"...I don't like this," Luigi mutters under his breath as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Daisy glances over at him, then out across the crowd. The room is admittedly quite packed. Journalist occupy most, if not every, seat there is, and standing off to the sides are a collection of cameramen, prepared to snap photos of the two of them and getting ready to film their every word and movement.

"Don't worry Luigi. Remember what we talked about. This'll be easy," Daisy whispers back with a reassuring smile. Luigi appears unmoved though.

After several more minutes of shuffling about and talking quietly amongst themselves, the media representatives appear quite ready to begin the conference. All eyes now firmly fixed on the princess and the plumber on stage, Daisy flashes as pleasant a smile as she can immediately. Luigi glances over at here for a short second, then looks back into the crowd, giving a weak attempt to shed a smile of his own that appears to be more of a grimace than anything.

Before long, a Toad walks up onto the stage and turns to the audience with a smile.

"Hello everyone, and welcome to our joint press conference with Princess Daisy of Sarasaland and well-known brother of the the world's greatest hero, Luigi Mario of the Mushroom Kingdom."

"...Did he have to introduce me as being my brother's brother?" Luigi mumbles, sinking further into his seat as a small cloud appears to formulate over his head.

"I am Toadbert, and I will be the moderator for tonight's event," the Toad continues, ignoring Luigi's mutterings. "Feel free to ask any questions you wish, but please, keep it tasteful by boogity. Our target audience does include everyone thirteen and above after all. We wouldn't want to soil any young minds with questions that are a bit too personal.

"That said, let us begin," he concludes with a smile before exiting the stage and walking around its front where a small desk and chair await him. The act of taking his seat cues the reporters to begin their questioning, and immediately, an blue hand from the crowd juts into the air.

"You, in the third row," Daisy points out. Up stands a blue Yoshi immediately, ready and waiting with pen and pad in hand.

"dragon19kyoshi from Island Times," he introduces briefly. "Guys, what is your favorite part about being best friends?"

Daisy smiles immediately as she shoots a glance over to Luigi, who seems to brighten up a fair bit as well.

"Hey, that question's pretty easy," Luigi whispers to Daisy, a genuine smile beginning to creep across his lips.

"See? Told you. This won't be tough at all."

"Well, my favorite part about being best friends with Daisy is the fact that she's always so sure of herself about everything," Luigi begins, sitting up straighter in his seat as he goes on. "She really helps me with my, um...confidence issues," he trails off, somewhat embarrassed. "But, you know, just being around her makes me feel like I can do just about anything."

"Aw, you're so sweet Luigi," Daisy comments, giving him a playful punch in the shoulder. Luigi gives a chuckle in response, but can't keep himself from grabbing his shoulder in slight pain. "You just heard my favorite part about being best friends with Luigi," she continues, ignoring Luigi's pained expression. "He's a total sweetheart. He always volunteers to help out with events, like that tennis tournament we had a few years back, and he's probably the most humble guy I've ever met. He's always passing the spotlight over to someone else, even if he was the one who did most of the legwork. You should meet his teammates for the Strikers league. They love him to death."

Luigi can't help but blush at the comments. They certainly helped make him feel a fair amount more comfortable as he sat up on that stage. So much more comfortable in fact that he takes it upon himself to select the next reporter.

"Um, over there. In the front row."

The next reporter, a Human, appearing quite solemn even after the heartwarming answer to the last question, stands and eyes down Daisy rather intensely.

"Wimpzilla from Diamond City Weekly, Princess Daisy," he begins quickly, "in this economic recession, our schools have oversized classrooms, underpaid teachers, the roads are in dire need of repair, the average family cannot make ends meet, the health care system is in critical condition, and the unemployment rate has reached an all-time national high of twelve percent.

"Why, then, did you feel it necessary to spend two point six million of our tax payer coins on not one, but two statues to be erected in the town square of you and this gentleman?"

Both Luigi's and Daisy's mouths hang open slightly as Wimpzilla takes his seat once more, awaiting his answer. Silently, Daisy looks over at Luigi, who glances back her briefly before averting his gaze and sinking back into his seat once again. This question is addressed to her after all.

