Catch and Release: Mugman X Cala Maria

Fish out of water

Mugman and Cuphead were sitting together after the party, wiped out and ready to hit the hay for a long, long time. Elder Kettle waltzed in, and called for Mugman.

"Oh Mugman! I have something very important to tell you." He brought his son over in private, and started to explain the situation.

"Now son, I want you to know: there is a certain mermaid that wants to see you. She is waiting for you right now, over by the carnival." Mugman was trying to conceal his eagerness to go and finally meet her, he was so worried that she was gone by now and had forgotten all about that encounter they had in the ocean. He practically sprinted out the door and made his way to Isle 2, entering the die house.

Cala Maria was awaiting patently for her love interest to show up. It was well after the party, and she was becoming worried that Mugman wasn't interested in coming; that he really thought she was a hideous beast like that Brineybeard always says. The beginning of the negative thinking started, but was eased and removed the moment she saw a particular blue mug that just opened the door of the die house from isle 1.

"Yoo-hoo! Over here!" Cala Maria waved her arms back and forth excitedly to get his attention. Upon seeing her, his face was filled with exhilaration and joy: he had such a wide smile on his face as he approached her, though diminished showing his emotion in order to not make a bad impression on her.

He waved over the pier to gaze at her close. Before, she seemed so much bigger and more intimidating- but now, she really wasn't any more than twice his size. Mugman, now realizing just how shy he felt, became nervous and did not want to say the wrong thing to her- and she felt the same way he did.

"H-hello there, Cala Maria!" He said shyly and softly. He was shaking a bit, very weak in the knees.

"I have been just, practically dying to talk to you! I just, have to thank you. I don't even know your name at all, but you saved me, and everyone else. How could I ever thank such a hero?!"

Cala Maria could hardly contain her gratitude, as she immediately took the Mug and wrapped her arms around him. Somehow, she was not too much bigger than him. She appeared much bigger during their fight, but now she was not. Mugman was in a daze, and his heart melted in her arms. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes upon, and she was hugging him so tightly it was like the breath was being pulled out of him. But Mugman didn't mind, he adored the fact that she wanted to show her appreciation with physical affection.

She let him down gently, Cala's face beaming with delight afterwards. Mugman thought, that now would be a good time to finally mention his name and get to know the mysterious, lovely mermaid.

"My name is M-Mugman, and I know your name already. It's such an, amazing opportunity to see you again." Cala was enlightened upon officially knowing his name- it was so unexpected, yet adorable. She thought he would have a regular name like, Joey or Billy. But then again, who lives in Inkwell that doesn't have a peculiar, unique name?

"I should be the one saying that, Mugman! You saved all of us from the clutches of that nasty owner of the casino, I'm the one that brought your plane down and almost caused your poor soul to perish and your quest to come to untimely end." There was visable frustration in her eyes, though at herself.

"Oh Cala, you don't have to be sorry about that! I never told anyone at the party this, but- me and Cuphead? We were defeated numerous times by almost every single one we had to retrieve a contract from. I mean, Ribby and Croaks- me and Cuphead couldn't handle that slot machine!" Mugman went on to describe the challanges he and Cuphead endured, how they were defeated more than once by each person: and they showed no remorse, unlike Cala, whom cared about his wellbeing. Mugman felt a little emberassed speaking so much in depth about his failures, but he had a smile on his face, when he looked up and saw Cala with a warm, focused gaze on him.