Dear Chocolatier,
Hi! I am Liviania on AO3, and I have written so many exchange letters in the past year that I think I'm getting worse at them. (Also, when cribbing from old letters I skimmed too much and confused myself with my own Bad Bang Letter.) I'm going to start with some general stuff, and then move into fandom-specific sections.
ETA: I've added a few things thoughout the letter. I'm trying to write more for Kushiel's Legacy, since I know I left that skimpy. I'll start with the easiest relationships, and maybe I'll get them all? (I know, I'm os
Do Not Want
Rape (dubcon is fine, as are any references to canon events that might contain rape)
Cheating (poly situations or AUs where the canon couple never happened or breakups are all fine)
Body horror (except in horror stories)
Hurt/comfort (I've recently had a discussion with someone about h/c, and I think it is more specifically the sick!fic genre that I don't want. I don't mind characters getting injuries and having them realistically treated; in fact, I prefer that to characters shrugging off bullet wounds.)
General likes
Humor
Violence and/or gore
Fantastical AUs/fusions (superheroes, vampires, Animorphs, etc.)
Genderswap
Since I'm mostly requesting ships, you might want some general romance likes. I don't really have any? I'm not a fan of Big Misunderstanding plots, but I do love some Identity Porn. I like couples who are shown to have a strong sense of communication (even if what they're communicating is 'you're the worst, but I like you anyway'). Mostly, I like to see whatever suits the couple's personalities. That includes in bed too. If you can convince me with your story that it is in character, I'll believe it.
I'm not interested in the characters having kids (unless they have one canonically). However, I do find stories where someone is accidentally turned into their kid self fun.
As for art, I'm definitely not good at art prompts. I like stylized stuff and strong colors and textures.
Crossover Fandom
Both of these are things I couldn't resist when I saw them in the tagset.
Phedre/Steve:
I think Phedre and Steve fit each other oddly well. Both are strongly principled, and shown to be accepting of others that their society might reject. There are contrasts too. Phedre plays a long game and keeps a cool head, whereas Steve has a tendency to react and be somewhat impulsive when his blood is up. I think they'd be surprisingly good for each other. I'd be happy with something sweet and romantic or something that explores how Steve handles the whole anguisette thing, or anything in between.
(Phedre's canon relationships can still exist. How might Steve react to love as thou wilt?)
Wendy & Susan
Two girls who become women and are thus barred from returning to the worlds they once knew. How do they meet? What do they think of each other? Where do they go next? After all, they aren't ones to just stay at home.
I'm not sure that I have much to add. I'm quite fond of all four source canons. Peter Pan (and various adaptations) and Narnia are both dear to my childhood. I'm not massively bitter about Susan's fate, although I do personally hold out that she eventually made it back to the True Narnia. I'd definitely enjoy Wendy and Susan showing weird competencies for young women of their time(s).
Kushiel's Legacy I read when I was older, of course. (Like fourteen. What were my parents thinking?) And I think the MCU is so much fun. AoU isn't my favorite of the movies, but I honestly did enjoy it, so you can keep it as canon or not. I'm happy with Steve in Phedre's world or Phedre in Steve's (at any point in either of their timelines), although I think Steve in Phedre's world offers some more story possibilites. (Let's face it, there are times Joscelin could've used some superhero backup.)
Weiß Side B (Manga)
Aya and Yuki's relationship drives much of the early chapters, but kind of falls to the wayside after they go to England. I'd be interested in seeing between the chapters stuff, further pseudo familial bonding. Does Yuki help Aya practice English? Does Aya train him further in the arts of floristry and assassination? Does Yuki try to persuade Aya to make contact with Aya, because that isn't healthy? Of course, mission fic is also good too. Maybe they're working something without the others?
Basically, I am determined to force more Side B fic into existence by requesting it repeatedly. It's worked once! I have read the entirety of Weiß Side B, including the chapters that haven't been collected into a tankoban. I am fine if material from other Weiß properties is used as flavor, but I don't want it to be the focus. Feel free to make your story as cracky or angst-turned-to-eleven as the series itself. I am definitely not looking for realistic assassin florist-ing.
