dye_ann

[Minor editing for SPAG and the weird formatting still in process, but the content is done! I really wanted to launch this into the world, sorry for the minor inconveniences, but for all intents and purposes this is my definitive letter.]

Dear Writer, 

It’s that time of the year again, yay! Yuletide has become more and more important to me over the years, I really love the culture surrounding it and the positive atmosphere that comes with it. You’ll see below I like to prompt, so feel free to use that as inspiration but it’s also something I do for my own fun, so if you’ve got an idea you’re dying to write, write it. Having someone writing for me is a gift so rare I don’t want to compel you too much: have fun, create something you love, and I’ll be happy.I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3, for some reason, here’s my account, if you’d like to know me better. My bookmarks are not necessarily a good representation of my reading habits as a whole (I tend to forget about them, and then only remember when I’m on a binge), but you can find things I enjoy there, and some of the other fandoms I’m familiar with if that’s an information you need.

Language note: I also read French (it’s my first language), so I’m happy to receive something either in English or in French if you prefer to write in that language.

I’m (more than) fine with treats and unplanned gifts!

General Likes

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, fix-it, plot used to develop relationships, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, difficult intimacy, intimate body language, found families, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, moral ambiguity, historical details, sensory notations, time-loops of the “Groundhog Day” kind, AU of the “what if” kind, heist fic, tropes subversion, humour, melancholy, a little psychological cruelty too.

Ship-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, friends to lovers, enemies (to friends) to lovers, love/hate relationships, power struggles, denial of feelings, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, subverting power dynamics, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing so gradually it’s hard to name it, little touches (hair, hands, neck notably) and physical reactions, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships, by which I mean that the characters are already together when the fic begins), porn used as character study, characters expressing their feelings by actions instead of words, characters being so comfortable with each others they barely realize they’re behaving like a couple.

Smut-wise: praise, alternate power dynamics, desperation, teasing, repressed character letting go, dom/sub undertones or even full dom/sub dynamics depending on the context, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, banter and generally talking during sex, body worship, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon (to specify: when people pretend to hate each other, when there’s emotional manipulation involved, when the relationship is messy), but no non-con, please.

It’s worth noting that I’m open to sex scenes for every ship requested, but it’s by no mean mandatory if you don’t want to write them (romance without sex scenes is fine by me, as well as fade to black).

Opt-ins: any rating, any tense or point of view, any additional character showing up (even if they’re not nominated), experimental writing all the way if it fits your project, ambiguous/bittersweet endings.

A Room of One’s Own

No character nominated

Also known as: A Fic of Your Own. It’s my perennial fandom, I love everything I’ve received for it so far, so I don’t think I’ll ever stop asking. I feel like people tend to enjoy writing for this, too. After all, we’re on Archive of Our Own.

In short, this is an all-you-can-write woolfian buffet. I don’t nominate characters because I’ll genuinely take anything you might imagine. I guess my only real preference is that I’d like the core ideas of the essay to be used at face value and not in a satirical light.

This is, I think, one of the texts that moves me the most. It tells such a quiet emotional tale of forgotten voices, broken lives, limited possibilities. I love the sense of sorority that comes from it, but also the speaker’s indignation that seeps through at various points. I love Woolf’s sense of rhythm, memorable sentences, and how fiction and reality perpetually blend together through the various figures of the essay: Judith Shakespeare, the three Marys (Mary Beaton, Mary Seton and Mary Carmichael), Chloe and Olivia, the speaker herself… I think the in-between state between full fictional characters (Judith has her whole life told, the various Mary have different personalities, Chloe and Olivia liked each other) and symbols (every forgotten woman artist is a Judith Shakespeare or a Mary, the Marys are taken directly from the ballad Mary Hamilton, Chloe and Olivia could stand for sorority or, well, they’re lesbians, Harold) is very interesting, and opens up lots of opportunities for fic. I’m very open to the idea of making Virginia Woolf, or some version of her (the speaker in this text doesn’t have to fully correspond to Woolf in an autobiographical sense) a character in this. Any story that shows sympathy for the struggles the essay evokes, tries to recreate its ring in different contexts, develops the characters through time and space, modernizes the obstacles that prevent women from creating and being heard, pays homage in any way to what was lost to time, would make me so, so happy. And also: you can make it queerer, you can make it trans, address what the text fail to evoke too, I’m really here for it, we all know this canon could use more servings of Gender.

So, does Judith Shakespeare write fanfiction? Are the Marys all sleeping together? What about a new Mary Hamilton ballad about how the speaker isn’t allowed to step on the grass, and it’s tragic somehow? Etc. Don’t be afraid to go meta if you need to.

I’m going to prompt very broadly, but again if you think of something else, please go for it, this one really is all about creativity.

Prompts:

- An exploration of various incarnations of Judith Shakespeare or/and the various Marys, the various Chloe and Olivia across time and space. Since they are after all largely symbolic characters or masks for women all around the world and through the centuries, I would love to read about any different Judith or Mary or Chloe. Regarding Judith Shakespeare, I think that invites to consider what would be the equivalent of Shakespeare at various point in history and in various places, to diversify the literary figures of the essay (I’m very open to any deconstruction of the literary genius thing, by the way).

- A sort of fix-it for Judith Shakespeare’s tragic tale. I don’t particularly expect her to live happily ever after, but perhaps something a tiny bit hopeful, or less gloomy, with the idea that at least something of her lives on somewhere. What would have happened if she hadn’t die so early?

- What if the speaker lied about Judith’s story for some reason? Is there a secret society of women keeping her memory alive somewhere? In the same conspiracy vein: what if some major works of literature had actually been written by Judith?

- Lesbians everywhere! Anything about Chloe and Olivia and who they might be. Bonus points if you keep the historical setting: I’d love a 20s romance, but any other point in time could be interesting too. Also, what if one Mary liked another Mary? What would have happened to Judith if she had met a woman instead of a man in London? Etc.

- Give any of the character a room of her own, see what happens. What sort of space would it be, how could she acquire it, what does it mean to her, is it an actual room or something else?

- An anthology of the Complete Works of Judith Shakespeare (edited by one of the characters, or the speaker maybe? I would love some in-universe document with notes and references).

- Magical AU where the Marys, Judith, and possibly the others are mysterious figures that travel through time with various incarnations. Are they cursed, stuck in a loop, and what sort of powers do they have?

- I think this is absolutely ripe for crossover, of any sort. I’m going to give you suggestions, but if you want to try something very metatextual with a lot of different characters pertaining to different universes, I’m open to it even if I don’t know all of the fandoms used. For example, it’s okay to travel through the multiverse to focus on several women writers from different fandoms, be they historical figures or fictional characters.

* I’m just putting this out there on the off-chance that someone would be willing to write for this and be familiar with Susanna Clarke’s works, but I figured that given some of the themes of Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell (access to knowledge, the erasure of women in magic’s history and the general role of minorities in the book), that would make an absolutely fantastic match. What if the Marys were forgotten female magicians? And Judith Shakespeare lived in the shadow of the Aureates? Do they have something to do with faeries? What can we make of the folk ballad where the Marys are named, in this context? Of course if you’re familiar with this, it also makes a lot of sense to build upon The Ladies of Grace Adieu.

* This would probably works well too in an actual Austenian setting, but there are lots of possibilities, really.

* Do what you will with this but: what if Judith Shakespeare was the Mary Poppins of writers?

*Judith Shakespeare, trans witch writer?

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or faeces).

I Saw the TV Glow

Worldbuilding ; Owen; Maddy
My gift must feature one or more of my chosen character tags (giver's choice)

This movie wrecked me emotionally, and I have all the trouble in the world being articulate about Schoenbrun’s movies for some reason, but I love them so much. I just want more of that specific brand of queerness, suffering and Buffy-meets-Doctor-Who-meets-existential-dread fictional show. I’m all for ambiguities, blurred lines between realities, fantasies, traumatic images and fictional worlds here, but I guess some sort of flickering light at the end of the tunnel would be nice too, even though I’m definitely interested in melancholic writing for this.

For Owen and Maddy, I’m okay with either & or /, as long as you keep the queerness strong.

Prompts:

- A look into the Pink Opaque fandom: forums, fan wars, teenagers looking for clues and building actually-not-conspiracy-theories about what’s going on with the show, looking for the last lost season that prolongs the story-line after the movie… I would love to see how elements of the narrative could slightly distort over time, to echo Owen and Maddy’s lives perhaps, or just to alter reality some more.

- A series guide, possibly annotated by someone, that reviews different monsters-of-the-week, ranks seasons, analyses episodes… But perhaps it’s eerily unreliable? (I mean I’m sure Mr Melancholy would edit his own guides now, wouldn’t he?)

- A Pink Opaque revival is announced, the lead actresses playing Tara and Isabel are almost forty now. What’s in it, does it reflect Maddy and Owen’s adult lives? How does the fandom react, does Owen watch it, how is it received? Perhaps it triggers a nostalgia wave so massive it begins to affect society as a whole, perhaps there is suddenly weird merch everywhere, etc. Or perhaps both the critics and the fans hate it, except for one person to whom it seems directly addressed?

- Someone finds the script of an unaired episode.

- Fictional fanworks about the show, possibly by Owen and Maddy, or entirely different people. And fan comments to go along with those?

- They run away together and enter the Pink Opaque when Maddy first offers. How is life there? Perhaps some things in that new world reflect what they left behind? (I’m thinking Owen’s mother for example). Is everything really easier? And what definitely is?

- Maddy during her years in the Pink Opaque, watching Owen’s life as a TV show.

- If you find a way to write some sort of light crossover with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma into whatever you want to write for this, I’ll be very happy because that movie *also* wrecked me and I love it to bits. For example: what if Isabel and Tara met Little Death? Would they be allies or foes? Would they save them? Would the whole thing have some sort of connection with Owen? Or something else, I feel there are a lot of cool possibilities here.

DNW: Permanent major character death (the “fake” dying from the movie is completely fine though, and feel free to explore what that means in relation to actual death too if you want), completely cis- reading of Owen (I’m fine with multiple pronouns or they/she or whatever you want in fact, and it’s more than okay to question what gender even is, but I just don’t want to see the character described as a cis straight boy in a way that de-queer the narrative), underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or faeces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates.

Library of Babel

No character nominated.

I’ve studied this, I’ve taught this, but in the end the text is just such a tiny glimpse into a world so vast and terrifyingly empty that I feel it needs to be explored some more, in its specific kind of beauty and misery.

For this I was hoping for something in the spirit of Borges (you can go wild with fake documents and old folk tales) but also possibly in touch with other labyrinthine texts if you feel like it. “The House of Asterion” comes to mind, but there are plenty others in Borges short-stories that could help you build something, and crossovers are also a possibility (see my prompts for that). Very interested in unreliable narration here, as well as blurry lines between beliefs and reality, the uncertainty of this universe and its capacity to deconstruct every supposed truth. And in everything that manages to underline the terrible beauty of it all.

Prompts:

- The Great Search for the Library Catalog and what it entails. It is a crusade, a lonely adventure, a nihilistic journey or a search for meaning?

- Legends, tales about heroes of the Library, gods, cursed books, wars between librarians, lost texts, specific communities…

- Excerpts from readable books, and what people make of them.

- What about illustrated books? Do they exist? What sort of cultural reaction would that create if one was discovered?

- The customs and beliefs of different communities of librarians.

- We are told writing is seen as pointless in this universe, since every possible text exists somewhere already. But what if some librarians did write: what would they write, and how would that affect the Library and the people who live in it?

- Investigating the uncertain notion of inside/outside in the Library: is there an outside world, despite what we are lead to believe? I mean, how do these people even feed themselves? Those who jump over the ramps, where do they fall? Is it possible to find a way out, and would people even want that? Is there water somewhere, natural elements? Or maybe lost portals leading to other universes, possibly other libraries or other labyrinths somewhere? What do the locals believe?

- Speaking of which, I would love some sort of crossover or fusion for this: the House in Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is deeply borgesian, and I guess House of Leaves would work too with this in some way. And what about Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities? Or maybe something else, if you’ve encountered great mysterious worlds that you think might work, I might not even need to know every details of the canon to appreciate the fusion in this case, I think, as long as it opens to interesting worldbuilding.

DNW: underage, non-con, porn without plot.

The Remains of the Day

Mr Stevens; Miss Kenton

I think what interests me here is the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy one way or another. I love how repressed the characters are, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. And the way Miss Kenton and Mr Steven keep challenging each other, especially when it comes to values. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of reading possible scenarios of how they finally get together (despite what my rational mind tells me), and I’m a big fan of the little things when it comes to them: touches, hidden emotions, unresolved tension that escalates, looks, etc. I’m very much here for any exploration of the emotional and/or sexual tension between them, through whatever mean you may think of. I’m interested in historical realism here, but on the other hand I’m not afraid of romance tropes either.

Prompts:

- Miss Kenton is offered a job elsewhere, and Stevens does everything in his power to convince her to stay (including perhaps resorting to his knowledge of romance novels, or being a decent human being for once).

- In the same vein, but for something rather more acrobatics: Stevens announces her out of the blues that he plans on leaving Darlington Hall. Perhaps their relationship, professional as it may be, has become too much for him to handle. Perhaps something happened that compromised that professionalism. Perhaps it’s unrelated and he has to go for another set of reasons entirely. How would that play out? I’m thinking perhaps this, and not Miss Kenton going, could be an interesting way to develop their relationship.

- I’d love to see them solve a (small) mystery together around Darlington Hall or the village! Could be a great and more lighthearted way to see all that tension simmer, and to bring them together. Perhaps a servant is wrongly accused of stealing something, perhaps there are rumours about a ghost going around the village and they have to debunk it, perhaps there is an actual death… I’m not afraid of a little ridiculousness here, I’m all for some good Agatha Christie fun.

- Okay it seems I’m going crazy with this respectable and dignified fandom but: what about a time-loop? The night before Miss Kenton departure comes to mind, of course, but I’m sure there are other points in time where it would be interesting to force them to relive their decisions. Also I suppose I’m here to see Stevens loose his patience and suffer while trapped by his own mistakes, oops.

- Let’s take everyone out of Darlington Hall for once: I’m sure Lord Darlington travels with his staff sometimes (perhaps with reduced staff, but still). What about a melancholic trip to the seaside? Or whatever strikes your fancy, really. Does a change of setting influence how they behave or see each other? Perhaps they meet new people there too, which could lead to some interesting developments. I’m all for shaking their habits up a bit and see what happens.

- What if she did come back after he offered her the job at the end of the book/movie? How does one go back to being a servant in the 60s after all this time and everything that happened? When you’re older? And how do you rekindle an old romance, especially when both parts are aware that your return has something to do with it but no one dares mention it?

- Any fake/pretend relationship/forced proximity scenario you can come up with: for example, their new employer only wants married staff and they concoct a lie, or they have to pretend for an event, or because an important guest of the house has taken a fancy to one of them and they need a cover.

- Miss Kenton is led to believe that Mr Stevens, as extraordinary as it sounds, is having an affair with someone (staff or someone in the village, perhaps a guest, I don’t know). It’s actually not the case but it drives her absolutely up the wall. Or perhaps it’s even more complicated than that and they have to go through a whole comedy of errors.

- Something something “reversed book scene” something (after the book scene, a situation in which it’s Stevens who tries to initiate contact, and Miss Kenton who’s reluctant).

DNW: Permanent major character death, gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Slow Horses

Jackson Lamb; Catherine Standish

I’m singularly obsessed with these two, to the point I think I may have read almost every story available in the archive (I’m not even kidding). Anything that explores their twisted co-dependency will be perfect.

Full disclaimer: I ship them rather intensely, so my prompts will tend to go in that direction, but lots of things can be interpreted in a Gen way too and I will be positively delighted with that if that’s more your thing, there is so much to explore in their relationship.

I’m fascinated with the ambiguity of it all, the mix of loyalty, care and cruelty… All the distorted mirror effects between Standish and Lamb: traumatized, addicts, lonely, repressed, dealing with it in markedly different ways… but are they really? All of this coalesces beautifully in the whole Partner business, and boy isn’t it the right year to explore that. Jackson’s behavior towards Catherine fascinates me: they are so many reasons why he keeps her close, some of them awful and some almost admirable, but he lets out nothing and that might be the wildest thing about it. I do believe he might have saved her life when he asked her to Slough House, but she’s a sort of outlet for him too, even though he clearly cares for her in his own way. His insults are sort of a gold mine to analyze, because a good numbers of them would easily apply to him (Standish’s not the only drunk who couldn’t read Partner’s moods here).

Meanwhile, Catherine: long-suffering, but still miraculously human (and perfect, may she be protected at all costs, etc.). I love how repressed and controlled she is, how clever, how funny she can be whenever she decides to stand for herself. Her relationship to both her bosses, to trust, to her own self-image, to alcohol, to how alcohol and desire possibly entangle are particular subjects of interest.

Since I’m nose deep into season 6, one of the questions that haunts me presently is this: what does it mean to her that Jackson killed Partner? For her image of him? How does she understands the years he’s kept her by his side?

And more generally: are either of them aware of the weird level of intimacy they’ve developed seemingly against their will? (Do they know they really should kiss? I digress.)

On a practical note, I will be current with the show by Yuletide, and while I haven’t read the book I’m aware of them, especially elements relevant to their dynamic, so if you want to mix that in it’s completely fine. And if you want to invite other characters, be my guest, I love everyone to bits and it’s always great fun.

Prompts:

- Season 6 was very inspiring in terms of possible situations, so: stuck together in a safe house with the rest of the team, while tension between them escalates. It’s a terrible setting for any prolonged intimacy or even private conversations, and I would be so interested to see them losing their minds, while the horses fail to notice. Bonus points of course if it’s Taverner’s house!

- Another post-season 6 prompt: I’d like to see, say, Taverner try to use her big reveal to manipulate Catherine into spying on Lamb for her. To be clear, I don’t believe she would agree to that, but I’m interested to see her contemplate the possibility, fantasies about having the upper hand for once, the briefest dream of a vengeance, and how that interacts with her already complicated relationship with Jackson. Perhaps he’s even aware of it (after all the man knows everything, and Taverner isn’t at the top of her game these days, especially with such an offer). Or perhaps it’s the idea of a vulnerable Jackson that gets Catherine’s attention. The whole tension between a desire of revenge and the need for an apology seems just delicious to me in general.

- In that spirit (but more slashy), I believe the vaguest hint of dom/sub for them would be fascinating even out of sexual situations, with Jackson giving her some form of control for once.

- Actual confrontation post-funeral would be nice in every universe, of course. You can do a lot of different things with this, and I want to read them all.

- Speaking of which: what would it take for Jackson to actually apologize? And how would he do it?

- Standish has to deal with a particularly drunk Jackson. Possibly flirty, probably vile, certainly cruel or tensed. Given what alcohol means to her, how does that go? And what about Jackson, the way he usually controls everything (perhaps even this)?

- Something changes after Catherine’s return post-season 4, and it so gradual she cannot quite put her finger on it but it’s slowly driving her mad. Is Jackson actually making… an effort? I would love to see how they navigate this and where it leads them. In terms of possibly getting together, I like the idea that apparently very mundane things could be the last drop that make them snap, so that’s an idea too. Or perhaps it has her convinced he’s seeing someone, and [comedy of errors] ensues.

- Undercover as a couple, the old classic. I’m convinced it would take them both by surprise how easily that can act the part, how intimate they’re already are. They probably wouldn’t know what to do this that, which is delicious.

- Indirect and veiled confessions of feelings: anytime, anywhere.

- As I said, I’m more or less aware of some of the books’ content even though I haven’t read them (yet), especially the « bottles scene » that takes place in Standish’s flat. If you want to use that to go further than the book does, like giving them an actual chance at conversation or intimacy, be my guest. It’s so charged that, of course, the minds reels (also, that image about the bottle between Jackson’s thighs, how can anyone begin to explain that, I swear).

- Lamb having to actually witness one of Catherine’s moments of insane competence, because the show keeps not giving us that (the chess scene, for god’s sake). I mean the woman is clearly some sort of genius when you add all the things she does by herself when no one’s looking, god that drives me insane. And/or Catherine being aware of Jackson’s appreciation for once too (the man only allows himself to say she’s clever when she’s under lock and key, whyy).

- Going further with that one: how would Lamb react if Catherine saved his life, by getting him out of harm’s way or even knocking someone out (or killing, if you want to go there, could be interesting too)? Somehow I can’t shake the feeling he would be livid with it, and isn’t that fascinating?

- Forced proximity smorgasbord! Checking each other for wounds (since touch starved is very relevant for these two)! Hiding together somewhere! There-was-only-one-couch-to-sit-in-the-dark-and-contemplates-the-emptiness (and subtly touch when no one’s looking).

- Reviewing my notes, I find I’ve written “something that gives Catherine genuine pleasure”, and I think that’s beautiful. Lamb can watch, I guess. To be clear, that can be very Gen (would be quite interesting, in fact) or not, I just want to see my girl enjoy herself, she deserves it.

