2018: Dear Crosser-Over(er)

[graycardinal]

[complete...and long!]

First of all, thank you. This exchange is easily one of the most complicated fic challenges out there, and yet continues to produce some of the niftiest and most purely amazing stories I see over the course of a fannish year.  As a practitioner of the crossover art myself, I am invariably impressed both by the quality of stories that show up here in general – and by the ones that are written for me in particular.  I have no doubt that whatever I receive when the reveal goes live will be wondrous, and for that I am profoundly and unreservedly grateful. This will be in four, count them four, parts this year, because it seemed to work well last time. So what you'll get first is the “why I’m here” spiel, followed by likes and dislikes, followed by canon-specific notes, followed by notes on my actual request-clusters.

Why I'm Here

Three words: flexibility, challenge, and surprise.

As a writer, I come for the challenge. While I’m careful to offer for fandoms I know I can write, I tend to offer them in combinations that I also know will stretch my internal idea generator and my storytelling muscles.  And I’ve offered – and will continue to offer – fandoms in clusters of four or five so that I absolutely won’t know ahead of time what my matches will look like; much of the fun for me is in the range of what I might be asked to do.  I want to be surprised by my recipient’s requests, and by the nature of the specific challenge facing me in any given year.  Up to now, specific matching protocols notwithstanding, there’ve usually been several options open to me from among my recipients’ requests, and I hope that remains true this time around.

As a requester, I come bearing flexibility.  As with offers, I tend to cluster my requests in groups of four or five, because – again, notwithstanding the specific match AO3’s Sorting Hat may generate – I want you to have choices too.  In a way, I think of this as the thematic opposite of Yuletide, where we often do request specific heart-fandoms and hope for particular elements in the stories arising from them.  Here, I am looking not for the story I’d write, or even the story I’d most like to read – rather, I’m looking for the story a given pair of crossed fandoms makes you write, because that’s most likely to be one I would never have thought of.

Thus, as both a writer and reader, I come to Crossovering for the surprise.  I enjoy being surprised by the stories my muse draws from the match(es) I’m handed, and I very much enjoy being surprised by the stories your muse draws from the one(s) I’ve supplied for you.  This is why I tend to give broad, general prompts rather than specific ones for this exchange, and why I haven’t specified characters in the fandoms I’ve requested.  Having said that: if you would like more specific prompts than what I’ve supplied, please contact the Crossovering mods, and I will cheerfully amplify on any of my individual request-clusters – which won’t spoil any surprises on either end, since only you will know the specific combo on which the original match was made.
 

Likes & Dislikes:

My tastes in fic are wide and eclectic -- I read and enjoy gen, het, and slash (both flavors) at all ratings and have very few outright squicks aside from noncon, incest, and adult-child kink, but I am not typically attracted to stories for erotic content or angst quotient. Rather, I like good characterization, authentic-sounding dialogue, effectively sneaky plotting, and well-developed wit. I am equally intrigued by clever use of canon and thoughtfully developed AUs, and I am disturbingly fond of crossovers [obvious much?] and well-woven meta threads.

As to romance: where crossovers are concerned, I'm hardly ever drawn to write one for pairing-related purposes, and within individual fandoms I normally gravitate to canon-consistent pairings -- but in the crossovers I read, I've been wowed by a startling range of intriguing cross-fannish relationships (up to and including Buffy Summers and a Ninja Turtle. That said, I add the observation that in my book, well-sustained UST (heavy on the T) is often as good as or better than actual sex, in crossovers as well as canonical relationships.

As a rule, I prefer crossovers (incorporating characters from both source fandoms) to fusions (characters from source #1, superimposed on source #2). That said, I’m absolutely not opposed to fusions, especially in some cases; there will be more about that in the request-cluster notes. And it's definitely true that my own writing also reflects the kinds of things I like to read; my AO3 archive is here, and you're welcome to prowl.

 Fandom-Specific Notes

Unless the notes specify otherwise, assume I’ve seen or read all of a given series’ primary screened or published canon, but not any bonus/extra/sequel content (particularly including post-series comics).

Adventures of Brisco County Jr.: See this story for one of my very favorite takes on Brisco’s love life.

