Foreword: Mrahh...we've finally made it to the ball! My goal is to have the night done by Change of Heart's second birthday. We'll see how that goes... haha

Anyway. Since we're in the ball, this is where the fluff happens. There should be enough fluff in the ball to suit the Princess and the Pea...fer serious. I'll try to make it not too excruciating.

And Disclaimer: I actually own two characters in this, but they're lame. All the good characters are Nintendo's, and I only take credit for ruining them where it sees fit.

Daisy pulled up in the parking lot of a charming, old inn, just off the edge of a small town. "This is where Madame Clearmont lives. And hopefully, this is where the other gem is, too!" She hopped out of the jeep, straightening her skirt once before smirking at Luigi. He had apparently walked around the car, hoping to let his girlfriend out. "Did you really forget I don't need that kind of stuff, Luigi? That's Peach's deal, not mine."

She laughed; Daisy was feeling a lot more confident now that they were on their way and really on this adventure. Mario had actually been talking in the car ride, wanting to know as much about the gems as possible. Daisy had told him that she only knew what Bahurspat said, and that if they convinced Madame Clearmont to give them hers, they would be tied in count with the bad guy. Mario was already looking better than he had the day before, and practically ran into the inn. "Toldja this would work," Daisy bragged into Luigi's ear before they both took off to keep up with him.

The inside of the inn was a lot fuller than the parking lot made it seem. Apparently, this was the place to go for the townies as well as travelers. Koopas, toads, mice, goombas, and even penguins were at tables all around the room. Two toads and a short woman with streaked hair seemed to be the only servers.

Mario gave a double take towards the streaked-hair woman, having some small talk with a wrinkled goomba as she poured his coffee. She looked exactly like Merideth, his favorite teacher from the convention.

Daisy was distracted as she looked for any sign of Madame Clearmont, so Mario tapped Luigi's shoulder, his eyes locked on Merideth's unaware face. "Luigi, do you-a think that she looks-a like Miss Merideth?"

Luigi squinted, but his eyes popped open almost immediately. "Mumma Mia!" He whispered. "She is-a Merideth!"

"…this place, so I was sure that she'd…" Daisy sensed her audience had lost their attention and she spun around to face them. "What are you boys goggling at?"

As if alerted by Daisy's change in tone, Merideth picked her head up. Her eyes instantly flew to the three humans, as they stood out in their vibrant outfits among the ho-hum creatures scattered all over. Merideth's face lit up and she said something quickly to the old goomba before walking over.

"Mario! Luigi! So nice to see you guys again. You know Princess Daisy?"

Daisy raised her eyebrows as she looked from Merideth to the brothers. "The real question is that you know them!"

Merideth grinned. "Well, sure. They were some of my best students at the plumbing classes."

Daisy laughed lightly. "I forgot you were a plumbing entrepreneur…guess I always just imagine you as Merideth, Madame Clearmont's little helper. Guys, this is Merideth. She's the daughter of the lady you're looking for."

Merideth raised her eyebrows. "You need my mom? Hold on, I'll go get her." She walked off, Mario still watching her leave and Luigi nervously watching him.

Daisy glanced at Mario's face and frowned for just a part of a second. She grinned again, snapping the brothers' attention to her as she said, "Small world, huh? Whodathunk?" Luckily, Daisy didn't have to make unusually awkward conversation long as Merideth and her mother, a woman even shorter than her daughter with frizzled graying hair, approached down the chestnut wood stairs.

After pushing through the crowd, Madame Clearmont smiled warmly. She gripped Daisy's hand and greeted, "Daisy, my sunny little princess! And I suppose these are the boys you talk about? Luigi and Mario? What a surprise to see you all!"

Daisy closed her eyes in pleasure. Mme Clearmont was much easier to work with, dramatically, than poor King Bahurspat. "It's nice to see you too, but unfortunately this isn't a social call…can we talk? Somewhere a bit more private?"

Mme Clearmont raised her eyebrows. "Well, of course. Here, Merideth. You get some coffee and biscuits and bring them to the poker room, would you? And bring some lemonade if you have a free hand." She led them all through the crowds of people and creatures, the brightly dressed trio of humans being led by the old woman drawing all their eyes.

