dye_ann

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 Worldbuilder (alright this is officially the coolest title),

In this letter you will find my list of General likes (specially trimmed for world-building purposes), my DNW, and some prompts. Just so you know, I nominated most of the things I’m asking for, so feel free to ignore those prompts and go straight for what you had in mind when you offered the WB element in question : most of them are precise enough that they’ll act as prompts, and anything you want to do with them will make me happy. And if you feel like you need to bring this or that character in, be my guest.

Here’s my AO3 account, if you’d like to know me better: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Beatrice_Sank/works


Likes
 

World-building likes: alternative story-telling forms (letters, found manuscripts or records, outsider point of view, montage of various documents…), period-appropriate details, conflicting hypotheses and theories about how things work in universe, nerdiness, minority-related themes (feminist and queer takes and the likes), 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, 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).

Other likes: mystery, bittersweet atmospheres, banter, sensory notations, plottiness, experimental writing, conflicting world-views and people having their reasons, competent characters (especially female characters), found families, magical realism.

Ship-wise (not sure it will be relevant for this exchange, but I leave it here from other letters just in case you’re in the mood for shippy world-building): romantic and sexual tension (resolved or unresolved), pinning, slow burn, friends/enemies to lovers, fake/pretend relationships, accidental proximity.

All the Wrong Questions
 

Stain'd-by-the-Sea and VFD

Anything about the history of relationships between townsfolk and VFD members over time.

- I’m curious to know who else in town might secretly be a member, and how they might have worked behind the scenes for the whole time Lemony was there. Was he secretly assessed, was his supervisor secretly supervised/ assessed? I’m up for ridiculously complex hierarchical structures in true VFD style (or hierarchies that are pretending not to be there).

- Stain’d seems isolated from the world, so I’m also curious what people there might make of VFD and VFD values. How do they intersect or clash with the town’s issues (economical and otherwise)?

- And how do those relationships evolve? Was there a time when the town was more of a VFD base, and a time when things all went south and VFD wasn’t welcomed there anymore? What of the schism? Any character’s point of view on those issues would suit me, as well as conflicted points of views and, of course, fragmentary plots.

- Did members of VFD work in Stain’d at other points in time to solve some of its issues (or make them worse)? I’m thinking about the missing ocean, but it would be anything (Ink Inc, the failing justice system...)

Stain'd-by-the-Sea after canon

- Does it get better, or worse? What about the ecological issues Hangfire was concerned about? What about Cleo’s plans for Ink Inc? And what of Ellington’s role in the future of the town? I imagine her grief and anger will likely have consequences too.

- Does Stain’d develop other sources of income (I’m thinking perhaps something more “modern” that invisible ink, but whatever might work in canon)? Or does the town finally fades away completely? I’m very up for something like “How Stain’d-by-the-Sea disappeared”, and what remained in the end.

Stain'd-by-the-Sea local newspaper

I would love a story revolving around the publishing of an issue of Stain’d newspaper or just the actual issue itself.

- Something from the time Moxie’s mother was still around, and the town was flourishing? How was the local news, then? You can get wild with this one: what about the gossip column, recipes, crosswords or games, reports about what’s going on outside of Stain’d, and so on. I imagine it would be at least a little weird, or at least very much informed by a Stain’dian perspective.

- Same prompt, but with Moxie as the director of publication. Maybe she revives it after canon, and it’s grimmer in tone, or it shows she has changed after Lemony’s departure? I’d like to get a sense of Moxie’s evolution through her editing choices. And who is she working with on this?

DNW: Non-con, underage, graphic violence, anything that you might want to rate E, in fact.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Academic production of VFD members

- A peer-reviewed VFD paper: I’m sure they would give a new meaning to “double-blind reviews”. And what if they only give feedback in code? Any oddities, absurd level of complexity, chaotic structure, power play

- Several volunteers working on a collective paper, but they have conflicted views about the subject at hands.

- Two people fighting via research articles, responding to each other, and it gets very personal pretty soon (I think Kit and Olaf would work well for that, Olaf and Lemony as well: if you want to go further with those relationships, bitter exes or otherwise, I’m open to anything).

- For suggestions of possible research topics that I would be into: literature, the library system, codes in literature and the fine arts, fire (I mean this cursed add is probably from a VFD member anyway), sociology of VFD (a Bourdieu-style inquiry would be nice), History of the Great Failures of VFD, history of codes, philosophical zoology (the Great Unknown), VFD folklore.

History of VFD

- Anything about The Distant Past! I’m sure the organization has existed for a long time, even informally. Any idea about its origins? I’m curious to know how the volunteers operated, say, in Victorian England, or in medieval times, or anything of the sort.

- Any origin tale of the Schism, or versions of what people think happened.

- The books (and the Unauthorized Autobiography) gives the impression that volunteers were often very young, and I would be curious to read something about that, the fact that they recruited children, and what role it played in the organization’s history.

- Traces of VFD in Official History that are only visible to the trained eye (eg: the Great Fire of London was about them from the start, something was up in the Library of Alexandria too, that sort of things).

In-universe interpretations of the sugar bowl

Emphasis on the plural here: it’s totally okay if you want to suggest that one option is the right one, but I’d like to read about debates and questions and doubts over that damned bowl too!

- I can just picture VFD members losing their time arguing about the true nature of the sugar bowl, perhaps in a quasi theological way, rather than trying to fix their problems or actually trying to retrieve the bowl.

- a VFD recipe about the sugar bowl, and it turns sour.

- An academic paper or a conference would be a good way to explore the subject too, especially if you want to write about the future of VFD and people trying to find out what the hell this whole sugar bowl thing was about.

- Speaking of the future, imagine the sugar bowl becomes, I don’t know, a myth, something grand and undecipherable for future VFD generations, a symbol used in poetry, much like the Arthurian Grail...

