Shamans
After asking around Delfino Plaza for a while, Peach and Zelda discovered that the majority of Isle Delfino was under the protection of the Shine Sprites. Much like the Power Stars Peach absorbed from her castle, they were the island's guardians and source of power. In fact, Mario had recollected them only a few months ago during another one of Bowser's attempts to kidnap Peach. Now, these shimmering protectors were using their aura to create a barrier around most of the island. The shady area a few yards out into the ocean was as far as the barrier reached. As for the airstrip, the princesses were told that the airstrip had suddenly been marauded by Monty Moles one day. The mechanically gifted creatures soon set up cannons all over the small island.
"It looks like Bowser is already attacking Delfino, too," Peach frowned as the two sat at the edge of the dock.
"At least the Shine Sprites are making it difficult," Zelda said. "They seem to be more powerful than your Power Stars."
"Well, there are more Shine Sprites than Power Stars," Peach rationalized. "Anyway, we should probably find a place to stay for a while."
"I think the first thing we should do is find new clothing. Just look at us."
Peach did notice how their clothing was still wet, wrinkled, and dirty looking. "Well, we just have to get them cleaned and…"
"It's not just that they're dirty," Zelda said, ripping off her golden shoulder pads. "Bowser is still after us."
"Actually, he's only after me," Peach said meekly, kicking her bare feet into the water.
"Regardless, he wants us captured dead or alive," Zelda argued, taking off her silk gloves and golden tiara. "Wearing clothing as exquisite as this is just asking to draw attention. It's bad enough that we're the nearly the only humans I've seen since I was dropped into this blasted world. We don't need people pointing out the 'the two princesses in pink' everywhere we go."
"You wouldn't be in any danger if you just left me," Peach said quietly, watching the colorful fish in the water. "I own the very beach that we had to swim to, so just about everybody knows me. No one is looking for you, not here."
"I don't know that for certain," Zelda sighed, making the discarded clothing fade into a small cloud of sparkles. "Besides, even if I wanted to abandon you, there are two things that won't let me do that. One, Sheik would never forgive me if I left, and I quote, 'so fair a maiden of such extraordinary virtue, innocence, and purity.' Second, I made a promise to help you and I will honor it…princess to princess."
Peach looked at her with surprise and blushed briefly. "Thank you, Zelda…and Shiek. I have an idea, but first, could you put my brooch and crown wherever you just put your things?"
Zelda nodded and with a wave of her hand, the accessories disappeared in another swirl of sparkles.
"Wow, it feels weird not to wear a crown," Peach marveled, feeling the top of her head. "Okay, now take off your dress."
"What!" Zelda exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It'll be like we're wearing bikinis," Peach explained, removing her gloves. "No one will no the difference. This is a beach after all."
"You don't understand," Zelda said uncomfortably. "I just can't take off my dress like it's nothing."
"You need someone to undo it from the back, don't you? Don't worry, I'll take care of it for you right now," Peach smiled, stepping forward.
"No!" Zelda said, stepping back. "I can't take this off because…because…" Then, she whispered, "Because…I don't have a bra on underneath this…I never really needed one unless I transformed into Sheik, and I know for a fact that he won't show any skin."
"Oh," Peach said, as her eyes drifted down toward Zelda's relatively flat chest. Zelda seemed to growl lowly every time Peach did something like that. "I guess you wouldn't need one. Well, I guess we'll just have to buy new clothing." They walked to a door that had a sign hanging overhead with a colorful smiling face and the word "Benvenuto." They entered and saw a variety of clothing and souvenirs all around.
The lone blue-skinned Pianta shopkeeper beamed at finally having customers. Like all Piantas, he was large, chubby, beady-eyed, barefooted and had a big long nose and wore a leaf skirt and a small plant on top of his head. He also wore a white tropical shirt with yellow flowers all over it. "May I help you ladies?"
"Yes," Peach replied. "As you can see, we need some more appropriate clothing."
