Chapter 3 A Long Wait

The Bridge was just as beautiful as Lemmy remembered it, if not more so. Every color popped out, every scent sent him over the moon. The walk down the Bridge was just as long as it normally was, but Lemmy couldn't help but feel that it was way too short by the time they finished. He never wanted to leave. He could stay here forever, sleep in the flower beds for all he cared.

"Can we go down the Bridge again?" Lemmy asked. He turned toward his older brother, jumping up and down in a fast-paced, overjoyed rhythm. "Can we?!"

Ludwig chuckled. "We've already been down it thrice!"

"That doesn't mean anything!" Lemmy protested. "I don't want to leave until I've soaked up every last sight that there is to see!"

Ludwig shook his head, a playful sparkle present in his eyes. "If that was your mindset, you should have brought a camera."

Lemmy stopped jumping up and down. "Huh." He put his hand to his chin. "I guess you're right." He giggled. "You came up with that idea in a flash!"

Ludwig snorted. "Bravo." He looked back down the Bridge, the colors of the flower petals reflected in his eyes. "I suppose that we can go down one more time. But as soon as we're done, I want to go get something to eat."

"Sounds like a plan!" Lemmy turned on his heel and bounced down the Bridge. Ludwig followed after him, with a kind of content smirk on his face.

This was nice. Not just because the blossoms were in full bloom, but also because Lemmy and Ludwig hadn't had a day out on the town in a while. And really, Sparksville was the perfect place to do it; crisp air, blue sky, attractive colors. Everything about this place was perfect. Lemmy wished that this day would never end.

Alas, they eventually got to the end of the Bridge of Flowers. Lemmy felt a little sad. Goodbye roses. Goodbye lilacs. Goodbye peonies and pansies and daisies. You will be sorely missed.

"Well," Ludwig said, a cheerful, proud expression on his face. "I think four times is more than enough." He looked down at Lemmy. "Is every sight fully soaked up yet?"

Lemmy sighed. "I guess so." His shoulders slumped.

Ludwig put his hand to his chin. "Hey." His eyes lit up with the idea that he had just cooked up. "Why don't we race each other to the nearest restaurant? Loser has to pay the tab."

Lemmy perked up. "You've got yourself a deal." He looked down the street and grinned wickedly. "Three two one GO!" He bolted off. There was no way that he would be responsible for paying for lunch.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Ludwig called after him. He put on a burst of speed.

…

Magnus walked down the sidewalk. He observed every last person who he passed. Some were little kids, either running down the street or riding down it while mounted to their bicycles. Some were elderly senior citizens, wobbling down the street with one hand firmly attached to a cane. Others were young adults, so absorbed in their own worries and own little worlds that they didn't even notice the magikoopa adorned in magenta.

Said magikoopa pressed his lips together in a firm line. None of these people struck him as the right type. He needed someone who was willing to provide the necessary care and love. That was the least that Aida deserved. She needed someone who would shower her with affection and empathy, provide her with the comfort she needed as what was left of her mind faded away. So far, none of the people he had passed gace Magnus that vibe.

That didn't mean he was going to stop looking though. He was a patient magikoopa; he had done this thirty times previously and therefore knew that it was best not to rush the process of searching. He could wait all day. He would if that was what was required.

So, he continued walking. He passed by a bunch of colorful people; a woman trying to stop her kid from throwing a tantrum on the sidewalk, a man selling hot dogs that apparently used fire and ice flower paste as condiments, and someone who had a long Gobblegut tattoo spiraling down their right arm. He had to admit, he did find the sight of these people very intriguing. He couldn't help but wonder about their stories, muse over why the kid was throwing a tantrum, why the koopa had that specific tattoo. Of course, he would never know the true answer. But in all honesty, that just made the wondering even more enjoyable.

It wasn't until Magnus reached the front door of a restaurant called Mixie's Kitchen that he finally stopped. Obviously, his search had turned up fruitless. So, that meant that he was going to have to use a different strategy. Instead of searching out the person he needed, he was going to wait for them to come to him. Sure, he had no idea how quickly that would happen. But he was willing to wait. He would wait into the early hours of the night if he had to. He would wait for Aida's sake.

He waited for about an hour, completely still in the spot where he stood. He fidgeted with his wand, twiddled his thumbs and bit his lip in an attempt to help the time feel like it was moving at a quicker pace. The smells from Mixie's Kitchen wafted out onto the street. He detected the scent of cheese, the aroma of basil and other herbs. His stomach growled a little, but he didn't go inside. He still had to wait.

And wait he did. Another hour passed. Then another. And another. Once the fifth hour passed, Magnus had to admit that he was growing impatient. He had stood in place for five hours, and he still hadn't found the person he was looking for. He could have walked into the restaurant, sat down, and eaten at least six meals by now!

Maybe this wasn't the best idea. Sure, he had made a promise to Aida, and despite the fact that she most likely wouldn't remember, that wouldn't shake away the guilt Magnus would feel after returning to her empty handed. But no one caught his eye. No one gave off the loving and caring vibe. He had stood outside the restaurant for almost half the day and had nothing to show for it.

He sighed. Might as well go into the restaurant. Where there was smoke there was fire, and the scent of melting cheese meant that there was some cheesy dreamy dish waiting for him on the other side of that door. He walked up the steps, imagining the types of food that would satisfy his hunger.

"I made it!"

Magnus turned. Just outside the restaurant, on the curb as a matter of fact, was a little koopa. Less than five feet tall, he had a mohawk that consisted of the three primary colors, and he had a smile that would make the stars look significantly less shiny.

"I can't believe I won!" He exclaimed in his high pitched voice. He laughed. "I sure hope Ludwig brought enough money to pay!" He jumped up and down, squeeing in delight.

Magnus blinked. Happy, bouncy, playful. All appealing traits, all characteristics that would certainly make someone like Aida happy. Grinning, Magnus walked up to the Koopa.

"Hi," he said.

The koopa turned and blinked. "Hi."

The magikoopa's grin grew bigger. "Young man, I am searching for a person who can perform a special job for me. Would you be interested?"

The koopa hesitated. "Umm…maybe. It depends on the job."

Magnus directed the koopa to the alley. "Come with me and I will explain it to you."