#I'll eat mushrooms with you any day king

[yugsly]

Quick Sozo doodle... love this freak so much.

[mixing0]

Ideas for a potential (and ideal for my tastes) Kirby Party game!!

This'll be long, obviously, so I'm leaving everything under the cut.

At its core, the game is a literal copy-and-paste of classic Mario Party. Everyone moves around the board, gathering more of a select item than their competitors to win, with minigames sprinkled throughout. No differences there. The difference comes from what the objects are, in this case.

On the topic of stars:

Here, stars are replaced with food items, given out by Kawasaki who replaces Toad. Whenever Kawasaki is moved, through any means, he prepares a new, unique food item.

When you get to Kawasaki, you can spend 20 point-stars (the Kirby equivalent of coins) for whatever he offers. Or you could spend 25 point-stars to get a different food selected at random.

Why does this matter? Because you can eat these food items for special bonuses, offering a nice helping of strategy to the established norm. Eating them means you lose a point, however, so it should be used very carefully to be effective.

Outside of those, at least one food is offered that has no stat effects and is just your bog standard.

On the topic of items:

Originally, I had planned for most of the items to come straight from Mario Party 2, but after looking more closely into the item system of Parties 5-7 (mainly 6 because it serves as another big influence on the project), I fell in love with the nuance and strategy that could be employed.

With that in mind, I was thinking about revamping the item system and number of items to better fall in line with this style. However, I'll still share the old item lineup, just for personal reference:

Wheelies act as mushrooms, letting you roll two dice blocks, while Rex Wheelies let you roll three.

Warp Stars act as, well, Warp Blocks, letting you swap places with a random player.

The Dimension Mirror allows you to move backward along a board when used. (And this will be more costly, so as not to be absolutely broken like the Reverse Mushroom was.)

The Vat-luck moves Kawasaki to a different space.

The Noddy Network calls Nightmare upon a player of your choosing.

The Enticing Cheese calls Daroach, while the Stinky Cheese prevents Daroach from stealing from you.

The Dinner Bell warps you straight to Kawasaki.

The Invisibility Stone lets you walk through alternate pathways.

The Nebula Chest steals a random item.

The Dueler's Sword... is self-explanatory.

On the topic of boards:

I conceptualized 12 main boards for the game. At the moment, they are:

Augmented Area (Technology-themed.)

Foody Feilds (Grassland, Food-centric theming.)

Corruption Cavern (Mining cave theme.)

Dusky Drawings (Spooky Mansion + Art theme)

Basalt Boulevard (Fire/Lava theme)

Royalty Ring (Castle theme)

Headstrong Honky-tonk (A casino in Merry Magoland.)

Galvanized Garden

Sanguine Sands (Western theme)

Mauve Mountain

Impeccable Iceberg

Nightmare's Nexus (Space Theme)

I may end up removing some of these, adding more, or changing a few of these ideas around.

On the topic of characters:

The roster includes:

Kirby

King Dedede

Meta Knight

Bandana Dee

Marx

Gooey

Adeleine

Ribbon

Magolor

Taranza

Susie

Elfilin

With the following making an appearance as non-playable characters:

Kawasaki (as the host.)

Nightmare (filling Bowser's role.)

Escargoon (who owns the bank.)

Daroach (filling in for Boo.)

Mr. Shine and Mr. Bright (who operate the day/night cycle.)

and other well-known enemies (who serve the other roles as needed.)

Each playable character will have a unique outfit for every board except for two. No one will have a unique outfit on Basalt Boulevard, and everyone will have a unique outfit on Nightmare's Nexus.

The character that does not have a unique outfit on the given board plays an integral role at the end if they lose, triggering a boss fight that acts as a final minigame (sort of similar to the boss minigames in Mario Party 9).

And that's everything I had! I hope you guys like my ideas!

Oh, and be sure to look out for the art I'll be making for this in the future. I've already made a few things for it, but they're all so old now that I feel like revamping them.

[violetjedisylveon]

Spoiled Hatchlings

Summary: Datura spoils her grandkids. Eda feels guilty and tired. And needs a nap.

Word count: 3.2k

Warnings: exhaustion, trauma, mentioned trauma, guilt, angst, the usual but with more fluff around it now.

A/N: The series finale is today guys! Isn't that insane?! Can't really believe the Owl House is ending, but I know it won't really end for me, I'll just keep plugging along with my aus and ideas and keep coming back to the show like gravity falls. It's a lot like gravity falls for me, lots of good memories and times with my family, only the good memories I have with this is talking with friends, online and in person, about this and it being my secret little show I watch. I'm not going to lie, the Owl House and the toh fandom has been really fun and important to me, it's given me a lot of characters I can relate to, more than any other show I've watched, and it's given me a lot of fun times making stuff like this AU! It's one of my favorite shows!

Enough sappy talk, I know you're all here for Enzo and King getting spoiled so let the spoiling begin!

Eda raises two gods AU link here.

