Passionate Tales of a Blue Kitten

Dear Yuletide Writer

katayla — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 20:16:45 GMT

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Hi! Thanks for writing for me! I'm excited to see what you come up with! I'm katayla on Ao3 and Twitter. You can also find me on GoodReads.

I like shippy fic, but when I say "shippy fic," I also mean fics where my couple is an established relationship and dealing with something plotty. Or sitting around being snarky at each other or having a quiet evening at home. In terms of more specific shippy things, I like secret relationships, fake relationships, outside perspectives, enemies to lovers, forbidden relationships and age differences.

For the most part, I prefer fics that keep to canon levels of violence and sex. The exception this year is for The Black Tapes. I am happy if you tell me more than Alex is likely to on her podcast!

Specific DNWs: animal harm, unrequited love, misunderstandings/miscommunication, cheating.

I've asked for several of these fandoms before (letters under this tag) and if one of those prompts works for you, feel free to run with it! I still want all those things! And I am happy for you to include any characters from any of these fandoms (though please do focus on my requested characters).

This year, I was verbose in my sign up details, so I just copied and pasted.

The Black Tapes Podcast
Alex Reagan, Richard Strand

For a long time, my head canon was that Alex and Strand were in a secret relationship. The last half of the second season made me think, "Okay, probably not," but for the purposes of Yuletide, let's pretend that's not true! So, have they been together from the very beginning? Does everyone know or is it completely secret? Does Nic know and maybe that's part of his motivation for being so adamant that Alex play fair with Strand? I also keep imagining Strand's voice showing up on one of Alex's sleep tapes and THAT'S how everyone finds out.

Alternatively, I'd love to see them as an established couple investigating a mystery together, whether it's one of the black tapes or something unrelated. Does being a couple change their interactions or do they treat each other same, but add make outs? I want to know!

I'm also a Tanis fan--and caught up on it--so if you want to include stuff from there, go for it! (Alex is worried about Nic and Strand . . . Well, probably infuriates her with apophenia talk!)

I'm not sure when the next season of The Black Tapes will air, but if it airs during the writing period, feel free to ignore or include.

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Meghan Powers, Preston Fielding

I don't ask for this every year, but it'll probably keep popping up until Ellen Emerson White writes me a book confirming Meg and Preston are together (okay, and maybe after that, too).

For these two I'd love established relationship fic! They're going to make an awesome power couple, right? But what form does it take? Does Meg run for office, with Preston managing her campaign? Or does she end up behind the scenes? Is that choice hard for her? Or maybe one of her brothers gets in trouble and they have to deal with that. (Maybe it's not even trouble. Maybe one of them comes to them for advice. Maybe Steve comes and yells at them because he's STILL in the public eye and do they have to keep making the press write about them?)

I'm also pretty fascinated by how aware Meg was of the press's awareness of them in the fourth book. Do they try to sneak around when they first get together? If they do, does Meg's family know? Or are they completely open from the beginning?

Betsy-Tacy Series - Maud Hart Lovelace
Katie Kelly, Leo

So Leo just suddenly shows up in one book and then it's always "Katie and Leo." And I want to know more! How did they meet? Was it at school or somewhere else? Was it love at first sight? It kind of seems like it because, again, we never heard about him until it became "Katie and Leo" all the time. Did they ever fight? Break up? Sit around and gossip about Tacy and Harry?

I'm also interested in Katie in general. I like how practical she is. And I LOVE that line in one of the early books about how everyone, even "big boys" minded Katie. She doesn't seem to dream of the "Great World" like her best friend, Julia. Is that true or does she have ambitions the books don't tell us about? Either way, how does that affect her friendship with Julia? (If you go this route, I'm okay if you don't include Leo.)

The Hating Game - Sally Thorne
Joshua Templeman, Lucy Hutton

I want to know about the strawberry farm! I'd love to see their first visit together. Does Josh love it as much as he expects? Does Lucy's parents call him the right name? OR go way in the future when the strawberry farm is old hat to Josh. Maybe they go there with their kids? And how does Josh's shyness play into meeting Lucy's parents? I really loved Lucy's realization that he's shy because, yeah, I feel Josh. Family events are HARD. Maybe it's better with Lucy's family?

Career stuff could be fun, too! They're professional rivals now, right? I imagine them having a lot of fun competing against each other. How do their games work when they're a couple and no longer working for the same company? (Please keep this lighthearted!)

Pitch
Ginny Baker

I'm a Mariners fan and the Padres are our "bitter rivals." In other words, MLB decided we were "natural rivals" and both fanbases have a lot of fun not taking it seriously. Something dealing with that would be awesome! Do the players know about it? Do they find out and start taking it actually seriously? (If this intrigues you, please google Vedder Cup. You can make the Mariners lose--it's what they do--but please don't hurt Felix Hernandez)

I was excited about this show from the beginning, but I didn't realize just how much it would mean to me. I'm a female baseball fan and I've been lucky enough not to encounter overt sexism, but, well, the sport is full of men. So it means a lot to see a woman playing it. (I also love that her manager is a woman.) And I like that show seems to know that. We get to see women rooting for Ginny and little girls asking for her autograph. What about a chorus type fic from all those POVs? (I'm okay if Ginny doesn't make a physical appearance if you write this.) And how does Ginny deal with this? Is this something she and her dad talked about?

Please feel free to either ignore or include anything from episodes that air between now and reveals!.

Psy-Changeling - Nalini Singh
Nikita Duncan, Anthony Kyriakus

I started shipping this really early on because of how much both characters care about their daughters. I'm so excited that canon seems to be heading in that direction! But I want moooooore.

I'd love to see your take on a shippy moment between them. Something like holding hands--or just touching hands!!--would be a pretty big deal for two adults who grew up in Silence. And kissing?!?! Could they even imagine doing that? (Maybe Anthony could?)

Outsider POV would also be really awesome. I'd be so here for 1000 words of other character's gossiping about them (Nikita and Anthony don't have to physically appear if you do this). (But they'd both know about the gossiping, right? Nikita especially does her best to know everything about everything.) Or maybe Anthony POV? The last book gave us some insight into what Nikita thinks about him, but what about Anthony? Is he in denial or does he know they're totally in love?

Looking forward to December 24 (TIMEZONES!),
Katayla

Dear Shipswap Writer

katayla — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:14:31 GMT

Hi!

Thank you for writing for me! I'm so excited to be part of an exchange that's all about the ships. Shipping is such a huge part of my fandom interest. I tend to ship canon and close-to-canon ships, so that's what I'm asking for here. Most of these are things I've asked for in other exchanges, so feel free to read my past letters and use stuff from them. It all still applies! I'm also on Twitter and GoodReads. My AO3 name is Katayla.

If you already have an idea, feel free to run with it! In terms of DNWs, I'd rather not get anything that wouldn't appear in the canon. (Same goes for ratings.) I tend to like happy or at least hopeful endings, but I am okay with canon-typical angst, since some of these ships certainly have it.

Things I like are banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, outside POVs, playing with hair, baby/kid fic, and touching.

My signup included more detail than usual for me, so I'm just copying the texts of my requests.

Cainsville - Kelley Armstrong
Gabriel Walsh/Olivia Taylor-Jones, FanFic

I know this is an OT3-y kind of series, but I just fell so hard for Gabriel/Olivia. I love poor emotionally-stunted Gabriel and Olivia's acceptance of him. I'd love something about one of his attempts to become less emotionally stunted. Or him figuring out more of his feelings for Olivia.

I'm also into seeing more of Olivia's understanding of him. I love that she believes the best of him without letting him off the hook for his mistakes.

(I don't mind if you include Ricky. I am just more interested in Gabriel!)

Hidden Legacy Series - Ilona Andrews
Connor "Mad" Rogan/Nevada Baylor, FanFic

ANYTHING! I love these two (and this book) so much and I'm so sad it's still a long wait for the next one. More helpfully, how DOES Rogan convince Neveda he's not a psychopath? Does she give in and sleep with him anyway? I'd also be really into future fic with them as an established couple.

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Meghan Powers/Preston Fielding, FanFic

I'd love established relationship fic for these two. Maybe there's a political crisis they have to deal with together. Or maybe one of Meg's brothers gets into some kind of trouble and they help him through it.

I'm also into how the media affects their relationship. There's that great moment in the fourth book when they're eating breakfast with the reporter and Meg stops herself from stealing food off Preston's plate because it would give the wrong impression. (OR WOULD IT?) And the mention of them in Page Six! So does the media gossip about them? Do they try to hide their relationship?

Star Wars (Movies)
Han Solo/Leia Organa, FanFic

I liked these two before, but somehow The Force Awakens made me fall really hard for Han/Leia. I would love something happy for them! I've been having fun diving into the Expanded Universe (or Legends, I guess) books. Please feel free to go with either canon! I love them both.

I'd prefer something set when they're already a couple. Maybe after they've been together for a while? Or, if you go movieverse, maybe a missing moment in The Force Awakens?

Women of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong
Hope Adams/Karl Marsten, FanFic

These two are my favorite ship in the series. I’m not even sure I can articulate why. Maybe it was the fun of first meeting Karl as a villain and then falling in love with him through Hope’s eyes. Maybe it’s my slight tendency to fall for older man/younger woman romances. Whatever it is, I love them and I want MORE.

I'd love to see them with Hope's family (her mother loves him!). I'm also really curious about their decision to have children, since they initially seemed against the idea. Or even just something about their daily life! They are much more involved in the "real world" than the rest of the Pack. (That said--I would also be into a Pack story about them!)

Thanks so much for writing for me!

Dear Romance Novel Exchange Writer

katayla — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:16:00 GMT

Hi!

Thank you for writing for me! This is such a cool exchange idea! If you already have an idea, please feel to run with it. In terms of DNWs, I'd rather not get anything that wouldn't appear in the canon. (Same goes for ratings.)

Things I like are banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, outside POVs, playing with hair, baby/kid fic, and touching.

You can find past letters for exchanges under this tag. My Twitter and GoodReads are both public. My AO3 name is Katayla.

Amour et Chocolat Series - Laura Florand
Patrick Chevalier, Sarah Lin

I really liked that a lot of Sarah and Patrick's book was about each of them figuring out what they want to do with lives. I'd love to see a little glimpse of the lives they make for themselves. If you've read Shadowed Heart, feel free to take it from there. If you haven't, no worries! I'm happy to read your own version of things.

