SASO Referees (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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sportsanime2017-05-28 06:52 pm
referees) wrote in sportsanime2017-05-28 06:52 pm
Entry tags:
Bonus Round 1: AUs
SASO 2017 is over, but this round is perpetually open to new fills (no new prompts).
Please read this whole post before commenting to ensure that your team gets the most points possible. (There are changes from last year!)
RULES
- Submit prompts by commenting to this post with an alternate universe idea, along with a ship from one of our nominated fandoms. There's a comment template below for your convenience.
- Your prompt MUST include some kind of relationship. (This is not the sports anime gen olympics.) Platonic relationships are indicated by an "&" between the names (e.g., Izumi & Sakaeguchi). Non-platonic relationships use "/" (e.g., Izumi/Sakaeguchi). Please don't say "Any pairing," either!
- An AU can be a canon divergence, e.g. "what if [character] was the Team Captain instead of the canon captain character?", or a completely different setting altogether, e.g., pop idol AU, coffee shop AU, superheroes AU, etc.
- Fill prompts by leaving a responding comment to the prompt with your newly-created work.
- Remember to follow the general bonus round rules, outlined here.
FORMAT
Bonus round shenanigans all happen in the comments below. Brand-new works only, please.Required Work Minimums:
- 400 words (prose)
- 400px by 400px (art)
- 14 lines (poetry)
Format your comment in one of the following ways:
| If PROMPTING: | If FILLING: | If FILLING as a TEAM GRANDSTAND participant: |
PROMPT: TEAM [YOUR SHIP]
| FILL: TEAM [YOUR SHIP], [RATING]
| FILL: TEAM GRANDSTAND, [RATING]
|
Posts not using this format will be understood to be unofficial discussion posts, regardless of what they contain. They, like all comments in this community, are subject to the code of conduct.
If you see anyone breaking the code of conduct (e.g., causing drama, being rude) anywhere (not just DW), please contact the mods immediately.
SCORING
These numbers apply to your team as a whole, not each individual teammate. Make as many prompts/fills as you want!For prompts: 5 points each (maximum of 50 prompt points per team per round)
For fills:First 4 fills by any member of your team: 20 points each
Fills 5-10: 15 points each
Fills 11-20: 5 points each
Fills 21-50: 2 points each
Fills 51+: 1 point each
All scored content must be created new for this round.
Etc.
If you're hunting through the prompts looking for what to fill, a good trick is to view top-level comments only (see the line of links below this post).Have a question? Check The FAQ first. If you still need help, feel free to contact the mods. Happy fanworking!
PROMPT: Team Grandstand
Fandom: Ballroom E Youkoso
Major Tags: none
Other Tags: none
Prompt: We Know The Devil AU
Re: PROMPT: Team Grandstand
NICE
FILL: TEAM AONE TAKANOBU/SUGAWARA KOUSHI, G
Other Tags: Physically disabled character
Word Count: None.
Latia you're killing me with this. now i cant unsee trans girl mako. that's just my canon now.
***
Re: FILL: TEAM AONE TAKANOBU/SUGAWARA KOUSHI, G
FILL: Team Kanzaki Miki/Miyahara, T
Other Tags: less of a direct au and more of an inspiration concept, also me listening to 'go or go ahead' on repeat, "but oh medusa kiss me and crucify / this unholy notion of the mythic power of love"
Word Count: 2408
***
The chalkboard is cracked. Edges caked with dust, it's the look borne of kids who didn't bother with class chores. Girls and boys roll their eyes at the shoddy monster drawn in eggshell white. A speaker cracks his knuckles against it, between a lopsided eye and pointed teeth, and the scribbled writing around.
"Some countries call these creatures devils. They use outdated radios and crystal stations to fend them off. Their radio towers do not have the strength of connection to support modern technology, so some look to signals and batteries in the wilderness. Thankfully, we have better systems for handling these spirits."
"I don't think my cell is going to have the reception to handle a tengu crashing through the roof of my tent." Her hair is red in the window's sunlight. "Unless you expect me to use Akagi's tamagotchi to lull it into boredom."
"I didn't bring that with me..."
"Hiyama," comes sharp as Shizuku's hands.
Chinatsu's head rolls, till her bored glare settles upon her two roommates.
