me when i wrote a quick toad!peach fic taking place before mario Knows
Toadstool Chatter
Toadiko curtsied, and Mario performed a quick head bob as he lifted his hat off his head.
“Luigi said you would be coming this way, is everything alright?”
He nodded rapidly. Toadette tilted her head.
“Do you need an audience with the Princess? She shouldn’t be too busy—”
“No!”
The two Toads jumped, and an apology spilled out on the heels of the outburst.
“It’s…about her.”
Toadiko and Toadette exchanged looks before Toadette gave a mischievous grin.
“What about her?” Toadiko asked.
To the surprise of both Toads, Mario’s face started to get red as he fanned his face.
“I—ehm—what are the rules for the Princess to…to date?”
At this, Toadette gasped.
“Wait, don’t tell me you—“
“I just—I’ve felt this way for a while, and—“
“She’s betrothed,” Toadiko said, her expression somehow flatter than her tone. Toadette swatted towards her.
Mario blinked. “Be…trothed?”
“Set to marry,” Toadette chirped.
“To who? Bowser?!” Then he clamped his hands over his mouth as the two frowned. “Mi scusi, I was thinking too fast.”
“Oh, nonono. To Prince Peasley! You’ve met him, right? Such a dreamy man.” Toadette swooned.
Mario cocked his head to the side a little. “…No?”
“Really? He’s come to visit at least twice since you’ve arrived in our kingdom.”
“He was away that first time,” Toadiko reminded Toadette. “And I remember Master Luigi sent word that Master Mario was sick the second time he visited.”
“Oh, right…” Toadette looked a little upset.
“He’s—“ Mario’s voice hitched. “Sorry, I—“
“Nono, it’s okay! Prince Peasley’s amazing, but look at you!” Toadette grabbed his arm with both hands, and his eyes flitted to how her tail excitedly waved around. “You’re the hero of our kingdom! You make our princess laugh. I know she would accept your hand if you offered it.”
“But…you said she’s betrothed…”
Toadette brushed it off with a wave. “They can call that off! I know she’s getting cold feet—“
“Toadette!”
She flinched away. Toadiko looked flustered on the princess’s behalf.
“Sorry, Toadiko. You’re right.” Toadette looked back to him. “Just…don’t count yourself out, Mario, alright?”
Mario looked a little less hesitant, and gave her a thumbs up.
“I won’t.”
Toadette clapped her hands together.
“Yay! Toadiko, don’t you think they’re a great match?”
Toadiko stared at Mario before averting her eyes and swallowing.
“I believe Princess Toadstool…may share your feelings.”
Mario blinked. “Mama mia, I thought I was imagining it.”
“I will ask that you understand what this may mean for you before you continue. Our princess isn’t just an object of affection.”
“Of course.” Confusion leaked into his voice, but no question followed.
Toadiko looked to Toadette. “Maybe he should talk with Toadsworth.”
At this she fully turned to face Toadiko. “Stars above, Ko, you’re trying to set him up to fail! Let them think about courtship first.”
At ‘courtship,’ Mario’s face started to get red.
Toadiko frowned. “He should know that our Princess isn’t a fling.”
“It won’t be!” Toadette turned towards him. “Right?”
“R-Right. Have I—“
“See! It’ll all be fine.”
“What will be fine?”
They all turned to see Princess Toadstool, who looked rather amused. Toadette and Toadiko quickly curtsied, with Mario awkwardly doffing his cap in a bow. The princess smiled.
“Oh! Mario, what a pleasant surprise! Was there something you needed?”
“Princess, I…” He cleared his throat. “You will be hosting a party soon, correct?”
“Yes. I assume you and Luigi have received my invitation?”
“Yes, thank you. We will be there.” He opened his mouth again as if to add something else, but shook his head and closed it.
“Mario, didn’t you have something to say?” Toadette looked a bit coy.
His face turned a mottled red and he found a sudden interest in the castle tiles.
“No,” he squeezed out. “Not now.”
Toadette gave a disappointed sigh. “Alright…”
Princess Toadstool looked between Toadette, Toadiko, and Mario with an arched brow.
“I’ll let Mario tell me what he wanted on his own time.” At this he visibly relaxed, and she could properly address him. “Could I interest you with some tea while you’re here?”
“Oh—ehm—sure.” Mario tugged a bit at the neckline of his shirt.
She clasped her hands together. “Wonderful. Toadiko, Toadette, do you want to join us?”
A sudden overlapping “yes” from Toadiko and “no thanks” from Toadette startled her. An awkward beat followed for a tad too long.
“Thank you for your generosity, Princess,” Toadette recovered, “But we don’t want to intrude on your time with Mario.”
Toadiko said nothing as Mario and the princess both started to blush.
“My time with—Toadette! This invitation was for both of you to relax.”
Mario looked away from the trio as Toadiko frowned at Toadette. Toadette did not seem to notice.
“I just…wanna get on top of things for the party! Reduce the work for you, my princess. We can take a break later.”
Princess Toadstool seemed to hesitate.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you two to overwork yourselves.”
“I’m sure!” Toadette gave a smile. “Have fun! Don’t waste Mario’s time! We’ll see you later, Princess!”
Toadette quickly curtsied, yanking Toadiko down with her into a more sloppy one. Princess Toadstool returned the gesture a bit hesitantly. Mario weakly raised his cap at them.
“Excuse us, your Highness. Master Mario.” Toadiko bowed again before Toadette lead them away. It was only when they were presumably out of earshot that Toadette began to speak again.
“What was your problem?”
