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bakerstreet2016-07-20 10:40 pm
gameofsocks) wrote in bakerstreet2016-07-20 10:40 pm
the au meme.
the alternate universe meme
how to play1. post with your character, name and canon in the subject line.
2. feel free to mention which aus you’re willing or not willing to play in the body of the comment.
3. tag by rolling for an alternate universe setting using rng.
4. or tag by picking whatever au you’d like to play in most.
5. have fun!
i - all human: in an all human au, characters who are canonically vampires, werewolves or superheroes, are now humans, with corresponding changes to their backstories.
ii - apocalypse: a portmanteau of "apocalypse fic", apocafic is fiction set during or after some sort of apocalypse, or end of the world. some canons carry a built-in apocalypse against which the protagonists are fighting: in apocafic, they lose. for example, apocafic in stargate and x-files is usually set after the alien occupation; supernatural apocafic is set on a demon-controlled earth.
iii - band: an alternate universe in which the characters are members in, or form a band. often, the instruments they plan and their roles in the band are analogous to their canon identities. for example, tony stark might be cast as the fame-hungry lead singer who is also a musical genius, or river tam might be a classically trained pianist who, after a terrible experience at julliard, writes songs for mal reynold's grunge rock band, serenity.
iv - circus: circus aus are a popular trope in fanfic and sometimes fanart. using a circus as a setting means introducing the characters to each other in a close-knit community. that can help break down barriers between them and make them bond together against the outside world which may not understand them as well as the other characters do. it also brings a sense of adventure and the idea that this world may have different rules and everything is possible. a circus can also be a good place for characters to go undercover and meet the love of their lives.
v - coffee shop: the barista au (or coffeeshop au, or the closely related bakery au) is a popular fanfiction trope in livejournal fandoms. in most cases, one half of the main pairing is the barista and the other is or becomes their favorite customer; in some stories the whole cast works at a coffee shop. this trope is especially popular in fandoms where one character is very attached to coffee, either in canon or in fanon, or is frequently stressed.
vi - college/high school: college fic is a popular genre of fanfic (less often a genre of fanart) that places characters together in college or another secondary institution such as the starfleet academy in star trek fic (then called "academy fic"). this can be canon stories, for example backstory if characters have or could have met during college, or college aus, similar to high school aus. in science fiction, historical or fantasy fandoms the present day college au is a popular subgenre of the modern au that puts fantastic or historical characters in more mundane everyday settings.
vii - cop/detective: an alternate universe in which the characters are cast as cops or investigators of some kind. often, the canon villain is also cast as the villain in the story. this might be set in modern times, or in a noir-like environment, complete with gangsters and femme fatales.
viii - daemons: his dark materials is a fantasy trilogy by philip pullman. the trilogy consists of the golden compass (1995; published in the uk as northern lights), the subtle knife (1997), and the amber spyglass (2000). there are currently two companion novellas: lyra's oxford (2003) and once upon a time in the north (2008). a movie adaptation of the first book was released in theatres in late 2007. humans have their souls living outside their body in the form of an animal companion. males have female souls and females have male souls. the animals often correspond to the character’s personality.
ix - fantasy: an alternate universe populated with fantastical characters like elves, dwarves, unicorns, sorcerers, and dragons. canon characters might be cast as analogous races (e.g. clint barton or katniss everdeen as elf archers) or they might be humans in a fantastical setting. characters also might be able to secretly shape-shift into another form, like a dragon, and therefore is related closely to were/vampire/supernatural aus.
x - historical: a historical au is a fanwork which moves characters into a different historical period than their canon setting. typically this involves taking "contemporary" characters (from the late 20th century or 21st century) and putting them in an earlier historical period (such as the 19th century or before). popular settings for historical aus include: pirates, america's old west, britain's regency period, ancient rome, a vague facsimile of medieval england such as robin hood, and many others.
xi - hooker/porn/stripper: hookerfic is a type of fanfic where one or more of the characters is a sex worker. there are many different types of hookerfic, ranging from more realistic depictions to the more common pretty woman-type fantasy of a hooker with a heart of gold, rescued from life on the streets by a client. sex work of all kinds is portrayed—brothels, escorts, street prostitution, "call-girls" as well as strippers and go-go boys.
xii - magic: magic aus are alternate universe fanworks that incorporate magic in fandoms where there is no magic present in canon. (or in some cases, fanworks that make a canon with magic more magical.) they differ from elf aus in that there may be magic without any elves showing up, and are opposites of all human and mundane aus.
xiii - neighbors/roomates: an alternate universe where the canon characters live next-door to one another, or in the same apartment building or complex, or in the same apartment. often, this is also an all-human au, if the canon characters are powered in some way. the forced proximity is usually used to create romantic tension between characters.
