The formatting, spacing, and all that jazz is way off on this chapter, so if it looks kinda weird, you know why. Other than that...
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 Thirty-Four
Apparently, in Bean Kingdom, Lover's Day was a serious national holiday that allowed for the exemption of all laborious duties in the country. Since Peasley had been relieved of his medical training obligations for the day, he took breakfast with me and Daisy in the palace and told us more about this 'Lover's Day'
"It's not just about those who've found love," Peasley explained from the head of the table, "Although couples tend to enjoy the festivities more, often times."
"What kind of festivities are there?" Daisy asked at his left.
Peasley grinned and told her, "It's better that you see for yourself."
He looked at me and said, "It's fortunate that you two could come around this time.
Spending Lover's Day in Bean Kingdom with the country's own legendary prince of ardor could bode quite well for your relationship."
I snorted softly and said, "Prince of Ardor? Is that a self-proclaimed title?"
"And if it is?" Peasley challenged. "It's no less accurate."
I glanced at his hand for some reason and of course I saw the mark again, which
killed whatever comeback I had for him. He still hadn't gotten around to telling me
more on that subject. Yesterday, after Daisy and I returned from spending the day in
the city and near the meadows in front of the palace, we hadn't seen Peasley until
late that night. I trusted my friend would tell me in time what was really bothering
him.
Daisy took a spoonful of sweet porridge and smiled around the utensil at me. I smiled
back and finished my own breakfast. Peasley had been done for a while, he'd woken a
bit earlier than Daisy and me. We got up after noon and by 'a bit', I mean Peasley
had only been downstairs in the dining room for about five or ten minutes prior to
that. He was a late sleeper, too, but once he got up he made sure to look his best.
Today was no different, as he wore a laid-back white shirt with an open collar and
mid-length cuffed sleeves. His pants were bright red and on his feet he had a pair of
sandals instead of his boots. There was a heavy chain-link golden necklace draped
over his throat and he sported a pair of gloves. Naturally, he had some kind of silk
bandage over his afflicted hand but, as the material was a deep burgundy color, one
would think it was part of his outfit. Peasley ran a hand through his hair idly as
Daisy and I finished eating. Once we did, he stood and led us out the dining hall.
"Since it's well into the afternoon," He announced, "We ought not dally. The
University is towards the east. We'll have to take the coach."
That was fine with us. Daisy and I had no objections to riding in the plush, quiet
vehicle. It looked brand new on the inside, and on the outside as well. Daisy, who
sat next to me, raised her eyebrows in question.
"Peasley," She asked, "How come you don't take the coach more often?"
He smirked and replied, "I like to be seen when I travel throughout my kingdom. I much prefer walking or taking a horse."
Like our walk yesterday, Daisy and I enjoyed the ride in relative silence, opting to stare out the curtain every now and again as we made our way towards the University.
Once there, we exited the vehicle and let the prince lead us towards the northern part of the campus. That was where lots of people, mostly Beanish with a decent number of humans, were gathered. There was red everywhere. Red roses being sold in bouquets, red pastries shaped like valentine hearts, red hats being worn by the small children, and of course the red garments that everyone was wearing.
"Red is the color of passion," Peasley told us in explanation.
I shrugged and took Daisy's hand. She looked excited. The entire front of the campus was grassy and rolling with tiny hills. People were either standing around with red-colored drinks in their hands, talking, or sitting on woven red blankets, or standing behind booths and carts, selling their wares.
"Look, Luigi," Daisy tugged on my hand. "Isn't that sweet?"
She was referring to a crowd of young people our age, gathered far off in the distance near the base of a cluster of giant trees. I hadn't really met anybody, besides Peasley, who looked to be in their twenties so, coupled with the fact that they looked human, these people were a rare sight.
"We should go and talk to them." Daisy suggested. "You know, be friendly."
"Right." I acceded, neither for nor against the idea.
I let her pull me by the hand over to the group and watched her hips sway as she walked. She looked very nice today, as usual, in her flowing white skirt and collared pink shirt. Her hair was down, clipped back on the right side by a long white barrette. Her beauty seemed effortless; not too much makeup caked on her face, nor too much skin showing. I love this girl.