DNW: Non-con, underage, graphic violence.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell & Related Fandoms

Female magicians outside of Britain

So we know a few things about Brisith female magicians from canon (Catherine of Winchester, Maria Absalom, the Ladies of Grace Adieu), but I’m curious about the situation abroad. For example, they mention at some point Napoleon was looking for a magician of his own but was unable to find one on the continent: but I bet they weren’t looking for a woman…

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.

I really enjoyed the idea that female magic would be less noticeable, hidden or ignored because of the historical and social context: is that the case elsewhere in the world? Do we have like, secret society of female magicians in Italy or Poland or Uruguay? Or are they doing magic in the open in some places? What about the colonies? I’m up for anything political there, in the canon’s spirit.

In-universe parodies and lampoons of Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange

(Very optional ship: Jonathan Strange/Mr Norrell)

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.

- 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 ^^.

- The comedic potential of Strange and/or Norrell (or other characters) 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.

- Honestly, anything you can come up with that will make me laugh.

Influence of magic on the British literary canon

So, JS&MN as well as some parts of Ladies of Grace Adieu (especially “Mr. Simonelli or the Fairy Widower ») famously read 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 (oh my God, Woolf) 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…)?

DNW: non-con, underage.

Piranesi

Academic production of the characters

- I’d like to read other takes on the nature of the House, by other characters than Arne-Sayles. Extracts from papers by both people from his side and people with different views would be very cool, with perhaps even weirder takes (I’m sure Sylvia would have her own way of describing things for example, no matter how influenced she is by Arne-Sayles).

- I’m also curious about Angharad Scott’s work: I’m sure all her work isn’t just biographies. Does she have an unpublished, sulfurous piece about magic or alternate sources of knowledge hidden somewhere in her attic? And what about her biography work?

- Same goes for all the nominated characters: give me Matthew’s account of marginal science, or perhaps his new projects once he’s well enough to go back to research (that is, if he goes back to it: if he doesn’t, maybe a farewell paper?)

- What about the Dead. Some of them must have been scholars. Did some of them write about the House? Do they still murmur theory to each other at night?

Sylvia d'Agostino's artistic works

- Anything elaborating on The Castle, Sylvia’s movie about the House, or other movies she might have shot. Or her poems, or anything she might have produced.

- I’m also interested about pieces alluding at the suffering she experienced at Arne-Sayles’s hands, so it can get dark too.

- What about her missing works, things she could have written after she disappeared, before she died?

The Dead

- Any take on who they are, especially the oldest skeleton. It doesn’t have to be set in stone, it can remains mysterious and hypothetical.

- Honestly I would love to read some grim guide of the various ways to die inside the House. A dark anthology of sorts.

DNW: Non-con, underage.

Mary Poppins

The international society of magical nannies

(Very optional ship: I ship Mary/Winifred, so if that’s your thing and you want to fit them into this, feel free)

I didn’t nominate this but boy, do I love the idea. It evokes vivid images of flying nannies from every country, dressed in various ways, with various educational principles.

- Do they have a yearly convention somewhere? Does Mary Poppins have friends there, and how is it to be friends with magical nannies? I would love if you could keep her in character (a bit stiff, a bit restrained, a bit cold) while at the same time having her interact with her peers, who are probably, if not like her, strange in their own ways. Do magical nannies feel lonely sometimes? I would be up for something melancholic but also for found families and solidarity.

- Is this international society a hierarchical structure? Do they edict rules? Is it democratic, are debates taking place? What is Mary’s place in this? Anything where she gets to be a speaker.

- Alternatively, I would love for Mary to take any of the other characters to a meeting (especially Winifred, because of the parallels with the suffragettes’ meetings, but all the others would be nice too). It could be an adventure of sorts, or a life-changing experience.

DNW: Non-con, underage, graphic depiction of violence.

Dear Yuletide Writer,

First of all, welcome! This is my first Yuletide, and I'm really excited about it. 
Let me apologize for not posting this letter sooner : I had to do it after sign-ups closed, because I was traveling abroad without a computer, and a letter is too important to be written on a phone. I know you got matched with me without being able to have a look first at what I wanted exactly, so I hope this won’t be a disappointment to you.
I'm extremely grateful to anyone willing to write for these characters and these fandoms. It’s especially true if we match on the smaller ones, where there was only one request and one offer: in that case, you’re the bravest of the braves.

If you want to get to know me better, I'm Beatrice_Sank on AO3. 

 

I want to immediately point out that, while I’m often requesting “Any” or several characters per fandom, I would be happy with any subset that you might prefer. I try to provide prompts that have both all the characters I asked for and specific subsets. I hope it will be helpful rather than unhinging for you. Apology to the mods for not including this in my sign up earlier: I realize now it’s a nuisance, I didn’t know better but I will not commit that error next year.

I’ll try to give you a sense of what I like about the fandoms I asked for, and about the characters I requested. 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 inspires you more in my General likes section. Or just go with something you had in mind when you offered the fandom. I really want for you to have fun and not suffer over your assignment: the best works are love works, so don’t sweat too much over it.

General likes (depends on the fandom’s global atmosphere, but most of them are compatible)

Themes, atmosphere and tropes

Bittersweet atmospheres, symbolism, 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, future fic, fix-it, very specific canon references, literary references, magical realism.

Recovering process, intimacy of any sort, found families, nocturnal settings, anything involving plants and trees, seasonal moods, witty banter (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.

Crossovers between my requested fandoms are fine, although I never gave it much thought and I’ve never written crossovers before, so I'm not sure it this can work well here. That being said, if crossovers are your thing, you can always have a look at my bookmarks for other suggestions of fandoms I enjoy and am familiar with: https://archiveofourown.org/users/Beatrice_Sank/bookmarks.

AU are great and lovely as long as they’re not mundane AU (deviations from canons and What If: excellent; fairy tales, Victorian, Noir novel AU, for example, also excellent; coffee-shop AU: I would rather not).

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 (one of my favourite tropes), 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 ^^.

