Met Guard : Thanks for you tip about the adverbs ! Nice prediction by the way, and thank you. I like the way I depicted the characters too, except for Flurrie... I had no idea she had such an extravagant way of expressing herself before I looked for some references, so I feel like I didn't honour her. XD I'm glad you like Pauline and Bootler too. ^^
Thank you for your nice comment, and I really like your hypotheses ! ^^ They actually reminded me that I forgot to mention that I actually chose to hide clues throughout the story. Obscure clues, but hey, clues anyway. And don't worry, your review didn't look nit picky at all. I'd rather have an harsh but frank critic than a sweet but hypocritical one anyway. ^^
And we'll see if it's a female who goes home next time. XD
Ice Empoleon (1) : Too much drama ? Yeah, I think like you sometimes, I guess I went overboard. The thing is that I can't stop abruptly. Maybe I can weaken it though. I'll try to do that. ^^
About Jojora, you are right. Actually, for me she is a whiny brat who is somewhat harsh and forceful. But since she isn't a kid in this story, I kind of dropped the whiny/childlike personality. But you know, I was influenced by one of her line in the game which was something along the lines of : "You smelly plumbers just don't lnow when to give up?". As for Donkey, I don't know. I think he was in character, because well, he seems aggravated over the least significant detail. Like, someone steals his bananas and he beats them senseless.
For the question and exclamative marks, I changed it in this chapter. Actually, for us, the rules are to let a space before and after these punctuation signs : ":", "?", ";" and "!". Sorry for the inconvenience, I'll try to remember it for the next chapters. ^^
Well, for the question, I think you are right, but just for the infantile deaths. Because if you talk about suicide, the utterance applies. But now that I think about it, "Exams" could have also been an answer.
For the matter of the sexist Toad & Pauline, I didn't intend to make them look that way. When Pauline said that females were generally weaker than males, I thought it was true (morphogically speaking, of course), so she was just stating a fact. As for Toad, well, it was for the humor lol. When he said girls were too talkative while he was hogging everyone's screetime, it was a paradox. Additionally he was praising females in this big confessionals (yeah, he said that they would be smarter than him and outlast him, should they tie with him on an execution). I really didn't mean to offend anyone by that. Next time I'll be more careful about my wording. ^^'
Anyway, thanks for the comment + nice suspicions.
Ice Empoleon (2) : We'll see if you are right in the next chapter about Jojora or Flurrie leaving. ^^
Previously on the Mole, Jojora gathered Mario, Bootler, Pauline and Toad, and told them about her master plan. She wanted Flurrie to be executed as soon as possible, and that meant that she had to find the perfect innocent scapegoat to put all the blame on. She found it in the person of Bootler. Later during the day, during lunchtime, Monty Mole came up to the players and explained them that they would soon be competing in a Clue Hunt, mission which was used in the two previous seasons. Once again, Jojora ordered her little coalition around, and put herself in the best position she had ever been in during the entire game : she was controlling almost everything, thanks to her blackmail. Unfortunately for her, and fortunately for the three outsiders who are Noki, Flurrie and Birdo, the first one had overheard them talking about Flurrie's eviction, leading them to foment a plan on their own. Will this divided group be able to win the next challenge ?
First name : Birdo
Surname : Ribbon
Birthday : May 15
Job : Fashion Designer
First name : Bootler
Surname : Majordome
Birthday : September 6
Job : Butler
First name : Noki
Surname : Delphis
Birthday : August 7
Job : Air Hostess
First name : Toad
Surname : Phalloïde
Birthday : June 1
Job : Gardener
First name : Jojora
Surname : Teeheena
Birthday : December 27
Job : Sculptor
First name : Pauline
Surname : Celeste
Birthday : June 16
Job : Model
First name : Mario
Surname : Mario
Birthday : January 22
Job : Plumber
First name : Flurrie
Surname : Cumulia
Birthday : October 29
Job : Actress
10 : Further Division
It was ten in the morning. Bootler was already long awoken and was currently studying a rather interesting and puzzling note he found on the floor of his and Flurrie's bedroom. He arched an eyebrow, confused, and scanned the room to find if there was a clue which could tell him who sent this mysterious paper. However, there was nothing of the sort. Shrugging to himself, Bootler opened the door of his room carefully and slid out.
Bootler : Well, I have to say that I am mostly confused as to what this note could mean. The words 'I Know' were written on it in such a strange fashion that I have no idea as to who the sender of this slip of paper is. Trust me, I would really like to know it...