________________________________________________________________________________

Datura had a vast skill set, being well over a hundred years old meant she picked up more than a few things, but damn, could the Werebeast cook!

After Enzo had woken up, Eda had found her mentor in the kitchen cooking up all sorts of treats and dishes. Some of Eda's absolute favorites were subtly snuck in the variety of options laid out for them and despite her guilt, Eda couldn't help herself.

There was just something about Datura's cooking. Maybe it was nostalgia, maybe the fact it had been so long, maybe not having to do the work herself made it better, and maybe some of the Werebeast's fur fell in and did something to make food taste better. Regardless of the reason, Eda was thankful she didn't have to cook. It felt like her body was going to give up on her any second.

Enzo really liked Datura's blossom bread, fresh out of the oven with a thick, sweet syrup made from the kid's favorite fruit. King, like the little gluttonous monster he was, was eating just about anything in front of him and Nibs was enjoying a snack of boiled Cockatrice eggs, a favorite treat of most Cat Snakes, she was making a mess, small chunks of bloody red egg were scattered about with the powdery remains of the purple yolks. Datura had a taste for the poisonous flesh of Cockatrice.

Eda herself had taken some biscuits and selected from the assortment of fruits and other plants laid out. She took a bite from a Cattail, it was cooked to perfection, void of the toxic bitterness it had raw.

It was one of her favorite fruit snacks while living with Datura and immediately brought back memories of reading some old text by the fireplace on a cold winter day.

Fuck, the nostalgia of this place was hitting her so hard.

"Amanita, could you go gather some more fruit for me? I have a feeling Enzo would like to try some." Datura was saying to a swamp cat napping on the windowsill.

The mossy green creature stretched with a wide yawn and rose, the water plants growing along her back bobbed as she shook herself out. The swamp cat meowed at Datura in that high pitched, needy way most felines did.

Datura rolled her eyes but allowed the critter to crawl across her tail and onto her shoulder. Amanita promptly settled onto her chosen perch and began to rub her head against Datura's cheek, the pair of mushrooms on her head released a sweet scent.

From his spot in a hanging nest near Datura's peppers, Jalapeño growled at the swamp cat monopolizing Datura's attention. Eda smiled at the familiar scene, Jalapeño and Amanita certainly hadn't changed.

The Werebeast scratched the swamp cat under her chin, resulting in a loud purr from the critter.

"Enough making Peño jealous, go get the fruit." Datura scolded Amanita gently.

With an upset huff, Amanita leapt off Datura's shoulder and landed in front of Eda. She hissed and clapped her mushrooms together, sending a wave of rotten smelling spores into her face, then in that haughty feline manner, trotted off.

"Naughty Nita." Datura sighed, offering her a towel.

Eda took it and wiped the spores off.

"Naughty is one word I'd use." Eda grunted.

"Aren't you a little old to be picking fights with wildlife, kit?" Datura mused.

Enzo giggled at that. Eda rolled her eyes. Amanita, who as far as Eda knew was anywhere from twenty-three to who the fuck knows years old, had been hanging around Datura her whole life, there were pictures of Amanita as a kitten somewhere. Swamp cats tended to live pretty long as far as wildlife was concerned, she'd read somewhere that the lifespan was similar to a witch's.

I guess long lived felines attract each other. There were several colonies of swamp cats that made Datura's territory their home and, at least when she'd lived with the Werebeast, frequently came in to just hang out like they owned the place.

"Kit, are you listening?" Eda looked up at Datura, who she had just realised was talking to her.

"Uh…"

Datura flicked an ear and smiled at her.

"I was saying that I am going to check the new kits in Amanita's colony tomorrow afternoon, and your Owlet was wondering if you could stick around and see them. Maybe you could give me a hand, the breeding season was very successful from what I've heard." Datura said.

Eda looked down at Enzo next to her. They had withdrawn into themself, ears tucked tight against their head, facing away from her and nervously tapping his feet, er, foot in this case. She made a mental note to write down the withdrawal behavior for Clover.

"Enzo, do you want to stay?" She asked, gently resting a hand on their hunched shoulder.

"We don't have to! We can go if you want, it was stupid anyway!" Enzo said quickly.

Eda turned Enzo to face her and got them to look up. Why did they always look so scared to ask her something? They looked like she was about to hit them! It was going to kill her if it kept up.

"I can do something you want, Starshine, I'm pretty flexible if you haven't noticed." She paused, feeling their shoulders relax under her hands.

"If you wanna go do something, we can do it, it's not a problem, okay?" She said.

Once again, Enzo didn't look like they fully believed her that such simple things weren't a problem. But the kid nodded.

"I wanna see the baby kitties." They said timidly.

Eda smiled, Enzo rarely asked for things they wanted, they'd ask for things for King or Nibs, but not themself. It was a good start.

"Alright, we can go see them with Datura." Eda said.

Enzo smiled up at her like she put the moon in the sky. She ruffled their hair.

