Chocobox letter 2020

[dye_ann]

Dear Chocolatier,
 

I’m very glad you’re willing to write for me! Chocolatebox is such a sweet exchange (obviously), and I hope you have fun.

I’ll try to give you a sense of what I like about the relationships and pairings I asked for, their general dynamic and what interests me there. I also tries to specify when I'm up for NSFW stuff for a particular fandom (but if you really want to write smut for a given pairing here,feel free to do it). The prompts I give are only suggestions (but you already know that, optional details being optional), and if they’re too detailed or too elusive for you, you can always pick something that you like in my General likes section. Or just go with something you had in mind when you offered the relationship. I don’t want you to suffer over your assignment: the best works are love works, so don’t sweat too much over it.
 

General DNW:

Non-con, non-canonical rape, underage, abuse painted in a good light, non requested ships, unmotivated conflicts for the sake of drama, character bashing (exploring a character’s faults and problematic aspects or unchecked privileges is often very interesting; using the narrative to debase a character, less so), sickfic in a shippy context (specific, I know), non-canonical established relationships (if it’s canon, it’s more than fine), non-canonical children, PWP.

 

General likes

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Bittersweet atmospheres, symbolism, recovering process, slices of life, alternative story-telling forms (letters, diary, found manuscripts, found records, annotated texts and the likes), experimental writing, 5 times +1, fluff and fluff with A Deeper Meaning, intimacy of any sort, found families, future fic, fix-it, witty banter (seriously you can never go wrong with that one), elaboration on what characters like to read/listen to/watch, sensory notations, memories, integration of historical elements in the background (i.e. acknowledging canon is set at a certain point in time and that has an influence on who the characters are and what they can and can’t do), exploration of social and political themes, gender issues, minorities-related themes and feminist takes on canons and characters, extremely competent female characters (because it always warms my heart) but also female characters being allowed to be complex and interesting without being “strong”, characters being allowed to be Wrong even if I love them, conflicting worldviews and people having their reasons, deeper takes on apparently stereotypical or “shallow” characters, characters playing Junior Detectives, very specific canon references, literary references, nocturnal settings, anything involving plants and trees, seasonal moods.

Ships-wise: tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, things changing so gradually it’s hard to put it into words or name it, but also relationships discussions, people struggling but still trying, people falling in love while Trying Not To, first kiss and first times in general, femslash, fake/pretend relationship, accidental proximity, moderate angst, sensual things going on at a slow pace, people being bad at feelings, realistic (and loving) depiction of bodies, sex positivity. In short, I like people being so much into each other it’s hard to bear ^^.

NSFW stuff: I’m honestly up for anything that is not too kinky, if that makes sense to you. If you’re in doubt about something, maybe stick to M-rated?

 

 

All about Eve

Margo Channing/Eve Harrington
 

So, I’ve seen the movie a couple of days ago, and I’m invested now. My main take on it, and the reason I’m requesting this ship, is that to me, a lot of elements that are read in the light of Eve being this evil arriviste could also be subverted into something queer. I mean, admiring an actress, coming every night to see her, the blurring of the lines between wanting to be someone and wanting someone… Of course, it’s twisted and potentially dark. And I would enjoy any take that preserve that disturbing dynamic they have in the movie, with Eve being manipulative and heartless. But that being said, I’m also very open to any form of divergence from canon that explore that attraction in a more vulnerable light. I like the idea that Eve, after doing everything she can to be Margo, including trying to steal her boyfriend, because she thinks that’s what she wants, is still unable to forget about her, especially now that she knows her more intimately, and that she’s become more than an image to admire. As for Margo, her whole speech about “going back to being a woman” because she’s done being an actress in the artificial world of theater always sounded forced to me. It’s all “I’m done with being my own person, back to social norms and patriarchal expectations”, and it’s so not Margo, not the character we know, who is smart and independent and unapologetic. And Bill takes care of her, but Eve does too, and maybe would ultimately understand her better than he does, because she certainly doesn’t want to play the housewife and do everything for a man. In short, give me that sapphic vibe, be it hot, cruel and heartbreaking or unexpectedly sweet, full of tension, resolved or unresolved, hateful or leading to a dramatic love confession. I think angst might be in order, but it’s up to you.

