damzel

Hello, and welcome to my little corner of the web!

I'm rr_duscan/ damozel on ao3, where my (not very extensive!) selection of fanfic can be found.

I've previously used dreamwidth to post letters for fic exchanges, although I hope to be here more in the future...

My tastes are pretty eclectic: Holmes is my first fannish love; I also go for British TV detective series, Victorian Sensation fiction, Celtic myth and folklore, along with whatever US show I happen to binge-watching at any given moment. I love fannish chat about any of the above and a lot more besides.

Happy Yuletide one and all! I received a wonderful surprise on Christmas morning: not one but THREE fics! And more than that, I received one fic in each of my requested fandoms!! This is more than I ever expected, and all three fics come highly recommended.

This Epilogue to Jane Eyre is a deliciously dark canon-divergent take on Jane/Rochester:

Not everything, Jane learns early on, is real.

Words: 3,353
Rating: Mature
Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings

 

I was absolutely over the moon to receive fic for Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s The Doctor’s Wife. For fans of Lady Audley’s Secret, or Victorian Sensation in general, this lesser known novel is a must read. And what’s more, it’s freely available here.

The dreamy, romantic Isabel Sleaford makes an unfortunate marriage to a doctor with whom she is horribly mismatched. Of course her true love (at least in my now permanent head canon) is the more sophisticated Gwendoline Pomphrey. And then things go like this:

A Thousand Kisses
Words: 2202
Rating: Explicit
No Archive Warnings Apply

No canon knowledge is needed to enjoy all of this Victorian femslash goodness!

 

The Devil Does Not Ride Us Any More is a gorgeous canon-divergent AU for Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. The language is sumptuous and the author gets the characterisation and diction just right. Lovely pre-slash for Narrator/Rebecca/Maxim.

Words: 1,522
Rating: Gen
No Archive Warnings Apply

 

If any of my writers are around, thank you so much for writing for me and making my Yuletide! I also managed to write my assignment plus one treat, which both recips seem to like, so I’m counting this as a win! The only problem is that next year’s Yuletide can’t possibly live up to this one!!

thefridayfive (pinched from thisbluespirit)

1. What book frightened you as a child?
All of the "Goosebumps" series, pretty much. I remember a book of Irish myths and legends that I was terrified of for a time. I've no idea of the title, though.


2. If you had to become a ‘living book (i.e. able to recite the contents of a book cover to cover upon request – reference Fahrenheit 451), what book would it be?
Something incredibly short (Spot the Dog?) because I'd rather read/write books than become one. If forced to choose a proper book, maybe Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.


3. What movie or TV show scared you as a kid?
I remember having nightmares for weeks when my dad let me watch a TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Body in the Library. Not sure why this in particular freaked me out so much. Maybe because a very young girl was killed?


4. What movie (scary or otherwise) will you never ever watch?
I'm a horror fan who prefers psychological films. Gore to the extent of the Saw franchise turns me off. But if pushed I might still give it a go.


5. Do you have any phobias?
Ferris Wheels. 

Fic: Number Thirteen by damozel
Rating: Teen & Up/ No Archive Warnings Apply
Fandom: La Barbe Bleue | Bluebeard
Characters: Bluebeard, The Wives (Bluebeard), OFC
Additional Tags: Once Upon A Fic 2017, Historical Inaccuracy, Alternative Universe - Victorianish, Detectives, Case Fic, Diary/Journal, Epistolary

Summary: "You may of course wonder what I'm doing here, why I would choose to place my life in peril for the most slender of rewards. Believe me when I say that those same questions haunt my thoughts still."

Bluebeard's latest bride has an ulterior motive. 

Available on AO3.

Firstly, thank you for writing for me (I'm damozel on AO3).

I have no real squicks/ DNWs: if you enjoy writing it, it's a strong bet I'll enjoy reading it. If there's a plot bunny that's been hopping around for some time, feel free to let it run wild...

I'm happy to receive fic rated extra Mature with a cherry on the top, right the way down the ratings... I enjoy both plotty adventures and writing that is more character or relationship-focussed. Lastly, don't feel obliged to write me a happy ending if your story works best another way.

As above, I'm very open to reading whatever it is you want to create. All the same, here are a few fairytale-specific prompts that appeal to me.

De vilde svaner | The Wild Swans - Hans Christian Andersen
Elisa
The Brothers

Source

I'd like to read an extract from Elisa's own guide to knitting/embroidery. How on earth did she manage the prickly task of stitching her brothers' shirts? I'm curious about the brothers' lives as swans by day and princes by night: was there rivalry or fun? And what about the poor youngest brother? How did he cope with a wing for an arm?

