Chapter 10, A Magikoopa's Evil Plan: Parakara was flying through the fields with Lily.
"Just curious Lily, what do you do since you're homeschooled?" Parakara asked.
"I have a few sessions with a private tutor. My schedule varies. Sometimes it's an math, science, geography, history, or language lesson. Afterwards we do an art or music lesson for fun. I like the music lessons, but I like it when we do clay for art. Ever made pottery? It's so fun when you spin the wheel. After my lessons I just do whatever I feel like doing."
"You have a private tutor?"
"Yeah, my parents are on the road somewhere most of the time. They don't homeschool me as much as they used to so they hired a tutor. Oh, have you ever met Lakilouie? I don't think you have. He's so sweet. He's my boyfriend." Lily said.
"You have a boyfriend?"
"Yep. And he's so handsome! He has a killer voice too! You should hear him sometime!"
"Huh...nice." Parakara replied, Lily frowned slightly thinking she should have kept her mouth shut when it came to Lakilouie...but she couldn't help herself. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I don't."
"Oh...I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"I thought I made you uncomfortable."
"No you didn't." Parakara said, Lily frowned again.
"I'm pretty sure I did," She said.
"No you didn't. Don't worry about it. It's nothing you did. Just a misunderstanding." Parakara tried to make it sound convincing, but she failed. Talking about guys made her a little uneasy. She was either bullied by guys or if there was one she liked, they never liked her back and end up mocking her.
"Do you want a boyfriend? I think Louie has some friends who are single. I can ask. I bet they would like you." Lily suggested.
"I guess..." Parakara said, Lily grinned happily.
"Great! I'll ask them if they want you to come hang out with us tonight, but I'm not sure how that would play into your plans..."
"I don't think I have any..."
"Okay! Perfect! We're going to spend the night watching movies, we usually watch horror films." Lily cupped Kara's face. "You are so pretty. There's no reason for you to be single." Parakara smiled shyly at the lakitu's words.
"Thank you..."
"You're welcome!" Lily smiled widely.
"So...you see magikoopas often here?"
"Oh you want to date a magikoopa? I don't know if Louie is friends with any. But I can ask that too."
"No, it has nothing to do with that. Before I left, my mom gave me a broom. Never got around to practice flying on it though."
"I can help with that! I don't know anything about flying on brooms. But it can't be that different from flying on a cloud. Where is the broom?" Lily asked.
"At home. But..." She used her magic to make it appear in her hands. "Here it is."
"Cool!" Lily admired the broom. "Let's ride on it!"
"Not sure how it works."
"Well the reason why only lakitus can ride on clouds because we're they only species of koopa that has magic to control clouds. Maybe that applies to magikoopas and brooms." Lily suggested. Parakara gets on it with Lily sitting behind her holding on to the broom tightly.
"Come on Parakara...fly." Parakara thought using her magic. The broom slowly lifted the two into the air.
"You're doing it! Go higher!" Lily encouraged. Parakara giggled happily at her friend's excitement as she made the broom fly higher into the sky. Suddenly the broom stopped. "What's going on?" Lily asked.
"Not sure..." Parakara said, she shrieked as the broom took off at full speed.
"Take control of the broom!" Lily shouts.
"How do I!?" Parakara shouts back.
"Just relax!"
"I can't!"
"You have to Kara!" Lily shouted. "Don't be afraid!"
Parakara closed her eyes tight trying to take control of the broom as fast as possible before falling to the ground. Suddenly the broom began slowing down.
"You did it! That was amazing Kara!" Lily yelled happily. Parakara opened her eyes, she looked back to see Lily smiling at her happily.
"Kara! Be careful!" Lily shouts seeing a tree in front of them. Parakara screamed as they both fall forward into the branches of the giant tree.
"Well this is humiliating." The paratroopa said as she tried to get out.
"I don't think it was that bad. I had a lot of falls when I was first starting to use my cloud." The lakitu carefully gets down. "Kara! Over here!" She said. Parakara gets down from the tree and flew over to Lakilily with her wings while holding her broom. Lakilily moved a rock aside and took out some tiny mushrooms.
"Mushrooms?" Parakara asked.
"They're not just any mushrooms. They give you the best experience of your life when you take one." Lakilily said.
"How do they?"
