Catch and Release: Mugman X Cala Maria

What happened to our sweet harmony?

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It was the morning after their first date, and Cala had an emotional glow to her, like everything that happened yesterday gave her an electric, exciting charge. She felt energetic and excited to potentially spend another day with the loving, caring, romantic mug. She did her octopus-hair up nicely as always, and wore something more traditional, and old fashioned. It was specially made for her, with the mermaid tail in mind, and it looked absolutely stunning on her. She did up her makeup with ease, and went on her way to Elder Kettle's place.
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While he was sleeping, Mugman envisioned himself as a gallant, robust pirate sailing the seven seas- well really it was just one sea, because that's all there was around Inkwell. In his dream, he saw a beautiful, wondrous mermaid rise from the water, which of course was Cala Maria- whomst was wearing the most elegant, extravagant outfit he has ever laid eyes upon.

Mugman dashed out to meet her, and reached his hand to Cala for her to hold, which she did promptly. He kissed the top of her hand like royalty, and knelt down on one knee, like he was about to propose.

"Oh most sweet, bedazzling mermaid Cala, won't you forever be my ocean treasure that I may keep for all my days!"

"Why of course Mugbeard, anything, anything at all! But if you do, you'll have to be okay with one, teensy-weensy little thing about me!" She said teasingly, wagging her finger back and forth.

"A-anything! As long as I'm with you, my most precious shining star~" he said dreamily.

In an instant her loving attitude transformed into something sinister, and frightening. The tentacles of the octopus in her head turned into snakes, her skin turned green and glowed just a bit, and worst of all: those charming eyes had become petrifying. She loomed over him, and let out a terrifying scream that pierced his ears.

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Mugman awoke with a scream in the morning, which scared the socks off Cuphead and Elder Kettle. Cuphead ran up from the breakfast table, and saw his brother whomst was breathing heavily and looked like he had seen a ghost.

"Mugs! What happened, you see a dreaded sea beast in your dreams?" He said with concern.

"H-how'd ya know that's what I saw Cuphead?"

"Eh, I'm not sure really, just a good guess. But what's got you so worked up like that Mugsy? You never wake up from your dreams screaming, not like that anyway."

Mugman didn't want to explain to his brother exactly how he felt, for he was afraid of what Cuphead would say about it, that Mugman was afraid his dream really wasn't just a fake thing, but something that was true and real. Even if it was real, what did it matter to him? Except for the fact that, maybe she didn't really want to keep him around and decided to eat him up for dinner. His mind was running a million miles a minute, and thinking so many 'what-ifs.' Mugman had his hands buried in his forehead, visibly confuzled. Cuphead saw the confusion in his eyes, and shook him violently.

"Snap OUT of it Mugs!"

Cuphead gently slapped Mugman's cheek, and his brother's dizziness faded.

"Thanks Cuphead, I needed that a lot."

He shook his head, and made a grumbling noise as some of the negative thoughts went away, though he was still feeling crummy about the whole situation. Was he being lied to, being misled perhaps? He couldnt tell, Mugman just had to have trust that things would go alright. He went downstairs, uncharacteristically slow and steady, like every step he took there was a new, more disturbing thought inside him. He sat down in his usual spot, but couldn't get himself to eat. Elder Kettle, alarmed about the adolescent mug, sat down next to him with genuine concern.