"Here we are," Mme Clearmont said to herself as she unlocked an elegant looking door. She swung it wide to expose a poker room detailed with the finest of woodwork. It was a shame to see the state of the room, water-rings on the table and splintered shelves. It really had gorgeous potential. "My late husband used to thrive for wood-working. But he was ashamed, so he hid his talent here, in the manliest of our rooms." Mme Clearmont chuckled and pulled a seat out for herself. "So, Princess. What brings you here?"

As the Mario Brothers and Daisy sat down, they immediately told the old lady everything they knew about the gems and the adventure they had gone on thus far. Madame looked a little tense about the situation, and kept glancing over at the same overly-detailed, overflowing ashtray.

Finally, as they finished their story, Madame gave a weak smile. She looked away from her guests and murmured, "Merideth should have our treats by now; we must have missed her knock." She stood up and moved to the door, seemingly unfazed by anything the three guests had told her, except for her continued glances she stole at the ashtray.

The door opened wide and, sure enough, Merideth stood at the threshold, the coffee, biscuits, and lemonade in her hands. "I couldn't knock," she explained, and laid the food on the table.

"You should have tried, dearie. The door's too thick to hear on your side, so standing there getting the food cold isn't beneficial to anyone. Now I'm going to have to ask you to leave…"

"No-a, she can-a stay," Mario offered. "She said-a she likes adventures-a." Mario caught Daisy's icy glare and added, "But only if-a you wish-a so, Madame-a."

Madame Clearmont looked from Mario to Merideth to Daisy to Luigi to the ashtray. She sighed. "Alright, since Mario thinks it would be a good idea, go ahead and pull up a seat. I see you already thought ahead enough to bring an extra cup…"

Merideth blushed as she poured everyone their drinks.

Madame Clearmont quickly sealed the door and put the slide-lock through before sitting back down. "So anyway, Princess Daisy. I have the second gem for you…but I must warn you- be absolutely silent about your possessions. This inn gets as much scum as we do pleasant folk, and we can't go around announcing to all the villainous (but well-paying) guests that we have gems that could end the world."

"End the…what? Mother? What are you talking about?"

"Hush, Merideth. Don't ask questions until I'm finished discussing the matter with Princess Daisy," Madame Clearmont scolded. "Let me get the gem out." She walked over to the ashtray she had been eyeing and smiled reminiscently.

"Merideth's father spent the most time on this piece. Again, just got it in his head that if he widdled at something as manly as an ashtray, it would become manlier of a hobby. At least he didn't smoke himself."

She traced her finger along a curving rut, Mario thinking she was just being sentimental. But suddenly, the ashtray began to make chinking noises. A door swung open, revealing a set of drawers. Madame surprised them again by, instead of pulling a drawer open, twisting the middle knob until it completely unscrewed and she pulled it out. Attached to the hidden section of the large knob was a shimmering blue, circular gem.

Madame picked it off, being ever so careful as she handled the priceless gem. "Alone, they have no power. But together, they can tear apart worlds and bring them crumbling to the wielder's knees… we must keep them as safe as possible."

"Mother, why do you have a blue rock in Dad's ashtray? And where on earth did you learn how to open it like that?" Merideth was confused, and completely convinced that whatever was going on behind her back yet in front of her face was no good. Daisy herself was impressed with her friend. The old actress was even beginning to convince her that the gem was here all along and none of this was recently planned.

"I'll explain later, Merideth. But right now, we need to make sure the fate of two worlds is in the right hands. Daisy, do you have a safe place to keep the gems?"

Daisy fished around herself until she found her yellow purse. "Ta-da!"

Madame Clearmont raised an eyebrow. "What? Ran out of lunch sacks?"

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Kammy rapped on Bowser Junior's door. "Junior, open up already. I need to make sure you're ready for the ball!"

"I don't want to go to the ball. I look like a dork!"

Kammy rolled her eyes and magically forced the door open. She saw Junior pouting on the side of his four-times-larger-than-necessary bed. He had cufflinks instead of wristbands and a green bowtie to match his shell, points filed to round edges. His bandana was nowhere to be seen and his hair was parted neatly down the middle.

The magikoopa smiled at Junior and straightened his bowtie. "You don't look like a dork, you look very handsome. Your father will be proud."

