sockies: (Default)
sockies ([personal profile] sockies) wrote in [community profile] bakerstreet2014-02-21 02:13 am

( the au meme. )



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.

xviii - choose your own: self-explanatory! choose your own option.


( taken from here. )
belovedone: (we'll make pretend)

Frigga || Marvel Cinematic Universe

[personal profile] belovedone 2014-02-22 03:31 am (UTC)(link)
[no iii, vi, or xi]
durability: (Default)

" tango " | original character

[personal profile] durability 2014-02-22 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ feel free to combine both characters into one joint world if you don't want to au it into a canon world or tango's original world! ]
laylaknowsstuff: (pigtails)

High school, Xavier Institute style!

[personal profile] laylaknowsstuff 2014-02-22 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Mooove it, coming through! [Layla Miller called to absolutely anyone who happened to be in her way and happened to be listening. Though it was certainly frowned upon, the tiny blonde was using her skateboard to try to get from point A to point B much faster. Her headphones hung around her neck, playing nothing easily recognizable.

But Layla slowed down, stepping off of her board and flipping it up into her arms without a second thought as she approached one redheaded kid.]
'Star! Hey- I'm cordially inviting you to a viewing of Firefly this evening in my dorm room. Attendance is mandatory.
jondrette: (telling off)

Éponine Thénardier | Les Misérables

[personal profile] jondrette 2014-02-22 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
beunbroken: (bright)

Elizabeth | BioShock: Infinite

[personal profile] beunbroken 2014-02-22 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
anniesgonemad: (smile hope)

Annie Cresta | The Hunger Games

[personal profile] anniesgonemad 2014-02-22 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
fromporcelain: (speak)

Sansa Stark ❄ A Song of Ice and Fire

[personal profile] fromporcelain 2014-02-22 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
ivegotmypride: (Default)

Nancy ღ Oliver Twist

[personal profile] ivegotmypride 2014-02-22 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
saisamour: (Default)

Marius Pontmercy | Les Miserables | ota except 5

[personal profile] saisamour 2014-02-22 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Edited 2014-02-22 03:49 (UTC)
jondrette: (suspiciously curvaceous boy)

airship de l'abc

[personal profile] jondrette 2014-02-22 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[She'd been known as 'Estienne' for some time now. Estienne Jondrette. A funny name, but Gavroche did his best to keep everyone off her trail. They were lucky they hadn't been tossed off the ship the second they'd been discovered as stow-aways. Sure, the ship was known for it's Robin Hooding, but Eponine had very little faith in humanity at all.

What made it worse was the final appearance of their benefactor, Baron Pontmercy. Marius, as she'd learned his name was, was... Everything she'd wanted. Handsome, be-freckled, kind... He had no idea she was a woman, and no one on the crew would- though she had a terrifying suspicion that the one known as Grantaire had an idea or two, with the things he'd said to her...

It wasn't her turn on watch that night, but Eponine couldn't sleep below. She'd left her bunk, her long hair having since been chopped short to a length deemed more acceptable for men, her small breasts no longer bound, as it was evening and she had a coat to cover them, if it came to it. It had been so lovely on deck, looking out at the stars, the far off land below them, that Eponine didn't even hear the Captain come up behind her. At least, until she turned to return to her cabin, and near ran right into him.]
Pardon me- [She began, before remembering to lower her voice an octave. She began again.] Pardon me, Captain. I didn't see you there.
but_civilization: (Default)

Re: Marius Pontmercy | Les Miserables | ota except 5

[personal profile] but_civilization 2014-02-22 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Steampunk Ferre? I have no idea what they're doing hanging out but come look at this mechanical moth he made.]
saisamour: (YOU BELONG TO ME)

[personal profile] saisamour 2014-02-22 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
[JESUS CHRIST THAT LOOKS DANGEROUS]

M-Must you bring that in here, Combeferre?

[It's like it's about to tear Cosette's plants apart! Or poke his eye out but the first one is more important.]
euphrasie: (ladylike)

[personal profile] euphrasie 2014-02-22 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ All Cosette wanted was a garden, and what she got was a greenhouse suspended in midair so all her plants could soak up the right amount of sunlight at the right time of day. It's a bit of a frightening climb, from the flat into the lab, but she's a brave young lady.

It is good to have a helpful assistant, honestly. She sprays some water on the hydrangeas and smiles over at Marius.
]
loyalmutineer: (Sly)

[personal profile] loyalmutineer 2014-02-22 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
One thing Jheri is forced to admit about Captain Minogay: he knows better than to keep his crew out of port too long.

Of course, she has the sneaking suspicion their frequent trips to land are more to do with his lack of competency at stocking the ship he calls Hell's Escort because he is unoriginal, and she still lovingly calls the Glasstide in her thoughts only because it is her rightful name. She could tell him that the sleek little sloop always goes through spars at three times the rate of any other ship her size, and even why, but he had never asked. She'll never offer.

Besides, though she vastly prefers the sea, there are some perks to being turned loose with full pockets on a port town such as Verin: everyone is happy to see them. No one asks where the gold came from, no one tells, and everyone profits. Jheri Brosso has been a pirate long enough that it's difficult to tell, now, how hollow the entire endeavor makes her feel.

