sheepish. "...You're right son... my bad." "THANK you," Goresky spoke. Graff then reached into his shirt pocket, took out his wallet, and pulled out a bill. "-Damn... well all I got is a twenty kiddo..." Chislett nearly snorted juice up his nose, as Graff wore a straight face of sincerity. Goresky didn't even blink. Instead of saying something, that time he just snorted air, shoved his chair back, rose and left the table. Graff called after him, "-Oh come on, Goresk!" You knew I was just kiddin'!" Take a joke!" The sound of the bedroom door slamming shut was heard down the hallway. "-Uh... mind you Pa, he had a rough night, from the sounds of it..." Chislett told him. The father blinked. "He did?" Ah cripes.. why didn't someone say something??" Chislett cocked his head. "-You couldn't tell?" Graff sighed, "-NO, otherwise I wouldn't have pushed on his nerves like that!" Chislett let his eyes roll back. "-Yet you could tell MY whole night, from just one glance..." "-Well that's YOU, kiddo... and it certainly ain't rocket science..." That brother of yours on the other hand... even a mind reader would get a headache tryin' to figure him out." "-Really?" Chislett inquired. "I don't it's THAT hard..." Graff turned to him. "Easy for you to say... he TELLS you everything." A slight red color appeared in Chislett's face. "-Ah... right..." But yeah... he usually DOES tell me stuff." Except today... I asked him what he was up to last night with Jacque, and he flipped out!" Even Jacque was acting weird... he was here went I got back, but as soon as I came in and said hello, he was out the door just like that!" Graff looked confused. "-Huh... that's odd... doesn't sound like something he usually does." "Tell me about it!" Chislett exclaimed. "What on Mobius could've happened to make them act all weird like that, in one night?" Graff shrugged. "Beats the heck outta me, personally..." They both thought in silence for a minute. Suddenly Chislett yelped out, "-Hey I think I know!!!" "Yeah huh?" questioned Graff. "-Well see... before I went out... Goresky and me were talking about his ex's-" "-Chislett!" Why would you bring up a subject like that with him??" Graff interrupted him. "You KNOW how hard he took the last one, especially!" Chislett protested, "I know I know!" I said sorry!" But then JACQUE came by, and turns out... Jordin left him." Coincidence huh?" Graff looked concerned. "-Jacque got split?" Oh geez... poor kid." Is it just me, or are he and Goresk having a real rough time with the girls lately?" Chislett blew a mouthful of air. "-You're tellin' me Pa..." But anyways, they said something about going to the bar and being 'miserable' together or something." You know... lost love, massive alcohol consumption..." Graff put his face in his hands. "-Aiiie... I know what that's like." Sheesh, I hate the thought of my own kid doin' it tho." Chislett thought some more. "-Maybe... he and Jacque got really drunk... so drunk... that they did really stupid and crazy things... which led to them ending up waking up with hookers in their beds and unremembered tattoos and piercings!" Graff stared at his son. "-I certainly HOPE not!" For Pete's sake... now that's just-" He paused for a minute. "-Oh God, what if it DID happen??" he moaned. "Bloody hell... it would certainly explain the behaviour alright." Chislett spoke reassuringly, "-Oh come on Pa... maybe it's not that bad." That was just a GUESS!" How about I try and ask Goresk about it later, kay?" Graff sighed heavily. "-Alright... but if you're unwittingly right about that 'assumption' of yours, don't think I won't go beatin' your head in with a sledgehammer." Chislett gulped. "-Riiight... I love you too Pa." Graff smacked his lips. "-Anyways... so how's these eggs?" Before Chislett could respond, Graff picked up a fork, and scooped some of the eggs off his plate, and took a mouthful. "-Hmmm... cheese and onions." He's really good with those omelets." Chislett yelped, "-Hey!" Graff gave him a look. "-Oh please... don't you 'hey' me..." You already had two plates, didn't ya?" "-Uh... NO!" One and a HALF, thank you!" Chislett snorted. Graff smirked, "-Same 'dif'." I haven't eaten since this morning, and all I had was some dry toast." Shove over." Chislett reluctantly shifted over to the next seat, as Graff sat in his. Chislett frowned as his father started finishing the rest of the eggs. Graff saw the glare, and said, "-If you're still hungry, then why don't you finish off the leftover pasta in the fridge, my little 'garbage disposal' laddie?" "-Oh boy... frozen pasta." Goody goody," Chislett sniffed, sarcastically. But he got up and opened the fridge anyways, his bottomless appetite getting the better of him. As he stuck the pasta in the microwave, Graff asked, "-Hey... is there still some ketchup in there?" Chislett shrugged, "-Guess so." "-Could you get it for me, then?" The son gave a snort. "-Get it yourself, old man." Graff didn't take any offense to the remark. He knew what he was doing. He simply smiled and said, "-Hey Chis... did I ever tell you about how you were conceived-?" That did it. "-AaaaAAHHH, OKAY OKAY!, I'LL GET IT!" GOD!" Chislett freaked, rushing to the refrigerator. Graff smiled with a sincere satisfaction. *Works everytime...*