xiv - space/sci-fi: a space au is an alternate universe where a source set on earth is transported into space; works are often referred to as "[fandom] in spaaaaaaaaace!" the trope can be a form of crackfic, but often includes surprisingly serious reinterpretations of the most earthbound of sources, particularly historical fiction written or set before space exploration. cyberpunk trappings such as robots, cyborgs and ais are often included.
xv - steampunk: steampunk was originally a term for a sub-genre of speculative fiction that imitated 19th century "scientific romances" like the work of jules verne and h.g. wells. later, the term was applied to a general aesthetic involving styles that would be "futuristic" from the perspective of the 19th century. steampunk appears in fanworks as both a genre and an aesthetic. there are some fandoms for which the canon is steampunk(-ish), e.g. the secret adventures of jules verne, but more often it is found as steampunk alternate universe.
xvi - western: the western is a genre of fiction set in the later half of the 19th century in the western part of north america, especially the united states, but also canada and mexico. sometimes also included in the genre are stories about western-type characters and plots in other settings, e.g. "space westerns" (in science fiction settings) and contemporary westerns (set in the western part of contemporary north america).
xvii - were/vamp/supernatural: a reversal of the all-human, in these fics characters who are normally human are now supernatural creatures of some kind the most common being werewolves or vampires.
xviii - choose your own: self-explanatory! choose your own option.
genji | overwatch
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who might be a bit monsterish themselves?]no subject
2. I absolutely love that idea!! The glory days of great hunts and brat Genji getting on Hanzo's nerves could be super fun, or maybe a twist on canon events where they get separated during a hunt and when Hanzo finally tracks Genji back down, he's gone to his more monster-ish side? So many possibilities.]
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2. Getting separated sounds fun!! We could do like a modern non-OW AU too... SUPER UNPICKY.]
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Let's go with separated hunters! Take those dragon metaphors to THE NEXT LEVEL.]
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let me know if anything needs changing!
One single hunt had changed everything in an instant. One swipe of a great beast's paw and Genji had been thrown aside like a rag doll, separated from his brother, left with no one to rely on but himself.
Genji had been alone for... he had no idea how long. Time spun and blurred in his state, in pain, lonely and afraid. No balm could seem to heal his wounds, and every beast nearby was more than happy to take their chances on striking down injured prey. Genji fought, tooth and nail, for his own survival. For the chance to see Hanzo again, the chance to go home. He refused to die here. A Shimada would never allow himself such an ugly death as this. But it didn't make things any less bleak.
Another battle, another victory over a beast who mistakenly saw an easy target, and Genji couldn't stop the grieved wail that tore itself from his throat. He was unaware that it came out as the roar of a dragon instead of the scream of a man; he was unaware that he looked no better now than the beasts his brother and he had hunted together not so long ago, his dragon's blood having reacted to his pain and his fear not long after separation from Hanzo. Genji was unaware of much beyond danger and pain. It was all he could see these days.
It's wonderful!!
Three months had gone by, and still nothing. Genji was alive, Hanzo knew that at least, but if anything had encountered him, it had either not escaped him, or the story had not spread far enough.
But finally, finally he gets a break. A dragon in a forest, killing anything and everything that came after it, including a fully qualified team of hunters. It could only be Genji.
As soon as he stepped into the trees, he knew. Genji was here.
As if on cue, a wailing roar ripped through the trees. Pain and fear and anguish, in Genji's voice. Instantly he bolted forward, stripping away his human form to give him speed through the trees. He roared with a half-human throat: he was coming.
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Even as blood flowed sluggish and slick down his scales, for the first time since their separation, pain was the furthest thing from Genji's mind. Now there was relief, a need to get to Hanzo, to see his brother again. Finally. He tried to call Hanzo's name; all Genji's throat could manage was another roar, and for the first time he registered the fact of his serpentine form. It didn't matter. His brother would know him, no matter his form. Already knew him. Genji could have cried with his relief.
Another turn through a copse of trees had him coming face to face with Hanzo for the first time in months. Everything seemed to catch up with him in that instant, had him sinking to the earth, exhausted and in pain. Despite it, the rumble that rolled out of his throat and the way he tried to push his face toward Hanzo said more than enough about his gratitude, his relief, his joy at being reunited with his brother.
It had always been like this since they were children: Genji getting into trouble, Hanzo coming to his rescue no matter what. Genji already had plans to tease him about how long it took him this time once he had the capacity for speech again, but it could wait. He could let Hanzo enjoy his heroics before he started harassing him just this once.
