Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Mario or its franchise; it belongs to Nintendo and their affiliates. I just am really grateful to its creators for giving me such a wonderful game and media series to write about!
I also don't own anything related to Harry Potter, all that belongs to J.K. Rowling, but thanks go to her as well because, using her wonderful work, I can expand this story to make it more interesting :)
Chapter Twenty-Two
"Is that all of them?" Roy asked.
"Just about." MJ answered.
The two had been tasked with loading everyone's luggage onto the two carriages early this morning. He'd chucked them all onto the driver's platform and let MJ secure them with the leather straps. He only had one bag himself, he hardly saw the need to bring anything more than a couple outfits, his shoes, and his dress clothes. Apparently his other brothers, excluding Morton, and his sister especially thought differently.
"You think Wen's got her whole closet in there?" He jibed to his brother.
MJ smiled and shrugged, glancing at the large white suitcase that belonged to his only sister. He was glad to hear Roy making jokes again. He was also glad to see Larry wearing an eager smile as he came bounding out of the castle with Iggy in tow. Granted, Iggy donned a more solemn expression as he walked in slow strides, his hands buried in his pockets and his eyes cast off to the distance.
At least things are getting back to normal, MJ noticed, well, kinda.
There was still Wendy's forlorn mood to consider, after all. She still hadn't left the palace yet.
"I'm gonna' go wait in the wagon," Roy announced, clapping his brother on the shoulder as he did.
MJ watched as his lanky older brother headed off to one of the black carriages and, after yanking the door open almost hard enough to unhinge it, sank down onto one of the leather-cushioned benches. He didn't bother shutting the door behind him. Once he was inside, Roy let a scowl settle on his mouth.
He's mad about something, but he's trying to cover it up, MJ assessed with confusion. What could he be mad about?
The only thing that registered in the tall, scar-ridden sixteen year-old's mind was that maybe Ludwig had said or done something to aggravate him. MJ looked to the entry of the palace and saw his youngest brother walking towards the carriage. Bowser Junior, someone MJ hadn't seen in a while, was holding Lemmy's hand as they traversed their way to the big black ride.
"You were down in that dark place with your daddy for a long time" Lemmy observed in a hushed voice.
The child next to him nodded and said around his thumb, "My Daddy, he is um. He is very hurt down there and I think your brother did it."
"Did what?" Lemmy asked, stopping in their walk. "Hurt him?"
Bowser Junior nodded, then removed his thumb briefly and whispered, "My Daddy don't much like your brother 'cause he hurt him up real bad and made him go to that dark place down there."
"For what?" Lemmy then asked.
Junior stuck his thumb back in his mouth and shrugged. Lemmy tried to think of a reason Ludwig would imprison the late king and decided it had something to do with the events of almost a year ago that involved his babysitter Weegie's 'special friend'.
"I think maybe Lu locked him down there in the dark because he is bad." Lemmy murmured.
But my brother is bad, too, Lemmy thought. Lu hurts people in the castle when he gets mad, and he yells at me and he made Wendy cry and he says bad words.
"Come on, B-Jun." Lemmy said gently. "Let's go sit down."
The two crossed the rest of the distance over to the carriage that Roy was sitting in. He wouldn't open the door for them, though, so they headed to the carriage that Larry sat excitedly in. The two climbed up on the bench across from him and swung their legs. Bowser Junior stared out the window and sucked him thumb. He started when he heard his father's voice.
"Yes, Daddy," He muttered to himself in answer to whatever was demanded of him.
"You said something?" Larry asked him.
B-Jun stared at Larry and shook his red-haired head. Lemmy knew the truth but Larry just shrugged. He had a good feeling about this morning. It was nice to finally get away from the stress of being in the Badlands, of training and battling the dissonance in his mind when it came to doing what Ludwig expected of him. And speaking of the tyrant.
"Uh oh," Larry said lowly once he saw his brother in the palace. "Ludwig looks mad."
Lemmy raised up on the bench and peered out of the open carriage doorway. He could see that Larry was right; Ludwig had an annoyed look on his flawless face. It was most likely due to the girl at the top of the stairs.