If you enjoy writing sex scenes: it’s totally fine as long as it’s for a ship I mention. Although no PWP, please? And I would appreciate if you could keep it rather vanilla. I realize it’s a bit vague and I hope it won’t be frustrating for you, but the thing is I’m still not sure if I want to read kinky things, and if so, what kind. Maybe next year!

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.

Mame

This musical has only two fics in the archive, and they’re both crossovers, so I requested this in the delusional and desperate hope that we could see the very first exclusive Mame fic on AO3! So if you’re here for that specific ride, *chef kiss* to you!

Happy with any subset of characters, individual character studies, anything, please just give me some Mame content and I’ll be over the moon (swidt?).

While I had to nominate the musical because All media wasn't allowed, I have no issues whatsoever with you treating this as an All media request if you want to. I’ve seen and loved the Rosaline Russel movie, seen clips of the Lucille Ball one, and while I haven't read the book yet, it sounds like it's very close to the movie, too, and I'm all for it. We need more Mame, so anything goes.

What I love about this fandom:

I know the show is relatively well-known, but it’s also quite old, and I wish more people knew it exists. It has the raddest heroine you could ever wish for: eccentric, confident, witty and elegant as hell Mame Dennis, and look, someone even wrote catchy songs about it. This show is such a bundle of joy and energy, everyone 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 as hell). 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). I’m also very fond of the found family dynamic here, and how it basically deconstructs what a traditional family is supposed to be. Mame and Patrick relationship is everything, and I love that he gets so many uncles and aunts (especially drunk aunty Vera) out of his new, exciting life. I really likes how this show is rooted in its time period (despite some problematic bits, granted, those are best avoided or explored in a critical light). So, I’m still fine with AU if you have a great idea, but please try to keep this specific spirit going. Also, this 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. Feel free to explore that field if you want, Jerry Herman and Bea Arthur will be proud of you.
 

Requested characters:

(Any: the prompts are given by character, then for ensemble and subsets)

Mame:

What an icon. The class, the raw energy! I love her being so careless about any obstacle that dares come her way. I also enjoy how much of a snob she is, and her links with artistic circles. Am also delighted by how freely she lives her life for a woman of that time, and how terrible she is at any job she tries her hand at. One of her best trait is how interesting in everything she is. I love myself a curious and open-minded character. She’s some sort of pioneer in that way, and really ahead of her time. If you manage to emulate that whirlwind, I will love you forever. Very curious about both her love life and how it is to raise a child when you never expected to do something as mundane as that in your life. Especially not on your own. Except she’s not alone, is she? She likes to keep people around, and that’s an interesting topic too: where does that come from, how does she feel about it, does she see herself as having some sort of mission, helping people enjoying life? Any expand on Mame’s philosophy is welcome.

Also, I’m sort of in love with Angela Lansbury, especially in that role, so if you could keep the physical descriptions close what she looked like at the time (over, for example, Rosalind Russel’s incarnation, or Lucille Ball), I would be delighted.

Vera:

I love how messed up and loyal Vera is, and her whole dynamic with Mame. The barbs! The throwing shade! I love the “old diva” vibe she has, and the counterpoint she is to Mame, being 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”). I’m interesting in why she sticks with Mame, and what she finds in that particular family. If you want to address the alcohol issue more seriously, it’s cool with me (and if it’s a topic you’d rather avoid, also feel free to ignore it completely).

Also: Bea Arthur, my heart.

Patrick:

We’re all Patrick, in some way, aren’t we? I think I’m more interested in his point of view as a child, but as an adult it could also be great to explore the contradictions he has to deal with. Being raised in a boarding school after touring the world with Mame might have been difficult. What influence the various characters have had on him? Why is he tempted by “normality”? I think a story about how his gender identity is shaped by his time with Mame and her friends, and the things he discover during that period, would be very cool too. I mean, for a kid in that time period, he sure learns a lot of interesting words, and witnesses a lot of interesting situations…

Dwight Babcock:

Every show needs a good opponent. But in that particular case, I think it’s nice how they manage to suggest that Mame’s appeal could be powerful enough to turn even stern Dwight Babcock on his opinions. Of course that doesn’t happen, but I can’t help but feel he’s not totally hermetic to that strange life. I wish he would be forced to spend more time at Mame’s home for one reason or the other, so that we learn more about him and why he’s so attached to conventions. Maybe he develops a secret crush on one of the resident (Mame? Vera? Gooch if you’re willing to go beyond nominated characters, or God forbids, a man? That sure would be nice).

Pairings I’m cool with:

Mame/Vera, Mame/Vera/Babcock (or any side of that triangle, really)

Prompts

- for an ensemble piece: Mame and Vera takes Patrick on a ridiculous trip somewhere (is it a special holiday to go and see rare sights/events, or a tour for one of their shows?). Mr. Babcock has to follow along to make sure they’re not “corrupting the child” or making him do bonker activities (they sure are). Could be the occasion for an outsider’s point of view on this unusual family. Do they manage to “convert” Babcock to their world view? Does he have so reluctant fun? Does Mame (or Vera!) keeps distracting him by shameless flirting so that the others are free to go to experimental art shows, or go body painting or skydiving or what have you?

- Mame/Vera or Mame&Vera: the best duo that ever was! I’m so interested in their relationship, their way of throwing merciless barbs at each other while sticking together through thick and thin like an old married couple. I’m up for both comedy and intimacy here, a bland of the two, or even light angst if it comes to that. I ship them hard, and have several ideas for them: for example, 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… Alternatively, 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. Feel free to explore gender and identity issues here, if you find the idea interesting.

- If you’re more interesting in Gen: how did they meet? Were they really bosom buddies? I could picture them competing about love interests and ending up being more interested in each other (platonically) than they are in their male target, because of the intellectual challenge and the sense of kinship they develop. Mame taking care of a hangover Vera, or/and Vera taking care of a depressed and mourning Mame would be very sweet too.