Prompt ideas:

I’m completely up for NSFW things for this pairing, if that’s your thing. In fact the movie’s habit to have people pinned to beds could lead to interesting results.

- Well, first things first, there is that line from the movie. Remember when Margo asks to be tucked into bed, and says: “Eve would. Wouldn’t you, Eve?” and Eve answers “Would you like that?”. And then of course Margo goes “No” and flees, but I mean come on. So, an exploration of the idea that “Eve would” could be good, whether it’s Margo fantasizing about it, or Eve offering out of nowhere, or any situation where they discuss what is implied here.

- Alternatively (or simultaneously? The two ideas are very compatible), any confrontation scene, later on, that escalate to a love confession and/or a heated sex scene.

- Another idea: what if they were to star in a movie or a play together, a couple of years after the movie’s events? What would finally transpire?



 

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Eglantine Price/Emelius Brown

It’s a fandom that I would love to see explored through a more “adult” lense (I enjoy that sort of take on Disney material). Because after all, some of the themes are serious, and most of the characters are initially loners, for different reasons.

I like the “prim and proper/super flirty and annoying” dynamic of this ship (even if I think Emelius’s misogyny in the movie needs to be called out in some way: if anyone is going to be the assistant, it’s him). He’s so amazed with her from the start, and so open about it, although he tries to sell it to her as a business offer. And the way she tries hard to ignore him is rather fun. If I’m honest, I’m a bit annoyed at how marriage immediately comes into the picture. I’d like to see feelings explored in a less “Disney” way, something more complex. I’m curious about what Eglantine may think about romantic relationships, and about Emelius as a suitor in particular. And I’d like to see Emelius coming to terms with not being a coward and being in love with someone who’s a competent and independent woman (it always bothered me that she wants to abandon magic at the end of the movie, I mean come on).

Prompt ideas:

NSFW is not my main interest here (although I wonder if there’s anyone out there who’d be willing to write NSFW stuff for that pairing…), but I’m all for romantic and sexual tension, especially with Eglantine trying so hard to be proper, and Emelius being such a tease. After all, they have a magical bed, allusions come to mind.

- I like the idea that a jealous Mr Jelk would assume all sort of things about Eglantine and Emelius’s relationship when they are not together yet. How do they try to defend their honour and prove that they are not together, thank you very much? Does Emelius comes to Eglantine’s rescue here, is Jelk trying to seduce her once more? I imagine Eglantine is more than capable to rebuff him, so does Emelius observes the whole thing from afar?

- Alternatively, magical shenanigans leading up to embarrassing situations? Rabbit curse and turning back into human at the wrong moment? Trying new spells with catastrophic results? Anything involving magic (and potentially the children, if you want) would be super good.

- Another idea: I love the library scene in the movie (the “Eglantine” song moment) because, well, Emelius barely knows her but he’s already on the verge of wanting to marry her like a regular Han Solo. What if they really kissed in the heat of the moment, then? How would that affect their relationship so early in the movie? I’m half-convinced Eglantine would still think he’s pulling her leg and not being serious about it.

Crossover Fandom

I generally find it hard to give precise prompts for crossover pairings, so any way you can find to make it work will be perfect for me. But I’m up for anything NSFW here if that’s you thing!
 

Female Sherlock Holmes/Jane Marple (Miss Marple)

Okay so, I’m a sucker for female detectives and for old British ladies, so there you go. Anything from being rivals on a case or forced to work together to Sherlock finding herself accidentally stuck in St. Mary Mead would be nice. I imagine Sherlock would be annoying, as the character can be, but would also challenge Miss Marple’s sense of conformity. Which one deduces that the other is not indifferent? Your pick.

