FFFX 2023 letter

[nemainofthewater]

Dearest Author, 

Thank you so much for my gift in advance! Please know that I will absolutely adore anything that you gift me and though I am going to provide more likes/dislikes and some general prompts further down, please feel free to combine prompts, or ignore them completely if you get inspired in a different direction! I’m Nemainofthewater on AO3 and most other fandom spaces. 

I am very happy to receive comics/art, and my treats are on if anyone feels so inclined (!!!)

Things I like: 

-Found family! I really love team-as-family, slice of life type stories where everything may be difficult (or not!) but at least they have each other

-angst: I am awful for this and I enjoy reading angsty things, though I would like some glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel and for it not to be all doom and gloom. 

-Adventures: I love case fics or adventure things where the characters work together to solve something. It doesn’t have to be anything important! Problem solving is wonderful at all levels, whether it’s something large like overtaking an empire or small like hunting for the perfect cake. Bonus for characters displaying unexpected knowledge/skills, or just being good at their jobs and their team appreciating that

-some canon divergence AUs or role reversal (although on the whole I am not a fan of college/high school AUs). I really like time travel and time loops as well as ‘for want of a nail’ type stories. Modern day AUs are a little hit or miss for me; sometimes I love them and sometimes it really takes me out of the story? I am fond of the type of modern day AUs that preserve the fantastical elements (ie, cultivation in the modern world type thing!)

-characters who don’t take care of themselves being gently bullied into sleeping/eating/resting, or just generally just looking after themselves. I am a huge fan of the ‘perfect mask much work until I collapse’ type character, especially when there are others around to take care oof them before/when they eventually collapse. 

-food or creating things as a love language (platonic or romantic)

-OT3s to solve love triangles 

-people appreciating other people’s competencies! 

-multimedia! (meta, articles, etc). Outsider POV is also something that I love and if you feel intrigued by adding that and/or any multimedia bits please indulge yourself! 

-identity porn

-wingfic, especially wingfic that looks at the practical things associated with wings/the (pseudo)biology/the social implications… 

-survival stories? I don’t know how to characterise this. Kind of the ‘trapped on a desert island’ kind of thing where everyone has to work together and bring out their various specialities and intelligence to build a home. The kind of domestic slice of life type thing only with having to literally establish their own settlement type thing

DNWs: high school/college AUs, texting fics, characters watching the show/read the book they’re from, script format (for the entire story, in universe reasons such as they’re acting or a video is being transcribed is fine so long as it isn’t the entire story!), PWP, sibling (biological or otherwise) incest, underage, character bashing (out of universe: it doesn’t count if characters don’t like each other in canon, for example), racism, sexism, homophobia, aphobia, transphobia

Below are the fandoms and the characters and/or relationships that I chose alongside some prompts and some reasons why I like the character/relationship; please feel free to mix and match, smush together, or even ignore them altogether if you get inspired! The length of each prompt has no bearing on how much I love each thing I’ve asked for. 

Above all, please write whatever pleases you and whatever you have fun writing; I promise that I will love whatever I get! 

I am very happy to have any other characters that you want to add into the story unless I’ve written out a fandom specific DNW about it. 

人渣反派自救系统 - 墨香铜臭 | The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù 

Mu Qingfang & Original Shen Qingqiu (SVSSS), Mu Qingfang/Original Shen Qingqiu (SVSSS)

I adore the idea that there was one person who was on OG!SQQ’s side. I also think that the dynamics between the two of them are potentially super interesting – OG!SQQ glaring at people who try and get MQF to prioritise their bruised knee, MQF being the only person allowed behind OG!SQQ’s barriers and able to see how hurt (physically and emotionally)…

Tianlang-jun/Su Xiyan/Original Shen Qingqiu (SVSSS)

I just think it would be hilarious. 

But more seriously, it would be fascinating exploring the dynamics. It it’s canon compliant, then what does that say about Og!SQQ’s treatment of LGH in PIDW? If it’s not, then do things get better? Worse? Sadder? Is there huge upset in the demon realm because TLJ is bankrupting his empire to court two humans at once? 

Shang Qinghua & Shen Jiu (SVSSS) 

I like the idea of SQH having to confront the fact that he has a type, and the type is cold, dangerous, would happily kill him for a cornchip. 

I also love the idea of SQH having to confront the fact that the characters in his story are real fleshed out beings; that the character he dumped a very traumatic backstory on is here and there are consequences to his (unknowing) actions. 

Shang Qinghua & Shen Yuan | Shen Qingqiu (Scum Villain)

I just love cumplane. I think that their relationship is really amusing. Then there’s also something about being the only person who can truly understand you, who knows what you know. 

I’m not saying that they’re soulmates, but I’m not not saying that? 

