Tugger leaned against the bar, glancing around the pub. He had a drink in paw, but was barely drinking from it.

Tumble slipped into the pub, glancing around and making his way over to the bar to order a drink for the evening. He spoke clearly and precisely to the bartender, having not yet noticed the tall leopard-patterned tom a little further down the bar.

However, Tugger had noticed him, his entire posture changing almost instantly. After a moment of consideration he slunk up to the other. "Why, you look like you're all alone here."

The young nobleman glanced at him, "I-I...was w-waiting for somecat."

"Really?" he asked. "Who?"

"I-I...M-Mistoffelees?"

"Mind if I pass the time here then?" Tugger asked with an arched brow.

Tumble swallowed as he picked up the drink the bar tender had put down for him, "I-I...n-no?"

"No you mind or no you don't mind?" Tugger asked with a tilt of his head and a smirk.

"N-no I-I suppose I d-don't mind."

"Excellent," Tugger replied with a grin, leaning in toward him and taking a sip. "How has life been finding you?"

Tumble dropped his gaze to his drink, "F-fine. And y-you?"

"Well, you know, it's been going." He considered the other tom. "You know when you talked to the bartender you spoke perfectly."

"I did?"

"You did," Tugger nodded. "I move up..." he considered how to say it. "Well, your stutter suddenly shows up."

"I-I...d-don't know how to e-explain that."

"Really?" he tilted his head. "Cause I'm inclined to take it a bit personally."

Tumble swallowed, "Y-You shouldn't. You're n-not the only one I st-stammer around."

"Really now?" he asked.

"Y-Yes?" Tumble tried, getting a bit desperate.

Tugger smirked around his next sip. "Well, I'm sure that must make life interesting. What did you want to do again?"

"Wh-what do you m-mean?"

"With your life. Your profession."

"O-oh. Politics."

Tugger couldn't actually help but laugh out loud at that. Tumble's ears lay back, frowning slightly, "What?"

"I'm sorry," Tugger covered his mouth for a moment. "It's just... you stammer and you want to go into speech making."

"Just because I stammer in some company does not mean I do so at all times, sir," his tone was sharp, and his words clear as he responded.

Tugger laughed again. "Ah, so I see..."

Tumble's ears laced, "What is it you find so amusing?"

"You got angry and spoke completely clearly, it's just... interesting is all."

"I'm glad to find you think it's amusing," Tumble's tail thrashed behind him, his ears flickering.

"Sorry, I don't mean to insult you," Tugger said. "I'm just curious."

"About what?" the noble's son demanded, giving him a sidelong glance.

"You, I suppose."

His ears flickered again, "M-me?"

"Yes, you," Tugger said, grinning.

"But, wh-why?"

Tugger rolled his shoulders gracefully, tilting his head to one side. "Because you're interesting."

Tumble took a drink from his glass, trying to figure out what that meant. He blushed slightly, "H-hardly that."

"You don't find yourself interesting?" Tugger asked, tilting his head and smirking slightly.

"C-certainly not."

"You're too harsh on yourself," Tugger replied, leaning in a bit closer.

Tumble swallowed, considering pulling back a bit, "No. I wouldn't s-say so."

"And why not?"

"Well, why would I be?"

"Interesting? You're a lord's son who stammers, who lets socialists blabber on and is taught the tango, and who meets his friends in disreputable pubs."

"We were m-meeting there to avoid my cousin," he muttered as an excuse.

"That addresses one of the points. But the fact you're avoiding your cousin just adds to the interest," Tugger replied, taking a sip of his own drink.

"I-I...well, there's the...th-that is," he looked away, ears laying back.

"And everything else too," Tugger murmured leaning in closer

He swallowed, leaning back slightly, "Wh-what of you?"

"What about me?" Tugger tilted his head.

"A-a socialist writer who h-has a b-brother who's a lawyer?"

"You forget the others a cop," Tugger grinned.

His ears flickered, "Exactly."

Tugger shrugged, looking around the bustling bar and considering some of the other patrons from a distance. "Please, that's simple. I'm just contrary."

"I-I see..."

"You though, are something else, aren't you?"

