Hello... I never expected anyone to want to use one of my characters. Xavier you may use Loki in a Fan Fic you're writing.
Yoshi... I don't think the Mario crew are going to be anymore than reference in this one. The problem I'm having is I don't know whether to finish this diary before going into the story or write them at the same time...
Disclaimer... Nintendo owns King Koopa and his friends...
Day 50-
My king woke looking kind of disoriented as I gently caressed his feet. You know for living in a volcano King Koopas' feet got pretty cold during the night.
"Good morning sire," I offered a smile powering it through a yawn.
The king studied me a moment before responding. "That's enough footstool." I released my grip on his feet allowing him to get up and move around. He walked to the balcony to fetch his morning paper. When he returned to his chair he asked, "What part of that's enough didn't you understand?"
"Sire," I questioned confused from my hands and knees.
"I'm giving you the morning off," King Koopa settled back into his chair, "a reward for working so hard last night."
"All I did was lie on my back while you slept," I replied through another yawn. "It wasn't that hard. It's just part of my job."
It really wasn't any extra trouble. Supporting his weight was easy since I was flat against the floor. Now if he had fallen asleep while I was in my normal position, I don't think I would have held him the entire night.
King Koopa continued to ignore me from behind his paper. I didn't know what to do with myself. I mean if I'm not working what else should I be doing. Truthfully I kind of have to pee but the king told me I wasn't allowed with him in the room. I guess I could read or sleep. Scratch that I won't be able to sleep or concentrate until after I go to the bathroom.
I got up and wondered over to the tapestry. Staring at the family portrait, I remembered my idea from last night.
"Sire," I asked continuing when I heard his grunt. "Have you ever invited your kids to dinner?"
"Yeah, I order them every night," he answered from behind his paper. "But they never show."
"That's not the same thing," I laughed drawing his attention.
"It is too," he countered.
"My lord, nobody likes being ordered around," I responded trying not to laugh again.
He looked annoyed. I don't think he appreciates my laughing at him. "It's the same. I tell them I expect them for dinner at 7," King Koopa grumbled.
"But an invitation implies they have a choice," I reasoned. I continued when he started protesting. "Even though you send it with the expectation of them accepting, it still gives them the chance to say no."
"How's that any different than ordering them?"
I rolled my eyes trying to figure out the best way to explain it. "Sire ordering your kids to dinner makes it an obligation. Sending an invitation implies you want to have dinner with them and if they accept then that means they want to have dinner with you.
"Do you want to have dinner with your kids or do you feel obligated to have dinner with them," I asked staring into his red eyes.
King Koopa paused clearly thinking about it. "Want," he answered.
"Then I recommend inviting them to dinner," I reaffirmed.
"B-But what if they say no," King Koopa sounded like a father losing touch with his children.
"Well they probably will," I rubbed the back of my neck drawing his stare. "They'll probably think it's a trick or something. It might be awhile before they accept but my recommendation is to send an invitation every day until they say "Yes". Be persistent.
"Although, if all they do is decline your invitation, I'll be here," I smiled confidently and cheerfully. "I'm always honored to have dinner with my king."
King Koopa watched me for a couple minutes probably scanning my face for lies. He won't find it. I do enjoy spending time with my king.
"As you should feel, footstool," he said smugly not finding a tell. "Dinner with your king is a huge honor. You're lucky I've graced you with my presence every night since your arrival."
"Of course sire. Thank you," I laughed. "May I long for your presence tonight as well?" That was a nice way of saying I hope his kids dine with him instead, right?
"Agreed footstool," he responded without any anger or malice in his tone. I guess it was. He got ready and before I knew it he vanished into the corridor.
Once my king left, I hurried into to restroom. A heavy sigh mixed in with my relieved breathing as the golden stream drained into the well. A realization hit me.
If his kids accept his invitation then our special dinners will probably come to an end. It bothered me more than I thought. I think I even regretted the best wishes I bid him earlier. My words were sincere when I uttered them this morning but like I said I enjoy being in my king's company.
I know it's selfish but why can't I be. I mean King Koopa's the only person I get to talk to. The idea of shortening that time is disheartening.
Trying to shake off my anxiety, I dressed in my make shift weight suit and began my routine. I've gotten use to the weight and my muscles were solid but not bulging. It wasn't until my 600th lap that I heard my king's voice.
"What are you wearing footstool," King Koopa laughed.
