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xandriagreat · 8 days

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Fate Be Changed

Chapter 3: The Deal

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Author's note: This is now the chapter where we go in the perceptive

Notice/warnings: food/eating, deal, misgendering, body horror, passing out

▪▪▪

Moe, Herbert, and Webs were walking around the city, hoping no one found them.

“Are you sure that they’re not going to rat me out?” Moe asked Webs as they walked.

Webs nodded with a reassuring smile. “They’re not.”

Moe smiled and sighed softly while they all looked around as they walked.

They were amazed by the city.

The people are pretty lively, the buildings are unique, and the music is new to them.

"Hope they have a tech store or a new place to live for now." Webs said as they walked.

They soon saw a newspaper about Moe's disappearance.

Moe got worried when seeing the newspaper.

Webs and Herbert noticed the worry on Moe’s face.

“Let’s just keep going.” Webs said to him, forcing him to continue with Herbert.

As the three walked, Moe saw a pawn shop and he got an idea.

"What is it?" Herbert asked, looking at Moe.

Moe immediately pointed at the pawn shop, making the two look at the pawn shop.

"Really?" Herbert asked sarcastically.

“What? We need extra money.” Moe said, looking at him.

Herbert and Webs looked at each other and then to Moe, who just went into the shop.

"Alright then." Webs said, shrugging. “But he better be quick.”

"He will. But one of us had to keep an eye on anyone trying to find us." Herbert said, looking around.

Webs nodded and looked at the time on a nearby clock.

Their stomachs completely begin to grumble.

It was around brunch time.

"I'll find us something to eat." Webs said, looking at Herbert.

“Anything that has something good. But Just in case. Keep on guard.” Herbert said to her.

“Before I go, I need to write something down first. Do you want anything other than breakfast sandwiches and other breakfast items like breakfast french fries?” she asked, getting a piece of paper.

“Coffee. Decaf coffee, please” Herbert said, nodding to her.

“Ok, I got it.” Webs said, nodding. “But don’t worry, I'll make sure to stay protective.” She puts her sunglasses on before going to get food.

Herbert nodded and stayed on watch as Webs went to a nearby fast food place.

Herbert looked around to see if anything odd or suspicious was around, ready to fight if needed while waiting.

◇

Moe went into the shop when he heard a bell over the corner of the door rang, meaning a customer had come.

The owner came out of the back and went to the counter.

"Welcome, how can I help you?"

Moe walked over to them. “Hi. I have a few things to pawn.” he said, getting something out of his pocket.

It was a pocket watch.

He stole it from his father's room along with the other few valuables around his old home before leaving. He was Hoping it would work to start a new life.

The owner begins inspecting the watch when Moe hands it to them.

“Oh wow!” the owner exclaimed after inspecting.

"What is it?" Moe asked.

“It’s a lot.” the owner said, looking at him.

Moe tilted his head to the side, wanting to know.

"It's a completely rare 1926 Illinois gold pocket watch." the owner explained, pointing at the watch.

Moe’s eyes widened. “Wow!” he breathed, looking at the watch.

The shop owner nodded.

Moe also gave out another few variables to the owner “Could you check these too?”

The owner nodded a yes and checked them.

Some were very valuable while others were not.

◇

Herbert was still waiting for Moe to come out and waiting for Webs to come back.

Webs just came back with breakfast.

“Got breakfast.” she said, showing the bag and handing Herbert a cup. “Here’s your coffee.”

“Thanks.” Herbert said, taking the cup from her right as Moe came out with a lot of cash in his hands.

“Wow! That’s a lot.” Herbert and Webs said when they saw the cash.

"I don't know but it looks like the rare valuables back home appear more priceless than anything." Moe said, sounding surprised.

"Well would be enough for a hotel or anywhere to save up." Webs said "But we should find a place to sit down 'cause I got a late breakfast or brunch, like some fancy people would say."

Herbert and Moe nodded.

They started to look for a bench to eat their brunch.

As they looked, Webs accidentally bumped a waitress in front of the restaurant Cole’s.

“Oh! I am so sorry!” Webs said in worry, looking at the waitress.

"No, no, it's fine." The waitress reassured her, looking at her.

Webs couldn't keep her eyes of the beautiful woman with her gorgeous green eyes and curly red hair in a tight bun.

They began touching hands for a moment as they looked at each other.