DNW: Established relationship (if it comes to this, I really prefer the process of getting together for them); fic set entirely in their youth (I love them old and tired; but it’s completely okay to include scenes of their past, even if they’re long, I just don’t want something set entirely in the 1990s, travelling between time periods is excellent if you need it), permanent major character death, non-con, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or faeces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.); canon divergences are absolutely fine.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Billy Prestley; Kris Williams; Little Death.

My gift must feature one or more of my chosen character tags (giver's choice)

Just like I Saw the TV Glow, this wrecked me emotionally and it’s actually quite hard to be articulate about it. I’m interested into furthering the relationship between the main characters, some worldbuilding because Schoenbrun’s alternate universes are always fascinating, and exploring the theme of difficulties and traumas surrounding queer and female sexuality, fantasies you build with the hand you’ve been dealt and how you can perhaps improve that too with time, the messiness and vulnerability of it all. Varying degrees of role-play, unreliable narrators, and blurring the lines between fiction and reality(ies) is very welcome for this fandom. When it comes to worldbuilding, I’m quite interested in Little Death and their life, less so in the Camp Miasma franchise on its own, if it does not help understand Little Death’s destiny.

I’m good with keeping the movie’s pronouns for Kris or with exploring other queer alleys for the character; as for Little Death, do whatever you want as long as it’s queer.

Prompts:

- I really like the romance between Kris and Billy in this movie, which manages to be heartbreaking, hot, weird and cosy all at once, and feel like we didn’t get to see enough of it, so if you want to explore that a bit more that’ll be welcome: perhaps a different way of getting together, or going meta (why the hell not), many different takes on the scenario leading to them getting together in various ways.

- Speaking of difficulties and traumas surrounding sexuality, perhaps we can also explore how Billy, as a final girl, can’t have sex that doesn’t lead to death in some way. I mean I see how the movie subverts that, but what about the remaining weight of it all? Can she build something else with it? Can she and Kris invent different ways of role-play? Perhaps leaving slashers behind and trying different movie tropes or genres?

- Billy and Kris trying to connect with Little Death in different ways (so, without the massacre element, I guess). What do they try, do they succeed, what does it lead to when it comes to the different universes the canon is dealing with? Art seems to be a good canal, as we get to see with Billy’s paintings, but what else can they use, and would that allow them to communicate more directly with Little Death? I admit some part of me just want them to spend some quality time together, but also for it to mean something beyond that. I mean, the found family trope would make some kind of sense here, but I think I’d also like for it to be subverted a tad.

- A crossover-fusion with I Saw the TV Glow: see my request for this fandom, for I suspect Little Death would feel at home in the Pink Opaque, but there are other possibilities.

DNW: Permanent major character death (the “fake” dying from the movie is completely fine though, and feel free to explore what that means in relation to actual death too if you want), straight readings of Billy and Kris, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or faeces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates (exception for this fandom: you can play with the notion if it’s used in a meta or parodic way, to explore different genres tropes, in the spirit of what I suggested in one of my prompts), AUs that erase the original context of the movie (to clarify, since it’s quite tricky with Schoenbrun’s movies: I’m fine with the characters travelling to alternate universes as part of the plot in line with what is suggested in one of my prompts, but not with something that put them in a coffee shop and goes on like the original setting never existed. As a contrast, if you begin with them in a coffee shops but they subtly become haunted by elements of the original movie or remember the original universe exists, it’s a whole different story, and I’ll be fine with it).

The Young Pope

Angelo Voiello; Sister Mary

The relationship between Voiello and Sister Mary is probably my favourite thing about this show (besides its stunning visuals and overall craziness). It ticked all the boxes for me because 1) I love myself some enemies to friends to lovers (or in that case, enemies to friends to cockblocked by the Pope) 2) I have a passion for nuns in fiction 3) older people’s romance rules and 4) I love when people bond by plotting together. All their scenes are both hilarious and adorable, and it was great to see how their relationship was used to add nuance to their characters. Their journey through the season is also quite fascinating because in some way they’re the most “normal” people in the show: they both can appreciate the value of a balanced position for the Church, the way they come to feel about each other looks worldly, simple. And yet it is anything but, because they can’t have that normalcy: they’re surrounded by people doing (*waves hand at the show*) this, the Church looks like it’s going to explode every episode, while the Pope does strange miracles and sips coke and also dies, and they’re basically star-crossed lovers of their own accord. *sigh*. I just wish they could get some peace and quiet from time to time. But on the other hand, I do love how they respond to all this by secret meetings-turned-dates in the wild and crazy schemes (we think Voiello because sure, it’s expected, but remember Sister Mary was responsible for the whole ‘fake parents’ debacle, and wasn’t that something). I like that those elderly people, who want nothing more than take a nice walk holding hands and watch sports on TV together, just have to be the Vatican’s gray eminences, because someone has to do it (okay and because Voiello loves it).

Let the record show that if you write slash for them I’m absolutely open to sex scenes (I’m a champion for older people –and nuns, apparently-- having sex lives), but I’m not prompting for that specifically and not particularly expecting it, go where you heart take you and do what you’re comfortable with. And if you want to write about something post-canon, feel free to take into account the events of The New Pope or to ignore them completely, I really don’t mind.

Prompts

- I’d really love to read anything about them getting together, in whatever context (feel free to change the canon, create you own little pocket of time inside it or go full post-canon, etc). If you need inspiration, you can give me All the Tropes: since they’re so hesitant, forced proximity seems a good start (from “stuck somewhere together” to “there was only one confessional” (bed is good too)).

- Now that I’ve mentioned it, anything involving a confessional is very welcome (yes, I’ve watched Fleabag too many times).

- Something showing how their relationship evolved across a long period of time could be great too; if you go there, feel free to ignore canon and have them reunite in some way, or just continue to live their lives in the Vatican (what if, for example, Lenny never collapsed and stayed in function?). In that spirit, I feel we don’t really see Voiello falling in love with her before his outburst in episode 5, and I’m curious about that.

- 5 times + 1 (they were tempted and resisted; “someone may see them”; they learned something about each other... etc).

- They’re so cute at the end of the show, but I was really into their early dynamic too, with all the banter going on and the idea that they’re going to be rivals: I think it would be really fun to expand on that and develop their relationship from there. Could also be a great option if you prefer Gen. It’s probably the point when they’re at their funniest, and imagine all they could do to drive the other crazy and be little nuisances.

- A confrontation between them about political or theological matters gets out of hands and evolves into… something else.

- They have to plot together to save the Church / Lenny / whatever important cause in the Vatican, and it brings them closer. Is it an uneasy or a natural alliance? What do they learn about each other in the process? What sort of unexpected intimacy does that create?

- Even though I’m forever frustrated by the finale, it had one silver lining. Lenny tells Sister Mary, who’s supposed to leave for Africa in the morning: “Before you go, if you like, you can say goodbye to the Cardinal Secretary of State”. Wink wink. That’s a missing scene if I ever knew one. Besides, I like to think of Lenny’s words as a sort of free pass for… well, whatever you like (I’m certainly not opposed to them breaking their vows). But for something more vague: since they keep meeting outside, and we never see them alone in a private context, so I’m very curious about that, especially when the emotional stakes are so high.

- God ships it. I’m kidding mostly, but I’d love to read about a series of mysterious coincidences and signs similar to what we see in the show pushing them together when they insist They Shouldn’t.

- Though I’d prefer a hopeful ending for them, I’m not opposed to exploring the more tragic aspects of their situation. The show has always been a mix of goofy and tragic (well I guess it’s mostly tragic in fact, but still hilarious), and they’re a nun and a cardinal in love, which must involve some degree of internal conflict. Something about how they torture themselves, and ideally each other too, could be interesting. Alternatively, perhaps they find each other while facing the various tragedies the show throws at them?

- What if someone (be it Lenny, one of the next Popes or even Voiello himself once he’s Pope) allowed for all the clergy to get married? How would they react? Would they still be conflicted, would truths emerge or would they disagree on theological options? I’m interested in the possibility for a relationship here, not necessarily in having them marry (although the idea of the Pope publicly marrying a nun after authorizing it is crazy enough to look promising).

- I know Lenny isn’t nominated, but if you feel like involving him, I could also see him subtly (or perhaps not so subtly) creating occasions for them OR on the contrary, trying to prevent anything between them in the background (little devil that he is).

- The walls have eyes and ears in the Vatican, so it could be nice to see how their relationship is perceived by others (so outsider’s point of view, your pick of character(s), I love the whole cast).

- For a somewhat different mood: them catching a break, being comfortable together and Not Labelling It, having little cute moments. Heck, I’m even open to some downright fluff, there I’ve said it. I mean “napping together” would be perfect too.

- A series of dreams they have about each other (not necessarily sexual or anything, just whatever sort of dream you want) and how that affects their daily life.

DNW: gore, underage, de-aging the characters, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or faeces), non-canonical character death, tragic ending, alternate universe that changes the setting.

Dear Writer,

Yuletide is upon us for yet another year! As always I’m very excited: it’s a tradition that means a lot to me.

I’ll do my best to give you an idea of what I like in general and what I particularly love about my requested fandoms. Here you will also find plenty of prompts to use as inspiration if you’re so inclined. Prompting is something I do for my own fun: don’t feel too compelled by what I suggest.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: have fun and create something you love. I’ll never stopped being awed by the idea of someone writing for me specifically, and I trust you (clearly you have excellent taste!). So if you’re dying to write a specific idea, be my guest.

I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3, here’s my account, if you’d like to know me better. My bookmarks are not necessarily a good representation of my reading habits as a whole (I tend to forget to use them, and then only remember when I’m reading the same type of story obsessively), but you can find things I tend to enjoy there, and some of the fandoms I’m familiar with if that’s an information you need.

Language note: I also read French (it’s my first language), so I’m happy to receive something either in English or in French if you prefer to write in that language.

I’m (very) fine with treats and unplanned gifts!

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, future fics, fix-it, backstory, plot used to develop relationships, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, difficult intimacy, intimate body language, found families, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, moral ambiguity, historical details, sensory notations, time-loops of the “Groundhog Day” kind, AU of the “what if” kind, heist fic, tropes subversion, humor, melancholy, a little psychological cruelty when it fits the story too.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, friends to lovers, enemies (to friends) to lovers, love/hate relationships, power struggles, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, subverting power dynamics, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing so gradually it’s hard to name it, little touches and physical reactions, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships, by which I mean that the characters are already together when the fic begins), porn used as character study, characters expressing their feelings by actions instead of words, characters being so comfortable with each others they barely realize they’re behaving like couples and keep being in denial.

Smut-wise: praise, alternate power dynamics, desperation, teasing, repressed character letting go, dom/sub undertones or even full dom/sub dynamics depending on the context, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, banter and generally talking during sex, body worship, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon, but no non-con, please.

It’s worth noting that I’m open to sex scenes for every ship requested, but it’s by no mean mandatory if you don’t want to write them (fade to black is fine by me, as well as romance without sex scenes).

Opt-ins: any rating, any tense or point of view, any additional character showing up (even if they’re not nominated), experimental writing all the way (if it fits your project of course), your gender headcanons for the characters, ambiguous/bittersweet endings.

Amadeus

Wolfgang Mozart, Antonio Salieri

The one-sided animosity between Salieri and Mozart keeps me awake at night. I just want more of Salieri playing mind-games with himself and his own twisted aspirations, tastes and desires, more of Mozart perhaps not-so-naive inscrutability. I very much enjoy how ridiculously emo Salieri is, how he tries so hard to be a caricature of a clock-and-dagger villain, for… what, exactly? Goofy Mozart is also a fav, but I like when we get to see glimpses of his hidden depths (which I’m sure he has… somewhere). If you’re a fan of that period and know a ton of trivia about the historical characters or the music, be my guest, I really enjoy that sort of details. Same goes for obscure references and symbolism.

I’m not going to lie, I’m hoping for slash here (of the rating you prefer), but I’ll always be happy with something platonic that explores the intense tension between them, this weird mix of rivalry, friendship, fascination and (sometimes) indifference. For this fandom, I would prefer not to receive something completely fluffy: these characters are very imperfect, and I’m happy for them to stay that way at least to an extent.

Given the tone of the canon, I’m fine with a happier ending (e.g.: Mozart doesn’t have to die) but also with something more tragic if needs be.

Prompts:

- A time-loop that occurs at some sort of turning point (e.g. right before Mozart’s illness and death, but I like the idea of finding other, perhaps less obvious, crossroads) and force them to reconsider their relationship. I could very well see Salieri completely panic because he can’t manage to kill Mozart or get rid of him because he rises again comes morning: a perfect occasion for some “kill, kill, kiss”! But the time loop could also apply to one of their opera’s opening night, with different consequences, for example.

- Salieri doing anything he can to provokes Mozart’s professional and personal jealousy. There’s a chance he won’t be in his element here, but I don’t know… Perhaps it takes a bit of time to understand what would make Mozart loose his cool?

- Salieri finally snaps, and it leads to a physical confrontation, but this, to his surprise, turns into something else… (I’m thinking ship, but he could also simply betrays his platonic admiration/adoration, reveals his dark secrets, etc.).

- Mozart tricks Salieri into some fort of physical proximity, and Salieri desperately tries to understand why...

- Someone of influence (could be the Emperor, could be someone else) sets up a contest between Salieri and Mozart (composition, interpretation, whatever strikes your fancy). Tension between them escalates, but resolves in an unexpected (sexy? friendly?) way.

DNW: gore, underage, non-con (dubcon is fine), A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), alternate universe that changes the setting.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre; Edward Rochester

I read the novel this year for the first time ever, and well, what a ride. It’s been a long time since I’ve grown this attached to a fictional character: I adore Jane, she’s simply the best in very human, very wise, and although quite unreliable way.

Which is also why I have complicated feelings towards Jane and Rochester. The way they interact from the start simply blew my mind: it’s almost banter, but not quite, at least not the banter you would expect; it’s both witty and intense, with philosophical talk and flirting so forward and so odd you have to pause and wonder. I love how socially “deviant” they both are, each in their own style (by the way, I’m very supportive of autistic headcanons here). And for a good part of the novel I lived for their friendship and romance, and all the oddities and over-the-top events that come with it. But, ah, you know. There always needs to be a grain of salt when Rochester is involved. Rochester, who locked up his socially unacceptable wife and who’s the one who gets to tell her story (while we know him not to be particularly reliable). Rochester, who is so moody and unsettling, sometimes child-like when it comes to Jane, but who can’t stand not getting his way, both as an employer and a suitor, so much so that it looks like the narrative feels the need to make him less physically threatening in the end. To me, this complexity is essential to the novel and to what made me love it so much. Nothing is simple, morals are often very murky, so don’t feel like you have to depict those characters like perfect beings. In fact, I would very much love a fic that explores those ambiguities, the little white lies, the diffuse cruelty of it all. It’s a gothic novel to some extend, so let’s be gothic if we need to be. I also feel like our current readings of Jane Eyre are necessarily informed by the larger cultural discourses that surrounds it at the present, and I’m fine with that.

So in short, I’m interested in their relationship at large, especially before they are married. If you want to to do a post-canon fic I’d prefer it to acknowledge the complexity of marrying a man of Rochester’s character in Jane’s position, perhaps also taking into account the ghost of Bertha Mason between them. I’m very much into the friendship they develop (so I’m good with Gen too) and the flirting, tension and eventual romance, but perhaps not in a “pure fluff” way. You can give me all the ambiguities, power struggles and uncertainties, and even go a little dark if you want.

Pastiche would be great here, as I love Jane’s voice very much, but if you want to experiment with other voices that could also be interesting (Rochester as a narrator, or another character’s point of view for example).

Prompts:

- As manipulative as it was (or perhaps because of it), I really enjoyed how the Blanche Ingam story-line played in their relationship. I’m not averse to torturing Jane a bit more with new elaborate scenarios of the kind (with Blanche or another person). The subtle cruelty of it interests me, not just the tension: it makes you question Rochester’s character even more, and why he may feel almost belligerent toward Jane (and toward Blanche Ingam, although I think the novel explains that one rather clearly). So any new episode of that would be great.

- Anything exploring the strange power dynamics between them while Jane is still Rochester’s employee but also his friend and his (secret?) love interest. Sometimes he orders her around just to provoke a reaction, sometimes she laughs at him and he submits without a protest. He has virtually complete power over her, pays her next to nothing compared to his own income, but refers to her on many things, especially intellectual matters. Are they, as the novel suggests, equals? And what does that mean to them? Do they see it in the same way? I’d like something that compares points of views and feelings, perhaps, or conversations between them exploring that topic. Or perhaps something comes up that challenges the idea of them being equals: another party visiting the estate, or something revealing how their worldview can be at odds. And yes, I’m also interested in the dom/sub undertones here: feel free to explore that in any way you see fit (including kink). I think it would be interesting to look deeper into the sort of understated role play that sometimes seem to be developing between them.

- I really enjoy their talks, with all that nonsense about Jane being a fairy, and their more philosophical musings. Especially I like how whimsical Rochester can be, the fictions he will invent on an impulse and what they tell about him, and Jane’s sometimes blunt honesty and subsequent embarrassment. Building on that, I think it would be interesting to place them in a situation when they have to play a game together, or invent some sort of collaborative fiction, through a parlor game or for the benefit of Adele. This could be a good way to explore their relationship indirectly or even reveal some feelings.

- Since I like the way they talk to each other and the strange intimacy that goes with it, I’d like for Jane to share a bit more of her life story with Rochester. Perhaps tales of her rebellious nature when she was younger, or her memories of Helen. Feel free to invent adventures for them: they can have these talks in a variety of circumstances. Perhaps Rochester decides to travel with Jane and Adèle for a change?

- We don’t get to see a lot of this, but it is suggested towards the end, when Jane goes back to Rochester, that he’d be easily jealous (when he mentions her potential fiance) – and how surprising is that. So, what if someone else had tried to court Jane while she was still working for him? The courtship can be real or taking place solely in Rochester’s mind, I don’t have a strong opinion on this (although it would be interesting to have Jane’s thoughts on the matter if it was real; I’m quite curious to see how she would react considering she never really got to experience such a thing in the novel, at least in the socially accepted way). What does this reveal about Jane and Rochester, and to what reflections do that lead them? Yes to all the jealousy tropes, but I also think it would be interesting to comment on them a bit.

- Not really a prompt as much as a thought, but I would love a story that explores the theme of Jane’s desire(s). It’s a complex subject and I enjoyed how the book often tackles it. A story where Jane would be continually flustered and perhaps forced to reflect about what she wants and what that implies would be great. Rochester needs not be the only character involved: if that’s relevant, I tend to headcanon her as bi (between Helen and Maria, I think there is material to feed that idea), which is something that would be interesting to explore I think in a period piece, but do whatever you want on that front, I’m not an authority on Jane’s preferences ^^.

 

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), alternate universe that changes the setting.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel

Worldbuilding

This is one of my favourite books, and I’m very much a Susanna Clarke’s girl, so any allusion, fusion or crossover with either Piranesi or Ladies of Grace Adieu is absolutely welcome if that appeals to you. I have a few ideas for worldbuilding here, but there is so much that can be done, if that doesn’t inspire you please go for what you had in mind originally. I’m very interested in the history of magic, various magicians (including the Raven King), but I’m also very curious about marginalized points of view (something that Clarke does very well, with Stephen or Lady Pole for example) and the culture of magical Britain.

I think that, as a rule, I’m also always curious about elements of world-building that helps recontextualise or give a new significance to elements of the canon, especially when it goes against what the canon suggested (hence my interest for alternative points of view on magic in this universe).

I love all the characters, so feel free to include whoever you like if you want characters to world-build with. I’m also here for any magician, and all of your OC.
 

World-building likes for this fandom: alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records, outsider point of view, montage of various documents, academic account…), period-appropriate details, conflicting hypotheses and theories about how things work in universe, myths and legends, the historically accurate version of said myths and legends, nerdiness, minority-related themes (feminist and queer takes and the likes), lush descriptions of things, literary allusions, backstory.

I’m always happy to read something that reflects the author’s field of expertise or culture, so don’t hesitate to do that if you want (some of the prompts specifically invite you to do so).

 

Prompts:

* Unknown or forgotten female magicians.

Here I would be interested in anything you might invent about female magicians at the time of canon (or earlier) anywhere in the world. Feel free to use your own culture to write about whatever area of the world you know best. For example, it would be cool to look into traditionally female fields of expertise (like lace-making or cooking or midwifery and the likes) and see what magic might be hidden there. Or into important figures who have been erased from the history of magic. What is their legacy?

I really enjoy the idea that female magic would be less noticeable, hidden or ignored because of the historical and social context (we know that Norrell isn’t very enthusiastic about female magicians). Feel free to explore that or come up with your own explanations. Were there any secret societies of female magicians in the past? Perhaps some female magicians were ignored because they weren’t British (*gasp*)?

