Letter to my Assignee: Rare Pair Fest 2014
Hello Dearest Author/Artist (henceforth referred to as Asignee)!
Thank you verily for taking on this challenge! Although many demands suggestions are written herein, I'll be pretty happy with whatever you create as long as the characterization isn't screwed up too badly. This is my basic bedrock desire: you can write my favorite character as a depraved clown-murderer, as long as you can convince me it's for real. For art, really I just want body proportions right.
On to the stuffs!
Authory things:
Things I like:
Happy ending, please? Or at least an interesting ending. However, if the ending makes me cry I'll probs be unhappy even if I love the fic anyway. I'm a wuss :)
Cool is taking a whole new POV on a character. Someone's generally considered 'the smart one' or 'the level-headed one'? Show their f'd up internal monologue. Or how 'the good guy' secretly doesn't care, or how 'the bad guy' had a good reason the whole time.
I really adore two-sided miscommunications, like when characters are having an argument, or one overhears a convo that means one thing to one side and something totally different to the other.
Ethical sluttery: While I do adore will-they-won't-they, my heart lies with happy poly people, whther this means a committed moresome or a committed relationship with one-night-standery. Make any ship a threesome, or an open relationship, or just add Jack Harkness to anything. Any fandom, any ship, crackily or not. He just rocks. If the story ends with everyone having sex, I’ll probably call it a utopia story.
Coming out stories or anything else involving queer as a thing (with or without modern-day labeling thereof) is beast.
I don’t mind deathfics, although I do like happy endings, so Coming Back From The Dead is coolio.
Backstory fics, which explain or cleverly link canon things to the events you create, are fantastic.
My all-time fav: self-deprecation. Character thinks they don't deserve the relationship/promotion/happy life for some reason = excuse for plotty/character-developmenty/shippy H/C!
I don't mind fluff, but I prefer emotional stories, whatever the emotion. This is inclusive of love, angst, anger, anything.
Kink sublist (in no particular order, as it's just stolen from multiple people):
possessiveness, bondage/discipline, pain-play, fluff after a bad mission, fluff after a bad sex session (for any reason - triggery, tried something the other partner didn’t like, etc), aftercare, lactation, ageplay, fisting, riding, sounding, prostate milking, begging, drawn-out foreplay, sex toys, fucked out and messy, orgasm denial, rimming, trust, blindfolds and other sensory deprivation toys, edging, consensual dub con, sexy dubcon, loving without actually verbalizing the words ‘I love you,' consensual humiliation, noncon if the emhasis is on H/C or it's an interesting take on the ship.
AU sublist:
Canon AUs rock, wherein one thing changes and everything after that changes accordingly, or where the universe is intact but most other things are different. This is opposed to a total AU, wherein characters meet at:
School or college (students or teachers)
Any sort of professional workplace, from a general store to the UN- massive bonus points if the author has RL experience in said setting
Sports AU- I will marry you for this, particularly if you actually teach me about the sport. Ping pong to Olympic diving, idc.
Fusions- HDM is an utter winner, Sentinel/Guide rocks, ABO is good as long as it's more complicated than a straight-up romance, D/s is great, Hogwarts is sweet assuming there's more plot than which characters go to which houses.
Genderflipped canon AU is epic
Dislikes:
Instantaneous or inexplicably fast attraction/relationship/sex. Pointless fic, IMO
Mental torture or extensive physical torture without HC. I like it as a plot point, but I care more about the characters than the acts themselvs, so focus on the former, por favor.
Artisty things:
Imma do my general take on the ship, so you know where I'm coming from, then a prompt or few, which you can feel free to ignore if you think of something that flows better. Ships are not listed in any order of preference, nor are shows.
Ouran High School Host Club: I have only seen the anime! Alas,I have not yet been able to get my haands on the manga, and I really didn't like to ~20 seconds I could bear watching of the live action. As such, my prompts and feels are tailored in that direction; I hope you understand, dear Assignee.
Generally for this fandom, one of the things I like best is their reactions to conflict. It can be super serious or blown way out of proportion, I don't care, but as long as it's not straight-up fluff I'm good.
Fujioka Haruhi/Hitachiin Hikaru/Hitachiin Kaoru: I love the idea of these two being such a cohesive unit and slowly letting their borders expand. I can see Haruhi, once she got hooked on them, being very gentle with helping them to open up, but also seriously not letting them stick their heads n the sand and screw it up. Def post-anime, can go with manga canon or not if you wish, not like I'll be able to tell :p :)
Prompts: The Hitachiins get invited to lots of parties, and they want to bring Haruhi as their joint date, but she's not sure she wants all the fuss that would get stirred up.
