elegantstupidity | Dear Yuletider 2023 (Reply)

Dear Yuletider,

Hi! Hello! So happy to be here and glad you're here, too! Hopefully, everything you could need to write a fic for me can be found right in this letter. If not, I'm happy to answer any questions you send through the mods.

Long, short; ship, gen; G-rated or explicit: I am very prepared to be delighted by what you create! Where I've requested more than one character, don't feel as though you need to focus equally on each; as long as they all show up, I am set.

Thanks in advance and see you on the other side!

elegantstupidity

Navigation
Yes, Please! and No, Thanks!
Requests:

The Bear

A League of Their Own

舞妓さんちのまかないさん | Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san (Manga)

Mythic Quest

Pitch

Uprooted - Naomi Novik

Yes, Please!
genres and styles

adventure (from the everyday to the epic), angst (though preferably with a bittersweet or happy ending), canon-typical plots, character studies, fantasy and sci-fi, fluff, humor/comedy, hurt/comfort, mysteries and casefic, romance, slice of life
AUs
- especially canon-divergences, canon+ (basically, the canon setting + some fantastical/magical element, ie: body swaps, unexpected telepathic connections, time loops, etc.), or fusions and genre shifts (ie: daemon AUs, Pacific Rim, Hogwarts, in space!, epic fantasy, etc.)
- exceptions I'm not particularly into: A/B/O, de-aging, soulmate/soulmark AUs, or making the setting more ordinary/mundane than canon
character- and relationship-driven plots
crack relationships or premises treated even halfway seriously
epistolary elements
- both letters and texts/emails/digital communication as well as in-universe texts/published materials
missing scenes
parallels and canon callbacks
x + 1 times

details

competence/characters in their element
- alternatively, I do love a good fish out of water scenario
competitions of pretty much any kind; I love a good competitive streak
food, baking, and/or cooking porn
worldbuilding
- Even for canons that ostensibly take place in the real world, I love getting a taste of all the little details that add color and texture to these character’s lives.
  - Stuff like: politics/local government, what's on their TBR list, what's in their fridge/closet/bag/car, what kind of celebrity gossip exists in their world, etc.
Honestly, you can't go overboard on the descriptions and detail, no matter how minute or possibly off-topic. Tell me all about the setting or circumstances, the characters' emotions/sensations, bits of backstory, anything!

gen relationships

loyalty and ride or die friendships
complex friendship dynamics
- I prefer when conflicts are resolved at least semi-happily, but angst on the way is excellent!
found families and/or family feels and/or complex family situations
team bonding/group dynamics
- eg: road trips, pranks, inside jokes, friendship building, nights out, games/game nights, betting pools, roughhousing/physical affection, celebrations/parties, etc.
mutual admiration societies/positive partnerships
- I love snark and teasing and even outright antagonism, too, they just have to end up liking each other—even grudgingly.

romantic relationships

anything from above
- I really love romances that are built on friendships/trust/loyalty or at the very least some kind of shared history
pre-relationship and/or getting together plots
- slow burns, UST, mutual pining, denial, flirting, lingering touches, veiled confessions
- enemies/rivals/haters [to friends] to lovers
  - I'm all about snarky antagonism/belligerence/teasing as flirting
- FWBs catching feelings
- breaking the seal
  - i.e. “We just kissed/slept together/did something unmistakably romantic, but we’re definitely not gonna do it again for reasons,” and then they absolutely do it again.
- basically, any kind of romcom trope that you can imagine
enforced proximity
- bed sharing, handcuffed together, locked in a closet, deserted together, curses/spells tethering them, sharing body heat, etc.
secret and/or "forbidden" relationships
HEAs or HFNs

smut/porn

feelings

basically anything that shows how into each other the characters are
romance, trust, enthusiasm, intensity, tenderness, vulnerability, desperation, neediness [to please], intimacy, hand holding, eye contact, laughing/having fun with it
Alternatively, I can definitely get behind some hate/grudge sex.

firsts

first time together or the first time trying something new or sexual awakenings/kink discovery, shy or desperate or a little awkward, etc. etc. and on and on and on
resolving UST to "get it out of their systems" or other transparently thin reasons to bang it out
sex pollen/curses/those kinds of generally dubcon-ish scenarios are also great for characters who are already into each other but haven't, for whatever reason, pulled the trigger on their attraction.

