Chapter Text
7 minutes later ...
After several minutes of murmurs, hugs, and even more tears ... Cammy and Jed eventually parted, and turned to face the others.
"Everyone, this is my brother: Jed Love. He's the one who's been helping the boss organise our escape plan", the human chameleon said, proudly.
The aforementioned mechanic tipped his hat to the other crew members, receiving a chorus of casual hellos, and non-committal heys.
"And this, Jed ..." Cammy continued, as she led her brother over Jerry and Arabia. "This ... is Jerry Willis himself!"
The mechanic smiled wryly, and held his hand out ... wincing slightly as Jerry took it in a firm handshake.
"Mr Willis, I presume?" Jed said suavely, as he let go ... subtly massaging said hand afterwards.
"Pleasure to meet you. I heard a lot about you on the news." Jerry chuckled wryly, waving a hand airily at the building's doors.
"Well, you know how it is with one's 'fans' ... they follow you everywhere!" he quipped. "Anyway, it's nice to meet you too! It's good to have you on board, Jed!"
The serial killer chief then looked down at Arabia, who was now shyly trying to hide behind his legs.
"And this little darling down here is my daughter: Arabia Daisy Willis", Jerry said, reaching down to give her a reassuring pat on the back.
This seemed to encourage the little girl, who came out from behind her dad ... but didn't go too near Jed.
The aforementioned mechanic quickly decided to use a charm offensive, in light of Arabia's dad's sensitive temper.
"Glad to make your acquaintance, little lady", Jed said charmingly, taking off his hat and bowing to the little girl. "My regards to your little furry friend too!
"What's her name?" he added, pointing to the weasel doll in Arabia's arms. The little girl smiled and held her toy out for inspection.
"Willimeena ... Willimeena Weasel ..." Arabia whispered, as Jed 'solemnly' shook one of the doll's paws.
"Quite a cute name! I see she's taking after her old man then?" the mechanic drawled, giving Jerry a knowing wink.
Said serial killer chief chuckled wryly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Oh, absolutely. By the way ... how's that 'project' going?" Jerry asked, casually. "The one I commissioned from you?"
Jed's smile instantly faded a little, knowing exactly what the other man was referring to.
The mechanic chose his next words VERY carefully ... given what Cammy had told him of Jerry's temper.
"Going well, but unfortunately ... it'll take another month to complete, Mr Willis", Jed said, apologetically.
He hastened to explain, seeing a tic of annoyance appear under one of the other man's eyes.
"Being the mechanic of this poxy little town pays more than peanuts ... but it sure doesn't give me much time for other things."
The mechanic sighed, and then put a big smile on his face, as he walked over to the stack of boxes.
"I hope that this can make up for it though!" Jed quipped, starting to unpack the boxes.
Jerry, his crew, and Arabia all began to crowd around in interest, as each box was opened and unpacked.
Some of the boxes contained food (which was instantly appreciated by Gus!), while others contained various makeover products, and new clothes.
"I brought these clothes for y'all, and stuff to help you blend in", the mechanic explained, holding up a shirt for inspection.
"Sorry if they're a bit random. I only brought what I could find at short notice."
Jed smirked a little, as he saw some of the crew (Arty and Karl) gingerly inspecting the items.
"After all, you guys are all fugitives, aren't ya?" he said, pointedly. "You're gonna need them!"
With grateful looks, the escapees ate and drank ... and then set about changing their appearances!
Jed watched in amusement; as the visitors ducked into the nearby bathroom, and other rooms ... wondering how the makeovers would turn out!
———
Two hours later ...
In a matter of hours, Jerry & Co returned to the main hall, in ones and twos ... to show off their makeovers to Jed, and each other.
Gus ... had turned his black hair grey (with the use of white hair dye), shaved off his sideburns, and put on a pair of blue denim overalls.
Tito ... had chosen a multicoloured jacket and a straw sombrero for a new outfit, and seemed well pleased with it!
Cammy ... had decided to try out a new personal style. This included putting her mousy hair in ringlets, and wearing a leg-length pink skirt.
Sara ... had chosen a blue fairy-like outfit; which mimicked the one she'd worn in the past as a dance instructor.
The former teacher had also dyed her hair blue in streaks, which contrasted nicely with the blonde parts of it.
"Some people just can't leave the past behind, huh?"
The 'rather pointed' remark made Sara bridle with fury, as she whirled around to confront the perpetrator: Karl.
Karl, for the most part; had done a very basic makeover: cleaning himself up, putting on casual clothes, getting a simple shave etc.
Apart from the cosplay outfit though ... over the casual clothes. A KNIGHT cosplay outfit ... again.
It was more basic and smaller than the cosplayer's last one though ... just being a metal helmet with a red plume, and a belt with a plastic sword and scabbard.
