thank you to @ehiaint2worriedabtit and @suniboi for letting me use their OCS Azul and lune respectively. Y'all are awesome 😎
Part 1 of chapter 1 - other part will be up in a sec. Damn character limit.
Mugman could feel the sunlight hitting his face.It was warm and welcome,but his tired body couldn't quite work up the strength to get up. However,that soon would be fixed by elder kettle opening the creaking door.
“Mugsy, I made breakfast.Blueberry pancakes just how you like em’. Now get up before cups beats ya to em’." Mugman smiled as he lifted off his bed. His room was the picture of tidiness:a dustless bookshelf to his right, a desk to his front, a cabinet and closet to his left,and a mirror on the wall above said desk. Everything was where it should be.
He made sure to grab his glasses off the desk as he walked around.
The floorboards creaked underneath his steps but mugman had long since accepted those noises as part of this house. As he turned from his doorway into the hall he could hear running coming up behind him.
Sigh~
He leaned into the wall beside him to allow cuphead a way through.Looks like cup was gonna beat him to it. As cuphead ran to the living room he shot a cheeky look back at mugs.Seemed he was already dressed up for today. A rarity. Mugs rolled his eyes but his smile did not fade.
Thin light beams went through the curtains illuminating the otherwise dark house.Mugman looked around as he walked into the living room. Everything was still the same,a patchy couch,a rocking chair still swaying,and a mantle fireplace with a spark guard. The kitchen was lit up by the large windows that sat side by side to the back door.
Elder Kettle already was turning the oven off and Cuphead was sat at the table nearby. A round wooden table that Mugman remembered Cup bought from a traveler a few months back to replace their old one.
As he sat down he saw cups was reading the latest paper. “Still on the hunt for more jobs? What about that one down at the train station? Stick with that one cups.”. Cuphead looked over the paper at Mugman and simply chuckled. “Can't mugsy, doesn't pay as much as I need it. This paper says there's a farm man looking for help around his barn. Short job, oughta pay good, and I can still keep the train gig.”.
Mugman knew it well,Cuphead bounced from job to job often. It wasn't his fault,mostly,good jobs around here were hard to come by for someone like him. Mugman decided not to pry more and that's when Elder Kettle sat down himself,handing mugman a plate.
Cuphead soon scarfed down his plate and headed towards the phone. Most likely to call up that farmer. Mugman had more time to enjoy his meal and read the paper that cups left behind. It was mundane things,the train would be changing up schedule a smidge, Lunes bakery was adding a new desert to their menu, and another article about that damn Drew manor.
Mugman knew himself well,he didn't care for town gossip all that much. But it was beyond him, how much the townspeople seemed to fret over the manor up the hill. It was old and the owner never left, sure, but mugs believed that it was no ones damn business what the owner and perhaps his family did. Rumors of ghosts, rumors of a daughter gone missing, or even rumors of ancient witchcraft were all abound. Mugman didn't have any room up in his noggin to care.
His thoughts were interrupted as Cuphead entered the space again. Elder Kettle spoke first.
“well?”
“I got the gig,just if I can make it there by 8 sharp.Mugs?” Mugman knew what it was,and he looked up at cupheads cheeky face and couldn't help but smile. “Yes,yes,you can take the car. Walking won't kill me.” Cuphead shook his hand before grabbing the ignition key from the mantle. And practically skedaddled out the door as he shouted out a goodbye.
Elder Kettle chuckled before he sipped his coffee. “That boy oughta slow down once in a while.He’s all energy that go getter. Now,mugs,how's the work over at the library?”Mugman set his fork down and shrugged. “Same old, same old. Im mostly just fixing the shelves and books if they come in damaged, remember.”. Elder Kettle nodded and patted Mugman on the shoulder.
“I remember. Now tell me,are y'all still getting visits from that wolf? The wolf coming down from the manor? I can't imagine working for a place like that, the poor pup.” Mugman swallowed his last bite and wiped his mouth before responding. “Mhm,he still comes every couple weeks. Although I haven't seen him in a while.”
Elder Kettle smiled as he got up slowly. “Well, I'm sure it'll all be fine.”. Mugman simply nodded and got up as well. It took a bit to clean all the dishes but as soon as he was done he went back to his room to change into his clothes.
It was colder now, autumn had turned into winter but snow had yet to fall. He covered his sweater with a coat and put on his favorite slacks. His briefcase sat in his desk chair before he picked it up.He waved goodbye to Elder Kettle before stepping out the door.
It wasn't a long walk to his work so he could manage with the cold. The winding paths surrounded by shrubs were a good way to distract his mind.
He soon reached town. It was by no means a large town but it was one that had everything simple folk needed. A market, several small stores, the library of course, a school just a wee out from here, a bar for the more lively people, and mugs go-to spot Lunes Bakery.
As he entered there was that familiar chime of the bells.There were a few customers sitting at tables though none acknowledged him. He came up to the counter and immediately the smell of baked goods hit him in his nose.
From the door came a happy go lucky Lune. They putting something away when they saw him. A smile graced their face as they began to speak. “Mugs! Oh what a pleasure! You're a bit later than usual but don't worry I got your order. Hows cups and Elder Kettle?”
As Lune prepared mugmans order he started to speak. “Oh Elder Kettles alright, his knees have stayed the same but he just passes it off as old age, which is true but still,I cant help but worry. Cups… he's still doing odd jobs. Let him take my car today so he can go fix up a farmers barn for cash.”
Lune was working the coffee machine as they sighed. “What about that job down at the train station? He should really be sticking with that.”. Mugman sighed as well, “I know, but he says it doesn't pay well enough so he's looking for other options.”
Lune nodded along while putting the lid on.“Y’know if moneys the issue I could have him work here! It wouldn't be no trouble, I do need a bit more help around.” Mugman chuckled as they handed him the bag and his cup. “Lune, I'm pretty sure if he were to work here he'd probably burn it down trying to make cookies.”
Lune giggled as they leaned on the counter.“Oh don't be so harsh mugs.I’m sure with the right teacher he'd learn. And either way it was a suggestion. Have a good day!”
Mugman felt lighter afterwards and waved goodbye as the bells chimed with him exiting. As he sat down at a bench nearby he opened up the bag to see icebox cookies. His go-to snack along with a hot coffee.