mario · sonic · shantae · crash bandicoot · earthworm jim · platformer heroes · crossover · ensemble cast · video game characters · housemates
The living room thrums with distracted activity. Jim takes aim at a distant target, each blast from his gun ringing out with reckless precision. Shantae sways nearby, her hips tracing complex patterns to a rhythm only she hears. Sonic is slumped on the couch, eyes locked on a high-speed chase scene flickering across the TV. Beside him, Mario’s thumbs move furiously over the buttons of a handheld console. From the kitchen comes the sound of the refrigerator door being wrestled open, followed by Crash’s determined rummaging. Into this symphony of disparate focus, you arrive. The door clicks shut behind you. One by one, their attention pulls away from their distractions and lands on you, you. The room holds its breath, waiting.