I think these two may have become my favorites of Florand's couples. I loved Sarah's struggle to believe Patrick could be interested in her, and Patrick's carefree attitude that disguises just how hard he works.

And, again, that they're both still figuring life out! That's not something I've encountered a lot in romance novels.

Hidden Legacy Series - Ilona Andrews
Connor "Mad" Rogan, Nevada Baylor

ANYTHING! I love these two (and this book) so much and I'm so sad it's still a long wait for the next one. More helpfully, how DOES Rogan convince Neveda he's not a psychopath? Does she give in and sleep with him anyway? I'd also be really into future fic with them as an established couple.

So yeah! I am pretty wide open to ideas here. I just want mooooooooooore.

Pink Carnation Series - Lauren Willig
Mary Alsworth, Sebastian | Lord Vaughn

One thing that really interests me about these two is how separate they are from the rest of the characters. (And they are happy that way!) So that gives you a lot of room to explore. What's their marriage like? What was their wedding like? What are they like as parents? I would also be happy with 1000 words of them snarking about everyone else!

These two! I loved how determined Mary is to get what she wants. She has such a clear view of the world and her place in it . . . and then she falls in love anyway. I liked getting into the head of someone who is disliked by the other characters. I liked how well she and Vaughn fit together. More, please!

Psy-Changeling - Nalini Singh
Anthony Kyriakus, Nikita Duncan

Well, you know . . . WHAT'S HAPPENING BETWEEN THEM? This is another one where I'd also be happy with you skipping that part and just showing me the two of them together, whatever that means for them. I'm also interested in both of them as parents. They both do a lot for their children, even though it doesn't always seem like that from the outside. This could also be a fun one for an outside POV--other characters must gossip about them, right?

I don't have a lot to add! I started shipping these two early on, and am so excited it seems to be becoming real! I love the depth that Nikita in particular has gotten throughout the series.

Secret Society Girl - Diana Peterfreund
Amy Haskel, James Orcutt

I'd love future fic for these two! Something set right after the books, something after Jamie graduates law school, something way in the future when their kids become Diggers . . . etc! I'd also take missing moments. Maybe more of them on the island, first exploring their relationship? Or Jamie POV of almost anything.

I fell so hard for these two. I discovered these books when only the first two were out and was tentatively shipping them . . . AND THEN BOOK THREE HAPPENED! I love enemies-to-lovers and this was such a great example of it.

Thank you so much for writing for me! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Dear Chocolate Box Writer

katayla — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 05:06:32 GMT

Hi Writer,

Thanks for writing for me! I'm really excited that I get to ask for ships! My Ao3 name is katayla and you can find letters I've written for other exchange (mostly Yuletide) under this this tag.

I'd love something happy or (since some of these can be angsty couples!) at least that gives me some hope. I'm okay with AUs, especially canon divergence ones. In general I like lower rated fic, but I'm okay if you want to go mature.

I'm feeling pretty "give me anything!" for these ships, but I will try to give more specifcs!

Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Scorpius Malfoy/Rose Weasley (Rowling)

Definitely a ship with some angst potential, so feel free to explore that! I'd enjoy pre-ship, established ship, Hogwarts, post-Hogwarts, dealing with parents' and sibling reactions, or fluffy slice of life! It could also be a fun AU?

I don't have any headcanon for these two (beyond shipping them), so I'm fine with you sticking them in whatever house, together or separately.

If you want to go AU, maybe Harry and Draco are business rivals? Or sports rivals? Or maybe Rose is Draco's daughter?

I'm also interested in far future AUs for them. Holiday gatherings! Grandchildren for Harry and Drago!

Star Wars Series (Movies)
Leia Organa/Han Solo

No angst for these two, please (outside of the angst naturally caused by their love/hate relationship). The Force Awakens left me wanting something happy for them.

Yep, that's pretty much it. Something happy! Uh, more helpfully, I liked The Force Awakens, but I'm also okay if you ignore it. I haven't ready the books (though I kind of want to), but I know the basics of what happens in them, so feel free to use that canon.

I'd prefer something after they became a couple (or after at least one of them realizes their feelings), but other than that, I'm fine with you setting it whenever! I'm sort of curious about how their relationship went between all the years between movies. Force Awakens spoilers: Was Han always jetting off places or did they have long years living together? Did they get married in movie canon? Did they have much time with their son before he went all evil? I'm also curious about the mundane details of life between having to battle the dark side! What is a normal day like for them?

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Jadzia Dax/Worf

One of my very first internet ships! I think I'd most like something slice-of-life-y for these two.

I really liked it when the show gave us glimpses of our marriage. More of that, please! Or maybe something with Worf finding out more about Trill culture? The show gave us so much of Jadzia and Klingon culture (which I loved!) that the flip side of that could be fun.

I'd also be happy with ignoring the season six finale and giving them tons of babies.

The West Wing
Josh Lyman/Donna Moss

I'd love with an AU in which they got together much earlier or something set during the Santos administration.

All those years when they could have been together! Okay, it was the professional thing to do, but . . . what if they got together anyway? Would it be secret dating or would they have a ridiculously formal conversation about going for it?

And I'm always up for Santos administration stories. Do they have battles at work and them go home and make out? Do they get married or are they just too busy to get around to it?

I could also go for stories of everyone else reacting to their relationship. The show didn't give us enough of that!

Thank you for writing for me! I'm excited to see what you come up with!

Dear Yuletide Writer

katayla — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 18:29:02 GMT

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Hi! Thanks for writing for me! I'm excited to see what you come up with. If you already have an idea, please feel to run with it. In terms of DNWs, I'd rather not get anything that wouldn't appear in the canon.

Things I like are romance, banter, characters laughing together, cats, books, baseball, hope, missing scenes, future fic, outside POVs, playing with hair, and touching.

You can find past letters and and other Yuletide things under my Yuletide tag. My Twitter and GoodReads are both public. My AO3 name is Katayla.

Requests are in alphabetical order.

Casson Family - Hilary McKay
Cadmium Casson, Michael

I'd love to get to see some of the events between the fourth and fifth books!

So I read these books for the first time this year and fell hard for Caddy/Michael in the first book. (Loved his fake girlfriend!) And I liked where they ended up, but I wanted to know more about what happened between books four and five!

Clearly she caught up with him and some things happened that wouldn't fit into a children's book series, but . . . they weren't on good terms in book four. And then they weren't on good terms again in book five. So what happened there? Was all forgiven as soon as they met up post-book four? What was the fight over? I want to know more!

If that doesn't spark you, feel free to tell another story about them. Maybe something after book 1 when they're together for the first time? Or more of Caddy's thoughts throughout the series. I feel like we kind of lost track of her after the first book. But look at her! She got the career she wanted. That's awesome! OR more about Michael! We don't really know a ton about him outside his feelings for Caddy. What's his family like? I'd also love future fic. Do they have more kids? What will it be like growing up with Caddy's siblings as aunts and uncles?

Appearances and meddling by other Casson family members is welcome!

President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Meghan Powers, Preston Fielding

I'd love established relationship fic for these two. Maybe there's a political crisis they have to deal with together. Or maybe one of Meg's brothers gets into some kind of trouble and they help him through it.

I've asked for these two before here and here, and I still want all of those things, too, so feel free to draw prompts from there.

This year, though, I also have a craving for established relationship fic. In ten or so years, they'll be a political power couple, right? What does that look like? I mentioned maybe one of Meg's brothers getting into trouble, but it doesn't need to be serious trouble. What if they just do something that gets them extra media attention? Maybe Steven gets drafted by a baseball team. That would be quite a conversation.

I'd also be interested in slice of life fic for them. What do date nights look like? Do they have to duck the media or are have they become a boring established couple the world doesn't care much about? I'd also be interested in seeing them at a family gathering (maybe with Preston's family?).

Mostly, I want a fic that says, "yes, they'll get together and be happy."

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
Paul Rodman, Lena Kaligaris

Remember Paul and Lena’s awesome meeting in book 2? And all their great scenes in book 3? It seemed like it was going to be a lovely story of moving on from your first love and finding a new relationship. But instead, that story thread was completely dropped. It would make me very happy if you gave me a little Paul/Lena! Whether it’s a getting together story or a glimpse of an established relationship, I just want to see what might have been.

I was super-into what book 3 seemed to be selling for Lena and Paul, and then it went away! I don't hate Kostos, but I thought he and Lena missed their chance and grew apart. And that can be a really cool story to tell. People DO move on from the first loves. People change from who they were were at age 15. (So I'm not really looking for a fic that villainizes Kostos. Feel free to ignore everything after book 3!)

So . . . what would it look like if Lena/Paul had happened? How would they get together? What would they look like as a couple? Or maybe a look into Paul's head? Or maybe someone else's perspective on them? Does the Sisterhood think he's a good choice for Lena? Or maybe another moment between the two of them that's full of tension?

Looks forward to December 25,

katayla

Dear Fic Corner Writer

katayla — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 02:20:15 GMT

Dear Fic Corner Writer,

Hi! Thank you for writing for me. This is my second time doing this exchange and I've done Yuletide a bunch of years, so if some of these requests sounds familiar, well, I've pretty much copy and pasted them from past requests.

In terms of generalities, I like my childhood celebrated, not ruined! I tend to like the stories that would fit into canon. (Minus, I suppose, my Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants request that asks for a rewrite of canon.) I like romance and friendship and stories that leave me hopeful. I like slice of life stories and future fic and won't say no to long epics!

You can find my old Yuletide letters under this tag and my past Fic Corner letter here. My Twitter and GoodReads are both unlocked.

Requests in alphabetical order.

Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery
Shirley Blythe

Poor Shirley is the only one of Anne's kids who doesn't get his own story in Anne of Ingleside. Tell me one! Or tell me about his war experiences, or take into the future, or tell me about his love life. I just want a story about him.

So I've wanted more about Shirley before, but this one developed into something I needed last Yuletide when I wrote a Shirley/Una treat. That just made me fall more in love with Shirley. Quiet Shirley who seems a little different and isolated from his siblings.

