Chapter 11 Different Interests

He did it. He actually did it. Ludwig managed to get to the entrance hall without fainting from embarrassment. Whoop dee freaking doo.

"Oh wow!" Larry said with a smile on his face and his hands on his hips. "You really attracted a crowd today, Lems!"

Ludwig's teeth chattered, his tail curled into a knot. "Yeah, it would appear that way." It seemed like every servant in the castle was present in some shape or form. They chattered away until one of them spotted him; Tailspin.

"Master Lemmy!" he exclaimed. "It's so great to see you."

Ludwig swallowed a lump. If he was called by Lemmy's name one more time, he would rip his brother's mohawk out right from the roots. "It's…great to be here."

"And you brought Larry and Roy too!" Tailspin grinned at Ludwig's two younger brothers. "Are you guys excited or what?"

"Well, if we were 'or what,' we wouldn't exactly be here, now would we?"

Tailspin laughed. "Good one!" He grabbed hold of Ludwig's hand. "Come on Master Lemmy; it's time to start."

It felt like Ludwig's heart stopped pumping. "WHAT? NOW?"

Tailspin sent him a puzzled look. "Yeah, now. When else would you do it?"

Ludwig pulled his hand out of Tailspin's grasp. "No. No no no. I can't do it now."

"Why not?"

"Uhh…I guess…I need to get ready?"

Tailspin examined Ludwig's outfit. "It looks like you're already ready."

Ludwig cringed, feeling so small in more ways than one. Thankfully, it was Roy of all people who came to the rescue.

"I think he means he needs to practice his acts just one more time."

Ludwig nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. "Yes! Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying." Maybe, if he was all alone while he was practicing, he could bolt out of here.

Tailspin's face fell into disappointment, but he nodded regardless. "Very well. We're all looking forward to when you're ready."

Ludwig snorted. "Well, I intend to deliver...something." A straight up lie, but one that could buy the soul swapped Koopaling some time. With that, he made his way into a separate room. He was just about to close and lock the door when Larry and Roy stopped it. Ludwig gave them an annoyed look as they stood blocking the door with grins on their faces.

"What do you want?" Ludwig asked.

"Can we watch you practice?"

"No!" With that. Ludwig closed the door. He let out a sigh of relief, turned around, and nearly jumped out of his shell. Roy and Larry had somehow managed to get into the room, with a bowl of popcorn no less. "How did you….?"

"Think we're gonna miss out on an opportunity like this, do ya?" Roy asked between chews.

"What, an opportunity to see me embarrass myself?" Ludwig grumbled under his breath.

Larry, who was completely oblivious to those mutters, laughed. "Come on Lemmy, we haven't seen you do your thing in forever. We're starving for entertainment." He reached into the bowl and chowed down on a fistful. "You can do it!"

Ludwig hesiated. How in the Mushroom World had he gotten into this mess? Oh yeah, that's right; Lemmy. He was going to kill him when he was finished with this. So gonna kill him.

Unfortunately, right now he didn't see any way out. So, he sighed.

"Very well."

…

Lemmy giggled, leaning over the desk as he did so. His hand was going at a million miles an hour as he brainstormed lyrics for a song. Despite the fact that writing was nearly impossible in his current state, he was still having the time of his life.

This wasn't going to be so bad. Really, it wasn't. Lemmy had observed Ludwig writing songs since the day he was born. He had even gone out of his way to educate himself on some of the techniques; all in the name of being able to bond with Ludwig. Getting the lyrics all set for this would be a piece of cake.

"And…there." Lemmy grinned in satisfaction and held the paper up so he could view it in its full glory. "My first real song." He laughed. "This is so going to wow those party guests." Right as he said that was when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in!"

Lemmy expected it to be Ludwig, coming in after finishing his performance. Surprisingly though, it was actually Wendy. She looked concerned, if the shine in her eyes and furrowed brow was any indication.

"Hey. I would have visited you sooner, but I had things to do." Her brow became even more furrowed. "How you feeling?"

Lemmy grinned. "I'm feeling great! I just finished writing a song!"

Wendy blinked. "Really? With you being forced to be confined to your rooms, I thought…"

Lemmy giggled. "There's nothing wrong! Everything is peachy keen."

Wendy looked shocked. "Well…okay." She looked around. "Where's Lemmy?"

Lemmy laughed. "I'm right here, silly!"

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Uh…what?"

It was then that Lemmy realized his little slip up. "Oh! I meant that he's performing for the servants.' He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I'm not Lemmy; no siree bob. I'm Ludwig, from the tips of my toes to the hairs on my head." He continued chuckling, much to Wendy's concern and confusion.

"Are you…sure you're alright?"

"Uh…yeah." Wanting to change the subject, he directed his attention down toward his song. "Do you want to hear what I have?"

Wendy blinked. "You'd be willing to do that? But I thought you didn't like showing people your work."

Lemmy shrugged. "I thought I'd try something different today."

"Well, okay." Lemmy took a seat on Ludwig's bed. "Let's hear your song."

Lemmy grinned, holding the paper up in front of his face. He cleared his throat and got to singing.

Happiness

Is making my muscles vibrate

It's such an amazing feeling

You could even call it…great!

.

I feel like I'll explode

And cover up the room

Hopefully when I do

I'll make the party boom!

.

With happiness!

Oh yeah!

With joyfulness!

Oh yeah!

.

With funkiness and gleefulness

And other types of fullness!

I will cover the room

With the greatest form

Of happiness!

Lemmy stopped and turned to Wendy, still smiling. However, his smile fell a little when he saw her very wide eyed face.

"What's wrong? Is it…bad?"

Wendy shook her head, wearing a smile. "No! It's…nice! Very different from what you usually do with your music!"

Lemmy breathed a sigh of relief and chortled. "I wanted to try something new!"

"Fair enough." She faced him, her eyes glimmering. She got up and came over to see the lyrics for herself. When she did, she gawked. "Holy man, what is wrong with your handwriting?"

Lemmy flushed in embarrassment and put the paper in his hammerspace. "Um...I'm...brain damaged?"

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Brain damaged?"

"Yeah, brain damaged; you heard me." He scratched the back of his head. "Can we change the subject?"

"Uh, sure," said Wendy, much to Lemmy's delight. "If you want, we can go down to the concert hall so you can find out what instruments to put it to."

Lemmy gasped. "For real! Oh, that would be great! Lead the way, Wendy!"

Wendy laughed. "Man, Ludwig, you're enthusiastic today." Regardless, she still got up and led the the way to the concert hall, all with Lemmy bouncing behind her.