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i. Look at your last 10** fics.

ii. Make a list of their first lines of dialogue, with any necessary description. No cheating, I mean don't go through your fics looking for the best line of dialogue.

iii. Post them and we'll see if we can guess what the story will be about from the dialogue.

Is it okay if the stories were only posted on halfamoon? Because about half of these were...

**if the dialogue from your last 10 isn't that appealing, you can go back further

( and, without further ado, my last ten lines of dialogue... )

tinkaton

I wanted to stay on top of my book review roundups this year but we see how that's going lmao. Also I might start including a little log of what manga I've read too. But here's what I read in January and February so far!

( Read more... )

dannye_chase

A painting of a young boy with brown hair and tears on his cheeks. Painted by Italian painter Bruno Amadio, using the name Giovanni Bragolin. Low resolution image used for purposes of critical commentary on the specific work in question, under fair use guidelines.

ALT

Hey, y’all, it’s Weird Wednesday! Where on some Wednesdays, I blog about weird stuff and give writing prompts.

Today: The Crying Boy: The UK’s Most Famous Haunted Painting

Welcome on this Weird Wednesday! Today we’re hanging a haunted painting on the wall and hoping it doesn’t burn our house down. Sound fun? Then come on in.

What’s fun about paintings (especially portraits) is that, like mirrors, they can be a little creepy. You’re looking at a representation of a person, which is not a person—but in some sense, it is. You can get the same effect with dolls, or people in masks: a little bit of the uncanny valley phenomenon, where something is almost human but not quite, and that’s kind of spooky.

And where do people typically keep paintings, mirrors, and dolls? In their homes. Homes are supposed to be our safe havens, but in the case of a haunted house, your home is no longer entirely your domain. You don’t even get to say who gets to live there with you. And in the real world, what’s most dangerous to a house is fire. The loss of a home to fire is devastating, partly because all your possessions go up in smoke as well.

So a really great scary story would be something like a popular painting, commonly displayed in homes, which is haunted and causes house fires—and you know it’s haunted because the painting is the only thing that doesn’t burn. Sound delicious? The Sun tabloid in England certainly thought so, and they were right.

In 1985, The Sun ran an article claiming firefighters kept finding a painting of a crying boy as the only remnant of house fires. They spiced up the story over the next few months with tales from readers claiming the painting was cursed.

Check out the blog post for the whole story and some writing prompts, such as:

Firestarter. So if the painting causes fires, someone could potentially use it to, you know, cause fires. You could write a character with a grudge against a neighbor or local business, who gives the painting as a gift, hoping for the worst. Or a firebug who uses the painting as his MO, tossing it into a building and enjoying the aftermath. He could have a nemesis in a local firefighter who has to enlist a medium to figure out the fires are being started by a little boy who doesn’t exist.

DannyeChase.com ~ AO3 ~ Linktree ~ The Vampire Haven erotic romance series ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Resources for Writers

Image credit

senmut

kalloway - the Valentine card that is post-marked Feb 9 showed up today for Mario Day.

Thank you, and the heart is adorable.

dannye_chase

ALT

Book review!

Pretty by L. Waltree (M/M contemporary romance)

“I can’t help thinking how pretty he is. Like a doll.”

Content warning: this book contains abuse and off-page SA.

Javi and Declan are seniors in high school, and fall for each other in the usual way of teenagers: romantic, horny, heart-stopping. When they break up, it’s equally dramatic. But deep down, there is still love that shines through even the worst of age-typical poor decision making.

Javi and Declan run a delicious route of annoyance to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers to friends again. It’s a beautiful, emotional journey toward a healthy relationship. It was easy to get caught up in their story, waiting for their much-deserved happy ending.

Check out Pretty for high angst, hurt/comfort, drama, pain, jealousy, possessiveness, obsession, first love, and tons of hot sex. It’s the engrossing story of two young men who are determined to build something real out of their own broken pieces.

This is book 2 of a duology, but I had no trouble understanding it without reading the first book.

See all my book reviews

DannyeChase.com ~ AO3 ~ Linktree ~ The Vampire Haven erotic romance series ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Resources for Writers

senmut

AO3 Link | Divining Destiny (11814 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 5/5
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Characters: Vierna Do'Urden, Zaknafein Do'Urden, Drizzt Do'Urden, Ensemble
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon Typical Violence, Fratricide, Murder, flashfic, Cross-Posted from Archive Of Our Own (AO3), Time Travel
Summary:

Thwarted in escaping with the two males she cares for at Graduation, Vierna sets her goals differently.

Only, Drizzt sets things in motion the wrong way.

Chapter 4: Drizzt's Chosen Path

Eilistraee rested in the meadow, laying on Her back, listening to the night and Her sparring partner as he got his own breathing back under control. She almost wished to keep him here, to have his company where it was safer for Her to exist, but he was mortal, and deserved a chance to truly live free.

"Father manipulated time in setting you back to save the Lore Keeper," She admitted, once She was cooler and he seemed calm.

"I decided that had to have happened given His surety in the circumstances. I know it is one avenue of magic, considered among the riskiest."

"It's only a few decades, but time has to resettle… and I mean to offer you a chance to be part of that resettling, Drizzt." Eilistraee let Her fingertips touch his. "Like it or not, when She touched your life string at birth, with My Brother touching your sister's so young, it has put you closer to Destiny than many mortals can bear.

"Would you like to use that to protect other drow like you, to be there for My Chosen as a protector?"

Drizzt considered, letting the night sounds take over around them, and then turned his head to look at Her. "I would be with ones like me, to keep learning, and helping them survive in a world that fears and hates us?

"I can do this, as it will let me continue forming as who I wish to be in something closer to safety rather than wandering with only Guen."

"And possibly Szann from time to time," She said, eyes dancing with the mirth of how besotted the cath sidhe was with Her young friend. He did not pray to her; he prayed to none, so far. But She continued to hope that in time he would be willing to ask boons of Her, to further his ability to help others.

"I think I can handle having visits from a fey cat," he agreed to that, smiling brightly. "Yes, Eilistraee. Choose the point for me, and let me go be of aid to others. I have seen enough here to believe that You do truly mean nothing but aid to those like me."

