Chapter 18 One of the Traits

As horrible as this sounds, Iggy had to keep himself from laughing at Chattiness. The way he looked at his fellow traits… that alone was comical enough, but then there was the fact that Chattiness didn't say anything. He just stared at them with a dropped jaw, looking like he was going to faint. Iggy just couldn't get over this, the fact that the personification of a person's chatty nature was speechless of all things. Talk about irony. Talk about hilarious in all the right ways.

As Chattiness just continued staring, not saying a word, Foodie walked over to him. He had this smile on his face as he looked at his fellow trait, and there was this sort of energy coming off of him. It kind of reminded Iggy of the ways Bowser would treat them when they were little kids. Foodie placed his hand on Chattiness' shoulder, smiling the brightest smile in the world. Chattiness tried to form words, but no sound came out of his mouth.

"I'm really glad you're back," Foodie said. He looked over at Laziness, groaning in the bed. "And Laziness is too! Isn't that right, Laziness?" Laziness held his hand up high as he did the thumbs-up sign, not bothering to move in any other way. This caused Foodie to giggle. "Well, okay, Laziness' mind is mostly being preoccupied with all the creative ways he can waste the day away, but still. We're both really happy to have you back." He grinned. "Now there're just two of us left to find! This is great!"

Chattiness just continued to stare. "Uh… um…"

What was a funny sight initially was now becoming quite concerning. Iggy frowned, repositioning himself so that he was in the trait's line of sight. "Are you okay?"

Chattiness put his hand to his head. "I don't… I don't understand what's going on…"

Sarcasm of all people furrowed his brow. "It's scary, isn't it?"

"Y…yeah." Chattiness lifted his head. "Who are you exactly? Why do you look so much like me?"

Foodie hesitated himself. "Uh, well…" He cleared his throat and looked at Iggy. "That's a little bit hard to explain."

"It most certainly is," said Iggy. He placed his hand on Chattiness' shoulder, in a similar way to how Foodie had done less than a minute prior. "Thankfully, we have all the time in the world to explain."

"Oh, do we now?" Sarcasm asked with a raised eyebrow.

Iggy held back a growl as he looked back at Sarcasm. "Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "We do." He led Chattiness out the door, all while everyone else followed. "Come with me and I'll reveal all the answers."

…

Later, on the common room couch surrounded by all the Koopalings who were currently in the castle, Chattiness listened intently as Iggy explained the situation. His face rose at some parts and fell with others. The worst example of the latter was when Iggy explained to him what exactly he had done to Morton. He looked shocked at first before looking down at the ground. Iggy noticed him gripping his hands into fists, which caused him to sweat. The looks of the other Koopalings as they gave Iggy glares didn't help his conscience to feel any less burdened. These looks prompted him to apologize, and apologize at a consistently quick rate.

Thankfully, the rest of the explanation went by rather well. Chattiness adorned a look of comprehension while listening, and by the time Iggy finished, all traces of confusion and fright were gone from his face. He looked at his fellow traits, this time with a sort of familiarity. He looked at the others. Iggy smiled at him when he did this, hoping that the look would quell any leftover anger and fear in Chattiness' fractured soul.

"So… I'm a personality trait," Chattiness stated matter-of-factly. He looked at the Koopalings. "And you guys are my siblings."

"Yep," said Roy. "And I can tell you with utmost honesty that we are the best siblings in the universe."

Both Larry and Sarcasm laughed at that. "Oh man, if only that were true!" Larry said as he wiped a tear from his eye.

"Yeah, keep wishing there Buddy," said Sarcasm as he tried to calm himself down.

Iggy, ignoring them, took a step closer to Chattiness. "I imagine that this is a lot to take in for you." He put on a smile, one that he hoped looked warm and comforting. "What are your thoughts about this?"