Bootler floated down the stairs without making any noise and carefully watched his surroundings. Jojora had told him and the three other members of her alliance to meet her near Gate Two, as there were used to. Upon arriving at the meeting point, he noticed that the four players were in a heated discussion.
"If I tell you that I have no idea, then I don't have any idea ! Is it too hard for you to understand?" asked Toad sarcastically.
"Come on, don't think I'm a fool. You're the only one here who wasn't particularly happy about our little 'arrangement' so it must be you who are responsible for slipping these notes under our rooms' doors. My guess is that you are trying to confuse us," explained Jojora.
"You know what? I'm tired of your bossiness! I've down nothing wrong as far as I know, but you still refuse to share the clue you found. Even if I was the most innocent being in the entire Earth, I'm sure you would find something to use against me just so I wouldn't get the clue! Well, that was nicely played, huh? I'm done with your coalition," Toad spat angrily, before leaving the place.
Toad : So okay, maybe it wasn't the best move I've ever made in the whole game, but you have to understand that I have nothing against Flurrie, that I've always found that it was unfair to her and that Jojora isn't the nicest person I've met. If I had to sum up what I want to tell her in two words, that would be : "SCREW YOU!". Thanks I needed that out. Ugh... And that just reminds me that I think she could be the Mole...
"Just remember that if you say one thing to Flurrie you become the next one out! Just saying," called out Jojora, wearing a smug smile on her lips.
Mario frowned. "You were too harsh. I expect you to apologize to him later." Pauline rolled her eyes.
"As if she would do that... If it weren't for the fact that you have the clue, I'd have already left this alliance a while ago. Just saying," she added, smiling.
Jojora shrugged. "We don't need him anyway, we have one strong man, one cultured man, one smart girl and...you in the team." Pauline was fuming.
Pauline : If I had had a purse, I would have smacked her face with it! Oh, but don't get me wrong, I'm usually sweet and peaceful. Just not with bratty little morons like her.
Mario : At first I thought Jojora was just moody, but now I'm not sure. What I know, however, is that I don't like her attitude. Unfortunately she has the clue, so I have to follow her, wherever that might lead me. I really think that once we're done with episode, it will be every man and woman for themselves.
Then, Bootler came from behind a big rock which was hiding him until now, and made his way toward the three remaining players. "Good morning everyone. I noticed that a piece of paper had been smuggled into my room when I woke up. Did you receive the same thing?"
Bootler : I was not going to enter their mind games. In the end, it is the most clever, observant and focused player who will win the game. I plan to win it so I wish to avoid confrontations at all cost.
Pauline was going to answer him, but Mario was faster. "Don't worry about it, it's nothing. Oh, and before you ask, Toad left the alliance. Hopefully that won't prevent us from eliminating Flurrie."
"I see..." Nobody said anything for a moment, so he carried on. "Well then, what shall we do today?"
"I'm glad that you asked. We'll do as planned. We'll give you the role which will make you seem suspicious. Plus you could win an exemption that way, so you should be happy with it, right?" offered Jojora.
"Yeah," nodded Mario. "Flurrie really thinks that you are the Mole after all. So you are our best choice. But don't do anything too drastic or else we might want to vote for you too."
Mario : I agreed to be part of Jojora's plan, because being in the majority is the best thing which can happen to me since I have no idea as to the Mole's identity. If we all agree to vote for someone, and if we happen to choose the wrong person, I'll be able to outlast one person because I will be faster than them. Oh, and then I will know that the person for whom I voted isn't the Mole, so I'll be able to form a coalition with them. That is, assuming nothing goes wrong.
…
After leaving Mario, Pauline and Jojora, Toad had walked into the center of Pipetown, which was full of activity, as usual. He wanted to breath fresh air and to be as far as possible from Jojora. Unbeknown to him, someone was following him from a little distance away. When he suddenly stopped in his tracks, this person joined him.
"Hi Toad!" chirped a voice he recognized. "Do you mind if I accompany you? I'm pretty bored this morning and a little lonely, since Birdo and Flurrie didn't want to go out of their rooms," Noki smiled.
Taken aback by her positive attitude, Toad only nodded. Noki continued, as they were walking toward the marketplace. "Wow... I can't believe it has only been a few day since we first began to play the game! It's more and more intense as it goes. Don't you think so ?"