Despite that most of Her fellow deities would be stung by the continued doubting and measuring against a mortal's — a child at best! — ideas of right and wrong, Eilistraee was touched by being allowed that much belief from him.

"I have those calling to Me," She said as She reluctantly stood. "But I will see to it soon, Drizzt. Enjoy the night."

"I shall."

The small group of drow that traveled at present with Qilué Veladorn were some of her most adept, fiercest priestesses and fighters. An impression of being watched ghosted over their senses for several nights, but in a world that would rather see them dead, that was not so unusual.

What was, just after the sun had cleared the horizon and they were considering rest, was the appearance of a lone drow male.

Inside their sentry line.

That he was not close enough to harm a single person was the only saving grace in their eyes, as a full alert went through all of them.

"Peace," the lone male said, using the variant of that word they had made for themselves in their language that knew it not at all. "I seek the First Sister, to offer my arms and service for a time."

"What makes you think you have the right?"

"I claim no right," he said back to the one who had spoken, one of the priestesses. "But I have skills I am willing to offer… and showed by evading your sentries. I have a willingness to learn more, as I have only learned the elven language, and I am told there is one called 'Common' I should know.

"Most of all, I wish to learn the surface as it calls to me in my heart, as the Dark Maiden calls to you."

"Is he touched by madness?" one of the fighters asked then, before the First Sister rose from her pallet, towering over all of those with her, and came forward.

"No. He is touched by our Lady Herself… and another?" As she spoke, she approached the male with no fear.

He inclined his head slightly to her. "A deal was made to remove me from the Underdark, between She and Her Twin. In divining why neither of Them could truly perceive me, She invited Her Father to look into matters.

"So I no doubt bear at least some of His touch, given my armor, pack, and weapons were gifts from Him to perform a task with."

"Truth," the first cleric said, both grudgingly and with some trepidation. Even though the First Sister regularly dealt with Eilistraee, and some human goddess, none of them knew of one who had been touched by an elven god not their Lady.

"So I know," the First Sister said, smiling as she came close enough to offer her hands in greeting. "You have given my Lady joy; welcome, cousin."

"Drizzt Do'Urden." He gave her his hands, squeezing hers without fear.

"Qilué Veladorn. I look forward to seeing your dance, and my hunters will aid you in learning the surface as it is here in the Material Plane."

"I am glad to be able to give aid for a good cause," he assured her, before walking with her into the camp to meet those present in this band.

Elkantar cheered young Rylla on from where he was sprawled on the ground. The half-human was possibly the only one of the fighters that would, someday, match their new fighter in any way. He rolled to his butt, keeping eyes on this grand melee… and the one that had become the center of it all.

Drizzt Do'Urden was an enigma. He'd spent an unknown amount of time in the Dark Maiden's realm, personally handled a quest for Corellon, been shrouded by Lolth Herself at his birth, and been raised by a priestess of Vhaeraun.

None of those deities held the fighter's heart, and Elkantar had been surprised to learn his escape from the Underdark had come before he even turned thirty-one years of age, making his skill simply impossible. That he embraced these free-for-all skill contests, or the one-on-one spars with a true smile of joy never stopped pulling Elkantar's heart strings.

Every other fighter in their band had already lost their weapons or been tripped out of the designated area. Elkantar slowly recognized that Drizzt had worked to insure Rylla was the last fighter, handling the few fighters — like Elkantar himself — that had the experience and skill needed to put her out of it.

"Too much anger," he heard Drizzt say, when the double scimitars trapped the short sword, pulling it out of Rylla's grasp. She refocused her stance a moment, then took the step back, and saluted with her dagger across her chest to surrender.

"How can I not be angry?" she retorted.

"By remembering that holding your anger at the people behind you? Still gives them power."

Those calm, quiet words held empathy and knowing alike… and were just what Rylla needed to hear, to help move one more step forward on her own path of healing.

"Make me better," Rylla said, half a demand, half a plea.

"I will give you every bit of training my father gave me… though maybe with fewer unexpected naps."

Corellon considered the actions of His Daughter, and ultimately decided He was amused. He had, after all, opened the door with His own manipulation. Giving the Chosen a man who had the technique, if not the experience, to increase her people's ability to carve out a space for themselves even earlier could only be a good foil against the drow of both Lolth and Vhaeraun.

He tried to see ahead, to make out the possibilities more clearly… and found the mists of time past the point when Drizzt had originally been taken from the Underdark still opaque.

"At least none of Us should be bored for a time," He mused, going back to listen to His own followers for a time. His Lore Keeper was being a force of nature in his own way, keeping new ideas fresh alongside the ancient ways. It might prove interesting, when the drow struck out on his own, to see about a meeting for them…

Chapter 5: Family Reunion

Dinin had proven to have a good hand for how to keep their outpost incognito, on top of the politics of the moment, and out of strife with either Vhaeraunite faction. It helped that both of those groups wanted to end each other's influence, but were constrained by some strange religious tenet from just killing one another.

At least openly, as Dinin learned when a priest was murdered in the night market, supposedly by ruffians.

What he did not appreciate was having to be schooled by Jarlaxle's people on a third drow vector, a bunch of idiots that thought peace and living in harmony was the better way of life. He decided they could be ignored as they only came once a quarter to trade —

— until he heard that a band of six drow from the mercantile company faction had been sent running with minor injuries… and none of their weapons.

"I thought they weren't a threat," Dinin muttered.

Karolz shook his head, a much older fighter, one that had been recruited in this city long before. He hated leading, didn't have a head for it, but had accepted Dinin in that role.

"Those Dancers usually avoid a fight. But once every hand of years or so, some braggart decides to test either their Sword Mistress, or Purple Eyes. And this time, it's Purple Eyes with the caravan."

Purple Eyes. Dinin made a gesture against ill-luck, still remembering the one time he'd seen his younger brother in a true temper. He had no idea what had happened to Drizzt, only that whatever it had been had not broken the peace between Zaknafein and Vierna. Dinin knew that meant Drizzt had not been killed; he wasn't as stupid as some people thought he was, and Zak had been odd about the boy.

