Got you. Let’s flip the vibe—something a little more casual, lighthearted, but still unexpected. Maybe it’s a festival night in the Mushroom Kingdom. Unlikely place for Bowser to show up… and yet—

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The Mushroom Kingdom’s annual Star Festival is in full swing—fireworks bursting in candy-colored sparks over the castle, laughter spilling from every alley, music thumping from toadstool taverns and glowing parade floats drifting through the streets like dream-clouds. You’re wandering through the crowd with a paper lantern in your hands, sticky from candied fruit and half-lost in the chaos.

And that’s when you see him.

Just… standing there.

Bowser.

Towering over the crowd, arms crossed, a big hood pulled over his spiked shell (not very effective), sunglasses way too small for his massive face. A Koopa Troopa is nervously offering him fried mochi on a stick. Bowser takes it, squints at it, sniffs it like it might explode, then shrugs and bites off half in one chomp.

You should probably be alarmed. He is technically the kingdom’s greatest threat. But no one else seems fazed—just giving him a wide berth like he's a weird uncle who always crashes family events.

Then his eyes land on you. He frowns. Points with the mochi stick. “You’re starin’.” You freeze. He squints again. Then, to your surprise, his mouth twitches into something vaguely like a grin. “Ain’t illegal. I like fireworks.”