Hi Everyone... I'm working a couple side projects(original ideas) that maybe come the bases for fanfictions someday. Posts on this story maybe delayed... (I have this story at 86,200+ words) Holy Cow...
Disclaimer... Baldo how could you...
Night 323-
Today… Yes… Today was another fantastic day living in my king's castle. I know I'm just a footstool, a piece of furniture to my king, and a slave to everyone else but I enjoy my life in this world.
My king treated me to another feast this morning just like on the day when Kamek blatantly disregarded my king's orders refusing to take me on our class trip. Although thanks to Master Kamek, I ended up getting to spend the whole day with King Koopa and not as a slave or a footstool but as a pet or maybe dare I say one of his kids?
We watched Disney's Sleeping Beauty almost four times. Apparently, it wasn't just his favorite line but his favorite movie overall. He was taken aback when I admitted I didn't really like it after our first viewing so we watched it again.
I told him that I liked it better the 2nd time but he called my bluff (he knows when I'm lying) so he played it a 3rd time. Lucky for me, the rest of the class returned home just after the opening credits rolled through the 4th time. It bought me a stay of execution since he didn't want his kids knowing he watched cartoons.
"Why didn't you like the movie," King Koopa asked eating Yoshi steak and eggs.
"You'll think it's corny," I never really told him why I didn't like it.
"Was it the story?"
"No," I answered.
He thought a moment, "Was it the fairies?"
"No," I replied really hoping my king would stop prying.
He looked suspiciously, "Was it the sword fight?"
"No," I answered but even I felt my face betray me.
"What really," he asked disbelievingly. He went on despite my protest, "I thought you like the sword stuff."
"I do and I would love to learn to wield a real sword correctly," I said imagining myself as a full fledge knight.
My king stared intently at me. "Then why didn't you like Sleeping Beauty?"
I sighed. My king wasn't going to stop prying today. "The prince slain a dragon," I admitted. "It could send a slave the wrong kind of message."
"You sound like Kamek," King Koopa laughed.
"How could you like that," I asked defensively. "Isn't that like genocide or something to you?"
My king laughed harder. "I'm not a dragon, Footstool, I'm a turtle," he laughed.
"You're both fire breathing reptiles there go, a dragon," I countered.
"Well Maleficent was a fallen fairy," my king replied. "You're funny footstool," King Koopa commented when I conceded the point. "I'll walk you to class today."
En route to my classroom, King Koopa looked at me out of the corner of his eye then chuckled to himself the whole time. Our little exchange must have been lingering with him. However he stopped abruptly looking at me, "Are you excited about tomorrow Footstool?"
It was the other thing that happened when Master Kamek refused to allow me to accompany him on that trip. My king volunteered to take me to the museum personally. On this account, I owe my instructor a debt of gratitude.
"Absolutely my king, every moment I'm graced by your presence is a new moment of excitement," I know that was cornier than the reason I didn't like Sleeping Beauty but it was the truth (I still miss my king's company during dinner) and my king enjoys flattery.
I, also, know that King Koopa is… well… um… king. There is a very real chance that our trip to the museum together will probably be canceled. I'm trying hard not to get my hopes too high in case that happens.
My king smirked at my little comment then left me at door. I don't know if I should be honored that my king takes the time from his royal duties to walk me to class or that he doesn't stick around to say "Hi" to his kids. It sort of makes me feel special. Oh well it didn't matter.
Today… Yeah… Today was a good day being a royal footstool learning about my kingdom. Since Wendy's ballet, music class has been reinstituted. The once broken statue stood as majestically as all the others.
It had an image of King Koopa sort of wearing a tuxedo shell? I guess. This figure didn't wear shoes or pants but the soft underbelly shell was white and rippled around the waist just like a cummerbund. His back shell was black with black spikes. Instead of the usual spiked collar around his neck, it was replaced by a spiked bowtie.