"You really think so?" Junior asked, not in a curious, hopeful manner, but in one full of scorn and disbelief in the very idea.

Kammy bit her lip. "Well…he'll be pleased you got dressed up. Now come on, my handsome little koopaling. Let's get your brothers." She grabbed his claw and tugged, but felt herself fall under the stable pull of Junior.

He let go of her hand to cross his arms, leaving her crumpled on the floor. "No. I'm not leaving until you let me fix myself."

Glaring, Kammy pointed her wand at the youngest koopaling. Suddenly, his feet hit the floor and started marching him, as Junior flailed his arms in protest. "You stupid hag lady! Let me go! Let me go!"

"That's exactly what I'm doing, Junior," she cackled, following him with her wand pointed. She marched him down to where his six older siblings sat (Ludwig being off practicing), looking also more formal than usual, but no one as repulsively bad as Junior.

Wendy stifled a laugh, but Morton had no inhibitions to stop his booming laugh of mockery. "You look like a dork! Dorkface!"

Junior sneered at Kammy, and she hissed at the outspoken child, "oh, what do you know."

Iggy, his Mohawk slightly gelled and looking more tame and wild at the same time, shook his head. "No, Kammy, I think Morton's right. He looks…like a dork."

Larry chimed in, "What were you thinking, KammKamm?"

Kammy glared at the seven repulsed koopalings. "Fine," she snarled, "I'll let him change. But it's not like I was his designer!"

"But you told them designers what to do, Kammy. And that's, like, just as bad," Wendy drawled. "What on Papa's earth made you think of making him such a total freak?"

Kammy had already released her magical hold on Junior and decided to ignore Wendy's question. "Are you all ready to go? Besides Junior?" The response was murmured "yes"s. Clearly the koopalings had debated the whole ball affair long enough to know they couldn't get out of it. And some, though trying to hide it, were actually enthused.

Wendy couldn't wait to dance in her stunning new shell, impressing the rich koopas from all over the Darklands. Roy knew it was one of the best business opportunities around, with the wealthy and prominent ready for investors…legal or not. And Lemmy had finally caught his partner's air of thrill in the bet towards Peach and Bowser's relationship, and saw this as the perfect place to get a footing.

Although Kammy had hardly begun lecturing the koopalings on do's and don't's at the ball, Junior came bustling down the stairs. His hair was back in the ponytail, though the gel put in from earlier helped the ponytail look almost refined. He had traded his dull shell for the one his father had tailored for him, and had his bandana faithfully tied in place of the bowtie. For time reasons, Junior had left the cufflings on. Besides, he thought they looked pretty dang cool. At least he didn't have a tuxedo on with them.

Kammy turned and rolled her eyes. "Can I at least…" she didn't finish asking for permission and magically tied his bandana into a short, white tie. "There. I think we can compromise with that, don't you?" She flashed a fake smile to let him know the question was rhetorical. "Alright, you all. Let's get going."

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Bowser looked at himself up and down in the mirror. Dang, was all he could think to compliment himself.

And, for once, he wasn't just being completely self-centric. His shell from Kamek looked absolutely stunning on him, his mane brushed neatly, yet still roguish. Everything about him just seemed…ten times more handsome. As he took a big breath in pride, he was reminded of the cologne. Subtle, but very savory. And, if Wendy was to be believed, it would be simply irresistible to Peach. As if my body wasn't already enough!

Reading the clock, Bowser knew he could leave. Actually, he should probably wait another two minutes, but…he was the king. The answer to all questions against him fit wonderfully here. Bowser opened the door from his bathroom into his bedroom and growled at Kamek. "Get that wrinkled nose out of your book and let me go."

Kamek looked through his glasses up at the clock. "You have two minutes, sire. I shouldn't let you out…but consider it a birthday gift."

Bowser crossed his arms as Kamek magically removed Kara's padlock. "Thanks," he mumbled as he began to leave.

Kamek did a double take at his king's word of thanks. "You're certainly welcome, sire. …Happy Birthday!"

Bowser was already out the door and half way to Peach's room down the hall. His heart was pounding, and the empty hallway seemed four times longer than usual. He could hear himself breath, and began to feel very stupid.