Minerva McGonagall/Female M (James Bond)

I would bet you anything that McGonagall doesn’t trust Dumbledore with the finesse of dealing with Secret Services: he can have the Prime Minister, but MI6 is hers. I’d like to see the power dynamic explored here, since they probably meet to negotiate sensitive issues. Does Minerva introduces M to the wizard version of chess? Is M curious about magic, or on the contrary, not the tiniest bit, and completely unfazed when Minerva uses it? Does Minerva spies on the newly appointed M as a cat, and how does M figure out this is no ordinary cat? I could see the tension escalate through the years until...

Twelfth Doctor/Mary Poppins

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 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. Maybe 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. Or maybe the Tardis collides with her 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.



 

Fleabag

The brilliance of this show continues to astonish me. And as much as I love Fleabag/Priest (and trust me, I do, a lot), we need all the f/f ships in this fandom! The take on sexuality and sexual orientations is so interesting and complex, and I’d like to see more of that explored in a queer and feminist perspective. I like how flawed and human the characters are in the show, which is why exploration of relationship are so exciting: there’s so much to do, because everyone has multiple layers. Note that I’m up for NSFW stuff in this fandom.

I’m also very curious about Fleabag and Godmother’s relationship, because it’s such a difficult thing to watch, and the cruelty of it all makes me want more confrontation/general communication there. So much baggage, so little screen time.

Fleabag/Belinda

I’m very curious about this ship. The age gap bothers me a bit, but at the same time it makes me wonder, since that sort of relationships are so rarely depicted, how it could be. Belinda’s speech in the bar echoes with so many feminist themes that are important to me (the weight of being seen, of having to perform feminity for others more than for yourself, among other things), and I would like Fleabag to get access to that experience. I feel they could benefit from getting to know each other more. It could begin as something messy, but I think it would end up being healing for the both of them.

Prompts ideas:

- Fleabag brings Belinda as her date to one of Godmother's parties. Is it an actual date or just an exchange of services destined to make Godmother mad? How does she actually react to it, being who she is? No matter the original intention, what does this end up being for Fleabag and Belinda? A romantic thing, something sexy or a conversation about family, its composition and decomposition, expectations and the emotions that go with it?

- A few years after the show, they meet again, and Fleabag is in a better place. Maybe it takes place in a business conference or something? Fleabag could ask Belinda for professional advice, and it goes on from there. I like the idea that Belinda would see new things in Fleabag and reconsider the fact that she’s “not her type”.

- They bump into each other at a therapist’s office (bonus points if it’s the one from the show, aka Doctor Fiona Shaw). It’s embarrassing but they’re both willing to joke about it. Maybe they have a drink and share some of their issues.

Godmother/Fleabag’s mother

So, this is obviously a headcanon of mine, but I can’t help but wonder if Godmother’s relationship with Fleabag’s mother was entirely platonic. I mean, that bust… And there is obviously a lot of resentment and jealousy going on there, so what if there was something more? Be it a very secret and shameful crush on Godmother’s part or, even more dramatic, a secret affair. I love the idea of a jealous and pining Godmother, I have to say, and I’m also genuinely curious about who Fleabag’s mother really was, as a person. Feel free to include tons of angst, I’m well aware Godmother isn’t a very good person ^^. If you feel like adding a line or two about how that affects her relationship to Fleabag, that would be welcome too.

Prompt ideas:

- the story surrounding the statue. How did Godmother convinced Fleabag’s mother to pose for her? Did something happen then, or was it all in Godmother’s head? Bonus point for any comment on female gaze.

- Godmother’s jealousy escalating into something else. Does she have a fight with Fleabag’s mother that get secret feelings out of the bag? Does Fleabag’s mother make very blunt offers seemingly out of nowhere.

Fleabag&Godmother

I’m a bit haunted by this relationship because it is so problematic and cruel and nothing gets resolved. “Not an evil stepmother”, well, that’s up for debate: watching the show, the Cinderella vibe was strong enough, even if Fleabag is very flawed herself. Godmother’s jealousy and self-obsession is rather fascinating to me, but on the other hand I’m also curious about how Fleabag, having lost her mother, sees her, especially with her father being so weak. The fact that Godmother is successful and talented adds another twist to the mix, and I wonder how Godmother would deal with Fleabag finding more success in life, too.

