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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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[ But she's allowing him to feed himself! It is different, is it not?

Her lips press together as if trying to hide a smile, to which she only puts forth a passing effort to do. ]

I do not think going home would change that, as long as my country remains under British rule. But I understand what it is that you are saying.

While I do miss my country dearly, it does not hold the same opportunity for me that America does.

[ It's a practiced answer, one that she has given a hundred times to anyone who asks. And it's even mostly true. America is a land of endless opportunity is easier to accept without question than the full truth of it, which would be that she is not welcome back, and if she were to return, then she'd be driven to a life of poverty and degradation. ]

[ Surely any hot-blooded American would accept an answer like that. This is the land of opportunity and freedom, after all; anyone can chase their dreams here and, with hard work and the sweat off their brow, can achieve whatever their heart's desire may be.

Unless you're the ones who originally occupied this land, of course. Then the "American Dream" idea might sit a little sour in your mouth. That would explain the way he scoffs out a laugh at her, offering a look that speaks volumes: You and I know better. ]

Rehearsed that one, did you? If your mother India treats you worse than the white men here, then I pity you.

[ Harsh words, even if he doesn't mean them as such. He shifts himself up a bit more on the bed, though he's unable to keep back a pained grunt as he does so, his wounds throbbing and lungs still suffering from their ordeal. He works his lips together a moment, staring up at the ceiling. ]

Why are you taking care of me? I stole your horse, and nearly got you hanged.

[ While she's one of considerable patience, he certainly does what he can to test it. But he isn't the first to speak honestly, brutally so-- pain often does that to people. What's rare about it is that he does so with an understanding of the hurdles placed before them that few others show. Breathing deeply, she sets the wooden bowl to the side. ]

Because you are wounded, and I am a doctor. And while it is true that with you, there was the chance I would have been hanged, I think that without you... my fate would have been certain.

[ Hesitating, she bites her lower lip before finding the courage to take his hand between both of hers. ]

Why were those men chasing you?

Edited 2017-02-27 04:34 (UTC)

[ He remembers, briefly and still somewhat in patches, their time in the cell together. He remembers the man throwing her against a wall. There was considerable satisfaction in the feeling of his blood erupting beneath his blade. The only disappointment he has is that the man couldn't hurt more before he died.

The feel of two hands around his own jars him back to the moment, and he stares at her; then her hands; then back at her again. He's not keen on being touched most of the time like this, even by the prostitutes he's fancied.

Of course, this woman isn't a prostitute. She's far prettier. His lips purse together before he answers, his tone thoughtful. ]

I have a habit of paying little respect to the laws set by the oppressors of my people. They take it personally when a redskin beats them at their own game.

[ That game being theft and murder, of course. These were not the first men he's killed, and they will not be the last. ]

More will come; the bounty's too high for them to be off my scent for long. Once I'm on my feet again, I'll be on my way.

Edited 2017-02-28 01:27 (UTC)

[ If she knew that he was comparing her to prostitutes, she'd be nothing short of scandalized. But she isn't a mindreader, she can only go by what she sees in a person. And in him, she sees someone who isn't treated as an actual person nearly enough. Smiling at him reassuringly, she draws away a hand, so it's only one hand that's covering his, which she gently pats. ]

Once you are on your feet, I think we should return to this matter. But you should know that it will be some time until then. Pneumonia has killed many, many men. Ones that are healthier than you. It is nothing short of a miracle that you are alive now!

[ If he were a mindreader himself, he might take exception to her sympathy; he is a grown man, self-sufficient in every way, and in no need of being looked after. But he can't read her thoughts any more than she his, so he can only look mildly annoyed by her assessment. ]

I hardly think it will take that long. I've been in worse shape before.

[ Alright, so he hasn't been shot through a lung before. Or laid up for however long with life-threatening illness. But he survived the pox, and he survived living on his own since he was a boy; clearly that's got to count for something.

After a moment of regarding than hand on his own, he quirks an eyebrow at his caretaker, his mouth taking a sardonic turn at one corner. ]

And besides, keeping a man in your home when you've no husband to watch over you; what will your neighbors think?

[ She lifts her chin proudly, though a mischievous smile plays at her lips. ]

They would think that it is quite tiring to travel so far for just a bit of gossip. And I would not keep you in my home when there is a perfectly good barn for you to stay in!

--Once your condition improves, I mean. I swear I would not cast you out before the time is right!

[ A barn. He scoffs at the mere idea, despite the fact that he's spent the night in any number of barns in his day. It's the principle of the thing right now, that's all. ]

Glad to hear I'm on par with the horses.

[ With a soft exhale he leans back into the bed again, shifting carefully so as not to press to hard up against either bandaged wound. He peers at her again. ]

Did you get both your horses back?

I would not reach so far by saying that you are on par with my horses yet. They do not have the rough edges that you do.

[ She laughs again, while a part of herself balks at her demeanor. When was the last time she spoke so freely with someone? Has she ever? Lingering on that thought is nearly as uncomfortable as the ruthless observation about her homeland that was made by her guest, something that makes her smile flicker in less time than it takes to blink. With only a small amount of uneasiness, she redirects the conversation. ]

We would not be here without Buttercup, and Acorn was waiting for us at our return. I think that what happened has unsettled them both, and I regret that I have not been taking the time with them that I should.

[ Finally withdrawing her hand, she pulls her long braid over her shoulder, fiddling with the end of it. ]

I hope you will wait at least until you are well before attempting to abscond into the darkness with my second-fastest horse.

[ Watching the way her face flits from emotion to emotion is a fascinating experience. How many thoughts can one woman have in the span of a minute? For this one, quite a few, apparently. He considers her for what feels like a long time before he turns his attention back to the ceiling. ]

I wouldn't get far with these dust storms we've been having... so I suppose I'll be leaving your horses be for the time being.

[ He peers at her from the corner of his eye. ]

At least until you exile me to the barn, anyway.

[ There's a moment where she regards him with wide-eyed surprise, before her expression quickly narrows. Ah. He's joking. Well, it isn't very funny. Leaning forward, she lightly taps his elbow with her knuckles in reprimand. ]

And what is wrong with my barn?! It is a lovely barn! Any outlaw should be glad to stay in it!

[ Feeding him, holding his hand, tapping his elbow — it's hard to miss the sheer excess of contact, more than he's had since... He considers her thoughtfully, regarding the curve of her jaw and the softness of her face. She is... odd. ]

Hmm. I've stolen from better.

[ His mouth quirks at the side. Perhaps he can stay — for a little while. ]

[ There's no doubt in her mind that he has indeed seen better, but that doesn't keep her from being fiercely proud of the life that she's built here. ]

But it is nice enough to steal from to begin with! It is sturdy, and there are no holes in the roof to speak of! It is warm in winter and cool in summer! And the man that I hire, in all the time that he has worked for me, he has had not a single complaint about sleeping in there! I cannot imagine his standards being lower than yours!

[ Which isn't meant to be an insult, no matter how insulting. He's an outlaw. ]

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