Shipping-wise, feel free to include pretty much anything (but not Aya/Yuki), since the series is full of ship bait. I do prefer future stories if you include Michel/Free.
Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
There were so many amazing relationships to pick from that I went a little crazy. I'm not really going to go deeper into any of them, because I am intimidated by covering them all. I like all the canon relationships, so I'm fine with any noncanon relationships being either totally AU or another relationship that happens alongside the canon one.
I will note for any ships where an included character dies, I would prefer the story be set either before the character's death or be a character lives AU.
I love the lushness of this series, and how it manages to combine complicated politics and globe-trotting adventure and a permissive sexual environment. I like that despite the attitude towards sex being easier than our world, relationships are still hard and people can still have their own personal hangups. I like the tight POV Carey uses, and the contrasts in the world as seen from different protagonists. (I am fine with both first and third person, however.)
I am still so intimidated by that list of pairings. If you're intimidated too, I'm sorry. I have poor impulse control. The Kushiel books (and sequels) are some of my favorites, as said in the Crossover section. I don't expect you to write something as complicated as one of this books, but I would love something that has the characters trying to ferret out a secret or trying to escape with their knowledge of a secret intact. Or maybe just a decadent scene at a party. I feel like a game of chess is always good with this canon.
For Phedre/Nicola, I love that they're both friends and lovers. Nicola manages to create a bridge between her father and Phedre, and it isn't the last time she helps save the realm. She's one of those side characters who you know is swanning around as the main character in a different story. Phedre offers her a gift, unlike any of her other patrons, and Imriel spends some time jealous of their friendship. There's obviously a great depth of feeling there. As they're both intelligent and political, I'm sure they have great conversations. Plus, all the bondage.
For Dorelei/Imriel/Sidonie, I basically want a happy ending for Dorelei too. I liked how Dorelei and Imriel managed to make their marriage work, and it really was a bit convenient that she was murdered. This could definitely be an angsty story. Could they ever make a relationship between them work out if people knew about it?
We know Amarante taught Sidonie Namaah's Arts, so that, basically. Perhaps also how they balance their relationship with their official positions. (And while I don't care much about top/bottom, I am pretty sure Amarante tops.)
I have written specifically about Alcuin/Joscelin before, so I'll copy that here. That doesn't mean i want this pairing over the others! It means I already had something written: "This is the crack ship of my heart. I'd prefer an Alcuin-lives AU, since obviously there isn't much time where both of them are present before his death and he's kind of taken romantically. But I'd love to see how they interact, how Alcuin feels about Joscelin's priggishness and the way he treats Phedre. How does Joscelin react to Alcuin, who is somewhat softer and more subtle than Phedre? (And, since this is Terre d'Ange, Joscelin/Phedre can still be a thing.)"
Also, you should read the fic that prompt inspired because it has far too few hits and feedback for how satisfying it is:
From Ashes Grows The Birch (19768 words) by Aeriel
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alcuin no Delaunay/Joscelin Verreuil, Alcuin no Delaunay & Phedre no Delaunay
Characters: Alcuin no Delaunay, Joscelin Verreuil, Phedre no Delaunay
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Grief/Mourning, POV First Person, Past Relationship(s), Canonical Character Death, Sexual Content
Summary:
Kushiel was merciful, and Naamah was cruel.
I am Alcuin no Delaunay, and I am alive.
Raven Cycle - Maggie Stiefvater
OT5:
It's canon that they all love each other as friends, so this isn't a giant leap. (I would prefer no intercourse between Ronan and Blue, but I don't think they would go out of their way not to touch each other.) I'd like to see the tipping point(s) that make it happen, or what happens when they get old enough to want to leave and how in the world they might make it work.
Blue & Noah:
This is one of my favorite friendships in the series, and I don't care if it isn't entirely platonic. I think the fact that Blue can either help power up or shut down Noah also adds an interesting touch to their relationship that could be explored.