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Hanzo slid his bag off his shoulder. As happy as he was to see his brother, he was more concerned about his injuries. To find Genji again after three months only to have his brother die of blood loss in his arms... the thought was horrific.
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As Hanzo moved to his side, Genji shifted to lie on the ground, let him get a better look at the injuries scattered over his side. He craned his head to inspect himself at the same time. The haze of panic and loneliness was lifting, allowing Genji more clarity of mind, and he pulled as much of a grimace as a dragon could manage at the sight of the mess he presented. He released a disturbed huff of breath, focused on shifting in order to make treatment easier for his brother.
Or... tried.
For the first time he could remember, the dragon blood refused to obey him. No matter how Genji tried he remained in his dragon form. His claws dug into the earth anxiously at the realization, tail flicking in agitation. What was that supposed to mean?
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He chuffs at his brother, bowing his head to nuzzle Genji. Carefully, he steps around Genji to lay down behind him, his much more solid bulk nestling in to give support. Sharing the same form eases down the anxiety and panic, and knowing that Genji is going to be healing now eases it even more. He tucked his head over Genji's neck and sighed quietly.
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Once Hanzo's shifted and settled, Genji is quickly to curl against him, body tucked against Hanzo and head wedged under his brother's. Genji closed his eyes, coiling his tail over Hanzo's for that extra bit of contact, looking for anything he could get after all the time he'd spent alone, scared that he'd never see Hanzo again. Another mistake like the one that had separated them in the first place could have easily ended him, left him as nothing more than another rotting carcass in these woods. Even now, in the safety of Hanzo's presence, the idea made Genji shudder.
The benefit of sharing the same form meant communication was also much easier now, words clear to Hanzo where no one else would hear anything more than noise. "Took you long enough to find me." But there was no heat behind the words. Genji tried to make them sound teasing, but they came out as nothing more than a quiet, shivery croak.
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"You should get some rest. After you sleep and heal, we can hunt and then leave. You killed a group of humans that came after you, they're going to send more soon, and better prepared." Hunters would be after them next. Hunters who would have the power and resources to kill them, and no sympathy at all.
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"You'll be here when I wake up?"
It was a quiet mumble more than anything else, Genji's eyes drifting shut and staying shut as he spoke. It wasn't that he doubted Hanzo, but paranoia was a powerful thing, still hovering over him now. Three months on his own would take a while to dissipate, and the last thing he wanted was to wake up and find himself alone again. To discover this was some terrible dream meant to torment him with what he didn't have.
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He slept deep and dreamless, body still against his brother aside from the rise and fall of his breathing.
When he woke hours later it was with some disorientation, bleary and confused before he registered the weight against him. He jerked, alarmed until he caught sight of Hanzo, the tension instantly draining out of him in relief. Hanzo was here. Everything was fine, would be fine.
He nudged Hanzo's head with his own in a gesture of affection, shifting to carefully untangle himself from the mess of limbs he and Hanzo had turned themselves into. Genji stretched carefully, tested himself, but already he was beginning to feel better; with his wounds properly cleaned and taken care of, his body was taking care of the rest, healing quicker than a normal human's would. The bleeding had stopped though he could feel the wounds had yet to close over, but the pain had died to a low ache.
"Much better." He shook off the lingering remnants of sleep, flashed Hanzo a toothy grin. Genji was beginning to rally back to his old self. "You said something about a hunt?"
(no subject)
APOCALYPSE NOW!! (NOW... ɴᴏᴡ... -ᴏᴡ...)
The freeze had not been as kind to the other researchers. It wasn't a perfect system by any means but they'd worked with what they had, and unfortunately it damaged many of them in a multitude of ways. Some physical, some emotional, some outright mental. It had only begun to grow worse after they began releasing civilians to let loose in the vaults, and more often than not she found herself holing up in her lab to fix whatever silly little things she could on Genji to avoid it all.
How the notion to escape came to the robot's lips? She couldn't say. She had given him the most advanced AI she could code and he surprised her often with his wisdom and his humor, and this time, she couldn't just laugh it off. ]
Do you really think we could? Survive. Out there.
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Once she was out, Genji had immediately glued himself to her side once again. He saw what she saw as the results of monitoring came in: the surface was liveable. Civilization had been revived, cities built and populated by the descendants of those originally herded into the vaults. There were dangers of course, animals and people mutated by radiation on top of those who decided they would rather live lawless, but more and more Genji saw fit to take Angela up there.
