silverwill | Dear Press Start creator! (Reply)

Welcome to my letter! I am really excited for this exchange and thrilled to see what you come up with! I'm not very good at writing these letters (or coming up with prompts as you will notice, and I especially tend to ramble so please bear with me) but I'm super excited for anything and everything you come up with, because more fanworks are always awesome! Doubly so since my requested fandoms tend to be small fandoms that need more love! Seriously go nuts! These details are optional anyway so please feel free to use your own ideas if none of these rambles inspire anything!

My AO3 name is Fortune_Maiden.

Some things I like in fics:

Humor - I like witty dialogue and shenanigans, particularly if the humor is in the spirit of canon
On that note, anything that is in the spirit of canon in general!
Worldbuilding. Stories that explore any kind of aspects of the setting, or fill in holes that canon has hinted at but left open to interpretation. Missing scene fics are great and minor characters getting some love (and acknowledgement!) are also great.
Trust and friendship - exploring character dynamics and relationships. Family fluff and Friendship (blood-related families or families or choice) Bonus points for characters with undying loyalties, parent/child, or sibling-like bonds. Extra bonus points for brotherly love stories. The Feels-ier the better!
In general I prefer platonic interactions between characters over romance
Angst & H/C – I don’t like whump, but I do like darker or more serious fics, or characters showing a little bit of weakness or alternatively trying their hardest not to show any weakness in front of their closest allies. Basically more on the Comfort side of H/C.
Adventures! Characters get into various predicaments and stuff generally happening!
Working game mechanics into the story. Leaning on the fourth wall a bit is also fun.
Characters being aware that they are in a video game type of meta fics. Parodies and Satire are also great!
Time Travel. There's just a special place in my heart for time travel stories!

DNWs:

NSFW of any kind.
AUs – Alternate setting ones specifically. I don't mind canon divergence & what ifs but I prefer the setting to be the one I'm already familiar with.
...that's it really

Fandom Specific Prompts

Please note that I am going off the assumption that you have finished the game we matched on, and am pretty liberal about spoilers in these prompts

Trails in the Sky

group: Estelle Bright & Olivier Lenheim
group: Olivier Lenheim & Mueller Vander
Olivier Lenheim (Sora no Kiseki)
Mueller Vander (Sora no Kiseki)

So this + ToCS is probably one of my favorite series of all time and I really really want to read more fics set in this wonderful detailed universe. If my chosen tags are any indication, I especially love Olivier and his relationships and all of the lovely ways he drives people (Mueller especially) up a wall with his antics.

Some prompts for this fandom:

Estelle & Olivier: These two are a great pair in Sky. Their acquaintance in FC starts off with Olivier being weird and Estelle just not knowing what to make of him, but by SC, Olivier...is still weird, but also one of the first characters to rush to Estelle's side to help her find Joshua, and Estelle appreciates his presence and trusts him, even if he is ultimately the most secretive member of the team (her conversation with him on the airship to Rolent is one of my favorite scenes). I'm not sure what kind of prompts to offer here, but I'd really like to see that trust in a story. Maybe the two of them doing some kind of bracer work, or Olivier acting as some sort of mentor figure. Or, since we know that Estelle and Josh are in Erebonia during the events of 3^rd, maybe something with them meeting up there. Olivier showing them around. Or Estelle having to act as his bodyguard/chaperone for a day because Mueller is out sick, or doing army stuff, or on the other side of the country cleaning up some other mess Olivier created, or whatever. Or Olivier teaching Estelle some little nobility things like horseback riding or dancing or dining at a high class place because it does seem at times that Estelle is interested in it a little (or at least she doesn’t want to lose to Josette!). Or maybe he tries but the universe loves its bright young tomboy just the way she is! (Although I think Estelle would like horseback riding)

Olivier & Mueller: Romantic or Platonic, this is my Trails OTP! I like the close friendship/bodyguard+body relationship they share and how no matter how much Olivier antagonizes Mueller and refuses to stay put or behave himself, at the end of the day they're friends and co-conspirators. For this pair, I'd love to see either that highly competent teamwork (maybe as they prepare for Olivier's journey to Liberl and investigate Hamel, or prepare for Olivier's crowning moment in SC) or Olivier shenanigans. Olivier shenanigans are always welcome. Maybe some misadventures at the embassy or anything really. Olivier and Mueller are a great team. Something else I also like is Mueller’s insights and comments in 3^rd regarding his duties. They may be friends, but Mueller is still responsible for Olivier’s wellbeing, and Olivier does have enemies so it’s not all fun and games, and Mueller does worry. Maybe something around that like Mueller getting hurt protecting him or not being able to 100% prevent Olivier from getting hurt and how that affects them. Or maybe a speculation fic on why Mueller calls him ‘Olivier’ even at times when it doesn’t make much sense for him to do so (like in 3^rd where his identity is out in the open)