“Um… Webs?” Moe called out, which made both women jump and step away from each other.

The waitress shook her head, rolling her eyes and she went back inside as the Webs went walking with Herbert and Moe.

Webs can't stop looking at the waitress as the waitress got back inside.

“You good, Webs?” Herbert asked, looking at her.

"Huh? Oh- uh…yea." Webs said, snapping out of it. “Just… a lot of things on my mind.”

Moe and Herbert raise an eyebrow at her before shrugging.

◇

They soon found a shady table after walking away from the place, taking a seat on the bench, and eating the food.

Moe couldn't believe that he is now in his most favorite place to go to when he was a kid. He only saw a glimpse of it when flying on a plane but now he's actually here in the city and trying the cheap food here. He took a bite of the sandwich and it tasted great.

Herbert took a sip of his decaf coffee.

Webs was eating the breakfast french fries.

Moe was looking at the sites around them as they ate.

"Please Moe, We just got here and you are already like a child looking at the sites." Herbert said after sipping his coffee. "Just eat the food."

Moe looked at him as he chewed and swallowed. “It’s our first time here!” Moe exclaimed, setting his sandwich down on the wrapper that was on the table.

Herbert and Webs looked at Moe as he added, "I mean come on! We've been dreaming of going here for years."

Herbert groans in annoyance. “Here we go again.” he said under his breath.

"You got the Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, in the sprawling metropolis." Moe exclaimed excitedly. "But most importantly, the Entertainment capital of the world! With all the stars walking up for premieres and finally the best awards EVER!"

Moe had learned a lot about LA in secret when he was a kid and learned about it in a magazine on the way there.

“Look, I know it’s great and we always wanted to come here but we need to be careful.” Herbert said, looking around nervously.

Webs nodded as she ate.

"I know we have to be careful, but seriously, who doesn't love the city?" Moe asked, getting Herbert’s attention as he picked up his sandwich again. "Name one thing about the city."

“It’s different with heavy traffic, droughts, a bit of smog, and being filled with strangers.” Herbert replied with a smug look on his face.

“Really?” Moe asked flatly, staring at him before taking a bite of his sandwich.

Herbert gave him a ‘you know it’ look before he went back eating.

Moe swallowed and sighed before looking at Webs. "What about you, Webs?" he asked. “What do you like about the city?”

Webs look at the two men as she chewed her food. “Well…” she started after swallowing. “I guess it’s learning about different places. Since I travel a lot.”

"Now that's the spirit!" Moe said, ruffling her hair, which made Webs chuckled softly.

The three of them continued to eat.

Webs looked at the two men and thought of an ask game as they finished up eating. “How about we play an ask game?” she asked them when she finished eating her sandwich.

The two men looked at each other and then nodded.

“Sounds fun.” Moe said after swallowing the last bite of his sandwich.

"Alright. If you two could be any animal, what could it be?" Webs asked, getting some more breakfast french fries.

"I would be a wolf." Moe said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I wouldn't mind a scratch on the head behind the ears if I was a dog-like creature. Also, I would be able to run freely."

“I would be a snake. No one likes snakes.” Herbert said before drinking his coffee.

“I like snakes.” Moe said, looking at him, which made Herbert blush.

Webs hummed softly and nodded, a smile on her face.

“What would your animal be, Webs?” Moe asked as they cleaned up when they were done eating.

"Oh… uh… hm… I would be a redknee tarantula. It's a type of spider." Webs explained as they went to the trash to throw their trash away. "They're pretty cool."

The three went to a nearby washroom and got themselves washed up and cleaned off any grease on their hands and also began stretching their bodies before they left to meet Webs’ friends.

◇

“So, what are your friends like?” Moe asked, looking at her as they walked.

Webs rolled her eyes as she thought for a moment. “Well… the one that we’re going to see is a man named Milton T. Park. He’s going to help you two find a place and jobs to pay for rent.” she said after a bit. “The other is a woman named-”

"Um… sorry to interrupt but I think we got some company…" Herbert said the both of them through his teeth, pointing at something.

Moe and Webs looked at what he was pointing at.

A thin man wearing a white suit with a red dress shirt and glasses was looking and following them.

"Great! We got to go now!" Webs said, grabbing both of the men’s wrists and they started to run.

The man ran after them.

Webs ran the way with Moe and Herbert running with her, going through crowds.