Haruhi is mysteriously disappearing for a few hours every day, worrying the boys. What is going on?
Fujioka Haruhi/Hitachiin Hikaru/Hitachiin Kaoru/Ootori Kyouya/Suoh Tamaki: I adore polyfic, partic if they're all living together or at least nearby. Any focus on the relationships within the web is cool, or the group as a whole,. I'd love if some aspect of their jobs was part of the plot, if set post-series.
Prompts: Keeping the scandal at bay is the easy part. Dealing with jealousy- admitted or not- is the hard part.
Flowers, chaos, midnight.
Fujioka Haruhi/Hitachiin Hikaru/Ootori Kyouya: Stability, volatility, cunning. This triad would take over the world. I want to see their adventures in life beyond Ouran.
Prompts: When it's just the three of them, everything is perfect. In the real world, Kyouya's father, Hikaru's brother, and the rest of the world seem united in pulling them apart.
Kyouya comes home frustrated at the idiocy and inefficiency of the world, and tired from keeping it all in. Hikaru comes home ready to scream at someone. Haruhi comes home with a headache from too many case reports. What happens?
Fujioka Haruhi/Ootori Kyouya/Suoh Tamaki: Three ships which I can definitely see individually, but I think would be far more stable as a triad.
Prompts: Unexpectedly, it's Tamaki and Haruhi who have the most trouble being alone together. How do they fix this problem?
Their parents start pressuring for grandchildren.
Emelan: Have not yet read Battle Magic, which is a real problem for ship #1, but feel free to incorporate that or not, your choice. Otherwise, I've read everything, including the short stories.
Evumeimei Dingzai/Briar Moss: I really liked the connection between these two in the books, the parallels between them. I think Evvy had even more potential in her than Briar did when he was 'discovered,' so it would be awesome to see her growing into herself as a capable mage and young woman. Additionally, outside of his circle ad his teachers, Briar doesn't have many close relationships at all, so it would be interesting to watch the evolution of a relationship with someone he trusted. This doesn't have to be shippy if you don't want; I know that's sort of the point of the fest, but I'd be just as happy with a well-written friendship fic as I would be a shipperfic.
Prompts: Evvy's specialized assistance is requested in a city at least a week's travel from Emelan. She's sure she's ready, but it's not magic that gives her trouble.
Mages have interesting standards for the teacher-student relationship.
Trisana Chandler/Daja Kisubo/Briar Moss/Sandrilene fa Toren: Being able to read each others' minds and emotions does not mean everything is easy. I'd love to see something from the beginning, when they were still getting used to the bond, or something from after TWotE, when they have to rediscover who the others are. Having things to hide must make a big difference- what are the biggest problems?
Prompts: Circle of Magic- Luckily, they're young enough that no one thinks it's improper for them all to run around together. But youth makes it difficult to handle the deep bond that has formed. How do their teachers view the love between their charges?
Post TWofE- Daja's house is full again, but for how long? Work gets in the way of the rediscovered relationships.
Tortall: I have read EVERYTHING of this series. I don't care if you want to do canon, genderswap, no magic AU, roleswaps, character as animal (oh wait that's nrmal for that ship. I meant, like, permanently, you know what nevermind), whatever, I just want me some Tortall :)
Numair Salmalin/Veralidaine Sarrasri: I just adore this. Book 4 of The Immortals was amazing for me. I'd love to see something highlighting the gap between them, be it age, experiece with the world or relationships, the different countries/cultures they grew up with, or the way their magics work. Alternately, it would be sweet to see something making trouble in their relationship, like intruigue at court, jealousy, their children, too much time apart for the war effort, etc.
Prompts: In Galla, children come after marriage, simple as that. In Carthak, the decision to have a child, particularly for those situated close to royalty, is a much heavier decision.
A long-time mage correspondant of Numair's visits the court. Daine just hadn't realized she was so... perfect
Prompt from commentfic which I stole: "I was the girl who ran with the pack, why would the realm's most powerful mage want me?"
Taybur Sibigat/Alianne Cooper: These two are just such perfect counterparts. I want something that explores how well they fit each other- both violently loyal, both patient and cunning. I want to see them trusting each other or coming to trust each other. Deal with Nawat and the fledglings as you see fit; you can write them out if you like, go AU, or see how they would affect/be affected by Taybur ad Aly's relationship. If you want to get creative, that's totally chill with me.