Olivier & Mueller individually: I’m not really sure what kind of prompts to put here. I wanted to include these because I love these two characters, and would love to read a fic with them in it, but maybe you’re not interested in focusing on a specific group dynamic. Mm for Olivier, I just really love Olivier being Olivier. His shenanigans and silly ways that hide the competence underneath. Maybe some Olivier shenanigans at the embassy before Mueller’s arrival or between games, or some Olivier adventures between FC Ch 1 and Ch 4 guest starring Aina and Schera. Or maybe your interpretation of what his dream in SC Ch 4 was about (since he was pretty vague about it when Estelle asked). And for Mueller, his interactions with the other characters like Estelle and Captain Schwarz, or having to manage the Erebonian Embassy during his stay there (let’s be honest. Mueller was definitely in charge while he was there!) Some prompts for this could be him dealing with things at the Embassy while Olivier’s “missing” and frightening the other NPCs with his intensity (since all of them including the ambassador tell Olivier not to worry him anymore! Considering none of them even know he’s a prince, you really have to wonder what kind of impression Mueller’s left!) Interactions between Mueller and Ambassador Crainagh (and Elsa Cochrane!) would be very loved as well. Mueller being his usual awesome self would be great in any way shape or form!

Trails of Cold Steel

group: Olivert Reise Arnor/Mueller Vander
group: Olivert Reise Arnor & Alfin Reise Arnor & Cedric Reise Arnor

The ToCS3 hype is real! With all of the reveals about ToCS3 lately, I’ve been really getting back into the Erebonian chapter and, of course, more Trails is more chances to request Olivert!

Olivert Reise Arnor/Mueller Vander: Er, it’s admittedly feels a bit awkward to request this tag when I also requested Olivier & Mueller in Sky and, uh, a lot of what I wrote in the section above applies here too. But since this is also set a couple of years later, and focuses on a different country and plot, I guess some more CS-specific prompts are necessary. And since this also a pairing tag, I guess I should also mention some of my shippy preferences. I like established pairings, and domestic scenes. I have a ton of headcanons about Olivert having a high-rise apartment in Heimdallr and frequently going to the opera with Mueller in tow, and also a larger somewhat secluded house on the outskirts of the city somewhere and yeah little daily life things. Oh and the Ost District’s Mr. Tiddles is Mueller’s cat. Just because! Little quiet domestic scenes or the two of them touring the empire would be good. Olivert doing something nice for Mueller, because Mueller does need a break from the craziness once in a while! I’m also very fond of the idea of Mueller/Olivert being something everyone in the empire believes is a Thing (Alfin especially) and the two of them being unable (Mueller) or unwilling (Olivert) to clear it up. Also it’s mentioned in SC that arranged marriages are common for the nobility (and I swear Olivier has some dialogue about his own experiences with this topic if I could just find it!), so another prompt here is Olivert or Mueller getting set up for an arranged marriage and the other getting them out of said arrangement. Somehow.

Olivert Reise Arnor & Alfin Reise Arnor & Cedric Reise Arnor: Imperial Siblings! Anything with Olivert is always loved and a story starring Olivert and his siblings (either Alfin, Cedric or Alfin + Cedric) would be great! Anything would be fine. Cute sweet (shenanigan-y) sibling adventures, Olivert being responsible for and encouraging Alfin's interests. Olivert being a good supportive brother (actually from that one scene in ToCS1, it seems like he's his usual teasing self in front of Alfin, but with Cedric, he calms down considerably. Something exploring that could be interesting.) Olivert & Alfin being there for Cedric after the events of ToCSII and helping him through his recovery.

At the time of writing this letter, there is quite a bit of info about CS3 getting revealed. I am following it closely, and welcome any and all speculah! Mueller & Olivert’s relationship in light of the Vanders being dismissed from their position (especially given Mueller’s comments in 3^rd that this is something he was born to do and what we currently know about Kurt). Olivert & Alfin’s relationship with Cedric in light of his apparent transformation. I really can’t wait for CS3’s release!