An impatient meow came from the table, Amanita was sitting with a basket of Blossom Bat fruit hanging from her mouth.

"Geesh, can't you wait a minute?" Eda asked, playfully batting the swamp cat back.

She hissed and dropped the basket in front of Enzo.

"I'm gonna find shit on my pillow, aren't I?" Eda asked Datura.

"You know Nita." She chuckled.

Eda rolled her eyes and turned back to her breakfast.

XXX

"I can help you with those." Eda offered, taking an armful of dishes to the sink for Datura.

"Why thank you, kit." Datuta said with a soft purr.

"Do you need my help?" Enzo asked.

In comparison to Datura, who towered above her at over seven feet, Enzo looked so small, the kid was less than half of Datura's height and they were sitting. She could only imagine how they compared to her beast form, Datura would absolutely dwarf him.

"No Owlet, you can explore outside for a bit, Nita and Peño can show you around. Just don't get up, okay?" Datura told Enzo.

They looked at her for permission.

"Are you sure?" They asked.

"I've got six limbs to wash with, we'll get along just fine without you, Owlet." Datura said with a flexing of her tentacles.

Datura gave her a sly, impish grin over her shoulder.

"Besides, I believe my kit wants to talk about things that little ears shouldn't hear." Datura whispered loudly.

Enzo giggled at the supposed secrecy.

"Now get going, it's a beautiful day for nestlings to enjoy the sun."

Datura made a gentle shooing motion at the kid.

They giggled and wheeled towards the door, they stopped and leaned over the counter, motioning for her to come closer.

"I like your mom, she's nice." Enzo whispered not so quietly into her ear.

Eda's face warmed, Datura laughed.

"Starshine, she's not-" Eda started.

"I like you too Owlet, you are very sweet." Datura cooed, giving them a gentle pat on the head.

Enzo beamed and gave her a nod, then wheeled out the door with a giddy laugh at how fast the wheelchair went on automatic mode.

Eda watched them go, she didn't have the heart to correct them, and she didn't want to open that can of worms just yet. She turned around, Datura was giving her a mischievous, amused grin, her pupils were dilated and her tail ticked with anticipation. Eda rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Go ahead." Not like I would be able to stop you anyway.

"So I'm your mom now, am I?" Datura chuckled.

"Didn't wanna explain it." Eda shrugged and turned to the dishes.

"Suit yourself, kit." Datura shrugged and settled in beside her.

Eda listened to the kids' laughter as she fell into the familiar routine of washing by Datura's side. Despite the playful gibe, it was an almost automatic thing.

Datura was humming softly and tapping her foot as she went, her tail moved in time with the beat. Birds and wildlife could be heard beyond the open window, flowers and swamp flora bloomed, perfuming the air in an earthy, natural aroma.

Everything, even Datura herself, was the same and everything was so different. No, she was what was different.

"What is it, kit?" Datura asked, reading her troubled mind just like she used too.

Eda took a breath, prepared to blunder an apology out, when she heard the kids laughing outside. Enzo's earlier withdrawal was called to the front of her mind. The kid had some issues, Clover had been able to confirm that much, and true to her word sent some tricks to handle it, but Eda hadn't been able to implement any of them yet, she didn't know how to introduce it to Enzo.

They might not even know that something was wrong! From what the kid said, there had been a time before whatever went down, and with the way they talked about him, she didn't think their father had been the one to screw them up, but it seemed like it had been a long time since they had seen their dad. A lot must've gone wrong since. It worried her how little of this puzzle she had.

An infant demon, a powerful, severely traumatized kid with an extreme, unexplained fear of the Emperor, both of unknown origin, sharing a father who was absent and probably dead. That was it.

"Are you worried about your Owlet?" Datura asked softly.

"How could you tell?" Eda asked dryly.

"When you reach a certain age, you get good at reading people, children can't conceal all the tells, just the most obvious ones. I knew something was up the moment I saw them. No one can hide the way they smell." Datura answered.

Eda sighed and stared at her reflection on the plate she was drying. She looked tired, more tired than when she brought the kids to the park. Maybe a few days with Datura wouldn't be such a bad idea. It would give the kid someone else he trusted.

"Yeah, something is definitely up." Eda admitted.

Datura hummed, her tail ticking back and forth. Eda saw the gears turning in her head as she formulated an idea.

"It seems that you need help with your hatchlings, kit." Datura said, grinning broadly at her.

"You know they really aren't my kids." Eda pointed out.

Datura leveled a doubtful stare at her and Eda conceded. It was sounding less true every time she said it.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need, kit, your house demon should be fine by himself for a few days." Datura offered.

A few days without having to be soley responsible for two kids and herself sounded nice, and it wouldn't be right to just show up and leave. Plus Enzo needed a broader examination of their health, King too if, Datura could figure out what either of them were. And she might actually find the courage to apologize to her former mentor for all the trouble she brought into Datura's life.

"That doesn't sound too bad." Eda nodded.

