Thanks Roy and Cool for the kind words after the last chapter... I promise I won't wait a year between posts...
Disclaimer... I wonder if this really goes on in the lives of the Kooplings... Who knows... Wait.. Nintendo does...
Day 197-
Despite being a slave, I feel like I'm part of the Koopa family. It doesn't hurt having the respect or maybe even friendship from 3 of the 4 oldest Kooplings and Bowser Jr. I think the other three Larry, Lemmy, and Iggy respect me too or at the very least tolerate my presence in class.
Ever since Roy started attending class I've found my free time divided up among the oldest Kooplings. I ended up making time for Roy, Wendy, and Morton every 3 days. Every night I've had something to do except for Sunday and somehow made it back to King Koopa's chambers before the king.
Mondays and Thursdays I spent with Roy. These were the days we had our more "academic" oriented courses. During in class writing assignments, Jimmy randomly commanded me to stop talking or cheating as usual and as usual Master Kamek gave me detention even though my head was down. Truth was I've learned to tune the fungus out. I don't even hear him yell anymore.
I think the instigation and resulting punishment bothered Roy. It was hard to tell for sure since his eyes were hidden behind his shades but on occasion his lip would curl. Around the 4th or 5th false accusation and punishment, Roy shocked the class coming to my defense.
"Footstool didn't do anything," he grumbled toward Kamek.
"My slave is not a liar," the instructor countered.
I saw Morton's eyes roll while performing a silent scoff even Wendy smiled disbelievingly. Roy continued his argument.
"He is too," Roy exclaimed. "He's had it out for Footstool ever since the arena. Tell him to stop."
'Since the arena? Has Roy really been paying attention that long,' I thought seeing Wendy and Morton both nodding in agreement. 'Have they all been paying attention to me that long?'
It wouldn't matter because Master Kamek's on Jimmy side and the fungus knew it. He stood off to the side of the room wearing a pair of white gloves barely covering an evil grin. Hmm… When did the fungus get and start wearing white gloves anyway?
"Well you can keep him company after class then," Kamek snapped returning to his lesson.
I'm not sure whether he did it because he wanted too or out of spite but Roy Koopa remained seated after the wizard dismissed the class. Kamek's face clearly had not expected the larger turtle to stay behind.
"What are you doing, Roy," he asked the Koopling.
"Footstool's helping me catch up," Roy adjusted his shades.
"But he's failing," Kamek scoffed in my direction. "I don't know how a piece of furniture is going to help you."
"I'll take my chances," Roy moved into Wendy's desk.
Still trying to shake the shock from the Koopling's uncharacteristic and selfless behavior, the wizard only assigned me light cleaning duties for my punishment. Ever since that day, Roy remained behind every time I received detention.
Despite being our proctor, I believe Master Kamek's a bit frighten of Roy because his punishments have been consistently light cleaning that I was able to finish within an hour of the class ending. The best part is the room didn't automatically revert to the mess usually brought at the end of the school day.
Roy and I worked hard together. I did my best to answer and explain the course materials so far while wiping down the statues. The oldest turtle didn't hesitate asking questions or expressing his own theories and counterpoints. Needless to say he helped educate me as well. Often times we finished our current homework assignments those nights too.
Although, I still seemed to have trouble retaining and translating what I learned onto paper and in my projects. I continue failing my assignments while Roy passed despite having the same answers. I'm not sure why… Maybe I just have poor penmanship. Doesn't matter, footstools aren't educated anyway.
After detention, Roy offered to show me several passages and short cuts that only appear at night when I told him I didn't really know my way around the castle after dark. He even pointed out the door to Ludwig's room. Some awful scratching and tuning noises, polluted our ears, the sounds were reminiscent of alley cats starting families at night.
One night while walking with Roy, he invited me to hang out in his room for a little while. I accepted. It would be a good chance to get to know the Koopling and maybe get him to join his father for dinner sometime. It was only around 7, so his majesty would just be sitting down to dinner with Morton anyway.
"Wow," I gasped overwhelmed by the amount of neon invading my optical lobe (Did I used the term right?). I added after hearing the door click, "You really like pink."
The bedspread, curtains, and furniture upholstery blended the whole room. Black trim and gaps between the furniture and floor rippled the otherwise seamless pink room.
"It's red," the turtle responded moving to the bed.
I couldn't suppress a laugh while watching the Koopa put on a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. His toys though masculine were pink including a Yoshi doll.
"I'm sorry to tell you this Roy but the color's pink not red," I insisted. "There's nothing wrong with pink."
"I know but everyone laughs," Roy confessed, "It's easier to say it's red then beat them up to prove it."
"That's family," I told him with a smile. "Brothers and sisters make fun of each other and it's only natural to fight sometimes.
"Back on Earth when I was around 8 or 9, I got a "My Little Pony" for Christmas," Roy looked at me. "It was a yellow horse with a purplish-pink mane and tail.
"It was considered a girl's toy," I sighed. "There's video evidence somewhere of my brothers either using a telescope or building a spaceship out of "Legos" while I was looking into the camera brushing my little horse's hair." True story…
Roy grinned, "Really?"
