#i've seen irl siblings who can only wish for this kind of bond

[oh-hell-help-me]

Right?!

I find similar 'conflict' in AO3, mostly with Mario's characterization or handling Bowuigi situations where it starts off with kidnapping (at least recently).

Usually, it has him take too long in rescuing Luigi (some scenarios show good reasons, others not so much), or 'just noticing' he's not where he should be (the latest one I've read had him take A MONTH, and another because he was wrapped up with Peach), or even be very flippant to what Luigi is trying to tell him -even disregarding the green bean's attempts to communicate with him and tell him what he thinks and feels, which I can't get my head around since I've never seen Mario be belittling towards his brother like that. It always feels like a cop-out, especially when used as an ending for a fic.

Must be MatPat propaganda.

But in all seriousness, the variation of the Bro's relationship with Bowser through their entire franchise gives enough leeway to explore all of those possibilities -especially since the earlier games are very different from the more recent ones where the cast seems just fine playing every game imaginable with their frenemy. Heck, Mario seems more cutthroat during sports conflicts than when he's rescuing Peach.

It seems to be a shame that there aren't more moments of Mario and Luigi's relationship affecting the relationship of Bowser and Luigi in a complex way, never mind if it's negative OR positive. Mind you, I DO find fics that bring this about, but they seem rare to find at the moment among the fics that just seem to like bashing Mario more than anything.

Overall, I still ship Bowuigi hard, and will undoubtedly consume the fics that do this 'bad brother' trope, but I will always hope to find a fic that respects the characters as they are, you know? That Bowser and Luigi will have their relationships explored WELL for their own sake as wonderful characters, and that they aren't struck by a plot that seems to cop-out the characters around them.

I just want to say that it is important (to me at least) not to mischaracterise Mario when it comes to Bowuigi fanfictions. I especially think that people are not giving him the complexity that he deserves.

Mario loves Luigi and Luigi loves Mario. They care very very deeply for each other. Mario would do anything to make sure his brother is happy and safe.

That means, it entirely depends on the context as to how he would take Bowser and Luigi dating. But, regardless of how he took it, it would be because he wants his brother to be happy and safe.

Let us say Bowser is on civil terms with everyone and is not a threat and Mario knows he makes Luigi happy. Bowser is not making Luigi unsafe, if anything them being together makes Luigi safe. And he's making him happy. Even if Mario hated Bowser, I highly doubt he would be anything other than supportive towards their relationship. At least, to Luigi's face. Give me Mario who lets Luigi gush to him and helps him plan dates and is nothing but supportive, while also having his own personal feelings on the relationship. Personally feelings he won't let get in the way of his brothers happiness.

And seriously, I really think people need to consider that Mario would not just threaten Bowser into not breaking his brother's heart. He would help Bowser. Just picture him finding out, storming to Bowser's castle, and then spending 3 hours lecturing Bowser about all of the things Luigi likes and dislikes and needs in a partner.

On the flip sides, in stories in which Mario knows Bowser makes Luigi happy but believes that he is too dangerous. Give me complexity to his lack of support in the relationship. Trying his best to keep his brother happy and safe.

After his attempts to reason with Luigi end in argument, he's guilt ridden at how upset he's making Luigi. But he'd rather his brother be miserable than hurt. And he knows what Bowser is capable of.

That's not to say he can't be mad at Luigi! But I think that people are missing this layer of guilt that could add more dimension to stories. I mean, after all, it is a very good turning point if Mario realises that in his attempts to prevent his brother getting hurt, he hurt him. Maybe he and Bowser to toe-to-toe, and he's shocked to find our that Bowser is mad at him. Then horrified to hear Bowser thinks of him as a danger to Luigi's wellbeing in much the same way Mario thinks of Bowser.

Another thing is considering how it would be if Bowser was at war with the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario is not just a brother but a defender of the innocent. If he doesn't side with his brother he betrays him, but if he does it betrays the people who rely on him.

I view Mario as a soldier a lot of the time. He has very black and white thinking when it comes to the war. He has to. He can't start thinking of the other side as having a good reason to fight, he can't question his own reason for fighting. You cannot do that when you are at war, it gets people killed. His worldview is unshakable, and to have his brother be dating not just the enemy but the leader of the enemy. It is a betrayal unlike anything he thought he could feel.