Finally, he reached the door and knocked. From inside the room, he could hear a clatter of heelsteps and other noises he couldn't imagine what they were. It seemed to take Princess Peach forever to open the door, but eventually it swung open and offered Bowser the most beautiful sight he had seen for years.

Peach literally glimmered, not only shining from the gems sewn into the gown, but also from the look in her sapphire eyes. She was beautiful everyday, but there was absolutely no comparison to the way she looked that evening.

Bowser realized his mouth was open, and tried to shut it, but then his throat started to swell. Finally, he squeaked out a "wow" amidst his fight to control his body.

Peach smiled softly. "You look very handsome yourself, sire…" Peach admired. She felt within herself a similar lack of words, her heart beating faster than the feet of a bandit as she outstretched her hand. Bowser tenderly took the silky glove in his own claw, keeping his eyes glued on her own.

After shaking his head to physically get his attention off of Peach, he shifted her arm to fall into the crook of his. "Are you ready?"

Peach met Bowser's eyes, seeing them shine and sparkle like a child's at Christmas. "Sure!" she squeaked, feeling more like a teenager than ever.

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Kara looked at her watch. 5:28:36 pm. She smiled- it was so wonderful when things were on schedule. She nodded at Ludwig, appreciating his mutual adoration for order. The orchestra transitioned from their interlude to a beautiful processional, and the hundreds of guests eagerly looked at the huge oaken doors, the mythical Queen of the Cosmos engraved on each.

Kara looked down at her watch (5:29:52) and nodded to the koopas holding the doors. As expected, the eight seconds were exactly what was needed for the doors to begin opening.

Arm in arm, Peach and Bowser began their walk into the room. Bowser was grinning as he admired the stuffy ballroom, decked out with statues of himself. Peach's eyes were also pulled away from those of her date's. She mouthed "wow" as she admired the glorious three-story ballroom. The main dancing floor was a beautiful parquet mosaic, the walls a stunning marble to match the pillars.

The murals on the walls and ceilings were nothing like those Peach had seen through the palace of battle scenes and burnt adversaries, but rather of angelic koopas, majestic kings, beautiful queens, and stunning festivities. Peach didn't have to squint long to realize that one of the murals with newer paint included a wedding- her own. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, but couldn't pull her eyes off the painting of what had never been.

Bowser didn't see what had caught his princess's eye, but still pulled her along as they turned the corner. His polite tug jogged Peach's attention, and she was brought back to earth. They began their curling ascent up the spiral staircase, leading them both to one of two elegant tables. Peach waved graciously around, followed by a smattering of applause.

The King looked at Peach and smiled. He had never been happier in his life…this wasn't his wedding day, but to Koopa tradition, bringing a date to one's birthday ball was almost as big. And she was so gorgeous…her smile, her honestly happy smile, made her beauty surpass anything else. Bowser supposed she could be wearing rags and still be the most beautiful creature in the world at that moment. But, of course, he really did prefer the stunning gown that sparkled in the light. She was like his own personal beacon…everyone in the room would look at Peach, and everyone in the room would know with whom she came.

Pulling out her chair, Bowser whispered "I love you," into Peach's ear. She flushed slightly before whispering back, "I know you do." He smiled and pulled out his own chair before sitting. A silent waiter served him a platter of food, then Peach, and then a flurry of the koopas with plates served the entire table.

Seated next to Peach was Bowser Junior, getting very frustrated that his Mama Peach hadn't even realized he was there yet. Next to him was all his siblings save Ludwig, and on Bowser's other side was Kammy, Kamek, and his other lead koopas. The other family guests, siblings and cousins Bowser hadn't spoken to since his birthday last year, were farther down the table. All the other fabulous and wealthy guests sat on another table, on the other balcony across the way.

Ludwig continued to lead his orchestra in a quieter melody through the dinner, allowing for the conversation on the floor below them to simmer over the food.

Peach was shocked at the koopa eating habits. Even at such an elegant dinner, they ate four times as much and three times as fast as any human could. The waiters clearly expected each guests' food intake, what with Bowser's plate being the largest and most filled and Peach's the most meager. She noticed a few of the entrees were completely missing from her plate, replaced with slightly off-color versions.