"Yeah, tell me about it. I'd like it more if it was less stressful though. Unfortunately, it will only be worse from now on..."
Noki nodded. "Yes, but you still have to enjoy it to the maximum, because we are part of the ten lucky players who made it into the game!"
Toad considered this as he sat down on a public bench, with Noki following suit. "You know, at first I thought about it, I was truly ecstatic about entering one of my favorite show. It's after that I totally forgot how lucky I was. And now that you say it, I think I may have lost sight of my main objective..."
"What was it ?" inquired Noki, still smiling.
"To have fun," responded the mushroom, now smiling too. "Thanks Noki for making me feel better. From now on, if you need anything, just ask. I'd be happy to oblige."
Noki : My primary objective wasn't to befriend him, but I couldn't help it. He looked so distraught that I thought it was only natural to try and help him with his problems, whatever they were. And I'm glad I did.
Toad : I'm glad we have people like Noki in this show... That's why girls are better than boys, they are always here to comfort you when you need it. That aside I still suspect her.
…
Birdo and Flurrie were in room fourteen, discussing about their life in general while trying to look presentable enough. Both of them were looking at their own mirror – Flurrie had taken the one which was on her room – and applying make-up.
"Hey Flurrie, what was your goal when you chose to compete into this game?" asked the pink dinosaur, fixing her bow.
"Well, coming into this game, I wanted to experience new things. I like going on adventures when I'm not starring in a film. Since nobody asked me to play a character in their film, I guessed I could give this adventure a try. Did that answer your question?"
"Partly. What are you going to do with the money? Assuming that you win the game, of course," added Birdo hastily.
Flurrie stopped applying mascara to her long eyelashes. "Oh, so that's what you meant? Well, to be honest, I entered the game for that money. I may be an actress, but I don't have a regular income and there are people that I would like to help, but I don't have enough money for this. Do you know what a Puni is ?"
"Uh... No. What's that ?"
"Well, the Punies are adorable little beings I'm fond of. They live in the Great Tree of Boggly Woods. But recently, a humongous storm uprooted their tree, so they are now homeless. I let them into my house, but they can't live here forever. Not to mention there isn't enough space. I wish to win the money so I could have their home repaired. Or maybe making a new one who be more conceivable," supposed Flurrie.
Birdo : I had no idea Flurrie was here to win money for those Punies. Now that makes me look so selfish...
Flurrie : I really didn't want to tell Birdo, because I didn't want the others to think I was some sort of saint or something like that. Above all, I wanted to play a fair game.
…
The players had already eaten when Monty Mole came to ask them to follow him. They all went out of the hotel and walked toward the place where the gates were standing. This time, however, they entered Gate seven. Before entering another warp pipe, the host asked them a question.
"Okay, so once again, I will need you to choose your groups. I need one good driver, two persons who like to cause havoc, and five others who know how to work as a team. You have two minutes," he stated.
"Well, I personally think I should try to be a person who likes to cause havoc. Most of the time, when we are asked to choose our roles, they use some sort of reverse psychology assumption," declared Bootler.
"Well, why wouldn't you choose who comes with you?" suggested Mario.
Bootler nodded energetically. "How about you Toad?" Toad shrugged, but accepted nonetheless.
"Then we need to find a driver," reminded them the hero in red. "So... Who wants to do it?"
"Why wouldn't you take this role? I mean, it's not like it matters, right?" questioned Pauline.
Mario looked at her. "I'd rather be a team player. Flurrie, do you want to be our driver?"
"Sure, I see no harm in this," answered the collected voice of Flurrie.
"Cool! Then it's settled!" gladdened Mario. "Pauline, Jojora, Birdo, Noki and me as the teamwork group, Flurrie as the driver and Toad and Bootler as the havoc causers," he summed up.
Monty Mole nodded to them and gave them further instructions. "This time, you will have to wear costumes. Well, that's not news to you, so I won't tell you where they are since you already know it."
"Just great," whined Jojora. Monty Mole ignored her.
"Anyway... I'll meet you there. Be quick please." Monty Mole made his way to the warp pipe on which the number one was craved and disappeared from the players sight. Pauline was the first to follow him.
"C'mon guys, we don't have all day..." Most of them groaned, fearing the things they would have to wear.