Agent Carter: As to pairings for Peggy, my feelings are…complicated.  I’m not fond of Peggy/Sousa, I think both Jarvis and Angie work best with Peggy as friends, and I think Peggy/Wilkes is severely under-explored.  That said, I can see why Peggy/Angie is popular, and the second season does open a door through which Peggy/Ana/Jarvis is conceivable.  And of course there are crossover pairings to consider….Amelia Peabody: I am fully satisfied with the canonical pairings, though canon -- for wholly valid reasons -- doesn't really give enough stage time to David & Lia as a couple.

Austin/Murry-O’Keefe: The one relatively firm canon pairing (aside from Meg/Calvin, which happens mostly offscreen) is Vicki/Adam, which I neither ship nor reject.  If romance comes up here, cross-fandom pairings seem most likely – save perhaps Zachary/Kali Cutter, which I’ve poked at a bit myself.

Batman Beyond: Canon doesn’t persuade me that Terry/Dana is viable in the long term, but does convince me that Terry/Max just isn’t there.  Bruce/Talia, now, if one could write one’s way around That Episode (and you're more than welcome to go there)....

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: I am pretty much ship-neutral here, except that I really wish Xander/Anya had not been stupidly torpedoed by the wedding episode (“Hell’s Bells”), and will happily read AUs where the wedding went off properly.  Likewise, I wouldn't mind seeing an AU in which Riley didn't self-destruct the way he did onscreen.

Captain America (movies): I am in the 1% of fandom that is not into Steve/Bucky or Steve/Tony.  Heresy, I know, but there it is. I like what we get of Steve/Peggy no matter how doomed it is by canonical constraints.  OTOH, just to prove I'm open-minded -- if also really, really weird -- I would read the heck out of a well-written Steve/Loki.  Elsewhere, I liked Natasha/Clint before we met Clint's family, whereas Natasha/Bruce weirded me out.

Castle: The first six seasons – and the non-arc episodes from 7 and 8 – are fun; the Bracken arc, the “Loksat” arc, and the “missing memory” arc all jumped way over the shark (and badly warped both Martha’s and Alexis’ characters in the process).  I am also strongly biased against Pi and later Hayley; likewise, no matter what canon says about it, “Jackson Hunt” isn’t Castle’s real father.  Romantically speaking: canon pairings should be canon-consistent, save as noted above.  Martha and Alexis, though, are wide open for age/experience-consistent pairings with crossover characters – either het or slash – if well-developed.

(ST:) Discovery:  I'm good with all canonical pairings. Where canon cocks its eyebrow in the direction of Michael/Mirror!Lorca, I am officially creeped out (as I think we were supposed to be); likewise, Michael/M!Georgiou is creepy but in a different way (and M!Michael/M!Georgiou would be less creepy but way scarier).

(ST:) Enterprise: I thought Trip/T'Pol was awkward but interesting; as with Captain America, none of the popular slash pairings here really float my boat.  Please don't bash Porthos (and Porthos being helpful/useful would be a delight to see).

Galavant: I believe in Tad Cooper, I really do (and not just because of the potential for fiery breath).  Otherwise, I am mostly canon-oriented for pairings (especially Chef/Gwynne), and completely on board for musical numbers and trips over, around, and through the fourth wall.  [A caution here.  Song lyrics that do not scan properly drive me nuts, especially in the kind of rhyme/rhythm-heavy verse in which Galavant specializes.  A beta with a good ear for meter is your friend - and worth their weight in chocolate!]

Gargoyles: I have not managed to keep up with the post-series comics.  OTOH, I have prowled extensively in the online reference wikis while researching my own fics and so have broad general knowledge of what has come before and since the events of the show as aired.

Honor Harrington – Weber: I’ve read all the Weber solo books and most of the collaborative sub-series, including the YA treecat trilogy and the two books (so far) predating the discovery of the Manticore Junction.  I’m attracted to the broad canvas Weber’s created as well as to the strong characters, although I could wish for more of Honor herself in some of the more recent volumes.  That said, I read the series as much for the Havenite and Graysonian arcs as for Honor’s and Manticore’s (we have not seen nearly enough of Shannon Foraker in particular in the latter part of the series....).

