"This is all we know." The spirits wailed around them and noticed Dice's eyes. "Why is the King here of all places? You climbed your way up to the top of the towers and ruled everyone here. You ruled like a king in his palace after bringing the leader of the pack down. So, why not join your lackey's again in the darkness?"
"I...uh..." Dice noticed them swirling around him and memories flooded his mind. He gripped his head and shut his eyes.
"You made others suffer for your gain in this world. You caused these people to sell others souls to the demon himself. Why would you try and repent now? After all, you were always shrouded in darkness since birth, so, what makes this place any different?" The spirit almost looked to be like his mother for a moment then morphed into another figure.
Dice sighed, feeling all the emotions from the souls, and looked at them with a weary mind. "...Redemption, something I never thought possible, can be for those who are damned...like my family that was bound for hell, or the people who I have mistreated or even crushed in the past can be shown the mercy they were never given...someimes mercy can even be the sweet release of death because the living can be so cruel...but two boys showed me mercy where no one else would, so, I intend to repay them by any means necessary..." He noticed Porsha taking his hand.
"By any means? Like how the demon saved you from your unforgiving family?" One soul scoffed at his answer.
"It is true, he saved me, but put me further down a rabbit hole that I never thought I could get out of...until the Cup brothers showed me the light at the end of that tunnel...they had to beat the shit out of me, but it worked..." Dice saw the souls make exchanges with one another, then looked back to him.
"Possible for a man that is damned to change? What will an interesting discovery in this town, but some change for the better or worse?" One spirit questioned him as the other souls moved to Porsha.
"You have a gift that can set souls like us free, but why use it? You gain nothing from letting our spirits go on into the afterlife. So, we ask you why do you do this?"
"Does it matter to you? That you are free from the shackles that pull you down on this earth or that you are chained to them forever? I see that everyone should be shown kindness and forgiveness, even if they are bound for hell. You can at least make one person see something in a brighter light then they will spread the light all over the city or town. To that one person who decided not to end their life. To that other who decided not to hurt anyone or steal again because another made a difference. That is why I am here and releasing the rest of you, so you can be free and move on." Porsha's words moved through the souls as if a gust of wind had shaken the whole entire town.
"You really are a Custos Doll." The souls said in unison as they vanished with the force of a fearsome wind.
Dice fell to his knees, taking in a deep breath then releasing it. Porsha knelt down beside him as the snow began to fall around them. The only colors around them were white and brown form the trees and forest being barren during this time. Dice glanced up at her while she put her hands on his cheeks. He saw that all of his emotions drained with just her touch. He gripped her hands with his as she smiled. He wanted her to tell him how to feel, but realized she was not going to do that because he could. Porsha knew he was still battling all the wrongs he had done to this town, but so, was she with all the souls she could not reach. They were both struggling, to survive, to thrive, to stay alive in this world that seemed to be chaos around them.
"Little steps, love." Porsha said with a voice so sweetly like honey.
Dice rested his head on her chest. "We should head to the boy's house now, but-" Porsha lifted his head, so he could see into her eyes.
"You need time." She said and Dice embraced her again.
"I am sorry you were thrown into this..." He said and she chuckled.
"Love, I was thrown into this since I was born, as were you. We both had to clean up our what our family left behind."
"That is true, but what will we do when we are done?" He asked her, releasing his embrace, and standing up.
"That is the scary part and we will find out together." She replied while getting off the ground.
Dice smiled and kissed her on the lips. Porsha, feeling the soft warmth from them, melted into his arms as she returned his passion with hers. He pulled away from the lovely moment and the two made their way to the Cup brothers' burned down home.
"So, why did you want to see the house?" Dice asked her with curiosity filling his mind.
"I put a protective symbol on this house, but it changed. I think I know why because someone could still be alive to do it." She explained as she moved some of the rubble, finding the symbol.
"Who would still be kicking?"
"My father..."
The symbol was the same one at the casino, in the city, and nowhere. A hand gripping a red scarf with triangles around it. Her father had created this as a symbol for Blackruth's cult, but it had another meaning: revenge.
"Wait...are you sure?" Dice asked her while noticing the symbol.
"The souls said that the man was like that of the moon. The man in the Moon. Moon is my father and if I am right then we could save him. They said he'd come in three days time and that is the end of the week when you run out of magic. So, we need to prepare until then." Her voice was cracking, revealing her emotions and turned away for a second.
"You are worried about something else aren't you?" Dice replied as he turned her to face him.
"I am always filled with worry. I am always in a fight or flight mode, love. I am worried I may have to fight my own father in order to save him." Porsha crossed her arms and could feel her stomach churn at the thought
"If all the things you told me about your father is true then you won't have to. He sounds like a reasonable man who wants what is best for you." Dice's words made were the relief she wanted to hear and the two left to go back to the apartment.
As they reached the apartment complex they saw that lights were set up all around Inkwell. It was breathtaking, all the different hues and colors, and made the town vibrant. Porsha smiled, seeing all the wonderful sights, and Dice noticed her. She was beautiful as always in his eyes. With her curly red hair and ruby eyes that were complemented by the shining lights. Even her pale soft pink skin glistened as the colors reflected off her smiling cheeks.
"This is lovely." Porsha exclaimed in awe.
"Yeah, you are truly beautiful, my love." Dice murmured, causing her to look at him.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you, Dice." She said and Dice glanced in another direction.
