annakovsky: (vin diesel)
look to the pasta ([personal profile] annakovsky) wrote2005-06-10 01:26 am

Only Your Brother Knows the Places You've Been

I really don't know what is wrong with me. But I'm not the only one - did you know that someone has written a rock opera based on Mario Brothers? Yeah, I didn't either.

***

When Mario remembers it, afterwards, when he's back in New York, back to fixing pipes, it's all like some kind of fever dream no one would ever believe. How he spent so long - years, it felt like - jumping on turtles, going down pipes, touching mushrooms that made him grow tall, flowers that made him shoot fireballs. Collecting golden coins. Underwater castles, ghost houses, swimming, jumping, flying. Over and over and over, the same places again and again. Dying, over and over - falling into bottomless pits, running into monsters, hit by fireballs and spells and koopas, crushed under falling blocks. He dreams those deaths now, dying in fire and water and spikes and falling.

He was on a mission, he remembers that.

"I rescued a princess, once, you know," he slurs at the bar, late. He's afraid to go to sleep, these days, and so he drinks until he can't see straight and he stops feeling like he's falling. Those bottomless pits, those were the worst.

"I think you've had enough," the bartender says, like he does most nights.

"One more," Mario says. He never has enough.

There's a hand, warm on his back. "Hey," Luigi says. "C'mon home."

"Luigi, you remember?" he says. "The falling? You remember that?"

"Sure, Mario," Luigi says, and he pulls Mario to his feet.

The bartender looks at them, a little disgusted. "What were you guys doing, that whole time you were gone? It really fucked him up."

Luigi pauses, then smiles. He's shaved his mustache, since they've been back, and his teeth are very white. "Rescuing a princess," Luigi says, and puts Mario's arm over his shoulders. They limp out, Mario leaning heavily on his brother.

"Luigi, you remember?" Mario says, his mouth somehow in Luigi's hair, his head on Luigi's shoulder. He's too drunk to know how it got there, and he can't seem to pull it back up to sit on top of his neck.

"Yeah," Luigi says, quiet. He's always been the quieter brother. Younger, taller. He never seemed to mind being Mario's sidekick, even when they were kids.

"What do you remember?" Mario asks, and Luigi's neck is warm against his forehead.

Luigi doesn't say anything for a long time, nearly two blocks of pulling Mario along, limping awkwardly together.

"The colors," Luigi says finally. "Everything was so bright and flat."

"Yeah," Mario says. "You were green."

Luigi shifts his arm, gets a better grip on Mario's waist. "Yeah," he says, their footsteps clomping on the pavement together.

Mario feels like he's going to be sick, starts to retch. "Hey," Luigi says, and pulls Mario's arm off from around his neck. He just gets him away in time for Mario to throw up all over the pavement. Luigi holds Mario's forehead as his body heaves, cool hands holding him still. They've done this before.

When Mario finishes, they stay like that a few minutes.

"I don't even like green," Luigi says finally, and hauls Mario to his feet.

"I miss Peach, Luigi," Mario says into his brother's shoulder as they walk. "You know, Peach. The princess."

"I remember her name," Luigi says curtly.

Mario gets his foot caught on Luigi's, stumbles, starts to fall. Luigi catches him, pulls him back upright. Luigi always catches him.

"Everything out here is too real," Mario mumbles. "Too three-dimensional. You know?"

"Yeah," Luigi says. "I know."

They're at their building. Luigi unlocks the outside door, starts to haul Mario up the steps.

"I wish you hadn't shaved your mustache," Mario says halfway between the first and second floors.

Halfway between the second and third, Luigi says, "Shut up, Mario."

When Luigi dumps Mario in his bed, Mario tries to remember how the coins had felt on his skin. Cool and smooth and golden, like Luigi's hands.

He dreams of falling.

[identity profile] miggy.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
...
...
...

I have no idea how to react to this. *eyes you suspiciously* BRAIN BREAKER.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, imagine how it feels TO LIVE IN HERE.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
You are

a) fabulous
b) completely insane.

Also, this is, like, whole new genres of incest. Wow.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I knew that if anyone would pick up on the incest subtext, it would be you, Pearl. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee. We should totally have a bizarre-o incest pairings ficathon. :-)

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libitina: Wei Yingluo from Story of Yanxi Palace in full fancy costume holding a gaiwan and sipping tea (Default)

[personal profile] libitina 2005-06-09 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
This is so wrong.

I love it!

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
No one is more disturbed by it than I am! Heeee. Thanks. :-)

[identity profile] poshcat.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
That was so good! ::sobs::

>>Those bottomless pits, those were the worst.

They really were.

>>"The colors," Luigi says finally. "Everything was so bright and flat."

Heeeeeeeeeeeee.

>>Halfway between the second and third, Luigi says, "Shut up, Mario."

Poor Luigi!!! ::sobs some more::

I don't know if this is rated G or not. You have a way of making *everything* sound dirty.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I hate those bottomless pits. They keep getting me. Then I yell "Fuck!" to prove that I'm not actually 12 anymore, despite the Mario Bros all day long.

Hahahahahaha, this is all dirty incest, but deep down underneath, for those with eyes to see it. That would be you. <3 <3 <3
ext_16294: (bagman - pick ax)

[identity profile] spicedrum.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
You rock the hardest!


*giggles at your subject line*

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[identity profile] bantha-fodder.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
This is so fantastic.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
<3 <3 <3

[identity profile] bibliotech.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
*sobs*

I never thought I would want Super Mario fanfic. HATE.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You looooooooooove me. :-)

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[identity profile] calendae.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
LOVE.

