echoslam | Chocolate Box 2020 Letter

Dear Artist/Author,

Thank you for checking out this letter (and for your patience!)

I'm

echoslam, and I'm glad to be participating in Chocolate Box again this year!

I enjoy everything from total fluff to extreme dark tragedy, so please go with whatever mood works best for you. With all of my requested relationships, what I love is seeing characters who are intensely into each other, whether as friends, lovers, or enemies, and anything that emphasizes attachment, dependency, or a deep emotional bond will make me super happy.

General likes:

Any kind of AU - I definitely love alignment swaps, career changes, and video game crossovers
Valentine's Day scenario, getting gifts for each other and/or a love confession
Battle couples sparring or fighting off an enemy
Long distance relationships: thinking about each other as they go about their respective days, staying faithful to one another even when they're approached by other people, flirty emails/letters/phone calls, sexting or smutty webcam exchanges
Mutual pining with lots of angst about why they think the other person isn't into them, when of course they actually are
Dates or outings of any kind - I especially like seeing couples cooking or dining out together
Domestic slice-of-life fluff, marriages and honeymoons, pregnancy or adopting children

Dark likes:

Subversions of anything mentioned above
Obsession, fantasizing about torture, murder, or noncon
Death themes - major character death, (un)resolved grief, violent revenge for your lover's death or suffering
Surrendering to a dark unknown for the sake of love or lust (ex: Hades & Persephone/Phantom of the Opera type scenarios)

Art likes: (All art styles welcome) portraits, couples being affectionate (kissing, hugging, touching in any way, making one of them blush), any kind of silly meme pose, refs to characters' signature colors/symbology are great as are totally new outfits or cosplays

Smut is very, very welcome for any of my romantic ships! I have a Smut Swap Letter if you'd like more details for that.

I'm open to any kind of unconventional format: unorthodox POVs, experimental structures, or anything of that nature are always wonderful to see!

DNWs: Body waste kinks, bestiality, friends with benefits, non-canon incest, poly involving requested characters (exception is Yunma Fei/Junghado/Yu Chun from Blade & Soul)

All of my prompts are just suggestions, so please feel free to change them up or go with your own ideas!

Links by Fandom:

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
Blade & Soul
Downton Abbey
Dae Jang Geum/Jewel in the Palace
全职高手 Quánzhí Gāoshǒu/The King's Avatar
Liar! Scheming Socialites
Reign of Assassins
Remember 11
Sense and Sensibility
TRICK

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate

Evie Frye/Henry Green | Jayadeep Mir
Evie Frye/Lucy Thorne

I recently got back into Assassin's Creed in a big way, and I had sooo much fun playing Syndicate. The Victorian London setting was so enjoyable to jump around on, and I loved the lighthearted atmosphere amidst all the blood and murder. I love Jacob and the rest of the cast as well, so feel free to include anyone you'd like.

I just love the mental image of Evie and Mr. Green enjoying a relaxing spot of tea and shamelessly flirting with each other while pretending to discuss Assassin philosophy/missions/anything but their relationship. And as for Lucy #SipsTea Thorne, anything about her thirsts (for knowledge, power, Evie...) would be very much my thing. Maybe a tea shop AU??

Ubisoft really piled on the flowery imagery for these two, but honestly, I kind of loved it?? What flowers would be in a bouquet from Evie to Henry? Alternatively, game meta is my jam, so please give me a glimpse of what a more nuanced Evie/Henry questline would look like! (is there a special mission reward? Tbf, the kukri was pretty nice). Or what about a Romancing Lucy Thorne DLC?

Clothes porn! God I love everyone's fashion in this game, especially these three!! Any kind of emphasis on what they're wearing (or taking off) would be amazing...

Violence kink: I like the idea of Mr. Green being all ::hearteyes:: emoji at the sight of Evie brutally dispatching their enemies. (Conversely, I like seeing Evie swooning a little over his social savvy) So yes, please let them impress each other and become intensely attracted! I think Evie and Lucy also definitely have that mutual admiration thing going on, but in a far more antagonistic way, so anything that plays into that would be great.

Any kind of Dickens reference!

I've always been a fan of Shaun Hastings and was sorry he didn't have more screentime in Syndicate, though I loved reading his database entries. It would be hilarious to see him as the lemony narrator to the development of either of these relationships.

블레이드 앤 소울 | Blade and Soul

Yunma Fei/Junghado/Yu Chun
Yunma Fei/Yu Chun
Yunma Fei/Junghado
Cricket | Jyan | Jyansei/Leerok
Cricket | Jyan | Jyansei/Yunma Fei

I loved the aesthetic of this game more than words can say - the amazing, fluid combat mechanics and gorgeous environments were everything I could have wanted in an MMO. Truly, just about anything you want to make for this game will bring me joy.

