Dear Trick-or-Treater

[calliatra]

Dear Trick-or-Treater,

Hi! It’s so nice to (virtually) meet you. :) Thanks so much for taking the time to create something for me; I really hope you have fun with it!

Let’s jump right in, shall we? (In keeping with this exchange, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. Well, short-ish. For my standards.)

 

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Quick Info:

I go by Calliatra everywhere. You can find me on ao3, tumblr, and dreamwidth.

You can find my letters for previous exchanges here. And if you have questions, please feel free to contact me via mod anytime!

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General Notes:

·      I love both first person and third person POV. Same goes for past and present tense. I’ll also happily read more experimental things (second person, future tense, non-linear progression, you name it)! …Just don’t go all Finnegans Wake, ‘k?

·      The prompts for every fandom are only there in case you’re looking for inspiration. If they don’t work for you, feel free to change or completely ignore them!

·     Tricks:
I love all things spooky, creepy, and darkly atmospheric! I like not knowing if something is going to turn out to be supernatural or not in the end, and I also enjoy it when it ends up being ambiguous. I’m intrigued by darkness in all forms, but extremely angsty stuff isn’t usually my kind of thing.

·      Treats:
I like characters having sweet moments together, taking care of each other, or just enjoying each other’s company. I also always like things that make me laugh. In longer fic, I like there to be some plot or at least a bit of some sort of tension in my fluff, but for short scenes anything goes! (Supernatural etc. things are also totally welcome here.) 

·      I requested both fic and art, and I'd honestly love both equally!
 

 
 
 

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Do Not Want:

·      character death (Mentioning canon character death is fine, so is killing an OC I have no emotional connection to. Everything else is not.)

·      unhappy endings (I don’t need perfect fairy tale endings or anything, but I do like them to be at least hopeful.)

·      excessive angst

·      gore/graphic violence

·      humiliation or serious embarrassment (seriously, I have such an embarrassment squick, please spare me)

·      an imbalance of power in romantic relationships (anything from teacher/student to D/s)

·      cheating (on a romantic partner)

·      the concepts of One True Love and destiny

·      PWP

·      non-canon ships (unless you know I ship them or at least don’t mind them)

·      too much introspection or navel-gazing  

·      pregnancy and kidfic

·      crack!fic

·      bashing any characters

·      body-shaming any characters

 

Art Specific:

·      caricatures

·      flashing gifs

·      neon colors

·      explicit porn

  

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Likes:

·      interactions between characters and closer looks at the dynamics of their relationship(s).

·      subtlety. I love it when I have to read a fic twice to really understand everything that was implied.

·      atmosphere! Anything that transports into the feel of a different world.

·      humor, especially wordplay and language-based humor.

·      surprises!

·      playing with tropes. (Don't worry, there are a good few that I really love seeing played straight, as well – I’ve added a list below.)

·      mysteries. I love being intrigued! And I adore it when all the pieces finally come together in the end.

·      psychological stories: stories about conflicts between people or within them, and how they deal with them.

·      Getting Together/“First Time” fics. Possibly my favorite thing in the world. I just really love that moment when all that tension finally gets resolved, and all the various ways that can happen!

·      friends-to-lovers/slow burn relationships

·      explorations of queer themes. I really love seeing queerness from the POV of different characters, in different times throughout history, and/or in other universes. (Though I prefer these kinds of stories to be written by people who are queer themselves, so if you’re not, maybe go with something else.)

·      a deliberate use of language. I absolutely adore it when language is used to set or match a specific tone, atmosphere, genre, POV, or anything like that! Or when it’s part of the plot somehow! I just… language. ♥

Art Specific:

·      lighting. I really love interestingly and/or unusually lit scenes, plays with light and shadow, all that sort of thing.

·      color schemes. Whether it’s a theme or a limited color palette or something else, I always enjoy kind of unusually colored pictures.

·      underwater scenes. I just absolutely adore the colors, the way the light falls, and the beautiful otherworldly atmosphere of underwater pictures!

·      kissing. This one’s a simple one: I just really like seeing my OTPs kiss, and I don’t really get much of that in canon. ^^

·      tight(ish) spaces, where characters are forced close together, and the camera can’t get too much distance either. I love the intimate atmosphere of that!

 

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Some Tropes (‘n’ Things) I Enjoy:

·      Mundane AUs

·      Hogwarts AU

·      Bodyswap

·      Celebratory “Accidental” Kiss

·      Handcuffed Together

·      Huddling for Warmth

·      Mind Reading (especially if it’s a newly developing power!)  

·      Outsider POV

·      Power Outage

·      Road Trip

·      Snowed In

·      Undercover as a Couple

 

 

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Cabin Pressure

Martin Crieff, Douglas Richardson, Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, Arthur Shappey

 

What I Like About the Show:

I’m here for the humor (so smart!), the characters and their interactions (so loveable!), the glorious adventures (so delightful!), and the found family (awww!). But by now I love these characters so much that, honestly, I’d follow them anywhere.

 

About Each Character:

Everything. I legitimately love everything about everyone. There is no way you can go wrong here.