"I-I don't think so," the lord's heir shook his head, not meeting the other tom's eyes.

"I would disagree," Tugger said with a shrug.

"I-I don't see why."

"Don't see why you're interesting?" Tugger asked, tilting his head. "Or Why you're something else."

"B-both?"

Tugger took another sip of his drink, arching his brow. "Is there anything that could convince you otherwise?"

"M-maybe a r-reason why I-I am? I-I d-don't know."

"Didn't I give you some earlier?" he asked, tilting his head. "You're a contradiction. I like contrary things, remember?"

"I-I'm...I-I...Y-you...but..."

"Yeah?" Tugger asked.

"But I-I d-don't understand y-you."

"Me? I'm contrary, is there something else you really need to know?"

"M-maybe not?"

"You're still stammering," Tugger pointed out, taking another sip.

"I-I can't think of anything else..."

"Anything you want to know?" Tugger asked.

"No?"

"You're still asking a question," Tugger replied, looking him over.

"I can't think of anything!" Tumble snapped finally.

"Do I rile your fur up?" Tugger asked, tilting his head.

Tumble's ears flickered, "What do y-you mean?"

"What do you mean what do I mean? It's a very simple question. Do I ruffle your fur all out of order because damn do you act like it."

"Alright, h-how do you mean then?"

"Well, if I irritate you, why do you let me teach you the tango? Why aren't you moving away?"

"W-would you like me to?"

"Move away? You're not the one irritating me, I'm irritating you."

Tumble scowled at his glass, half full still, as he murmured, "Y-you're not..."

"Then what am I doing?"

"N-nothing?" He turned slightly, scanning the pub, seeking some route of escape.

"Then why do you look like you want to run away?"

Tumble's ears flickered back, his breathing speeding up slightly as he sought a reply, "I-I... P-please d-don't p-push this."

"Why not?"

"B-because?" Tumble attempted.

Tugger arched a long eyebrow at him, simply staring at him.

"Wh-what?"

"You don't want me to push something, because?" Tugger's brows just went higher.

"Tumble?" a half surprised voice asked from the side, Mistoffelees having approached from behind them.

Tumble nearly jumped out of his skin at that, backing a good two steps away from Tugger and just about running into Mistoffelees in the process, "M-Misto!"

The smaller cat's eyes widened. "Tumble, calm down. What is going on?"

"N-nothing."

"I'm surprised to see you here," Mistoffelees said, arching his brow. Behind Tumble Tugger's brows shot up and he smirked widely moments later.

Tumble's ears lay back as he realized his excuse was shot to hell suddenly, "R-really? I-I thought we were supposed to be meeting. D-did I have the day wrong?"

"We-what? Tumble, we haven't made plans to meet since dinner and it certainly was not tonight," he said, frowning and glancing around for the meeting he was supposed to be having that evening.

Tumble's ears laced at that, his tail coiling around his leg as he glanced from Tugger to Mistoffelees again, "Y-you're sure? P-perhaps it was Pounce then..."

"Perhaps," Mistoffelees replied, arching his brows further and glancing back at the smirking tom behind Tumble. "Everything alright here?"

Tumble blushed slightly and nodded, "Y-yes. I-I suppose if it was P-pounce, he's f-forgotten. I-I should be on m-my way."

"If you're sure," Mistoffelees replied, Tugger drinking behind Tumble still. Even still his eyes couldn't stop from looking around the area for his own meeting.

Coricopat stepped into the pub, glancing around and smiling when his eyes lit on Mistoffelees. Tumble inclined his head to Misto, "G-good evening." He glanced at Tugger, "A-and to you." He turned to go, nearly colliding with the slender mottled tom. He glanced from Mistoffelees to the taller cat, his brows rising but he slipped out of the pub.

Mistoffelees' jaw dropped and he had to swallow it down quickly. He would have to have a long talk with Tumble the next day.

"Why, Cor," Tugger drawled. "How lovely to see you here."

Coricopat froze, his ears flickering a bit, "Tugger. What a surprise."

"I could say the same," he replied and Mistoffelees paused, before glancing away and muttering something that sounded like, "Ah, a Hollister."

