What It's Like to Be the Sun

I’m going to let you in on a secret: I suck ass with relationships.

I guess people have always thought that I'm loud and extroverted, and I’m great with maintaining balanced friendships. I am not. I find myself constantly not knowing what the right thing to say is. I never know when to stop joking and be serious, unless it’s directed towards ruling my kingdom. Of course, I can make a good impression, make people like me, but that’s only for one dance or night out. Nothing deep.

So I have never been good with relationships. I wasn’t going to win anything with my parents, Peach is a good person but I can’t ever seem to let her know me on an actual level, and romance is… horrible when it comes to maintaining it; or I just suck at choosing a good person (long story short, I don’t know why I thought Waluigi was a good option); sure, it’s fun at worst, but it’s a lot of effort. Besides, relationships are already hard, adding complicated romantic feelings makes it worse. So throughout the years I have had a series of failed sweethearts; and besides for my friendship status with Peach, I was out of luck. Though I had always felt as if it was better no one knew me, as if no one could ever learn to.

Until Luigi.

I met Luigi when I was twenty-three. Peach sent me a letter about two men who came to the Mushroom Kingdom through a pipe that had randomly appeared. They were from this place called Brooklyn, New York. If anyone else had told me this I would have thought it was a joke; but Peach isn’t really the jester type, so I got into my carriage and made a trip to the Mushroom Kingdom.

And sure enough, a random pipe did spontaneously appear, giving us two random men: Mario, and Luigi. They couldn’t go back to Brooklyn because the pipe decided it was going to be a real bitch and be a one way system. So they had to come to the depressing conclusion that they would never have their old lives back and would have to adjust to life in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario did great with this. 

Luigi sucked ass.

At some point Peach and I were having drinks. I was teasing her about getting all lovey dovey with Mario and that’s when she mentioned it. Mario had told her about how he was worried Luigi wouldn’t be able to make friends or find a place here. Peach had started to care for Luigi as well. She sat there, giving me puppy eyes begging me to go over and talk to him. You are so good with people and Please it would mean a lot and Your positivity could really help him.

I agreed and the next time I saw him I basically forced him into a friendship . I talked and blabbed about anything and everything. I urged him to talk about himself. I admit I came on too strongly, but he got comfortable quickly. Within a week we knew each other’s favorite things, foods, colors, sports, the important stuff. I invited him to every Sarasaland festival, he taught me how to cook Italian dishes (he said it was his nationality), he taught me tennis (I kicked his ass at it), I granted him dual citizenship in Sarasaland, you get the picture. We became close so quickly that Mario and Peach started hinting at us dating. Not only them but rumors spread around Mushroom and Sarsaland that Princess Daisy had finally picked a suitor.

I’ll be honest, it crossed my mind. Luigi and I were so in sync with each other that it made sense; but, I never felt anything for him. I finally found someone to love with no complicated feelings and I was keeping that. Luigi one day asked if we were platonic, and I asked if that was okay. 

It was.

Whenever I got the question from a press conference and Luigi was there we would lock eyes, he’d make a face, and I’d try not to burst out laughing. Whenever someone was bothering us he made a quick glance over at me, and I knew his exact internal dialogue. 

And eventually I opened up about my past a little. Nothing too deep, just that I had problems with my parents. He didn’t ask questions, as if he knew that was the last thing I needed. He never mentioned how quickly I went through romantic relationships, and I never questioned why he never had any.

He respected me, cared, and loved me. It was as if every single thing my father told me I couldn’t have was there. And no one could take it away.

***

“You have got to be shitting me.” I crossed my arms glaring at the man in front of me.

“ Scusa ,” Luigi replied, his mind preoccupied, “I have to do something. Besides, I don’t really like going. You can just dance my absence away.” We were in his room going through the comic books he collected, he told me he was ditching the Peach’s festival.

“This is the one boring festival Peach has!” I fired back. “Any other festival I wouldn’t be mad but the one party with no dance floor, or alcohol, or-”

“It’s a kid’s event-”

“That’s why we need a dance floor!” I argued. “Kids have like… a lot of energy.” 

He smiles at me. “How much?” I cough into my hand. “Like..a lot.” We fell into laughter, as I punched him in the shoulder only for him to roll his eyes, and shoved me making me fall on his bed. “Fine, I’ll drop you, abandoning me.” I look up at him. “But, you need to tell me why you’re not going to be there.”

He waved his hands defensively, pink forming on his cheeks. “Non è niente, I’m just…going out.” Fun fact: Luigi never goes out. The only time you see him in public is when either Mario or me take him along for a small adventure. One time Luigi had to go to the store to buy milk and it was in the Mushroom Newspaper, no shit (I hung it up in my office). So if he’s just going out that might mean-

“Who is she?” I sit up straight, Luigi looks away. “Who is he?” He clears his throat. It’s a dude! It’s a romantic interest! My mind went berserk. He has never been in a relationship. Well, he claimed to have a thing with a girl named Destiny in Brooklyn, but I wasn’t there so whatever. “Is it Prince Peasley!? He might not be my first choice, but I wouldn’t judge sense I dated Waluigi-”

“Daisy. Can we just…” He hugs himself and looks dejected at the ground. “Just drop it, per favore.” I backed off immediately. Luigi had always sucked at letting himself be in uncomfortable situations. It took him six months to tell me he didn’t like it when I smoked in front of him. I always make sure he is comfortable. I immediately nod my head and pick up the comic book I discarded, flipping through it. After a couple minutes of this Luigi says. “I just don’t know to feel about it yet…I’ll probably will tell you soon it’s just-”

“If you don’t want to tell, then don’t.” I peered over the book and smiled. “Just know that you can.” He nods and picks up his own book to read. “You’re still a dick for leaving me at the party.”

