Original 5K letter

[desertvixen]

Late again this year!

My general preferences are here.

 

While I do talk about fandoms I like, it’s more to give you a feel for the vibes I like.  I love a good story, whether it involves characters I know inside out or ones I’ve never met.  Introduce me to some of your imaginary friends!

 

Blanket DNW: nominated character death, cruelty/death to animals/children, graphic/explicit/sexual violence

Treats: Yes Please!

 

 

 

 

Original F/M Ships 

 

Desert Nomad/Oasis Spirit (M/F), Harvest Goddess/King/Queen (F/M/F), Emperor/Empress/Their Courtier They Are Trying to Seduce (M/F/M), Female Librarian/Frequent patron (F/M), House’s New Owner/Ghost of Her Ancestor (F/M), Niece of Famous Explorer/Son of her Uncle's Rival (F/M), Recently Divorced Mom/Widowed Father of one of her Daughter's Friends (F/M), Ruling Queen/Prince from Another Nation She Hasn't Seen since Childhood (F/M), Soldier Who Has Been Missing For Years/Woman Who Has Waited For Him (M/F), Teenage Girl Home For Summer Break/Neighbor With a Pool (F/M), Woman from Dysfunctional Family/Brother of her Best Friend with Good Family (F/M), Young Runaway Heir Hunted By Murderous Family/Girl Sleuth (M/F)

 

Desert Nomad/Oasis Spirit (M/F) - I like the idea that the nomad must be worthy of finding the oasis. Maybe only worthy travelers can find the oasis? Maybe there is a price... Prefer nomad be male, oasis spirit female, and am not opposed to gen if you want them both female.  Not much to add, but I’m definitely interested in the aspect where the oasis spirit controls who finds it.  Can only someone who is worthy find it?  Does it provide a refuge?  I’m a desert person, so I appreciate descriptions and bringing out the beauty – maybe the oasis has a superbloom going on? 

Harvest Goddess/King/Queen (F/M/F) – For the royalty and Harvest Goddess, I want all the lush details and wonder. I want something dealing with the whole ritual sex between king and queen as stand-in for harvest goddess to ensure a good harvest. It’s supposed to be symbolic, but what if the harvest goddess did actually come down?  Whether or not anyone except the king and queen realizes that she is present is optional. I like the idea of the goddess actually coming down – perhaps she likes the look of the king or he reminds her of someone else?  I’d prefer she be attracted to the king – perhaps a reminder of her own consort.

 

Emperor/Empress/Their Courtier They Are Trying to Seduce (M/F/M) – Maybe the courtier won’t take the hint that they both want him (arranged marriage? Boredom?) or maybe he is afraid to...  On this one, I like that they’re both trying to seduce him, and he’s a little confused.  Maybe he’s more attracted to/has history with one, but definitely here for happy surprise that they both want him.  Maybe physically trapping him (or Oh No, I know it’s wrong that he/she’s touching me like that but it’s so good…)

 

Female Librarian/Frequent patron (F/M) – Flirting through books. Book recommendations. Leaving his number in the book he returns “late” and in-person because he does not want a fine. Wink wink nudge nudge. Meet cute with books.  Librarian taking her hair down and him wearing glasses gets bonus points.

 

House’s New Owner/Ghost of Her Ancestor (F/M) – Maybe he’s helping her solve a mystery, and I like the idea that she’s got a bit of crush on the historical person.  Feel free to invoke uncanny resemblances in your descendants here.  Thinking of the line in the Unknown Ajax “You favour the first Ralph, and so did Oliver, a little; but Uncle Granville, and Papa, and Aunt Caroline, and Grandpapa himself are clearly descended from Ralph II, while as for Vincent –’ ‘– you have only to place a powdered wig on his head and no one would know them apart,’ supplied Vincent.”  Definitely work a portrait in.

 

Niece of Famous Explorer/Son of her Uncle's Rival (F/M) - I love this dynamic of competition but they also need to Get A Room.  If you’ve seen the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew TV show then you know the vibe – a pair of competent competitive interesting people who need to get a room, but it’s never so easy.  I really like the rival explorers idea because it locks them into a somewhat closed society where they can’t get away from each other. 

 

Recently Divorced Mom/Widowed Father of one of her Daughter's Friends (F/M) - Two people reluctant to get back out there (possible result of Setting Our Parents Up hijinks?). So this is sort of Babysitter’s Club inspired but I like the two different kinds of lonely.  And while I don’t want focus on the daughters, feel free to have them engineering the setup – or having the parents’ friends engineering it.

