The Bet (part 2)

As a young Cuphead stared into the eyes of his first crush, he couldn't think up the right words to greet her properly, little alone ask her for her name. Joan raised a brow and said, "Umm...excuse me? Can you please say something? Me and my sister can use some help." Then he finally noticed that, she too, had a twin sister. He also finally noticed how much of a mess they were in. "They look like they just got into a fight or something." Cuphead thought to himself. He thought long and hard to himself then turned around to his brother and asked if Elder Kettle was willing to help them. Mugman said that he probably would, but Mugman also contradicted his brother that they knew nothing about these girls. And the fact that one of them was covered in blood just made it even more suspicious. But Cuphead argued with him and said, "That's also why we have to help them out! What if they were in a fight with a bear or something and they got hurt?" Mugman couldn't argue with him against that logic, (for once), because judging by their appearance, they did look like they could possibly be hurt. Mugman sighed and said, "Okay, fine. We'll take them to Elder Kettle." Cuphead smiled and said, "You're the best, Muggy!" And Mugman told him that he better take responsibility for whatever went wrong. Cuphead shrugged it off and turned back to face the girls. But as he turned around, he was caught off guard when he suddenly found that the girls were already on the other side of the stream. And right in front of him to boot! "Sorry for surprising you! We just really need help!" As Joan pleaded to Cuphead, she held her sister's hand tightly to reassure her that everything would be alright. Cuphead noticed that Josephine was shaking all over and was trying hard to use her other hand to wipe as much blood off her face as possible. He made a face that said, "That's it! We're helping them!" And Mugman knew that look of determination all to well. He also knew that once he set his sights on doing something, he was going to do it till the end! And no one, not even Mugman, could change his mind. Especially if it involved something that he had an interest in. Mugman stared at his brother and how he was looking at Joan, and sighed in disbelief.

And in response, Mugman replied, "Alright. Let's get going before it gets too late. If it gets any darker, we won't be able to find our way home. And Elder Kettle will be worried sick wondering where we are." As Mugman said that, he started off down the path ahead of his brother. Cuphead realized how late it was and how Mugman was leaving them behind. Cuphead quickly reached out and grabbed Joan's hand and said, "C'mon, let's get going! We can't do much to help you guys. But we know someone who can!" Joan and Josephine were surprised at first, but then they looked at each other and nodded in agreement that they were going to take a gamble and trust him and his brother.

While Cuphead was leading the way with his hand in hers he asked, "Y'know... I never caught your name. What is your and your sister's name anyways? My name is Cuphead. And the guy up ahead leading the way is my twin brother, Mugman. We live in these woods. We sometimes go to the city with Elder Kettle to see the shops and such. But I don't think I've ever seen you guys before. Not in the city and definitely not here in the woods. And usually I'm good with faces, so I would recognize you guys anywhere! (Especially someone as pretty as you)." Cuphead didn't know it, but Joan overheard that last part of what he said, that he was trying oh-so hard to hide by whispering it underneath his breath.

Joan thought to herself, "Me? Pretty?" As far back as she can remember, no one has ever called her pretty before. Well, except for her parents, her sister, and her family members. She thought that he was trying to make her feel better about herself, (given by the state that she was in), by complimenting her without meaning it. Then, as she looked at him, he was trying very hard to hide his face from her. She came to discover, that he was blushing! She stared in wonder and soon enough, she started to blush as well. When she realized this, she quickly tilted her head downwards so that he wouldn't see her like that. Josephine and Mugman were quietly watching them as Cuphead and Joan were, unknowingly, falling head over heels in love for each other. The siblings rolled their eyes and smiled for the two of them. For they knew that this was their first time having a crush.

Soon enough, they reached to a cozy looking little cottage. Joan stared at it in wonder for what seemed like forever, but in reality, it was only 2 minutes tops. "Well here we are!" Cuphead exclaimed. "Let's just go in already before we get in any more trouble than we're already in." Groaned Mugman. Cuphead, still holding Joan's hand, started to move forward. Joan quickly realized what was happening and stopped where she stood. Cuphead noticed that he couldn't move forward because Joan was resisting to move. Cuphead asked what was wrong. And she asked who they were going to meet, and if they can help them. Cuphead realized that he didn't tell her who was going to help them yet. He told them that the person that was going to help them was the person who raised and looked after him and his brother. His name was Elder Kettle and he was a kind man and looked after those who needed help. He had many secrets. Some even the Cup brothers didn't know. But what they did know was that Elder Kettle was more than willing to help a person who was in trouble.