"Ah, look. Some new friends." A voice heralded as we arrived.
The voice had come from a young woman with red hair and brown eyes. She was smiling lazily, almost like she was in a daze. Her body was horizontal since she lay on her back with her head in the lap of a guy with long blonde, almost white hair. The other two in the group were a boy with shaggy brown hair and a tiny young woman with black hair the pooled around her waist as she sat leaning against a tree. These people looked strange. Their clothes consisted of baggy pants and loose shirts or long, billowing dresses. I looked them over carefully, took in their slightly disheveled appearance and sort of glassy eyes and realized something.
These people were high.
I'd been around stoners in high school, I knew what it looked like when somebody was on LSD or acid. Maybe these people weren't on anything as strong as that, but they were certainly on something. The red-haired girl seemed to notice what I was thinking and laughed lightly.
"Sit down," She encouraged in her airy voice, "We're good people."
Daisy just glanced at me and shrugged, then sat with her legs tucked under her. I sighed. It wouldn't be the first time I found myself around a bunch of high people. This was really bringing back some memories for me.
"You're not from here, are you?" The black-haired girl asked.
Daisy said, "No. Are you?"
"No!" The black-haired girl said a bit loudly. She then giggled and said, "No, we're travelers. We go wherever the wind takes us, really."
She had a handful of red seeds in her hand. I deduced that was probably what they'd been passing around.
"You're cute." The redhead told me candidly. "Are you two together?"
I was about to answer but I saw the other girl offering some of those seeds to Daisy, who must have caught on to some pop culture during all those nights she spent watching tv at my apartment. She politely declined and gave me an amused look.
The black-haired girl said, "It's okay. They're natural."
Right, I thought warily.
Daisy smiled and put her arm around my back. The blonde guy stroked the redhead's hair in his lap, making her sigh softly and close her eyes. Her smile was loose and vapid.
"We like to come here every year," the redhead spoke, "This atmosphere is just the best. All the love and good feelings, you know?"
"And the prince is pretty cute." The black-haired girl spoke, letting her head loll off to the side against the tree.
Her white dress sleeve seemed to sort of fall off her shoulder and her hair spilled over the bare skin in a way that was just as lackadaisical as her demeanor. I could see why she mentioned the prince, because he was coming this way. I was actually glad to see him. Being around these four was starting to make me feel weird: the redhead kept winking at me.
"It's nice to see you all again," Peasley greeted the four individuals.
The red-haired girl tilted her head and said playfully, "Your Majesty," making the other girl giggle.
"Come, my friends," Peasley then told us, "You're missing all the excitement."
Daisy and I got up but only she was thoughtful enough to wave goodbye to those travelers. Once we were a good distance away, I nudged Peasley.
"You knew them?" I asked him.
Peasley replied, "Somewhat. They're vagabonds from two Kingdoms over."
"I thought of becoming a vagabond once," Daisy admitted quietly.
I just stared at her, wondering why she'd want to do that. Then I remembered her past and what happened to her kingdom and I understood.
Our party of three stopped suddenly, and that was the fault of the prince's. He'd been kissed on both cheeks by his twin assistants, Mina and Nina. They were in red dresses, Mina donning her ringlets and Nina having her black hair clipped back in much the same way as Daisy's.
"Those are on the house." Mina said to Peasley with a coy smile.
"But any other's going to cost you." Nina told him.
"What?" Peasley asked.
The twins pointed to some poor sap of a young man they must have bamboozled into setting up a wooden booth for them, with the sign proclaiming 'one sweet kiss for a minimal fee'. I saw Peasley roll his eyes.
"You can't set up a kissing booth." Peasley told them patiently.
"Why not?" Mina frowned.
"It's nearly finished!" Her sister cried plaintively.
Peasley asked, "What will your parents think?"
"Mamma isn't here." Mina supplied with a clever smile.
Nina added, "And Papa is still in bed."