Coricopat nodded slightly, "Yes, a Hollister. What brings you here tonight, Tugger?"

He rolled a shoulder gracefully. "Drinks. Yourself?"

"The same," the solicitor replied.

"Far out of your usual haunt," Tugger replied, glancing at the small black tom who steadily looked back at him.

"A change of scenery. Meeting with friends."

Mistoffelees glanced back toward Coricopat, biting the inside of his. "You, change scenery?" Tugger raised his brows. "Don't you only do that once every what, ten years?"

Coricopat's eyes narrowed, "Don't you have a paper to write?"

Tugger rolled his shoulders, smirking. "Not tonight."

"I see. Well, it was good to see you."

"Sure," Tugger said, lifting his drink in a mock salute. "Enjoy your friend."

Coricopat rolled his eyes, turning from the bar and motioning toward a secluded table, glancing at Mistoffelees, "Shall we?"

The smaller tom finally offered him a smile and moved over to the table, his tail swaying behind him. "How are you this evening?" Coricopat enquired once they were away from Tugger.

"Alright," Mistoffelees replied, smiling faintly at him. "A date has been set finally for Plato and Victoria's wedding but other than that."

"How soon?"

"Soon," he replied, glancing down and finally back up. "Probably too soon but the preparations have been made and he wants the wedding before the end of the social season."

Coricopat sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that."

"So am I," he replied. "I just..."

"Wish you could do more?"

"Yes," he said, fiddling with the fork he found on the table. "I'm powerless when it comes to things like this."

"I'm sorry," the mottled tom said faintly.

"You're hardly at fault. Plato would be more at fault but you hardly are."

"Nevertheless, I wish I could do more."

"Thank you," he said, smiling faintly. "I wish I could do more too."

Coricopat nodded slightly, "Well, I wish her as much luck as she may have."

"Thank you for that as well," he said, glancing down.

"Of course."

Mistoffelees looked up. "How are your other clients doing?"

"Well enough I suppose. I of course can't discuss it really, but the estates are going well, and we're still working through what few problems there are."

"Of course," Mistoffelees nodded. "As long as it is all going well."

"So far it seems to be."

"I'm glad," he smiled.

"How are plans for politics going?"

The smaller cat winced. "About as well as watching my cousin prepare to marry Plato Philipson."

"Oh, Mistoffelees..." Coricopat started softly.

"I'm sorry," the smaller tom murmured, glancing down again. "I shouldn't brood."

"Don't apologize, it's what is on your mind."

"Still," he said quietly. "Has... that tom been around at all?"

Coricopat shook his head, "No, thank God."

"Well that's something at least," Mistoffelees said softly.

The mottled tom nodded, "Perhaps he's been diverted and will stay diverted."

"Wouldn't that be nice. Do you think we could divert Plato?"

"From his marriage? Unlikely..."

"Damn," Mistoffelees said but offered the other tom a smile anyway.

Coricopat returned the smile, "You have a wonderful smile, you know that?"

"I," the smaller cat blinked hazel eyes wide. "I do?"

"You do," his lover assured him.

"I," his ears flickered back, blushing.

"Yes?"

"This is harder than I thought, and easier at the same time. I can' quite decide."

"Well, it certainly is a puzzlement if nothing else."

Mistoffelees arched a brow. "Oh? I'm wondering if we're talking about the same thing or not."

"Possibly?" Coricopat smiled faintly, "I think I lost the thread of conversation about three minutes ago."

The smaller cat couldn't help but smile. "Where'd you lose it?"

"Not entirely certain I recall..." He chuckled a bit, "Perhaps right around that distracting smile of yours."

That got another broad smile. "Well, I just meant that I find it entirely difficult to be holding a conversation halfway across a table, and yet it feels easy enough to be talking to you."

Coricopat looked a bit sheepish, "Ah, yes, I suppose it does. And is. I guess that was about half of what I was thinking of."

The smaller cat laughed. "Though you were distracted."

"I find that happens a lot around you."

"Is that a compliment?" the noble asked, arching a brow, just a little playful.

"Yes, I consider it as such."

"I'm glad, but this just got harder."

