And so it was decided; Goresky, Jacque and Chislett would meet up with the gang a week from then (this amount of time was suggested by Bullseye, not forgetting how Charles had given him hell for the whole 'last minute' planning from their previous gathering), at Elextra's, the best dance club in the city, for the youth folk. However, since this arrangement was so many days away, and still wanting to get their brother properly introduced to Jacque, Bullseye's brothers asked him to come to lunch with them. Trying his best to appear interested, he agreed over the phone, but the minute he hung up, poor Buckthorne had to endure him mooning over the subject for a good forty minutes or so. Nonetheless, he set out at noon, the next day, to meet them at JoJo's Java Hut. Chislett was waiting outside for him; said Goresky and Jacque had stopped at a store just before, and they should go on ahead in and wait. As they walked in, Bullseye muttered, "-I see where this is going-" "-Hmmm?" Chislett mumbled back. "-Ask me to a coffee place... when you know I have an allergy to caffeine..." What ya'll trying to do, give me a reaction?" Or better yet, kill me?" His brother's face fell a little. "-Oooh... the caffeine allergy... right... shit." I actually... forgot," he responded, gnawing on his lip. Typical, Bullseye thought. "-Likely story; I bet this is all a big setup, huh?" What, there's some big inheritance Graff has that I don't know about, and in order to get it, we all have to kill each other off to gain the grand booty, all for ourselves?" Chislett blinked. "-Not that I know of... but wouldn't that be a pip?" "-Indeed." They were seated at a booth, and ordered drinks; Chislett's being a mocha chino and ice water for Bullseye. When they were served their beverages, the middle Warthogg brother broke into an anecdote. "-Obviously, you've never had one of these babies before, which damn, is a shame by the way-" "-Yeah, a real pity," Bullseye responded, flatly. "-But yeah, you know what's really fun?" Taking one of those large sized cappuccino ice-caps, chugging the whole thing down, and-" "-But wouldn't that give you only the biggest brain freeze known to man?" his brother questioned, boredly. "-That's the point!" Chislett exclaimed. "'Cuz see, as soon as you're done the cup, you have to quickly grab a can of whipped cream, suck on the nozzle for like, a full minute, then what do you got?" Bullseye looked at him, incredulously, with a visible "what-the-fuck" expression. "-An incomplete banana split?" he muddled. Chislett gave an ecstatic grin. "-Don't you know that whipped cream cans have aerosol on them?" "-And aerosol does what?" his brother inquired, in exasperation of where the conversation was heading. "-Aerosol gets you HIGH, man!" Chislett practically whooped with glee. "So what you've got is brain-stabbing freeze in your head, and an instant trip-out stoneage at the same time!" It's a double fucking whammy, man!" Bullseye gazed on, in sheer dumbfoundance. "-Chis... has anyone ever told you that you are one seriously disturbed, little individual?" "-Yup, two school counselors and a shrink," his elder triplet supplied, brightly, seemingly proud at this fact. Bullseye sighed deeply, rolling his eyes, and rubbing his fingers against his temple. He wisely decided to not respond. He was spared further crazy talk, when Chislett spotted the rest of their company. "-'Bout time!" Goresk, Jacq, over here!" He shouted this loud enough for half the cafe to hear, not to mention he was waving his arms to show where they were. Fuming, Bullseye slid down lower in his seat, as if trying to blend in and not be seen. Leaning his head back against the top of the booth couch, he stared up at the ceiling, all the while, trying to comfort himself with the fake possibility that he or Chislett were adopted at birth from different families. If only. His eldest brother and partner came over, and it came to immediate attention to Bullseye that they had their arms around one another. Luckily, they seemed to be diverting their glances toward Chislett, so he took the opportunity to shudder in revolt. "-Hi guys!" Sorry we're late," Goresky apologized. "Mr.'I gotta have a new outfit' almost bought a skirt." He grinned smugly at Jacque, who merely snorted it off, and said, "-Can you blame me, it was fifty percent off!" It would've gone so nicely with the green spaghetti strap." He then added, "-Plus it was black; we all know I look good in black bottom pieces, not to mention black