For shippy stuff, I would love to see dates in any of the game's locales: exploring any dungeons, trips to any town or outpost or visiting one of Zaiwei's many attractions (the palace, House of Pleasures, etc.), riding Dragon Pulses, picking flowers in Skypetal Plains... really, the possibilities are endless!

Cricket/Leerok or Cricket/Yunma Fei
I am endlessly amused by how put-upon the player character of BnS is. That said, it would be nice to see them have a chance to relax or receive some positive attention, and I would be interested in seeing any ship involving them. Any race/gender/class combo is fine. Also, feel free to give them a name or refer to them as Cricket, Jyansei, Maknae, whatever you want.

I would love to see Leerok's journey to becoming one of the Eight Masters or his own rivalry with that guy (I presumed that was supposed to be an interation of Cricket?) from the Gunslinger trailer, running Ironsights Academy, etc. Please throw all the crazy gun fu you want at me!

As for Yunma Fei, it would be great to see Cricket as a confidante who helps her to cope with the stress of dealing with all the Zaiwei political intrigue.

Yunma Fei/Junghado/Yu Chun
I would love anything about these three! For the poly dynamic, I prefer them as an amicable OT3 or V-shaped with Yunma Fei as the vertex. How did they get together - who made the first move? How do Junghado and Yu Chun give Yunma Fei emotional support once she becomes Empress? What does a cozy night in look like for them? What did Yu Chun and Yunma Fei get up to while Junghado was off slapping people around on the 7th floor of Mushin's tower? Really, I would be so thrilled with anything.

More general prompts:

Exploraton of rivalries or (broken) romances/friendships

Anything about the awesome combat mechanics of this game or the beautiful/hilarious outfits you could equip

Cricket being comforted during their neverending struggle to gain some respect

Downton Abbey

Mary Crawley/Anna Smith

I always felt that these two had a really fascinating dynamic. They're both so focused and loyal to those they hold dear, and I'd love to see how that would play out in a relationship. A canon divergence or modern AU where Mary is the head of some powerful organization and Anna is her right hand woman would be great. Please don't feel like you have to tone down Mary's arrogant side! I admit I greatly enjoyed the many scenes of her harshing people, and I'd love to see how that contrasts with Anna's straightforward politeness. Feel free to completely disregard or write around their canon love interests however works best for you.

Anna's life as Lady Mary's special companion...how much of a secret they keep their relationship is up to you.

Loyalty kink. These two are so deeply devoted to their positions at Downton - I'd like to see how that could translate to them depending on each other in turn.

Thomas once described Anna as "incorruptible" but is that really true? I'd like to see how Mary would influence her into become bolder and maybe more selfish or even dangerous. If you'd like to take this into a more outlandish direction, a horror AU would be so cool, maybe with the Crawleys as vampires or part of a witches' coven.

Dae Jang Geum | Jewel in the Palace

Lee Yeun Seng & Seo Jang Geum
King Jungjong/Lee Yeun Seng

This show is such a classic, and I really loved how food was used the central theme around which Jang Geum's story developed. A Modern AU about recreating royal court cuisine in today's world would also be welcome.

I have a huge soft spot for Yeun Seng and would love anything about her friendship with Jang Geum or her relationship with the king. How did she cope on her own when Jang Geum was forced to leave - what memories did she cherish about her friend? Maybe Jang Geum passed on some of her skills? And how does Yeun Seng adjust to her ascension after the king decides to favor her?

Lush descriptions of palace life or ominous hints of court intrigue

Please just give me all the Joseon dynasty food porn...food as a comfort, food as healing or as a metaphor for love, cooking and gathering ingredients as a way of forming bonds - I'll love anything!

全职高手 Quánzhí Gāoshǒu/The King's Avatar

Qiao Yifan/Fang Rui
Qiao Yifan/Li Xuan
Qiao Yifan/Qiu Fei
Qiao Yifan/Su Muqiu
Qiao Yifan/Ye Xiu
Qiao Yifan/Yu Wenzhou

I'm going all-in for the QYF rarepairs!! Yifan is my absolute favorite out of all the guys, and I just want to see him get some love and affection! I've always liked the idea of him going on to be Captain of Happy and gradually developing confidence with friends/love interests being all "You're doing amazing, sweetie!!!" in the background. Also,I firmly believe that QYF has never trash talked anyone in his entire life, so it would be hilarious to see how him in contrast with the shameless behavior of the other pros.