 

Ruling Queen/Prince from Another Nation She Hasn't Seen since Childhood (F/M) - I think this would be fun and romantic – Maybe no one intends it to be romantic but it gets romantic fast?  Dancing at a ball?  Rival nations with a history?  Why has it been so long since they saw each other?  Was one of them not always a royal?

 

Soldier Who Has Been Missing For Years/Woman Who Has Waited For Him (M/F) - My toddler has discovered Frozen II, and this dynamic was really intriguing me. Their reunion?  Not just the romance here (although I am here for a heart-stopping you can’t possibly be HERE moment) but also the adjustment to the changed world.

 

Teenage Girl Home For Summer Break/Neighbor With a Pool (F/M) - Flirting at the pool? Or maybe a little darker?  So I’m good with the neighbor being the son and light-hearted teen flirting … or the neighbor being the dad and there being a darker, more predatory tinge.  A tinge of dubcon is okay, but I am also here for a scenario where she had had her eye on the neighbor for some time and decides to make her move.  Get him girl.

 

Woman from Dysfunctional Family/Brother of her Best Friend with Good Family (F/M) - On this one, I love the realization factor. I like the idea that she’s had a thing for him, but feels outclassed because his family is perfect and hers is…decidedly not.  

 

Young Runaway Heir Hunted By Murderous Family/Girl Sleuth (M/F) - Yes! Secret passages and hidden treasure and a plucky girl sleuth who helps the heir defeat the murderous relatives (and falls for him, obviously).  Sort of channeling ND #3-#5 here (especially 3 with the heiress), but I would prefer that the heiress not be someone the sleuth knows, but someone she encounters (possibly on vacation or at a hotel) and decides to help.

 

 

Original Solo and Gen 

 

Actress at a Haunted Attraction & A Real Ghost that Died Nearby, Blackmailer Hostess & Guests They Are Blackmailing, Immortal & Historian, Solo: Ancient Immortal Working As a History Teacher, Real Hitchhiker & Phantom Driver who Picks them Up, Solo: Vanishing Hitchhiker, Young Runaway Heiress Hunted By Murderous Family & Girl Sleuth, Ruling Queens & Ruling King(s) Who Have Not Met Since Childhood, Female Post-Apocalyptic Food Truck Owner & Hungry But Kind Girl Gang

 

Actress at a Haunted Attraction & A Real Ghost that Died Nearby - I like when people don't realize straight off that it's a ghost. Bonus points if actor is playing the ghost.  Or rather, the person who became the ghost.  Not much to add here, that’s the basic vibe.  Bonus points for them being mistaken for each other in period dress.  Why is the ghost there?  Did they die in an accident?  Were they murdered?  Is the ghost one of those things no one talks about until someone else sees it?  Like I said, love if the actor is playing the person who became the ghost (or their lover/descendant).  Prefer to keep this one a little lighter.  Also, prefer no nefarious intent from the ghost.  I had a delightful story for this last year where the ending was nicely ambiguous, so this time let’s slide towards the lighter side.

 

Blackmailer Hostess & Guests They Are Blackmailing - Yes, I love Clue, and getting the tables turned. Would be open to the hostess having a relationship with one of the male guests.  Maybe they have already joined forces?  How does a woman blackmailer change the vibe?

 

Immortal & Historian - I love the historian being like YES, I will learn all the things and then the imortal is petty AF. So I love the idea that the historian is about to do serious history time, and all the immortal wants to do is complain about various historical figures.  A twist you could add is if the immortal can clear up a historical mystery, like what happened to the Ninth Legion (and its eagle).  Or the Princes in the Tower, or Roanoke Island, or one of the major Bermuda Triangle disappearances.  Or just dish the dirt? 