No one was meant to leave. The surface wasn't 'safe', was 'unclean', wasn't 'fit for life', common whispers rebounding through the halls. They had research to do to kickstart the true next age of humanity. But Genji would rather see that world than be stuck down here, watching research come up with models that outpace him in practically every way, and for what purpose? None that Genji could see or was privy to know. More than that, he could see how things were beginning to wear on Angela. How she flinched away from the more gruesome tactics her colleagues had developed to further their research, how it hurt her to watch the efforts of the surface through monitoring without being able to help in person. Neither of them were fit to remain down here anymore.
Which brings them to now: Genji risking himself to bring up the idea, thankful that Angela is willing to hear him out on it. Anybody else, and Genji is certain he would have been reported for reprogramming.]
We could do it. [He says it with the utmost confidence.] I am certain the people up there would be more than grateful for more medical professionals. We go to one of the nearby cities, you could set up a business. Shelter, income, a way to help directly.
[He is definitely not underestimating how difficulty it'll actually be. No way. But because he means it:]
And no matter what happens, I would not let any harm come to you, Doctor.
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How could she even begin to fathom his sense of time? It'd been over 200 years. Any signs of rust or failing parts for him were replaced, cleaned up, and before long he'd looked brand new. There were a few places she couldn't as easily buff out the scratches and gouges in his plating, but she'd certainly offered. He was a better companion than any other human here and that was... telling. That fact alone makes her open to the idea, and the more he speaks the more the gears turn in her mind, working out pros and cons, problematic threads and solutions.
The surface was safe, after all. People were already living there with no more signs of mutation.The grandparents of the current generation were the last signs of deformities and radiation sickness, and that would largely be avoided by avoiding the impact sites. She had all the data and required equipment.
They could see the surface again. The skies, the clouds, the mountains. Oh, how she missed her home in Switzerland. There'd be no hope of getting there any time soon, she imagines; that would require a risky trip by boat or an airplane. And who knows what sort of shape it's in? She could check on the satellites, maybe, if she could get access to the UN's systems—
Her voice drops to a whisper, knowing he can still hear her and wary of what may be around even in the privacy of her own lab. ]
We'd have to go further than that so no one sought after us, but it would be a start. Maybe exit through the service tunnels you use? Would it still be safe for me? With the pressurization.
[ He knows exactly what she craves and she could kiss him for it, reaching over to hold his hand. It isn't silly at all to have developed a friendship with Genji; he was mostly molded by her hand and given 200+ years to find his own personality and peace in the midst of it all. He's far more human than many of her fellow researchers, and she values him and his opinions. His thoughts, his worries. They're all perfectly real. His offer to protect her goes a step further and her lips turn up in a tired and warm little smile. ]
You're so good to me, Genji. Thank you. Let's... let's do it, then. As soon as we can gather supplies and as much technology as we can take that won't hinder us.
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[Genji considers her recommendations, nodding. It makes sense. If they stay too close, it would only make them easier to track down; traveling further would be difficult, but it'd be worth it to remain free. Her smile has him grinning back, a small but bright expression.]
Of course, Doctor. I'll get to work on it as soon as possible.
[And so they prepare. It's slow going, with so many eyes keeping close track of equipment and supplies. They can't afford to take too much at once or risk bringing too much attention down. Even one or two smaller things going missing kicks up brief suspicion before it dies down. Genji saves stealing the pressurization suit for last; it's a high value item thing, and it going missing will cause the biggest uproar. There's investigations, accusations, and it's agonizing to have to wait to escape with everything they need in their hands, but soon enough the heat dies down. The investigations stop, the inspection of the service tunnels ceases. They're ready.
It's getting late in the day, months after their initial discussion of escape, when Genji takes Angela's hand while she's running an experiment and squeezes to get her attention.]
Tonight. We should go tonight.
[It's their best chance. Any longer only increases the risk of their hidden supplies being discovered and their plan being blown apart. With the heightened security now relaxed, they need to move as soon as they possibly can if there's any chance for them to actually get through. But still he waits for her response, leaving it in Angela's hands. What she says goes.]
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It would keep them warm at night for many years to come. The investigations had frightened her and left her nervous until Genji would come to her, giving her a soothing hand and a few choice, wise words borne from his advanced AI and years of solitude to develop his own brand of wisdom. She could squeeze his hand as hard as she could and not hurt him, and he soothes her with his presence. Angie had had the idea of smuggling out some of the test subjects in the lab and faked vault openings to create scapegoats, hoping and praying for those souls' safety in the outside world.
At least they hadn't had to suffer further here.
When Genji appears to her once more and takes her hand, however, she has his full attention. The hesitation in her frame is decimated by the hope in her eyes, brows raising almost in disbelief. Finally? It had almost begun to feel like an impossible dream again. She covers his hand with her other one and gives him a squeeze, turning to face him, voice a hushed whisper. ]
Tonight. Yes, of course— oh, Genji!
