Chapter 21.04 Juggles and Kisses

Lemmy emerged from the Shell Mart bathroom feeling confident. He always felt like he could conquer the world whenever he put his clown getup on. This particular getup had yellow, green, purple, and pink fabrics sewn together to create an almost kaleidoscopic suit. The shoes were big enough to fit countries, the makeup on the face made Lemmy look pale and inviting. Just for fun, the littlest Koopaling honked the clown nose placed on top of his snout. The honk that blared out made his heart well up with humor and pride.

Oh, Ludwig was REALLY going to hate this.

Grinning, Lemmy waltzed out into the main area of the store. The shoes he wore honked with each step he took (a classic component to making clown acts hilarious). He giggled with each honk, both because of the noise and because of the intense giddiness he experienced. Sure, under normal circumstances, Lemmy would detest the option of harming Ludwig. But this was different. One, he wasn't going to do any real harm. All he was going to do was do what he did best; entertain the masses. He wasn't going to hurt Ludwig. If he was hurt by it, it was his problem, not Lemmy's.

At least, that's what Lemmy told himself. Luckily, it was enough to push away any possible feelings of guilt.

So, with a grin on his colored up face, he stopped right in front of the checkout counters. He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of a few of the patrons.

"Attention, everyone!" he proclaimed, gaining the attention and interest of the remaining customers. "I, Ludwig von Koopa…" Lemmy chuckled to himself when he said that name… "have decided to break out of my shell and be myself, in front of all of you no less!" He puffed out his chest. "I am going to put on the clown act to end all clown acts!"

Most people walked toward him, their faces showing their piqued interest. Lemmy grinned a massive, face breaking grin and reached into his hammerspace. He pulled out two batons and a trophy. The engraving on said trophy told Lemmy that his brother had received it two years ago after composing yet another breathtaking symphony. He hesitated over whether to include it among the juggle memorabilia, but made up his mind when he saw Ludwig throw cookies and candies in the walkway just in front of the checkout counters.

He snorted, the sound containing layers of playful wickedness. "Watch, my beloved peeps, as I show you the most impressive juggling…" he displayed the pieces…"that you have ever seen!"

Thankfully, this exclamation not only got cheers from the customers, but it also attracted Ludwig's attention. Smirking, Lemmy threw both batons and the trophy high into the air, so high that they were just inches away from hitting the ceiling. The plummeted back toward him like miniature meteors, and he caught all three of them with the slickness and bumbling grace that would make any clown ecstatic and any Ludwigs present furious.

This sentiment was proven correct when Lemmy got a view of Ludwig's face. His pupils were two sizes too small, his mouth dropped so low that his jaw almost touched the floor. He stood, frozen, as Lemmy smugly and flamboyantly juggled his belongings.

To make the experience even more exuberating, some of the patrons clapped and cheered. Lemmy made direct eye contact with his older brother as he spoke up.

"This is impressive, even I will admit it. But have you guys ever seen a clown juggle with his…tail?"

Lemmy threw the items way back up into the air. Right as they fell, he moved just a few inches forward. As they came back down, he caught them with his curved tail and threw them back into the air, one by one. The patrons' cheers grew louder, their clapping grew more frequent.

And Ludwig? His expression grew simultaneously more baffled and more furious. He stomped over to Lemmy, fire burning bright in his eyes.

"What the hell are you doing?" He whispered through gritted teeth. "You look awful! I look awful!"

Lemmy laughed. "On the contrary, I think I look pretty good." He directed his attention back to those who observed him. "Now, who wants to see me juggle with my feet?" He jumped up into the air and landed square in a handstand. When the objects came falling back down, he tossed them back up with the soles of his feet. The people grew more impressed as Ludwig grew more shocked.

"Stop it!" Ludwig exclaimed. He faced his brother with fright in his eyes. "Lemmy, you know I wouldn't be caught dead in a clown suit!"

Lemmy chuckled. "Well, I thought a change was needed…Lemmy.' He did backlip after backflip, catching the objects just in time to prevent them from breaking.

"And you're toying around with my stuff…" Ludwig flashed him a glare. "That trophy is worth more than your head!"

"Don't care!" Lemmy laughed and twirled around, all while still expertly breaking the objects' fall.

Ludwig fumed. His face turned red, he gripped his hands into fists tight enough to break diamonds. He watched Lemmy chortle and twirl for a few more minutes before letting out a sigh.

"You know what? Game on." He went over to one of the checkout counters. Lemmy watched him with both interest and concern as he stood on top of one of the counters.

"Attention everyone! My name is Lemonade Natalie Koopa! And I've gotta say…" he smiled down at a costumer right next to the counter. "You are look fine!"

With that, he grabbed the costumer by the arms and kissed them right on the lips. Everyone who was present eyed Ludwig in shock, including Lemmy himself.

What is he doing!? Lemmy screamed in his head. That is so not appropriate!

Ludwig removed his lips from the customers mouth, letting out a strong and satisfied "aww" as he did. Right as he did was when another koopa walked up to him, fuming.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU, YOU LITTLE TWERP?" He yelled.

Ludwig laughed. "Oh! This must be your husband!" He pulled the koopa forward and smooched him too, the action mushy and wet. "Mwah, you are one handsome Koopa!"

The koopa pulled away in wide eyed confusion. "I don't know what's worse; the fact that I got kissed by a midget, or the fact that I liked it!" He grabbed his wife's hand and walked away.

Ludwig giggled as he jumped on top of the cash register. "Anyone who wants a little sugar is welcome to get it!" He planted a kiss right on the lips of the worker (the male worker) running the register, much to Lemmy's horror.

This is awful! What am I supposed to do? He stood in place for a second, contemplating what to do in his panicked state, when someone on spoke up on the intercom. That gave him an idea, and also caused the smile to return to his face.

Oh, you are not going to like this, Ludwig! No you are not!