yuletide letter!
Dear Yuletide Writer,
Please picture me as a stupidly happy small yappy dog right now. My entire being vibrates with joy. I am wriggling around and falling out of your lap with glee. Okay? Okay.
This is my first year doing yuletide! So, uh, my prompts kind of sucked--I assumed I would only have to be specific in my letter. This is a rookie mistake, and I am sorry. The "summary" section below is sort of my prompt section. The rest of this letter is about my ~feelings~ for these sources, mostly, though I prattle on and throw out about twenty ideas at a time.
If you have a specific burning anxiety, please voice it via a hippo? Or something? I enjoy a wide spectrum of things, from violence to schmoop; humor to kink. Countless first dates have taught me that I am easy!--or would that be fast?--so, I assure you: I will love what you write for me.
My masterlist and info post(s) are kind of out of date right now; in the coming week, I will be tweaking those, in case you want many resources to try and get into my head. Seriously, though, my friend: I am easy.
Onward!
Drive
Okay, so. If you're here for Drive? I AM FLIPPING OUT. Drive was the entire reason I signed up for Yuletide, basically. To my knowledge, I have already written the first Drive fanfic on the internet, but I haven't uploaded it yet (Monday afternoon, I will) (Tuesday night). I really fucking loved this film. It is nearly perfect. It may actually BE perfect.
Nonetheless! I want fic. My id wants more. Always more! And maybe sex? But maybe not. If you don't like writing violence or sexy, that's totally fine. There are lots of starkly beautiful things to do here that don't requite sex or violence at all; please don't be freaked.
I did a whole post on how I love it, and, uh, other things. That is here. I love the soundtrack. I love the camera work. I also love the bare bones dialogue that fillets the story open.
And, of course, I love our nameless protagonist, his sweetness and his violence. I love how the elevator kiss is both a consummation of desire (for he isn't sexless, merely disciplined), a gambit (and what an efficient tactical decision it is, to distract the hitman), and a kiss good bye (for he knows he will lose her, after she sees what he can do).
I also really love Standard, which I get into some into my review. He's a thug, but not really. He's a family man. He's trying hard, and he obviously loves his wife and family. That said, the first scene him and the Driver are on screen together--it gives me chills. Standard isn't aggressive about it, but the way he keeps on pressing, asking his question--"been helping out?"--is exceedingly uncomfortable. It makes me squirm. I love it.
Irene, though most definitely a damsel in distress (but everyone in this movie is in distress, really) was fantastic. At the end of the movie she is, again, waiting for her man. Precious little changes, yet everything does. She was very sweet; i bought her chemistry with everyone.
So, uh, what does this mean for you?
Um.
Well, if you like writing bloody action scenes? GO AHEAD. I dig it. I love Nicholas Winding Refn films, in part because of how he handles violence. He makes it count.
If you would like to write tortured emotional whatever? I'M DOWN.
If you would like to write slash--
High five, friend, high five.
But really, I want nearly anything. The only thing I don't want is a standard resolution sort of romance between the Driver and Irene, because I feel that this would cheapen the movie and make it into the usual action-movie-with-cars. That said: this could still be done well. I even think the kid is cute. You could write a whole fic of him and Driver watching cartoons together and I would be thrilled.
Other options?
Slice of life piece with Standard and Irene and Ben? Sure! Slice of life with the Driver, Irene, and Ben? Yes! That achingly sweet tension between Driver and Irene? Yes! Standard and Driver being a little standoffish and uncomfortable in their alliance? Yes! Standard and Driver plus sexual tension on the part of one or both of them? YES.
An AU where Standard doesn't die, and him and the Driver have to outwit everyone together? Yesss. "Standard doesn't die," I feel would be a fandom trope, if this movie had a fandom. My Drive fic has this premise, but I don't think I will ever tire of it.
THREESOMES?
Why not, if you can swing it. Why not.
That said, there's so much timeline in movie cannon to explore--so many moments to coax more detail out of. Somewhere recently I listed "twosomes that are really threesomes in spirit" as a kink of mine, and I think that's really true. There's some room here for Standard and Irene to get it on while one or both of them thinks about the Driver--and this could be all in their heads, or Standard could actually be like, "are you thinking of him, huh? are you?"
