#bituin

Chapter 6

“We’re home!” Peach announced as she opened her castle door. Behind her Mario and Several Toads carried bags. She was met with an empty foyer. “Oh?” She looked toward the kitchen a light was emanating from the bottom of the double doors. She smiled knowingly. She silently signaled to Mario and the Toads.

The double doors burst open. “SURPRISE!” All the mushroom courtiers, Luigi and Daisy cheered. They all stared in disbelief the one they had cheered at was a lone toad. He awkwardly waved to the crowed.

Suddenly Mario and Peach jumped from behind the wall. “BOO!” the crowd jumped and yelped in surprise. The loudest yelp came from Luigi, he clapped a hand over his mouth in embarrassment. Mario ran to hug his brother, and everyone had a good-natured laugh at the switcheroo the couple pulled on them.

“Welcome home bro!”

“I missed you!” Mario pulled back to get a good look at his little brother. He noticed some bruises around Luigi’s neck. His smile faltered.

Luigi caught the change. He shifted to throw his arm around his older brother’s shoulders. “Spieghero piu tardi... Now we eat!”

Mario nodded satisfied and turned his attention to the feast. “Oh! My favorite!” With hugs and welcomes exchanged, the crowd started to dish out the food. Mario and Peach regaled their audience with the tales of their travels. “So how was the Kingdom while we here gone?”

Luigi and Daisy looked at each other. Daisy started the tale. “Oh you know…..just a normal…..” She coolly looks at Peach. “That is until a starshroom crashes into your garden!”

“HUH!” both Mario and Peach exclaim.

“Yep, that’s right!” Daisy smirked at their reaction. “When you two love birds were off. Me and Luigi here,” she slung an arm over his shoulder. “Saved a princess!”

Daisy continued to tell their story with pauses and questions thrown in at the right moments to build the drama. “It was Tatanga!” Daisy slammed her hands on the table.

“Oh my,” Peach put her hand to her mouth.

“Yep, this time with a big ship and crew!”

She continued the story getting to the climax of the adventure. “…and I was so mad that I was being dumb.”

“Oh, don’t say that…” Luigi cut in, he touched her arm.

“No, it’s true. I made a ton of noise because I was soooo mad. If I hadn’t maybe Tatanga wouldn’t have caught you.”

“Tatanga caught Luigi!” Mario’s eyes got large as saucers. He looked at Luigi for confirmation. Luigi just nodded. Peach looked at Luigi’s neck with worry.

Daisy’s energy dipped. “Yes, He caught him…. by his neck and and….” She couldn’t continue.

“And Daisy ran to rescue me, but she got tripped and ambushed! She fought as much as she could but there were 4 aliens holding her down!” Luigi energetically finished for her. “Polari, Rosalina’s retainer, turned himself into a magic wand so Rosalina could save us.” Luigi shifted uncomfortable when he mentioned Polari. “Rosalina exiled all the aliens on a deserted planet. She then brought us and the ones we found in the lab back home.”

A silence filled the space as everyone absorbed the information.

“I feel so bad to what happened to Luigi.” Daisy addressed Mario. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep your brother safe in that moment. But I promise I will protect him with my life next time.”

Mario took in her words with a serious expression. Suddenly he held out his pinky. Daisy’s eyes sparkled with recognition of the gesture. She hooked her pinky around his. “Pinky Promise.” They shook.

“Hey guys,” Luigi butted himself in between his brother and girlfriend. “I can look out for myself you know!” The little brother pouted.

Mario rolled his eyes and bopped the green hat so that the rim covered Luigi’s eyes. “Now you’ll just be extra safe.” The two chuckled.

“I’m glad it all ended well.” Peach breathed out.

“Yah! Sounds like a job well done!” Mario patted his brother on his back.

Peach stood up and stretched. She laid a hand on Mario’s shoulder. “I’m going to unpack. You going to help me, honey?” Mario’s eyes sparkled, he nodded to his new bride. Peach turned to the rest of the courtiers. “Thank you all again for putting together this party for us.” She beamed at everyone then turned to walk out. Mario gave Luigi a big hug again, then jumped down to follow his wife.

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Last Chapter:

First Chapter:

Character Work, Aether: Aether; Luwad; Bituin  (#7, #8, #9, Series in Progress)

(c) 2019 kneipho

Final Update: 12/6/19; 3:33 p.m. 

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kneiphoportfolio.tumblr.com: My artwork --completed pieces

kneipho.tumblr.com:  Main blog for kneipho and friends  

Character Work, Aether: (#9) Bituin © 2019 kneipho © 2019 kneipho

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kneiphoportfolio.tumblr.com: My artwork –completed pieces

kneipho.tumblr.com:  Main blog for kneipho and friends  

hindi man ganoon kalinaw ang aking paningin,

ngunit ‘di ko maiwasang mamangha sa mga bituin

na kitang-kita ko sa pares ng iyong balintataw,

na sa atensyon ko’y unti-unting pumupukaw.

ter, tinamaan na ata ako ng iyong mga bulalakaw.