#parith

drew some avatars from a gogh discord server!

The Troop has recently returned from a day of clearing dungeons for resources, and the members, exhausted, have since dispersed. In the dining area, while celebrating over dessert, Morton is sharing a tale with Parith.

MORTON: ... and then POW! Super Troopa crashes through the window and knocks out the Toxic Fungus’s right-hand Toad in one blow! TF summons his henchmen to finish him off, but Super Troopa beats them all too easily. He then beats up TF and saves the town. But at what cost when his sidekick and lover, Koolia, was dead, having been possessed by TF’s spores and killed by her own lover’s hands?

PARITH: Stars above, that was my favorite episode! You told it so well!

MORTON: If you wanna see what happens next, you can borrow my DVD set. I have the whole series so far!

PARITH: I wish I could, but I hardly have the time.

MORTON: I understand. Maybe we can binge on it once this whole shindig blows over. [Pause.] Y’know, when I first met you, I thought you were some crazy-uptight guardian type, like the other Koopatrols. But you’re a pretty cool guy.

PARITH: I thought you were a silent, dumb muscle grump like the rumors say. But you’re quite talkative--intelligent, even. You’re a wealth of strange, obscure knowledge and creativity. In some ways, you remind me of my father.

MORTON: Aw, shucks, it’s nothing. ... Wait, your dad?

PARITH: I-I meant in regards to your tough, protective nature. Though Dad was the one that introduced me to Super Troopa as a kid. He wasn’t a complete nerd like we are.

He chuckles nervously.

PARITH: I guess what I’m trying to say is... thanks. For being a... well, for supporting the Troop the way you do.

A long, lingering pause, then Mort bursts out laughing.

MORTON: Aw, Parry, if you wanna call me a friend, just say so! Don’t be shy, I won’t bite!

PARITH: Yes, sir... I mean, okay. Friend.

MORTON: That’s the spirit, Parry, ol’ buddy!

PARITH: ... (Old buddy?)

Parith is out in the courtyard, practicing on the straw dummies, when Koorier comes running in, dragging a very heavy broadsword.

KOORIER: Hey, Parry! I wanna try swordfighting! Teach me!

PARITH: I... Well, I’ll show you. First, put that sword away. What I’m about to teach you won’t work with that weapon.

He does as told and sets it aside.

PARITH: Next, pick up one of those wooden swords, and we’ll begin.

Time passes, as Koorier tries and fails to learn the proper techniques.

KOORIER: Man, this is way hard! I thought this was going to be easy.

PARITH: If you expect anything to be easy, you’re in for a massive disappointment. Fighting of any sort is a performance art, one that requires years of practice to master. One mistake, and you’re dead. You take your fighting abilities seriously, don’t you?

KOORIER: Well, yeah, of course! I had to work out these muscles to hit harder. And I’m always working everyday to become stronger.

PARITH: It’s the same with me and my sword. It requires a different set of movements and techniques, but the premise is largely the same.

KOORIER: I see... Hey, since you’re teaching me all this stuff, howzabout I teach you a thing or two in return? Say, fist fighting? Or maybe baking; I know you love your sweets!

PARITH: You can bake?

KOORIER: Heck yeah! Just like Ma taught me! My pies are the best in the Village!

The two Toopas are in front of the Toad Town train station, littered with the shattered remains of Toadbots and Goombots. They’re both cleaning up the pieces as they converse.

KOORIER: Once again, the day is saved, thanks to... the Koopa Troop!

PARITH: [Chuckle.] You’re really enthusiastic about this, aren’t you?

KOORIER: Of course! I love being able to kick butt!

PARITH: I’m sure your father would be proud to know you’re enjoying yourself.

KOORIER: Yeah, about that... He sorta hates that I’m working for the Bowz.

PARITH: Sorry. I sort of forgot that small detail.

KOORIER: It’s alright. I know how much of an airhead you can be.