Indiana Jones: I mostly liked Crystal Skull, but I'm OK with overlooking it if your muse prefers.

The Mummy: Within canon I like the pairings we saw (though I admit to also liking certain fics I've seen in which Evy/Rick/Ardath is an OT3).  As with the Indy films, I liked the third movie but don't mind if you overlook it.

Murder She Wrote: Feel free to include or ignore continuity from the long series of print novels (specifically, the novels' introduction of Scotland Yard detective George Sutherland as a romantic interest).  Likewise, any of Jessica's recurring cadre of allies are welcome to reappear, particularly Michael Haggerty, Dennis Stanton, and Emma McGill.

Perry Mason (TV): I am flexible here; feel free to go with either the purely professional Perry-and-Della vibe from the TV series proper, or their "old married couple" chemistry from the later TV movies.  Also, feel free to drop the series wholesale into whatever time period you need to in order to facilitate a crossover (whether back a bit to tie into Agent Carter or forward to connect with Castle).

Remington Steele: I can live without the late-stage arc with Jack Scalia's character, I like Mildred best when she rediscovers some of the brass and swagger she had in her initial appearances, and I have no strong views on Murphy and Miss Fox.  Also, I am unreasonably fond of both Major and Minor Descoine, who strike me as highly likely to serve as excuses for crossovers.

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century: The tech in this show was pretty specific and stylized; OTOH, we didn't see a lot of the world beyond New London (and the moon).  Feel free to massage the hardware -- on both sides -- as needed to facilitate a crossover (or perhaps this is one of those cases where an actual "hi, we're from a parallel universe" incident is called for).

Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Magic is a lovely excuse for time travel and wandering around in other people's universes (especially some of the ones in play here).  Note that crossovers taking place prior to the movie's events might find Balthazar open to a relationship....

Stargate SG-1: I'm conversant with the full series plus the two post-series movies, though my viewing of the last couple of seasons was rather scattershot (loved Vala, didn't care for the Ori at all).  I have no strong pairing 'ships here, save perhaps for Jack/Sam if a situation allows for it.  Bonus points for thoughtful reappearances of notable guest characters (esp. Cassandra, the alien girl adopted by Dr. Fraiser).

Thor (movies): Jane deserves better from Thor than she's gotten onscreen; I blame the screenwriters rather than the characters' chemistry (which is good).  Loki strikes me as the Jack Harkness of the MCU (i.e. willing to bed anything that moves, but relationship-phobic); if you think you can find him a serious relationship, go for it.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E (TV).: Again, I'm the minority-of-one that isn't really here for the Solo/Illya slash - but it's so deeply entrenched in this fandom that I can't really fight it (also, a lot of it is well-written enough to sell the premise). I merely ask that writers be open to other prospects as they may arise in a crossover context....

Tomorrowland: The whole "secret history" theme of this movie just oozes crossover potential.  And for once I really do have a 'ship; Frank and Athena absolutely deserve a happier ending than they got onscreen.  (I've had gift-fics that give them one, but there's always room for more.)

Valdemar series: This is a huge canon; let me narrow it by mentioning some of my favorite characters (though per the rules, you are both free and welcome to run with your own choices if we differ).  I am most partial to Tarma, Kethry and Warrl (Warrl has pretty much never gotten enough stage time), also to Kerowyn at just about any career phase, and to Karal (and his Firecat); Tremane of Hardorn would be another prospect.

Young Wizards: I have and enjoy both the original and New Millennium texts right up through Games Wizards Play, plus most of the "extra" short pieces (I’ll have finished the second “On Ordeal” ebook by the time reveals hit); feel free to use whichever continuity you need to make a crossover/fusion work.

 
Specific Requests

#1: Austin/Murry-O'Keefe, Castle, Murder She Wrote, UNCLE, Young Wizards

Broadly speaking, we might call this the New York cluster; even if all these fandoms aren't full-time New York residents, they all visit regularly.  Some of the prospective connections are fairly obvious, some are pre-built for hijinks (you know Castle would do almost anything for an U.N.C.L.E. servo pen), and some are a little farther off the map (Canon Tallis might not blink too hard at the Crossings -- and Charles Wallace probably passes through regularly -- but if Illya and Napoleon caught Carmela smuggling chocolate off-planet....).