I am okay with nothing romantic happening. Fuck, I would happily read fic of the Driver just driving around aimlessly, or working on cars, or shopping for groceries all on his lonesome. I would read fic about Standard's time in prison. I would read fic about Irene's struggle as a single mom.
IF romance and sex do happen--I am okay with all three parties being involved in any combination. However, I feel like sudden total censure of the third/absent character would be wrong and jarring (unless it's Irene/Standard in the days before the Driver, which would be totally cool and exempt from this censure thing). Like, believe me--as a slasher, Driver/Standard is all kinds of unf unf to me, but I don't want the third person (Irene, in this case) to be conspicuously and entirely absent. Like, the boys aren't suddenly gay and have always been gay. They're going to think about Irene. They are, probably, going to think about Irene a lot--they're both so worried for her. Likewise, there are many ways to make Driver/Irene work, but if she suddenly totally forgets that Standard ever existed? That would bother me a little. He's the father of her child and they've been together for a while.
So that's what I mean by censure? I hope this makes sense.
In summary: my id wants threesomes, but my id will also enjoy twosomes or gen. Worldbuilding is so okay in Drive! Again, there's so much there.
Also, any of the other characters being explored is fantastic, too! Just they weren't nominated, so I didn't really think to mention it.
Again: thanks so much, writer, for offering this. And for reading this far. <3
Castro/Che
Right, so I think no one signed up to offer this. As far as I know, I'm basically the only person who thinks about this? BUT, just. Okay.
LOOK:
Young shirtless Che! Is he not delicious? Is not Castro's precious little "getting dress is serious business!" face terribly endearing? Can you not immediately imagine them having TONS OF SEX? I can.
The first time I mention this picture on this journal is here, but I've had a boner for it since...age 17, I think? A long time now.
So! Young, early (student?) days Che and Castro? Getting it on? Eh, eh?
Or slightly older Che and Castro...PLAYING GOLF?
...OR BASEBALL?
Basically, I want either
+Che and Castro: secret lovers, OR
+Che and Castro: BFFs!
or, you know, both, because I'm like that. Humor/fluff sports piece = A-OKAY BY ME. Schmoop? Full speed ahead! Explicit porn? SURE.
Basically, they were once young and reckless and beautiful and filled with belief and fire. Things were great before things went to shit, is the idea I get.
(Che's grin! Castro's shy little pawing at his ear!)
(Che's concentrated EYEBROWS! Castro gazing at him!)
"Bros, we are BFFs forever and ever and nothing could come between us evveeerr homg so in love."
(whoops.)
PASSIONATELY READY TO YELL ABOUT STUFF.
Um, I want ridiculousness. If you want to write something bittersweet and yearning and one way, that's cool, too. I will love it! There's much potential there! If you want to write something romantic but still full of foreboding and foreshadowing--also okay! If you want to write shameless crack? ALSO OKAY.
The only thing I don't want is stuff focusing on Che's death or the falling out exclusively. If it's a mostly happy (or bittersweet happy) piece that ends there, okay, that's cool, props--but I don't want angst angst angst.
I have a total boner for dudes doing manly shit, so they can be camped out in the jungle or whatever. And manly dudes cooking! That's a thing for me. Also! Students! Student life! Passionate intellectual debates! SEX. Um.
In general, I also have a sort of... cultured-gap or class-gap kink? And by no means do you need to go into this or anywhere near, but Castro grew up poor while Che came from a prosperous family.
Okay! What else? Uh, I'm Colombian, but I grew up in Miami around a ton of Cuban exiles and expats. I know that these bros had a lot of death they were responsible for, and really, there are so many serious things to say and I should, frankly, probably apologize to so many people for wanting this--
But I do want this, and I would love to be humored and not have to think about economic policy and death and embargo for a while.
So, use as little or as much actual history if you want, just...don't make me cry the whole time, please?
FULL ON ALTERNATE HISTORY IS OKAY, TOO.
Paris, J'Taime, or: I have a boner for Gaspard Ulliel.
Wow, hi! I was shocked by how many offers this got! (FOUR! Four to my one single little request! I love you guys!)
This is my gimme--but don't let that fool you: I want this wildly. Cannon is short (SIX MINUTES) and available here!
