Hi Everyone... Sorry about the delay. I wish I could say it's because I was writing journal entry after entry on this story but it's just laziness. I hope you enjoy anyway. We're a little over 13,000 views so thank you.
Disclaimer... Hurry up Nintendo... Make Mario Battlefront so King Koopa can finally conquer the Mushroom Kingdom... Oh go team Koopa!
Night 383-
Thank you yucky fungi! With their help I've been able to "listen" to almost all of Ludwig Von Koopa's symphonies. I only have 3 more to go… I hope… Not that I haven't gathered an appreciation for the baron's compositions but overall the combination of out of tune instruments and pitches really did a number on my ears.
The music (despite being horribly bad) had moments of potential. Unfortunately, those moments were few and far between. In an attempt to distract myself from the sounds of animal cruelty that would result in a call to P.I.T.A. sparking a unified anticruelty movement, I practiced my sword play. I, also, considered it a form of mind over matter and even subconsciously choreographing a fighting dance to his Symphony #8. (My sword scrapes across the floor to recreate the screeching elements).
Last training session, Master Jinx upgraded my solo practices to sparring against him. Eager to begin my next phase of swordsmanship, I accepted the new challenge. (Personally, I may have jumped the gun a bit). He is FAST!
Master Jinx hardened the left atop his head (Is he sure he isn't a Pocket Monster?) and attacked. Quickly my sensei showed he would only utilize a fraction of his strength by cutting my clothing and lightly splitting my skin underneath instead of fatally striking the massive openings I left.
Despite his magnificent speed, I was able to block his advances as the training progressed. Possibly impressing the warrior spotting a smile that quickly vanished. I credited my defensiveness to my boxing ability which I'm happy to say remained a mystery to my opponent.
However blocking was all that I could do. Master Jinx did not seem to leave himself open for counterstrikes. It's good I guess. This way I have to earn my victories and not be fooled into them by false hope. At this pace, my hands will definitely become as fast as Loki's but until then I appreciate that Master Jinx permits a mushroom after our sessions.
Putting in over 12 hours of training today, I returned to my king's room showering in an attempt to cool down then begin listening to Ludwig's Symphony #18. I decided to wait until the intermission before ordering dinner since my king usually doesn't return until after 10 o'clock.
Can you believe Ludwig continued accepting King Koopa's invitation since that 1st day? Truthfully, I didn't expect the "Kultured" Koopa (ha like what I did there… cultured with a "K") to become a regular at my king's table. Oh how awesome would it be to be a fly in that room? I'd be squished but man I bet they tell some fantastic stories. Maybe I'll be invited one day.
So engrossed in my thoughts (somehow blocking out Ludwig's work), I didn't notice King Koopa returned early from dinner until he kicked me. He looked angry and/or annoyed and this look was directed at me. Luckily his kick was more of a nudge so I'm assuming his anger is more of annoying throb… I hope.
"Good evening my king," I repositioned my headphones around my neck. "You're home early from dinner." I felt blood start trickling from my ears. "Is everything okay, sire? Did you stub your toe on your footstool?"
His mouth begun moving but nothing came out. He came to a stop staring expectantly at me for an answer. "What," I replied in a higher volume than usual.
King Koopa spoke again only to interrupt himself this time. The harden gaze softened a bit. He asked me another muffled question. I turned off the record player in an attempt to better understand my king. "What?"
He held up a clawed finger before turning toward his beloved Princess Toadstool table. He mouthed something to the table which I still could not make out. (Gulp… My head shifted to the record player. I hadn't even made it halfway through this symphony yet).
Looking back at my king, I saw his rage start boiling over once again. He shouted order after order toward the table. Each command went unanswered frustrating King Koopa more and more. Smoke billowed from my king's nostrils and dark clouds escaped from his mouth between each new unfulfilled command. Finally my king had enough.
"Wait… Wait… Sire," I shouted rushing in front of my king when he lifted the table over his head getting ready to throw it across the room. "I put earplugs in her ears."
"Earplugs," King Koopa questioned staring at me. Almost immediately his rage subsided.
"Yes, my king, please, put Princess Toadstool down," I pleaded happy that I could read his lips or I guess his beak. His majesty complied. Once the princess's feet were back on the ground, I removed the plugs.
My king directed a question toward the table (he appeared more calm than earlier). Xander must have heard his request this time as a brown capped mushroom appeared without hesitation. King Koopa handed me the fungus. I devoured the healing aid which restored my hearing instantly. I decided to start at the beginning.
"Hello my king. You're home early from dinner," I offered a smile. "Is everything alright? Did you stub your toe on your ill placed footstool?"
"Don't play innocent with me," King Koopa's eyes narrowed. Not as angrily as when he first arrived but they still convey the same displeasure from earlier. "You made deals with my kids to have dinner with me."
"Yes sire," I sighed knowing there was no use denying it.
The anger left his face replaced by hurt. Maybe he was hoping I denied it but it wouldn't have mattered. King Koopa knows when I'm lying. "So my kids didn't accept my invitations because they wanted too." He plopped in his chair.
