Ever Just the Same (Bowuigi)

Chapter 2- Master of my Fate

"I would want to be treated kindly and with respect."

Those words echoed in Bowser's mind. They were concepts he was not familiar with. He was never shown such weakness, unless it was to his own kin. Besides them however, he had been taught to be as ruthless as he possibly could.

But if it was the only way to get Peach to love him, then sacrifices would have to be made.

Sunbeams trickled through the window the following morning. Luigi groaned and rolled over, hoping to catch just a few more minutes if he covered the blanket and pressed his face back into the pillow. Surely a few more minutes wouldn't matter. He was trapped after all.

Then it hit him. He wasn't lying on a cold metal floor. He was lying in a bed. A comfortable one, and not like his bed in Brooklyn with the lumpy mattress.

His eyes fluttered open. So it really wasn't a dream.

What was to become of him? Was this all some twisted game that Bowser was playing?

It didn't matter. At least, not now.

Making his way to the window, he gazed longingly at the scenery below him. Past the lava pits, the plants with sharp teeth, the bridge made of bones, and the overall darkness, there was hope. Freedom, maybe. He could see mountaintops and greenery, and bright blue skies. How we wished he could be there, with his brother by his side. Instead he was trapped.

His melancholy thoughts were interrupted by a fierce tapping on his door. He didn't have a chance to utter a word, before the stranger trotted in.

She was a small female goomba with a blonde ponytail, and one of her eyes was consistently squinting. Somehow without arms she was carrying a tray full of food.

"Good morning!" She chirped. "I brought your breakfast! There's toast, eggs, muffins, orange juice and black coffee!"

He stared at her suspiciously.

"I thought it would cheer you up." She added. "Since you miss your brother and all."

Luigi felt a lump in his throat.

"Whoops, sorry that was insensitive," The goomba laughed sheepishly. "I really should have read the room."

"S' okay." He was careful not to become over emotional again.

"Um, sooo... my name's Goombella."

He snorted. "Goombella?"

"Hey, don't laugh, it's a family name! And you must be Luigi." She dropped the tray in front of him. "I should get going. It's my first day of work here and I really want to make a good impression. Enjoy your breakfast!"

"Wait." Luigi frowned at the food. "How do I know this isn't poisoned?"

"Poisoned?" Goombella blinked. "I don't remember being told to poison it. Oh no, was I supposed to?"

"I..."

Goombella perked up, as though she had remembered something. "Nope, its not poisoned. The King specifically didn't want to poison your food. Here, I'll try some to prove it to you!" She gulped down a muffin in one bite. "See?"

Luigi wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but he took a slice of bread with jam and nibbled at it just to humor her. And the coffee did help with his pounding headache.

"Feel better?"

"A little. I'm confused though."

Goombella frowned. "Why?"