Datura flashed her a wide, fanged grin and pulled her into her side. The Werebeast was purring up a storm.

"Excellent! Now, tell me all about your hatchlings." Datura purred.

Her pupils were so very wide. Excited was a gross understatement, Datura was absolutely thrilled.

A familiar warmth worked its way through Eda's body, easing the ache of her joints and guilt in her mind. Datura had always had that sort of calming effect on people, damn it felt good.

"Well, Enzo really likes Blossom Bat fruit, as you've probably noticed and they also like this type of squid, it's called nut head squid, used to eat it with their dad and, uh sister, I think." Eda said.

She didn't know exactly who the "Este" Enzo kept referring to was, her best guess was that sister they'd mentioned. It made enough sense.

She noticed Datura was looking at her weird.

"What?" She asked.

"You kept a straight face, you've matured a lot since I last saw you." Datura said.

Eda rolled her eyes.

"It's not like the kid knows, and I'm not about to explain all that to them." Eda grunted.

Datura laughed.

"What about the little one, what does he like?" She asked.

"Oh, King will eat anything that's not nailed down, he's an absolute glutton and a little monster about it too, the amount of times I've caught him trying to sneak something- guess I should expect it, they do live with me. Oh, and if he gets really mad he'll get all huffy and let out the most hilarious, adorable squeal you've ever heard, it's like a tea kettle!" Eda said.

"Oh I look forward to seeing that, and if they're anything like you at all, they'll learn to get away with mischief soon enough, enjoy the calm while it lasts." Datura advised with a chuckle.

"Was I really that bad?" Eda asked.

"You were positively horrible, kit, but not the worst kit I've had, actually, you were rather tame in comparison." Datura said.

The smile on her face told Eda the Werebeast was thinking back fondly of all the chaotic hellions she'd allowed into her home.

At least I'm not the worst.

XXX

Sickness tainted the air.

Datura set the bowl she was holding down and shook her witchling awake from her place curled by the warm fire. The child was underweight and racked with illness and infection. She stifled the growl that rose in her throat, the time for anger was later.

The witchling grumbled weakly and rolled to face her, sticky red tinted eyes stared up at her. Datura held out the bowl to her.

"Kit, I need you to drink this. It will make you feel better." She instructed.

The witchling gave her a distrusting look.

"She said all sorts of shit would make it better." She growled as she rolled over onto her back and covered her eyes with her bandaged arm.

Datura's tail twitched with irritation. The witchling clearly had some unresolved issues that, thus far she had refused to fully talk about. Datura hadn't asked for any information and let the witchling say what she was comfortable with, but comments like those were annoyingly vague.

"This is food, kit, you need food to stay alive." Datura explained.

The witchling lowered her arm slightly and gave the bowl a slightly less murderous, distrusting look.

"It's not some weird medicine?" She asked.

"In my experience, good food is its own medicine." Datura grinned.

The witchling sat up and hesitantly took the bowl and spoon offered. She took a cautious spoonful, her eyes lit up and she began eating faster.

Datura checked the witchling's wounds while she ate. The jagged lacerations were still raw, but healing nicely and due to her diligent care, were not infected. She rewrapped the wounds and sanitized the old wrappings with a quick spell.

The witchling had finished her soup and set the bowl aside by the time she was done. She had a satisfied grin on her fever flushed face.

"Did you enjoy it, kit?" Datura asked as she collected the bowl.

"It's amazing! You're a great cook." The witchling complimented.

"Thank you, kit, I'll be sure to make it for you when you're better." Datura said.

"What was it anyway?" She asked.

"A Cockatrice and willow leaf soup." Datura told her.

Realization dawned on the witchling's face, before she could object, Datura stopped her.

"You are sick, kit, the willow will reduce your fever and I used Cockatrice bones to make the broth. I'm not going to trick you again, but I need you to take medicine when I give it to you. I am not trying to kill you." Datura said sternly.

The witchling had her legs pulled to her chest, Datura recognized the posture from years of being a healer. Her witchling had more trauma than just her cursed state.

She did the only thing one could do in this situation, comfort the witchling. She sat next to her and began to run her fingers through the knotted mess of fiery hair.

Grooming was soothing to many beasts, and this child, while not one herself, had one in her that influenced her behaviors.

Soon, the witchling had relaxed enough that she was leaning against the Werebeast.

" … they tried so many things to fix it… she wouldn't leave me alone or let me out of her sight for more than two seconds… she made me do so many weird, uncomfortable things, brought me to some real creeps, some of that shit wasn't even medicine!… she never listened to me…" the witchling trailed off, fiddling with a stray lock of hair.

"She said she wanted it gone… no matter what… even if they had to tear it out of me… I don't know how… maybe it told me… but I knew that would kill me…" The witchling nervously glanced at her.

Datura could smell her terror, it came off in powerful waves. The witchling was trying to keep her emotions in check, and failing hard. Datura detangled her hands from the messy hair and cupped the witchling's face gently. She hesitantly leaned into the Werebeast's rough, weathered hands. Datura pressed their foreheads together.