"Make sure none of ours pick a fight, or cross paths with the mercantiles, hmm? They're going to be more apt to rise to the bait for this."

That got a chuckle and nod… before Karolz watched Dinin secure his cloak over his armor and head out to see for himself.

Dinin found the Dancers easily enough, and decided they looked very tame. He didn't see anyone that really looked like they could give him trouble in a fight, but he also didn't see anyone with purple eyes. Maybe Karolz was wrong and one of the women wearing a sword was this so-called Sword Mistress.

He decided it had been a waste of time to come down and see, turned down a different path to begin his way back —

— and then he did see purple, a moment before he saw all of his brother. The small signs of maturity were settled in around the eyes and ears, while Drizzt stood straight with those curved swords of his still in their scabbards. Fine mithral chain glinted under the over tunic, and a metal face-guard held the mane of hair back, in the same fashion Zaknafein wore his.

"Hello, brother," Drizzt said, actually quirking a half-smile on his lips. "I never expected to see you this far from the city."

"Umm, you… Abyss, I never thought to see you again at all!" Dinin said. "I don't want a fight; I came to see if the rumor of Purple Eyes had anything to do with you, yes, but… I really am just evaluating the threats to my own situation."

Drizzt laughed. "You must be the new one watching Bregan D'Aerthe, then. I'd heard there were several new people since my last visit here." He must have read the confusion in Dinin's face, because he shrugged. "I got caught up in time magic. I've lived in the area above for a few decades now.

"Will you tell me of our sister, and the Weapon Master?"

Dinin nodded. "Trust me enough to come back to the warehouse we keep? Or should we take a meal at the Dimmed Lantern?"

"I won't go so far as to say trust," Drizzt said slyly, "but I prefer to be out of the public eye to discuss this, and I am well known at the Dimmed Lantern."

"Does everyone call you Purple Eyes?"

"Mostly," Drizzt agreed. He fell in step with Dinin, and Dinin noted his brother already knew the path. What had his experiences been that Drizzt actually seemed cognizant of power structures? Did he really want to know?

Ultimately, Dinin decided he did not.

Drizzt relaxed in the deep tub across from the one Laeral Silverhand was in. As the Silverhand that most paid attention to the treacheries in Skullport, Drizzt had come to her to talk about what he had learned this time. Their friendship went back almost to the beginning of his time above with Qilué, as the sisters were very close.

"So my elder brother manages the in-theory Lolthite faction over there. Honestly, the mercenary company he belongs to worships chaos, money, and power, I believe, from what I have seen of them in the past. Through him, I know that our House in Menzoberranzan fell within the last few years.

"But, through his own sources, he knows that my father and sister have established themselves in a a place called Rilauven."

"As best I can remember, that is a minor city somewhere under the Neverwinter," Laeral offered, lounging as nonchalantly as her friend. Dual tubs were almost as good as a large bathing pool.

"I planned to see what the Marauders could tell me of it," Drizzt said, his voice having that note of seeking adventure.

"Planning to go see for yourself? I remind you that your nature is antithetical in all ways to what you would find."

Drizzt chuckled. "I can charm a lizard or a bat to carry a note inside, if I choose to go that way. And your amulet very nicely masks me, when I choose to wear it."

Laeral looked over. "You miss your father, even your sister, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then I will just say, 'be careful', and I will definitely reach out and knock on your skull in half a year, to be sure you are breathing. If not, the Marauders will be hired to find your body so Qi can bring you back to us."

He shook his head at her, but he had no intention of dying. He just needed to know if his sister was as aware as he was, of the threads of destiny they had unknowingly wrapped themselves in.

Vierna was not unaccustomed to bats bringing her messages. What she was unaccustomed to, was not feeling the touch of her Lord's spellwork on them, instead brushing something unknown when she tried to determine who the sender had been. She also did not see any message to take from it. When she focused fully on it, the bat fluttered just out of reach and roosted.

"If you or father would come, I am awaiting outside the gate your people use to go Above for trade."

The bat, having spoken with her brother's voice, did a small shake of itself and fluttered back out of Vierna's very surprised presence.

Needing to have time to wrap her head around that, the ability to blank her emotions, she sent her messenger spider to her father. The pirate spiders she had brought with her were thriving, especially as they killed any other spiders that dared cross the wards, protecting them from Lolthite spies.

Several minutes later, Zak strode in, an eyebrow raised. "Sometimes I worry your spiders fetching me could be omens, daughter."

She laughed, a little bit more brittle than she meant to. "Something odd, but not… bad? Maybe?

"A bat came and delivered a spoken message in Drizzt's voice, saying he was outside the trade gate to the Surface, asking if one of us would come meet with him. The magic on the bat was unlike any I have felt, and the accent was correct."

Zak frowned, then considered a long moment. "Are you still unable — yes, you are. Of course you already tried to reach him that way." He hitched a shoulder. "I suppose I am taking a walk. Put the undead into defensive positions, just in case."

"Of course, Father. If it is… and he will come… please bring him in. I can explain it as an intelligence seeking."

That got a laugh, but Zak nodded. "If that boy knows anything of use, I will be shocked."

Zak moved out of the gate uncontested, as he was known to sometimes forage for his daughter's wild needs. In the years since arriving here, they had made a solid reputation as fair but powerful. The only true trouble they'd had was from Lolthites seeking to undo the Masked Traitor's prominence, but Vierna remained high in the favor of her Lord.

Once he cleared the perimeter of the city's awareness, he knew he was not alone, and had to look sharply… before his son melted out of a shadow.

"Hello, Father," Drizzt called, breaking into a genuine smile. Even as jaded as Zak was, everything matched… except the age. This man was too mature to his eyes, and he remained poised, ready to engage the trap so his daughter stayed safe.

"Hmm, not so certain of that."

Drizzt threw his head back and laughed, before spreading his hands wide from his body. "Blame your daughter, then, as she put me in the hands of a goddess and set me on a strange path that had time magic in it."

Zak let an eyebrow rise at those words.

