Fic In A Box Letter

[kitsunerei88]

Dear Fic in a Box Creator,

Thank you for writing or otherwise creating for me! In this exchange, whatever we matched on, I really tried to provide you with a lot of options for shorter fics, so I hope it's worked out for you and you're not finding yourself stuck in a "oh my, I need to come up with 10K on X because I know nothing else." This isn't Heart Attack (yet)! You can also look at my previous letters for ideas if you're truly stuck--you'll see I often ask for the same stuff over and over again.

General Likes:

In general, I love love love fics that are character-focused, character-driven, and deal with character exploration or character development. Show me aspects of a character I never considered before, or explorations of how a character's unbringing influences their worldviews. I love fics as challenge, or when fics challege our understanding of canon, or comment on our own reality. I also love a focus on relationships, particularly how a character interacts with the world around them and other characters based on their upbringing and worldview. Thematically, I love when characters are put in a tough spot, moral ambiguity, and themes around honour, duty, and responsibility. In short, I basically like very literary fic.

That said, I also love all favours of AU. Modern AUs, Mundane AUs, crossovers, etc. I also love world-building, especially through in-universe documents, I love romance, fluff, happy endings, fix-it fics, canon divergence, missing scenes, drunken confessions, etc. I love romances with friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, fake marriage, arranged marriages, first times, established relationships, slow-burn, shovel talk, and mutual pining.

Smut Likes: I love possessive themes, mild BDSM and D/s with femsub, impregnation and pregnancy.

General DNWs:

My DNWs are all pretty case-dependent. However, in general, I don't take well to crack fic, soapbox fic (ie I do not want a character getting on a soapbox to tell me about a Real World Society Issue or Philosophy... have some class and at least put it under a veneer of canonical plausibility, please), amnesia fic, body swaps, cringe comedy,and plots based miscommunication or jealousy. If there is hurt, I would like comfort, or I often just can't get through it--same goes for angst.

I DNW character bashing. In general, I like to imagine that all characters are like people--they're complex, and they have an array of good points and bad points. Except otherwise indicated, I also DNW major character death.

Smut DNWs: Adultery or infidelity, large age differences or age play, A/B/O, humiliation, incest, mpreg, non-con or dub-con (unless otherwise stated), torture.

Art Likes:

I literally do not know enough about art to give you any guidance. Art is pretty. For comics, I have always gravitated more towards anime/manga style than others, but that is certainly not exclusive! I DNW explicit art, but I love fanart of all types, especially if they are of my own work!

Onto the specific requests!

Harry Potter

As is common with my big requests, there are several categories of requests here! I asked for a lot because a bunch of short fics is as equally acceptable as one long one!

Cho Chang

Cho Chang/Blaise Zabini, Cho Chang/Cedric Diggory, Cho Chang/Draco Malfoy, Solo: Cho Chang

When I was a wee child in 1996, Cho Chang was like the only character I had in the media I loved that looked like me. Is she the greatest example of representation ever? God, no. What's even with that name? She's either got two Korean last names, or she has a completely nonsensical first name with a Chinese last name! If Chinese, this isn't pinyin, which means she's most likely pre-pinyin diaspora Chinese (the same last name would now be romanized as "Zhang"), which means that actually her family would probably have named her something stereotypically Chinese but in English, like "Anna" or "Juliet" or "Lily".  But you know what? in 1996, she was what I had and she was pretty and good at Quidditch

So, tell me more about Cho Chang.

• What's her backstory? Is she a halfblood, pureblood, Muggleborn? Explain the inconsistences with that name. Is she Korean? Is she Chinese? Are there Korean/Chinese wizarding traditions that she keeps to that we should know about?


• What is Hogwarts like for a person of colour? We have other PoC characters (Dean Thomas, Angelina Johnston, Blaise Zabini are black, the Patils are brown, etc), but are they all of ten characters in a school of at least 280 students? Does she have to deal with stereotypes like "you're an Asian woman so you're exotic and pretty and feminine and docile"? How does she end up dating Cedric; is Cedric the only one who sees past her race and stereotypes to see Cho as a person?