"Uh–tourism," Daisy answers quickly with a rather blank expression. Everyone waits for her to elaborate, all eyes except Luigi's on her as silence fills the air. After several seconds of muteness pass though, Toadbert decides to speak up.

"Um, care to elaborate Princess?" he asks. Daisy stares back at him, her face still quite straight.

"Do I have to?" she counters. Toadbert, as well as the rest of the crowd, appears to be speechless.

"Well, yes, by boogity. This is a press conference, and the question is about a matter I'm sure a lot of us would love to know about." Daisy sighs.

"Fine, whatever... It's just a pretty long explanation.

"So, we all know that the town square doubles as the circuit we use for the racing Grand Prix here in Sarasaland," she begins, sitting back into her chair and getting comfortable in anticipation of the sure-to-be-extensive explanation. "Since it's the only course in the Grand Prix to be located here in Sarasaland, it's naturally pretty important that we tend to it well; you know, keep it looking spiffy and attractive and everything. The track is pretty much the biggest tourist attraction here in Sarasaland, and it's usually the first, and sometimes only, place visitors go when they decide to take a trip out here. So, since the track is such a hot commodity with people from other nations, I decided to hold a meeting with the city council to see how we could utilize that fact to get more people interested in coming here, keep them staying longer, and convince them to explore the rest of the kingdom.

"One of the council members suggested we carry out a series of surveys to, you know, figure out what people liked about the place, what could be made better, that kind of stuff. We ran with that idea and discovered that, of course, most everyone visits for the opportunity to watch a race, but the second biggest reason people liked the square was thanks to its scenic location. They liked the tropical setting, and that's why they're attracted to it.

"After finding that out, we sent out another survey asking if there was any way possible for the square to be even more appealing, also asking for any suggestions people could think of that might help. Of course, we got a lot of different suggestions, but the general consensus seemed to be that there was nothing particularly eye-catching in the town proper. Sure, the surrounding scenery was gorgeous, but the heart of the square just seemed pretty bland.

"So we stopped and brainstormed for a moment about what we could do to liven things up in the square itself, and that was when one of the city councilmen brought up the figure eight – you know, the road that curves around and looks like a giant eight – in the center of the square and the fact that we didn't really have anything in the center of the circles that the roads have to wrap around. Well, nothing there besides some plain raised platforms anyway. And that was when we realized, we could put something, you know, symbolic there. It could have been anything really, but one of the council members was joking around and mentioned that there should be statues up there of 'the princess and her beloved one'."

At this, Luigi suddenly perks up and glances at Daisy from the side of his eye. She doesn't notice.

"Since I like to be around Luigi so often, it's pretty common for people to assume we're together," she continues, shooting him a smile as if to accentuate the point that they're merely platonic. Luigi gives a half-hearted smile in response before returning to staring at nothing in particular. "The idea was meant to be just a joke," Daisy goes on, returning her attention to the crowd, "but the more everyone thought about it, the more everyone seemed to like the idea. I wasn't against it of course, so it was decided and we hired a sculptor. Several city workers would build fountains for the bases of the statues while the sculptor did his work. We asked him to portray me and Luigi in poses that accurately reflect our friendship, and to make the statues as unique as he could.

"So, when he was finished, we had the statues you can see out there now. In case you're wondering what makes them so unique, just look at their compositions. They look like they defy the rules of gravity. In the statue of us as kids, the only part that's even touching the foundation is the tip of Luigi's foot. Yet, somehow, he's managed to hold me completely in the air with only one hand. You can't look at that statue and not ask yourself how the thing stays up. It should be impossible. And it's the same thing for the statue portraying us as we are now. We each only have a small part of a foot on the foundation, yet we both stay up just fine. It's wacky. And the sculptor wouldn't even tell us how he managed to pull it off.

"Anyway, if you recall the day of the reveal of the new fountains, there were thousands of visitors from other nations visiting just to see it. And when they did see the statues, they were pretty shocked and wondered how in the world they managed to stay standing so stably. After that, we decided to carry out another survey asking the visitors if it was likely that they would stay in town, or any part of Sarasaland for that matter, after seeing the statues. Seventy percent of them said they would stay and explore the kingdom, and when asked why, most of them told us that they wanted to see more of the local architecture.