"Would a fetch know you nearly killed me rather than let me go become a drow in all truth? Or that you broke my jaw to keep me from exposing both of us to the Matron? Or that I almost caused your death the very night Vierna became Matron?"

"It might… but I think I might believe you." Zak beckoned. "Your sister wishes to see you as well, peacefully. The city is not a closed one, and if you're still so strange, she'll shove it off as getting what you know of other places."

"Oh, I am strange, even to those that agree with my views on life," Drizzt said, still smiling so openly, and Zak reached out as he came close, gripping his shoulders.

"I am glad you stayed strange, and alive!"

Drizzt leaned in, resting his forehead on his father's. "Vierna saved me by doing as she did, and now I wish to repay that, with a warning and words of my life."

"Then let us go into the city, my son, and hear what you have to say."

Vierna hugged her little brother fiercely, taking in all the changes as Zak had done. He was dressed sensibly in a piwafwi of fair construction, had adamantine blades in plain scabbards, and everything had the right feel of the Underdark.

"You cannot possibly have been in the Underdark since I set you in safety!" she pointed out.

"No, but we keep such things for movement below the faerzress," Drizzt said. "As I do aid sometimes, I had everything I needed in one of our caches.

"When Dinin told me where you two had gone, I retrieved them for my journey. One that is formerly of House Vaer here aided me in swift travel," he added.

"Dinin's in Skullport, last I knew," Zak said.

"He is, and thriving," Drizzt agreed. "We have an understanding, as I have no wish to be involved heavily in drow things."

"You mentioned a warning," Zak prodded, once they were all comfortable.

Drizzt sobered up and looked at Vierna. "Do you have any idea how tangled in divine events we now are, sister? The choice you made, to save me, prodded the Twins toward aid for one another, when He was attacked. I have been given quests by Her and by others of the pantheon in my time-tossed decades."

She slowly frowned, but his words rang true against some of the dreams that had come since she settled here.

"I can see the shape of that now that you say it," she admitted. "Your thoughts?"

"Something lies ahead. Neither of my patron deities know what, but more and more, I am drawn to larger threats, sharpening all of my skills and the magic I touch as a kind of divine-touched fighter."

Vierna had to rake her eyes over him at that claim, but… she did not know all things of the surface yet.

"Both of my children using divine magic now. There's a strangeness," Zak said in a slow drawl.

That made them all laugh.

"I suppose, little brother, I am going to ask you to stay long enough to get sending stones for you and father to carry, and work out a timing for us to keep in touch," Vierna said. "So we can at least warn one another of things that come to pass."

"I am already looking forward to the spars," Drizzt said, agreeing easily. "Just tell me how to not make trouble here, and I will be a good guest.

"I've kept an open mind toward your god, even if I question some of His idiot followers' ways."

"Well, some of them are idiots, but I think that is true of all religions," Vierna agreed, pleased.

Vhaeraun smiled in His own realm. Allies, when the coming storm arrived, were not to be dismissed out of hand. And, if the siblings forged a bond across alignment, then perhaps…

… well, He knew He was still deeply fond of His own Twin. Perhaps in time, He might yet convince Her to see His way of thinking.

He would keep His defenses up, and all of His craft tuned to the danger ahead for all of the gods.

dannye_chase

Ghost on the Road: The Vanishing Hitchhiker

The Vanishing Hitchhiker is one of the most famous urban legends out there. The story goes like this: a driver of a car (or in older versions, a horse-drawn vehicle) stops to pick up a hitchhiker on a lonely road. The hitchhiker asks to be driven to a particular destination, but once they arrive, the driver finds the hitchhiker has somehow disappeared, even though the car never stopped moving.

The story ends with the driver realizing they picked up a ghost. There are a couple of ways to do this: if the destination was a house, the driver can question its occupants and find the hitchhiker has been dead for years, either because the driver recognizes their photo, or because it’s not the first time the hitchhiker has tried to get home, and the family is used to it. The ghost may have left an item in the car (book, scarf, lighter, or even bicycle) that the family recognizes, or they might have borrowed a jacket or other item from the driver, who later finds their item resting on the hitchhiker’s gravestone.

Vanishing hitchhikers are often the ghosts of people who were killed on the road where they were picked up, and they may ask to be taken to the destination they were trying to reach when they died. They may have even been hitchhiking there originally. A favorite variation of mine is when the hitchhiker requests to be driven to an airport, and it turns out they’re from a plane that crashed before landing, and they just want to finally make it to the runway. (Sometimes this hitchhiker even smells like jet fuel.)

Check out my blog post for the whole story and writing prompts, such as:

We meet again. Say the family of a woman killed in a road accident is used to drivers coming confused to their doors, holding the dead woman’s scarf. It’s such a regular occurrence that the family starts to wonder if they themselves might be able to pick up their lost loved one on the road. Would the phantom hitchhiker appear to her own family? What would they think on seeing her—especially if she looks injured or doesn’t seem to recognize them? Most importantly, would they finally be able to complete the journey, and bring the spirit of their loved one home? (And if they do make it work, do they come to wish they hadn’t?)

DannyeChase.com ~ AO3 ~ Linktree ~ The Vampire Haven erotic romance series ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Resources for Writers

suzume

Current Mood: indifferent
Current Music: "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" - Steely Dan

She is my patron saint~! I know I've said so before, but I'm saying it again now!

Read about her here! (on wikipedia) or her body after death or a more Catholic-like website!

The little Catherine of Bologna I have on a small wooden block. :D

graycardinal

Greetings!

I'm trying something new this year: my general likes and DNWs for challenges and exchanges are in a master letter post here. What follows are prompts and notes on my specific requests for this exchange.

Crossover Fandom
Alexis Castle & Cassie Fraiser; Alexis Castle & Cassie Lang; Alexis Castle & Dairine Callahan; Cassie Fraiser & Cassie Lang, Kim Possible & Kamala Khan (Castle, Kim Possible, MCU, SG-1, Young Wizards)

All these fall under the general umbrella of "girls' night out" prompts - plain and simply, I'm intrigued by the potential mischief, adventures, or straight-up bonding that might happen if any of these duos were thrown together. Feel free to massage timelines to allow for these characters to be of similar age as they correspond or collaborate.

