OOC: Hoooo! Chapter 3 here and ready to entertain you! Hopefully you all have enjoyed so far, I want to thank dbzgtfan2004 for their kind review, which got me off my lazy butt to start on this chapter. I have the planning on my notes, I just simply needed to muster up the muse to sit down and grind this out! Anyways, here it is, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Nintendo characters or themes.

Pipeline: A Princess and a Plumber

chapter 3

Rain splattered against the windows of the estates kitchen droplets gathering their fill before being spilled down the glass in tears. It was a soft natured rain, unlike the storms they had been receiving periodically throughout the week. London was in the beginnings of spring which brought rain storms and more. Last night the wind had thrashed against the Italians sad excuse for a window, the lightening allowing bright light and shadows to dance on their stone floor. Luckily, both of the men were heavy sleepers. In fact, they probably couldn't hear anything over the snores of each other seemingly snoring in unison louder and louder as if it was a competition between the unconscious men. Mario had woke himself up, startled for a moment before he flipped over glancing at his brother across the room sprawled out on his own bed with the sheets tangled on the floor. He sighed lightly sure the weather was bound to continue throughout the night and through some of the day.

His assumptions had held some water, quite literally. He wasn't quite fond of the weather here, as it always seemed dreary and dark during the spring. But there were some days that were bright and sunny, showing the hard work that all the rain had done to the gardens and fields of the land. A week had passed since they started working on the Bowser estate, and progress was slow. It was expected with all the unfriendly weather, and their client Sir Toadsworth was well aware that the men were going to be hindered in their work. But, as always the optimistic man gave light to their dreary days and assured them not to stress as he understood the job would be long and their company was more than welcomed.

Mario now lay under one of the sinks, tinkering with a rusty bolt that just refused to come out. Lost in his thoughts, he smirked at how the temporary Master of the estate had welcomed them each day as if they were his own sons. It was as if they were his sons, and they were family. Perhaps he had always wanted males in the family instead of two bratty females. His conscious paused and considered the one called Daisy not to be so hellish. However, that princess in pink, Peach, was a bit of a stuck up, self centered, bratty-

The bolt popped off, flying across the room hitting a tile on the wall bouncing on the marble floor before ticking to a silent stop. He paused, wondering where all this frustration in the female had come from. He should surely just ignore her disposition with them, as she was clearly not interested in being friends. In fact, even the little curvy one had turned a blind eye to them, not necessarily ignoring them like her sister, but more so of avoiding too much contact. Luigi was obviously frustrated she was dodging conversation with him. They both assumed it was because she was under the influence of the princess in pink. Mario knew it bothered his brother even if he refused to show it.

Dismissing the thought, he took notice to his brother in green avoid a sink pipe and rise up from laying down for so long. Mario fixed his eyes back on his task, using rough calloused hands to unscrew what he had just popped off. Luigi sighed excessively he was always known to be a little dramatic a times. Yet, the only thing that was dramatic was a deep gurgle that came from the pit of his stomach reaching out from his body and tumbling in their ears. Luigi groaned, feeling like his insides were turning inside out.

"Oye, I'm starving. You're hungry too, you barely ate anything last night."

Mario continued to look at his work, only giving a 'hn' in recognition. He didn't have time to eat as he was focused on his task. Yet regrettably, he was pretty famished. They had eaten last at their local pub, as usual, and with concentration of their new task Mario's appetite had plummeted for some reason. He was currently regretting not eating the full portion of his meal as it had to be nearly noon soon. Luigi was already on his feet, sifting through some of the cabinets and pantries that Sir Toadsworth had already offered to them. Luigi had to admit, it felt weird going into someone elses home and taking food and drink without them under full acknowledgement that they were doing it. However, he wasn't going to roam the household, find their elderly client and ask him for something to eat. He had clearly stated that they were free to the kitchens with what they pleased. Luigi smirked, knowing that it would be rude not to help himself.

Daisy propped her elbows up on the large window sill that was placed behind the luxurious couch she was currently kneeling on. Light hazel eyes flickered from teardrop to teardrop, her expression looked none other than bored. The weather had been quite problematic over the past week, and her and hr sister were forced to entertain themselves inside. She had already finished a novel for her book studies and while she had a few more to delve into her interest was just not peaked anymore. So quietly, she listened to her sister play the piano beside her.