Also it would be very funny if these two idiots became gods post-SVSSS canon and had to deal with the fact that they can literally will things into being now, without revealing that fact to the rest of the world (the rest of the world knows, the rest of the world probably knew before they did)

琅琊榜 | Nirvana in Fire (TV)

Lin Chen /& Mei Changsu (NiF) 

-for once, Mei Changsu isn’t the one that needs to be looked after, Lin Chen is. Mei Changsu gets to be on the other side of the ‘friend/patient is being awful and won’t just sit down and heal, but insists on actually straining himself for reasons I feel are Inadequate, but he won’t listen to me’. Mei Changsu hates it. Lin Chen, when he isn’t trying to hide how awful he feels, is smug. Fei Liu is helpful. Whether this actually helps is up to you. 

-A pre-canon jianghu adventure! Perhaps Lin Chen and MCS need to go undercover but Lin Chen isn’t taking it seriously? Maybe they get kidnapped, forcing the poor kidnapper listen to them bickering instead of being adequately intimidated by said kidnapping? Maybe there is a friendly rivalry between members of the Jiangzuo Alliance and Langya Hall and Mei Changsu and Lin Chen are both vicariously competing (and actually competing) through their subordinates? Id this the adventure where they find and save fei liu? Or does Fei Liu have to be ‘kidnapped’ only he’s very bad at it? 

Lin Chen & Mu Nihuang

I just want to see them interact more! I think they have the potential to be fascinating together, and I would love to see something exploring a potential relationship

-post canon, Nihuang decides to wander the jianghu for a time and leets in Chen. Where? Was it on purpose? What do they do? Are they brought closer by grief or do they blame each other? 

-pre canon, Nihuang went to langya hall at literally any point. What happens? 

陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)

Though I have asked for the TV show, at this point canon is just a smushed up mess of book, tv show, and donghua episodes all swirled together in my head, so please feel free to draw from whichever source you want to/is better for the story that you want to tell! Also, please feel free to take this one opportunity to ignore my ‘no character-bashing’ DNW here when it comes to Jin Guangshan. He is a terrible father and person and I dislike him immensely 

Jin Zixuan/Jiang Yanli & Meng Yao | Jin Guangyao (The Untamed) 

-I would love to see an alternate universe where Meng Yao | Jin Guangyao goes to Lotus Pier instead of Qinghe Nie and become Jiang Yanli’s friend. Now Jin Zixuan has to both a) apologise and convince someone who he’s, frankly, been pretty awful to to marry him while also, b) figure out how he feels about having a brother. I would love to see Jin Zixuan jealous that Jiang Yanli is a better older sibling than he is and also that Meng Yao knows how to talk to Jiang Yanli without becoming a stammering ball of nerves. 

-Jiang Yanli wants to save her family, thank you very much, and she knows that the best way to do this is by getting Jin Guangyao on her side and working against his father. Jin Zixuan is undergoing severe disillusionment about how awful his dad is. Jin Guangyao has no idea why his new sister-in-law is being so nice to him but he really likes it please don’t stop. 

-Jin Guangshan dies just after the Sunshot Campaign and now Jin Zixuan is thrust into being Sect Leader despite not being ready for it at all. Luckily both his new wife and his new brother are both politically savvy. Jiang Yanli gets to be badass with a smile. Jin Guangyao gets all the power of running a sect but none of the public-facing bullsh*t. 

-Jin Zixuan and Jin Guangyao accidentally swap bodies. This could be:

         -Pre-canon! Before they know of each other’s existance. Luckily for Jin Zixuan, Yunnping is relatively close to Lotus Pier so he ca at least get some help for this problem…

         -Just after Sunshot! The two of them have to work together, Jin Guangyao taking advantage of the situation to better his position at Koi Tower while Jin Zixuan takes advantage of Jin Guangyao’s ability not to stick his foot in his mouth at every opportunity. They both try and fool Jiang Yanli but she figures it out in 0.05 seconds and then helps them both.   

Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan (The Untamed) 

I got really into this pairing through Nirejseki’s (amazing) fic on AO3 and now I can’t get enough. This pairing is so rare, I will adore anything I get, I am literally dying. 

-How did they get together? Does their relationship change anything about the Sunshot Campaign? Doesn’t it?

-What do other people think about it? Do any of the younger generation know about them? 

-Any interactions are delicious, tbh

-I have a new appreciation for arranged marriage (once again I blame Nirejseki for this) and would love any iteration of that

Cangse Sanren/Wei Changze/Lan Qiren

Once again, anything that I get I would lap up! 

-canon divergence where Qingheng-jun and Madam’s Lan story doesn’t end quite as badly and Lan Qiren isn’t acting set leader? 

-Shenanigans while WCZ and CSSR are studying at the cloud recesses? 

-are they rogue cultivators together? Is LQR still the Acting Lan Sect Leader and they come back to visit him? What do their dynamics look like? 

-LQR has to get married and CSSR agrees to do it. Then they meet WCZ and have to convince him (and fit him into their lives). Angst! Comedy! Drama! The woes of scheduling! Any and everything! 

-Alternately, how do CSSR and WCZ woo Lan Qiren? Does he notice? 

Jiāng Yànlí & Lán Huàn | Lán Xīchén (The Untamed)

I love both of these characters. They are very similar – both elder siblings, both wanting the best for their younger siblings, more inclined to peace and preventing strife than arguing – and I think that they both deserve a friend!  

