2: A Surprise Visitor

                               

Notes: This is based on Super Paper Mario in terms of the aftermath and based on Yelinna's epic cartoon. I also credit Healer-Kira fanfiction for inspiration on this.


It has been a week since I awoke from the coma, which according to Mario I had been since the final battle to close the Void. My memory is hazy except for flashbacks, which are often in such frightening clarity which I could do without as of now.

It is a warm day, spring is still gaining and I am in the garden immediately outside our house. On hearing of my awakening, Dr Toadsworth informed my that I had to be on my feet as soon as possible, both to prevent blood clots and to speed my recovery if I am to avoid the need for surgery on my legs and arms. This necessitates me having to wear ugly compression hose from thigh to ankle all the time, which make my legs feel spring loaded and resemble those of a spider. I wear similar ones on my wrists since they are still a mess.  Sometimes I gaze at the livid pink scars in wonder at how they came about and how they still hurt.

They said it had been a month I was out for and it was close - they did not think I would last much longer as I got weaker and prognosis got worse the longer I was out for. I remember seeing myself in the mirror and a scarecrow in a gown with my moustache and hat looked out at me. I nearly fainted and was glad to have my brother catch me. He looks thinner - he is not free of the trauma too. He brought me here after all, sat with me, talked to me, shaved my face every day, argued with the doctors to bring me home despite their protests.

Still, peace of a sort descends upon me as I sit in the spring sunshine wearing my brothers' gift of a full-length silk dressing gown which I had always coveted and which he brought on the numerous shopping trips under doctor's orders both to NYC and Mushroom City for medical supplies. It looks a little incongruous with my slippers and my hat, which is not coming off for at least 6 months if I have anything do to with it as it neatly covers my shaven and still stubbly crown. I swing my legs up on the bench and arrange my blanket and walking stick. The book I have with me ('Gardening in Difficult Conditions') falls unread as I start to nod off to sleep.

Footsteps. Despite the fact I am somewhere safe the sounds shakes me out of my reverie and I sit bolt upright. I hear a faintly familiar voice.
"Mr Mario?"

I look up - It is King Richard of Sarasland - What is HE doing here?!
"Mr Mario? Luigi?" he says in a softer tone of voice - he seems surprised. I look up at him from the bench, a bit embarrassed that my skinny legs are on show.
"Don't worry, this is just a quiet visit incognito, you are not in trouble"
Of all the people visiting me his visit gives me as much cause for surprise and alarm as Waluigi's. But that had been when I was still in a coma.

I meet his gaze. "Good morning your Grace".

"Things have been difficult in Sarasaland since the Void appeared and we are still dealing with the resulting civil disturbance. Daisy has been sent to a place of safety as she was too prominent a target to the fanatics which have grown in number since this crisis started. No doubt Toadsworth in capacity as Regent in absentia and Princess Peach have had similar problems"

I listen, not sure what to think.

"I thought you would be involved somewhere, but it was not until Nastasia put me right did I know exactly what happened"

"So what do you wish to talk about your Grace?"

He looks uncomfortable, takes a breath and says "I will be level with you. I don't think we could be friends, and I really don't like men who make my daughter cry"

I stiffen - what is he on about?! I have been known to make cutting comments - more so since others don't expect them but NEVER at Daisy!? However it still hurts that she hasn't visited me.

"Peach sent an encrypted message to Daisy when you returned. Daisy was distraught when she found out how severely you were injured. She somehow managed to leave her safe haven against my orders to come here and to give you a present - he points at the book under the bench. When she returned she was distraught. She said you were dead or dying."

"It turned out she visited on the day you awoke. She turned up at her time only to see you in your brother's arms. She had made the wrong conclusion and returned to the haven. It was not until Nastasia arrived that she and I were put straight on this"

I find this difficult to follow. King Richard is not normally a talkative person and it is hard to follow as I am getting tired out here. The light, wind, colours are still overwhelming at times as they flood my senses.

"I will admit that I found you a socially incompetent wierdo with a capacity of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and an ability to seek out and break the only fragile item in the entire room. Quite frankly, considering the eligibility of my daughter, the thought of having you as a son-in-law made me die inside"

A brief flush of rage rises in me which in turn is tempered by the absurd suggestion that he travelled this far just to insult me.

" Thank you your Grace"

"But, considering what you have done and been through I can see there is more to you than that. I cannot think of anyone who would tear out a living Floro Sprout from their scalp or was prepared to sacrifice themselves for their brother without question. You feel the fear but still you do what must be done"

"Unlike any of the other far more eligible batchelors, you have the ability to make my daughter happy. She says around you she isn't Princess Daisy, just Daisy. Plus she admires you ability to do backflips onto an elevated target as much as your cooking kills, and your ability to take a pounding and still get up."

I feel touched by this - this has to be the closest thing to a compliment King Richard has given me and it is obviously taking its toll.

"One more thing, I haven't much time here and want to get this over and done with. I have brought a gift as is custom."

He points to a series of bound volumes titled "The Laws and Ordinances of the Kingdom of Sarasland".Then he takes my right hand in his and says "I, King Richard of Sarasland and Associated Dependancies, formally grant Mr Luigi Mario permission to marry my daughter and heir, Daisy Jasmine Sarasland."

I am stunned by this as this was not expected. Indeed it had only been about 6 months ago that we admitted we were a couple. It seems that father and daughter have been talking more than I thought. King Richard already has turned to go but then says "Fare thee well, Luigi".

King Richard looks at me and I just about manage to stammer "Th-Thank you your Grace."

And then it happens. Something I have not felt for what feels like months. The hot prickling feeling on my forehead and scalp with the tingling knotty feeling in my chest, both moving and merging at once. My ears feel like they are glowing and I know that this is it. I am blushing, and for once I like it.

Luigi, Daisy, Toadsworth and Peach belong to Nintendo
King Richard belongs to Nintendrawer.

This work (c) DarkPlaceHospitalPLC 2014