Russia-based spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
in my "give me something to talk about" post 
selenak asked me:
You're in a charge of a Russia-based spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Could be present day, or any time in history (including of course the 20th century). Which setting do you choose? What's the Watcher's cover story/civilian job, and what the Slayer's? Does she face Baba Yaga or another Russian myth?
One of my first attempts at fanfiction, not successful, but the one I returned several times until leaving it to rest, was the story of the Agrafena the Vampire Slayer in 1777, in St. Petersburg. It was not connected to Baba Yaga or any traditional Russian spirits, but let me play with many St.Petersburg’s dark legends and actual history, full of floods that were decidedly apocalyptic (also, see Pushkin’s The Bronze Horseman, which dealt with the subject first and best). I mean, I timed this story specifically during one of such horrible floods, in September 1777.
While I am unlikely to go and finish this story (it’s here), I do think it is a cool concept and setting Slayers’ stories during 18th century in Russia can lead to many delicious possibilities.
Another time that can lead to fascinating stories would be somewhere between 1961-1968. The future had never seemed brighter - the wars are won, the scientific progress does miracles, the first man was in space already. Vampires are just so inappropriate in that setting. Not no mention - how can you explain to an atheist, sincerely believing in bright communist future girl who is planning to be a nuclear physicist in space that actually she has to fight vampires with a stick? It’s perfect.
And still, I wouldn’t use Baba yaga here, but instead turned to darker urban legends and regular demonfolk like domovoys, kikimoras, etc. I love Baba Yaga, and she has her place in modern stories, but she is a bit overdone.
ETA because I realized I only answered half of the question. more ideas for 60s Soviet Vampire Slayer.
Given the age range of the beginning of the Slayer calling - around 15, it would still be appropriate for a high school setting. And then the Watcher can be a teacher or a head of an after class hobby circle, or both. I am thinking something like photography - which was pretty popular at the time for boys and girls and could be a fine cover for a number of weird activities. If our Slayer is still alive upon school graduation, she could try to pass entrance exams for a college or start working, and the Watcher could find her a job close enough for him to continue watching her.
Geographically - we would be talking about the borders of USSR as they were in the 1960s, not specifically Russia.
If in 18th century young St. Petersburg is the best choice, for 20th century I wouldn’t choose either Moscow to St. Petersburg/Leningrad, but instead looked for other possibilities.
- Black Sea cities or small towns. Small town for the vacation resort atmosphere or a large seaport for the constant mix of random people and influences.
- medium size provincial town where nothing happens
- secret scientific research town
- large industrial city
- small town in Carpathian mountains. Castle, tourists, lots of vampires, ghosts, local legends.
Please ask more! https://avrelia.dreamwidth.org/283337.html
selenak asked me:
You're in a charge of a Russia-based spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Could be present day, or any time in history (including of course the 20th century). Which setting do you choose? What's the Watcher's cover story/civilian job, and what the Slayer's? Does she face Baba Yaga or another Russian myth?
One of my first attempts at fanfiction, not successful, but the one I returned several times until leaving it to rest, was the story of the Agrafena the Vampire Slayer in 1777, in St. Petersburg. It was not connected to Baba Yaga or any traditional Russian spirits, but let me play with many St.Petersburg’s dark legends and actual history, full of floods that were decidedly apocalyptic (also, see Pushkin’s The Bronze Horseman, which dealt with the subject first and best). I mean, I timed this story specifically during one of such horrible floods, in September 1777.
While I am unlikely to go and finish this story (it’s here), I do think it is a cool concept and setting Slayers’ stories during 18th century in Russia can lead to many delicious possibilities.
Another time that can lead to fascinating stories would be somewhere between 1961-1968. The future had never seemed brighter - the wars are won, the scientific progress does miracles, the first man was in space already. Vampires are just so inappropriate in that setting. Not no mention - how can you explain to an atheist, sincerely believing in bright communist future girl who is planning to be a nuclear physicist in space that actually she has to fight vampires with a stick? It’s perfect.
And still, I wouldn’t use Baba yaga here, but instead turned to darker urban legends and regular demonfolk like domovoys, kikimoras, etc. I love Baba Yaga, and she has her place in modern stories, but she is a bit overdone.
ETA because I realized I only answered half of the question. more ideas for 60s Soviet Vampire Slayer.
Given the age range of the beginning of the Slayer calling - around 15, it would still be appropriate for a high school setting. And then the Watcher can be a teacher or a head of an after class hobby circle, or both. I am thinking something like photography - which was pretty popular at the time for boys and girls and could be a fine cover for a number of weird activities. If our Slayer is still alive upon school graduation, she could try to pass entrance exams for a college or start working, and the Watcher could find her a job close enough for him to continue watching her.
Geographically - we would be talking about the borders of USSR as they were in the 1960s, not specifically Russia.
If in 18th century young St. Petersburg is the best choice, for 20th century I wouldn’t choose either Moscow to St. Petersburg/Leningrad, but instead looked for other possibilities.
- Black Sea cities or small towns. Small town for the vacation resort atmosphere or a large seaport for the constant mix of random people and influences.
- medium size provincial town where nothing happens
- secret scientific research town
- large industrial city
- small town in Carpathian mountains. Castle, tourists, lots of vampires, ghosts, local legends.
Please ask more! https://avrelia.dreamwidth.org/283337.html