Her eyes flickered over to the graceful sister in pink, analyzing her movements. Her sisters shoulders were nimble and small like her own, and they rested at her sides. The only movement was coming from her arms, wrists, and fingers as they traveled with ease up and down the length of the keyboard. She was playing an old tune that came easily to her, which for most people was quite difficult. Daisy had little talent with instruments, finding her qualities more physical than anything. She enjoyed to run, and play catch, racquet and hand ball as well. However, her most enjoyed activity was to swim. Her father had called her something along the lines of a 'water baby' knowing that most people, usually of the peasant type, did not even know how to swim- especially at her age. Her eyes flickered back to the window, daydreaming about the rain coming down so hard, that a pool would appear in the courtyard. A delicate smile settled on her lips.

Peach closed her eyes, letting her instinct and years of practice control her precise fingers as they tapped and landed on the keys at her lap. She knew her sister was bored, looking all gloomy outside that window. She had paid no mind, pretending to enjoy their time inside. Yet, she was growing bored with staying inside day in and day out. Each day of the week she had played an instrument, such as the fiddle, violin, and the harp. Today she settled for her favorite, the piano.

The song ended, and Peach let the delicate note trail on longer than it should have. She sighed, opening her eyes. With an exasperated look, she turned her head, eyes peeking over her shoulder. Usually, on rainy days like this her and her sister would find themselves in the kitchen, cooking and experimenting with the seemingly endless amounts of ingredients. In fact, Peach prided herself in her ability to bake. Her skill in baking was more of a fine tuned craft, where nobody to this date would resist her cakes. Strawberry, Raspberry, Coconut, Pineapple, Chocolate… Her tummy rumbled softly, and she felt a need to snack, even though they had just ate no more than an hour ago in their beds. Peach adverted her blue icy eyes to her sister who had sighed for the second time in the last five minutes.

"Oh look at you, chomping at the bit like an unbroken pony!" Peach laughed, turning a page to her book of music notes. Daisy perked, eyeing her sister before laughing and hopping up. She twirled around the large den area, arms reaching out as she circled her yellow and orange dress twirling in a teacup shape.

"Oh I know! I can't help it, Peachy. It is just so booooring!" She trailed her end word, in a type of sing song voice. She twirled around and around, eyes flickering down the hallway to the kitchen each time her body passed it. She hadn't seen the men working today, but she knew they were in there. They always showed up early before her sister and herself had woken up. She felt a twinge of curiosity bite at her temples a sudden urge to check up on her guests came to her. However, she knew that her plan would ultimately fail with her older sister here to tell her otherwise. She had yet to talk to her new friend, Luigi. Not till after that day in the courtyard, where they jested at their siblings. She thought about that night after, where she had snuck into the gardens with a lantern, and retrieved her small gift from her friend. The peony flower was now in one of her jewelry boxes, where she intended to keep it.

Throughout the week, she hadn't really seen much of the men. Here and then they would pass with their tools and a token of appreciation from her father, which was usually a loaf of bread or a basket of cheeses, even a handful of fruit which was rare to come by around this time of the year. Even if she hadn't talked to her friend, they had most definitely made eye contact more than once. Usually when she was talking to her sister, or her father, even when she sat curled up on a couch alone, she had peeked over at the men leaving the estate. Her eyes had flickered to the intriguing man in green. She met his eyes who curiously stared at her and she knew he was silently questioning her sudden behavior of not approaching him. Daisy gave her last turn, her hands falling at her side before looking over at Peach who had started a whole new composure. The brunette's stomach rumbled, and with a curious look over to the kitchen she decided to grab her and her sister a snack knowing that her newfound guests would be in there working hard.

Daisy had promised her sister she wouldn't communicate with the men. But it wasn't like she could curiously look, right? She was determined to become the woman her sister had turned out to be, regal in her actions and confident in her abilities to control her emotions. She tiptoed away from her sister who seemed lost in her music, the notes were strung closely together in a higher pitch, allowing an easy escape. She trotted off to the kitchens, holding her dress up at her ankles. She promised herself she would not interact with the men, yet her smile was devious. The young princess came close to the doorway which was open, there was nobody in her clear view until she stepped onto the marble floor her throat clearing, alerting the others of her whereabouts.

