gameofsocks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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.
Matt Murdock | Daredevil
As discussed!
Maybe it was possible they actually weren't out to get him, at least not here, where his murder would be much more noticeable.
The uncertainty was killing him as he arrived in Hell's Kitchen, the place he'd lived before starting his career. Matt Murdock, bless his kind little soul, was offering him a place to stay. He eventually arrived at his doorstep, not without some help from various people living in the building, and after the initial greetings, was sat on his couch more or less twiddling his thumbs.]
Well, Matty. What do you do around here when you're not at work?
no subject
Because he's definitely not answering that question truthfully. ]
I bring a lot of work home with me. [ He perches on the arm of the couch, apologetic. ] Listen to books occasionally, do yoga and meditation... Lawyers really don't have very exciting lives.
You could come with us next time we go for drinks at Josie's, though. I have a friend who might teach you how to play pool if you play your cards right.
no subject
[Listening to books and doing yoga? Honestly, how much more boring can one's life be? He'll have to try and come up with ways to liven up the scene around here, even if it's a bit difficult to come up with activities that don't require eyes.]
I know how to play pool. [Oh, wait.]
Drinks sound good, though. Lots of drinks. [Maybe he can try snooping into Matt's boring life, even if it's just to learn that he reads some really kinky porn. That would involve learning braille, but hey. He has to do something with his time.]
no subject
[ Yeah, none of those sound like things that are going to appeal to Sands. But Matt wasn't completely lying. Apart from his work as Daredevil, he really doesn't do much in his free time. Of course, he also doesn't have much free time...
Sadly, even snooping isn't going to turn up much. Matt's already made sure the costume is well-hidden. And there is unfortunately no kinky porn. ]
I can get you started on learning braille if you want. And don't knock yoga, it's good for relieving stress and keeping you limber.
I'll make sure you learn the route to Josie's. But no fights, okay?
no subject
[But no, that doesn't mean he has any intention of leaving. Sands isn't a stranger to entertaining himself. He'll find things to do, even if it takes longer.]
I was going to ask about braille. And I think I'd rather take some self-defense courses. There's probably someone around here who would teach me how I am now.
[Might not be as easy with the gun, but hey. He can always practice that on his own.] No fights that I'll start. Pinky swear.
no subject
I can teach a couple things. You can come to Fogwell's with me once in a while if you want, I work out there a little.
[ Well, he doesn't maintain his physique through just yoga... ]
Sands, I'm serious. It doesn't matter whether you start them or not, if the police get called in for a fight and you're involved, your name gets into the system and then you're gonna more than just a couple small-time New York lawyers to help you out.
no subject
[Then again, it is a dangerous neighborhood. Anyone with some sense should know basic self-defense. Sands knows it, but again- have to adjust to his circumstances. What he knows probably won't work out too well at this time.
As for Matt's comments about him and fights...]
You're crazy. [But also right, sadly. He can't have anyone with state authority connecting his name with Agent Sands, not if the CIA really does want to take him out. Or, maybe it'd just be easier for them to toss him in a cell and throw away the keys.
Neither option sounds like a fun time.]
But fine. Getting the hell out of the situation will be my number one priority. Probably too much to hope that I can just freak people right out. [Had this been anyone else but Matt, he would have taken the opportunity to remove his sunglasses and show off the holes where his eyes used to be. Shame, wasted opportunity.]
no subject
[ Sands is just going to have to learn how to rein in his temper and penchant for violence and live under the radar. Hopefully self-defense lessons will help him work off some of that, and if not, Matt can always teach him how to use a punching bag. ]
Sure, go ahead. If you want people to notice and remember you. [ NO, Sheldon. ] If something happens and do you get picked up, ask to talk to Detective Mahoney, and tell him you're a friend of mine.
no subject
But sure. That'd be interesting.
[He can live under the radar, learned how to while training with the CIA. Just... he's usually quite good at getting away with violence regardless. Maybe those days are past. A sad thought.]
Good to know, counselor.
[He rises to his feet, facing in Matt's general direction.] So, where do we start?
no subject
You may want to lose the glasses and any clothes that feel restrictive. [ He can hear the incoming smirk. ] Such as a jacket or dress shoes.
[ Then he takes Sands' arm and leads him to a clear space away from the furniture. ]
Going to teach you a simple blocking maneuver. I'll show you your body position and walk you through it a couple of times so you can learn how it feels. Then we'll practice at slow speed.
no subject
Joking on about freaking people out with his empty eye sockets is one thing. Actually having them out in the open? Doesn't feel good. He's just glad that Matt is blind too, or else he would insist on keeping the glasses on.]
Got it.
[He mutters, obviously more uncomfortable now than he was before. No, all the jokes and quips aside, he hasn't even begun to deal with what happened to him in Mexico.]
no subject
Would it feel more comfortable if you had something to cover your eyes with? Like a, uh... bandana? I can imagine it must feel strange...
[ He still has his old 'costume' hidden away, he can sell the mask as a bandana to someone who has no idea who Daredevil even is. ]
no subject
The suggestion isn't a bad one either. A bandana won't fall off as easily as sunglasses. Much more control over who sees what that way.]
Good idea, Matty. [He replies, trying to shrug off the glumness that's overtaken him so suddenly.] Maybe then I won't constantly feel like I need to blink, but can't.