- Mame&Patrick: the Best Boy and the Best Girl! I’d love to see them wrecking havoc together, for example pulling pranks on Babcock or Vera or Gooch. Or is it mainly Mame’s doing, and Patrick trying to be the reasonable person in the family and doing damage control? Alternatively, something a bit more serious about family loss: they’ve both experience it, and I’d love to read a scene when they try to discuss it while keeping a light facade. It doesn’t even have to be a facade, mind you, Mame could expose her life’s philosophy in more details there, and Patrick could bring his two cents too. I’ve got a feeling he would be more ready to acknowledge the sadness than she is, even if he loves his new family. How does Mame react to that?

- Patrick&Vera: what does his favourite, ill-advised aunt has to teach him? Does she tries to prove him that there’s no business like show business?

- Mame, Vera and Mr. Babcock: Babcock being somehow stuck for the evening with the infernal duo, maybe at a party, maybe in a ridiculous situation (stuck in an elevator, pushed on stage by accident and having to improvise, having to pause as a couple with either of them because Reasons, going to see Patrick’s school play together, what have you). Comedy or conflict ensues. Feel free to explore any ship you want in that triangle, it’s all good to me.

Anyone Can Whistle:

The reason I asked for "Any" of the nominated characters is because I really hoped to see this tag created, as for now there is no fic for it on AO3. So, if you're there for this one, thank you and welcome, fellow semi-obscure musicals enthusiast (still a Sondheim but, you know, it ran for all of nine performances).

What I love about this fandom:

“The curtains rises to a burst of circus-like music on the main square of a town. The colors are gay, exaggerated; the look is rather Pop Art cockeyed”: the set description says it all.

I’m so much into the mix between absurdist tones and political themes in this musical. I just love how weird and unconventional it is. It's often said that the book is sort of a mess, but on the other hand, there are great opportunities for structural fix-its (for example by deciding what kind of persons the Cookies are supposed to be, as it remains rather open in the musical, or giving the characters more background). Good occasion to update the canon on certain issues because it sometimes feels...ahem...dated (but the absurdist take makes it hard to say how much, granted).

The contrast between the characters is fantastic, and I love how this is reflected in the music: Cora's exuberance and bad faith (expresses through fabulous torch songs pastiches), Hapgood's irony and philosophical stance, Fay's earnestness and genuine despair. They're all so different, and the tension between comedy and tragedy allows for subtle nuances. I think globally I would like to see the very cartoonish characters (Cora, Schub) humanized a bit more (their relationship is worth exploring, Cora hints at a difficult past, and the general issue of political power and wanting to be loved is a fascinating one), and the more serious characters being given a chance to expand on their issues (Fay's precarious position between open-mindedness and conformity, Hapgood mysterious persona).

The political message of the show is really of interest to me: at one point Hapgood addresses the audience with "You're all mad here", and that Alice-in-Wonderland question about what society calls madness is a fascinating one: is it anticonformism? being a minority? mental illnesses that spread from social realities?

In short, you can go for light comedy (lots of banter in the show), political comedy, philosophical questioning, social issues and so much more! Yeay, major Sondheim flops! So much to explore here. Whatever your take, it will make me happy.

Requested characters

(Any: the prompts are given by character, but include larger sets)
 

Cora: 

Fair warning, I'm a huge Angela Lansbury fan, and this was her debut role on Broadway, so of course Cora has a very special place in my heart. And I mean. We’re talking about a character who mostly navigate the stage on a litter carried by her own page boys. So.

I like that she's both hilariously "evil" (the scheming, shady stereotypical politician) and strangely vulnerable and willing to help the town in a twisted way (once again, wanting to be loved by an entire town is a good theme to explore). I'm also very fond of how flirty she is with everyone (and consequently I ship her with virtually every character, even if she canonically has something going on with Schub and would like to get something going with Hapgood).

Some prompt ideas:

- So, what *is* going on with Schub exactly? A bit of twisted romance would be sweet. Since they're both so full of intrigue, I wonder how that plays out in their relationship. Is a date like a chess game? Do they ever learn to trust each other, or does the tension that comes from distrust becomes their fuel? Is it a political partnership that turns into an honest romance unbeknownst to them?

- I could imagine Cora trying to romance *everyone* to push her political agenda and/or pamper her ego. Pick any number of characters you want. Could be hilarious or sexy, or both!

- for a deeper take on the character, I'm curious about her relationship with power and the fact that her position was basically handed to her by her late husband. Is she empowered or trapped into something gendered that reduces her to this cartoon dimension? Gender is something that the show marginally questions, so that's a line of inquiry. Her opposition to Fay could also be a point of interest.

Hapgood:

A very intriguing character. There's a lot to build here. Is he an absurdist philosopher with 3 PhD from the Sorbonne and a book by Beckett in his pocket? Is he suffering from some mental health issue (depression or something else)? Why does he take pleasure in spreading chaos in town? I like how confident and charming he can be in his provocative attitude.

Some prompts ideas:

- Hapgood and the Cookies: what does he really think about the people he "sorts out" in different groups? What is madness to him? Is there a reason (personal, political) why he takes pleasure in spreading confusion?

- Hapgood having a sort of double date with Fay and Cora, and having to manage them both and their diverging interests. Does he end up influencing their opinion (about the Cookie situation, about the future of town, and does the end justifies the means)?

- Hapgood and Fay: I'm interested in the tension between those two, since he's sort of harsh with her at first, in his attempt to make Fay realize her own contradictions. Does she call him on his bullshit? I think he sort of deserves it. 

- Darker AU where Hapgood actually becomes mayor, destituting Cora and setting absurd rules. What does the town looks like now? Are we all mad here, or does that question loses its sense when anticonformism rules? Maybe it's not dark at all, maybe it's the only town in the world where everybody gets to be as 'weird' as they need to be. How does this affect the other characters' life?
 

Fay:

Very touching character, and very reliable in her struggles. I'm interested both in her relation to the Cookies and to Hapgood, but also in her crazy French persona (honestly that bit comes out of nowhere).