• Tell me about her post-Hogwarts career. What did she do during the War--did she and her family run abroad? Or did she stay? Did she help with the Order of the Phoenix, and what does she do after the war? Is this when she gets together with either Blaise or Draco, and if so, how?

Percy Weasley

Pansy Parkinson/Percy Weasley, Percy Weasley & Weasley Family, Percy Weasley/Oliver Wood, Solo: Percy Weasley

I am one of those people who thinks that Percy gets a bit of a short shrift in canon. His brothers make fun of him because he's dour and stiff and boring, and he's the only one of the Weasleys who is taken in by the Ministry. But if we consider his background, is this really that surprising? Unlike the rest of our characters, Percy is probably the only one who has memories of the First Wizarding War. In 1981, when Harry defeated Voldemort, Percy was about 5 or 6 years old. He was possibly the oldest Weasley child still at home (in order for the timelines in PS to make sense, Charlie has to be at least 3 years older than him, if not more). The twins were 3 or 4, Ron about 2, and Ginny a baby. Molly almost certainly put more responsibility on Percy than he should have had, there were almost certainly extremely strict rules on him at pain of Death Eater attack and the death of his whole family and in the mix of this, Percy is 6! He is exactly what his parents made him be at that age--someone who takes on too much responsibility, who follows authority rigidly because he has been taught to follow orders without questioning, because that is how you keep a 6-year-old from inadvertently getting his family killed.

So, tell me about Percy!

• I am 100% down for a post-fic redemption arc for him. Hell, I am down for an AU where Percy never joins the Ministry, or where Percy is a spy for the Order within the Ministry, or where Percy is actually given the skills he needs earlier on so that he doesn't later fall for the Ministry's words.


• Tell me more about Percy's relationship with the rest of his family. Tell me how out of place he feels caught between his older brothers, who are just a bit too old for him to fit with easily despite the fact that they're the ones who remember the First Wizarding War (Charlie being at least 9 or 10 and Bill even older means that while they remember it, they also had the ability to understand it), and his more rambunctious younger siblings. Tell me how rules-following Percy gets by in a family that clearly doesn't really get him.


• Give me a Percy Weasley romance. It can be with Pansy as noted above, or with Oliver Wood, or with just about anyone. I don't care. I just want my boy to find himself and be happy.

The Slytherins

Solo: Blaise Zabini, Solo: Millicent Bulstrode, Solo: Pansy Parkinson, Solo: Theodore Nott

There are a lot of Draco-focused post-canon stories in which Draco needs to come to terms with a world after the war, but Draco wasn't alone in his pureblood supremacist beliefs, nor is he alone in needing to come to terms with a new world. I want to hear about the other Slytherins, the ones who maybe escaped Draco's fate by simple luck.

• Tell me about the Zabinis and Notts--were Blaise and Theodore just lucky that their parents hadn't been so prominent in the Death Eaters or that their parents hadn't pissed Voldemort off, and do they look at Draco and think "there but for the grace of God I go?" What about the women, Pansy and Millicent? What were Voldemort's views on women, and did Pansy and Millicent escape active Death Eater service because of their gender, or was it something else? What was the wartime experience for these characters?


• After the war, how do these characters come to terms with a new world? They weren't as prominent as the Malfoys, but neither did they have a Narcissa Malfoy who saved Harry Potter's life in the Forest. Were their parents convicted of their crimes as Death Eaters? What happens to them--do they leave the country? How do they come to terms with what their parents did?


• In some ways, Draco needs to come to terms with what he himself did and the reality of blood equality because he was so prominent during the war. He is the only one that we know about who actually took the Mark, and after the war, he was probably the only one of his year of Slytherins to stand trial for his actions, if he did. What about these characters? Do they change their beliefs on pureblood supremacy, and if so, how? Or, do they simply move somewhere around the world, where their beliefs are more broadly accepted?

Everything Else

This is just the everything else category, so, here we go, bullet points!

• Andromeda Black Tonks/Ted Tonks: Tell me about their romance. How did she meet Ted? How did they fall in love, and what happened when Andromeda was disowned?


• Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy: One of my favoute enemies-to-lovers pairings! They're great as an academic ship--I'd love to see some unresolved sexual tension while they're at school, maybe when they run into each other in the libraries or something. In terms of serious romantic relationships, I generally see this happening post-canon and I've read and loved many great post-fic Dramiones. Go wild!


• Hermione Granger/Victor Krum: I love the idea of this ship, and I'd love some missing scenes from fourth-year and the Triwizard Tournament. How does Victor fall for her, and why are they together? What are their dates like?


• Luna Lovegood & Draco Malfoy: Luna is trapped in Draco's Manor for a fair part of DH--what happened here? Did Draco provide comfort to her, or did it go the other way around? How does this experience affect their relationship moving on? I've seen glimpses of a special Luna & Draco relationship in other post-canon fic, but I'd love an in-depth exploration!


• Solo: Andromeda Black Tonks: Obviously Andromeda broke her family's rules to marry him, but was she always a rebel? Where was she Sorted? What was she like as a person, both in the context of her family and Ted?


• Solo: Bellatrix Black Lestrange: Was Bellatrix always mad, or did she become that way, or is she mad at all? In canon, she's painted very one-dimensionally, but I'd like to think there's more to her. Why did she join Voldemort to begin with?


• Solo: Ron Weasley: I think there's a ton of potential in Ron that most fic writers ignore, because his life is really about being overshadowed. First, at home, he's overshadowed by his brothers; then at school, he's overshadowed by Harry and Hermione. In fic, he's a very often bashed, especially in a Hermione/Anyone Else ship. Let's have some attention on Ron's positive qualities, shall we?


• Solo: Tom Riddle | Voldemort: I'd love a Rule 63 Voldemort. How would Voldemort be different if he was always a she? What was Hogwarts, and the wizarding world, like for a girl in the 1930s or 1940s, and how would her rise to power have gone differently? What changes, and what's the same? Otherwise, I'd love to see any exploration of Voldemort's motivations or his journey to power.

​Other Media

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For other media, I'd love to see any in-universe documents! Pin-up posters, or propaganda posters, from either side of the war, or give me the front page of the Dally Prophet, political pamphlets for and against pureblood supremacy, whatever! Go wild!

Revolutionary Arc

I do hope I matched on this, if only because if you were fortunate enough to match on this, you also have the wide range of HP requests above to play with! For most of these, I'm mostly looking for romantic fic, or light-hearted shenangans. Trust me, I got you covered on the rest.

Romantic Ships

Other than Aldon/Chess, I don't really give any of the other pairings (canon or not) their due. I'd love to see any and all of the following:

• Aldon Rosier/Aleksandr Willoughby Dragic: More than one person has said that they loved the idea of an Aldon/Alex ship, particularly set during Aldon's boot camp in the second half of Vanguard. I'd love to see this too. Go wild, and give these two the fling of their dreams!


• Aldon Rosier/Francesca Lam: I am not giving them enough fluff. Now, I could write myself my own fluff, but I want to see how you do it! Expand on their dating story: tell me about some of their early comm orb conversations, or invent a not-a-date they went on that very first summer when they first met, before the world went to shit. Tell me about the time that Chess wanted to go out to some sight or another, and Aldon being unable to let her go alone because how could she go unescorted? Or, tell me about their future: give me some Muggle university hijinks for them, tell me about the one time that Chess goes to a college party and gets super drunk, so Aldon has to drag her home for once. Or, tell me about Aldon's failed proposals, and how many there are before Chess finally accepts. Go wild!


• Aldon Rosier/Hermione Granger: These two are a recipe for a enemies-to-lovers fic. They're either arguing with each other and hating each other, or they're in complete agreement and are perpetully surprised to be in agreement with the other. Say Archie and Chess aren't in the picture, for whatever reason. How do these characters get together?