I nominated this because I love sweet awkwardness and because I have a tremendous ladyboner for Gaspard Ulliel. I basically think everything about this short is adorable, and not just Gaspard's bare shoulders and cute blindingly white sneakers. I love the abruptness of this romance, how quietly but wildly compelled Gaspard's character is to offer himself so completely. I love Eli's almost defensive/standoffish posture; the way he looks up at Gaspard, wary in his lack of understanding--and his hopeful, thrumming nervousness at the end when he runs to catch up.
But seriously, Gaspard:
"DO YOU BELIEVE IN SOULMATES? ...YOU LIKE JAZZ?"
There's a desperation to this, even if Gaspard himself seems rather calm--though there are moments that betray a well contained nervousness, I think.
Um. AWKWARDNESS! And then sex!
Ideas: ...sweetly awkward sex? :D cough. Uh, does Eli catch up to Gaspard? Or does he have to make the phone call? How does Gaspard feel once he realizes that his full-steam-ahead soulmate speech went not-understood? Is he embarrassed? Does he think it's hilarious? Is he this intense all the time, or is this experience just really special? Does he deliver a similar speech in English, or does he try to start over with a more conventional courtship?
Fluff, schmoop, sex. IT'S ALL GOOD.
Or! For something really different--where are these two years down the line? What do they tell people about the way they met? Does Eli ever master French, or has Gaspard laughingly decided to speak to his lover in English?
Something sweet. That is all that I really want: the rest is details.
Lucifer: the gateway drug
So, this is the comic series that brought me back to comic books after many years of straying. It's honestly a little hard for me to articulate what I love about this--
Besides, of course, Lucifer himself in all of his glory. Pride goeth. Lucifer's a creature of sheer will, answering to no one, mercilessly intelligent and ruthlessly, beautifully pragmatic--
And he always keeps his promises.
Lucifer Morningstar is...damn near perfect in this series. He's exactly what I want the devil to be, in my stories. Each time he gets a little too sympathetic, something happens to remind you who this really is...
("You came into my house. And you prayed to him.")
I like the general mythology of the series, how rich the cosmos is. For a story that's ultimately about a rather Christian god and a Milton-esque devil, there's a while lot of other flavors thrown in.
I also really, really fucking love Mazikeen. She is fierce in her love. Yes, so--she loves the devil. Whatever, right? The consort of evil is such a silly little trope in fiction, for the most part--
And no. Mazikeen is a war leader; a solider--a general. Brute strength aside, she's also a tactical mastermind, completely devoted to her cause, and willing to risk herself fearlessly when she throws herself into a gambit.
I love that she allies herself with Lucifer; then against him (BUT NOT REALLY); then with him. She is on her side, and her rightful place is next to Lucifer.
In terms of raw power, yawn, well. Lucifer's a fucking god on high in this series. Yet Mazikeen is, in many ways, his equal.
Here's the thing:
This story, for me, is about free will. It's about confidence; it's about self knowledge; it's about choices.
It's not about family (which I find to be a curious way of interpreting it); it's not about morality.
It's about doing and being, with full commitment to belief.
Oh, yes. It's also a story about belief, but so many of Mike Carey's are.
So that's my tip top favorite stuff about the series. However!
I also love (love!) the relationship between Michael and Lucifer. That bit about how they pass one another? Fuck yes.
I love how Michael has tried, so long and so hard, to be the right person and do the right thing, and how he is ultimately scorned for it. Lucifer does not need God's approval and yet has it, and Michael--
Is heartbreaking, really.
And so: Elaine! Right!
Uh, my favorite Elaine is little human girl Elaine, who practices necromancy like it's no big deal and notes that the Devil has the bluest blue eyes (and keeps his promises). I also like Elaine as the actual-working-god of Lucifer's creation--while Mona is set over hedgehogs!--I think that's fun.
There's a lot of terror in being a little girl, I think.
ALSO I LOVE GADIUM. AND SPERA. IF YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THEM: GREAT.
And Loki's brother--cousin?--was hot.
So! Uh, ideas?
Lucifer being utterly himself, as ever. Mazikeen the warrior queen, and how love makes her fast, not slow. Her devotion to Lucifer, shown in any way--as long as she is still allowed to be strong.
While this is the only request that I'm not all "POOORRRN! MAYBE?" for, I mean, there probably are ways to swing it somehow. I just don't know what they are. Lucifer and Mazikeen do actually spend some time doing stuff other than, like, vacating creation or killing god or stuff--I mean, they played at being essentially human for some time.
