bakerstreet | the au meme

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.

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[It's a rough-looking crowd. However, they appear to be more invested in their dice game at the moment.

Kotetsu nods, sticks his hands in his pockets, and feigns a Casual Saunter.

(...Hopefully they will just think he's inebriated...)]

[ a brief memory of Kotetsu bumping into that apple cart comes to his mind, but it should be okay.

hopefully.

in a more natural manner, Alice? feigns casualness while lowering his face so they didn't see it. with a small jerk of his head, he signals Kotetsu to follow him through the street ]

[Kotetsu's so focused on Alice that he fails to notice the bicyclist until it's too late. There's a screech of brakes as the rider swerves, barely missing! Kotetsu jumps back, swearing.]

Blazes - WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! - Uh oh...

[ great job Kotetsu, not only did you manage to garner the attention of the gang, you managed to have everyone on the street look at us.

Alice? can't help but to facepalm as he hears the gang members recognizing Alice and the rowdy voices coming closer ]

Kotetsu... [ while he would love to complain, now really wasn't the time. instead, he grabs the older man's wrist ]

We're running. [ he glances to the group of men cracking their knuckles and well, doing what non-law abiding citizens look like. (the other people on the street either lost interest on the usual sight or cheer on the entertainment that was about to happen) ]

[This is ENTIRELY NOT HIS FAULT, for the record. Still, the ruffians look like they have ill intentions toward... Alice? Odd. Better not question. Kotetsu stumbles after his escort.]

Damn it damn it DAMN IT sorry!

[ nope it's still your fault ]

Honestly, are you incapable of not running i-ah fuck!! [ having looked back at Kotetsu, he caught sight of a glass bottle hurtling towards them. Alice? twists his body while halting and pushes down Kotetsu's head roughly ]

That was close... uwah! [ a pull on his shoulder forces Alice? to turn around and before he can react a punch lands on his cheek, making him falter backwards ]

Ack - !

[The unexpected tug sends him stumbling. He wheels around to see another of the hooligans grab Alice. More circle, shouting out less-then-complimentary things. They seem to have forgotten about Kotetsu.]

Hey! Let him go right now! This is your warning!

[One of them tosses off a curse Kotetsu's way, but the rest ignore him.]

[ despite agreeing to be a bodyguard, Alice? isn't anywhere near strong or anything. so while he had retaliated after being punched, it was obvious he was being overpowered. there was no way he could fight against them all ]

Let go of me, goddamit!! [ while constrained by one thug, Alice? tries to free himself but halts for a moment when he sees one taking out a pocketknife ] Shit. THAT IS NOT COOL FUCKFACE!!

[Kid's got a mouth, you have to grant him that!

There's a blur and suddenly Kotetsu's between Alice and the knife. Another blur sends the blade flying off and the thug on the ground, howling and clutching his wrist.

He turns to the rest of the gang, weight balanced easily as some of them start to circle. The smile is completely gone. His eyes are in heavy shadow from his hat. It almost looks like he's wearing a mask.]

Look, I'm a nice fella, so I'll warn you one more time - I really think you should let my escort go.

[ Alice? isn't exactly sure what the fuck just happened, but suddenly he not the one feeling the pain, and the "client" was protecting the "bodyguard" instead.

having fallen down on the ground once more, he looked up at Kotetsu's back, a small chill running down his spine when Alice? hears his voice. it was so similar. he was almost afraid to look at what the older man's face looks like at the moment, in fear of seeing the same cold eyes he saw on another's face ]

K-Kotetsu? [ Alice? slowly stands up, while the rest of the gang members that were surrounding them were looking at Kotetsu with caution. wondering if they should just attack the Asian instead ]

It's alright. Just keep your back to mine.

[Kotetsu's tone is warmer for Alice. Despite his tough talk the kid's obviously not a fighter. The last thing Kotetsu needs is a panicking civilian in the middle of a brawl.

More of the gang members are circling. They're almost at the point where the numbers will make them braver. Stupider.

Kotetsu murmurs the next instructions quickly.]

You recognize them? They give you trouble before?

[ Alice? is relieved at Kotetsu's tone to him. while he had only met the man, he feels the warmer one fits Kotetsu more.

while keeping an eye the men, Alice? stands closer to the other ]

Yeah, they don't like.... .... [ my guardian? ] the person I live with.

[ and Alice?, who was obviously the weaker of the two, was often targeted. usually he had avoided them, and quite successfully as well, or an acquaintance would pass by that gave him a helping hand ]

[Kotetsu snorts. So they pick on Alice because they can't get to the stronger party. If there's one thing he can't stomach, it's a bully. And here's a whole crowd of them.

The next part is louder, for their 'audience's' benefit.]

Sounds like a pack of yellow-bellied muck-spines! Not sure they're worth dirtying your hands, Alice - Okay if I handle it?

[though he took down one easily, there's... rather a lot of them now. And they do NOT look pleased at Kotetsu's description of them!]

[ Alice? looks at Kotetsu disbelievingly ]

Kotetsu, they may look and be idiots but they are pretty strong. And there's a whole lot of them.