* In-universe parodies and lampoons of Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange, and what society made of it.

I mean, Norrell and Strange are extremely famous in England, we know there are etching of them, probably portraits circulating too, so I’m thinking there must be caricatures and offensive lampoons circulating too.

On the one hand, I’m sure English magic doesn’t only have friends: about about its enemies? What scathing critics do they address to Norrell and/or Strange, what is their game. Do they have different views about magic, or do they simply want to abolish it? I’d love to read a lampoon attacking Strange and Norrell’s positions on magic, bonus points if it’s partially bullshit and partially super on point.

On the other hand: the sheer comedic potential of Strange and/or Norrell (or other characters) seeing themselves caricatured in a text or in a play! There’s also the fact that lampoons are often filled with lewd allusions and sexual accusations, so what if Norrell and/or Strange chanced upon something that accuses them of sleeping together? I’m up for any scenario: they aren’t sleeping together and the thought is appalling to them (but it might amuse other people, I’m thinking Childermass, but really whoever you want); they aren’t sleeping together, but one of them is pining, or maybe both of them; or maybe they are sleeping together, but it’s certainly not respectable to see it printed in cheap ink!

* The influence of magic on the British literary canon.

JS&MN famously read like in some places like Jane Austen with magic. I would really love to read something like extracts from an anthology of British literature after magic is revived in England. The excepts and authors could be invented (maybe new authors entered the canon, it’s alternative history after all). Or maybe the well-known texts got altered because magic was rediscovered. I mean, I’m curious about what Dickens, or Alice in Wonderland, or Jane Eyre, or modernist literature (Joyce? Woolf? See also my request for A Room of One’s Own) might become in a context where magic is part of society.

Alternatively, does Norrell and Strange’s life and fate influence literary history? Do they become the model for something like a new type of Byronic hero? Do famous authors write about them (poems, plays, novels…)?

* The “historically accurate” version of encounters with fairies that were transposed in tales and art, in the spirit of the canon.

I like the idea that fairy tales or famous pieces of art that we know of in our universe could be transformations of fortunate or tragic encounters with fairies that actually took place. The allusions that are made in the book about Shakespeare and Midsummer’s Night Dream are very inspiring, and I’m wondering if other works of art could undergo the same treatment. I’m thinking of anything involving fairy godmothers, for example. But there are many possibilities.

* And if you’re into fusions, I’d be ecstatic to read something that merges JS&MN and Piranesi, especially if it shows how these universes connect.

DNW: gore, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), graphic depiction of sexual violence. Note: I usually have a larger DNW regarding sexual violence but I’d like to give you the option of exploring those topics here since I feel they could play a role in stories involving fairies for example.

Parlement

Carmen Sauru, Eamon Geragthy

The thing about these two is that they’re basically the Greek Gods of the show (and of the European Parliament of course). Right? I mean. They seem to float above the never ending ridiculousness with a sort of poise and prescience that I found rather fascinating. The fact that they embody more or less rival institutions makes it even better. I just want more of them being classy éminences grises all over the place and judging everything from afar while staring at each other in the eyes over the buildings at night just to see who will yield first.

I was also very moved to see in the last season that Carmen was ready to cross countries to find Eamon because at the end of the day, he’s the only one who understands her and will listen. No matter how depressing that episode was, it was still rather beautiful to see them like that, ready to face the catastrophe together. This is really something I need more of.

Do I ship them? Very much so. But I’ll be just as happy with anything that explores their frenemies dynamic and/or just let me see how they occupy their time.

If you need to, you can of course incorporate real life politics into this (or just invent, I’m not particularly expecting something realistic on that front). If you enjoy European politics and are super into the inner workings of the Parliament, feel free to be super nerdy about it: those characters certainly are! And insert cameos by whoever you want: I love this show and all its characters dearly.

One final note: go multilingual with this if you want to, it’s in the spirit of the show and I’m here for it.

Prompts:

- I would love to see them compete over political issues (or perhaps, hilariously, over some administrative trifle), being very Machiavellian, very polite about it (probably using a whole international army of interns), until things begin to escalate and go out of control. They probably both refuse to admit it’s a war, and that in the end, it’s always personal – and it can go where you want to take it from there. Alternatively, they could compete over an intern and try to influence them like they do with Sammy in the show.

- Because of Reasons (a common foe raising to power, an institutional threat, budget cuts, etc.) they have to form an uneasy alliance. How do they work together (great comical potential, if you ask me)? Do they learn things about each other they wouldn’t have imagined? Do emotions find a way into this?

- I’m very fond of the idea that they perform hostility almost out of professionalism, but they may secretly have established traditions that allow for truces and proximity. Something like: they can go on a date every time they’re both satisfied with an adopted bill, or when the other looses too sorely and is entitled to some form of compensation. I think this works too for a Gen treatment: perhaps they’re allowed to be friends and have tea, but only when nobody’s watching. I like the idea that things would be very contractual between them, perhaps even to their secret frustration (after all this time, maybe they aspire to a bit more spontaneity, or have trouble sticking to their cold and distant personas).

- What if, by a lucky coincidence, Carmen had been on a research trip at the European University Institute at the same time as Eamon, and they both ended up together in Fiesole (as seen in season 4, episode 7)? Are they going to be academic rivals too, or is it time for a truce?

- Alternatively, what happens after she finds him in the European University Institute in said episode? I mean, are they going to talk about the fact she basically has travelled 1000 km (and took like, three trains I guess) just to see him, his alleged Nemesis? Or just pretend some more it doesn’t mean anything, as she stays for a while (I would be game for that too)?

- Little ways they have of annoying each other over legalese and technical details that nobody else understands or cares about. And in the same vein, little gestures and attentions they have for each other that nobody sees or understands. In general, I’m very interested in the way they tend to communicate indirectly.

- A moment of vulnerability after a very, very long night of negotiations (just as we saw with the Blue Deal trilogue).

- Generally, I’m open to All the Tropes of the “enemies to friends (to lovers)” here, and I think the Parliament offers plenty of space to experiment with that. Anything involving local habits and the daily life of Parliament would be great.

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), alternate universe that changes the setting.

A Room of One’s Own

No character nominated

Also known as: A Fic of Your Own. It’s my perennial fandom, I love everything I’ve received for it so far, so I don’t think I’ll ever stop asking. I feel like people tend to enjoy writing for this, too.

After all, we’re on Archive of Our Own.

In short, this is an all-you-can-write woolfian buffet. I don’t nominate characters because I’ll genuinely take anything you might imagine. I guess my only real preference is that I’d like the core ideas of the essay to be used at face value and not in a satirical light.

This is, I think, one of the texts that moves me the most. It tells such a quiet emotional tale of forgotten voices, broken lives, limited possibilities. I love the sense of sorority that comes from it, but also the speaker’s indignation that seeps through at various points. I love Woolf’s sense of rhythm, memorable sentences, and how fiction and reality perpetually blend together through the various figures of the essay: Judith Shakespeare, the three Marys (Mary Beaton, Mary Seton and Mary Carmichael), Chloe and Olivia, the speaker herself… I think the in-between state between full fictional characters (Judith has her whole life told, the various Mary have different personalities, Chloe and Olivia liked each other) and symbols (every forgotten woman artist is a Judith Shakespeare or a Mary, the Marys are taken directly from the ballad Mary Hamilton, Chloe and Olivia could stand for sorority or, well, they’re lesbians, Harold) is very interesting, and opens up lots of opportunities for fic. I add that I’m very open to the idea of making Virginia Woolf, or some version of her (the speaker in this text doesn’t have to fully correspond to Woolf in an autobiographical sense) a character in this. Any story that shows sympathy for the struggles the essay evokes, tries to recreate its ring in different contexts, develops the characters through time and space, modernizes the obstacles that prevent women from creating and being heard, pays homage in any way to what was lost to time, would make me so, so happy.

So, does Judith Shakespeare write fanfiction? Are the Marys all sleeping together? What about a new Mary Hamilton ballad about how the speaker isn’t allowed to step on the grass, and it’s tragic somehow? Etc. Don’t be afraid to go meta if you need to.

I’m going to prompt very broadly, but again if you think of something else, please go for it. Also, please go as queer as you like with this: it could always use more servings of Gender.

Prompts:

- An exploration of various incarnations of Judith Shakespeare or/and the various Marys, the various Chloe and Olivia across time and space. Since they are after all largely symbolic characters or masks for women all around the world and through the centuries, I would love to read about any different Judith or Mary or Chloe. Regarding Judith Shakespeare, I think that invites to consider what would be the equivalent of Shakespeare at various point in history and in various places, to diversify the literary figures of the essay (I’m very open to any deconstruction of the literary genius thing, by the way).

- A sort of fix-it for Judith Shakespeare’s tragic tale. I don’t particularly expect her to live happily ever after, but perhaps something a tiny bit hopeful, or less gloomy, with the idea that at least something of her lives on somewhere. What would have happened if she hadn’t die so early?

- What if the speaker lied about Judith’s story for some reason? Is there a secret society of women keeping her memory alive somewhere? In the same conspiracy vein: what if some major works of literature had actually been written by Judith?

- Lesbians everywhere! Anything about Chloe and Olivia and who they might be. Bonus points if you keep the historical setting: I’d love a 20s romance, but any other point in time could be interesting too. Also, what if one Mary liked another Mary? What would have happened to Judith if she had met a woman instead of a man in London? Etc.

- Give any of the character a room of her own, see what happens. What sort of space would it be, how could she acquire it, what does it mean to her, is it an actual room or something else?

- An anthology of the Complete Works of Judith Shakespeare (edited by one of the characters, or the speaker maybe? I would love some in-universe document with notes and references).

- Magical AU where the Marys, Judith, and possibly the others are mysterious figures that travel through time with various incarnations. Are they cursed, stuck in a loop, and what sort of powers do they have?

- I think this is absolutely ripe for crossover, of any sort. I’m going to give you suggestions, but if you want to try something very metatextual with a lot of different characters pertaining to different universes, I’m open to it even if I don’t know all of the fandoms used. For example, it’s okay to travel through the multiverse to focus on several women writers from different fandoms, be they historical figures or fictional characters.

* I’m just putting this out there on the off-chance that someone would be willing to write for this and be familiar with Susanna Clarke’s works, but I figured that given some of the themes of Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell (access to knowledge, the erasure of women in magic’s history and the general role of minorities in the book), that would make an absolutely fantastic match. What if the Marys were forgotten female magicians? And Judith Shakespeare lived in the shadow of the Aureates? Do they have something to do with faeries? What can we make of the folk ballad where the Marys are named, in this context? Of course if you’re familiar with this, it also makes a lot of sense to build upon The Ladies of Grace Adieu.

* This would probably works well too in an actual Austenian setting, but there are lots of possibilities, really.

* Do what you will with this but: what if Judith Shakespeare was the Mary Poppins of writers?

* Harry Potter: Judith Shakespeare, trans witch writer?

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces).

The Young Pope

Angelo Voiello; Sister Mary

The relationship between Voiello and Sister Mary is probably my favourite thing about this show (besides its stunning visuals and overall craziness). It ticked all the boxes for me because 1) I love myself some enemies to friends to lovers (or in that case, enemies to friends to cockblocked by the Pope) 2) I have a passion for nuns in fiction 3) older people’s romance rules and 4) I love when people bond by plotting together. All their scenes are both hilarious and adorable, and it was great to see how their relationship was used to add nuance to their characters. Their journey through the season is also quite fascinating because in some way they’re the most “normal” people in the show: they both can appreciate the value of a balanced position for the Church, the way they come to feel about each other looks worldly, simple. And yet it is anything but, because they can’t have that normalcy: they’re surrounded by people doing (*waves hand at the show*) this, the Church looks like it’s going to explode every episode, while the Pope does strange miracles and sips coke and also dies, and they’re basically star-crossed lovers of their own accord. *sigh*. I just wish they could get some peace and quiet from time to time. But on the other hand, I do love how they respond to all this by secret meetings-turned-dates in the wild and crazy schemes (we think Voiello because sure, it’s expected, but remember Sister Mary was responsible for the whole ‘fake parents’ debacle, and wasn’t that something). I like that those elderly people, who want nothing more than take a nice walk holding hands and watch sports on TV together, just have to be the Vatican’s gray eminences, because someone has to do it (okay and because Voiello loves it).

Let the record show that if you write slash for them I’m absolutely open to sex scenes (I’m a champion for older people –and nuns, apparently-- having sex lives), but I’m not prompting for that specifically and not particularly expecting it, go where you heart take you and do what you’re comfortable with. And if you want to write about something post-canon, feel free to take into account the events of The New Pope or to ignore them completely, I really don’t mind.

Prompts

- I’d really love to read anything about them getting together, in whatever context (feel free to change the canon, create you own little pocket of time inside it or go full post-canon, etc). If you need inspiration, you can give me All the Tropes: since they’re so hesitant, forced proximity seems a good start (from “stuck somewhere together” to “there was only one confessional” (bed is good too)).

- Now that I’ve mentioned it, anything involving a confessional is very welcome (yes, I’ve watched Fleabag too many times).

- Something showing how their relationship evolved across a long period of time could be great too; if you go there, feel free to ignore canon and have them reunite in some way, or just continue to live their lives in the Vatican (what if, for example, Lenny never collapsed and stayed in function?). In that spirit, I feel we don’t really see Voiello falling in love with her before his outburst in episode 5, and I’m curious about that.

- 5 times + 1 (they were tempted and resisted; “someone may see them”; they learned something about each other... etc).

- They’re so cute at the end of the show, but I was really into their early dynamic too, with all the banter going on and the idea that they’re going to be rivals: I think it would be really fun to expand on that and develop their relationship from there. Could also be a great option if you prefer Gen. It’s probably the point when they’re at their funniest, and imagine all they could do to drive the other crazy and be little nuisances.

- A confrontation between them about political or theological matters gets out of hands and evolves into… something else.

- They have to plot together to save the Church / Lenny / whatever important cause in the Vatican, and it brings them closer. Is it an uneasy or a natural alliance? What do they learn about each other in the process? What sort of unexpected intimacy does that create?

- Even though I’m forever frustrated by the finale, it had one silver lining. Lenny tells Sister Mary, who’s supposed to leave for Africa in the morning: “Before you go, if you like, you can say goodbye to the Cardinal Secretary of State”. Wink wink. That’s a missing scene if I ever knew one. Besides, I like to think of Lenny’s words as a sort of free pass for… well, whatever you like (I’m certainly not opposed to them breaking their vows). But for something more vague: since they keep meeting outside, and we never see them alone in a private context, so I’m very curious about that, especially when the emotional stakes are so high.

- God ships it. I’m kidding mostly, but I’d love to read about a series of mysterious coincidences and signs similar to what we see in the show pushing them together when they insist They Shouldn’t.

- Though I’d prefer a hopeful ending for them, I’m not opposed to exploring the more tragic aspects of their situation. The show has always been a mix of goofy and tragic (well I guess it’s mostly tragic in fact, but still hilarious), and they’re a nun and a cardinal in love, which must involve some degree of internal conflict. Something about how they torture themselves, and ideally each other too, could be interesting. Alternatively, perhaps they find each other while facing the various tragedies the show throws at them?

- What if someone (be it Lenny, one of the next Popes or even Voiello himself once he’s Pope) allowed for all the clergy to get married? How would they react? Would they still be conflicted, would truths emerge or would they disagree on theological options? I’m interested in the possibility for a relationship here, not necessarily in having them marry (although the idea of the Pope publicly marrying a nun after authorizing it is crazy enough to look promising).

- If you feel like involving Lenny, I could also see him subtly (or perhaps not so subtly) creating occasions for them OR on the contrary, trying to prevent anything between them in the background (little devil that he is).

- The walls have eyes and ears in the Vatican, so it could be nice to see how their relationship is perceived by others (so outsider’s point of view, your pick of character(s), I love the whole cast).

- For a somewhat different mood: them catching a break, being comfortable together and Not Labelling It, having little cute moments. Heck, I’m even open to some downright fluff, there I’ve said it. I mean “napping together” would be perfect too.

- A series of dreams they have about each other (not necessarily sexual or anything, just whatever sort of dream you want) and how that affects their daily life.

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activities involving urine and/or feces), non-canonical character death, tragic ending, alternate universe that changes the setting.

Dear Yuletide Writer,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

I’ll do my best to give you an idea of what I like in general and what I particularly love about my requested fandoms, and prompts to use as inspiration if you’re so inclined. Prompting is also something I do for my own fun: don’t feel compelled by what I suggest, and please don’t think that if I prompt for one fandom more than another it means I want it more (some ideas here are recycled from previous exchanges, and sometimes inspiration just strikes too). My general likes can just as well provide some help.

Basically, I want you to have fun and create something you love. I’m always a bit awed by the idea of having someone writing for me specifically, and I trust you (because you have excellent taste!) so if you’re dying to write what you had in mind when you offered the relevant fandom, be my guest.

Here’s my AO3 account, if you’d like to know me better. My bookmarks are… a bit of a mess, but you can find things I tend to enjoy there, and some of the fandoms I’m familiar with if that’s an information you need.

Language note (though I doubt it will apply): I also read French (it’s actually my first language, I’m more familiar with the French of France variety), so I’m happy to receive something either in English or in French if you prefer to write in that language.

And since it’s best to specify, I’m very glad to receive treats and unplanned gifts!

General likes

(I use this list for all the exchanges I sign up to, so don’t conclude from it I’m only requesting slash fic – romance and/or sex–, I will also prompt for Gen fic for every Yuletide fandom in my letter: don’t feel pressured in any way by the presence of ship and smut likes).

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, future fics, fix-it, backstory, plottiness, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records if it works with the fandom, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, intimate body language, found families, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, moral ambiguity, historical details, sensory notations, time-loops of the “Groundhog Day” kind, AU of the “what if” kind, heist fic, tropes subversion, humor, melancholy, a little psychological cruelty when it fits the story too.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, love/hate relationships, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, subverting power dynamics, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing so gradually it’s hard to put it into words or name it, little touches and physical reactions, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships, by which I mean that the characters are already together when the fic begins), porn used as character study, characters expressing their feelings by actions instead of words.

Smut-wise: praise, alternate power dynamics, desperation, teasing, repressed character letting go, dom/sub undertones or even full dom/sub dynamics depending on the context, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, dirty talk/banter during sex, body worship, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon, but no non-con, please.

It’s worth noting that I’m very much open to sex scenes for every shippy request, but it’s by no mean mandatory if you don’t want to write them (fade to black is fine by me, as well as romance without sex scenes).

Opt-ins: your gender headcanons for the characters, ambiguous/bittersweet endings, any rating, any tense or point of view, experimental writing all the way if you like it.

All the Wrong Questions

Worldbuilding

I’m a big fan of both A Series of Unfortunate Events and All the Wrong Questions, and I have a particular fondness for the melancholic, fake-Noir atmosphere of the second one. I didn’t want to leave this town and its many inhabitants behind, and I’m fascinated with the whole idea of a place whose existence is very fragile. I’d love to read pastiche for this one, and anything that captures the quiet sadness of the coming of age story to take it in an original direction. Jazz, coffee, food, literary references and all that makes those books strangely “cozy” despite the rather hopeless story is very welcome. I’m also here for anything to do with Stain’d exceptional natural environment: the absent sea, the absurd weather, lighthouses and sea weeds, the make-do systems people have invented to survive. And for the existential and terrifying mystery of the Bombastic Beast and all it stands for. There’s a sort of poetry there that has always stayed with me.

I only nominated Worldbuilding myself, but I’m happy to see someone did nominate characters: feel free to include any set of characters in your fic, I’d be pleased to hear about the people. I basically love everyone in the tag set, and outside the tag set I guess I’m attached to Ellington and Kit and the Bellorophon brothers, but really anyone would be great. It’s also worth saying that I’m very interested in any crossover with A Series of Unfortunate Events, since they happen in the same universe and some characters appear in both works. I also think it’s a great fandom for in-universe documents, so if you’re into that be my guest (codes and ciphers welcome, of course).

I have a lot of specific prompts for this one, since I requested it some time ago for a worldbuilding exchange. That being said, I can’t think of everything, and as far as worldbuilding go I’m not very particular so if you had a different idea please go for it!
 

Prompts

- Any story that furthers the link between Stain’d-by-the-Sea and VFD. It’s clear that the town has its own problems, yet I can’t help but think volunteers would find their way into these problems one way or another. Lemony, Theodora and Kit certainly did. So a story tackling the relationship between the town and the various sides of the organization would be great: it could be a good occasion to explore the town’s history under a new light. For example: did volunteers have anything to do with the disappearance of the sea? Was any side of the Schism ever interested in Cleo’s ink? What about the local library? And so on.

- Stain'd-by-the-Sea local newspaper: I would absolutely love a story revolving around the publishing of an issue of Stain’d newspaper or just the actual issue itself. Just thinking about the various sections this newspaper could have is absolutely thrilling, given what the universe is like. Perhaps the various characters have all written for it at one point or another?

