A/N: It's been a while. I know this isn't one my more longer chapters, but it's something to get it going again.

I will point out that I switched things into First Person for this chapter and it's in Lily's PoV. I'm going to keep this from here on out and possibly switch it to Daisy now and then. I found out that First Person writing is my strong point, so I'll stick to it as much as possible.

Dis... Ah, shoot it! You know the drill.


The castle was bigger than it looked outside. It took almost an hour for the tour Peach gave me and my legs started to get soar from all the walking. By the time it was over, I practically fell to the floor and released a sigh. However, that wasn't the end of all the walking; my guest room was back down on the second floor and we were in the back of the first.

"Can't there be an easier way to get around here?" I whined. I may have been athletic, but even a sports girl had her limits.

"Are you tired already?" Daisy asked, slightly mocking. "We've been around this place to much, the size seems normal."

'Your castle isn't nearly as large as this place, Daisy,' I thought as we entered into the grand hall again. "Please tell me we're at least two thirds of the way there."

"I would say more along the lines of half," Peach said and I rubbed my forehead so hard that my neck bent. "Don't worry. I'm sure the destination will be worth the travel."

I looked at Daisy who was looking at her friend with surprise. "Wow, Peach. That's one of the wisest things I have ever heard you say."

"Is that so? You need to visit me more often then. Just because Bowser captures me periodically does not mean I don't have my share of knowledge."

"Does it come with royalty?" I asked Peach and she shook her head.

"No, I wouldn't say so. Look at your cousin, for example."

Daisy made a hard glare at Peach, who only giggled at the sight. I had to smile myself, knowing what Daisy was most likely thinking. "Yeah, you know not to go there," my spunky cousin warned. The added statement forced a burst of laughter out of me for a second, but I held in the rest.

Another several minutes went by and we finally made it to the room I was supposed to stay in for the Grand Prix. I was motioned by both girls to open the door and I did so, a little unsure of what was behind. I was met with amazement as an art of a room entered my sight. A grand sized room with soft carpet decorated with vines and flowers, light blue painted walls that had a diamond pattern thanks to the small chandlers hanging on the ceiling reflecting light with each piece of glass. However, there was one thing that really caught my interest.

"A bed!" I ran over and flopped on the king sized mattress with dark blue blankets. It wasn't that I never slept on a bed as much as how tired I was because the tour literally stole the day away and all that walking exhausted me. "Sweet mercy, I can rest."

"Uh… Daisy," Peach's voice sounded confused and I sat up. "Where did all of this come from?"

Daisy shrugged. "When I got the message of Lily coming, I recruited some Toads to set this up for her. I would have thought you didn't mind."

"No, of course not. But I would like to know how this slipped by both Toadsworth and I."

I saw Daisy give that secretive smirk and I couldn't help but do the same. "Thanks, Dais," I said. "I wondered if you were still able to pick what I liked."

"Oh, but we're not done yet," she announced and tilted my head in confusion. "We need to buy you some clothes tomorrow too. I didn't see any when you came in."

"What? Of course I did! They're…" When I thought about it, I remembered my bike did not have my bag on it. "Oh no. I must've left them at that Inn in Koopa Cape."

"Then that settles it! Shopping tomorrow, bright and early. However, we have one problem at the moment."

Again, I titled my head. "What problem?"

Daisy turned to Peach who returned the glance and then nodded. "You don't have your bags, right?" Peach reminded. "That means you don't have a nightgown. I have several extras for you to borrow, so-"

"Nah, that's okay." Both girls looked at me somewhat confused. I sighed; knowing what I was going to say probably wouldn't make sense. "I'll make due until tomorrow. Just do me a favor and make sure no one enters the room until I say so."

"What are you talking about?" Peach asked and looked at her friend. Daisy, however, knew what Lily was saying and her eyes told Peach the general picture. "What? Lily, that's indecent!"

I had a feeling she was taking things a little too far, but just the thought made my face flush. "No, I'm not sleeping with everything off, Peach! I'll still have on my undergarments."

"I still protest! Daisy, explain to your cousin about proper etiquette here at this castle." Daisy didn't say anything as she watched me. I met her eyes and stared at her, unflinching. She knew this wasn't the first time I've done it and it probably won't be the last if the situation demands it. After a while, Daisy sighed. "Well?"

"Just make sure her room isn't disturbed during the night, will you?" I was happy for her reply, but Peach seemed to be taken aback.

"You cannot be serious?"

"So long as she's left private, everything will be fine. Besides, I'll get her up early enough so no one will forget the order after they wake." After telling the plan, Daisy walked out the room, leaving behind a shocked Peach. She turned to me and back to where Daisy left a few times until she finally sighed in defeat and left as well.

"Finally," I breathed and started undressing. It felt good to get that tight suit off me and to let my skin breath after so long.

I placed the suit on a chair beside the bed and laid my helmet on top before slipping underneath the blankets and letting my head sink into the pillow. The beds here were much plusher that only after a couple of minutes, I drifted off into sweet slumber.

I slipped out of my sleep with an uncomfortable feeling. I found myself on my side, facing my riding gear, and felt some presence behind me. I stiffened myself to feel where my arms were placed and found my left arm was free to make a quick grab for my helmet. I did so and was ready to swing the hard headgear into my unexpected visitor but stopped as I realized who it was.

"Daisy?" I silently exclaimed. She was in a white and yellow biking suit and was staring at her hand. "What are you doing in here?"

"Just five seconds under two minutes," she stated, confusing me immensely. "You're a lighter sleeper than before. What happened? I used to clock you in at seven minutes."

I sighed in frustration at her little prank. I barely saw any daylight coming through the blinds of the windows so it must've been very early. "Are you waking me up to shop this early?" I asked as I adjusted a bra strap that was trying to slip off.

"Well, that too. But one of the main tracks is near the place I want to take you, so suit up. Let's take a drive around town."

I yawned, feeling the grogginess start to come back. "Okay. Just give me a minute and I'll be out." I laid back down, wanting to relax for a bit before stirring myself. However, Daisy pulled the blanket off the bed with one fell swoop and I curled up as if I was completely indecent. "Hey! What gives?"

"I'm doing this for your sake. Come on!"

The rude awakening set me in a bad mood as I put back on everything that I took off. Why did Daisy have to be so pushy? I know she's always kept her word, but she doesn't have to be so tense. However, what if she had other plans? If so, it may explain her strange behavior.

I was able to find my way out front of the castle where Daisy was standing with her bike right behind her. The model was sleek and somewhat bigger than mine. I noticed the emblem up front and guessed this wasn't just for a slow ride around town. "Are we taking your bike?" I asked.

"For the time being," she answered. "I would have yours out as well, but it's still being worked on."

That startled me. "What do you mean 'being worked on'? Is there something wrong with it?"

"No, it's not that. The Grand Prix has certain requirements for bikes and karts. Yours is like a split between two models, to they're checking to make sure it's a legal bike."

I wasn't sure if that calmed my nerves or worried me even more. "Oh. I didn't hear about that. I thought I could just bring whatever could drive."

Daisy closed her eyes and chuckled before turning and saddling her seat. "It's more than just 'driving,' Lil. It's how it drives." On cue, she started the engine and revved the motor. She looked at me with a smile and an adventurous look in her eyes; the one I knew all too well. "Jump on!"

I smiled and did so, wrapping my arms around her to have sturdy support. Letting go of the brake, Daisy spun out for a second before starting out of the castle premises and onto the main road. Even with two passengers, she didn't seem to show any problem while driving on this bike along solid ground, but I knew she wasn't at full speed. Was this for the Grand Prix or is it because of me?