Also, I am always right. And I made icons for you, but I like them so you will have to share if you want them.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-09 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, fuck you.

Hee. But I would love to share!

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[identity profile] hikethekilt.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
...

You're my hero.

This is brilliant. I adore this. And I'm at a loss for words. Just--too great. I feel closure from my NES days now and for that, I thank you.

*shuffles off, laughing hysterically*

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
Heeeeeeeee. Thanks!

[identity profile] swmbo.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
Videogamecest! With bonus angst!

*dead*

Man. That was just amazingly so good. So amazingly good. i can't talk. Hush.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
Videogamecest will take over the internet! Heeee. Thanks, Swm.

*glomps*

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ext_7885: Photo of Bitch,please Scarlet O'Hara (Gunn - hell no - sdwolfpup)

[identity profile] scarlettgirl.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
Jesus Fuck Kovsky!

My four and half year-old daughter is playing "Mario Sunshine" with her seven year-old brother RIGHT NOW

And now I've got gamecest on the brain.

How am I supposed to face the children. THE CHILDREN???

(Your brain is a scary as all hell. It's like an E-Ticket ride, baby)

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

C'mon. The Mario/Luigi subtext is SO THERE in those games.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I believe legally you are now permitted to kill me.

[identity profile] moireach.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
AHHHHHHHHHHH. You are my favorite person in the whole world. SO DIRTY AND RONG HOORAY.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
Mario/Luigi FOREVER.

[identity profile] overloved.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
you are brilliant and scaree.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
Heeeeeee. Thanks.

[identity profile] rusty_halo.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 08:49 am (UTC)(link)
OH MY GOD.

I adore you.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
:-)

Thanks!

[identity profile] aliaspiral.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
this? is gorgously wrong! in so many ways!

i will go to hell on the special bus for liking this. dammit!

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, there's no hell! Were they doing it? No, they were not! God never sent anyone to hell for subtext.

... as far as I know.

Heeeee. Thanks!
ext_1771: Joe Flanigan looking A-Dorable. (disturbed by secondverse)

[identity profile] monanotlisa.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
See icon. Seriously.

(Oh, back in the day when I'd conquer all those levels...)

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
Hahahaha, thanks!

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_riz/ 2005-06-10 10:12 am (UTC)(link)
::collapses with laughter:: I just. WHAT?! :D I actually love the drug trippy memories of stuff, though. Ah, there goes another bit of my childhood...

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
Heeeeeeee. You're welcome! :-)

[identity profile] witling.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 11:31 am (UTC)(link)
OMG I love you.

Now do Pitfall.
ext_1771: Joe Flanigan looking A-Dorable. (tobecontinued by desdemona_x)

[identity profile] monanotlisa.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
I second that motion!

C'mon, who can resist bats and vultures and yet more (almost) bottomless pits?

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[identity profile] missambs.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
This is COMPLETELY the best thing EVER written. Ah, man, so much love.

Man, more people should write Mario fic.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-11 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Heeeeeeeee. Thank you!

[identity profile] snow-queen-love.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
I think it's possible that this is the greatest thing I've ever read. :P

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-11 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, thanks so much!

[identity profile] alixnoorchis.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 11:58 am (UTC)(link)
That is...
quite fabulous, actually, once I was able to wrap my brain around it.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-11 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Heh. Thank you!

[identity profile] madannekidd.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I got pointed this way by [livejournal.com profile] snow_queen_love and I think that because of her, I'm scarred to life (having realised a few months ago that My Little Pony fanfics existed and debating whether some strange soul had created MLP pr0n). Ahem. Anyway. Then I heard someone had written a Mario Bros fanfic.

Okay, I admit, I was a little on the sceptical side. It's Mario Bros. It was one of my favourite games as a kid. And there's fanfic. I was worried as well. But, you know, curiosity killed the cat and all that. I read and... I'm worried about myself because I loved that. You made it sad. You made a flat, two dimensional game into something all too three dimensional and real. You made a computer game real.

Okay, while that makes me worry, I gotta bow down to the genius. I mean, it's the Mario Brothers. I don't think I've ever heard of it done before. You're the first, that I know of. Hell, because of that alone I will "friend" you. The fact that you made it really good and likeable makes it a double friending.

And is it wrong that I picked up hints of incest in that? Mario/Luigi? Geez. I worry about myself. But that was... strangely, hauntingly pretty.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-11 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, thanks so much!

And hee, I totally wrote the subtexty incest in there, so don't feel bad. It's not you, it's me. :-)
ext_10182: Anzo-Berrega Desert (Chibi Kyo sleeping)

[identity profile] rashaka.livejournal.com 2005-06-10 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Came here via [livejournal.com profile] hecatehatesthat's rec.

And... wow. I'd like to echo the first reviewer and say: I have no idea how to react to this.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-11 12:15 am (UTC)(link)
Heh. Thank you!
brownbetty: (Default)

[personal profile] brownbetty 2005-06-11 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Just like the first time you broke my brain, but in a completely new way. Quiet and elegant and spare and built of pure crack cocaine.

Also: Aaaaaaahh! Do pitfall!

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-15 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much!

[identity profile] flaming-muse.livejournal.com 2005-06-12 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
You are insane.

I love it.

[identity profile] annakovsky.livejournal.com 2005-06-15 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Heeee. Thank you.

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