Prompts: Dude, undercover married couple. OMG.
Aly returns from Carthage several weeks late due to summer storms. What does she find when she gets back?
Torchwood: This fandom was my life for 3.5 years. I'll pretty much love anything you do, as long as it doesn't cross my squicks, listed at the top of the letter.
Angelo Colasanto/Jack Harkness: I would kill for some Angelo/Jack fluff. You don't have to include loads of historical details, Catholicness, aliens even. I just want these two happy together. That can be in the 20's, through time travel, maybe he wakes up in the modern day and they escape idrc, I just want happy. Alternately, you can write something angst, but I'd like for the strength of their relationship to be shown- not saying it has to be strong (though that would rock), it can be tested, Jack can be about to disappear into the night, but happy ending, please? I got enough sad from this ship and I'd love to read something /good/ for them. Any plot, just happy ending.
Prompts: Angelo gets a letter from home.
Jack always flirts with the girl who works in the bakery. What does Angelo feel/do?
John Hart/Toshiko Sato: Both of these are really hot, strong, intelligent characters. I'd love to see something where they are forced to work together, be it short-term or long-term, and coming to trust each other. Alternatively a PWP would rock. Am I allowed to say that?
Prompts: A mysterious man keeps appearing, asking Tosh for help. Somehow, none of the others or the CCTV ever see him. Jack is gone and time is running out. Can Toshiko trust this so-called Time Agent?
Jack was right at the end of Exit Wounds, there's been too much death. And this time, a lot of it was John's fault. But there is one person he can save.
Tosh is an IT nerd-- not aat all what a devilishly attractive, well-spoken man who wears bespoke Italian suits would be looking for. So... why does this one keep looking at her?
Jack Harkness/John Hart/Ianto Jones: Hot. Damn. Sexy, jealousy, devious, how could this go wrong? I'd adore something where they were forced to work together again, and something just snaps. Also, a mundane!AU would be quite interesting.
Prompts: After Exit Wounds, Team Torchwood is in over their heads on a case and has no choice but to call for assistance.
Jack and John have had an on-again, off-agin relationship for years. When Jack meets Ianto, however, John realizes he'll have to move fast or be left in the dust. Maybe there's a way to make eveyone happy. Really happy.
John Hart arrives in Cardiff and finds his old partner working as General Support for Torchwood, run by Ianto Jones.
Ianto Jones/Toshiko Sato: Two quiet, intelligent, kind people. I really think these two would bring out the best in each other. Up to Assignee to determine what that means!
Prompts: Jack gets back and asks Ianto out, only to be turned down. What's it like working with your ex and your new girlfriend?
Ianto is the new research assistant in Torchwood Univeristy's Extraterrestrial Studies department. Toshiko is super busy.
Suzie Costello/Jack Harkness: What little we saw of Suzie before the whole driven crazy part makes her seem like a smart, capable person, with a wit well able to match Jack's. Later on, we see she exactly how cunning and driven she can be, both attributes that correspond to Jack's.
Prompts: I would love to see something pre-series about how they get along working together during the day (and sometimes at night) and being together in whatever time Torchwood leaves.
Mundade!AU- Jack's wife has been acting really strange lately...
Owen Harper/Martha Jones: Martha would make Owen get his shit together, and he would be someone she could rely on through thick and thin. Ignore him getting shot, don't ignore it, have Martha come to work at Torchwood after an AU Exit Wounds- hell, go complete AU!
Prompts: There's a difference between trusting someone in the field and trusting them with your heart.
The Doctor comes back for Martha's help, is surprised that her flat looks different. "And there's a man in it!"
Merlin: Loved this show, hated the finale. Please don't write any modern day canon verse with immortal Merlin, although this show totally lends itself to total AUs, because the characters, IMO, are way more interesting than the plots. Anyway. You can probably tell I love Gwaine! Actually, the reason I chose these characters is because Gwaine always seemed like a red and purple character to me, because of his loyalty and impetuousness, while Gwen is a royal purple and kind yellow, and Mithian is royal and dignified and kind as well, but in a blue and white way, and all these colors go together. Actually, if you want to do a three way ship, I'd dig that. And Morgana is blue in early seasons and then with more deep violet and black later on. Anyway, feel free to ignore this ramble. Or take it as a prompt!