The three found a nearby alleyway and ran down there, hoping that they lost him.

They begin looking to make sure.

"I think we finally lost him." Moe whispered to them.

Then the man appeared, looking down at them.

The three were startled that they backed into the alleyway. Moe stood in front of Herbert and Webs, protecting them.

Before anyone could do anything, someone cleared their throat, which got all four peoples' attention.

At the entrance of the alleyway, there was a short man with well kept hair and a fine blue suit.

"Hello." the man said, walking over to them. "My name is Rubert Marmalade."

"Nice to meet you, sir." Moe said, nodding to him. "My friends are just about to handle the stranger to get him to leave us alone because we need to meet up with a friend-"

Marmalade stops him with a raise of his hand. "Oh no you don't. It seems you are lost in the city but don’t worry. You four are in my hands now."

Then he gave him his card.

Moe looked at the card and read off of it, "'Good training, good advice. We make Dreams a reality!' Wow!" His eyes shined as if he was like a child's new toy feeling with excitement and wonder.

Marmalade nodded with a smile. "We can go to my shop and see what dreams come to become a reality that we can do." he said, pointing his hand to the entrance of the alleyway.

Without a second thought, Moe nodded.

"Follow me." Marmalade said with a hand motion to follow him.

Then the four started to follow Marmalade to his shop.

As the 5 we're heading to the store, the three friends whisper to each other.

"This was a bad idea." Herbert whispered to Moe as they walked.

Webs nodded as they were still being followed by the same quiet man. "I don't like this guy. He seems sketchy." Webs whispered. "We might need to get to Melton's place and leave the creepy guy to Marmalade."

“I like that.” Herbert whispered, nodding.

“Let’s give Marmalade a chance, ok?” Moe whispered to them.

Herbert and Webs looked at More before slowly nodding.

They were quiet for a moment until Marmalade said, “You know, I heard about it on the news, about the missing young man, and I got a feeling that I would run into him.”

Moe's eyes widened a bit at Marmalade's words. "Well…um…" he started, unsure of what to say. "I… I think you got the wrong man. I mean I'm a… doppelganger?" he lied, hoping it would work. He's been a bit of an actor himself and a bit of a drama king as well.

Marmalade stared at him for a moment. Then Marmalade started to laugh, “Oh please! There’s no need to lie!”

"He's not lying" Herbert and Webs said in unison, wanting to protect his identity.

But the tall man completely shut both of their mouths by covering them with his hands.

Herbert, completely done with this, stomps on one of the tall man’s feet, making the man let them both go.

The three friends glared at the tall man, feeling like they needed to fight.

But before anyone started to fight each other again, Marmalade cleared his throat again, getting all fours attention again.

“Well… let’s go inside.” Marmalade said, pointing in one direction.

The four were confused until they looked around to see that they were in front of the shop. The shop was a white building with dark curtains inside and a sign above the door that read “Marmalade’s”.

All five went inside, seeing the store was a little off but kind of welcoming.

The colors were all white with hints of gold all over as they entered the shop.

◇■

The four people looked around as they entered the shop.

The shop was dimly lit and there were interesting things inside.

There were some paintings of bees, some broken mirrors, skeleton skulls with some of their teeth removed, some dried up plants that look like they're used for herbs, some bug collections, some bottles of potions, and a lot of drawings of odd looking doors on the walls.

There was some music being played in the background.

Webs looked suspiciously at the place as Marmalade said to the four "Please sit down at the table."

Then Marmalade closed the door, making the room a bit darker.

The four customers looked around to see which table he meant until a spot light shined over a table and there were five chairs around it.

Four chairs were medium size and facing the fifth chair while the fifth chair was big and facing the four. There was a big red curtain behind the fifth chair.

While the four were distracted, Marmalade's Shadow took their sunglasses and coats, putting them in both coat rackets and head displays.

Marmalade leads the four to the table and to the seats.

“So… what do you do?” Webs asked as they all got seated.

“I help people with reachable dreams and wants.” Marmalade said as he got to his seat and sat down. “I also help my friends with getting new clients.”

The looks on the three friends' faces were completely filled with suspicion about it while the hitman had a serious look on his face.

“Now, let’s get to know each other and your futures.” Marmalade said, getting out some cards. “Just take three and I’ll show you four of your pasts, presents, and futures.”

They began looking at each other but then each took three cards to protect their future, present, and past.