Blue/Declan:
This is pure crack and I want to see it. Especially because I see Ronan, Gansey, and Adam blowing gaskets and Maura worrying about her daughter dating someone so ... corporate.
Adam/Declan:
Declan has Ronan's anger and Gansey's ability to mask his feelings. And we know there are hints that both Ronan and Gansey are Adam's type. They're also both vulnerable in similar ways, with worries of rejection and daddy issues galore. It would be an interesting relationship. I'd prefer anything with this to be set post-canon.
Gansey/The Pig/Blue:
This is great. How does Blue feel about this? How does the Pig feel about this? Just what is Gansey thinking? Feel free to make this one extra strange.
Noah/Gansey/Blue:
I think this is an interesting trio because Gansey and Blue are dating and in love, but Noah and Blue can (and have) actually kiss each other. I enjoy fics with them experimenting with each other. Tragic foreshadowing or happy end, either one.
I may go cross-eyed looking at ten ships, but I can manage six! (It helps that I thought I selected five, so I deluded myself into thinking it wouldn't be as much work.) I just love this series. It's so meandering, but everything feels like it ties back to Glendower. And so much DOOM. I've read through the latest book, so no need to worry about spoilers. I'm cool with basically any background ship you want to throw in, if the ships I requested aren't enough for you. Anything from fluff to full-on creepiness goes for this canon. I thought I'd branch out and ask for some pairings I haven't requested before.
ETA: I've added a few things thoughout the letter. I'm trying to write more for Kushiel's Legacy, since I know I left that skimpy. I'll start with the easiest relationships, and maybe I'll get them all? (I know, I'm os
Do Not Want
Rape (dubcon is fine, as are any references to canon events that might contain rape)
Cheating (poly situations or AUs where the canon couple never happened or breakups are all fine)
Body horror (except in horror stories)
Hurt/comfort (I've recently had a discussion with someone about h/c, and I think it is more specifically the sick!fic genre that I don't want. I don't mind characters getting injuries and having them realistically treated; in fact, I prefer that to characters shrugging off bullet wounds.)
General likes
Humor
Violence and/or gore
Fantastical AUs/fusions (superheroes, vampires, Animorphs, etc.)
Genderswap
Since I'm mostly requesting ships, you might want some general romance likes. I don't really have any? I'm not a fan of Big Misunderstanding plots, but I do love some Identity Porn. I like couples who are shown to have a strong sense of communication (even if what they're communicating is 'you're the worst, but I like you anyway'). Mostly, I like to see whatever suits the couple's personalities. That includes in bed too. If you can convince me with your story that it is in character, I'll believe it.
I'm not interested in the characters having kids (unless they have one canonically). However, I do find stories where someone is accidentally turned into their kid self fun.
As for art, I'm definitely not good at art prompts. I like stylized stuff and strong colors and textures.
Crossover Fandom
- Phedre no Delaunay (Kushiel's Legacy)/Steve Rogers (MCU)
- Wendy Darling (Peter Pan) & Susan Pevensie (Narnia)
- Fanart
- FanFic
Both of these are things I couldn't resist when I saw them in the tagset.
Phedre/Steve:
I think Phedre and Steve fit each other oddly well. Both are strongly principled, and shown to be accepting of others that their society might reject. There are contrasts too. Phedre plays a long game and keeps a cool head, whereas Steve has a tendency to react and be somewhat impulsive when his blood is up. I think they'd be surprisingly good for each other. I'd be happy with something sweet and romantic or something that explores how Steve handles the whole anguisette thing, or anything in between.
(Phedre's canon relationships can still exist. How might Steve react to love as thou wilt?)
Wendy & Susan
Two girls who become women and are thus barred from returning to the worlds they once knew. How do they meet? What do they think of each other? Where do they go next? After all, they aren't ones to just stay at home.