- The Bombinating Beast: myths and beliefs surrounding it, some lore about the traces the beast has left/will leave into the culture of this universe (sayings, sea shanties, etc); any exploration of the Beast that ties together its concrete reality and its philosophical meaning (linking it to the Great Unknown, or just embracing the mix of terror and awe the Beast produces, its link to nature).

- Anything that examines the history of Stain’d (on which you can elaborate) in an ecological perspective: I just like the sadness linked to the disappearance of the sea, and I think it calls for more narrative exploration. What about when the sea was there? What do the locals remember of it? What sort of life did they have then? What do they think of the town now? Does it really fade after Lemony’s departure, or does it somehow escape ruin, and by which means/at what cost?

- Crossover prompt with ASOUE: after the events of The End, the Baudelaires end up in Stain’d. Has anything changed? Who lives there? Is it still inhabited? What do they make of it after all their misfortunes?

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

A Room of One’s Own

No character nominated

Also known as: A Request of Your Own.

Look, we’re on Archive of Our Own. I’m a Woolf fan and a fanfic enthusiast. And I just had the revelation that it would be beautiful and symbolic to get a AROO fic for Yuletide.

My friend, this is an all-you-can-write woolfian buffet: I didn’t nominate characters because I’ll genuinely take anything you might imagine about this book. I guess my only real preference is that I’d like the core ideas of the essay to be used at face value and not in a satirical light, but I suppose that’s what most people offering this would have in mind anyway.

This is, I think, one of the texts that moves me the most. It tells such a quiet emotional tale of forgotten voices, broken lives, limited possibilities. I love the sense of sorority that comes from it, but also the speaker’s indignation that seeps through at various points. I love Woolf’s sense of rhythm, memorable sentences, and how fiction and reality perpetually blend together through the various figures of the essay: Judith Shakespeare, the three Marys (Mary Beaton, Mary Seton and Mary Carmichael), Chloe and Olivia, the speaker herself… I think the in-between state between full fictional characters (Judith has her whole life told, the various Mary have different personalities, Chloe and Olivia, you know, liked each other) and symbols (every forgotten woman artist is a Judith Shakespeare or a Mary, the Marys are taken directly from the ballad Mary Hamilton, Chloe and Olivia could stand for sorority or they’re lesbians, Harold) is very interesting, and opens up lots of opportunities for fic. I add that I’m very open to the idea of making Virginia Woolf, or some version of her (the speaker in this text doesn’t have to fully correspond to Woolf in an autobiographical sense) a character in this. Any story that shows sympathy for the struggles the essay evokes, tries to recreate its ring in different contexts, develops the characters through time and space, modernizes the obstacles that prevent women from creating and being heard, pays homage in any way to what was lost to time, would make me so, so happy.

So, does Judith Shakespeare write fanfiction? Are the Marys all sleeping together? What about a new Mary Hamilton ballad about how the speaker isn’t allowed to step on the grass, and it’s tragic somehow? I’m joking, but also I’m dead serious.

I’m going to prompt very broadly, but again if you think of something else, please go for it.

Prompts:

- An exploration of various incarnations of Judith Shakespeare or/and the various Marys, the various Chloe and Olivia across time and space. Since they are after all largely symbolic characters or masks for women all around the world and through the centuries, I would love to read about any different Judith or Mary or Chloe. Regarding Judith Shakespeare, I think that invites to consider what would be the equivalent of Shakespeare at various point in history and in various places, to diversify the literary figures of the essay (I’m very open to any deconstruction of the literary genius thing, by the way).

- A sort of fix-it for Judith Shakespeare’s tragic tale. I don’t particularly expect her to live happily ever after, but perhaps something a tiny bit hopeful, or less gloomy, with the idea that at least something of her lives on somewhere. What would have happened if she hadn’t die so early?

- What if the speaker lied about Judith’s story for some reason? Is there a secret society of women keeping her memory alive somewhere? In the same conspiracy vein: what if some major works of literature had actually been written by Judith?

- Lesbians everywhere: anything about Chloe and Olivia and who they might be. Bonus points if you keep the historical setting: I’d love a 20s romance, but any other point in time could be interesting too. Also, what if one Mary liked another Mary? What would have happened to Judith if she had met a woman instead of a man in London? Etc.

- Give any of the character a room of her own, see what happens. What sort of space would it be, how could she acquire it, what does it mean to her, is it an actual room or something else?

- An anthology of the Complete Works of Judith Shakespeare (edited by one of the characters, or the speaker maybe? I would love some in-universe document with notes and references).

- Magical AU where the Marys, Judith, and possibly the others are mysterious figures that travel through time with various incarnations. Are they cursed, stuck in a loop, and what sort of powers do they have?

- I think this is absolutely ripe for crossover, of any sort. I’m going to give you suggestions, but if you want to try something very metatextual with a lot of different characters pertaining to different universes, I’m open to it even if I don’t know all of the fandoms used. For example, it’s okay to travel through the multiverse to focus on several women writers from different fandoms, be they historical figures or fictional characters.

* I’m just putting this out there on the off-chance that someone would be willing to write for this and be familiar with Susanna Clarke’s works, but I figured that given some of the themes of Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrell (access to knowledge, the erasure of women in magic’s history and the general role of minorities in the book), that would make an absolutely fantastic match. What if the Marys were forgotten female magicians? And Judith Shakespeare lived in the shadow of the Aureates? Do they have something to do with faeries? What can we make of the folk ballad where the Marys are named, in this context? Of course if you’re familiar with this, it also makes a lot of sense to build upon The Ladies of Grace Adieu.

* Do what you will with this but: what if Judith Shakespeare was the Mary Poppins of writers?

* Harry Potter: Judith Shakespeare, trans witch writer?

DNW: gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), soulmates.

La Locandiera – The Mistress of the Inn

Mirandolina; Cavaliere of Ripafratta

Look, I don’t know how I became fannish about an 18^th century Italian comedy, but here we are. I guess what got me hooked is how modern a character Mirandolina really is. She does whatever she has to in order to survive and gain relative independence in circumstances where that’s all she can hope for. Sure, she exploits her clients. But what choice does she actually have? Rich men will come and harass you, and you still have to eat. I like to think her announcing her marriage to Fabrizio in the end is just another trick: she needs it in the moment, but she wouldn’t actually renounce her freedom. Ripafratta on the other hand, with his absurdly simplistic views on women but otherwise upright character, intrigues me. He’s a jerk, sure, but he also demonstrates some good qualities, and he’s so helpless once Mirandolina seduces him that you have to feel a bit sorry (even though he’s a misogynistic asshole).

I love that the tone of the canon is complicated: it’s all played for comedy, but at the same time you could read more gravity at the heart of this, especially if you consider the characters’ future. I mean, how will Ripafratta evolve after this charade? What about Mirandolina’s freedom? I’m very much here for canon deviations here, and future fic as well as some form of fix-it for their relationship. In short, I think there is a lot of Enemies-to-Friends and/or Enemies-to-Lovers potential. Because they’re both very spirited (Ripafratta can be around others, but not around Mirandolina in the play, which I find quite interesting), intelligent, and there’s a sense of wit and mischief that I like between them.

I see their story in the play as sort of a failed romance with a serving of cruelty (on Mirandolina’s part) and bigotry (on Ripafratta’s) on top: where do we go from there is what interests me. How do you mend something like that? I think they both could evolve beyond what we see in the play, and after some growth, learn to communicate and meet in the middle. With potential resentment, banter and flirtation, of course. Or, and there I fall victim of one of my favourites tropes: maybe Mirandolina did perceive the baron’s qualities beyond his more obvious flaws during the events of the play, and her act ends up being more sincere than what she intended. Maybe that is why she got rid of him as harshly as she did. I would enjoy all sorts of things, from a romance to a confrontation scene that really let them challenge each other’s faults and opinions, because they never had the occasion to do that in the play and I think that’s a shame. In any case, they would probably be a certain degree of conflict, humiliation or even violence (she did burn him with an iron; he tried to break into her room) involved. To clarify on one of my DNW for this fandom, I cannot really see them married, but I’m absolutely up for an ultimately happy romance, and definitely up for sex too.

If you’ve seen a production that you liked, feel free to borrow from it (I’ve seen several and have no preference). And since it’s an Italian play and I originally read it in French, I’m not very particular about which exact names and titles you should use, because that often got changed in the various translations.

Prompts:

- Given the 18^th century context, one of my (very optional) headcanons for this is that one or both of them could get into philosophy and more specifically into the debates surrounding the education of women, which was quite prominent at the time. I could see Mirandolina getting rid of her suitors and welcoming writers and philosophers in her inn, while benefiting from their talks. Or maybe Ripafratta does some reading after his painful experience at the inn, and his views on women and his own actions evolve a bit? What I like in this idea is that is draws on the play’s emphasis on debate, but that could also help exploring the class difference, which is a very important part of their relationship.

- Canon divergence: Mirandolina accidentally falls from Ripafratta while trying to trick him. She then tries to get as far from him as possible to avoid confronting this, but he somehow finds out.

- More precise variation on the same idea: Ripafratta confronts Mirandolina about her lies, but something betrays that she isn’t really as indifferent to him as she claims, changing the dynamic of the scene (bonus point if Mirandolina does everything she can to hide that ‘weakness’/still tries to win the fight).

- An epistolary narrative could be interesting: maybe they wrote notes to each other when Ripafratta was staying at the inn, or/and maybe they wrote letters after he left (because they still needed to insult each other, and maybe things evolve?). I’d love them to become great pen pals and realising they need someone to talk to.

- Future fic: they meet by chance a few years later and reconsider what happened. Maybe they feel a bit different now? How are they changed?

- Revenge plot! Ripafratta comes back somehow, pretending it’s all fine and he’s never actually been in love with Mirandolina. And then he plots to seduce her like she did to him...I’ll let you imagine how that goes.

- Mirandolina looses her inn and has to look for employment as a maid. She ends up at Ripafratta’s estate… Maybe she tries to hide who she is, or he doesn’t pay attention at first, maybe he uses the occasion to humiliate her, or he immediately feels this is going to be more complicated than that… I’m not opposed to something a bit darker between them, since I find the play quite cruel in places and enjoy that too.

DNW: permanent character death, the characters ending up marrying each other (that sounds a bit too 'traditional' in their situation, but of course that doesn't mean they can't get together, and marriage can still be an option they discuss and discard, since I can't see Mirandolina getting into it), gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Mame

Mame Dennis; Vera Charles

Mame and Vera’s dynamic may be my favourite thing from this musical, and we’re speaking of a show where Angela Lansbury has starred, so that’s telling you something. I have to confess I nominated those two with shippy intent, but I just love the “frenemies throwing shades while being absurdly extravagant” vibe so much, and Gen will make me happy too. There’s just a thing about the historical period, the clothes, the way they bicker, and the whole hedonistic philosophy behind it that’s so out of date yet so alluring (that being said I think we can all agree the “southern Belle” fantasy of the musical is best left behind). This canon has such a general queer vibe you can probably see it from the moon, and even if you go with platonic exploration of their relationship I think the “found family” aspect of it remains interesting. Look, I just like that they’re not “normal” in any way and very unapologetic about it. In this house, we’re really digging this diva/queen vibe.

I really don’t mind if you ignore parts of canon for this, especially Mame’s marriage (but that could also create interesting situations with Vera, so it’s up to you). Feel free to explore gender and identity issues if you find the idea interesting: Jerry Herman and Bea Arthur will be proud of you.

Prompts

- In general, I’m very keen on scenarios where they just live the life, you know, as they do: give me extravagant clothes, settings, knickknacks, parties, what have you.

- Building on sexual tension while in rehearsal for Vera’s play would be great. “The Man in the Moon” is a very interesting song in that sense: that lady in the moon sure sounds lovely, according to Vera… Anything in the broader context of theatre world is sure to delight me.

- Mame defending Vera, or the other way around, and being caught at it: feelings ensue (could also be a Gen prompt). I’m very much in favour of the slap-slap-kiss trope, and all the love-hate relationship tropes, really.

- I like the idea of them taking care of each other in their own way, despite the barbs, or even through them perhaps. So I’m just putting it there.

- A drunk confession from Vera, perhaps leading to a series of comical and over the top misunderstandings (side note: if you’re uncomfortable with the alcohol theme in this canon, feel free to ignore it completely).

- If you’re more interested in Gen: how did they meet? I could picture them competing about love interests and realising they would rather be friends because of the intellectual challenge and the sense of kinship they develop (ditching the man/men in the process).

- The shippy version of the previous idea: Mame and Vera competing for a man and realising they’re more into each other.

- Perhaps my brain is being hacked by Murder She Wrote, but I think that would be hilarious to see them playing Junior Detectives together, whether there’s been an actual crime or they’re just panicking about something they blow out of proportions

DNW: permanent character death, the characters ending up with men for good, gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Pentiment

Mathieu of Neuchâtel, Rüdeger of Bad Tölz

I want to preface this by saying that even though I’m requesting those two characters, I’m absolutely happy to have any other character from the tagset to appear in the fic if you feel so inclined, as a supporting cast (especially if it’s Andreas, but I’m also very fond of Magda, and basically I love everyone in this town). I quite enjoy the very collective aspect of the narrative in Pentiment.

I’m not going to lie, I nominated those two with shippy intentions. However, if that’s not your thing, I’ll be very happy with something that explores their friendship and day-to-day life in the abbey. It’s just that I was so struck by the scene where we discover something is happening between them, and I’m fascinated with queer representation in that context, so my brain went full “yeah gay monks”.

In any case, if you’re a medieval nerd, know stuff about queer history, or the making of manuscripts, liturgical chant, etc.: by all means, unleash the beast. I love Pentiment for how true and nuanced it manages to be from a historical perspective, so I’m sure to like another dose of that in a story.

I think what made me so attached to them is how different they are, and the dynamic this difference creates. I love that Mathieu is a bit of an asshole, rigid, clearly quite ambitious, and how he seems to transform emotionally when he’s with Rüdeger. Besides he’s just, I mean, cute. You’ve got to love the size difference between those two. Rüdeger on the other hand is so sweet, and his singing is associated with some of the most emotional moments in the game, which makes him this gentle and somewhat tragic figure in the midst of the catastrophes. I was so pleased to see the game go out of its way to show us that they stick together for decades like an old married couple. I like to think about how such a bond can be established and endure in a religious context where every aspect of life is very ritualized and collective, and individual personalities aren’t supposed to be that relevant (even if they inevitably are).Intimacy between two persons, even platonic intimacy, seems very difficult to build. So anything exploring that tension would be amazing. Even better if they don’t see it or think of it exactly in the way we would.

In terms of tonality I’m open to a lot of things, I’d just prefer a story that doesn’t turn entirely bleak and hopeless for them (like breaking them up without hope of ever being reunited – temporary break up is more than fine, I do love drama). On the other hand, I’m very interested in the potential pains, contradictions and internalized homophobia the situation could trigger, so don’t be afraid to go there if you want. And I would also be happy with something very mundane, that explores how they work together, the little joys and minute details of daily life at the abbey, philosophical musing about friendship or “friendship”, etc.

Prompts:

- Story of how they got together. How do you navigate attraction and eventually acting on it when you’re in their position? Give me hesitations, misunderstandings, negotiation with their own beliefs, and various forms of tension.

- Their relationship through the eyes of various outsiders (your pick of characters, even better if it alternates between several of them)

- The various rituals they invented that build their intimacy, and how they mix or clash with the religious rituals they perform daily (I’m an atheist so I really don’t care about blasphemy or anything, but I’m interested in their beliefs and the historical aspect of that)

- 5 times +1 one of them helped the other

- Sexy times in the library! Also: I love that they meet there, so how the library came to shape their relationship?

- Something more light-hearted where Andrea’s habit of causing mayhem everywhere he goes puts them in increasingly comical situations, either because they’re not together yet and won’t acknowledge the attraction, or because they’re together and have to hide it convincingly.

DNW: either of the requested characters dying permanently in the fic, gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

The Remains of the Day

Mr Stevens / Miss Kenton

I think what interested me here is the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy in one way or another. I love how repressed the characters are, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. And the way Miss Kenton and Mr Steven keep challenging each other, especially when it comes to values. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of reading possible scenarios of how they finally get together (despite what my rational mind tells me), and I’m a big fan of the little things when it comes to them: touches, hidden emotions, unresolved tension that escalates, looks, etc. I’m very much here for any exploration of the emotional and/or sexual tension between them, through whatever mean you may think of. I’m interested in historical realism here, but on the other hand I’m not afraid of romance tropes either.
 

Prompts:

- What if she did come back after he offered her the job at the end of the book/movie? How does one go back to being a servant in the 60s after all this time and everything that happened? When you’re older? And how do you rekindle an old romance, especially when both parts are aware that your return has something to do with it but no one dares mention it at first?

- Any fake/pretend relationship/forced proximity scenario you can come up with: for example, their new employer only wants married staff and they concoct a lie, or they have to pretend for an event, or because an important guest of the house has taken a fancy to one of them and they need a cover.

- Miss Kenton is led to believe that Mr Stevens, as extraordinary as it sounds, is having an affair with someone (staff or someone in the village, perhaps a guest, I don’t know). It’s actually not the case but it drives her absolutely up the wall.

- Miss Kenton is offered a job elsewhere, and Stevens does everything in his power to convince her to stay (including perhaps resorting to his knowledge of romance novels, or being a decent human being for once).

- Something something “reversed book scene” something (after the book scene, a situation in which it’s Stevens who tries to initiate contact, and Miss Kenton who’s reluctant).

DNW: permanent major character death, gore, underage, non-con, A/B/O, watersports (sexual activites involving urine and/or feces), unrequested crossovers, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Hello!

And thank you for writing (or thinking about) writing for me. Here you’ll find my general likes and dislikes, probably too many words about specific fandoms and relationships, and a list of prompts. Those, as you may know, are optional: if you come here with an already formed idea, I’d be happy to read it.

I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3, and I guess my Bookmark section will show you things that I like too, although it’s clearly a mess because I only think of bookmarking when engaged in a reading marathon.

It’s my first FFFX and I’m not used to prompt for exchange with such a high word count: feel free to mix different ideas or to cherry pick if that seems to work for you. Or to ignore them altogether: it’s important that you have fun.

Treats in any media are very much welcome!

General

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, future fics, fix-it, backstory, plottiness, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records if it works with the fandom, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, intimate body language, found families, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, moral ambiguity, historical details, sensory notations, time-loops of the “Groundhog Day” kind, AU of the “what if” kind, heist fic, tropes subversion, humor, melancholy, a little psychological cruelty when it fits the story too.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, love/hate relationships, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, subverting power dynamics, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing so gradually it’s hard to put it into words or name it, little touches and physical reactions, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships, by which I mean that the characters are already together when the fic begins), porn used as character study, characters expressing their feelings by actions instead of words.

Smut-wise: praise, alternate power dynamics, desperation, teasing, repressed character letting go, dom/sub undertones or even full dom/sub dynamics depending on the context, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, dirty talk/banter during sex, body worship, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon, but no non-con, please.

It’s worth noting that I’m very much open to sex scenes for every request, but it’s by no mean mandatory if you don’t want to write them (fade to black is fine by me, as well as romance without sex scenes).

Opt-ins: your gender headcanons for the characters, ambiguous/bittersweet endings, any rating, any tense or point of view, experimental writing all the way if you like it

DNW : permanent major character death (time loops and resurrection plots are good), non-con, underage, non-canonical children and pregnancy, emeto/scat/watersports, unrequested crossovers, AUs that change the setting (A/B/O, soulmates, coffee shops and the likes; canon divergences are fine).

Amadeus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart/ Antonio Salieri

The one-sided animosity between Salieri and Mozart keeps me awake at night. I just want more of Salieri playing mind-games with himself and his own twisted aspirations, tastes and desires, more of Mozart perhaps not-so-naive inscrutability. I very much enjoy how ridiculously emo Salieri is, how he tries so hard to be a caricature of 19^th century villain, for… what, exactly? Goofy Mozart is also a fav, but I like when we get to see glimpses of his hidden depths (which I’m sure he has...somewhere). If you’re a fan of that period and know a ton of trivia about the historical characters or the music, be my guest, I really enjoy that sort of details. Same goes for obscure references and symbolism.

I’ll always be happy with something that explores the intense tension between them in whatever way you choose. For this fandom, I would prefer not to receive something completely fluffy: these characters are very imperfect, and I’m happy for them to stay that way at least to an extent. Don’t be afraid to go dark and twisted, after all one of them did try to off the other (at least in his mind). That being said, I’d be happy to see Mozart live and all that animosity turn into something less lethal if they manage to confront their feelings (and I’m fully aware that they might never manage that, and it’s fine too, this doesn’t have to have a perfectly happy ending).