"Listen to me, kit. I will not ever hurt you. I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable, and I will tell you what I give you." She said softly.

"I am not going to try to remove your curse, as far as I'm concerned it's there to stay. Attempting to is a useless, traumatizing endeavor, and you've had more than enough of that. What I will do is teach you how to manage it and manage the beast when it takes control." Datura told her.

"You're not scared of it?" The witchling asked.

"Kit, I'm much bigger than it, and I have plenty of experience dealing with beasts, I'll figure out how it works and make a counter. I will be fine and you will be safe." Datura said.

The witchling smiled at her and finally allowed herself to relax. Datura went back to grooming the kit.

"Your hair is a disaster, kit." She commented.

The witchling mumbled something unintelligible, she was close to the land of sleep. She shivered and reached for the blanket. Datura felt a purr rumble in her throat, she shifted and curled around the witchling, letting her find comfort in her soft, thick fur.

"Sleep well, kit."

________________________________________________________________________________

Bet you weren't expecting that at the end, were you?

Next up, Datura continues spoiling her grandkids and teasing Eda about a certain songbird.

I decided Enzo is smol. They is 3'11" now, and will get slightly taller by luz's arrival, maybe they will be 4'1".

King, Enzo and Nibs all saw Eda and Datura interact once and just assumed Datura was Eda's mom, no questions asked. It's not that hard of an assumption to make, Datura certainly doesn't help the situation.

Also I might have the next chapter ready to post as soon as sunday. It might be a shorter one but I might have it ready enough.

Anyway, I decided to go into the episode almost 100% blind, didn't watch the trailer and have only seen little bits of it, I want to be surprised and I know I'm gonna get hurt but, price of being in this fandom. So it's gonna be fun and give me more ideas on what'll happen at that point in this au(it's gonna be worse, for sure 😈 ) enjoy the finale and lets send the Owl House off with a bang!

VJS Out!

[kingmagnificoofrosas]

I’m gonna list some foods, you guys tell us if you’d eat it or pass!

• pizza

• chicken

• hashbrowns

• chips

• chips

• I really like chips

• honey chicken with Mac and cheese

• jam donuts

And any food you guys wanna take you can! If you just wanna give your opinion that’s all good too 👍💙

"Here we go again. More food." *leans back in chair*

"Don't look at me! I wasn't like - Oh, I eat like a starved T-Rex every day!"

"Did you just compare me to a dinosaur?"

"Your appetite! When you're very hungry you go grrrrr."

"Well ..."

"Grrrrr, I want steak, rrrrr!"

"Stop it, baby crocodile!" *pushes my shouler in amusement*

"Garrrrrr! Steaaaak!" 🦖

"Julie!"

😝 "Ok, ok! Fine! Let's do this!" 😃 "Pizza ... eh, I will eat it if I must but it's definitely not my favourite. Pass."

"What's a pizza?"

"Relatively modern dish from italy. Flat dough, traditionally with tomato-sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil. However, these days it comes in many more versions. Salami sausage, cheese, mushrooms ... honestly, sometimes they put the craziest things on pizza."

*shrugs shoulders* "I'll try it." *takes a slice* "Oh! Is ... is it supposed to ... be that floppy?"

😂 "Yes. Original italian pizza. Don't get me started on the disgusting frozen ones. Big yikes! Try folding both sides to the middle, like a sandwich. Its easier to eat that way."

*eats* "That is very interesting! It's good."

"Ok, next! Chicken? YES!"

"Yes!"

*laugh* "Chicken in any shape or form right? Speaking of modern food! Remember the chicken nuggets I had this one anon make us?"

"Oh, yes! You got good taste for being such a picky eater!" 😏

"Pfff, very charming. Thank you Magnifico!"

"You're welcome dear." 😌 "Now what are hashbrowns? Some sort of animal?"

*snort* 🤣 "Ahahaha! Yes, beware the potato! Very dangerous! It's natural habitat is the field and at night it goes out to hunt handsome kings!"

"Don't be silly!"

"It's made out of potatos!"

"I figured as far."

"Basically, grated potatos that get fried."

"Again the frying?" *tries* "Somewhat boring compared to the other things."

"Not my favourite either. If my Dad makes them however, I make sure to dip them into a sauce or something. Mayonaise, ketchup, anything!"

"Chips." *inspects the bowl*

"Magnifico!"

"Hm?"

"No scientific examination!"

*chuckles* "Don't worry. I was just looking."

"Yeah, by now I know that expression!"

"What do you mean?"

"You know ... the ... the thing you do with your eyebrows, that, that hyper focus thing! Like so-"

*laughs* "If you do that you remind me of an angry kitten."

"An angry kitten can bite as well. Anyway! Ohhh nachos with cheese dip! Or guacamole!"

*tries* "Yes, I can understand people liking this!"