"It's hard to explain. They make you feel happier, like you're always floating in the air, and it makes the world seem more vibrant." The lakitu explained to the paratroopa.
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea..." Parakara said.
"Just try one."
"Do your parents know you take these?"
"Nope! They don't know what I do half of the time." Lakilily said. "I told you that they're busy most of the time. To tell you the truth...they kind of help a bit...whenever I miss them, I take one of these and things don't seem too bad anymore." She said. Parakara wasn't sure what to say about this. Lakilily was using mushrooms to cope with her loneliness. The paratroopa shook her head, not entirely convinced that this was okay.
"Look, these mushrooms will make you happy, and if you get upset with yourself later you'll still feel happy." Lakilily said.
"But you're not really happy though..."
"Maybe not. But at least you can feel that you are for a few hours." The lakitu placed a mushroom in the paratroopa's hand. "Taste it." She said. Parakara stares at the mushroom in her hand.
"This doesn't seem right!" She thought. But she wasn't sure what she should do. Walk away from Lily? But it's been a long time since she's seen her.
"Kara." Parakarry called. Parakara puts the mushroom in her skirt pocket when she heard him. Parakarry flew to her. "There you are Kara. Ready to go home?"
"I'm ready. Oh this is Lakilily." Parakara said.
"You're Parakarry! You helped save the flowers here from dying out!" She said. Parakarry chuckled.
"Yes, that's me." He said.
"You didn't tell me you had a hero for an uncle Kara!" Lakilily said.
"I didn't know myself until later." Parakara admits.
"Oh, well at least you know now. He helped rescue the flowers by clearing away the clouds that were being made by this horrible cloud machine. In fact, a lakitu who lives here was part of the cause, but he switched sides and became a hero himself. My parents made a song about the whole event." Lakilily explained. Parakara listened to her friend with interest.
Parakarry smiled at the mention of Lakilester. "Did you enjoy your evening today?" He asked Kara.
"I did...can I sleep over with Lily tonight?" Parakara asked.
"That's...quite of a short notice...but I don't see why not. But get to school on time tomorrow, and let me know advance whenever what to do these." Parakarry said.
"Will do." Parakara said.
"Now let's have dinner before I let you go okay?" Parakarry said to her. Parakara nodded. She told Lakilily "bye" before leaving.
At home Parakarry pulled out some frozen fish. "Do you like fish?"
"I love fish. Salmon is my favorite."
"Good. Unfortunately it's not salmon it's catfish."
"That's fine."
Parakarry was laughing a little as he placed the frozen fish in the sink to thaw.
"What are you laughing at uncle?"
"Thinking about this goomba kid who traveled with us. He hated fish. Down the line when a cheep cheep joined our party she gave him a hard time. She made him his first mate."
"She used to be a captain or something?"
"I would say so."
"How old was the goomba?" Parakara asked.
"He was younger than you. He was about twelve."
"Was there anyone around my age?"
"Not really. There was a koopa and a bob-omb. But they were around your brother's age before he died." Parakarry explained, Parakara nodded. "Hey, do you want to help with the fries?"
"Fish and chips?" Parakara asked.
"With green peas!" Parakarry smiled. Parakara giggled a bit and took out the bag of frozen fries. Parakarry poured oil into the pot.
"Wait until the oil is hot enough. We can put the fries in." He takes out the bag of frozen peas and carrots.
"You said with green peas." Parakara said.
"Green peas and orange carrots is too long to say." Parakarry jokes, Parakara giggles a little more.
"Find a pot and a colander. We'll steam them." Parakarry said, Parakara looks through the cabinets to find the items. She was finding it fun to help her uncle cook. She remembered when she used to have fun cooking with her mom. Nowadays they would just argue and yell each other over the smallest things. Measurements, the ingredients, the types of spices to use. She remembered when her mother threw a fit for her forgetting to put the walnuts in the banana bread before it baked. She couldn't remember the exact reason they started fighting over walnuts. They just started. Her mother then told her that she wouldn't have forgotten if she dropped her attitude. She pushed that memory away and gave her uncle the items.
"Thank you Kara. The oil should be ready. Do you know how to check it?"
"Put a wooden spoon in it. If it bubbles that means it's ready." Parakara answered. Parakara knew how to cook because of her mom. That was literally the only life skill she ever taught her. Aside from magic. If magic counted as a life skill.