Noki : The clothes they let at our disposal weren't that ugly, but pretty...how do I put it...unusual. Oh well, we were going to Pagoda Peak after all, so I guess it's good to wear what the trainees always wear. You know, that we we're totally immersed in their world. Even if doubt that they have Moles over there.
Mario : Actually, I'm glad they gave us good clothes for once. Yeah, I still remember the stupid clogs from mission three, as should the others.
…
When they emerged from the warp pipe, their eyes met a beautiful town, situated high above the clouds. Only a few of them were not surprised by that fact. Although pretty old, the houses were surprisingly pretty and had a picturesque charm about them. Above them was a mountain of granite standing high. And beyond this mountain was a floating island only linked to the peak by a ladder, island on which was situated an ancient temple.
Mario was the first one to wake up from his reverie. "Well, nothing has changed. It's more beautiful than ever."
Monty Mole was waiting for them near a cloud. He hopped on it and invited the players to do the same. They did, and the cloud slowly ascended toward the temple of Pagoda Peak.
Birdo : It was awesome. The only time I've been here, I didn't ride on a cloud like that. The Mole is...a fantastic game.
After a ten minute ride, they finally reached the very top of the mountain. They hopped off the cloud and began to walk toward the temple when Monty Mole interrupted them. "You can all go in except for Bootler and Toad with whom I need to speak for the first part of the challenge."
Toad and Bootler stayed while the others muttered good lucks and went inside the temple.
"Actually, I lied to them," Monty Mole revealed immediately. "There is no part to this challenge. You two will have a chance at winning an exemption at the price of twenty thousand coins."
"One of us or the two of us?" asked Toad.
"Well, it would be unfair to give an exemption to one of you and not to the other, so you will both win one if you can beat the others." Toad and Bootler looked at each other for a brief second. "Anyway, the goal of this mission is for the conductor to arrive at the bottom of the peak before the two of you. Additionally, the car Flurrie will ride in must be in perfect shape when it arrives. If it is dirty, the other five will have to wash it. However, if it is scratched, it's an automatic game over for the team and a victory for you."
"The concept is not that hard to understand," admitted Bootler, "but how are we supposed to reach the bottom of the peak before a person who drives a car? This is insane."
"You will only have to descend a small part of the mountain, obviously. Do you see this area near the town?" he besought, pointing to a circle-shaped place at the town's entrance. "That's the finish line."
Toad hesitated. "I'm not sure about that. I think Flurrie would beat us anyway." Monty Mole chuckled.
"Don't worry, for you will be able to depart before the other group." Bootler raised an objection.
"What is the point of letting us a small advantage? A car is faster than us. Also, what will do the group of five ?"
"Flurrie cannot leave the car," started Monty Mole, "so when she will have to face some troubles, Mario, Noki, Jojora, Birdo and Pauline will have to help her pass the obstacles. As for those obstacles, well, you will have set them up on your opponents' path. There are five electronic barriers that can be programmed thanks to a device next to them. All you have to do is to enter a code and to valid it, that's pretty easy, right? Well, the thing is that entering a code would only make the mission even more impossible to win, for the others at least. So before entering the code, you will have to write some sort of code so that the others will be able to deciphered it once they have reached the barrier. For the rest of the route, you will have to rely on your imagination to hinder their progress. You can use anything you find on the borders of the road, but you cannot steal things from stands or bystanders. Did you understand?" finally inquired Monty Mole. Bootler and Toad nodded, trying to remember everything the host had said. "You will have a ten minute head start and maybe more if the others are slow to understand this mission's explanations. On your mark...get set...GO!" shouted the host, giving them the opportunity to start.
Toad : I really thought this mission would be extremely hard, at least for Bootler and I. Since I don't know what the clue is because a certain person doesn't want me to have this information, I need the exemption.
…
Toad and Bootler quickly went down the ladder that linked the floating island to the mountain and began to run down the path. They noticed the shape of the car and remarked that it was not particularly small, so they could take advantage of that by spreading obstacles on the soil in a disordered manner.
"Hey Bootler, I see boxes of wood! Should we use them?" questioned the mushroom, running down the peak. Bootler shook his head.
"I think it is best if we make it to the first barrier first. That way, we will be sure to slow them down with a brain teaser. Then we could always use your suggestion, but I really think it is vital for us to reach the first barrier before Flurrie has a chance to pass us."
"If you say so," shrugged Toad. In a matter of minutes, the two of them reached the first barrier. "What do we do now?"
