Chapter 4

It was hard for Mario to sleep throughout the night. Thoughts of his home, his brother, and the eerily silent and dark night was uncomfortable, and rattled through his spine. The bed was comfortable, there was adequate warmth, and there was practically everything Mario would ever want. But there was something uncanny about everything. The room was perfect, and despite looking like it hasn't been touched in awhile, there was not a speck of dust anywhere. The room was stacked with books that Mairo couldn't even begin to understand. He was just grateful that even though the room rubbed him the wrong way, he had a room to sleep in. Eventually he was lucky enough to drift off into sleep.

Waking up to a gentle influx of sunlight helped ease the tension of the usual New York wake ups. No loud honking cars and flashing street lights here. Despite being surrounded by little mushroom people outside the door, there wasn't much noise from anywhere. Mario arched his back and sat up on the bed, looking around the room. He would be the first to admit that being in broad daylight makes the room a little less creepy. Another familiar morning feeling plagued him - he had to pee. He didn't know the layout of this castle too well, but it can't be more confusing than the New York metro station, right? He climbed out of the bed, sliding his feet into some rather cramped slippers the princess left for him the night prior, Anything was better than touching that freezing cold floor. He made his way to the door and creaked it open, glancing out from the small crack.

There's no one here, he thought. Surely I can find a bathroom without help.

Mario opened the door a little more, enough so that he could slip his body out. The sleep in his eyes never truly left, his vision slightly blurred. He looked around for any resemblance to a "bathroom" sign. Nothing really struck out to him. Most of the doors shared the same overarching, intricate designs that towered over him. Despite the population being smaller than him, most of the doors were way larger. And even despite the large mushroom top on the woman's head, well these doors are too large for that too. It must just be a royalty thing, Mario reasoned with himself. He continued down the halls, trying to slink among the shadows, before finally a loud voice caught his attention.

"Halt!"

Mario immediately jumped to attention, glancing around the room until his eyes settled on a Toad, pointing a metal spear at him. Mario put his hands up, and backed up towards the wall. A couple of other nearby Toads Mario hadn't spotted prior were circling around him as well. Mario couldn't think of the right words to defend himself. Most of what he said involved "waits!" and "hold ons!", and none of these answers seemed to satisfy the mushroom folk. From the crowd came a familiar mushroom face glaring him down.

"What on big belly Bertha's right do you think you have to sneak and stalk around like this?" Toadsworth snapped. Despite not having a weapon by his side, his sudden and quick approach still made Mario uncomfortable. Nothing escaped his mouth that made too much sense, and the slight panic he felt in his chest made it harder to even speak properly. Italian gibberish won't cut it here. The elder Toad snapped again.

"If you don't say something, so help me, you'll regret it."

Mario could only gasp in response. The high situation combined with the emergency of his bladder made everything feel worse than it already was. A couple of exasperated grunts and hand waving did nothing to save him though, but before long his knight in shining armor stormed through the crowd.

"Toadsworth!" Peach snapped, stomping towards the group. The Toads moved out of her way to bring he through. "What is going on now?"

"The stranger you brought home is now stalking through our castle!" Toadsworth cried, pointing directly at him. Mario glanced at the two of them awkwardly. Sheesh, they fight a lot.

"Stalking through the castle?" Peach asked, her eyes settling on Mario. She chuckled to herself.

"Look at him, Toadsworth. He's still in his pajamas. You think this is some kind of threat, or attack, on the kingdom?" she asked. Toadsworth narrowed his brow bitterly.

"This is no laughing matter, princess. He was unaccompanied and he was deliberately hiding."

"Was he now?"

The princess made her way to Mario and from the angle it seemed as if she was staring down at him.

"What's the matter?" Peach asked. "Why were you alone walking through the castle?"

Mario's mind began firing a mile a minute. What was the right phrase to say? Luigi taught him many months ago. Can I… Can I… Can I what? Can I bathroom doesn't seem right. Can I something, something, something, the bathroom? He couldn't figure it out, and his stinging bladder finally got the better of him.

"Bathroom!" Mario shouted. "Can I bathroom?"

Everyone's eyes widened and a couple of Toads giggled among the crowd. Peach composed herself and took his hand.

"Yes," she spoke through laughter. "The bathroom is this way."

—

Finally after leaving the rather ridiculously large bathroom, Peach walked him towards the kitchen. It was nice having Peach around, she reminded Mario of the nice guides he would meet when he and Luigi would go to museums. Mario never found art fascinating, but Luigi was obsessed with it. Those revolutionary artists, those people who painting kings and queens. This painting was trying to paint Queen Marie Antoinette in a better light! Luigi would explain to him. And this one showed Napoleon as some kind of king-god, but everyone was too afraid of it. And Mario never knew what all that meant, but Luigi always emphasized it was "foreshadowing" or something. Mario never knew what that word meant, but any time Mario tried to ask, his little brother was always gushing about some other kind of painting. Mario sighed bitterly, and Peach glanced down towards him.