"Ok, lets see .... Honey-chicken and mac and cheese. OUHHH, Mac'n cheese!!"

"More cheese?"

"Never enough cheese!"

"I can order us a cheese plate."

"Yes please!! Oh and anything noodles is a win for me!"

"Who knew."

"Try spagetti and we're talking!"

"Jam donuts." *tries* 😳 *puts them to the side slowly* "Shhht! You never saw a thing!"

"Uhm ... weren't there like, donuts or something?"

"What donuts? There were donuts?"

🤨 "Jam filled buns? Raspberry and strawberry jam filled fried dough?"

😐

*opens hand* ☺️🫴🏼

*groan* "Fine! Here you go!"

"Thank you!" 😁 *eyes the donut for a moment and then gives it back* "You can have them all."

😧 "Why?"

"Because."

"Because what?"

"Because, because!" *looks to the side* "Puppy eyes."

"What was that?"

"Eat your stupid donuts and don't ask!"

*chuckles* "I was joking. Please, I won't eat them if I can't share them with you. I'll feel bad."

"Awww. Fine. Just one then. They're calorie bombs!"

*looks at you* "Thank you for the food!"

[scribhneoirtuirseach]

I'll Let the Seasons Change My Mind (3/10)

also on AO3

featuring: Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Kamek & Koopas

wordcount: 1125

"Lu! Mail for you down here!"

Stretching out nice and big, Luigi releases a content sigh as he stirs from his sleep. The sun is out but not too bright, providing a nice warmth to the spot he'd been previously curled up in. Perfect, really, for him to just curl back up and sleep again…

"Luigi Mario, don't make me come up there!" Mario calls up again in Italian this time— Must be grumpy from the late night out, Luigi can't say that he blames him all that much. The Toadstools really know how to party!

Soon changing into fresh clothes and making his way downstairs, Luigi runs a hand through his hair as he retrieves the envelope from the table. Not a bill, he notes groggily.

He takes a seat, thumb sliding under the fold to carefully pry it open before taking out the letter within.

"Mr. Luigi Mario is hereby invited to Bowser Castle, which should currently be floating some distance above Mushroom Kingdom, accessible by pipe for ease of travel.

P.S., No need to be anxious: You're the only guest."

"No time…" Luigi mutters softly to himself, brows knit together as he turns over the sheet.

Mario lets out an inquisitive him, setting Luigi's breakfast in front of him. "For what?"

"I'm invited to Bowser's— It doesn't say when to go." He informs, handing the letter over to free up his hands and begin eating.

"Just go when you're done breakfast, eh?"

"I might seem too eager."

"Are you eager?"

Pausing, Luigi squints and playfully jabs his fork in his brother's direction. "Not-a the point."

Hands raising in defence, Mario chuckles as he leans back against the counter. "I think you should go soon as you can, spend the day with him… We don't have anything happening, anyway. Perfect timing!"

Humming, Luigi vaguely wonders whether Mario has any involvement in… whatever this is about, but ultimately decides to shrug it off and focus on eating.

Barely half an hour passes before he leaves home and finds the correct pipe, eyes widening in curiosity at the site of the castle he plops in front of, much different to the last time he'd… 'visited'. The stone exterior is lighter now, must have been cleaned, and the facade of Bowser's face is— inexplicably less intimidating. Though, that might just be his own changed perception of things. 

The land around is no longer completely barren; Still dark, yes, but the grass is beginning to grow and leaves are starting to sprout on the trees. Could do with some flowers…

Flapping his hands for a moment to let go of his anxious energy, Luigi blows out a breath before walking to the gigantic front doors and reaching up in an attempt to tug on the knocker— Not a hope in hell, unfortunately, due to his height.

Luckily, there are Koopas inside who somehow know he's there and work to open the doors from the inside. Unluckily, Luigi loses his balance in his attempt to reach and falls forward into the castle after failing to fix his footing. Lucky a second time, Kamek's magic prevents him from going face first into the floor.

"Mamma mia!" The plumber chuckles nervously as he's set right again, cheeks glowing an embarrassed red by the time his feet touch the ground again. Trust him to mess up just entering a place!

Familiar thundering footsteps are heard approaching the entrance hall, and Luigi watches curiously as the Koopas quickly bow their heads when Bowser comes into their vision.

"Luigi! You're just in time, come along!" He seems thrilled, if not a little nervous, and Luigi can't help a smile, waiting a moment for Kamek to finish dusting him off before jogging to join the King's side.

"What is happening, did you need me for something?" He questions, curious.

"Oh, no, no," A large clawed hand comes up to brush Bowser's fur back as he begins to lead their way through the halls— It looks soft, the way it bounces slightly with each step. Luigi wonders in the back of his mind if it'd be considered offensive to pet it… Hell, if their strange considering-things situation it offensive. Are interspecies relationships accepted and common here? "I wanted to show you something." Thank goodness he can still hear when his mind insists on wandering.

