"Come on, Daisy. It'll be fun!"

Daisy sighed, and rolled over onto her side. Peach has been at her door for about five minutes, trying to convince her to go to a party in New Donk City.

"I don't know, Peach. I'm not really in a party mood."

"Ugh! You said that the last three times I've asked!" Peach crossed her arms. "You used to be fun."

"I'm still fun!"

"Then get your butt out of bed! Ever since you got back from Sarasaland, you've barely left the castle grounds. You don't even leave your room some days."

Daisy frowned. All this was true, but she had perfectly good reasons: She was depressed.

She generally liked going to parties, but usually just in the Mushroom Kingdom, or Sarasaland. Or even Bowser's parties in the Darklands. Now those were real thrashers! It was outside of those areas where she wasn't always her 'party animal' self.

It always came down to a few things. One, the way people initially reffered to her as 'Peach's cousin'.

That always came before anything like 'Daisy' or 'Princess Daisy'. It was a little insulting. She was her own damn person, after all. She was a princess too, with her own kingdom. Hell, her kingdom was even bigger than Peach's! Not that kingdom size mattered, but still. She wanted to be recognized for who she was, not who she was related too.

Second, the questions. Questions about herself and Sarasaland were to be expected from those who didn't know her. And that was fine.

But a lot of people seemed to think she would give them inside information about Peach, Mario, and other Mushroom Kingdom business. There were some questions Daisy felt comfortable answering, and some she didn't. The questions that were basically a smokescreen for gossip irritated her the most. She wasn't going to invalidate Peach or Mario's privacy like that.

And the there was the most recent situation: Her break-up with Luigi. She'd only told a few trusted people; Peach, Rosalina, and Toadette. Luigi obviously told Mario, which was fine. Other than that, Daisy wanted everything to be low profile, so she and Luigi could have time to process. But, someone talked.

Daisy figured some Toads were the culprits. Maybe a couple overheard, and they talked. Because if Toads were anything, they were gossip mongers. Soon all of Mushroom Kingdom knew, and it eventually made it's way to Bowser's Kingdom. And then the whole fucking wold knew!

Well, not really the whole world. But when she finally felt ready to go out again, she was hounded with questions. And she didn't want to answer them. What happened between her and Luigi was their business. Luigi got hounded too, but not as much as she did. He wasn't as in the public eye as her.

That's all their relationship was, really. Public pressure. She and Luigi made a cute 'counter couple' to Peach and Mario. So, they started dating. And they tried so hard, for years, to make it work. But, it didn't.

Aside from kissing, at least initially, there wasn't much romance between them. It was just a glorified friendship. Daisy honestly forgot she and Luigi were 'dating' unless someone mentioned it, and it made her and Luigi uncomfortable.

Eventually, the dinners stopped. The hand holding stopped. The kissing stopped. Because they weren't what each other really wanted. They never had been. They had both struggled with there own true romantic preferences: Luigi because he was afraid Mario wouldn't understand(which was an unfounded fear, Mario always supported Luigi.), and Daisy because she knew her parents wouldn't understand, or approve. Well, mainly her mother. Her father had always just wanted her to be happy.

Now, Luigi was able to express himself as he was. He came out like a whirlwind, and was the better for it. He'd even found someone he did want. Bowser. That was one big fucking scandal, but people eventually got over it.

Daisy finally came out publicly when she broke down after people asking her how it felt being 'dumped for a giant turtle'. She went to Sarasaland for two months after that. Getting away from everything and focusing on her kingdom helped a lot. The four kings supported her, as did her citizens, and it was easy to forget the stress.

Now that she was back with Peach, her depression returned. She didn't partake in kart races unless it was around the castle tracks at night, and with just her friends. She also didn't play sport publicly, sticking to the castles various courts and fields. She didn't go out to bars, didn't go out to eat, didn't go to the movies. And didn't go to parties.

Daisy looked at her cousin's pleading eyes, and sighed. Peach just wanted to help. And her little pout was hard to resist.

"Fine, I'll go."

Peach squealed happily. "Yay! You'll have fun, I promise."

Daisy bit her lip. "Sure."

The party wasn't totally horrible. It was in the main room of a massive event hall, and was filled with people and music and food. Lights and ribbons adorned the walls, with party lanterns in the shape of barrels hung festively. Several food dishes were banana based, and quite delicious.

Peach and Mario eventually gravitated towards other groups, leaving Daisy to her own devices. She looked around.

Rosalina was over by the desserts, feeding the three Lumas she brought with her, chatting with DK and Cranky. Bowser and Luigi were by the food table, talking with some attending Boos. Everyone seemed happy.

Daisy sighed and went to the bar. Kandy greeted her, and made her a Twisted Banana, a favorite drink in the Jungle. It was think and creamy, while also heavy on tropical flavors. Daisy asked for a second, which Kandy provided before going to the opposite end of the bar to serve and converse.

Daisy mulled over her drink. So far. no one had come to ask her anything. It was kind of nice, not being hounded. But, a part of her would like someone to talk to. Her friends were all busy, and she either didn't know anyone else, or she didn't know them well enough to want to talk right now.

She sighed. 'Maybe I'll feel more party if I drink more.' Not the healthiest plan, she admitted as she sipped her drink. She wiped away a stray tear. 'I should just go home.'