is slimming." His boyfriend pursed his lips, sighing, "-Jaaacq, hun, don't you start-" "-Alright, alright!" the feline sniffed. "I know, don't worry, I won't get into the ass rant before we eat-" "-Are you kidding me man, just thinking of it's making me more hungry here!" Chislett exclaimed. Bullseye twitched at this remark. He couldn't tell if Chislett was serious, joking, or flirting... and considering it was Chislett, after all, either option was plenty possible. Finally the couple's attention turned to Bullseye. "-Hey bro, how's it goin'?" Goresky smiled. His brother held a frozen grin, trying to appear like he was having anything close to a good time of being there. "-Just fine, and yourself?" he answered, coolly. "-Great, I'm glad you could make it!" the eldest Warthogg responded. He drew Jacque towards Bullseye. "-You remember Jacque-" "-Hello Bullseye, nice to see you again!" the feline said, showing that he was sincerely happy to see him. Bullseye was anything but sincere, as he pasted his ever false smile on his face, and lied, "-Likewise, Jacque." Likewise, his ass. He'd rather be volunteering to baby-sit the three year olds and newborns at the orphanage, than having to face this gender-confused, feline freaking homosexual. Especially since he HAD to take pains to be nice to Jacque, for the sake of his brothers. Stupid sharing the same blood and having to love them by law commitment! Since Bullseye and Chislett were sitting on opposite sides, it was apparent that Goresky and Jacque would have to sit across from each other as well. Jacque, seeing this, started to go for the side Bullseye was on, thinking it would help him to socialize with the warthog in a more friend-like matter and all, but Goresky quickly intervened, saying "-Okay, how about I sit next to you bro, and Jacque, you sit with Chis?" "-Oh... okay," Jacque said, wondering what was wrong with his idea. He and Goresky exchanged glances, in which Jacque understood what his boyfriend had meant; yes, they were trying to get Bullseye on friendly terms with Jacque, but this procedure had to be done slowly and carefully, and so, sitting next to him might be a little too forward. Bullseye was very relieved, obviously. Having Jacque seated next to him would've been temptation from hell to "accidentally" hit him, kick him, or drop food and beverages on him. Still, restraining himself from kicking Jacque under the table would be a challenge, all the same. After they ordered their food, Goresky spoke up, in an awkward loud voice, "-Will you guys excuse me?" I'm just gonna go to the bathroom... Chislett, wanna come with?" "-Nyah, I'm good," his brother said, fiddling with his straw, obviously missing Goresky's hint. The older brother's face fell, at Chislett's slowness. "-No, really Chis, I NEED you to come with-" He gestured with the nod of his head in Bullseye's direction. Chislett blinked, blankly. "-Huh?" Sighing in exasperation, Goresky reached across the table and gave him a hard tweak on the ear. "-NOW, brother!" "-OWWW!" Okay, okay!" yelped the middle brother, scrambling over Jacque's lap, to get out of the booth. "Dude, you REALLY need to find a better way to get my attention!" He rubbed his sore ear, ruefully. Bullseye gave an amused smirk. "-How long you been pinching his ears for, Goresk?" Goresky gave a funny look. "-Uhhh... I've lost count..." "-Damn, you really have been having all the brotherly fun without me!" his youngest brother snorted. "When do I get to start catching up on the ear tweaking?" Chislett frowned, and sniffed, "-Hey, I thought I was the second born here!" I'm older than you, remember Bullsy-bro?" Technically I should be the one tweaking YOUR ears!" Bullseye just shook his muzzle, patronizingly at his brother. "-No chance, bro." And I don't mean that in regards to being the youngest brother; I mean just me in general." It's just common sense not to pinch Bullseye Warthogg." You don't do that." Not unless you want your arm twisted behind your head, and a broken collar-bone." And believe you me, I'm plenty capable of doing that." In fact, you guys remember my friend Tyler, the lynx, right?" Well I almost did that to him once." He pulled his face into a thoughtful look. "Hmmm... maybe that's one of the reasons his father hates me..." he mused outloud to himself. The others gave each other looks. Goresky, trying to dodge the 'bullet' as it were, smiled nervously, "-Well, you think you can keep from physically harming my boyfriend while I'm gone?" Bullseye