In particular, where Alexis is concerned, feel free to overlook the late-series efforts to turn her into a career PI; that seems to me inconsistent with the Alexis we've seen in high school and college, who's evidenced notable musical gifts and inherited her dad's literary skills, and I like the earlier Alexis much better. (That said, I'd also be fascinated to see Alexis as either a wizard-in-training or a player in the MCU....)

Kate Beckett & Elisa Maza (Castle, Gargoyles)

This one strikes me as an utterly natural match - two seasoned NYC police detectives, each with a highly unconventional sidekick. (While the primary documents should feature these two, I will totally not turn down input from Castle, Xanatos, Owen, or any other of the appropriate players - or their keepers' commentary on what happens when they get into each other's hair.)

Richard Castle & Jessica Fletcher (Castle, Murder She Wrote)

Fanon has long suggested that Jessica is Castle's aunt (even if the blood tie, as I once had Jessica remark, is a trifle complicated). That just about has to set up a long and entertaining correspondence...or perhaps we can get a look at what they have to say about each others' novels in the privacy of their own personal journals. [insert mischievous chuckle here]

Castle
Martha & Alexis; Beckett & Alexis; Beckett & Gates

One may correctly deduce from these and the crossover prompts above that I'm a particular fan of the Alexis Castle character - it's rare in my experience of prime time TV to find a teen character who's as intelligent, sensible, and relatively well-adjusted as she was. I also quite liked Martha, who also avoided falling into caricature; she came across as both realistically theatrical and theatrically realistic. And while I strongly disliked the plot twists that led to the 12th Precinct's change of leadership, Kate Beckett and Captain Gates were also generally well-written and ably portrayed.

For all three of these prompts, I'm hoping for more about the characters' offscreen lives - Martha's acting career, Alexis' academic and social interests, Beckett and Gates learning from one another off the clock. The less said about Pi, Hayley, and any or all of the absurd season-arc plots, the better; what made Castle a brilliant series was the character chemistry. Feel free to speculate on Alexis' eventual for-real career choice (I refuse to believe that the whole Castle-as-private-eye thing was more than a temporary aberration), to give Martha a late-stage career boost with a really good gig, or to lay some groundwork for the evolution to "Senator Beckett" down the line.

DCU
Clark Kent & Bruce Wayne

A note here: I am a modern Bat-fan chiefly by way of the Timmverse animated canon and a Superman fan chiefly via film/TV (notably Smallville, Lois & Clark, the Reeve movies, and the new Corenswet film), and am only just now wading back into the shallow end of DC's print universe(s) after a decades-long hiatus. Thus, my Batman is very much NOT the grimdark and not-always-quite-sane version we got from Frank Miller and his four-color successors (indeed, I grew up on Adam West reruns).

So my preference here, not least because the tag set specifically pegs them as Clark and Bruce, is for just that - a dialogue in which these two are both professionals with double lives, committed to being the best they can be at their jobs both in and out of Spandex, yet occasionally challenged by problems only another superhero can appreciate - most likely on both sides of the cape at once. (Alternately, a peek into both their private journals might be similarly entertaining in terms of things they don't say out loud to one another.)

Kim Possible
Kim & Dr. Betty Director; Kim & Yori; Ron & Yori; Ron/Yori; Shego & Ann Possible

Kim Possible was the show that propelled me into fanfic in a serious way, both as reader and writer, and I remain a fan of the series to this day. As to these particular prompts: I'm interested in how the working relationship developed between Kim & the other "Dr. D", and I've always thought Yori could have become a much more interesting character if she'd been further developed. As to Shego and MrsDrP...that's another duo I wish the show had developed further. (I wrote a couple of stories, very early on, which maneuvered them into being betas for each other's M-to-E-rated slashfic. I would not object at all to seeing that premise taken further than I got with it - but that's totally optional; I mention it purely to illustrate the potential for both comedy and a deeply weird but fascinating relationship dynamic.)

MCU
Clint Barton & Kate Bishop Kamala Khan & Cassie Lang; Kamala Khan & Kate Bishop
Maria Hill & Kamala Khan; Maria Hill & Kate Bishop; Pepper Potts & Kamala Khan

Pretty much all of these prompts involve various of the prospective "Young Avengers" lineup; what I'm chiefly hoping for here is the process by which all these folks get to know one another - whereas the first few MCU movies put the original team together in response to a specific crisis, Kate's and Kamala's generation is building itself in a space between crises so as to be ready for the next one, and that's going to make team-building look seriously and/or humorously) different. Also, this set of characters is - let's say "geographically diverse" (a good reason to conduct major parts of conversations via "mail" for narrative purposes). And although Pepper is the odd woman out in this cluster, she's also - in the wake of having lost Tony by this time - both someone whom Kamala might look as a means of connecting with the "old guard" and who is now in a real way a bridging figure between the old team and the new.

Continuity note: I am up to date with respect to the MCU feature films, but way behind on the various Disney+ series; in particular, I have so far skipped Secret Invasion but am aware of what happened it. For our purposes, let's rule that the Maria Hill in SI was a Life Model Decoy or similar, and that the real Maria is in fact still alive and active in the relatively current MCU.

Nancy Drew (Keene)
Carson & Eloise; Carson & Nancy; Eloise & Nancy

This set of requests arises out of pure curiosity. The thing is, while Aunt Eloise becomes a fairly regular guest character over the course of the yellow-spine books, I don't recall ever being given even the most minimal description of the elder Drews' family life or background beyond their status as siblings. (I am not sure at this late date if Carson and Eloise ever even turned up in person at the same place at the same time.) And though Nancy and her father are portrayed as having a close relationship, they seem to spend very little time together, at least onstage - he's almost never along, for instance, whenever Nancy is traveling.

So: let's fix this - maybe by way of correspondence between Nancy and her aunt about family history, maybe through diaries wherein unspoken feelings are expressed, maybe by father and aunt reminiscing via post (or sharing reactions to various of Nancy's adventures). I did a bit of speculating about some of this in one of my own fics; feel free to riff on that material - or not - as you find useful.