physicality

rough sex, hair pulling, holding each other down, losing control, marking, not making it to the bed, spanking, etc.
use of athleticism/strength/endurance/stamina/flexibility/focus on character's physique
general handsiness
cuddling/close contact, DP, from behind/bent over something, lap sex, riding, three-/moresomes, wall sex

teasing
- banter/dirty talk, body worship, grinding/frottage, hand/mouth stuff, phone/cyber/video/etc. sex, solo action, lots of foreplay, etc.

No, Thanks!

established relationship for non-canon ships (unless prompted)

established friends with benefits is fine

explicit and/or extreme (14 or younger) underage

referenced or implied sex involving characters 15-18 is fine

graphic violence or gore

"Graphic" is a bit subjective, but generally, I'd prefer no extended or detailed descriptions of viscera and guts. In-canon or canon-typical battles/fights/injuries/whatever are fine.

humiliation

embarrassment is fine to include, but I'd prefer no lingering/extended focus on it

incest
infidelity

When a canon relationship interferes with a requested ship, I'd prefer an AU where the canon relationship isn't together (having never happened in the first place or having broken up) or isn't mentioned at all.

non-canonical character death (unless prompted)
pregnancy and/or parenting non-canonical children for requested characters or as the focus of a fic
- babysitting, temporary accidental baby acquisition, or kids who exist in canon are all fine
rape or noncon

Requests

The Bear
characters: Sydney Adamu

thoughts and notes
I love that you can feel the tension and stress baked into pretty much every moment of this show. Everything matters so much! Even if, in the grand scheme of things, it probably shouldn't.
Which is not to say that I'm only after fic that feels heavy and stressful; I'd be so, so here for something where Syd gets to enjoy an amazing day where only the nicest things happen to her (or basically anything along the spectrum from pure fluff to anxiety city).
I also really like how dialed in on the characters' mental states the show is, layering visuals with sound engineering and repetition to really crank up the stress or smoothing all the superfluity away for calm and purpose. It would be really cool to see how those effects could work out in a fic!
All those loving shots of food—the pure attention to detail and technique!—went straight to my heart (if only they went to my stomach, too).
Sydney's work ethic is just incredible. She takes her work—both as a chef and as the co-owner of a new business—so seriously. She craves success, having tasted failure, and will put in whatever work is necessary to get it.
Syd's impatient desire to prove herself and the compromises she thinks she has to make to do so make her such a compelling, flawed mess of a human, but still she keeps striving for better.
If you're interested in including other characters or any ships, I especially like Syd/Carmy and Syd/Carmy/Marcus and I'd be fine with basically anything, canon or otherwise, in the background. I'd also be thrilled with something that explores any of Sydney's friendships/animosities/general relationships with any of the other characters.

prompts

I have been watching a ton of Food Network and food documentaries, and now I'm stuck imagining all the possible a crossover-ish situations. Both what would actually end up in the eventual final cut of an episode and all the behind-the-scenes chaos.

Like: The crew of The Bear on Iron Chef (or Legally-Distinct Culinary Battle if you want to make up your own show and/or not include real people). Or Syd as a fan-favorite contestant on Top Chef or Chopped because of her hilarious talking heads. Or the Chef's Table episode dedicated to Sydney once she has her own restaurant—how much does her food have to fight for screentime over discussion of the contentious (or not) split from her first restaurant and culinary partner? Or The Bear is getting featured on a food show, which, of course, is exactly when everything goes to hell.

Honestly, I'd love any kind of exploration of where Syd goes following the end of season 2.

Like, they did it. They opened the Bear on the ridiculous timeline Cicero required, but there's still such an uphill battle to making it a success, and I just know Sydney wouldn't settle for shitshow of that opening night.
Rebuilding her faith in Carmy (more like Carmy earning back her trust). Navigating this new facet to her working relationships with Marcus or Richie. Hiring new, non-meth-smoking, cooks. Commiserating with Sugar. Enjoying her dad's newfound belief in this choice she's made. Any or all of it, I'm dying to know!