"Alright then." Parakarry poured water into the pot and placed the colander on top. Then he opened the bag and poured the vegetables in, he gets a scoop of butter and put it in the vegetable to melt. Parakara poured the fries in the oil.
"Time to get the fish ready for frying." Parakarry said.
"Okay Uncle."
Parakarry took out a paper bag and poured flour and various spices into it. He placed the fish in the bag and shook it vigorously.
"Get the fries out Kara."
Parakara gets a slotted spoon and scooped them out. She sprinkled the fries with salt. Parakarry then placed the fish in the oil. Parakara waits as she watched her uncle fry the fish. Once the fish is finished, Parakara grabs some salt and pepper to sprinkle on them. The smell filled the entire kitchen.
"And we're done!" Parakarry smiled, handing Parakara the plate of fish that he cooked. He also handed her a slice of shroom cake he bought earlier. It was chocolate with rainbow sprinkles. Parakara scooped some fries and peas and carrots on to the plate. The two sat at the kitchen table enjoying their food.
"How long have you known Lily?" Parakarry asked.
"We were friends when we were little. We lost contact when I moved to Poshely Heights." Parakara explained, Parakarry nodded. "Uncle?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Is mushroom use bad?"
"I'm guessing you're not talking about the mushrooms you eat for food." Parakarry said.
"I'm not."
"It is, it can cause hallucinations and paranoia. If you use them long enough you may end up not telling what's real or not...why are you asking this?"
Parakara stopped eating her food for a moment. "No reason."
"You should be old enough to know not to use bad mushrooms." Parakarry said.
"I was just curious about the effects is all." She said.
"Okay...also using mushrooms is a crime. You commit a crime, you can't be a mail carrier. It's a government job." Parakarry said.
"I understand uncle."
"Kara...is there something you're not telling me?" Parakarry asked. Parakara picks up a piece of carrot with her fork and eats it.
"Kara?"
"There isn't."
"Don't lie to me Kara." He says sternly. He knew that he shouldn't push his niece but he couldn't help but feel something is wrong.
"Why do you think I'm not telling the truth?" Parakara asked.
"It's just you're asking me about mushrooms out of nowhere, and you said you want to learn how to be a mail carrier...there's also the fact I don't know a whole lot about you...I'm just worried about you." Parakarry said. Parakara just nods. She didn't know what she should tell him. Parakarry looked down at his lap and began fidgeting with his hands.
"Parakara...please...are you telling me the truth? Are you sure nothing is wrong?" He asked looking at her.
"Yes uncle." Parakara replied.
"If you ever have a problem or if something is bothering you, will you tell me?"
"I promise." Parakara said. Parakarry gave a nod deciding to trust her. "Uncle?"
"Yes Kara?" Parakarry said, Parakara pulled out her phone and played some rock music.
"What are you doing?"
"Showing you what music I like. You said you didn't know a whole lot about me." She smiled shyly.
"You like the same music my friend Lester likes."
"Who is Lester?" Parakara asked.
"His name is Lakilester, your friend Lily mentioned him earlier. He's the lakitu who once followed Huff N. Puff, but then he wanted to right his wrongs and joined us to help save Flower Fields and save Peach." Parakarry explained. Parakara had so many questions but she wasn't sure what to ask first.
"Did you have to fight your friend?" She finally asked.
"I did...it was a painful experience. I didn't want him to die, and I wasn't sure how I could live with myself if I did end up killing him." Parakarry said, Parakara nodded listening. She then played another song on her phone. It was an upbeat, cute, Japanese song. Parakarry listened smiling.
"Okay, I wouldn't mind you playing this in the house." He said. Parakara switched another song. It was a relaxing instrumental song.
"It makes you feel like you're on some island. I'm okay with you playing this as well. In fact I would love it if you do." Parakarry said. Parakara giggles turning off her phone.
"So your taste in music varies." Parakarry said, Parakara nodded smiling.
"What do you like, uncle?"
"Well...I like classical, jazz, country, anything relaxing. I do not like rock or hip hop. I just can't handle all that screeching, and it seems like hip hop artists do nothing but cuss every five seconds." Parakarry said. Parakara giggled at that, Parakarry smiled seeing his niece happy. "Do you have anything you like to do?"
"I like puzzles."