Solo: Ancient Immortal Working As a History Teacher - Here for the entertainment and maybe a little too much history.  I think this one just sounds fun.  Bonus if a wide-eyed kid is all “It’s like you were THERE.”  My daughter and I are serious history nerds, so I sympathize with the immortal.  Bonus points if you somehow work in Prussia (my daughter’s personal obsession).  Would also be here for a Trojan/Greek immortal (Cassandra might be interesting), bonus points if they get into arguments with the English teacher

Real Hitchhiker & Phantom Driver who Picks them Up - Do you know the song The Ride? Doesn't need to be a musician but I love the idea that the car is the phantom.  Telly Savalas claimed to have had one of these encounters.  Details vary, but here is one of the accounts and it’s the vibe I’m looking for:

It was late when he began his drive home from a friends house at Long Island to his own home in New York. He was also out of gas, but the lights from an all night cafe lit up the darkness. He managed to pull in, and having a coffee, asked the way to the nearest garage. He was told to take a path through the wood at the back of the cafe until he reached the freeway. Just about to set off on the daunting walk, a voice called out, asking if he wanted a lift. It was gratefully received and Telly got into the Cadilac of this good Samaritan.

It wasn't until he got to the gas station that he realised his wallet was missing and the man kindly gave him some money with Telly insisting on having his name and phone number. Harry Agannis wrote his name on a scrap of paper and Telly thanked him for all he had done.

When it came to contacting the man he spoke to his wife who told him the sad news that he had died. Telling her what had happened and how her husband had helped him, she said that was impossible as his death was not recent. He had been dead three years. The star was shocked, and then intrigued. He described the car which she agreed was the same as her husband's. The clothes, which she said he was buried in. Then there was the voice which was unusually high pitched. That could have accounted for the fact that Harry Agannis had taken his own life, shooting himself in the throat. Telly eventually met the widow and showed her the piece of paper on which the man had written. She was more than sure that it was her husband's handwriting. It was certainly an experience that Telly Savalas never forgot, and earned him a new friend in Mrs Agannis

 

Solo: Vanishing Hitchhiker - I love vanishing hitchhikers and the people they interact with, so have at it. I love the Twilight Zone episode The Hitchhiker, I love Resurrection Mary, I love the Phantom Passenger that Needs a Ride Home. Go for it!  I’m also on board for reverse vanishing hitchhikers (the car/driver aren’t real) or the prophetic vanishing hitchhiker.  I love the interactions and the revealing of the mystery to the driver.

I prefer all hitchhikers to be female, but feel free to swap out genders for drivers/parents.

Young Runaway Heiress Hunted By Murderous Family & Girl Sleuth - Yes! Secret passages and hidden treasure and a plucky girl sleuth who helps the heiress defeat the murderous relatives! Picturing a Nancy Drew-esque character and setting but a little more at stake. Yes!  Secret passages and hidden treasure and a plucky girl sleuth who helps the heiress defeat the murderous relatives!  I’m a big fan of ND #3.  Possibly with a little help from her lawyer parent OR a tall dark and handsome male sleuth?  Sort of channeling ND #3-#5 here (especially 3 with the heiress), but I would prefer that the heiress not be someone the sleuth knows, but someone she encounters (possibly on vacation or at a hotel) and decides to help.

 

Ruling Queens & Ruling King(s) Who Have Not Met Since Childhood - I'm envisioning some sort of diplomatic thing, or peace talks (a ball would be lovely) where the reunion happens. Feel free to combine with the / prompt on this one.  Maybe no one intends it to be romantic but it gets romantic fast?  Dancing at a ball?  Rival nations with a history?  Why has it been so long since they saw each other?  Was one of them not always a royal?  Are any of them related?  People on different sides of a conflict finding some common ground?  Conspiracies?  I am here for all of it.

 

Female Post-Apocalyptic Food Truck Owner and Hungry But Kind Girl Gang: I like to think she acts like an honorable auntie, and they help her out. Maybe they bring her supplies and information, and she does the cooking?  Maybe they bring her someone who needs help – or help her find someone she’s looking for.  Love to see the ongoing relationship develop.

 

 

Original Mixed Ship and Gen 

 

Ruling Queen & Her Adventurous Sister/Non-Noble Partner in Adventure (F & F/M)No Smut Smut

 

Ruling Queen & Her Adventurous Sister/Non-Noble Partner in Adventure (F & F/M) - My toddler recently discovered Frozen II, which inspired this. I love the dynamic of the trio, but maybe focus more on the couple.  Obviously not looking to clone Frozen here but I very much dig Anna/Kristoff.  How do they initially link up?  Does the ruling queen wish she could have adventures as well?  Do they need to save the kingdom on a regular basis?  I am here for that, or the quiet moments.  Or balls (sorry, I love fancy dress balls, I cannot lie)?  How does the non-noble guy feel about fitting in.  If you’ve heard the outtake “Get It Right” from Frozen II, feel free to be inspired by it.  Or just tell me about one of their adventures.