Mario Bros: “April Fools” (selectively Mute Mario AU)
April 1st, 2007.
"Really?! A yellow flag has got to be an April Fools.“ Giovanni snorted towards the game that was on. "That or the Ref needs glasses, right, Papa?” Tony laughed, his hands moving swiftly as he signed and spoke. From nearby came a gruff laugh as Arthur caught his joke. Before Salvatore could answer, the sound of the apartment door opening and crying reached them. “Mar?” Giovanni got up as his wife entered with a sobbing Mario in her arms and a tearful Luigi trailing behind her. "What happened, Ma?“ Tony asked, kneeling and putting his arm around Luigi. Mario twisted his way out of his mother’s arms and ran to Arthur who scooped him up and held him close as his nephew hid his face against the yellow checked shirt. "Shh, kid, it’s okay.” his rough voice was soothing. Marianna sighed, shaking her head. “A bully at the playground.” "He t-took my special card!“ Mario sobbed, trying to sign at the same time. "He th-threw it in the fountain!” "Not his Mime card.“ Giovanni groaned. "He takes that one everywhere.” Luigi tugged nervously on his loose green shirt. “Took my Eevee, too. Said it was jus’ April Fools." "I hate April Fools.” Mario sniffled. The twins looked to each other, and Arthur lightly tapped Mario’s shoulder to get his attention. "That’s not April Fools.“ Arthur signed and spoke. Mario rubbed his eyes, still sniffling. "It’s not?” he tried signing, his tiny fingers trembling. Tony moved to sit beside them, pulling Luigi up onto his lap. "Nah, kiddo, that’s a mean trick.“ he signed and spoke. "April Fools is supposed to be fun and make everyone laugh, not just the trickster.” Luigi took Mario’s hand. “Do you trick people, Unka Tony?” "Yeah, I have, so has your Uncle Art.“ Giovanni nodded. "But you boys knew better than to hurt someone, and you never destroyed things for a prank.”
A quick move from Tony and he made a quarter appear from behind Luigi’s ear, making his nephew giggle and catching Mario’s attention. Wow, the seven-year-old signed, making the others laugh. He looked to Tony. Coin? he fumble signed before tapping his own ear. "Mmm, I donno kiddo, doesn’t look like you have a quarter here…“ Tony teased, giving Arthur a wink. "Oh! Wait, here’s something.” he flicked his fingers and a green heart appeared in his fingers. He handed it to Mario before reaching behind Luigi’s ear and with a swift motion, found another green heart which he handed to Luigi. He then pointed to a spot on the hearts. “Pull that.” he instructed. The Bros did as instructed and found hearts unfolded to reveal five-dollar bills. "How about we go down the street and you boys can each get a new pack of cards?“ he offered. The Bros both cheered at this and Mario began signing ‘thank you’ over and over, making the twins laugh. Marianna smiled as she headed for the kitchen. "You boys can go after dinner. Tonight is olive and mushroom casserole with burnt toast and raw chicken.” Her announcement made Mario and Luigi start play gagging and protesting the meal until she peeked around the doorway corner, her eyes sparkling. "April Fools, boys.“ This sent the twins and the bros into fits of laughter. "That’s a real April Fools.” Arthur signed and spoke, still laughing. "I think after what our boys have been through, pizza is in order.“ Giovanni suggested, drawing more cheers. As Tony and Salvatore turned their attention back to the game and Giovanni joined Marianna in the kitchen to get dinner ordered, Luigi slipped down the hall before returning to the living room. Clutched in his arms were a plush Eevee, and a well worn out Mr. Mime plush. He handed this one to Mario, who took it and hugged it tightly before snuggling against Arthur. His uncle placed a tender kiss to his head, smiling as he looked to the plush toy.
"Unka Art, he’s like you an’ me!” Mario gushed as he watched the cartoon. Talk hands! Talk Hands! he excitedly signed.
"Want my card.“ Mario signed and spoke. Tony overheard and getting up, went to the kitchen. "Hey Ma,” he leaned against the counter, “I got a few buddies at the hobby shop, I’ll see if they can get the boys new cards to replace the ruined ones. I think they keep their extras around to bargain with customers.” Marianna’s shoulders slumped with relief. “That would be wonderful.” she reached into her front pocket and pulled out some cash. “Here. The boy’s ma made him pay for the damaged cards with his allowance.” A wave of the hand. “Ah, I know the guys, they won’t charge for the cards. But I tell you what, lemme use that and get em their favorite candy tonight. I remember the last bad April Fools Art and I had, I we both coulda used a treat after that day.” "What happened?“ Tony’s mood shifted as he thought back. "Same as the boys, really. We were at the park, Art had just lost his hearing and was getting used to it. Local bully was there and convinced him he couldn’t hear any of us calling for him. Had him in tears and too terrified to even get Papa to check if it was true. I found him hiding in the bushes, crying his heart out.” Marianna gasped softly. “What did you do?” Tony pushed up on his glasses, grinning. “You remember the fight from A Christmas Story? I took the kid out just like that.” he snapped his fingers. “It was the one time Papa didn’t punish me for punching someone’s lights out, and neither did Gio.” His sister-in-law let out a faint laugh. “I wouldn’t want Luigi getting into it, but at the same time I wouldn’t blame him. He was shaking when I got to them and I thought he was gonna pop!” Tony shook his head. “Poor kiddo, I know that feeling.” "Thanks for treating them today, I really didn’t want their day ruined.“ "Ey, no prob.” Both were startled at thumping and laughter as the Bros took off down the hall to their room, Luigi talking excitedly about playing a game until dinner was ready.