"What type of puzzles?"
"Jigsaw puzzles."
"Really? I bought a puzzle a while back. Never got around to doing it. Too bad you're going over to your friend's house after this."
"I can stay here."
"No, we can do the puzzle some other time. Besides I have something to do." Parakarry said.
"What is it?" Parakara asked.
"Just something." Parakarry finishes his meal. "Are you done eating?"
"I am."
"Okay, let's pack for your sleep over." Parakarry grabbed the plates and carried them to the sink. He then went upstairs with Parakara to help her gather some things.
"Okay, so you're going to need underwear, sleep wear, a school uniform, and a hairbrush." Parakarry said. Parakara began placing the things in a bag. Parakarry watches his niece pack. "Oh that reminds me. Wait here." Parakarry went downstairs. Parakara waits wondering what her uncle was going to do. Parakarry came back with a lava rock in his hands. "I found it while I was delivering mail. I found it strange how it still had it's glow but it's not warm at all." He said giving to her. Parakara takes it smiling. It had a pretty orange glow.
"It's pretty!" Parakara exclaimed holding onto it.
"I'm glad you like it." Parakarry said. "Now let's see what else you need to take." Parakara nods and placed the rock next to a wilting pink rose.
"When did you get a rose?" Parakarry asked.
"It was back when I first moved here. When I helped Minh T. with the flowers she gave me a pink rose. I haven't thrown it out yet." Parakara said.
"Okay, good. For a second I thought you really were dating Bobert." Parakarry said.
"Uncle." Parakara said.
"What?"
"He's gay." Parakara said, Parkarry blinked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that." He said, Parakara giggled.
"I'm joking uncle, I don't know if he is." She said, Parakarry laughed and ruffled Parakara's hair.
"You got me. Now let's get you some stuff to wash yourself with." He said, he headed down to the bathroom. Parakara followed him. Parakarry opened the cupboard and gave her soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, scale cream, deodorant, and hairspray. "That should be all you need. Here's a couple of towels just in case." He said giving the towels to her. Parakara took them smiling.
"Uncle, can you call me about the adventure?" Parakara asked.
"Not tonight sweetie. Like I said, I have something to do. I'll tell you the first part tomorrow."
"What is it that you have to do?"
"It's something."
"What's the something?"
"It's something personal Kara. Don't worry about it." Parakarry kissed her forehead. "Now go have fun." He said. Parakara smiled and waved goodbye. She flew out of the house. Parakarry flew into his room and pulled out a sheet of paper from his desk. He sat down and grabbed a pen. How was he going to do this?
Over at Twilight Town a magikoopa was looking at herself through the mirror on her jewelry armoire. She reminisced the days where she was so thin and beautiful. But the stress her good for nothing husband gave her caused her to lose her figure and beauty. The only joys that came out of her marriage were her children Parakaro and Parakara. She lost her son due to a medical condition. So all there was left was Parakara. She missed her daughter. She wanted to be with her so badly. She missed talking to her. Even though most of their conversations ended in arguments. She missed hearing her voice. Thinking about it made her heart ache. She ran her hand through her short blue hair. It used to be long like her daughter's, but she decided to cut it because it was difficult to maintain both hers and Parakara's hair. She began to wonder if she never cut her hair. Would she still look a little bit beautiful at least? Probably not. She'd more than likely look like some old witch. She went over to her desk and picked up her phone. It's been about two weeks and she still hasn't heard from Parakara. She tried calling her, she never picked up. Then she would try calling Parakarry and he wouldn't answer. She knew there wasn't a problem with her phone because she called her sisters all the time and they answered. Something is going on.
The house is currently quiet. Her husband was probably out spending coins on a lotto game. Or cheating on her, she didn't care. She stopped caring a long time ago. The reason why she stopped caring was simple; she didn't love him anymore. She couldn't remember when she has been in love with him. Marrying him was just a big mistake. All she wanted to be with right now was her daughter. She loved her with all of her heart and soul. Every ounce of it. She needed to hold her daughter, hear her adorable giggles, she wanted her baby girl. It's all she ever thought about ever since she moved to Toad Town.
