A Traitorous Ally?

                                    

                                          
     The picnic with Mario, Peach and Daisy had gone swimmingly.  Even through his nerves, Luigi was able to have a good time.  
Mario constantly worried over him despite Luigi insisting it was unnecessary.  Daisy did the exact opposite, ecstatic to see he was alive and well. This caused Mario to worry even more and the cycle continued.
Peach was cool and collected as usual. She seemed worried about Luigi and watched him closely. Luigi knew she had his best interests at heart but he was still extremely nervous for the meeting she was to have with him tomorrow. 
It seemed Daisy hadn't told Mario or Peach about their conversation before Luigi had been literally and figuratively swept off his feet-
No.
It wasn't a romantic gesture. It was a kidnapping. Why he was having trouble telling the difference behind it was beyond him. 
Mario and Peach still seemed like as soon as Luigi was back to normal they'd be back to attempting matchmaker. 
The ease of pressure would have been light and carefree if he didn't feel an impending sense of doom about the following day.
* * * * * * * *
After the picnic and dinner and more medical check-ups that of course confirmed that Luigi was fine, he got ready for bed.  It was great to be wearing a nice pajama set and not a nightgown.  As beautiful as it was, Luigi had tripped on enough hems for the rest of his life and would actually be quite glad if he never wore one again.
But the clumsy tripping on his dress had brought him to see the side of Bowser he couldn't stop thinking about. 
He sighed. He wasn't going to get that out of his head anytime soon.  He wondered where that book was? What of it had been lost in transit. Or worse yet, found by a Toad or Peach.  He needed to know more about the Koopa Kingdom, more about this war, and more about Bowser.
Um.. maybe the last part was outside of his main goals here but he couldn't help it.

"Mister Luigi?"
A knock at his door broke him from his fancying. 
"May I come in?" It was only Enoki. They had been extremely helpful to Luigi, sharing all the castle gossip, especially as it pertained to him. Better still despite their enthusiastic, over-the-top bubbly personality, they had been a calming presence since he returned. 
"Of course," Luigi answered as he opened the door for the toad and returned to sitting on his bed.
To his surprise, Enoki immediately shut the door behind them and locked it. Luigi immediately sat straight up ready to fight if needed. What in the Darklands was going on?
"Just a precaution is all," they smiled in their usual tone. "Message for you, sir."
"Message?" 
Oh, Oh shit.  
Luigi could feel the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He swallowed. Hard.
Enoki cheerfully handed him a beautifully wrapped present, seemingly unaware of the tension in the room. 
The package was very plain and for a moment Luigi considered it could be from someone else.
"Who sent it?" He asked slowly. 
"I think you know." They hadn't stopped smiling.  Now Luigi was confused. What was all of this about? Enoki continued in their cheerful tone.  
"Is there anything you'd like to send back? I know it is a bit early like you weren't expecting it so soon but I can get him something when you need.... if you need."
"Who are you talking about?" Luigi was almost certain it was Bowser but Enoki was one of Peach's most trusted toads. Could it be...?
"Oh, you know, " They gently stepped around the use of the King's name. "The man you were just with."
Luigi's jaw dropped.
"You work for B-" He was cut off by Enoki hushing him.
"No, no, no. We don't say that."
"But you do?"
"Kind of?" They paused. "It's complicated."
Luigi shook his head but already felt relief. Enoki wouldn't sell him out. 
"Why do you do it?"
"Why are you?" They replied.
Luigi nodded. They were right. He was in no position to ask questions nor would he even know how to answer the question himself.
"Yup." Enoki smiled. "Pretty complicated here. I will say, I'm on your side."
They paused. 
"Unless this was all a scam in which case, no one would believe you anyway."
Luigi shook his head. He didn't want to openly admit his traitorous actions but he didn't want news to get to Bowser that he could have been lying about everything. 
"I have nothing to send now, but I will let you know if I do."
"Of course," Enoki smiled. "This will stay between us and him I hope?"
Luigi nodded and turned the book over in his hand. He desperately wanted to read it before his meeting with Peach.  Not that he would bring up the points within it.  He was just desperate to read it.  It must've shown because Enoki just chuckled.
"I'll leave you to it then. See you later!." The last part was spoken in fluent koopa but Enoki was gone before Luigi could ask about that. 
He sat there for a moment before opening the book and wondered how Enoki got involved with Bowser.  It seemed wild that they were one of Bowser's spies but also one of Peach's top toads. 
Luigi was torn. This was not good. But at the same time, wasn't he also now compromised? He knew all this was complicated business but he really didn't think its complexities would hit him this soon.  
All he could do about it right now is put his head down and study.
Luigi cracked open the book and inhaled the scent of smoke and ash. 
Interesting, he thought. How a smell that used to consume him with terror and dread was now leaving him with an unmistakable feeling of hope. 
He flipped through the book trying to pick up where he left off.   As he looked closer at the pages he realized that this book wasn't a copy like he was told he would get but the original book he had been reading in the library.
Luigi held the book to his chest.  He was flattered to be trusted this much and would not let the Koopa Kingdom down.