"Let me handle this, Toad." Bootler quickly went to the board and thought about a hard code. "Well, I guess we have no choice. I will write down a code that will have them think for a while," he addressed to Toad.
Bootler took a pen which was lying on the device, and wrote down a series of numbers and letters.
12345678
1234567abcdefg
misanthropically
He then went to the computer and found that it was rather easy to use. He entered himself the code which he thought would hold up the other group for enough time. During that time, Toad stood where he was, doing nothing. Bootler woke him up. "Toad, would you be so kind as to move those boxes over here, please? I think you could do the physical work while I think of new puzzles."
Toad nodded and moved the boxes near the portal. He then looked around and found tomatoes that he used as traps, hidden behind the boxes. "Well, that way we'll be sure that they have to move all of the boxes instead of ramming through them."
Bootler had already gone down another ladder situated next to a practicable road, probably designed for tourism. Toad followed him and saw another thing he could use : bamboos. He used a machete which was lying nearby and cut plenty of bamboos, thinking it could be useful. He then scattered it on the ground. "Toad, what are you doing?" boomed Bootler's voice.
"I'm coming!" he responded, keeping the machete with him.
Bootler saw Toad going down the ladder he had used just a moment before and nodded to himself. He floated past a gong which intrigued him and looked up. Their ten minute advantage was over, the next group was now listening to Monty Mole's instructions. Toad was a few feet behind him. "Hey Bootler, no need to worry. Continue without me, I think there's something I could use here."
Bootler nodded and made his way to the end of the road where he saw another ladder. Instead of taking it, this time around, he chose to follow the path designed for the car and then turned pale. An informative sign was telling him that he had only covered one fifth of the marked path. As to Toad, he had found a barrel of paint. He poured a part of its contents on the road and took the rest with him.
"Bootler, I have some paint! Where should I put it?" he asked low enough so that the others would not hear him.
"Really, paint?" asked an astonished Bootler. "Well, I have a plan, make haste and meet me at the next barrier!"
Toad ignored the other things which were disposed on the sides of the road and quickly caught up with Bootler who was almost arrived to the second electronic barrier. "So, what's the plan?"
"Rest easy my friend, let me handle the code first." Bootler thought for a minute and wrote something puzzling, as he had done before. Toad was looking at him, rather interested.
a=z-t ; b=z-t+1 ; c=z-t+2 ; etc...
Alphabetic
He entered the rather simple code and turned to Toad. "Now Toad, could you please pour the paint on this keyboard?"
Toad shrugged and did it, much to Bootler's enthusiasm. "Well, we should get going," noted Toad.
…
Ten minutes had passed since Toad and Bootler started the challenge. Monty Mole and the six other players came out of the temple, the former turning to them in the process. "Well, it's time for you to listen to the rules of mission six also called "Feet Versus Wheels". Toad and Bootler were offered a chance at winning an exemption at the cost of twenty thousand coins."
Pauline gasped, putting on her best act. "So wait, they didn't start their own challenge ten minutes ago but were actually given an advantage?"
"That's pretty much it," confirmed Monty Mole happily. "Their goal is to reach this area, at the other side of the town before Flurrie and her car. Flurrie cannot get out of her car, and it must be in tip-top shape at the end of the challenge, which means that you will have to wash it if it is dirty. However, if there's one scratch, it's game over for you."
Flurrie raised an eyebrow. "I am a good driver, so why do you think the car will be damaged?"
"Well, you see, Toad and Bootler were told to hinder you by any mean possible. Along the path you will have to follow are many things they could use to make your travel harder. Also, you might want to take a look below. There are a grand total of five electronic barriers, settled by your two other friends. Needless to say that you will have to resolve problems they created if you wish to pass through. Logically, they should have let you clues as to how you should be able to deactivate those obstacles. Oh, and you can't throw this challenge by damaging the car yourself. Consequences could be..."
"Desastrophic?" tried a smiling Flurrie. Monty Mole nodded.
"Mario, Pauline, Noki, Jojora and Birdo... You can't ride in Flurrie's car. You don't have to reach the finish line with Flurrie to win. You can't steal anything but as long as the locals are okay, you can borrow them things and with that, I'll let you go."
…
Flurrie was the first one to rush down the ladder to her car. She started the ignition and began to drive for a very short distance, where she saw that a barrier was blocking her way. "Hey guys, there's already one of those barriers! Hurry up!"
