Peach woke up nose to nose with Bowser. A scream curdled in her throat. For a second she had forgotten yesterday's unfortunate turn of events. Heart sinking in her chest as her memory returned, she quietly rolled over and looked out the window. Early morning light glowed warmly outside. Peach's stomach grumbled, reminding her that the last things that she had eaten were the gummy worms in Bowser's car. Next to her, Bowser murmured something and twitched before lying still. She wondered when he would get up, and debated waking him to get food. She would go herself if she could, but she didn't have any money. She lay back again and closed her eyes. Peach decided that she would give him a bit more time, but if he wasn't up after an hour she would wake him. As she rested, her thoughts drifted back to the party...
"Ready to go?" Mario asked, his blue eyes vacant. Peach knew he hated these fancy parties, but would go if she asked him to. Daisy and Luigi were already waiting for them in the limousine, but Peach was putting the final touches on her hair. "Almost there. Your bowtie is crooked by the way." She set down her hairspray and turned away from the mirror to readjust his neck piece. "Thank you." He said. His tone was flat and disinterested. Peach added a final curl and shower of hairspray. "Will you help me get my necklace?" She questioned. She could do it herself, but she would rather Mario gently clasp the jewelry around her neck. He nodded politely and drew his arms around her to secure the pendant. Peach silently hoped that while they were so close he would kiss her cheek. He quietly receded. Deflated, Peach strapped on her shimmery silver heels. Without a word between them, they left the dressing room and walked elegantly towards the limo, the same civil distance between them as there always was.
At the gala Peach's mood brightened. She loved looking at the expensive dresses that the other girls wore and watching the talented dancers in the ballroom. The music was performed by a swing band, and she couldn't help but tap her foot with the rhythm. "Should we dance or eat first?" Daisy asked. "Eat," the brothers said in unison. They all chuckled, and made their way to the buffet. Ahead of them, Daisy and Luigi joked and laughed with each other, while Peach and Mario maintained small talk. "It's really beautiful in here," Peach commented. "Yeah," Mario agreed. She waited for him to say something else, but he continued to silently look around the room. She returned to admiring the dresses. Across the room she noticed a beautiful brunette wearing a sultry red dress that left little to the imagination. Although she tried to be kind to everyone, Peach couldn't help but wonder why the woman decided to dress so scandalously. Was she trying to win the affection of one of the rich men at the party? To her surprise, the brunette made eye contact with Mario and suddenly strutted towards them. "Mario?" She asked, her voice seductive and low coupled with a smile that loomed on her dark lips. Peach's heart quickened in her chest and her defenses flew up. How did her boyfriend know this harlot?! "Pauline?" Mario questioned incredulous, his blue eyes sparking. "Stars, it's been ages!" "I know," Pauline smiled to herself, "I'm a singer now." "Really?" Peach could tell that he was enthralled in conversation and wouldn't take the time to introduce her. "I'm actually performing tonight. That's my band over there, I was just doing my vocal warm ups when I saw you." "I'm sorry to interrupt," Peach butted in, "but how do you two know each other?" Mario's gaze flattened as he was pulled out of the brunette's lurid blue eyes. "Oh, um, she's a family friend." Peach was curious why he had never mentioned the woman before. Luckily, the brunette could identify the tension that wreathed around them. "Well, it was wonderful seeing you again Mario, and meeting you in person Princess Peach, but I'd better get backstage. I'm on in fifteen minutes. I hope you enjoy the show!" "Break a leg!" Mario called out, eying the swing of her hips as she strutted away.
Throughout the night, Peach watched Mario gaze upon the brunette on stage. Peach conceded that she was, in fact, a gifted singer, her deep intoxicating voice blended perfectly with the blues-y snarl of the trumpets and the plaintive saxophones. After another roar of applause from the crowd at the end of a song, Peach couldn't stand watching the pair any longer. Her eyes drifted to her plate, but she had lost her appetite. It just wasn't fair! Peach compulsively stroked her blonde locks, lost in thought. She was the epitome of a proper young lady, exhibiting all the traits of a suitable match: generosity, compassion, kindness, grace, poise... And for Star's sake she was a princess! And yet, somehow, Mario wasn't enamored with her.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll be taking a brief break now, but will be on again shortly." Pauline announced as she finished her first performance for the night. "Wasn't she amazing?" Mario asked, his attention finally focused on Peach. "She can carry a tune," she said icily. "The trills, the vibrato, the stage presence... She's going places." Mario looked like he wanted to say more, but after a glance at Peach he thought better of it. "Looks like they opened up the dessert portion of the buffet. Do you want to get something?" He inquired. "I'm not feeling too well all of sudden, but you go ahead." Peach replied. "Ok, those chocolate creme brulees look pretty tasty. I'll be back," he remarked before he and Luigi left the table. With Mario gone, Peach began chatting with Daisy. And that was when she learned that Daisy would be meeting Luigi's parents. The news was too much for her to bear. Once Daisy had been whisked away onto the dance floor with Luigi, Peach knew that she needed to get away and compose herself. With silent tears rolling down her cheeks she ran out of the main room and down to the garden. The sun was beginning to set, but with it came a slight chill to the air, causing guests to prefer to observe its beauty inside rather than out. Still, not wanting to be seen and dignified as always, Peach hid behind a lilac bush and wept.
She cried for a time before she began to pull herself together. She could have continued for a while, but she knew that her friends were probably looking for her and she didn't want them to worry. Slowly Peach emerged from the bush, and stepped onto the open grass. The smell of the flowers still clung to her. She began walking back towards the gala, hoping that her eyes didn't look too red and bleary. Little did she know that she would never reenter the party, due to a certain royal Koopa. The girl who fell apart at the party would have never guessed that the night would unfurl the way it had. Although it certainly wasn't what she had planned, a tiny part of Peach was grateful for the opportunity to prove her resourcefulness and flexibility. She looked over at Bowser sleeping next to her. It hadn't been an hour but she didn't want to wait any longer for breakfast. Softly, she touched his shoulder. "Hey, um, hey, time to wake up." She said, praying that he wouldn't flambé her for pulling him back into reality. His eyes filtered open. "Hello gorgeous," he replied, with a smile so bright it put the dawn's gleam to shame.
A/N: Long time no see! I'm sorry that it's been so long. Unfortunately I needed to have some oral surgery done, so I have been out of commission for a couple weeks. I must admit, originally I envisioned this story to be about five chapters. Now it looks like it's going to be roughly nine. I have learned so much in the process of writing this tale. I am deeply appreciative of every subscriber, follower, and comment that I have been blessed with, and will continue to immensely value the support. As always, much love, Guardian.
