Is there really a calm before the storm?
The question is most mundane, truthfully. But, I think the answer lies in experience. The world is unpredictable, after all. Hurricanes can destroy a civilization, or fade out into the open air without a trace. It's almost infuriating, really, to have such an unforeseeable outcome, one that is impossibly difficult to deal with.
You see, the events that preceded this text were much like a storm. But, before even that, there lied a peaceful age.
A golden age, if you will.
Things were much simpler before the terrible war amongst us all began, yes, that is the truth. Nothing was out of place and nothing was wrong, per say.
Whatever happened to that time?
...
I find it ever so curious that you're still here. Still here, and still reading along.
How fascinating.
All was still.
The faint hum of the lingering summer buzzed outside, the window only slightly ajar as Peach breathed slowly in syncopation with the sounds of life elsewhere. A breeze picked up, tousling the royal's mussed hair, her eyes dulled and her body numbed.
Her hands bore no gloves, snowy knuckles clutching at the letter she had read so many times.
The person who had addressed it to her was someone she didn't know. It was not from Daisy, nor was it from her father. It was, however, sent from some sort of Sarasan royal attendant. Peach could tell that whoever wrote it could not control their shaking. The words would fade out and the ink was spread in unsettling splotches throughout the confines of the letter.
Peach sensed a tear threatening to fall down her cheek as she read the words once more, wiping away at her reddened cheek. It had all happened so fast. She had just seen Daisy last night and now...
There was a soft tapping on the doorframe to her quarters. Peach turned away from the window, her shoulders stiffening. She folded the letter, hiding it underneath her hands as she drew her gloves back on.
Not daring to seem out of place, Peach smiled softly, meeting Toadsworth's wavering gaze as he entered.
"How are you feeling, my Princess?"
Peach merely nodded, not giving any indication of informal emotion. Toadsworth took notice of her pale skin as he went to set down a tray, adorned with a porcelain teapot and cups that he had brought with him.
"Would you like some tea? Perhaps it will take your mind off of the current debacle."
"No, thank you. I'm fine, Toadsworth."
Toadsworth nodded his head, pouring her a cup against her request. He knew a serving of chamomile tea would do much better than worse for his princess. He dropped in a couple of sugar cubes and refreshing herbs before stirring the drink silently, taking a moment to examine Peach from head to toe.
The light pink her face so generally radiated was absent from her features, her sapphire eyes having long lost their twinkle.
He then noticed the letter she was holding, the paper faded and poking out slightly between her fingers.
Toadsworth drew in a breath to speak, but Peach interrupted him suddenly.
"Toadsworth…" Her tone, somber and flat, startled the old steward.
She spoke whilst keeping her gaze focused elsewhere.
"I'm sorry, this is not how I should be acting," she lifted a hand to her face and wiped away her straying tears; the salty remains curled about her pursed lips. "My citizens are all unaware, but they'll find out soon. And when they do, how can I help them? I-I'm just sitting here, feeling sorry for myself."
Peach laughed curtly before dissolving into a sobbing mess, her shoulders lifting and her short breaths hitching crudely.
Toadsworth lifted a reassuring hand to her back with a paternal gentleness, exhaling. He waited for her to calm down a bit before speaking. "My Princess, if I may-"
He didn't get far before Peach interrupted.
"They need to find who did this," the monarch's voice was uncharacteristically low as she straightened her form, tears still slipping down her paled cheeks. "Nothing can fix this or bring them back, but if we find the perpetrators, then perhaps…" She paused. Her voice quavered, wobbling unsteadily. "W-we can…"
"My Princess, the letter only said Daisy was missing and that her father-"
"Her father's game was ended? That someone, still alive and on the loose, ended his game? Yes, Toadsworth, I am quite aware."
"We have no confirmation Princess Daisy met the same fate as her father. It is not our place to determine if her game is ov-"
"Toadsworth, please!" Peach raised her voice in defense, throwing Toadsworth back. Her eyes were narrowed, hiding behind her bangs as tears continued to flow, her expression tired yet desperate.
The small bit of hope she had for her dearest friend's safety seemed to have completely disappeared from the princess's heavy heart. The organ pulsed without expectation.
A thick, uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Toadsworth stared into Peach's despairing gaze, the crumbling bright hues of her iris scanning him hopelessly for any support.
Toadsworth sighed and turned, handing Peach the teacup he had poured, the earthy scent of herbs and lemon meeting her. Hesitantly, the princess accepted the cup and took a petite sip, her attention returning to focus on the melting indigos and azures against the horizon.
All was still.
Peach contented to remaining in her room as daylight perished outside. She discovered that sitting and writing, simply thinking, was the comfort she most required. She would allow her mind to wander.
The curtains were drawn, an eerily placed silence overtaking the room.
She just needed time to herself.
She just needed to time to think.
The absent chime of a clock granted her the knowledge that it was late evening, but she did not move from her position.
She jumped at the final chime of the clock, as there was an abrupt knocking at the door.
Peach felt her chest pound for a brief second. She breathed, attempting to soothe herself before she rose from her bed. She stepped over to the door and opened it ever-so-gently, just slightly poking her head out.
