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Yuletide Letter signup
Oct. 22nd, 2023 01:14 amDear writer,
Sorry for this being updated later than the 28th! Regardless, here it is.
Thank you very much for writing for me! I'll be really excited to receive whatever you choose to write, because hey same taste in stuff!! So I hope you have as much fun writing it as I'm sure I'll have reading it.
No worries, the order through which these requests & prompts are ordered does not indicate how much I want it, or the length of the prompts I was able to think up of on the spot on that day while rushing the signups!
ODAO (Optional Details are Optional), by the way as long as the DNWs are adhered to. I'd be absolutely ecstatic to read anything that you come up with (it'd be really exciting as it's something I never thought of), as these prompts are just here to help you along! Pick any one prompt that interests you! This turned out really long so don't feel pressured to write everything.
Any characters nominated are giver's choice.
Any characters nominated are giver's choice.
Challenges opting in: Two For One
Interaction Fiction Challenge
General likes:
I love when fics delve into the little details and the unseen details that make canon, canon. I love whenever there's more character interactions between the most unlikeliest of characters, or between two known to dislike each other. I love it whenever characters are friends in any way! (Which can range from the strongest of platonic love to mutual 'I dislike you, but I will still look out for you' or even 'I am apathetic towards you but we will chat nicely while we still interact. maybe we could be better friends if we had more time'.) Love character studies.
More stuff in bulletpoints that may be helpful (pick & choose any and go ham!!):
- magic worldbuilding always hits the spot for me!
- canon worldbuilding, expansion on little details -- canon crossovers!!
- genfic /any form of family fic!
- Ensemble fics
- Canon-compliant (or adjacent) missing scenes, post-canon explorations
- domestic fluff/food as a love language
- slice of life, like plants and gardening!
- fantasy/historical fiction details that evoke a sense of place (yes go wild with scenery porn)
- scifi/horror elements
- supernatural/magical realism elements
- mythology & folklore
- character & relationship studies
- Trope subversion/inversion
- banter/ snark
- For want of a nail / canon divergence
- Power dynamics
- mutual pining, unresolved (or resolving...) romantic/sexual tension
- gender nonconformity / queer headcanons
- interactions/relationships between characters who are very different,
- intimacy of all kinds , physical affection/hugs
- open endings
- show how much they love each other without kissing
- grey morality
- outsider character perspectives
- Iove it when authors incorporate something about which they have enthusiasm or specialized knowledge, however mundane or weird that thing is.
DNWs: explicit, keep it to M rating at most
character bashing
Non -canon children/kidfic
Omegaverse
Usagi Shima
- Worldbuilding, Dango, Yuzu, Yuki
This is a really cute idle game that you can get from the app stores!
https://usagishima.net/presskit/ (Here are links to the creator's socmeds, which have concept art etc, and background info. The game subreddit has very skilled decorators, my island isn't as detailedly sophisticated!!)
https://usagishima.fandom.com/wiki/Usagi_Shima_Wiki (here's the wiki!)
Fandom specific likes: I adore how each rabbit has their favourite items, and how they all have many different poses -- like books!! with carrots on the cover! How everything feels so personalised with buns that become your besties giving you items and how if you're in the beach, you hear waves, or if you're at the pond, you hear water streaming instead. (How the radio plays three tunes!! There's a tiny smiling frog in the zen bridge pond!!) I love how each bun has their distinct personality like in Pokemon.
It would be very cool if in-game mechanics were included, like how carrots randomly grow in the ground and can still be used as currency (is this ground just magic fertile wild carrot land?)