Prompt ideas

-I'd like to see a more honest moment between Godmother and Fleabag. I think the fact that Godmother hit Fleabag needs to comes out at one point or another. I’m curious at how Godmother’s perceives their relationship, too. Bonus point if Fleabag is in a better place and successful at that point, because it is bound to make Godmother nuts.

- Well, what about a Cinderella AU, then? That would be very neat, especially if the characters maintain their original personalities: I imagine Fleabag would be less submissive than a fairy tale princess.

- Completely different take: could they have a more affectionate moment, and what would it take for them to put the anger behind temporarily?

- Alternatively, I'm curious about the relationship they had before her mother's death, or when Fleabag was younger. Was it happier, or strained already? What did little Fleabag noticed, that nobody else saw?

 

 

Mame

Hello, non-existent fandom of one! Admittedly, not the best-known musical, but there’s two books and two movie adaptations, and I’m not discriminating between those so if you’re familiar with a different brand of this canon, you can go for it too, it’s super fine by me. I’m a simple gal, I just want some Mame content (so if you’re reading this letter and have an interest for this fandom, feel free to contact me, I’d love to chat!).

This show is such a bundle of joy and energy, everyone is so witty it feels like a PG Wodehouse novel, and prejudiced people are ridiculed in a marvelous way (well, except for that Southern episode, which is problematic to say the least). I love how Mame manages to make everything looks bright around her, even when there should be genuine sadness (she’s not a merry widow in any way, but the tragedy of it all is always kept at bay, life always goes on and it makes her such a force of nature in a very 60s way). And of course, the show has such a queer vibe you can probably see it from the moon (I’m sure Mame is somewhat disappointed Patrick ends up dating a girl). Bless Bea Arthur’s heart, I’m here for all that queerness. It’s sapphic diva time.

Mame Dennis/Vera Charles

I love how bickery and loyal these two are. The barbs! The throwing shade! The “old diva” vibe! Sticking together through thick and thin like an old married couple! Vera being such a counterpoint to Mame, much more directly sarcastic and dry, when Mame tends to be a bit more sly about it, or at least pretend (well, not always, cf “somewhere in between forty...and death”). And of course, Mame being such a force of nature and a true icon, she wouldn’t be afraid of hitting on a woman. So what would it take for them to realize their relationship is more than just friendship?

I’m very much for the slap-slap-kiss trope here, and all the love-hate relationships tropes, really. Feel free to explore gender and identity issues here, if you find the idea interesting.

Prompt ideas

- Any 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…

- One of them getting jealous of the other’s admirer(s). At some point they realize it has nothing to do with men: complications ensue.

- Something more intimate, like Vera comforting Mame when she worries about Patrick, or something of the kind. Vera lets something slips, and they end up Understanding things.

 

The Remains of the Day

Aaah, the ultimate “unresolved tension” canon… I love how restrained the characters and the whole narrative is, even if it drives me completely mad with frustration. It’s the thing with this canon: I get why the characters can’t be together, why it can’t work, and it’s not just because they are both idiots. And yet… well I still badly want them to be together. So, while with lighter fandoms I tend to want a bit more seriousness and nuances, for this I aspire to a happier treatment. That being said, I’m very attached to Steven’s emotional repression and to Miss Kenton’s stubbornness, but I think it could still work in a setting that allows for the tension to break at some point. So yes, the Pining. Any resolution of that unresolved tension is fine by me. I also like the historical setting, and the social questions that it explores, so if that’s your thing, feel free to dive into it too.

Please note that I don’t tend to separate book canon and movie canon strictly. I nominated the book, but both tend to blend in most fics in the archive, so feel free to do the same, and use the movie’s imagery in any way you like. You can of course stick to the book, since that’s what is nominated: it’s really the same to me, I know and enjoy both equally.

Prompt ideas:

- One scenario I’m especially fond of: 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, when so much has changed socially speaking, when the house is emptier than what you’ve been used to, and when you’re older, when you feel in your body your professional reflexes have dulled? Not to mention 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? What do you do with the remains?