• Aleksandr Willoughby Dragic/Cho Chang, Aleksandr Willoughby Dragic/Fei Long Lin: We all know that Alex sleeps around from both Smoke and Ash and various other comments here and there. During the Tournament, Alex and Cho were both in high level, high stress positions, and they're both Ravenclaws. Show me a glimpse of their planning sessions in the Ravenclaw study rooms, and where they go from there. Alternatively, show me how Alex and Fei meet, either during the war and after, and see how they might get together.

The Friendship Ensembles

Friends! Friends are great!

• Aldon Rosier & Aleksandr Willoughby Dragic & Neal Queenscove: These three have a great rapport in the second half of VG, and I'd love to see you explore this more! This can be through their training scenes, or through adventures in the Muggle world, or really anything. Enjoy!


• Arcturus Rigel Black & Hermione Granger & John Kowalski & Francesca Lam: I haven't spent enough time with these four as a group since FAWL, and would love to see them get back together and spending time at a group. Ideas? Someone's wedding is always good! A post-fic adventure in New York City or London or Geneva? Holidays? Whatever. I just want all four of them to hang out again.

Other Media

There is so much scope for other media here: pin-ups of Fei! Front-page spreads of Bridge! The Queenscove or Rosier coat of arms! The seal of the Order! Excerpts from Aldon's notebooks, or his awful poetry to Chess! Propaganda posters from the Ministry of Magic, countered by Bridge! That tapestry on Neal's Great Hall wall! The stained glass images they're all going to be memorialized by! The sky is the limit! Alternatively, any podfic would be great.

Tortall

Again, lots of options here, because if you match on any of them I want you to have options for lots of fics rather than one massive 10K fic (though, I would absolutely not say no to a 10K fic either). See where your heart takes you! I'm also happy to receive podfic of any of my works in this fandom, or recursive work--for ideas, I suggest poking at Friends, Politics and Proposals, which was left pretty open-ended, or I'd love more F!Neal/M!Yuki from call me a fool.

The Canonical and/or Squint-and-You'll-See-It Pairings

Mostly these are canonical. I love romance!

• Domitan of Masbolle/Keladry of Mindelan: This one is not technically canonical but it's still my favourite Kel ship. Obviously she and Dom already know each other, but how do they begin seeing each other in a different light? How do they start dating? Do they do this a traditional noble way, or do they find their own way?


• Kaddar Iliniat/Kalasin of Conté, Roald II of Conté/Shinokami of Conté:  We know that these were arranged political marriages. Tell me about how these characters feel about it. Show me the fumbling first few greetings. Does Roald study Yamani for years before meeting Shinko so he can speak to her in her own language? What were Kalasin's thoughts when she stepped off the ship in Carthak to meet Kaddar? Do they write to each other for years before they meet? Are they happy about their lot in life, or do they learn to love each other?


• Kora Ingensra/Ersken Westover: These two were very sweet! We know than Kora is part of the Court of the Rogue, and Ersken is one of the Provost's Dogs--how does it start, and how do they make it work? What about Ersken's upstanding family--how do they feel about Kora?


• Numair Salmalín/Veralidaine Sarrasri:  I adore this couple and will pretty much always want more. Tell me how worried Numair was between Emperor Mage and In the Realm of the Gods when Daine was sick with unicorn fever and delirious. Tell me about the day that Daine finally accepts Numair's proposal (because we all know she turned it down once, and probably twice, and I think canonically she only agrees to marry him when she gets pregnant which is a very Daine thing to do). Tell me about Numair's conniptions when Daine is pregnant with Sarralyn or Rikash. Or, AU this into a modern college/university setting. I don't know. I'll love pretty much everything you write here.


• Saraiyu Balitang/Zaimid Hetnim: I've never requested this, but Saraiyu does run away with Zaimid, right under Aly's nose. Tell me about their romance--how does Zaimid stand out? How did they plan it, and then tell me about their life in Carthak.


• Yukimi no Daiomoru/Nealan of Queenscove: I have written two Neal/Yuki in the past, but I want more. How do they get together? Is Neal different to Yuki than he is to Kel and his other friends? We know they're both mages because they go to a mages party together over Midwinter one year, but what is Yuki's Gift like? Or, better, give me Neal's in-universe poetry about Yuki!

