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graycardinalThis year's fandoms
These letters aren't getting any shorter, so while I've got detailed material farther down, I think it's only fair to give you the list of fandom requests up front. So, those would be:
Jacqueline Kirby - Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby)
Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century (Sherlock Holmes, Beth Lestrade)
The Lastborn of Elvinwood - Linda Haldeman (Ian James, Thomas Heaton)
Young Wizards - Diane Duane (Carmela Rodriguez, Dairine Callahan)
General likes and dislikes
Feel free to wander backward through this journal and my fic on AO3 (linked to your left) to get an idea of my interests; what I write is very much also what I like to read -- and has, over time, added up to rather a variety of fandoms. My past Yuletide letters (and those for other exchanges) are tagged "dear santa" herein; see the "Yuletide" tag too, if you like.
To summarize, though: text-driven pluses for me include effective use of wit (aka banter aka snark, etc.), as well as strong characterization & dialogue. I value both respect for and clever use of canon (including well-developed AUs -- the plot-driven kind, not the baristas/highschoolers/alt-species kind). I thrive on UST (heavy on both U and T), and am neutral where gen/het/slash is concerned; if the pairing is well-developed, I'll read with an open mind.
I am also a sucker for the well-executed crossover, whether via oblique allusion or head-on fandom collision. Yuletide being Yuletide and Optional Details Being Optional, I have absolutely no expectations along this line...but if your muse's musings should happen to run in such a direction on their own initiative, feel free to encourage them. Again: the key word here is Optional.
None of my requests call specifically for mature/explicit content. This doesn't mean I don't appreciate sizzling erotica/smut/porn; it's just that my fanfic-reading interests and my e/s/p-reading interests mostly don't tend to intersect. That said, if your muse happens to take you into explicit territory in the context of one of these requests, I'm totally willing to follow along for the ride. I have few outright personal squicks save for noncon, incest, or adult/child kinks so long as a given relationship is age- and canon-appropriate. [See the requests for canon-specific notes.]
Character matching and prompts
This year I have a mix of single characters and duos in my requests. Where I've requested single characters, it's not because I'm opposed to relationship-fic or multi-character stories -- far from it. My goal is to give you greater flexibility in introducing additional characters, whether from those nominated or from wider canon. Even where I supply relatively specific prompts in a request, I want you to be able to shape the story; my suggestions are meant as springboards, not outlines.
Where I've requested multiple characters, I've given a specific note in each request as to whether it's an "either/or" request or not (different fandoms, different answers to that question). As above, you're absolutely encouraged to bring in any additional canon characters (or OCs) you feel should be involved given the demands of your plot.
#### SPECIFIC REQUESTS ####
Jacqueline Kirby - Elizabeth Peters
Jacqueline Kirby
I so wish we'd gotten more of Jacqueline from her creator; that no longer being possible, there are questions that require answers. What happened to the father of Jacqueline's children? (And have any of her kids inherited her sleuthing gifts?) What are the legendary origins of The Purse? What has she written beyond what we've seen (is there perhaps a series character)?
This one's pretty straightforward. I will add here, with the standard proviso of Optional Details Being Optional, that I have for years held the private theory that Jacqueline could very well be the unnamed editor of the Emerson papers. In that light, (a) a story riffing on that theory would be totally welcome, and/or (b) it would be exceedingly amusing if, in the context of that project, Jacqueline happened to encounter Vicky Bliss and John whatever-his-real-name-may-be.
The other observation I'd make runs all the way back to The Seventh Sinner, in which Jacqueline is more or less the guest sleuth in someone else's story -- and I also wouldn't mind at all seeing a further adventure of that kind, in which we get a look at Jacqueline through someone else's eyes.
Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century
Beth Lestrade, Sherlock Holmes
The dynamic between Holmes and Lestrade in this canon fascinates me, because it could go in so many different directions if given the chance . Romance? Clearly possible, but hardly the only option. Let's see how they interact when sleuthing isn't part of the equation.
*For this request, no either/or disclaimers apply; I'm looking for a story featuring both characters.*
Some further angles into the prompt: it's clear that the revived Holmes here is a good bit younger physically than we usually see him (both in Conan Doyle's canon and in most of the traditional adaptations) -- and yet unlike clone!Moriarty, he's technically well over 200 years old. And then there's that reference in the series opener indicating that Lestrade's actually Holmes' descendant (which raises some interesting questions about this Holmes's later family life....).
I emphasize here that in this Holmesian sub-canon, I'm very much open to either a non-romantic story (developing friendship, friendly rivalry, something else -- casefic would be a welcome bonus but is by no means required) or a thoughtfully developed romance. Whichever direction your muse takes you, I'm definitely on board.
The Lastborn of Elvinwood - Linda Haldeman
Ian James, Thomas Heaton
Featuring either *or* both of the listed characters satisfies this request.
With respect to the Vicar: I'm especially intrigued by his back story, especially given his occult interests. What's his history with Merlin? Did he introduce Marian to the Fernlord's court, or did she recruit him? Had he any prior reason to suspect Ian's potential?
With respect to Ian: The book's ending makes it clear that he's become both more proficient and more comfortable with his gifts over time. I'd like to see some of that progress.
This is my permanent Yuletide Fandom-of-One™; I've been submitting versions of the above request for years and doing my best to pimp the fandom along the way. I highly recommend the novel (and the author generally) even if you don't have any intention of writing in the fandom; it's a quick and delightful read, and one of these years someone will extend on the canon and then we'll both be joyful and grateful beyond measure. And here especially, I emphasize the Oliver Twistiness of my hopes; even if your muse goes nowhere near any of the above prompts, virtually any story in this fandom will make me inordinately squeeful.
The prompts in the request focus on Ian and the Vicar individually, mostly for structural reasons -- it seems easier to me to extrapolate backward (for the Vicar) or forward (for Ian) than it would be to weave additional material involving these two into the events of the novel. That said, it's entirely possible you'll see a window I've overlooked, and if you do find yourself with a plot that features Ian and the Vicar together, I'd be delighted to see where that goes.
Young Wizards - Diane Duane
Carmela Rodriguez, Dairine Callahan
I chose Carmela and Dairine both because I like them individually and because canon gives us so very little that puts them together with one another -- which I find surprising, even granting the age difference. I would very much like to see how they interact given an excuse and/or opportunity. Additional characters welcome; suitably brain-bending crossovers totally welcome but emphatically not required.
*For this request, I would strongly prefer a story featuring both characters, but a story featuring either one is sufficient to satisfy the request.*
The one thing I really don’t want to see is Dairine wallowing in angst over whatever’s happened to Roshaun. Dealing with the situation, absolutely -- and feel very free to include either or both fathers if you go in this direction -- but not dissolving in gloom. (A thought: might Dairine find it easier to talk to Carmela about her Roshaun issues than to Nita?) Other possible tacks: Dairine getting one up on Nita with Carmela’s help, or the girls and the Alien Study Group having an adventure (I’ve seen a fair bit of fic in this line set in the Crossings, not so much here on Earth).
Per the request, crossovers are especially welcomed in this fandom (and we've seen some nifty ones in recent years), but absolutely DO NOT feel obligated; any such would clearly be way beyond the call of duty.