"So there you go. We erected the statues with the intent of attracting and keeping more visitors. And, so far, it's succeeding; Sarasaland's seen a twenty-two percent increase in tourist traffic since those statues were put up. More tourism means more use of local businesses. More use of local businesses means more money for Sarasaland. And, in the long run, that all equates to the eventual better well being of our land and its citizens."

Daisy folds her arms, a confident smile spread across her lips as she looks into the crowd of frantically scribbling reporters. "I hope that answers your question."

Nothing but the sound of pens scraping against pads of paper can be heard for some time as Luigi readjusts himself in his seat and returns his attention to the crowd. Daisy gazes over at him for a brief moment, but a hand soon raises in the crowd.

"Yes?" Luigi speaks up simply, obviously referring to whomever had their hand up. Soon, a young Toad woman with a purple spotted cap stands, a smile on her face.

"Hello, I'm Les14 from Hearty Magazine," she introduces herself cheerily before glancing down at her notepad for a brief second. "How did the two of you meet for the first time? Or have you known each other for your entire lives?"

Luigi's eyes brighten immediately after hearing the question, but Daisy is the first to speak.

"We've known each other since were tiny little toddlers," she answers, placing a flat hand in the air only about two feet off the ground to act as a visual aid. "I was too young to remember how we met exactly, but I know that Luigi and I have been buds practically forever."

"Actually, I remember the day we first met," Luigi speaks up, smiling at Daisy as she gives him an incredulous look in return. Her wide-eyed expression was all Luigi needed to see to know that it would be appreciated if he would elaborate on the event. "It's the first memory I ever had," Luigi continues, looking back to the crowd as he prepares to reminisce. "We were two. I don't remember the date, but it was sometime in Fall, because the leaves were turning. While we were visiting Sarasaland, because my parents are friends with Daisy's parents, Mama and Papa brought me and Mario to a playground for a picnic. After we had lunch, they let us go off and play. I went over to the sandbox right away, but when I went to step in, my foot caught on the box's edge and I ended up tripping right into a sand castle. I felt terrible about accidently destroying someone's castle, so I began to apologize to the girl who made it. And that girl was Daisy.

"She insisted that it was okay though, and even offered to let me help her remake it," Luigi continues, smiling as he unconsciously clasps his hands together in front of him. Daisy can do nothing more than continue to stare at him in astonishment. "So we built it again and named it 'Fort Daisy'. That was when she asked me my name. When I told her, she renamed the castle 'Fort Daisy and Luigi'. We've been friends ever since."

"I can't believe you remember that," Daisy says in a quietened, astonished voice as the reporters record the touching story. Luigi rubs the back of his neck, feeling just a little embarrassed.

"I just have a good memory I guess," Luigi reasons simply as the next reporter raises their hand. Daisy simply continues to watch Luigi for a moment as he calls out for the next question though.

"Hello. I'm known as 'The Smart One' from Daily Feed," the next reporter, a blue shelled Koopa donned in a rectangular pair of bifocals, speaks up as he stands from his seat. Neither Daisy nor Luigi know if he's joking about his assumed title, but don't bother questioning it as he continues. "Two questions. For Princess Daisy, recently, you produced your own athletic drink, Flower Power, which has launched millions in sales. However, are you aware that, because of this product, over twenty of your customers have been hospitalized? Why, then, did you not decide to include the possible side effects on the label of your drink, such as vomiting, swelling, spastic reflexes, and the irresistible urge to scream 'HI, I'M DAISY!'?"

"Wait, that's why I've been hearing people screaming that lately?" Daisy asks, turning to the reporter immediately with furrowed brows. "I thought it was some kind of joke being spread around... It was starting to tick me off."

"It would explain why my sister screams it all the time when we go kart racing, by boogity," Toadbert mutters to himself.

"It would explain why – HI, I'M DAISY! – I've been having this irresistible urge to yell 'Hi, I'm Daisy' all day," one of the reporters near the back of the room speaks up.

