A bunch of Sam & Max doodles I did during the weekend. I uh,, think I got possessed after I played The Devil’s Playhouse,, I was consumed by these guys
Gosh gosh gosh gosh guys I am about to sit down and watch the first Exile stream and GHOSTBUR IS IN IT and this is one of those streams where GHOSTBUR HAS A PRETTY BIG ROLE and oh my gosh I am EXCITED !!!
He knew it. His brother knew it. Peach knew it. Even Bowser and the Koopalings knew it before they considered him a part of their family.
It was a facet of himself he accepted and even embraced around his friends and family.
Sometimes, however, it can be a bit chaffing to not be taken seriously. Especially after he became a Hero in his own right- never mind his new position as a co-ruler.
So, when he realized what day was coming soon, he had an idea that might just work.
First, he asked Bowser if he wanted a break from court hearings.
The Koopa looked wistful at the thought, but he is quick to disparage the suggestion. After all, hearings were a necessary evil, as the drawbacks tend to entail frustrating discussions that may actually lead to some sort of improvement to the Kingdom.
It was also impossible since it required Koopa Royalty to be readily available to the Kingdom’s citizens.
Luigi was quick to point out that he was now part of that Royalty. And yes, he knew exactly what that entailed.
The vehemence behind it was enough for the Koopa to close his mouth with a click.
More gently, Luigi also pointed out that he noticed the stress that has been getting to him. Heck, Bowser’s time after the recent hearings has been cut with an hour or so of enforced relaxation.
Hours that are undone by paperwork right after.
Bowser glanced away, sheepish, but Luigi’s hand on his muzzle guided his gaze back to him.
He urges him to take the opportunity- maybe take one of the Koopalings for some company.
After some contemplation, Bowser concedes- if Luigi promises to ask for help if the citizens give him trouble.
He promises and says that he can handle it.
(If he leaves out how he’ll ‘handle it’, then it’s no one’s concern but his.)
…
The first day of hearings had been greeted with a dramatically changed Throne Room.
The blazers were dimmed, the lava was concealed (except for the falls behind the podiums), and his throne was situated lower than usual- placed where the lava’s light would only light him from the back.
Perfect, for what Luigi planned to do.
By the time the first citizen waltzed into the Throne Room, Luigi had long since settled himself on his throne, casually splayed and wearing a crown instead of his signature hat.
The Koopa that came in had slowed down as he approached, almost looking apprehensive for a second before seemingly registering that he was looking at Luigi, not the Koopa King.
(Luigi would never voice it, but the flippancy and moment of distaste he saw in the citizen's eyes made him feel uncharacteristically spiteful.)
"Where's the King?"
"Having a vacation." Luigi couldn't exactly see his own face, but friends in his high school's theatre club have called it his 'devil-may-die glare'. He never actually looked in a mirror to see it, but the Koopa's reaction as he lets the light pass over his face is priceless.
"Th-then I can come back-"
"There is no need." He eases forward, crossing his legs and primly twining his hands together to rest his chin on his knuckles. "I am right here, am I not?"
"Yes, but-"
"Do you, or do you not have important business here?" And maybe Luigi is laying it on thick, because he now has a suspicion that this is the same Koopa that bothered Bowser over his position as royalty- still questioning the decision after they married, after they had worked to improve the Kingdom's near famine, even after Luigi worked his butt off to contribute in every way he could-
"Of course!" And this isn't helped when the Koopa seems to rally under some sort of inflated snobbery. "I just feel that the matter should be handled by someone-"
"Someone what?" And Luigi didn't raise his voice, but the delivery is what he focused on when he cut off the sentence.
"I, ah-" The Koopa was certainly unsettled, maybe even scared by the way his head sunk into his shell.
Silence.
"If there is not a reason that makes myself unpreferable," He lets his eyes narrow, and the Koopa's flinch was all he needed to know that he didn't slip from nearly laughing at the situation. "Then you may be granted audience."
The Koopa's hearing was short and benign, after that, but the citizens who came after became more and more respectful as time went on.
The rumor mill is better than he thought.
Though he hopes that this doesn't get back to Bowser.
…
(When Bowser came back from his break, he was never told how exactly the court hearings went, but the collective change of disposition towards his husband was visible.)
(He’s… not sure he wants to know, but he feels like he should be proud.)