Stargate SG-1
Cassie Fraiser & Samantha Carter; Cassie Fraiser & Vala; Samantha Carter & Vala

I was charmed in the best sense by Cassie in the character's first appearance, and I'd very much like to see how one or both of Sam and Vala would have connected with her (mentor & student, mischievous co-conspirators, girl geniuses doing !Science!, ???). And we didn't get nearly enough onscreen development of Sam's and Vala's working relationship. (Cassie is featured in two prior stories of mine, for Unsent Letters and Crossworks respectively; feel free either to incorporate elements of that material or to go somewhere else entirely.)

Tomorrowland (2015)
Athena & Casey; Athena & Frank; Casey & Frank

I'm particularly fond of this movie - to my mind, it has the best qualities of the old-school Disney live-action features from the '70s and '80s, is remarkably inventive on its own nickel, and features first-rate performances from all three of its leads. It's those performances and those characters that I'd like to see explored in this request, along with your ideas about what happened next (a subject on which the film leaves a lot of room for speculation). Note that while all these prompts are two-sided, I'm not at all opposed to seeing material from all three characters in your story - and that this set of prompts is "&" rather than "/". (I have seen some excellent romantic fics in this fandom, but for present purposes I'd prefer to keep things more focused on other aspects of these characters' relationships.)

qweermonkey

dear sufficiently advanced creator,

i can't wait to see what you make for me, and i thank you in advance (ha)! treats of any medium are very welcome :3

i expand on my likes and DNWs in my master letter, which also contains details on all fandoms that i've requested from other exchanges — that's there if you're curious, but only the beginning section is important if not! below the cut are prompts for my requests for this exchange! i've also listed some headcanons for each character — these are ideas i like but don't except you to adhere to!

( )

senmut

AO3 Link | Chairwoman's Invite (300 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Justice League of America
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dinah Lance, Diana of Themyscira
Additional Tags: +Modern Age (1986-Present), Post-Crisis, [Justice League of America Vol. 2 - 2006]
Summary:

Diana is amazed and worried by the way their Chairwoman handles herself.

Oh look, I accidentally wrote something for International Woman's Day.

Chairwoman's Invite

Diana came into the locker room behind their Chairwoman, glad none of the other women had stayed to change and clean up here. She frowned as she saw the living bruising revealed as the smaller woman peeled out of her costume. In her mind's eye, she saw again as Black Canary dove to cover a child that had been too close to destruction and flinched in memory at how much force her teammate had taken.

And then gotten back up to finish the fight with a Canary Cry that sent the villain reeling back through the portal that had brought him.

"No super strength. No special endurance or nigh-invulnerability. Do you know how worried you make me, even as you take my breath away with your utter willingness to protect others?" she asked.

Dinah chuckled, shaking her head. "It's too much in my blood not to. And I do have many martial arts under my belt, so to speak. Not as good as Richard Dragon or Shiva, but I can protect myself a little from the damage.

"However, I already have plans on a hot bubble bath and wine to help soak this one away."

Dinah met Diana's eyes, having caught that little shift and parting of Wonder Woman's lips on the images that brought to mind.

"My new tub is big enough for two," she invited, as bold in this as she was in her fighting style.

"As it will let me add a massage to soothe the blood rising," and Diana smiled wickedly on her choice of words, "I think I will take you up on that offer."

"Get changed, Princess; you turn too many heads in that for where my place is." Dinah answered the smile with her own, before she — and Diana — got street clothes on.

senmut

10trueloves - 5/10 posted / 6/10 written

~ ~~4th chapter of Divining Destiny written, 5th planned~~ - POSTED

~ May not write the Retrieval Sequel or another chapter for Closing Up Shop, but they're still in my documents.

~ Likewise for the RexSoka time travel that steps into the RotS plot about the time of the Opera. - officially file 13'd

~ No True Pairs

~ Unsent Letters

~ FTH 2026, 2 fics minimum

graycardinal

In an effort to save some time in drafting individual signups, I'm trying something new this year; starting with this year's unsent_letters exchange, assigned writers (and interested treat-writers) will get two posts as opposed to one. This master post will cover my general interests & likes, and there will be an individual signup post with specifics regarding prompts and DNWs for each particular exchange. The AO3 signup will link to the exchange-specific post, and each exchange-specific post will include a link to this one.

Treats are always welcome and encouraged.

Why I'm Here

In 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 also tend to offer fandoms that will stretch my internal idea generator and my storytelling muscles. Much of the fun for me is in the range of what I might be asked to do. I enjoy both plot-driven and character-driven requests, and the unique challenges facing me in any given year.

As a requester, I come bearing flexibility - notwithstanding the specific match AO3’s Sorting Hat may generate, I want you to have choices too. With rare exceptions, 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 exchanges 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. Having said that: if you'd like more specific prompts than what I’ve supplied, please contact the mods, and I will cheerfully amplify on any of my individual requests.

What I Like
In general, the story I want most out of a given exchange is usually the one you want to tell me rather than the one that’s living in my own head (that one, if I want it badly enough, I can always write myself).

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 canon-divergence AUs. 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'm equally at home with casefic and character pieces, and equally fond of old-school cozy fare and darker themes. A specific note on horror: I prefer supernatural threats to serial killers, creeping dread to extravagant splatter, and endings that involve surviving tragedy rather than leaving evil in charge.

A Word About Crossovers

As my output and my AO3 gift list will confirm, I am also an unrepentant crossover junkie. I am equally fond of pure old-school crossovers and nuanced fusions, and equally delighted by cracktastic treatments and stories played completely straight. Likewise, I revel in "Easter eggs" - details dropped into the corners of stories that draw connections between the primary narrative and an entirely different canon. Thus, one explicit note here:

*Whether a challenge/exchange request says so or not, I'm open to receiving crossover/fusion works incorporating any fandom where I've either (1) posted at least one work featuring that fandom, (2) received at least one gift work (whether as a gift or treat) featuring that fandom, and/or (3) requested that fandom at least once as part of a challenge or exchange. (Your story should also fulfill all requirements for the challenge or exchange for which it's been assigned.)*

Do 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 a considerable variety of fandoms. My past letters for various exchanges are tagged "dear santa" herein.