A Toad greeted her, their face paling at the sight of Peach's current condition. It took them a moment to regain their composure, and they spoke.
"T-There's someone waiting to see you, your highness!" They half squeaked as Peach raised an eyebrow. "They're in the main hall, I t-think! That's where I just saw them, I mean!"
Peach exhaled, nodding. "Alright, I'll be out in just a moment," she was about to close her door when a sudden thought struck her. "Who is it, exactly?"
"U-Uh…" The Toad seemed to be searching for an excuse to make up, but their exasperated expression told otherwise. "Just be there soon!"
With that, the small Toad scurried off down the hall. Peach couldn't help but smile as they wobbled out of her sight, but her expression soon furrowed in deep thought. Curiosity overtook her once more as she ducked back into her room.
Another visitor…
She quickly brushed out her hair as she went to apply a coat of pink lip gloss and blush. She smoothed out her dress before making her way to the main hall. She quickened her pace, practically tripping over her dress as her mind fumbled with intrusive thoughts she didn't want. She didn't want to think about that, about the worst possible scenarios, but they wouldn't leave her alone.
The main hall was dim, moonlight pouring into the space through the panes of stained glass lining the walls.
She scanned the area, and her worry very quickly faded as she was suddenly met with three very familiar figures conversing in front of one of the tapestries. The first was Toadsworth, the other two being…
"Principessa!"
Peach's face considerably brightened as Mario approached her with a wide grin. Luigi followed close behind, meekly waving at the princess with a cautious smile.
Toadsworth chuckled gently. "Ah, my Princess, it's good to see you're out of your room."
There was a silence before Peach spoke out, gesturing to Mario and Luigi with a smile.
"What a surprise, you two." Peach giggled. "What brings you here?"
Mario dug through his overall pocket and revealed a fancy looking envelope, the Mushroom Kingdom seal on it. Peach was about to speak, her eyes wide, but Mario went on to explain further.
"We're here because Toadsworth asked us to come," Mario explained, gesturing to the old Toad.
Luigi nodded in reaffirmation. "He said he has something to tell us. We were just waiting for you."
Peach's expression noticeably darkened, whipping around to stare at Toadsworth with a horrified glint in her eyes.
Luigi noticed right away,
"D-Did I say something wrong, Princess?" Luigi mumbled, his lanky frame suddenly cowering back. Mario now realized the princess's sudden shift in mood as well, his bright face now lowered.
Peach quickly regained her composure, laughing lightly. "O-Oh! No, of course not! You're alright, Luigi. I just-" Her stare was still fixed on Toadsworth. "I didn't expect you both here today."
Mario sensed the growing tension, stepping in between Luigi and Peach.
"Soooo-!" He began, trying to change the subject as soon as possible. "About this whole, 'big news to share with us', thing… What's going on, Toadsworth?"
Toadsworth took a breath, turning away from Peach's dangerous gaze. Mario and Luigi both awaited a response, clearly intrigued now.
"Well. The pair of you should know, that very early this morning, the Birabuto region of Sarasaland was attac-"
"PRINCESS!"
The group turned to see a Toad scampering in, their face white as a sheet. Their body was trembling as they made their way to where the group was standing, nearly collapsing once they made it.
Peach couldn't seem to recognize them as a member of her royal court, assuming they had been granted access to enter the castle.
But, why?
Peach went to hold up the Toad's form to avoid having the poor thing pass out from shock. She coaxed them into telling her what was wrong after allowing them to breathe, speaking gently.
"Oh, it's bedlam, Princess!" The Toad noticed the other three figures observing them, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I-I was just doing some housework outside, w-when I heard someone screaming! So, I went to go c-check it out and, sure enough, there was this guy and- h-he…"
Frightened by their own words, the Toad trailed off and shivered. Luigi cowered farther from the group, terrified by the story as well.
Mario glanced at Luigi, then at Peach. He was growing more concerned about the entire current situation.
"Amico, tranquilla…" Mario spoke, stepping forward and bending down to the Toad's eye level. "Is someone hurt?"
The Toad nodded. "The guards are tending to him, I-I think."
The mushroom-capped denizen quickly approached Peach.
"H-He said he n-needed to see y-you! B-But… H-He was hurt! I-I didn't know what to do, s-so I-I brought him here a-and now I'm here and talking to you a-and…"
"Calmati, calmati…" Mario urged, turning to seek guidance from Peach. He paused, finding that her vision was fixated elsewhere. Mario followed her line of sight, going directly past him and towards the doorway.
He stood up impulsively at the sight that greeted him.
A figure stood at the entrance of the main hall, their face barely illuminated in the dimly lit room. Two Toad guards followed the stranger closely as they entered. A brief silence returned before the newcomer drew back the cloak they were wearing, revealing their identity to the room of individuals standing with bated breath.
The cloak was cast aside, a beaming face now present before each of them. His cyan locks of curly hair bounced on his shoulders, his fancy pink attire and blue cape pressed neatly. A gleaming crown was centered perfectly atop his head, his bright blue eyes catching the little light in the room. The only thing out of the ordinary was that his arm was bandaged, and even despite that, he still waved politely.
The newcomer smiled.
"Good evening!"