Bowser couldn't help but glare through the doorway, hidden in the shadows. Daisy had urged him to come back with her to the main area, but he dismissed the idea, claiming he wanted nothing to do with her and needed to cool off.
Both knew he would silently follow, though, especially after hearing Peach's laughter echoing throughout the tunnels. Just hearing her be happy ticked him off, and seeing her happy was even more infuriating.
He stared directly at the back of Peach's head, watching her intently.
Peach sat with Lemmy on her lap and Wendy grabbing onto her arm, happily leaning into her shoulder. Daisy sat beside the two, clearly amused by the whole picture. Peach was smothered with attention from the koopalings, but it didn't seem to bother her.
Much to Bowser's distaste, she seemed to enjoy the company, and even encouraged it.
Peach ran her fingers through Lemmy's hair as she talked with Wendy, occasionally pausing as the other koopalings would want to snatch her attention for various topics, or to show her one of their toys.
While the kids were playing, each battled for Peach's attention, often competing for just a glance or giggle in their direction. Peach happily played along with their antics without so much as a question.
Bowser's claws dug into the door frame as he scowled, confused by the scene and finding it utterly frustrating to see the woman he despised earn the affection of his children.
Everyone in this miserable prison seemed anything but down when with her, and it ticked him off.
Everyone, except him.
Yet, his heart pounded as he watched her interact with the koopalings and how their eyes glowed with life; something he rarely saw in his children while locked away.
As much as he tried to hate what he saw, he couldn't help but feel his heart ache in awe as she played along with his children's games. His kids were...happy.
It had been such a long time since they had interacted with anyone else, and it showed. Every koopaling was so excited to show off their skills and jokes, especially to someone so eager to cheer them on;
Someone willing to listen.
His claw's grip softened as he glared at the woman, unable to figure out why she would do this to him. What was she attempting to gain? What else could she take from him? His children's affection?
Bowser's scowl doubled.
What game was she playing?
"Like what you see, big guy?" Daisy smugly whispered, leaning on the door next to him. She grinned as he stumbled backwards, flustered by her appearance.
"She really isn't bad, you know."
Bowser growled as he stepped in the room, acting as if he hadn't been hiding in the first place, and hating the way Daisy spoke in an all-knowing tone. He glared at his friend, as he was unable to answer her question. Daisy, on the other hand, turned back towards the group, knowing exactly what she was doing.
"Hey, Peachie!" Daisy called, barely cutting through the constant chatter of the koopalings playing a, quite literally, heated game of freeze tag that involved the frozen players being burnt to be set free.
Peach glanced over her shoulder, alarmed and amused by the odd nickname. However, her smile fell as she noticed who accompanied her.
King Koopa.
Suddenly, the room fell silent as Daisy pulled the Phantom in further by his arm, who seemed reluctant to be seen at all. His children sat still, afraid of pushing his temper even further.
"Think you could help with something real quick?" Daisy questioned with a cheeky smile, not reading the tension in the air. The kiddos, on the other hand, easily read the thick, awkward hatred that crept behind Bowser's entrance.
Peach hesitated before standing up and placing Lemmy where she had sat, giving him a small wave as she turned away. She slowly walked towards the two with a concerned frown, making sure to keep her distance.
Bowser growled as she moved towards the two, earning a huff from the woman.
"While I would love to help ol' Bowser out, I'm actually needed back at home for a bit," Daisy continued. "Think you could wrap these up?" She gestured to Bowser's arm as he defensively snatched it away from her peering eyes.
The room's eyes fell to Bowser's grotesque cuts. They were open and glistening in the light, eager to be taken care of.
Peach and Bowser stared at one another before turning to Daisy, both silently begging for her to change her mind. They awkwardly shifted as they tried to make sense of the odd request, not understanding why this was necessary.
However, after a few moments, Peach nodded.
"Okay," Peach muttered with a sigh. "As long as he doesn't bite."
Mario and Pauline quickly walked down the dimly-lit corridor, Pauline leading the way as she pulled Mario by his arm. He grunted as he attempted to keep up with Pauline's fast strides while rubbing his eyes, desperately trying to drown out the exhaustion that made them droop.
It was the earliest the two had ever woken up while under the opera house's employment, but it was the easiest hour to catch Kamek before he was difficult to track down, especially with production requiring so much of his attention.
The two had brainstormed yesterday with no answers; only more questions, leading them on the path to the smartest koopa they knew:
Kamek.
Their stingy boss was as rough as koopas came, but full of intelligence, especially when it came to the murderous koopa living beneath his workplace. Surely, he would be a necessary addition to their rescue group. If not, he was in the position to contact the phantom directly.
Mario dragged his feet as he walked with Pauline, yawning every few minutes as Pauline mumbled to herself.
"I just don't understand why," Pauline mumbled to herself as she walked down the opera house's main corridor. She gently bit her knuckle, deep in thought.
"I doubt anyone does," Mario responded with a shake of his head.
Pauline's brow furrowed, earning another shake of his head.
The two had worked together for years and, as a result, knew each other like the back of their hands. While Pauline was talented, passionate, and kind, she was also stubborn, especially when it came to puzzles. Both knew she would not stop until she figured out what was going on.