"Can't leave the past behi—YOU'RE one to talk!" the former dancer retorted, glaring at Karl.
"Oh, I don't know ..." Ozzie drawls, as he walks over to the arguing duo.
The skinny man had done exactly the same makeover as Karl ... except wearing a red cap ... instead of armour.
"I think it rather suits her", Ozzie remarked, turning to look at the nearby pickpocket. "Don't you, Tito?"
Said man instantly grins and nods in agreement, looking Sara up and down.
"Si, Señorita Sarah looks divine ... just like a real fairy!" Tito said charmingly, his words having their desired effect on Sara.
"Yeah ... or a siren!" Ozzie agreed, watching the former dancer preen smugly in front of a put-off Karl.
Before the cosplayer could retort, Jerry Robert Willis made his appearance ... calmly walking out of the bathroom, with Arabia in tow.
Decades of being a professional photographer had made a big impression on Jerry ... that looking immaculate is the first step to success!
And so it was with his ... 'very thorough' makeover.
Jerry had trimmed and applied dark brown hair dye to his grey hair, shaved his moustache right down (with the greatest reluctance), and slipped on a casual, but fairly smart outfit.
The serial killer chief had also put on suspenders, and asked Arabia if he could wear her helicopter beanie.
Since it was too big for the child herself; Arabia had willingly agreed to the request.
The aforementioned little girl had changed her outfit too ... to a cute pink dress and two red hair bows.
Willimeena Weasel had gone through a similar change too.
Arty, though ... managed to outdo EVERYONE there with HIS makeover!
The toothy man had nipped outside at the beginning, with a bag of candles and a couple of paintbrushes.
After 10 mins, Tito and Ozzie went out to check on Arty ... only to find that the latter had completely vanished!
However ... just after Jerry and Arabia's new appearances were revealed; the doors suddenly opened ... and a strange man walked in!
Before the other escapees could say or do anything, the man held his hands up in a defensive, 'calm down' manner.
"Wait! Stop! It's me!" he spoke ... in a very familiar voice.
Dead silence fell, as Jerry and the rest of his crew's jaws all dropped in shock. Arabia just looked very curious.
"No way!" Cammy said in disbelief ... and was given an all-too-recognisable, toothy smile.
"YES WAY!" the man replied, smirking arrogantly at the others.
"A-ARTY?!!!" Everyone shouted, their expressions full of astonishment!
"But how—" Cammy protested.
"What—" Karl spluttered.
"Am I dreaming?" Tito mumbled, pinching himself a few times.
"Impossible ..." Sara breathed.
"Must be seeing things ..." Gus muttered.
"WHAT?!!!"
Ozzie's incoming yell perfectly described the all-in-all confusion in the room at present.
The new Arty nodded, turning around on the spot slowly ... as if he was a model at a show.
"Yeah!" the artist said, and then smiled sheepishly. "To tell the truth ... I kind of needed more than just a casual makeover."
Arty pointed down at his form as he spoke.
"You see, my previous body wasn't exactly inconspicuous ... with the tattoos, sharp teeth, and all."
The other members of Jerry's crew exchanged wry smiles, acknowledging the hard truth in that.
"So I figured that it was time for a change! This way, I have a whole new look ... and no one will be any wiser!"
Arty twisted the fabric of his newly-gotten sleeve, a flicker of distaste suddenly appearing on his stolen face.
"Found this homeless guy sleeping under a tree a couple of miles from this place. Looked like a real loser to me", the artist added. "Won't be missed, I'm sure."
Slowly getting over their surprise, Jerry & Co began to approach Arty, and look him over in wonder!
This was like something out of the cinema ... but REAL ... very, VERY real indeed!!
"Some 'makeover' I must say!" Ozzie remarked, in quiet awe.
"Yeah! It's so cool, Arty!" the slightly-egotistical Karl admitted.
"How on earth do you manage to do something as brilliant as that?" Sara inquired, and Cammy nodded with equal curiosity!
Gus and Arabia also looked intrigued to know the answer!
"Ah well, that's where the practice comes in, my dear!" Arty declared, turning to face Sara.
"I've had plenty of practice with this particular ritual, I assure you! Could do it with my eyes closed now!" he boasted, slipping an arm around Sara's shoulders.
Excited murmurs filled the air around them ... but Jerry remained oddly quiet. The serial killer chief was looking thoughtful, as well as smiling ... in a 'sneaky' way.
"Interesting ..." Jerry murmured, and then spoke louder.
"Arthur, could I please have a word with you in private?" he said, gesturing towards the bathroom.
"Sure thing, boss!" Arty replied, removing his arm from Sara's shoulders.
The two then stepped into the bathroom; one curious and interested, and the other one ... secretly scheming.