Have I done the right thing? ((56))

[Meadowlark]

She shook her head at that, finishing with the paperwork and going to find the broom.

[amanika]

Tugger sighed to himself as he rinsed the cloth out before dipping it afresh into soapy water and heading back out to clean tables. He felt like he ought to say something, but honestly didn't know what he could that wouldn't invite more questions, or gain him further dissaproval. It felt odd though, since he'd been working here, Tugger had seldom done so in silence, he was a sociable cat and would always chat with Milady if she was in the same room, else he tended to put the radio on and sing along.

He glanced sideways at Griddlebone a few times, half wishing she would be the one to break the silence. Tugger's ears still stood at half-mast, a sure sign that he was feeling somewhat unsure of himself.

[Meadowlark]

The white queen sighed slightly, meeting his gaze, "Out of curiosity, is there a reason you can't tell me?"

[amanika]

Tugger started a bit at that, wondering why she thought he would bother to keep it from her if there wasn't. But he nodded, "I got my reasons f'not sayin' at least, yeah."

[Meadowlark]

She sighed, "Just...don't go getting yourself in trouble, hm?"

[amanika]

"Believe it or not, I don't actually go lookin' f'trouble. Whatever Mac mighta' said different." he wasn't sure where the dig at his brother had come from, Griddlebone hardly needed Macavity to tell her that getting himself into a fix of some kind seemed to be a rather recurring thing for Tugger. It was however, possibly as close as he'd come to suggesting that Macavity was one of the reasons he wasn't telling her what he was up to.

[Meadowlark]

Her ears lay back at that, her eyes narrowing, "I didn't mean to imply that you do. If I had I wouldn't have bothered asking. I'm simply asking you to be careful. I consider you a friend."

[amanika]

Tugger sighed, stopping what he was doing for a second, leaning heavily on the table with both hands. He looked over at her, tail twitching. "I'm sorry, I'm kinda' on edge lately. Had a few too many cats tell me what they really think of me." He looked down again, "But still, thanks, I guess."

[Meadowlark]

She nodded, "Fair enough." She turned her attention back to her work.

[amanika]

Tugger nodded, "If I could tell'y I would. I ain't happy about not bein' able t'give you a reason." he sighed again, "I jus' can't. Not right now at least. Mahaps in a couple weeks I can explain things to'y.

[Meadowlark]

She looked up, "And why not? That's the part I don't understand."

[amanika]

"F'a start because y'might tell Mac, an' right now I'm bleedin' fed up with my brothers pokin' their noses inta' my business." he couldn't see either of them approving of this, "An' because if I screw this up, I can do without everyone who knows me sayin' 'I told y'so.' " he went back to the table with alarming vigour. "That enough of a reason for'y?"

[Meadowlark]

Griddlbone pursed her lips. "No, it's not. You don't trust me enough to keep a word to not tell your brother, and you honestly think I would do tell you that?"

[amanika]

Tugger shook his head, "It ain't you I'm worried about, but y'don't give Mac enough credit; if he wants t'know somethin, he'll get it outta' you. Anyhow, I don't want t'put y in that position where y'hafta' lie t'him if he asks. Then if Mac knows, Munk'll know then probably Jerrie, an' then Misto, then Cat knows who else, and it won't matter if you ain't sayin' it, because someone will be."

[Meadowlark]

She frowned at him. "You severely underestimate me if you honestly think I'd break trust like that."