Hi Everyone... I'm going to be working to update more often... I've actually developed a schedule so I hope I'll be able to follow it... I'll post as often as I can... Thanks for reading...
Baldo
Disclaimer... I don't own any rites in the Darklands or the Koopa Academy but I wouldn't mind if Kamek was my teacher...
Day 133
Well my second day of class didn't prove anymore exciting. Once again the subject matter wasn't the problem; I learned the various parts and how to build a workable go kart. Huh… I wonder if this falls under Driver's Ed or Shop.
Unfortunately Master Kamek's teaching method appears to require a new approach. All seven of us had slumping heads. Our eighth member, Roy, still hasn't come to class yet. I guess as the oldest he must only need to attend one class or two… But why wouldn't he come now? I mean we're all in a different class at the same time.
"What class are you in, Master Morton," I asked while breaking for lunch.
"Ecownowmics," Morton shook his head. "Yo."
"Auto Shop I think. I'm learning about the different parts of go karts and how to build my own," I answered swallowing a spoonful of porridge.
"Whut yo' have westerday?"
"Wilderness Survival," I thought back. "Edible vegetation."
"T'at ain't Wildernwess t'at's Physicwal Weducation."
I cocked an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yep," he munched a Yoshi rib.
"How many more classes do you have until graduation?"
"Awe of um," Morton answered.
His response caught me off guard causing the spoonful of mush I ingested to go down the wrong pipe. Haha… pipe. "How come?"
"Kamek's teaching don't tend to like stick," Wendy entered our conversation. "We all have to take like the classes repeatedly until we pass them. Only like Ludwig read enough to past them but he like did that on his own."
"Roy too," I added when Morton nodded. "Why's he skipping class? Is he sick?"
"No. He's like just tired of failing the classes," Wendy sighed.
"Hasn't anyone brought this problem to King Koopa's or Master Kamek's attention Princess Wendy," I asked.
"Pwincess," Morton repeated loud enough for all the Kooplings to breakout in laughter.
Wendy turned away embarrassed. I guess she isn't called princess very often. "But Wendy's King Koopa's daughter, why shouldn't she be called princess," I defended.
The defense failed as Morton and the others laughed three times harder. "Awe Bawdo t'at's fwunny."
My body arched. I can't believe Morton used my nickname so casually. I looked around… I don't think anyone heard over the kooplings' laughter.
"Nobody brought it to like daddy's or Kamek's attention," Wendy answered my question. "Thanks for like not laughing."
"You're my king's daughter. I don't have a right to laugh Princess Wendy," I responded.
"Like stop calling me princess," she shot back.
"How should I address you," I thought a moment. "Would you prefer Madame or Lady Wendy?"
"Like just Wendy," she ordered.
"Impossible. I'm not one of your brothers. I'm a slave," I answered, "just a foot-."
"Not in here," Wendy interrupted. "Daddy like said to teach you like a koopling."
I thought about her response. Wendy was right but what if it makes me too lackadaisical outside the classroom? Will I be punished? Probably by Master Kamek… He'd probably think I'd be forgetting my place.
"I'll try Lady Wend-," I started but she shot me a look of such angry annoyance it prompted me to apologize. "Sorry force of habit, Wendy." That felt weird.
"That's like better," she barely replied before Master Kamek resumed classes.
Several hours passed while Master Kamek read from his text attempting to help me understand the proper way to remove the lug nuts while changing the tire. During that time I could barely register the information due to the boredom. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed away to wake up.
"Master Kamek," I raised my hand. The wizard continued his lecture as if I wasn't there. I repeated, "Master Kamek."
I drew the attention of both Morton and Wendy. They both looked at me as if I committed a travesty but still wisenheimer turtle carried on. I figured I might as well ask my question thinking maybe I'd get a response.
"Excuse me, Master Kamek, what's Bowser's Day," I asked commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
The Kooplings all broke out in a fit of laughter while Master Kamek stared at me with utter indifference. His face suggested that this was something I should already know. Heat radiated from my cheeks at not knowing. I added to my question.
"I'm still new to this world and don't know much," I said. "I keep meaning to ask King Koopa but…" I wanted to finish in a way to that would at least elicit a response from Master Kamek. "He just calls me a blockheaded footstool."
It kind of worked. Master Kamek smirked before half sighing as if he was wasting his time. "It's the day of his majesty's birth. All of the Darklandians are invited to enjoy a day's and night's worth of festivities in an exchange for a gift."
"Wow the whole kingdom celebrates," my question came out involuntarily receiving another condescending look from the teacher.
"It's like talking to a useless blockhead," Kamek snapped with a smirk. Uh oh… looks like I'm going to have a new nickname soon. "Yes, footstool except for slaves."
"Makes sense," I said. It did. I mean why would slaves get a day off? We're slaves. "When is the next Bowser Day?"
"There like isn't a set day," Wendy joined in the conversation. "It sorta like just sneaks up on you."
"Why," I asked drawing Morton in.
"King dad aweways says a difwent day," Morton informed. "It just hapwins."
Master Kamek elaborated, "It's celebrated whenever King Koopa feels like it's his birthday."
"What kind of gifts do you get a king," I directed at Kamek but drew a response from the other Kooplings.
"Doesn't matter," Wendy said. "It can be like anything homemade or bought."
