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 Fifty-Seven
He didn't expect this: not to be transported right in the center of the throne room, nor to be attacked on sight. He knew this part of his mission was not going to be all kittens and sunshine, but it took him by surprise to suddenly be about a foot away from the pacing sorcerer.
"How did you..." Ludwig trailed, then frowned and reached for the other royal.
Prince Peasley leaped backwards out of his range and prepped his body for a fight. The Koopas on guard stood back at their ruler's command and watched Ludwig square off with this newcomer.
I'll have to be more careful about what I say around the Lord of Illusions, Peasley noted to himself. When I said I wanted to hit the ground running with this plan, I wasn't referring to this.
Ludwig shot a blast of energy towards Peasley and he countered it with an icy hex that met the blast halfway; both attacks fizzled out with a shower of light and noise. Ludwig was quick in coming back with move after move. He was using his magic and, in doing so, was keeping a healthy distance between himself and his opponent. Peasley was not a man of war but he could fight pretty well. Magical dueling was not his strong suit, he couldn't dish out all the attacks Ludwig was doing nor could he defend himself forever; he only knew so many cancelling and countering spells.
If I could just get next to him, Peasley thought, growing frustrated. He had a blade under his cloak but at this rate he'd be reduced to ash before he'd even get to use it.
That's it!
Peasley suddenly had a burst of inspiration. He saw Ludwig shooting a ball of what looked like blue lightening shrouded in wisps of fire right towards him.
Peasley made his move.
The light struck the prince in the chest and blew him back against the front entrance doors, yards away, with a force that made the old wood rattle. The royal slumped onto his side with a burnt cloak and groaned. Except that groan sounded a bit too animalistic and primal for it to have come from him.
Applause sounded, slow and crisp in the tension-charged air of the throne room. Ludwig whipped his head around and let his eyes widen, belying his brief surprise.
No way, he thought with a scowl, upset that this novice had gotten the better of him. For it was the cloaked Prince Peasley who was giving him a slow hand clap from his lounged seat on the throne. Even though his hood was up, Ludwig could almost feel the other royal's smugness and it irritated him to no end.
"Excellent marksmanship," Peasley lauded, "But I'm not sure your friend, there, appreciated it."
Another glance at the fallen 'prince' showed that the figure who was slumped at the door was one unfortunate Koopa guard. Ludwig couldn't snort hard enough to convey his disdain and utter condescension; not only had the prince gotten the better of him, but the novice had the gall to fool him with a beginner's glamour charm.
How did I not notice that, Ludwig wondered, then got his answer. I wanted it to be him, I wanted it too bad.
He knew very well how those spells worked and if you weren't expecting or watching for the subtle changes, you could fall for the guise. Ludwig was so sure that he'd gotten the prince with that last attack that a glamour spell hadn't even crossed his mind.
"Enough of this," Ludwig scowled harder, "What do you want?"
"If you're ready to talk," Peasley spoke lightly, "then call off your guards."
Ludwig narrowed his eyes and balled his now-flaming fists at his sides. Peasley saw this and just shook his head.
"The more time you spend fighting me," He drawled, "The less time you'll have to recover your clone."
There had to have been a giant invisible bucket of water that suddenly tipped over Ludwig's head because his whole countenance changed. He was still angry, but he put out his fire and grew contemplative.
On the one hand, Ludwig thought, he could be trying to deceive me. I know he looked into my head earlier so that explains how he knows about the clone. He could be trying to make me think he knows something when he doesn't; but for what? What could he have to gain by getting me to call off the guards and let my own down?
Assassination, theft, more mind-raiding; these were the only things Ludwig could come up with and none of those would be happening on his watch. He was once bitten, twice shy when it came to someone getting into his head again, and as for the other two crimes; he was too advanced a sorcerer to let that happen to himself.
Him, on the other hand, Ludwig mused. He didn't know where to peg the prince in terms of skill level; he had to settle on somewhere below adequate but just above mediocre. Still, he wouldn't underestimate the power of blind luck and its ill-inclined favor for the weak. Ludwig raised a hand.
"Leave us." He told his guards
All of the Koopas filed out of the throne room and headed downstairs where a veritable breeding ground for their species lay. In the emptied throne room, Ludwig folded his arms.
"Where is the clone?" He asked, no trace of patience in his tone or body language.
Peasley was the opposite when he waved his hand and said, "Patience. I'll get to that."