I didn't ask for any other characters because I wanted to leave it up to you, but I do quite like the idea of him and Una. They have a lot of similarities and, oh, poor Una, so convinced she'll never find love. But also feel free to pair him off with someone else! The only thing I ask is that you don't break up any of the canon pairings. Otherwise, feel free to bring an original character, use someone who already exists, use a man or woman, they're all fair game!

Or tell me about little kid Shirley! Something that could be a missing chapter of Anne of Ingleside. Or tell me about his relationship with Susan. (Or even something from Susan's perspective about him, maybe?)

Or something else entirely! Just throw some love his way!

Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle
Zachary Gray

I just . . . want to know Zachary ends up okay. I feel like we get to see a lot of his journey towards being a better person, but we don’t get all the way there. I’d love to see a glimpse of where he ends up.

Oh Zachary. I don’t want to excuse his actions, but I get him, I think. I relate to some of the things he struggles with. I think we really do seem him trying to change and he fails, oh he fails, but I like to think he got there in the end. So I'd love to see a bit of that. Maybe even something far in the future?

This is, of course, optional, but I'd be interested in seeing him interact with characters he doesn't interact with in the canon. I sort of toy with the idea of shipping him and Emily Gregory, so if that sparks you, GO FOR IT. And I think a meeting between him and Canon Tallis would be fascinating.

But, really, I just want to see he's okay. However you choose to portray that works for me.

Casson Family - Hilary McKay
Cadmium Casson, Michael
I'd love to get to see some of the events between the fourth and fifth books. What exactly happened between them?

I read these books for the first time last year and fell hard for Caddy/Michael in the first book. (Loved his fake girlfriend!) And I liked where they ended up, but I wanted to know more about what happened between books four and five!

Clearly she caught up with him and some things happened that wouldn't fit into a children's book series, but . . . they weren't on good terms in book four. And then they weren't on good terms again in book five. So what happened there? Was all forgiven as soon as they met up post-book four? What was the fight over? I want to know more!

That's a really specific request and optional details are optional, so feel free to tell another story about them. Maybe something after book 1 when they're together for the first time? Or more of Caddy's thoughts throughout the series. I feel like we kind of lost track of her after the first book. But look at her! She got the career she wanted. That's awesome! OR more about Michael! We don't really know a ton about him outside his feelings for Caddy.

Appearances and meddling by other Casson family members is welcome!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
Paul Rodman, Lena Kaligaris

Remember Paul and Lena’s awesome meeting in book 2? And all their great scenes in book 3? It seemed like it was going to be a lovely story of moving on from your first love and finding a new relationship. But instead, that story thread was completely dropped. It would make me very happy if you gave me a little Paul/Lena! Whether it’s a getting together story or a glimpse of an established relationship, I just want to see what might have been.

One thing that kind of frustrated me about this series is everyone wound up with their first love (except, of course, poor Carmen who didn’t have one). Now I LOVE Bee/Eric and I can take or leave Tibby/Brian, but I thought, when it came to Kostos, he and Lena missed their chance and grew apart. And I think that can be a really cool story to tell. People DO move on from the first loves. People change from who they were were at age 15. It doesn’t mean that Kostos or Lena is a bad person, it just means they weren’t right for each other anymore.

Of course, that’s not the interpretation the series went with and I did like the Lena/Kostos letters in Sisterhood Everlasting, but ohhh. I feel such a pang for Lena/Paul and the story I thought I was going to get.

So yeah! Take it where you will! I’d rather have everything after book 3 ignored than a fic that villainizes or kills off Kostos, but I’ll take Paul/Lena in any form! (And feel free to include other characters as you’d like.)

Thank you! I'm really looking forward to what you write!

Let's talk beauty products!

katayla — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:32:29 GMT

Let's talk about beauty products again! Sephora's VIB sale starts tomorrow. And Beauty.com is doing a 20% off sale. Click here to get access. (I haven't ordered from Beauty.com yet, but they seem to have most of the big brands and I love their partner site, drugstore.com.)

So, what are you loving, what are you buying, what should the rest of buy, what do you want to know? Let's talk!

(Post unlocked, so share if you want.)

Dear Yuletide Writer

katayla — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 01:25:37 GMT

Hi Yuletide Writer!

I'm really excited about these requests and I hope you're excited about them, too! Most of my requests this year are of the "tell me more" variety, so if you already have a "more" in my mind to write, then feel free to go off and start writing. If you'd like more guidance (I usually do), keep reading.

I like PG 13 stories best, but it's okay if you want to go higher or lower. I like shippiness and friendship (and shippy friendship!). My requests are on the shippy side, but gen works for me, too. If you want to write a big epic, I’m all for that, but I also really love slice-of-life fic. Just a little glimpse of characters hanging out or talking or doing what they do. I also like future fic! What do these characters’ lives look like in 10 years? 20? Further?

My LJ is pretty locked up (and not terribly active these days), but you might be interested in poking around my Yuletide tag, which includes past letters and recs. And my Twitter and GoodReads are both public. My AO3 name is Katayla and that's where you'll find my fic.

Requests are in alphabetical order!

Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie
Diana Dobbs, Tony Capa

The book made me want these two, so I was sooo happy when the epilogue revealed that they ended up together! But I want more details! Tell me a story about them, please.

Diana got engaged twice more and broke off both engagements, crying in Tony’s arms each time. He told her she had lousy taste in men and to try picking a good one next time, so she proposed to him. He said no, appalled. Six weeks later they eloped to Kentucky because Tony had tickets for the Derby.

I'M SO INTO THIS GLIMPSE OF THEM. I'd love to see the scene described there, but I'm equally interested in, well, anything about them! Moments between, Tony's feeling on those other guys Diana was enaged to, their married life, whatever catches your interest!

Appearances by other characters welcome!

Casson Family - Hilary McKay

Cadmium Casson, Michael

I'd love to get to see some of the events between the fourth and fifth books!

So I read these books for the first time this year and fell hard for Caddy/Michael in the first book. (Loved his fake girlfriend!) And I liked where they ended up, but I wanted to know more about what happened between books four and five!

Clearly she caught up with him and some things happened that wouldn't fit into a children's book series, but . . . they weren't on good terms in book four. And then they weren't on good terms again in book five. So what happened there? Was all forgiven as soon as they met up post-book four? What was the fight over? I want to know more!

That's a really specific request and optional details are optional, so feel free to tell another story about them. Maybe something after book 1 when they're together for the first time? Or more of Caddy's thoughts throughout the series. I feel like we kind of lost track of her after the first book. But look at her! She got the career she wanted. That's awesome! OR more about Michael! We don't really know a ton about him outside his feelings for Caddy.

Appearances and meddling by other Casson family members is welcome!

Emma Approved
Emma Woodhouse, Alex Knightly

MORE MORE MORE. *Ahem* Really, I'm just into whatever more of these two you want to give me. Something post series would be great!

Emma is my favorite Austen and, oh, I fell hard for this version of Emma/Knightley. I love the banter, the closeness (the touching!) and how much they care for each other, romantically and otherwise.

I'd love to see some post-series stuff for them. What are their work arguments like now that they're together? Or maybe some follow up on Alex's comment about Emma's dad in the last episode. DOES he care that they're together? And what are their siblings' reactions? Annie's? Did it catch people by surprise or did they kind of know? And feel free to go way in the future if you'd like! Do they have kids? Does Emma get her lifetime achievement award in lifestyle excellence?

Or go prequel! How long have they known each other? What was their relationship like when they were younger? Or maybe some Alex POV set during the series?

Fiddler on the Roof - Bock/Harnick/Stein
Hodel, Perchik

Tell more about their love story! If you're more interested in Tzeitel/Mottel or Chava/Fyedka, feel absolutely free to write about them instead.

So Fiddler on the Roof is one of those movies I've watched a billion times and I got to thinking recently about how awesome all three love stories are and how I'd love to hear more about all of them!

I decide to request Hodel/Perchik because they have a bit of a love/hate thing going on, which is something I love, but I meant what I said in the request. If you want to write Tzeitel/Mottel or Chava/Fyedka instead, I am more than okay with that!

I don't have anything super-specific in my mind, so if you have an idea, GO FOR IT. If you, like me, like to have a starting point: What did they think of each other when they first met? Was there a moment when things changed? Did they have more arguments about what Perchik taught the little sisters? What was it like when Hodel got to Siberia? DID they get married under a canopy? What is their married life like? Did they ever get reunited with the rest of the family?

Thanks you for writing me a story! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Beauty Product Post!

katayla — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:32:47 GMT

So empressearwig does beauty product posts from time to time, where we all talk about what makeup and other beauty products we're loving right now and ask for recs and advice.

Annnd I have new loves to talk about it! So I'm making one. This post is unlocked, so feel to invite your friends!

Yuletide Recs!

katayla — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:49:26 GMT

I think I've finally gotten this "reading all the Yuletide fics" down. I went through the archive alphabetically by story title and that really helped me keep going! I ended up reading such a great mix of fandoms.

First, my own WONDERFUL gifts. I really lucked out this year!

First off in the category of "fandoms I keep forlornly asking for and am clearly never going to get":

all I feel in my stomach is butterflies (1178 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 16th Century CE RPF
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Charles Brandon/Mary Tudor of France
Characters: Mary Tudor of France, Charles Brandon
Additional Tags: Pre-Relationship
Summary:

A Tudor princess is never alone.

MY BEAUTIFUL HISTORICAL RPF!!! It's wonderful well-written and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

What else do I love so much? My TWO Kate Daniels fic that could be straight out of the books:

a foreign taste on my tongue (2058 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kate Daniels - Ilona Andrews
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kate Daniels/Curran Lennart
Characters: Andrea Nash, Julie Olsen, Derek Gaunt
Summary:

Kate has a good day.

Once upon a night in Unicorn Lane (1816 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kate Daniels - Ilona Andrews
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kate Daniels/Curran Lennart
Characters: Kate Daniels, Curran Lennart, Julie Olsen, Jim Shrapshire, George Doolittle, Andrea Nash
Additional Tags: Unicorn Lane, Teenage Shenanigans, Parenting Woes, Future Fic, Family Dynamics
Summary:

Kate, Curran and wayward teenagers on the loose.