Late afternoon, at the Celaya home, Jacque was up in his room, in a somewhat 'bedridden' state, with the hangover and aftershock of last night's events. Just then, a voice called from the opposite side of the bedroom door. "-Jacque?" Are you awake?" Wearily lifting his head up, from under his pillow, he muttered outloud, "-Eh?" The door opened, and an adult lynx came in. It was his father Marco. Jacque looked up woozily. "-Huh?" What?" Marco held up the phone he'd brought with him. "-It's for you." Chislett's on the phone." Hearing the name, his son immediately yelped, "-No!" Nonono!" Dad, I can't talk to him now!" Tell him I'm not home!" The lynx stared at him oddly. "-Okay..." He lifted the phone mouthpiece to his face. "-Sorry Chislett... he says he's not home, right now." Can I take a message?" Jacque's jaw dropped at his reply. *-Thanks ALOT Dad...* He did a face plant into his pillow, and groaned. "-Alright, I'll let him know." Nice talking to you Chislett." Bye." Marco hung up. He stared back to his son. "-Now what was THAT all about??" There was silence. Finally Jacque replied, "-Long story... you don't wanna know." His father looked concerned. "-Are you two fighting or something?" Not knowing what else to say, Jacque murmured, "-Sure... that's it." Listen Dad, I'm really tired... can we talk about this later?" Marco set his jaw. "-I suppose so... are you okay, son?" The young feline waved his hand. "-Yeah... I'm great." "-If you say so..." the lynx sighed. "Well dinner's gonna be ready in less than an hour, just so you know." Jacque grimaced. "-Eh... I think I might pass." I'm not sure if I can keep much down, right now." Marco gave him a look. "Are you SURE you're alright, Jacq?" "-I'll be fine...'night Dad-" Jacque said drowsily. Shaking his head, the father closed the door behind him. *-Kids these days...*
After finding no second option in getting the scoop from Jacque, Chislett tried all afternoon to get Goresky to talk. By evening, he approached their father. Graff was sitting in one of the living room chairs, reading, when Chislett walked in. He set his reading material down. "-So then... anything at all yet?" Chislett breathed, "-After hours of tryin', careful consideration, two punches in the same shoulder, a magazine in the back of my head, and a close shave of his foot goin' up my ass, I've decided I really don't wanna know about it THAT MUCH." But if YOU still wanna know Pa, then you're kinda on your own here." On the bright side tho, he probably wouldn't hurt YOU as much, right?" Graff slowly blinked. "-Is he acting more screwier by the hour, or somethin'???" Chislett shrugged. "-Sounds like a accurate guess to me." Yeesh... I'm considering sleepin' on the couch, just so I'll actually feel SAFE tonight." For all I know, he might stick my hands in warm water while I sleep or somethin'!" "-Eh... I don't think so Chis... that sounds too cruel for something Goresk would do, even in this recent mood of his," Graff disagreed. Chislett snorted, "-Oh come on Pa... you knew I was over-exaggerating...you get the jist." Graff sighed, putting his knuckles to his chin. "-Well... I guess this sounds like something that we CAN'T help Goresky with." We'll just have to let him deal with it himself, for once." Chislett protested, "-But what if-" "-Chislett... no," his father said, sternly. "You're gonna have to keep your nose outta it, this time." Ca pishe?" The young warthog was reluctant, but agreed. "-Oh alright." If I HAVE to," Chislett grumbled. He hated being out of the loop.
That night, the Celayas and Warthoggs went to sleep, hoping their sons would be in better humour and state the next day. And they were, healthwise at least. But both still refused to breathe a word of the other night. They would either straight out say they didn't want to, or somehow change the subject, and make their family forget the previous topic of conversation. Chislett managed to get a hold of Jacque that day on the phone, and they chatted awhile, but as soon as Goresky was mentioned, Jacque choked up, made a flimsy excuse, and hung up. Same thing with his brother. At the hearing Jacque's name, Goresky froze up and asked to be excused from the room. Both the families were rather frustrated by it all and driven by mad curiousity at what was going on. But how on Mobius could they find out when neither would tell?