The call with Pauline was a disaster. I had the mind to find her phone number, but was still an unprepared idiot. She didn't believe it was me, then she started berating me for imitating me. Didn't know what to do, so I hung up. Poorly planned.

How do I explain this to her? On my own, I doubt I can convince her on the whole space thing. Do I ask Rosetta to vouch for me? Would she get the wrong idea?... I'm just gonna ask her along. We can bring them to the Observatory if they're unconvinced.

Rosetta's still watching me like a hawk. I shouldn't have talked about leaving, because I think she's outright against it now. She hasn't said anything, but it's a little obvious.

On a lighter note, eating was also a disaster. A preventable disaster. I knew the risks of suddenly eating again, I did it anyway. Immediately threw up and dry-heaved for a while after. Gave my face and mustache a thorough wash. Was expecting a bad reaction, but not that bad. Same thing happens with water.

Rosetta was concerned, but found it funny after realizing it wasn't serious.

I guess food's a reacquired taste now.

Still can't eat, Rosetta's still hovering, and we're still staying at the hotel.

Rosetta didn't want to vouch for me or bring anyone to the Observatory.

This was bad. I twiddled my thumbs for a month as the hotel put a dent in my wallet... Yes, I kept my wallet.

I told Rosetta to let me go alone if she's not going to help, so I'm on my own.

Now I'm rocking on my heels at Pauline's gate.

May as well rip the band-aid off.

I ring the buzzer, take a few steps back, and rock on my heels... then there's the rapid clicking of heels.

We stare. I don't have the nerve to say anything or move.

Still staring, she slowly moves to the side of the gate and presses a button. I flinch at the loud buzz, and the gate opens.

As she approaches. I'm still frozen on the spot. There's a glimmer in her eyes.

Why didn't I come back sooner?

Only a couple of steps away, we're both tearing up.

Could've at least stopped by.

I'm looking away, anywhere but her. Feeling flighty, but I have to stay in place.

Pauline walks up and gently takes me by the shoulder, guiding me through the gate before I hear her press the button to close it.

I can't look at her until we're in the house and she's yelling at someone to put on tea.

We take our seats opposite each other, a table separating us, and I look around at anything but her.

The tea arrives and cools before she speaks up. "On the phone... That was you, huh?"

I nod, still looking at the floor.

She breathes out. "I thought it was some schmuck tryin' to mess with me... but after you hung up, I went over it and realized that some schmuck wouldn't know what you sounded like. I wanted to call back, but the number was hidden." She pauses before continuing, "What were you doing?"

She won't believe me if I tell her. She'll be pissed.

"There had to be something going on; you wouldn't disappear for so long if nothing was going on," worry's in her voice. "What'd you get wrapped up in?"

About to speak, I clam up and stay quiet.

She moves to sit by me and says, "At least take the scarf off."

That caught me off guard. I forgot it's still wrapped over my face. "O-oh, yeah."

"Oh my goodness, you're even worse now. You can barely talk," she says with a laugh.

She's trying to lighten the mood, which isn't even something she should have to do. Why am I here if I'm not going to say anything? Why's she making all the effort when this is my fault? I'm being an asshole and she's putting up with it.

Looking at her now. "I should've stopped by to visit."

"What was it you were doing?" Pauline's looking at me like something's wrong.

"I was in space, travelling around the galaxy..." Why am I hesitating?

"Go on... unless you don't want to."

"No, no... So, the world got pulped..."

Three cups of cold tea later, we're much more relaxed.

"... Forget about me, how're you doing?" I ask.

"Stressed. Mayoral duties and all... I been getting white hairs and lines, too. Much less interesting," she snorts.

"Hmm." That's not less interesting...

We're back to being quiet again, but it's a little more welcome. Pauline turns the television on to some sitcom, and a maid brings in more tea.

Looking around, a lot's changed; the furniture's moved around, some things got replaced, but it's still familiar.

My attention goes back to Pauline. She's looking at me again with focus, like she's trying to figure something out.

"Why're ya looking at me like that?"

Some sort of realization flashes over her face. "Something's off. Wait. Lemme find something. She leaves the room.

I'm rocking in the seat until she comes back with a bunch of photos.

"Look directly at me for a sec," she says.

I do so, and she holds up a few photos to compare.

"What's wrong?" Do I have a growth or something? I'm feeling over my face.

"You look different."

I stop moving. "Hmm?"

"You look younger."

Wait, what? I get up to find a mirror, but I forgot the layout of the house.