"Bowser? Why is my rice a different color than yours?" She asked quietly, trying not to disrupt the conversation the diplomats a few seats down were attempting to involve the Koopa King in.

Bowser looked over at Peach's plate, unashamed as he ignored the other conversation. "Because…mine aren't rice. Oh, and they didn't clean up your salad. Don't eat those," he recommended, pointing at the egg-shaped red fruits.

"The tomatoes? Why?"

"Because those aren't tomatoes either." He picked them off her plate and popped one in his mouth. Bowser swallowed it whole and grinned back at Peach, feeling the glaring eyes of Kara as she walked by. "Yup. Definitely not tomatoes."

Peach giggled a little bit, letting Kammy drag Bowser back into 'proper' conversation. She looked at her plate and smiled, delicately taking a bite of the finely-cooked steak. The meal was just heavenly, and she kept comparing it to her first meal with Bowser she had had this week. This time around, the atmosphere was a lot more pleasant.

Soft conversation continued for all three courses, Peach glancing at Bowser through the whole dinner. He seemed almost in pain, forcing himself to pay attention to the conversations people kept involving him in and looking very awkward with his utensils.

Peach kept wanting to jump up and show him how to use his spoon correctly, but invisible cords seem to keep her down, and the same cords seemed to bind her from talking freely with anyone at all. Every time Bowser caught her staring and grinned back she flushed, and several times her conversations with the koopalings would end abruptly as she felt her heart flip from Bowser's booming laugh and lost her train of thought.

The entire dinner was just a flurry of heated emotion, and without fail, if she listened quietly her name was among the happy gossip farther down the table at all times. Perhaps the heat she always felt was from Bowser's leg that kept "accidently" brushing her own, or his eyes that she almost always felt on her face. Whatever it was, it made her fork shake within her hand, but also made the food taste so much sweeter.

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Ludwig was absolutely lost in the performance. Though the music was soft and nothing but atmosphere for the elegant feasts below him, to this conductor it was both heaven and hell, an ornate balancing act to make the music absolutely perfect, where the smallest of mistakes could bring the whole spiraling, delicate masterpiece crumbling to the ground.

The piece neared its end, and with a flourish Ludwig neatly brought the octet to a diminuendo. The next movement, a sweet and gentle flute solo, flowed like a brook gently charting a new course through a gully in the wood. Ludwig sighed in pleasure, tenderly placing his baton on the stand and wringing out his hands. He didn't need to conduct the soloist.

After shaking his cufflinks off his sweaty wrists, he found his seat next to the first violinist. The shaky koopa smiled at his conductor. "Lovely work, sir."

Ludwig shook out his head, sweat droplets flipping from off his mess of hair. "As with you, Gregory. But now…it shall be nice to have a quiescent moment. And one with victuals, I do trust! I am simply famished."

Gregory nodded with a wide smile. "We're very blessed to have a break. That poor soloist won't be able to eat for a long time."

"Indeed, she is going to be fasting for quite some time tonight…most of the night, I daresay."

"So sire, what do you think the ball will be like?"

"The postprandial ball? Ah, it should be intresting…His Majesty Father has not escorted a lady for years; if nothing else, such an occasion will certainly conceive a copious amount of persiflage among the attendants." He chuckled, graciously accepting a plate of the meal served a story below them.

Gregory nodded with a bit of a smile. He ate quietly, watching the flutist as she preformed sweetly and serenely. He swallowed, and then inquired further, "yes, I gathered that much, but what do you think it'll be like? Since this is your father's first date, what do you think that means?"

"You seem quite the inquisitor tonight, Gregory. I suppose…I suppose my father is very eager. He really despises these types of occasions and kvetches about them more than almost any other affair. And yet, being with Her Highness Princess Peach is making him quite ebullient about it. He might actually grasp the Zeitgeist about these balls tonight…just maybe.

"If Father can reach tonight's terminus without having any bibulous missteps, there shouldn't be a single gaffe that can cause any sort of calumny. And there are enough highly respectable witnesses here tonight that no taradiddle should ruin it either."

"So you really think this is going to be a success?"

"What do you mean by success? Tonight was not meant to be a fructuous night in anything but being a convivial night. One cannot measure the amusement a night brings, Gregory. You're being terribly abstruse."