Ludwig balled his fists again and stalked towards the prince. He stepped right up to the cloaked male extended his abilities against the cloaked individual. In that instant Peasley rose from the chair as if by a wire harness and floated above the other ruler.
what the, Peasley thought for a moment before all his energy went to finding an alternate source of oxygen because currently, he felt as if there was someone choking the life out of him. That was odd because both Ludwig's arms were still down at his sides. Magic.
"Let's get one thing straight," Ludwig spoke coldly. "You live because I allow it. I am ruler here, and I have the power of the old Dark King at my command."
Peasley couldn't quite show if he'd even heard those words or not, seeing as how he was fighting for his next breath.
Ludwig said, "I could rip right through you and I will if you don't tell me exactly where that clone is. Right. Now."
The prince's hood had fallen back somewhere down the line so when he began to smile slowly, it was to Ludwig's immense disbelieve and displeasure. He willed the invisible cords round the prince's neck to tighten but Peasley's grin was still wide as he forced out one single word.
"...Release..."
Ludwig blinked, both incredibly agitated and a little impressed. Peasley was right back on the throne, lounging casually as he had been doing before, with the other young ruler in front of him. Peasley's hood was up in the harsh lighting and Ludwig wondered at that.
It only adds to the mystery, Ludwig figured. Who is he, really? Certainly not just the fanciful Prince of Bean Kingdom. He knows magic, dark magic, but how much?
"Are you ready to talk now?" Peasley asked, remarkably pleasant, as if he hadn't just been assaulted on a physical and then mental level.
Ludwig spoke evenly, "You must have studied illusions and sorcery well."
He was prying, Peasley could tell that much without being an expert on interrogation. The prince had studied magic, yes, but he'd also studied his opponent. He knew that Ludwig had trained under the infamous King Boo and so one of the first things he'd looked up was how to dispel illusions. He'd learned all about them but to experience one now was equal shares exhilarating and terrifying; he was just as shocked as Ludwig, albeit a whole lot happier, when he realized the simple word had worked. It was deceptive; saying the word was the easy part, it was recognizing the illusion in the first part that was challenging. Peasley didn't, but King Boo had warned him that it may happen, and had told him to anticipate this inevitable inquisition, too.
"Well enough." Peasley shrugged, keeping his tone neutral.
The blue-haired ruler then said, "Dark magic cannot seduce an unwilling mind, nor does one persist in the affair without encountering certain...members of trade."
The prince had already resolved within himself that he would not be bullied into revealing that which he didn't already concede to beforehand. Peasley knew what the other male was getting at; he was saying that you couldn't exactly foray into dark magic without encountering the Lord of Illusions himself, who was the most knowledgeable figure on the subject in all of Mushroom World.
I don't believe I'll tell him that just yet, Peasley thought with a faint smile.
"All you need to know about me is that we share a common interest." Peasley answered assuredly.
"And what is that?" Ludwig asked with aggressive skepticism.
Peasley opened his mouth to answer when he felt something prod at his mind, like someone had taken a stick and poked at his brain. The mental wards he had in place had been built up over the course of a few weeks and weren't terribly strong, but they sufficient enough to hold the other sorcerer at bay for a moment, strictly because Ludwig hadn't been expecting any resistance at all.
"Oh, now that's not very polite," Peasley spoke, unperturbed.
"Why ask questions when I can just see for myself?" Ludwig reasoned.
Peasley fought a wry smirk when he said, "Or you could just talk to me. You know. Like a normal person."
"You'll lie."
"I assure you, I won't."
"And I'm supposed to believe you?" Ludwig scoffed.
"We both want something from the other," Peasley stated, "So why don't we just get our terms out there in the open?"
Ludwig didn't speak but he did back off with the mental invasion. He crossed his arms again and lifted his chin.
"Speak." He ordered.
Always have to be in control, Peasley mused. Okay. I'll humor you. After all, the clone is with me so who's really in control here...
"I know that Bowser and Cackletta are trying to kill you." The prince stated. "I want to track them down just as bad as you do."
Ludwig scoffed and said, "So it's an alliance you're after."
"Don't flatter yourself." Peasley sniffed. "And don't presume to know what I want. Just listen-"
"Where is the clone?" Ludwig cut in snidely.
Peasley lost his smile and amicable facade for good. The only indicator for his change in disposition was the silence that pervaded after that last sentence. Peasley closed his eyes and exhaled.
