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“Greetings Daisy!” Captain Toad asked at the gates of Peach’s Castle.
“G’day Cap’n!” Daisy replied as chipper as always. “Got something to report?”
Captain Toad chuckled. “Well, not a lot to be honest. Haven’t heard of any upcoming tournaments at least…”
“In that case I am officially lost on why she would invite me on official business…” Daisy sighed.
Hopefully it didn’t have anything to do with the arson of Mario Stadium back in 2002. She didn’t like the look Captain was throwing at her, he knew too much…
Daisy entered the castle and was escorted by another Toad to Her Highness’s room.
“Daisy, I’ve been in contact with Sarasaland’s government.” Peach started off, oddly diplomatically, gesturing to Daisy to sit down.
“That’s impossible, I’m not even in touch with Sarasaland’s government.” Daisy jumped onto the couch with much aplomb, only sitting down straight after Peach insisted on keeping up the queenly charades.
“Anyway...” Peach tried to break the ice by pointing out the presence of tea and cake, but didn’t succeed in lessening the blow. “I know this is weird to ask of you, considering you’re a royal yourself…”
“Of course I’ll marry you, you exhilarating lynx.” Daisy held her hands in front of her mouth in disbelief to cover up an enamored smile.
“Daisy, we’re cousins.” Peach shot down her own proposal.
“I know, but you started about royals and I thought...well.” Daisy quickly glanced at her part of the cake and put it in her mouth to force the conversation to continue, or die trying.
“Daisy, I am offering you a job.” Peach sipped her tea. “Actually, that’s not the right word, I am asking you to consider taking a position in my government.”
Daisy improved her posture even more. A job does sound nice. “I assume I’m not in charge of the treasury?” Daisy tried the most diplomatic way of asking what position Peach had in mind.
“Deputy director of the new Parks and Recreation department.”
Daisy, now sure that this visit is purely cordial, went right back to assuming a comfortable position. “Deputy director huh?”
“Just so you’re not in charge of the treasury. We did have to make some cuts after the financial crisis. You'll meet your team later.” Peach nodded and got up, inviting Daisy to do the same.
“So, want me to show you my recreating skills? Coconut Mall is only a plane flight away.” Daisy winked.
A few days later, Daisy received a text message on her phone. Not that that was a rare occurrence, it’s just that this one only contained a time and location. Normally, that meant a threat from one of Sarasaland’s many treason hunters, but she didn’t peg Peach as an anti-imperialist force and so she complied.
Toad Town City Hall, 11:00 AM.
It wasn’t a big establishment, and who could blame the lack of flair on this building if the national castle was right over, but it was filled with a warmth that instantly enthralled Daisy.
“Hello. You must be the new deputy director.”
“And you must be….” Daisy tilted her head. Could it really be.
“The director of this hellspawn that is called a government branch, yes. I’m sure we can skip formalities, considering our previous encounters.”
“Wow, Wario, I never would’ve guessed you were a libertarian. Although, there were always rumours.” Daisy winked and shaked Wario’s hand, which received nothing if not a disgruntled response of the antithesis of a teamplayer.
“Anyway” Daisy continued. “What’s on the agenda? The next Mario Kart tournament? Tennis? Golf? Party?”
Wario laughed. “Let’s meet the team first, superstar.”
The warmth of the building instantly dissipated with Wario around. Getting control of the treasury was out of Daisy’s reach, but with Wario sitting on the war chest, there wasn’t going to be any substantial budget.
The trickery continued once Daisy laid eyes on her star team.
“You know DK already. He’s not subtle, but that’s okay; his paperwork is top-notch. Yoshi’s there too, he’s got a real mind for business.” Wario sarcastically tapped his noggin.
“And of course the star of the show. Chuck, why don’t you introduce yourself?”
“I’m a chuckster.” Chuck waved meekly at the rest of the team.
“He’s the brains of the operation. Ten years of service as vice-mayor of Pianta Village, three years under the posthumous reign of the actual mayor.”
Well, it was nothing if not a challenge. “If you need me, I’ll be in my office. Which means you don’t interrupt me. The same goes for when you don’t need me.” Wario concluded the tour and slammed the door shut.
Daisy started the speech she wrote, but started it at the end. There was no way Chuck was going to listen to the full thing without his medication. “The time is now. The place is Toad Town. Let’s make history.”
Chuck applauded. The rest had left. Daisy looked at the clock. 5PM.
This was going to be a doozy.