Finally, he had hit the jackpot. There was a cupboard full of breads and cheeses in assorted varieties. His mouth watered, and he grabbed at the bottom shelf. A half a loaf of bread, and two half blocks of cheese were taken before closing the little door and he split up the rations that were in his care. Biting on to half of the bread he casually walked over to Mario's sink he was under. Mario was a quick worker, stubborn and headstrong about completing his tasks. Luigi leaned over the sink, one eyeball looking through the hole at the bottom that was clearly open as Mario had taken off the pipe. He eyeballed his brother chewing on the bread. He dangled the other half under the sink teasingly,

"Marieeeee…" Luigi teased him in a high pitched tone quite obviously impersonating a female.

Mario was clearly busy with a rusty pipe that refused to break apart. Yet the smell of fresh bread wafted his way, and he glanced at his belly, where a piece of bread was being waved over him. A stony black iris looked up through the sink hole at his brother who was teasing him. He smirked, dropping the pipe at his side. He snatched the bread before his brother could pull it away.

"Thank you Luise, maybe tonight you can cater to my coc-"

He was cut off by a nose of throat clearing, and they both fell silent. Mario was glad he caught himself from saying something quite inappropriate and vulgar in the presence of a lady. It was odd they had been talking in English anyways, perhaps it was the time spent at the pubs with the rest of the peasant workers who continued conversation with them in their native tongue. Mario could not see anyone past his brother and a few of the islands that cut out his view of the doorway. The sound was clearly feminine and he eyeballed Luigi who had turned his head, gazing behind him.

The plumber in green wore his overalls lazily, with the straps that buckled at his sides, and his shirt untucked in the back. His sleeves were rolled as usual, revealing the dark hair on his forearms and wrists. He stopped chewing for a moment as the curvy princess in yellow met eyes with him. Yet, he acted calmly, and continued to chew his expression was lazy. He turned his back to the sink, elbows resting on the higher end of the porcelain to accommodate his height. He continued to chew as he eyed the female.

Daisy caught eyes with the plumber in green, noting his ruffled appearance. Clearly, they always looked rough from their work, it was a sign that they were constant with their eager to finish their tasks. With haste she adverted her eyes and stepped inside the large kitchen. They were farther to her left, on the other side of the kitchen. Calmly, she raised her eyes and walked forward unaware her sights were on the the cabinet that Luigi had recently just been exploring. She didn't catch sight of the male in red, Mario. But soon enough, as she had taken her first steps, she heard his voice.

"Is that your little lady friend?"

"You guessed it."

"No evil step sister today?"

"No, she's alone— for once."

"Lovely. Are you going to pour your heart out today, brother?"

Luigi chewed slowly, his dark eyes lowered analyzing her newly languid movements. Her cute button nose was posed up a little higher today, petite shoulders calmly collected and her walk was quite graceful. It was like she had changed into the little version of her bitter sister. He pondered on the thought, wondering if he should say something. Finally, he answered with a quizzical smirk keeping his gaze on her,

"I'm not sure yet."

Daisy wasn't sure if she was being watched or not, her palms starting to sweat from nerves. She acted in a sense like her sister would, and pretended not to care. She pretended not to hear their conversation, which was completely foreign to her, their quick Italian leaving her completely clueless to what they were talking about. Obviously, she knew it was about her. Mario had been speaking in English when she approached, unable to make out his words as she had cleared her throat. She found it suspicious that they turned to their native tongue with the knowledge of her presence now with them. She could see them in her peripheral to her left and she took a glance, noting how her friend was leaned up against the sink looking relaxed his eyes on her. Her vision snapped forward again, approaching the cupboard.

She opened it with grace, delicate fingers calm while her nerves twisted and sparked on the inside. No doubt she had an audience. Daisy was a very short girl, her palm rested on the counter as the other held the cupboard door open. She craned her neck as her head tilted back to view the various cheeses and breads bought from around the city. Daisy faltered seeing her usual stash was gone, which was on the bottom shelf. The next shelf up was considerably higher, and she reached on her tip-toes her other arm rising up. The tips of her fingers brushed the nearest loaf and she strained gathering on the tippiest of her toes. She knew she was being watched, her anxiety growing as she could not grasp what she wanted. Daring to take a glance over at her audience she saw Luigi was chewing lazily like he had been, and she could have sworn she saw a slight smirk on his lips. She huffed inwardly, knowing she would not succumb to crawl onto the counter like she usually would knowing she would look quite foolish. Daisy grit her teeth, there was no way she was going to ask for help either! She sneered, her glance was only brief before she took her attention back to the obvious height problem she had.