"Oh? Am I making this more difficult for you, Mr. Quaxo?"

"Extremely, Mr. Zimmerman," he drawled.

"Well, we could call it a night here. How late are you out tonight?"

"Very late," he replied softly.

"We have a chess game we never started..."

"I believe a chess game would be an excellent end to an evening," Mistoffelees returned, still playful past his suddenly dry throat.

"Shall we adjourn then?"

"Yes," Mistoffelees replied, rising quickly. Coricopat chuckled at that, rising as well before starting for the door. Trailing after him, the smaller cat took a deep breath before leaving the pub.

v.v.v.v

Alonzo glanced up when there was a loud, brash knock at the door. Rising, he glanced around the flat before opening the door. "Can I help you?" he asked.

Tugger looked him over. "Hey, yeah, 'Straps around?"

Munkustrap looked up from his book, shaking his head at his flat mate, really hoping the other would lie for him.

"Ummmm..." Alonzo blinked back at the apartment before turning back to the taller tom. "No."

"Sure. I hope you lie better to others," Tugger said, shaking his head. "Can I come in?"

"I don't think that... Oh," Alonzo said as the larger cat barreled past him.

Munkus sighed, "Hello, Tugger, you could try a little common courtesy sometimes."

"You're the one who lied to me saying you weren't home, sorry, had your flat mate law."

Alonzo glanced between them.

"Won't you sit down?" Munkustrap said finally.

Tugger plopped down, looking his brother over. "Thanks so much for that common courtesy."

"What brings you here, Tugger?" his brother asked.

"Had a question. You being all law enforcement type."

"Oh dear...what is that?"

"What are the sodomy laws?" Tugger asked. Alonzo just about choked from where he'd been closing the door.

"I'll go make some tea then, shall I?" The black and white tom offered, heading for the kitchen.

Munkustrap paled, "Wh-what?"

"It's a simple question," Tugger replied. "What are the sodomy laws?"

"That depends on which ones you mean," Munkustrap managed after a moment.

"There's more than one group?" Tugger blinked, somewhat surprised at that news.

"Why do you want to know?" he returned.

"What the laws are. Laws are pretty black and white aren't they?"

"Why, Tugger?"

There was a split pause before Tugger shrugged. "Writin' an editorial is all."

Munkustrap frowned at that, "Must you?" He sighed, "The laws vary depending on the mood of those trying the case, whether or not the accused was actually caught in the act, etc. etc. etc."

"Which doesn't tell me what the actual law is."

"For being caught in the act? Life imprisonment. Otherwise the maximum sentence is two years, but that could be either with or without hard labor-few cats not of the working class, and even those of it, would manage to pull those two years off without irreparable damage to their health, if they survived it in the first place."

For a long moment Tugger's golden eyes widened. "Life imprisonment? Seriously?"

"It could be worse. Forty years ago it was the death penalty."

"For a private act?" Tugger still looked shocked. He really should have been more aware of this, with the trials of the author last year. But he had been not quite paying attention then.

"They call it indecency now but yes."

"But that's outrageous," he protested.

"It's the law, either way," Munkustrap said with a shrug before continuing. "Why are you asking?"

"Editorial," Tugger replied, sitting back further. "I told you that already."

Munkus frowned, "Just go carefully, Tugger. This is an actual law you're talking about here, not sensibilities."

"It's an article in a paper no one reads, remember," Tugger said with a shrug as Alonzo re-entered the room with the tea.

"Just be careful, Tug."

Tugger arched a brow. "When am I not? Come on, what do you think I'm actually going to do?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm concerned."

"Concerned about me? Surely not," the younger brother drawled, slouching back into the chair and eying Alonzo's tea.

The silver tabby frowned, "Tugger..."

"What?" he asked, throwing his arms wide.

"Forget it," Munkustrap shook his head.

"No, seriously brother mine, what was it?"

"Nothing. I do worry about you. You tread a thin line."

"But I stay on this side of it," Tugger said, as much stating a fact as trying to reassure his brother of the fact.

"Good, try to keep it that way, please."

"I do my damnest," Tugger said. The tabby sighed, nodding. "How are things with you?" Tugger continued after a second.