"Well, you came to the right place," he said. "Just have a look around. The dressing rooms are around that corner." After looking around for a bit, they each grabbed a set of clothing and went into the dressing rooms. A moment later, they shuffled out wearing the Pianta clothing that was massively oversized for the two. Peach was wearing, or rather holding up her pink top and auburn leaf skirt, struggling not to reveal her undergarments too much, seeing as how showing off her shoulders and navel was enough for her. Zelda had to grip onto her blue ocean wave design sundress since the straps were hanging off the sides of her shoulders and the entire thing was dragging along the floor.
"This simply won't do!" Zelda fumed, just catching the neckline as it kept slipping out of her grasp.
"I don't know," Peach said, twisting her face. "I kind of like it…I just wish it weren't so big."
"Excuse me ladies," the shopkeeper said, walking into the dressing area. "Might I make a sug…?" He was immediately met with screams, yelling, and hangers being thrown his way. He ran back and dived behind the counter. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just gonna' say that you should probably try out the children's sizes!"
Peach stepped out of the room in the "children sized" version of her previous outfit. Though the leaf skirt was very short, everything fit perfectly. "This is much better," she said, smiling. "At least it's not falling off of me like before."
"Yes, at least it accomplished that much," Zelda seethed, choosing to stay inside the room.
"What's wrong, Zelda?" Peach asked. "I know the dress might be a little short, but it's no big deal."
Zelda opened the door and crossed her arms as Peach looked upon her and struggled not to laugh. The bottom of the sundress didn't even reach her navel. "This is more than just a little short!" Zelda then looked Peach over for a moment. Peach was actually shapelier than her. Zelda took especial note of her more respectable bosom and hip proportions. Then, she looked into the mirror and noticed how flat and skinny she appeared in comparison. Only their waists' sizes stood on equal ground. And here she thought that Peach's proportions had only been an illusion created by the corset on her dress. She could only wonder why Peach had ever worn one in the first place. This only added to her ire.
"It looks fine to me," Peach said, humored. "You can just use the idea I had before. Really, we're on a tropical island. No one will mind."
"Yep, looks fine to me," the shopkeeper said, standing behind Peach. "Nice undies, too. I really like the little triangles…" Peach sent him flying to the front of the store with a single slap to the face.
"I'm surprised at you," Zelda said, still blushing and fuming. "You didn't seem like the type to do that. I'd never expect that kind of strength out of you either."
"Yeah, but after I saw you in battle, I didn't want you to hurt him too badly," Peach explained, smiling too innocently.
Zelda began to chuckle. "Shopkeeper, are you still conscious?"
"I'm okay," he moaned. "I probably deserved that."
"I'll take three sets of these dresses," Zelda said, "as well as three leaf skirts."
"And I'll take six tops and three skirts," Peach said, with equal humor. "You can have three of the tops, Zelda."
"Alright," the Pianta said wearily, typing in the information on the cash register. "That'll be…630 coins."
"Put it on my account," Peach said, handing him a gold card with a mushroom and star design on it.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Zelda asked cautiously.
Peach shushed her. "I only carry around so many coins. Besides, we might be able to take a little vacation here since those Shines are shielding the island for a while." Zelda could not figure out how Peach, after everything that had happened, could be taking things so well.
After leaving the store in their new clothing, they went to the dock to find a boat to Hotel Delfino on Sirena Beach. They arrived just in time to see one of the small, motorized boats float away with a single, hooded passenger and her luggage. Despite most of her figure being concealed by her grey cloak, she stood out since she was obviously a human. The two princesses found themselves staring at her as she quietly sailed away. The figure then caught their gaze and stared back with piercing hazel eyes. She adjusted her hood and looked in another direction as the boat passed under a bridge of buildings and out of the canal.
"Well, I suppose we'll be waiting for the next boat," Zelda said, sitting on the edge of the dock. "You know, I've noticed that there aren't many humans in this world. There was Luigi, I would assume his brother, that woman…and you, yet your father is not. I take it your mother was human?"
"I guess so," Peach said, taking a seat next to her. "Don't think I didn't notice how much taller and…different I am from the rest of the mushroom people. Mom was…the type of person who kept to herself, but she was really nice. Everybody says I look a lot like her."
"Where do the humans of this world come from?" Zelda asked.