"That's not true," I assumed my dutiful position. "I only asked them to have dinner with you once." I drew his gaze. "Every time they accepted since was because they wanted too."
"Really," he questioned.
"Yes sir. Your charisma that 1st dinner must have impressed them allot," I said feeling a little jealous. He used to share that charm with me. "Why did you return so early tonight sire?" My face lit up. "Did you miss your footstool?"
"No," he replied quickly. A bit too quickly if you ask me. He extinguished the brief light I found. "I came to chew you out for undermining my intentions.
"Why would you make deals with them in the first place," his question was wrapped in a growl.
I blushed a little. I didn't think I'd have to explain my reason but now that I do… I'm not sure why but it makes me feel embarrassed. Unfortunately, this isn't going to be something King Koopa would allow to go unanswered.
His true rage may have diminished but his anger was as present as ever. I understand why. I sort of hurt his pride. He was under the impression that his kids accepted his invitation because they wanted to but it basically happened from blackmail and/or closed door deals.
"I wanted to thank you," I answered honestly. Whatever feelings were infuriating King Koopa vanished instantly. "You've been so tolerant and lenient with me that I wanted away to repay you."
I wanted to keep my explanation as Masterly/Servantly as possible considering my king's distance lately. "Since slaves don't have money, I knew I couldn't buy you anything to show my appreciation."
"No money," King Koopa mumbled. His head turned to the clock by his bed.
"Yes sire but that didn't matter anyway," I drew his attention back to me. "Nothing store bought would have meant as much as getting the gift of family back." I was speaking more from my own personal loss. "So I made deals with Morton, Wendy, Roy, and Ludwig to have dinner with you one time sire. Although…
"I wasn't expecting them to accept your invitation every night," I admitted revealing a bit of my own frustration and envy. "I'm a little jealous they stole away our dinners together."
King Koopa stared at me appearing to process my answer. His face seemed a mix of understanding and maybe sorrow. "What were the deals," he demanded.
"I don't remember the ones made with Wendy, Morton, and Roy," I lied knowing that both Wendy and Morton could get in trouble and Roy's was just one of principle. "I asked them a long time ago. Ludwig's, however…"
I tried shifting gears hoping my king wouldn't see my poker tel. I think I got away with it. "I promised Ludwig I'd listen to each of his symphonies. I'm up to #18," I smiled. King Koopa's face remained stoic until his eyebrow rose looking at the headphones I left on the floor trying to prevent Princess Peach from flying.
"I couldn't find the volume button," I answered his unasked question. "I ordered headphones so Chef Xander wouldn't be subjected to the music."
"Why the earplugs," my king questioned.
"Chef Xander sent them with the 1st symphony. I wasn't sure if he thought you were in the room getting ready to torture me," I explained remembering the alternate use for the album. "As a extra precaution, I put them in Princess Toadstool's ears in case the music filtered through to the kitchen."
"Not many people consider the kitchen's feelings," King Koopa replied behind a smirk.
"Well I'm a footstool not a person," I replied back. "And Chef Xander makes the most delicious meals I've ever eaten," I laughed. "He's the only other Koopa besides you I don't want to be on the bad side of."
My king smiled. "Oh? More than Kamek?"
"Yes, sire. Chef Xander's magic in the kitchen far exceeds Master Kamek's ability," I replied hearing my king chuckle. "Besides, I'm always on Master Kamek's bad side."
"Have you eaten yet, Footstool," my king asked finishing his chuckle.
"No sire. I was going to wait until the intermission," I replied motioning toward the record player. King Koopa ordered two plates of ribs. I took my plate. "Thank you for gracing me with your presence tonight my king."
"You're welcome, Footstool," he responded.
I thought a moment. "Sire. Don't let me stop you from your family dinners," I drew his gaze. "As much as I want to dine with you, time with family is more important than with furniture."
King Koopa remained silent a couple minutes then placed the earplugs in the Toadstool table. Rising he approached the record player and removed the headphones. The symphony's scratches and violent yelps of torture flooded the chamber while we ate. I couldn't believe my king subjected himself to such pain along with me.
Day 385-
My king continued inviting his children to dinner despite the tantrum from a few days ago. I'm glad but still a bit jealous. King Koopa deserves time with his family and I'm grateful his children continued accepting. However would it be the end of the world if they said "No" every once and awhile.
"Whell of cwoarse Bawdy," Morton said during lunch. "King dad aweways has twantwums." Morton leaned close to me attempting to lower his voice to a whisper. "King dad evwhen apowhoagized."
"Like he sure did," Wendy interrupted drawing a surprise look from Morton. "You like ain't exactly like the whispering type."
"Yeah, dad's even having a go kart race on Saturday," Roy grinned joining our conversation. "I can't wait."
I smiled at the thought. "Can I watch?"
"Yeah, Baldo," Roy approved excitedly. The other 6 Kooplings present agreed.
"Awesome. What time's the race," I asked excitedly. I'm finally going to get to see why Loki hated them so much.
"10," Roy answered just as Master Kamek stepped forward to restart class.
I spent the rest of the day imagining the races. I'm looking forward to Saturday.