Um, Lucifer and Mazikeen in the old days? Before Lucifer left Hell? What was that like? There's SO MUCH EMPTY TIME HERE.
Lucifer and Maz hanging out at Lux! He's playing piano, she's tending bar! What's that like? What are their favorite songs? Is there one that he plays, just for her, even though he announces it not at all and it seems to everyone else like just another song in the set?
Michael! His life is hard. Does he ruminate on Lucifer, on Elaine--on Mazikeen, even, maybe?
Duma! Running Hell is hard. Tell me about some incident that he had to intervene in.
Elaine--what's it like, being a spooky child? Very lonely, I imagine, even with the ghosts to talk to. What's her favorite dessert? What did Mona and her do for fun before Mona died? What's it like running everything that isn't hedgehogs?
GADIUM AND SPERA: AT A DINER?
IN SUM, or: how about that teel fucking dear, eh?
Exclamation points are my excited way of saying "or," in this case. Also? I love dogs.
Drive--
Cannon: Driver wandering around in a grocery store! Irene and Benicio at the park! Standard in prison! AU: Standard and Driver making out? Driver/Irene/Standard sexytimes? Standard NOT DYING? Someone adopting a puppy? Anything. Honestly.
Castro/Che RPF--
Che and Castro: secret lovers! Or Che and Castro: BFFs! Che and Castro playing sports! Che and Castro petting a dog!
Paris J'taime--
Sweet yearning schmoop! Sweet yearning sex! Sweet yearning kinky sex with the kink of your choice? Awkward conversations! Or years down the line? SWEETNESS. MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Feelings! Kisses! Sex? Do they eventually adopt a dog?
[my squicks are, like...death. and scant. and fursuits? that's about it.]
Lucifer--
Lucifer being ruthlessly, beautifully himself. Mazikeen being the warrior queen she is, while also in love--the kind of love that makes you raise an army for your beloved. Or Mona and Elaine and puppies hedgehogs! Gaudium and Spera being adorable! And eating pancakes/something ridiculous?
DONE. Whew. Thanks for sticking through that, yuletide writer. I will be adding/editing info posts and kink lists on my journal in the coming week, if you like. If not, uh...there is totally enough information in this letter to get to know me.
Please picture me as a stupidly happy small yappy dog right now. My entire being vibrates with joy. I am wriggling around and falling out of your lap with glee. Okay? Okay.
This is my first year doing yuletide! So, uh, my prompts kind of sucked--I assumed I would only have to be specific in my letter. This is a rookie mistake, and I am sorry. The "summary" section below is sort of my prompt section. The rest of this letter is about my ~feelings~ for these sources, mostly, though I prattle on and throw out about twenty ideas at a time.
If you have a specific burning anxiety, please voice it via a hippo? Or something? I enjoy a wide spectrum of things, from violence to schmoop; humor to kink. Countless first dates have taught me that I am easy!--or would that be fast?--so, I assure you: I will love what you write for me.
My masterlist and info post(s) are kind of out of date right now; in the coming week, I will be tweaking those, in case you want many resources to try and get into my head. Seriously, though, my friend: I am easy.
Onward!
Drive
Okay, so. If you're here for Drive? I AM FLIPPING OUT. Drive was the entire reason I signed up for Yuletide, basically. To my knowledge, I have already written the first Drive fanfic on the internet, but I haven't uploaded it yet (Monday afternoon, I will) (Tuesday night). I really fucking loved this film. It is nearly perfect. It may actually BE perfect.
Nonetheless! I want fic. My id wants more. Always more! And maybe sex? But maybe not. If you don't like writing violence or sexy, that's totally fine. There are lots of starkly beautiful things to do here that don't requite sex or violence at all; please don't be freaked.
I did a whole post on how I love it, and, uh, other things. That is here. I love the soundtrack. I love the camera work. I also love the bare bones dialogue that fillets the story open.
And, of course, I love our nameless protagonist, his sweetness and his violence. I love how the elevator kiss is both a consummation of desire (for he isn't sexless, merely disciplined), a gambit (and what an efficient tactical decision it is, to distract the hitman), and a kiss good bye (for he knows he will lose her, after she sees what he can do).