Gregory shifted his weight uncomfortably, suddenly wishing he was the hungry flutist and not being grilled by his conductor. "Well, you know this is His Majesty King Bowser's first date with Princess Peach…I guess I'm wondering if you think he can get her on his good side tonight."

A dangerous looked flashed in Ludwig's eyes. "You are beginning to sound like my siblings, Gregory. Making malapropos comments is not something I expected my highly-respected concert master to do. My father is not here to woo the princess. If she falls to him on her own accord, than so be it! My father wishes to be a very providential person. He is not maladroit in any account, but that does not mean he is beholden to use every opportunity to get Peach to engage herself with him…Such inimical qualities are below even he!

"My father may have kidnapped her, and he may have forced her to the altar, and he may have convinced my youngest sibling of her maternal involvement. But even through such apparent cruel and obscene acts, my father respects Peach. She is not an accolade at the end of a race; she is a person whom he loves. And when one loves another person, one does not treat them like something to be attained at the end of 'success'. So consider this your tocsin, my friend. Peach may be my father's dream, but she is not a measuring stick of his 'success'."

Gregory closed his eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry for my offense, sire."

Ludwig nodded and silently rose from his seat. Tonight was big for a lot of people…he had to make it work for all of them.

xxxx0o0o0o0o0o0o0xxxx

Bowser was finally having an interesting conversation with someone other than Peach when Kamek cleared his throat twice. The old magikoopa gave Bowser a meaningful look and was answered with a curt nod. Bowser in turn looked over at a stately magikoopa adorned in all black standing at the top of the staircase. Ludwig ceased his orchestra, allowing for him to speak.

"Announcing the commencement of the ball. The floor will be opened now to His Majesty King of the Koopas and all of the Darklands Lord Bowser of the Royal Family of the highly respected KoopaKings and Supreme and Adored Emperor over all under his Mighty and Powerfully Cruel Rule and Her Highness Princess Peach Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom, leading with the traditional King's Waltz, conducted by Prince Ludwig Koopa, head orchestrator of the Great Volcanopalace Symphonic Orchestra and all other Palace orchestras, including a portion especially arranged for tonight's events by the conductor himself." The magikoopa stepped aside and Ludwig led his brass section in a regal fanfare.

With a claw extended, Bowser helped Peach out of her chair and onto the floor. She was only slightly aware of the dozens of eyes upon her; Bowser's eyes seemed to grasp her attention over them all. "We think that he uses magic to help him get through that without a single breath. Only the magikoopas can get through it without breaking a sweat," he murmured in her ear. If the joke was meant to keep her calm, it didn't do much good. Bowser's husky voice and warm breath whispering in her ear only made the butterflies in Peach's stomach fly even faster.

The couple reached the top of the stairs and Bowser painfully let go of Peach's hand. As tradition read, Bowser walked down the right staircase, Peach taking the left. Although the separation was clearly torturous to the king, the princess found the break exactly what she needed.

It's just a ball. I've been to more of these than I can count. Just a ball. And I just had a delicious meal- I shouldn't have room for these silly butterflies. Just. A. Ball. Peach took deep breaths, her painted smile not giving her away in the least.

Once her foot touched the stone floor (at the precise moment as Bowser's), the orchestra began the beautiful waltz's opening movement, passed down from KoopaKing to KoopaKing for centuries. The music had just a hint of the preferred minor music of the koopas, but all of the regality and lusciousness that had ever been heard in a waltz. The unimaginable acoustics of the room, along with the warm stone floor and stunning décor, put Peach in a state of mind far from any ball she had been to. This was far better.

Peach saw a worried look flash through Bowser's eyes, his smile wavering slightly even as he took Peach's hands. She could hear him counting, and suddenly she could feel her organs again. Her heart was most definitely there…moreso than she really needed to feel it.

"Bowser, don't count," she quietly coached. "Feel the music in your feet and in your heart. It should make you feel light and happy without even thinking about the steps… If you must count, do it in your head."

Bowser continued counting under his breath until he could find a suitable moment to reply. "I can't-two-three-must-fo-cus-I-can't-waltz-one-two-three-"

Peach smiled, let Bowser spin her out, and then took position back. "Watch me," she suggested, "instead of your feet. Go ahead and get lost in thought…your feet will know what to do."