Prompts:

- A time-loop that occurs at some sort of turning point (e.g. right before Mozart’s illness and death, but I like the idea of finding other, perhaps less obvious, crossroads) and forces them to reconsider their relationship. I could very well see Salieri completely panic because he can’t manage to kill Mozart or get rid of him because he rises again comes morning: a perfect occasion for some “kill, kill, kiss”! But the time loop could also apply to one of their opera’s opening night, with different consequences, for example.

- Salieri learns some scandalous secrets about Mozart’s sex life and tries to blackmail him, but the whole thing blows up in his face…

- Someone of influence (could be the Emperor, could be someone else) sets up a contest between Salieri and Mozart (composition, interpretation, whatever strikes your fancy). Tension between them escalates, but resolves in an unexpected way.

- They are forced to go on tour together across Europe. What a great occasion for forced proximity, but also for learning to know each other better (and perhaps discover some dark secrets).

- Salieri finally snaps, and it leads to a physical confrontation, but this, to his surprise, turns into something else…

- Mozart flirts with Salieri because of a game, and it leads to unexpected complications.
 

Derry Girls

Sister Michael / Janet Murray

What I love above all with those two is the impeccable banter and the complicated way they hit it off immediately. You can go full comedy (and please, feel free to include any guest star you might want here, Derry girls and Peter the Priest or Original Nuns and Protestants, or even Erin’s family). I would also be interested in something that builds more on their respective positions: what do they think of each other, of liking each other (do they resent it? Is it a problem or a relief?). Do they see each other again after their first meeting (every year? More often than that? Outside of the program or not? Accidentally or voluntarily?). Also interested to see how weary they are of the stereotypical star-crossed friends/lovers scenario they are sort of forced into.

Jokes about various religious habits are very welcome, feel free to use your knowledge of that particular historical, political and cultural context if you have any, I’m also interested in that dimension of the show.

Prompts

- The story of their relationship through the years and the Give Peace a Chance program. Forced proximity keeps happening (only one bed, accidentally locked together somewhere, lost in the woods, you know the drill). God probably ships it, and they should take a hint. Bonus points for various shenanigans.

- They keep meeting everywhere for no apparent reason. Is this a sign? Or a bloody embarrassment? Maybe one of them is convinced she’s being tempted or that it’s some sort of theological torture. Or believes the other is pulling her leg and isn’t actually interested.

- One of them basically thinks they’re dating but forgot to inform the other.

- After several years, one of them announces she has to stop doing the program. Confession of feelings ensues (feel free to add angst if you want, those don’t have to be 100% light-hearted if you don’t want them to).

- Outsider POV on their relationship (the children would be fun ofc, but I’m open to everything).

Discworld

Havelock Vetinari/Rufus Drumknott

So, as some of my other requests probably make clear, I’m a sucker for unbalanced power dynamics, and falling for one’s employer/employee is very much that. I like how appreciation for extreme competence and development of feeling could mix in this particular relationship, and the sort of ongoing tension it could create between them. While they do not strike me as “repressed” exactly, it seems to me facades and professional masks would likely play a role in there (since appearing cool and detached is of utmost importance in their line of work, so to speak), as well as extreme competence (which I absolutely love).

I’m also a huge fan of the general tone of the canon, and sort of a Discworld nerd, so feel free to insert as many jokes and references as you like, if that’s your thing!

Prompts:

- Drumknott realises Vetinari is discreetly testing him with little tricks and traps during his daily work, perhaps to determine what level of “clearance” he should have, perhaps for other reasons entirely (a very obscure way of flirting? A way to deal with frustration?)

- Something that explores jealousy on both sides: each of them believes the other is interested/in a relationship with someone else (feel free to include Margolotta, I absolutely love her), or perhaps some important guild leader shows too much of an interest in Drumknott to Vetinari’s taste, etc.

- Alternatively, Vetinari convinces Drumknott to take advantage of one of Ank-Morpork major player’s interest in him to gather intelligence. But he turns weirdly possessive and can’t stop himself from spying on them all the time.

- Fake/pretend relationship: while on a diplomatic trip, they have to pretend to be married.

- Forced proximity: someone is plotting another assassination attempt on Vetinari, and he has to live with Drumknott full time for a little while.

- Anything that explores the development of their relationship through the years as canonical events unfold. Hurt/comfort whenever someone tries to kill Vetinari would be nice (and I like the idea Vetinari could train Drumknott in the traditional assassins’ ways in order for him to recognize any such attempt), or slowly figuring out each other love language, for example.

Killing Eve

Carolyn Martens/Eve Polastri

The baseline here is that I’m in love with every character played by Fiona Shaw and this is no exception. So I yearn for more Carolyn/Eve, especially since the mentor/mentoree relationship they sort of have, sort of don’t have is fascinating. The prompts I provide are heavily inspired by a request I saw here several years ago that I couldn’t get out of my head (if you’re reading this: thank you, and I hope it’s okay). Please, please feel free to ignore the last season completely (it will probably be easier).

I love that we never really understand how shady Carolyn is exactly, what her game is, and I love that Eve, on the contrary, has basically no poker face. The tension between them is always delicious, and whoever decides to seduce the other is entirely up to you. Of course Carolyn in control is sexy, but I’m also interested to see her finally having a moment of emotional vulnerability (since she never allows herself to have any feelings for anyone), no matter how short-lived. Or, on the contrary, being unreadable even in the midst of a steamy interaction. As for Eve, I imagine she would be either oblivious or panicked if Carolyn made any move (or a combination of both), which could be hilarious, but quite obsessed and awkward if she was the one to make one. But really, anything you may be willing to write here will completely delight me!

Prompts:

- Carolyn has to exfiltrate Eve to a safehouse (or any other place that Carolyn deems safe) and has to live there with her for an extended period of time. Proximity, tension and weird domesticity ensues.

- Eve could suspect Carolyn of working for the Twelve and decide to fake date/honeytrap her to ‘discover the truth’. And I mean, we all know how that would go…

- Carolyn tries to redirect Eve’s attraction for Villanelle in a more useful direction. In other words, trying to reconcile loyalty and attraction, which I think is a really interesting idea. Great set up for dom/sub undertones and roleplay, too, if that’s your thing. I wonder how Eve would react to something she can actually have, this time.

- 5+1 times Eve sees Carolyn in her bath, or something like that

- Accidental domesticity/proximity while on a case. Perhaps they spend Christmas/Valentine day by accident together. Perhaps they have to work at Carolyn’s house and are constantly distracted/disturbed. Fake dating could be very fun too.

Matilda the Musical 2022

Agatha Trunchbull/Original Female Character

This movie did something unholy to my brain when they cast Emma Thompson in that role. So yes, it’s “bad lesbian” coded all the way, and it’s wrong but also right? And it made me feel things for Agatha Trunchbull that I probably shouldn’t, but still: I believe there is a lot to be done about her in a queer perspective. Feel free to go full “evil dom lesbian” with her in a very E-rated way; I would also like something that takes the “sad repressed lesbian” route and explores softer shores, as she learns to understand herself and perhaps becomes a little less awful doing so (can you see me holding big “let the Trunchbull be loved” signs). I think it would also be super interesting if you managed to mix both approaches, but that’s really up to you and what you’d like to write. To be clear, I’m not asking for a complete psychological U-turn or to pretend she was Nice Actually all along, but I think it could be stimulating to take the character more seriously and less as a caricature.

As for the OC, there are suggestions in the prompt but I’m really open to everything you might want to try (though no underage please).

Prompts:

- Agatha just recruited a new teacher, and while she can’t stand the woman’s idealism and softness and tries to (metaphorically) beat it out of her, she’s growing obsessed and can’t figure out why.

- Someone is sent to inspect the school. Obviously, it does not go well, and now Agatha is stuck with a stern woman basically spying on her and judging her every move while trying to talk to her about “pedagogy” at every turn. It really is unbearable.

- Through an unlikely series of events, Agatha accidentally makes a friend. And she’s… nice. Different. And completely unaware she should be terrified of her as everyone else is. In fact, she keeps offering her cups of tea, probably.

- Something something evil dom lesbian, of course. There’s this woman Agatha really hates...

Original Work

A note on Original Works: while I may have suggestions about the possible scenarios these tags could lead to, feel free to go with your own idea there, perhaps even more than with other fandoms. After all, original works are, well, original (and I can’t think of everything so there’s a good chance I’ll love your idea very much).

Stern King's Advisor/Curious Royal Herbalist (M/F)

I won’t give precise prompts for this since OW tags are basically prompts already, but I can tell you what I imagine this could be. What interests me here is the potential for Enemies to Lovers or Enemies to Friends to Lovers since it’s likely that these characters will have divergent moral values. Perhaps the herbalist is all for science and experiments, while the advisor is suspicious of her work and tries to keep her in check. Perhaps he’s very religious and suspects her of witchcraft. I also love the likely power unbalance here, since there is a chance that a local herbalist doesn’t have that much political influence. Or perhaps she does, and that is the problem? Power struggle would be cool then, as well as reluctant hurt/comfort since it’s also the herbalist’s job to take care of sick or wounded people.

I’m good with any historical setting here, but also with various fantasy settings: what if the herbalist is (secretly?) an alchemist or discover magical secrets? Or the advisor plans to replace the king one way or another, and tries to convince her to help?

Cold Aristocrat/Her Smitten Maid (F/F) (OW)

- Everyone has a secret: the rich aristocrat is expected to marry and is courted by several men, but She Won’t Accept Them for Mysterious Reasons / the maid lied about her references and is afraid her mistress will one day discover the reason she lost her previous job...

For this I’m seeing more of a genderswapped Sherlockian setting, perhaps Victorian, but feel free to try anything else that you think might work (20s in a Madame Storey or Harriet Vanes spirit for example, or noir). I like the idea of an age gap here, with the assistant being older and perhaps a bit judgmental of her employer’s lifestyle, but also very much smitten against her will. This is a recipe for conflict and tension (and Idiots in love) if I ever saw one, especially if they more or less live together. Perhaps the assistant has a darker past or on the contrary is ashamed of being “too plain and boring”, perhaps the detective is a womanizer or has only ever loved her assistant. Give me outraged Assistant and smug Genius Detective, with all the tropes you can think of (disguises and masquerades, pretend relationship on a case, evil Nemesis playing with their mutual feelings, etc.)

Casefic and drama very welcome, but I’m also interested in their everyday life if that’s more your thing.
 

The Remains of the Day

Mr Stevens / Miss Kenton

I think what interested me in the novel (and movie) is the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy in one way or another. I love how repressed the characters are, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. And the way Miss Kenton and Mr Steven keep challenging each other, especially when it comes to values. I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of reading possible scenarios of how they finally get together (despite what my rational mind tells me), and I’m a big fan of the little things when it comes to them: touches, hidden emotions, unresolved tension that escalates, looks, etc.

Prompts:

- What if she did come back after he offered her the job at the end of the book/movie? How does one go back to being a servant in the 60s after all this time and everything that happened? When you’re older? And how do you rekindle an old romance, especially when both parts are aware that your return has something to do with it but no one dares mention it at first?

- Any fake/pretend relationship/forced proximity scenario you can come up with: for example, their new employer only wants married staff and they concoct a lie, or they have to pretend for an event, or because an important guest of the house has taken a fancy to one of them and they need a cover.

- Miss Kenton is led to believe that Mr Stevens, as extraordinary as it sounds, is having an affair with someone (staff or someone in the village, perhaps a guest, I don’t know). It’s actually not the case but it drives her absolutely up the wall.

- Miss Kenton is offered a job elsewhere, and Stevens does everything in his power to convince her to stay (including perhaps resorting to his knowledge of romance novels, or by being a decent human being for once).

- Something something “reversed book scene” something (after the book scene, a situation in which it’s Stevens who tries to initiate contact, and Miss Kenton who’s reluctant).

Succession

Roman Roy/Gerri Kellman

Ah, these two… I’m really fascinated by this ship, and what the show did with them. And I’ll admit I’m of two minds when it comes to them. On the one hand, my heart craves for some more feelings, something more tangible being revealed in the midst of their complex games, the idea that eventually it could lead to (unwanted?) emotions. But on the other hand, they are both very selfish and it’s also clear they’re using the other in multiple ways. Roman never questions what Gerri actually gets out of their arrangement, which is something that deeply interests me. The power dynamic is so complex: who really has the upper hand? Is it harassment (on Roman’s part), is it a way to exploit someone’s else traumas to one’s advantage (on Gerri’s), is it indirect therapy (for Roman, or for both), a way to take revenge (Gerri, who works in a misogynistic environment), something else? Feel free to mix those elements in any way you want, that’s basically what the show does and I’m all for ambiguities here. In terms of characters, a lot of fics for this pairing focus on Roman, and I love that, but I admit I’m also very intrigued by what Gerri might want, what she might think of him, of all this, even if it’s only suggested. I feel like the only thing that bothers me in fics exploring their relationship is when Gerri is only used as a device to explore Roman’s desires and trauma, and her own feelings and needs are not taken into account.

If you want to write smut for this, it will be very welcome. And if you are unsure how far you can go, I have bookmarked a ton of E-rated Gerri/Roman stories that will probably help you see what I’m comfortable with, but on the whole I’m pretty open to everything that fits into their dom/sub dynamic.

Prompts:

- Post-canon: Gerri decides to reconnect with Roman for strategic reasons (maybe Tom asks her to, or maybe she does it to protect herself from Tom or Mattson), or that is what she tells herself. He still allegedly has that connection with Menken that they need to exploit. But she’s surprised to see how much emotional baggage emerges when they see each other again.

- Anything that explores the changing power dynamic between them, even in minimal ways. For example I love the idea that Roman could become gradually less self-centered and actually try to praise her/woo her during their sessions, because I think Gerri would absolutely panic.
-Their obviously under-negotiated kink blows up in their face at some point. Perhaps it's Roman who goes from excited to plain hurt by the insults. Perhaps something goes wrong with Gerri (I think this is also really worth exploring: what in her position in what they have going on could end up being too much for her too). Is this the way to deeper feelings being expressed, a warning sign, an occasion to talk and negotiate, etc? How do they deal with the power they have over each other?

- Though I know this all began with Gerry buttoning Roman's shirt, they almost never touch after that (and we get why, but I think that's still a complicated 'why'). So: 5 times + 1 they touched accidentally, or something of the sort that explores why touch is difficult between them, all the things it could mean. Same goes with kissing: given their usual dynamic it seems to be off-limit, and I’d like to see how that could become a Thing, perhaps something they both fantaisize about in different ways but refuse to allow themselves to do, or perhaps not. In fact, and in more general terms, I would like to see how feelings and gestures that are less clearly of a sexual nature fit into their dynamic. And what it does to them whenever that line is crossed.
- Gerry betrays some sort of reaction (as opposed to: acting cold and impervious) during one of their 'sessions', or perhaps even out of their sessions in an inappropriate setting, at work or in any other social context. Could be purely sexual, could be emotional, perhaps a mix of both. What does it lead to, what does Roman make of it? What does *Gerri* make of it? In short, and in more general terms: what does Gerri want? What does she feels? Does she know, and if not does she tries to figure it out, or to avoid thinking about it at all costs? Would love to see Roman losing his mind trying to analyze the tiniest signs.

Dear Yuletide Writer,

It’s the best time of the year! I’m so glad we share interest for this fandoms and wonderful characters.

I’ll do my best to give you an idea of what I like in general and what I particularly love about those works, and to give you prompts to use as inspiration if you’re so inclined. Prompting may help you to find inspiration, but it’s also something I do for my own fun: don’t feel compelled by what I suggest, and please don’t think that if I prompt for one fandom more than another it means I want it more (some ideas here are recycled from previous exchanges, so that might explain why I have fewer ideas for fandoms I’ve never requested before). My general likes can just as well provide some help if that is needed (although some likes apply better to some fandoms than others). But basically, I want you to have fun and create something you love. I’m always a bit awed by the idea of having someone writing for me specifically, and I trust you (because you have excellent taste!) so if you’re dying to write what you had in mind when you offered the relevant fandom, be my guest.

Here’s my AO3 account, if you’d like to know me better. My bookmarks are… a bit of a mess, but you can find things I tend to enjoy in fics there.

A note, though I doubt it will apply: I also read French (it’s actually my first language), so I’m happy to receive something either in English or in French if you’d want to write in that language.

And since it’s best to specify it this year, I’m very glad to receive treats and unplanned gifts (my account has a welcome-all setting)!

General likes

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, future fics, fix-it, time-loops of the “Groundhog Day” kind, AU of the “what if” kind, backstory, plottiness, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records if it works with the fandom, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, intimate body language, found families, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, historical details, sensory notations, lush descriptions of things, a strong sense of place, literary allusions, elaboration on what the characters like to read/listen to/watch.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing gradually so it’s hard to put it into words or name it, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, love/hate relationships, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, little touches and physical reactions, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships).

I’m fine with sex scenes for the requested ships (though I’m not a fan of PWP). Things I enjoy if you go there: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, repressed character letting go, people having fun during sex, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon, but no non-con, please.

DNW (note: some DNW don’t apply to specific fandoms; if that is the case, it’s specified at the end of the line)

- Major character death: here I mean that I don’t want any of the requested characters to die irremediably in the fic; resurrection plots (e.g. in the context of a time loop) are fine. This DNW does not apply to Amadeus, where the main character’s death is an important part of the canon (although I’d be delighted if you let Mozart live).

- Non-con: when one of the character isn’t described as wanting the sex to happen, explicitly says no and/or isn’t showing any sign of desire for the other character. By contrast, I’m fine with dubcon: i.e. when the characters are ambiguous about whether they want the sex to happen (for various reasons like internalized homophobia, or conflicted feelings) or the sex happens in the context of an imbalanced power dynamic, or when the characters are possibly roleplaying but it’s not explicitly said. To me dubcon implies at least physical signs of desire and no explicit absence of consent (otherwise it falls under non-con).

- Underage: I don’t want any character under 18 to have sexual interaction with an adult; and I don’t want children under 15 to have sexual interactions together. Non-genital sexual acts like kissing or touching (other parts than genitals) between characters in their teens (by which I mean from 15 to 18) is fine.

- Gore: detailed description of body harm and blood. Short mentions of blood, like characters cutting themselves superficially, or using blood to perform a ritual, is fine. This DNW doesn’t apply to Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in the spirit of canon, I’m fine with fairies being very violent if needs be, for example).

- Established relationship when the relationship in question isn’t canon: some of my prompts are requests for ships that are not canon. What I don’t want is those relationships being presented as already established in the fic without telling first how they got together. This DNW doesn’t apply to my worldbuilding requests (JS&MN, The French Dispatch).

- Non-canonical children and pregnancy: by that I mean I don’t want the characters to get pregnant or have children during the course of the fic. If they canonically have children it’s fine to mention them. It’s also fine to talk about the characters’ childhood. This DNW doesn’t apply to my worldbuilding requests, that is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and The French Dispatch, since you may want to invent characters and children and so on for worldbuilding purpose.

- Watersports (i.e. sexual activities involving urine and/or feces)

- Unrequested crossovers

- A/B/O, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Amadeus (Salieri ; Mozart)

The movie is brilliant and the one-sided animosity between Salieri and Mozart keeps me awake at night. I just want more of Salieri playing mind-games with himself and his own twisted aspirations, tastes and desires, more of Mozart perhaps not-so-naive inscrutability. I very much enjoy how ridiculously emo Salieri is, how he tries so hard to be a caricature of 19^th century villain, for… what, exactly? Goofy Mozart is also a fav, but I like when we get to see glimpses of his hidden depths (which I’m sure he has...somewhere). If you’re a fan of that period and know a ton of trivia about the historical characters or the music, be my guest, I really enjoy that sort of details. Same goes for obscure references and symbolism.

I’m not going to lie, I’m hoping for slash here (of the rating you prefer), but I’ll always be happy with something platonic that explores the intense tension between them, this weird mix of rivalry, friendship, fascination and (sometimes) indifference. For this fandom, I would prefer not to receive something completely fluffy: these characters are very imperfect, and I’m happy for them to stay that way at least to an extent. That being said, if you ship them too, I’m also happy for them to discover love (looking at you, Salieri) and being somewhat mollified by it.

Given the tone of the canon, I’m fine with a happier ending (e.g.: Mozart doesn’t have to die) but also with something more tragic if needs be.

Prompts:

- a time-loop that occurs at some sort of turning point (e.g. right before Mozart’s illness and death, but I like the idea of finding other, perhaps less obvious, crossroads) and force them to reconsider their relationship. I could very well see Salieri completely panic because he can’t manage to kill Mozart or get rid of him because he rises again comes morning: a perfect occasion for some “kill, kill, kiss”! But the time loop could also apply to one of their opera’s opening night, with different consequences, for example.

- Salieri finally snaps, and it leads to a physical confrontation, but this, to his surprise, turns into something else… (I’m thinking ship, but he could also simply betrays his platonic admiration/adoration, reveals his dark secrets, etc.).

- Mozart flirts with Salieri during a party because of a game, and the consequences are more serious than anticipated.