Luigi watched her struggle, he had seen the problem from a mile away. But he let her swim in her anxiety for a bit, seeing that she was too stubborn to ask for help. He didn't offer as he just watched, calmly a smug look crept on his face. He watched her dance up on her tippy toes, and now she was trying to jump up, and catch a loaf in her grasp. The tiny clicks of her heels and huffs came from the other side of the kitchen. After a few moments Mario sighed and stopped his work.

"Comon, Luigi." Mario sounded exasperated, in no mood to play games with little princesses. Mario knew Luigi was playing with her because clearly she was struggling. He didn't even have to watch to know she was trying to reach something high. He figured the only way to get his work done was without distraction, and she was causing Luigi to derail from his work once again.

Luigi was silent, eyeing her still amused with the situation. But, guilt finally washed over him, and he leaned off the sink letting his rations of food slip into his large overall pocket. It was about time he stopped entertaining himself with her predicament and offered his help. Daisy was too determined to grab this close piece of bread, and she faltered again noticeably jumping in fright as she heard a voice behind her. His accent was thick, never ceasing to surprise and intrigue her at the same time. She hadn't even noticed the tall plumber was standing behind her his hands shoved in his pockets, leaning lazily onto the counter of the island behind her.

"Would you like some help?"

She snapped around, her face clearly surprised, a soft flush coming to her cheeks. She eyeballed him, then back at the cupboard, and slowly back to him again knowing she couldn't just ignore him. Her pride stung a she stammered,

"Oh, um… I… it's okay…"

Silence fell on them as she felt his amused look an his left eyebrow raising questionably. Her pride was battered as she slouched her shoulders in defeat, both of them clearly seeing that she needed assistance.

"Yes… yes, please." She whispered, stepping aside, narrowing her eyes down at her feet. He cooly let his eyebrow fall, back into his lazy look when he leaned off the island stepping beside her. He reached up to the loaf she had no chance of getting by herself gabbing it without having to extend his arm fully. He paused, holding the loaf and then eyeballed the others, before grabbing another in his other hand. She was sure gathering a snack for her sister, he assumed, everything she did seemed to compliment not only herself but her older kin.

Daisy awkwardly held her glance at the floor before she heard the cupboard close with the faintest squeak. She looked up to see bread handed out to her where she nervously reached out taking them from his arms careful not to touch him. She felt his calm gaze burning a hole in her as she stood there awkwardly, cradling the two loafs in each arm. She shifted from foot to foot, her eyes looking at the food in her arms unable to find herself to look up at her rescuers eyes.

"Um. Thank you." Her hazel eyes flickered up, to see he had been waiting for her gracious thanks. He nodded, resting against the counter again, an ungloved hand reaching into his pocket for food he had saved. He took another lazy bite chewing slow as he watched her squirm in her shoes. He wondered why she was so nervous now. Daisy's face had grown hot, the silence growing more awkward before she panicked and sputtered,

"I-I see you've helped yourself." She stated lamely and she looked up hoping she hadn't offended him, even if her words had been straight forward. Luigi swallowed his food, taking a glance at the bread and cheese in between his long fingers. He nodded,

"I have, Thank you. Your father is very generous. We get pretty hungry working all day."

Luigi's voice was heavily accented, and he spoke casually to her as if nothing was awkward. In fact, Luigi rarely felt awkward about anything. He was a carefree guy finding amusement and humor in most situations. So instead of their silence being awkward he had been amused and quite comfortable with the quietness. Daisy pointedly looked over at the sinks as he mentioned their work after thanking her. She hadn't even offered anything to them sooner, which she felt slightly guilty about. She didn't want too look like a bad host… She timidly continued on with their conversation staring at Mario's feet as he seemed to be struggling with another pipe.

"Is.. Is the work hard?" She curiously looked over at their work stations, taking a step to the side to get a better look. Indeed a curious little creature she walked silently over to the male lying down, hardly noticing Luigi trailing her from behind.