Ludwig could see that all his siblings, save for one, had gotten themselves dressed and ready to leave. Roy and MJ had taken an actual bath, Larry had tamed his blue mohawk into something akin to a civil hairstyle, Iggy was impeccably dressed as usual, and even little Lemmy and Bowser Junior were in the carriage; and they had on shoes this time.
But Wendy. Oh Wendy.
If this girl keeps vexing me, I don't know what I'll do, Ludwig thought irritably. He'd told her weeks ago that this day was coming and she yet insisted on acting out. She stood at the top of the stairs for a moment more, staring him down with those defiant eyes, and he had to look away. Those eyes reminded him too much of another, lighter pair. Fierce eyes, that was the trigger; he started seeing flashes of that girl and her divine body and could swear her taste was on his tongue, her scent in his nose. Ludwig shut his eyes and scowled.
"Wendy, get down here. I don't have time for this." He ordered sharply.
Wendy let out a small growl but started goose-stepping down the stairs as she was told. She was careful not to step on the bottom of the long, loose black pants she wore; they were her brother's. She had on a white cotton cropped shirt that exposed her stomach and had a valentine-shaped body glamour tattoo over her navel. Ludwig saw this but didn't even say anything. He was beyond it, talking to her was like talking to a brick wall of moody emotions.
"I could just run, you know." She hissed once she was at the bottom of the stairs. "I could run straight into town."
Ludwig knew this warranted no response because if she did choose to run she wouldn't get very far. With his magic, there was no escaping for her. He knew this. But like always, he was baited into replying and not in a good way. He grabbed his sister's wrist and stopped her, then spoke in a deadly-low voice.
"If you ever go near that boy again," He threatened, "I'll burn down the entire inn with him in it, do you understand?"
Wendy glanced at him in blatant shock, then narrowed her eyes in disgust. She jerked her hand away but he then took her shoulder.
"Do you understand me?" Ludwig asked again, "Or will I have to drag the punk here by his-"
"I understand." Wendy sneered. "Now get your hands off me."
He released her and watched her head to the carriage where Lemmy and Larry sat with the prince. She made sure to slam the door behind herself. Ludwig couldn't feel an ounce of remorse rise within him.
It felt strange doing this all again, stepping off the train that led to the Mushroom Kingdom. This time was different, of course, mainly because I didn't get kicked off for not bringing my ticket. Daisy had held our tickets, she was responsible when it came to remembering things like that. She walked beside me at the train station and glanced around for our welcoming party.
"Do you see them?" She asked me.
I was a little taller so I could see over the many heads blocking our view. The station was crowded, I'm assuming these people were here for my brother's wedding as well. I didn't spot a familiar face, though, so I shook my head at Daisy. She looked a little dismayed.
"I hope they made it." She said worriedly.
I took Daisy's hand and kissed it, saying, "They'll be here. Just give 'em a minute."
"Alright."
I led Daisy over to one of the many benches lining the far wall of the station. She and I sat with our suitcases in front of us. I leaned back and put my arm around her shoulder and she laid her head on my chest. Out of habit I just kissed the top of her head and I swear I heard someone go 'aww'.
So we're that kind of couple, I mused.
Daisy glanced up at me and I down at her and for a second all I saw was her smiling face.
"I love you," I told her candidly.
She mouthed with a mischievous grin, "I know."
"Ouch." I smirked.
Daisy laughed and I leaned down to kiss her. Too soon we were interrupted, because a moment like that was just too perfect to go on unhindered I guess.
"Daisy?"
I heard the young voice speak in question. Daisy and I looked up and saw the two cousins of hers standing before us. They'd both grown up so much since I last saw them. Danny especially. He was more muscular and broader in the shoulders. His hair was just as thick and messy as it always was, same with Meech. It was actually Meech who'd spoken, and I noticed his voice had deepened an increment. The freckle-faced, hooded-eyed brothers were closer in height, too. They both stuck out like a sinner in church at the station, two country boys in corduroy pants and rugged boots with hay on their shirts. Danny lifted a wary brow at the sight of me with his cousin and Meech smiled, tentatively at first but widely once Daisy and I stood.
"Hey, you made it!" Daisy grinned.