How about Sydney moving into her own place, particularly now that she and her dad have resolved some of their issues. Does moving out reignite some of them? Does she flounder when it comes to picking out stuff for herself vs the restaurant? Who from The Bear finds out she's moving and insists on helping (or "helping" as the case may be)?
Trying out seasonal recipes, either for the restaurant or family meals or just for fun. Who refuses to put peppermint in anything and who would bathe in egg nog if they could? How does Syd deal with any remotely Christmas-y dishes getting unceremoniously shot down by Carmy?
I really loved when Syd was cooking for Marcus, just at home, not trying to prep enough for an entire restaurant, taking her time and making something beautiful because she wants to do something nice. So, basically, more of that? Food as a love language (for her coworkers or her dad or just every customer who walks through the door)?
- Family dinners of any stripe, please! Homey or fraught or just plain weird. More pre-shift meals at The Bear or getting a taste of a Berzatto get-together (though whether it's more or less stressful than that Christmas episode is up to you) or bringing food to Marcus and his mom/for her funeral or loading Sugar and Pete up with freezer meals once the baby's arrived.

A League of Their Own (Film)
characters: Jimmy Dugan, Dottie Hinson

thoughts and notes
I adore this movie with pretty much every fiber of my being. There is basically nothing you could give me about these characters from this movie that I won't eat up with a spoon! Not to quote a completely unrelated show, but, yes. It's about sisterhood and the war. It's about a baseball team grinding it up. And I love every single second of it.
The setting is a huge plus for me. The WWII home front is such an interesting period, and any historical details you want to include—from the lighter end like pop culture and fashion to period-typical issues topics with more weight–—would be great bonuses for background color.
Specifically, I find the history of the actual AAGPBL really fascinating! I mean, the meeting of gender politics and early feminism with baseball history with wartime Midwestern values? How could I resist?
Part and parcel of that really is the baseball of it all. Yes, it's a fun sports movie, but it's not all Peaches (hah) and cream. The grit of these characters, their talent and dedication and love of the game always, always gets me.
As much as I love everything above, I am just as much here for the sheer potential of Jimmy/Dottie. To me, they feel like equals and opposites. Equal in their talent and love for the game, even if they’re not equally honest about it. Opposite places in their careers and approaches, even if every moment they spend together brings them closer to equilibrium. However messy it could be, they just fit together.
Dottie's sheer competence—her talent on the field and composure off it—is so intimidating. Whereas the only thing intimidating about Jimmy is his faded legacy. I love that he's such an out and out disaster, too quick with a joke at his own expense, but one who's not beyond piecing himself back together for something (or someone) he believes is worth the effort. That he ends up being one of the only people to crack Dottie's veneer, to draw out some vulnerability, proves that it is.
As far as background ships go, I’m open to anything: Marla/Nelson, any of the Peaches or AAGPBL players together, Ira Lowenstein’s one-sided crush on Dottie. Any and all platonic friendships/rivalries/whatever including as many of the Peaches, as well as Dottie and Kit’s relationship, are more than welcome, too!
Note: For this request, you can (but don't have to) ignore my character death DNW to kill off Bob. You can also ignore his existence entirely and/or go with an AU where he and Dottie aren't together.

prompts

What does the season look like when Dottie makes an abrupt—and impromptu, judging by the complete lack of fanfare organized by Ira Lowenstein—return to the league? Is it really abrupt, or does it just feel that way to Jimmy?

Having to rebuild trust and camaraderie with the memory of what their relationship used to be. Jimmy trying to stay angry after she left the game (and him, not that it matters) while Dottie pretends it doesn't bother her. Or the fact that they're not bickering, are painfully polite, is just proof that things aren't as good as they say.

Any kind of missing scene would be greatly appreciated. Here are some ideas:

What did Jimmy or Dottie think about the filming of that newsreel? Did they get to see a preview of it, or did they have to go to the theater to see it with the rest of the world?
Apparently there's a deleted scene (#5) in which, “Dottie isn’t sure if going ‘all the way’ is something married women ‘get to’ or ‘have to’ do.” (RIP Bob.) Um, please expand on how Jimmy Dugan convinces her otherwise, either during the movie or after.
Aside from sneaking out to roadhouses and breaking into local ballparks, what did Dottie and the Peaches do in their downtime? How hard and how long did Jimmy hold out on joining them?

