#14: Relaxation
By Emerson Kluge

Eyes closed, Mario relaxed further into a tub, the tension of past adventures a distant memory. A slow dribble of hot water on his arm kept the bath pleasant and released a haze that drifted in swirling lines of vapor.

The bath-house of Mushroom Castle lay quiet and still, reserved and - for the time being - off limits to most of the residents. The wooden plank tub could normally hold a dozen individuals, but now it held only two.

The scent of strawberries in sweet cream drifted in the air from a bowl on the tub's edge next to his head. Peach had brought them as a surprise, but where she'd found the fruit - perhaps conjured by the Mushroom Kingdom's magicians - was a mystery.

A gentle hand grasped Mario's foot and slid to the back of his knee. "Don't fall asleep now," spoke a soft, lyrical voice. The hand pulled playfully.

Mario let himself slide into the water and floated with only the quiet rush of blood in his ears. He surfaced and leaned against the tub again, exhaling slowly and letting the water drain from his hair before opening his eyes.

Peach tugged on the back of his knee again and grinned. Sticks held up her golden-blond hair, a few fallen strands clung wet to the curve of her neck and wept droplets off her bare shoulders. "You aren't allowed to fall asleep yet," she said.

Mario couldn’t remember the last time he'd seen Toad. The last few joyous weeks had been completely absent of his presence and it seemed the diminutive retainer's needles and meddling could not touch him here.

"Let me get that," Peach said, reading Mario's thoughts with his slightest move toward the bowl. Water drained from the small of her back as she slowly crawled across the tub, her shoulders and hips rolling fluidly. Peach leaned over him, her hand on his naval and selected a plump strawberry, lifting it by the stem. "Now close your eyes," she said, smiling, her lower eyelids arching up.

Mario did. A moment later heard a soft crunch and the smell of strawberries intensified. Peach smirked as she chewed, a faint smear of cream laced her lips.

"You're a tease," Mario said.

Peach sucked the cream off her lower lip as Mario leaned up toward her. "Not forever," she replied and slid back across the tub, running her hand down his leg.

Mario's heart thrilled and he smiled wide despite himself; 'not forever' was certainly close. As he moved the water chilled.

He reached at the tap to strengthen the warm dribble but as he grabbed, instead of a hot metal fitting he felt only a cool grittiness in his hand. He clenched a fistful of sand as the walls began to trickle away in tiny grains and stream onto the floor.

"Maw-wry-ooo..." Peach mumbled, features sagging, her jaw dissolving to the floor.

"Peach, Peach!" Mario shouted and struggled to get up. His hands swept the water as he flailed, but sand sprayed across the room instead.

Peach's eyes dropped and her face melted.

With all his strength Mario dove at his love, but landed embracing only armfuls of desert. His surroundings fell dark instantly and a cool gust of night air blew against him.

He writhed and pressed the sand against his face, eyes squeezed tight and mouth agape in a bare-toothed grimace. Drawing a haggard breath he moaned as the sand escaped between his fingers. His mouth formed the word, but he spoke no sound. "Peach."

He grabbed the back of his head and pressed his face against the ground, breathing heavily in stilted breaths. He forced the nightmare from his mind and calmed his hyperventilation.

The real Peach was still out there and needed him. She waited and he could have her, he simply had to get there. At last, having regained his focus he sat up, dust sticking where tears moistened his face. The pain remained but his thoughts of Peach overwhelmed the hurt.

Mario struggled to his feet, still groggy from the poison. His gashed arm bled and his finger tips had lost some feeling, but now a second envenomation would have less effect.

Meters away his fireflower lay smoldering. Damaged petals had gradually self-catalyzed and consumed their neighbors. Most of the flower was gone but a few petals remained useful. Mario ripped the burnt portions away and tossed them aside.

The momentary flash of light revealed a large object hovering just above the ground at the base of the nearest dune. The final Lakitu's cloud had survived its pilot's fiery demise and now sat waiting for someone to control it.

Without his yoshi Mario saw the advantage he needed. He jumped in and made a few tentative movements. The zephyrous vehicle responded to will alone and moved about with no more than a thought.

Greater environmental destruction pointed the way towards Koopa Keep as Mario took to the air. Bowser's best laid plans had gone awry and furnished Mario with more than he needed.

Though bleeding and numb, Mario smiled. Peach would see him yet.