She went over to them and wrapped her arms around them. With her back to me, Daisy couldn't see the look of disapproval that was so reluctant to leave Danny's face in exchange for a resigned expression. Meech was speaking to her, telling her all about what had gone on since she'd been away. When he mentioned something about Danny having a certain friend of the female variety, his older brother colored and gave him a dirty look.
"Oh?" Daisy spoke teasingly.
Meech and Danny took our suitcases courteously as we left the station. I didn't say much as she caught up with them. I was glad she was happy. Once we got to city, we stopped by Daisy's house. Her cousins hurried inside and Meech tugged on her hand, trying to pull her along with him.
"Go on ahead, I'm coming." She told him.
He nodded and went into the house. She shut the door and looked up at me. I could tell she was torn; she wanted to stay with them but didn't want to abandon me or something. I made the choice for her.
"I'm gonna' go check in with Mario and Peach." I stated at her door. "I can come back here later or you could meet me there when you feel like it?"
Daisy glanced back at the house and smiled. "I'll only be a little while."
"I'm not rushing you," I told her.
"I know." She stated, then leaned up for another kiss.
She held both sides of my face and I held her waist. That kiss almost turned into something more before she pulled back. Next to my ear she whispered softly.
"I really don't want to be away from you for too long." She admitted.
"Okay," I swallowed. "I could stay here if you want me to."
"No," She shook her head. "Go and see your brother. I'll be there later, and then we could see about staying at an inn or something."
"Right." I nodded. "I guess I'll see you this evening, then."
"Kay." She beamed, kissing me again.
I watched her head into her house and was about to leave for the palace.
"Luigi?"
I turned and saw it was Meech who'd come to the door. He had a shy smile on his face that intrigued me.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For?"
"The sweets," He explained, "I don't know what they were called, but they were really good."
"Oh." I said, then added, "You're welcome."
"Danny liked them, too." Meech told me with a grin.
"He must not have known they were from me." I remarked wryly.
"He did." Meech assured me. "He doesn't dislike you. He just gets like that about Daisy 'cause, well, she's Daisy. Our Daisy."
"Ah." I responded. "I think I understand."
Meech smiled broadly and went back into the house. I took a trip down memory lane on my way to the palace and looked at all the places not as locations in the city, but as milestones in Daisy and my relationship. There was the outskirts where she lived, the market full of people doing business where we often met up, and of course her shop where she sold flowers and vegetables and fruit. I remembered the time I was prepared to buy a bunch of apples just to save face. That had made her laugh and we went down to the lake, beyond the shops and carts, to just talk.
She must have known I was stalking her, though; I wasn't really that subtle.
I felt kind of weird once I reached the palace. Thinking back on all that felt sort of surreal. I still couldn't believe I'd gone from the emotional cesspool of depression and angst to what I was today. It was incredible and in no small part due to her.
"Luigi?"
It was my brother. He was grinning from ear to ear with Peach on his arm, sporting much the same expression. She looked immensely happy as well. I was glad for them. They were both in a much better state than my last visit. Mario gave me a hug and so did Peach and they both asked about Daisy.
"She's visiting her cousins," I told them. "She'll be around later."
And for the next few hours, I spent time with the royal couple, all the while pretending I wasn't going crazy, wondering what Daisy was doing and saying and thinking without me.
"Are you spiting me?"
Just when I thought I'd heard it all, Ludwig thought.
He stepped into the inn suite and regarded his sister, who refused to come past the doorway. She looked angry and hurt. He stood across from her and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation.
"No, Wendy." He stated flatly.
"You know Munson works at the-"
"Contrary to what you may believe, little sister, not every decision centers around you." Ludwig cut in.
Roy, who'd just walked in with Morton, brought everyone's luggage and set it down in the middle of the room.
To Ludwig he said, "Why don't you lay off her, yo."
Ludwig gave Roy a look but didn't say anything. He surveyed the room around him. It was fairly large with a candle chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. There were four beds, two on the left wall and two on the right, all huge with nightstands in between them. The floor was decked in beige carpeting, there was a curtained window on the wall opposite the door and to the right was a spacious bathroom. It was a great room. Too bad only half of his siblings could appreciate it.