Even so, it's better to will himself to focus than hope he catches context. Whatever this is, it's clearly important to Bowser… He finds himself not wanting to miss out. "Oh ye?"

Nodding, the King stops their tracks in front of another set of doors, hands reaching towards Luigi. When he doesn't move away or show any sign of discomfort, Bowser uses them to carefully cover his eyes for whatever surprise is ahead— By the sound of things, he's using his tail to push the door open as he continues to guide the human ahead. Endearing, the plumber feels.

"Okay, keep your eyes closed…"

Luigi does as he's told, doing his best not to pay mind to how cold his face suddenly feels when Bowser's hands leave it.

"Aaand… open!"

Ever obedient to the wishes of others, he opens his eyes, and they immediately widen with amazement at the room he finds himself in. No overwhelming overhead sources of light, no colours too intense, comfortable furniture, books a-plenty, and… a bouquet of peonies in Bowser's grasp.

After so long living in his brother's shadow, Luigi has been seen. "How…?"

"I had Kamek do some research— And some magic…" The King admits sheepishly as he steps closer, tail swaying proud behind him while he looks over his fine work. "Do you like it? I thought you might prefer spending time somewhere tailored for you, rather than those big, loud parties."

Glancing over to Luigi, his eyes widen to find those beautiful blues beginning to tear up. "And, and it's alright if you don't like it, I can change it! Anything you want—" He's cut off by the plumber jumping up and clinging onto him in his best attempt at a hug considering their size difference.

"It is perfect, Bowser," Luigi manages to whisper, relaxing at the feeling of large arms coming around him to support him. "A perfect space to share with you."

Steadying his own breathing as to not start crying himself, Bowser lets out a relieved huff through his snout as he closes his own eyes. He had been prepared for Luigi to outright refuse, or accept on the condition of being alone… But he wants Bowser's company, if their last few anything interactions are anything to go by— Something that will take time to truly believe, but hearing it truly is enough to melt a previously hardened heart.

[100yearoldcomics]

July 9, 1922 Gasoline Alley by Frank King

TOP PANEL [ID: Walt kneels in a large patch of mushrooms growing in an idyllic wood. He points them out to baby Skeezix, who's just about sitting in his lap. /end] Walt: Don't touch 'em! Put the wrong one in your mouth and there wouldn't be any more Skeezix!

MAIN COMIC [ID: Walt straddles a creek, setting large stones onto the riverbed to build a dam. Skeezix stands at the riverside, happily clapping. /end] Walt: See, Skeezix, I'll build you a dam and give the fishes a hurdle to jump, they need exercise!

[ID: Walt struts up a hill, chasing Skeezix as he wanders into the woods. /end] Walt: I turn my back on that little rascal for twenty seconds and he's got three minutes start of me. I never saw such speed!

[ID: Walt nervously scoops up Skeezix, away from a patch of mushrooms. /end] Walt: Great heavens, Skeezix! A toadstool! Throw it away, quick! It's poison. Make baby frightfully sick!

[ID: Walt sprints out of the woods, carrying Skeezix under his arm like a linebacker running with a football. /end] Walt: Tell Uncle Walt. Did you eat any of it? Horrors! Skeezix: P'etty posie!

[ID: Walt speeds down a dirt road back home, kicking up clouds of dust behind his wheels. /end] Walt: Of course, everything you touch has to go into your mouth the first thing!

[ID: The car bounds over a hill with great speed. /end] Walt: I'll never let you out of my sight again as long as I live!

[ID: Walt barrels into Doc's study, Skeezix under his arm. Doc turns around from his rolltop desk, confused. /end] Walt: Quick, Doc! Skeezix has swallowed a lot of deadly toadstools! Doc: ?

[ID: Doc sternly holds Skeezix in his lap as Walt worriedly recounts the day's events. /end] Doc: Calm yourself, Walt, and tell me what they looked like. Walt: You know, Doc. Big on top, little on the bottom. You've seen 'em!

[ID: Doc leads Walt back out to his car. Walt keeps carrying Skeezix like a football. /end] Walt: Of course I can find 'em again. I know right where they are! Doc: Jump into my car and we'll have a look at them!

[ID: Doc barrels down the street, holding onto his hat. Walt sits next to him in the passenger seat, Skeezix in his lap. /end] Walt: Step on her, Doc! Don't waste a second! Doc: Next turn to the right?

[ID: Walt rushes into the woods, pointing out the patch of mushrooms to Doc, who hurries behind him. /end] Walt: There they are. The very ones! Skeezix: P'etty posie!

[ID: Walt worriedly holds Skeezix as he questions Doc, who kneels, overjoyed, before the mushrooms. /end] Walt: Aren't you going to give him something for it, Doc? Doc: Sure! I'll give him a bicycle or a sailboat or anything he wants! These are the finest eating mushrooms there are!

[shyrose57]

Cling eternally

...

"What is this?"

Tommy nearly jumped out of his skin as Eret appeared behind him, quite dangerous as he was dead heading the bushes Tubbo gave him after they looked through his ender chest. That was a... day.