frigidly grinned back, "-No promises!" They all laughed half-heartedly, in desperation. Goresky and Chislett walked off towards the men's room, and Bullseye and Jacque both watched them go, both wanting to stall the whole awkward moment of them being alone together and having to make pathetic small talk, as long as they could. When the two Warthoggs were out of sight, the warthog and feline slowly turned to face one another. Jacque, pale-faced and nervous, gulped through a smile. "-So-" Bullseye held a stiff normal expression. "-So-" he echoed. They both just sort of stared and glanced about, the whole awkward tension setting in between them. Just then, Bullseye had a thought. This was stupid; he was never one for beating around the bush. Why not just tell the idiot what he thought of him, and get this bullshitted, sugar-coated crap out of the way? That was more his way after all, he liked being forthcoming. Before Jacque could get out another peep, the warthog spoke bluntly, "-Okay, here Jacque, now that we've got a moment to ourselves, I think I should be honest with you." The lynx-caracal stared in surprise. "-I beg your pardon?" Oh how rich, he's playing cute and stupid with me- Bullseye thought to himself. "-In short, I'd like you to simply shut up and listen." Jacque was taken aback at his rather cold tone. "-O... kay." Bullseye set out to spill the beans in one quick blow, much like ripping of a band-aid. "-I'm gonna be frank and cut the crap for a minute." I know perfectly well that my brothers have probably put the deceiving little thought in your head that I'm giving you this whole 'cold shoulder' vibe, cuz I'm just 'hard to warm up to' or 'playing hard to get' or whatever you'd like to call it." But the truth is, I hate your guts to kingdom come." The feline's cheeks turned pink, as he stuttered, "-Ex... cuse me?" He just couldn't believe that someone could be so openly brutal with their words like Bullseye was. The warthog grunted, "-Don't play the 'polite game' with me, pretty-boy; you heard what I said, clear as bell." There was a pause, as Jacque tried to figure out what was happening. "-Right.. okay now... maybe I'm wrong... but I happen to think that you're being a bit harsh," he said, timidly. "I mean... you're not even really giving me a CHANCE here!" Bullseye, who was absentmindedly rubbing his chin, muttered calmly, "-Uh huh... Jacque, I'll let that 'misunderstanding' theory of yours slide, since this IS your first getting to know me at close quarters and all..." But in case you haven't noticed... I treat people equally the same." Which is not giving them a chance in hell or letting them get in the slightest bit close." So really, I'm just treating you the same as I treat everyone else... like crap." The feline hybrid blinked slowly, taking this information in. What was clear as mud as it was, had just been barely smudged away, hardly a trifle. "-Hhhrrmmm-" was all he could say. How the heck was he supposed to respond to that anyways? Noticing Jacque's confusion, as it were, Bullseye gave an irritable sigh. "-Oh alright, I'll admit it; I HAVE been spreading the 'shit treacle' on you a little thicker than most," he confessed. "But mind you, that's because you've given me REASON to hate you more." "-I... have?" Jacque squeaked, meekly. The warthog tried to explain. "-Think of it... like this for example... a guy's sister is dating someone who just happens to be the guy's friend." Insult to injury." Therefore, the guy acts 'protective big brother' to sister and plays 'vengeful asshole' to his backstabbing friend." Understand?" This was hardly so. To Jacque, Bullseye's theories and notions appeared to getting more absurd, the more he spoke. The feline cocked his head to the side. "-Sooo... you mean you're trying to... 'protect' Goresky from me?" The warthog gave a nod. "-Metaphorically speaking." Jacque raised an eyebrow. "-Might I ask what the 'technical' version is?" Bullseye folded his arms across his chest, pondering. "-Actually, Jacque... I'm not even sure of what it is myself." But what I AM sure of, is that I have this habit of listening to my gut instinct... and what it's telling me right now... is that you're like a bird that just took a shit in my eye." Only more irritating." And in that case, that I should treat you like the little shit you are." The feline's ears flattened, and his face turned pink again, only this time it was due to insult and anger. Jacque, who was usually so understanding, reasonable and