![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yelpThanks for taking a look at my letter! I also have a general likes/dislikes post here.
Eyeshield 21
I always love setting-change AUs, but think they would be especially fun in this fandom! Medieval knights, angels and demons, pirates, cyberpunk, pokemon trainers, it's all good. Of course, canon setting would be loved as well!
I always love setting-change AUs, but think they would be especially fun in this fandom! Medieval knights, angels and demons, pirates, cyberpunk, pokemon trainers, it's all good. Of course, canon setting would be loved as well!
Hiruma Youichi & Takami Ichirou
During matches, I loved seeing these two go head-to-head between plays, in their personal quarterback mind-game showdowns. Out of all the other opponents Hiruma tried to psych out during games, Takami was the only one who tried to psych him out right back. In that sense, I feel they were on the same wavelength (of evil...?)! One thing I find interesting about Takami's backstory is his leg injury, one that he doesn't let stop him from pursuing football despite the disadvantage it gives him. I could imagine this being the sort of juicy tidbit that falls into Hiruma's ear - but instead of adding it to his blackmail book (as one might expect), he somehow helps Takami come to terms with it (in his own chaotic way).
During matches, I loved seeing these two go head-to-head between plays, in their personal quarterback mind-game showdowns. Out of all the other opponents Hiruma tried to psych out during games, Takami was the only one who tried to psych him out right back. In that sense, I feel they were on the same wavelength (of evil...?)! One thing I find interesting about Takami's backstory is his leg injury, one that he doesn't let stop him from pursuing football despite the disadvantage it gives him. I could imagine this being the sort of juicy tidbit that falls into Hiruma's ear - but instead of adding it to his blackmail book (as one might expect), he somehow helps Takami come to terms with it (in his own chaotic way).
Hiruma Youichi & Kobayakawa Sena
I love how unassuming Sena, who never really thought much of himself, actually develops such a remarkable role in the team and also in Hiruma's eyes. Hiruma learns to place his trust in someone else for a change - that moment when we find out he doesn't have any schemes or plays left of his own, and is just going to hold on and wait for Sena to come through, is so uncharacteristic of him, and really shows how much he's developed. I'd love to see more about that bond between them. Hiruma is hardly the type to express it verbally, so how does it come through? Maybe Sena is in trouble (kidnapped?? Football is serious business!), and is shocked when Hiruma helps him out! Maybe after the craziness of the tournament, Hiruma doesn't have to keep pushing Sena anymore, and they can just peacefully coexist... until, with a bang, Hiruma's next scheme sucks him right back in...
[my promo post]
Hiruma Youichi & Mushanokoji "The Kid" Shien
Kid is brilliant, talented, and has zero self-confidence. Meanwhile Hiruma isn't particularly outstanding, but makes up for it with iron determination and a willingness to go to extreme measures to get the win. They are such different people, and I could easily have seen Hiruma mocking Kid for giving up on his passions - but instead they just chill together and throw darts and chat calmly and dispassionately about the upcoming opponent that will probably kill them both. And Hiruma has zero qualms about tooting Kid's horn for him in front of Agon, when Kid can't conceive of doing it himself. Let me see more of Hiruma standing up for Kid! Let me see poor Kid, with his zero self esteem, get a boost from the very last person anyone would have expected... and finally unleash some of that ridiculous potential, with Hiruma cackling in the background!
Dr. Stone
Kid is brilliant, talented, and has zero self-confidence. Meanwhile Hiruma isn't particularly outstanding, but makes up for it with iron determination and a willingness to go to extreme measures to get the win. They are such different people, and I could easily have seen Hiruma mocking Kid for giving up on his passions - but instead they just chill together and throw darts and chat calmly and dispassionately about the upcoming opponent that will probably kill them both. And Hiruma has zero qualms about tooting Kid's horn for him in front of Agon, when Kid can't conceive of doing it himself. Let me see more of Hiruma standing up for Kid! Let me see poor Kid, with his zero self esteem, get a boost from the very last person anyone would have expected... and finally unleash some of that ridiculous potential, with Hiruma cackling in the background!
