In Due Time ((June 1920))

[victoriousscarf]

"Mhm," Mac said, rising and heading up the stairs.

[Meadowlark]

Munkus followed him, pausing long enough to grab his suitcases and carry them up the stairs. He dug a book out of one of them and retreated back down the stairs and into the kitchen.

[victoriousscarf]

A couple hours later, Mac returned down the stairs as well, rubbing a paw over one of his eyes as he pulled down a pot, glancing over at where Munkustrap was sitting.

[amanika]

Tugger, interestingly enough, had slept as well. It had been easier just to forget for a couple of hours than to face how he was feeling. He awoke, possibly at the sound of Macavity heading downstairs, feeling a good deal calmer than when he'd fallen asleep. He was still none the wiser about what he might say to his brother, but he felt more in control of himself again, and this gave him confidence.

Pushing the dresser back away from the door as quietly as he could, Tugger left his bedroom, trying not to let his fur bristle as he saw the two cases on the landing, and glancing back through the bedroom door at the other single bed in the room. He padded quietly to the bathroom and shortly there was the sound of water running as he splashed his face, psyching himself up to head downstairs.

[Meadowlark]

Munkus glanced up as Mac entered, closing his book and rising. "Can I give you a paw with anything?"

[victoriousscarf]

Mac blinked at that, a little unsure what to actually do with an offer of help. "Clean and cut the carrots?" he asked finally, voice a bit hoarse from sleep.

[Meadowlark]

The silver tabby nodded slightly, moving over and setting to work on that.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac glanced over at him, ears flickering slightly at the sounds from upstairs.

[amanika]

The faucet clunked as Tugger turned the water off, shaking the worst of it from his face before reaching for a towel. A few moments later he opened the bathroom door and headed back along the landing, he cast a quick backwards glance at his room before taking a breath and heading downstairs.

Hearing voices from the kitchen, Tugger headed that way, coming to stand in the doorway. He looked at Munkustrap for the first time before glancing quickly back at Macavity. When he spoke his voice was gruffer than he'd expected, the words catching slightly in his throat, he kept his gaze resoloutely on his eldest brother, not trusting himself to look at Munkustrap as he did so.

"Figured y'might want some help with dinner."

[victoriousscarf]

Macavity glanced between his two brothers, and blinked slowly before shrugging. "Sure, do you think you could deal with cleanin' the chicken?"

[amanika]

Tugger's nod was a little slow, but he moved into the room to do as Macavity asked, chancing a quick glance at Munkustrap again before setting somewhat over-vigorously to the task at hand. There were three adult tomcats in the room now, six years ago there had really only been one.

[Meadowlark]

Munkustrap glanced at Tugger, his ears flickering a bit, but he offered him a nod hello, not entirely sure it was his place to start this conversation, confrontation, whatever one wanted to call it.

[victoriousscarf]

Mac glanced between his brothers, but wasn't going to start anything either, working on what he needed to get done instead, glancing to one or the other every once and a while.

[amanika]

Tugger had caught Munkustrap's nod, it was why he was currently throwing all his energy into the chicken; he'd thought he would actually have some control over his emotions after waiting until he was ready to see his astranged brother, but the combination of a lump in his throat but also a rise of anger every time he looked at the silver tabby suggested not. He didn't entirely understand what he was feeling either, which was leading to mounting frustration.

You had to feel sorry for the chicken, even if it was already dead. Tugger's long tail was swishing behind him in agaitation, though he hardly noticed, so intent was he on channeling his energy into what he was doing. However, the kitchen workspace was small for three grown tomcats and it was only a matter of time before Tugger's lashing tail accidentally smacked across the back of Macavity's legs.

[victoriousscarf]

At that point Macavity was ready enough to yell at both his brothers. He whipped his head around to stare at Tugger and and threw up his paws. "Bah, you two. You could try talkin' you know. At least say 'hi.'"