I’m all about one or both of them sublimating all of their confusing feelings for the other into the game. So: Jimmy doing his damnedest to get Dottie through her first major injury intact because the Peaches can’t afford to lose their star. Emotional dishonesty manifesting as a truly embarrassing case of the yips. More and more late night batting practices where not many words are said, but baseball’s always spoken loud enough, anyway.
Maybe Jimmy and Dottie stick around Rockford over the offseason. Does he stay too long at her boarding house, though her landlady keeps turning a blind eye? Are they fixtures at the ballpark, even as fall comes and they have to bundle up to take batting practice? Do they somehow end up getting snowed in somewhere, either because they’re coincidentally together or one of them braves the storm to make sure the other’s okay?
I feel like the Suds Bucket was not the only time the girls snuck out for a little dancing and fun, and at some point, Dottie must join them. Maybe the first time they run into Jimmy, it's an accident—he's just trying to get a drink that didn't come out of a warm flask and did not count on this gaggle of ballplayers—but all the times after are a little harder to justify. Even if propping up the bar with his catcher (or maybe even taking her for a turn around the floor) doesn't feel like something he needs to justify.

舞妓さんちのまかないさん | Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san (Manga)
characters: Kiyo, Momohana | Herai Sumire

thoughts and notes
I find everything about this manga so sweet and cozy and heartwarming. All the loving attention and detail—to Kiyo's food and Sumire's performances and wardrobe and life in the yakata itself—creates such a wonderful homeyness within a completely unfamiliar (to me, at least) setting.
I also really enjoy the juxtaposition of modern-day Kyoto with the traditions and rituals that rule the Kagai. Kiyo goes from shopping in supermarkets and pining after bread makers to catering for these young women dedicating their lives to these old-fashioned art forms. Half an hour in the hairdresser's chair transforms Sumire into Momohana.
The slice-of-life pace is also really soothing. I am very here for generally low-stakes hijinks and domestic adventures that can never go to awry. Snapshots of Kiyo and Sumire's lives.
These characters are such joys! Kiyo's cheerful industry—she really just wants to feed good food to the people she loves, and that turns out to be pretty much everyone in her life—is so refreshing. She's completely guileless, as kind and caring as she appears. Sumire's dedication to her craft—all that practice and determination to improve—is so admirable, even when it's to the exclusion of pretty much everything else, like remembering to eat. Which is exactly where Kiyo comes in!
Kiyo and Sumire's friendship is absolutely the backbone of this story for me. They're so in tune with one another, all that history together making for an unbreakable bond and unshakeable faith. The way they look to one another to measure their own success and always root for their friends'.
I am all for Kiyo &-or-/ Sumire, basically any iteration of their relationship. Purely platonic friendship? Great! The unrequited love triangle (with Kenta as the third hinge) as they currently stand? Super! Eventually realized romance? Excellent! If you're interested, I also like Kiyo/Sumire/Kenta as a future possibility.
Any other characters or background ships you want to include are more than welcome, too!

prompts

I'd love to see what Kiyo and Sumire's friendship looks like a few years down the road!

How do they navigate the transition from maiko to geiko? Is it strange to go from living under the same roof to Sumire establishing her own place? Does she still eat most of her meals at the yakata? Does Kiyo start thinking about making changes of her own?

How about Kiyo and Sumire working together? Somehow? Could disaster strike the food at an ozashiki where Sumire is performing, and Kiyo is brought in to feed the guests?
Is there ever a time when even Kiyo can't coax Sumire into remembering her appetite? What lengths does Kiyo go to to find something her friend will eat? Is something actually wrong, or is Sumire just so focused on her training that not even Kiyo's food can compete?

Alternatively, what does Sumire do for Kiyo up if she's ever in a slump? Does she try to cook something herself or does she ask for help (from back home or around the Kagai)? Or is the art of cheering Kiyo up somehow not food-based?