I'm not sure that I have much to add. I'm quite fond of all four source canons. Peter Pan (and various adaptations) and Narnia are both dear to my childhood. I'm not massively bitter about Susan's fate, although I do personally hold out that she eventually made it back to the True Narnia. I'd definitely enjoy Wendy and Susan showing weird competencies for young women of their time(s).
Kushiel's Legacy I read when I was older, of course. (Like fourteen. What were my parents thinking?) And I think the MCU is so much fun. AoU isn't my favorite of the movies, but I honestly did enjoy it, so you can keep it as canon or not. I'm happy with Steve in Phedre's world or Phedre in Steve's (at any point in either of their timelines), although I think Steve in Phedre's world offers some more story possibilites. (Let's face it, there are times Joscelin could've used some superhero backup.)
Weiß Side B (Manga)
Aya and Yuki's relationship drives much of the early chapters, but kind of falls to the wayside after they go to England. I'd be interested in seeing between the chapters stuff, further pseudo familial bonding. Does Yuki help Aya practice English? Does Aya train him further in the arts of floristry and assassination? Does Yuki try to persuade Aya to make contact with Aya, because that isn't healthy? Of course, mission fic is also good too. Maybe they're working something without the others?
Basically, I am determined to force more Side B fic into existence by requesting it repeatedly. It's worked once! I have read the entirety of Weiß Side B, including the chapters that haven't been collected into a tankoban. I am fine if material from other Weiß properties is used as flavor, but I don't want it to be the focus. Feel free to make your story as cracky or angst-turned-to-eleven as the series itself. I am definitely not looking for realistic assassin florist-ing.
Shipping-wise, feel free to include pretty much anything (but not Aya/Yuki), since the series is full of ship bait. I do prefer future stories if you include Michel/Free.
Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
- Imriel de la Courcel/Mavros Shahrizai
- Imriel de la Courcel/Sidonie de la Courcel
- Alcuin no Delaunay/Joscelin Verreuil
- Barquiel L'Envers/Imriel de la Courcel
- Dorelei mab Breidaia/Imriel de la Courcel/Sidonie de la Courcel
- Melisande Shahrizai/Sidonie de la Courcel
- Phedre no Delaunay/Nicola L'Envers y Aragon
- Amarante of Namarre/Sidonie de la Courcel
- Imriel de la Courcel/Eamonn mac Grainne
- Ysandre de la Courcel/Phedre no Delaunay/Drustan mab Necthana/Joscelin Verreuil
- Fanart
- FanFic
There were so many amazing relationships to pick from that I went a little crazy. I'm not really going to go deeper into any of them, because I am intimidated by covering them all. I like all the canon relationships, so I'm fine with any noncanon relationships being either totally AU or another relationship that happens alongside the canon one.
I will note for any ships where an included character dies, I would prefer the story be set either before the character's death or be a character lives AU.
I love the lushness of this series, and how it manages to combine complicated politics and globe-trotting adventure and a permissive sexual environment. I like that despite the attitude towards sex being easier than our world, relationships are still hard and people can still have their own personal hangups. I like the tight POV Carey uses, and the contrasts in the world as seen from different protagonists. (I am fine with both first and third person, however.)
I am still so intimidated by that list of pairings. If you're intimidated too, I'm sorry. I have poor impulse control. The Kushiel books (and sequels) are some of my favorites, as said in the Crossover section. I don't expect you to write something as complicated as one of this books, but I would love something that has the characters trying to ferret out a secret or trying to escape with their knowledge of a secret intact. Or maybe just a decadent scene at a party. I feel like a game of chess is always good with this canon.
For Phedre/Nicola, I love that they're both friends and lovers. Nicola manages to create a bridge between her father and Phedre, and it isn't the last time she helps save the realm. She's one of those side characters who you know is swanning around as the main character in a different story. Phedre offers her a gift, unlike any of her other patrons, and Imriel spends some time jealous of their friendship. There's obviously a great depth of feeling there. As they're both intelligent and political, I'm sure they have great conversations. Plus, all the bondage.