The first one exactly what the summary says. AND I LOVE FIC LIKE THAT! I love GOOD days that we often don't get to see in fiction, but the characters probably have all the time.

And the second is this awesome glimpse of the future and it's so in character and wonderful and I want it to happen SO BADLY.

And some madness fic:

Underwater Archaeology of the Cornish Coast (100 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Jane Drew
Additional Tags: Future Fic, Drabble, yumadrin
Summary:

You can build a career on searching.

Such a great glimpse of what Jane might do with her life!

*

Longest Night (100 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kushiel's Legacy - Jacqueline Carey
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Phedre no Delaunay
Additional Tags: Yuletide Madness Drabble Invitational
Summary:

It isn't all joie and costumes.

Ohhh, I loved this look at a different kind of Longest Night for Phedre.

*

And from the main archive:

We Were After Ever (1600 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: All Our Yesterdays - Cristin Terrill
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Finn Abbott/Marina "Em" Marchetti
Characters: Finn Abbott, Marina "Em" Marchetti, Nate Shaw
Additional Tags: Minor Character Death, Implied/Referenced Suicide
Summary:

After James's death, Finn and Marina try to move forward. But pieces of the erased timeline survive and begin seeping into the new one, invading her mind.

This hurts in a good way. Such a perfect follow up to the book.

*

Those who abide in love (3909 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Sandy Murry/Rhea, Dennys Murry/Lucy
Characters: Sandy Murry, Dennys Murry
Summary:

Sandy takes an exam, meets the future love of his life, and returns home for Christmas.

GORGEOUS. I don't know how to say it better than that.

*

The Birds and the Bees (4280 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Cotillion - Georgette Heyer
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kitty Charing/Freddy Standen
Characters: Kitty Charing, Freddy Standen, Lord Legerwood, Lady Legerwood
Additional Tags: Humor, Regency Romance
Summary:

In which Lord Legerwood has a conversation with his son, with predictable results, and Kitty provides Freddy with enlightenment.

Hilarious and so, so Heyer.

*

A Night to Remember (1287 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Cotillion - Georgette Heyer
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kitty Charing/Freddy Standen
Characters: Freddy Standen, Kitty Charing
Additional Tags: Wedding Night, Fluff
Summary:

The story of Freddy and Kitty's wedding night, which does not go as expected.

Cute and charming and so in character!

*

And all the flowers that in the springtime grow (2781 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Major Character Death
Relationships: Jane Drew/Will Stanton, Bran Davies/OFC
Characters: Jane Drew, Will Stanton, Bran Davies aka Pendragon
Additional Tags: Bittersweet, Memories, Post-Canon, The Problem of Silver on the Tree, Yuletide Treat
Summary:

Jane lives her life in the mortal world, and it is not possible to think in the old ways here; but sometimes there are glimpses.

OH. This fic was AMAZING. One that made me go, "Yes, that happens next."

*

1, 2, 3, 4, tell me what you're looking for (1180 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Elementary (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Joan Watson (Elementary), Sherlock Holmes
Summary:

otherwise known as: 10 moments from Joan Watson's new life as a consulting detective, with occasional guest stars.

This is an absolutely wonderful look at Joan's life.

*

The Case of the Missing Detective (1348 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Elementary (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Joan Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Additional Tags: Friendship, New Year's Eve
Summary:

Criminals had apparently taken the week between Christmas and the end of the year off. This posed a serious problem.

A really great look at Joan and her friendship with Sherlock.

*

Mind Sport (10114 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Elementary (TV)
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Joan Watson (Elementary), Jamie Moriarty | Irene Adler
Summary:

Mind sport: a game of skill where the mental component is more significant than the physical.

Incredibly well done.

*

Kore (5673 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Greek and Roman Mythology
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Persephone (Greek and Roman Mythology), Demeter (Greek and Roman Mythology), Athena (Greek and Roman Mythology), Hermes (Greek and Roman Mythology), Artemis (Greek and Roman Mythology), Hades (Greek and Roman Mythology), Hestia (Greek and Roman Mythology), Eileithyia (Greek and Roman Mythology), Hecate (Greek and Roman Mythology), Zeus (Greek and Roman Mythology)
Additional Tags: Asexuality, Asexual Character
Summary:

The day her mother gives birth to a horse is the day Persephone decides that she really needs a plan.

This is a FABULOUS FABULOUS retelling.

*

In Which Lettie Makes Demands (5690 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Howl Series - Diana Wynne Jones
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Lettie Hatter/Wizard Suliman, Sophie Hatter/Howl Pendragon
Characters: Lettie Hatter, Sophie Hatter, Wizard Suliman, Howl Pendragon
Additional Tags: Sisters, Post-Canon, Pre-Relationship
Summary:

Lettie knows she ought to be delighted that everybody's curses are broken now, but in some ways she can't help feeling like nothing's any better than it was before.

This made me re-read the book. So very well done.

*

I Face The Horizon, Everywhere I Go (2315 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Kenzie-Gennaro Series - Dennis Lehane
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Angela Gennaro/Patrick Kenzie
Additional Tags: Case Fic, New Relationship
Summary:

Set post-"Sacred." Patrick and Angie take on a smaller case together.

This is EXACTLY them and so, so great.

*

Bring Your Boy Home (1055 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dickon Sowerby, Mary Lennox, Colin Craven
Additional Tags: World War I, Psychological Trauma, Major Character Injury, Childhood Friends, Friendship
Summary:

Dickon returns from World War I.

Another one that hurts in a really good way.

*

alike in dignity (1108 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Slings & Arrows
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Geoffrey Tennant & Darren Nichols
Characters: Geoffrey Tennant, Darren Nichols
Additional Tags: Yuletide Treat
Summary:

There comes a time when you've got to admit that a worst enemy for that many years is actually just a friend you yell at a lot.

YES YES YES. This is perfectly Darren and totally what happens next.

*

Bridges you didn't know you crossed (2117 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Wicked - Schwartz/Holzman
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fiyero (Wicked)/Elphaba (Wicked)
Characters: Glinda the Good, Elphaba Thropp
Additional Tags: Female Friendship, Yuletide Treat
Summary:

Around the time that Glinda first hears Elphaba's song sung around the palace, she starts having dreams of Elphaba.

So I didn't know I needed this fic, but DID I EVER.

Dear Yuletide Writer

katayla — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 23:42:21 GMT

Dear Writer,

Hi! Thank you for writing a fic for me! Mostly, I’m excited to read what you’re excited to write, so please don’t feel too worried if you have an idea that’s just slightly different than my ramblings.

I’m a shipper, so some of these requests are on the shippy side. BUT I’m also fascinated by what draws people together in general, so it doesn’t have to be a romantic story. (And I’m fine with or without sex.) (Romantic stories are very welcome, though!)

If you want to write a big epic, I’m all for that, but I also really love slice-of-life fic. Just a little glimpse of characters hanging out or talking or doing what they do. I also like future fic! What do these characters’ lives look like in 10 years? 20? Further?

My LJ is pretty locked up, but I have a public blog here and you can also find me on GoodReads and Twitter. Oh! And I am also Katayla on Ao3. Feel free to poke around my fic!

Requests are in alphabetical order!

16th Century CE RPF
Charles Brandon, Mary Tudor of France

Woman falling in love with her brother's best friend! A secret relationship! Defying the odds! This is a real life relationship full of great tropes. I’d love to see a glimpse of them together at any point in their relationship.

I requested this in 2010 and 2011 and I’m bringing it back.

Mary was Henry VIII’s sister; Charles was Henry’s best friend. There aren’t a lot of concrete details about what happened, but this is my interpretation: Mary and Charles were in love, but Mary, being a princess, had to marry the King of France for political reasons. However, she made Henry promise that he’d let her marry whoever she wanted when/if she got married again. Her husband died, but she was afraid Henry would take his word back, so she and Charles secretly got married. This made Henry pretty angry, but he eventually consented to the match (but made them pay a huge fine). Mary and Charles had a long and (we think) happy marriage. (He did marry his teenage ward right after Mary died, but there were probably monetary reasons for that.)

Anyway, you don’t have to include all of that in a fic! (Though if you want to write a novel . . . YES PLEASE.) Anything along the way would be great! How did they fall in love? How aware was Henry of their feelings? (There are different opinions on that.) How happy were they when they could finally be together? What was their marriage like? Etc!

Canon: Not much! (So this might be a good one to try if you’re stuck on another prompt.) I’d suggest read their wikipedia pages (Mary, Charles). Other than that, there isn’t much out there.

Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle
Zachary Gray

I’ve been re-reading this series with friends and I just . . . want to know Zachary ends up okay. I feel like we get to see a lot his journey towards being a better person, but we don’t get all the way there. I’d love to see a glimpse of where he ends up.

Oh Zachary. I don’t want to excuse his actions, but I get him, I think. I relate to some of the things he struggles with. I think we really do seem him trying to change and he fails, oh he fails, but I like to think he got there in the end.

Given L’Engle’s perchance for crossing over characters, feel free to include anyone! (Though considering Zachary’s actions, I’m perfectly fine if you decide he should stay far away from the Austin’s and O’Keefe’s.) Maybe Zachary could meet someone he never met in canon? Like, how fascinating would a meeting between Zachary and Canon Tallis be? Or what about Emily Gregory? She’d probably have heard about him from the Austins. (I suddenly find myself wanting to ship them!)

That is all completely optional, of course! I didn’t ask for any other characters and I think a Zachary solo fic would make a lot of sense, too.

(If you find you absolutely cannot write Zachary fic, I’d be happy to take Vicky/Adam fic! Or Suzy/Dave? How did they end up together?)

Canon: The L’Engle canon is long and complicated, but the books Zachary appears in are The Moon By Night, A Ring of Endless Light, A House Like a Lotus and An Acceptable Time

Elementary
Sherlock Holmes, Joan Watson

I love Joan and Sherlock’s relationship so much. I don’t think I want them together right now, but sometimes the show makes me imagine all kinds of shippy things. So I’d be into something set a little in the future where they’re together and their case discussions include makeouts! But I also love their relationship as it is now. They’re so close and they really are good for each other. Basically, I just want more of them!

I don’t have a lot to add to that, other than feel free to include other characters as needed! I’ve only seen through the middle of the first season, but I’m reasonably spoiled and I should be caught up before Yuletide.

