Luigi paced up and down in an agitated manner, clad in a dress shirt and boxer shorts. Clothes were strewn on the bed and floor.
"One more day! One more day before I have to go to Mushroom City and my trial accommodation and I haven't anything to wear that fits! I'll be having to wear my coveralls at this rate!"
"Bro, calm down!" Mario intoned, trying to keep his diminishing patience out of his voice.
"What about your suit from our graduation from Mushroom High? That'll fit you now you've lost weight?"
"Tried it. And it's weight I've lost not height! The trousers are at half mast when I sit down. They look like they are still on a coathanger! So does the jacket!
"Damn. I'm sorry bro. Perhaps Toadette can help. She is a dab hand at sewing."
Luigi sighed.
"I've seen enough of the papers that all the press are gonna be there. I just don't want to look like a plumber who can't be bothered to make themselves presentable in front of the World Court. Anyway there are other things I've got to pack."
Mario took that as a gesture of dismissal and left Luigi to it.
Meanwhile at the Palace, Princess Peach was overseeing her own preparations and had recently come back from briefing Whit. T. who was to be Regent in her absence, since Toadsworth was accompanying her.
Her bags were packed and she breathed a sigh of relief that the Kingdom would be safe when she was away. She had to admit that a change from the grind of hearing compensation claims and asylum applications probably wasn't a bad thing. Still there was one appointment left today.
"Enter"
Nastasia entered the Princess' office accompanied by Toadessa.
"Nastasia, I trust that arrangements are satisfactory and you will be on your way soon to the trial. So why do you seek me?"
Nastasia looked nervous, with a hint of redness on her cheek.
"Your Grace. I...uh have something to disclose. But! It won't affect the trial. It's got nothing to do with that!"
"And so it should not. You know better than anyone that attempts to influence or intimidate witnesses will be taken very seriously."
"No! Please not like that!" A shiver of panic entered Nastasia's voice.
"On the light of the Stars I swear! It's...ah personal."
Princess Peach looked puzzled then gave an enigmatic smile.
"Toadessa, please leave us for now."
"Yes ma'am." Toadessa bowed and left the room.
"Your Grace, thank you. I appreciate the privacy. I'm...uh how do you put it, late."
Princess Peach leaned a little over her desk.
"What do you mean, late? Late for what? Out with it, for my time is precious. Is this to do with your asylum claim as they are on hold until the end of the trial as you and O'Chunks well know?"
"No, not that, but sort of with O'Chunks"
The penny dropped. Peach leaned back, a scowl spreading across her face
"Are you telling me your pregnant?!" Peach fought to keep her voice level.
Nastasia nodded, a look of terror on her face.
"Your Majesty it wasn't here! It was in Flipside! Ble-Blumiere's dead and we only have each other! One thing lead to another...Its always the third Wednesday each month since I was thirteen and...and..."
Nastasia started to sob.
Princess Peach found herself in a quandry. Despite Nastasia's role she could not bring herself to hate this woman weeping in front of her. She pulled out a hankerchief from her dress pockets.
"Here, dry your tears." She sat in sympathetic silence until Nastasia stopped weeping.
"You are right. It doesn't have anything to do with the trial. But may I ask: How?"
Nastasia blushed and giggled nervously.
"Umm, the normal way?" She caught sight of Peach's puzzled expression.
"Oh! You didn't mean that! Yes, I am like the Count, but I am as human as you are. We can breed with normal humans. My skin colour - That's the same blue like you have from the veins under your wrists. All that master race stuff is nonsense!"
"I see. But I must also ask: Why have you told me? You can't br more than 6 weeks at the most?"
Nastasia looke downcast.
"I am the last of my race. O'Chunks doesn't know yet, the guards have been scrupulous in carrying out your orders. I guess I want to tell someone. Anyone. I am your prisoner."
"I understand. If you wish then I will ensure that O'Chunks is informed."
"No please your Grace. I don't think it would be a good idea. I want to wait until after.
Thank you your Grace."
"Toadessa, please escort Nastasia back to her room."
-
Luigi awoke after a fitful night's sleep. Cursing, he realise he was still bereft of a smart suit. Transport had been arranged for him that evening.
No point in staying in bed, might look around the garden. He swung out of bed and pulled his dressing gown on. On opening the front door he found a parcel. It was simply addressed:
To Luigi
From a Friend.
He picked it up. It was about the size of a largish cushion and was flexible. Cautiously, he tore open a corner of the package, revealing some tissue paper underneath. Satisfied that it was harmless he carried it in to the house. It was too early to disturb his brother.
He opened the package on his bed. It consisted of a formal jacket, trousers and matching vest along with two shirts of fine cotton and a tie. The tie was dark green with a elaborate self-pattern, which reminded Luigi of some of the geometric tiles he'd seen in Sarasaland. The suit was made of a fine, medium weight fabric of a dark grey green that was almost black at some angles. There was the faintest hint of sheen which made Luigi think that there was silk in the fabric. Also included were a pair of men's dress shoes in black, which were a perfect fit for his long, narrow feet, and several pairs of black silk socks.
Luigi put the suit on and looked in the mirror. While it would not solve all problems, this gift would solve the most recent one. Whoever had sent it had thoughtfully included suspenders, since it had clearly been made to measure. The vest still sat right after he had adjusted it, and the shirt felt crisp agwinst his skin. But who had sent it?.
His thoughts were brought to an abrupt stop when Mario entered his bedroom bearing a mug of milky coffee.
"Morning Weege, here is your MAMMA MIA! Where did you get that! THAT is what I call a suit!"
"I don't know." Luigi showed Mario the parcel label. It had been typed not hand written.
"Was it the Sprixies? I don't think it was the Toads - I've only seen that sort of stuff in the designer shops in Diamond City! But whatever bro. I think it means you have some powerful friends you don't know about."
"Yeah, I hope so." Luigi smiled but couldn't help think: Is someone setting me up for a fall?
