Chapter 2 here, on schedule. Oh, and just a little heads-up, I've packed a good bit of foreshadowing and hidden clues in the chapters before the murder, so always keep a look-out (even if the crime hasn't been committed yet).
And also, I'd just like to say that I'm probably not even going to post Chapter 3. All that happens is Mario and Luigi go to Peach's castle for lunch, and they talk about the trip. That's it. I'll acknowledge the lunch in Chapter 4 (which will now be chapter 3), and maybe write a few paragraphs about it, but I'd really rather take the boring chapter out (which, trust me, you're not missing anything).
So anyway, with that said, enjoy reading chapter 2. :P
Chapter 2-Before Lunch
And so Friday morning came upon the Mario bros much faster than they expected...to their disappointment. They could feel a long couple days ahead of them, and the last thing they needed was an early rise...especially if they were up late. But it was quick before they felt fully recovered from the day's opening, and within no time at all, they were bouncing off the walls as if they had just eaten a bowl of sugar.
Luigi had excused himself from the breakfast table to put a call in with Daisy. It was then he deemed it necessary to see if she'd be available to accompany them on the trip. Although he rendered it to be pretty useless to call her (assuming it was by far, too late to tell her about the vacation), he'd still do so, anyway.
While Luigi did that, Mario decided to go for a nice, leisurely, walk around the kingdom. Currently, at nine in the morning, the birds were chirping and the sun was shining dominantly. And as Mario patrolled around the streets, he couldn't help but to be acknowledged deeply for his notoriety. At least, he figured, some over-excited Toads weren't stalking him around town like the paparazzi...or, at least...he hoped not...
Turning the corner onto 'Shroom Drive, he could only wonder what wild events would occur next in his life. Indeed, he was referring to the ever-so-anticipated trip. But, after several hard moments of thinking, he decided to agree with himself that it would be for the best to assume entire pleasure and joy in the near future.
Unfortunately, Mario had 'the feeling'. It was the very feeling you got when you just knew something to be true...and, in this case, he just knew something out of the ordinary was going to happen. If only he could know what...
Upon turning down another block, Mario pushed whatever uneasy feelings he had for the trip aside, and just decided to enjoy the rest of his walk. He saw many friends, many fans, and many wannabes, all of whom congratulated Mario on being part of society.
On the other hand, it was starting to get old. Really, how many times can you hear yourself get bragged upon by every other being in the Mushroom Kingdom? Sure, it may sound great, but sometimes, you really find yourself wishing you were just an everyday person...or lived in some deserted beach house by the ocean where no one could bother you.
Back at the house, Luigi was just putting a call in with his girlfriend, the princess of Sarasaland, Daisy. After being put through to her, he said, "Hey, Daisy,"
The princess was somewhat startled to hear his voice. Somehow, she just didn't expect a call from Luigi at that very time...especially considering he usually had better things to do than call her...what a pity..., "L-luigi?"
The tone in her voice made her sound nervous and afraid. As she normally did not stutter in her sentences, it began to make Luigi wonder if something was truly wrong with her. Yet, all in all, it was simply because she was surprised and caught off-guard...no big deal..., "I have a question to ask you,"
He decided to cut to the chase and delay no longer, which Daisy respected. Being a princess meant for no wasted time, especially in the morning, when the day was fresh. Somehow this got Luigi to think that her powerful position in her kingdom would tamper with the outcome of his question, into the negative.
Luigi continued, "Tomorrow morning, Peach, my brother and I are heading back to Rougeport for a little reunion with some of Mario's friends. I'd just like to invite you to see if you'd like to come..." Hoping she'd reply with a cheery and excited 'yes', Luigi held his breathe in anxiety for her answer.
"Hmm..." She started, "For how long, would you say?"
Now it was Luigi's turn to get caught off-guard, "Uh-h...I'm not so sure. The invitation Mario received didn't say...but I'd assume for about two weeks, perhaps? A three day trip there, and then three more to get back...and about a week at Poshley Heights..."
Silence for a few moments, and then Daisy answered, sighing heavily before she spoke, "Well...two weeks...I'm not so sure...actually, I'm pretty sure I can't go...but, I'll tell you what: I'll try and get down there for a few days after you've arrived, alright?"
When at first Luigi fell into disheartenment, he now felt more pleased and satisfied with her answer. Yet it was not certain she'd still be able to go, just the possibility turned Luigi's frown very much upside down, "That's good...so how's everything down at the castle?"
"Ugh...I'd rather not say. The town is in an uproar over the kingdom's major bank getting robbed. But we're pretty sure we caught the right suspect, so there's really nothing to worry about...and besides, it was an easy case for the police, or so they claimed..."
Luigi smiled at the success of her kingdom, and, more importantly, Daisy's success at being a monarch. Even if the 'putting behind the bars' of the criminal wasn't her doing, she was the one that gave the police the authority to solve the case, "If only all mysteries were that easy..." And, indeed, Luigi was correct. If only...if only...
"Yeah..." Daisy said, "Do you want me to call you back later?"
Luigi shrugged, "Sure,"
After saying their love-bird good-byes, they both proceeded to hang up. Luigi sat, momentarily, on the couch, thinking over their conversation. He felt a little disappointed, but he realized Daisy was needed at her castle much more than she was needed at Poshley Heights...
Suddenly, the door opened, and Mario walked in. Done with his walk, and fifty compliments later, the red-capped plumber appeared at the door and took an exhausted seat in his arm chair. Luigi began to wonder whether or not to question if Mario had been practicing his running, judging by the fatigue of his movements.
"Daisy said she might be able to come...but...she's not sure yet," Luigi mumbled, glancing around the room and settling his focus on his brother.
Mario nodded, but didn't speak. Instead, he remained silent, the look on his face showing that he must have been engulfed in deep thought. And although it was none of his business, Luigi couldn't help but to wonder what the mind of the great Super Mario was pondering.
"Lots of foreshadowing and hidden clues"? Even in chapter two? Even in chapter two.
Stay tuned, chapter 3 comes tomorrow.
