Corresponding


While Iggy waits for Roy to leave for the day, he spends most of his time wandering around the other garages. Toadette learns this after she overhears a few complaints about his unwanted visits from Toad, Daisy, and even Larry. Most of the time, it's her garage he stalks the most since she's the only one who hasn't resorted to threats and violence.

Although Toadette should be annoyed by his constant presence; she never kicks him out or shoos him away. It's strange. He barges into her garage unannounced, sprinkles in patronizing suggestions when she fumbles clumsy with her kart, and constantly insults her intelligence behind quirky comments and giggles.

It sometimes gets under her skin, but she's never resorted to tossing her tools at him or stomping over to Mario's garage to tattle on him. She's matured in the past few weeks and she won't lose her temper again. Or, this thought scares her most, she's grown used to the Koopaling. She shudders at the absurd idea. It isn't all bad, though.

Underneath all his immaturity, Iggy actually offers her solid and reliable advice without prompt, he fetches her tools before she even knows she needs them, and he makes the garage a more bearable place to be.

Admittedly, the too quiet garage was finally getting to her. She's one of the only racers without a garage partner, but with Iggy's uninvited appearances; it's starting to feel like she isn't by herself all the time. His visits are becoming such a habit, she expects him to show up after making his rounds.

Today, Iggy stumbles into her garage, yawning widely. He nearly trips over his feet, nursing an energy drink in his hands, posture more slouched over than she's accustomed to seeing him. She immediately notices his disheveled state—well, more disheveled than his constant just-rolled-out of bed style—and can't help but wonder why he looks like a limping zombie with heavy bags under his eyes.

She chews the inside of her cheek, flicking a concerned gaze towards him while she works on installing her own mods to her engine. She spares him a few more glances until can't take his dismal appearance anymore. She stands erect, sending him a worried stare that sticks.

"Um, are you okay?" Why do I even care?

Iggy nods once, gulping down his energy drink. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "Mhm, since I'm banned from working near Roy; I can only work on my kart at night when he finally leaves for the day. I know he's working later than usual on purpose, but I can't complain."

"How much sleep did you get last night?"

"Maybe an hour or two." Iggy shrugs—possibly? He barely moves at all from his spot and she half-thinks she imagined the slight jump of his shoulders. There's a brief stir in her heart at seeing him so deflated. Wait, she shouldn't be feeling bad for him. It's not her fault.

She lets out a loud hmph, squashing those feelings. "Well, it serves you right for what you did."

He hums some sort of affirmation, dropping his weight over the stack of monster tires, eyes drifting close, and a hand supporting his head. She watches as he struggles to stay awake. The can of energy drink is dangerously close to pouring all over the floor as it precariously hangs from his curled fingers.

Toadette glances at the empty spot where her boisterous partner used to be. Toad decided to switch up garage partners this time around and coaxed Mario (he begged him with crocodile tears in his puppy dog eyes till the poor man cracked) into helping him upgrade his new bike.

She refused to help Toad when he first used his childish tactics on her. She firmly held her ground, refusing to be persuaded. All her energy would be sucked dry as she attempted to rebuild her own kart by herself. There wasn't time to help him with his bike. After her numerous rejections, Toad dropped the helpless act and went seeking assistance elsewhere.

Toad packed up his belongings, taking the stereo she loved so dearly with him, and headed to the Mario Brothers' shared garage. He edged his tiny bike between their choices of transportation, and made it his new work area. Neither brother seemed to mind their new roommate or lack of space. They've all been palling around, stuck to each other like glue, and blasting music while she sits in silence by herself.

Toadette knows she's grown lonely, but it'd be frivolous to complain about it aloud. She works too hard to prove she's mature. She can't start pouting and throwing tantrums now. Besides, receiving a new garage mate is rather slim. Everyone else is set and comfortable with their companions; she doubts they'll leave the mundane behind when the races are on the horizon.

Still, she cannot deny she misses having someone to talk to, but is Iggy Koopa—the worst Koopaling out of seven other brats—really a good candidate?

No! He's not. What am I even thinking?

Then she remembers Peach's soft, but stern tone reminding her to be on her best behavior and to leave any prejudices towards Bowser's minions at the castle, behind the gold-accentuated doors.