"That's the problem! I'm sure there's a reason right under our noses! Literally!" She loudly whispered. "Everyone's thinking it, aren't they? The first person, human by that matter, to be kept alive?!"
Mario frowned as his blood boiled, then froze over in an instant, thinking of the phantom's twisted motives.
"I don't want to think about why."
Pauline groaned, hating the image that popped into her head.
"I don't think it's...that," she reassured, though all she could do was hope. "It doesn't sit right with me. The phantom's smart...he always has been. That's such a...low motive, isn't it?"
Mario stared at Pauline in disbelief.
"You're really worried about a murderer's alignment? Sense of right and wrong?" Mario dismissed Pauline's rambling as there was no evidence to disprove their worries.
She shook her head.
"No! Just, well, this is so...unlike him. I'm trying to brainstorm, is all. Connect the dots, you know?"
"You're acting like you know him," Mario softly joked, hoping to lift the mood.
"You're right, you're right," Pauline mumbled. "Let's just try to see what Kamek can do. Then we can make our next move."
Daisy slowly backed out of the room after explaining where everything was. With a quick thanks in Peach's direction, she eyed the two with an all-knowing stare as both Peach and Bowser shifted on their feet, their skin crawling at the little smile on her face.
She slowly shut the door behind her with a long, annoying creak. Bowser and Peach stared at each other out of the corner of their eyes before groaning and heading in separate directions.
Bowser slumped on the large couch, mumbling to himself about how ridiculous the whole situation was. Peach sighed, hearing him, but choosing to ignore it. She wasn't exactly thrilled, either.
She grabbed the necessary supplies from a large cabinet with a slight hum before heading back to her patient. She placed everything on the side table. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, quickly catching him staring at her.
He turned his head away, angrily tapping his foot on the floor.
"You know, I've never cleaned a wound before," Peach casually stated with a casual smirk. She picked up a small cloth from the table as she sat next to the beast, moving in for his first wound.
Bowser quickly looked back over at her in something that didn't suit his dark face:
Worry.
"What? Don't touch me, then!" Bowser cried in refusal. He recoiled from Peach's touch, accidentally knocking a roll of gauze onto the floor, as he knew she would surely make his condition worse.
Peach snorted before breaking out in laughter. She covered her mouth as she laughed, almost afraid to smile in front of the beast.
Bowser tensed as he looked at her company, annoyed that she had even agreed to this in the first place. Was this the next phase of her game?
"I'm kidding," she reassured. "I know what I'm doing."
Bowser relaxed with a snarl, allowing her to touch his arm.
"Mostly," she added, earning a huff from the monster. She hummed in disappointment, realizing he wouldn't fall for it again.
"So, your name's Bowser?" She quietly muttered as she gently wiped his open wound. Silence followed, so she turned her eyes up towards him, eyeing him suspiciously.
He rolled his eyes.
"I'm not in the mood for small talk."
"Fine then, your majesty," she sarcastically muttered. She paused before continuing. "The only reason I said I'd do this was because I have some questions, you know."
Bowser turned his head, not the slightest surprised. He scoffed, though somewhat annoyed.
"Smart of you," he muttered. He had figured as much.
Not hesitating, as if she had rehearsed it, Peach quickly continued.
"You have my mirror," she whispered without looking at the beast, keeping her attention fully on cleaning his cut. "You have my hair pins, dresses...you even know my name."
At the mention of her name, Peach felt his posture tense.
"Why?" She added, finally looking up at him. He pulled his eyes away, not wanting to meet her curious stare.
"I've stolen from countless humans," he retorted. "You'll have to be more specific."
Peach scoffed, easily standing by her claim that there was more to this than coincidence.
"My name, then? How do you know who I am?"
Bowser finally stared back at her, clearly digging for an answer to her question.
"I didn't realize this was an interrogation," he hissed.
Peach groaned.
"If you're not going to tell me, you're clearly hiding something!"
"I just don't like having a hundred questions shoved in my face!"
Peach paused, taking in what he had just said, almost sure she had misheard him.
"What are you talking about?!" She asked in pure disbelief. "I asked you two questions!"
The two huffed in unison, fed up with the other's behavior.
"Look, the sooner we get done, the quicker I can leave you alone," she muttered while grabbing the roll of gauze and roughly unwrapping it and moving it towards his arm.
The second the gauze touched his skin, he flinched in discomfort, earning a sigh of disapproval.
"You have to sit still. You're making it harder," she scolded while keeping her eyes on the wound.
"Maybe you're just a lousy nurse."
Peach groaned at his sour attitude as she paused her work.
"Look, I'm sorry for berating you with questions!" She sighed. " I just don't understand-"
"I know," he interrupted, indirectly dropping the topic. She sighed, taking his hint.
The two sat in silence as Peach quietly wrapped up the now-clean wound. It was far easier without him distracting her, but the silent tension made both shift in discomfort, both drowning in their own questions.
Peach furrowed her brow as she worked, now convinced this was more than pure coincidence. Though she hadn't gotten any answers, she had gotten indirect reassurance that she was not overthinking:
He knew her.