Chattiness hesitated. "I…" he put his hand to his head while cringing. "I don't know what to think about this whole thing." He looked right at Iggy. "I mean… I suppose it makes sense, to a degree. Heck, it makes perfect sense in so many ways! I don't really have any memories from before I wound up in Seawell, and I always did feel a little… incomplete, in a sense." His cringe got more prominent. "But… but this is also mind-boggling. To think I'm part of an actual person is just… wow. I feel so many things, so many different emotions building up inside of me and tumbling around… is this normal? Did my whole feel this way? Do normal Koopas feel this way? Is this normal? I mean, given how abnormal this situation is for everyone, I assume that this is a perfectly rational explanation. But at the same time I… I…"

Wendy snickered. "Wow, you really are a chatty trait."

Iggy snapped his fingers at her, a sign for her to quiet down. He took another step toward Chattiness. "I know it's confusing. But trust me when I say that we are here for you. We plan to get everything back to normal." His smile grew bigger. "Maybe even better than normal."

Chattiness blinked before he smiled. "That… that would be nice. It… it kind of helps me forgive you for what you did to me and Ludwig."

A warm feeling spread through Iggy. He probably would've thanked the trait if it wasn't for Sarcasm snorting.

"Well, that makes one of us," said the caustic trait.

Iggy's face fell, and he held back a sigh. "Anyway… we will be here to support you in any way you need. If you want food, water, or comfort in any form, we will glady give it to you." Chattiness' face rose into a smile, making Iggy curious. "I'm guessing you already have a request?"

"Well… honestly? At this moment, I would like nothing more than to have someone to talk to." His smile grew bigger. "I think that would be the best thing ever, at least in my opinion."

Iggy thought about this for a minute before nodding. "I understand. Is there anyone in particular who you think would make the best confidant?"

Chattiness' eyes scanned over the whole group. "Honestly, I'm thinking Roy and Lemmy. They were really kind to me in Seawell, after all."

Iggy's heart sank, for he had been hoping that Chattiness would've requested his presence. That would be the most convenient for them, as once Chattiness had been finished talking to him, perhaps Iggy could've asked him to connect with one of the two remaining lost traits. But oh well. Chattiness made his choice, so he had to respect it.

"Of course." He backed away and looked at Lemmy and Roy. "I hope you three have a pleasant exchange." He looked at the others. "Come on everybody, we should give them some privacy."

Everyone else nodded, and they all filtered out of the common room. Once the door closed behind them, Iggy sighed. His heart sank even lower than before. Sure, he supposed it made sense that Chattiness wouldn't want to talk to him given how he admitted to being the one to separate Morton, but still. He severely wanted to hear what Chattiness said to Lemmy and Roy. He considered pressing his ear against the door before he got a better idea.

"Hey, Foodie," he said, turning to the purple trait. "Do you mind connecting with Chattiness and relaying the words that the three of them are exchanging to me?"

Foodie blinked as both Sarcasm and Larry snorted. "Uh… um…"

Before he had a chance to give a concrete answer, Rage went up and gave Iggy a slap across the face. "OWW!" Iggy sucked some air through his teeth as he held his hand to his burning cheek. He noticed Rage glaring at him. "What was that for?"

"You are just a nosy fuckface, aren't you?" Rage said, spittle shooting out of his mouth when saying the particular sharp consonants. "Chattiness said he wanted to talk with Roy and Lemmy for a reason! Why can't you accept that, you planty weirdo!"

Iggy frowned. He was just about to answer when he saw Fear. The poor trait had collapsed onto the floor and trembled in one of the most pitiful ways possible.

"Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." Fear's trembling got worse, and he couldn't help but hyperventilate. "Oh, please don't let this get to messy." He curled up into a little ball. "I could never live with myself if I hurt someone again."

Iggy blinked. He looked at Rage, who surprisingly looked a little guilty thanks to Fear's words. Hanging his head, he cleared his throat and backed away. "I'm sorry, Iggy. That was taking things too far."

Iggy did a double take. He didn't know that Rage could display this kind of gentleness, but he was happy regardless. "Thank you very much, Rage."

Rage nodded, still keeping his gaze directed at the floor. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but Sarcasm spoke instead (probably saying exactly what was on Rage's mind, when Iggy thought about it). "Still, Iggy. I think it would be best to leave the others alone. You know, just a thought."