Joan wasn't sure that a man that good would help them given on how they looked in their current state. Cuphead reassured her that he would definitely help. Mugman volunteered to go in first and talk about it with Elder Kettle and see what he thinks. So as he went in, he looked around the room to see if he was close by. And there he was, on his rocking chair sound asleep. Mugman quickly went over to him and woke him up. "Mugman, my boy! Where have you been?! Any longer, and I would've gone out searching for you and your brother! Speaking of your brother, where is he? Don't tell me you left him behind? Or did he just not bother to follow you?" Mugman took a deep breath and told him what happened. "Oh my! Well where are the poor things?! We must treat any wounds that they might have!" Mugman smiled and made a face that said, "That's Elder Kettle for you." Mugman ushered in Cuphead, who in turn, slowly and gently, ushered in the nervous, trembling, tattered, and tired looking sisters.

"Oh dear! You really do need some help. Come here little ones, I won't hurt you. I just want to help." The sister's looked at each other, then back at the kind and gentle old man. He was, like I said, an old, kind, and gentle man. But just like the Cup brothers, he was not human. He was an old brown kettle man with a thick white mustache and had a look in his eyes that gleamed with wisdom and kindness. The sisters were unsure at first if whether or not he can be trusted, but as they took their gaze off him and looked all around the living room, they saw numerous pictures of him and the Cup bros as they were growing up. And also some other pictures of other "people" that they, the Cup Bros, knew and were good friends with. They all had happy smiling faces looking as though that they were having a good time with each other. After they were done looking at the pictures, they turned back their gaze at the old kettle man. And with his hand stretched out to hold theirs, they looked at each other once more then looked at his hand one more time and Joan very carefully took her hand out of Cuphead's hand and reached out and cautiously put her hand in his. He gripped her hand very gently, put his other hand on top of hers, and looked at her and her sister with a loving gaze. It was the gaze that a parent would give to their child when they were scared and hurt. The gaze itself said, "It's going to be alright. I'm here, you're safe now." Both Joan and Josephine had never seen such goodness in a mortal being in over a hundred years. When they recognized the warmth that he was emitting from his soul, they instantly knew that he could be trusted.

"Mugman, go warm up some water in the bathtub and Cuphead you get some spare clothes that we aren't using. And after you boys do that, go to the kitchen and make two more plates of tonight's dinner for our guests." As soon as Elder Kettle said that, the boys rushed to do just as he instructed. "Well now, let's get you girls changed out of those dirty clothes, and get you warmed and cleaned up and changed in some new clothes. And after that, we'll get you girls something to eat. Afterwards, we need to call your parents to tell them that you're alright." The girls looked at each other with concern in their eyes that said, "We can't tell them who we are, or we'll get in trouble! What are we going to do?" Elder Kettle observed their reactions and started to think deeply. "You know, girls. You can tell me if you're in trouble with your parents. I'll help in any way I can. But you need to tell me the truth." The girls looked at each other once more then Joan began to speak, "Sir, we thank you so much for your help. And we will be forever in your debt, but even if you do call our parents, they won't be able to make it here. They're super busy and they sent us here to this Isle for training purposes before going to a military training camp for a few years. So we'll only be staying here for at least a year. But we have nowhere to go or to live at. We were hoping you could let us live here for at least a year. After that we'll be leaving the Isle. Would you mind if we stayed here for a while?" Elder Kettle hesitated for a moment then said, "How about we get you girls taken care of first? Then we'll talk about living arrangements. Agreed?" They shook their heads in agreement. Then he said, "Good! Now let's go see if Mugman has drawn the warm water yet, shall we?" As he grabbed his cane he led the girls to the bathroom where Mugman was watching the water levels and testing the water temperature. "Oh, hi Elder Kettle! I was just making sure it was just at the right height and temperature for the girls. And your right on time! It's about done filling up." As Mugman said that, he turned the knobs to stop the water and left the room so the girls could get cleaned up. Elder Kettle thanked Mugman, then helped the girls get cleaned up. Then afterwards, got them clean clothes that actually we're a perfect fit for the girls. After that, they ate their supper and explained what happened in town earlier that day.