 

Quick Thoughts:

·      I don’t ship anyone, so I’d prefer gen. (Including canon couples isn’t a problem! I’d simply rather not have romance be the main focus.) 

·      Any point in MJN’s (or OJS’s) timeline is great! My absolute favorite dynamics, though, are probably those where our core four have gotten really close, and are mostly united against outside forces.

 

Prompts:

Tricks:

·      Emergency landing due to a thunderstorm. At night. On a tiny, seemingly deserted airport in the middle of nowhere.

·      A magical creature/plant/artifact makes an appearance! Arthur thinks it’s loveable. He might be very, very wrong.

·      Something’s not quite right. It doesn’t feel— But that’s ridiculous. …Right?

·      Someone suddenly develops strange powers. Oh dear.

·      Is that… meant to be glowing orange?

Treats:

·      Post-Zurich, Martin visits OJS.

·      Arthur gets a new pet.

·      Douglas and/or Carolyn solve(s) a problem far more easily than expected.

·      Arthur Shappey’s guide to happiness, extended version.

·      Time for a board game!

 

 

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Community

Abed Nadir, Annie Edison, Britta Perry, Dean Pelton, Frankie Dart, Jeff Winger, Shirley Bennet, Troy Barnes

 

What I Like About the Show:

I love the characters, their relationships, and their interactions. I love the way everyone is a complex person with both good sides and flaws, and the way they and their relationships are constantly growing and evolving. I also adore the geekiness and the meta and the wonderfully whacky world of Greendale! And I like that while the show does dip into dark things sometimes, the overall tone is positive and optimistic.

 

About Each Character:

Abed: I love his meta awareness and his complicated ways of relating to his friends. I really like his friendship with Troy. And seeing him turn dark is incredibly fascinating!

Annie: I really love her ambitious, driven side – both as a force for good, and when it leads to dark places.

Britta: I love it when she gets to be the reasonable one! But also when she’s full on insecurities. And I adore seeing sweet friendship moments between her and any of the others.

The Dean: I like taking him seriously as a character and exploring him and his world – whether it’s the darker stuff, the way he does his job, or just his creativity and love of costumes. And I’d always love to see him have or develop a real friendship with someone.

Frankie: I love her Outsider POV on everything we know, seeing her unstoppable efficiency pitted against the unmovable object that is Greendale being Greendale, and her honest compassion for others.

Jeff: I like him as the sarcastic leader, but I also like seeing his genuine, unfiltered thoughts. It’s always great to see him vacillate, whether it’s between being good or going evil, or just between participating in a ridiculous activity or being above it.

Shirley: I really like Shirley’s strength and endurance, her business savvy, and the way she’s so good at manipulating people. I’d love to see all that in action, and possibly taking to extremes – whether for good or for evil.

Troy: I like how Troy has grown confident to be his weird, geeky self, but still has a deep-seated need for approval. And I adore his friendship with Abed. I’d love to see Troy returning to Greendale, and/or more of the One True Repairman storyline.

 

Quick Thoughts:

·      Any non-nominated characters are welcome!

·      If you feel like worldbuilding rather than writing characters, that’d also be fantastic!

·      I love gen here, but I also don’t have any NOTPs. So if you want to include a ship, go ahead! Just no smut, please.

·      I’m lifting my DNW for excessive angst here. And also the one for unhappy endings. If you want to take this to a dark place, I’m enthusiastically intrigued! (Just please warn accordingly so I know what’s coming.)

 

Prompts:

Tricks:

·      The Gas Leak Year seriously messed with everyone’s heads.

·      Something or someone dangerous is stalking the halls of Greendale.

·      The Air Conditioning Repair School Annex has lost its messiah. And it’s not happy about it.

·      Horror movie homage, Greendale-style!

·      We have to do this. It might seem ugly, but it’s for the best. Trust me.

Treats:

·      Kittens! Adorable, fluffy kittens are loose at Greendale!

·      A quiet moment between two unexpected people.

·      A fire drill turns out to really just be a fire drill.

·      Welcome back is sweeter than goodbye.

·      Music makes all the difference. 

 

 

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Fake News FPF
“Stephen Colbert”, Jon Stewart

 

What I Like About This Fandom:

I adore “Stephen Colbert” both for the humor and the complexity he bings. I like taking him seriously as a character and seeing where that leads. Or, for fun, just making reasonable people react to him. I’m also endlessly intrigued by the universe of the Colbert Report, and the infinite amount of weird-but-wonderful world-buildy things to explore.

 

About Each Character:

“Stephen”: I love “Stephen” for all the genuine goodness and caring and fun in him, I want to hug him for all the hurt and shame and fear he keeps bottled up, and I’m fascinated by his rage and violence. I enjoy all takes on his character, from pure humor to serious darkness.

Jon: I love Jon as the voice of reason opposite “Stephen’s” truthiness and over-the-top everything. On his own, I like looks at the shades of grey that the rejection of absolutes and extremes can leave you with. 

Quick Thoughts:

·      No cannibalism, please. I prefer to think that thing with Bobby was… really, anything but cannibalism.

·      Also, I’d prefer if “Stephen” wasn’t immortal. Whether do that by setting the fic before the finale, or by ignoring it, or some other way, is completely up to you!