She looked through her drawers and sighed sadly. No baby clothes, dresses, pajamas, or blankets. She lost all that stuff when she had to move out of Poshely Heights because of her husband's gambling. She lost all of the things that reminded her of her children. She lost all of her plants. Her husband gave them away without asking her. She loved those plants. He rationalized it by saying that they wouldn't have any room for the plants. She wanted use her magic to vaporize him after he said that. Because it was his fault they lost the house and had to move to a smaller place. Not to mention to a place that's dreary where it's only citizens were made of cloth on cotton! That thought made her push her drawer down. She magikoopa screamed out in pain and got on the floor. She hated having this condition. It made every single one of her nerves hurt. She couldn't lift, push, or even walk or stand for a few minuets without feeling pain. She couldn't remember when or what caused her to have this condition. She did know Kara blamed her for it because she helped her selfish sister and bratty nephew, instead of leaving her husband. Kara had never let her let it down. She wished Parakara would just forgive her already! She's been a good mother aside from that mistake. She was sure she has been! She worked her amp off to make a better life for her kids! She gave them love and attention! What more could someone want?! Nothing. That's what. She raised her kids better than her own husband did. It was all her husbands fault that their lives were ruined!
Kamala cried from the physical pain she was in and the thought of her family falling apart. She was certain her life was over. She had no job because her condition forced her to retire early. Her husband was rarely home, and her brother in law took away the only thing that made her life happy. Her beloved daughter. Her daughter who she adored. He took her from her. She knew she sent Kara to stay with him, but she didn't have much of a choice. If anyone had seen all of the boxes in her house, and how yellow the ceiling from her husbands smoking; Parakara would have been taken away for sure. Her family had gone from happiness to pain and Parakarter and Parakarry were the reasons why. The magikoopa looked up at the tobacco stained ceiling; hoping that the Star Spirits would show her the way out of this shell hole. But none did. Why were they ignoring her? She was the most kindest and selfless koopa ever! She knew she was. Even her mother told her that her kindness would be her biggest downfall. How she wished she listened to her back then. Because now she is suffering. Her life has turned into a horror story. Then it dawned on her, maybe she had one more chance at being happy, or at least being a part of her daughter's future. She needed to kill Karter and Karry.
But...she never killed anyone or anything before. Not even when she joined Koopa Troop. She knew her magic was powerful enough to kill someone; but she used her magic to heal rather than fight. A painful memory then came to her. She had her wand in her hand ready to kill Parakarter with her magic. He even pushed her to do so. He floated right in front of her telling her to kill him. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. This was all in front of Parakara. Parakara was mad at her for not doing it. She tried to explain to her that there would be a possibility that he would survive the attack; she would be in jail for attempted murder, and she would be in foster care. Parakara simply screamed at her that she would rather be in foster care than live with them. That memory broke Kamala. It made her wonder if she really failed as a mother. No. She didn't. Parakarter failed at being a father. They had everything and it was stolen from them by him. He was the reason for the way things are now. If only she had gotten rid of him then and there. But, she couldn't. All for what? To keep her child in her life, Now she's not here and that hurts badly. She wanted to feel whole again but that would be impossible with these horrible circumstances. There was no other hope. She had to get rid of Karter. That's what she wanted anyways. But killing someone isn't that easy, especially when it's you're husband. Whenever a spouse gets murdered nine times out of ten it's the other spouse that did it. She would get caught easily. But...what if she killed Karter and Karry together? They never had a good relationship. It'll just be written off as a confrontation going deadly wrong; and Parakara will be sent right back to where she belongs. With her mother.
There was a slight problem with that idea however...they both lived in different kingdoms. She was going to need to set up a situation to have the brothers meet. But how? There was also the fact she wasn't sure how she would feel about hurting Parakarry...she thought about all the times she played with him as a teenager. He even told her she was like a big sister to him. But he started this. He probably doesn't remember saying that anyway. She hears the door open. She sighs knowing exactly who it was. Her horrible husband Parakarter. She doesn't even turn around to face him.
"Hey Kamala." He says without much expression.
"Hello Karter." She said flatly in return. The paratroopa looked at his wife laying on the floor and sees that the dresser was pushed over. He guessed Kamala had another fit, he removed his shell and laid on the bed.
"Not going to help me up?"
"When I wake up. Had too much to drink." He said.
