meridian_rose

Dear Yuletide Author

I apologise for the lateness, I didn't expect assignments to go out so quickly!
Thank you so much for signing up this year!

I hope you find this letter useful. I tend to ramble because I think plenty of choice is better than one really specific thing; that's my opinion as an author, anyway :) I'm sure you already have some ideas about the canon and characters too.

DNW No pregnancy/ kid!fic (de-aged characters are fine), rape/non-con, character death, animal death.

General Likes
I am a fan of hurt/comfort*, drama, gen, romance, crack/humour, character study, action/adventure, canon au's. Being shown another side to a character. Rare ships, OT3s. Fairy tales and mythological narratives and motifs. Regency AUs.
Kinks: kinks include hair kink, tattoos/scars, bathing/showering, desk sex, non-sexual bed sharing. (Not this a laundry list of must-do's or the only things I like, I'm just trying to think of particular themes I enjoy!)
*(exclusions: amputations, broken bones, brain surgery)

Other stuff: I absolutely appreciate well-written porn/erotica - sensual sex scenes are good - but I dislike portrayals of sex as the be-all and and-all of a relationship. Non-sexual intimacy is more important and endearing to me – things like heartfelt discussions, kissing, cuddling, bed sharing, displays of trust, emotional closeness. Asexual characterisation especially welcome. Childfree characters super appreciated.

I'm multi-fannish and can multi-ship. My long list of fandoms is here in case you have a marvellous idea for a crossover.

I'm at ao3 – the rest of my social media links are in my about post.

As in previous years, I'll mention each fandom now with some rambling and some potential ideas that I think would be fun to see explored.

#1 The Shannara Chronicles – Eretria

I chose Eretria because I fell in love with her most of all. The antihero who learns to care is my type. Resourceful, confident, intelligent; competent Eretria is a favourite thing.

I'm less desiring of h/c here though emotional h/c is fine.

I haven't read the books and second season hasn't begun at time of writing so I'd love to know your take on what happened between season one and two. Eretria, child of the apocalypse, seemed to be favoured by her captors. Is she truly a prisoner? Is she being worshipped but not allowed to leave? Is she learning more about her past and true parentage?

Or you could go pre-canon, something about her travels before meeting Wil. Maybe explore the backstory between Eretria and Zora.

Canon-wise, something nice with Wil and/or Amerble. A peaceful meal and discussion about feelings, something fluffy where they end up cuddling for warmth. Humour is welcome.
There's not much interaction with Eretria and Allanon so if you wanted to explore that dynamic that would be interesting.

AU ideas; Eretria was Amerble's bodyguard and helped her train for the Gauntlet (romance optional but welcome)
Eretria and Amberle are forced to negotiate a peace between their people (again romance optional but here very much welcome)
Eretria escapes and returns with Wil and Amberle; how does that change the final episode of the show?

#2 Midnight, Texas – Manfred

I love show!Manfred much more than book!Manfred. My only issue with show!Manfred is the relationship with Creek which I'm not invested in. I'm here for friendship with Bobo, Fiji, Olivia, Emilio in particular. I'm here for romance with Fiji, Olivia, if you want to go there. Midnighters as a family, including Lem, Joe, Chuy, is something I like. Include Mr Snuggly if you want, especially his snark.

Manfred and Fiji both have occult powers they inherited and I'd love more of them discussing that.

H/C particularly welcome here – the show whumps Manfred all the time which is good but there's not enough comfort for my liking.
eg Was that really a gunshot wound from Hightower or something more mystical? (they ran as the ceremony was starting how/when did that happen?)

Crack/humour also much appreciated. Wacky "typical day in Midnight" stuff would be fun.

Pre-canon you could explore his relationship with Xylda more.

Ace!Manfred: There was some discussion that Manfred is wearing what looks to be an asexual ring – black, middle finger of right hand. Sadly the show hasn't followed through and it's just a coincidence but give me asexual/grey-ace Manfred. Give me virgin Manfred. Give me virgin Manfred and virgin Fiji and nonsexual intimacy and I'll be thrilled. I'm also okay with bi-Manfred, especially in the past or with an OC.

AU ideas; Manfred and Xylda remain in Vegas making a good living but the Midnighters seek him out to save them
Manfred discovers he's the reincarnation of Cesare Borgias (The Borgias fusion/crossover)
Manfred married Violet but (see ace!Manfred/other reason) they've not had children and he's not keen on ever doing so. Do they run from Hightower? Find a way to be happy despite their lack of attraction? Develop some genuine attraction?
Historical AUs.

#3 Strike (TV) – Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacot

I didn't mean to love this show or ship it this hard, a story by me. For a story by you, give me all the friendship. Give me romance if you're leaning that way too. Find a way to erase Matthew from the narrative. Maybe Strike finds Robin camping in the office unexpectedly, cue discussion and comfort.

In the first book it's mentioned that Strike had never wanted children which is more explicit than the "Cuckoo's Calling" show where he hadn't got any. Also Robin's lack of enthusiasm when Matthew was nagging her so they could move near good schools makes me want childfree Robin too. Maybe Robin breaks up with Matthew over it and Strike comforts her since he understands her better than Matthew ever could.

Case-fic; just give me them working together being competent and Robin being clever and eager to learn, Cormoran being a proud mentor.

Why did Robin drop out of university? Why didn't she become a PI herself? (I'm only familiar with the show and am halfway through book one so I don't know it canon answers these, so you can invent whatever you prefer)

AU ideas; I'm a fan of The Borgias and The Musketeers and the idea of somehow including the actors' other roles in some way amuses me. Also historical especially renaissance/regency AUs.
Robin isn't his temp, she hires Cormoran because she's suspicious of Matthew. They become close as she asks about his methods.
Robin shows up as his temp but she's a rival PI checking up on a case Cormoran's working on. But they find they work better together.