I didn't count on him being so annoying, the prince thought.
Slowly he said, "I can get the clone back to you, safe and sound. But there is something I would require of you."
"So you do know where the clone is." Ludwig spoke accusingly.
Peasley rolled his eyes and told him, "I have the clone. There. May we now proceed with the rest of the conversation? Did you even hear anything I just said?"
"Of course I did." Ludwig sneered, "But we're not allies, as you've made clear. Why would I do something for you?"
"Why, indeed." Peasley hummed. "I mean, it's only your life hanging in the balance."
"Where is the clone?" Ludwig asked through gritted teeth.
Peasley sighed and thought, so single-minded.
"It's safe for now." The prince imparted. "I'll return it to you just as soon as my request is granted."
He recalled the last time someone had made a request; all I'd lost was a harem girl and some supplies, but then again that may have just been a way to stall me, he thought suspiciously. Whatever. It's done now.
"What do you want from me?" Ludwig asked warily, thinking, there's no guarantee you'll get it.
"Bring me Cackletta," Peasley spoke in a low voice. "Alive and in one piece."
Ludwig made a face and said, "The hell do I look like, a bounty hunter?"
Peasley gave him a deadpan stare that went unseen from under the shadows of his hood and paused.
In a light voice he mused, "The clone is only a little child, and children are such...slippery little things. They tend to fall into the wrong hands if one isn't careful."
Ludwig narrowed his eyes, seeing right through the veiled threat. Peasley smirked to himself, having accomplished making Ludwig as irritated as he was starting to get. Then he felt the probing again at full force. The mental wards held up, but barely. Ludwig was beginning to overpower him.
"I wouldn't bother trying to root around in there." Peasley spoke with none of the unease he felt. "The memory's no longer with me."
"What?!" Ludwig shouted.
Peasley said with mocking gentleness, "I don't know where it is."
"Then how are you going to get it back to me?" Ludwig demanded.
"Please, don't shout. Use your inside voice." Peasley coaxed.
Ludwig grew dangerously silent.
He's even more uptight than dear old Luigi, Peasley noted.
He said languidly, "Stop trying to burn a hole through my head with your eyes, I'll get the clone to you just as I promised."
"How?" Ludwig seethed.
"I have my ways." Peasley smirked to himself. "All you need concern yourself with is bringing me Cackletta and hoping my patience holds out until you do."
I would never harm the child, even if it is a clone, Peasley thought, but he doesn't have to know that.
Ludwig grew even more irate and snapped, "How am I supposed to find her, anyway? The bitch ran off with the bastard, they could be anywhere by now."
Peasley waved a hand and said, "Oh, you'll find her. I'm sure your life is a strong enough motivator."
The prince then stepped down from the throne and brushed past Ludwig. Not before the practiced sorcerer grabbed his arm.
"I could just kill you now," Ludwig whispered viciously.
Peasley remained unfazed as he pointed out, "Yes, but then you'll never find your clone."
"You don't know that." Ludwig argued.
Peasley replied, "I guarantee it. You will die before you find out where it is."
Ludwig faltered and Peasley thanked whatever deity was responsible for the sorcerer not calling his bluff. In a show of indifference Peasley reached over to gingerly pluck Ludwig's offending fingers from his shoulder and made his way without care or haste to the entrance doors. He knew that Ludwig could call his guards at any moment but he also knew that Ludwig wouldn't be calling them today.
"I'll be waiting in my palace." The prince called behind him. "Do work quickly, now."
As much as I hated them, I was pretty much always caught in awkward silences. The best friend of the socially inept, I'd say they were, except in this instance there was more tension than awkwardness. I wasn't privy to why, but if I had to guess I'd say it was because Daisy was definitely not on good terms with Ludwig-well that was putting it mildly-and his exact replica was sitting in child-form on our apartment couch. Add that to the hell she'd already endured while in a pit with the Dark King and her wary silence suddenly seemed a lot less unwarranted. She stood staring at the child with mixed emotions and the child gazed back with an equally unfathomable expression. I was pretty sure they could do this all night.
"Where are you going?" Daisy asked me.
She was the first to break the staring contest as her eyes trailed over to me. I was heading to the closet where our laundry basket went. Normally Daisy liked to do it because her washing process was a tad more complicated than mine, meaning there was more than the one step of tossing it all in the machine and pouring in detergent. This time, though, I decided to spearhead the task. Daisy needed to rest and we needed to wash. It wasn't like we'd be wearing these clothes for much longer anyway; something told me that when we got to her palace, our wardrobe just wouldn't be the same. I mean, look at my brother. He went from played out suspenders and overalls to tailored suits with unmentionable price tags.
