Twins Missing in Dual worlds chapter 18: Mabel for Hire.
It was a warm day in Amphibia, with not a cloud in the sky and gentle winds. Mabel had decided to go out for a walk, after all, it was the first time in days she had gotta a day off and by George (whoever that was) she was going to enjoy it!
Due to the events of the past few days and the extra money they made during the potluck, Hop Pop decided to give her the day off. After all… things weren't desperate… yet. She sighed. "Taxes are rising soon…" She gulped at the thought. Heck if Hop Pop hadn't told her to behave, she probably would've started a revolution by now. "Still… why are things getting so bad?" She wondered. Hop Pop tried to explain local taxes… in the way only a former theater kid could. Needless to say, she finished his presentation more confused than when she started. Thankfully though, Polly had a theory.
"Clearly someone is stealing the money."
"Maybe, but who? And why won't the mayor tell anyone about it?" Mabel rubbed her chin.
"That's a good question." Polly said.
"Well not like we can spy on him." Mabel shook her head.
"Why not?" Polly tilted in confusion.
"Good point," Mabel chuckled. "But anyways, I think it'd be a good idea to try and get some extra money today."
"All right then, so long as you're responsible about it." Hop Pop shrugged. "And don't forget to take Sprig with ya!"
"We will! We'll try to stay out of trouble." Mabel gave a salute.
"I am going to destroy this town." Polly put on a sinister smile.
Mabel just shook her head in amusement.
"Wait… what are we going to do?" Sprig paused in confusion.
"We gotta work!" Before Polly grabbed him.
"I thought we were doing that with Hop Pop!"
"Business is slow today, so we're gonna do some odd jobs around town and maybe find out who's stealin' the tax money!"
"Fiii-ne." He rolled his eyes and let himself get dragged. Meanwhile, Mabel giggled as began searching around town for people needing help.
She happily sang aloud. "So, where to work?" Mabel rubbed her chin.
"Why don't we ask the Sundews? Sprig rubbed the back his head.
"OOOOh wanna check on IVY!?" Mabel gave him a playful punch on his shoulder.
"What?! No! Of course not!" His face went flush with embarassment.
"Well since we don't have any other options, let's go." Mabel shrugged and smiled. "Plus, we'll be able to see Ivy and make you make out."
"Ewww! No!' he crossed his arms. "I'll remember this."
"With that pea brain?" Mabel joked, enjoying this until they got the tea shop. She may not have had her shoulder pads but she did have her professional Mabel face.
Sprig jumped ahead and knocked, prompting Ivy to answer, "Sprig!"
"H-hey Ivy!" Sprig awkwardly rubbed his shoulder.
"And Mabel!" She jumped next to him.
"What do you know there're people with you." Ivy blushed, looked away and held her arm.
Mabel stuck out her tongue.
"Woah your tongue is tiny." She looked back at Sprig. "So how can I help you?"
"Well, actually, we were wondering if you needed help. We're looking for jobs to help Hop Pop pay the bills."
"Hmm, well, I think we might have something but I need to ask my mom first, ok?"
"Thanks." Mabel nodded. "I think I could be a great cook, and I definitely rock a skirt."
Polly agreed, "She does like to help Hop Pop with Cooking."
"She the best at it." Sprig cheered.
Ivy chuckle, "Okay, okay, I can ask my mom."
A few minutes later and she gave the all clear, motioning for them to join here.
"Thanks so much!" For a moment she wondered if she should make them costumes, she did leave her 50's waitress costume at Stumpy's.
A moment later, Ivy gave them aprons to use. Mabel didn't waste time applying random fabric patches to hers. Where she found the knitting tools though, was anyone's guess.
"Are there any uniforms?' Mabel asked, "If there aren't any, maybe I could make some."
Ivy thought about it, "I think so, we don't normally wear them though, they're kinda gaudy."
Mabel smile, "I can fix that!"
Ivy smirked, "Ok then, sure. What dress size are you?"
Mabel smile, "I am an eight."
Sprig corrected her, "She's a nine."
"Huh, I guess that's just an Amphibia measuring thing." Mabel rubbed her chin.
Polly just smiled, "Sure, let's go with that."
And so, the trio went about serving and being friendly… though the townsfolk stared at Mabel when they thought she wasn't looking. Thankfully though, she was used to it.
It did not bug her in the slightest. It did not bug her in the slightest. It DID NOT bug her in the slightest.
In the end, she would have to take it. She had to succeed no matter what. She had to do what she had to do in order to get home.