"Excuse me?" A gentle, feminine voice asked.

Daisy sighed, feeling irritated. "I'm not talking about the break-up or anything else. I already explained why we broke up, so go bother Luigi about it!" She snapped, a little harsher than intended.

"I'm sorry?" The voice continued. "I was just checking on you because you seemed down. I care about my party guests."

Daisy looked up from her drink. A tall, beautiful woman was standing by her. She was tall, and Daisy figured she'd come up to the woman's chest if she stood. She had long, thick, slightly wavy dark brown hair. Her eyes were blue, and caught the lights in a way that made Daisy feel a little breathless.

The woman was wearing and stunning red sparkling dress that fit her form quite nicely, and red matching heels. She wore golden earrings that vaguely resembled barrels, which dangled from her ears. Ruby red lipstick coated her lips, and purple eye shadow accented her eyes.

Pauline, Mayor of New Donk City. And Daisy had yelled at her.

" Pauline! I'm so sorry!" Daisy apologized. "I'm so so sorry! I didn't realize it was you!"

Pauline laughed. "It's alright, Daisy. I know you're dealing with a lot." Pauline sat down next to her.

Daisy sighed. "You do?" She felt a little awkward, and plain in her simple dress.

Pauline nodded. "I have heard about you from Peach, even before... well, everything. I was hoping our first meeting would be a little more... Friendly."

Daisy chuckled nervously. "Yeah... I am sorry. It's just... the questions and.. I just don't want to answer anymore."

"I understand, Daisy. And, I get it. After Mario left me for Peach, well.. I was depressed for a long time. I don't blame your cousin any, she didn't know. But, it still hurt. And.." Pauline shook her head. "Another time, perhaps. I know we've only just met, but if you need some outside support, I am here. We can talk about anything, really. I've heard so much about you, that..." Pauline smiled, rubbing her hands together."Well, I'd like to get to know you better."

Daisy felt herself blush a little. "Really?"

"Yes, Daisy."

Daisy felt her heart flutter a bit. Pauline really wanted to ge to know her, for her. It made her feel... happy.

And so they talked for quite a while, getting to know each other. They both like sports, sharing a deep love for tennis. Pauline was also a fan of karting. Daisy too the opportunity to brag about her karting skills, telling Pauline she'd love to race her. Pauline agreed, on the condition Daisy played tennis with her, to which Daisy happily agreed.

Everything melted away as they talked. Daisy couldn't remember when she felt this happy. Pauline was a delight to be around. They had a lot in common. Pauline's greatest passion was singing, which she did every chance she got.

"Maybe I could hear you sing in person some time." Daisy mused.

"I sing at every festival, and everyone is welcome. I'd be so happy if you'd attend." Pauline told her, smiling.

Daisy smiled. "Maybe I will."

She was about to say more, when Pauline jumped up excitedly.

"OH! Oh, I love this song! Come dance with me."

Daisy barely had a chance to reply before Pauline dragged to the main area of the floor. Once there, she noticed the song was slower, and everyone was slow dancing.

Pauline pulled her a little closer, placing her hands on Daisy's shoulders. Daisy nervously placed her hands on Pauline's waist. Pauline lead her into the dance, helping them find a rhythm.

Daisy was a nervous wreck at first. She had only slow danced with Luigi a few times, but this... this was different. Her heart was racing, and she was trying to keep from shaking. She was dancing with the Mayor of New Donk City. What if people were watching? What if they started talking? What if-

"I haven't danced like this in a while." Pauline said. "It's nice, especially since I have such a wonderful dance partner." She smiled.

Daisy felt herself blush. "I.. I'm not much of a dancer.."

"I think you're doing fine."

Pauline pulled her closer, taking one of her hand, and smiling at her. Daisy found herself smiling as well, and her heartbeat relaxed. She felt herself gliding into the dance, and kept Pauline's gaze.

It felt like it was just them, dancing in this moment forever. And yet, it was over all too soon, and they separated for there closeness.

"I hope we get to dance again." Pauline said.

Daisy nodded. "I would like that."

Pauline excused herself, then came back with a small handkerchief and pen. She wrote on it, and handed it to Daisy. It was her phone number, with a little heart by it.

"So we can keep in touch." Pauline smiled. "We do have a tennis match to play. As well as a race."

Daisy looked at the phone number, smiling. "It's a date, for both. I.. I mean, not a date-date!" Daisy stumbled a little with the words.

Pauline gently took Daisy's hands. "I wouldn't mind calling them dates." She leaned down and kissed Daisy on the cheek. "I'm looking forwards to your call." She winked at Daisy.

Daisy felt her face flush warmly. "I'll call you very soon, I promise. I do have to go now. Bye."

"Bye, Daisy."

Daisy was quiet most the way back to Peach's castle, but did answer Peach positively when asked if she had fun. When they got back, she changed into her silk pajamas, and laid down. She logged Pauline's number. She thought for a minute, then texts her.

Daisy: I had fun tonight. I'll call you tomorrow to set up our tennis date.

Pauline: I look forward to it. Goodnight.

Daisy: Goodnight.

Daisy set her phone down, and snuggled under her soft comforter. She placed her hand on her cheek, which still felt warm from Pauline's kiss. She smiled.

Best party ever.