The boys thought it was incredible! Josephine's actions even got the respect of Elder Kettle! But he warned them to be more careful next time. He also told them of where to go and where not to go in town and in the woods. Especially at the Devil's Casino. He said that if you go there, you'll never come out. Let's just say, they took his word for it. He also told the same thing to the boys as well. (A lot of good that did). Then after supper, Elder Kettle finally gave his answer to the girls. He said, "After all the things that you girls have been through today, you deserve a good place to stay. And not just for at least a year, but anytime that you are in the area. This place is not just my or the boy's home, it's your home as well. It's OUR home. And besides, I think the boys have grown quite fond of you girls. Especially our little Cuphead. Ho, ho, ho!" Cuphead yelled, "Elder Kettle~! Shut uuuuup!" The girls were shocked when they heard this. Then shocked turned into happiness. They were so happy that they started to cry and ran towards the old kettle man and gave them a big hug. Because now, not only did they find a place to stay temporarily, but they found a home, a new family, a place in the world where they felt that they can fit and belong in, and a new reason to trust the mortals of the Earth once more. "Oh, and Elder Kettle? We forgot to introduce ourselves. My name is Joan! And this is my twin sister, Josephine!" Elder Kettle smiled and replied, "It's good to finally know your names. They are quite lovely names for such sweet girls like yourselves." He hugged them till they were satisfied and helped them to bed in a spare room that they had and wished them sweet dreams.

After that day, the girls day's were filled with nothing but training and happiness. Joan even managed to tell Cuphead how she felt about him. Let's just say he was excited. But for the remainder of the girl's days, they were painful. They were painful because they had to leave soon and had to say goodbye. And they knew somehow that they wouldn't see them in a very long time and would only hurt them by making them wait for them to come back. For even after the girls got back from their duties that was expected of them to accomplish, the odds are that the time that they did return, the guys would either be old men that have gone senile or could be dead. It's not easy being part of the immortals. Sometimes you have to say goodbye to the people you love while you continue to live on and alone. So in order to make sure that they both live their lives without pain, they decided that Joan would seal away their memories.

On the last day of their stay, Cuphead had Joan make a promise to him that she would come back and be with him forever. As he said that, she gave him a kiss on his cheek, sealing his memories of her and her sister staying and playing with them until she did come again to unseal them. After which, she made that promise with Elder Kettle and sealed his memories as well. And Mugman, being the witness to all of this, had only one thing to say, "I know that you have a good reason for doing all this. And I know that you are going to do the same thing to me. But can you please promise me one thing before you do?" She nodded yes. "Thank you for all the precious memories that you gave us. And I can never thank you enough for making Cuphead so happy. If you're going to seal away my memories, then please promise me this. Promise me, that when you do come back after who knows how long, that you will find us, no matter what, and unseal our memories, and that you become a part of our family and do everything in your power to make our lives as meaningful as possible!" Joan was so surprised at his request, then she gave him a loving smile and as tears welded up in her eyes she sealed his memories away. "Elder Kettle, Mugman, and Cuphead... I promise, I'll come back. One way or another, I'll come back. And when I do, I'll keep my promises to you guys. And I'll fulfill every bit of it to the T. This is my promise to you guys, this is my Angel Promise." Then her sister said, "Don't you mean, OUR Angel Promise?" Joan turned around to look at her sister with tears streaming down her face, then she ran towards her with open arms. They hugged each other for what seemed like an eternity. Then Josephine asked if they, the guys, would be okay after waking up from their unconscious state after having their memories removed. Joan said that they would be fine, just a little dizzy, nauseated, and of course wondering how they can't even remember what happened in the past year. They smiled at each other and as they held each other's hands, they summoned the Heaven's stair case and climbed it till they were at their destination.

The one thing that they didn't know would happen was that they were going to be training in an alternate dimension where time goes faster than it does in the realm that they live in. So basically, a few thousand years, let's say about 7,992 years in the alternate dimension is equivalent to about, let's say, a little over a week in their home realm. So when they came back they were now teenagers, at least appearance wise. They were now 17,992 years old. And during the eight years that they spent in their home realm was very, "adventurous". But they never forgot their promise to their Earth family.

Back to the present, she has now come face to face with the people that she made the Angel Promise to, and she found them in the Devil's Casino! Basically in Hell! And the one place Elder Kettle told them not to go. And working AT the casino as well. And as waiters no less! All she had to say was, "What the Hell?!"

To be continued...