“ You’ll live.”

***

Kids…I don’t like them. Nothing against them obviously, I just don’t see a future where I will have them. However, kids love me, and that’s why I go to this party every year. The Mushroom Kingdom hosts it and it’s called Amanita Mushroom. It’s a  family festival geared towards kids, with fun games, sugary foods, and music that I guess kids like. The dress code is casual, and so I strolled in with a white sweater and orange pants, looking good as always.

I greeted toads that waved at me, and made sure to be nice to the kids running around, but without Luigi there, I was having a pretty boring time. I could pretend all I want, but I was truly out of my comfort zone. 

I found myself looking for Peach. I saw her briefly when I arrived but she had to leave to greet some other big guest; but we hadn’t caught up in a while, and I might as well make my time here useful. I bypassed the big groups moving past me and was momentarily stopped by a toad that wanted to speak with me. 

“Princess Daisy! I’m glad you made it!” I smiled at them. I didn’t know who they were, but that didn’t mean I had to be a dick. “Me too! The Mushroom festivals are always such a blast!” The toad smiles brightly at me, but all at once stares in awe upon seeing something behind me. “I-It’s her!”

“Hm?” I looked in their direction and immediately saw who they were talking about. There were really no words to describe her. Gorgeous, beautiful, esteemed. Toads parted away as she walked, as if she was the very reason they existed. She was seven fucking feet tall . My mind went blank for a second. Who was she? As she neared closer I quickly gained my composure. Though I was internally screaming inside I knew one thing: I had to talk to her.

I found myself in front of a booth selling antiques, as I watched her go from booth to booth, planning to just end up at one she’s going to. The plan failed when she locked eyes with me and made her way over herself, much to my internal panic. She was right beside me, and I wanted to scream. The closer she was the more I could see her. Her skin was pale, and almost perfectly flawless. I could've sworn there were stars in her eyes. She had a crown on her head, which led to an array of questions. What kingdom did she rule? Have I met her in a meeting before? Nah, I would remember her.

“Are you Princess Daisy?” Her voice startled me. It was soft and quiet, and held a general sweetness. 

“Who’s asking?” I teases as bumping her in the shoulder. 

She smiles, almost surprised, and my gay panic issue further. “I’m Rosalina.” I felt like I was supposed to know that. As if she was someone that was wired into my memory and I just forgot. I didn’t really care.

“What brings you here Rosie?” I turned my full attention to her. “Touring the town?”

“I visit planets often and Princess Peach invited me.” 

… Planets?

I ignore the weirdness of the statement. “Nice way to meet cute girls like myself.” I got a glance of the booth vendor, who had a horrified expression, as if I just killed a puppy. Rosalina smiles as her eyes widen, tucking her hair behind her ear. Pink dusts on her cheeks and she says shyly. “That makes my work sound more exciting than it really is.”

“Daisy!” I hear Peach’s voice behind me, and turn towards it. “I’ve seen you meet Princess Rosalina.”

It was like the light bulb suddenly went off in my head. I looked back at the toad who was still wearing his horrified expression (the reason probably now being that three princesses were at his booth) and I almost died from embarrassment.

I smile quickly. “Yep!”

“You never told me how lovely she was.” Rosalina says sweetly. 

I flirted with her.

“She does have a unique personality.” Peach complimented while patting me on the shoulder. Rosalina nods in agreement.

I flirted with Rosalina.

“I’m glad I came. I’ve never been to a festival.”

I flirted with Princess Rosalina.

“Really? I imagined you’ve been to many.” Peach says puzzled.

“I’m not really…” She glanced at me. “ Made to be on ground.”

Princess Rosalina  was the Protector of Lumas, and by extension, the galaxies. Lumas are what transform into the foundations of living things that make up our worlds and possess powerful magic; so it was kind of a big deal for her to help raise them until they were ready for their transformations. There were rumors that she was in her hundreds. Others claimed she was immortal. It had been eighteen years since her existence was known, and people quickly made sure she was treated with the utmost respect. Which was easy since she was recognizable with her tall stature, blue dress, and crown.

Except for me! I was too busy in gay panic to realize who she was! Classic Daisy! 

Peach turns to me. “I was talking to her about Sarsaland and she would love to visit.”

Her words got me out of my panic state. “I could give you a tour.” What was I saying?

“I bet you would.” She clears her throat. “I mean, it’s your kingdom and all. Would, next Friday at 10 work for you?”

“Of course.”

Toadsworth appeared from the crowd and searched around frantically. “Princess Peach! There is an urgent matter that needs your attention!” Peach excused herself and ran off with Toadsworth, leaving Rosalina alone with me again. 

“I need to go.” I blurted out. “I promised a friend I’d meet with them.”

“Well I’ll see you next week then.” I nodded and started to walk away so I could let myself drown in a puddle of my existence when Rosalina stopped me and said. “Oh and by the way, you look wonderful.”

I wanted to scream.