Chapter 2: Flowers for the Lady.
Parakarry loved delivering mail. It was his passion. Ever since he was little, it has been his dream to be a mail carrier. He knew it was something most people wouldn't dream about being. But it was his dream and liked doing what he did. He couldn't imagine being anything else. But there were some things he didn't like about his job and that was delivering mail to Lady Bow's mansion. With boos laughing ghastly, disappearing and then reappearing out of nowhere spooking you with that ghostly wail. Creepy paintings that seem to follow you with their eyes, and furniture that moved out of nowhere. The mansion was just all around scary. He remembered when he had to go into the Forever Forest the first time when he was traveling with Mario and the rest of the party. The thought of that gave Parakarry shivers. From annoying fuzzies, piranha plants that are eager to take a nip at you at any chance; glowing eyes, and flowers giggling creepily. He was so glad they made it out when they made it to the mansion. He swore to never go through that forest again if he can help it. Of course he could have flown over the forest like he always did whenever he had mail for the boos in Lady Bow's mansion and Gusty Gulch, but he didn't want to leave Mario and his new friends behind. The paratroopa flew down when he saw the mansion floating in front of it. "Are you alright?" A familiar male voice suddenly popped up from behind Parakarry. It was the lady's butler. Bootler. Parakarry quickly turned around.
"I'm fine. I have a delivery for Lady Bow." Parakarry answered.
"This way." Parakarry followed Bootler through the grand entrance of Lady Bow's mansion, his heart pounding in his chest. The atmosphere inside was eerie and unsettling. The dimly lit corridor was adorned with portraits of the mansion's previous residents, their eyes seeming to follow his every move. Parakarry couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. As they walked deeper into the mansion, the air grew colder, and whispers echoed through the hallways. The furniture seemed to shift and rearrange itself when Parakarry's back was turned, adding to the unsettling ambiance. He could swear he heard muffled laughter coming from behind closed doors. Bootler stopped at the foyer then disappeared. He reappeared a few seconds later.
"The Lady will see you now." he said. Parakarry took a deep breath to steady himself before going through the ornate door and entering the room. The room was filled with an array of creepy yet captivating artwork. Paintings depicting shadowy figures and haunting landscapes adorned the walls. The eyes of the figures seemed to bore into Parakarry's soul, as if they held some hidden secrets or ancient curses. In the center of the room, surrounded by flickering candles, stood Lady Bow herself. Dressed in a flowing green gown with a red corset. Her mint green hair up in twin buns tied with red ribbons and golden accents. The boo princess exuded an air of mystery and power. Her gaze was intense, her red eyes glowing in the dim light. Parakarry found her gaze captivating to say the least. He never told anyone this; but he had been crushing on her ever since he laid his eyes on her. She was so beautiful. He only admired her from a distance however. He was a beaten-down public servant without a break, and she was a well-off madam without a care in the world. A woman like her would never look in his direction.
"Here you are, miss. Your mail." He said handing the bouquet. Bow took the flowers without so much of a reaction. Something was wrong.
"Bow, is there something bothering you?" He asked.
"There isn't." She said plainly. Something was definitely wrong.
"You sure have a lot of admirers." He said with a smile. "They gave you such beautiful flowers." Ever since they went on that adventure to help Mario get the star rod back from Bowser; Parakarry has been delivering fan mail to Goombario, Kooper, Bombette, Bow, Watt, Sushie, and Lakilester. Occasionally he himself gets fan letters. Which the postmaster will give to him. Out of all of them, however, it's Bow who gets the most mail. Who could blame her though? She's a lovely lady. Lady Bow looked at the vibrant bouquet in her hands and a soft smile graced her lips.
"Yes, I do receive quite a lot of attention." She replied, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. "But it's not the number of admirers that truly matters to me. It's the thought and sentiment behind each gesture." She paused for a moment, allowing her gaze to wander across the room, where the flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls. Parakarry watched her intently, captivated by her presence.
"These flowers." Lady Bow continued; "Are not just symbols of admiration. They represent the connections I've formed with others, the friendships and bonds that have blossomed over time." Parakarry listened attentively, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. "I've come to realize." Lady Bow said, her eyes meeting Parakarry's, "That I'm going to lose it all one day. Take them back." Parakarry was not sure if he heard that correctly.
"You want me to take it back?"
"Yes."
"But why?" Parakarry's confusion grew as he tried to understand Lady Bow's request. He searched her eyes, hoping to find some clarity in her gaze. Lady Bow took a deep breath, her voice filled with vulnerability as she tries to mask it with confidence.