But about those perks: there are good sailors, here. Some of the original crew, yes, but some additions as well have far outdone the blind luck of their capricious Captain. Jheri wouldn't consider herself picky, necessarily, but she does find a good, solid sailor to be more attractive than a landsman; and she finds warm, shared bed more inviting than a cold and empty one.

As soon as the last Escort peels off and leaves the two of them alone, Jheri's sly smile turns on Kira beside her; she thinks she could love this girl if she still had love like that in her. Instead she has surface affection and profound respect, enough that she's willing to boldly sling an arm around her waist and cinch them together without breaking stride.

"And what about you, little spark," she teases, the low purr of her forsaken form thick in her throat. "How are you spending your leave?"
surfaceshine: (Doubt)

Dean Winchester : Supernatural : OTA

[personal profile] surfaceshine 2014-02-22 04:18 am (UTC)(link)

hello there! i kinda did vi. let me know if you'd like me to pick something else!

[personal profile] thetiniestkraken 2014-02-22 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Theon's been friends with Robb for years. Ever since his dad ever so subtly told him to fuck off, he's been drifting from house to house. He never really gave Sansa any attention, but he began to notice her when she started growing up and threatening to throw her shoes at him when he peeked into her room in the middle of the night.

But now, Theon's standing in front of the Stark house, cigarette in hand. He's waiting for Robb to answer the door, but Robb's probably too busy showering to notice. He tosses his bag against the door before turning to face Sansa. He grins. ]


Hey, Sansa. You gonna punch me in the dick again?
but_civilization: (peering through lens)

[personal profile] but_civilization 2014-02-22 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh Marius. It's only about the size of a Acherontia lachesis, And instead of spouting a death's head pattern on its large, but not too large, surely, it's no Attacus atlas, it spouts a very fanciful clockwork design! Friendly, and only a bit dangerous, surely and the look in Combeferre's eyes is bright as he lifts up his goggles.]

Ah Marius. Is Cosette about? I have something to show you both. [And he's stroking his new...friend...almost as if it were actually a pet.]

Have you considered the literal concept of time-flight?
candela: (☇ i was caught)

[personal profile] candela 2014-02-22 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
Kira found herself aboard the ship (which she mentally refuses to call Hell's Escort because that is, frankly, stupid, and which she speaks to in her own head as The Tide) more or less by chance. Family was a distant and blurry memory by the time she stowed away, and she chose not to look a gift horse in the mouth when her discovery didn't lead to being thrown overboard.

The captain was never clever, but not exactly stupid, either. He saw how quickly she picked things up when she climbed halfway up the rigging away from her pursuers, and gave her her life in exchange for a year's service. After the year, she stayed on. It was a living. It was sort of a home.

Some of the people on board aren't wholly terrible, anyway.

She likes Jheri in particular because she isn't a pirate. She's blown by the winds of chance as much as anyone, bound to the ship by love, and kind enough. Besides, by now they know things about each other that Kira never shared on land.

Her grin isn't a child's when Jheri grabs her, but it's not as wicked as the other woman's either, electrically bright with the simple joy of land.

"Probably quickly and enthusiastically," she says, leaning into the touch out of instinct and the desire for warmth, "almost definitely unprofitably. Who are you going to rob?"

It's a practiced and very small barb. Hopefully, the answer is everyone, and at least a little bit of her.
jondrette: (love)

steampunk what?

[personal profile] jondrette 2014-02-22 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[The Jondrette family, at least, via Patron-Minette was well known throughout all of Paris' underworld. Not the sorts you wanted to tangle with. But, sometimes, you had to make deals with the devil. Which was what brought Eponine to the markets that day. Her pockets loaded with things that belonged to other people, she was looking for just the right mark, to try to get them to take her home, help her out. From there, she would report back, and Patron-Minette would take them for everything, all the while she played unwitting witness.

That's when she saw him. Oh, he was handsome, perfect, and looking completely lost. Poor fellow. Without a second thought, Eponine crossed the market to him, and grabbed on to his arm. Time to bring out the tears.]
M'sieur! M'sieur! [she looked around wildly] Please, m'sieur, you must help me!
saisamour: (i will breathe in and out)

[personal profile] saisamour 2014-02-22 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ Marius can't help but fear for Cosette's safety each time she makes the climb, even if nothing particularly heart attack-inducing has ever happened before.

But when she smiles at him all those worries and anxieties disappear, and he finds himself returning the smile, a dumb, mildly bashful kind of smile, and almost drops the box of garden tools he's carrying in his hands. ]


I-It is a lovely day today, isn't it, mademoiselle?
ripstides: (isolate ❖ in another life.)

percy jackson ♆ heroes of olympus

[personal profile] ripstides 2014-02-22 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
bottlearum: (The Jester of Tortuga)

[personal profile] bottlearum 2014-02-22 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ ooc: sounds fantastic. ]
necromania: (pardon ☣ i was afraid of that.)

nico di angelo ☣ heroes of olympus

[personal profile] necromania 2014-02-22 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ also available aged!up and rule!63 ]
heterophobe: (Default)

brian kinney » queer as folk

[personal profile] heterophobe 2014-02-22 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
cannibalizes: ((₥) where's the evergreen field?)

hannibal lecter » hannibal rising

[personal profile] cannibalizes 2014-02-22 04:34 am (UTC)(link)

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