"Don't worry about what happened earlier," she gently spoke. "This place is big. And bathroom is an odd word."

Mario shook his head.

"Brother," he mumbled. Peach's eyes widened slightly.

"Oh, right, your brother. Luigi, was it?"

Mario nodded.

"Hey, don't worry about it," she said. "We can find him together, right?"

Mario shrugged. He appreciated the princess, and everything she did. He especially appreciated how she spoke slower. It didn't feel condescending like other shopkeepers in Brooklyn did. It felt more genuine. But Mario couldn't tell if he was blinded by some kind of crush. Peach continued leading them on and he couldn't help but stare. Finally, Peach gently nudged him into another room, and his eyes went to that.

"Its breakfast time," she announced. "And I invite you to eat with us."

There was no word Mario knew better than breakfast. Except maybe "food" itself. And this food smelled amazing. Mario couldn't figure out most of the scents, but it smelt different than it did back at home. But he wasn't complaining. The princess sat him close to her (and tragically next to Toadsworth as well), and a couple of the Toads began serving out food. Peach could see Mario was struggling with portion sizes, and helped him out with that. Though Mario could sense Toadsworth wasn't too fond of the princess helping him out.

"So Mario," Peach spoke, while making him a plate. "Where are you from?"

This was an easy question.

"Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn?" Peach asked. She glanced towards Toadsworth and he shrugged. She glanced back at him. "Where's Brooklyn?"

"New York," Mario confidently answered. Peach gave Toadsworth another glance and he shook his head. She smiled awkwardly.

"And where's New York?"

"United States," Mario continued. Peach bowed her head.

"Okay, uhm," Peach chuckled awkwardly. "How about this, what do you like to do?"

A bit harder. But Mario thought for a second.

"Watching television. Eating. Tetris. Plumbing."

"You like to do plumbing?" Peach curiously asked. Mario nodded.

"Plumbing is job, my job, brother's job."

"Brother?"

"Toadsworth, don't be so daft," Peach playfully sneered. "He mentioned him a couple of time. Luigi."

"I thought that was some foul Koopa term," Toadsworth hissed. Peach rolled her eyes, smiling towards Mario.

"Tell me about Luigi."

Mario finally choked up again. This part is always hard. Didn't this exact conversation happen prior? He glanced around for different ideas, something to pop in his head that would make a lick of sense. His eyes settled on one of the Toads, sporting green spots on his head. Mario quickly pointed at the Toad, and everyone glanced on confused.

"..Is that Luigi?" Peach asked. Mario shook his head. Finally the word came to him.

"Green."

"Green?" Peach continued. "Like he was sickly?"

Mario shook his hand up and down a little. Kind yes? Kinda no. But they didn't need to understand that.

"Luigi is your green brother?" Peach continued. Mario nodded. Peach contemplated the thought.

"Alrighty then, well what does he look like?"

"Me," Mario continued. "Taller."

"Like a taller you?" Peach asked. Mario nodded. She chuckled a little.

"Are you two twins?"

Mario excitedly nodded. She giggled more.

"Okay, so he looks like you but he is green."

That was a good way to word it. Peach smiled.

"Perfect, we have someone too look for now."

"It wouldn't be hard to pick him out from a crowd," Toadsworth scoffed. Peach glared at him.

"I am seriously getting tired of this."

The two began to bicker back and forth, but Mario didn't care anymore. The only thing he cared about was the heaping plate in front of him. The portions were a lot more delicate than he was used to, but it didn't matter. He was ready to dig his fork into his plate. Everything seemed slightly off however. The eggs were a lot whiter than they usually are, maybe she removed the yolk while cooking? There seemed to be little meat in this omelette, but that wasn't a deal breaker. Something he was freaked out about were the mushrooms hidden in his egg masterpiece. Mushrooms? In his eggs? He didn't want to be seen as rude in any way, but he was definitely a tad uncomfortable. Especially because while mushrooms are normally gross, these mushrooms looked more akin to the mushroom folk that dotted the table they sat at. Worse of all, they were happily shoveling this into their mouths. Mario tried his best to scoot the mushrooms off to the side of his plate, but the eggs still tasted slightly off. He should just be grateful he even has a meal, he reasoned with himself. Suddenly Peach's voice shattered his thoughts.

"Oh, Mario, I'm sorry. I probably should of asked what you like to eat."

She got up from her spot and whisked away his plate.

"I thought humans ate the same things we did."

"They did," Toadsworth interrupted. Peach glared at him.

"Well maybe he doesn't."

She beckoned for Toadsworth to follow her into the kitchen. He rolled his eyes, but not without giving Mario one more glare, and followed her in.

"I'll research some human foods real quick!" Peach beamed. "I'll be back for you!"