"Well, Mario and Luigi were born in the Mushroom Kingdom," Peach said, thinking hard. "But they grew up in Brooklyn, a city in another world."
"And your mother?" Zelda asked.
Peach hesitated for a moment. "…There are plenty of other humans in this world. You just have to look for them." Zelda decided not press the issue any further. "What was your mother like?"
Zelda was somewhat caught off-guard. "My mother? Well…I never knew her. She died shortly after I was born. My nursemaid Impa, and my father, the King of Hyrule, raised me. I hardly know anything about my biological mother." After sitting silently for a few minutes, another boat floated up to the dock. They hopped onboard and began to wonder how it was going to take them to their destination.
A blue screen appeared under the tented part of the boat and stated, "Greetings. Thank you for using Delfino Water Taxis."
"Is this boat talking?" Zelda asked, becoming cautious.
"It must be automated," Peach said. Zelda gave her a quizzical look. "Just watch."
"Please select your destination," the computer stated, as a list of areas on Delfino Isle appeared. If you would like to visit an area on Delfino Isle that is not accessible by water, please select Delfino Airstrip or Ricco Harbor for aerial transportation."
Peach tapped the screen, selecting Sirena Beach.
The computer responded politely, "You have selected Sirena Beach, the home of the four-star Hotel Delfino and casino. The recommended course travels through Ricco Harbor and across Pancia Bay, passing Gelato Beach. Estimated duration of trip is…thirty minutes. Is this acceptable?"
"Mario found a shorter way," Peach smirked, tapping the "OK" button. "He used warps to get to most of the places on this island."
"So, is there a spirit within this boat?" Zelda asked.
"No, but don't worry about it," Peach said, taking a seat. "Just enjoy the scenery. The sunsets are beautiful, especially at Sirena Beach."
As the boat drifted away from Delfino Plaza, they noticed how inactive Ricco Harbor was because of the Shine Sprites' shield and the resulting isolation. In fact, with the exception of the numerous docked ships, it was almost totally deserted. It was so eerily quiet, that only the caws of seagulls could be heard. When they finally moved into the large, open water of Pancia Bay, they could clearly see both Gelato Beach and Sirena Beach. Gelato was the larger of the two, equipped with a few surfboards, two cabanas, and a tower with a large glass sphere at the top and surrounded by three large mirrors. A few people could actually be seen partying and surfing, while the odd-looking blue Cataquacks waddled along the beach. The closer they got to Sirena Beach, the more visible the three-story hotel became, and the more orange the sky turned as the afternoon faded into evening. They also saw an empty boat floating past them presumably back to Delfino Plaza. At that moment, Zelda noticed the large blue, yellow-tipped wheel on an island in the distance.
"What is that thing over there?" she asked.
"That's a Ferris Wheel," Peach said, joining Zelda by the rail. "It's one of the attractions in Pinna Park. See those yellow dots?"
"Yes."
"That's where you get on and ride it all the way to the top and back. You can get a great view from up there."
Zelda squinted her eyes to see into the distance. "It looks like we won't be going there anytime soon. Just take a look at the shade out there." The island was just barely outside the light barrier, which was becoming more and more visible as the sun sank.
"Then, who's running that park?" Peach wondered. The boat came to a stop at in the shallow water near the sand.
"You have now arrived at Sirena Beach," the screen blipped. "Please watch your step as you exit the boat and have a nice day." Peach and Zelda stepped out of the boat and into the cool water.
"You know, I've never been to a beach before," Zelda smiled, letting her feet sink into the sand. "There's something rather…soothing about it."
"I'm glad you like it," Peach said. Yet again, their eyes were drawn to the cloaked woman standing at the edge of the beach, near a few wooden crates. She was looking out at sea, completely unaware of Peach and Zelda.
They walked up the marble stairs, past the beautiful fountains and pools of water, and into the hotel. The lobby had a uniquely mellow lavender and sapphire color. The entrance was a walkway lined with torches over a pool. It led to a centerpiece that had three other shorter walkways, each leading to a check-in desk, a food stand, and a stairway. The two ambled over the walkway, with Zelda taking in the sight. The Pianta at the desk, dressed in a white sailor's uniform, was reading a newspaper with the headline Mushroom Kingdom No More.