Fang Rui: QYF taking care of FR after a loss or injury, being a bad influence, sneaking into each other's rooms at night and getting caught by Wei Chen, boy band AU

Li Xuan: Trying to entice QYF into leaving Happy for Team Void, #Solidarity over ghostblades being such an underestimated class (I was amused by how little respect Li Xuan got as a member of the Chinese Glory team), supernatural AU with ghosts and demons

Qiu Fei: Online to offline romance with them at first not realizing they're on opposing teams, any kind of YX-free AU, QF getting curious about Yifan after hearing about him from SMC (I find Qiu Fei's aggressive characterization in the live action to be extremely hilarious, so feel free to use that if you want)

Su Muqiu: Super crack pairing but I'd love to see how you make it work!! I'm so down for this cinnamon overdose! The laws of time, space, and physical reality need not apply. Ghosts or possession themes would be a straightforward angle, but something more unusual would also be welcome!

Ye Xiu: Maintaining a secret or not-so-secret relationship after Yifan joins Happy, loyalty kink, either of them gets sex pollened while they're mutually pining, anything at all that references the Mirinda orange soda commercial (sorry, I will never shut up about it)

Yu Wenzhou: QYF catching his eye in a Blue Rain vs Happy match, YWZ trying to poach him/extract intel and then falling for him for real (or vice versa w/ QYF being coerced by Happy into trying to seduce YWZ)

More general prompts: People having "Oh no, he's hot" reactions to QYF during the finals or post canon, Love interest protecting QYF from overzealous fanboys, first times (kiss, intimacy, etc)

Liar! Scheming Socialites

Main Character/Kuramochi Kyoko
Main Character/Saionji Akari
Main Character/Suzumiya Shotaro
Main Character/Suo Sosuke
Main Character/Todo Kaname
Main Character/Yagami Haruki

I'm fine with any name for the Main Character(s) as well as leaving her nameless. There's a list of pre-generated names from the JP Version of the game if you'd like some choices.

Okay, so I told myself that I was going to chill out with the Liar! requests this year, but then I just started getting into Chihayafuru, and it finally hit me that SS!MC and pretty much the whole game is an homage to that series. I HAVE BEEN SO BLIND. So yes, more karuta please! Anything about MC honing her skills or maybe introducing it to people who aren't enthusiasts (Haruki, etc). Maybe a romantic message is found among the cards?

There's so much that was left unexplored at the end of the game. What happens when the Liars get exposed and MC decides to stay with them anway? Would MC abandon her lifestyle or try win her parents over? Something based on one of the love endings would be great as well.

Gosh I adore MC and Kyoko together, whether it's romantic or if Kyoko is her loyal wingwoman. I love how they're both anime fans and their favorite shows are clearly based on Touken Ranbu and Land of the Lustrous. Also, what exactly was she doing to test the 8th Liar during that awkward scene at the mountain resort in the 7th Liar chapter? I really wanted details on that, but it never got explained.

Crossover with any of the Liar! games are welcome since they take place in the same universe. Headcanon: Given the similar detailing on their dresses, I think Kyoko and Reina shop at the same place. What would an interaction between them be like? Would they dish about their respective MCs?

Luxurious getaways, fancy dates, enjoying the high life...I'd be happy to see anything you can think of for this game!

Jiàn Yǔ | Reign of Assassins (2010)

Lei Bin & Lian Sheng & Ye Zhanqing
Lei Bin & Lian Sheng & Zeng Jing
Wisdom/Zeng Jing
Ye Zhanqing/Zeng Jing

How can I even express how much I love this movie?!! Thankfully,

fiachairecht has already given it the epic rec post it deserves, so, to summarize:

Do you want INCREDIBLY over the top kung fu, including flaming swords? Do you want MULTILAYERED IDENTITY PORN? Do you want MANY ASSASSINS ALL FIGHTING OVER THE SAME MAGIC CORPSE? Do you want FAILED MENTORSHIP and OBSESSION and lady assassins a little too into other lady assassins they are meant to kill, and a surprisingly genuinely frank look what it costs to rebuild your life over and over again on top of the blood you are responsible for shedding? Reign of Assassins is a gorgeous wuxia film with all of those things, plus Michelle Yeoh with a sword!

(Asian drama fans, consider: what would it look like if Shancai from 2001 Meteor Garden developed a violent obsession with Shu Lien from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? This fine film provides the answer!)

But yes. Please do check out Reign of Assassins if you ever have the chance - it is very awesome and is totally worthy of a fandom!!

I prefer pre-identity change Zeng Jing to be referred to as Xi Yu (as opposed to Drizzle) but I'm totally fine with either Chinese or English names for all other characters (Turquoise/Zhanqing, Magician/Lian Sheng, etc). Feel free to mix and match as you see fit.