- someone of influence (could be the Emperor, could be someone else) sets up a contest between Salieri and Mozart (composition, interpretation, whatever strikes your fancy). Tension between them escalates, but resolves in an unexpected (sexy? friendly?) way.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel (Worldbuilding)

This is one of my favourite books, and I’m very much a Susanna Clarke’s girl, so any allusion, fusion or crossover with either Piranesi or Ladies of Grace Adieu is absolutely welcome if that appeals to you. I have a few ideas for worldbuilding here, but there is so much that can be done, if that doesn’t inspire you please go for what you had in mind originally. I’m very interested in the history of magic, various magicians (including the Raven King), but I’m also very curious about marginalized points of view (something that Clarke does very well, with Stephen or Lady Pole for example) and the culture of magical Britain.

I love all the characters, so feel free to include whoever you like, even the truly terrible ones (looking at you, Lascelles). Childermass is a fav, and so are Lady Pole and Arabella, but I’d be delighted to see some good old Strange-Norrell interactions too, and Stephen is an unsung hero. I’m also here for any magician, and all of your OC.

World-building likes for this fandom: alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records, outsider point of view, montage of various documents, academic account…), period-appropriate details, conflicting hypotheses and theories about how things work in universe, myths and legends, the historically accurate version of said myths and legends, nerdiness, minority-related themes (feminist and queer takes and the likes), lush descriptions of things, literary allusions, backstory.

I’m always happy to read something that reflects the author’s field of expertise or culture, so don’t hesitate to do that if you want (some of the prompts specifically invite you to do so).

Prompts:

* Unknown or forgotten female magicians:

Here I would be interested on anything you might invent about female magicians at the time of canon anywhere in the world, so feel free to use your own culture or to write about whatever area of the world you know best. For example, I would be cool to look into traditionally female fields of expertise (like lace-making or cooking or midwifing and the likes) and see what magic might be hidden there. Or into important figures who have been erased for some reason. What is their legacy?

I really enjoy the idea that female magic would be less noticeable, hidden or ignored because of the historical and social context (we know that Norrell isn’t very enthusiastic about female magicians). Feel free to explore that or come up with your own explanations. Were there any secret societies of female magicians in the past? Perhaps some female magicians were ignored because they weren’t British (gasp)?

* In-universe parodies and lampoons of Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange, and what characters (of your choice, or OC) make of it:

Okay so this is a weird one, but consider. Norrell and Strange are extremely famous in England, we know there are etching of them, probably portraits circulating too, so I’m thinking there must be caricatures and offensive lampoons circulating too.

On the one hand, I’m sure English magic doesn’t only have friends: about about its enemies? What scathing critics do they address to Norrell and/or Strange, what is their game. Do they have different views about magic, or do they simply want to abolish it? I’d love to read a lampoon attacking Strange and Norrell’s positions on magic, bonus points if it’s partially bullshit and partially super on point.

On the other hand: the sheer comedic potential of Strange and/or Norrell (or other characters: eg Childermass) seeing themselves caricatured in a text or in a play!

- Lampoons are often filled with lewd allusions and sexual accusations, so what if Norrell and/or Strange chanced upon something that accuses them of sleeping together? Hilarity and awkwardness could ensue. I’m up for any scenario: they aren’t sleeping together and the thought is appalling to them (but it might be funny to other people, I’m thinking Childermass, but really whoever you want); they aren’t sleeping together, but one of them is pining; or maybe both of them; or maybe they are sleeping together, but it’s certainly not respectable to see it printed in cheap ink! If you want to add actual porn to this, be my guest.

*The influence of magic on the British literary canon:

So, JS&MN famously read like in some places like Jane Austen, but with magic. I would really love to read something like an anthology of British literature after magic is revived in England. The excepts and authors could be invented (maybe new authors entered the canon, it’s alternative history after all). Or maybe the well-known texts got altered because magic was rediscovered. I mean, I’m curious about what Dickens, or Alice in Wonderland, or Jane Eyre, or modernist literature (Woolf? Joyce?) might become in a context where magic is part of society.

Alternatively, does Norrell and Strange’s life and fate influence literary history? Do they become the model for something like a new type of Byronic hero? Do famous authors write about them (poems, plays, novels…)?

*Books of magic

Anything goes. I’d be delighted to read a lost page from an Aureate book of magic, or something about alternative methods of writing for illiterate Aureate magicians: where did they store their knowledge, then? How was it shared, or hidden? Lost or mythical books of magic also interest me: speculations on what they may have contained are very welcome.

* The “historically accurate” version of encounters with fairies that were transposed in tales and art, in the spirit of the canon:

I like the idea that even very well-known (or more obscure) fairy tales, or famous paintings, could be transformations of fortunate or tragic encounters with fairies. The allusions that are made about Shakespeare and Midsummer’s Night Dream are very inspiring, and I’m wondering if other works of art could undergo the same treatment.

* If you’re into fusions, I’d be delighted to read something that merges JS&MN and Piranesi, especially if it shows how these universes connect.

The French Dispatch (Worldbuilding)

I love that movie, in all its authentic artificiality. Being French, I have to admit that this version of Europe (to speak broadly, even if Ennui looks mostly French) is actually not that absurd, under the layers of caricature. For example, the way it depicts May 68 sounds more truthful to me than a lot of more serious, historically accurate versions. I like how this fantasy version of France meets the very American tradition of New Yorker style journalism, and was very moved by the idea that those reporters are all, in a way, far from home and choosing to live in that new place with all the difficulties, wonders and nostalgia it entails.

Regarding nominated characters, I’m more interested in the journal itself, which means I’d rather read about journalists. It leaves us with Roebuck Wright, whom I love dearly, but feel free to include whoever you like (I like all the staff, especially the female characters). Any OC you may want to throw at me will delight me, too.

If that’s your thing, I’m open to all sorts of ships in this fandom, and that includes whatever OC you may want to invent too, because I like to think about the Dispatch as a complicated nest of flirts, flings, tragic life-long romances (I get those vibes with Krementz and Howitzer, but I’ll accept any headcanon of yours if you want to explore that aspect). It’s fantasy France, after all.

Prompts:

* Everyday scenes at the French Dispatch:

I’ll always want more of the short scenes we see inside the building. Invent new writers! Reboot the journal after its demise under a new form! Explain how they do manage to work even if everything seems so chaotic! How is this guy in every scene who never seems to do one bit of work, and what is he doing here? Etc.

*The French Dispatch agony column and its effects on Ennui’s population:

I like to this there is one such column. And I like to think it’s quite bonkers.

- The mystery surrounding the identity of the agony aunt/uncle. Is it one of the reporter? All of them and they take turns? I’m sure Berensen and Krementz, for example, wouldn’t give the same sort of romantic advice… Or is Arthur Howitzer Jr. secretly the one who writes it? Or your OCs, with their personal quirks?

- Very American advice for very European problems? Or the reverse?

- What if one of the journalists tried to write to the agony aunt/uncle under a fake name? What sort of problem do they have to solve?
 

*A guide to Ennui’s landmarks:

This is world-building in its purest form, so please get wild and do whatever you want. Bonus points if the “landmarks” are as bizarre or surprisingly culturally accurate as in the movie.

I enjoy the idea that this could be written by several people, not always in agreement (as seen in the movie, some are huge snobs, others seem wilder and more underground, so the contrasts would be hilarious to read).

*The Dispatch’s covering of the women’s right movements of the 60-70s:

Like I said, I enjoy the way they covered a fantasy version of May 68 events very much, but I’m a bit frustrated they didn’t explore the feminist wave that is contemporary to it (I’m quite open about the dates, feel free to extent the existence of the journal if you need to). You can create bizarre historical events, of course, and twist anything you want in a lighter (or apparently lighter)/quirky way.

* Letters to the Editor, in all their weirdness:

I’m sure they receive many letters, I’m sure some of them are weird.

- Some personal enemy of Howitzer writing every month to criticize the previous issue.

- An anthology of the reporters’ favourite letters to the editor (they can be favourite for a large number of reasons...)

- Fan mail/hate mail for some of the reporters.

The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (Mr Stevens; Miss Kenton)

I think what interested me much in the novel (and movie) is the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy in one way or another, be it to your job or your family (Miss Kenton’s marriage doesn’t seem to be a very happy one, and yet she cannot really brings herself to leave). I love how restrained the characters and the whole narrative is, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. And the way Miss Kenton et Mr Steven keep challenging each other, especially when it comes to values. I’m very much here for romance, but if you want to go Gen, that’s fine too!

Prompts:

- What if she did come back after he offered her the job at the end of the book/movie? How does one go back to being a servant in the 60s after all this time and everything that happened? When you’re older? Could be Gen or romance. In the latter case: how do you rekindle an old romance, especially when both parts are aware that your return has something to do with it but no one dares mention it at first?

- For something set during canon: Miss Kenton has given up on Mr Stevens, and that’s when he suddenly decides to court her. Is she oblivious, or incredulous, or angry?

- Any fake/pretend relationship/forced proximity scenario you can come up with (like their new employer only wants married staff, or they have to pretend for an event, or because an important guest of the house has taken a fancy to one of them, or because of Reasons).

- For another Gen idea: character study centered on the way they see service, what they put into it (I would imagine they see it sort of differently).

Madame Storey

I’ve discovered these books through the promo post, so congratulations to the person who promoted it, you said “flappers who might well be secret lesbians” and now I’m on board. This is all quite new for me, but I can easily see how this begs for some romance. Madame Storey can be very inscrutable, and that’s interesting (and hot), but I’m also interested to see flickers of vulnerability, especially with Bella. Or she could just seduce her as she does everything, with style. If that’s not your thing, though, I also adore casefic, so I’m happy to read just one more adventure or just a scene where Madame Storey humiliates men once again.

Prompts:

- 5 times +1 Madame Storey used the dictagraph to flirt with Bella. And when I say “flirt”, it could be light-hearted, but also a lot more steamy, and perhaps even a bit melancholic or existential, given the time period. I don’t know, I just think it’s a neat device, and the fact that she trusts Bella to listen to it could lead to all sorts of interesting situations.

For something Gen, the dictagraph could also be used for more open and honest conversations between the characters, helping them to know each other better.

- forced proximity/undercover for a case? For example, Bella having to act as Madame Storey’s maid, or perhaps the reverse? I don’t know if there’s any lesbian scene to speak of at the time, but if you know about lesbian history, be my guest, I would love for them to investigate in such a context (perhaps Bella discovers Madame Storey seems very at home there, and learns a few things about her actual options, or perhaps it’s the reverse, since Bella admits she’s an admirer of female beauty).

- casefic: anything you may come up with. I’m interested in original setting: what if they go to France? What if they go on a cruise? Or have to investigate in Bella’s or Madame Storey’s hometown?

- a client (man or woman, both would be interesting) takes a fancy to Bella. Madame Storey discovers she’s very much jealous.

- Madame Storey is behaving in an uncharacteristic fashion. Bella takes upon herself to investigate, and discover this has something to do with… her.

Dear Chocolatier,

Welcome to my letter, I hope this will be useful to you (if not, feel free to ignore it, as always). You will find here a list of my General Likes, what I enjoy when it comes to ships or sex scenes. I try to provide prompts, but if they do nothing for you, feel free to ignore them or pick something in my Likes if they inspire you. Chocobox is a very fun exchange, so go and have fun!

By the way, I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3.

PS: the choco letter is always the toughest of the year to write, because so many possibilities, and I’m generally exhausted by the end of it, so please don’t think I want the fandoms that seem perhaps under-developped here any less than the others.

General likes

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Banter, future fics, fix-it, AU of the “what if” kind, backstory, plottiness, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records if it works with the fandom, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, intimate body language, found families, the little cruelties of everyday life relationships, queer narratives, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, sensory notations, lush descriptions of things (also known as __!porn, e.g. architectural porn, landscape porn, whatever), a strong sense of place, literary allusions, elaboration on what the characters like to read/listen to/watch, a whole range of atmospheres from quiet and dreamy to dark, hot and twisted to broken but hopeful, whatever fits the canon or the prompt for you.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing gradually so it’s hard to put it into words or name it, friends/enemies to lovers, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, little touches and physical reactions, focusing on characters’ hands, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together.

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, repressed character letting go, people having fun during sex, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex. I’m fine with dubcon, but no non-con, please.

I’m cool with everything from no sex to fade-to-black to allusions to actual descriptions.

When in doubt (if you don’t vibe with my prompts, or are stuck or anything):

- for ships I will always be happy with any first kiss scenario you can come up with / with any sex scene

- for gen, any conversation/interaction that alternates between deep and light-hearted, or cruel and soft will make my day

DNW (and an explanation of the terms I used in the sign-up):

- Major character death: here I mean that I don’t want any of the requested characters to die irremediably in the fic; resurrection plots (e.g. in the context of a time loop) are fine. It also doesn’t apply to any undead character I might have requested.

- Non-con: when one of the character isn’t described as wanting the sex to happen, explicitly says no and/or isn’t showing any sign of desire for the other character. By contrast, I’m fine with dubcon: i.e. when the characters are ambiguous about whether they want the sex to happen (for various reasons like internalized homophobia, or conflicted feelings) or the sex happens in the context of an imbalanced power dynamic, or when the characters are possibly roleplaying but it’s not explicitly said. To me dubcon implies at least physical signs of desire and no explicit absence of consent (otherwise it falls under non-con).

- Underage: I don’t want any character under 18 to have sexual interaction with an adult; and I don’t want children under 15 to have sexual interactions together. Non-genital sexual acts like kissing or touching (other parts than genitals) between characters in their teens (by which I mean from 15 to 18) is fine.

- Non-canonical children and pregnancy: by that I mean I don’t want the characters to get pregnant or have children during the course of the fic. If they canonically have children it’s fine to mention them. It’s also fine to talk about the characters’ childhood.

- Watersports

- Unrequested crossovers (doesn’t apply to any crossover I might have explicitly requested, obviously).

- A/B/O, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine.

Ammonite (Mary Anning/Elizabeth Philpot ; Charlotte Murchison/Mary Anning/Elizabeth Philpot)

This Yuletide I did a promo post for this fandom, which went ridiculously wrong because I forgot to log in and the pictures were all broken, but it does sum up my appreciation for the movie.

Since then, I’ve learned a few things, for example the fact that Murchison was actually a geologist with an impressive career (and that the movie character has little to do with the historical figure: it’s ironic in a way for a movie that tells so much about women being dispossessed from their work).

Whatever the pairing, if you’re into paleontology and want to take a more RPF/AU route, be my guest. If you want to stick to movie canon, that’s completely fine by me too!

What really makes me want more of those characters is the idea of those women teaching each other about paleontology, discovering amazing things and becoming friends/lovers through that process. In that particular time period and location too! The atmosphere of the movie is amazing, and I’d like more of the cold English shore, more mud and flowers and fossils.

Mary Anning/Elizabeth Philpot

I felt so invested in Mary/Elizabeth because it seemed to me there was more common ground for them to understand each other through the place work occupies in their life. And yes, because of Fiona Shaw (I mean, besides everything else she’s hot as hell in it).

For them I’m really interested in pre- or post-movie, how the two of them met and got together, how they worked together, or how they reconstruct any sort of relationships after what transpired between Mary and Charlotte. That last scene between the two of them is full of intriguing elements. The sheer love that Elizabeth seems to feel for Mary, but also the idea that she often felt she was “the enemy” when she was with her. Anything exploring that would also be interesting. Why would Elizabeth be the enemy?

Prompts:

- Perhaps something about the way they met? And finding a way to express their interest for each other in such a time period. There are a lot of barriers between them (class, money, Mary’s mother, Mary’s own barriers, etc.) UST or RST welcome!

- First kiss / first time together

- Getting together through work: drawing together, drawing each other, seeking fossils together, the wonders of discovery, etc.

- Getting back together after Charlotte? Is it painful, messy, happy, healing?

Charlotte Murchison/Mary Anning/Elizabeth Philpot

So that’s a new pairing for me, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it could be a good fix-it. Elizabeth and Charlotte appeared to like each other, and it seems to me that Mary has feelings for them both during the movie. If they could learn to overcome the divide between them, it would make for a beautiful relationship. Perhaps Charlotte stays in London but visit from time to time while Elizabeth and Mary live together as “companions”. Perhaps she’s a widow now and can settle wherever she wants. Or anything that takes your fancy.

Prompts:

- Post-canon: Elizabeth brings Mary to London, being more introduced to the scientific circles. There, they meet (accidentally? Or is that some sort of ‘trap’?) with Charlotte.

- some sort of AU during canon: Elizabeth observing Mary and Charlotte, having conflicted feelings about what she thinks she sees (heartache, longing, attraction to them both but in a different way, etc.), Charlotte observing Elizabeth and Mary and feeling intrigued then drawn then burning. Can be resolved or unresolved.

- Letters they send to each other, before/after getting together

- Charlotte comes to stay with them for a week-end of digs, kisses and drying flowers in the sun

- Elizabeth helping Charlotte and Mary to overcome the hurt between them, Charlotte doing the same for Elizabeth and Mary

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

This show is a hot mess and I love it at its wackiest and campiest. So many opportunities for characters and relationships development! I also love the lore here, so feel free to use any magic tradition/creature/spell we’ve heard of, or to invent anything that pleases you. My favourite episodes are easily the ‘demon of the week’/’witches festive calendar’ ones, to give you an idea. So get wild, or dark, and dark humour is also very welcome. Canon divergences are more than fine, I mean the canon isn’t that consistent with itself to begin with, so I really, really don’t mind whatever you may want to do with it. If you want to add characters to the fic it’s fine, I’m just way more invested in the adults than in the kids, I’ll admit.

Hilda Spellman & Zelda Spellman

I love how fabulously messed-up their relationship is. The dream demon episode was what did it for me: living together, sleeping in the same room as adults while regularly murdering/being murdered by your sibling… The fact that Zelda plays with Hilda like a child with her toy but is the one who’s terrified of abandonment. The fact that, while Zelda can easily be perceived as “the sexy one”, it’s sweet and (apparently) harmless Hilda who has desires she can’t satisfy because her sister wouldn’t just leave her alone. To me it’s one of the most complex relationship in the show, and I love them to bits.

Prompts:

- Any Mandrake scenarios you can think of with those two. I love how cute and deadly mandrakes are, I’d love to see them react to mandrake-Zelda or/and mandrake-Hilda (and having to kill ‘each other” in new, original ways too!)

- Somehow they end up in one another’s bodies, and have to deal with that.

- Hilda helping Zelda coming to terms with being attracted to women (can be pre- or post- canon). I liked the fact that they didn’t lean on that in canon, but since Hilda immediately felt something was up with Marie, and Zelda seemed reluctant to discuss it, I would love to see that theme explored. I mean Zelda doesn’t seem to really believe in romantic love before she meets Marie, but has something happened in the past? Or is it a realisation that happens later in life for her?

Original Mary Wardwell & Madam Satan OR Original Mary Wardwell / Madam Satan

I was fascinated by the moment Lilith tries to convince Mary Wardwell to hide her from Lucifer, and very frustrated when they chose not to go this way. I mean, I really love the idea of those two living together and learning to know each other, with the obligatory weirdness of looking exactly the same and having been the “same” person for a while. Why is Lilith so attached to this body when she could look however she wants? I don’t imagine she would have a lot of respect for Mary as a person (I mean, it’s Lilith we’re talking about). Mary, on the other hand, has obviously been traumatized by the whole process, and has every reason to want revenge, but I wonder if Lilith doesn’t speak to some parts of her (interest for the occult, witchcraft and so on). And of course there is the fact that she had to compare herself to that carefree, confident version of her Lilith has played for a few months. Anyway, this could get raw and twisted quite easily, and mixed with a domestic setting I find it all the more fascinating. Feel free to get a bit dark; dark comedy is also very fitting here.

Gen prompts

- Mary keeps telling herself she will find a way to take revenge on Lilith while she’s living with her, but never quite manages to do it. Perhaps because she discovers hidden vulnerabilities in Lilith?

- For something lighter: trying to prove her good-will, Lilith struggles to be a good room-mate. Maybe she cooks weird or magic stuff for Mary. Maybe she takes her for a stroll in secret parts of Hell (where Lucifer can’t find them: you know what, it’s CaoS, I don’t really mind about plot-holes or inconsistencies here) or tells her about witches or anything Mary might be curious about.

- Still rather light: they switch roles whenever they don’t feel like dealing with some inconvenience in their life. Maybe Lilith end up attending board meetings at Greendale High, pretending to be Mary, while Mary deals with unruly demons, each in their own personal style. Or anything of the sort.
 

Slash prompts:

- They keep looking at each other. Somehow Mary knows this can’t be her body, she doesn’t look like that, doesn’t move like that, but both the resemblances and the differences are driving her crazy. Lilith, on the other hand, is trying to figure out what is so compelling about this pathetic, repressed spinster. And the tension grows...