Then Marmalade tapped on the table as if to say ‘now put them down’.

All four put their cards, which were facing down, on the table. Marmalade spread each card out on the table.

The first person he showed the three cards was Moe.

“You, young man, come from a long family business.” Marmalade said, flipping the past card.

It shows a family tree and in the center is a young man that looks like Moe.

"A shady one." Moe said as he remembered his father's business behind the scenes and under the public eye.

Marmalade nodded and had a hand over the present card. “I see. I also see that you are well known.” he said, flipping the present card.

It shows Moe in the spotlight and around a lot of people.

“But you’re also secretive about the real you.” Marmalade said, looking at the young man, who looked surprised.

Then Marmalade spins the card for a moment to reveal the card version of Moe in darkness with a man that almost looks like Herbert while people in the light of a Victorian window in silhouette form with champagne, having a good time.

“So you think that leaving would be a great idea, a fresh start.” Then Marmalade moved his hand in front of the card again to show both men out in the sunshine and in a field, both smiling.

Marmalade noticed that Moe was staring at the card and nodding.

"Papa got mad. Isn’t that right?" Marmalade asked, knowing that he hit a nerve point.

"Yeah. It’s sad but true…” Moe said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But I know for as long as I’m alive… He's not going to take me back… unless I tell him that I’ll go along with the engagement and marry Mary, which will NEVER happen."

"But you felt more like a coward to not listen to your father's request but it tied you down." Marmalade said. "You just want to be roaming free, running around one place to another with your true love. But freedom… takes time, money, and taking the chance.” Then Marmalade flipped the future card that shows Moe and Herbert holding each other close, smiling softly.

Moe smiled at the card as he held it.

The second person to show was Herbert.

“You have had a hard life.” Marmalade said, flipping the past card.

It shows Herbert as a child hugging himself as the dark shadows around him would mischievous white smiles and laughter.

Herbert looked down to not look at the card, not wanting to face the past again.

“You thought that your life meant nothing.” Marmalade continued, flipping the present card around to show the grown up Herbert still in darkness, still hugging himself. “But that all changed when you met him.” Then Marmalade picked up the card and blew on it like there was dust on it before setting it down on the table.

It now showed Herbert with a man that looked like Moe. However, there was a line representing the two social classes they were from. The left was all orange is Herberts as he was from the middle class and the right was all light blue was Moe as he was from the upper classes.

Herbert looked at that card as his face showed a softer side of him.

“It seems you're close to getting your happiness until someone tries to destroy it.” Marmalade said, his hand over the future card. “You gotta protect it to keep it and hold it tight.”

Then he flipped the future card, which revealed some sort of car with him and Moe driving to the sunset.

Herbert picked up the card and just stared at it, smiling softly.

The next was Webs.

“Now for you, sir- sorry- ma’am.” Marmalade started, a small smirk on his face.

Webs’ eyes almost became like flames of anger when he said that. "Not all girls have long hair!" Webs exclaimed angrily, pointing at her hair. "At least you didn't know about my past." She was still suspicious about this.

Marmalade still smiled at her and continued, “Of course. Again my apologies. But back to the cards. You didn’t fit in with everyone.”

Then he flipped the past card to show a little girl that almost looked like Webs, in her school uniform (mainly a girl's uniform) and long hair, being made fun of because of her style and personality, feeling uncomfortable in what she was wearing.

It almost looked like Herbert’s past card but it was very different, with both shadows representing both her family and even her society.

“You ran away from home and all of that at the age of 13 years old.” Marmalade continued, picking up the past card and doing a disappearing trick with it then to reveal it again.

On the card was a 13 year old Webs running away, with the outfit of an oversized black t-shirt and baggy cargo pants along with her backpack and headphones. It looked like she was catching a train.

Webs held herself.

“You felt that technology knew you better than any one.” Marmalade said, flipping the present card to show a grown up Webs on a computer.

"Well, technology has always been an escape route for me." Webs explained, looking at the card.

Moe and Herbert understood Webs.

“After years of surviving and getting your best knowledge, you help people who want to get away from their horrors. Like your two friends for example. But you want to do something more.” Marmalade continued, flipping the card to reveal her future to be a coding wiz.

Webs’ eyes lit up as she held the card.

The last one was Cuddles.

“For you, hitman, I see that you’re from a family of hunters.” Marmalade said, flipping the past card.