Pre-movie, the Dark Stone assassin trio going on a mission or anything about their relationship dynamics. I'm really interested in their whole comrades-in-arms, almost-friends-but-not-quite thing. Alternatively, what about Zhanqing and her rise as "the new Xi Yu" - does she have particular roles in mind for the dudes or is she just using them?

I just love everything about the Zhanqing/Xi Yu relationship and would love anything more about them, especially if there is violence or smut involved. I was very into Zhanqing's single-minded determination in getting under her quarry's skin and would enjoy seeing more of how she makes the invincible Zeng Jing's defenses crumble once she has her cornered.

I'm generally happy to headcanon away all of the main character deaths in this movie (except for the Big Bad's), but I'm also curious: what if Lian Sheng took up necromancy?

Wisdom (you can totally refer to him as Lu Zhu instead, btw) clearly left a deep impression on Xi Yu, and I loved their duel where he fended her off with a pair of chopsticks. They apparently spent three months together, but the movie glossed over it completely. Please fill in the blanks! Lots of introspection is always great as well, especially juxtaposed with swordplay and Zeng Jing's other relationships.

I would also be very very into a modern or Star Wars AU! I imagine that the latter would end up as something an awful lot like KOTOR...which is a-ok by me, since those are my favorite SW games. :D As with all my prompts, feel free to go wild with this. For the record, I am completely ignorant of everything from The Force Awakens onward, so references will be lost on me, but I don't mind being spoiled at all!

Remember 11

Fuyukawa Kokoro/Yukidoh Satoru

The Infinity Series seriously messed with my head, and I will always love it for that. There's just so much to explore from a either a philosophical or character-focused viewpoint, and I'd love to see any theories you have regarding the game's unexplained mysteries/plot holes. This VN is an extravaganza of identity porn, so please feel free to play into that. I also realize that the name "Yukidoh Satoru" could be a number of different identities, and I just want to make it clear that I'm fine with seeing either Enomoto or original Yukidoh...or feel free to be vague about it. Definitely take the relationship in a dark direction if you want.

Expansion on any of the game's many endings, good or bad, maybe dealing with Satoru's feelings about Kokoro at any point in the timeline

Existential coffeeshop AU! Black coffee versus coffee with milk! Maybe these two go on a date and the events of the game are framed as a philosophical discussion?

Anything at all that references or plays with the TIPS or with the concept of "Sekijukansei"

Any scenario where they end up together long-term and deal with feelings regarding physical and emotional intimacy after what they went through.

Sense and Sensibility

Colonel Brandon/Marianne Dashwood

My Austen OTP! I cite this book as the starting point of my lifelong weakness for age gap ships involving intense pining and learning to love again after being rekt by a tragic loss. I'd really love to see some understated passion between them, maybe post-canon or in an AU? I'm fine with discussing feelings of jealousy and insecurity with respect to Marianne's supposed lingering feelings for Willoughby, but I ultimately want these two to find genuine happiness with one another. If Elinor is involved, I'd like for her and Marianne to continue having a loving and supportive relationship. Also, do feel free to make up a given name for Brandon (or not).

Scene(s) of awkward but happy domesticity

Developing emotional and/or physical intimacy - I generally like seeing Marianne as the initiator when it comes to this but it would be nice if Brandon gets the chance to take her by surprise as well.

Marianne enjoying herself playing music for Brandon

Any kind of AU is welcome, including modern or zany setting changes a la Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters. If you're not averse to chatfic-type things, maybe something in the spirit of Darcy Swipes Left?

Trick (TV)

Ueda Jiro/Yamada Naoko

This is my favorite JDrama ever! It's kind of like X-Files: Rural Japan Edition but with magic tricks and campy screwball comedy elements. I can't say that I've ever seen anything else quite like it. I love Naoko as the put-upon Only Sane Woman that solves cases for Ueda, but I also liked the more serious recurring plotline about searching for her father's killer.

Anything about either of the two leads or their partnership, whether platonic or romantic, would be wonderful. I've watched all 3 seasons of the TV series as well as all the movies/specials. If you want to include info from the DS game/novels that's great too!

Ueda's failure or success in trying to do something nice for Naoko

Naoko teaches Ueda how to do a magic trick. Will his enthusiasm finally trump his ineptitude?

Reflection on any of their cases together

Ueda finally asks Naoko on a date! How much magic and mystery is involved is up to you.

A scene of them later in life still having feelings for each other, how ever they end up (I do prefer that Ueda remains a bachelor if they don't pursue a relationship together)

Thank you so much for your time! If any clarification is needed, please feel free to leave an anon comment here or ask me through the mods.

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