DNWs

Alt-setting AUs.
I fall for worlds; transplanting characters out of those worlds just isn't my jam. So please avoid alt-setting AUs (i.e. coffeeshop, high school, department store, etc.) unless an exchange request indicates otherwise.

This does NOT mean you can’t extend on canon, fill in blanks, et cetera. Likewise, this is very much NOT meant to exclude crossovers/fusions, even when not formally built into a request.

Smut/PWP for its own sake, unless specifically requested.
As with alt-setting AUs, this simply isn't my jam. This is emphatically not meant to forbid frank treatment of sexual matters that's integral to the story you're telling, especially in those cases where I may have brought up romantic or sex-related prompts on my own nickel. In general, if your muse takes you into explicit territory in the context of a prompt I've given, or if there's context for it in source canon, I am willing to come along for the ride.

Specific sex-related squicks..
Non-con, incest, or adult/child kinks; A/B/O settings; power-imbalanced sex/romantic partnerships (teacher/student, boss/underling, etc.).

Romantic partnerships explicitly inconsistent with canon.
Please don't break up an established canon pairing, or invalidate a character's established preferences/identity, unless I've specifically requested a non-canon relationship. To amplify: where a character explicitly states a sexual preference/identity in canon, honor the statement. OTOH, if no preference/identity is specified onstage, please do feel free to establish - or widen - one for a given character. Also feel free to create or expand relationships for unpaired characters, including cross-canonical pairings where the potential arises.

vass

Anyone know why Private Mode might be failing to clear cookies when I close the browser?

(Saving this draft then closing the app to see whether I can reproduce it on Dreamwidth. Yup.)

That's the bug.

senmut

AO3 Link | Divining Destiny: Flight for Freedom (1050 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 3/3
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Characters: Vierna Do'Urden, Zaknafein Do'Urden, Drizzt Do'Urden, Ensemble
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon Typical Violence, Fratricide, Murder, flashfic, Cross-Posted from Archive Of Our Own (AO3), Time Travel
Summary:

Vierna is Betrayed

Divining Destiny: Flight for Freedom

Vierna came alert from the dream with a chill on her spine. Things had been going so well ever since she had managed to give Drizzt a chance to live elsewhere.

Her Lord was the only reason she dreamed at all, which meant the dream was a portent that she had to divine the meaning of quickly. With a flicker of her will, she sent her current messenger spider, one of the line from her father's gift to her so long ago, to fetch him to her. While she did that, she cleared her mind to take up the spells of hiding that she had lived under, ever since the Masked God chose her as His priestess.

Zaknafein was waiting when she came up from the prayers, sitting calmly opposite her — and a barrier to anything else that would have dared enter the Matron's chambers.

"Something has shifted, and we are now in danger," Vierna signed to him. "Invite your lover to take those of our people he wishes. You and I, any you trust explicitly, will use the gathering paths to leave this city."

"You are certain?"

Vierna's mouth set in a grim line for a long moment. "Only that the hiding spell is known to me from childhood allowed me to take it, I think. She is seeking His influence in the city now."

"Be at the portal by the time for evening meal; I will have all things in motion," Zak told her firmly.

For better or worse, House Do'Urden in Menzoberranzan would be abandoned to the Spider Queen, but personal survival was prized above all else, for most drow, and Vierna was typical in that regard.

Dinin sat in the safe house of Bregan D'Aerthe with his head in his hands, still mulling over everything. He was grateful to the Weapon Master for making this opportunity appear, but he was at a loss for what would be expected now that he was without a House.

Jarlaxle, leader of the mercenary company, sat beside him, uncovered eye surveying those few men he had chosen to bring into the band. He wasn't very pleased; Vierna Do'Urden had been opening avenues to the cunning man for years now.

"It is done."

"She — they did make it out, yes?" Dinin asked, looking over.

"That actually matters to you," Jarlaxle said, and he looked pleased with that awareness. "Yes, they did. And to spare the rest, their meal was laced with poison, courtesy of my sense of mercy."

Dinin pondered that. When the Matrons of the ruling council moved to end the heresy, they would have tortured the commoners to learn all they could. The loyalty of the fighters would have pushed them to fight even without knowing where their matron was. The changes that Vierna had brought about in the House had made them all stronger, but…

… it was the kind of strength that was not allowed.

"Send me to one of your outposts, with some of my people and any of yours you trust to keep me under your eye." Dinin drew in all of his own cunning, ambition, and pride. "I live, and serving you is damn sure better than being dead or in the clutches of a different House."

"I have just the place for you," Jarlaxle said, smiling. "And I think you will thrive in our network."

Zaknafein inspected the house that had been procured in Rilauven, checking it over for any and all possible traps. When he at last came to Vierna, who was just settling back from prayer, she looked fatigued but content.

"With only ten to support us, it's not the most defensible place, but we can make it work," Zak told her.

"We will have more in time," Vierna promised him. "We still have enough gems to set ourselves on the path of growth."

"Once I am satisfied one of the fighters is able enough to defend in my absence, I will take up the offered contract at their school."

"Mother's manner of salves are unknown here, from all I can learn. That is another avenue of income." Vierna reached for his hands, and he gave them. "Thank you, for having faith in me."

"Nothing else to do when my own daughter proved she was not lost," he said quietly. "Will you be able to scry Drizzt now?"

Vierna sighed, shaking her head. "I had no luck, but then the prayers are still shrouded."

Zak frowned, but if the gods wanted to war on each other, he didn't care; he'd rather they left drow alone. "At least you being so high in favor, even with Him weakened, means you shouldn't be tested too soon."

"So I think, yes."

Vhaeraun sighed melodramatically as Eilistraee finally managed to pull the poisoned chelicerae out of His abdomen.

"You should have made it clear You wished aid long before now," Eilistraee scolded, putting the large pincers into the waiting darkflame to destroy them. "What happened?"

