the alternate universe meme.

[luft]

The Alternate Universe Meme

How To Play
1. 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!

Alternate Universes
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.

Comments

[phonetical]

[Wow, that's a mouthful of a name that Uhura catches easily enough and probably could recite it back to him with ease. Her knack for foreign languages has always worked out in her favor and tonight is no exception.]

No one is going to do a background check at two AM.

[She's chuckling because it was nice to offer the opportunity, but she'd be better off checking his wallet for identification. Leaving a message is a great idea and she does happen to have her cell phone in the pocket of her pajamas pants. One quick text message shot off (including a capslocked YOU ARE STILL TOO LOUD, GAILA) and the phone goes back to where it was.]

There. That's done, thought she's never going to hear her phone going off. Or the fire alarm. Or anything important other than herself.

[She loves Gaila, she really does. She just hates some of her bad habits.]

[dow]

[ Attending to the couch while Nyota texts her abysmal roommate, he folds it out and sets to finding some extra sheets. It's large enough for Spock to use if he ever needs to, her petite frame should find it more than adequate. ]

Does she have no responsibilities to see to come morning?

[ Assuming this Gaila will be passed out from so much insane exertion. ]

[phonetical]

Yeah, actually, we have class tomorrow, which means I'm going to have to drag her out of there if this guy spends the night.

[And right then at that moment, there's a sharp shriek and the nothing but a dull thump, over and over again. Nyota sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. She knows exactly what this shift in sound means. They're in that stage where they're slowing down, but nowhere near finished.]

And I have to work tomorrow too.

[dow]

[ Opening his mouth to reply, he's cut off by the noise banging away next door. Spock looks more than a little mystified at what they could possibly be doing, blinking for a moment before averting his eyes to the couch. ]

Perhaps you might inform her that she is living next to someone who may have to grade her thesis. I would hope that the disturbances she creates do not put undue influence on my perception of how she has performed academically.

[ Spock can be congenial, but he isn't about to bend over backwards for someone without the common decency of not having sex at the volume of fireworks going off. If that doesn't get Gaila to shut up, he'll have to report her to the landlord no matter how pleasant Nyota is.

Couch made up, he nods to give her leave to use it as he pulls on his boots and coat. ]

I will be activating the security lock until my return, this is merely a precaution. [ Having a stranger in his home and all, she might open the door for people to take his stuff. He suspects she won't but it's better to be safe than sorry ... and it's 2AM. ] You are welcome to find something to eat in the kitchen, if the disturbances have woken you up too much.

[phonetical]

[Another sigh and she's squeezing her nose even harder. Just their luck. Or Gaila's anyway. She doesn't want her friend to fail just because she has no concept of inside voices during sex.]

Yeah, I'll let her know that in the morning. I'm really sorry. I'm usually used to it. [No, she's not, but it's a good excuse in case he ends up being one of her instructors in the next semester or two.] And I'm fine. Not hungry or anything.

[She's just here until the Eric leaves and Gaila falls asleep long enough that Nyota can climb at into the apartment without having to hear any unwanted juicy details.]

[dow]

You need not continue to apologize, Nyota. [ And setting the alarm, he steps out. ] I will be prompt.

[ 'Prompt' as in taking a twenty minute walk at a quickened pace through the brisk, unpleasantly chilly streets in his quest to find them ear-buds. Nyota can enjoy his apartment in the meantime, along with the black cat that meows as it wanders out of the study where the warm lamp is still on over his work. At least she has company. ]

[phonetical]

[Said black cat winds its way between Nyota's ankles as she forgoes the couch and begins looking around the apartment in an attempt to kill time. She doesn't touch anything that looks fragile or important, in the beginning at least. Her curiosity pulls her into the study and that's where Spock'll find her on his return, cat cradled in her arms, thumbing through sheets of paper filled with math formulas and science theories yet to be explained.

She's so engrossed in deciphering and working out the math problems, she doesn't even realize that it's suddenly become silent next door.]

[dow]

[ He pauses in the hallway upon his return, glaring at Gaila's front door. The silence is just as grating after all he's gone through (it's now closing in on 3AM, for goodness sake) and he lets himself into his apartment feeling it wouldn't be foolish to pull an all-nighter.

Unexpected as the sight of Nyota near his personal affects is, he waits there for a moment in the doorway of his study before speaking. ]

I see Enterprise has taken a liking to you.

[phonetical]

[Nyota jumps at the sound of his voice, jolting the cat in her arms who, to its credit, doesn't seem fazed by the human suddenly moving. In fact, the cat lolls its head back just enough to glance over at Spock before rolling up again, purring loudly. It has found a sweet spot and it's not leaving it anytime soon.

She, on the other hand, sits up straight and then stands, moving away from his desk.]

I'm sorry for looking at your stuff. [A beat and then she's smiling.] You named your cat Enterprise?

[dow]

[ A measure of chagrin sinks in as he moves over to absently stroke black fur. ]

She was named by a friend of mine. Jim insisted on picking it when I was hesitant to decide and it has since stuck. [ Useless ear-buds are placed on the table. ] Given the lateness of the hour, Nyota, you are welcome to stay, although I must finish grading.

[phonetical]

[She looks down at the cat and with no shame, presses her face to it, breathing deeply of that cat smell.]

It fits. She's beautiful.

[He mentions grades and Nyota glances down at the ear-buds and then back to his work. She's fully awake now and there's no sense in going back next door when the guy might still be there. They might go for another round or two and Nyota will just end up back here. The least she could do to thank Spock for his kindness is to offer her intelligence.]

Can I help?