Whenever Toadette partook in an event with their enemies, she knew how to maintain friendly interactions without causing a war. She had been confused as to why the princess specifically pulled her aside and brought it up.

She soon learned the reason Princess Peach was so persistent. The princess had encouraged her to branch out and suggested she improve relationships with the other children her age. Toadette had barked a laugh at that because she always found it pointless. Her kindness couldn't reach anyone who didn't want to meet her halfway.

The Koopas and Toads would be at each other's throats a month after the races anyways. Maybe less depending on how passionate Bowser felt about seeing Princess Peach again. All the bridges built between the wide chasm connecting the two species and their allies would collapse at the first sign of the King of Koopas launching an attack.

Why build them up if they'd fall to ruins?

Regardless, the princess remained adamant when Toadette spoke her thoughts out loud. Princess Peach set a delicate, gloved hand on her cheek and smiled wearily.

"Just try, for me? You don't have to be close friends, but please remain courteous to everyone."

Again, this was Iggy Koopa; he wasn't exactly approachable and they definitely only tolerated each other. These past few weeks, their every confrontation confirmed that their relationship was as rocky and fickle as an immovable mountain. Although, she remorsefully admits she hasn't been trying very hard to set a good example or find some common ground.

Technically, he has. You don't just give out an engine worth 3,000 coins to an enemy. Yes, she had searched up the price point online out of morbid curiosity. Part of her feels like she owes him. She hates feeling like she's indebted to him.

Swallowing her pride and doubts, Toadette casts a reluctant glance at Iggy. His eyes are hooded, breathing steady as he fights to stay awake, slouching on the tires.

"W-what if you worked here?" she suggests, words stumbling out of her mouth like they're tripping on the air around them. She clears her throat to unlodge them. "I have the garage to myself since Toad and Mario are working together to fix his bike."

Iggy slightly perks up at this, his usual grin desaturated by his exhaustion. "You're making a joke. That's funny." He yawns, eyelids drooping lower as he expectedly stares at her, waiting for a punchline.

"It's not a joke," she quips then lets out a puff of hot air and adjusts her tone to something less hostile. "Do I look like I'm laughing?"

"What's the catch?" he questions, taking a meager sip from his energy drink.

She raises a nonexistent brow. "Excuse me?"

"There's always a catch," he chuckles deeply. "That's how life works. What do you want?"

Is this how life is for him? Everything has a catch? Does no one ever just do something out of the kindness of their heart in the Darklands or is his genius really as sought after as he claims it is?

Maybe he's taken advantage of due to his talents. She back pedals from that thought quickly; he's too smart to fall for petty schemes like that. Unless he falls willingly. Toadette knows she enjoys being wanted or sought after by others even if it's for something as mundane as tightening a loose screw or changing a light bulb.

Toadette feels a sudden wave of sympathy for him. Wait, no, she plucks that thought quickly out of her mind and tosses it away like a lone weed in a garden of blooming flowers.

Regardless of how she feels, if this is how it is for him; maybe she can use it to her advantage. Having Iggy Koopa—a famous brainiac that excels at mechanics and engineering—as her garage partner; she couldn't possibly lose this race.

"You can help me with my kart," she tries, still a bit uncertain.

There's a slight chance Iggy could resort to sabotage. After all, this offer doesn't change anything. They'd be occupying the same space, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be opportunistic and take out the competition. Yet, she reminds herself the engine he gave her hasn't once caused any problems; quite the opposite actually.

Iggy relents with an over exaggerating sigh like he's doing her a huge favor that ends with a wide yawn.

"Alright, I guess I can share my genius with you. It's only fair."

"Fine, but no pranks or I'm kicking you out," she warns. "Now, please get some sleep because you look like a zombie and it's freaking me out."

He glances coyly from side to side like he's in search of something. "Zombies eat brains; I don't see any here to feast on."

Color rushes to her face. "Get out before I change my mind!"


I've been working on Playlist and didn't post anything for this. I kinda want to get the next chapter done for Playlist by my birthday on April 12th, but it ain't lookin' too good for me. Oh well. I'll get something for myself next year. I wrote some fluff and family feels and now I'm back to making myself sad with that story.

Here's some backstory and stuff for the two people who read this! I appreciate you. Now to take some pain meds for this headache…