In the next moment, she found herself thinking of how much had changed. In the span of a few weeks, she went from living in California among humans to living in a small town in a frog world. That's not even mentioning her sweater. For some reason, it didn't feel comfortable anymore… like, it had shrunk a bit. She didn't know how that could happen though. They didn't have washers and all her clothes were washers and dry cleaner safe. "I guess I'll just make a new one when I get the chance…"
Her thoughts jumped to her brother. "I wonder if he's worrying about me right now… I'm sure he's been fiddling with Ford's portal this whole time…" Mabel was staring off into space at this.
"Mabel? You ok?" Ivy tapped her arm.
"Oh, sorry. Did you say something?" Mabel swung around to greet her.
"No, but it looks like you're starin' off into space. Normally I wouldn't care, but some of the patrons are old and are convinced that you're the grim reaper."
She chuckled. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize," Ivy smiled. "I find it funny."
"Glad to help."
"Keep up the good work, I'll check back with ya later."
"On it!" Mabel went back to serving.
The day continued after that, with Ivy making the Tea, Polly and Mabel waiting tables and Sprig… err… he was trying to show his potential in his craft.
Until eventually, Ivy pulled Mabel behind the counter. "We need to get ready for the lunch rush."
"Right," Mabel nodded.
Then, right as she went back to the floor, Ivy called out. "Mabel! Help! Sprig got stuck in the dishwasher! We have to take the it to the dentist soon and he can't have sweets."
"Wait what?" Mabel doubled back in confusion.
"The dishwasher is a chameleon. Isn't yours?"
"No, ours is mechanical."
She tilted her head in response, "Mechanical?"
"Oh yeah, I keep forgetting it's like the Stone Age here."
"Yep, whatever that means." She motioned towards the frog boy. "Mind helping out?"
"Let's do this." Mabel ran to her side.
"Ok, I'll grab its mouth, you grab Sprig." Ivy jumped on the chameleon's back.
"Got it!" She followed by grabbing his torso.
"Somebody save me!" Sprig shouted.
"I guess we could leave him." Mabel chuckled.
"Now's not the time for jokes, Mabel." Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Ooookkkkk," She laughed, she then started to frown
before pulling him free. She pulled and accidentally sent him flying. "Wow he is lighter than I expected."
"Or you gotten stronger." Polly said.
"How could I do that?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Polly told me what you did, how did it go? Did you get hurt?" Hop Pop ran over and hugged them all.
"We're fine!" Mabel didn't get hurt, and Sprig survived!
"I was talking to salt and pepper." Sprig stared at a nearby wall.
"He doesn't look too good though." Hop Pop rubbed his chin.
"And look we made money." Mabel pulled out a sack of gold.
"Excellent, with that and the money from the Pot Luck we should be able to keep the stand for sure!" Hop Pop snatched the bag and held it up in excitement.
Epilogue
After a good day work, Mabel and Sprig decided to take in the fresh air of a nearby meadow. Mabel smiled as she looked over all the flowers, so many of them looked exactly like the ones back home, while the ones right next to them were plants that looked so alien that she swore she swore it bear its teeth at her.
"Nice having a safety net. Is this what it like to be rich?" Sprig quipped.
"Same. Doubtful."
"Ya know, don't you think it's weird that all the buildings around here have holes in them?" Sprig rubbed his chin.
"I wonder why that is." Mabel rubbed her chin as well.
"I don't know, maybe it's the tax thing Hop Pop was talking about."
"Except nothing is being fixed."
"I wonder if anything can be done."
"Maybe talk to the mayor?" Mabel suggested.
"What would that do?"
"Well, what else can we do?"
"Well, we could always spy on him instead." Sprig shrugged.
"Let's do this!"
The ground started to shake.
"Woah!" Mabel installed fell on her behind.
"What's happening?!"
"I'm not sure. Felt like an earthquake." Mabel shook her head.
"I think we should ask Hop Pop about it."
A few minutes later and the two returned to the Plantar residence, with Mabel running over to Hop Pop. "What the heck was that?"
"I don't know, we've never had earthquakes here before."
"Could it be a large animal?"
"Maybe, but it'd have to be larger than any I've ever seen. It's probably best to leave it be for now."
"Yeah…" Mabel's voice trailed off as she looked at the cracks that formed outside.
"We need to be careful, the Toads are coming for their taxes soon."
"I get ya."
"Thanks, I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Aw thanks." Mabel smiled.
"You're a handful, but somehow, I find a way to put up with you."
"Hehe you're silly."
To Be Continued…
E/N Edited by Omega Ultra
My reponse: to RonaldM40196867 chapter 17 . Jan 21
You are not wrong but it is a small town, limited resources.
He deserve it and you know it.
I think it more he have her some tips, and then trial and error.
10 He a great villain, scary, has a great personality and a great foil to our hero.
I think she isn't ever going pro, but good enough to give a meal to those she care fore.