I also really love Standard, which I get into some into my review. He's a thug, but not really. He's a family man. He's trying hard, and he obviously loves his wife and family. That said, the first scene him and the Driver are on screen together--it gives me chills. Standard isn't aggressive about it, but the way he keeps on pressing, asking his question--"been helping out?"--is exceedingly uncomfortable. It makes me squirm. I love it.
Irene, though most definitely a damsel in distress (but everyone in this movie is in distress, really) was fantastic. At the end of the movie she is, again, waiting for her man. Precious little changes, yet everything does. She was very sweet; i bought her chemistry with everyone.
So, uh, what does this mean for you?
Um.
Well, if you like writing bloody action scenes? GO AHEAD. I dig it. I love Nicholas Winding Refn films, in part because of how he handles violence. He makes it count.
If you would like to write tortured emotional whatever? I'M DOWN.
If you would like to write slash--
High five, friend, high five.
But really, I want nearly anything. The only thing I don't want is a standard resolution sort of romance between the Driver and Irene, because I feel that this would cheapen the movie and make it into the usual action-movie-with-cars. That said: this could still be done well. I even think the kid is cute. You could write a whole fic of him and Driver watching cartoons together and I would be thrilled.
Other options?
Slice of life piece with Standard and Irene and Ben? Sure! Slice of life with the Driver, Irene, and Ben? Yes! That achingly sweet tension between Driver and Irene? Yes! Standard and Driver being a little standoffish and uncomfortable in their alliance? Yes! Standard and Driver plus sexual tension on the part of one or both of them? YES.
An AU where Standard doesn't die, and him and the Driver have to outwit everyone together? Yesss. "Standard doesn't die," I feel would be a fandom trope, if this movie had a fandom. My Drive fic has this premise, but I don't think I will ever tire of it.
THREESOMES?
Why not, if you can swing it. Why not.
That said, there's so much timeline in movie cannon to explore--so many moments to coax more detail out of. Somewhere recently I listed "twosomes that are really threesomes in spirit" as a kink of mine, and I think that's really true. There's some room here for Standard and Irene to get it on while one or both of them thinks about the Driver--and this could be all in their heads, or Standard could actually be like, "are you thinking of him, huh? are you?"
I am okay with nothing romantic happening. Fuck, I would happily read fic of the Driver just driving around aimlessly, or working on cars, or shopping for groceries all on his lonesome. I would read fic about Standard's time in prison. I would read fic about Irene's struggle as a single mom.
IF romance and sex do happen--I am okay with all three parties being involved in any combination. However, I feel like sudden total censure of the third/absent character would be wrong and jarring (unless it's Irene/Standard in the days before the Driver, which would be totally cool and exempt from this censure thing). Like, believe me--as a slasher, Driver/Standard is all kinds of unf unf to me, but I don't want the third person (Irene, in this case) to be conspicuously and entirely absent. Like, the boys aren't suddenly gay and have always been gay. They're going to think about Irene. They are, probably, going to think about Irene a lot--they're both so worried for her. Likewise, there are many ways to make Driver/Irene work, but if she suddenly totally forgets that Standard ever existed? That would bother me a little. He's the father of her child and they've been together for a while.
So that's what I mean by censure? I hope this makes sense.
In summary: my id wants threesomes, but my id will also enjoy twosomes or gen. Worldbuilding is so okay in Drive! Again, there's so much there.
Also, any of the other characters being explored is fantastic, too! Just they weren't nominated, so I didn't really think to mention it.
Again: thanks so much, writer, for offering this. And for reading this far. <3
Castro/Che
Right, so I think no one signed up to offer this. As far as I know, I'm basically the only person who thinks about this? BUT, just. Okay.
LOOK:
Young shirtless Che! Is he not delicious? Is not Castro's precious little "getting dress is serious business!" face terribly endearing? Can you not immediately imagine them having TONS OF SEX? I can.
The first time I mention this picture on this journal is here, but I've had a boner for it since...age 17, I think? A long time now.
So! Young, early (student?) days Che and Castro? Getting it on? Eh, eh?
Or slightly older Che and Castro...PLAYING GOLF?
...OR BASEBALL?
Basically, I want either
+Che and Castro: secret lovers, OR
+Che and Castro: BFFs!
or, you know, both, because I'm like that. Humor/fluff sports piece = A-OKAY BY ME. Schmoop? Full speed ahead! Explicit porn? SURE.
Basically, they were once young and reckless and beautiful and filled with belief and fire. Things were great before things went to shit, is the idea I get.