"You should see a doctor about that soon," The Smart One advises to the fellow reporter. "Evidently, if you don't get rid of the Daisy-itis within the first forty-eight hours, it could become quite severe."

"Daisy-itis?" Daisy mumbles, disconcerted. "So, what, I'm a disease now...?

"To answer your question, no, I didn't know that my drink was causing these problems," Daisy answers, drawing attention back to herself, her arms folded defensively. "I'll recall them as soon as possible and try and fix whatever's going on... Daisy-itis better not be a term that catches on," she adds under hear breath.

"For Mr. Luigi Mario, as you know, in this day in age, the plumbing occupation is not well paid at all," The Smart One continues with his second question, drawing Luigi's attention immediately. "Why, then, do you continue to occupy this profession? It has caused several fathers to give up their high-paying positions in favor of becoming plumbers, if only for the simple fact that they idolize you and thus, attempt to imitate you. This is causing many families to become evicted from their homes quite rapidly."

"...People are quitting their jobs and becoming plumbers because of me?" Luigi asks, an odd mixture of flattery and confusion etched on his face as he thinks of his leagues of fans giving up-

"Wait...I'm sorry, what I meant to propose was, why don't you convince Mario to give up his job as a plumber?" The Smart One corrects himself. "It's his fans that are switching occupations. Yours, if I'm correctly informed, are doing nothing of the sort."

Whatever flattery is shown in Luigi's features immediately drops out, leaving him with little more than a simple frown. "I'll talk to him about it..." he assures half-heartedly. Satisfied with the simple promise, The Smart One takes his seat once more.

"Our first scheduled recess is in five minutes, so we only have time for one or two more questions at the moment," Toadbert informs the crowd. Both Daisy and Luigi brighten up slightly at this. After the last two questions, they feel ready to take a break.

One more hand rises into the air, and Daisy points them out to stand and speak. The reporter shows herself to be a yellow shelled Paratroopa and hovers slightly above the rest of the crowd as she relays her question.

"hoom from Sky High Magazine," she begins. "I have two questions as well. First, Luigi, what was the most terrifying moment of your life?"

"There's so many," Luigi mumbles without thinking as he begins to search his brain for the single scariest moment in his entire life. After several seconds of thinking, he appears to come up with an answer. "When Mario went missing," he answered. "And I don't mean the time I had to go into the haunted mansion and rescue him from King Boo. I mean the first time, when Bowser trapped him and it was up to me to go save him by..." he trails off, gazing down at the floor of the stage with an unsure look on his face. He soon shakes his head. "You know, nevermind. That was a long time ago, and...I'd rather not talk about it. I still can't shake that 'Weegee' fad that's somehow started to spread around..."

"I'm sure it must have been a traumatic experience. I won't press on the subject further if that's the case," hoom secedes politely before turning her attention over to the princess. "Princess Daisy, out of all the various sports you play, which is your personal favorite?"

"Oh, definitely football. Or uh, soccer as it's known in some places," Daisy answers enthusiastically. "You have no idea how good it feels to just get out there on the field and slam some guys into an electrical force field after a rough day. It definitely lets me get my frustrations out..."

Without warning, Daisy suddenly delivers another punch to Luigi's shoulder, this one being a fair bit harder than the one earlier. Surprised, Luigi grabs his shoulder, wincing in pain as Daisy gives a serene, innocent smile to the crowd.

"And that marks the beginning of our recess, by boogity," Toadbert announces with a smile, clapping his hands together. "We'll take a ten minute break and let everyone stretch their legs a bit and get some snacks and water. Help yourselves to the tables we have set up outside in the lobby."

With that, Toadbert and the crowd slowly begin to stand and file out of the room. Meanwhile, Luigi and Daisy rise from their seats and make their way backstage.

"That little nudge didn't hurt you, did it?" Daisy asks as she notices Luigi still holding on to his shoulder. Stopping suddenly, Luigi removes his hand from the shoulder and gives a forced smile.

"Of course it didn't."

"Good. I was scared I actually hurt you a little," Daisy responds with a relieved sigh as she continues on her way backstage. Luigi watches her go for a moment before grabbing his shoulder once again.

Daisy really needed to understand her own strength.