Canon: The show is currently airing its second season. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be available for free, legal streaming anywhere.

Kate Daniels - Ilona Andrews
Curran Lennart, Kate Daniels

This is similar to my Elementary request in that I just want more of this relationship! I love these two so much. I love how solid they are. I love how they’ve fought for their relationship and decided over and over again that they want to be together, despite any problems. I love how the thing that pisses Curran off most is Kate not talking to him. Anyway, just a slice-of-life fic would be great! Some happy moment between them. Feel free to take into the future. What does life look like them after Roland is defeated?

Every year or so, there’s a book or book series that I fall completely in love with. Kate Daniels was that series this year. And I want more. If you’ve read the sixth book, feel free to write something dealing with Kate and Curran’s relationship in the aftermath of all that.

And feel free to include other characters! Something I really appreciate about this series is that Kate has other females in her life. That’s something I find missing in a lot of urban fantasy. I ship Julie/Derek down the line. And if you’re inspired to write something plotty, go for it!

Canon: There are six books in the main series, plus a spin off novel and lots of extras. You can find out about them here.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares
Paul Rodman, Lena Kaligaris

Remember Paul and Lena’s awesome meeting in book 2? And all their great scenes in book 3? It seemed like it was going to be a lovely story of moving on from your first love and finding a new relationship. But instead, that story thread was completely dropped. It would make me very happy if you gave me a little Paul/Lena! Whether it’s a getting together story or a glimpse of an established relationship, I just want to see what might have been.

One thing that kind of frustrated me about this series is everyone wound up with their first love (except, of course, poor Carmen who didn’t have one). Now I LOVE Bee/Eric and I can take or leave Tibby/Brian, but I thought, when it came to Kostos, he and Lena missed their chance and grew apart. And I think that can be a really cool story to tell. People DO move on from the first loves. People change from who they were were at age 15. It doesn’t mean that Kostos or Lena is a bad person, it just means they weren’t right for each other anymore.

Of course, that’s not the interpretation the series went with and I did like the Lena/Kostos letters in Sisterhood Everlasting, but ohhh. I feel such a pang for Lena/Paul and the story I thought I was going to get.

So yeah! Take it where you will! I’d rather have everything after book 3 ignored than a fic that villainizes or kills off Kostos, but I’ll take Paul/Lena in any form! (And feel to include other characters as you’d like.)

Canon: There are five main books in this series, plus a spinoff book, but, of the purposes of this request, you really only need to deal with the first three. And those are: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Second Sisterhood of the Travling Pants and Girls in Pants.

Looking forward to December 25th,

katayla

Fic Corner letter!

katayla — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 02:52:29 GMT

Dear Writer,

Hi, hi, hi! THANK YOU! I love this exchange! I’m asking for some of my childhood favorites and some that I discovered when I was a little older. All of them are awesome!

Some general information, first. I like stories that stick somewhat close to canon or at least doesn’t ignore it. (An exception is Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where I’m fine if you only use the first three books and, in fact, one of my suggestions kind of asks you to do that.) Some of my requests ask for ships that might not be technically canon, but, in my biased opinion, the text wants you to ship it anyway.

I like romance. I like to ship people. A lot of my requests are along those lines, but optional details are optional! Don’t feel pressured to write me something super-shippy, as I enjoy general fic, too! If you do go shippy, I checked “general” and “teen and up audiences” for my ratings, so I’m okay with sex in the story, but not in anything very explicit.

And, really, I just want MORE. I have characters and/or ships I’m interested in reading more about, but I don’t have my heart set on any plots, so feel free to let your imagination roam! (I’ve tried to make a few suggestions, in case you’re like me and do best bouncing off more specific ideas.)

In terms of finding out more about me, I’ve done Yuletde for four years and you can read my Yuletide letters and a little about my experience under this tag. My username on AO3 is katayla and both my Twitter and GoodReads are public. My Twitter may be full of kitty pictures.

On to the requests!

Oh wait! One more note: If you want include characters I didn’t ask for (or even weren’t nominated), GO FOR IT. There isn’t any character in these fandoms I’d be sad to see. And requests are in alphabetical order by author’s last name. I wrote more about some fandoms than others, but that’s not an indication of interest! I want them all a lot!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares

Paul Rodman, Bridget Vreeland, Eric Richman, Lena Kaligaris

I’d love something about what could have been with Paul/Lena! Or more about Eric/Bee. Or more about the girls exploring their passions!

When I was experiencing that “WAIT. What do I want? What do I even LIKE?” exchange panic, empressearwig suggested I ask for Lena/Paul. I thought they were set up SO WELL in the third book and I was sad that story seemed completely dropped. So I’d love to hear more about them. Established ship stuff, just a moment between them, maybe one character thinking about the other. As I said above, I’m fine with you ignoring what comes after the third book, but you can include it if you want, too! I’m okay with some angst for this request.

When I went to make nominations, I started thinking more about my other favorite ship, Bee/Eric and thinking about how maybe I wanted to ask for them instead! Then I found out this exchange matched you on “any” not “all,” so I don’t really have to choose! For them, I’d love to hear more about them and soccer and/or camp. That was such a big part of their relationship and I missed hearing more about it in the later books. I’d like future fic, too! Incorperationing Sisterhood Everlasting or not. Going AU, I used to think they might get married pretty young. If that sparks you, go for it!

Or maybe you just offered one of the girls! Or both of them! In that case, I’d love to hear about Lena’s art or Bee’s soccer. They’re both so passionate about those things. Maybe a glimpse of a future career? How about some letters between the two of them? Or something else entirely! Or, hey, maybe you offered just one of the guys. Their thoughts on the sisterhood would be great! Or maybe a conversation between the two of them? I’m not interested in pairings other than Bee/Eric and Lena/Paul between these four, but, otherwise, anything is great!

Pine Hollow - Bonnie Bryant

Ben Marlow, Carole Hanson

I’d love more about these two! Or about their individual (or joint!), horse-y futures.

Aw, these two. Pine Hollow was a YA spinoff of the Saddle Club series and I LOVED IT. I re-read them all a few years back and still loved it. Anyway, I really loved the Ben/Carole relationship. So more about that would be awesome! I’d love more established relationship stuff between. Maybe just them hanging out with the horses.

I’d love to read future fic about them. I’d love to hear about their future careers, either separately or together. About their connection to Pine Hollow throughout their lives. Anything, really.

Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle

Suzy Austin, Josiah Davidson

My latest re-read of The Young Unicorns made me really want to find out more about these two. (Both individually and as the couple we know they ended up being!)

These two ended up married! How did that happen? Tell me! Or of some moment along the way. Maybe one (or both!) of them noticing the other in a different way. Or how did they reconnect?

Alternatively, I’m so interested in each of these characters as individuals. My recent re-read of The Young Unicorns made me especially interested in Dave’s life immediately following this book. I’m also interested in how his career path changed.

And oh Suzy. Sometimes she feels like an outsider in her own family. I love Vicky, but girls like Suzy need love, too! More about her would be great. What was it like for her, always knowing she wanted to be a doctor? What was it like for her within this family?

And in this fandom especially, feel free to include other characters! L’Engle’s characters were always popping up in different books, so if you want to include cameo appearances, go for it!

Betsy-Tacy Series - Maud Hart Lovelace

Dennie Farisy, Winona Root

These two got together! I’d love to see them as a couple.

We know Dennie and Winona end up engaged. I think they make a lot of sense as a couple, but we don’t get to see any of it! I’d love to see some of their relationship play out. Anything at all! Courtship, marriage, etc.

Or explore one of them as individuals! It would be cool to see the high school and the Crowd from a different perspective. Or maybe something set way in the future?

The President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White

Any

Future fic for this fandom would be awesome!

Yes, I’d love future fic! Any kind. Focusing on any character(s). I ship Meg/Preston a lot, so I’d love to see that, but I’d also be really interested in something about just one of them. Or about Meg’s brothers! One or both. Or Meg’s mom! If you’re most interested in a character who wasn’t nominated, then run with it!

If you don’t want to write future fic, maybe one of the events of the series through someone else’s eyes? (Not necessarily one of the dramatic events! Maybe what it’s like for everyone else after Meg goes to college.)

American Girls: Felicity - Various Authors

Ben Davidson Felicity Merriman

A childhood ship I’d love to see get together for real!

Ben/Felicity was one of my ships from long before I knew the word “ship.” I always felt like they’d end up together. I’d love to see this play out in fic! Or to just see them as an established ship.

Individual fic focusing on either of them would be great, too! Maybe age them just a little beyond the books and explore what they’re up to?

Anyway, hopefully that is enough for you to go on!

Looking forward to reading your fic,

katayla

Yuletide Recs!

katayla — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 05:48:55 GMT

I'm not sure if I'll make more or not. Last year, I didn't get a chance to read stories besides my own until months later and the year before that, I bookmarked way too many and didn't get to them until months later. So, this year, I was pretty selective with which fandoms and stories within fandoms I read and now I'm looking at everyone else's recs to see what I'm missing!

Anyway, onward!

First, my two lovely stories. I asked for Nan/Jerry fic because we see such brief glimpses of it in the Anne of Green Gables books, but I love what we see.

Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching (1413 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nan Blythe/Gerald Meredith
Characters: Nan Blythe, Gerald Meredith, Diana Blythe
Summary:

I was woefully thirsty—and I thought of David and the Bethlehem water—and of the old spring in Rainbow Valley under the maples. I seemed to see it just before me—and you standing laughing on the other side of it—and I thought it was all over with me.

Bookmarker's Notes:

OH. Such a lovely story that hurts in a good way. I love how their relationship history is built here.

Be Fruitful (1267 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nan Blythe/Gerald Meredith, Gilbert Blythe/Anne Shirley, Nan Blythe & Anne Shirley
Characters: Nan Blythe, Gerald Meredith, Gilbert Blythe, Anne Shirley, Diana Blythe, Susan Baker
Summary:

Anne and Gilbert's first grandchildren are born.

Bookmarker's Notes:

EEE! Look at how happy everyone is! You get to hear a little bit about how everyone is doing and it's one of those fic that makes the source material feel more complete to me.

And other recs!