Prompt ideas:

- Fay and her two selves: we know from the script (easily found on the net) that there is more to this than a ruse. There is some allusion at trauma here. What does she suppress in herself, and why? I would like to see how it plays out in new situations (using it in a confrontation with Cora, for example). Does she sees herself as a Cookie, secretly? How does her work relates to that part of herself?

- Fae and the Cookies: how does she see them, why is she the only one to truly care for them? I think you'll have to decide how you want to paint Cookies for this one, even if keeping it ambiguous could be interesting too. Some sweet scenes between her and various "unusual" patients would be nice.

- A more frontal and detailed confrontation with Cora than what we get in the show. Could evolve into something shippy if that's your thing (the song "There's Always a Woman", that was cut from the show, can be a great source of inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJhrq0semTc). It would be interesting to use the occasion to explore their mutual contradictions but also their hidden depths: Fay may be the "good one" but she's part of a questionable institution. On the other hand, Cora keeps lying to everyone but in the end her schemes might save the town's economy even if the miracle is a fake one.

Schub:

I feel the script often paints him as the true villain and the one in control, taking advantage of Cora's flaws to rule the town, but I mean, he's not *that* good at it, is he? I mean his plans are canonically terrible (“Peer Gynt festival”, anyone?). I rather enjoy the way he’s struggling with everyone.

Prompt ideas:

- In addition to the ones with Cora, I’d like to know more about his goal. Why is he doing it? Is he manipulating Cora or trying to get into her good graces for more personal reasons? Why is he taking such care of his appearance, despite his job having nothing to do with it? Is he secretly as insecure as Cora?

- Some comedic scenes with his stupid accomplices. Maybe surrounding Cora’s original election, or relection after Hapgood’s departure?

Pairings I’m cool with:

Cora/Anyone and everyone (because it’s Cora), but especially Cora/Schub, Fay/Hapgood

Twin Peaks

What I love about this fandom:

I want to say everything. I love how earnest and strangely nostalgic it feels, the weirdness and most experimental aspects (I think The Return might be my favourite thing on screen, ever). I love how the characters all feel like complex and complete human beings even when they're probable tulpas with 5 minutes of screen time. I love the small details and memorable dialogues and attitudes, the mystery of it all, and the fact it’s never really resolved and makes you question your own expectations. The way traumas and loss are expressed through symbols, images, and sounds experiments deeply moves me: the complex tangle of emotions and surrealist elements is just so compelling. The show also happens to have the best absurd jokes ^^.

Please note that every character you may want to add to this mix is very welcome. There was a lot of noms for this fandom, the cast is huge and I absolutely adore ensemble pieces, so if that’s your thing, go for it.

Requested characters
 

Constance:

I'm so glad The Return gave us a character like Constance, so grounded in reality and so bright. Sometimes it feels like she's from a different show entirely, an actual murder mystery show where people actually solve crimes, but of course we all know how *that* goes. So of course it’s a character I worry about, future-wise. Especially since she’s one of those people who added light to an overall heartbreaking third season (on the other hand, which season isn’t). Her encounter with Albert is such a joy, and I like that she had a good working relationship with Dave Macklay, we don't see that so often in the show. And her jokes… I live for this. This and Constance’s seemingly very normal life, it’s almost exotic in that setting.

Albert:

It’s hard not to relate to Albert, both in his attempts at rationality, which put him closer to acknowledging the reality of the situation than most of the characters ever are ("the evil that men do"), and in the way he struggles to express his emotions (Albert's path is a difficult one). And he's just brilliant. I mean he's got the best dialogues lines in the series, probably, so I’d really love to hear his voice done right. I just want to hug him and tell him it's going to be fine, even though that is, at best, unclear… His evolution between the old seasons and the Return breaks my heart: his relationship with Gordon, the whole gun business, shooting Diane, seeing Cooper come back and disappear without even acknowledging him…

Diane:

I feel very protective of her, and I love how she became a full-fledged character in such a short amount of time (Tulpa or not, to me she's very much her own person). I love how angry she is, because she's right to be, and how thin-skinned in a way that still allows her to retain a tinge of the mysterious presence she had in the first seasons. I'm also fascinated by the concept of someone who's just supposed to be a professional listener. I mean those tapes... Especially if you're familiar with My Life My Tapes (the book that was written by Scott Frost as Cooper’s autobiography), but even the ones Cooper records on screen are often very worrying, heartbreaking or just hilarious. I love to think about her listening to them in her Philly office. But canonically she never gets to see Twin Peaks for herself. Wonder how that feels. And of course, trauma-wise, she's another example of shattered personality, but I feel she might be able to reclaim her sense of self in the indefinite future. I really hope so at least. Explorations of that trauma are very welcome, and needed I think. Much more shallow, but I’m in love with her style, both verbally and fashion-wise.

Pairings I’m cool with:

Diane/Constance, Albert/Constance, Albert/Harry (not requested, but he’s in the noms, so if you want to allude at it or include it, it’s totally fine).

Prompts

Group prompt ideas

- After the final's disaster, Albert doesn't want to have anything to do with anything or anyone Blue Rose related (except Tammy, but now he might be afraid of ruining her like his experience in the FBI ruined him?). What would happen if he got back to Buckhorn under a pretext to help close the case? Things there used to feel more real than in Twin Peaks, but with the recent surreal events, is it still the case? How are the locals reacting? Does Constance grounds him and helps him recover, or is she developing her own issues? How does that relate to Diane coming back and disappearing with Cooper again?

- 2 a.m. prompt idea that I really like: Constance doing stand up at a local bar (Buckhorn's version of the Roadhouse?). Is she joking about her work and latest extremely weird and worrying case? Albert is in the audience, because what can you do of your evenings when you’re stuck in Buckhorn working on a case anyway? One version or the other of Diane could be observing in the back, too. Does that number becomes a bit surreal (we know what usually happens to on-stage performers in this show)? If you want to have Candie, Sandie and Mandie selling popcorn in the back, be my guest.