For all the responsibility both Kiyo and Sumire have—the health and wellbeing as well as the expectations and hopes of their house—they are just teenagers. What gets them to actually cut loose and act like it?

Do maiko and makanai get to indulge in the age-old anime/manga tradition of a beach vacation? What if Kenta didn't get injured and they got to watch him play in the national tournament?
Or do they make do with their days off in Kyoto? I love how getting fast food or grocery shopping can be such a big deal for the maiko, so how do they top that?

What happens when Kiyo develops her first crush (or, for maximum miscommunication, when Sumire or the other maiko have decided Kiyo has fallen in love)? How well—in reality or just to keep up appearances—does Sumire handle the revelation?

Mythic Quest
characters: Ian Grimm, Poppy Li

thoughts and notes
Gaming and game development are way out of my wheelhouse, but so much of the show plays right into my love of characters who are really, really good at what they do. And you really can't deny that Ian and Poppy, whatever other, myriad faults they have as people, are really, really good at what they do.
Even though I'm not very familiar with the industry, or MMORPGs in general, I'd love something that gets into the nitty gritty of their work. The more detail, the better!
I also really like the sensibility and humor of the show. Cutting and darkly funny but heartfelt when the moment calls for it. I like that it pokes and prods at the very real issues that plague gaming culture—overworked and underpaid employees, the balance tipping too often towards financial gain over creative control or ethical concerns, sexism and gatekeeping to name just a few—without being a complete downer.
While I do love the whole cast of characters (and would be happy to see anyone else in a supporting role), Poppy and Ian are way at the top. I love Ian's charismatic ego-monster ways, just barely paving over the pit of raging insecurity and childhood trauma. Just like I love Poppy's own ego-monster, lurking beneath the surface of socially awkward geekery. I am just so into these two co-dependent, dysfunctional, brilliantly unhinged, weirdos. I am always a sucker for characters that are two halves of a whole, and Ian and Poppy really hit that note for me: macro and micro, vision and execution, whim and will. I love that as often as they probably think about strangling or going scorched earth on each other, there's some part of them that knows that they couldn't. That's the only person they can be vulnerable with. The only person who has any shot at really, truly, understanding. They're just not complete without their best friend.
Which, speaking of: I love that they explicitly are best friends! I love that they love each other! I just think they should also be in love with each other. Even if that realization makes them want to run for the hills. Maybe even especially then.

prompts

Somehow—Poppy's gas station food gets the better of them? Ian's pie-in-the-sky idea and Poppy's subsequent coding sprint opens a portal in reality? The ayahuasca Ian insists they do on some studio retreat?— they get isekai'd straight into the game.

Do they wind up in their Everlight personas? Their regular avatars? As complete randos with a new, completely unknown quest to fulfill? Does the world contain video game elements–cheats and glitches and NPCs with annoyingly limited dialog options—or is it all unsettlingly realistic?

Poppy is getting profiled/honored/a Genius Grant/whatever, and she keeps expecting Ian to turn into a jealous monster about all the attention not going straight to him, but he's actually surprisingly chill about it. Which, of course, just makes her obsessed with figuring out his game.

Except: Ian is not chill. Not at all. Not because Poppy's genius is being acknowledged—he's always known she's a genius. It's just that other people are doing the acknowledging, now. She seems so much more flattered/flustered by it all than she ever is when he's the one telling her she's awesome. Which, obviously, is just unacceptable.

Inevitably, whenever Poppy decides she should try dating again, Ian has completely valid reasons to hate every person she goes out with. Which he is absolutely not shy about sharing with her (or anyone who has a chance at complaining about him complaining to her). At great length.
They're not sure who first floated the idea—naturally, neither of them is going to cop to it—but after a long, creative dry spell or sales slump or mounting pressure from Montreal, someone suggests that they indulge in a little stress relief. Could be something silly and light and probably not safe for work or serious and heavy with meaning and definitely not safe for work.

I am just very here for the myriad ways a casual fling or semi-steady FWBs thing nearly destroys Poppy, Ian, the companies, and who knows how many innocent bystanders (before, hopefully, they get it together and right the ship).

I am very down for more backstory for Ian or Poppy, from their youth or the early days of their acquaintance or the birth of Mythic Quest or anything in between.

