[TartoonHand94]

And with that final read, the terms of Phospohra’s agreement had been fulfilled. With a little ring sound confirmed that the Note Block picked up that last read as well. Realizing she figured out his secret, Ludwig cringed, stroking his hair and pulling down in front of his eyes in embarrassment.
“It’s…complicated.” He grunted, letting go of his hair which instantly snapped back into place with a fluff.

More complicated still was the fact that now it was Ludwig’s turn to uphold his end of the deal. This had turned out to be harder than he thought. Koopas were not known for letting prisoners go without a fight. And since no plumbers had shown up to beat her out of him, Ludwig had to wage the battle within himself. Eyeing the keys one more time, his hesitant claw stretched out to take them…Only to reach past and grip his wand instead. Looking down at the wand he cradled in his hands, the look in Ludwig’s eye changed. He stood up from his chair and stalked toward the booth door.

Now that he has her right where he wants her, why should he let her go? Sure, they had a deal--but it’s not like it was a written contract or anything. What kind of future emperor would keep such a folly promise? Who else would even know? Well everyone would know if they saw them together… What if they didn’t know it was her? He could turn her into a Sparky with a flick of his wrist! Or maybe something cuter like a Buzzy Beetle… Or maybe even into a Koopa like himself! But what if she still tried to escape? He’d have to keep her in a cage. Not one of those lousy iron barred ones they keep Chain Chomps in, though. Perhaps the gilded kind the King keeps Princess Peach in? Maybe a bit bigger, give her some more space, maybe a swing—How about a bird cage for his songbird? But it’s got to be made of something that can’t conduct electricity like plastic or wood. Not just any wood, Mahogany! Maybe he should turn her into a Pidgit to match! No! He knew what he’d do! He’ll turn her into a Frog and then the only way to turn back would be to kiss him! Ludwig you’re such a genius!
The doorknob rolled, the door swung open and without warning, Ludwig whipped his wand at Phosphora, creating a with a loud metallic clang.

If Phosphora were to open her eyes, she’d realize she was unharmed. If she were to look down, however, she’d see her shackles had fallen off, destroyed. Ludwig couldn’t go through with it after all.
“…You’re free to go.” He uttered, bowing his head in defeat. How pathetic. If word had gotten out that Ludwig Von Koopa lost his nerve and let his captive damsel go free, he’d become the laughing stock of the kingdom. Or what’s left of it, anyway…

MISSION CLEAR
>NEW RECORD:8 Posts

---

Even in his personal disgrace, Ludwig remained ever the gentleman and held the door open for her, only to discover what that racket on the other side was. Without a word, he began tapping his wand against the door frame like a conductor’s baton. This caused the loudly thrashing Mad Piano to stop dead in its tracks and look up.
“What is the meaning of this?” Ludwig loudly scolded, only for the Mad Piano to sheepishly roll up to the door to face him. If it had a tail, it would be tucked behind its back leg. It looked like it was hiding something under its lid.
“…Drop it.” Ludwig sternly demanded, not to be fooled for a second. The raging Mad Piano, now timid and submissive promptly open its lid and spat up Arrow down at Ludwig’s feet.
“Ew!” Ludwig reeled at what he first thought was a giant squirrel. “You there! Who are you? What are you doing here? And do you realize how lucky you are that I’m asking these questions first instead of simply roasting you on the spot?” Ludwig interrogated with his wand aimed menacingly at Arrow’s forehead.

[Arrow Rinehart]

Did he realize..? Oh Well past the gnarled sense of pain that had been rolling through his mind, the adventuring fox had forced himself to raise to his hands and knees. Noting well how lucky he was, the deliriousness taking a few moments to pass as both drool and ache kept his mind realizing it was no dream. He'd been alive, in one piece, but in shambles as it were. Were he in a right mind, he might even have found  a means of trying to sound more heroic, instead? He just thanked the person who'd gotten him free, whomever it was really. "..Extremely lucky...thank you."  he could yet offer an explanation, as his heroic attempt had ended in fiasco. Strangely well for a learning lesson, a good manner of 'how not to do' comes to mind, it was actually an oddly humorous moment mentally for the tod. But in far too much pain to do much more than push up to his knees, the station of his standing showing a degree of respect as he managed to keep his well torn rigors upright. "Sorry...about the mess here, and...ouch." in an almost laughable way, he managed to get it out, before slowly opening his foggy blue pools to analyze who it was before him. With one hand rising to sweep the digestive liquids from his view, his blurred vision now falling upon the Koopaling before him. His body remaining just as calm, perhaps because Arrow never knew their type as an enemy, instead led him to rise slowly on shaky footing. With only tails to try and balance him out, still the one torn tail well wrapped by another to keep it elevated. All he'd felt like now? Was trying to get home and patch up, if he could find his way out of the front doors. Today was quite the experience, that was for certain, he should only be happy that he was saved from being the piano's chew toy. Even with that wand but inches from his face, he gave the best answers he could manage. "I'd hoped to meet...t-the great composer here and ran afoul of your bodyguards..." something not far off from the truth, his botched rescue of someone he didn't know? Was an almost feverish dream, something the composing Koopaling himself would see was factual, as Arrow barely recalled the original reason in his rather pathetic looking state of being. 

