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Rosalina could hardly believe what had happened.
For so, so long, she’d hoped that this day would come. But, whether it be due to her responsibilities in caring for the Lumas, or her own fears in reconnecting, she thought it would be impossible. And yet, it happened anyway. After Peach managed to rescue her from the depths of Bowser Jr’s fortress, they headed back to the Mushroom Kingdom alongside Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Yoshi. And while she was initially quite surprised to see that her sister’s castle was completely missing, she quickly helped in the effort to build a newer, greater abode in its place.
Seeing the look on both Peach and Mario’s faces afterward filled her heart with joy. But now…that joy had an unwelcome companion. Fear. She desperately wanted to learn more about her younger sister. But…how do you do that when you’ve been separated for so long? And for that matter…did Peach feel the same way? Did she want the sibling who left her alone back in her life after all this time?
It was these questions that compelled Rosalina to pay a visit to Mario. After all, he’s an older sibling himself. If anybody had advice for her in this situation, it would be him. Arriving in front of his and Luigi’s house, she knocked on the door. As she heard voices coming from the inside, she calmly collected her thoughts. Eventually, the door swung open, revealing the two brothers.
“Aah, Rosalina! What brings you to our humble abode?” Mario said, a smile on his face.
Clearing her throat, Rosalina suddenly felt awkward. “Well…” she timidly asked.
Luigi raised his eyebrow up. “Is this about Peach?” he knowingly said.
“Too obvious, huh?” Rosalina responded with a sigh. She then looked towards the older brother. “I just…wanted some advice is all.”
“Well, if you need advice about being the big sibling, you’ve come to the right place! Come on in!” Mario said, with both brothers walking back into the house.
Nodding, Rosalina followed them back inside. The house was small, yet so filled with character. Various plumbing tools lined the walls. In addition, there were a multitude of books on shelves, ranging from mechanical manuals, to guides on raising animals. And on the walls of the living room were multiple framed pictures, ranging from a picture of Mario and Luigi posing in front of a truck, to the one recently taken after they completed the new castle.
Speaking of the brothers, the two of them were seated on a couch next to a table, which had three cups of tea on top. “C’mon Rosie, take a seat! My bro’s got plenty of stuff to tell you.” Luigi said while grinning and patting a nearby recliner.
“Rosie…?” Rosalina responded, surprised by the nickname.
“What, I can’t give my friends nicknames?” Luigi said, crossing his arms.
Touched by the gesture, Rosalina took her seat before grabbing the tea cup. Upon taking a sip, she felt…calmer. She turned to Mario. “Thank you for allowing me inside.” she said, inwardly cringing at her stiff delivery.
“Don’t worry about it. Now, what’s the first thing you want to know?” Mario responded, looking at his guest.
Breathing deeply, Rosalina focused on her first question. “How…do I apologize?”
Mario put his hand to his chin, eyes closing in deep thought. “Now that’s a bit of a tough one right off the bat…” he said. After a minute of contemplation, he looked at the celestial guardian. “You said you didn’t want to leave her behind, yeah?”
Rosalina nodded. “Indeed. I…was scared of what would happen if that thing captured both of us. But, I regretted it practically every day of my life afterward. I kept an eye on her from the observatory, but I know it’s not the same as actually being there at her side. I’m terrified that she won’t want me back in her life.” she said, a despondent look on her face.
In response, Luigi raised his eyebrow. “You’re kidding, right?” he asked, a surprising mirth in his voice.
Now Rosalina was shocked. “W-what’s so funny?” she asked, looking between brothers.
This time, it was Mario that answered. “Yeah, she was kind of upset when she remembered at first. But, after a bit, she stopped being angry. She knew that she had a sister out there that needed her help. And she gave all of her effort into breaking you out of Bowser Jr’s weapon. Ever since we’ve gotten back here, she’s been talking my ear off about wanting to know you better. Does that sound like someone who doesn’t want you around?” he said while giving her a small grin.
Well…that was a bit of a relief. But now, she had a new question. “So…how do I tell her more about myself?” she questioned.
“That’s easy.” Luigi said, moving to take her hand, a smile below his mustache. “Just think of all the things you like. Make a list of em if you have to. And then just…talk to her. And listen to what she says back. Me and Mario have had plenty of times where we got into arguments over stuff. But, those disagreements were solved by us just making those feelings clear.”