I love stories that are told in thematic parallels, like "Sarian." Maybe something that flips between the past and the present re: disappointing family moments or tangles in starting new companies or power struggles between Poppy and Ian?

Pitch
characters: Ginny Baker

thoughts and notes
This might just be my forever show? For something that only aired 10 episodes, I really do love it an awful lot. It's such a great drama, with room for humor and romance and all these wonderful character beats. It's earnest and optimistic without getting too pie-in-the-sky, remaining grounded. Just in a slightly kinder reality.
The character development in 10 episodes always astounds me. So many wonderful, flawed, complex characters with their own journeys and perspectives, crossing paths and butting heads and finding real understanding in one another.
I really think that Ginny Baker might be my platonic ideal of a fictional character. Between her grit and her goofiness, her innate talent and the tension between what she’s doing and who she actually is, there’s so much to love. Like, sure, she’s an overnight sensation struggling but determined to live up to the expectations laid on her, but she’s also a 23-year-old fully capable of acting out and making terrible decisions.
And I love that for all she is on a pedestal all her own, she's really not without a support system. There are so many people who care for her on a personal level, even if that care isn't perfect. Her relationships with her friends and family and teammates really highlight that she's just a human.
Baseball is one of the few sports I actively enjoy and care about, and I love all the inside, well, baseball that this show delivers. The action on the field is as fun as what goes on in the clubhouse and front office. A story that leans into the love of the game—tradition and pain and victory and pressure and competitiveness all wrapped up in a schoolyard game—would be much appreciated!
I can get behind shipping Ginny with pretty much anyone. I like Ginny/Mike and Ginny/Livan/Mike and Ginny/Cara and Ginny/Blip/Ev in particular, but truly any relationship could win me over given a chance.
I'm more than happy for any other characters from the show to appear in whatever context fits the story.

prompts

I am always here for more postseason for the Padres!

Are they stuck watching from the sidelines yet again, or have they made it further than anyone thought they would? Champagne showers or drowning their sorrows with leftover Halloween candy? Inadvisable victory hookups or... inadvisable defeat hookups?

I am a true sucker for "Ginny moves out of the hotel" stories and would love another take on it! Does she stay with Blip and Evelyn for a while? Move into Mike's pool house? Go straight for buying a home or a condo of her own? How does the new place (and the budget bump thanks to that Major League minimum salary) compare to what she had in the minors? Does she want a roommate or somehow get stuck with one despite her protests?
A Major League season comes with so, so much travel, but since it's crammed in around 81 baseball games, I imagine it's not a ton of fun. Let's change that!

Where does Ginny go during the offseason? Go back to places she couldn't properly explore or head for a bit of wilderness? What bits of fun does she, maybe with the help of a teammate or two, carve out during whirlwind road trips? In real life, the Padres have played in Mexico twice and are set to play in Seoul next season, and in Pitch life, Ginny played winter ball in -probably Latin America, which could make for some fun adventures!

I totally love all the goofy and/or over the top serious (which is kind of goofy in its own right, considering they're adults playing a children's game) PR shoots professional athletes have to go through. For the team and endorsements and trading cards and broadcast partners and local media and everything else under the sun. I imagine Ginny is even more in demand than may of her teammates, and so spends a lot of time getting her picture taken. Or waiting for her picture to be taken.

How does she kill time waiting for the next set up? What's the silliest thing she's had to wear? In spite of all her media training, is she still stiff as a board if she ever has to read lines? Who puts forth no inconsiderable effort in getting her to break? Or do they take pity and conspire to break her out of the set when it's clear Ginny's one flashbulb away from snapping?

Of course, I am so here for any post-finale storylines you have up your sleeve! Where does Ginny go from that MRI? What's her road back to the mound look like? How does she juggle supporting Blip and Evelyn through their bumpy patch? Do she and Mike ever talk (or more) about it??Just tell me she ends up happy, please!