[dow]

[ He shakes his head not ungratefully, just too professional to let someone color his perception of what he should be doing. ]

Thank you, but no. I will finish shortly and would prefer to complete the assignment alone. [ Perhaps she can stop Enterprise from roaming wherever she pleases, that would count for something. ] What time shall I wake you?

[phonetical]

[And she understands completely. Not every offer has a requirement that it should be accepted. Hopefully, he won't mind her taking his cat into the living room with her.]

Don't worry about it. I'll just set my phone's alarm and get myself up.

[dow]

[ Catnapper! No, he doesn't mind. Leaving the door to his study open a crack, he gets back to work.

His routine is a regular one. Waking up at 0600, showering, grooming, getting his affects in order for the day and dressing accordingly. By 0730 he's usually up and about, ready to leave, but after staying up until 0530 grading it's not in his bed that Spock falls asleep. He is only human, after all, and out like a light upon folded arms over a cleared desk. He isn't accustomed to staying up until all hours, certainly not jogging down dark streets to convenience stores and then all the way back just to keep his mind active with unfinished papers.

Three alarms come and go, and he's still there at 1045, hunched up in his hoodie like a schoolboy over homework. ]

[phonetical]

[Nyota doesn't sleep through her alarm, but hers is set for 1100. It hasn't gone off yet, but a four legged replacement climbing all over her wakes her up enough to hear faint blaring of a clock. It's not coming from next door, but from another room. A few second of sleep fog has her confused of where she is, but that's quickly remedied once she notices Enterprise lying across from her, grooming herself.

The alarm keeps up its shrill cry and Nyota follows it into the study where she finds Spock, head down on his desk. This isn't good.]

Spock? [She shakes his shoulder gently, not wanting to startle him out of his sleep.] Spock. Spock, wake up. Your alarm's going off.

[dow]

[ A deep sleeper, he sits up sluggishly when she wakes him, confusion painting his features for a prolonged moment before he remembers the night before and nods. Wait, an alarm? Without saying a word, he turns a nearby bleeping clock around and freezes at the sight of the time. ]

I need to call in. [ Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he touches her arm with a light squeeze by way of thanks, still passing a hand over his face as he ferrets his cell out to check in with the leading professor he understudies. Disgruntled as he is to find his absence has forced them to elect a replacement for the day, it remains illogical to hold onto his frustration ... for now, anyway. The fault is his (Gaila's, but even so) and moping won't get him a do-over of the day so far.

He leans against a kitchen counter, toying with his phone. His guest centers his focus, gravel-voiced and much in need of a shave when he addresses Nyota. ]

Given that I find myself free for the day, would you care to stay for brunch?

[phonetical]

[Later on, Gaila's going to be marched right over by Nyota for a meaningful apology and a heartfelt promise to keep it down, or better yet, stop bringing guys over. Right now, though, Nyota watches Spock scramble about and then steps out of the study, giving him privacy during his phone call.

Back in the living room, she's absentmindedly rubbing the spot where he touched her, sitting on the edge of the made up sofabed, sheets tightly tucked and pillows fluffed.]

Oh, I have to... [Usually she would say she has to go because there's extra credit work to do, a report to write that's already been written and so on, but it's early and she does have time to spare. Nyota can let a few workless minutes slide.] Actually, I'd love to.

[dow]

[ A small smile tugs at his lips, pleased that he'll have her company a while longer. She's polite and her presence isn't a blaring foghorn like Jim's, more of a quiet lull on his peripheral vision that keeps finding its way back to center-stage of his thoughts.

She also looks very beautiful still sleep-tossed, but it wouldn't be appropriate to say so. ]

Do you mind eating vegetarian?

[ Here, come poke in his fridge. ]

[phonetical]

No. I don't have problem with that.

[She's not going to poke in his fridge; what's on his desk is more interesting to her, really, but digging through either one is rude. Besides, unbeknownst to either one of them, she's already claimed Enterprise. That's enough for one night in a complete stranger's house.

As for looking sleep-tossed, Nyota feels she needs to fix that. Right now.]

Where's your bathroom?

[dow]

The door at the end of the corridor, towels are in the cupboard inside. Help yourself.

[ He'll get started on some asparagus and a skillet-cooked dish in the meantime, the easiest thing to cook by far and most likely to be enjoyed by a second party. It's strange having Nyota around, requesting this and that instead of banging around like Jim does and not needing Spock's attention. He finds himself very attuned to what she could want and willing to give it. ]

[phonetical]

[She nods first, and then smiles before turning on her heel and making her way towards the bathroom. It's a quick wash up and a run of Spock's mouthwash, and Nyota returns to the kitchen looking less like she just rolled out of bed now that her hair has been tucked up into a bun at the top of her head.]

I used your mouthwash. I hope you don't mind. [Nyota moves to stand alongside him at the stove, close enough to peer into the pan, but far enough that they both have their own personal bubble still intact. There's something about him that makes her want to be close, but unlike other people, there's no urgency to be attached to his side like a lamprey.] What are you making?

[dow]

Not at all, you are my guest.

[ He shifts the wooden spoon to his other hand when she returns to see what he's cooking, turning over the vegetables so a waft of pleasant scents rises up. His gaze rests on her throughout. ]

This is spicy tempeh hash. Would you prefer paprika or onion powder?

[phonetical]

[In any other case, that would be considered staring and make her uncomfortable. She'd turn and ask the person if she could help them, politely yet not quite. With him, though, it's very different and Nyota can't put her finger on why.

Twisting her mouth in thought, Nyota makes it seem like it's the most difficult choice of her life.]

Paprika. [And then she goes back to watching, never feeling the need to say more than what she has to. The silence between them is welcome, not awkward.]