Next, Mario cut in. “And try not to be too formal. You aren’t trying to be “Rosalina, Watcher of the Cosmos” or anything like that. It’s okay to let your guard down. It won’t be the end of the world. Just keep building that bridge, one plank at a time.” he said in a calm voice.
Rosalina let herself smile upon hearing the advice. “Okay. I’ll try my best.” she said in a determined voice. She then got out of her seat and began making her way out the door. But before she did so, she turned around and looked at both brothers. A hint of mischief was in her eyes. “And Mario…keep making Peach happy. I know that she’s in good hands with you at her side.”
In response, Mario turned beet red, spitting out the tea he was in the process of drinking. Meanwhile, Luigi began howling with laughter. “See bro? You’ve got the approval of your sister-in-law!” he said in a loud voice.
In response, Mario lightly jabbed Luigi in the ribs with his elbow, a deep red coating his cheeks. “Shut it, Lu!” he said, exasperation in his voice. He then looked back at Rosalina. “Just go and catch up with Peach, alright!?”
Rosalina shut the door, and she let out a sigh of relief. Now, it was time for the real challenge.
******
A little bit later, it was now night time. Everyone within the Mushroom Kingdom castle was peacefully asleep. Here, in these quiet halls, Rosalina floated her way to Peach’s bedroom. She was ready and determined to reconnect with her long lost family. But, those familiar fears began to creep in once more. She knew from what Mario and Luigi said that Peach wanted this talk just as much as she did. But she couldn’t help but think of the worst possible outcomes.
Eventually, Rosalina found herself at Peach’s door. As she raised her hand to knock, she was suddenly overcome with hesitation. She began to see visions of what could happen if she went inside the room. A large argument breaking out, with Peach telling her to leave and never return. Her accidentally saying the wrong things and enraging her sister. And, the one she feared worst of all: that same monster coming to separate them all over again.
Shaking her head clear, she pushed past those thoughts and prepared to enter. But before she could knock, the door swung open, causing her eyes to widen. And to her surprise, there was Peach. Instead of her pink dress, she was in a white night gown, her hair hanging loose. Upon seeing Rosalina, she smiled. “Hey sis! So, what brings you here at this hour?” she said, putting her other hand on her hip.
Blushing, Rosalina stated her request. “Oh…I just wanted to know…if we could…talk?” she awkwardly said. “I’m already screwing up! Why is this so hard to say!?”
In response, Peach chuckled. “Why didn’t you say so? C’mon in! There’s stuff I want to talk about with you!” she said, gesturing for her older sister to enter.
Gratefully nodding, Rosalina ducked into the doorway, Peach shutting the door behind her. Inside was a large bedroom, rebuilt to Peach’s specifications. All across the pink walls were photos of her, Mario, Luigi and various Toads. But, besides those were multiple books, maps, cabinets, and wardrobes. And completing the look was a large, luxurious looking bed.
Peach plopped herself right onto said bed and patted the spot next to her. Obliging, Rosalina sat down. The bed felt…nice for lack of a better term. Familiar even. It brought back memories of when they were both children. But Rosalina’s thoughts were cut off by a sound. “So…” Peach said, putting her head on her hand. “...what was it you wanted to talk about?”
Moment of truth. Taking a deep breath, Rosalina thought of what to say. And eventually, she turned to her younger sister. “I just wanted to say…I’m sorry. For…leaving you behind on that dreadful day. I thought it would be better if…we stayed apart. But I regretted that for as long as I can remember. I may have been looking over you from afar…but it still doesn’t excuse me for not telling you anything. If you don’t want me in your life…just say it. I won’t blame you whatsoever.” she said in a tearful voice.
In response, Peach put her hand on Rosalina’s shoulder. “Rosie…I already forgave you.” she gently said.
“W-what?” Rosalina said in shock.
“Yeah, I was pretty mad when I started to remember I had a sister. I thought things like “why did she leave me alone?” and “did she think so little of me”? But…I get it. You were scared that our powers would put giant targets on our backs. I don’t blame you for trying to keep me safe. I probably would’ve done the same thing in your shoes. You even kept watch over me just in case. That’s how you wrote all those books in the Observatory, right? And why the Lumas loved listening to them?” she said, a gentle glow in her eyes.