Gwaine/Gwen: Both compassionate characters, though one is overburdened with adventurousness and the other with the weight of responsibility. Maybe they would balance each other out.
Prompts: Arthur doesn't mind that every so often his queen and one of his most trusted knights ride out into the countryside for a night or two, not when they come back so relaxed and laughing.
It's unheard of for a knight to court a maid, but Gwaine never cared about that sort of thing.
Modern!AU- None of their friends would believe that the devil-may-care joker of the group's had a crush on the quiet, intelligent Gwen for years, but when she and Arthur break up-- loudly and messily-- Gwaine sees his chance.
Gwaine/Morgana: Both of these characters demand respect. In the beginning, at least, both are upholders of goodness and order, and I would love to see a fixit where they get together. In a modern!AU, they would challenge and compliment each other.
Prompt: Arthur is king, and Morgana is ready to curse the kingdom to Hell. Gwaine helps her see that fighting is not always the answer.
An academic contest of your choice is announced, and everyone knows who it's going to come down to.
Gwaine/Mithian: He's so down-to-Earth, and Mithian was raised to see the big picture. There's a thin line between loathing and high romance.
Prompts: During Mithian's visit, Arthur is too distracted/distraught by the ruins of his relationship with Gwen to properly attend the princess. Somehow, Gwaine ends up entertaining her instead of Leon, and finds that Arthur isn't the only royalty he can stand.
Modern!AU- Morgana blackmails Gwaine into letting her friend stay in his spare room, but she's not as horrible as he was expecting.
Gwen/Mithian: Mithian is a very responsible character, very high class. Gwen is also very responsible, but she sees the country from below rather than above.
Prompts: Mithian comes across Gwen crying when she is exploring the castle.
In Mithian's country, it is not unusual for a noble wife to have one very close lady-in-waiting. Feel free to go OT3 with Arthur!
Leon/Morgana: Something so tragic about this ship. They would have known each other for at least a few years before the show starts, at which point both are some of the most powerful people in Uther's court. It would be interesting to see what sort of intrigues they got up to either before or during the show.
Prompts: Morgana didn't want her first love to be some unknown noble.
Leon was the only one who knew the truth about her visions.
Supernatural: This is my current show=life. There were too many lovely ships to choose, so I had to content myself with six. This show also lends itself to canon!AU and total!AU like breathing, so as long as you keep the chemistry intact, I'd love to see these shisp anywhere!
Lisa Braeden/Castiel/Dean Winchester: I adore Lisa. She's strong-minded but adaptable, caring but firm enough to put Dean in his place, makes exceptions for him beyond what the average person would but puts a dead stop to anything that would threaten Ben. While I do love her shipped with Dean, I think that relationship is missing something, and it's the reason why Dean left-- he has a calling, and settling down does not enable it, at least at first glance. Similarly, I ship the hell out of Destiel, but as a ship they are volatile, tending to crash and fall. I think Lisa's presence would ground and stabilize them, providing a lodestone and a home, and a reason to keep fighting and a place to rest.
Prompts: Season 6 AU- Dean comes home from work to find Lisa and Ben tending to a man in a trenchcoat who popped out of nowhere, asked for Dean, then passed out in the living room.
Mundane!AU- Dean has Dissociative Identity Disorder; one of his personalities is straight, the other isn't. WHen the two loves of his life meet by coincidence, neither reacts as one might expect.
Balthazar/Castiel/Gabriel: While I can't really see this set during the series (and feel free to surprise me if you disagree) I'd love to see something set before, when they all lived in Heaven, or in an AU. As I said above, I really adore backstory fics, so I'd love to see something exploring Castiel's relationships with Balthazar or Gabriel in canon. If you want to include incest in any head!canon, I don't mind that at all.
Prompts: The archangel Gabriel has taken Balthazar under his wing, cause the guy's more willing to prank the other archangels than any other seraphim. When Balthazar asks his help in wooing a dark loner, what is Gabriel to do but agree?
The archangel Balthazar has been waiting for just this moment.
A Mundane!AU or a post-series with back-to-life!Angels would rock too.
Gabriel/Lucifer: There's obviously some intense emotion there, just from the one scene they had together. Some explanation of that would be cool, hearkening back to Heaven times. Or an AU of Hammer! Or a complete AU! Aka, just give me happy, idc if it's angsty as hell (haha) as long as they end up somewhere positive.
Prompts: