Ten times Ten
021 - Friends
Prince Bowser is in the Playroom, laying on one of his many stuffed dolls. This time he is across the back of a purple-and-blue Yoshi doll that's as big as an Ankoopa! The Playroom used to be the Royal Nursery while he and Kamek and all those Troops were living in Dark Land territory on Yoshi Island. When it was finally settled that the Castle was safe for him to return to and there were no longer traitors in their midst, lots of people sent their ruler toys and fun things to welcome him home. People always give him things because he's the Prince.
So why does no one want to actually play with him?
Whenever he goes into a town or city and asks kids his age if they want to play, those that say yes are quickly pulled away by one of their parents. No one wants to upset the Prince and no one wants to hear that their child was responsible for an injury. Those that say no are also pulled away by a parent, scared that because their child said no that something will happen to them. Sometimes the kids act like they can't hear him asking. He knows they're faking but nothing he does gets their attention.
So no kids play with him.
Sometimes a Troop or nobleman pays him a visit when he's not busy doing boring royal stuff. The Troops are sent to play with him but the Prince can tell that most of them hate being there. The nobles always act nice but they keep asking for stuff in return. Big stuff that Kamek tells him have to be earned and never given. When he points this out the nobles get really angry and leave, sometimes taking whatever gift they brought with them.
It's stupid, really.
Bowser heard about the Mushroom Kingdom's queen having a baby. The baby is a pretty girl with bright blue eyes and a tuff of shiny golden hair. She's a lot younger than he is... two whole years younger... but maybe she will want to play with him.
Maybe... maybe she'll even like him.
Prince Bowser smiles at the thought. Lots of people welcomed him back home with gifts so maybe people would welcome her too even though she never went away. Maybe he should welcome her, too.