·      I’m lifting my DNW-ban on excessive angst for this, in case the dark places are what you’d like to explore. I’d still ask for an at least hopeful ending, though.

 

Prompts:  

Trick:

·      We regret to inform you that—

·      The myths about vampires aren’t quite true. Not anymore. We’ve adapted.

·      It’s best not to think about it too hard. Believe me, it’s for your own good.

·      And in the silent darkness, there’s this voice.

·      Hush, hush, it’s over now. (No, it’s not.)

Treat:

·      Is it— can it be— a compromise?

·      Adventures with an unintentionally free-roaming chicken.

·      I always thought that was CGI!

·      Visitors from an alternate universe turn out to be surprisingly friendly. They even brought cookies!

·      Just a normal day, writing and preparing for the show. Nothing to see here.



 

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MASH (TV)

Hawkeye Pierce, Trapper John McIntyre, Margaret Houlihan, Father Mulcahy, Ginger Bayliss

 

What I Like About the Show:

First and foremost and forever: The characters! Them, and their complex relationships and genuine growth. And the incredible heart, and beautiful found-family-ness of it all! But also, of course, the humor (oh the wonderful wordplay! the hysterical hijinks!), and the way it’s interwoven so well with the drama. And hey, I’m not exactly saying no to the moral messages, either.

 

About Each Character: 

Hawkeye: I love everything about him, but especially his humor, his morality, his emotional openness, and his caring. I like seeing him confronted with his own flaws, and I’m always happy when he’s presented as queer.

Trapper: I really like how he’s more grounded and less introspective than Hawkeye, but just as wild. I like seeing how their styles contrast and complement each other. I also really love seeing Trapper’s caring side.  

Margaret: I adore her! Especially when she demands respect, when she’s magnificently competent, when she lets herself be vulnerable, and when she has moments of personal growth. Also, seeing that she has (or can be!) a true good friend is always fantastic!

Father Mulcahy: I love how he’s caring and kind and quietly earnest. And I adore how despite seeming very shy and innocent and a bit bumbling, he’s got a wonderfully sly wit and makes a great ally in all kinds of antiauthoritarian activity!

Ginger: I loved what little we got to see of her (the standing up for herself! the fun-loving! the willingness to join in shenanigans!) and desperately want more. Anything at all about her would be so wonderful!

 

Quick Thoughts:

·      All the other canon characters are very welcome!  

·      I honestly can’t stand the way the show played sexism and especially sexual assault (including forced kisses) for laughs. Please don’t do that.

·      On shipping: My only ship here is Hawkeye/Trapper, so I’d prefer it if you stuck to gen otherwise. Please in particular no Hawkeye/Margaret. Thanks!

 

Prompts:

Tricks:

·      It’s the middle of a long, dark night, and there’s something moving through the camp…

·      The lines between reality and fiction have started to blur.

·      This is so very much not the place for a murder mystery. And yet.

·      It’s a nightmare.

·      Supernatural creatures don’t exist. Supernatural creatures don’t exist. Supernatural creatures don’t exi--!

Treats:

·      Terrible drinks and worse weather, shared with good friends.

·      Sometimes, things work out unexpectedly.

·      Good news!

·      Pure silly hijinks! Possibly involving fish.

·      The camp puts on a play!

 

  

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Starsky & Hutch

David Starsky, Kenneth Hutchinson

 

What I Like About the Show:

Above all, I love Starsky and Hutch, and their partnership. But also the mood and atmosphere of the show – serious in the face of real problems, but always somehow still optimistic. And, oh man, the incredible amount of compassion it has for the downtrodden and marginalized! And also, I admit it, the wonderful, slightly grungy, 70s aesthetic.

 

About the Characters:

Starsky and Hutch: I love the way they love and trust and rely on each other so much! I love how honest and open they can be with each other. It’s fun when they’re lighthearted, and it’s thrilling when they fight. I ship them, but also really enjoy gen friendship.

(Personally, I can’t think of one without the other – but if you can, and you want to focus on just one of them, you’re absolutely welcome to! I’d enjoy that kind of different take.)

 

Quick Thoughts:

·      Any and all other characters from the show are welcome to make an appearance!

·      I’m not the biggest fan of hurt/comfort – that doesn’t mean don’t do it, just don’t have it be the main focus, please.

·      I really can’t stand it when Starsky and Hutch treat a woman like a prize to be won, and compete for her – I find that awful in every way. Please don’t do anything like that.

 

Prompts:

Tricks:

·      A werewolf.

·      It can’t be an evil cult set on human sacrifice again?

·      Demon possession! (Oh, come on, that’s just a metaphor.)

·      Impostors have replaced someone close to you. Maybe several someones. Possibly everyone you know.

·      Undercover as actors in a haunted house.

Treats:

·      The guys have to (briefly) take care of a baby. It leads to... a few surprises.

[I happily suspend my kidfic DNW for this!]

·      It’s Halloween! Which means costumes, pranks, and candy! And maybe a spooky movie?

·      It’s just a little fun between partners.

·      It’s a matter of precision.

·      The guys try their hand at baking. Because why not?