Mario watched them blankly escape into the kitchen. The other Toads around him seemed uncomfortable by his presence. He smiled awkwardly and waved, and a lot of them waved back. They began to clean up their plates, leaving Mario to awkwardly sit there on his own. Mario never claimed he had a good grasp of time, but he would be the first to admit that he despises sitting at a table with no good food to distract himself with. He picked up his plate and began to follow where some of the Toads had made their way too, dropping his plate off at the sink. Disappointed with a hungry stomach, he just decided to make his way back into his room to hide himself. Maybe he could find something to do in his tool satchel.

While making his way back to his room, Mario caught a quick glimpse into another massive doored room. The door was cracked a peak, a gentle stream of sunlight leaking out from it. Mario took a quick peek into the space, and his eyes settled on Peach and Toadsworth, discussing something. Mario picked up a few things through the muffled door- books, learning, and food, all mixed together with a spice of arguing. He could pick up the same tone Toadsworth had been giving both of them since Mario arrived. The princess of their kingdom is hosting a total stranger. Peach fights back, claiming that she is sick of Toadsworth bossing her around because she's so young, and that she wantst to host the stranger and that's her right. Toadsworth argues back that that is ridiculous, as this total stranger is a minion of Bowser. Mario could write a book more interesting than their arguments. But then the conversation became more interesting, taking a turn to be about the very creature Mario is apparently being controlled by. He leaned his ear closer to the door.

"I just wish you would stop saying all humans are evil and are under control of Bowser," Peach cried. "I'm allowed to be interested in them."

"Sure, sure, but you know why I say this."

"My father was human Toadsworth, I wish you would put some respect on his name!"

"There is no need to shout, princess. You know I am doing this to protect you."

"Protect me? Protect me?"

Peach seemed insulted by the response.

"Toadsworth, we are seeing a human after how many years of thinking they were extinct? He's talking about places we've never heard of, places that we should be reaching out contact with. Toadsworth, he's like a slice of history. And not only that, he's sweet. He's kind. I want to know him better."

Mario felt his heart beat with affection. That was suddenly stabbed with Toadsworth solemn voice.

"I know, Princess," Toadsworth began. "I just want you to be safe. Bowser is a threat."

"I know he is," Peach sighed. She glanced towards Toadsworth. "I think we should just give him the land."

Toadsworth gasped.

"Absolutely not, princess," Toadsworth hissed. "We fought for that land. What would our ancestors think?"

"Our ancestors are dead, Toadsworth," Peach replied, a hint of venom slashing into Toadsworth recent war-torn wounds. "They fought for our future. But they don't have anymore say."

"I know a lot of our elderly populous would disagree," Toadsworth seriously noted. Mario was shocked with the sudden compassion he shared with Peach. He thought they all just hated one another.

"I know Toadsworth. But I'm wondering if the Koopa family is victim to propoganda."

Toadsworth immedaitely groaned.

"You must of just read a whole book about that proper-gander, didn't you?" Toadsworth chuckled. Peach shook her head.

"No, no. Just forget it."

The two mumbled some things Mario couldn't quite pick up. Peach began to speak again.

"I don't really know, Toadsworth."

"I'm too old to protect you from Bowser anymore. Plus it was a lot easier when you were small."

They chuckled together. Peach sighed.

"I know, Toadsworth. But I couldn't find another warrior like you."

"Oh, you flatter me."

"Honestly, I have considered maybe trying to convince Mario to do it, but–"

"Absolutely not!"

Peach huffed.

"There it is."

"I will not let you recruit a total stranger off the street!"

"But Toadsworth!" Peach retorted. "Humans are amazing fighters!"

"Maybe in those darn books," Toadsworth began. "But do you think that human is fighting shape?"

"I don't know. Wouldn't it be worth it to ask?"

Mario couldn't even hear them anymore. It felt like his entire heart overtook his ears, running out any other thoughts. He didn't want the princess to get hurt. He was also terribly excited that she even cared about him, giving him the time of day. She took care of him, and Mario has a chance to repay her the favor. And Mario was always a big fan of repaying his debts. Not only with helping this woman, he had a chance to explore, and go with the princess places. One of these places she visits may hold the key to finding his brother, or maybe even finding his brother in general. He made his way towards the door, and used his arm to push it open. Toadsworth and Peach quickly spun around to face them, and Mario stared at them blankly. It was like every thought he had just got erased from his skull.

"I'll protect you," Mario stupidly announced. Peach's eyes widened with excitement and Toadsworths with anger.

"You will?" Peach gasped with excitement.

"Were you spying on us?" Toadsworth shrieked with anger.

Peach immediately shoved Toadsworth through and approached Mario, grabbing his hands and holding it to her chest. The overwhelming love filled throughout Mario's heart again, and he glanced back at her, their eyes locking. Mario started to get lost in them, and he nodded. She grinned brightly.

"Great! Then we start tomorrow!"

"We start… tomorrow," Mario haphazardly repeated. She giggled brightly and then turned back to the books.

"Oh, first, Mario, I have to get you some breakfast!" Peach laughed, rummaging through the messy paper bookshelf she had behind her. Toadsworth then gave Mario a horrible glare, and Mario glanced back towards him, shrugging in response. Oh, what has he gotten himself into?