She didn't say anything. She didn't know what else to say. "YOU AMPHOLE!" She thought to herself. She wanted to scream, yell, cry, and throw things. She wanted to do anything but lay there on the floor. She watched her husband snore feeling nothing but anger and hatred towards him. If only she had her wand nearby. She was sure she would be able to kill him. Just because she hated him. That's what she would tell the authorities. She killed him because she hated him for ruining her life. She pulled herself up using the pushed down dresser, and stood herself up using a box nearby. The magikoopa then used her magic to bring her broom to her. If Parakarry wasn't going to tell her how Kara was, she will go see Kara herself.
Parakarry was at his desk looking at the letter he wrote for Bow. He was nervous about delivering it to her. What would she think of this letter? What if she didn't like it? What if she laughed at it? He noticed that his hands was shaking. He placed the letter down.
"Just relax Parakarry..." He thought to himself. He got up when he heard the sound of knocking. He went to answer wondering who it was. Parakarry opens the front door and sees Kamala. "Oh, hi Kamala. Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine. How is Parakara? I haven't heard from her." She said,
"She's doing great! She's not here right now though. She's sleeping over at a friend's house."
"Who is this friend?"
"A lakitu named Lakilily. She lives in Flower Fields." Parakarry said. Kamala thought about when Parakara made friends with a lakitu in Petalburg. That couldn't be the same lakitu could it?
"How long has she known her?"
"Parakara said they were friends when they were little. But lost contact when she moved to Poshley Heights." Parakarry answered. So it was the same lakitu.
"I see..." She said. After a bit of silence Parakarry attempts to break it.
"Do you want to see your daughter's room?" He asked her.
"I would love to see it." Kamala says to him, Parakarry smiled and leads her to the attic. He carefully pulled the stairs down and flew up the stairs. Kamala flew after him using her broom. She was amazed at the appearance of the room. Parakarry made it beautiful. She felt terrible that she thought about killing him.
"You did all this?"
"Well, I obviously had some help, but yes I did."
"This must've cost you a fortune."
"I'm still paying for it. I'll do anything for Kara though." Parakarry said to his niece's mother with a smile. Kamala looked at him. He had a nice smile. Then there was his bright blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. Thinking about it. He looked just like Karter. But more handsome and obviously a whole lot nicer. Of course Karter was handsome back in the day. But that was when he was working as a soldier for Bowser and didn't let himself go. Then another terrible idea came to her mind. Instead of killing Parakarry; what if she married him instead? He wouldn't have to die, and her life would look normal again. At least as normal as someone who once married the sibling of their in law and had kids with them. She just needed to find a spell to get her beauty back. Next, find a spell to make Parakarry fall in love with her. Last, find a spell to make him Parakara's father. It'll be like she never married Parakarter to begin with. They'll all be a family! Kamala had to make this plan work now. She'll be able to undo the mistake of helping her sister instead of divorcing her husband. Parakara will no longer resent her! Better yet she could find a spell to make Parakara forget that mistake or even forget her father for that matter. But she knew all those spells she thought of would be really hard to perform. They required a lot of magic, and really rare ingredients; and if Parakarry ever realizes he's under a love spell. The magic will wear off. What could she do then when he sees that she used magic to force him to marry her? She would have no choice but to kill him. But then what about Kara? Make her forget Parakarry as well? Perhaps she was just better off with her previous plan; yet at the same time she couldn't bring herself hurt Parakarry. Not after seeing what he did for her daughter...
"Kamala?" Parakarry asked. Kamala snapped out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Parakarry?"
"You've been quiet." He said.
"Oh, I was thinking..." Kamala looks around and sees a vase holding a single rose. "I was thinking if Kara had a boyfriend or not."
"Don't worry. She doesn't. A local gardener gave it to her for helping her plant flowers. She did say she's friends with a bob-omb named Bobert. If she says that's all they are, I'll take her word for it."
"How do you know she's telling you the truth?"
"I just have to trust her. If they start dating, I'll just have to trust she'll tell me." Parakarry answered.
"She's a teenager."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"You can't trust teenagers."
"She hasn't done anything to make me not trust her."
"That's because you don't know what teenage girls are capable of."
"Kamala, you of all people should know your daughter doesn't act like most teenage girls."
"What if he's cheating on her or trying to get her gravid? She needs an adult who not only cares for her; but to make sure she stays safe as well."