It shows a young version of Cuddles standing in an animal trophy room.

Cuddles nodded.

“But when hunting season is over, that’s when the struggling starts. Also, no one fully understands a mute. Isn’t that right, Cuddles?” Marmalade asked, looking at the thin man.

He flipped the present card to show a grown up Cuddles with shadow figures talking among themselves about him.

“Cuddles?” Moe, Herbert, and Webs said, trying to hold back a laugh.

Cuddles glared at them before looking at Marmalade, who was signaling for him to come over. Cuddles got up from his seat and walked over to him, kneeling down.

“However… there’s a you that you always wanted to be and I can help you with that.” Marmalade whispered to him as reveal the future card to Cuddles and himself.

It was Cuddles having all the riches he could ever want and the biggest hunt that he wanted while at the bottom of the card were Moe, Webs, and Herbert. Moe was in a wedding suit and looking sad, Webs in a dress that everyone expects her to wear and long hair with a fake smile and crying makeup, and Herbert in rags and cleaning the floor. All three looked miserable while he looked happy.

Cuddles held the card and a big smile appeared on his face.

Marmalade hummed softly and looked at everyone when all cards had been read.

All four had longing looks and looked like they were willing to do anything to grab it.

That made Marmalade smile at all four of them. “So… What do you all say?” Marmalade asked them. “Do we have a deal?”

◇

Moe, Webs, and Herbert were more suspicious about Marmalade but they could get them into a better life. They had to have a quick discussion first before agreeing.

“Give us a minute, please.” Moe said to Marmalade before the three had a quick huddle discussion.

"He seems promising but I don't know if we could do a deal." Herbert said, looking at the two.

“We got to take the chance. Because he knows our past and present lives, so our futures could happen.” Webs said. “Also, look at the Cuddles guy. He looks too happy about his card.”

Moe nodded in agreement.

“Look, we'll just do it quick and then we meet at Milton's at the exact time, ok?” Webs hissed at the two men.

"Fine, but it better not be a fraud!" Herbert growled.

The three broke up the huddle and looked at Marmalade, who was shaking Cuddles’ hand with one hand while his other hand was outstretched to them.

“Let’s put your hands over mine, just in case something happens.” Moe whispered to Webs and Herbert, who both nodded.

Moe had outstretched his hand to shake, with Herbert and Webs’ hands on top of his.

They shook his hand, which made Marmalade smile more darkly.

"Yessss." Marmalade said with a dark chuckle when they were done shaking hands.

Then everyone started to hear the beating of drums and the ground started to shake.

“Hey! What’s going on?!” Herbert shouted over the loud drumming.

The next thing that the four guests knew was that the drawings of strange doors on the walls were glowing different neon colors.

All of the sudden Moe, Herbert, and Webs were trapped in metal wrists and tied up to their seats.

"Hey! I knew it was a fraud!" Herbert shouted.

"We shouldn't make the deal!" Webs said.

"LET US GO!" Moe shouted as the three, try the set themselves free

“Fraud? Let you go? No no no.” Marmalade chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “I just want my friends to see their new clients!”

Then the curtain behind Marmalade’s chair went up to reveal five scary masks and all five appeared to be alive because they were blinking and smiling big.

Cuddles jumped back and fell over when seeing these things.

The biggest mask opened its mouth and there was a talisman, it was like a necklace but it had the shape of a hamster with a heart as its mouth.

Marmalade walked over and got the talisman out before going over to Moe.

Marmalade opened it a bit and it bit Moe by the finger, taking some blood from the fresh small wound.

"Ow!" Moe exclaimed in pain.

Marmalade didn’t mind as he closed the talisman and watched the heart glow up a bit, filling up to the top with the blood.

“You little-” Moe started as he was trying to break free but was cut off when three of the drawing doors opened and different colors started to spin around Moe, Herbert, and Webs.

Then the three friends started to painfully change forms from the colors. All three of them started to scream in pain as they changed.

Cuddles watched in terror at what was happening. Then he passed out from fear as the three friends passed out from pain.

Marmalade was smiling sinfully when the transformation was done. “I hope that you’re all satisfied.” he said to the four before shushing them.

Then he turned around and looked at the masks on the wall.

"Soon my friends, you'll be free, along with your people." Marmalade said to them. Then he smiled at them as the masks smiled back down at him.