"Parakarry, these connections, these friendships, they bring me both joy and pain. As much as I cherish them, I fear the day when they'll be lost."
"Lady Bow, I don't understand. How does returning the flowers relate to the fear of losing your connections?"
Lady Bow's lips trembled as she struggled to put her emotions into words. "These flowers...they remind me of the transience of life, of how everything eventually withers and fades away. What happens to flowers after a few days? They die. They make me realize that everyone around me will eventually die and be gone forever. While I'll continue to live on as a boo. It's a way for me to protect myself from the pain of losing what is so dear to me."
Parakarry floats in mid air. His heart heavy with the weight of Lady Bow's words and vulnerability. The truth in those words resonated deeply within her, stirring up emotions she had long suppressed. The fear of losing those she loved, the fear of being left behind, consumed her thoughts.
"Bow...I didn't know you were going through this...I'm sorry. I can't imagine what that's like..." Parakarry said.
"Of course, you can't!" The lady said abruptly. Parakarry winced a bit at that response.
"True, I can't. But isn't that the beauty of things dying? It gives you a reason to cherish it more. Because you'll never know when it might be gone." The mailman replied, to which the lady began to cry. Parakarry flinched. "Come on Parakarry, think!" The paratroopa thought to himself. He remembered a song his mother sang to him whenever he felt sad. "Open your heart to happiness..."
"Mario, Peach, you, and everyone we met on our adventure together. They will all die someday." The boo said in between sobs.
"Let every pore absorb light." Parakarry keeps singing. "Swim in the joy, and cast off the darkness..." Bow looked directly at the mailman's face. Her tears were flowing freely now. Without a second thought, Parakarry gently took her hand in his. Her nails matched the same color as her eyes and ribbons. They were a beautiful ruby red. She gasped and tried pulling away at first. But after some coaxing and calming, she relaxed. A blush tingeing in her cheeks as she feels the warmth of Parakarry's touch. Parakarry couldn't believe he was doing this; and that he didn't get fan smacked. He half expected that. The other half was him just getting smacked. Bow sniffles. She takes her hand back from the mailman and wipes her tears away with the back of her free hand.
"Thank you, Parakarry." She replies quietly. Parakarry was not sure what to do. He didn't want to just leave her like this. She still looked forlorn.
"Can you keep singing that song?" She asked, Parakarry blinked.
"Oh well, I suppose I could." He paused and smiled. "But how can I sing if you're still going to cry like that?" He teased.
Bow rolled her eyes playfully. "Just do it." Parakarry smiled a bit, at least she wasn't crying anymore. It felt good joking with her like this.
"Okay." He sat down next to the lady and continued singing. His voice filled the air. Parakarry's voice was a bit higher than normal, but at least he wasn't screaming like usual. When he was done the two fell into silence.
"That was...lovely." Bow said.
"I'm glad you liked it."
"Where did you learn that song?"
"My mother. She always sang it to me whenever I was sad."
Bow looked at him. "You know Parakarry? When I first met you, I thought you were an idiot. But now I see you're very sweet. Kind of cute as well to be honest." Parakarry blushes and sweat-dropped rubbing the back of his head doing so.
"I'm glad you think so. You're the only one who does."
"Really? That's so rare." Bow laughed softly. The lady's laughter was contagious, it made Parakarry chuckle.
"Now that you're happy, I guess I should be going." The mailman was about to get up.
"Karry, wait. Could you stay for a bit?" Bow asked. Parakarry was surprised when she called him that. Did she consider him a friend?
"O-okay." He stammers as he, sits back down beside Bow.
"So, how old are you?" Bow asked.
"I turn twenty five today."
"Oh. Happy birthday. How old is your mom?"
"She would have been eighty."
"...I'm sorry to hear that…" Bow said thinking how she just talked about losing people she got to know and care about. She started remembering how Goombario and Kooper would constantly get into petty arguments and Bombette would end up being the one to stop it. How Lakilester always tried to put up a tough-guy front, but deep down he was a huge softy. How motherly Sushie would be towards sweet little Watt. She thought it was sweet because Sushie had to be away from her daughter while Watt's mother didn't seem to want her anymore...but then later Mario adopts her. She thought about how funny it was when Watt gave Kolorado an electric shock because he confused her for a boy. Then there's Parakarry. . . shy, clumsy, and loyal to a fault. The one who would do anything for the rest of the group. A real ray of sunshine and friend. He was truly a wonderful person. There was going to be a day where she will never see them again; and she hated that. She cried again.