Iggy sighed, still not taking his hand off of his cheek. "Perhaps you are correct." He went over to Fear and helped him up to his feet. "I suppose that letting things play their course is for th best."

The Koopalings nodded, and they all began to disperse. Eventually, the only ones left in the hallway were Sarcasm (big shock) and Foodie. Foodie had a sort of solemn expression, while Sarcasm would give Iggy a dry, irritated look every time he laid eyes on him. Iggy decided he wasn't going to let this bother him. After what had gone down in the entrance hall, he supposed arguing with Sarcasm wouldn't be the best. He did make some good points (once in a blue moon).

"Well," Iggy said. He looked over at Foodie. "What is it you desire to do?"

Foodie did a double take. "Oh. I just… I was thinking about going to the kitchen and watching the chefs cook." He smiled. "Maybe I could even help them at certain points. That can be a lot of fun, and it could help me learn."

Iggy smiled. "That does sound nice, I have to admit." He looked over at Sarcasm. "Do you wish to join?"

"Nah," Sarcasm said. "I've spent enough time in your presence already." He turned and started walking away. "I'm going to go watch Rage's antics." He paused. "Hopefully they won't be too over-the-top…" he shuddered before resuming walking away.

Iggy let out a breath once he was out of sight. "Oh thank the lumas; I'm free." He and Foodie began walking toward the kitchen. As they did, Iggy looked over at the trait. "Hopefully, when Chattiness is done, he'll be able to help us find Morton's other traits."

"Yeah," Foodie said. "I think that would be nice."

…

"How is that painting coming along?" Antonio asked.

I pulled my hand away from the canvas to look at the painting. "It's… coming." Honestly, I have no idea what the picture is supposed to be. It's mostly just a mixture of blues, grays, and blacks, without really any forms or shapes in the picture. It definitely isn't what I would consider worthy of an art museum. I think I hate it more than anything else. The only reason I did this at all is because Antonio said he thinks it might help out when it comes to me finding myself.

Antonio got a glance at my painting. "Oh! Well, it looks pretty. Muy bonita, as we Tostareneans say." He patted me on the back. "I think you're doing an excellent job!"

Even with that reassurance, I couldn't help but feel stupid looking at such a worthless piece of art. Biting my lip, I set the paintbrush down and wiped my colorfully dirty hands on the smock that Antonio had loaned me. "Well… thanks." Even while saying that, I felt like I wanted to wither away and die. "I'm glad you like it at le…"

I stopped. The breath got knocked out of me as I felt new sensations come to me. Antonio, blinking, approached me with a furrowed brow.

"Morton, are you okay?"

I gasped, stepping back a little bit. The new sensations… were overwhelming! I collapsed to the floor, all while trying to wrap my head around the thoughts filling my mind. I put my hands to my head; not because it hurt, but because everything happening to me sent me completely off kilter.

"Morton!" Antonio approached me. "Que paso?"

I winced. All sorts of images filled my mind. I was… I was in a room. In front of me were two people; one short with rainbow hair, one burly with pink shades. We talked about all sorts of things. They even… laughed with me. Not at me, with me. They were having fun with me. They were enjoying my company.

"That's great, Morty!" the pink guy said. "I never would've thought about that!"

"Me neither!" said the little one. "But still, it's surprisingly profound! You are a deep thinker!"

I smiled. "Thanks, Roy. Thanks, Lemmy."

I gasped. Those names, Lemmy and Roy… I knew them! They were so familiar! I had a connection with these two people! I… oh my goodness, was I related to them? What exactly was the connection between us? I could almost point to what it was, could almost say it out loud.

"Morton? Morton!" Antonio put his hand on me, which made the thoughts stop coming in. As I tried to get my breathing back under control, Antonio looked right into my eyes. "What happened? Are you okay?"

It took a while for me to answer, but I when I eventually did, I smiled. "Yeah. I'm great."

"Really?" Antonio gave me an interested look. "Do… do you think you found yourself?"

I considered this question before nodding. "I think I'm getting there."