"You three are energetic," interrupts the cold silence. Faces fill the room again. Their speaker stares down upon them, and says, "Thank you for being tonight's volunteers."
MIDNIGHT rolls the night sky.
Mako cradles a sleeping bag close to her chest.
"I'm saying the two of you can sleep and take your shift together."
Shizuku's nails remain as short and steady as they were when the two of them arrived, placed with another dancer, like all of them were just the same. Dance was a vestige of danger, after all. Even Mako's parents could tell it wasn't quite right for a sweet young girl to do something so - intimate - but how could they argue with passion. So long as a girl controlled herself.
Shizuku presses her nails against her lip. "I don't plan to sleep when all of our lives are at stake, Hiyama. We have to stay awake in pairs."
In the woods, Chinatsu lets her hair fall wild around her face. Almost softer, if not for the exasperation in every word, every quirk of her mouth. "If you're going that route, we may as well all stay awake and just doze off right when some monster rolls into this shack!"
"And I'm supposed to trust that you won't -"
Shizuku doesn't go on.
Mako wanders away without speaking, and sets her small pack on a table away from the vines beginning to peak their way through the floor of the old mountain cabin.
ONE comes without surprise.
Chinatsu rolls a metal thermos in her hands.
Mako and Shizuku are scouting. They scout, because they've been to camp before, and Chinatsu doesn't have a reason to pick through darkness with them now that they've reached the supposed site. Her phone is rolling at half energy, after ten minutes of old ballroom videos she saved for emergency.
Hongou's competition videos only make her more aware.
"What if something really comes," Mako whispers.
"I'll handle it." Shizuku's hand hovers. The back of her nails brushes down Mako's shoulder, like air past her jacket. "I've done this before. There's nothing to worry about."
"You saw a real devil?"
There's a quake in her voice, that makes Shizuku dig nonexistent nails into her arm.
"Yes." The forest stays dark, and empty, and free of spirits. "I don't think we're going to find one out here."
Chinatsu lets the two in when they return without question, and lays down to rest.
TWO hits with distant thunder.
Shizuku fumbles with a lighter.
"I could get that," Chinatsu calls out. "You're not the only one who knows how to start a fire."
Mako is stuck between the table and Chinatsu's long arms. "Sorry, Shizuku. I shouldn't have asked about food."
"Akagi, do you really expect to stay awake all night with one of the camp's pseudo dinners digesting down there?"
Shoulders bunching up, Mako hides behind the hair falling in her face. Chinatsu keeps staring at her, leaning around till Mako's neck is twisted around in awkward avoidance.
"You should pull your hair back," she says.
"I-I'm fine!"
A hair tie hangs on her wrist, and she pulls it off with a snap. "I don't need it, Akagi. Come on. You'll get mashmallows stuck in your hair."
Fire leaps out and Shizuku almost jumps - a gasp makes it out, a quiet pounding burn sticking to her fingers.
"It hurts..."
"Come on, you're tougher than that," Chinatsu says.
Hair pulls tight around Mako's face. Her nose scrunches, pouting out her lips, but she sits through Chinatsu's rough fingers, twisting her hair into place. On the dance floor, they usually use hair spray and water. There is little for them this deep in the mountains.
"Told you so."
"Thank you, Chinatsu."
There's a pause, at her name, and Shizuku puts the marshmallows Mako requested on a metal skewer. She always tried to come prepared. But there were some things she could not expect.
"You're welcome, Mako," Chinatsu gives back.
THREE arrives like a blackout.
"Did you two do this last year?" Chinatsu asks.
"We were here," Shizuku answers. "Last year was Mako's first. My second."
The shack does not appear to be made of wood. It appears more like inky charcoal, edged with leaves that threaten to break down its very foundation. Dying fire light reflects in longing distance. If it could reach, the whole place would burn. It stays in check with the three girls, none breathing too close, not feeding more food or fuel.
"I came with my brother," Mako says. "He didn't want to this year."
"And you did?" Chinatsu gives her a push. "Don't fidget, I know you're trying to avoid the question."
"She doesn't have to answer if she doesn't want to," Shizuku interrupts.
