An Unexpected Encounter

[amanika]

Tugger yawned as he turned away from the Fishbone and crossed the dockyard. He'd managed to pick up some more work for Griddlebone that day. Hoping for once not to drop the ball concerning the job thing, despite his setback yesterday, he'd gotten up again early that morning and managed to catch another lift to the docks with Mungo.

Tugger knew the Lady would take on whoever was available when she needed things done, but perhaps if he stuck around, they might be able to come to an understanding about something more permernant. If not, well at least it was a quick buck until he found something better.

He wandered idly through the growing darkness, shuddering slightly at the droplets of mist gathering on the finer hairs of his mane, he hoped Mungo wouldn't be detained too long at his other job, if there was one thing Tugger hated, it was being damp.

[victoriousscarf]

Macavity shook his mane out, putting his razor blade back in it's holder beneath his shirt as he straightened his suit. One of the nice things about working down at the docks was the ready supply of water available. He strolled casually away from where he planned on leaving the body, figuring it would be something to distract the new Police Commissioner with. Another rival down was never a bad thing.

He scowled up at the sky as it misted. Rain he did not mind so much, but this thing half between rain and dry made his fur frizz.

His eyes coming back down to street level he froze when he saw a familiar form coming toward him.

[amanika]

Tugger wasn't paying much attention to where he was going an as a result, hadn't noticed Macavity. You couldn't see much in the mist and half-darkness anyway, and he was more occupied with watching out for the headlights of Mungo's truck.

[victoriousscarf]

Macavity considered the other, stepping back further into the shadows. He had not talked to his youngest brother for a year, and wondered why the hell he was down at the docks. Considering for a moment longer, he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall, striking a casual pose.

"Hello Tugger," he said, voice even.

[amanika]

"Jeez!" Tugger nearly jumped out of his skin when he was addressed, so much had his attention been fixed elsewhere. "Everlasting Cat, Mac, don't you...." he trailed off as he realised who he was talking to, having recognised his brother's voice and responded before his conscious brain took into account who was actually stood before him.

Tugger's stance shifted abruptly; arms folded, expression closed, when he spoke again, his tone was cold. "What the hell d'you want?"

[victoriousscarf]

Macavity pushed himself off the wall, stepping toward the other. "It's been a while," he said, voice still even, almost lazy. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

[amanika]

Tugger squared his shoulders slightly as his eldest brother approached, "How'd you think I've been doing?" a pause, "And why d'you suddenly care anyhow? You ain't exactly showed much interest in us since you left."

[victoriousscarf]

Mac's eyes narrowed a little at that. "Don't try and talk about things you don't know," he said, annoyed. Oh, he had been showing an interest, just perhaps not one visible to his brother. "When I asked how you were, I wanted an answer, not a rhetorical question."

[amanika]

Tugger shrugged "An' you think you get to demand answers from me and I don't get to ask my own questions in return?" he tried to come off as casual, like he didn't care, but there was still something too confrontational in the way it came out.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac's eyes narrowed further. "And what was your question again? Ah, yes, why I suddenly cared about you again. I already told you: don't try and talk about things you don't know." He paused, considering the other. "For all you know I've been keeping tabs on you since I walked out of that damn house for the last time."

[amanika]

"An' since you never bothered to show up in person, how would you expect me to know that?" There was definite bitterness in Tugger's tone this time.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac's eyes widened and then narrowed again. "Thought it would be best," he said, and from anyone else it might have sounded sulky. "It wouldn't be good for you to be too involved." Damn 'Straps who convinced him that was a good idea.

[amanika]

"Best for who?" was Tugger's immidiate retort, though he stopped short at the rest of his brother's words, he wasn't sure he had a response to the next part, his feelings in relation to why it wouldn't have been a good idea ranging from his own supposed incompetence to Macavity's own selfishness and everything in between.

[victoriousscarf]

"Best for you," Mac snarled waving a paw. "I was getting in too deep."

[amanika]

"An' you don't think I could've handled it?" from anyone else, it might've sounded like Tugger was challanging his brother, but actually, however much he was trying to hide it, the hurt was there. He turned away from Macavity, rubbing his arm, "I've been fine anyway." he lied, "To answer your question."