Beautiful and Strong and Perfect (1132 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dragonriders of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Tarrie Chernoff, Porth, Original Characters
Summary:

Tarrie isn't sure how she could be so lucky as to stand on the hatching grounds

Bookmarker's Notes:

TARRIE. Wonderful, encouraging look at a character we only get glimpses of in the book.

Voice in Echo (370 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jadzia Dax/Worf
Characters: Jadzia Dax, Worf (Star Trek:TNG/DS9)
Summary:

Jadzia Dax and Worf talk during Ezri's zhian'tara.

Bookmarker's Notes:

WORF/Jadzia. *sob* I wasn't expecting to see any fic for them this Yuletide, so this was a lovely surprise. And it's a scenario I've thought about before, so it's great to see it in fic form.

New Stranger In Town (2790 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Boy Meets World
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Topanga Lawrence/Cory Matthews, Shawn Hunter/Angela Moore
Characters: Cory Matthews, Stuart Minkus, Topanga Lawrence, Shawn Hunter, George Feeny, Jonathan Turner, Angela Moore, Eric Matthews
Summary:

A lot can change in over a decade, but the best things in life remain a constant.

Bookmarker's Notes:

This just fits right into the show's world. I loved hearing about all of the characters the show forgot about over the years.

Dear Alex (2161 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Austin & Murry-O'Keefe Families - Madeleine L'Engle
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alex Murry/Kate Murry
Characters: Kate Murry, Alex Murry
Summary:

The shadows were swirling in the crystal again, and as they cleared Meg began to recognize her mother's lab at home. Mrs. Murry was sitting perched on her high stool, writing away at a sheet of paper on a clipboard on her lap.

She's writing Father, Meg thought. The way she always does. Every night.

Mrs. Murry looked up from her letter, almost as though she were looking toward the children, and then her head drooped and she put it down on the paper, and sat there, huddled up, letting herself relax into an unhappiness that she never allowed her children to see.

- From A Wrinkle in Time

Bookmarker's Notes:

This FELT like L'Engle. And I just love fic that lets us find out more about characters who maybe didn't have a ton of presence in the source material.

An Unexpected Visitor (1718 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Parks and Recreation, West Wing
Rating: Not Rated
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Leslie Knope, Ben Wyatt, Andy Dwyer, April Ludgate, Tom Haverford, Donna Meagle, Chris Traeger, Sam Seaborn
Summary:

Pod!Chris arrived in town on December 21st, 2012.

Bookmarker's Notes:

*giggles forever* I don't always like fic that play into "this character looks just like this character!," but this does it SO WELL. And it makes perfect sense. This is exactly what WOULD happen.

Lily Remembering (1428 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Giver - Lois Lowry
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Lily (The Giver)
Summary:

The morning Gabriel was to be released, Lily came to the table and saw only her mother there. "Your father went to his work early," Mother said.

"I don't get to wave bye to him. Or to Gabe," she said. "Or Jonas! What if they leave early tomorrow morning, and the next morning, and the next—"

Lily wanted to say that she felt angry.

Bookmarker's Notes:

OH. I always want glimpses of what "normal" life is like in a dystopian. What it's like for the characters who aren't "special" and this is it. So sad. So great.

A Lesson in Love (1434 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Giver - Lois Lowry, Parenthood (2010)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: The Giver, Jonas (The Giver), Zeek Braverman, Camille Braverman, Amber Holt, Drew Holt, Sarah Braverman
Summary:

Jonas learns about "it's complicated" via the Bravermans.

Bookmarker's Notes:

I actually haven't seen Parenthood, but this is an AMAZING concept done very, very well.

We Shall Remain in Friendship (1449 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Slings & Arrows
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Anna Conroy, Geoffrey Tennant, Oliver Welles
Summary:

Anna and Geoffrey have a history.

Bookmarker's Notes:

Anna and Geoffrey's friendship was subtly done on the show. This fills in the blanks. Wonderful.

Poor Little Fancy Cat (2009 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Sabrina Spellman/Harvey Kinkle
Characters: Sabrina Spellman, Salem Saberhagen, Harvey Kinkle
Summary:

Sabrina and Harvey are settling in for their first Christmas as a married couple, and Salem feels so alone. [Sobbing]

Bookmarker's Notes:

OH SALEM. It's been years since I've seen the show, but this fic brought it all back to me in the best way.

Truth In The Telling (1835 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: President's Daughter series - Ellen Emerson White
Rating: Mature
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Preston Fielding/Megan Powers
Characters: Meghan Powers, Preston Fielding, Beth Shulman, Neal Powers, Katharine Vaughn Powers
Summary:

Secrets, and damn secrets.

Bookmarker's Notes:

MEG/PRESTON. This is one of those pairings that I can't let go of and, in this fic, they have an established relationship. I LOVE ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS. Very believable glimpse of their future.

Dear Yuletide Writer

katayla — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 23:13:24 GMT

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Is it December 25th yet? I'm so excited to read what you write for me! So my actual requests were on the short side and if that's enough inspiration for you, AWESOME! Go write! If you're like me and do better with more ideas to bounce of, well, this is the letter for you. I've written lots and lots!

Some general stuff, first. I like canon-compliant fic. If you go AU, then I like the characters to be their canon selves, with canon relationships. This goes for content, too. Sex for my Psy-Changeling request? Totally okay with that! Sex in Betsy-Tacy or Anne of Green Gables? Would make me uncomfortable. (I'd say Chime is somewhere in between. Use your judgement.)

I really like missing scene fic. Along those lines, I like fic that shows stuff that wouldn't really fit in the source material, even though it probably happened. For example, I re-watched a little bit of Doctor Who season two and I love the implication that Rose and the Doctor have plenty of adventures that go relatively smoothly. It makes sense that we wouldn't see that on the show, but I love fic that shows those kind of quieter moments. (. . . obviously not for Doctor Who specifically, as that is very much not eligible! :D)

I like happy endings! And I like stories that are hopeful in a realistic way.

I'm fascinated by romantic relationships. This doesn't mean you have to write something super-shippy for me (though I'm very open to it!), but I like observing anything about that kind of bond between people. Most of my requests are along those lines, but I am okay with gen, too!

For all of these fandoms, please feel free to include any other characters within the fandom.

This is my fourth year doing Yuletide and you can read my previous letters under this tag. Most of my journal is locked, but you can find a little more about my past Yuletide experiences under this tag. You can read my fic at Archive of Our Own and both my Twitter and GoodReads are public.

And now on to more about my requests! Optional details are optional, so feel to disregard as needed. I've added a little about each canon, in case you want to write something other than what we matched on or if you're just curious.

Chime - Franny Billingsley
Briony Larkin, Eldric Clayborne

I loved how this book ended and I wouldn't change it . . . and yet I long to see a glimpse of Briony and Eldric's happy ending.

Right! So I put off reading this book for a long time because I'd seen all this praise for it and I just wasn't sure I'd like it. It's a hard book to describe and I get weary of hype. But since I'm requesting it for Yuletide, you have probably figured out that I eventually read it and fell in love. And I immediately wanted to request it for Yuletide.

I love Briony. I love how hard she tries and how her self-perception is so different from how I, the reader, saw her, even though the book is in her point of view. And I love that, at the end, she works to change her self-perception. That's something I really take heart in.

As I said in the request, I love how the book ended. It's the kind of ending I love, that leaves me wanting more without feeling unfinished. So, please, give me that "more." I want to see Briony and Eldric in the future. How far in the future is up to you. Immediately after, years and years in the future, somewhere in between . . . I am open to it all!

And please don't feel the need to focus only on these two and their relationship! I'd love to see other characters. I love Briony and Rose's relationship, the way Briony loves Rose SO MUCH, even though she won't admit it. I love how their father tried so hard to protect them and how it created so much misunderstanding between them.

If you want to explore Briony as Chime Child, that would be awesome, too! Basically, I just want MORE.

Canon: This is one book and a fairly quick read. It's received a lot of awards and such, so should be fairly widely available.

Betsy-Tacy Series - Maud Hart Lovelace
Any

I requested "any" and I mean it! Just tell me a story. If you offered a certain characters or characters, awesome! Tell me about them. Something you've been longing to write in this fandom? Write it! (More specific ideas in my Yuletide letter.)

Betsy-Tacy! I grew up reading these over and over. I love that we get to follow Betsy from childhood into marriage. I love all the romances and all the friendships. And I love what a complete world this is, which is what led to my open request. I can think of so many more stories I want in this fandom.

Now! I am the kind of writer who needs some ideas to feed off of, so here are some of the things I'd like to read. I believe "any" means "any of the nominated characters," so I'm going to start with those, but I'm definitely open to hearing about non-nominated characters. I've listed some (okay, a lot) of ideas for characters, but please feel free to ignore, as needed. Just tell me a story!

Tacy! Being a shy girl, I always related to Tacy. Although I love Tacy and Betsy's friendship, I'd also love a glimpse of Tacy outside of Betsy. Maybe with her family or some of her other friends? Maybe something about her music? Harry wasn't nominated, but, if you want to write it, I'd love to hear about them! I asked for them last year and I'm still interested in any of the ideas listed there. So much of their relationship happens off screen and I'd love to see some of it.

Tib! So I was in some friendships of three growing up and I was wildly jealous whenever it seemed like the other two were closer to each other than to me. Tib never seemed that way. Why? Or was she? I'd love to see that explored. I'm also really interested in adult Tib. She was so independent for the time period. Did she ever face criticism for that? And Betsy and Tacy worked so hard to matchmake Tib in the last book, but was that something Tib thought much about?

Joe! I'd love to see some of the books from his point-of-view! How did he view all of his and Betsy's missed chances? And what was it like for him when they finally connected? I love the description of their reunion in Betsy and Joe, that as close as they were before, their relationship was something more now. Or maybe some of Betsy and the Great World from his perspective? What was he thinking about Betsy though all this time? When he received her letter?

Betsy! Future-fic would be awesome! She has to have Bettina, right? Or maybe something about her writing? Does she write that novel? I'd also like to hear about the time between Betsy-Joe and Betsy and the Great World.

Winona/Denny! Recently, I've become pretty interested in them because I think they make so much sense and yet we don't get any of their romance. We just find out they're together and that's it. Anything about them would be great!