Hiruma Youichi & Kongo Unsui
I feel like there's a lot of under-explored commonality between these two. Unsui is the hardworking, no-talent foil to Agon - and in a way, so is Hiruma. Unsui has a lot of unresolved issues about being seen as inferior to his brother. But... Hiruma probably is probably even less physically talented than Unsui, and still does well for himself. Maybe Unsui can learn from that, and step out from Agon's shadow? And maybe being someone's first choice instead of his brother for once could also be a welcome change for him. I would love to see these two band together and rub it in Agon's face! Or just live well as the best revenge, and interact as adults with normal professions, who have dealt with their pasts, and only care about football a normal amount.
Hiruma Youichi & Shin Seijuuro
They have a conversation in the manga, from when Hiruma first founded Deimon as a team and immediately challenged Oujou, only to lose spectacularly. Undaunted, Hiruma promised that he'd find a light-speed runner for Shin, and Shin promised to beat that runner if so. Over the course of the manga, through competing with this runner Hiruma found, Shin discovered an actual love for football, as well as new motivation to improve his game. I love the idea that even back then, Hiruma noticed Shin's ennui and wasted potential, and decided right there to do something about it. Taken in that light, Sena's whole existence on the team is a tool for Shin's development, rather than the other way around. Alternatively, wouldn't it be fun if stoic Shin had to deal with insane Hiruma as his team captain for a while? How would he cope? Or would he appreciate being pushed even further to his limits?
Dr. Stone
[my promo post]
Ishigami Senkuu & Shishiou Tsukasa
Ishigami Senkuu & Saionji Ukyou
Saionji Ukyou & Shishiou Tsukasa
The various relationships between these three in the Stone Wars arc had so much unexplored potential! There's just all this trust and betrayal and power dynamics flowing between them, and I'd be delighted to see a darker, more serious take on it than the relatively light-hearted tone of the show had room for.
Tsukasa is the first person Senkuu revives, and there is such an instant connection and wariness between them at the same time! Tsukasa declaring his loyalty and friendship (his first!!). Senkuu instantly understanding his potential, and the danger he poses. It's a shame how quickly Tsukasa proves him right, and Senkuu has to actually go to war to take him down. Given how Tsukasa turned on Senkuu and tried to kill him, one might expect Senkuu to try to get revenge in the course of the war - or once he finds out about Tsukasa's greatest vulnerability, his sister. Instead, after he defeats Tsukasa, he even goes so far as to help him. I'd love to see Tsukasa's perspective of events there!
Ukyou, likewise, was revived by Tsukasa, and should theoretically owe him his loyalty - but because he doesn't approve of Tsukasa's methods, Ukyou ultimately defects. I'm very fond of that boy in general, for standing for his principles and being willing to act against authority, even at great risk to himself. What would have happened if Tsukasa had caught him before Senkuu's arrival, or actually defeated Senkuu's army? Is there any resulting tension between them about the betrayal after they get folded into the same side again? It would be cool to see their first one-on-one interaction afterwards, and how they manage to form a working relationship again.
The dynamic between Senkuu and Ukyou is also great. They're on opposite sides of the war, which makes them enemies, but Ukyou is willing to gamble on Senkuu being a better leader than Tsukasa, and Senkuu needs Ukyou's help to succeed. It would be fun to see an AU where Senkuu has been captured by Tsukasa, but Ukyou secretly sets him free? (Is that when Senkuu wins Ukyou over?) Or, after Senkuu's victory, some of his eccentric personality may make Ukyou wonder if he's really any better than Tsukasa, or if Ukyou has just traded one ruthless dictator for another - but eventually, hopefully, he sees Senkuu's true nature.
Kaedehara Kazuha & Kamisato Ayato
Inspired by another exchange-goer's requests and Kazuha's story in the second round of Golden Island Archipelago, I'm really intrigued by the relationship between these two. Kazuha's family history, as a once-powerful clan in descent, is a huge part of who he is. Coming from a childhood full of prestige but also obligation, life as wanderer must feel both empty and freeing.
Meanwhile, Ayato is what Kazuha might have been if his family hadn't fallen into disgrace. Is one jealous of the other? Or are they both suited for where they find themselves? (Some kind of Prince and the Pauper storyline, where they can experience each other's lives, would be really fun - however you manage to pull that off!)