"It requires a bit of patience." Luigi insinuated that the work was difficult, causing even him to get frustrated at times. He followed her, seeing her curiosity peak at their dirty work.

Daisy had kept her heels silent on the marble fearing to disturb the male in red, as he seemed focused on his work. Under the sink she could see him fiddling, or more light fighting with a pipe that would not come loose. He hadn't even noticed her until her feminine voice was beside him, her own body crouched next to his as she looked up at his work with him.

"Wow! Those are rusty!" She piped up, causing Mario to jump, and bump his head on a pipe with an 'oomph!' escaping his lips. Daisy yelped, falling back on her rump where Luigi's boots caught her fall and she found herself leaning against the tall plumbers legs.

"Oh!" She cried softly, the loaves falling out from her arms as she covered her mouth.

Mario winced and hissed aloud, his hand coming to the side of his forehead where he was sure a bump had formed, and soon a large bruise would form. He squinted back tears and grabbed his head momentarily. Where the heck did she come? Weren't they on the other side of the kitchen?! He groaned, opening an eye to see Luigi who bent over and grabbed the young female under her arms, at her side.

"Are you okay, princess?" A concerned Luigi didn't think twice to lean over and instinctively pick her up at the waist.

Daisy flushed as she felt long strong fingers grasp her sides his fingers causing a tingle to her skin under the dress. Wobbly, she got to her feet and nodded, holding a helpless hand out to Mario unsure of how to help him.

"Oh dear! I apologize! I-I didn't mean to frighten you! I-I should't have crept up on you like that, I-I just did't want to bother you!" She stammered her words blabbering from her mouth like a loose cannon, the reality of the problem she caused leaving her embarrassed and flustered. She fought back tears, her lips quivered the look in her eyes was worrisome.

Mario rubbed his forehead and groaned lightly, the stinging pain going numb as he sat up fully making sure to carefully dodge the pipe this time. He looked up to a clearly upset Daisy who looked embarrassed at what she had done. A wave of anger pushed at his consciousness, but he closed his eyes again and breathed out steadily finding that anger would not make his pain subside. With a dull ache in his skull he spoke his voice sounding tired,

"It's okay, misses. Accidents happen."

He waved at her to relax, as she nervously fidgeted. She felt hopeless, but an idea came to her head.

"I'll go get you a cold rag and some ice!" She exclaimed, perking at her idea of helping and making things better. Mario stared at her blankly, one eye closed in pain while the other critically stared at his brother. Daisy turned on her heels, her eyes gazing up to Luigi who was standing behind her still.

"Come with me, Luigi. I'll need an escort to go outside." She chimed in calmly, brushing past him, knowing she was not allowed to be alone outside of their home. The ice box was obviously outside the house, nearly on the other side of the estate, but she felt obligated to relieve her friend's brothers pain which she had caused.

Luigi felt himself perk as she invited- or more like ordered him to follow her. As she brushed past him, he looked down on his brother who was currently glaring daggers at him.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking." Mario bitterly spat in Italian, not ignoring the fact that his brother hadn't seemed too concerned about the pipe attacking his forehead. Luigi chuckled and turned to follow the young female who was beckoning him at the kitchen door.

"I'll be back. Just sit tight." He mused, dismissing his brother as he walked away following in the princesses footsteps. Daisy brightly looked up at him before placing a dainty finger over her lips, her eyes directing him over to the den where they would sneak past a quite oblivious Peach who was still composing on the piano.

Mario watched his brother walk away, tempted to curse and spit at his feet. But instead, he slowly set his tools aside and found his footing before walking over to the bread that had fallen, picking it up and splitting it into pieces. Mario grimaced a dull pain pounding his temple with each chew of the food, leaning exasperated onto the island that was close by.

OOC: Phew! That was long nearly 5,000 words! I usually try to hit 4k, but I really enjoyed this part :) Actually, that was only half of what I had planned for the chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it! I PROMISE, that Peach and Mario will have their turn together in the next chapter. It is bound to be amusing, so stay tuned! If you could, please, please, please review and let me know what you think! Who doesn't like a little feedback? I appreciate you all! Chapter four is soon to be in the works, so keep tuned!