Katie/Leo! Another relationship where we don't know much except for that they're together. At some point in the book, we just start hearing Leo's name always mentioned with Katie's and this fascinates me.

Katie and Julia as kids! I'm an older sister, so I must admit to a bit of sympathy with them and their battles with their younger sisters. I'd love to see something of their childhood. (Whether or not it includes the younger sisters.)

Tacy's other siblings! She has so many and we don't even know all of their names! One of their stories would be great.

Bonnie! Did she marry a minister in the end? Maybe, after all that dreaming and preparing for marriage, she ended up never getting married or getting married late in life.

Margaret! I could always relate a little to her. How she was less social than her sisters and not as good at sharing her emotions. I'd like to hear more about her. I would also be very open to a story about her and Tony. Their relationship fascinates me and I'd be very into hearing more about it (romance more than okay with me!).

Mr. and Mrs. Ray! We get to hear their engagement story, but how about more about their past? Or the engagement story more fully written out! Or their point of view during the books or maybe after the books.

Vassar! I love college stories and the glimpses we get of Carney's college life are so interesting. I'd love to hear more about that. Of her and her friends' adventures or maybe Sam visiting her there!

Okay, so hopefully I haven't overwhelmed you with all these ideas. Please don't feel limited by them. If you signed up for Betsy-Tacy, hoping to write a specific story, please write that! If you have another idea in general, please write that.

Canon: So this series is 10 books long, plus three spin offs. That's a lot, but they're pretty fast reads. You can find a list of the books at wikipedia.

Anne of Green Gables - L. M. Montgomery
Jerry Meredith, Nan Blythe

Really, anything about their relationship! I just want to know about it.

So I've wanted to ask for Jerry/Nan or Jem/Faith for a while now and I'm finally taking the plunge. I decided to go with Jerry/Nan, since we hear more about Jem/Faith.

I love this bit in Rilla of Ingleside, talking about Rainbow Valley: Jerry and Nan went there to pursue uninterruptedly the ceaseless wrangles and arguments on profound subjects that seemed to be their preferred method of sweethearting. Because YES. That is an AWESOME method of sweethearting! So, I'd be very into reading about one of those arguments.

Or maybe something pre-ship, when they're first starting to notice each other? Or first getting together? I'd also be interested in reading something set during the war. What's it like for Nan to be at college while Jerry's at war? Or something set after the war! What's their reunion like? What's their life together like?

Please feel free to include any other characters you want! I love them all.

Canon: The Anne of Green Gables series is eight books long (nine, if you count the recently published The Blythes are Quoted), but Nan is only in the last three and Jerry in the last two. The little we know about their relationship is in the last book, Rilla of Ingleside. The other two the characters appear in are Anne of Ingleside (Nan only) and Rainbow Valley. (You also find out a little about their future in The Blythes are Quoted, but feel free to ignore that book. Or not ignore it! I'm cool either way.) You can find a list of the books here.

Psy-Changelings - Nalini Singh
Anthony Kyriakus, Nikita Duncan

As I went through this series, I started wondering what it would be like if two Psy in the Net fell in love. Then I started seeing (or, at least, wishing for) something between Anthony and Nikita specifically.

I love romance, but what really makes me love this series is the worldbuilding and larger plot. The moment I really fell was the end of Visions of Heat when Anthony tells Faith everything that's going on. As for Nikita, I always felt like there must be more to her and I'm so glad we've started seeing some of that.

And now these two are working together. And, sometimes, it seems like they really do have a connection outside of what's necessary. Certainly, they have something in common because of their daughters.

So I guess this request is kind of vague, huh? If you want to show me an established relationship, that would be awesome! Or maybe something about them talking around the fact that they can't have a relationship within the Net? Maybe talking about their daughters?

Canon: This series is eleven books and counting. You can find a list of the books here. Nikita and Anthony are minor characters who appear throughout the story. The first book, Slave to Sensation tells Nikita's daughter's story and the next book, Visions of Heat is Anthony's daughter's story.

In the end, my requests basically boil down to, "Tell me more!", so anything you write will be awesome!

Thank you,

katayla

I seem to have made some icons

katayla — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:59:56 GMT

I made some icons! Very basic stuff, but stuff I wanted and couldn't find. Concrit is very welcome. Especially if you can tell me not just what's "wrong," but how to make it better in very simple terms!

Also welcome is simply telling me which ones you like and don't like! Basically, I'm just looking for where to go from here.

Oh, but all I did is crop the sports icons, so don't worry about feedback on those ones.

Downton Abbey icons are all from last Sunday's episode, so spoilers! And caps are from grande_caps.

If you do take any, credit is appreciated!

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Table generated using angelamaria's Icon Table Generator.
Icons by their own makers.

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Table generated using angelamaria's Icon Table Generator.
Icons by their own makers.

Felix

katayla — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:18:37 GMT

(He has his kids' names tattooed on his wrists. That's why he kisses them. I love that.)

"Sure, it was unfair to just expect a guy to eventually throw a perfect game or a no-hitter. Perfect games and no-hitters are hard! Felix had made several bids before, but he'd never gotten this far, he'd never gotten to the end, and in an odd and unjust way, we were disappointed. Felix, too. On the one hand, we were all being greedy and presumptuous; on the other hand, it was a testament to Felix's skill. "That guy, right there? He's going to throw a perfect game. You watch. He's overdue." Felix has been the kind of pitcher where you see a game like this coming. The game came."
--Jeff Sullivan

You know, it's a funny thing I've noticed. He's King Felix to baseball, but he's usually just Felix to us Mariner fans. And we love him. We need him. And he loves us back.

HIII

katayla — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:52:51 GMT

I guess we're all posting on the first? New month and all! Though I suppose it's no longer the first for most of you.

Anyway, I'm still thinking up lots of entries in my head and not posting them. And not doing as well with keeping up with my flist as I'd like (though I do read it all).

I'm watching the Olympics, but I feel a lot less into them than I usually am. Some of that might be watching so much on live streaming, but I was thinking about it and this is probably the first Olympics since 2006 where I can't just sit around and watch them all day. I mean, the tape delay is annoying, but NBC always tape delays the west coast (even when, like in Vancouver, the Olympics are taking ON the west coast). I used to be able to watch live on CBC (Canadian channel), but they don't play them on that channel anymore, soooooo sad. I really loved that coverage.

Speaking of the Olympics and time delays, does anyone know a good live blog for the Olympics? Or a good Twitter account to follow for updates? I have to work tomorrow during the gymnastics, so I can't watch on live streaming and I just don't think I'll be able to avoid spoilers all day.

Speaking of Canada (uh, sort of), the Mariners just swept the Toronto Blue Jays . . . and had previously swept the Royals . . . which means they've won 7 games in a row. Their last 7 game win streak was in 2007! AND Eric Thames (who the Mariners traded Steve Delabar for) hit a home run in his first game for the Mariners. It is clearly way too soon to call, but that could end up being a very nice trade for us. Anyway, it seems like the Mariners might be finally figuring stuff out, so that's great. This is supposed to be the season when all the young guys are up and the team start coming together, and it looks like that might finally be happening.

Annnnd I should probably go ahead and post this. Early days at work tomorrow and today!

Hi!

katayla — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:48:20 GMT

Since I'm asking this everywhere else, might as well ask it here: JK Rowling's new book is listed at $19.99 for the eBook and $35 for the hard copy ($20 on Amazon). Are you willing to pay that much for it? If not, if you take price out of the equation (say, borrow from a friend or the library), are you interested in reading it? (Information about the book is here).

My sister and I went to the Mariners game yesterday. There was a Groupon deal for suite tickets, so we were SUPER FANCY. I did like it, but it's a pretty different experience than "normal." The view was really nice, but I didn't feel as caught up in the game, like you usually do at games. NOW, some of that might just be how empty the suite was. There was a guy and his son in our suite, but that's it, plus at least 4 or 5 suites to both sides of us were completely empty. (Which also means that I'm guessing Mariners will do this promotion again in attempt to sell seats, so if you're interested in attending a game, keep an eye on that!) You also got $10 of credit for food or merchandise on the ticket, so I got a really awesome pasta. (They have this whole separate food area for the fancy seats.) Also, you could walk right by the broadcast center! And, maybe my favorite part, they had free toothbrushes in the bathroom!!! (Also candy, which my sister took a bunch of.) AND the Mariners won, but, even more excitingly, they hit home runs!!!!

I'm sure I had other stuff to say, but I can't remember it right now.

FELIX! I love him so!

katayla — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:37:15 GMT

I went to the Mariners game yesterday and here's what Felix did: Gave up a hit and two walks in the fourth. Innings 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8? Retired to the Twins in order. And he made it look so easy that I didn't even fully realize what a great game he had until it was over. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. I'm going to try to go to all of his home starts this year. If you're a baseball fan and you can watch the games he pitches, DO IT.

Oh, and the Mariners scored seven runs. They're doing better at giving Felix run support this year!

So every Felix home start has a "King's Court," which is Felix's special cheering section. You get a shirt and a yellow K card to hold up for strikeouts. And they pass around a turkey leg. I haven't sat there yet, but I think I'm going to ask my sister for tickets for my birthday.

My sister (who goes to nearly all home games) stands out in the "Pen", which is the area next to the bullpen out in center field. So I stood there with her and all of her friends. It was fun! I think you miss a little more of the game, but it's also more fun in some ways. It gets pretty crowded, but they have "Girls Corner" staked out in the front, so it didn't FEEL crowded.

My sister (Krista), who was drinking beer, GASP!

I just found this funny. Jesus Montero came out and stretched allllll by himself for probably half an hour! No one else! Just him! We yelled "Jesus!" when he came out and I think we freaked him out because he kept looking over at us. Get used to it! (He did wave at us, though!)

DINNER! A strawberry crepe. Good, but sooooo messy I'm not sure I'll buy another one, lol.

FELIX! He was much cooler about acknowledging it when we yelled his name.

Everyone's stuff in a pile! I thought that was a good system. Just stash it all at our feet and not worry about it.

This is how close we were to the bullpen. We yelled "Go Preds!" for Shawn Kelley, who just got called back up. He looked kind of shocked/confused at first, but then fistbumped or did something anyway that acknowledged his appreciation. (Preds=Predators, his favorite hockey team.)