Bowser easily obliged to Peach's invitation, all too willing to stare into her happy blue eyes. Before he could realize it, they were moving as one, twisting and turning, spinning and jumping. Fairly soon, the floor was filled with couples, all spinning and dancing in harmony with each other. None were as connected as the guests of honor, locked in eachother's eyes, letting the music lead them across the floor.

The waltz lasted for several minutes, Peach and Bowser completely silent, as the music seemed to request. Finally, with a bit of silence, the waltz changed movements. Peach gasped as a familiar trill sounded and Bowser, now much more fleet on his feet, asked, "what is it?"

"I helped Ludwig write this part!" Peach exclaimed, dancing lightly with Bowser through the upbeat tempo of the waltz.

"It's really good," he complimented, with a grin.

"Well, my part was over long ago, Bowser. But thanks for trying," she teased.

"I never thought you'd help write our first song together," Bowser told her with a curious expression. Peach raised her eyebrows, very uncertain how to reply to his odd statement. Bowser caught the moment of awkwardness and grinned, hoping to sweep it away with Peach as he lifted her through the dance step. "I just mean I've thought of moments with you a lot. As much as I brag that you've done the same, I'm sure not as much."

"Well, I've thought about it this week…the ball, I mean…" Peach answered quietly, afraid that her face might be turning the color of her dress.

"Yeah?" Bowser said through his goofy grin. "That's good…you're my best birthday present, know that Peach?"

Bowser's spontaneous romantic compliments were doing no good for Peach's blushing condition. "That's sweet, Bowser…I don't know what to say."

Bowser's grin changed to his more familiar sinister sneer. "Then tell me you love me back."

"Not when you ask like that!" Peach scoffed, speaking before she could really process his request.

"Well," Bowser began, trying to be romantic again (since it seemed to work lately), "I love you."

"I know, I know," Peach laughed while Bowser lightly dipped her. When he pulled her back up, her laugh was gone and she had a strange look on her face. Why did Bowser's question seem as normal as when he confessed his own end? Probably because he'd accused her of loving him (whether joking or not…) many times. But this…confusion…never followed that.

Astutely, Bowser knew what was worrying Peach. As determined as he was to have her love him back, he wanted her to enjoy herself more. With a sigh, Bowser murmured, "hey, listen to the music. It should make you light and happy, not… whatever emotion you are now."

Peach rolled her eyes, grateful for the invitation to get her mind off confusing things. "Good stolen advice, your majesty." He waltzed with her, leading her lightly through the crowds of people. "Did you know the waltz is my favorite dance?"

Bowser looked like he was about to snarl. "It sure as heck isn't mine."

Peach nodded, "I can see why. But to me, it just…really makes me feel like a princess."

"You don't have to do some stupid dance to be a princess, Peach. You already wear dresses and crowns every single day. Not to mention get saved from horrible creatures by your own personal knight."

Peach giggled, imagining the Mario Brothers as knights. "Sorry to break it to you, but the Mario Brothers refuse to be knighted."

Bowser raised his eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips. "What are you talking about, Peach? I'm your knight, not those jerks."

Laughing a little bit, Peach was surprised she hadn't realized where Bowser had been going. She told him honestly, "I hadn't even thought of them for days before you said that." Bowser looked extremely upset at himself for bringing it up unnecessarily, pouting in a strangely cute way. Peach giggled a little bit. "But I'm not sure spinning in a circle will help the situation, Bowser…"

He mumbled, "oh," and immediately stopped dancing, looking at his feet and reevaluating the waltz. He began waltzing with Peach in a much more fluid manner, with less pivoting. "That better?"

"Much." Peach replied, smiling at his eager eyes. "There you go, saving me again."

Author's Note: That was hard to write, like I told you guys last chapter, because I have such high expectations for the ball. So I'm kind of turning it on its head (a leeeeetle bit) in the writing style or whatever so it's less scary. The right side of my brain has too high of expectations for the left side.

Anyway. Hope you're still here and still enjoying it a bit. I'm enjoying writing it, so...the idea of people actually enjoying reading this stuff makes me go C: all over the place. Sometimes I even :D. Bet you guys didn't know human lips were capable of forming emoticons! ()

-Razzi