"Yeah, my brothers teased me constantly and always reminded me of that video," I smiled at Roy still revealing a true story. "Joke's on them. Now I'm in a world full of multicolored animals. Some with pink hair."
The Koopling remained silent a couple minutes letting my story sink in. He grinned, "Thanks Footstool."
"Yeah," I nodded. "I better get to your dad's room."
"Listen Footstool, don't tell anyone I know it's pink," he trailed off his pink head turning red.
"I'll keep your secret if you promise to accept one of King Koopa's dinner invitations," I answered.
The turtle's sunglasses shifted down his beak and I saw his small black eyes. They looked more like dots on a piece of paper but no less full of life. I wonder if he's looking for some sign of a joke like King Koopa does.
"But dad's so uncool, what if somebody sees me," Roy replied sliding his shades back over his eyes.
"Please, just once," I begged, "And I'll keep your secret for life."
Roy sighed, "Okay but just one time."
"Thanks, Roy," I said leaving his room. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The next Koopling on my weekly scheduled was Wendy. Normally we spend Tuesday and Friday together. The female Koopa was forced to change her Thursday rehearsals to Friday due to my reoccurring detentions.
It was tough saying "No" to Morton's requests for training especially since we reviewed our notes during the fight but Princess Wendy didn't want her brothers to know about her Bowser Day present. She claimed it was because they wouldn't understand.
I believed her. Most boys don't get or really care for ballet and I was relieved by her decision. I didn't want to lose any of the respect I may have gained from them. Although, keeping the secret from them wasn't any easier.
After class, Morton asked, "Footstew, yo' want ta twain?"
"Sorry Master Morton," I used titles whenever I thought Master Kamek was within earshot. "I promised I'd help Princess Wendy today after class."
Most of the time, my buddy accepted my initial response without another word but every so often he comeback asking, "Fo' whut?"
"I promised I wouldn't tell but after I'm done I'll train with you whenever I get a chance," I knew I had to tell the Koopling the truth no matter how vague it was. Mort's gotten as good at reading my face as King Koopa. "I promise."
"Fine," Morton shot back upset before leaving.
Meeting Princess Wendy in a broom closet, the female Koopling followed through on my request for anonymity. She gave me a black mask with white see through eye holes, black 3 finger gloves, a pair of dance shoes, and a black leotard that covered my whole body including my arms and legs.
"I know like you only asked for a mask but like just your skin color would be enough to like give you away," Wendy snickered slipping in "Baldo."
The clever little minx… Um, can a turtle be a minx? Either way she was right. What good would a mask do if King Koopa could tell who I was just by looking at my human-like appendages… What do I mean human-like? They are human appendages and there are only 3 of humans that ever enter the Darklands.
Entering the ballet studio, the other members of Wendy's dance troop (all female Goomba, Birdos, and Koopa Troopa by the way), couldn't tell that I was human. I have to admit Wendy did a fantastic job with my costume. In an extra attempt for anonymity, Wendy even introduced me to the other members as Baldo.
Demonstrating why I was there, I won acceptance immediately while holding Wendy in the air for a full minute earning some "oohs" and "ahs" from the group.
The other dancers thanked "Baldo" and congratulated "Baldo" at the display of strength. Personally, I think it was more because that "pressure" was no longer on top of them (silent chuckle). It was as if some added weight was lifted right off their shoulders (more silent chuckling). Honestly it felt nice being addressed by my name, albeit my nickname, instead of as a piece of furniture.
"Wendy," I asked. "What's the story about?"
"It's a love story," she answered. I nodded as I assumed all ballet were love stories. Truth is I never actually seen a ballet before so I have no idea whether they're all love stories or not. "It starts…
"like with my daddy, you, rescuing Princess Toadstool, like me, from the clutches of like that evil plumber Mario," she pointed at a red and purple Birdo, "played by Magenta."
I had to hold my breath in order to stifle my laughter. According to King Koopa, he's the kidnapper not the rescuer. But that doesn't mean Wendy's version is any less true. Especially since King Koopa speaks of Princess Toadstool as his true love; I'm glad I didn't laugh.
"While the like villain passes through like worlds attempting to like steal her back. Daddy like sends an army to like each zone to like protect her," Wendy finished.
"Sounds like a great story," I was growing a little more nervous. I'm not a dancer and I have no idea how to convey a story through the art. "Are you sure you want me as a lead?"
"It has to be like you," Wendy replied. "I prefer you like be the villain but you're like the only person able to like carry me and is like willing to help."
I walked to the center of the room. "I'm not very graceful but I'll do my best. We better start practicing."
A grin widen across Wendy's face. Taking a deep breath, she ran into my arms commanding me to twirl. We spun around contorting unnaturally at first but after a few tries we executed the move flawlessly. A cheer erupted from the group when I set the Koopling down.
"That was like perfect," Wendy's eyes watered while she stared into my blank white ones. Luckily I was wearing a mask otherwise she would have seen my nervous smile and sweating forehead. Her eyes turned intense as she pulled away, "Again!"