Roy took his bag and claimed the first bed to the left. MJ did the same with the one beside it. Wendy still stood in the doorway while Iggy set his suitcase near the second bed on the right, leaving the last one to Larry. Bowser Junior and Lemmy, still holding hands, wavered in the middle of the room.
"Don't look at me, yo." Roy remarked, "You kick in your sleep."
"No I don't." Lemmy denied, but then looked to MJ.
"Don't even think about it," MJ smirked. "This bed's not big enough for both of us."
"Yes it is!" Lemmy cried. "You're just being mean."
Bowser Junior nodded but didn't speak around his thumb. From the other side of the room, Larry chimed in.
"If I were him, I wouldn't want to sleep with either of you." The boy jeered. "Roy, you smell like old feet and MJ you snore like a pig."
"Why you little!" Roy was immediately incensed as he leapt across the bed and made a dash for Larry.
In the meantime, Lemmy took Bowser Junior's hand and hurried over to the vacant bed. Roy, recognizing their joint tactic, shoved Larry off his bed and onto the floor. Larry glared at his older brother plaintively.
"What are you pushing me for?" He cried.
"Because you're annoying, ya' twerp." Roy replied, "Now move it before I rearrange your face."
"It's okay Larry," Lemmy spoke, "You can sleep with us."
Larry looked less than pleased but grumbled his way over to the two smallest boys. Ludwig, who had yet to back out of his staring match with his sister, stepped over towards the door. He didn't have any luggage because he wasn't going to be sleeping in the inn.
"I'm not staying here." She told him stalwartly.
Ludwig said, "You either stay here with your brothers or spend the week with me at the palace."
"You're going to the palace?" Larry asked. "Why can't we go to the palace?"
"Because you're staying here." Ludwig said simply, casting eyes to Wendy.
Larry didn't argue with Ludwig. There was no point. Besides, he didn't mind staying in the inn, it was nice. He glanced at the doorway where Wendy still stood.
"Which will it be?" Ludwig asked her.
Wendy scoffed and said, "You already know I don't want to be anywhere near you."
She then huffed and went over to the bed where Roy was. He opened his mouth to say something, she quirked a brow, he shut his mouth, and she sank down beside him.
I guess if I were working a job that paid a nice sum by the hour, with no other expenses to tend to other than my own personal needs, I'd be buying whatever I want like Daisy. I don't resent the girl for it, not for the fact that her job pays more or that she isn't putting in for any of the bills. No, that doesn't bother me at all; in fact, Daisy's probably going to insist on taking up at least the water or electric bill sooner or later because she's been irritated with me about that. She hates it when I try and take everything on by myself. And as for the job, well, I was the one to set her up with it in the first place. What troubled me was her uncanny ability to choose the most uniquely enticing outfits.
"Where do you even get these things?" I asked her.
She'd just stepped out of the bathroom of the inn I'd booked us for the trip. The inn was nice, right at the head of town between the palace and the marketplace. It didn't take any money at all, seeing as how the innkeeper herself had recognized me and, with some surprising amount of affection, recalled the time where Mario and I had protected the place from an onslaught of attacks from the Badlands. That was years ago but the lady claimed she hadn't gotten the chance to thank me, hence the free stay.
And I can't say I'm not grateful; this place is at least three or four star level
The room wasn't quite as large and lavish as a five-star hotel would be, but the beauty was in its simplicity, I would say. It was somewhat plain in a homey way, but was still fancy enough to impress. I'd seen the beds first; two of them, decorated in clean gold sheets and blankets and pillows. We would probably only be using one of them, to be honest. The floor had given way under my feet on my first step into the room, the black carpet was just that plush. And the nightstand and tall gold lamp between the beds was a comforting touch. There was much to be said in regards to privacy, it was severely lacking: both beds and a large, black-curtained window was directly across from the entrance door. Oh well, at least the door locks.
To the left of the door was a wooden table and three chairs, and to the right there was another tall floor lamp and a long cushioned, embroidered couch. Right above the bed there was a candle chandelier, a bit too grand for my tastes really. I didn't think it was necessary but it did add a touch of class to the room. Below it, next to the bed on the right was the door to the bathroom, which Daisy had immediately explored while I set our luggage down on the bed on the far left. There was a closet next to it, so I guess I'd be moving them there once I got my own dress clothes out. And back to dress clothes.