[ She presses her brow to his and then tips up to kiss his forehead, gestures he's long-since come to know from her as affection. Everything about her perks up, from the slump in her shoulders disappearing to the straightening of her back, color in her cheeks like she's just sucked in a lungful of fresh air and it's rejuvenated her. The excitement sets her heart racing and she can't even imagine what it will smell like outside the vault.
There was a seminar tonight, mandatory attendance. It'd be a skeleton crew on security. It was perfect. ]
I'll get my things. Meet you there.
[ At the air duct entrance they'd planned out in advance, which would lead them into the service tunnels out of the view of security. They'd stashed the suit inside and already scoped out the way, carefully adding weekly cleaning of all ducts and tunnels so they would leave no traces behind. Their route had just been cleaned the day before, with the service tunnels three days before that. Not enough time for any dust to settle and show signs of their passing.
It's hours later when she's packed the last essentials and she shows up at the vent entrance with her small bundle, ready to add to their packs. Her cryosuit is beneath her regular clothing, skintight and dyed to black for use beneath the pressure gear. She'd gotten there without a hitch and she smiles as soon as she sees him, reaching over to lay a hand along his arm. ]
All right then, old friend. After you.
[ She can't exactly pull him up into the vents after her if she went first. ]
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The wait had been a difficult one, but it'd given them time to prepare, time for Genji to observe the surface further and take in what dangers they would encounter once they'd reached it. Raiders, mutated creatures and people, lack of any real safe food or water, Genji took it in and figured out ways to try and get around it. He was, by definition, more physically durable than Angela, but his frame on its own wouldn't stand up long in a full-frontal fight. So he'd taken to finally create mods for himself, makeshift armor plating, thin but an added layer of protection without hindering his movement. Angela would be without defenses until they could find something more proper for her, so Genji had to be as ready to defend her as he could be. He wouldn't let harm come to her.
He's wearing his makeshift armor when she joins him by the agreed-upon vent, nodding to her before he pries the cover from the wall. It's easier to pull himself up and inside, and he reaches for her pack before pulling her in after him. Thankfully the vent is big enough to allow for some ease of movement, and soon enough they're on their way, making their hopefully final crawl through the ducts and to the service tunnels. When they reach the other entrance, Genji doesn't bother with being quiet, kicking the cover out to slide out of the vent and offer Angela a hand down after him.]
Let me know if you need help with the suit. [Otherwise, he'll get to work on collecting and organizing their supplies as quickly as possible, checking one last time on both content and the way it's been packed in order to minimize danger to them once they hit the surface.
Is he nervous? Who wouldn't be nervous in a situation like this?]
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What a silly concept now; trying to think of Genji as anything less than a companion was an insult. He is her dear friend and he's taken 200 years to cultivate his personality, his interests, likes and dislikes beyond what she'd programmed into him. He is very much his own person now. His compassion and care for her more than proved that. Once she's on the ground she sets right about shedding her outer layers down to her cryosuit before pulling on the pressure suit and ensuring every seal was thoroughly sealed, from the gloves to the boots to the seal about her neck before the helmet goes on.
By the time she needs his help, he's already packed the last of their items and gathered everything into a tidy pile by their exit tunnel. She offers her back to him for the final zipper and external seal. ]
If you would, please.
[ She is just as nervous. His sensors will pick up on her faint perspiration, the pinch of her brows she can't fully smooth even when she's smiling. Even knowing the lengths she'd gone to in their preemptive cover-up, nothing was 100% certain. Something could still go wrong. The alarm may still go off even if she'd carefully hacked in to disable it for the twenty minute window they'd planned on. A quick glance down shows they still have about three minutes before it'd disable. ]
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Once the suit is sealed and double-checked, Genji is quick to pick up what he can carry - most of their suplies honestly, given the strength of his frame - and take Angela's hand, flashing a quick smile back at her as he moves to lead her through the tunnel.
The pressure is nothing to Genji. He's walked these tunnels plenty of times, his frame built specifically to withstand the environment, and he moves with no issue at all. But he's mindful of Angela. Even with the suit on to allow her to handle the atmosphere, it will likely still affect her, so Genji tries to be as mindful of it as he can with their limited timeframe. Pushing Angela too far would hardly make any of this worth it. More than that, he only recently got her back from cryo. He's nervous and on edge but trying not to let it show.]
We're almost there, [he reassures her, keeping the grip of his hand in hers firm. Soon enough they'll be on the surface; new dangers, but new freedom as well. They can do this.] A little longer now. How are you feeling?