As her sister was speaking, Rosalina felt a deep joy building within her. Soon, water began to well up in her eyes. And so, she began crying tears of joy knowing that her fears were unfounded. Peach smiled in response to this. “Here come the waterworks. Just let it all out, sis.” she said, wrapping her arms around Rosalina’s body. Rosalina reciprocated, pulling Peach into a deep hug. They remained this way for a few minutes, with Peach herself feeling the tears coming in.
Eventually, Rosalina felt the tears begin to dry up. Wiping her eyes clean, she then remembered her other objective. “I…also wanted to get to know you more. I may have been watching from a distance, but that’s different from actually knowing you personally. Hobbies, interests, anything.” she said.
Peach put her hand to her cheek, a pensive expression on her face. “Hmmm…” she said while deeply concentrating. Eventually, her face lit up. “You know that big obstacle course the Toads set up?”
Rosalina nodded. And upon seeing this, Peach continued. “Well, I really like running through agility courses. Once you get into the rhythm of things, it really gets the blood pumping!” she said while raising her fist.
“And they make excellent dating sites too, I presume?” Rosalina responded in a playful tone.
Peach let out a snorting laugh, putting her hand over her mouth. “Yeah, they do! It was pretty funny seeing Mario flubbing them at first. But overtime, he got just as good as me!” she confidently said. “Would you like to try one out too?”
“S-sure!” Rosalina excitedly said.
“Great! I’ll be sure to teach you all the tricks I use to get past them. By the time we’re through, you’ll be a platforming pro!” Peach said in an encouraging voice. “And another thing I enjoy doing…I’m really good at baking. The Toads taught me how to, but ever since I went to Brooklyn, I’ve been picking up all sorts of new recipes! And you said that Lumas eat Star Bits, right?”
Rosalina smiled hearing about her little children. “Indeed. The little ones chow down on them by the dozens. You’ve already got plenty of ideas, haven’t you?” she asked while turning to her younger sister.
“Yep! I’ve got tons of adorable little star nieces and nephews to make happy! And Princess Peach doesn’t aim to disappoint any of them!” Peach emphatically declared. She then looked back up at Rosalina, that gentle glow in her eyes shining once more. “But that’s enough about what I like doing. What do you like, Rosie?”
Rosalina looked away for a brief moment. After taking a breath… “I like playing the guitar.”
“Oh? So you like music?” Peach asked.
Rosalina nodded. “When we were…together…I would play music to help lull you to sleep. And I do the same thing with the Lumas.” she said, melancholy seeping into her voice.
“Can you play for me?” Peach asked, putting her hand around Rosalina’s.
With a wordless command, Rosalina conjured an acoustic guitar. She then stood up from the bed and set herself down in a comforter. As she began adjusting the strings, Peach was expectantly crossing her legs. For Rosalina, this brought back memories. Some peaceful…others far more painful.
Her preparation complete, Rosalina let her fingers pass over the strings. As she did so, a soothing melody began to emerge. She closed her eyes as she thought back to all the times she had played this familiar song. Once, when Peach needed some help getting back to sleep after a nightmare. Another, to help soothe her after she scraped her knee while they had been playing tag. And yet another time, to help her adopted children sleep.
Eventually, the song ended. And afterward, Peach began to clap. “That was incredible, Rosie!” she said.
Rosalina blushed at the praise before dismissing her instrument. “Thank you. I…always wanted to play for you again someday. I just never thought I’d be able to.” she bashfully stated.
In response, Peach let out a yawn. “I think…your lullaby did its job. I’m feeling tired already. You wanna keep talking tomorrow?” she sleepily asked.
Rosalina grinned. “I would be more than happy too, Peach.” she warmly said.
Peach smiled in response. “In that case…feel free to stay in your bedroom we made for you. Goodnight, sis.” she said before putting her head on the pillow.
Rosalina sat up before heading to the door. But, before she exited, she looked back and smiled. “You too…sister.”
They may have only just gotten back in touch. But Rosalina wouldn’t take this for granted. For so long, she’d wanted to see her sister in the flesh. And now, she was a proud, courageous woman. She felt nothing but joy knowing that her little sister was so grown up. But for now, she needed to rest up and get ready for some fun. After all, she had obstacle training tomorrow!