I really love rabbits, so anything you choose to write for this one would bowl me over with delight.
prompts:
- I would love to know the story behind why Dango decided to help out The Caretaker (us, an unknown human -- or????) with reviving the island. Why does Dango have all the items? Why doesn't Dango just do it itself? (oh god, pronouns. I don't mind, go ham). Lots of work for sure, which makes sense. I would love to read about the other buns that work there too, like the bunny that Sells Hats (which is so very specific!) and all the other buns that work the stalls and cafes. And what is the world outside Usagi Shima like? Presuming we only ever see this one part of Usagi Shima, perhaps all the buns that visit live in other parts? This game is inspired by the real life rabbit island (Okunoshima) in Japan, so feel free to include the history/geography/other real life bits too!!
- would love to see what these buns are reading about in their carrot-cover mini books. Fiction?? Poems?? Picture books?? Economy treatises on carrots???
- the buns can do Anything here, but what about the fish in the pond and the little frog? Can they talk? Are they friends? (It would suck if they're just there for decoration)
- I would love to know the story behind why certain buns give certain items. Pick any bun that gets your fancy!
- I wonder what happens to Yuki in winter, is it nearly invisible? It's probably the king of hide and seek then. And how does Yuzu feel about actual yuzu (that can be used as a hat by other buns? Yuzu doesn't like hats, as Yuzu has Leaf)
- a fic centering on the cafe and bakery shops for this would be so cute!! buns drinking tea? carrot cake?
- any interactions between the buns! Tell me who are found family, friends, or not.
For this specific fandom, this is the only one I'd prefer it to avoid character death and rating M and E if possible. Or at least, not happening to our current buns in the present!
Soarele și luna - Pasha Parfeni (Music Video)
Fandom-specific likes: I screamed when I saw the twins cover the singer's/shepherd's eyes while?? horns touching?? kiss behind his back???? sorry brain exploded. I honestly thought the twins were the sun and moon at first (covering the shepherd's eyes... make of that what you will) otherwise I love love love the Eurovision final performance, I love the little dwarf (?) with the mask and the FLUTE
More coherently: I love how it is based on their country's folklore, and if based on the Miorita interpretation, is literally a fairytale itself, told to the shepherd's parents, instead of the grim reality. I love the folkloric motifs and symbolism, and the intertwining of nature. I love how it could be interpreted many ways!
Here is the one analysis video I could find!
Prompts:
- I would love to know more about the Romanian mythology that inspired this song! Afaik, popular theory seems to be from this ballad Miorita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miori%C8%9Ba-If taking the Miorita interpretation, yes, I very much wonder what the shepherd's family left behind thought, and how much they believed. How did they grieve? Perhaps they also go on a journey? What did his sheep do since they can conceal his murder and death? Why is the shepherd so resigned to his death? (Perhaps the interpretation here is, he is in love with death). Even while deceiving his own sheep of his death, why does he still want the sheep to gather at his grave?
- I would love a story about the mysterious woman with deer antlers and speaking eyes! I am not sure if she is meant to be Death or something else.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jatc6dNgpjs Turns out she is Muma Padurii -- look I love any spirit that protects the forest from trespassers or any danger, and this folkloric figure screams witch to me. I always love witches. Any more on the personifications of the Sun and Moon and what they actually do in this story would be amazing!
- If not the Miorita interpretation, then why is he in the forest? Who is he seducing, and why does he need a folkloric dwarf to guide him through it? (It does sound very dangerous. Like he is out there planning a heist. From the 'official music video', seems to be implied it's the Muma Padurii)
- Feel free to crossover with other ballads/fairytales as well -- crossover with Ukraine (2021) Go_A's Shum would be insane. -- The river mentioned, Dniester, does start from Ukraine so if you can tie that in!