Subsets prompt ideas:

Constance&Albert

- Constance interacting with the whole Sheriff station, while Albert is around too. What would the station want with a coroner who’s not Albert? What does everyone think of her? Maybe it occurs early on, when he’s there in the first season to do that autopsy. Maybe it’s later, and they visit together [insert Blue Rose related reason or the like]. Ship wise, I’m happy with a bit of Albert/Harry, so if you want to fit that in, you can.

- Any form of continuation of that dinner scene. What does Constance think of Albert? How does their experience in police work compare? Does the conversation turns into a wit competition, or is it a partnership in crime? If you ship them, it's also cool with me (a bit of romance sure won’t hurt Albert).

Albert&Diane

- After he shot Diane, Albert begins to receive tapes. It sounds like it's her voice, and he’s almost sure they are meant for his ears, but can we be sure? What is she telling him about? Which Diane is it, talking to which Albert? Where does it go? You decide.

- For something lighter (we singularly lack light Diane content right now), I like the idea of Diane pulling some sort of prank on Albert when they worked together in the early days (so before the show, basically, when nobody had disappeared yet). What is she like when she's, well, not traumatized? I would think mostly the same but much more serene, and so that anger could well be turned into wits or some mischief. I mostly feel that her and Albert would be the most rational parts of that team, and we know they’re canonically good friends, or used to be, so what was it like when it wasn’t so dramatic? I wonder if Albert takes kindly to being the butt of a joke. Who am I kidding: he sure doesn’t. Who are Diane’s allies in this? From the nominated characters, Lil would be an interesting choice.

Diane&Constance

- I suddenly have an impulse to request some Diane/Constance. Because I feel they could get along so well. It can of course be gen if you're uncomfortable with writing romance. They could get more time to talk during Diane's time in Buckhorn (she's a witness in that horrible Hastings death, after all), or meet in a different way: in a bar? Maybe there's an open mic night somewhere in town, Constance always has jokes ready and Diane is after all described by Cooper as "a cross between a saint and a *cabaret singer*", so… Does this happen after canon, after Diane returned from wherever she was, and on her way to recovery? Is Albert there too? It would be great if they met through him, or if he just happened to be around, because I’m sure he would be adorably uncomfortable with the whole thing. Or maybe putting in some barbs while discretely playing match-maker. Oh my God, matchmaker Albert.

I don’t have a definite opinion over the dynamic of that ship, but I get the feeling that they’re both tired in very different ways, and that could be something to bond over. 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.

Fleabag

What I love about this fandom:

The writing is one of the best thing I've ever seen on TV. Brilliant dialogues, even more brilliant situations, I think the "female rage" Phoebe Waller-Bridge talked about bringing to the screen is one of the most relatable and realistic theme around. The mix of cruelty and tenderness of it all rings true, and the multiple flaws of the characters make me love them even more. Most of their issues are never addressed directly, so much is left unsaid but Fleabag and Clare both manage to deal with things in their own way and tangentially, which is way closer to what usually happens in real life than any direct confrontation where everyone suddenly says the right thing and people end up hugging each other. I’m also very attached to the specificites of the performances: the cast is spectacular, Sometimes the humor gets a liittle bit too sexual and based on embarrassing moments for me, so maybe try not to lean to heavily on it? But most of the time I find the show hilarious (especially in season 2). Finally, I really love how she keep breaking the fourth wall, and how it’s canonically established that some people are able to notice it (the Priest, because he’s able to see her dissociate, but that could be exploited with other characters too).
 

Requested characters

I know I may be requesting too many characters for the fandom to match, but I honestly couldn't choose. I'm happy with any combination and subset, and character study for only one of them is very good too. I think the possibility here as so great for various combinations. 
 

Fleabag:

I love that she's genuinely flawed like a real person, and despite the fact that I wish I could (I, the almighty Viewer) fix her life for her, it's just makes me love her even more in the end. I'm genuinely horrified at the amount of awful things she has to deal with (it often feels like nothing is right, nothing has been right for a long time now and she's unable to pinpoint it). The level of cruelty is so high in this show (I mean, "I love you but I don't like you"? Gosh. I can't). It's sometimes hidden by the comedy of it all but damn, is it heavy. So I sort of wish she had a good time and continues on her journey to deal with her issues, because she's just at the beginning of that at the end of S2 (at least I hope). I love that she stays unnamed (although that's probably a pain to write, come to think of it. Sorry writer!). Her ability to crack bloody hilarious practical jokes without anybody noticing is also one of her greatest trait. The fact that she can be so cruel and distant (essentially with her lovers, with the exception of the Priest, even if that still could be discussed) but also so vulnerable and protective of Claire is interesting. I'm curious about how she perceives her bisexuality (I don't think she uses a label in the show, I'm going for the general one, feel free to change it if that doesn’t fit the way you feel about it, but please don’t make her purely heterosexual). Globally I’m very interested in her relationships to other women. Finally, from guinea pigs to Piglet, animals seem to be a Thing, and that's very cool!

Godmother:

Gosh, that woman. I'm so in love with Olivia Coleman it's impossible for me not to love-hate this character passionately. The performance is just outstanding. It strikes me that, despite what Fleabag says at first, she seems to absolutely fit the "evil stepmother" stereotype (hitting her, erasing her from the painting, etc). Sometimes it almost feels too much to be true, but of course that sort of thing very much exists in real life. I'm very curious about that dark side, how it could be explored, and why it seems that it has so little to do with her husband. Her art and the fact that she's actually talented also fascinates me. I'm also ready to accept concurrent readings that challenge Fleabag's point of view (is that a distorted perception of reality? Is there another way to tell this story?). Not that I want to diminish how real the abuse is. But some sort of AU take would interest me. The thing is, Fleabag and Godmother actually have a few things in common: falling for the unattainable man, presumably, stealing their best friend's boyfriend, in a way, working with said friend – more or less, Fleabag's mother being a model for Godmother's work, and more generally trying to pretend to be something they're not, whether it's nice and open-minded on one side, or confident and independent on the other. So the parallels interest me too.

