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!

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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[Now that they're closer the pain in his arm calmed down, despite the strife. He looks at himself in the mirror and frowns at how tired he looks, before turning back to the closed stall.]

I want to get to know you. There's a reason this is happening. [Has to be.]

[ She wipes at her eyes again, ]

And what if you don't like what you find out?

[ It's a very real fear. He's a cop, she's a call girl that works for shady men that won't let her go easily. She will either be forced to pay back all that she owes or they just won't let her get out alive. He could be targeted, as well.

And even if she managed to get out... would he resent her for her current "profession"? ]

I won't know until I actually do get to know you.

[He pauses again with that thought lingering in the air, giving her a chance to toss him out for good, and offering a simple:]

My name's Frank.

[ She knows she should. But her resolve feels too weak. She feels weak all over. Like she could lay down and sleep for days. She repeats his name softly. ]

"Frank".

[ A beat. ]

Natasha.

[ Adding, ]

Are you saying you honestly don't know what I am, Frank?

[He feels his heart rate pick up hearing his name and it feels so ridiculous, so surreal. This wasn't supposed to happen to someone like him.]

...Natasha.

[He also repeats and smiles a bit to himself, despite her question. He has an inkling and can piece it together, make assumptions, but it doesn't matter. She is who she is and he's no angel either.]

Doesn't matter what you are, ma'am. Matters who.

[ Her heart seems to do much the same when she hears her name on his lips, in his voice. She still finds it hard to believe him but her smile comes a little easier than it did. ]

Who I am? I'm a nobody out here. They dress us up like movie stars but it's not the same.

[He wonders if it's fate that he's working on a case she could potentially help him directly with, but there's the new dilemma of navigating this discovery of being each others' One.

Nothing can ever be simple, can it?]

You know, I wouldn't mind talkin' to you more face to face. I can buy you a drink or... something. [Frank leans against the nearest sink, staring up at the ceiling.] Great as the powder room is, I don't wanna talk to a door forever. It ain't you.

[ A laugh rushes from her and she's using more toilet paper to wipe the smeared makeup away. ]

Except I really do look awful now!

[ But then she adds, ]

We couldn't stay here. Not together.

[ Too many eyes watching him, watching her. The man she was suppose to meet was long forgotten. ]

[The laugh is a nice change and even Frank lets out a breathless chuckle. Despite the nerves still bubbling between them this is better than before.]

Trust me, you don't look worse than me.

[A beat.]

We could... get out of here. If you want.

[ She grows a little more serious at thinking about what will happen, should they stay and interact in public, but she still smiles at his comment. ]

You're not ugly, Frank. You're pretty handsome, actually.

[ At least, she thought so. Maybe not in the traditional sense but definitely not ugly.

She takes in a deep breath and finally unlocks the stall and peeks out. ]

But it would be safer if we went somewhere else.

[When he hears the latch unlock he stands up straighter, looking over. He can barely see a peek of red and green but already he feels his neck warm.]

I... can step outside.

[ She opens the door more, revealing the front of her dress, her carefully arranged hair, but her face devoid of all makeup except the lipstick. The area around her eyes is puffy, splotched with red, the whites of her eyes pink.

She's just glad she manages to get rid of the running mascara. ]

I'll follow after a minute. Make it look less... obvious.

[He feels like an asshole to see how much she'd really been crying because of him but he intends to make up for it if she'll allow. He doesn't stare too long to make her uncomfortable though, offering a half smile as he nods politely.]

Yes, Ma'am. I'll meet you outside.

[Frank finally heads out of the bathroom, passing the angry blonde woman from before, but now there's a new skip in his step as he heads outside to wait for Natasha. He won't blame her if she decides not to follow. Soulmate or not, one can never be certain of who the person is, and he's already made a shitty first impression.]

[ He'll be left waiting for nearly two minutes before she comes back out, some of her makeup re-applied. Mainly to take away attention from her crying so.

Once she's near him again, she feels that pleasant hum in her arm. It's so surreal. ]

What now?

Edited 2016-08-09 03:36 (UTC)

[The air is so much cooler outside and Frank finally feels like he can breathe again. His mind feels clearer as well and he realizes that this is... real. This is happening.

He's supposed to be working.

But then she's there and her voice still takes him by surprise. It's nice to actually see her though.]

Well... what's your opinions on late night diners? [Because he's a classy man, clearly.] They usually have the best pie at this hour.

[ She smiles some, almost shy. Looking down, she shrugs. ]

I don't think I've been to one since I first arrived in Los Angeles.

I know a great one. We're probably overdressed but we'll be the best lookin' ones there.

[He smiles, trying to seem more relaxed than he is. Just seeing her is giving him the kind of butterflies a teenager gets with his first crush.]

[ She looks back up at him, smiling a little more before moving closer to him, feeling butterflies all of her own. ]

If the pie is as good as you say it is, it'll be worth being dressed up for it.

[It has been a while since Frank's been in this situation with a beautiful woman that makes his heart skip so he's a bit out of practice, but he's determined to make this work. It doesn't matter what she does or why... only that she's a good person.

And the thought of her ending up like that poor girl he's been investigating makes his chest hurt.]

I doubt anyone would look as lovely as you no matter where we are. [He adds. Smooth. And a moment later he offers her his arm.]

[ She smiles at that, laughing softly as she ducks her head. Yes, she was actually blushing from that. It was so bizarre. She felt like a teenager with her first crush. She moves closer and takes his arm, feeling a warmth run through her at finally touching her soulmate.

She lets out a small gasp at that, still smiling. ]

Wow.

[ Is all she can manage. She left her "client" in the club, is standing out here holding arms with a cop, and none of it matters. ]

[When she takes his arm he breathes an internal sigh of relief. Her smile is so bright and wide and she looks curious, happy... and Frank just knows he'd rather see her smiling than crying any day.

Frank walks her to his car and opens the door, ever a gentleman, her profession clearly not making him think any less of her as a woman - as a person. His arm continues to glow with a gentle, content light.]

It isn't too far. I promise.

[ It still amazes her. She spent so much time being sure any soul mate of hers would be disgusted or offended by her profession, that to have him be anything but that continues to leave her speechless. Even as she gets in his car.

Once inside, she looks around, presses her hand down into the seat. It's not fancy. Not like most of the cars she's been in. But it doesn't matter. It's used and a bit worn but it's his. That makes it perfect.

She waits until he gets in next to her to state. ]

I wouldn't mind it if it was far.

[ He tilts her head back towards the club. Meaning Far from this place. ]

[When he gets into the car beside her he still has that nervous, happy energy in his stomach, and it feels right to be here. He was meant to come here tonight even though he should be working. He already works too much so maybe this was... a sign, something to change the course of their lives.

He can just imagine hours spent in this car, driving to nowhere in particular, just them and the road.

For now though, he starts up and heads to the one diner he knows in these parts.]

Can I... ask you something? About that - about your work.

[ She looks over at him, trying to gauge his expression, feeling herself tense slightly. Was this where it started? Or maybe not. Maybe he wouldn't. Guess there's only one way to find out... ]

What do you want to know?

Edited 2016-09-01 22:49 (UTC)

[He's oblivious to what's going through her mind, his own in a different world. Despite being out with her unexpectedly he can't stop thinking about his case.]

I'm sorry if it's personal just... I was working on a case for this woman who was murdered recently. Young girl. That's why I was at the club: she worked there.

[There's a beat as he tries to figure out if this is okay to ask.]

Did you know her?

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