Later that night, the Bros were tucked into their bunk beds. While Luigi held onto his plush Eevee with his new card added to his pack, Mario was curled up in the upper bunk with his plush Mr. Mime beside his pillow, the new card was clutched in his hand.
80+ playable characters in MK World and NONE of them are Polterpup??? 😢
Some quick doodles~ 🐶✨
Polterpup should drive!!! And not if Luigi can do something about it!
Just because they’re not permitting his beloved Dolce to race doesn’t mean that he can’t do something about it…his sweet doggy is just as good as him, his brother and the rest of the cast.
Locking himself in their garage, he sets to work with his tools…and sewing machine. Dolce deserves the best!
When Dolce finally pops out of his hiding place, Luigi gets over his surprise and scoops him into his arms.
“You may not be able to race with us…yet! But that doesn’t mean you can’t ride alongside us. Look, Dolce…”
The spectral canine pants excitedly and gives slobbering licks to his beloved master. A motor bike all his own! He floats and hovers on and off the seat, admiring the golden bone decal decorating the vehicle’s body.
“And something extra special….”
He slips on a special pair of goggles around his ghostly head and a rider’s jacket after fitting through his fidgety paws. The gold rim and jacket collar lapels gleam brightly like sunshine and the wide smile on his muzzle…Luigi’s heart warms with adoration at how cute his floppy ears are sticking up…
“See, we match, Dolce.”
Dolce looks up adoringly at Luigi who scratches behind one of his ears.
“Come on, let’s go see my brother and our friends and show them what you’re made of.”
Dolce’s loud and joyful warbling bark is his response.
I’m just so soft for these two…you’ve inspired my once again, my dear! I hope that you enjoy it.
"What’re these, Ma?“ Mario asked as he and Luigi sat on the couch. Placed on the coffee table were two large presents wrapped in their signature colors. "Ask your uncles, they brought them over.” she said, her eyes sparkling. At her words, the twins entered from the dining room, Arthur taking a seat as Tony leaned in the doorway and folded his arms. "Go ‘head and open em.“ Arthur said with a grin. The Bros did and both pulled out new jackets. "Whoa…” Luigi breathed. His was a green puffy vest with an 'L’ patch on the front. Included were new gloves, and green goggles. Mario lifted out a red jacket with blue trim, his ’M’ letter patch changed to a blue background along with red fingerless leather gloves. "These are great!“ he gushed. "What’s the occasion?” Tony pushed up on his glasses. “You boys said the new race tracks are almost ready, so we figured you need new gear.” Both stood and donned the new clothes, Luigi placing the goggles atop his brown locks. Mario pulled out his phone. “Hey Ma, get a picture?” She agreed and the bros posed several times, sending the twins into fits of laughter as Giovanni rolled his eyes. "Oh for the love of-“ Giovanni groaned, "It’s Tony with his garage jacket all over again.” "EY!“ his younger brother bristled playfully at the jab. "I love this jacket and look good in it, thank yew very much!” His retort made his family laugh even more and his mock frustration was broken as Luigi grabbed him in a hug. "Thank you.“ his voice was muffled as he buried his face in his uncle’s shoulder. Tony returned the hug. "Any time, kiddo.” Arthur got up and slung an arm around Mario’s shoulders. “You boys be safe out on those tracks.” he said softly. He saw Tony’s hand move to his side and knew his twin was thinking of the same thing. The night of their accident and the scars they both carried. "We will be!“ the Bros chorused. "And they’re gonna look incredibly handsome as they do.” Marianna giggled. At her words the bros struck more poses. "Mamma Mia.“ Giovanni muttered, yet everyone saw he said it with a smile.
END (With love, CC)
You probably get asked this a lot, but how do you draw hands? Even when I'm tracing, they look so weird 🙃
I could probably go on and on and on about hands, but here are some key points I compiled! I LOVE drawing hands, and I never hesitate to use my own as a reference