That's hardly gonna' be me, I figured. High fashion was more of Peasley's thing than mine. But back to the matter at hand.
"I'm going downstairs to wash," I told Daisy. "I'll be right back."
Daisy didn't argue with me. Instead she went over to the couch and collapsed. The girl laid on her side at the opposite end of the child and brought her knees up to her chest. I smiled at her but sadly because I knew it was going to take some time for her to wind down after this latest bizarre spin of events.
To the bedroom I went with the clothes basket in the hall. I looked through my top drawer and took out some spare dollar bills and quarters and then shoved them in my pants pocket. I knew I'd definitely need a shower when I got back. Not just for cleanliness sake, either.
Daisy watched absently as Luigi left with the laundry and detergent in hand. He didn't lock the door behind himself but Daisy just smiled bitterly to herself at the thought.
What would be the point, she wondered. Normal, human criminals hardly scared her anymore. What was a thief, rapist, or murderer to the Dark King, who embodied all three sins himself? She'd seen the worst of the king and lived, and though this was an accomplishment, it wasn't one the girl could take much joy in while knowing he was still alive and at large. She'd let her guard down and believed he was dead before and then he'd caught her by surprise, so she vowed not to make the same mistake again. She knew he was hiding somewhere, probably getting stronger and making friends, but the day he chose to pop up would be the day she got him for good.
Daisy narrowed her eyes and stared hard at the wall far in front of her. She looked back on her experience as a learning lesson. True, no one could have rightly predicted Ludwig's moral and mental decline, but she'd chosen to trust him anyway and it had come back to bite her.
How many times did Luigi tell me he had a bad feeling about him, Daisy recounted. Now knowing what she did, she felt awful for ignoring and scolding her boyfriend for being hard on Ludwig.
Oh, well. Live and learn. Daisy shrugged a tiny bit. She was still angry and disgusted most of all. Not with Ludwig. No, she didn't feel anything but apathy and indifference towards him. He was dead to her now, having done something so utterly selfish and unforgivable. She was disgusted with having been made a victim yet again and angry that she couldn't immediately pay back her tormentor for what he'd done. She knew that there would soon come a time where she would face the fallen king again, and she'd be ready, but in the meantime she couldn't help but feel like her suffering was for nothing.
This is getting me nowhere, Daisy sighed. Thinking about her feelings was just making her mad. She needed to talk about them with Luigi. He had a very unique way of actively listening to her and responding in ways she hadn't expected but highly appreciated. He was understanding and wise for a younger man.
Not to mention those eyes, she thought with a faint smile. His eyes were not only beautiful to her, so clear and blue, but they often invited her into his soul where she could see just how honest and sincere he was. He really was a good person and that was what she needed right now. Somebody good who could level out the growing darkness in her heart because the more she encountered and thought about Bowser, the more callous and black her heart and emotions grew. It was wrong to murder and torture but that was always where her thoughts veered when she thought about the old king.
I need a bath, the girl decided.
Bathing was the best form of therapy for her, that she knew of so far. It was soothing to feel the water encase her, warm and welcoming. It was more than just a ritual, it was a way to let the stress and worries eek away from mind as her muscles relaxed her and nerves calmed. Just thinking about this was starting her on the path to mental peace. She yawned and sat up on the couch, then stretched her legs out onto the floor. She jumped a bit because she'd nearly forgotten about the little clone sitting and watching her every move.
"Um." Daisy spoke.
She'd never been awkward with kids but this was different. The kid didn't look like an ordinary child. He had the makings of a five-year-old with his lean arms and legs, big eyes, and short stature, but he was just different in some way. For one he was quiet; he hadn't spoken a word since Daisy first saw him. And another thing was that he wasn't just cute, he was beautiful. Like a little angel-child. His hair was too smooth and straight, like navy silk streaked with black. It poured from his scalp and framed a face that was as pale as alabaster. His emerald eyes were large but stayed in a perpetual hooded state, as if he was always studying her. His nose was little and thin and she could tell it would become sharp and aristocratic later on. His mouth was pale and stayed shut, except when it opened a moment later to let loose a yawn.