"Things are going well enough. There's been a few hitches in the latest cases, but beyond that not bad."

"Well, I'm sure hitches happen," Tugger shrugged.

"Yes, usually they can be maneuvered around...but they'll even out eventually I'm certain."

"I sure hope so," Tugger said.

"So do we. Beyond this new editorial, how are things with you?"

Tugger shrugged. "Oh, you know, writing. Bomba's on some kick or another about keeping the place ink free."

Munkus smiled a bit at that, "Well, one can hardly blame her for that..."

"She remembers where she lives right?" Tugger asked, arching a brow. "Besides, I only spilled ink all over her shawl once, okay?"

Munkus' brows arched, "Was it a favorite shawl?"

"It... might have been?"

"Yeah, you're probably never going to be forgiven for that one," the silver tabby shook his head.

Tugger let out a huff of breath. "She has so many shawls though!"

Munkustrap laughed, "That's not the point though."

"What is the point then?" Tugger huffed.

"The point is it was a favorite item, not how many she had."

Tugger pouted for a moment. "Fine, fine." He paused. "Did you two really never hear about each other until the other night?"

"No, you had never mentioned her," Munkus shook his head slightly.

"Wow," Tugger shook his head. "I could have sworn she had come up in conversation."

"It was a bit of a surprise, I'll admit. She seems a nice sort."

"She is," Tugger replied, voice actually fond.

Munkus smiled faintly, "You like her."

"I've lived with her in mostly harmony for what, four years now? Course I like her," Tugger replied.

"Good. How long has she been acting?"

"Since before I met her. Why?"

"Just curious," Munkustrap smoothed past the question.

"Sure. On you? Just curious looks like investigation," Tugger replied, shaking his head but grinning.

Munkus looked a bit sheepish, "Well, I am honestly just curious. She's quite good."

"Good? Did you got see her play or something?"

"I...yes, actually I went to the theater recently and she was performing at that particular venue."

"Really?" Tugger arched his brows higher. "And you weren't just snooping around?"

"I was not just snooping around. Believe it or not I do have other things I do from time to time."

"Course you do," Tugger smirked, not looking like he believed him

Munkus scowled at his brother, "Anything else I can do for you tonight?"

"No, suppose not," Tugger said, rising. "Thanks for the help on the editorial."

"Of course. Go carefully."

"It's just an editorial," Tugger replied, shrugging and heading for the door.

Munkustrap frowned, but nodded, "Fair enough, I expect to see it."

"You will," Tugger assured.

"Good day, Tugger."

"Night, 'Straps," Tugger said, opening the door and closing it behind himself. He was rattled by what he heard, though he was doing everything he could not to show it.

Munkus watched him go, leaning back in the chair, he'd have to speak to their elder brother soon about this. Alonzo looked up from where he had been hiding himself behind the newspaper. "That was interesting."

"…That's one term for it, yes."

"It's the most neutral one I could come up with," Alonzo replied.

"Thank you for that tact."

"It's part of my job," the black and white tom replied. "Do you think there is going to be an actual problem here?"

"God, I hope not, but it's Tugger I never know for sure."

"Not a lot of faith in you brother?" Alonzo smiled faintly. "You want some tea at least?"

"Well, since you brewed it I certainly won't say no to it," Munkus nodded with a faint smile. Alonzo rose gracefully, picking up a cup from the kitchen and returning with it. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Alonzo replied sitting down again and considering his flat mate.

Munkustrap sipped at the tea, glancing at the other, "What is it?"

Alonzo shrugged. "I don't know. Hopefully nothing."

"That's not a comforting addendum there."

Alonzo chuckled. "I'm sorry. But if you're brother was serious about that... what are you going to do?"

"I have no idea... The first thing is to find out if there's any who that he might be serious about that with."

"A good plan of action," Alonzo nodded. "Good luck."

"Thanks…" Munkustrap shook his head, not sure luck was really what he currently needed. But hopefully it would be enough.

Alonzo is still very deeply put upon. Poor dear.

Thank you everyone who's been reading this story! We hope you leave us a few words on your way out, it means a lot especially as VS approaches midterms this week.