"Bow...It's okay. You didn't know." Parakarry said, Bow didn't listen. She kept crying. Parakarry's heart ached as he watched Lady Bow cry. It made him feel helpless. He knew he had to find a way to bring comfort to his dear friend, even if it seemed impossible at the moment. He thought back to a story his grandmother had once told him, a tale of hope.
"Bow." Parakarry said softly, his voice filled with compassion. "I know it may seem impossible to find happiness in this moment, but I have a story I'd like to share with you. It's a story of a flower that bloomed in the darkest of times, bringing light and joy to those who needed it most."
Lady Bow looked up, her tear-stained eyes showing a glimmer of curiosity amidst the sorrow. "A flower?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Parakarry nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "Yes, it's a special flower called the Dream Blossom. Legend has it that this flower has the power to heal the hearts of those who are burdened with sadness and despair."
Lady Bow's interest was piqued, and she wiped away her tears, eager to hear more. "Tell me more about this Dream Blossom, Karry." She said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Parakarry took a deep breath, allowing his imagination to weave the tale. "The Dream Blossom only blooms once every century, in a hidden valley where the clouds whisper secrets. Its petals shimmer with a rainbow of colors, carrying the dreams of those who believe in its magic..." Parakarry continued; "The Dream Blossom has the power to turn tears into laughter, to mend broken hearts, and to bring forth a renewed sense of hope. Those who encounter its beauty and embrace its essence are forever changed."
Lady Bow's eyes sparkled with newfound hope as she listened intently to Parakarry's story. "Do you think the Dream Blossom could heal me, Parakarry?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Parakarry reached out, gently taking Lady Bow's hand once again. "Bow...I truly believe that the power of the Dream Blossom resides within each and every one of us. It's not just a flower, but a symbol of resilience and inner strength. Together, we can find the strength to overcome our sorrows and create our own blooming garden of joy and happiness."
Lady Bow nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Karry." she whispered.
Parakarry, touched by Lady Bow's gratitude, smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Lady Bow." He replied softly. "I'm here for you." Lady Bow stayed silent at those words before shouting;
"Just go Karry! Don't come by here again! If I get anymore letters just burn them or something!"
"Bow! Calm down!"
"I can't Karry! I'll miss you all! Especially you!"
"I'm not leaving you Bow."
"Well I'm ordering you to do it!"
"I don't want to leave you like this. I...I-I'm worried about you." It isn't exactly what he wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her how he felt about her.
"That's why I want you to go! If I never hear from you, the rest of the party, Mario, and Peach, then I won't ever have to know you died."
"But Bow! That's ridiculous!"
"To you, it might be."
"But it really is. You want to stop hearing from those who care about you because one day they won't be around anymore?" Bow didn't answer him. "Bow...after you saved your people from Tubba Blubba didn't you stick around because wanted to see more of the outside world?"
"And then I realized why most boos don't, it's because we'll lose our connections with the living one day."
"Bow. My mother may be gone. But her love for me will never leave. Because friendship and love…that lasts forever." Bow looked at him contemplating what he just said.
"It's true that the living are going to die eventually. But that doesn't mean you should should shut others out...it won't make you happy." Parakarry went on. Bow wiped her face trying to keep herself from crying some more.
"Bow...when is your birthday?"
"I don't know anymore. I don't even know how old I am. I stopped counting at twenty-five..."
"Bow...I'm sorry to hear that..." Parakarry said knowing what she was trying to say. Bow closed her eyes trying to control her tears again. She took a deep breath, held in a sob, and released it slowly. It was hard. So hard. She was so tired of having these emotions. "It's fine. Really." Bow said, trying to convince herself more than Parakarry.
"Are you sure? I'm so sorry..." Parakarry said sincerely.
"Yes, Karry, I'm sure." Bow said, giving him a small smile. Parakarry looked around, there had to be something he could do to cheer her up. He saw an old gramophone at the corner of the room.
"Does that still work?" Parakarry asked.
"It does. Why?"
Parakarry went to it and began to wind it. It played lovely waltz music. Bow watched him wondering what the mailman was up to. Parakarry let go of the handle after a bit of winding. The paratroopa flew to the boo.
"May I have this dance?" He asked. Bow giggled. She couldn't remember the last time she danced at a ball. She held the mailman's hands as they floated around the room together, the music playing in the background. They both felt content. Parakarry felt happy, and his cheeks hurt from grinning so much. Bow giggles, seeing Parakarry grin made her laugh. He looked goofily cute. Parakarry was able to pick it up pretty fast. It felt so natural.
"You've really got talent Karry. I'm impressed." Bow smiled brightly at him.
Parakarry blushes hard, "Thank you, I'm flattered, but I hadn't practiced at all."
