riddler when he is masking is a blunt, uncaring individual who is dry, rude and sarcastic. he is dead set on being right and never being humiliated, especially in matters of the mind. he is unfeeling and calculated, begging for attention with every action, and paralyzed in his feelings leaving him cold and aloof. this state of being is necessary for his survival. he cannot feel too deeply the things that hurt him greatly so he masks. his mask has saved his life but put him in harm's way just as often by causing him to try to be too individualistic and push people away
Edward unmasked is excitable and childlike. he excitedly infodumps and engages the world with curiosity. sometimes when he really feels safe he even stims. he's a talker, hyper verbal and uses his language as a plaything. he cracks jokes and laughs loudly. he likes to dance and sings when he's thinking and talks to himself under his breath. he is a sensory being that takes up space, albeit apologetically.
almost no one gets to see him this way because at even the slightest hint of rejection he puts the mask on to avoid the pain. and it feels like he is so often rejected for being annoying and too passionate and strangely intimate and pretentious. he thinks, "you can't leave me because I'm already gone. you can't leave me because I left you first" and the Edward that is so vulnerable becomes the riddler again, high in his tower where no one can reach him, where no one can hurt him.
the problem he keeps finding with this, unfortunately, is that one that cannot be reached cannot be saved, and he is left to his own devices (as he has always been) in his grief
I did some changes to the fit of my riddler cause I thought his coat felt a little too generic (this checker pattern will definitely not come bite me in the ass later)
I think I might have a hypothesis on why the Koopalings have several periods of absences! (other than the fact that they literally DIED in super Mario world, just LOOK AT THE TEXT AFTER MARIO DEFEATS THEM. gruesome.)
What if it's because of like. School. Like whenever we see them they're on break. (Jr is directly related so he's homeschooled)
I have no clue why this ask was sent HERE of all places but like. Chat, give it up, this is THE best head canon/theory I have ever heard.
I like the idea of Bowser planning invasions around the kids' school breaks. Or even better- Since he's the ruler, he just. Demands school go on pause until he's finished. A dream for all the children and a NIGHTMARE for the faculty.
This would make a good fanfic premise, honestly, or just provide inspiration for headcanons! How the Koopalings balance their villainy with school studies and socializing. And, maybe Junior being jealous about not getting that school experience. OR the Koopalings being jealous about not being homeschool'd because it looks so EASY! Kamek getting overwhelmed trying to homeschool all the kids? SPECTACULAR.
Mind if I sperg about Lemmy koopa for a tic cuz I feel like heās underrated even in the koopalings space š«
You will only gaf about this if ur a koopaling fan at all. Sorry.
First little things that make him my fav.. heās got the strongest theme. Iām not a clown core fan but heās the only one who actually does the thing heās supposed to be, (I donāt even think Ludwig has ever played piano)
Heās always had the most unique boss battle generally... kinda... Subjectively...
Heās the only one with an individual title as the āclown princeā which is cool (I donāt remember if the others have one)
Heās always hanging off the clown carā¦ you might think heās falling out cuz heās small but itās actually because heās an acrobat, heās showing off.
Also HE IS AN ACROBAT!!! THATS COOL AF!!! Like the BEST skill!!
All of them get random abilities for the sake of the boss fight but Lemmyās constant perfect balance skill is cool and should be used on more than his clown ball.
also he has the best name referance but I aint arguing with music fans today...
Ok time to get autistic.
I wish to see him portrayed as more than just š¤Ŗā¦ not officially of course, I know all the characters are supposed to be one note, thatās the appeal. I mean more in the fandom. Like damn, for a fandom built on overanalysing these blank slates, we sure do overlook the interesting things handed to us sometimes lol
Heās described as āsilly although he can be serious when he needs toā that can either be a line to distinguish him from the also silly Iggy. I interpret it as Iggyās the nut bag whoās completely unserious, Lemmyās just fun loving. Itās likely just old man cartoonist term for āhis eyes arenāt always crossedā.. (I wish they did keep his strabismus ):
But > I < interpret it as his silly personality is purely part of his performance as a clown. Or at least heās more mature than his exterior lets on, which supports him being the second oldest which I also prefer.
I like his personality being more showstopper in Colour splash. It helps him stand out and avoids any chance of ācrossed eyes = sillyā stereotypes. Yes I care about that stuffā¦
He also has the fun fact of secretly wishing to quit being a villain.
This thing.
Edgy little clown boy yearning for a life in the circusā¦ āBowser, when can I leave to be on my OWNNā
We know heās not evil because his circus never has any animalsā¦ duh
Head cannons!!
Heās almost always balancing on smthing or hanging off an edge cuz heās neurodivergent and itās stimulating. Hehehe
I like to think his unaligned eye is from head injury while practicing his balance, which explains why it was suddenly fixed cuz while focus exersises are important, traumatic strabismus basically needs surgery to realign. I think, I'm bad at research but I'm trying (please correct me if u know) Also heās missing teeth cus I said so...
Relations:
Lem and lug are the 2 oldests and artists, they arenāt besties but they get eachotherš¤ perhaps perform together if they want
Lem and Igg are the only biological siblings and are silly together (Thats my compromise for them being twins before) Lemmy likes to entertain and Iggy likes to laugh.
Lem and Wendy and I think Iām the only one who sees their potential as a duo, theyāre both the ice world usually, they can both ice scate together. As a clown, Lemmy would also know about makeup. Their team name can be ring leader! Iām making them friends ok!
Lemmy teases Larry for being insecure about his size lol. Like ābro Iām stacks older than you and even smaller.. what are you on?ā
Lem and Mort are the 2 nicest. Probably the only ones who donāt cause mischief outside of their direct orders.
Roy teases Lemmy the mostā¦ idk Iām just rounding it out.
Lemmy was Bowser Jrās fun baby sitter back in the day. Can koopalings low key be older siblings to jr even though heās their boss. I want that. I want them to be protective of jr even though they canāt stand his ass.
Also heās gay and trans šš¶la la la I ship him with the one off jester dude.
Is Motley also named after the band? Cuz thats a funny coincidence otherwise.