- Alternatively, for something lighter and set at an earlier time: Miss Kenton has given up on Mr Stevens, and that’s when he suddenly decides to court her. She’s oblivious because it seems so unlikely, tension and/or comedy ensues. I like the idea of turning the table on their usual dynamic: he trying so hard, her refusing to see.

- I’m all for the “fake/pretend relationship trope” for this ship, so if you like it too, I’m sure there’s a way to make it happen. Maybe Miss Kenton stays, and their new employer thinks it’s more proper for his principal staff to be married, because he has Ideas about family and morality, and Miss Kenton (or Stevens? Unlikely, but it would be fun) save their skin by saying they are married. Since they’re so used to each other at that point, it’s believable. Forced proximity ensues, they’re probably both losing their mind about it.



 

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy

Amilyn Holdo/Leia Organa

Well I’m a Laura Dern fan, and Carrie is of course queen, so that’s the pairing of my heart. Two powerful and competent women, but with very different styles. I love how intelligent and sensitive Amilyn is, and her unusual style of leadership. Leia, on the other hand, is more traditionally assertive and strong, and that’s very good too. She also has a lot of trauma to deal with, and a lot on her plate generally speaking, and I’d like to see how her relationship with Amilyn can help her with that, too. Friends to lovers is of course a perfect trope to explore here, and I also have a special fondness for the fake relationships scenarios involving a lot of pining. Bonus points for Gatalentan , and Amylin’s hair colours.

Prompt ideas

I’m cool with NSFW for this pairing.

- Anything a bit melancholic with Amilyn comforting Leia, and it becoming something more.

- A heated kiss happens in the heart of a battle, and it seemingly comes out of nowhere. Now that they’re both alive and safe, they are embarrassed and don’t know how to deal with it.

- Undercover mission when they need to pretend to be a couple, and they are both separately loosing their mind.

 

The Thick Of It

Malcolm Tucker/Nicola Murray

I adore this show, how clever and cruel it is, and probably more realistic that I would want it to be. This pairing speaks to me because, well, Malcolm is this ball of competent rage and tiredness, and Nicola is, unexpectedly, much too human for politics. Of course she is incompetent, but most of the time I feel it’s because this environment is so harsh and stressful that it prevents anyone who’s not a machine or a fraud to get anything positive done. Malcolm is so used to manage the varnish of things, to make politicians look good, than of course she would be his cryptonite, the one person he can’t figure out and who always ends up ruining his plans. I like when Malcolm is as mean as he is in the show, but with surprising outbursts of humanity. And Nicola fighting back is always something that I enjoy, because she has a right to be angry, too. Any cameos by other characters is very welcome, I love the entire cast!

Prompts ideas:

Up to anything NSFW for this ship, although I’d like it to involve feelings. In fact, one of my favourite scenarios is Malcolm falling in love with Nicola against his will, and struggling with those feelings A Lot. The way it all comes to light can be as twisty and contradictory as you want, I expect it won’t be anything too sweet for those two. An indirect or accidental confession would be very cool. Romantic and sexual tension is always good. The other way around is fine too! It’s totally optional but I guess I would be more okay with it if Nicola was already divorced or in the process of getting divorced when something happens between them.

- I like the idea of Nicola eavesdropping on Malcolm and discovering he’s being surprisingly loyal to her when she’s not around. She expected nothing but backstabbing, so of course, it freaks her out and she doesn’t know what to do with the information. Complications ensue.

- Alternatively, something revolving around Nicola’s divorce. She’s adamant to get one, Malcolm is unexpectedly reticent and being mysteriously difficult and shouty, because deep down, her being single terrifies him – it’s one more excuse not to go near her that disappears. Does he give in, or does Nicola ends up smelling a rat?

- Or: they are stuck together in a remote corner of the UK (rural Scotland? Or anything that amuses you) or even abroad, for business reasons. Local politics, comedy and shouting matches ensue.