PARITH: I am not an airhead! My head is perfectly clear.

KOORIER: Says the guy who always forgets his sword. And to brush his teeth. And to take a bath. Need I go on?

Parith opens his mouth to protest, but shuts it, his ego cracked.

KOORIER: But that’s okay. That’s what makes you so cute!

Realizing what he just said, the Koopa slaps his hand over his mouth, blushing.

PARITH: Is that true? Do you think I’m... cute?

KOORIER: W-what are you talking about? I meant cool! Cuz you’re always cool, even when you’re not!

Parith blinks in astonishment, then laughs.

Morton is playing around with his phone when Parith enters.

PARITH: Master Morton, the Toad Town plaza has been secured once again... What are you doing?

MORTON: Checking out a new app. Say, what’s your sign?

PARITH: Er, Blooper.

MORTON: Oh, real sensitive type, aren’t you? You dating anybody?

PARITH: Well, not exactly. B-but I do have someone in mind. They’re a Pokey, if I recall.

MORTON: Lessee...

He pokes at the phone’s screen until the screen shows the results.

MORTON: Oh hohoho! Looks like a case of opposites attract! The fiery Pokey and the emotional Blooper. It could work well together, or go horribly wrong. You may have to compromise, but as long as you communicate often, you should be alright.

The Paratroopa smiles, amused.

PARITH: That sums us up to a T. I have to admit, this astrology is rather intriguing. Mind telling me a bit more about it? I believe Master Lemmy could afford a little advice.

MORTON: Sure thing! See, Lemmy’s a Cheep-Cheep/Pokey cusp, so...

Their conversation runs well into the night. Parith is pretty sure he has other things to do, but he shrugs it off. Whatever it is, it can wait.

It’s Day Thirteen of the second summer month (according to the Earth calendar, at least), and Parith is in the armory, polishing his sword, when Koorier strides in, cake in hand.

KOORIER: Hey, Parry, I hear it’s a certain somebody’s birthday! Wanna guess who?

PARITH: [Pause.] Who?

KOORIER: You, Parry! Happy birthday!

PARITH: [Flatly.] Oh. I forgot.

KOORIER: What? How can anyone forget their birthday? Birthdays are like Starfall Nights for ourselves! Everyone should celebrate their hatching day!

PARITH: Well, I don’t.

KOORIER: But why?

PARITH: Because today is also the anniversary of the death of my father... and my uncle... and all their friends and allies. Mother’s is tomorrow.

Koorier stops talking. He sets the cake aside, then holds Parith’s hands.

KOORIER: Sorry. I wasn’t aware. If you need a shoulder to cry on, you can do it now, while no one’s watching.

The Paratroopa pauses, his silver eyes lost in thought, then he lays his head against the Koopa’s shoulders and--for the first time in ages, if not ever--he cries his heart out.

Morton is minding his own business when Parith rushes in, a panicked look on his face.

PARITH: Master Morton! There’s been an emergency!

MORTON: Hmm? What is it?

PARITH: It’s the hot springs, sir. The water, it’s poisoned with some sickly, glittering liquid! Should I report to Kamek about misuse of Magic?

MORTON: Oh, calm down. It’s just a bath bomb.

PARITH: B-BOMB? It’s even worse than I thought!

MORTON: No, it’s just a scented bath recipe I dug up on the internet. As long as you don’t drink it, it’s completely harmless.

PARITH: Oh. I see. Well, warn the rest of us next time, okay? Our water supply is limited, so purity is absolutely important. I’ll have to report this to the Prince either way.

MORTON: It’s okay. If you like to try some, I’ll let you know.

VISUAL ATTRACTIVENESS: 💗💗💗(purely aesthetic appreciation of looks)

FRIENDSHIP LEVEL: 💗💗💗💗💗(how close a friend they consider them)

SEXUAL DESIRE: 💔(wanting to have sex with them)

ROMANTIC INTENT: 💔(hoping for a romantic relationship)