It might be fun to tie in the Kaedehara family's history as bladesmiths. Did Kazuha retain any of that? Kazuha and Ayato are both sword users... AU where instead of escaping Inazuma, Kazuha ends up fixing people's swords, and receives a special commission from Ayato? Or maybe just them sparring with their own particular styles - Ayato standing in place and firing, while Kazuha leaps above and evades.
I also love the hint that Ayato might have paid off some ship captain to help Kazuha escape Inazuma, that he might be watching out for Kazuha from the shadows. Despite Ayato's genius and many schemes, in this circumstance, this was all he could do to help a peer unfairly treated.
Chongyun & Shenhe
The various relationships between these three in the Stone Wars arc had so much unexplored potential! There's just all this trust and betrayal and power dynamics flowing between them, and I'd be delighted to see a darker, more serious take on it than the relatively light-hearted tone of the show had room for.
Tsukasa is the first person Senkuu revives, and there is such an instant connection and wariness between them at the same time! Tsukasa declaring his loyalty and friendship (his first!!). Senkuu instantly understanding his potential, and the danger he poses. It's a shame how quickly Tsukasa proves him right, and Senkuu has to actually go to war to take him down. Given how Tsukasa turned on Senkuu and tried to kill him, one might expect Senkuu to try to get revenge in the course of the war - or once he finds out about Tsukasa's greatest vulnerability, his sister. Instead, after he defeats Tsukasa, he even goes so far as to help him. I'd love to see Tsukasa's perspective of events there!
Ukyou, likewise, was revived by Tsukasa, and should theoretically owe him his loyalty - but because he doesn't approve of Tsukasa's methods, Ukyou ultimately defects. I'm very fond of that boy in general, for standing for his principles and being willing to act against authority, even at great risk to himself. What would have happened if Tsukasa had caught him before Senkuu's arrival, or actually defeated Senkuu's army? Is there any resulting tension between them about the betrayal after they get folded into the same side again? It would be cool to see their first one-on-one interaction afterwards, and how they manage to form a working relationship again.
The dynamic between Senkuu and Ukyou is also great. They're on opposite sides of the war, which makes them enemies, but Ukyou is willing to gamble on Senkuu being a better leader than Tsukasa, and Senkuu needs Ukyou's help to succeed. It would be fun to see an AU where Senkuu has been captured by Tsukasa, but Ukyou secretly sets him free? (Is that when Senkuu wins Ukyou over?) Or, after Senkuu's victory, some of his eccentric personality may make Ukyou wonder if he's really any better than Tsukasa, or if Ukyou has just traded one ruthless dictator for another - but eventually, hopefully, he sees Senkuu's true nature.
Space Force
[my promo post]
Adrian Mallory/Mark R. Naird
I didn't really take this show seriously until these two grabbed me and won me over. As mentioned in my promo post, I love Mallory as a character: how he's so sedate and thoughtful until he gets fired up about his principles, how he takes care of his diverse science team, how he seems jaded from a long career (and a long time of dealing with Naird), but still so idealistic about their mission and what it means for humanity to go to space.
I'd love to see them tackle some problems together, whether it be work (problem with a rocket? with bureaucracy? an actual alien encounter??), personal (family/relationship troubles?), or otherwise. I feel like they bring two very different forms of problem solving to the table - Naird's interpersonal skills (kinda) and Mallory's intellect - that are complementary and fun to contrast.
In terms of shipping, when Naird's wife asked to open their relationship, I was hoping Naird would share his troubles with Mallory... and eventually something more?? I really like the idea of Mallory being more experienced between the two, and how he would patiently guide Naird through his new feelings... or at least try to, until Naird keeps trying to jump ahead and do things his own way.
Chan Kaifang & Adrian Mallory
Chan and Mallory have such a great understanding and rapport, despite the generational (and cultural) gap. The storyline about Chan getting the job offer that Mallory wanted (because he was more hip with modern technology) was a great look at that - especially the grace with with Mallory handled being passed over for his student, and how much Chan still looked up to Mallory as his mentor regardless.
It would be fun to see some time early on in their working relationship, when Chan first catches Mallory's attention, or Mallory starts supporting Chan's career. Perhaps back when Naird had a more... antagonistic relationship with the science crew, Mallory defends Chan or helps him navigate Naird's quirks?