- Mary knows it’s a good deed to hide Lilith. But she’s struggling with religious guilt and judgment: this woman can’t be a good woman, she did her wrong and there have been rumours… Ultimately she confronts Lilith, tries to know how many people she has slept with looking like her. This has unexpected results.

- Lilith keeps trying to seduce Mary, who is appalled, until she isn’t.

- One giving a bath to the other (under any pretext you can think about: maybe one is hurt, or sick, or it’s a magic ritual).

Madam Satan / Adam

Okay so, I loved that part of the show mostly because it was hilarious, but I found the Biblical references and emotional subtext very interesting too. Mostly I’m a fan of how bland and perfect and boring Adam was, and how that contrast worked tremendously with a character like Lilith, having to pretend to be the perfect fiancée when it’s a role she has… quite a complicated history with. The fact that she wanted to get rid of him so bad at first, most likely violently, delights me. I’d love to see her trapped in a domestic setting/Valentine date, the cheesier the better, where she struggles not to kill him out of disgust/boredom, but also finds him sweet despite herself (and is appalled at herself for it).

Prompts:

- Adam very enthusiastically takes Mary on a Valentine date. Lilith wants to die inside, but she’s also a bit curious and in need of a cover. She has to resist killing him multiple times in the process, while saving face at every corner.

- She keeps trying to kill him, and he keeps surviving miraculously and offering to give her foot massages. Open to Groundhog Day scenarios here, where she keeps killing him and he keeps coming back.

- Meet the in-laws! Adam takes Lilith to meet his (incredibly normal and boring? Perhaps only on the surface?) family. Comedy ensues.

Derry Girls (Sister Michael & Janet Taylor; Sister Michael/Janet Taylor; Sister Michael/OFC; Sister Michael & Sister Thomas)

I’ve just watched the show and I do think Sister Michael deserves to get all the girls. There’s something very compelling about a weary nun who happens to hate priests and somehow teaches her students to rebel when they have to. From this perspective alone, I feel it’d already make a lot of sense for her to be attracted to women. On top of that, cigars in her office, judo and everything: great butch vibe, if you ask me. Sidenote: I’ve seen interesting takes about her name and gender identity (the way you get to choose a new, masculine name when becoming a nun), feel free to go for it if it fits your headcanon.

Sister Michael & Janet Taylor OR Sister Michael/Janet Taylor

Whether you ship them or not, what I love above all with those two is the impeccable banter and the complicated way they hit it off immediately in a context that is basically a minefield. You can go full comedy (and please, feel free to include any guest star you might want here, Derry girls and Peter the Priest or even Original Nuns and Protestants). I would also be interested in something that builds more on their respective positions: what do they think of each other, of liking each other (do they resent it? Is it a problem or a relief?). I find it quite funny that in the end the adults seem to bond just as well as the kids during that day (well, except for Peter, but I mean, he’s Peter), if not better. Very curious to know if they see each other again after that (every year? Outside of the program? Accidentally or voluntarily?). Also interested to see how weary they are of the stereotypical star-crossed friends/lovers scenario they are sort of forced into.

Jokes about various religious habits are very welcome, feel free to use your knowledge of that particular historical, political and cultural setting if you have any, I’m also very interested in that dimension of the show.

Gen Prompts

- any missing scene from the episode or snippets from later meetings through the years: how does their relationship evolves along with the political context (and the negotiations for peace)?

- punishing their students together. I’d love to see them act as a disciplinarian duo, could be hilarious.

- They keep trying to determine who has it the worst with their students. Bets and all sort of elaborated complains about those poor kids welcome.

- any ‘catastrophic’ situation (probably Peter’s fault?) that force them to bond even more: camping trip with the students, power failure in the centre, two students running away together, etc.
 

Slash Prompts

- honestly, any of the Gen prompts I gave for them but in a shippy light

- forced proximity of any kind: only one room in the meeting centre, accidentally locked somewhere, I’m really not afraid of tropes here

- after several years, one of them announces she has to stop doing the program. Confession of feelings ensue (feel free to add angst if you want here, those don’t have to be 100% light-hearted if you don’t want them to).

- They keep meeting everywhere. Maybe God ships it. Anyway, they should probably yield and go on a date, shouldn’t they?

- Outsider POV on their relationship (the children would be fun ofc, but I’m open to everything here, and feel free to suggest an established relationship too).

Sister Michael/OFC

Not much to say here, except that I’m still here for banter and pining, and possibly having a sort of antagonistic relationship with another woman that barely hides the underlying attraction. But goes with what you heart desires here, I’m curious to read other takes.

Prompts

- There’s a new teacher in the school, and Sister Michael can already tell she’s up to no good. Well, better investigate, just in case there’s something sinful at play...

- Let’s say there’s a nun from another school Sister Michael has a rivalry with. And then, the final straw: she takes up judo too.

- Someone is sent to inspect the school, and while Sister Michael is busy enough trying to hide every mischief signed Erin and her lot under the rug, she can’t even focus because the woman...follows...her...everywhere. It’s only a matter of time before she finally snaps.

Sister Michael & Sister Thomas

For this nom, feel free to include other nuns too: I’m very curious about Michael’s relationships with her “colleagues”. The show gives us very little on Michael’s life, but I love the way they talk to each other on the phone: it suggests the existence of many blasé, non-nonsense nuns, and that fills my heart with joy. But, while they seem to share a disdain for priests, Michael still dodge the retreat offer, and I wonder why that is. Perhaps nuns retreats actually bore her to death (so much praying). Perhaps they’re in fact occasions to get sloshed with your friends and gossip. I guess my main question with this request is: is Michael really different from other nuns? If so, how? What do they agree/disagree on? Do they have great fun together or throw shades like there is no tomorrow (or both)?

Prompts

- Sister Michael goes to that retreat Thomas invited her to. What do they actually do there (do they pray or is it just an excuse to play cards and tell Protestant jokes or chain-smoke cigars)? Or perhaps Sister Michael always find excuses not to go. If so, why? (and as far as I’m concerned, the ‘why’ can be that she’s too much of a womanizer and it has caused chaos before, or retreats are just plain boring, or she has an ongoing feud with another nun).

- Smoking and drinking together and complaining about priests/ the Pope/ the Church hierarchy/ discussing political events.

- Michael and Thomas discuss the “wee lesbian” article in the school newspaper. From what we see in the series, I’ve always felt that Sister Michael was fundamentally fine with it (her face when she takes a copy to read it!). No idea what Thomas would make of it, but it seems like a great opportunity to explore queer themes and history in the church (I’m fine with tensions and contradictions here, period-typical attitudes and such, but I also believe those characters could secretly be more progressive than expected).

Killing Eve (Carolyn Martens/ Eve Polastri)

Look, Eve/Villanelle is a perfectly good ship, but I’m in love with Fiona Shaw and this character is incredibly fun and hot. So I yearn for more Carolyn/Eve, especially since the mentor/mentoree relationship they sort of have, sort of don’t have is fascinating. I love that we never really understand how shady Carolyn is exactly, what is her game, and I love that Eve, on the contrary, has basically no poker face at all. The tension between them is always delicious, and whoever decides to seduce the other is entirely up to you. Of course Carolyn in control is always sexy, but I’m also interested to see her finally having a moment of emotional vulnerability (since she never allows herself to have any feelings for anyone), no matter how short-lived. Or, on the contrary, being unreadable even in the midst of a steamy interaction. As for Eve, I imagine she would be either oblivious or panicked if Carolyn made any move (or a combination of both), which could be hilarious, but quite obsessed and awkward if she was the one to make one. But really, anything you may be willing to write here will completely delight me!

Prompts:

- I’ve seen someone prompting somewhere that Eve could suspect Carolyn of working for the Twelve and decide to fake date/honeytrap her to ‘discover the truth’. And I mean, we all know how that would go…

- Still borrowing from prompts I saw elsewhere (I hope it’s fine, those were great prompts) : Carolyn tries to redirect Eve’s attraction for Villanelle (and desire for risqué f/f relationships) in a more useful direction. In other words, trying to reconcile loyalty and attraction, which I think is a really interesting idea. Great set up for dom/sub undertones and roleplay, too, if that’s your thing. I wonder how Eve would react to something she can actually have, this time.

- 5+1 times Eve sees Carolyn in her bath, or something like that (for work first, of course…)

- Accidental domesticity/proximity. Perhaps they spend Christmas/Valentine day by accident together (because they’re following a lead or anything). Perhaps they have to work at Carolyn’s house and are constantly distracted/disturbed.
 

Mrs Dalloway (Clarissa Dalloway / Doris Killman; Clarissa Dalloway & Doris Kilman)

So, in the case anyone else would like to write about those two, I nommed them because I really think there is a lot to explore here. This is easily one of my favourite novel, and I’m really open to whatever you may have in mind, so please follow your heart.

There’s something very raw and compelling about Doris Killman in the book, and about the way Clarissa thinks about her. “Don’t quite forget me”, Doris says to Elizabeth, and those are frightening words in many senses. I’d like to read something that interprets those words in a more compassionate way. The secret war between Clarissa and Miss Killman is quite violent, but I would love for them to connect even in the midst of it, in unexpected ways. They can continue on hating each other, but it’s hard and tiring to feel so strongly about someone all of the time, especially when you do, in fact, have things in common. Them spending more time together, hating it but finding accidental common ground, accidentally sharing anything remotely intimate and immediately regretting it, worrying about the adversary because they come to realise they may not hate her as much as they want to. If Doris could learn to be less angry, Clarissa possibly needs to accept her own anger more openly, so there is that too. And she does say she could have loved her in other circumstances, so…

Any sort of exploration of that relationship would delight me, especially if it’s ambiguous and twisty, cruel and sweet at the same time, and even if it has to come with self-hate and regret (before it gets better? Just a little bit, maybe. Sometimes we can’t fix the world. But I also love happier things, so you’re very free).

Prompts (feel free to interpret in a Gen or Slash way):

- Trying to preserve Elizabeth, Clarissa throws herself under the wheels of Miss Killman’s teaching and attention. Maybe she decides to study history too (very interested in a history lesson with something else going on underneath). Maybe they find themselves walking together through parks more often than not. Maybe it’s more radical, and involves inviting Miss Killman to spend the summer with them (“forced” cohabitation of any kind).

- Character study for Doris, her hatred for Clarissa but also how that hatred can easily reverse into attraction. Subtext welcome here, UST and RST too obviously.

- By accident or malice, Doris learns about Clarissa and Sally. That triggers a moral crisis for her (and/or jealousy), with the result of your choice (perhaps she confronts her in some way, perhaps she let it simmer and boil inside, eventually exploding… or not.)

The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (Mr Stevens / Miss Kenton)

I think what interested me much in the novel (and movie) is the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy in one way or another, be it to your job or your family (Miss Kenton’s marriage doesn’t seem to be a very happy one, and yet she cannot really brings herself to leave). I love how restrained the characters and the whole narrative is, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. And the way Miss Kenton et Mr Steven keep challenging each other, especially when it comes to values.

Prompts

- for something AU: Miss Kenton is still at Darlington Hall during the War. How does that change her relationship with Mr Stevens?
- For something set during canon: Miss Kenton has given up on Mr Stevens, and that’s when he suddenly decides to court her. Is she oblivious, or incredulous, or angry? Could be a comedy of errors too.
- Any scenario in which Stevens is forced to help Miss Kenton with her daily tasks (all the maids are sick? She's injured herself and can't do certain things on her own? Anything you might think of). Conflict and proximity ensue?

Twin Peaks

I love how beautifully strange the show is, comforting and traumatic, mysterious and absurdly funny sometimes, warm and surreal, sometimes merciful, most of the time heart-breaking. I’m also a huge fan of The Return, but I suppose it’s sort of obvious given by requested characters.
 

Laura & Monica Belluci

I’m not entirely sure Gordon deserves a Monica Belluci in his dreams, but Laura certainly does. And I believe that presence would mean entirely different things to Laura. After all, what does Laura Palmer dreams about? Would Monica be a loving presence, a Dido of the dreamworld, or something else entirely, even a trickster spirit of some sort? Feel free to keep it very ambiguous, I’m also here for the mystery of it all, here.

Prompts

- Laura has entered Gordon’s dream somehow, and it seems that Monica has been waiting for her. Perhaps they walk together through different dreamscapes (or different characters’ dreams?) for a while. The company could be nice, or disturbing.

- Unfortunately, Monica Belluci’s filmography begins in the early 90s. But I mean, what is time anyway? So perhaps Laura finds herself watching strange films featuring an unknown Italian actress, or perhaps that actress finds her way into everything Laura is watching, inexplicably.

- Laura finds herself trapped in a silent movie. Or perhaps she doesn’t speak the language there (language of your choice, real or made-up, very up for multilingual fic as always, and I’m okay if I don’t understand everything too).

Diane Evans & Diane Evans’s Tulpa

Heartbreak, here we come. So to be clear, to me the Diane we meet in S3 is very much a legitimate Diane, but I’m interested in the notion of split self, and repressed parts of her personality, and perhaps how the “old Diane”, the one from s1 and s2 or even before that, would look at s3 Diane. I’m fine with explorations of her traumas. If you want to go fifty shades of wigs and anger, be my guest. Dreams, surreal situations and the uncanny are of course welcome.

Prompts:

- Literally confronting your traumas as self-love? Whatever that means.

- Going through Diane’s interactions with other characters, except this time they are all Dianes.

- Set in Philadelphia or back when Diane had an office desk anyway (but I’m very open to the setting being an illusion): there’s a woman who keeps hitting on Diane in a strange way. And she looks somewhat familiar…

Andy Brennan/Lucy Brennan & Naido

I love the idea of Lucy and Andy taking care of Naido, while being the lovely couple (and perhaps only functional couple in the show) they are. I suppose this would work as an extension of the existing station scene, or perhaps a version where Naido doesn’t disappear and they have to find what to do with her. I would love to see some form of alternative communication here, as I’m sure both Lucy and Andy have their own way of understanding her. And what does it mean for them to take care of someone together (especially now that Wally is gone and they’re redoing his room)?

Prompts:

- Accommodating Naido in Wally’s old room. Maybe she only drinks stolen milk? (if you get that one, you’re definitely up for the job).

- Figuring out how to communicate. I feel like Lucy would get this instinctively or have an eventual epiphany, just like with cellphones.

- Bringing her back to the woods, trying to understand if she wants to get back, and how.

Hello there!

This is my first time doing this exchange and honestly I can’t understand why, since it feels like it was made for me. I’m excited about joining in and already grateful, I’m sure whatever you create will make me very happy.

I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3, and there are probably things in my F/F bookmarks that will give you a more precise idea of what I like (as you will soon seen, “what I like” includes quite a lot of older female characters). But in any case, here’s a list!

The prompts I provide below are, of course, absolutely optional, and you can just as well pick anything from my Likes list or go with what you had in mind when you offered the pairing, if you think it works! If there’s been a story screaming at you to be written from the back of your mind, I’ll be more than happy to read it.

General Likes: witty banter (what else), romantic and sexual tension (of course), pining (yes please), slow burn, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing gradually so it’s hard to put it into words or name it, but also love confessions, friends/enemies to lovers, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, little touches and physical reactions, idiots in love, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together, those dynamics when one character is sultry and the other very oblivious, fives times plus one and the likes, stories that explore queerness and queer themes.

I’m fine with sex for any of those ships, any rating (it’s not a requirement by any mean, but if you want to write it be my guest)!

If it comes to this, here are the things I tend to enjoy: praise, repressed character letting go, intimacy and people having fun during sex, alternate power dynamics, power play, teasing, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, overstimulation, phone sex, edging, intimacy issues, clothed sex.

Not a fan of: established relationships for my requested ships (other established relationships in the background of the fic are completely fine), hardcore internalized homophobia (on the other hand, I’m really fine with characters getting confused and having to figure out they’re lesbian or bi or anything of the kind), sad ending for the requested ships.

DNW: major character death, non-con, underage, gore, ABO, soulmates and any type of AU where you change the setting, watersports and extreme kinks, sick fic, non-canonical children and pregnancy.

Derry Girls

Sister Michael/Janet Murray, Sister Michael/OFC

Okay so, I actually missed nominations for this exchange and was moping about it and then I saw that someone nominated this. So let me just thank whoever it was, I didn’t think anyone else would have had that thought, and you made me feel seen. I’ve just watched the show and I do think Sister Michael deserves to get all the girls. There’s something very compelling about a weary nun who happens to hate priests and somehow teaches her students to rebel when they have to. From this perspective alone, I feel it’d already make a lot of sense for her to be attracted to women. On top of that, cigars in her office, judo and everything: great butch vibe, if you ask me.

Fandom-specific DNW: Sister Michael beating herself up about the relationship for religious reasons.

I’m not opposed to any sort of self-examination and exploration of her own queerness, and how it interacts with her being a nun, if that’s where you want to go (it’s even in my Likes!). But I’d prefer it not to become a full-blown tragedy with buckets of internalized or externalized homophobia.

Prompts

Sister Michael/Janet Murray

- Honestly, anything that follows roughly the reluctant “enemies to reluctant friends to enthusiastic lovers” path they’re clearly on (in my head). I’d like them to get to know each other in the face of adversity. Also, I like the idea that the program keeps going and they get to see each other every year.

- Janet wants to understand why Sister Michael never lets go of that headpiece. And why she can’t manage to catch her without it, ever, no matter what scheme she comes up with. This is all quite ridiculous and frankly unimportant, and shouldn’t keep her awake at night.

- Forced to share a room for the Give Peace a Chance program, oops

 EDIT: I originally made an allusion to "Sister Michael's real name" here, but in fact I've since read a fic where the name change was used to allude at gender themes, and I like that. So do with this what you will, re:name, both directions are fine with me.

Sister Michael/OFC

- There’s a new teacher in the school, and Sister Michael can already tell she’s up to no good. Well, better investigate, just in case there’s something sinful at play...

- Let’s say there’s a nun from another school Sister Michael has a rivalry with. And then the final straw: she takes up judo too.

- Someone is sent to inspect the school, and while Sister Michael is busy enough trying to hide every mischief signed Erin and her lot under the rug, she can’t even focus because the woman...follows...her...everywhere. It’s only a matter of time before she finally snaps.

Hacks

Deborah Vance/Ada Daniels

Saw Hacks, loved Hacks, it’s the best written show ever and Jean Smart absolutely kills in it. I’m especially struck by how they managed to bring all those emotions out of the generational gap that separates the characters, while at the same time underlining the deep sense of understanding there is between them. I love the way Control (Deborah) and Chaos (Ava) learn to meet in the middle and to ultimately speak their truth. I think real honesty is hard for both of them, even if they get around it in different ways. I would also be interested in seeing Deborah confront her own potential queerness since, you know, lesbians jokes and everything, quite a lot to unpack.

Prompts

- Phone call in bed that turns erotic completely by accident, and they realize it far too late

- Deborah finds out about the email and makes Ava pay in daily little humiliations that eventually turn into something more erotic and slightly dom/sub (and if you go for sex here I’m also find with power play and making people beg, though it doesn’t have to be a fixed set up – Ava can turn the tables on Deborah at some point). So, I’m okay with a bit of cruelty here (I mean nothing too dark, but I do love a Devil Wears Prada dynamic).

- After a period of growing closeness, Deborah suddenly begins to act professional and distant, and Ava can’t figure out why. She ultimately drives Deborah into a corner, inquisitive and craving for what they used to have.

Miss Marple

Jane Marple/ Original Female Character

To be honest, you’ve got a lot of leeway since I’m not really an expert in this fandom (haven’t read all the books, but I love that character from the bottom of my heart). So anything you may have in mind is fine! The only thing I would prefer is that Jane isn’t too young when the story happens (I don’t mind if she’s met the person before, but I would prefer an older Jane). It’s not a DNW though, just a preference. I love the idea of a bright old lesbian finding love late in life, possibly opening herself to new desires, what have you.

What a charming character. There’s a sort of interesting genius at play here. Miss Marple is as good as she is precisely for the reasons that make people doubt her: she sees things only in the way an old woman can. She’s attentive to people’s lives and stories, to little details, things considered trivial. But I wonder if that talent extends to romance: an oblivious or puzzled Miss Marple would be fun to see, but I’m also on board with her being more in control once she’s figured it out.

Prompts

- Casefic, but mostly Jane keeps getting distracted by that one suspect who’s so… Well let’s just hope she didn’t do it.

- Jane loves to observe people. Especially the new librarian in St. Mary Mead. But the only thing she can decipher is that the new librarian seems to be watching her too…

- Holmesian situation where Jane has a companion that is basically her Watson. And things are amicable and fine, really. They are not at all both losing their mind about it.

- Jane hires a secretary to write her memoirs. She’s been told this woman was very capable, but on seeing her she’s not so sure anymore.

Dear Chocolatier,

Welcome to my letter, I hope this will be useful to you (if not, feel free to ignore it, as always). You will find here a list of my General Likes, what I enjoy when it comes to ships or sex scenes. I try to provide prompts, but if they do nothing for you, feel free to ignore them or pick something in my Likes if they inspire you. Chocobox is a very fun exchange, so go and have fun!