Starry Flowers (Visual Novel)
- Pastille, Periwinkle, Syrup, Astragalus
- I know I tagged 'all of the above' but I'd still squee over any combination (thus, giver's choice!) I may have had my eyes glazed over while rushing the signup
All of NomNomNami's games can be found here! https://nomnomnami.itch.io/
If seeing some notes on tropes on this game might be useful, here: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VisualNovel/StarryFlowers
Fandom-specific likes: I love how NomNomNami uses recurring characters. For background information *inhales* Syrup & The Ultimate Sweet came first, Pastille appears as a route there. Next was First Kiss at a Spooky Soiree (Periwinkle appears here as a route (so does Vinegar and Jam)). And then we have Starry Flowers where Pastille and Peri meet and fall in love! (Jam is Peri's friend! Vinegar appears again in Astra's prequel game)
tldr: I am very thrilled by how characters can become ascended extras in a later game, and the further worldbuilding in this universe. (I've played a lot of nomnomnami's games esp those that share this universe -- so feel free to include as above, contract demon (they showed up in FKaaSS!), her tears were my light, and mermaid splash. About to play Charm Studies)
I love Astragalus and how no-nonsense she is, how she tends plants and makes medicine. (I really just love her that much because PLANTS. If I am given plants I am the happiest kicking-feet creature ever.) I love explorations into their magic. I love how badass Pastille really is. I love how these VNs delve into healing and character development, and how friendship-focused they can be!
I also heavily relate to Periwinkle now, and adore how he tried to explain his feelings every which way sdjs and denying it. I love how safe and cozy these games are, I love their queer gender explorations treated as normal.
prompts:
- just how Astragalus and Pastille become friends! (he gets to learn more about peri from her (now peri gets to feel what it's like when your friends exchange info in front of you.) Somehow I just feel like these two have so much potential gardening that can happen?? As Pastille is competent at cleaning and organisation and repair)
- Syrup and Periwinkle too! (And I wonder if anyone doesn't really vibe with anyone?)
- Perhaps Astragalus meeting Syrup & Gumdrop, or Gumdrop venturing further out from Atelier Sweets
- any interweaving of both Syrup & The Ultimate Sweet and Starry Flowers characters would be an absolute treat. Ascend any extra from them!
- Starry Flowers from Pastille's POV! What falling in love was like for him
- explorations of Pastille's astral magic and its limits! Perhaps as they cohabitate, Pastille and Periwinkle's magic intermingle and start to resemble each other more?
- Domestic fluff between Pastille/Periwinkle
From a Knight to a Lady (Webcomic)
Fandom-specific likes: I love how Zedekiah respects her so much, even if he feels hopeless how Lucifela/Estelle keeps him at a distance. And of course we love how he fell head over heels first completely smitten sidjsi. Love how they both care for each other so much. Most of all, I love how they had at least one interaction when Estelle was alive as enemy knight commanders! I love how they both have the same values as knights, which is what draws them to respect each other. I love Lucifela/Estelle's friendship with Florence and how they support each other.
And of course, I love how feminist it is, how it really explores 'putting yourself into others' shoes' with Estelle who's used to being masculine, suddenly having to adapt to being restrictedly feminine and on guard. It really explores what power noble ladies have (which is very limited) and Estelle's newfound respect and empathy for them, which is great. How she understands this by equating their reasons with how she thinks of her knight's honour. Episode 75 where Estelle comforts, validates and tells Florence that she is more important than her family's honour? Great shit. I love how this webtoon ultimately has honour as a theme.
(Honest to god, Estelle objectifying Eozif right back after he does that to her lives in my mind rent free and IS AN INSPIRATION. That's so going to be my comeback when it happens to me.)
God I love Florence Loer who is very much a Guile Hero (and in turn teaches Estelle to be one!!) Florence who has never been valued for who she is and so very conscious of whenever the spotlight is on her and what she can do with it, more Florence appreciation will be very good. FLORENCE LOER MAKING HERSELF the most socially powerful lady for Lucifela's sake???? HELP. The contrast of Florence Loer who is epitome of 'quiet women don't make history' and is so incredible in her own right while Estelle Schubert/and original Lucifela in her own way is someone who boldly challenges social norms.