Ys

Group: Hugo Fact & Toal Fact
Group: Saul Tovah & Yunica Tovah
Group: Toal Fact/Reah
Hugo Fact (Ys)
Toal Fact (Ys)
Yunica Tovah (Ys)

Ys Origin! I love the Ys series, with the first two games in particular holding a special place in my heart. They get even better with the added lore and context in Ys Origin, which, while not my favorite Ys game, is one of my favorite Ys stories. I really like the smaller contained character-centric story, and Hugo’s route in particular really stood out to me. (So much so that it’s jarring to play the other routes and notice that he is just so nice in them). I also really like the glimpses of the peaceful Ys pre-invasion (or at least pre-Darm Tower. I’m not entirely sure how much time passed between Solomon Shrine’s ascent and the events of the game. Or how much time passed between the initial invasion and the shrine’s ascent). So a prompt for this fandom, is to write a story set pre-game, any characters are fine to use. Maybe something with the Tovah family. Or the Fact family (I love brothers so something sweet with Hugo and Toal would be nice). Or Toal and Reah’s relationship before everything went to hell. Or the Goddesses or the other members of the search party. Anyone and everyone would be great! There are lots of little things to fill in about the titular world.

Alternatively, something postgame with the Esteria group would be cool. Some challenges of having to settle down in the remains of Ys. If going off Yunica or Hugo’s route, them dealing with the losses suffered inside the tower. Any regrets or wistfulness about leaving behind everyone in Solomon Shrine? Setting the stage for Adol in some ways. Something I love about prequels like this is all of the little details that come together for the original game.

Gravity Rush

Group: Kat & Syd
Group: Syd & Chaz
Group: Vogo & Fi
Kat (Gravity Rush)
Syd (Gravity Rush)

I love Gravity Rush. It has a beautiful setting and art direction and a really fun story that kinda feels like a comic book series with several plot arcs. The game has a very creative and witty feel to it, and gives us some really great characters, Kat especially! I especially love her friendship with Syd, past and present and Syd himself is a fascinating character, especially after all we learn about him in GR2.

Some prompts for this (GR2 spoilers ahoy):

Kat & Syd: Their partners in crime relationship either past or present. Maybe just some misadventures around Hekseville between games (like Kat helping Syd with the Missing Orphans case, or any other cop work), or the two of them settling into Banga before GR2 begins. Or misadventures around Jirga Para Lhao before the revolution. Or some Eto things (though personally I like the dynamic they have in present day more than the uncertain queen/loyal advisor mostly because I love the snarky confident Kat we have now)

Syd & Chaz: Chaz is interesting to me, because he went from a minor NPC who helped on a couple of missions (one being DLC) to a major supporting character in the Hekseville arc of GR2. GR2 also fleshed out his character a lot beyond the cool explosives expert we glimpsed in GR1 – namely, he really admires and values Syd and their friendship and he’s a huge stickler for the rules. Oh, and he really likes explosives. And training. And using explosives in training. Chaz is wonderful, and he also provides quite a bit of insight into Syd that Kat (and the player) never gets to see. Some prompts for this are Chaz & Syd working together on cases pre-GR2 (or even Pre-GR1), or what I’m really interested in is Chaz & Alias. Maybe something like Syd picking up his explosives knowledge from Chaz, and/or Chaz having some suspicions about Syd and Alias and Syd having to work around that (because any good Phantom Thief needs that one rival who is always rightfully suspicious and has to be misdirected constantly), or a scene between the two of them post-GR2 since this is their first reunion in 3 years AND Alias’ identity is now out in the open…

Vogo & Fi: So I have a huge thing for brothers being brothers and doing brotherly things, and I really do like these two. Fi is a cool character on his own, but I do like how he is also Vogo’s morality pet (to an extent) and does suggest that Vogo used to be a sweet kid way back when. He’s a jerk now sure, but he was a good brother to Fi growing up, though it seems that Fi played a significant role in Vogo’s inferiority complex. Fi meanwhile is also a part of Sun Shipping and seems to be the one really running things behind the scenes…or at least making sure nothing explodes along the way. I really like watching these two interact, either due to Fi silently snarking at his bro’s posturing, or going along with things because that’s what brothers do. I don’t really have many specific prompts but maybe something with them growing up? Or a routine shipment gone wrong because that’s what routine shipments tend to do? Or the two of them getting in a fight over something (either serious or silly) and the fallout from that? What I really want to see though is Vogo being a good brother in some context, because good brothers are my weakness!
(Bonus points for Kat getting dragged into whatever mess is happening because Kat vs. Vogo snarking never gets old)

Kat & Syd individually: I’m not really sure what kind of prompts to put here. I wanted to include these because I love these two characters, and would love to read a fic with them in it, but maybe you’re not interested in focusing on a specific group dynamic. For Kat I guess, more sidequests!!! Her personality and kind innocent nature really shines in the sidequests, and I always love the ones where she either meddles in something that she didn’t really have to get involved in, or gets forced into something ridiculous (like Battle Nurse. I have a special hate for that sidequest but the story behind it was great! Actually speaking of Battle Nurse, here’s a prompt: GR characters watching and reacting to the movie and/or its unfinished sequel!). And for Syd…he’s a really mysterious character haha. Maybe some behind the scenes stuff for him? Arriving in Hekseville, the birth of Alias, the year Kat was in Boutoume, the year Kat was a singularity… some insight into his and Raven’s friendship would be cool too.