Dovasary Balitang And The New Regime

Solo: Dovasary Balitang, Dovasary Balitang & Alianne Cooper,  Dovasary Balitang & Taybur Sibigat, Solo: Taybur Sibigat

We leave the Trickster series at the coronation, but we know that this can't be the end. Dovasary is all of fourteen or fifteen when she takes the throne of an unstable country, and we know from history that young kings and queens struggle. Some ideas:

• What resistance still exists by the time that Dovasary takes the throne? How does she adapt to her new responsibilities?


• How do their countries react to their rule? How are their advisors coping with her? How does Dove handle getting respect?


• What about their interpersonal relationships? How do their relationships with their families or with their friends change as they ascend the throne? What about their future spouses? Does Dove have an international political marriage, or does she marry someone within the Isles to solidify her rule, or does she marry for love?

For other media, what about Dove's coat of arms, or the seal of the Copper Isles? How is Dove memorialized in stained glass or tapestry? What about the propaganda posters? Excerpts from Aly's notebooks?

The Traitors (Unintentional or Not)

Alexander of Tirragen/Delia of Eldorne, Solo: Alexander of Tirragen, Solo: Thom of Trebond

• For Alex, how does he become involved with the coup against the Crown? What was in it for him? Why would he turn from his friends to join Roger? Alternatively, write me a fix-it. I never wanted Alex to betray Alanna and her friends, and while I don't mind him dying (I think his dying serves a purpose), I'd at least have liked him to die on the side of the heroes?


• What about Delia? She obviously wants to the Queen--but do she and Alex have a fling? What was their relationship like?


• Thom doesn't really belong in this lot, but it's the closest I can find. Explore his character, and write about his descent into the reviving Roger. Write me a fix-it, or write me an AU where he never falls for Delia's taunts at all. Give me his perspective on his relationship with Alanna, who is possibly the only person other than himself that he loves--or, give him someone to love other than Alanna. I'd love something that paints him sympathetically, even with all his flaws.

Worldbuilding: The Royal University (Or Elsewhere)

Solo: Original Character(s), Solo: Skysong | Kitten, Solo: Thom of Pirate's Swoop, Solo: Worldbuilding

• One thing I'm very cious about is the Royal University of Tortall. We see it in glimpses, and we know that Thom and Neal were students there, and we know that Numair and Daine likely lecture there. Tell me more about the Royal University, either through Thom's eyes, or maybe Kitten's! An architectural drawing or floorplan would also be great here.


• In the short story Lost, Tamora Pierce introduces us to Adria, a Marenite girl with a gift for mathematics. I'd love for someone to expand on this! How are engineers trained in Tortall/the Eastern Lands? What about the non-magical arts and sciences?


• Otherwise, tell me about the world. Stories in other parts of Tortall are very welcome, especially from Tyra, Maren, Galla, Tusaine, or Saraine.

Original Works

• Archmage/Knight-Commander


• Captured Royal/General Who Overthrew the Government


• Dutiful Princess/Honourable Knight


• Emperor/Favorite Concubine


• Exiled Archmage/Knight-Commander


• Exiled Prince(ss)/Coup Leader's Kid Who Was Sent to Spy on Them but Caught Feelings


• Princess Deprived of Her Throne/Loyal Knight with a Dark Secret


• Princess/Leader of the Kingdom's Guard


• Revolutionary Heretic/Disillusioned Inquisitor


• Ruthless General/Captured Princess of Conquered Kingdom


• Conquerer King/Former Heiress Apparent to the Throne


• Queen/Male General of Rival Nation She Marries to Prevent War


• Consummate Duelist Who Always Duels Over Others' Honor & Their Long-Suffering Second


• Solo: Princess Heir in Exile for Political Reasons

Most of these I think are fairly self-explanatory, and most of them have built in tension. I generally love the medieval period--fantasy flavours are optional! Go historical, go fantasy, or go modern if you can make it work. I'm open to smut for any or all of these pairings as well. Go wild!

I hope that gives you something to work with, andI look forward to seeing what you'll have!