"Do you have any proof of this being true? I also said he's a bob-omb. I don't think he could get her gravid if he wanted to. Plus, if he has been cheating on her; she would be crying and showing clear signs of distress. I know you're worried about her; but you're sounding very ridiculous right now." Parakarry said with crossed arms. Kamala paused. Maybe he's right. She probably is overreacting. But she wasn't backing down. This was concerning Parakara after all. She didn't want her daughter to have the same fate as she did.
"There's always evidence."
"Well if you find any, then we'll talk. But for the time being, you need to trust me on this." Parakarry flew past Kamala and headed downstairs. Kamala followed behind. She saw a fluffy white creature napping on the floor. Kamala squinted and adjusted her glasses. That was the strangest chain chomp she ever saw. Personally, Kamala hated those things. Chain chomps are such feisty biters. When did Parakarry buy a chain chomp? Why hasn't he told her? She remembered one of Bowser's brats being so fond of those vile creatures. Which one was it? Iggy?
"That's Sugar. He lives up to his name. Never have I seen a chain chomp that looks like that." Parakarry said.
"Neither have I." Kamala said plainly. She thought all chain chomps were black and metallic like. Sugar gets up and moved toward Parakarry who bent down to pet his head. Sugar started licking the paratroopa's face making him chuckle. Sugar pants happily.
"Where did you get him?" Asked Kamala.
"We adopted him. I thought giving Kara a pet would be a great way to teach her responsibility."
"Out of all creatures, you gave her a chain chomp?" Kamala said.
"Why? You don't approve of his existence?" Parakarry said with a smile.
"No!" Kamala said, she then paused, embarrassed by the outburst. "I mean, chain chomps are just so feisty."
"He's gentle. Except with chew toys." Parakarry said. Sugar sniffs Kamala before letting out a low growl at her.
"Sugar." Parakarry said. Sugar huffs and turns away from her. He goes to nap somewhere else. "Oh did I mention? Parakara wants to be an apprentice mail carrier." Parakarry said with a bright smile. Kamala smiled back even though she wasn't happy with the news.
"Really? When does she start?" She asked.
"I'm going to talk to the postmaster tomorrow."
"But mail carriers don't make as much, and they have to carry heavy packages in extreme weather conditions."
"Every job has its hazards. Besides, I'll watch her while she's training. As for pay...I say it's better to do what you like doing for less rather than doing what you hate for more." Parakarry defends; Kamala wished she could agree with him. But after going through what she did with her husband. She thought financial stability was more important than anything. Plus her daughter is too bright to be something like a mail carrier. First he lets her daughter be around dangerous creatures, now he's not letting her daughter reach her full potential. She needed her daughter back home.
"Okay fine, but she better not get hurt." Said Kamala.
"Relax, she'll be safe."
"Good. How is school going for her by the way?"
"As I said, she made a friend, two actually now that I think about it. I haven't gotten a call from a teacher or the principal so I'm guessing she's not causing trouble. I can't say anything about her grades since she hasn't gotten a report card yet." Parakarry explained.
"Then how do you know she's doing well in school?"
"She just started Kamala. I don't know when the report card is going to come."
"Will you let me know when it does?"
"Yes. I will."
"Who's the other friend?"
"A gloomba named Arias."
"You're letting Kara be friends with sewer-dwelling species." Kamala said bluntly.
"It's better than having no friends." Parakarry said. Kamala frowned, why isn't Parakarry saying anything against it? Gloombas lived underground. They probably carried a lot of nasty diseases. Parasitizing everything they came into contact with. They also had no reason to be friendly. She didn't think gloombas were even capable of being friendly. Yet here Parakarry was willing to put her daughter in danger for the possibility of friendship.
"Parakarry, please tell me you're kidding. Gloombas are nasty."
"I mean, one of the teachers is a dark koopa, another is a spinia, and they have a blooper for a school counselor."
"And that makes them okay to be friends?"
"If the school allows sewer dwellers to be staff; maybe they deem the students to be harmless as well."
"I still think that sounds ridiculous."
"Look Kamala, it's not a matter of ridiculousness. It's a matter of tolerance. If accepting sewer dwellers is the worst that this school does, wouldn't that be a good thing? Better than being in a school near a city full of thieves and ruffians." Parakarry said, he was starting get tired of Kamala.