Other than being snuck up on, Tommy was also surprised the teen was even talking to him. It was understandable why, being with Tommy is the walls made of cobble probably didn't help his nerves, but it had been three days since Eret came to the castle after exile.

"Well?" Eret asked again, pointing at the red shape by his leg. He was standing in the doorway, trying to pull the purple cape Tommy lent him away from the red and white cow.

"Did you come to talk to me?" Tommy asked, nearly dropping his hedge scissors on his foot.

"Yeah," Eret rolled his eyes, as far as Tommy could tell without the pupils. Tommy had been meaning to ask why he wasn't wearing his signature sunglasses. Must have lost them in exile. "And this thing is...?"

"Oh!" Tommy jumped off the chair he was standing on and patted his leg. The cow ran over almost like a dog. "I think Tubbo called them mooshrooms. They like to hang around the castle cuz..."

Did Tommy really want to explain how Tubbo literally made a whole species for him and how he didn't even remember? Or Tubbo's heartbroken face as he saw Tommy chased them out of the castle at Dream's command because he said they weren't sanitary or "fit for the king to be around"?

"I don't know," Tommy lied, grabbing a broom to sweep up the dead leaves on the ground. "But they're not supposed to be in here really. Dream-"

Eret gasped.

Tommy raised his eyebrows. Sure Dream was scary, but enough for a full on gasp. "... You good?"

"I'm fine..." Eret shuffled his feet, turning away. "Okay, just wondering-"

"Wait!" Tommy shouted as Eret was almost out the door. "What else did- did you come in here for?"

"It's nothing..." Eret crossed his arms and looked down. "I was just wondering if I can get some food? I haven't eaten since you gave me that pie-"

"Shit!" Tommy jumped up, grabbing Eret's arm and running to the kitchen. "Kind of forgot people need to eat."

Tommy usually only ate when Tubbo came over, as not to make him worried. Tubbo and Dream were usually the only ones to come over, and Dream didn't usually care if he ate or not, only if he stayed "loyal and obediant" to him. Tubbo usually visited every other day or so, but he hasn't shown up since Eret has.

"What do you want?" Tommy rummaged through his own cabinets, any onlooker might have thought he looked like a racoon going through a meal of trash. "I don't really have anything prepared-"

"It's fine," Eret rubbed his arm where Tommy had grabbed him. "If there s nothing I can wait another day or two, I did it all the time in exile."

Tommy stayed silent for a moment. "You would go just under a week without food? Even I don't go that long! No, I'm making you something. I'm having a dinner meeting with Dream tomorrow anyway, can have a dinner meeting without dinner."

Tommy turned around, holding up chicken and carrots. "What do you- are you okay, but man?"

Eret was shaking, his eyes dimmer than normal. He was hugging his arms tight to himself, one of his hands brushing the hair by his ears where his sunglasses would have sat.

"Hey-" Tommy touched Eret's shoulder and he flinched back. "It's cool if you don't like chicken, the mooshrooms make stew if you like-"

"I cant stay here..." Eret shook his head. "Not if Dream's coming. I- I-"

"Calm down, please..." Tommy put down the food and held his hands up where Eret could see them. Wilbur did that whenever Tommy would get nervous. But since the betrayal, he always held them behind his back. Tommy always wondered if another knife was there. "Look... uh- uh- oh! You know Techno?"

Eret's face froze, his body still shaking. He glared daggers at Tommy. "I'm already rooming with one traitor, I don't need two."

"I'm going to choose not to take that personally," Tommy lied. In reality, that stung more than anytime Wilbur, his old mentor, turned him down for betraying them. Now this kid, who genuinely needed his help, was turning him down again. He would let it show, though. "But if you can't stay here and you can't go anywhere else it looks like, Techno lives up in a cabin in the snow up north!"

"He hates me." Eret said bluntly, clenching his hands into fists.

"No, he hates government right now," Tommy pointed out. "And you just got wronged by the government! I'm sure he'll help you out!"

"If he hates the government so much, he's not going to like me staying with the puppet king of Dream, the worst tyrant out there. Is he the... The worst..."

Eret trailed off, looking very confused. Dream was definitely a tyrant, even Tommy thought that after working under him, why did Eret look conflicted? There was nothing Dream could do to make Tommy think good of him, especially if he was the one exiled.

"Look," Tommy sighed. "I'll lead you there tonight and after you've eaten something. You'll have to talk to him on your own though, Phil might kill me on sight for Wilbur in the... you know."

"Don't think this makes up for that, by the way," Eret snapped. "You're part of the reason Wilbur's... gone... in the first place."

Tommy noticed how no one wanted to say "dead" right now.

"Didn't expect it to," Tommy said, putting on a sad smile. "Come on, you won't fucking BELIEVE how good the mushroom stew is."

This is very good, send Eret to Techno, Tommy, give us the greek parallels we all want to sob over.