He considered how to answer as Her hands moved back to the wound, bringing healing and soothing the unending agony He had been inflicted with since the attack.

"One of the junior clerics My priestess had sent to learn in Her temple betrayed My priestess by thought. I managed to warn her, just before My realm was swarmed by Her abyssal spiders.

"I believe She'd already glimpsed My influence building." He grimaced with distaste for losing the first real foothold He'd made in that city.

"She will be on guard for reprisals," Eilistraee mused. "You must be careful, My Twin."

"When am I not, My dear Sister?" he asked in mocking tones, before lying back to let Her finish the healing He needed. She let Him rest, considering all of this, and how it might backlash upon Her own people.

"My priestess is safe, with her father, in one of the cities I hold more strongly," He said. "I chose well with her, even if this did not work the way I wished."

"Just don't go becoming enamored of her, Brother. My Nephew is enough trouble."

Vhaeraun laughed, bitterly, but nodded at the warning. He did enjoy such pleasures, but this priestess was too important, in His limited foresight, to risk that with.

suzume

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: "My Rival" - Steely Dan

Numbers 10 and 11 of my 12 collage set...

Closer to finished then I realized...!

likeadeuce

I've entered the "Fandom Trumps Hate" auction this year. How this works is offering to create fanworks to people who pledge charitable donations. I'm offering fic, and I'm open to pretty much any fandom that I'm familiar with (ask if you're not sure). My auction page is here with more information!

senmut

minoanmiss -- I'm still processing.

May I suggest we remember her life as a artist, a creative force to be reckoned with, and one of the main reasons I personally re-evaluated my racism because of SO MANY insightful thoughts.

dannye_chase

Happy Endings for an Immortal-Mortal Romance

Doomed love stories are a staple of romance, and one of the greatest is the tragedy of an immortal being in love with someone whose lifespan is finite. But of course, romance fans don’t always want the tragic ending. So here are three ways to take your doomed immortal/mortal romance and give it a happy ending.

1. Change the rules

Your human becomes a vampire, or your vampire becomes human. An angel falls to earth to be with their human lover or a human is elevated to angel status. In other words, solve the problem by avoiding it altogether. For a twist, you could have your mortal become some other brand of immortal than their lover: a psychopomp (I love that word), demon, ghost, god, etc. Either way, your lovers spend the rest of their lifetime (of whatever length) together.

2. End of story

You can always end a story by killing off your couple. Your mortal comes to the end of their lifespan, and your immortal also kicks the bucket: a stake through the heart, magical weapon, or holy war. Then maybe they get to be together in the afterlife. After all, if Swan Lake did it, why not you?

3. Reincarnation

Or you can tell your love story over and over again. Your mortal character dies and is reborn, while your immortal waits and pines. The possibilities for romance are delicious: does your reincarnated human remember their lover every time? Maybe at a certain cue (like a kiss), or just on meeting them? Or do they have to fall in love anew every time? Maybe your immortal has to search the world over for their reborn lover, or maybe they know where to look. Throw in a soul bond if you like. Either way, the story could involve tropes like pining, meet-cutes, and strangers to lovers.

In sum, immortal/mortal love stories are great for high-stakes happy endings. Have fun writing!

Check out other articles on romance between ghosts and humans and vampires and humans

This article was first published on my writing blog

DannyeChase.com ~ AO3 ~ Linktree ~ The Vampire Haven erotic romance series ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Resources for Writers

svgurl

youtuberecs is a community where you can rec YouTube videos

marchmetamatterschallenge, a challenge that involves locating and copying over meta you've created to a second site in order to ensure its preservation and also including some prompts for creating new meta, is running again this year.

allbingo is running a National Crafting Month Bingo Fest through March. There are pre-made cards or you can create your own using the available prompts.

sufficiently_advanced_ex, a fanworks exchange for science fiction, fantasy, and horror literature canons, is open for nominations until March 7th.

worldbuildex, a fic exchange based on world building in canon, is accepting nominations until March 8th, 9PM EDT.

unsent_letters_exchange, an epistolary fic exchange, is open for sign-ups until March 9th, 11:59PM UTC (posts says the 7th, but it was extended due to AO3 outages)

monstersmashexchange, a gift exchange that features monsters, is accepting nominations until March 11th, 8PM Eastern.

bethefirst, a challenge where you write the first fic in a fandom that previously had none, is open for sign-ups. The deadline to submit a fic is April 20th, 11:59PM GMT.

Multifandom Shelter for Abandoned Fics is an event where you can submit your abandoned WIPs if you want someone else to complete them or claim others

fancake's theme of the month is: siblings. Click on the banner below to learn more!

Photograph of two adorable Vietnamese toddlers in identical denim overalls and dinosaur sweaters, text: Siblings, at Fancake.

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Unsent Letters: An Epistolary Exchange

Unsent Letters

An Epistolary Exchange

Member Posts

meme from kitarella_imagines

113 ☆ January-February 2026 Reads

The Crying Boy: The UK’s Most Famous Haunted Painting

Today: The Crying Boy: The UK’s Most Famous Haunted Painting

Check out the blog post for the whole story and some writing prompts, such as:

Mail Call

Book review: Pretty by L Waltree

Pretty by L. Waltree (M/M contemporary romance)

“I can’t help thinking how pretty he is. Like a doll.”

Divining Destiny: Chapters 4 and 5

Ghost on the Road: The Vanishing Hitchhiker

Ghost on the Road: The Vanishing Hitchhiker

Check out my blog post for the whole story and writing prompts, such as:

Today is the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Bologna~

Unsent Letters 2026: Dear Correspondent

sufficiently advanced '26

10trueloves: fight

Projects and Bunnies

NEW FOR 2026: Master "Dear Writer" Letter

Firefox for Android

Divining Destiny: Flight of Freedom

two more collages!

Fandom Trumps Hate Auction!

well

Happy Endings for an Immortal-Mortal Romance

Happy Endings for an Immortal-Mortal Romance

1. Change the rules

2. End of story

3. Reincarnation

current fandom events

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