"It's not my fault Rougeport is the main city over there! Parakara did go to a school in Petalburg! Had once went to a private school in Poshley Heights! Then gosh digga your dumbamp brother lost our house!" Kamala yelled.
"Then why weren't you paying for the house Kamala?"
"I was paying the other bills! Plus I was a teacher! You thought I could afford that!?"
"Then why buy a house you couldn't afford!?" Parakarry yelled back.
"Because Parakarter said he'd pay for it! But he didn't!" Kamala yelled. Parakarry was starting to get angry, he tried to calm himself down. He took a deep breath.
"Listen, there's no point fighting about this now. We already decided where Kara was staying-"
"You decided that. Not me."
"Okay. If that's what you believe. What's important is that she learns to stand on her own two feet."
"What are you trying to say?"
"She needs to learn there's a fine line between being kind, and being a doormat. She needs to see what a healthy relationship looks like, or else she'll end up in the same position your in."
"And she has nothing to gain by becoming friendly with sewer dwellers."
"She has nothing to gain staying with you and Karter either."
"I've studied koopa development for years. What did you study? How to be mail carrier?"
"Just because you like kids, doesn't mean you love kids. Just because you want to see Kara happy, doesn't mean she should be happy in the situation you put her in."
"Don't you dare try to lecture me Parakarry!" Kamala said, seething.
"Kamala..."
"This is why you were never married! You can't take care of a child on your own!"
"That's enough Kamala."
"You don't know what it takes to have a family Parakarry! Parakara is literally ten years younger than you! And you're going to act like you know better than me!"
"Enough!" Parakarry snapped. Kamala stood there in shock by Parakarry's sudden anger. It was the first time she ever seen him raise his voice at her. Suddenly Sugar woke up and began barking angrily. Parakarry quickly turned back to a calm demeanor. "Sorry I got angry." Kamala stayed silent as Parakarry apologized and scratched behind Sugar's ears. He strokes the chain chomp. "Easy, Sugar. Calm down boy." The paratroopa cooed softly.
"I'm so sorry Parakarry. I'm sorry." Kamala apologized quietly. Parakarry looked at her. "There is no reason for a parent to raise their child in that manner." Kamala said quietly. "I just...can't stand the thought of losing Kara...she's all I have."
"Well, I can't stand the thought of having you as her mother." Parakarry responded coldly.
"Karry..."
"I know you love Kara. But-"
"But what? Is that a threat? Because if it is I am going to-"
"Don't worry Kamala, you're still in charge." Parakarry interrupted her. "But that doesn't mean you should be treating your kid like trash. You may not like some of the things Kara does, but that doesn't mean you should treat her like garbage too. She deserves more respect than that."
"How can you say that I treat my daughter terribly?"
"I'm not about to argue with you again. You know her home life wasn't good, but yet you want to freak out just because she befriended some species who lives underground."
"Those species are dirty monsters."
Parakarry just sighs. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I'm not in the mood to argue this with you." He said calmly but sternly. "Now please leave. You can't stay here forever."
"Why not?"
"Because you aren't welcome here anymore, and you really need to move on from your old habits. I don't want Kara getting attached to you, and I especially don't want her following your footsteps. That is not what I want for her. Now go. I have work to do."
"And what about what I want for her!?" Kamala shouted furiously.
"We'll talk about this some other time. But please leave." Parakarry stated firmly as he opened the door.
"No we're not. Because you know why? You never answered my calls or text messages! Kara hasn't been answering me either!"
"I'm a mail carrier Kamala. I'm busy. I don't have time to tell you every single thing about Kara while I'm delivering mail all over the place."
"Then how do I know you're not too busy for Kara?"
"Kamala. Please go before I call the police." Parakarry said exhausted.
"Not until you tell me when we can talk about this."
"Fine. I'll let you know when I can meet with you. Now if you don't leave, then I'm going to have to throw you out. I swear if you push me any further tonight I'm calling the police." Parakarry threatened. Kamala glared at him angrily before leaving. Parakarry closed the door after she left, sighing in frustration at Kamala's stubbornness. His dad was right. He couldn't let Parakara stay with someone so strict and overbearing. Sugar went to Parakarry whimpering. Parakarry stroked the chain chomp.
"I'm okay Sugar." He said. Sugar licked his hand making him smile a little.