Give me a story where Mario's lack of support is rooted in how betrayed he feels by Luigi. The wedge that gets driven between them, make it not just be that Mario doesn't support them, but that Luigi has betrayed him. Give me Mario who loves his brother more than anything in the world watching as his anger drives him further into Bowser's clutches. Make him blind to the reality of their relationship, make him make up every excuse under the sun so he does not have to accept that his brother is safe and happy in being with Bowser--safe and happy in hurting Mario.

Make Mario realise with horror that his brother is safe and happy. Have him be at war with himself. He's angry he's grieving he feels like he's lost him he hates him. But he loves him and fuck he looks happy. And Bowser's doing a better job than he ever could keeping him safe. But no, Bowser is the enemy. How could Luigi do this? If not for their people, then for Mario? Mario loves Luigi more than anything in this world, he would do anything for him. And yet Luigi clearly doesn't love him enough not to date the leader of the group that he is at war with.

Just.

Give me some complex brotherly moments please.

Also if anyone writes anything based off of this please tag me. I will eat your writing. I need it.

[anyablackwood]

WIP Questionnaire Tag

Thanks for the tag, @mysticstarlightduck! I'll use Traveling Bards for this, as is the current trend for me.

1. What’s the first part of your WIP that you created?

The outline? That's usually how I start. If you mean of the actual story, then chapter 1. If you mean the concept itself, the characters.

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Best I can find is Passerine by The Oh Hellos (the artists who made Solider, Poet, King). I'd love to find a more comedic/energetic song, though.

3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

Within this story? The MCs, lol. Especially Felix, my beloved son! I'm not gonna lie, the sisters are inspired by some IRL people that I love very much. But even without that, they're just so fun! This is my first "simple"/comedy story, so there's less of a focus on prose or "depth" and more on me just dicking around with these guys, so I'm really having a blast with them. Their characters are the most unhinged I've written so far, though I hope to change that soon.

Felix isn't inspired by an IRL person, but he's kind of shameless wish-fulfillment. Traveling Bards initially began as a parody of a very specific genre of anime, so he's essentially what I wish would happen/what I love to see for characters with his archetype.

For the favorites of all time? Can't choose, honestly. Love all of them!

4. What other pieces of media do you think your fanbase would share?

Memes. Or, I'd hope so. If it ever got adapted, I'd love a compilation video or funny edits. Regardless? Endless shitposts, sprinkled with random and unwarranted brainrot thesis-long thinkpieces on elements of my characters and world-building that I never even considered when writing it that ultimately change the way even I view my characters. I'd love a good Tumblr essay from someone being Totally Normal about one of my funky little guys.

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Actually writing it! Lmao. For the 3 people that have seen my writing logs, you'd know I had to recently overhaul the entire initial arc as well as the 3 chapters I already wrote! Though I guess plot points would also be part of that struggle.

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

All kinds! Anything from normal animals to classic fantasy ones to ones I personally made up! My favorite out of all of them are the dragons. Because dragons are fucking awesome. My second favorite are the ones I made myself.

One of the first ones I introduce is the "crystal frog" which is this really cute frog that's quite literally translucent- kind of like the glass frog, but even more translucent! And light refracts off of it like a crystal!

7. How do your characters travel/get around?

Carriage/horse most often at first, then eventually via ship, then flying (with magic or on a magic creature). So. Basically anything but a plane or car.

8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

Actually writing it! I'm currently only a few chapters in on my first rough draft. My goal is to create the entire rough draft with as few edits as possible and then to go back and revise the whole thing, since that'll be easier for me than trying to make each chapter "perfect" before I move on.

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) You think will draw your audience in?

I guess for those that are more familiar with this genre, it'll be that. Isekais/reincarnation/transmigration/portal fantasy/whatever you want to call it. It's also got found family and friendship (kinda spoiler-y, but there's a sibling adoption involved!). Lots of "be gay, do crime" instances too.

It's also primarily an adventure-comedy, with a kinda parody-angle to it. They're intentionally gunning for these classic Hero Adventure experiences, in a bucket-list kind of way. Also, they're bards (for lack of a more accurate and snappy term) in a fantasy setting. So if you like a heavy emphasis on a sibling bond and ridiculous people getting into ridiculous situations of their own making, I'm hoping this will be appealing!

10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

That it gets finished, LMAO. My goal is to complete the rough draft by the end of summer, so that I can spend fall and winter revising, rewriting, editing, etc. I eventually hope (like most writers) to one day publish it. But let's not get ahead of ourselves! I can't get there if I don't even finish it.

Not sure who to tag, so I'll come back to it later.