Uprooted - Naomi Novik
characters: Agnieszka, The Dragon | Sarkan, Kasia

thoughts and notes
I love the overall tone of this book. The prose and the premise feel really cozy to me. I mean, I'm always, always here for fairytale retellings/reimaginings, and this is such an excellent example of what I love about them. Taking something nostalgic and familiar and skewing it enough to turn it into some recognizable but still refreshingly novel.
The worldbuilding is wonderful, too, whimsical and sinister all at once. Everything that's implied about this place—the history and the institutions and the society—is so tantalizing, especially because it’s just glimpses that make it through. That the rest of the world can’t quite penetrate the insulating bubble of the Valley just adds to the unsettling influence of the Wood.
I also particularly like the way magic works (or doesn't) in this world. Agnieszka's naturalistic instinct playing all loosey-goosey with standard practices vs Sarkan's academic adherence to the tried and true. Then, there's Wood Queen's people and her curse as a third magical approach. Makes me wonder what other kinds of variants are possible!
I love that even though Agnieszka is a complete hayseed, even stubbornly clings to her provincial sensibility, it’s that perspective that leaves her triumphant in the end. She knows who she is, and even unexpected magical talent can’t change that. Much as Sarkan probably wishes that it would. Of course, his prickly superiority and oceans of talent aren’t enough to shake Agnieszka’s idiosyncrasies, which maybe stops bothering him about a century into their acquaintance. And I can’t leave out Kasia. The fury simmering beneath her lovely exterior adds a vital depth and strength to her character, making her so much more than a victim, of expectations and the Wood.
If you want to write something shippy, I like both Agnieszka/Sarkan—where I'm very into any and all facets of their relationship; from the early days to their magical partnership to plain old romance—and Agnieszka/Kasia/Sarkan—where I could see it as a conventional OT3 or a love angle with Agnieszka as the hinge. I enjoy the potential of Kasia/Alosha, a lot, too! But I'd also be very happy with a fic about their non-romantic relationship(s).
Any other characters or background relationships you want to include are more than welcome.

prompts

What if Agnieszka’s magic was discovered earlier? (Why? Who knows! Maybe the Valley had another hedgewitch to take her in hand or the king was more proactive in seeking out magical talent) Early enough that by the time of the choosing—to Sarkan’s consternation considering she still seems incapable of the simplest cantrip for all her power—she’s already been established as a hedgewitch. Not one consequential enough for the List, but certainly not in need of a magical mentor.

Which doesn't irk him at all. Even if he finds himself interrogating his chosen tribute more about that odd friend of hers than enjoying Kasia's lovely company.
If Kasia's less than subtle angling for a visit from Agnieszka is not met with a stone wall of resistance, well, she's really not in a position to question it.

I’m very intrigued by the possibility of an AU where Kasia is chosen, but Agnieszka still comes to apprentice with Sarkan later. Perhaps he discovers her power when he has to come to Dvernik to clean up the corrupted cattle? How does he deal with two girls of the Valley overrunning his sanctuary? Is Agnieszka any less intimidated by him with Kasia to make her brave? Does Kasia show some of her nerve in standing up for her friend, demanding an explanation for what's happening?
How does the legend of Agnieszka of Dvernik (to say nothing of the Dragon and Kasia) grow and twist and warp almost beyond recognition throughout the centuries? Does she ever register an opinion herself, or has she learned, quite possibly the hard way, that trying to set the record straight only ever muddies the waters more?

I’d totally be here for either a more traditional fic of any of them struggling with this revelation or an actual rendition of one of these stories. Possibly several renditions, or excerpts of them, showing the evolution from reality to myth?/li>

I find the canon existence of time travel so much fun and would love to read something that plays around with any one of the possibilities it opens up!

Does someone slip through time, leaving the other two to team up to go and retrieve them? Does Baba Jaga herself make an appearance to Kasia or Sarkan (which frustrates Agnieszka to no end)? Who receives the most visits from their future!selves, warning of great turmoil if they're not careful? Who inadvertently sets off a timeloop, leaving the three of them to figure a way out of it?

I’m not sure what kind of mystery requires the talents of all three of them, but I’d still love to see it. Does the team up remind them a little too much of saving the prince and princess? Or is it all a little too silly, having been called upon to humor some noble who thinks too highly of themself, and they just enjoy having the chance to catch up?

Last updated on October 20, 2023

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