Arrow Rinehart
Damage: 70%
Status: Weakened, delirious, but thankfully in one piece

[heirtothemonado]

Phosphora was....a tad confused. What kind of relationship did Ludwig and this Bowser Jr. character have? Ludwig said it was complicated, signifying to Phosphora that he didn't want to talk about it. Whatever. It wasn't her place to know.

What she did know, however, was that she was to be let go. That was the deal she had made with Ludwig, right? Phosphora eagerly waited as Ludwig went for the keys....only for her expression to morph into fear when he picked up his wand instead. 

Scenarios upon scenarios raced through Phosphora's head as Ludwig drew closer. What would he do? Silence her for knowing to much? Lock her up? Transform her into something so he could keep her here forever? Well he'd get a rude awakening when Mistress Viridi noticed that her general had disappeared off the face of the earth. She'd come barging in here with the full force of the Forces of Nature and blast Ludwig to bits. And she'd laugh the whole time.....wait, huh?

Phosphora's thoughts were interrupted by the clang of her ankle shackle hitting the floor. Was he.....letting her go? Huh. She wasn't expecting that. She...wasn't exactly sure what to do now. Cautiously moving toward the door, Phosphora kept an eye on Ludwig as she left the building. Luckily he seemed to be distracted by the fox that was hiding in the piano. Who was he? Why was he here? Phosphora didn't know. And right now, she didn't really care. Right now, all she cared about was getting out of this joint and going to  nice bath. That soundbooth hadn't really done her any favors, and she could use the time to unwind.

---

 PHOSPHORA
END PRESENCE
MISSON COMPLETE

[TartoonHand94]

As Phosphora disappeared on the other side of the door, Ludwig felt the strangest he had all day. He couldn’t muster the breath to say good bye. It was as if his very muzzle didn’t want him to. He wanted to see her again. And he swore by the spines on his shell, he was going to!

…Oh right, he almost forgot about this fox guy. After impatiently tapping his foot awaiting an answer, Ludwig’s demeanor changed when he got his answer. He wanted to meet him? A fan of his work, coming all the way down to meet him instead of Lord Bowser, to whom most credit Ludwig’s masterpieces to? To say the positive reinforcement was unwelcome would be untrue.
“…The fact that you’ve made it this far means the guards shall run afoul of me.” Ludwig sneered, sorely disappointed in them. As long as Arrow was there anyway, Ludwig looked him up and down.

And after a long day of doing things he didn’t expect himself to do, he lowered his wand. Clearly the fox was in pain. He had been through a lot to get here. Fighting him in this state would be so easy, it didn’t feel at all fair. A plumber would have never seen this sort of mercy. Besides, he said he wanted to see him. Interruption policies aside it was not like he got many visitors this time of the day.

...What was wrong with Ludwig today? Letting Phosphora go? Showing this random fox guy mercy? Has he completely lost all of his Koopa pride?
“See that my guards throw you out and tell them they’re fired!” Ludwig roared, slamming his recording studio door.
Turning around in a huff of confused rage, more emotional confusion than rage, he saw the trolley he laid out for Phosphora. There was still so much food left on it. He certainly was in no mood for eating and he couldn’t afford for it all to go to waste. Not with the famine looming…

Outside the door, the Mad Piano began slowly stalking its way up to Arrow, drooling for another bite, when Ludwig’s door swung open again, scaring it back into the corner.
“Here! You came all this way, have some lunch!” Ludwig announced, shoving the trolley out of his door, intending it to collide with Arrow, sweeping him up and wheeling him all the way down and out of Roy Smooth Sounds studios. Once out the door, it managed to coax to a stop instead of crashing.

Well, at least Arrow got a free meal of some rather expensive looking foods for his troubles. Surely this’ll be enough to restore his health after all that fighting. And hey, a free trolley to skate home on too. And if he were to inspect the trolley, Arrow would also find a Barbara the Bat Assist Trophy, a Megaphone Hacking Gun and a Fan. How did those get there?
Outside the studio, who would show up but Ludwig’s secretary, pouring herself some coffee from Arrow’s trolley.
“Thank you, deary. But your princess has left the castle.” She pointed at Phosphora flying away, taking a sip.

MISSION CLEAR