"C'mon," Pauline leads me to the bathroom.

She flicks the light on and hands me a photo.

I look at the photos, then back to the reflection a few times.

She's right, I'm younger looking than some of the photos... or that could just be the weight loss... I'm surprised she recognized me through the scarf.

"I knew something was weird! Did you time travel or something?"

"Nope. I think I'm immortal... Not unkillable immortal, I think, but some sort of immortal."

"Would I be considered a cougar if we got together again?" she jokes.

"Wait, weren't you with that guy?" I forgot his name again! He was a pushover or something.

She giggles and pokes me in the stomach. "I dunno, with your reduced gut, I might consider a divorce," she waggles an eyebrow.

"... Congrats?!" I lower my voice, "You let him in on your schemes? How'd he react?"

"Schemes? What'd you think? I'd risk my job?" she laughs as we leave the bathroom.

"Never."

We're back on the couch again and she's calling for more tea. This went much better than I thought it would, and I don't doubt it's more because of Pauline than me.

"So, what're you gonna say to Toadstool 'n' Luigi? Bowser? Yoshi?"

I blanch. That's a sudden question.

"Uh, I-I don't know?"

"You're gonna talk to them, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah?" she repeats mockingly.

"Yeah."

Rosetta's warmed up to... people in general. A good sign! I gave her the spiel about mages and stuff. She's taking it well. Toadstool and her made fast friends... or at least Toadstool's trying to make it seem that way. She glares at me when I leave her with Rosetta.

Turns out, she's very talkative. She gave out a version of our adventure, leaving all the sad and boring bits out... that version spread... a lot. Someone's announced they're making a series on it, and I can't believe the speed of these people. It's only been a year since I've been back.

A very strange year.

I'm reminded pretty often that I was considered dead for a while. There was a kart racing tournament held in my honor a little ago, I've been padding my clothes out so no one feels like they have to redo memorial statues, and someone on the street randomly recognized me through a disguise and gave me flowers. I didn't know this person, it was awkward; I said thanks and went on my way. Broke up a cult that started worshipping me. Rosetta's not dealing with her cult, though.

Toadstool's been accommodating... She let Rosetta, a few lumas, and I stay in the castle. My house is a bit too overgrown for my liking, and the tanukis have moved in. It's theirs now. They at least have the decency to act ashamed. That's fine though; they kept the hoard secure.

Of all the people, I expected Toadstool to be the reserved one. She went into denial when Pauline called, then joy when I was on the line. She told me to go there immediately, and I obeyed.

Luigi and I... no longer have a rift? I don't even remember what it was, but I'm pretty sure we stayed silent with each other before.

In other news, he retired early and married Prince Peasley, which I didn't expect. I mean, wouldn't Peasley marry royalty or something? He doesn't participate in Luigi's blogs despite Luigi wanting him to, which is equally unexpected, but I respect it. He's more of an "in person beauty" kind of guy. Probably so he can actually blind people with his flashy sparkles and wigs.

Bowser threw a few parties for me. Everyone went to them... Oh yeah, and everyone's a lot more friendly to the Koopa Kingdom now. For how crowded the parties were, there were surprisingly no bad smells, and they were pretty hygienic. My only complaint's that the food looked amazing and I can't eat. A few drops of water makes me gag, and I don't think I can even digest anything, so I'm losing hope on that cause.

Pauline held no big party or festival for me, which I appreciate. We mostly played instruments and had a little dance. Both of which I'm terrible at now. It was a nice time.

I've been to a ton of events, and there are more on the way. It's overwhelming, and I'm tired. At least this is just a honeymoon period. Everything's going back to normal in a little while; though, everyone's older than I remember and different in other ways.

A letter arrived. The innkeeper gave it to me in the middle of watching a band in the common area, said it was in the mailbox. I don't understand, I've been aliased as a bald old man in the public for the past month. How?!

Opening it, there's chicken scratch that roughly translates to, "Hi Mr. Mayro, Im from Sarasa. A monster kid naped my prince es. Pleas sav her." There's a drawing of a pointy-eared purple person with big teeth, and a long-haired lady in a white and orange dress. No address, and my name's misspelled on the envelope. Again, how is it even here?

I'm going to Sarasa, definitely, but is it from the kid of a shaman or something? Bait? A jape?

Whatever, I'll head out in the morning.

Author's note:

Thanks for reading, and thank you for the reviews. This was fun to write, and I hope it was a fun read for you guys.

Year later update note:

Style and pacing, mostly pacing, will be different next chapter.