"You're tired?" Daisy asked him.
To her relief, he shook his head, letting her know that he was capable of some communication even if it wasn't verbal. It would be a pain if he were just as taciturn and aloof as his older self.
Daisy stood and the child stood with her, having to hop down from the couch. She sat him in front of the tv and turned on some cartoons that played on one of the public access channels. From the coffee table she gave him Luigi's rubix cube and let the child occupy himself with that. She headed to the kitchen and let her instincts take over as she fixed the child something quick and light to eat; the only thing forthcoming was a bunch of tv dinners. Anything else required the stove. She sighed and shook her head.
Oh, Luigi. We've gotta' work on your palate sweetie, she thought with a bemused smile. She'd been doing that thus far, cooking for the former plumber as often as she could. He could cook some things, too, but he had to be in the mood.
The microwave beeped and Daisy transferred the sub-standard meal to a nice clean plate. She put a fork on the dish and poured a glass of juice for the boy, then set the food and drink down at the table.
"I hope you're hungry," She announced wearily.
And I hope you're not picky like your older self, she tacked on in her head.
Relief was what she felt when the child came over and seated himself at the table. He had to sit on his knees to reach the food but was content to do so as he ate without prompting. He stared at her while he ate and she tried to smile without letting on how much he creeped her out.
"Okay," She murmured to herself, "Bath time."
When Mario and I had made a name for ourselves in the hero business, we started getting treated like celebrities in the Mushroom World. Sort of. We would go places and people would know our names, most of the time, and we got all kinds of sweet discounts and free stuff. People would buy our meals and send us clothes and pay our taxes; okay, so that last thing never happened but there were times I wish it did. My point for bringing that up now was that, as soon as I got finished tossing the clothes into the dryer, someone plowed into me from behind and smothered me in an aggressive hug. I remembered a time when that wasn't so uncommon, especially when we'd have to do rescue missions. The only thing was it was usually my brother receiving the attention while I hung back and accepted the thank-yous.
"Luigi!" This person cried, nearly choking me with their slim and surprisingly soft arms.
I glanced down at my impassioned assailant and all I saw was a mess of coppery hair. My nose was flooded with the smell of strawberries and I suddenly knew who was hugging me. I didn't expect to see tears in their eyes when I gently pushed them at arm's length.
"Where have you been?" The shorter woman asked of me.
Part of me contemplated lying. It was my go-to response to anything related to the Mushroom World, besides utter silence, that is. But something in me was tired of the lies. What did it matter anymore? I was leaving before the week was out, probably never to see the grey-eyed young woman again.
"Tanya," I spoke in a sigh.
She hugged me again and I noticed she hadn't changed much. She was still the tan-skinned, slightly freckled little niece of my landlord. Her style hadn't changed much, for she wore cuffed black shorts and suspenders with a white t-shirt that read, 'bad news' in red letters. They matched the color of her laces on her black combat boots.
"I missed you." Tanya told me once she'd pulled away from my body. "Where did you go?"
Again, I really didn't feel like lying, but at the same time I really didn't want to go into all the details, either. I just wanted to move the answer from my mind to her ears. Yeah, I was tired.
"I had to take care of some things." I ended up saying.
"Oh." Tanya spoke, disappointed on some level. "Things like what?"
What do I really have to lose?
I sat down on the bench across from where the laundry was drying and felt Tanya sit next to me. She was so small for a nineteen, no, a twenty-year-old. I couldn't see her sit down because I had my head in my hands, still warring over if I should say something or not.
"Did something bad happen?" Tanya ventured.
This was the least intrusive she's ever been around me. Normally she'd be pushing and prodding for answers she had no business asking the questions to, but this time she seemed almost hesitant to even open her mouth. I glanced up at her and saw a reserved little woman in place of the plucky girl I used to know.
"Yeah," I told her quietly. "Something bad did happen."
Maybe it was her change in demeanor that inspired my change in response. I didn't feel like shutting her out anymore. She wasn't annoying me and I would be gone in a few days so why not?
Tanya blinked up at me but waited for me to speak again, to elaborate on the situation. I didn't owe her an explanation or anything else, but I gave her one and what's more, I gave her the truth.
"You're probably not gonna' believe me," I stated softly, "But a couple weeks ago my girlfriend got kidnapped."
There was a small flinch at the mention of Daisy but otherwise Tanya just listened. I continued on.