View from where we were standing!

This was cute! It was Kids Appreciation Day, so they had kid moose to go along with the Mariner Moose!

Me and my sister! And behind us one of her friends who works at the game.

Krista and her Kyle Seager jersey! I think this was after he hit his home run, but it might've been after his 2 run single.

Mariners win!

Weird . . . thing near the ballpark.

The supermoon, which doesn't look so super with an iPod camera.

I was thinking about trying to go to the game tomorrow to see Doug Fister, but I'm not sure I'll have enough energy. I was wiped out this afternoon and I work 8-3 tomorrow.

Fic: Magic and Myth (Women of the Otherworld)

katayla — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:07:36 GMT

Title: Magic and Myth (Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld)
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Word Count: 371
Notes: For buhdderkupp. Eve/Kris, slight Savannah/Adam. Spoilers through the fifth book.

"She's fine," Kris said from behind me.

"I know," I said. "I'm just . . . "

"Watching."

I didn't do it that often anymore. Couldn't do it that much anymore. But I wouldn't ever stop wanting to know what was going on in our daughter's life. Even if what was going on was her lusting after a guy who thought of her as only a little kid.

"Yeah, I'm in the office alone," Savannah said over the phone. "You should come over!"

Her face fell a little as she listened to the response on the other end. "Oh, okay. Well, have fun." She hung up the phone and pushed away from her desk, a frown on her face. She leapt out of her chair and began pacing the small office.

I sighed.

Kris laughed.

"What?" I asked. "You find our daughter's crush funny?"

He shrugged. "Give it a few years. She and Adam wouldn't be a bad match."

"Better than some I can think of," I murmured.

He laughed at that, too. Funny that we could laugh at it now. Funny how it all worked out. Compared to us, Savannah and Adam seemed to have an easy route to love. Savannah might think she and Adam would never work out, but they weren't bitter enemies. Or supposed to be. I hadn't seen a way for Kris and me to be together. If I had, I wouldn't have ever left him. And he wouldn't have let me go.

He could've came after me. No one was unfindable when you had the power of a Cabal behind you. But he'd had his sons to think of. And I hadn't given him much hope, had I? Why would he want to come after a woman who walked out on him?

And yet here we were. If you wanted to stretch things, you could even call us a happy family, with us in the same room as Savannah. Not perfect, not with me having to spend half the year off with the angels, but I'd never expected perfect.

I hadn't expected peace, either, but that's what I had. Kris took my hand and we transported back home and it was enough.

It was more than enough.

I'm awake!

katayla — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:30:10 GMT

Made it through the two middle-of-the-night Mariners games! To recap, they (and the A's) played two games in Japan, for international relations and all. These count as regular seasons games, even though the rest of the regular season doesn't start for another week. (Which means the Mariners--and presumably the A's--now go back to practice games for a week!) Anyway, these games were night games in Japan, which meant 3 AM my time Wednesday and 2 AM Thursday.

On Wednesday, I set my alarm for 2:45 AM, woke up, made coffee and watched by myself in my bedroom. (Not even the dog was watching with me!) But GOOD GAME. Seems like Felix always pitches well on opening day and Dustin Ackley hit a home run and Ichiro got 4 hits, which the crowd LOVED. (He's HUGE in Japan. This, more so than the actual games, is why I'm disappointed that the national media hasn't give this more coverage. It's such a great story.) Oh, and the Mariners won. Perhaps I should mention this! (It also went into extra innings, hahahaha.)

Then I went back to sleep for a few hours, woke up on my own at 8, went to my grandma's house (this is my mom, my aunt's and my normal Wednesday activity. Sorting through the house and stuff . . . though I'm mostly just THERE.) Dozed for half-an-hour or so, but mostly just tried to work and clicked aimlessly around the internet.

Anyway, my sister invited me over to her place for Thursday's game with a couple of her friends. HUGE PRODUCTION, by the way, because our family is so stupid passive aggressive. ("I don't know I'm supposed to come." "It's up to you." "You might get mad at me." "It's your choice.) Anyway, I ended up going. Her friends weren't coming until 11, but I didn't want to get there that late. And brought the dog! Ended up falling asleep for about an hour around 8:30, woke up and thought FOR SURE it was super-late, but, no, only 9:30!

It was kind of awkward when her friends first showed up? I think it was the late hour and . . . I'm not sure how well anyone knows each other outside of my sister? The Participants! My sister, Krista. Ryanna, who my sister (I think?) originally met on Twitter and is now one of her best friends. I'd met her briefly before and we've talked some on Twitter. And Joanna, who's been friends with my sister since high school. I'd met her a few times before. And . . . not really sure how well Ryanna and Joanna know each other? They drove over together, but I'd gotten the impression in the past that they were sort of ~separate circles~ for my sister. (But then, so am I. So maybe she's converging her circles!)

Anyway yeah. My sister had Criminal Minds on, which I'm not sure anyone cares about but her, lol. So none of us talked much. But, after it was over, we flipped over to a replay of a Rangers/Royals spring training game and that gave us baseball-y things to discuss! And then we made a Walmart trip, which killed some time. Got back and freaked out about Mike Carp being on the DL and Carlos Peguero being called up.

The actual game . . . hahahaha. WELL. If there's a cliche of a Mariners/A's game, this was it. At least, to start with. Jason Vargas did his thing where he pitches well, Bartolo Colon no hit the Mariners through 4 innings. But Justin Smoak hit a one room (OH MY GOSH. What is this typo? He hit a HOME RUN. Maybe I'm not as awake as I think I am), so YAY. We're all hoping for him to really break out this year. But then the bullpen blew it pretty much right away, boooo. So the Mariners lost.

Which is sad because now I can't go around for the rest of the week bragging about the Mariners having the best record in baseball. I don't even really count it as being tied for the best record since, sure, no one but the Mariners and A's have won a game, but also no one but them has lost a game!

But it was fun! I'm kind of hoping to be more social about my Mariner fandom this year and I think we ended up having a nice time.

Anyway. Pretty much as soon as the game ended, we crashed. Joanna, Ryanna and me in the living room and Krista in her bedroom. I woke up at around 8, then went back to sleep and got up for good at 10. Now it's past noon and no one else is really awake? I've been Joanna and Ryanna check their phones a couple of times, but then go back to sleep. And heard Krista move around some, but I think she's still sleeping. Oh wait! Ryanna and Joanna just got up. Maybe they knew I was creepily talking about them here.

I was going to post a few more things, but this post is long enough. So more later, probably.

Fic: To Live Is To Be Marked

katayla — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:16:20 GMT

To Live Is To Be Marked (2319 words) by katayla
Fandom: Downton Abbey
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Mary Crawley/Matthew Crawley
Summary:

What if Matthew and Mary were married before season two began?

(Yeah, I am too lazy to do a real crosspost to LJ.)

Baseball!

katayla — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:10:42 GMT

So, one of the things in Mariners fandom is that the front office is so good at keeping secrets that you generally don't hear about trades until they happen AND, if you hear about something, there's a good chance it's really going to happen. The Pineda/Montero trade is an awesome example of it as very little time passed from the first hint until all the details were known. (As beth_shulman pointed out, it's REALLY amazing that word didn't leak on the New York side.)

Anyway. Timestamps are Pacific Coast time and I'm pretty sure these are all the first tweets. (Baseball news always breaks on twitter!) And my own tweets because . . . why not?

(For the record, Jerry Crasnick, Brandon League was not one of the players I--or likely anyone--was worried about having to give up. I like him and all, but I think he's likely to get traded at midseason anyway. Thanks for the info, though!)

(When I read this, I wrote out--but didn't end up sending--a tweet that said, "So they didn't say no to Pineda?" It's hard to remember, but I think Pineda was the main one I was thinking of in my "pre-worry" tweet. A lot of Mariners fans seemed shocked by it, but IDK. For an "impact bat," it was going to be pitcher and it wasn't going to be Felix. So it was Pineda or one of the prospects.)

(TWENTY-THREE MINTES from "there's a trade!" to "Looks like Pineda-for-Montero." The weeks of silence can be annoying, but OH the speed of breaking news in the Mariners fandom is AWESOME.)

(That's spyglass_, who's a Yankees fan . . . who I was emailing about belovedbooks, so we freaked out together that way!)

(I . . . was trying to keep the interest of non-baseball fans? Also, it was hilarious.)

AND THERE YOU GO. 39 minutes after the first tweet, you get the confirmation(ish. I suppose technically it has yet to be officially confirmed.)

(Marinermojo55 is my sister. NOT THAT SHE BOTHERED TO RESPOND TO THE TWEET OR ANYTHING. Actually, we have yet to have a conversation about the trade. I think we feel about the same, though.)

FOURTY-NINE MINUTES. That's all it took from first hearing about this until all the details were out. AMAZING.

Also, my sister didn't talk to ME, but her tweets were pretty funny:

Of course, an alternative interpretation is this trade is taking a really long time, as it still isn't official!

Join!

katayla — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:10:24 GMT

I accidentally posted one entry to this journal, so some of you might have guessed this, but . . . I went ahead and created that community for sharing legal eBooks deals! Join! Tell your friends! Let me know if anything looks weird/is confusing/is terribly wrong/etc!

legalebookslegalebookslegalebookslegalebooks

(Feel free to join if you don't have an eReader, too! You can also read eBooks on a computer, smart phone or tablet and I'm hoping to post deals for eReaders, not just books.)

Happy Yuletide!

katayla — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:30:07 GMT

I haven't gotten a chance to read any Yuletide stories except for my own lovely gift!

The Trouble with Breakfast (1608 words) by Anonymous Fandom: Provost's Dog - Tamora Pierce Rating: General Audiences Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Beka Cooper/Rosto the Piper Characters: Beka Cooper, Rosto the Piper Summary:
A Dog and a Rat
sat on the floor,
arguing over pasty pie.

A purple-eyed Cat
laughed at them both.
He knew the real reason why.

It's just what I wanted from this fandom! No real spoilers (though you probably should know at least the first book), but OH. Just a fantastic look at this relationship and the attraction and the problems between them and both voices are VERY well done! It's one of those fics that makes me go, "YES! Those are those characters. That's that relationship."