[ that looks ready to jump them any moment ]

[The admonishment does not seem to be sinking in. If anything, Kotetsu gets louder.]

Tch! The whole lot's just a pack of half-rat meaters!

[That's right, boys, allllll eyes on him. Forget alllllllll about the blond kid next to him...]

[ truth to be told, Alice? wasn't aware of too much slang. he knew insults, but none of the people around him had yet to explain most slang terms to him. so, he could tell Kotetsu wasn't calling the thugs handsome or anything ]

Are you an idiot?!

[ if you try to rile up those men any further, Alice? is totally going to try and cover your mouth ]

Probably!

[In fact he gets called "idiot" so often it really sounds more like a term of affection now.

Goaded on, one of the louts bravely stumbles forward. He takes a couple of swings. It's really more flailing then punching - as if he's never been taught properly to hit. Kotetsu happily provides that lesson!

Hopefully if he can get the whole group to charge, they'll leave enough space for Alice to dart out.]

[ is this what babysitting feels like? is really the only thought that goes through Alice's head as he watches the men, being spurred on by the first thug, starting to come at the at once.

he quickly reaches down and picks up a shard of the glass bottle that was hurtled at them. it was, after all, better than nothing ]

[The kid's not running. He's got no fighting abilties but he's grabbing a weapon anyway. Kotetsu flashes him a smile, grim.]

Watch my back.

[There's a flash bright as a lightning strike. It surrounds Kotetsu. His whole body shimmers, a thrum of power buzzing in the air. His eyes blaze from gold to blue.]

Let's go!

[Kotetsu plows into the crowd. He's so fast it's easier to follow the trails of light then him. His punches are sunbursts of motion, searing trails in the air. Thugs go flying.]

[ Alice? himself was planning to just cut his way through and grab Kotetsu, but before he can start shanking anyone, Kotetsu... is gone? no, wait the light.

he can't help but to stare at the sight of the thugs falling, seemingly for no reason except for being touched by light. and the others that were surrounding them is caught in surprise too.

coming back to his sense a little quicker than the others (the Hatter's always told Alice? he was quick to acclimate), he did his best to knock out some of the men around him as well. it wasn't much, but he hated feeling useless ]

You're gonna have a lot of questions to answer after this... [ he glances at the light still moving ]

[The light finally resolves back into Kotetsu, standing over an impressive heap of groaning, stunned gang members. He's still shining blue. Also, at some point, he seems to have slipped on a mask. From where? For what reason? Who knows?

Alice can add that to his questions!]

Right! Let's make this easy - which of you jokers is the leader, hah? I've still got errands to run!

[He can't help smirking back at Alice. He should not enjoy showing off, he's a Hero!... But once in a while, it's rather fun.]

Not bad for an old man, huh?

[An old man who should prooooooobably be paying more attention to what's COMING UP BEHIND HIM.]

[ sucks to be you Kotetsu, Alice? is known to be a curious one.

usually, Alice? was the cocky one. the one that needed to be told to watch out, or get facepalmed, or told he's an idiot. so it feels odd to be the more "responsible" one. really odd.

but hey, it's more exciting to switch around roles once in a while.

at some point, Alice? had picked a pocketknife from one of the thugs. so using that... properly, he instead throws it towards the man's head, who was about to plummet Kotetsu with... ... a barrel lid?

so maybe he's known for his bad aim with the gun, but hey for some reason, Alice? is super good at throwing things and hitting them. let's just hope it doesn't hit the man blade-end ]

With your attention span, I should be calling you a nipper.

Edited 2014-06-30 23:32 (UTC)

[Kotetsu ducks the flying lid. Really, a LID? Not the whole barrel? Almost insulting!

The knife is sticking in the man but does not appear to have hit anything vital. A good shot. Kotetsu sweeps his legs out from under him, and the gentleman does not seem inclined to rise up again any time soon.

He grunts at Alice's comment and looks around.]

You see any more?

[ he looks around as well, and the only thing he sees are bodies of knocked out thugs, spectators looking on in bewilderment, and two of them trying to creep away before they joined the pile too ]

...Nah, you seemed to have wiped out most of them. Somehow.

[ Alice? walks over to Kotetsu, pulling the knife from the man and pocketing it once more. it was handy to have one after all ]

Is that [ he gestures to the mask around the eyes ] supposed to be something?

It's a mask, what's it look like? Better clean that knife off -

[Kotetsu scoops up the lid and hurls it at the attempted escapees.]

Excuse me! You going somewhere?

[No! They were just trying to find the best spot to lie down and keep quiet! Kotetsu pulls out a small notebook and seems to be making calculations. Pleased, he stuffs it back into his pocket.]

Twelve! Not bad for a day off!

[Then he addresses the pile at large.]

Attention! You are all under arrest by Wild Tiger and... and his sidekick!

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Fun with Victorian slang!

jalsdkfa the most outlandish!

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Want to throw in a Big Bad here? :D

oh snap kotetsu you and your silly eyemask

First rule of Hero ALWAYS have your mask!

isn't that the first rule of criminals too

SHHHH