Resonance of Fate

Group: Vashyron & Leanne
Group: Vashyron & Zephyr
Group: Vashyron & Zephyr & Leanne
Reanbell | Leanne (Resonance of Fate)
Vashyron (Resonance of Fate)
Zephyr (Resonance of Fate)

I really love Resonance of Fate. I love the setting, the atmosphere, the worldbuilding, the NPCs with changing dialogue, the relationship between the three leads...the actual story is kind of a mess, yes, but the characterization, setting and gameplay more than make up for that in my opinion. The world is so rich and mysterious if you go talking to all of the NPCs and reading the descriptions of items/locations. I want to read any kind of story about Trio, either focusing on the group as a whole or one or two members of the group. For some specific prompts, maybe something like filling in missing scenes? RoF rarely makes clear how much time has passed between major events, such as Vashyron taking in Zephyr, or Leanne joining the group (that 'a year and a few months later' in the intro has always felt really questionable imo). Maybe a story of Vasyron and Zephyr learning to get along, or Leanne's transformation into a Hunter. Or the characters acknowledging things that happen between chapters, like Pater’s death. Or just a general mission fic, either something original or expanding on one of the many sidequests in the game. I honestly just really love the bonds and banter between the Trio so any kind of slice-of-life, missions, adventure, whatever story would be wonderful.

(Wow…this section is so short compared to everything else)

Nier Automata

Group 9S & Pod 153
Group: 2B & Pod 042
Group: A2 & Pod 042
Pod 042 (NieR: Automata)
2B
2B & 9S

(spoilers ahoy)

As the tags suggest, I really like the Pods, Pod 042 in particular. Initially presented as simple support units for the Androids, Pods 042 & 153 went on to display quite a bit of personality and free will. For the group tags I kinda want to see some Pod & Android bonding: the snark and begrudging partnership between A2 & 042, the concern 153 has for 9S, or the established synergy between 042 & 2B – anything with Pods and the Androids that pet them would be good. For actual prompts, I guess something like Pod 042 assisting 2B or A2 in things they want to do but are too aloof to bring up themselves (like in that sidequest where Pod 042 instantly helps 2B find 6O a gift before she even formalizes the request. Pod 042 is her wingman! Actually Pod 042 as a wingman could be a prompt all its own) or Pod 153 and her role in all of those times 9S has to be killed. Does she stand back or ever try to veer him off the forbidden knowledge course or continue supporting him to the end?

If Pods aren’t your thing, something else I really like in Nier Automata is the joke endings. Some of them feel like they have some potential to be branched out into their own continuities (like ending L where 2B spends 10 years running from YoRHa and the Machines to fulfill a higher calling: Fishing!). So for a prompt, something set in one of those joke endings (For ending ideas: Ending L is a particular favorite of mine, but I think endings G, H and P have some potential too… Ending H especially considering how easy it is to trigger it completely accidentally)

And if that’s also not your thing, something else I really like is Androids mimicking and speculating on humanity based on various little things they find around the world.

Crossover Fandom

group: Tokisaka Kou (Tokyo Xanadu) & Rean Schwarzer (ToCS) & Alisa Reinford (ToCS)

I really want to shake the hand of the person who requested this tag. If we matched on this, I only have one real want: Humor!

Kou is very similar to Rean in many ways, but he also has his differences. Similarly Tokyo Xanadu is very similar to Trails of Cold Steel in terms of mechanics – right down to Kou needing not-quartz for his not-ARCUS (and having a Towa in his life). Heck there’s even an Orbal network in TX! I really want to see those similarities and differences come to head with Kou, Rean and Alisa somehow meeting up.
Some prompts for this:
- Kou ending up in Trista or R&A ending up in Tokyo for a day
- Kou and Rean bodyswap
- Something with the fact that Alisa and Rean exist in Kou’s world as anime characters.
- Something with the fact that Alisa and Rean do actually own the outfits they wear on said anime
- Can Elements work like Quartz?
- Fighting Greed/Monsters together (maybe Kou’s Soul Device works in the old schoolhouse because that place is already weird?)

I think this tag has a lot of potential so I would really love anything you can come up with! Other characters are more than welcome to appear as well!

Dear Press Start creator!

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