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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-Eight
"Is this far enough?" King Boo asked.
He only spoke once he and Ludwig were tucked away deep into the woods. His answer came in the form of his ex-enforcer stopping in his tracks. These woods weren't nearly as thick as the Black Forest, but they'd do in terms of privacy, or so King Boo thought. He had to reconsider when Ludwig turned and cast a silencing charm all around them.
"Is that necessary?" The king asked.
Ludwig just gave him a look. One of his trademark looks he reserved for when he didn't want to answer trivial questions posed by his siblings or his subordinates. King Boo folded his arms and gave the younger sorcerer a look of his own.
"What?" Ludwig scowled.
"Aren't you going to tell me how you're doing?" King Boo asked, "What you've been up to?"
Ludwig rolled his eyes. "That isn't important."
"It's important to me," King Boo countered. "I haven't heard from you in weeks. I had to assume all was well. I mean honestly! You never drop by, you don't even write!"
The young King of the Badlands sighed impatiently.
"What do you want, an apology?" He snapped. "I don't have time for this. I sought you out because there's something wrong with me."
"You don't say!" King Boo grinned. "I'll tell you what's wrong, you've gone and forgotten all your manners. I know I reared you better than that, my boy."
"I need your help!" Ludwig blurted irritably. "Now will you listen to me or not?"
King Boo's grin faltered, then fell completely with a sigh. He remembered a time where, even though Ludwig was reserved and taciturn, he still acted fairly amicable towards his old mentor. He remembered spending so much time with Ludwig when he was a child, teaching him new things and watching him find his way with magic. Now it would seem the boy never had time for him anymore.
"What seems to be ailing you?" King Boo asked in defeat, all the mirth removed from his tone.
Ludwig didn't notice this as he began to pace the forest floor. He shrugged out of his jacket while he did, tossing it to the ground. Then he pushed the sleeves of his dress shirt up to his alabaster elbows. King Boo smiled faintly at the familiar behavior.
"It's that girl," Ludwig stated in agitation.
"What girl?" King Boo asked with vague interest.
"Daisy." Ludwig replied, his voice almost dropping to a whisper. It rose when he explained, "I can't stop thinking about her."
"If it's love that's bothering you-" King Boo started.
"It's not love!" Ludwig snapped. "I'm not in love with her, she's with the plumber, I could never...I mean. These feelings aren't mine."
"What do you mean, they're not yours?" King Boo prompted after an observatory pause.
Ludwig ran a hand through his extensive navy hair and King Boo noted with worry that the slender hand was shaking a little. King Boo raised a hand to reach out to the youth but immediately pulled it back; he knew Ludwig wouldn't like to be touched while he was so distressed. Or at any other time. He was anti-social like that.
"Perhaps the girl is hexing me." Ludwig pondered, then shook his head. "No, Daisy knows no magic."
"And even if she did, what would she have to gain by cursing you?" The immortal asked pointedly.
"I don't know." Ludwig frowned more deeply. "What do you think?"
"Ludwig," King Boo spoke carefully, "I'm almost certain this has something to do with the Dark King."
"And what if it does?" Ludwig scowled. "Do you know what it means?"
"I believe I do, but you can't expect me to discuss that sort of thing here," King Boo sighed. "At least invite me to dinner so we can go in depth on the matter."
"Why can't you just tell me now?" Ludwig demanded, raising his voice.
King Boo told him, "Because inviting me to dinner would be the courteous thing to do."
"Courteous, my-"
"I'm waiting, Ludwig."
"You're kidding, right?" Ludwig frowned. "What do you want from me?"
"An invitation would suffice." King Boo said with a grin, albeit a muted one.
In truth he found it depressing the way he had to beg and force this out of Ludwig. He longed for the times he didn't have to fight for time with the young ruler. He was terribly lonely these days.
Ludwig decided that solving his current dilemma was more important than his pride and let his shoulders sink in resignation.
He said unenthusiastically, "Come to the kingdom in-"
"Ludwig!" King Boo reproached.
He was gaining only a small bit of satisfaction from dragging out the encounter as opposed to the immense pleasure he was used to getting.
Ludwig's eye twitched and his eyes narrowed. He needed help, though, so he continued to oblige his elder.
"Would you like to have dinner with my siblings and myself in three days' time?" He asked with strained civility.
King Boo's grin was massive. "Why certainly! What time will you have me?"
"As soon as you can get there." Ludwig gritted out in frustration.
Before his mentor could ask anything else of him, he then vanished in favor of spending the rest of the day at the inn while his siblings were out. Between King Boo and Daisy, he found staying at the picnic to be an impossible endeavor.
A/N: You know how it goes, once you guys don't hear from me in a while, I like to post something quick and short to get the ball rolling once more.
I do feel bad for not posting, but to be honest things in my personal life have gone straight to Hell, and there's no worse feeling than having bad things happen from your own doing.
Anyway, writing gives me joy so I write to keep myself calm and less depressed. Your enjoyment and reviews are a pleasant by-product of the therapeutic process.
I guess this is it for now. See you guys next chapter! As usual, until then...
~DymondGold~