I laughed at the statue everyday mainly because King Koopa's hair is parted and combed the same as Ludwig's (You know sort of eccentric). I suppose this image of my king inspired the recluse Koopling to become a conductor. The image even completed the look with King Koopa holding a thin wand raised in his hand in front of a music stand.
The best part of the reinstituted class is the sub-courses. It's not limited to music & symphonies but includes various dances, light show choreography, and even acting (which Mort's puppy dog face wins every time).
Today… Yep… Today was another fantastic day being a footstool in my king's keep. Morton and the other Kooplings really enjoy their field trip from those couple of days ago. They laugh and fight over which figurines best resembled King Koopa during lunch. There were gold statues, stone ones, a few made from marble, and even polished jewels.
Mort's favorite was a wax molding of King Koopa's likeness which as you may guess melted into a puddle considering the museums proximity to an active volcano and lava river. My favorite part of Mort's story is when he said, "I wiked it bwest cwause tats whut king dad wooks wike aftward I pwummel him dowing twaining." Then my buddy smiled evilly grinding his fist into his palm.
Today… Uh huh… Today was another fantastic day living in a life of force servitude in my king's castle. I once again managed to avoid getting detention from Master Kamek today. It was peculiar because a little after lunch time, our instructor received a letter from King Koopa then just fell silent for the remaining duration of class.
Today… Mm hmm… was another great day in my king's castle that's why I wasn't prepared for my king's return so early from dinner tonight. He entered the room turning his back to me. His head drooped while his clawed hand pressed against the door.
"Sire, is everything okay," I asked clearly seeing him troubled.
"We're not going to the museum tomorrow," King Koopa replied gruffly.
"Okay my king," I replied innocently. The king seemed caught off guard at my lack of rebuttal or push back. His hand continued pressing against the door but I saw his claws coil a little bit.
I hope he didn't think I'd hold this against him or anything. I mean I knew it was a possibility. He's the king. "I understand you're busy my king. You have a kingdom to run. That will always be more import-."
"Footstool," my king interrupted. His head turned ever so slightly over his shoulder. His eyes were red and not just his irises but the white portion too. Clearly something happened today. Something bad. "Loki's dead."
It didn't register right away but as I watched my king's body language while turning to face me it gradually sunk in. Both King Koopa and I remained silent each expecting the other to speak first. It was a stalemate until I opened my mouth only to close it again as a lump prevented my words from being uttered.
"Super Mario infiltrated the airship he was on. Using his tools, the plumber sabotaged the ship's engines," King Koopa explained answering the unspoken words in my throat.
He continued invoking his powers of telepathy satisfying my next unspoken question, "I know Loki was a paratroopa but he was struck by a piece of debris protecting the wolf losing his wings before the ship crashed.
"His brother, Luigi, did the same to the other airship. Thousands dead and only a handful of survivors," King Koopa informed. "Among those were Kol, the horse, and the wolf; they brought Loki's body back."
So Ed and Bain brought Loki home. I wonder why. Were they repaying a debt? Maybe a promise? Or had they all became close friends too? It reminded me of King Koopa's dream. "I'm glad they were able to be recruited."
"They were very brave and determined not to leave him behind," King Koopa answered. "They'll become true citizens of the Darklands."
I smiled then looked at the ground unsure whether my smile was an appropriate response. "Um, sire, is there going to be a memorial?"
"Yes, tomorrow," King Koopa answered. "For all the deceased."
"Sire, may I attend. I know I'm a slave but I want to pay Loki and his family my respects," I asked unsure if I'd be allowed or if his family would accept the respects of a human.
My king seemed surprised by my request. I tilted my head to lock eyes with him, "Please King Koopa let me say goodbye."
His eyes soften into an understanding and gentle gaze. "Yes, Footstool."
"Thank you my king," I replied moving in front of his chair.
"You have the next few nights off, Footstool," King Koopa commanded leaving the room.
"Thank you, sire," I whispered when the door shut unable to hold back the sadness filling my eyes.