"Weighted clothes," I responded smiling. "For power walking."
"You look like a B-Movie robot," he shot back. He added in a robot voice, "Take me to your leader."
I laughed more because his voice sounded like he had a sinus infection. I responded in my own nasally voice, "Does not compute."
"Oh great," King Koopa's eyes rolled. "A defective robot, too." I laughed. "Why are you wearing all the weights," he asked seeing the empty racks.
"It's the best way to build my strength, endurance, and stamina all at once," I smiled.
The king considered my response. "For me," he asked then added "How long" when I nodded.
"Since my 30th day, when you gave them to me," I answered. "But I maxed out. I'm able to move freely in them."
King Koopa walked over and picked me up one handed like I was a feather. Wow he's strong. "You're a little over a 1000 pounds."
"Sire is there anything you can do to help me out? I'm going to need more weight if I'm ever going to be able to support your strength," I stared him in the eye getting put back on the ground.
"Very well," my king pulled his magic scepter from his shell.
Waving the wand at me, my weights began to morph and change into different shapes. My sneakers transformed into a heavy set of brown boots. The weights tied to my shins and thighs changed into sultan style pants like Aladdin wore.
The poundage covering my hands and arms became oversized gauntlets while the weights tied around my head changed into a hooded cloak for traveling. Finally the spell ended with my "shell" transforming into an actual koopa troopa shell made of rock that protected my torso and back.
I stared wide eyed at my arms. "Sire May I look at myself in the bathroom mirror," I rushed to the bathroom when he nodded. I looked like a knight from medieval times minus the sword of course. "Wow," when I saw myself.
I returned to my king and bowed at his feet. "Thank you my king. Your benevolence knows no bounds."
"We're not done yet footstool. We still need to figure out the weight distribution," he said.
"Weight distribution?"
"How do your cloths feel right now," King Koopa asked.
I thought about it while doing some basic arm exercises and squats. "They're very comfortable."
"Exactly! You're not going to gain any muscle if you're comfortable," he rationalized lifting his wand. "How much weight should we add a day?"
"Add a day," my eyebrow furled.
"It's the same spell that I had cast on my princess table and on my shell. Their weight increase 100 pounds a day," King Koopa thumbed toward the table.
That explains why the table never got any lighter. Her weight kept increasing each day but that doesn't explain why I could lift her. Back on Earth I could only lift 100 pounds total. How can I lift 10 times that now?
"Sire how about a pound a day," I offered. I knew his answer before he responded.
"That's too light. I was thinking more along the lines of 100."
"But that's too heavy," I remembered dropping the table. "How about 5?"
"Bah, 50."
I laughed rolling my eyes. When did this turn into a negotiation? "How about 10 pounds apiece," I suggested. King Koopa seemed to ponder the proposal. "It'll keep my muscles from plateauing while not over exerting them. Plus, I'll still be able to move around if someone attacks the room."
King Koopa eyed me then laughed. "Fine 10 pounds a day will be added per piece," the king waved his wand to finalize it.
"Thank you my king," I bowed humbly. "You spoil this slave honoring his requests."
"And don't you forget it," he replied smugly.
I laughed. My king's a big old softy isn't he? I decided not to ask my other request. I didn't want to push the boundary of his generosity. Instead I decided to ask about our dinner options.
"Sire have any of your children accepted their invitations to dinner," I noticed my voice sounded a little depressed at the prospect of them saying "Yes."
"No," he smiled at my sigh of relief.
"Does that mean you'll grace me with your presence tonight," I followed up excitedly.
"Probably," King Koopa said. "Unless one of them says "Yes" in the meantime. I haven't heard from them either way."
His answer was a jab to the gut. 'So there's still a possibility, I'll be dining alone,' I thought. My concerns must have been all over my face because the king continued.
"I'll send word once I know," he grabbed the extra large text from the top shelf.
"Thank you sire," I said as he disappeared back into the hallway.
I know the probability is pretty high that I'll be eating with my king but I couldn't help wonder what proper etiquette would be if I didn't. I couldn't stop the series of questions floating around in my head…
…When would be a good time to eat without him? What if he forgets to tell me or if he tells me 2 minutes before returning? Would I be allowed to eat in front of him?
I mean he doesn't really have to tell me anything. He is the king after all. Why would he tell his footstool anything? Oh well no use worrying about it now I guess.