opalmatrix | Dear Yuletide Author

Thank you so much for writing a story for me. My only overarching request is no tragedies, no darkness unless followed by light. I have a tough time, mood-wise, when the days are short.

Have some optional details about what I like and don't like in a story.

Preferences

I Don't Like:

Sickly-sweet, coy, cutesy romantic stuff (anything in the "tee-hee-hee, is he looking at me?" category is definitely out)
Extensive use of epithets, or epithets that don't match the character POV (no one should think of his or her long-time lover as "the green-eyed man," for example): these will throw me right out of a story
Characters acting out of character, especially if the purpose is to force them into a relationship (doubly bad if that relationship is romantic or sexual)
By-the-numbers, every-action-described sex (a/k/a Ikea Erotica - link goes to TVTropes). Note that actual sex is fine (I love me some sexy stories) — just don't like it when the descriptions turn into a set of exact stage directions.
Mpreg, rape, forced sex (including sex pollen and fuck-or-die), hatesex. Dubcon is OK, especially the sort when the reluctant partner really wants the other person but is just not quite feeling ready yet or doesn't think se wants it in this particular way but gets off on it anyway.
Humiliation or betrayal (without a damn good plot reason) of a character by a friend or lover
A/B/O and related kinks/tropes, incest (unless canon), scat/watersports/emetophilia, tentacles, non-human genitalia.

I Like:

Strong characterization (including character-appropriate dialog: no earthy, uneducated characters using $100 words)
Positive emotional payoffs that are well-earned
Passions that are strong without being mushy/fluffy
Moments of realization — satori
Friendships - although I am a romantic person, not every relationship must be romantic (I do like the trope of friends becoming lovers, however)
Wry and even dark humor in the course of a more serious story
And I like any of the following "cool bits":
- hurt-comfort
- being cozy indoors when it's rainy or snowing
- whispered admissions of love or forgiveness
- brushing long hair or riffling fingers through short hair
- romantic partners who are both competent
- someone gradually waking and smiling when they realize their beloved is there
- a stronger partner submitting willingly to the desires of a weaker one
- family-of-choice, nakama, or True Companions
- cynics with secretly soft hearts
- impulsive acts of valor (especially on behalf of the weak or an underdog)
- In-jokes among family members or close friends
- shopping or planning scenes, where people are working together to pick things out
- food descriptions: "food porn"
- an autumn leaf or item of clothing as the only bit of color in a bleak landscape

I'm quite content with both straight and gay relationships. I do tend to ship the canon relationships, unless it's a character who has had no clear relationships shown in the story. I'm not comfortable with sexual relationships shown in children under the age of, say, 14 or so, and even then it's better in context (teens with other teens or in a societal setting where girls expect to marry by 16-18 anyway).

The Fandoms

Wild Adapter

I love Tokito's nearly pure id (food, videogames, and Kubota!), and how despite his amnesia and messed-up hand, he's actually the less broken of the two. Kubota's nihilism makes you forget how young he really is. What happens after they decide not to drown at the end of vol. 6 - literally, the process of getting back to the apartment, getting clean and warm. Or Uncle Kasai decides they need to get out of town, and they have to deal with another environment, an onsen or a country inn or something. Or they get caught up in a New Yea's festival in Yokohama, during the winter when Shouta is living next door, and end up participating, in their own way. Or maybe just some intimate time, where they finally get physical: maybe Tokito addresses his mixed-up feelings about Kubota and Anna.

You should know: Tokito's strong reaction to learning that Kubota had a physical relationship with Anna has always intrigued me. Also intriguing is the fact that Dr, Kou seems to have some interesting feelings about Kubota, and of course Tokito doesn't trust Kou at all.

Alliance-Union - C. J. Cherryh

I'm a huge CJC fan, and Alliance-Union is my favorite of her settings.

Downbelow Station is a mess, but I love Norway, SIgny Mallory, and her two closest companions, Graff and Di Janz. We actually get to know Graff most in Hellburner, where he's the personnel officer of the Hellburner project. Tell me about how that relationship starts (I've taken a crack at the Signy/Graff bit myself, but it was shortfic), how things develop when Talley shows up permanently later, how things are as the war winds down. For Rimrunners, have NG show us what Bet sees in him (in bed or otherwise - maybe let him save her?), and I would love for Bet and Signy to meet and have to cooperate in a mission.