They casually snuck glances at one another as they refused to talk, let alone interact beyond the nursing. Both were well aware of the other's stares, but neither chose to acknowledge it.
Moving to the larger wound on his leg, Bowser was left with an awkward view of the top of her head. He frowned as she began silently repeating the same process without so much as a glance, let alone a word.
"I've never heard you be quiet for this long," he casually stated, expecting her to pop her head up in anger.
Instead, Peach didn't even flinch. She continued working in silence, refusing to acknowledge Bowser's words.
Bowser bit his tongue as Peach continued staring at his wound, working carefully to handle it with care. She hadn't even shown any sign that she had heard him! Was she ignoring him?
Well, who could blame her? Bowser groaned.
"Did I really piss you off that much?" He mumbled, almost concerned. "I...didn't mean to. Well, I did, but-"
"I'm not...angry," she replied curiously. "Confused, is all."
Bowser nodded his head in understanding before crossing his arms.
"It's not that hard. You just wrap my cut in the gauze-"
"No, not about this!" She glared at him, quickly realizing he was toying with her. She continued with a sigh. "About you."
After cleaning King Koopa's wounds up, Peach had bitterly left the room with a scowl. Not only had she helped out the monster who had locked her away, but she had been driven away without so much as a thank you, or any answers, at the very least.
She walked with Daisy, needing nothing more than to blow off steam. She was boiling from the way he talked to her! So much for a king. He lacked any respect, even when Peach tried to dig for some for him.
"He's beyond annoying! And his ego is the worst thing," she muttered. "I don't know how you put up with him!"
Daisy shrugged as she gently swug the small lantern in her hand.
"It's more that he has to put up with me, if I'm gonna be honest." She sighed. "He really isn't that bad once you get used to him."
Peach glared at her friend, earning a sheepish smile from her.
"Not that bad? Daisy, he kidnapped me!" Peach retorted. "I don't think you realize how awful this has been for me."
Daisy sighed, realizing she was being insensitive towards her situation. Peach truly was a prisoner trapped in their world. She had overlooked it, as Daisy learned to tolerate the labyrinth, but knew it was a completely different story for her.
Especially since Daisy was allowed to leave.
"You're right, you're right," she apologized. "Sometimes I forget that...you can't leave."
Peach's face fell as a wave of sadness rushed over her. She clenched her hand in front of her as she turned away from her company, almost jealous of her freedom.
Daisy's eyes followed Peach's movement, widening as they landed on the large burn that rested on her palm.
"Did he do that to you?!" Daisy cried while snatching Peach's wrist. She pulled it to her eyes, pure disbelief and fear dripping from her words. "Oh, the second I get a hold of that jerk, I promise I'll kick him right in the-"
"No, no!" Peach quickly interrupted. "It's from a candle. He hasn't hurt me!"
Peach's face paled at her words.
He hadn't hurt her.
If anything, he had handled her with caution and care when it came to touching her. The phantom could cleary hurt Peach without any effort, seeing as he was so strong. Yet, he chose to handle her with care.
The two had bickered nonstop and the monster clearly hated her, but he had even...rescued her. Regardless of his intentions, he had protected her.
What was his game? His goal?
She cringed as she looked away from Daisy, who stared at her company in concern, though relieved Bowser hadn't hurt her.
The two stood in silence as the two minds' wandered before Daisy's posture perked up, realizing this was just the opening she needed. She quickly grabbed Peach's arm, pulling further towards their destination:
Away from his ears.
Peach stared at her with distant worry as she was pulled along through the darkness.
"I've been thinking about it, and I know exactly how to get you out of here!" She whispered through hushed excitement. Peach's distant stare was quickly replaced with a hopeful, yet doubtful, stare in her friend's direction.
"Look, all you need to do is befriend him," Daisy confidently stated. She turned towards her company, ignorantly expecting her friend to agree, but was met with the polar opposite.
Peach's face filled with disgust as she pulled away from her company and held herself in defense, bewildered and horrified by such an idea. Daisy defensively put her hands out in front of her, begging for the woman to listen.
"No, really, hear me out! He's only keeping you down here because he doesn't trust you! You just need him to...well, trust you!"
Peach leaned away from her, feeling sick from the idea of befriending her captor.
"And how do I do that? Find some more koopas for him to murder?" She spat, offended by Daisy's proposal. "Find another girl to entertain him? Kidnap her?"
"No. Okay, well, maybe!" She joked, hoping to get a smile out of her. Peach remained upset, causing Daisy to continue.
"Just put your best attitude on when you're around him!" She sighed. "I promise I'm on your side. I trust you. You just need to play your cards right and get him to...well, you know, not hate your guts."
Peach cringed. As much as the two clearly hated one another, it made sense to get on his good side, if he even had one. Daisy seemed to be on good terms with the king, and she was allowed to pass through as much as she wanted.
Was that the key? Something as bizarre as kindness?
She shivered, still opposed to the idea, but understanding it.
As disgusting as it was, it was smart.
If Peach could star in an opera, surely she could pretend to put up with a beast...
Once she was free, she would never look back.