For Dorelei/Imriel/Sidonie, I basically want a happy ending for Dorelei too. I liked how Dorelei and Imriel managed to make their marriage work, and it really was a bit convenient that she was murdered. This could definitely be an angsty story. Could they ever make a relationship between them work out if people knew about it?
We know Amarante taught Sidonie Namaah's Arts, so that, basically. Perhaps also how they balance their relationship with their official positions. (And while I don't care much about top/bottom, I am pretty sure Amarante tops.)
I have written specifically about Alcuin/Joscelin before, so I'll copy that here. That doesn't mean i want this pairing over the others! It means I already had something written: "This is the crack ship of my heart. I'd prefer an Alcuin-lives AU, since obviously there isn't much time where both of them are present before his death and he's kind of taken romantically. But I'd love to see how they interact, how Alcuin feels about Joscelin's priggishness and the way he treats Phedre. How does Joscelin react to Alcuin, who is somewhat softer and more subtle than Phedre? (And, since this is Terre d'Ange, Joscelin/Phedre can still be a thing.)"
Also, you should read the fic that prompt inspired because it has far too few hits and feedback for how satisfying it is:
From Ashes Grows The Birch (19768 words) by Aeriel
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alcuin no Delaunay/Joscelin Verreuil, Alcuin no Delaunay & Phedre no Delaunay
Characters: Alcuin no Delaunay, Joscelin Verreuil, Phedre no Delaunay
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Grief/Mourning, POV First Person, Past Relationship(s), Canonical Character Death, Sexual Content
Summary:
Kushiel was merciful, and Naamah was cruel.
I am Alcuin no Delaunay, and I am alive.
Raven Cycle - Maggie Stiefvater
- Noah Czerny/Richard Gansey III/Ronan Lynch/Adam Parrish/Blue Sargent
- Blue Sargent & Noah Czerny
- Blue Sargent/Declan Lynch
- Adam Parrish/Declan Lynch
- Richard Gansey III/The Pig/Blue Sargent
- Noah Czerny/Richard Gansey III/Blue Sargent
- FanFic
OT5:
It's canon that they all love each other as friends, so this isn't a giant leap. (I would prefer no intercourse between Ronan and Blue, but I don't think they would go out of their way not to touch each other.) I'd like to see the tipping point(s) that make it happen, or what happens when they get old enough to want to leave and how in the world they might make it work.
Blue & Noah:
This is one of my favorite friendships in the series, and I don't care if it isn't entirely platonic. I think the fact that Blue can either help power up or shut down Noah also adds an interesting touch to their relationship that could be explored.
Blue/Declan:
This is pure crack and I want to see it. Especially because I see Ronan, Gansey, and Adam blowing gaskets and Maura worrying about her daughter dating someone so ... corporate.
Adam/Declan:
Declan has Ronan's anger and Gansey's ability to mask his feelings. And we know there are hints that both Ronan and Gansey are Adam's type. They're also both vulnerable in similar ways, with worries of rejection and daddy issues galore. It would be an interesting relationship. I'd prefer anything with this to be set post-canon.
Gansey/The Pig/Blue:
This is great. How does Blue feel about this? How does the Pig feel about this? Just what is Gansey thinking? Feel free to make this one extra strange.
Noah/Gansey/Blue:
I think this is an interesting trio because Gansey and Blue are dating and in love, but Noah and Blue can (and have) actually kiss each other. I enjoy fics with them experimenting with each other. Tragic foreshadowing or happy end, either one.
I may go cross-eyed looking at ten ships, but I can manage six! (It helps that I thought I selected five, so I deluded myself into thinking it wouldn't be as much work.) I just love this series. It's so meandering, but everything feels like it ties back to Glendower. And so much DOOM. I've read through the latest book, so no need to worry about spoilers. I'm cool with basically any background ship you want to throw in, if the ships I requested aren't enough for you. Anything from fluff to full-on creepiness goes for this canon. I thought I'd branch out and ask for some pairings I haven't requested before.