"No," Mako says. "It's okay." Her hands calm between the two of them, sharp eyes and suspicious eyes meeting over gold. "My mum just thought it was better if I came again. Just in case. Since I'm starting high school soon."
"And because girls are such threats to poor boys," Chinatsu says.
When Shizuku snorts, both their heads snap round in shock. Her tight bun loosens with how she rubs her nose and hides her mouth behind a hand. "What?"
"That's the first time I've seen you be anything but elegant."
"That's the first time Chinatsu's made you laugh!"
Branches press against the windows, but inside, Shizuku stretches tall in her seat and allows a pert smile. "Don't expect it to happen again."
"Laying down a challenge, now?"
Shizuku stares as though she forgot how to blink - as though time stopped, gentle and unnecessary. "Why else would I be here, Hiyama."
FOUR is the cruel hour.
FOUR is when they know they are not alone.
"You've done this before," Chinatsu says.
Mako is asleep between them. Her hands stretch over Chinatsu's knee, Shizuku's back. Small and innocent and -
"She shouldn't be here," Chinatsu goes on.
"I know," Shizuku says. Her fingertips press together, edges of broken bitten nails scratching her skin. "I know."
"It's stupid," Chinatsu says. "I figured everyone else at this camp would be goody two shoes with something to prove. Or just like me."
"There aren't many people at this camp like you."
The fire's dying. Below, their phones lay in a pile. They stopped reading the texts. Decided Mako didn't need to see them. Something knew who they were. Where they were.
"Think we could catch some gods on wifi?" Chinatsu asks, over Shizuku's words.
"They don't say anything helpful." Shizuku's hands wander. "It's usually about gardening. Or stars." Laughter is acid on the air. "Like stars are going to help us."
Chinatsu does not breathe. Moonlight does not reach through the treetops. Mako is not separating the two of them.
"Has anything ever helped?" Chinatsu mutters.
"I've been dancing since I was a child," Shizuku answers.
"I know." Skin is warm. Chinatsu doesn't wear sleeves. Their shoulders press together, aware more through touch than sight could ever allow. "I recognized you. You and Mako." She laughs. "I couldn't figure out why two dancers on their way to the pros would be this deep in the woods."
"Dance helps."
"Can't imagine it does if it means you're still stuck here."
"It's the only thing that does."
The question of why is not asked. Sweat makes their hands stick together when the fire flickers out. What light remains only comes from blinking notifications, the demand of attention. They don't think about it for a moment. Dance is about partnership. Two people - coming together - despite the crushing pairs threatening to crash into them.
A good dancer doesn't think about anything but what is in front of them. Maybe that was part of what made them so wrong.
"What happened last year, Shizuku."
Phones clatter away. Shizuku paces to the windows. "Nothing unusual."
"What's usual, then."
She's staring at her phone. "Someone chooses to die."
FIVE does not come all at once.
Chinatsu is the one shaking. Her phone melts in her hand. Of the two girls left, staring, Mako is the one reaching out. Shizuku is the one who knows.
"Don't touch me," Chinatsu spits. "Don't lie to yourself that you want to."
Hair and heat waver around her. Space warps, almost, till she is near translucent, and heavy enough for the grass and wood floor to crack beneath each step.
"I never wanted to be good," she says. "Leave it to me like always. Neither of you could imagine what this takes."
"Chii -"
Shizuku pushes a phone into Mako's hand. "She's too far gone."
"But she's suffering!"
"How would you plan to help her," Shizuku hisses. "We can't understand that. People like us can never know what it takes to be a monster."
The shack could burn to the ground. Flames lick her skin, the image of a gown, and her skin fraying into nothing - heat beating back at Shizuku, and awkward flip phone cameras, reworked and painted time and time again. There is nothing so enveloping as Chinatsu's hot stare, and nothing so terrifying, and nothing so easy to lose themselves within. She is roses, and thorns, and petals, and the beauty that draws fools in to pierce themselves within her arms. Nothing will hold her - nothing can - but she could hold everything.
All of them.
"Go, Mako."
Air twists around, out from their phones, charms on Mako's phone dangling as it wraps around the monster. It does not make a sound. When its mouth opens, only vines burst out, as though it has been squeezed and crushed empty. It withers. It withers, and Shizuku holds Mako, just like she is supposed to do,
and FIVE does not come in ones or twos.