Den Lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne | The Little Match Girl - Hans Christian Andersen
The Little Match Girl

Source

A fix-it would be appreciated. Could a passer-by have intervened to help? I'd like to read back-story about The Little Match Girl and her grandmother; a present day AU would work here. I'd also like to hear more about their joyful new year spent together.

The Wanderings of Oisin - Yeats
Niamh
Oisin

Source

how, when divided the girth,
I fell on the path, and the horse went away like a summer fly;
And my years three hundred fell on me, and I rose, and walked on the earth,
A creeping old man, full of sleep, with the spittle on his beard never dry

What if Oisin had kept his grip and never taken the fall that robbed him of his youth? What kind of tales would he tell? Any new adventures for Oisin and Niamh would be awesome, whether told in prose or verse (it can't hurt to ask!).

Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot | Snow-white and Rose-red
Rose-red
Snow-white

What if the Prince were transformed into an animal other than a bear? Would the girls still welcome him into their home?
After the curse is lifted, what if the girls find themselves at odds over the love of the Bear-Prince? Or perhaps they realise that he isn't the kind of man they were expecting?

Again, thank you for writing for me. I look forward to reading whatever you create!

Dear Yuletide Author,

Firstly, thank you for writing for me. And may your Yuletide be merry and bright!

I have no real squicks/ DNWs: if you enjoy writing it, then it's a strong bet I'll enjoy reading it. If there's a plot bunny that's been hopping around for some time feel free to let it run wild...

I'm happy to receive fic rated extra Mature with a cherry on the top, right the way down the ratings: all the AUs, all the kinks. Throw me some vampires, werewolves, ghosts. Seriously, whatever works for you...

I particularly enjoy stories that are rich in local and/or period detail. I enjoy both plotty adventures, and writing that is more character or relationship-focussed. Lastly, don't feel obliged to write me a happy ending if your story pans out another way.

As above I'm very open to reading whatever it is you want to create. Nonetheless here are a few fandom-specific prompts that appeal to me.

Chicago Fire
Jessica “Chili” Chilton
Rebecca Jones

I admit this is a crack ship as the two don’t appear on the show together, but this idea has been dancing around my brain for quite a while! I like to think that the two personalities would play off really well against each another, whether depicted romantically or as friends and comrades. I’d love fix-it fic for Rebecca. What if Rebecca survived her suicide attempt, and ended up working the ambulance with Chili? Could Chili help Rebecca resolve things with her father, or would Rebecca be able to comfort Chili following Jellybean’s death? What if Chili entered rehab after the events of 4x14, only to meet fellow patient Rebecca Jones? Bonus points for a Dr Charles cameo! Alternatively, what if a (literal) ghost began to haunt Chili after she took her place on Ambulance 61? Could Rebecca steer her in a new direction?

The Four Marys (comic strip)
Mary “Cotty” Cotter
Mary “Fieldy” Field
Mary “Raddy” Radleigh
Mary “Simpy” Simpson

I only got to experience the tail end of Bunty and “The Four Marys” as a child, but I have great memories of this story. The shy, creative Cotty was definitely my favourite. I’d really enjoy fic that takes the Marys back to their first incarnation in the late fifties/ early sixties – dodgy plaits and jolly hockey sticks and all! There’s lots of (poly?) shipping potential with the Marys. Would the seemingly unsinkable friendship group survive if two or more of the Marys got together? What if one of the Marys began an affair with a teacher, and the other girls discovered her secret? I’m a sucker for good old-fashioned schoolgirl adventures, and stories featuring traditional boarding school pranks. Ducking and diving to avoid detection from Dr Gull and/or Creefy could be a lot fun. Perhaps the Snobs Mabel and Veronica start another scheme to bring the Marys down a peg or two? With optional romantic interludes? Hauntings, gypsy curses or alien invasions at St Elmos would all work for me!

New Tricks
Brian Lane

I’ve always enjoyed the tone of this show; the balance between the grim subject matter of the investigations, and the light-hearted team dynamic. The initial casting was a stroke of genius. I’m not, however, hugely keen on the substitute leads in the last few seasons, and I’d prefer fic featuring the original quartet.