Therapist:

Another declaration of love to Fiona Shaw (so, I have that thing for middle-aged British actresses, yes). I adore her in Killing Eve, and she's nailing that small part like nobody's business. I wish we'd seen more of her, because people in this show sure need a psychoanalysis. I love the small details (the hand lotion!), her general attitude and how she's adamant on not taking any bullshit. Sounds very intelligent, very direct, very set on making her patients uncomfortable, too. Oh how we need her. An ideal character to point out unseen connections between characters and even, and a great outsider point of view on the show. Aren't we all the Therapist in this show?

Belinda:

So, remember that thing I mentioned about middle-aged to old British actresses? Yes. That. Anyway, I relate to Fleabag's reaction to Belinda big times. 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. In short I'm very curious about Fleabag/Belinda, but I also get why Belinda wouldn't date her. That speech of hers in the bar paints a very sympathetic character and it 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). On the other hand, she's also a business woman, and you get a feeling that she's not to be messed with, even if she sees through the bullshit of her corporation. I think the fact she's successful makes her an interesting comparison to Godmother. I would like for her to get to know Fleabag more, whether it's in a romantic or mentoring way. Her experience could be needed, but also, maybe not. I just want her to be able to relate to Fleabag in a more equal way, because maybe experience or age isn't that relevant for what's going on here. Other thought: has she ever dated the Therapist? Hmmm. That’s a thought. (Sorry it seems that my brain is dead set on creating as many fem ships as it can in this fandom).

Pairings I’m cool with:

Fleabag/Belinda, Godmother/Belinda, Belinda/Therapist. Background unrequited or secret Godmother/Fleabag’s mother is also good, if you want to go that way.

Prompts

General prompt ideas:

- Fleabag goes back to see the Therapist, after the whole priest affair. Unbeknownst to her, her analyst is also seeing Godmother and Belinda. They all have their own problems, and talk about each other. It's sure is a hard day for Doctor Shaw.

- 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? Maybe all of the above, depends if you want to ship them or not, I'm cool with both. What does the Therapist thinks of all this, and which character is she seeing that tells her about it (any pick would be interesting).
 

Subsets prompt ideas:

Godmother&Fleabag:

-I'd like to see a more affectionate or at least honest moment between Godmother and Fleabag. I think the fact that Godmother hit Fleabag needs to comes out at one point or another. Same thing with the relations Godmother had with Fleabag's mother (is she really like a leech who basically recreated her friend's life and stayed forever jealous, like Fleabag's point of view seems to suggest, or is it more complex than that? What's Godmother's point of view on the question?). I'm also curious about the relationship Godmother and Fleabag had before her mother's death. Was it happier, or strained already? What did little Fleabag noticed, that nobody else saw?

Therapist&Godmother&Fleabag:

- The Therapist attends one of Godmother's art show. What does she see in the exposed art? Any naked bosomy statue around? Is Fleabag serving cocktails, or is she absent but the subject of the art? What does Godmother have to say about it? I’m not sure she would react well to an unexpected psychoanalysis of her work (she’s here to be admired, after all).

Godmother&Belinda:

- Belinda and Godmother meet at a "Women of Influence 2019". What do they think of each other? Does Belinda try to hit on Godmother (or, more surprisingly, the reverse?). How does this go, awkward and terrible, confrontational, more personal and emotional? Can get shippy if you want, but I tend to think this would have to be a bit messy to work. Maybe they have diverging opinions on what being a "woman of influence" means, or on the validity of the phrase altogether.

The Remains of the Day

What I love about this fandom:

I think the honest reason it remains with me as much 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. 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 for them to be together, and I adore their banter. 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. Alternatively, if you want to get more reflexive, or if you want to write something Gen, I’m also very interested in the historical setting and the moral dilemma the characters have to face. How do they deal with the guilt of sending back the Jewish girls, as it builds over the years? Do they try to do something about it? Alternatively, do they feel anachronistic in some way, living in a world where service in this form is disappearing? I include Miss Kenton in this because I wonder if she ever fully adapted to her new life. Feeling out of one’s time even in that position would be an interesting topic to explore.

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.
 

Requested characters

Mr. Stevens

*Sigh* Stevens. The most frustrating character that ever walked this version of England. And he *is* annoying that way. I rather like how clear it is he's being such a jerk to Miss Kenton because he doesn't know what to do with his attraction to her. And I love how deceptive his narrative voice is, because when he alludes at little shards of emotion, man, you feel like it's a hurricane. What I'd like for Stevens is for him to be shaken to his core, to let go of his certitudes a bit. This doesn't have to lead to a full break-down, I also like the idea of this happening gradually, and we get glimpses of it by the end of the story. I wish Old Stevens had the courage to free himself. Maybe he could take a step in the right direction, with Miss Kenton at his side? If you go the shippy way, inner acknowledgement of feelings would be lovely to read, even if there's good chance he may panic about it (or maybe not? Old Stevens could also be more serene and resigned about them). !Seductive Stevens would also be delightful to read. Would he be confident or clumsy? In control or losing it? Feel free to explore the sadness, too. I wished he would at least get to come to terms with that. 

Miss Kenton

Competence and loneliness, intelligence and fear. I really feel for Miss Kenton, because the canon gives you an idea of what it means to be a woman in that time period, to work and be good at what you do and still have so little autonomy. It gives you the impression that she never really finds her rightful place in the world. She needs to be needed, with is such a gendered trait, and so understandable too: the way she clings to her role in her family is quite heartbreaking. She's always trying so, so hard, at any point in the canon, and I think she needs a rest. I like to think of Old Miss Kenton as someone who's much more aware of the ways of the world and of the complexities of relationships than Stevens, because of what she experienced in her marriage. I imagine her older self wouldn't accept Stevens' rebuttals like her younger self was forced to do. On the other hand, the fact that she's so conflicted during her time at Darlington Hall also makes for interesting explorations. I wish she'd get a bit of a break of doing all the work in her relationship with Stevens, even if I love how enterprising and teasing she can be. I suppose I'd like it to be a bit more equal, if that makes sense. I'm also very curious about what she really think about having had a child, motherhood, and the way she sees her daughter. 