Peasley smiled a little and said, "Why don't you go fetch that poor boy there so that the three of you can show my friends how to perform one of the dances for the ball."
"What ball?" I asked him.
While the twins went to get the other boy, Peasley turned to me and gave me a once-over.
He said, "There's to be a ball tomorrow night, directly proceeding the events of the Spring Festival. That reminds me; you'll need to be fitted for a costume."
"Fitted?" I frowned. "Can't you just go and get my measurements from my brother? I just got fitted for his wedding."
"I could do that," Peasley drawled, stepping near me. "But it won't be as fun as taking your measurements myself."
"Peasley."
"Alright, alright." He smiled, "I was only jesting, my friend. I'm sure I have something you can wear."
I glanced at Daisy, who gave me a wary look. Once again, we'd had similar thoughts. Peasley's wardrobe was not for the shy or bashful. He wore things, daring things, that I wasn't sure I could pull off. There was a time a little while ago when I was visiting this country with Mario and I saw Peasley wearing an outfit that just...Let me put it this way; it was brightly colored and so outrageously tight that only he could get away with walking out in public in it.
"On second thought," I spoke slowly, "Maybe I should just see if I can get something sent in from my brother."
"Luigi!" Peasley exclaimed, "You wound me! Surely you don't mean to say there's anything wrong with what I wear, do you?"
"You said it, not me." I told him with a bemused smile.
Peasley shook his head in mock-offense.
"What about me?" Daisy asked. "What should I wear to this ball?"
"I could commandeer a gown for you, if you'd like." Peasley told her. "I'll just need your measurements."
"Take mine too while you're at it." I threw in.
Peasley smirked and said, "Don't worry, Luigi. I won't give you anything I wouldn't wear."
"That's what worries me."
"I'm not training you today."
Those four words alone were enough to make his sleepy siblings become instantly alert. No longer did their eyes droop or their mouths split from long yawns. Their attitudes also shifted from varying degrees of annoyance and loathing to ones of wonder, confusion, and excitement. Ludwig had called them all from their beds early this morning but they hadn't expected him to say something like this. Wendy, who'd been last to come downstairs, spoke first.
"If we're not training," She spoke sort of hoarsely, "Then why'd you even wake us up this early?"
Ludwig gazed flatly at her and replied, "First of all, I didn't say you weren't training. I said I'm not training you."
"Then who is?" Wendy asked flippantly.
Ludwig's emerald eyes narrowed at having been interrupted in only a way his vexing sister could do so. He didn't answer her aloud, rather, he let his eyes trail over to the boy who was next oldest in their family. When Wendy realized who he intended, her cheeks flared to life and she narrowed her own sky blue eyes.
"Why do I have to train with him?"
"Why do I have to train her?"
Both Wendy and Roy had spoken at once, neither very enthusiastic at the prospect of spending time doing something so frustrating as training when one didn't wish to train, or trying to train someone who refused to cooperate, depending on whose point of view it was.
Ludwig said, "Not only will Roy be training everyone in my place, but he'll also be in charge while I'm away."
"WHAT?!" Wendy was outraged. "Why are you leaving him in charge?"
"Why are you leaving at all?" Came Iggy's quiet inquiry.
Larry asked eagerly, "Are we going with you?"
"God, I hope not." Wendy muttered to herself.
"Duh, we're not going with him," Roy sneered. "He's going by himself, that's why he's leaving me in charge, ya stupid twerp."
"Don't call me that, you ugly doofus!" Larry shot back.
Lemmy glanced beside him at Bowser Junior, who only took his thumb out of his mouth so as to put both hands over his ears to ward off the sound of their arguing. Wendy folded her arms and rolled her eyes at Roy.
And this is who Ludwig wants to put in charge, she thought derisively to herself. The girl was only biding her time until she could leave the palace altogether.
Her brother, Larry, also wanted to get away, but only temporarily. He didn't hate being there as much as her, but he did crave another break. The trip to the Mushroom Kingdom had been something of a vacation to him and he longed to go out more often. However, his hopes were being dashed by his oldest brother, who was only seconds away from losing his temper.