I love Chan/Angela Ali, so feel free to mention or include. Perhaps Chan comes to Mallory for relationship advice, and gets an amused chuckle (followed by surprisingly sage advice). If you're so inclined. I'd also be happy to see Chan/Mallory - perhaps Mallory is helping to mentor Chan in more ways than just his career! Even more than Mallory/Naird, the age and experience difference here would be fun to explore, with the added bonus that they'll have the shared language of science they can use to talk nerdy to each other.
Genshin Impact
[my promo post]
Adrian Mallory/Mark R. Naird
I didn't really take this show seriously until these two grabbed me and won me over. As mentioned in my promo post, I love Mallory as a character: how he's so sedate and thoughtful until he gets fired up about his principles, how he takes care of his diverse science team, how he seems jaded from a long career (and a long time of dealing with Naird), but still so idealistic about their mission and what it means for humanity to go to space.
I'd love to see them tackle some problems together, whether it be work (problem with a rocket? with bureaucracy? an actual alien encounter??), personal (family/relationship troubles?), or otherwise. I feel like they bring two very different forms of problem solving to the table - Naird's interpersonal skills (kinda) and Mallory's intellect - that are complementary and fun to contrast.
In terms of shipping, when Naird's wife asked to open their relationship, I was hoping Naird would share his troubles with Mallory... and eventually something more?? I really like the idea of Mallory being more experienced between the two, and how he would patiently guide Naird through his new feelings... or at least try to, until Naird keeps trying to jump ahead and do things his own way.
Chan Kaifang & Adrian Mallory
Chan and Mallory have such a great understanding and rapport, despite the generational (and cultural) gap. The storyline about Chan getting the job offer that Mallory wanted (because he was more hip with modern technology) was a great look at that - especially the grace with with Mallory handled being passed over for his student, and how much Chan still looked up to Mallory as his mentor regardless.
It would be fun to see some time early on in their working relationship, when Chan first catches Mallory's attention, or Mallory starts supporting Chan's career. Perhaps back when Naird had a more... antagonistic relationship with the science crew, Mallory defends Chan or helps him navigate Naird's quirks?
I love Chan/Angela Ali, so feel free to mention or include. Perhaps Chan comes to Mallory for relationship advice, and gets an amused chuckle (followed by surprisingly sage advice). If you're so inclined. I'd also be happy to see Chan/Mallory - perhaps Mallory is helping to mentor Chan in more ways than just his career! Even more than Mallory/Naird, the age and experience difference here would be fun to explore, with the added bonus that they'll have the shared language of science they can use to talk nerdy to each other.
Genshin Impact
Kaedehara Kazuha & Kamisato Ayato
Inspired by another exchange-goer's requests and Kazuha's story in the second round of Golden Island Archipelago, I'm really intrigued by the relationship between these two. Kazuha's family history, as a once-powerful clan in descent, is a huge part of who he is. Coming from a childhood full of prestige but also obligation, life as wanderer must feel both empty and freeing.
Meanwhile, Ayato is what Kazuha might have been if his family hadn't fallen into disgrace. Is one jealous of the other? Or are they both suited for where they find themselves? (Some kind of Prince and the Pauper storyline, where they can experience each other's lives, would be really fun - however you manage to pull that off!)
It might be fun to tie in the Kaedehara family's history as bladesmiths. Did Kazuha retain any of that? Kazuha and Ayato are both sword users... AU where instead of escaping Inazuma, Kazuha ends up fixing people's swords, and receives a special commission from Ayato? Or maybe just them sparring with their own particular styles - Ayato standing in place and firing, while Kazuha leaps above and evades.
I also love the hint that Ayato might have paid off some ship captain to help Kazuha escape Inazuma, that he might be watching out for Kazuha from the shadows. Despite Ayato's genius and many schemes, in this circumstance, this was all he could do to help a peer unfairly treated.
Chongyun & Shenhe
Chongyun & Xiao
Both of these relationships consist of our sweet, inexperienced exorcist interacting with those who have been slaying demons since before he was born!
Chongyun and the exorcists do a lot of the same stuff that Xiao does, except Xiao has been doing it longer, and seems to look down on them. I'm so curious how these two would interact. Maybe Chongyun wants to learn from the best, or from an alternative source, traditional methods having failed him, and seeks Xiao out. Maybe Chongyun's positive energy somehow dampens Xiao's constant karmic torment, and he reluctantly tolerates Chongyun's presence for that reason, though he curses himself for being weak.
