Let's ༶Switch⁠༶⁠ This Once (Peach x Pauline)

- Giovanni -

"Oh! Paulina!" A huge man walked towards them as they came inside. "Long ah time, no ah see, how have you been?" When he hugged her, he had to be careful not to crush her.

"It smells incredible in here, Giovanni," the Mayor replied, taking in the local. "The city hall is so stressful," she groaned. "How about you? How have you been?"

"Oh, the pizzeria is winning so many costumers lately! And I can only thank your shows for that." Giovanni tilted his head. "Who's the lovely bambina with you?"

Pauline wrapped her arm around the Princess's shoulder. "This here is the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, so you better not be calling her any nicknames."

He curtsied. "Oh, I am so sorry, my queen-"

Peach corrected him. "Princess."

"My princess. I will get you both the best seats with the best views." He looked down at how closely they were standing. "Also a candle to lighten the ambience."

He walked off before either could question anything, making them follow him to the end of the room, where a beautiful table decorated with roses was set. "You two have a splendid time, I'll come back to get your orders."

Once the chef disappeared from their view, they both grabbed a menu.

"Do you want anything to drink? They've got splendid wines in here." Pauline inquired.

Peach shook her head. "I don't drink, actually. Have they got any tea?"

That was so embarrassing, why did she suggest alcohol? "Of course, Giovanni's speciality is fennel tea."

"Ah, I heard my name." He walked towards them. "Have you decided your drinks?"

"I'll have a fennel tea," the Princess answered.

"Ah, my favorite. Good ah choice." He wrote it down. "What about you, Paulina?"

"Sparkling water, thank you." She replied.

"What wonderful choices from both wonderful women." He noted it. "I'll be back in a minute for your ah pizzas."

They both silently looked at their menus. "Oh, look there's a New Donk pizza," Peach pointed.

"It tastes like our city," Pauline remarked.

The blonde smiled. "Then I'll have one of those. What about you?"

Pauline looked down at her choice. "I'm not very fond of mushrooms, please don't hate me. I'll have Quattro Formaggi."

Peach grinned. "Why would I hate you? I wouldn't want you to eat my people."

"Oh, fair enough." The mayor shared her smile.

The chef soon came by and took their orders. "Any appetizers, girls?"

Pauline shook her head. "We're fine, thank you."

They both asked for their pizzas and he walked away. "Hey, doesn't Giovanni seem awfully familiar to you?" Peach questioned once both of them were left alone underneath the candlelight.

"Wait, you don't know him?" The Mayor blurted.

She tilted her head. "Should I?"

Pauline thought of it for a second. "I mean... I guess he's your father in law."

The Princess's eyes opened widely. "Is that Mario's father?!"

"Yeah, he's the best father in law ever. I speak from experience." She took a sip from her water.

"Right, I forgot about that." The Princess coughed politely. "You do know that Mario is not my partner, right?"

The Mayor furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"