(Che's grin! Castro's shy little pawing at his ear!)
(Che's concentrated EYEBROWS! Castro gazing at him!)
"Bros, we are BFFs forever and ever and nothing could come between us evveeerr homg so in love."
(whoops.)
PASSIONATELY READY TO YELL ABOUT STUFF.
Um, I want ridiculousness. If you want to write something bittersweet and yearning and one way, that's cool, too. I will love it! There's much potential there! If you want to write something romantic but still full of foreboding and foreshadowing--also okay! If you want to write shameless crack? ALSO OKAY.
The only thing I don't want is stuff focusing on Che's death or the falling out exclusively. If it's a mostly happy (or bittersweet happy) piece that ends there, okay, that's cool, props--but I don't want angst angst angst.
I have a total boner for dudes doing manly shit, so they can be camped out in the jungle or whatever. And manly dudes cooking! That's a thing for me. Also! Students! Student life! Passionate intellectual debates! SEX. Um.
In general, I also have a sort of... cultured-gap or class-gap kink? And by no means do you need to go into this or anywhere near, but Castro grew up poor while Che came from a prosperous family.
Okay! What else? Uh, I'm Colombian, but I grew up in Miami around a ton of Cuban exiles and expats. I know that these bros had a lot of death they were responsible for, and really, there are so many serious things to say and I should, frankly, probably apologize to so many people for wanting this--
But I do want this, and I would love to be humored and not have to think about economic policy and death and embargo for a while.
So, use as little or as much actual history if you want, just...don't make me cry the whole time, please?
FULL ON ALTERNATE HISTORY IS OKAY, TOO.
Paris, J'Taime, or: I have a boner for Gaspard Ulliel.
Wow, hi! I was shocked by how many offers this got! (FOUR! Four to my one single little request! I love you guys!)
This is my gimme--but don't let that fool you: I want this wildly. Cannon is short (SIX MINUTES) and available here!
I nominated this because I love sweet awkwardness and because I have a tremendous ladyboner for Gaspard Ulliel. I basically think everything about this short is adorable, and not just Gaspard's bare shoulders and cute blindingly white sneakers. I love the abruptness of this romance, how quietly but wildly compelled Gaspard's character is to offer himself so completely. I love Eli's almost defensive/standoffish posture; the way he looks up at Gaspard, wary in his lack of understanding--and his hopeful, thrumming nervousness at the end when he runs to catch up.
But seriously, Gaspard:
"DO YOU BELIEVE IN SOULMATES? ...YOU LIKE JAZZ?"
There's a desperation to this, even if Gaspard himself seems rather calm--though there are moments that betray a well contained nervousness, I think.
Um. AWKWARDNESS! And then sex!
Ideas: ...sweetly awkward sex? :D cough. Uh, does Eli catch up to Gaspard? Or does he have to make the phone call? How does Gaspard feel once he realizes that his full-steam-ahead soulmate speech went not-understood? Is he embarrassed? Does he think it's hilarious? Is he this intense all the time, or is this experience just really special? Does he deliver a similar speech in English, or does he try to start over with a more conventional courtship?
Fluff, schmoop, sex. IT'S ALL GOOD.
Or! For something really different--where are these two years down the line? What do they tell people about the way they met? Does Eli ever master French, or has Gaspard laughingly decided to speak to his lover in English?
Something sweet. That is all that I really want: the rest is details.
Lucifer: the gateway drug
So, this is the comic series that brought me back to comic books after many years of straying. It's honestly a little hard for me to articulate what I love about this--
Besides, of course, Lucifer himself in all of his glory. Pride goeth. Lucifer's a creature of sheer will, answering to no one, mercilessly intelligent and ruthlessly, beautifully pragmatic--
And he always keeps his promises.
Lucifer Morningstar is...damn near perfect in this series. He's exactly what I want the devil to be, in my stories. Each time he gets a little too sympathetic, something happens to remind you who this really is...
("You came into my house. And you prayed to him.")
I like the general mythology of the series, how rich the cosmos is. For a story that's ultimately about a rather Christian god and a Milton-esque devil, there's a while lot of other flavors thrown in.
I also really, really fucking love Mazikeen. She is fierce in her love. Yes, so--she loves the devil. Whatever, right? The consort of evil is such a silly little trope in fiction, for the most part--
And no. Mazikeen is a war leader; a solider--a general. Brute strength aside, she's also a tactical mastermind, completely devoted to her cause, and willing to risk herself fearlessly when she throws herself into a gambit.