My days with Mort, Wednesday and Saturday, felt the furthest apart. Feeling like I slated Morton since our time together drastically changed during the week, I gave my original friend my undivided attention all day Saturday. At least until he went to dinner with King Koopa anyway.
We made up for any lost time with some insanely intense matches. During our bouts, we practiced casting magic spells (something I still couldn't do outside of my room. I mean the king's room) and even tested the durability and versatility of his flex shell.
Avoiding being struck by each others' attacks became more of an art than a straight out slugfest. We both brought new moves into the fray. As of now Morton is the only Koopling having dinner with his majesty so, he still receives the private lessons from his dad. The turtle's punches still house a bit of a pop while thanks to Wendy's private recitals I've been able to dodge leading into counterattacks thanks to pirouetting.
My new elusive movements caught my buddy off guard sometimes frustrating the Koopa. Even my recoveries and breaths after absorbing his powerful attacks returned quicker allowing me to counter him blow for blow.
"Mort roll into a ball," I suggested dodge a kick and countering with a sweep to his planted leg.
While falling backward, the turtle complied avoiding any damage rolling. He returned upright ready to reengage. "T'anks Bawdy."
"Let's take a break," I asked relaxing my guard seeing Mort agree. I sipped some water from a thermos. "Nice job with the flex shell."
"T'anks. Wh'ere yo' wearn ta spwin?"
"From the project I'm helping Wendy on."
"She teachwin yo' ta fight," Morton questioned surprised.
"Not really," I smiled. I continued with a wink preempting Morton's next question, "That's all you're getting out of me."
Mort's head cocked to the side and he spat a tiny candle sized flame. "Fine," the turtle's attention returned to me staring goofily. "Whut?"
"You shot fire."
"Whut," Mort didn't believe me.
"It wasn't a big flame but it was something," I returned to the ring. "Let's make it bigger."
Morton joined me in the ring. We resumed our match fighting another hour before the turtle gave up out of frustration. We couldn't reproduce the fireball.
"Hey Mort," I treaded lightly. "I'm not going to be able to spar on Saturday." The turtle looked as if I just tore his heart out. I sighed tearing the rest of the bandage off at once. "I've got to help Wendy."
"But Bawdy," Morton complained releasing a little spitfire toward me involuntarily. The turtle smiled since confirming what I told him. "Fine. I'll sho' yo' a stwonger bwast next time."
That Saturday I left King Koopa's room working my way to the little broom closet where I changed into my costume becoming Baldo. I joined the others in the dance studio barely catching the female Koopling when a familiar voice spoke out from the doorway.
"Oh no, Bawdy," Morton said. "Whut are yo' dowing?"
I rubbed the back of my head. "I'm helping Wendy."
"Morton," Wendy stomped, "What are you doing here?"
"I fowhoa'd Bawdy," Mort started laughing hard. "He said yo' hewelp'em wit fighting."
Wendy's eyes watered. "She is," I answered then turning to my dance partner. "Sorry I wasn't more careful." I lowered to a whisper though I don't think Mort would have heard over his laughter anyway. "This might be a good thing." Wendy looked at me. "Just watch…
"Wendy is helping me work on some new fighting moves," I directed at Morton.
"Yo' just dancwing," he laughed.
"Fighting is a dance," I countered causing Mort's laughter to fall into a silent chuckle. That was a good sign; my buddy was willing to hear me out. "It increases a person's speed, agility, and balance." I saw I was about to lose his attention again, "Not to mention strength.
"Try and hit me if you think you can," I walked to the center of the room.
Morton knocked his fists together smirking, "Yo' funawool pal."
The turtle rushed me cocking his fist back. As his punch launched him forward, I quickly spun out of his way then lifted Morton over my head. Suspended I saw the look of shock spread across his face when I carried him around the room on my tip toes.
"How often have you been able to carry another Koopa around the room on your toes," I asked pulling down one of my arms. Nearly 10 seconds passed before I had to set my buddy down.
"Okay yo' win," Morton answered.
"We could use your help," I offered looking at Wendy. "It's a love story about King Koopa, Princess Toadstool, and Mario. Right now I'm King Koopa and Wendy's the princess but…
"If you play King Koopa," I turned and saw Magenta nodding her approval. I guess she's relieved not having to play villain or a man or a human. "I can play Mario and have a real life fight scene that I'm sure your dad will love," I said to both Wendy and Morton.
The two looked at each other sort of doubtful. I saw Morton struggling with the request, "Come on, It'll be the best way to increase your speed, agility, and your fireball. I'll even let you hit me with it."
"You can like shoot fire," Wendy was sold.
"Not weally," Mort sighed rubbing his neck. "Okay but I'm awful at memowizing wines."
"It's like a ballet," Wendy said. "There like aren't lines." Morton exhaled some relief. "Don't be like too happy, like the moves are going to be like 3 times harder."
"Bawdy whut kind of twouble did yo tawk me into," Morton cried as Wendy ran at him.
Sunday I do not leave my king's chambers. Instead I use the time to recover my strength and stamina from the week's intense training and dancing activities.
I, also, want to be available to my king. On some occasions, he takes the day off from being the ruler and he just spends the day listening to records with his feet up until dinner. It's just a pleasant way to spend the day.