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Last night a possum got into our chicken coop and killed one of my favorite chickens. I love all of our little ladies, but Wheatley was one of the sweet ones. Atlas and GLaDOS are both kind of "meh" when it comes to people, and Peabody must've been a purse dog in a previous life because she's totally chill with being picked up and carried around, and Wheatley and Chell are -- were -- the lap chickens. You sit down, they want to perch on you. Usually on your knees, but sometimes on your shoulder. These ladies, they like gettin' their ups.

It's totally our fault, too. Normally, we close up the coop when it gets dark because the ladies put themselves to bed and we just have to make sure everything's locked up. We even remind each other of it all the time. "Are the chickens in?" "Are the ladies closed up?" "Chickens secure?" It's like if one of us forgets, the other person remembers.

But last night, we both forgot. The ramp door was open, and a possum found its way through a hole in the wire roof of the run and got into the coop. And Wheatley, one of our prettiest, friendliest little chickens, our gold lace wyandotte, our lap chicken, paid the price for our forgetfulness.

The other four ladies seem to be okay. Nate caught the possum in the act and it doesn't look like the others have been hurt at all. I just feel so awful about it. Awful, and guilty. I know there are plenty of people who will say that it's stupid to grieve over a chicken -- we eat chickens, after all -- but our chickens aren't food. Our chickens are pets, and they have personalities, and they're so incredibly vulnerable at night. That she's dead is 100% our fault. I feel like I failed her.

I'm so sorry, Wheatley. You were an awesome little bird. I'm going to miss having you perch on my knees.

yuletide 2012 letter

Dear Yuletide author,

First off, you are quite possibly my favorite person in the world right now! I heart you like whoa, author, I really do. I’m super-excited that you matched up on one of my fandoms, and I just want to say straight out that if you already have an amazing idea that you’re excited to write, then you can completely disregard everything I’ve said here. Also, if we matched on one thing and you like one of my other fandoms more, feel free to write that story instead! I’m in love with every single fandom in this letter and would be incredibly excited to read something in any of them.

I’m not sure how much help this will be to you, but I post fanfiction at AO3 under ghostsoldier and occasionally put random stuff on my tumblr. Of more use is probably this post on my narrative kinks I made a few days ago. Optional details are, of course, super optional, but it might give you a better idea of themes and scenarios and such that tend to appeal to me.

While I generally prefer slash and gen over het, I’m quite fond of all three and will try to specify which pairings I’m particular about. I’m definitely fine with any rating, so stick to what you feel most happy writing. Like, if you don’t feel comfortable writing explicit sex? That’s cool! If you really, really love writing explicit sex? That’s cool too!

In terms of dislikes, I’m relatively simple. I don’t like mpreg, non-con (although dub-con is fine, especially for the Tron universe), or kinks like vomit, scat, or watersports. I also don’t usually like works with strong BDSM themes. Angst is delicious when it fits the story and I will happily eat it with a spoon, but I definitely prefer my endings to be somewhat happy. I understand that “happy” is a relative term (for example, if you’re writing from a villain’s POV, then a happy ending for them might be one in which they convince the hero to turn to the dark side…and I am totally okay with that!), so when I use it here I mean (a) no deathfic*, and (b) if two characters are in a relationship, I’d prefer that they stay together and are relatively comfortable with that decision.

*If a character has died in canon, it’s definitely cool to acknowledge it and for the other characters to reference it! I just don’t really want a story where death is the major focus, if that makes sense.

On to fandom specifics!

( The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu )

( Redshirts – John Scalzi )

( Tron – All Media Types )

I'm sorry this got so long, oh lovely author, but I hope it gives you lots of options to work with! I'm really excited to see what you come up with.