AN: Hey everyone! I reached a milestone with this story! This is now officially the longest story I have written (at least in terms of chapters). I am super happy to have reached this milestone, and I thank you all for sticking around.

Chapter 23 A Long Night Part 2

Toadette could not sleep.

The whole conversation that she had with Sunny and Bank was keeping her awake, haunting her. She could understand why the hatred toward Koooas existed. On some level, she could even understand why the stereotypes aimed at and applied to Toads existed. But in just wasn't fair. I mean, too cowardly? Wasn't she and the Toad Brigade going out of their way to try and disprove that notion?

Whatever. It's not like it would matter. No matter what she did...no matter what anyone did...there would be no way to properly disquell these notions. They were set in stone, almost as if they were a part of history.

Toadette shook her head and got out of bed. There was no point in trying to sleep. If she tried, her mind would wander. And if she did manage to sleep, she had a feeling that her dreams would be less than welcoming. So, she went out to the balcony again.

The moon was like a ripe, shining fruit, lighting up the sky with its glory. The stars seemed to be watching over the Toad girl. They almost seemed to be communicating with her. Toadette had a feeling that, if she took the time, she could translate their twinkles into some sort of Morse code message. The waves were as black as coffee, their foam shining in the moonlight. Their were undulating in a rough motion, seemingly trying to drown the land.

Toadette felt jealous of all of them. The waves didn't have to worry; they were waves, after all. The moon was wise enough to not have to worry either, and the stars were detached enough from the world that they didn't even know the definition of the word worry. The only thing they had to worry about was shining, which they did an absolutely stellar job at.

Toadette lowered her head onto the railing of the balcony. She could probably watch the waves forever, be brought into a hypnotic trance by their motions. They would always be there, always moving. They felt no fear, they just moved forward.

From behind her, Toadette heard the door to the balcony open. She didn't even have to turn around; she knew it was Bank. The green capped Toad walked out and got into the same position that Toadette was in. He watched the waves.

"You know," he finally said. "I bet that Blue would give us a long winded explanation as to why the waves move. I bet he would say that it has something to do with the way the planet spins." Bank laughed. Toadette nodded.

"I bet you're right."

They stood in silence once more. The sound of Bank's breaths were drowned out by the waves.

"I hate to admit it," Bank said, "but I miss them."

Toadette stared at him with a weird, interested look.

"Why would you hate to admit that?"

Bank shrugged.

"I don't know. There is nothing wrong with missing your colleagues. Especially considering that one of them is my twin."

Toadette nodded again. She thought about what Yellow must be up to at this moment. He was probably terrified. Unless he was...no, he had to terrified.

"And, I have to admit," Bank continued. "I am worried about them."

"Oh, me too. I am absolutely terrified of what could be happening to them."

Bank looked at her expectantly for a few seconds. Then he smirked.

"Normally, you would say something that would try to bring everyone's spirits up."

Toadette didn't even have the strength to nod anymore. She sighed and turned back to the waves again.

"I don't know if I can this time."

Bank put his hand on her shoulder.

"That's fine. You don't have to be the ray of sunshine all the time."

Toadette smiled.

"You think so?"

"Yeah. I mean, it would be kind of weird if you were."

Toadette laughed.

"I don't mind being weird. But thanks Bank."

Bank smiled back at her. Together, they stared at the frothy, undulating waves.

"Well, I am going to go back to bed," said Bank.

Toadette nodded.

"I'll just be out here for a little bit."

Bank nodded.

"Okay." With that, he went back inside.