#2: Agent Carter, Amelia Peabody, Indiana Jones, SG-1, Sorcerer's Apprentice

This is more or less the "exotic archaeology" cluster.  It ought not take too much juggling of timelines to put Peggy Carter together with the Emersons or Indy on an artifact hunt slash spy chase, you have to wonder what Indy would have gotten up to if he'd stumbled over the Egyptian stargate back in the day (and if Ramses Emerson had found it, the mind boggles even more!), and of course Balthazar Blake has to have built up stock for the Arcana Cabana from somewhere over the years.  Alternately, the present-day SG-1 team has time-traveled before....

#3: Agent Carter, Castle, Mummy series, Perry Mason, Remington Steele

If you stick to the modern-mystery fandoms, this one's fairly straightforward, even if a little creativity might be called for in matching up timelines (and as regards Perry Mason in particular, I'm in the school that says he's basically insertable into any "present-day" time period one likes).  If you get involved with the "historical" fandoms, of course, things get crrazier.  But of course Steele is all about the (Mummy) movie references, and Castle's done a good bit with the whole noir thing, and who says the SSR or the Carnahans might not stumble across a time travel device?

#4: Brisco County Jr., Buffy, Galavant, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Valdemar

This, of course, is the "cracktastic magic" cluster, in which the motto is "no idea too crazy".  Any of the others crossed with Galavant, of course,  represent an excuse for a musical episode, whereas any of the others crossed with Brisco represent an excuse for an alt-Western.  (Bonus points for Comet and the Valdemaran Companions trying to one-up one another.  Or suppose Whip Morgan had turned out to be a potential Prime Merlinian?)

#5: Honor Harrington, SG-1, ST: Discovery, Thor, Young Wizards

Magic having had its turn, it's time for science fiction to have its day ("Young Wizards" totally counts as SF here, given all the space travel and the relatively scientific basis for magic).  Indeed, adding wizardry to any of the other canons is probably the easiest bridge into a crossover, though far from the only prospect.  Possibly stargates have always been around in the Honorverse or the Star Trek milieu, and just (a) weren't rediscovered,and (b) spun out in a totally different galactic direction from that taken by the Federation or the Diaspora.  Alternately, maybe the Goa'uld and the Ancients both wanted to stay way clear of the "real" Thor's Asgard.  Or might Stamets' spore network actually be an aspect of Asgard's Yggdrasil?  [This is also the cluster perhaps most amenable to a straight-out fusion as opposed to a pure crossover....]

#6: Batman Beyond, ST: Enterprise, SG-1, Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century, Tomorrowland

I will readily admit that this cluster goes to some very strange places.  And yet -- if Adam West's Batman can go to Londinium, why not send Terry McGinnis from New Gotham to New London?  There are strands of "secret history" scattered through both Enterprise and SG-1, and secret history (by way of Plus Ultra) is at the heart of Tomorrowland.  What might 22CEN's Watson have in common -- or not -- with Tomorrowland's Athena?  And to what lengths would 22CEN's Moriarty go to gain control of Tomorrowland should he learn of its existence?

#7: Austin/Murry-O'Keefe, Captain America (movies), Gargoyles, Tomorrowland, UNCLE

Back in New York again, more or less, to finish things out, this time with more gadgets and intrigue.  How might Young Unicorns have played out with Goliath and his clan in the mix?  What would Plus Ultra have been like with Howard Stark involved?  How might David Xanatos have dealt with HYDRA -- or Elisa Maza, with Athena, or Napoleon and Illya, with Demona aka Dominique Destine?  How would U.N.C.L.E. and S.H.I.E.L.D. be connected (and which one would the Black Widow be working for)?  Did Charles Wallace perhaps "disappear" into Tomorrowland -- or what might have happened if Athena had offered that last ring to Polly O'Keefe?

(Now I feel a bit like the Bat-Narrator from back in the day...)

 
In closing: THANK YOU for your patience and creativity.  And again,don't hesitate to ping me through the mods if you need to.  (I'll try to answer more concisely than I have here....)