Mako's hair has never been brighter - her face hung in shadow. Her phone sinks into her hand. Into her skin. Chinatsu shakes, wide-eyed and gray. Shizuku is far from either of them. Her teeth ground together. Her nails bloodied.
"No one would dance with me," Mako murmurs. "They couldn't talk to me. I wouldn't understand. I'm just a doll."
"I'll dance with you," Chinatsu says, but she doesn't.
She doesn't, because she looks at Shizuku, and mouths her answer.
"It's my fault," Shizuku says. "I'm sorry Mako."
Her skin is porcelain. Cracking porcelain, fingers ripping themselves free to crawl up Mako's skin, and she's smiling. "I don't have to be a doll anymore."
"I shouldn't have left you alone," Shizuku says. "It shouldn't have been you."
There are a thousand wrong things, in words, but most of all in body. It rises with light out every crease, every shattered edge. What once was hardly moves like a person. Its arms rise, dozens more with it, falling to the ground like a writhing sea, to be picked up, to be held, to be noticed and heard and pieced back together. It seeks comfort to give it, and it pulls at them, till they could forget who they were, but more pieces to a collection, to stay, to grow, to die.
A phone flies at it.
Smashing through light and ivory.
And Chinatsu stands behind Shizuku's open hands. Panting. The two of them stare at each other. At the gods who wouldn't come. At what the two of them wrought. She says, "I needed a new phone anyway."
They do not speak as the camp counselors rush in to check the remains. Ensuring safety. Making sure to tell the parents. Accusatory silence sits where Mako once sat between them.
"I know," Chinatsu says. She stares out the door. "You'd have preferred it was me."
"No," Shizuku says. Her hands are buried beneath her legs. "You don't know anything."
FIVE does not stop coming.
"I can't keep doing this," Shizuku says.
When she goes, it is shadow. When Shizuku loses herself, when Mako and Chinatsu are close, and gentle, and Chinatsu can leave a hand against the warm light that Mako gives off, Shizuku twists in upon herself, till she is a void of spiraling blues and starlight.
"Tatara acted like it was okay. To be the odd one out," Shizuku says. "It's not. It's just martyring yourself. There's no point in it." She's tearing away her nails. Skin. Hair. Darkness revolves around her, orbiting and swirling beneath what little holds her together. "I killed him. No one else would do what needed to be done. Someone gets singled out." She's dripping over herself. "That's the rules of dance. If you don't keep up. You leave or find someone new."
"I'm right here, Shizuku," Mako whispers.
"You'd pick your brother first," Shizuku says. "Any day. Every day. You'd pick Chinatsu before me. She could lead you. I've never done anything but devour them whole."
"You don't kill someone, Hanaoka," Chinatsu says, and -
"You do if they'll kill you first," Shizuku hisses, and -
She lunges, and -
Mako already has her phone out, when Chinatsu is too shocked to move, and -
Shadow dissipates on the air, into nothing.
FIVE comes.
The time comes, but here,
Chinatsu kisses Shizuku.
Mako lets Chinatsu pull her hair back.
Shizuku allows herself to lay her palm on Mako's forehead.
The time comes.
And Chinatsu says, "I like you better this way."
And Mako says, "I don't want to choose between us."
And Shizuku melts around light, and heat, porcelain and roses and stars mixing together, and she says.
"We could learn to be monsters together."
Endless night, and music, dawning upon a camp that could not dream of where they would lead.
Re: FILL: Team Kanzaki Miki/Miyahara, T
I like how you approached the idea of a WKTD AU as less of a direct transplant of the Ballroom gals to Group West and more of a different setting in the same universe (unintentionally or not making this fill a nice compliment to Wes's picture. It makes so much sense that they'd use to phones for this in place of radios. And, of course, I love your concept for each girl's "devil," Shizuku's ending up my fav (beautiful yet empty and consuming)
As always your writing is so poetic and tactile. I really love how you describe even little actions like Chinatsu tieing back Mako's hair or Chinatsu and Shizuku's moment at 4 o clock. And I'm glad you went the route of going through every girl's "ending" before the true end. I don't think I could have asked for anything more. thank you!!!