- Or (compatible with other scenarios) the press insists that something is happening between them, when really nothing is up. They act insulted, but it gets weird.

 

Twin Peaks

Diane Evans & Audrey Horne

It seems to me that Diane an Audrey actually have quite a lot in common, especially in The Return. It’s a shame they never get to meet. In the early seasons, I feel like Audrey would have a great time getting to talk with a woman who’s actually working for the FBI, and is very much living her own life (at least that’s what I like to imagine for Diane before the general awfulness catches up with her). Maybe it would help her developing a less idealized vision of Cooper and his job, too. This falls in the general category of ‘sometimes I wish Twin Peaks young female characters had an older female character to talk to’, much like what Norma was to Shelly. On the other hand, Diane and Audrey also share a lot of traumas, so maybe there’s something to do there too, at a later point in canon. They’re both lost and trying to find their way back, so maybe they have a better chance of managing that together?

Prompt ideas

- Audrey takes a phone call that was intended for Cooper, and thus becomes the first person in Twin Peaks to know that the mythical “Diane” actually exists, and has a voice. And that voice is rather annoyed and very much wants to know what a teenager is doing in Cooper’s hotel room. What do they talk about?

- Various surrealist vignettes roughly taking place at the time of The Return: meeting on the dance-floor during Audrey’s dance, !hairdresser Audrey doing Diane’s hair and somehow it has a Deeper Meaning, Diane breaking into Audrey’s house because she has a message about Billy, weird dream version of Audrey being an FBI agent and Diane working with her, your pick.

Constance Talbot/Diane Evans

I have the feeling that they would go on tremendously, under different circumstances. Diane is of course that impressive, sharp fashion icon and Constance is so bright and quick-witted, much more lucid than other characters in the show I would say. I feel like Constance lacks a worthy opponent, intellectually speaking, and I’m sure Diane would eventually aspire to a more down-to-earth life, once she gets herself together (a literal expression here if there ever was one) and comes to terms with her past (in my opinion she would cut ties with Blue Rose bullshit in the blink of an eye, given the chance). She probably could use a bit of human connection to learn to live her own life again. Does Constance remind Diane of it 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 various reasons. Sharp women, different edges. And of course, the banter.

Prompt ideas

- Constance not being sure if they’re on a date or not, and subtly (and then not so subtly) trying to figure it out for the whole evening, while Diane is being way too relaxed about it.

- Diane staying in Buckhorn after her unexpected reapparition, because she can’t bear living in her old flat and Albert or Gordon asked Dave Macklin or Constance to help her find a job or something, since she’s dead set on never working for the FBI again. Somehow, they get to know each other better.

- A bit off-the-road, but I like the idea of Albert playing matchmaker here, Albert-style (reluctant, grumpy and uncomfortable, that is). Do they understand what he’s up to, or are they being especially thick about it?

Lucy Moran & Albert Rosenfield

I’m honestly frustrated we didn’t get more interactions between those two. The comedic potential is of course very high, but I also have the feeling that, if Albert was forced to listen to Lucy up to the end of her various lines of thought, his opinion of her would evolve. Lucy is very wise in her own way and very patient, so I could see Albert growing to like her more than he wants to admit.

Prompt ideas

- Albert and Lucy being forced to wait together for something, be it forensic results, a phone call, or just Harry (or reports of Harry’s health, if we’re talking about The Return). Lucy has a lot of suggestions to pass the time, Albert internally wants to die. Do they end up talking, and if so about what? Do they play a game, or end up unexpectedly gossiping?

- Albert & Lucy having to react to supernatural elements. Maybe it’s Lucy’s experience with Naido, maybe it’s Lil suddenly showing up at the station, maybe it’s something to do with owls or strange apparitions. I can’t help but feeling Lucy would be better equipped than Albert for this kind of situation, and that would certainly annoy him.

- I like to think that Albert unexpectedly sent Andy and Lucy a gift for Wally's birth (he was in contact with Harry, so he knew about it). What might it be and how a tired and emotional Lucy reacts to it? (If you want to add undertones of Harry/Albert, that's fine too).