"Some guy took her from her job and basically locked her in the same room with...a monster who'd hurt her in the past." I stated tonelessly. "I had to go to...another country to meet up with a friend of mine and eventually get her back."
Tanya's expression was troubled when she said, "Why would anyone want to kidnap her?"
"Well, um. The guy who did it made a deal with the monster." I elucidated. "In exchange for power, he gave Daisy over to the monster because the monster was obsessed with her."
Dubiously, Tanya asked, "Why do you keep saying 'monster'?"
"Because I'm talking about a monster." I replied. "Flaming hands, inhuman strength, I think immortality; this creature's got it all. And he's made it his life mission to make everybody around him suffer."
Tanya remained skeptical and asked, "...If there was a monster, how come no one's heard of him?"
"He's from another world," I blurted, then amended. "Well, kind of."
"Right..." Tanya frowned, then stood and said in a peeved tone, "I get it, Luigi. I annoyed the hell out of you in the past. I'm sorry. Really, I am. I know I went overboard and acted like a total floozy but that doesn't mean I didn't truly care about you."
"Tany," I stood, speaking evenly.
"No!" Tanya backed away from me. "I was worried when you just disappeared like that; me and my uncle were. We thought that maybe you'd...gone off the deep end again."
I saw the tears start making a comeback in those rich grey eyes. I tried to step towards her but she just stepped back again, hurt. I just put my hands in my pockets then.
Tanya said in offense, "I just wanted to know what happened to you. That's all. You didn't have to pull some crazy story out of your ass just to mess with me!"
Understanding dawned on me. For a moment I was actually wondering what had the girl upset, but now I knew. I smirked in a wry, humorless sort of way. Pulled some crazy story out of my ass? I wish.
"As weird and twisted as it sounds," I told her slowly, "Nothing I said was a lie. I lead a very disturbing life, unfortunately, and truth be told, that's just the watered down abridged version of what really went down."
Tanya faltered and crossed her arms. "Really? You expect me to believe...really?"
She saw my unwavering expression and eventually came round to see that I wasn't lying. Tanya's expression grew mildly horrified.
"So...that stuff really did happen?" She asked, "She really got kidnapped and there really is some fire-breathing monster out there?"
I nodded and said, "Truly."
"Luigi, that's crazy." She shook her head. "You haven't been messing with any more pills, have you?"
I guess that's my cue to just leave this matter alone, I thought dismally. It was stupid of me to think Tanya would believe me, her crippling crush on me notwithstanding of course. Hell, if it was me hearing these things, I wouldn't believe me.
"Never mind." I sighed. "It's been a long day and I'm just really tired. I have some packing to do in the morning so I guess I better go."
"Packing?" Tanya echoed. "You're moving?"
I moved to the dryer and started putting my clothes in the basket. The girl watched me with a certain wariness, like I was a wild animal that she wanted to help but she just didn't know if I'd bite off her hand or not. I ignored her for a second while I bent to unload the dryer.
"Yeah, I'm moving."
"Where?"
"You wouldn't know the place." I told her tiredly.
Tanya frowned and said, "Why are you moving?"
"You wouldn't believe me," I told her.
"Just try me." She asked, half meaning it and half wary of the answer.
I said, "Fine. I'm moving to Sarasaland because Daisy's a princess and she's got to get her kingdom ready for when the monster comes back to not only come for her but to wreak some kind of havoc on everyone."
Tanya gazed at me through wide, owlish eyes. Her mouth was covered in a light coat of red lipstick and was parted slightly. She blinked and gauged my languid expression for signs of deceit.
"Um."
"I told you." I stated. "You wouldn't believe me but it's the truth."
"That's just crazy," Tanya argued softly.
"But it's the truth." I shrugged.
I picked up the laundry basket and headed for the door. I thought I'd spooked Tanya so bad that she wouldn't say another word to me but I guess I was wrong. She caught up to me and put her hand on my arm, briefly.
"I really am sorry for how I treated you," Tanya murmured. "And if you're leaving, I'll miss you. A lot."
I put the basket down and said, "I think I'll miss you, too. As troublesome as you are."
Tanya smiled a tiny bit but it didn't last when she said, "I'm moving, too."
"Yeah?" I lifted a brow.
Tanya nodded and said, "I'm going to Florida to live with my mama. I think I need a change in my life. Less snow and apartments, more sun and condos."
I smiled a little at that, too, knowing from a faint memory that Sarasaland was a lot warmer than Brooklyn. It'd be a relief.