You should know:. I identify hugely with Graff, mainly in the way he takes responsibility for his people, even when it puts him the the hotseat, and stays loyal even when he realizes he can no longer trust his own superiors. I also wonder why he's no longer with the Gloriana, the merchant ship of his birth. CJC has Signy thinking that she spends the night with Graff or Di (or others) when she takes the fancy: this could be actual polyamory, if that's one of your things, rather than an open relationship.

Another prompt idea, which I originally intended for Trick or Treat: Graff brings Signy a special treat, something she hasn't eaten/drunk/seen since she left her childhood home. That's pretty slight for Yuletide, but it could be wrapped into something longer.

NG is only lightly sketched, especially in contrast to Bet. I'd like to see him become more three-dimensional.

Craft Sequence - Max Gladstone

Cat's journey from Alt Coulomb to Kavekana. Did Captain Raz take her? I love Cat and Raz together - sexy is good, or a heart-stopping rescue, or a quiet moment. Cat's relationship with Seril is different than Tara Abernathy's: perhaps have them do something together that shows this.

You should know:. The good, duty-bound character (a soldier, or a police officer, or similar) who has been thrown into a situation where doing hir duty is not enough is a special thing for me. This is part of my attraction to Cat Elle. Also, the relationships that people who are otherwise like us (modern people from a rational, technological society) can have with the very real gods in this series fascinate me.

The Divine Cities Series - Robert Jackson Bennett

I loved the richness of this series and its world building, plus the very vivid "modern" characters (in contrast with all the mythic, epic happenings) and the frequent undercurrent of deadpan humor. This series also made me wonder "What happened next?" I love Mulughesh's getting stuck with looking after all the people with newly manifested godpowers: show me something that happens with this. Missing scenes from the past could be very satisfying too: an early mission for Shara and Sigrud, when they are first learning each other, or Sigrud and Signe together when she is small. It would be fun if there were a winter background to whatever you write.

You should know: Loyalty among a small group of people on very dangerous missions is one of my huge "cool bits." When the people are contrasting but fit together like puzzle pieces, as do Shara and Sigrud, it makes the thing extra-special. Complicated relationships between parent and child are something close to my heart. Finally, as an older woman myself, a character like Turyin is wonderful to encounter: earthy, complex, with issues, to be sure, but still flexible enough to learn new tricks.

Machineries of Empire Series - Yoon Ha Lee

I love the servitors' relationships with each other and Cheris. What happens to 1491625 and Hemiola after the end? Or some more about the voyage in the very smol ship with Cheris. Or "what happened next" for Cheris and Jedao 2: winter festivals would be apropos!

You should know: The contrast in the two servitors was a lot of fun. 1491625 was so worldly wise compared to Hemiola. I love the contrast of Cheris' focus during her mission and then her desire to go back to her beginnings, math and her Mwennin heritage, at the end. And the contrast between Jedao 2's memories of who he was, and what he turns out to be: he deserves a happier ending, but it can't be simple, because what has happened to him is far from simple.

Provenance - Ann Leckie

How about a mystery or adventure with Ingray and Taucris ... maybe they even have to rescue Danach? Or they celebrate a winter holiday: either a family festival or a vacation to go sledding or skiiing or something, with Ingray trying hard to press on through her lack of athletic ability, and maybe some hurt-comfort afterward? How about Tic and Garal finally addressing what's developing between them - not sex, necessarily, but acknowledging the growing emotional bond? Or Garal doing something for Tic - rescuing him, somehow? Or a flashback: how did Tic steal the three ships?

You should know: One of the thing I loved about Ingray was that she was like many of us fangirls: a plump, non-adventurous person with Mommy issues. I love that she gets frightened, she cries, and yet she perseveres. Taucris is one of my regular character likes: the good cop/soldier who is getting pulled out of her groove by circumstances and learns to adapt. Garal has really been put through the mill, and yet he still has kindness to spare for Ingray and interest in her situation. Finally, Tic should be really messed up, but he has prospered, as the Geck ambassador notes (to her surprise). I love the little hints of his developing relationship with Garal, and I am a sucker for "two against the universe."