"Excuse me," Peach said, tapping the bell twice.
"Whoa!" The Pianta shrieked, falling over out of shock. "Hey, we have a customer!" There was a thunderous racket as the manager Pianta scrambled downstairs and knocked the desk clerk out of the way. He had a white mustache, glasses, and a red suit and bowtie along with his leaf skirt.
"Another one!" he exclaimed. "Well, then, let me welcome you ladies to Hotel Delfino, the only place you need to have a relaxing stay on Isle Delfino. We have a world-famous casino, delicious delicacies delivered from all over the island, luxurious accommodations, romantic sunsets…"
"Could we have a room first?" Peach interrupted.
"May I ask how long you'll be staying?" he inquired, opening the check-in book.
Peach glanced at Zelda, who shrugged confoundedly. "Um…do you accept Star Credit cards?" Peach said nervously, taking out her card.
"Star Credits…" the manager mused. "Wait. Now that I think about it, you look a lot like one of our better customers that was here only a few months ago…Ah, Princess Peach!" Peach and Zelda became a little startled when he used her title so brazenly. "You and your friend are welcome to stay as long as you like. Bellboy!"
"That won't be necessary," Zelda said. "Our luggage has already been taken care of."
"Oh well," he said. "Will you two be sharing a room?"
"No," Peach answered.
"Yes," Zelda said simultaneously. They glanced at one another, with Zelda making a suggestive cough.
"Yes," Peach corrected herself, remembering the danger they were still in. "But do you have separate bedding arrangements?"
"Of course…Well, actually, you'd be the first two to use that room. Business hasn't been so great ever since the Shine Sprites had to put up that shield. Our only other guests are a few Shamans. And would you believe the scam they've got running? Twenty-five coins for a fortune! Sheesh! Anyway, here's your key. You have room 2B." The rant about Shamans gave Peach slight suspicion of the guest's identities. Just then, she heard a familiar voice at the fruit stand. A Shaman, wearing a lavender, hooded robe and pink veil with a single blond bang sticking out, was arguing with the vendor.
"Lady, please!" the Pianta vendor said. "I'm just saying I don't know why I should go through all that trouble for a cheat like you."
"How dare you," she fumed, "calling me a cheat! I merely want something to eat."
"You made me pay 25 coins for a stupid light show!" he yelled back. "Nothing even happened."
"In no way was your payment a waste. Please understand; my spells lack true haste. They may activate at any time, perhaps not here. I say, no refunds; let me make that perfectly clear."
"Merlee?" Peach said, walking to the Shaman.
"Peach?" she said, turning around. Zelda was somewhat startled by her appearance. Her face was completely covered in shadow, except for the bang sticking out of the veil and her beady, yellow, glowing eyes "I'm rather surprised to see you. Were you not to join that young Boo?"
"We were, but we ran into some…complications, so we were forced to fly here instead with my plane. Is your whole family here?"
"Nay, we figured it to be too great a risk. Merlow is with Father; their pace remains brisk. All that are here are Grandfather and me. Oh yes, and I must not forget my older sister Merluvlee."
"Your Highness? Commander?" a second blonde Shaman said, coming down the stairs. She wore a plum-colored robe in such a way that made her hood seem more like a cap. Her curly hair was let down and, though she did not wear a veil, there was still an odd darkness that seemed to envelope her skin and made it seem black as night. "Ah, so Grandfather was right…"
"He foresaw this, didn't he?" Peach frowned.
"I'm afraid so," Merluvlee replied solemnly. "You have my deepest apologies. By the time it was clear what would happen, we had already fled."
"Excuse me," Zelda said to Merlee. "You said that your only other family members here were elsewhere, correct?"
Merlee nodded.
"Then, who is that Shaman-like woman outside?"
"You mean the woman staring out to sea," Merlee said. "She is no Shaman, not if you ask me."
"Do not worry about her," her sister spoke. "Let us worry about you two. You must be tired from your journey. Come, let us consult Grandfather on the next course of action."