I love that she allies herself with Lucifer; then against him (BUT NOT REALLY); then with him. She is on her side, and her rightful place is next to Lucifer.
In terms of raw power, yawn, well. Lucifer's a fucking god on high in this series. Yet Mazikeen is, in many ways, his equal.
Here's the thing:
This story, for me, is about free will. It's about confidence; it's about self knowledge; it's about choices.
It's not about family (which I find to be a curious way of interpreting it); it's not about morality.
It's about doing and being, with full commitment to belief.
Oh, yes. It's also a story about belief, but so many of Mike Carey's are.
So that's my tip top favorite stuff about the series. However!
I also love (love!) the relationship between Michael and Lucifer. That bit about how they pass one another? Fuck yes.
I love how Michael has tried, so long and so hard, to be the right person and do the right thing, and how he is ultimately scorned for it. Lucifer does not need God's approval and yet has it, and Michael--
Is heartbreaking, really.
And so: Elaine! Right!
Uh, my favorite Elaine is little human girl Elaine, who practices necromancy like it's no big deal and notes that the Devil has the bluest blue eyes (and keeps his promises). I also like Elaine as the actual-working-god of Lucifer's creation--while Mona is set over hedgehogs!--I think that's fun.
There's a lot of terror in being a little girl, I think.
ALSO I LOVE GADIUM. AND SPERA. IF YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THEM: GREAT.
And Loki's brother--cousin?--was hot.
So! Uh, ideas?
Lucifer being utterly himself, as ever. Mazikeen the warrior queen, and how love makes her fast, not slow. Her devotion to Lucifer, shown in any way--as long as she is still allowed to be strong.
While this is the only request that I'm not all "POOORRRN! MAYBE?" for, I mean, there probably are ways to swing it somehow. I just don't know what they are. Lucifer and Mazikeen do actually spend some time doing stuff other than, like, vacating creation or killing god or stuff--I mean, they played at being essentially human for some time.
Um, Lucifer and Mazikeen in the old days? Before Lucifer left Hell? What was that like? There's SO MUCH EMPTY TIME HERE.
Lucifer and Maz hanging out at Lux! He's playing piano, she's tending bar! What's that like? What are their favorite songs? Is there one that he plays, just for her, even though he announces it not at all and it seems to everyone else like just another song in the set?
Michael! His life is hard. Does he ruminate on Lucifer, on Elaine--on Mazikeen, even, maybe?
Duma! Running Hell is hard. Tell me about some incident that he had to intervene in.
Elaine--what's it like, being a spooky child? Very lonely, I imagine, even with the ghosts to talk to. What's her favorite dessert? What did Mona and her do for fun before Mona died? What's it like running everything that isn't hedgehogs?
GADIUM AND SPERA: AT A DINER?
IN SUM, or: how about that teel fucking dear, eh?
Exclamation points are my excited way of saying "or," in this case. Also? I love dogs.
Drive--
Cannon: Driver wandering around in a grocery store! Irene and Benicio at the park! Standard in prison! AU: Standard and Driver making out? Driver/Irene/Standard sexytimes? Standard NOT DYING? Someone adopting a puppy? Anything. Honestly.
Castro/Che RPF--
Che and Castro: secret lovers! Or Che and Castro: BFFs! Che and Castro playing sports! Che and Castro petting a dog!
Paris J'taime--
Sweet yearning schmoop! Sweet yearning sex! Sweet yearning kinky sex with the kink of your choice? Awkward conversations! Or years down the line? SWEETNESS. MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Feelings! Kisses! Sex? Do they eventually adopt a dog?
[my squicks are, like...death. and scant. and fursuits? that's about it.]
Lucifer--
Lucifer being ruthlessly, beautifully himself. Mazikeen being the warrior queen she is, while also in love--the kind of love that makes you raise an army for your beloved. Or Mona and Elaine and puppies hedgehogs! Gaudium and Spera being adorable! And eating pancakes/something ridiculous?
DONE. Whew. Thanks for sticking through that, yuletide writer. I will be adding/editing info posts and kink lists on my journal in the coming week, if you like. If not, uh...there is totally enough information in this letter to get to know me.