Pairings I’m cool with:

Mr. Stevens/Miss Kenton

Prompts:

- 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.

- For something Gen, I’d like to see Steven or Miss Kenton share a memory, maybe something from childhood, that has something to do with why they came to work in service, and what they put into it, emotionally. I suppose their views on the subject will differ in some way, since what they’re willing to sacrifice is in the end not quite the same.
 

Moonrise Kingdom

What I love about this fandom:

The atmosphere. How quaint and nostalgic it all feels. The landscapes, the colours, the weather forecast, the absurdly lavish school play in the middle of a storm, the made-up children books, the quiet mystery of the island and the way children get to explore it. The music in this is also fantastic, and could be a good source of inspiration, I believe (those tracks that decompose and recompose Britten’s symphony are simply to good to be true, they are small narratives in their own right). There is so much going on, in terms of emotions and relationships, that is left unsaid or only mentioned, which allows the movie to retain its peculiar charm, but what I find really striking is the suggestion that, underneath it all, the innocence and hope that Suzy and Sam manage to conquer in Moonrise Kingdom is very fragile, and maybe just a storm away from being destroyed. These kids have a lot to deal with, and we get why they would feel the need to escape. But this decision shakes everyone on this island, including the adults who all seem to lead quite a depressing life. In the end, it forces a silver lining in that routine, even if their “secret kingdom” is destroyed by the tempest. It really feels like Sam and Suzy, despite being chased by everyone, are a miracle of some sort. They fall in that strange gap between childhood and adulthood where everything remains possible, but you begin to feel deep down that at some point, you’ll have to make definite choices. Watching this, I tend to forget it’s set in 1965, Wes Anderson movies often exist in their own parallel time. So you can either choose to acknowledge the time period or treat it like it’s entirely a fantasy world, close to ours but with its own secret rules.

Requested characters:
 

Suzy

There’s a sense of surprising maturity about Suzy, and I wonder where that comes from. Is it the supposedly strained relationship of her parents? Or simply the fact that she’s the older sibling in a family of very enterprising children? She sometimes acts in a lady-like fashion, while at the same time not letting herself be disturbed by earthly things: she’s an adventurer, but an organized adventurer. No comb? She’ll use her fingers. But she’ll do it stylishly. We know her life is less than ideal, and that she gets in all sorts of trouble (“I lost my temper at myself”), and I’m very interested in all that anger her character seems to chew. Again, that household seems happy but, as the movie shows you in a very direct way, it is sort of a facade. That being said, I enjoy the way the movie manage to keep things melancholic and poetic by not laying too heavily on such issues. If you want to explore them, maybe try to do something a bit similar? Or at least not go full dark: what I love about this fandom is the ray of light in everything.

Sam

While Suzy and Sam both tries to emulate adults in some way, Sam, to me, is a bit less good at it than Suzy is. The way he flirts like a mini Carry Grant is adorable though, because you can feel how hard he tries. I love his boy scout frame of mind, the need to always be prepared, which talks about a child who’s been used to rely only on himself. Mixed with his sadness and his gentleness, it makes for a very delicate portrayal: Sam respects the institutions, probably more than Suzy does, but he knows he doesn’t fit in, and that he cannot exist properly as himself in their boundaries. While Suzy is angry, Sam is more of a loner and a rationalist, and the fact that these two find each other despite being very different kinds of what the adults probably call “troubled kids” is both heartwarming and heartbreaking to me.

Pairings I’m cool with:

Sam/Suzy

For this fandom, since the two characters are underage and in love, you can of course explore their relationship in a romantic way, and even hints at the way they may discover desire (after all, Sam is painting Suzy in her swimsuit) but please keep it innocent, I really don’t want to read about underage sex or something that sexualizes them for an adult eye. I just want them to be who they are, teens who are discovering those things in their own way, and if that makes sense I’d like it to stay respectful of the characters?

Prompts ideas:

- Future fic: Sam and Suzy, a year later. I can see them being in a play together, and stealing moments together by hiding in various places when they should be rehearsing. Exploring the secret rooms of the church instead of learning their lines? Or rehearsing in absurd places, switching roles or really getting into their characters until shenanigans or accident happen? Bonus points if that play is as absurdly professional-looking and weird than the one in the movie. (The choice of play is yours, I feel something Shakespearean could resonate well, but a completely made-up play would be very cool too, or anything you may find appropriate).

- Suzy reading some her favourite (fictitious) books to Sam, and sharing her thoughts and criticisms about them. From what we see in the movie, most of them are fantasy or sci-fi (Francine’s Odyssey, The Girl from Jupiter…), but I’d love to hear how she links them to her own life and her view of the world. Sam has a different life experience, and they might disagree on some topics (family comes to mind). I just generally like the idea of them sharing what they enjoy about fantasy worlds and projecting in on their reality, their adventure and the way they see their relationship. Maybe at some point they realize that it doesn’t completely fits? Or on the contrary, that’s it’s a better lens that what “real life” (school, scout camp, parents, etc) has taught them to consider good, bad or desirable?

- A bit bolder, but I like the idea that Sam and Suzy fugue could fuel a children’s rebellion on the island (it sort of does in the movie, since they end up helping them get reunited). What if groups of children (scouts, Suzy’s brothers, kids from school, etc) found them instead of the adults, and decided to stay with them in Moonrise Kingdom, founding an actual “realm” for a couple of days? What would that little fragile society would look like, with Sam and Suzy as its head? How would they handle the sudden end of their voluntary isolation? How would they reinvent the rules? And how would that other magical parenthesis end?

- if that doesn’t inspire you, maybe tell me more about their time on the run, the way they survive and what they learn from each other and find in each other? I’m very up for anything comforting, fire camps and ridiculous surviving tips, Suzy being surprisingly good at some things, Sam having his own hidden talents, doing art together, exploring unknown parts of the island, discovering strange things in the wilderness, and so on.