Meanwhile, Shenhe is Chongyun's actual aunt. How must she feel, as the child cast aside, when she sees Chongyun having grown up with all the love and family that she should have had? From Chongyun's side, maybe he's heard stories about his aunt. Maybe the stories say she's cursed, or demonic, or just plain dangerous. It must be intimidating to see her appear before him, bound in red ropes to hold back her murderous urges. What if, in the course of fighting, some of those ropes accidentally get loose?
Or maybe for some reason, they have to work together to hunt down a demon? Maybe in the new human-forward Liyue, adepti can be contracted out to assist with particularly difficult missions, and Chongyun is the human liaison? Who could blame him if he's a little bit terrified of the adeptus (or pseudo-adeptus, in Shenhe's case) that he's going to be spending the duration of the mission with?
Ganyu & Xiao
From the little we saw of these two interacting, it feels like Xiao has a mentoring relationship with Ganyu. It's interesting to me that Ganyu spends all her time around humans, while Xiao mostly hides from them, but they're still the two adepti that most closely watch over and protect humanity. I'd like to see more of them helping each other out - maybe a mission of Xiao's requires someone who actually understands humans, or Ganyu falls asleep over her mountains of paperwork, and wakes up in the morning to find the other clerks mysteriously pulled their weight for once and finished it overnight (and all have terrified expressions on their faces, for whatever reason).
I'd love to see an inclusion of the other adepti too, like Zhongli or Cloud Retainer (or adjacent characters, like Shenhe or Yanfei). Are these two considered vagrant children, hanging out with mortals when they'd be better off with their own kind on Jueyun Karst? Are they always the ones who have to play messenger between the two locations? Do they gather together for regular training sessions, or festivities, or rituals? Given their extended lifespan, we could also conceivably see them interacting with our mortal characters long ago, or in the far future - while they themselves remain unchanged.
Chongyun and the exorcists do a lot of the same stuff that Xiao does, except Xiao has been doing it longer, and seems to look down on them. I'm so curious how these two would interact. Maybe Chongyun wants to learn from the best, or from an alternative source, traditional methods having failed him, and seeks Xiao out. Maybe Chongyun's positive energy somehow dampens Xiao's constant karmic torment, and he reluctantly tolerates Chongyun's presence for that reason, though he curses himself for being weak.
Meanwhile, Shenhe is Chongyun's actual aunt. How must she feel, as the child cast aside, when she sees Chongyun having grown up with all the love and family that she should have had? From Chongyun's side, maybe he's heard stories about his aunt. Maybe the stories say she's cursed, or demonic, or just plain dangerous. It must be intimidating to see her appear before him, bound in red ropes to hold back her murderous urges. What if, in the course of fighting, some of those ropes accidentally get loose?
Or maybe for some reason, they have to work together to hunt down a demon? Maybe in the new human-forward Liyue, adepti can be contracted out to assist with particularly difficult missions, and Chongyun is the human liaison? Who could blame him if he's a little bit terrified of the adeptus (or pseudo-adeptus, in Shenhe's case) that he's going to be spending the duration of the mission with?
Ganyu & Xiao
From the little we saw of these two interacting, it feels like Xiao has a mentoring relationship with Ganyu. It's interesting to me that Ganyu spends all her time around humans, while Xiao mostly hides from them, but they're still the two adepti that most closely watch over and protect humanity. I'd like to see more of them helping each other out - maybe a mission of Xiao's requires someone who actually understands humans, or Ganyu falls asleep over her mountains of paperwork, and wakes up in the morning to find the other clerks mysteriously pulled their weight for once and finished it overnight (and all have terrified expressions on their faces, for whatever reason).
I'd love to see an inclusion of the other adepti too, like Zhongli or Cloud Retainer (or adjacent characters, like Shenhe or Yanfei). Are these two considered vagrant children, hanging out with mortals when they'd be better off with their own kind on Jueyun Karst? Are they always the ones who have to play messenger between the two locations? Do they gather together for regular training sessions, or festivities, or rituals? Given their extended lifespan, we could also conceivably see them interacting with our mortal characters long ago, or in the far future - while they themselves remain unchanged.