"What did you say?" Daisy asked once she emerged from the bright light and whiteness of the bathroom.
"Nothing," I replied.
She had on that sinful creation and was beckoning me over. I came near her and admired her hair. I'd seen her put half of it in a loose braid, then clip it back up near the crown of her head so that the rest of the long curls fell around her face. Or something like that. I wasn't really paying attention. I was watching her face, her eyes, her busy hands while she worked. Now she gazed up at me with a bit of anxiety.
"Does this look okay?" She asked again.
"It looks good." I told her. "You look perfect in it."
She grinned wide at that.
How could that much beauty be in one young woman?
She was stunning and that dress was screaming the fact. It was outrageously basic in its design, just a black dress with cap sleeves, a high, gently scooping neckline, and a form-fitting skirt that clung to her hips and thighs. The real scandal was in the split that sliced up her right side, showing off one of her long shapely legs.
"Can you zip this up?" Daisy then asked.
"Yeah," I said, then watched her turn around.
I stared at the back of her dress; it was worse than the front. The back was only covered by lace roses that let way too much creamy skin peek through. I loved Daisy and I loved this dress on her, but I wasn't going to be the only one getting to appreciate her tonight and other people's eyes, other men's eyes on her still bothered me.
But if this is what she wants to wear, I won't stop her
It wasn't like she was dressing like a sordid tramp. The dress was sexy, yes, but elegant too. It was appropriate for the impending formal occasion. I gripped the zipper at the base of her spine and let the back of my fingers intentionally brush against her skin the entire time. She shivered and glanced back at me.
"Are you feelin' me up, Luigi?" She teased.
I just shrugged. The girl turned and put her arms round my neck. She must have done everything while she was in the bathroom because I could see makeup on her eyes and color on her lips and she smelled like vanilla ice cream. I wasn't even dressed yet.
"We're going to be so late if you don't hurry up," Daisy then told me.
She must have been thinking the same thing I was. She let me go and went back to the bathroom while I headed over to my stuff to get my clothes out. I had to take a shower and put a comb through my hair. I glanced out the window as Daisy left the bathroom. She was putting on black earrings. The sun was setting outside. By the time I'd showered and dressed and put on the shoes my brother lent me for tonight, it was dark.
"We're going to be sooo late," Daisy said again.
She was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed and damn if she didn't look like some kind of succubus, but only in the moment that her eyes were sparkling mischievously and her red mouth was curved in a mirthful smirk. When she stood, the expression and illusion dissolved. I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror and tried once more to do something with my hair but it refused to be anything other than long and thick and tangled. I put the comb down in frustration.
"Stop bothering your hair," Daisy grinned. "I like it this way. It makes you look...dangerous."
"It does?" I smiled, amused.
Daisy ran her fingers through it, she had to stand on her toes a bit, and nodded. I took her hand and kissed each of her fingers. She smiled, more shyly this time, and let me.
"Tonight's the feast." She spoke softly, "I think tomorrow's the picnic, and after that there's the parade."
"What, did they give you an itinerary?" I asked her lightly.
She said, "Everybody in town's been talking about it, they're all excited."
"It's exciting." I acceded.
Daisy smoothed her hands over the front of the black silk shirt I wore, another gift from my brother, then stopped once she got to the top button. She undid it and kissed my collar.
"It looks better that way." She assured me.
"You seem to be the fashion expert," I said wryly. "I mean, next to Peasley, that is."
"I expect he'll be here." Daisy guessed with a faint smile. "I miss him."
"Me too." I stated.
Daisy glanced back at the closet where our things lay and then looked at me.
"Ready?" She asked.
"When you are."
"Let's go then."
A/N: Yesterday I was up very late charting out the outline until I was pleased with what I've got planned for the entirety of the story. So that means, now that I know what I'm doing, chapters should be longer/more detailed. I hope you enjoyed this!
Stay tuned for one eye-opening night of revelry and fun and...er...awkward innuendos, haha. Until next chapter!
~DymondGold~