In particular, I enjoy the light and dark shades of Brian’s character – his alcoholism, regrets about how he parented Mark, and the events surrounding the death of Anthony Kaye, alongside his loveable quirks and foibles. Fic featuring Brian geeking out about trains (could this clinch a case?) would definitely work for me! I have lots of love for his unconventionally stylish cycling helmet and overcoat, his passion for AFC Wimbledon, and of course his brilliant relationship with the long-suffering Esther. I’d love anything about life on “Planet Brian” as Sandra puts it. A high school AU in which Brian encounters school bully Sandra, bad boy Gerry, and fair-minded Jack? Would Brian have been something of an obsessive fanboy back in his teens? How might his passion for wargaming factor in? I’d also love to hear more about Brian’s early days in the police force. Could he have exploited his incredible memory and other talents to prevent the Anthony Kaye cover-up? (With a little help from his future UCOS comrades?) I’d also enjoy a scenario in which the UCOS team put together an “intervention” for Brian. What ideas could Jack, Sandra and Gerry bring to the table to help him back onto the straight and narrow?

No Name – Wilkie Collins
Magdalen Vanstone
Norah Vanstone

On balance this is probably my favourite Collins novel (although this frequently changes – they’re all great!). I'm a fan of any and all tropes associated with Sensation fiction, and always appreciate a touch of the Gothic. Basically I’ve got a huge soft spot for Victorian melodrama - the more hammed up the better!

I’ve always loved the Vanstone sisters, particularly their “sense and sensibility” dynamic: the more contained and measured Norah alongside the headstrong and impetuous Magdalen. I’d be happy to receive fic that explores any aspect of their relationship, ranging from a strong sisterly bond through to slashy incest. Looking back to the girls’ childhood, did Magdalen’s dramatic abilities surface at a young age? Could the Vanstone girls have exploited her talent for disguise to fool their parents and the household staff at Combe-Raven? Revisiting the events of the novel, what if Norah was secretly by her sister’s side as she carried out her elaborate plot to regain their inheritance? Perhaps Norah has her own talent for theatrics. Could the sisters have worked together to successfully dupe Mr Noel Vanstone, to defeat Mrs Lecount once and for all, and to reclaim their places in society? Lastly, I’m interested in how things might have worked out for the Vanstone sisters post-canon. How does their relationship fare as they settle down to life with their new husbands?

Again, thank you for writing for me. And I wish you a wonderful Yuletide!

Dear Femslashex Author,

Firstly, thank you for writing for me, and for signing up to bring more femslash into the universe.

I have no real squicks/ DNWs: if you enjoy writing it, then it's a strong bet I'll enjoy reading it. I'm happy to receive fic rated extra Mature with a cherry on the top, right the way down the ratings. My only real sticking point is that I'd prefer the smut to make sense within the context of the plot (*coughs* okay, if you write me super hot PWP then you're totally forgiven...).

As above I'm very open to reading whatever it is you want to create. Nonetheless here are a few fandom specific prompts that appeal to me.

Warehouse 13

Myka Bering/ Helena "H.G." Wells

What a fabulous ship! So much chemistry between these two, as well as genuine friendship and fun.

I'm intrigued by H.G.'s early life, so anything that takes the pair back to the nineteenth century (and the death of Christina?) would work for me. An artifact that causes some kind of role reversal/ body swap would be a lot of fun. As would stories that include elements of (the real) Wells' novels. More generally, teasing and friendship-related fluff, that leads to more, would be nice.

Affinity - Sarah Waters

Selina Dawes/Margaret Prior

What if Selina had come on the night that Margaret waited for her? Supernatural fic in this vein would be wonderful. As would an alternative first meeting away from the prison: could Margaret have been an early champion of Selina's talents as spirit-medium, or a gullible punter? Post-canon fic in which (some way, some how) Margaret is able to confront Selina and Vigers would be intriguing. The results may be more pleasurable than painful...

I'm more familiar with the book than the film, but I'm happy for you to use elements of the adaptation.

Damages

Patty Hewes/Ellen Parsons

I'm new to this fandom, and still finding my way around the existing fic, but have managed to fall head over heels for this couple.

There are so many What Ifs for these two. Their conversations on the pier are always heavily charged. I'd love to know what happens next (for any of the seasons!) A get together in Patty's Beach House perchance? Plot-heavy case fic – in which the pair finally realise that their feelings run beyond professional respect or antipathy – would be awesome. As would post-canon fic, in which Ellen's daughter must factor into the equation.

A Room of One's Own - Virginia Woolf

Chloe/Olivia

"Let us admit in the privacy of our own society that these things sometimes happen. Sometimes women do like women".

Why exactly does Chloe like Olivia?

I'd be delighted to read anything that plays with Woolf's astonishing creative non-fiction. I guess that if you offered this then you already have some ideas, which I'd love to read. Could, perhaps, Woolf's lesbian subtext be converted into a longer narrative; one that would truly provoke the censors of the day? A meta-approach, referencing modern-day fandom Bechdel testing, would also work.

Again, thank you for writing for me! I look forward to reading whatever you create.