"Easy for you to say," spat Jojora venomously from behind. "You've got the car, not us."
Mario was the first one to arrive near the gate. He looked around and found what he thought was a set of instructions. "And what does that mean exactly?" he asked to no one in particular.
"Give me that!" ordered Jojora as she snatched the paper from Mario's hand. Her answer came seconds later. "No idea."
"Thanks for your precious help," ironically thanked Mario. "I think we need you Noki, wherever you might be." Noki's answer came immediately.
"What is it Mario?" she asked innocently. "Trouble with an enigma, I guess?"
"Your guess is mostly correct," he chuckled lightly. Jojora was annoyed.
"Knock it off, lovebirds. Birdo! Pauline! Couldn't you be faster than that? I mean come on, we're losing time in vain!" Flurrie rolled her eyes.
"Well, sorry your Obnoxiousness," apologized Pauline. "High heels were never designed for running." Birdo shook her head.
"Do I look like I was the best of my class in physical education?"
"Focus people!" came Flurrie's voice from behind.
Noki and Mario – and somewhat Jojora – paid their full attention to the instructions Bootler had let to them. Noki suddenly let out an exclamation. "I think I've got it! Look at the second line, there are seven letters and seven values. I think we just have to transpose this word in numbers."
"Really? I thought they would create something harder, you know?" stated Flurrie. Noki looked at her.
"Well, I don't have anything else, and since nobody wants to help, I think it's worth a try."
Mario looked offended. "Well, I would like to help, but I'm not sure my guess is right... Maybe they simply put the word we're looking for as a password ?" Jojora looked at him for a moment.
"Are you a dimwit? There's no way they did something like that." Noki pondered on Jojora's last statement.
"He did get us good once with his reverse psychology assumption... I guess it won't kill us to give it a try, at the very least."
Mario entered the password thanks to the keyboard, but the barrier did not bulge. "Oh well, we tried."
"There's something better than trying, Mario. That is called succeeding. That's what I want to do right now."
Birdo rolled her eyes. "We could succeed if you weren't that bossy and nagging." Jojora scoffed.
"You're one to talk."
"Could you please all shut up for a moment? Except for you Noki," asked Mario rather politely.
Noki tried her combination, but it did not work, unfortunately. At first, she thought she had entered it wrongly, but after a minute or two she realized what was her mistake. "Oh my, they sure were clever with it. I can't believe I missed that."
Pauline walked toward her, interested in what she was going to say. "So you mean you finally found the combination?"
"Yes, and I'll need your heads. Do you see the letters in 'misanthropically'? Most of the time, for codes, we use 'a' as one, 'b' as two, and the list goes on. But this time, Toad and Bootler decided to start with 'a' as eight and 'b' as nine. So you will have to help me, that way we will finish faster."
They all began to work on this problem, and soon enough, they came up with the following code : 20-16-26-8-21-27-15-25-22-23-16-10-8-19-19-32. Mario pressed the enter key and the barrier rose. The players cheered but then Jojora noticed that Toad and Bootler were almost at the middle of the course. "We should hurry. Go Flurrie! Step on the gas!"
Flurrie did as she was instructed, and while she was speeding in the distance, the others went down the ladder. Birdo moaned. "I'm tired and I want to rest. Can't you do that without me? Please?"
Pauline walked past her and bumped her on the shoulder. "I share your pain."
Below the two of them, Flurrie suddenly pushed the brake hard. Before her eyes was fresh paint. "Mmmh, guys? I'm not sure we can win."
Once again, a panting Mario was the first one to join her. "I see... Well, let me...try to see if it's wet or not..." He trudged toward the paint and put his shoe on the colored surface. To his surprise, nothing stayed on it. "It's good Flurrie, you can-wait. Wait wait wait! What is this...?" he inquired, pointing at the car's hood. "It's red and gooey... Tomato? Flurrie, did you hit something on your way down?"
Flurrie put her hand to her chin. "Not that I know of. I mean, Jojora, Birdo and Pauline had already moved the boxes of wood which were standing on my way, so..."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Use your gloves to remove it for heaven's sake! Pauline! Birdo! Come on, we have to get in front of the vehicle to clear its way!"
"Is that even allowed?" wondered Pauline.
Birdo shrugged. "I don't know, but you better not pique her majesty." Pauline laughed.
"Well, let's go girls! And Mario," quickly added Noki, after Mario had washed Flurrie's car. "We have a challenge to win!"