"Florida would be good for you." I told Tanya. "There you can wear all the cut-off shirts you want."
"I only wore that stuff for you." She admitted.
I was quiet at that, not knowing what to say in the face of the last remnants of her old affection for me.
She smiled at her own expense and looked down, saying, "I'm not much into dating anymore. Not right now. I'll be going to school next month so there's that."
I glanced at the girl and wondered how she could have matured so quickly in such a short amount of time. Maybe time had passed as slowly for her as it did for me while I was apart from Daisy. Being separated from the one you love, or think you love in Tanya's case, really put things in perspective.
It was Tanya who left first now and before she did, she leaned on her toes and kissed my cheek.
"Goodbye Luigi," She spoke softly, then added, "Good luck with the monster."
As she'd predicted, the bath had worked wonders for her mind and body. Daisy stepped out of the bathroom in some plain cotton shorts and a t-shirt of Luigi's, the black one she liked that said, 'The Ramones'. Her bare feet delighted in the familiar feel of the carpet that was of a cheaper grade than the kind in the Dark King's bedroom. She put her dirty clothes away in the hall closet and took a seat on the couch. Just as she did, the little clone who'd been fiddling with the rubix cube dropped his toy and came to sit next to her. Daisy was taken aback at first, but then her eyes softened and she held the side of his cheek. He leaned into her hand and blinked up at her with an adoring expression in his emerald eyes.
That's so odd, she frowned. He doesn't know me, so why does he keep looking at me like...
Daisy continued on in that line of thinking and started freaking herself out. She didn't want to think that the child was somehow connected to twin tantamount horrors that were Ludwig and Bowser, but the more she thought about it, the more she started scooting away from the young boy.
I was greeted by an odd sight when I walked back into my apartment; the little clone-child was sitting at one end of the couch, small hands in his lap and his large eyes glued to the tv screen. At the other end Daisy was in her sleeping clothes with her hair down and her knees up to her chest, looking at the kid as if he was the Black Plague incarnate; she alternated between slight paranoia and uneasiness. When I got inside and shut the door behind myself, Daisy got up and hugged me. The child noticed this with another of his odd stares; I now realized I'd been placing possessiveness where childish jealousy belonged. The boy had a bit of a pout to his mouth and a cross look in his eyes for a brief second before he gazed back at the television.
"Something happen while I was out?" I asked.
Daisy shook her head and kissed my jaw. "No, I just missed you."
"Ah." I smiled weakly.
I didn't tell about Tanya. It wasn't that important. Besides, I was bushed. I wanted to take a shower and crash as soon as possible. I put the laundry away in our room, not bothering to fold the clothes. I fished out some things to put on after I got cleaned, like a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I was in and out of the shower in under five minutes and ready to go to bed.
"I guess he can sleep on the couch," I murmured to myself in regards to our new young house-guest.
From the closet I got a blanket and took a pillow from my bed to bring to the child. Before I did, Daisy came in the room and shut the door behind her.
"Yes?" I asked, because clearly she wanted to talk.
Daisy rubbed her shoulders and said quietly, "That kid gives me the creeps."
I laughed a little and said, "Well, you did want children."
"That's not funny," Daisy muttered, giving me a hard stare.
I stopped laughing and watched her run a hand through her hair. She sank down on the bed and I stood over her, then crouched to her height. She turned her light eyes on me and seemed conflicted.
"Don't you think there's something strange about him?" She asked me.
I said, "Of course. He's Ludwig's clone. That's grounds enough for you to be nervous around him."
Daisy gazed off to the side and I tucked a finger under her chin and guided her pretty eyes back to mine.
"But hey," I pointed out, "It's only temporary."
Her features softened and she nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
She rubbed a hand over her face and stood, saying, "I'm just on edge after all this mess, you know?"
"Yeah, I know." I told her. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it, I'm here, alright?"
"Thank you." Daisy spoke quietly and leaned up to kiss me.
A/N: I know I'm only focusing on Luigi and Daisy right now, but bear with me. We'll get to the others in the chapter after next. I just want to throw in some time for the star couple to relax and get a break for a second.
As usual, thanks for reading and if you don't mind, go ahead and drop a nice review! It really does help me write more. If no one reviews, I would still write but having your opinions on the story really gets me thinking about where to take the story next, so yes they do matter!
Until next time!
~DymondGold~