prompts:
- I have not read the novel or seen the spoilers, this scene will most likely be revealed one day. But I'd love to know what was the first interaction between Estelle and Zed that is only hinted at? Seems Estelle had been caught and imprisoned, and Zed had come to see her. Just, any Estelle and Zed interactions from her first life anywhere, and during the war. can be a 5+1. Estelle in ep 51: 'The first encounter was pretty bad. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant, and yet you feel a subtle affection for the other person...and they keep catching your attention'
- badasses with swords. Duel please! And, perhaps either Zed sparring current Estelle one day (when she's finally trained this body up to par)
- any friendship with Florence Loer would be awesome! Or even an Estelle/Florence route would be awesome too, because Estelle has two hands <3 it's awesome seeing Zed and Florence fight over Luci HAHA. I love how Florence has the sapphic yearning tendencies of the two!
- Seriously: 'You are an incredibly confident, delicate woman, and thoughtful, intelligent friend, who shattered my preconceived notions of what it means to be a lady. (Episode 75)' They were both that for each other!! Or technically, Lucifela was for Florence who is in turn that for Estelle!! She only thought that, but I would love to see Estelle actually say all that to Florence.
- Any Estelle teaching Florence how to fight/self-defence any ways of standing up to her abusive brother?
- Estelle also says she thinks the two of them would have been friends in her past life. So maybe an AU where Estelle / Florence had met too, somehow?
- Bernard (Zed's assistant/retainer) has the funniest reactions. Would love to see his POV on ... Zed pining, dear god. Or what he thought of Estelle Schubert. What he thinks of everything and what's going on in canon.
- any of original Lucifela & the other named characters' interactions, or with Estelle.
Hogfather (2006)
Death, Hogfather, Susan, Albert
Fandom-specific likes: I only read the book and loved it to bits. I loved Death exercising his own morality on Christmas 'is this not how it should be?' (basically him being a vigilante Santa with saving the little match girl vs the miffed angels just standing there. Death abusing loopholes!!), loved Albert doing his best to course-correct him. I loved Death's fascination of human habits and complete lack of understanding, making him the perfect outsider view, and loved Susan's quiet horror. Susan's sharp no-nonsense POV, all the time actually 'don't be twee/don't act like that on purpose'. All of the accurate and savagely funny and affectionate descriptions of people, being people. I loved the ridiculousness and the shenanigans and how it all absolutely made sense.
Teatime is very fun what with him actually coming up with plans to kill mythological figures, I actually wished for more of him (though he is rightfully dead).
How all the belief had to go somewhere, causing chaos and small gods/lares to pop up! The brick joke worldbuilding continuances! The deconstruction of everything in here from beliefs to fairytales to the iconic anti-nihilism 'humans need fantasy, show me one molecule of justice when the universe is ground into bits' speech!
Prompts:
- I'm not sure if this was in the movie, but at the end of the book Death essentially went back in time just to buy that rocking horse (that Albert wanted as a kid, and Albert thought some stranger bought it for him at that moment) for Albert (current, adult). I would love to see how Albert reacted!
- we never see Hogfather talk. Would love to see what he's like (it would also be an interesting contrast to Death if he actually doesn't talk at all), and!! Please tell me he let Death be Hogfather a few more times (Death was so sad he couldn't say "Ho ho ho" legally!!). Like as an intern or a temp. Maybe he and Death help each other out now, do a good ole' career switcharoo. I realise I don't even know what's Albert's normal role outside of being a disgruntled elf. And I would love to see more of the hogs that pull the sleigh that love apple! sauce!)
- This is the only book of the Death series of Discworld I've read, so I'm not entirely sure of the reasons why Susan isn't too happy to spend much time with Death as family (other than wanting to preserve as much normalcy as she can). I'd just love to see her spending at least one Christmas with all of them (all the deaths?? (is that how it works?) the crow, the rat, Albert, found family and maybe her parents too?), perhaps after canon when she's finally accepting this part of her life?
- What happens to Billious, oh GOD of hangovers, and Bibulous? Do they negotiate who gets the hangovers?
Thank you for reading! I don't know why the bulletpoints look like that, ah well oops.