hated to curse, was now tempted beyond reason to utter a vulgar word or sentence to the belligerent warthog, that had just so airily mocked him, right in his face. The nerve! Icily, he started to respond, "-Well... I happen to think that it's rather distressing that you're letting this whole 'me and your brothers' deal get in the way of you and me having a decent companionship-" He was cut off by a scoffing sound from Bullseye. "-Now wait a sec... I'm sorry Jacque, I think you're misunderstanding me again." You're implying that I hate you, JUST because of you and my brothers whole link deal?" He means there's MORE? Jacque thought, fearfully. Oh god... "-Uhhh... isn't-" he began to say, but was rudely cut off again. Not that it surprised him at this point. "-No, no... let me explain something to you..." Even if you DIDN'T know my brothers and I knew who you were-" Bullseye told him, "-I wouldn't want to be friends with you, if you were the last person on Mobius to 'befriend'." Couldn't have been more brutally honest. "-Mmmhh... well, that's quite forthcoming," Jacque remarked, flatly. "-And I think that's about as forthcoming as I should be," the warthog added. "-Oh now?" the feline inquired. Bullseye held up a hand, as if in defense, as he continued, "-Trust me, if I was full out and right down to the core honest with you... you'd either be needing a tissue or a restraining order." So he thinks he's THAT good, huh? the lynx-caracal thought, scowling. What an egotistical little fucktard! Yet, he managed to keep cool enough to reply, "-That so... well then..." I must say Bullseye, I'm very disappointed at how you feel towards me... you're not the person I thought you were." His words barely even flinched Bullseye, who simply gave a fecious smile and said, "-And I thought my brother was 'hetero', but what can I say, Jacque; life is full of disappointments." Anyone who says otherwise, either has their head too far up their ass, or is talking out of it." Jacque's lips twitched, firmly. Never had he met someone who was so irritable... like an infectious rash you couldn't stop scratching. "-That may be so-" the feline spoke of the warthog's theory, "-Yet still... I'm going to persist this matter, for your brothers' sake..." I'm giving you a second chance to reconsider your decision on our ordeal, and to redeem your first impression on me." Because I can assure you, Bullseye... I'm NOT a pleasant person to be an 'enemy' with." The warthog gave what almost seemed like an amused look, at this 'threat' as it were. "-Well by gum, I'm shaking in my little booties," he sneered, sarcastically. "News flash, Jacque; I can be ten times more vile and irritating, than you could possibly comprehend." You can shoot off at me all you want, and I'll just sit there and wait for more, or make things interesting and shoot right back." I'm a big boy, thank you." Very fed up and practically outright fuming, Jacque sniffed, curtly, "-Well then... if that's what you want, then so be it." "-So it shall be," Bullseye nodded in agreement. They were both silent, simply staring each other down, coldly. Upon remembering that they were not here alone, and that Goresky and Chislett would be back soon, the lynx-caracal questioned, "-So... they'll be back presently... what do you propose we do?" Bullseye considered this. "-Well... since it'll be our first cutting tension at being in each other spiteful presence before others, to be at least civil about it, we'll simply do the silent treatment acknowledgement to one another for starters." An easy start for the hell to come." How's that?" "-Fair enough," the feline agreed, airily. "-Fine," Bullseye grunted. "-Fine," Jacque echoed.
The newly-claimed rivals didn't speak another word to each other the rest of the outing, although several exchanges of frosty, dagger-glares were passed, when the other two weren't looking. Goresky and Chislett didn't know quite what to make of it, but it was obvious that their motives were not to be questioned, at the moment, so the two brothers had to communicate either to one or the other. Couldn't say it was much fun, either. They got the impression that Bullseye and Jacque had either been awkwardly quiet the entire time they were gone, or got into an argument or debate, or were just plain moody (which was plenty possible for either of them). They had no clue just how much shit had hit the fan, and boy, it sure wasn't pretty. It was, in short, the ugly masking of, as Bullseye had said, the hell to come...