Besides Iggy and the two youngest boys, MJ was quiet. He was curious to know why Ludwig was going away all of a sudden, but that cold look on his eldest brother's face told him now was probably not a good time to say anything. MJ tried to nudge Roy to get him to be quiet, but the pink-haired teenager ignored him.
"Shut up." Ludwig said in a surprisingly calm voice.
He'd been debating just then on whether he should leave his siblings alone at all. They were a clever bunch, and if he wasn't careful, they might get up to no good. But he knew it wouldn't be wise to bring them along, either. Where he was going, he'd need to be alone so as not to waste any time at all. He couldn't be saddled with even one other person. And he did have to leave; this had to be done.
"I'll only be gone for two days, at most." Ludwig announced. "Like I said, Roy will be in charge. Do what he says and stay in the palace."
Larry and Wendy both groaned, but only she was brave enough to send unabashed glares in Roy and Ludwig's directions. MJ just shrugged and the two little ones just stared. Iggy was thinking hard because he was wondering the same thing Wendy was; why would Ludwig put someone as...someone like Roy in charge? When the answer came to him, Iggy scowled faintly and shook his head.
Ludwig asked them all, "Do you understand what's expected of you?"
A resounding chorus of reluctant or outright disrespectful 'yes's rang out. Ludwig then pulled Roy to the side, away from his siblings so as not to be overheard.
"I'm trusting you to rule in my place, Roy." Ludwig told the teenager. "Make sure the others keep up with their training. Watch over Wendy and Iggy especially. Don't let anyone leave this palace."
"Alright." Roy replied easily, and turned to go.
Ludwig held fast to his shoulder and said, "If you see anything suspicious going on, if you see them doing something wrong and they won't listen to you, come to me. Understand?"
"Yeah." Roy responded.
"I mean it." Ludwig murmured severely. "If anything is out of order when I return, the blame will fall to you. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, I got it, yo." Roy answered impatiently.
Ludwig stared hard at him and Roy had the urge to fidget. He stood still, though. He was the oldest, next to Ludwig, and he was starting to realize the weight of that fact. He held his chin up and stared right back at his brother. Ludwig, who'd noticed the tiny change, nodded.
"Do whatever you like. Within reason." Ludwig instructed, then vanished.
Roy just smirked a little and faced his siblings.
Wendy frowned viciously at him and marched right in his face. She looked him straight in the eye when she spoke next.
"I don't care what Ludwig said; don't you dare try and tell me what to do."
And she headed upstairs without stomping or running. She did slam her door and lock it behind her, though. Roy just scoffed.
"The rest of you do have to listen to me." He declared.
"Whatever," MJ shrugged, heading to his room.
Larry frowned defiantly and said, "You can't make me!"
"No, but Ludwig can." Iggy told his blue-haired brother. "So you should listen to him."
"Brainiac's right," Roy agreed.
Larry scowled and said, "Stop calling him that!"
"It's alright." Iggy said, "I can defend myself Larry."
Larry stared at Iggy then and seemed to lose his fire. He just sighed, put out, and headed upstairs to his room. He figured that, if Ludwig had put Roy and charge, he'd just have to deal with it.
Besides, Iggy's right, Larry thought as he ascended the steps, if I do something and Roy tells Ludwig, I'm a goner.
Iggy and Roy were the only ones still downstairs, seeing as how the two little ones had fled to the kitchen, most likely to avoid the new, pink-haired ruler for the day. Iggy stepped over to his brother and stood in his way as Roy headed for the stairs.
"What do you want?" Roy asked.
Iggy said, "To talk."
"So talk."
"He's trying to manipulate you."
"Who?" Roy frowned.
"Ludwig." Iggy answered.
Roy rolled his eyes and said, "Here we go."
"It's true!" Iggy frowned. "Why do you think he would put you in charge?"
"Cause I'm the next oldest." Roy stated bluntly. "And 'cause I'm the strongest. And the best at taking charge, I guess."