"I built dad a TV," Iggy said.
"Really," I answered surprised.
"Yeah," Iggy reaffirmed. "He watches it every day."
'He does' I thought. 'When and where? I mean it's not like it's in our… I mean his room.'
"I gave my dad a high bouncer," Larry smiled. "He launched it into outer space."
I laughed picturing my king watching it disappear into the atmosphere. Weird my brain went in reverse imagining my king going tail over tin cups winding up to slam the rubber ball against the ground. I couldn't stop laughing.
"Ludwig like wrote daddy a symphony," Wendy said finishing depressed. "That's when daddy like ended the art class."
"That's enough back to class," Kamek interrupted. "And footstool detention for disrupting class."
"Yes Master Kamek," I smiled happily. Not because I got detention (truth is I was expecting that as I expected I would receive everyday) but because the whole class filled with life.
It wasn't long before the rest of the day finished and I had to serve my detention. Today Master Kamek had me… Sorry this is hard to stomach but he had me mop the classroom floor with my tongue.
It was a choice between allowing Master Kamek to use me as a footstool or clean the floor with my tongue. Since I made a promise to my king, I chose the floor. The filth and grime was disgusting and my little tongue took 5 or 6 hours to complete the task but I persevered. I wasn't going to betray my king.
Walking back to my king's chamber, I overheard several sentries… The Koopa Troopas and Boos said items were missing from the treasure boxes located around the castle. Apparently it's been happening ever since King Koopa defeated the Smithy gang after being driven from his castle.
I have to make a mental note to ask my king about that adventure sometime. When I finally got back to our room, I found it empty and locked again since the door wouldn't open and my king didn't answer from the other side.
I slid down against the door and spent my time reviewing my notes while waiting for King Koopa. I needed the distraction as my stomach started feeling queasy. At some point I must have fallen asleep again because I awoke in my king's chamber curled in my king's chair.
"Thank you my king," I turned toward the direction of the bed, "But you spoil this slave." I climbed down from the surprisingly comfortable stone cushion resuming my slumber in my rightful place on the floor.
Day 134-
I awoke and performed my normal routine a few minutes before King Koopa began to stir. The uneasiness in my stomach hasn't subsided but I tried ignoring it as much as I could. Kneeling on my hands and knees, I sparked up the conversation when my king approached with his paper.
"Thank you sire for carrying me into your room," I smiled.
King Koopa put his feet up and unfurled his paper. "Don't worry about it, footstool."
"My king… How come you set me in your chair," I asked. Last night was the first time I ever sat on his chair. Despite its rough stone appearance, the cushion was like floating on a cloud. "The floor is more than adequate for this piece of furniture."
"I was tired," King Koopa said from behind the paper. "I didn't want to stub my little piggies going to bed." He moved his right foot in front of my face flaring his toes.
I laughed. The stew inside my stomach began to churn. I don't think the grime from the classroom floor was agreeing with it. "Sire? May I have a mushroom? My tummy aches."
"Awe does your tummy wummy hurt, footstool," my king said sarcastically making us both laugh.
I felt my face flush as a small amount of gas escaped my lips. I'm not sure if it was from my ailment or using "tummy" to describe my stomach. Truth is I was a little embarrassed using baby talk in front of my king.
"Thank you sire," I accepted the fungus. My stomach felt much better after the first bite. The only struggle now would be getting the mushroom down. "How come you didn't wake me, sir?"
"I thought I'd give you time to adjust to your new scheduled. I remember how SLOW it took you to get to work on time," King Koopa lowered his paper. "You move like a turtle."
He elicited another laugh from me. During breakfast King Koopa ordered me a hot bowl of porridge and a cup of hot tea. He's really been acting like a parent looking after a sick child. I have to do something to thank him tonight. Maybe the massage.
"King Koopa, how are your dinners with Master Morton," I asked making him choke on a Yoshi sausage. "I've been meaning to ask but I hardly get to talk to you at night or in the morning." My king cleared his throat then just stared at me. "I'm sorry sire. I understand it's none of my business." I went back to my bowl of porridge.
"You're right footstool. I never told you," my king turned to his bed. "I'll tell you tonight before bed."
I smiled excitedly. "Yes sire." I have to stay awake tonight.
As usual whenever a student can't wait for the day to end, the school day drags on and on. Master Kamek's lecture today is about casting spells which requires an incantation until their practice becomes second nature. It was weird though. A strange noise drowned out the professor every time Kamek recited the incantation.
"Psst… Bawdo," Morton whispered. "Do yo' want ta twain today afword scwool?"
It has been a while since I spared my buddy. When I motioned to respond, Maser Kamek singled me out again.
"Footstool detention for talking," Master Kamek commanded singlehandedly kyboshing training with Mort.
"Yes Master Kamek," I turned to Morton when the wizard started lecturing again. I mouthed "sorry."
Today's detainment options were either let Kamek use me as a footstool or polish the statues. I was relieved that I didn't have to use my tongue this time but every time I thought I'd finished the wizard would coat each figure with a new coat of dust.
It was almost 9 o'clock by the time I returned to our room. I thought I was late again and missed my chance to talk to my king but it turns out King Koopa wasn't back yet.
Cleaning those statues was hard work and more exhausting than doing the floor. My eye lids shut once… twice… The day was over.