By the way, I’m Beatrice_Sank on AO3.

PS: I’m requesting a lot of things this year, most of them very niche, so if I seem less wordy in some parts of this letter, don’t conclude anything from it, I’m equally happy about all my requests. It’s just that...writing...letter...takes...so much time when you’ve been eager and tried to grab all the cake/ the whole chocolate box too. Guess I’ll never learn, but that’s Fine.

General likes

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Witty banter (you can never go wrong with that), sensory notations, future fics, fix-it, AU of the “what if” kind, backstory, plottiness, world-building, character study, competent female characters, experimental writing, alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records if it works with the fandom, outsider point of view…), found intimacy, intimate body language, found families, minority-related themes, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, lush descriptions of things (also known as __!porn, e.g. architectural porn, landscape porn, whatever), literary allusions, elaboration on what the characters like to read/listen to/watch.

Ships-wise: romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, people falling in love While Trying Not To, things changing gradually so it’s hard to put it into words or name it, friends/enemies to lovers, fake/pretend relationships, angst, accidental proximity, little touches and physical reactions, focusing on characters’ hands, sensual things going on at a slow pace, first kiss/getting together (not a fan of established relationships).

I’m opting in for sex scenes only for the following fandoms: Crossover Fandom, Ladies of Grace Adieu, Mame, Sleuth, Twin Peaks. I’ll add an “If sex” section to those. It’s just a list of things I generally enjoy (sometimes adapted to the particular pairing), but feel free to go elsewhere, as long as you do not hit my DNW.

DNW (and an explanation of the terms I used in the sign-up):

- Major character death: here I mean that I don’t want any of the requested characters to die irremediably in the fic; resurrection plots (e.g. in the context of a time loop) are fine. It also doesn’t apply to the undead (e.g.: Margolotta in my Discworld request)

- Non-con: when one of the character isn’t described as wanting the sex to happen, explicitly says no and/or isn’t showing any sign of desire for the other character. By contrast, I’m fine with dubcon: i.e. when the characters are ambiguous about whether they want the sex to happen (for various reasons like internalized homophobia, or conflicted feelings) or the sex happens in the context of an imbalanced power dynamic, or when the characters are possibly roleplaying but it’s not explicitly said. To me dubcon implies at least physical signs of desire and no explicit absence of consent (otherwise it falls under non-con).

- Underage: I don’t want any character under 18 to have sexual interaction with an adult; and I don’t want children under 15 to have sexual interactions together. Non-genital sexual acts like kissing or touching (other parts than genitals) between characters in their teens (by which I mean from 15 to 18) is fine.

- Gore: detailed description of body harm and blood. Short mentions of blood, like characters cutting themselves superficially, or using blood to perform a ritual, is fine.

- Sickfic: I don’t want the plot of the fic to revolve around any character falling sick or suffering from any kind of disease (again, it doesn’t apply to the undead, or to characters that are canonically ill).

- Established relationship when the relationship in question isn’t canon: some of my prompts are request for ships that are not canon. What I don’t want is those relationships being presented as already established in the fic without telling first how they got together.

- Non-canonical children and pregnancy: by that I mean I don’t want the characters to get pregnant or have children during the course of the fic. If they canonically have children it’s fine to mention them. It’s also fine to talk about the characters’ childhood.

- Watersports

- Unrequested crossovers (doesn’t apply to my Crossover Fandom Requests, obviously).

- A/B/O, soulmates and that brand of AU where you change the setting (coffee shop, space, vampires, etc.): canon divergences are fine (doesn’t apply to my Crossover Fandom requests).

Crossover Fandom

Jane Marple/Minerva McGonagall

Great ladies, great minds, both rationalists in their own way, I expect. I’m sure Jane likes cats, and that McGonagall can enjoy a good mystery too.

Prompt ideas

- a Crime is committed at Hogwarts (I would prefer it not too gruesome, but if you’re in the mood for a bloody murder, no sweat), and McGonagall wants to bring in that famous detective she’s read so much about…

- Miss Marple finds a way to contact McGonagall because she’s faced with a murder that seems impossible, and she very politely ask for her magical expertise… Minerva is entirely puzzled, but charmed.

- Miss Marple is actually a witch (it would explain so much), but her sleuthing abilities seem to desert her when it comes to dating… Minerva decides to leave actual clues for her in the Muggle world, deciding that she’s been waiting for Jane to realize she likes her long enough.

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, oral sex, magic, tenderness.

Mary Poppins/Twelfth Doctor

What if Missy only dressed this way to mock Twelfth’s crush on the magical nanny? Is Mary Poppins an alien in her own right, an actual Timelady, or an entity even the Doctor cannot make sense of? I like the idea that she would remain this mysterious presence that would intrigue him.

Prompt ideas

- the Doctor picks up a strange signal in 1910’s England and ends up undercover in a household where Mary is taking care of the children, trying hard to decide if she’s a menace or a blessing.

- the Tardis collides with Mary’s umbrella in the sky, and she would like to ask for compensation, since this is an outrageous violation of celestial navigation code. I like to think Mary would be as unfazed by the Doctor as she is by everything else.

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, sex in semi-public places, clothed sex.

Carolyn Martens/Minerva McGonagall

Two women of power, both very much in charge. Although Carolyn is more elusive and morally grey than Minerva will probably ever be.

- Minerva is on a spying mission, but Carolyn figures out something about that cat isn’t right.

- A game of wizard’s chess between the two. Maybe the end isn’t their real focus there, and they probably are sore losers, too.

- Carolyn gets in trouble with magical laws for disposing of a wizard. Minerva is sent t help, or perhaps as legal consulting, and she honestly tries, but Carolyn is both infuriating and distracting...

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, competitive sex, oral sex, kissing various body parts.

Discworld

Vetinari/Lady Margolotta

I’m fascinated by the power dynamic here, and especially interested in how it plays out now that they’re both older and that maintaining control and order in their part of the world is taking up so much of their time they rarely see each other. My kink here is very much: two middle-aged (well, it’s a bit more complicated for Margolotta but she seems so eager to play the part) geniuses, each with their own particular form of intelligence (and style), very much into each other, and very much into politics and power too.

Prompt Ideas

- Say they get to meet in person maybe every year or two years (for diplomatic meetings? Or an anniversary they scrupulously honour? Or both at the same time – I mean that would be in-character too). What do those briefs meetings look like? Do they change over the years?

- Any correspondence between them (epistolary fic welcome as always). Here I’m also curious about any code they might be using for discussing both political issues and very personal issues (bonus point if the code in question leaves a lot to the imagination).

- Anything that mixes their attraction for each other and the (probably different) way they understand political power, and their own political responsibilities. I would be interested in anything related to Margolotta’s need for blood, and how her relationship with Vetinari transformed that dimension, and also in the ways Vetinari might have changed too in return.

- I doubt those will ever retire, but what if they did? What would they do together? Or maybe they sometimes fantasize about retiring together, knowing full well it will probably never happen.

Engrenages | Spiral

François Roban/Marianne Ledoux

Look. Look. I know there is zero chance in hell that anyone out there has seen that series and is feeling as frustrated as me about those two, but if you exist, know that I’m up for literally anything you’re willing to write. To summarize how I feel about Marianne’s arc and the whole situation: Roban is canonically an idiot when it comes to relationships, especially romantic ones, but I feel like they went too far with that one. They had such a good relationship, and it was layered and not okay in some ways (clearly Marianne deserves better than to be used as a moral compass), and in short I’d like for Roban to get his shit together for once. But honestly, I’ll also happily read something where he doesn’t, as long as it’s just more content for those two, so go where your heart takes you.

Prompt ideas

- Roban has an Epiphany about a) Marianne’s feelings for him and b) his own (unclear?) feelings for her. Maybe another character helps him figure it out (every member of the cast welcome here), maybe it’s all silent and private. Does he do anything about it?

- Marianne shows up on Roban’s last day of work before retirement. Since they don’t work together anymore, maybe something will come out of it this time?

- any professional scene that escalates into something less than professional, either because they’re angry, frustrated with other other, or just because it happens, without any warning sign (although I personally think they had it coming).

Fleabag

Godmother & Therapist

I love this show, I find it brilliant, the writing and the acting alike, I like how weird and cruel and funny those people are and I really wish the whole family would have gone to therapy. Hence this nom: I adore both Fiona Shaw and , and I wanted their characters to interact so badly. Godmother is… well, she clearly has Issues of her own, and the Therapist is both perceptive and perhaps a bit distracted (detached at the very least). I would love to read something in which Godmother stays her very unlikable self, but reveals some chinks in her armour (for example, I’m sure there is a lot to be said about her relationship to Fleabag’s mother, or Fleabag herself), and the Therapist… analyses? Maybe? But nobody can be sure what she really things.

Prompt Ideas

- Godmother goes to therapy for whatever reason (because it’s hype? Because it also was a gift? Beacause she’s nagged by something but can’t realize it has to do with the awful way she behaves?). I don’t expect her to be devastated over anything, at least at first glance, but as I said I would love something funny and cruel in the way the show can be. Feel free to have her talk of her relationships with whoever you want in the cast!

- Or maybe they meet at an art show or posh cocktail or dinner in town, and Godmother talks while the Therapist can’t help but being professionally horrified, while trying very hard not to comment.

Ladies of Grace Adieu

Cassandra Parbringer/Jane Tobias/Mrs Field

I love all things Susanna Clarke, and I’m very interested in her female characters, especially when there’s magic involved. I love the ‘secret history’ aspect of the short-stories, and the mentions of everything that get erased by ‘official (male) History of magic’. It explores the idea of marginalized people and minorities in such a delicate, allusive way, and I like that the reader gets to do most of the critical work. And in this story in particular, the relationships between these three women was so intriguing because of the way solidarity and intimacy mixes with magic and the way they practice it (and probably study it, at least in Jane’s case). And I really got the feeling that there was something there, not necessarily easy to define, but something complex and deep, a bond between them that has to do with empowerment (in the strongest sense of the term) and a secret sense of understanding.

Prompt ideas:

- anything that explores the strong bond between those three, no matter how you want to interpret it (platonic love, actual throuple, something less defined, something more conflicted, etc.) and moments when they do magic together: how does that dynamic translates in the practice of their art?

- literal dancing-on-the-moor scene could be very nice too. Something slightly gothic and disheveled, those three women extracting themselves from society to form their own conven.

- after Mr Hart’s (perhaps untimely?) death, I imagine they might want to live together. Give me some domestic fluff with a strange magical twist. Maybe Cassandra knows stories about female magicians of the ancient times who happened to love each other, that she tells in specific circumstances, maybe Jane likes to give her two cents about Catherine of Winchester’s life, etc.

- epistolary fic is, as always, welcome too if you want to go that way. If they ever get separated, how do they deal with the distance? Maybe the letters themselves could be a tad magic in their own way?

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, oral sex, magic, tenderness.

La Locandiera – Carlo Goldoni

Mirandolina/ Baron Ripafratta

Look, I never expected to develop frustrations about an 18th century Italian play, but here we are I guess. So I love La Locandiera, and especially Mirandolina as a heroine: I love her wits, how independent she is, and how her final marriage feels like another trick to frustrate everyone. And Ripafratta is obviously a jerk in a lot of ways, but I’ll admit I’m a victim of my favourite tropes here, I’d love to see an AU where she accidentally get caught up in the game so much that she develops actual feelings for him. Or at least goes too far and gets confused by it. I’m okay if everything is murky and at least partially faked, but I’d prefer if there was at

But if you’re not inspired by that dynamic, I’d be honestly interested in whatever that pairing inspires you (as long as the violence stays rather mild: no blood or something more violent than a slap; that being said, the situation is rather violent psychologically speaking, so feel free to explore that if you want, no restriction for me on that front).

Prompt ideas

- Ripafratta confronts Mirandolina about her lies, but Something betrays that she isn’t really indifferent to him, changing the dynamic of the scene (bonus point if Mirandolina does everything she can to hide that ‘weakness’/still tries to win the fight)

- future fic: they meet by chance a few years later and reconsider what happened. Maybe they feel a bit different now?

- An epistolary narrative could be interesting too: maybe they wrote notes to each other when Ripafratta was staying at the inn, or/and maybe they wrote letters after he left (because they still needed to insult each other, and maybe things evolve?)

Sidenote: I’m French and so I’ve only experienced the play in French and I know a bit of the original Italian because of adaptations, but I have no idea if they changed the characters’ names or titles in English translations. Feel free to use whatever denomination you’re familiar with, I’m sure I’ll be okay with it.

Mame

Mame Dennis/Vera Charles

So I know I’m really trying my luck this year, but I blame Yuletide for making me too bold. If by any chance you love Mame as much as I do (and honestly I love both the non-musical movie and the musical with Lansbury, I don’t really mind what version of canon you use), and if you like the idea of Mame/Vera, well I’m already grateful. So consider that I’ll be happy with whatever you may want to read, because that’s the truth. This canon has such a queer vibe you can probably see it from the moon, and best friends/nemesis throwing shades while drunk/in extravagant costumes is just the right configuration for a great ‘frenemies to lovers’ story, if you ask me.

Feel free to explore gender and identity issues here, if you find the idea interesting: Jerry Herman and Bea Arthur will be proud of you.

Prompt ideas

- building on sexual tensions while in rehearsal for Vera’s play would be great. “The Man in the Moon” is a very interesting song to exploit in that sense: that lady in the moon sure sounds lovely, according to Vera…

- Mame defending Vera, or the other way around, and being caught at it: feelings ensue. I’m very much for the slap-slap-kiss trope here, and all the love-hate relationships tropes, really.

- a drunk confession from Vera

- Mame and Vera competing for a man and realizing they’re more interested in the competition and ultimately in each other.
 

If sex: praise, alternate power dynamics, teasing, sex in semi-public places, voyeurism and mirrors, competitive sex, oral sex, kissing various body parts.

The Remains of the Day

Miss Kenton/Mr Steven

I like the way the tragic and failed romance blends with social themes like service in England from the 30s to 60s, and the whole idea of sacrificing one’s autonomy in one way or another, be it to your job or your family (Miss Kenton’s marriage doesn’t seem to be a very happy one, and yet she cannot really brings herself to leave).

I love how restrained the characters and the whole narrative is, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. So yes, the Pining. Any resolution of that unresolved tension is fine by me.

Prompt ideas

- A scene where Stevens turns the tables on Miss Kenton and becomes sort of flirty – but maybe not to the point of totally levaing his professional duties behind, it can be discrete but persistent (I’m curious to see how she would react, especially if she has more or less given up on him ever showing visible interest).

- fake/pretend relationship”/forced proximity! They could have to pretend to be married for something like a day or two (or longer if you feel like it): maybe their new employer only wants married staff, or they have to pretend for an event, or Reasons (get wild).

- she jumps off the damned bus in the damned bus scene (it’s more of a movie reference maybe, but more broadly, any scene where she reconsiders her decision to leave Stevens behind without taking a chance at what they still could have. Any exploration of “lost time” and if that notion really means something or not, and of what remains now, is welcome here if you feel like it.

- and if you feel up for something a bit more tangled: what if she did come back after he offered her the job at the end? How does one go back to being a servant and live in the same house and maybe rekindle an old romance in the 60s after all this time and everything that happened? Especially when both parts are aware that your return has something to do with it but no one dares mention it at first?

Sleuth

Andrew Wyke/ Milo Tindle

I haven’t fully recovered from how twisted, dark, fascinating (and weirdly erotic) that movie is. On the one hand, there are concrete reasons for the animosity and resentment between the characters: sentimental rivalry, social contempt (it sure isn’t a “classless society”, to quote Andrew), money issues… But, on the other hand, why so deeply personal? Why brag about sexual feats, why the constant physical humiliation? Honestly, it feels like women end up being very incidental to their relationship. And in the end, wouldn’t they keep playing those games forever if they could?

So I’m here for even more mind games, but what interests me is that if they were stuck together in some way they also would be forced to talk or at least think a bit more about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. In other words I want more of that relationships because it seems so layered with possibilities and complex twists and we only get a glimpse of it during the movie. Elaborate on the hatred, tell me if and how they could see get to see each other as equals, what they get from torturing the other, what they understand of each other.

Also, boy do I need slash for this. Everything's there, especially the costume scene where they flirt, but even the fact they stand in Marguerite’s room together, or when Milo pretends to have slept with Thea... There’s all this play around triangular desire and how the games seem to excite them in a much deeper way than when they talk their actual lovers. I’m not saying it could be this big, fluffy romance, oh no, but… it could be something. Hot and messy and angry, sure.

Prompt ideas

- The costume scene, or a later occurrence of the costume scene, except the ambiguity escalates in some way.

- They get stuck together in the castle, no phone, no police. What happens when they repeatedly fail to kill each other/to beat the other in any significant way (could be a darker type of 5 times +1 too!)? It doesn’t have to be completely resolved, I’d just like them to achieve some state of balance. - If you want to throw a time loop or something of the kind in there, I’m game too (I’d like to see them try to figure that one out, potentially after killing each other multiple times, and realizing that maybe they’d rather shag each other).

- any scene where one of them forces the other to solves some puzzles for his own enjoyment. I’m interested in the potential voyeuristic aspect of watching someone trying to figure you out, since they’re all about intellectualization, but also on how that scenario could turn into something more physical (like, being forced to solve puzzles in a sexual situation, for example).

If sex: dirty talk, humiliation, shifting power dynamic, clothed sex, frottage, competing for sex, orgasm denial, light bondage, anything involving Margaret’s room. Dubcon is fine (no non-con please, see DNW).

Twin Peaks
 

Albert & Constance

The ultimate duo. I wish Albert was given more time to make a friend. It looked like they did each other a world of good. So any scene where they might explore that potentiality and get a bit real too between two jokes.

Prompt ideas

- Albert taking Constance out only to find out she hates jazz.

- A disastrous picnic, wherever your heart desires (honestly I’m really into Disaster Outings for them, especially if hilarity/weirdness ensues).

- Albert going back to Buckhorn after the finale to check if anything has changed there too (and if the weirdness is spreading), but mostly to check on Constance.

Constance/Diane

The ship no one expected, they barely have a scene together but you know what? I still think it works so well. Does Constance remind Diane of how her life used to be, before it all went south? What does Constance understand of Diane’s traumas? I like the idea that they would impress each other, for different reasons. Sharp women, different edges. And of course, the banter.

Prompt ideas

- They end up on what they gradually discover to be a date, because Albert set them up (reluctant matchmaking Albert, perhaps? Who knows?)

- Post-canon: how could they meet again after this whole mess? Perhaps Diane needs a couch to crash on after she mysteriously reappears in Buckhorn (imagine Constance’s face). Perhaps Buckorn’s station suddenly has a new secretary.

- Diane keeps visiting Constance in dreams, and it gets...strangely…heated (or strangely moving, if you would prefer, although it could also be both).

If sex: I would prefer nothing higher than M-rated here, but it means I will be absolutely fine with anything you come up with within that rating.

Diane & Naido

I like the idea that they are both the same and quite different, and that they get to exist separately, but the idea of bringing them together, of them being allowed to make contact, seems very important to me. They both has been through a lot, and I like to think that Naido doesn’t just “disappear” when red-haired Diane appears, especially given what happens to her next.

Prompt ideas

- if that inspires you, here’s an artwork featuring those two that I really like: https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/017/704/998/large/maja-ljunggren-dido.jpg?1557044176. Specifically, I’m really moved by the way they hold hands, like it’s the most natural thing in the world but also vital to them. I guess I’d really enjoy them simply watching weird TV together, or even regular TV if you can find deeper meaning somewhere in the scene. Raw, existential domestic fluff, or something of the kind.

- I would enjoy a quiet dancing scene between them, something like Audrey’s dance, but as a duet. What could it mean and how would that work?

- Does Naido comes back for Diane/Linda after the finale? Is it a different Naido altogether? Or maybe she’s just the same, which is precious in times like those, and I suppose realizing your traumas still have the same face could help you find yourself again...

Laura & Monica Belluci

I’m not entirely sure Gordon deserves a Monica Belluci in his dreams, but Laura certainly does. And I believe that presence would mean entirely different things to Laura. After all, what does Laura Palmer dreams about? Would Monica be a loving presence, a Dido of the dreamworld, or something else entirely, even a trickster spirit of some sort? Feel free to keep it very ambiguous, I’m also here for the mystery of it all, here.

Prompt ideas

- Laura has entered Gordon’s dream somehow, and it seems that Monica has been waiting for her. Perhaps they walk together through different dreamscapes (or different characters’ dreams?) for a while. The company could be nice, or disturbing.

- Unfortunately, Monica Belluci’s filmography begins in the early 90s. But I mean, what is time anyway? So perhaps Laura finds herself watching strange films featuring an unknown Italian actress, or perhaps that actress finds her way into everything Laura is watching, inexplicably.