"True, subjective, wrong." Iggy stated in response to his claims. "Ludwig is just trying to make sure you stay loyal to him by giving you power and responsibility."
Roy's features panned out neutrally and he crouched to Iggy's height. He gazed at his brother with a seemingly compassionate expression.
"You know what? I think you're right." He stated plainly.
"You do?" Iggy asked cautiously.
"Yeah, sure." Roy nodded, then stopped and looked off to the side.
"You hear that?" He asked conspiratorially.
Iggy asked, "Hear what?"
"The sound of an empty bed at the nuthouse calling your name." Roy sneered, standing. "Chill out, Brainiac. You're too high strung. Ludwig ain't got it out for us or nothing like that so come off it already."
Iggy didn't even have the strength to send a glare after his brother as he instead took a seat on the bottom step, trying to figure out why he felt so odd this morning.
I was worried for nothing. It would seem, like always, Peasley had really come through for me. The clothes he picked out were casual and incredibly normal, and not just by his standards. This evening I found myself in a satin green shirt with long sleeves and a pair of black pants and my own black trainers. Peasley said it would be fine to wear them since the ball would take place outside. Still, I did look at them a bit worriedly. I didn't want to stand out or look under dressed. And speaking of that.
"I'm surprised it fits." Was the first thing Daisy had to say on the matter of her borrowed dress.
She came out from the bathroom in the guest bedroom looking like her usual gorgeous self. The dress she had was white, one of the three traditional colors for the Spring Festival along with orange and green. The sleeves were big and puffy and hung off her shoulders and the skirt was loose and flowing like the one she'd worn yesterday. I'd never seen a plainer dress; there was no silk, no satin, no buttons or jewels or lace or embroidering, no patterns or designs or anything. Just a plain white dress. She managed to make even that look astounding on her.
"Have you seen my sandals?" She asked me.
I blinked from my seat on the bed and shook my head. I didn't hear what she'd said. Something about the weather, maybe?
"It's supposed to be good." I told her, shooting in the dark.
Daisy frowned a bit in confusion, then laughed and came over to me. She sat down and reached under the bed for her shoes, her sandals, and started putting them on. She smelled nice and so did her hair. It was down. I liked it down.
"Alright, I'm ready." She smiled at me. "We just have to find Peas-"
"How do I look?"
Both our heads whipped over to the door where the prince's voice had come from. He stood in the doorway in an outfit that was nothing like I'd ever seen before, and I'd seen quite a few of his more shocking numbers. This one just took the cake. His shoes were the tamest part of the ensemble, just some regular dark-colored sandals that let us see his feet for the second time since we'd arrived in his kingdom. His dark green pants, if they could be called that, were more like shorts because they cut off right above his knee and were skin-tight. The rest of his legs were covered in a thin silk material that was designed to look like bright green vines twining up and around his ankles, knees, and thighs. The same material branched up over his stomach and chest and arms. He looked like he got eaten by a plant.
Daisy burst into laughter but I was more disturbed than amused. I stood with my girlfriend and approached the royal slowly. He smelled like a plant, too; like freshly cut grass. And there were flowers woven into his hair. I grew very concerned.
"Peasley this is weird." I told him as gently as I could. "Even for you."
Peasley shrugged, folding his arms and inadvertently drawing attention to that red mark that he just couldn't seem to keep covered. I made sure not to let my eyes linger on it since he still hadn't addressed the matter.
"It's a symbolic costume." He explained. "It's indicative of the respect a king has for the environment around him, it shows that nature and I are as one on this day; as ruler, I have charge over not only the denizens who live here but for the land they live on as well. I see nothing strange about that. It's the very basis for the Spring Festival, after all."
"Well, since you put it that way." I said, then added in my head, nope. Still very weird.
Daisy put her hand up to her mouth but failed to stifle her laughter. Peasley just looked at her in question as if he wasn't wearing an entire garden all over his body.
"Are you two ready to head to the ball?" He asked.
I said, "Sure. Why not."
A/N: I hope this makes you guys happy and I'll see you next chapter!
Until then...
~DymondGold~