"I said the isle looks beautiful, my love-" He realized he had said "my love" and never said that word before until now. His blushed as he saw Porsha's eyes widen in surprise.
"You called me your love?" She said and he tried to cover his embarrassed face. Porsha moved his hands and held them.
"Uh..." Dice could only stare at her because he had no words to say. Then he realized he didn't have to say anything because she already knew how he felt.
"Let's go check on the boys." She smiled, opening the door to the apartment.
"CUPHEAD! Get back here with my pants!" Mugman protested while running after his brother in his trousers.
"HA! Not until you give me back my shirt!" Cuphead beamed as he jumped onto the counter.
Poors Elder Kettle was trying to keep the peace the noticed Dice and Porsha standing at the door dumbfounded. He looked at them in the unison facial expression: for the love of all things holy, HELP ME PLEASE! Dice had seen that at the casino more times than he could count. He sighed and walked in while Porsha closed the door behind them. He caught Mugman from chasing after his brother in one arm then was able snatched Cuphead off the counter before he leaped to safety.
"Now, then..." Dice started and glared at the two boys. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING!?"
Mugman and Cuphead both gulped at hearing Dice's voice raised in a bitter tone. "Good golly..." Elder Kettle sputtered as he was tired of chasing them all day.
"You, give the shirt back and you give the pants back!" Dice ordered at the two as he put them down.
"Fine!" Cuphead said throwing the pants at Mugman in his face.
"Hey! You cut it out!" Dice scolded them as Mugman was about to throw the shirt at his brother.
"Here.." Mugman handed Cuphead his shirt as Dice sighed.
"What had gotten into you two to fight with each other? I know you lost your house and that was your home, but don't take it out on one another." Dice said taking off his coat.
"Well, we needed to wash clothes, but don't have anything else to put on." Mugman stated and Porsha looked at them worried. She walked over to Dice and whispered something in his non-existent ear.
"What if you two come with me tomorrow and I can get you whatever kind you want? Does that sound swell?" Dice offered and the brothers exchanged suspicious glances.
"Anything we want to wear?" Cuphead repeated and Mugman added on.
"Anything?"
Dice sighed and agreed. "Yes, anything you want to wear."
"YES!" The boys boasted in excitement as the two ran to their rooms.
Dice sighed and looked at his apartment. He had only been gone for a day and never knew two children could make such a mess. He started tidying up the living room while Elder Kettle stood up to help.
"Sit back down. You have been with them all day and have got to be exhausted." Dice replied, noticing the old man struggling to stand.
"It's quite alright. I have taken care of them since they were babies." Kettle added and fixed the couch back.
Dice walked over to the kitchen, seeing it filled with dishes, and scoffed noticing the dirty counter. "Well, you can't help these two from bickering or play. After all, they are just kids who want to play and have fun."
Elder Kettle chuckled, "They even have jobs now, but that doesn't stop them from finding time to have fun." and folded a blanket.
"They shouldn't have to work after what you all have been through...with school on top of it? It seems too much for them..." Porsha stated, causing Dice to look at her.
"They wanted to work, so we made sure they would have a job. If they want to do something like that then we can't stop 'em."
"I know, I've tried many times with them. They are just about as stubborn as you two are." Elder Kettle replied and Porsha giggled.
"They are strong boys." Porsha said as she got her jacket on.
"Where are you off to?" Elder Kettle asked her while Dice noticed her smile.
"I am just going to get a few things then go to my apartment." She replied and her smile covered up what she was hiding.
"Porsha." Dice said as he walked up to her.
"Yes, love?"
Dice kissed her cheek, "Be safe. If you need me call." and handed her an ace of hearts.
"I will. Thanks, Dice." With those parting words, she left them and walked outside of the apartment complex.
She had the sinking feeling in her gut. It reached down to her core and shook all the fears she had awake again. Porsha had a family, not only that but someone she loved. She had fallen head over heels for him and he loved her the same. The two boys, Cuphead and Mugman, were fighters even through the chaos around them. She cared for them too, not knowing why, but wanted them to be protected as well as the whole town. The people, the beings, the life around her that was thriving and living happily around her. It was what she always thought was a dream or fantasy to have. But it was here, she had found something that she had never thought to have. A Home. All she ever wanted was a place where she could call home and here it was in the whole isle of Inkwell. She'd be damned if anyone would harm this place or let anyone try.
"This should be it." Porsha said aloud as she put aster flowers around all of Inkwell.
"What's with the flowers?" Cagney asked her as the Blind Spector was rushing towards them.
"Protection and healing...some flowers can do that." Porsha replied while seeing the Blind Spector.
"It won't last long!" Spector was alarmed at seeing one of Dice's cards poof. "The magic is fading!"
"It is fine. We can handle this." Porsha tried reassuring him, but Cagney sighed.
"We have been over this Specs." Cagney explained as Porsha smiled.
"B-but-" Spector took her hands.
"Specs?" Porsha was confused and tried to console the worrying ghost.
"I see the moon is coming for you." The Blind Spector spoke aloud and Porsha went silent.
"My father is coming...Specs...but don't worry he is a kind man. He always was to me and others." She replied as something new flashed through her mind. Porsha pulled away while Spector looked at her with empathy.
"I'm sorry...I can only see the possibilities..." He said as he rushed off, causing Cagney to follow.
Author's Note
More answers are coming and more things are going to be more complicated. Enjoy guys! Thanks for reading!