"Well, if you ever come by again. I'll teach you!"
"Didn't you just say that you didn't want to see me again?" Parakarry joked.
"You changed my mind." Bow teased back.
"I'm glad." Parakarry said as he spins her around.
Bow giggles, "Karry?" She asked.
"Yes?"
"Promise you won't tell the others you saw me like this?" She wanted to keep up her confident and poised image.
"Your secret's safe with me." Bow smiled at Parakarry as a "thanks". They continued dancing to the music. As they danced together, the music enveloped them, creating a bubble of bliss in which they were the sole inhabitants. The master bedroom transformed into their own private sanctuary, and the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom faded away into the background. They spun and twirled across in mid air, their steps synchronized in perfect harmony. With each graceful movement, their connection deepened. Parakarry found himself losing track of time, completely absorbed in the moment. Bow's radiant smile and twinkling eyes kept Parakarry in awe. As they glided across the room, their steps became more daring and adventurous. Parakarry, usually reserved and cautious, let go of his inhibitions and embraced the joy of the dance. Bow, who was known for her grace and elegance, allowed herself to be swept away by the enchanting music and Parakarry's gentle lead.
Their bodies moved effortlessly together, the rhythm guiding their every motion. With each turn, their chemistry grew stronger, and the air crackled with anticipation. In that moment, they were no longer just friends; they were two souls connected through the language of dance. Their laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls and creating an atmosphere of pure delight. Parakarry couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for this magical experience. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring them together on this special night, allowing them to escape from their daily struggles and find solace in each other's arms. As the music reached its crescendo, Parakarry pulled Bow closer, his hearts beating fast never having been this close to Bow before.
"Karry...? When did you lose your mom?" Asked Bow.
"I was probably about five or six when I did."
"What happened?"
"Illness."
"Do you miss her?"
"From time to time." He said, smiling sadly.
"How do you deal with that? Knowing she's gone forever?"
"As I said before. Even though she's not around anymore, I'll still remember the love she had for me." The mailman replied. The lady had her lips pursed as she studied him. She then placed her head on his shoulder. Parakarry felt himself getting warm and his heart racing faster, he swallowed.
"She's resting her head on me! What do I do next!?" He thought anxiously. The lady's perfume smelled lovely. It smelled like a mix of thistles and roses. "What am I gonna do!?" He thought again. Parakarry knew he needed to do something. He looked down at her, taking note of her long eyelashes and glossy red lipstick. This was his chance to make her smile! But instead of doing that...Bow looked at him and kissed him on the lips. Parakarry could feel himself blushing, he felt hot. It made him faint. Last thing he heard was Bow laughing nonstop. After what seemed like an hour Parakarry fluttered his eyes open feeling Bow fanning him with her fan.
"You're really cute without your helmet. I would kiss you again but I don't want you passing out on me." She said, Parakarry looked embarrassed. She laughed a little. "Don't worry, I thought it was adorable. Now, do you want a glass of water?"
"Please...?" Parakarry said still pretty mortified. The lady nods and calls for Bootler to give Parakarry water. The ghost butler disappeared then reappeared with the drink. Parakarry took it not sure if he could ever face Bow again after that. He downed the whole glass in no time. The lady handed it back to Bootler, whom flew downstairs to put away the glass.
"Oh Stars. What have I done!?" He thought to himself. "Now she knows how I feel about her! Or does she? How am I going to explain this!?'' He was very scared and panicking now.
"Don't be so nervous." Bow said. She took Parakarry's hand and held it. Parakarry blushed. He couldn't believe he got kissed by her. If it wasn't for that mild throbbing pain where he hit his head on the floor, he would've thought he was dreaming. "Thank you for helping me." Bow whispered softly, looking at him in admiration.
"It's no problem. I don't like seeing you sad." The mailman pulled the lady into a hug.
"Karry?" Bow asked, Parakarry lets go.
"Sorry." He said, Bow leaned towards him. Parakarry was quiet. Did she want him to kiss her? This was okay right?
"Here goes nothing Parakarry..." He thought as he kisses Bow back. It was the first time that he had really kissed anyone and he hoped she wouldn't hate him. Bow wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer so their chests touched. She could feel his heartbeat and it sent a tingling sensation to the inside of her body. They stayed hugging each other for quite some time. Parakarry could not believe that this was happening. He never thought he'd get to kiss her. Let alone getting kissed by her. On top of everything he was holding her close. This was a dream come true. With that, they finished the night with their little piece of happiness. Parakarry now knew that he was in love with Bow, and he couldn't help it.