Chapter 5:
Tardy Hardy
Author's Note: Oh the joys of writing this comedy! This took me two tries to get what I wanted to say out. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I edited the other one and fixed the huge spelling mistake! Thank you for notifying me about that. I wasn't quite sure how it was spelled. But nevertheless, enjoy another chapter! And please do review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mario.
Orange heels slide across the freshly mopped restaurant floor, as Princess Daisy rushed over to an elegant table in a private room at the back of the restaurant. She knew she was late. She wasn't just a couple minutes late. She was completely late.
She panted, glancing over at the elder brown Toad sitting at the table. He had been Peach's main attendant for many years...the two went back, Daisy supposed. Well, enough for him to get his own golf course memorial. But now, he looked upset and disappointed; he had tons of other things to do then talk about her security and safety issues.
Security. Daisy hated the word. She didn't need a body guard or any security plans. She could defend herself. She had her two gloved hands to act as fists. But that, as she had learned when looking over the "book of etiquette" was extremely unladylike and horrid.
At least in the book's opinion.
Besides, with a worry-wart cousin like Princess Peach Toadstool to enforce such "security manners", how would the rebel princess ever slip? She had to go through this almost every time she came to the Mushroom Kingdom.
She took a seat quickly, and took a sip from the water already at her spot at the table. Regaining her breath, she let out a simple but meaningful apology.
It wouldn't cut it this time. "Now Princess Daisy," the elder Toad explained. "Princess Peach did inform me that your train had delays, but I wasn't expecting you to be this late. She said you had told her you would have arrived at the train station by eleven. Is that correct?"
"Yes," she simply told him.
He frowned. "You need to take this seriously. This is very important to me and your cousin for that matter. You know how she tends to worry an awful lot about you, Daisy. The Mushroom Kingdom is full of threats. I'm awful surprised you got out of Sarasaland without a body guard or escort."
Daisy smirked. She was proud of that little factor. "Well, I did," she said, taking another sip of water. "It was quite hard, but I did."
"You didn't want a body guard!?" he exclaimed, in a bit of surprise.
"Not really," Daisy frowned. In all honesty, bodyguards seem to remind her more of stalkers. "I'm positive that I'll be able to handle any threats directed to me, myself. Besides, Peach is the main target, no? They'd probably only kidnap me to use as...bait for Peach or...the Mario brothers." She shrugged. But when she really thought about it, the same circumstances applied to Peach. Bait for Mario. Her smirk appeared once again. Peach and Mario: Cutest Couple.
She let out a giggle. In their dreams...
"Nothing about this manner is humorous!" the elder Toad snapped, a bit insulted. It was his and many other Toads at the castle's professions. It was hard work.
"Oh, I'm sorry for the misleading...action, but I wasn't laughing at you," Daisy quickly said. "I was laughing at this err...joke I heard earlier on the train." She smiled. "It was actually quite something!"
"Do tell!" an eager little yellow Toad said, who was also sitting at the table. Daisy predicted him to be an assistant or trainee.
"I would but we're all on tight schedules, correct?" Daisy asked.
The elder Toad nodded. "We need to get back to the castle as soon as possible." He added.
Daisy nodded as well. "So, what were your ideas for this visit?" she asked, a bit casually. She had been through this conversation one too many times.
"Well, with the threat of kidnapping at code orange during the tennis tournament I suggest having a group of Toads to attend you. Peach will happily lend you a trio of the castles' guards to follow you and watch out for you."
Daisy winced. "Could I please have only one...or two? Three's a little drastic, don't you think? I'm not that endangered."
"Oh but you are, Daisy," he explained. "You and Peach are key targets. I'm speaking for the entire Mushroom Kingdom and that of your cousin, when I say I'd like to make sure your visit is fun and safe."
It'd be funnier without security, Daisy thought, rolling her eyes.
"So therefore, we'll give you the choice of five guards," Toadster explained. "Each certified and superior in their area of protection and defense..."
Protection had an area? Daisy puzzled over the thought.
"Peach will introduce them to you when you come over later. She's in the middle of preparing for her picnic with Mario and his brother right now. Nice gentleman, aren't they?" Toadster asked. "Both rather suitable bachelors..."
That little sneak, Daisy thought. This had happened before. Since Daisy had gotten the idea that Peach and Mario were together and tried to reinforce it, Peach did the same with her and Luigi...only at slower less obvious pace. She'd introduce the idea to Daisy in little bits rather then say it all at once and repeat it. But Daisy thought there was more to that...Peach had gotten the whole staff at her castle involved by having them lightly note her that she stood a chance with 'ol Green Cap. Green Cap. That was Daisy's nickname for Luigi. Luigi and Waluigi: Mr. Spider-Legs and Green Cap.
But all the same, Daisy couldn't help but be a bit suspicious that both Mario and Luigi were involved. Mario had brought it up quite a few times at the golf tournament. Peach probably brought the subject and plan up during one of their many "friendly gatherings".
"Oh no," Peach would said, shaking her head to her cousin. "It's not at all a date. Just a friendly gathering..."
"Are you sure about that?" Daisy would reply, with her usual smirk.
And then Peach's usual response would be: "Of course" or "Where would you ever get the idea I wouldn't be?"
There were plenty of sources for the idea that she wouldn't be. All the tabloids in the Mushroom Kingdom implied that Mario and Peach were 'officially' a couple...but those were complete lies. They'd have headlines like: "Keep An Eye On Your Favorite Couple: New Scoop!" or "Peach And Mario: Secretly Dating. Will they ever tell?". It was actually quite funny, in Daisy's opinion.
"Daisy?" a familiar voice asked, snapping Daisy's thoughts back to reality. The brown Toad adjusted his glasses, glancing at the princess's shocked facial expression.
"Oh yes," Daisy said, realizing where the conversation had left off at. "Quite suitable bachelors; that I know. They're both oh-so perfect for Peach...."
"And you, yourself," the yellow Toad added.
Daisy shook her head. "Oh contrary," she said. "I would feel awful guilty taking Peach's beloved Mario away from her," she said, with fake sympathy.
The elder Toad frowned. Peach had warned him about that as well. "The princess and Mario are strictly at a friendship level." He explained. "Princess Peach wants it to be nothing more then that."
"We'll see about that," Daisy muttered. She had a few "matchmaker" tricks up her sleeve to try during her stay at the Mushroom Kingdom. Sagittarius was the sign of the archer. She could play Cupid. Besides, her first "genius" idea to her "brilliant" scheme to officially hook Peach and Mario up was to arrive at the Castle a little too early...
The brown Toad looked over at his watch and frowned. "Well, I think we have the issue covered, wouldn't you agree, Princess?"
Daisy nodded with a smile. "Of course..." She had been waiting for this moment for all-too long.
He got up. "It was a pleasure," he said, offering his small hand for her to shake.
She took it gratefully. "I can't thank you enough for your concern for my safety." She said politely, bowing her head. "I'll see you at 5 'o clock, correct?"
"Correct," he said, grabbing his cane and slowly walking away from the private room; out of the restaurant. He turned back at Daisy and said one last thing: "I do hope you won't be late like you were this time..."
Daisy winced. She KNEW he'd mention it sooner or later. But little did he know, she would actually be rather early; about an hour to be exact. She got up and rushed over to the restaurant exit, back towards her suite. She'd burn some time unpacking and then arrive at the castle; eager to surprise Peach and her dear, dear Mario...
Final Notes: I apologize for any spelling mistakes or grammar. Again, I can't catch everything. If they are that severe I'll end up editing them and reposting the chapter later. Please review. Reviews are motivation to keep going. Feel welcomed to make any suggestions!