The night is my favorite time of day. It is the time of passion, forever-hidden phrases, mystery, whispers, and moonlight. The endless darkness that drapes over the light like a big black curtain of furtive words whispered over the shimmering starlight. And, like the nighttime, I have things to hide.

I try no to hide too much. I compete, I play, and I win. Usually. I run to those who need me, I cheer for those whom I love, I tease when it's time to have some fun. And this is just who I am. Unlike my prim, proper cousin, I'm not afraid to get dirty. And I'm not afraid to say how I feel. But at that, some things are better left unsaid.

It is a warm summer day in the Mushroom Kingdom, and it feels much warmer due to the fact that my dear cousin Peach is back from yet another kidnapping. God, when is Bowser ever going to stop? He's tried and tried again to capture her, and again and again Mario has defeated him. If I were him, I'd not be so dumb as to miss the point.

I'm walking quickly to see Peach and Mario back again, when I hear footsteps behind me. They're slow and light. Nervous feet. I'd know those footsteps anywhere. With a silent giggle, I leap into a tree and climb swiftly to a top branch. Careful not to move, I see the tall, green figure of my best friend pass below me. I smile. Luigi is too easy to scare.

I leap from the tree with a roar and land on top of him. I'm met with a muffled scream and a flailing Luigi. I laugh and sit up so that he can see me. His eyes are closed, his gloved fists swinging. I poke him, still laughing. His eyes slowly open, a beautiful shade of sky-blue. He sees me, and I can tell by his expression that he almost smacks me.

"Daisy!"

"Hey." I'm still laughing.

Luigi stands and glares at me, dusting himself off. "That wasn't funny!"

"Yes, it was."

"No, it wasn't!" He shoves me hard as I stand. Then the light comes back into his eyes and he says, "I'll get you back."

I laugh again. "You're going to get me back. Riiiight."

"Wait till I teach you to swim."

I immediately stop laughing. A ball of ice grows in my stomach. "N-no way." I can feel myself paling as my hands clench into tight, gloved fists.

Now it's Luigi's turn to laugh. "Okay, you win."

I smile, though the icy feeling lingers. "Don't I always?"

We begin to walk along the dusty road, feeling each other's presence as though it were an extension of our very being. I look at Luigi. His eyes meet mine for a fleeting second, then dash away. How I wonder about him. Though I have known him since early childhood, he is still a mystery to me. A mystery that I may embody in myself.

"So," I say after a pounding silence, "Bowser's lost again."

"Yeah." Luigi suppresses a laugh. "Isn't he ever going to give up?"

"I know!" I raise my eyebrows. "What's his problem?"

Luigi laughs. "Who knows?"

I laugh with him for a while until we fall silent. Luigi looks at the ground and says, "He must love her a lot." He looks back up at me. "Peach, I mean."

"Well, so does Mario," I say. "That's why he always wins."

Luigi goes bright red. "Um…yeah." He looks at the ground again, looking like an embarrassed little boy. I wonder about this for a moment, and then decide that it's probably just Luigi being Luigi.

We make it to the castle a little slower than usual. Maybe it was just the fact that I was walking with someone. Or maybe I was thinking too hard. Or maybe the kingdom had undergone some sort of major surgery. I wasn't sure. But anyways, here we were at the big, grey castle, flags billowing at the top, moat rushing around it, birds chirping in nearby trees. Maybe it's just my competitive side, but I thought my father's castle in Sarasaland could use a little touch-up compared to this one.

I cross the bridge, Luigi following me. We approach the large wooden doors, and I knock on one. Silence at first, then I'm greeted by an all-too-familiar peachy face.

"Daisy!" Peach hugs me tightly. She lets go and says, "It's so great to see you again!"

"Luigi!" Mario has emerged from the castle and hugs his brother quickly. He steps back beside Peach and grins beneath his mustache. "No dangers in the kingdom, I presume?"

"None," says Luigi. I smile and nod in agreement. I've been staying here since the karting season had begun. My father didn't know, though. Oh, well, what was the use? He wouldn't have let me visit the kingdom for a split second even if I'd asked. Not after what happened last time. I'd survived that, I tell him, and I can survive anything else, but he just won't listen. Typical overprotective father.

"Good." Mario nods and we all follow him and Peach into the castle. It's just as I remember: large and full of finery. I can see Luigi gazing about it as well. His eyes stop when they meet mine, and they dart away instantly. I can see a twinge of red color his cheeks, and my face warms a bit too. I'm not quite sure why. I look away and follow Peach and Mario up a large staircase, and we stop in front of a door. Peach turns and smiles.

"Well," she says, "I've baked an 'I am not dead or possessed thanks to Mario for the hundredth time' cake." We laugh a little at the joke. It's better than thinking that Peach could be dead. And anyways, her "I'm not dead yet" cakes are delicious, though we've had them at least fifty times since I first came to the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach turns and opens the door.

Then we see what has become of her dining hall.