Jīn Zixuān & Mèng Yáo | Jīn Guāngyáo & Mò Xuányǔ & Qín Sù (The Untamed)

I just love righteous himbo Jin Zixuan who’s realised that he had many, many siblings, and wants to gather them together. 

Alteratively, a story where JZX realises that he is in a place of privilege and that his siblings are not. How is he confronted with this? ow does it realise? How long does it take him to do so? And if he does do anything, does it work? 

Jiang Cheng/Jin Guangyao/Qin Su (The Untamed)

I wasn’t going to ask for this originally but then I saw it in the nominations and my brain went ‘yesssssss’. 

-Jiang Cheng needs an heir to Lotus Pier somehow. JGY and Qin Su aren’t having sex anymore. Perhaps they could help each other out…?

-JGY and Jiang Cheng give off such big Divorced vibes 

-What was it like, negotiating custody for Jin Ling? 

The Originals

Fandom DNW: Caroline/Klaus, stories set before the Mikaelsons become vampires

As you can see from my requests, my favourite Originals character is Elijah. The things that I love about this series is the family dynamics – I will literally adore anything you write about this family. Please feel free to bring Hayley, Hope, and Jackson into this if you’d want to! 

Critical Role 

Laerryn Coramar-Seelie/Loquatius Seelie (Critical Role)

I just love everything that Sam and Aabria did with these characters. I would love to see more of them/  

Vespin Chloras & Zerxus Ilerez (Critical Role)

Ok but what it is like for Zerxux post canon? What is his relationship with Vespin? Weary comrades? Colleagues? Do they end up hating each other? What happens to them?  

Essek Thelyss & Creator's Choice of Member of the Mighty Nein (Critical Role) AND/OR Jester Lavorre & Essek Thelyss (Critical Role)

I love my Essek, war crimes and all, and I love the way that the M9 basically seduced the villain. I would love anything set at any point during or post campaign that explores their relationship with Essek. 

The Silmarillion

Maglor & Elrond

Something about found family; about complicated relationships; about trying to right a wrong; about trying to cling onto the only family that they have left. 

Galadriel & Maglor

In the end, what’s left? If Artanis can return to Valinor, then what of Makalaure? But they are not Artanis and Makalaure; does that mean that they are not still kin? 

The Disguiser

Basically I love this family and I would love to see more written about them. There are just such juicy dynamics to get into! The way that you can See Ming Tai become more of a brat when Ming Jing is around. When and where does Ming Lou sleep? Does he sleep? The fact that ah-Cheng is in that weird space between brother and servant. Ming Jing as the head of the Ming family in the 1930s – what is that like for her? What does the world see of the Ming family? 

I would actually adore seeing the Ming family adapted to alternate universes, but please no mundane AUs such as coffee shop or college AU. 

Temeraire

William Laurence & Temeraire

I love them your honour. My favourite disaster (who doesn’t think he’s a disaster) (which one am I talking about am I referring to both of them) and his straight ‘man’ (they both think they’re the straight ‘man’). 

Temeraire

Temeraire is so young for a dragon. What does he do next? What changes does he see? Does he ever return to China? Does his presence change history as we know it? What are the repercussions? 

Worldbuilding

Actually yes, I would like thousands of words or pages and pages of comic exploring the worldbuilding. 

What clothes do dragonriders wear? How does it differ by country?

What does infrastructure look like? 

Are there other draconic species that just haven’t been discovered yet? Are there ice dragons?  

How did the addition of dragons to the universe change history? Are there things that are wildly different to our history but since Laurence lives in this alternate world, it never occurs to him to exposit? Have fun! 

Word of Honour

Zhou Zishu & Jing Beiyuan

I love these two grumpy old men, who have a wealth of history. 

Prince Jin & Zhou Zishu

Something about the fealty between lord and soldier. The complicated relationship. The self-sacrifice, being willing to burn every part of yourself in order to advance your lord’s goals because you sincerely believe it’s the best thing for the country. And maybe it is the best thing for the country, maybe Jin Wang is the best choice – what then does it mean that you’ve deposed him? 

And then something about being the only ones left. Of knowing that you are two against the world, only to wake one day to find that the man you loved was nothing but an illusion. That you too fought and bled for the country, but your companion has left, had abandoned you, and it turns out you don’t know them at all. 

Ye Baiyi

He’s my favourite character archetype, summed up as ‘local man claims not to care, while caring deeply’

Crossover fandom

Toph Beifong & Lan Xichen

Consider, the greatest Earthbender in the world vs the Lan Sect wall of rules

Lin Chen & Jiang Cheng

Ok but what if Lin Chen was immortal and the mountain that Jiang Cheng walked up actually did have a resident immortal on it?? Whether or not he can restore Golden Cores is debateable.

Lin Chen/Ye Baiyi

They’re very similar archetypes and I think that it would be funny/heartbreaking for them to find each other as the ones who survived when their loved one died.