Yuletide 2014 Prompts

[toujours_nigel]

These have been extracted from the text file of prompts. I don't think I missed out on any, but please do tell if you think otherwise.

• Unfulfilled Prompts:

1. Characters: Any
   I really would like something that explores Phaedo; but having said that, if he is not the character that grabs your attention, that is OK as I would be really pleased with anything based on this novel. Some ideas: Anything which sheds a bit more light on Phaedo’s character. For example: how did he manage during the siege of Athens? Alternatively: explore the relationship Phaedo has with Sokrates. Or: what is Phaedo’s relationship with one or more of the following: Alexias, Lysis, Kritias? Or (post-book) how did Phaedo react to Sokrates’ death? Ideas for non-Phaedo stories: Lysis and Thalia – what was their relationship like? Tell us something from Arete’s point of view. What does she think of Alexias’ decision to divert money he earns during the siege toward helping Lysis instead of buying food for his sister Charis, and mother (and unborn brother)? Myron as a young man, friend to Alkibiades – what broke that friendship?
   Link to letter: http://fawatson.dreamwidth.org/28549.html


2. Characters: Myron (Last of the Wine), Alcibiades (Last of the Wine), Alexias (Last of the Wine), Lysis (Last of the Wine)
   I am particularly interested in the romantic friendship of young Myron and Alcibiades.
   Link to letter: http://heartofoshun.livejournal.com/704327.html


3. Characters: Sokrates (Last of the Wine), Phaidon | Phaedo (Last of the Wine)
   We only see Sokrates and Phaedo through Alexias’ eyes, which means we are missing a lot! I would love to read more about their friendship/philosophical collaborations in greater detail—especially later in the book (or even after it ends). How does Sokrates help Phaedo adjust to life as a foreigner in Athens? What are their thoughts about the increasingly fraught political climate (and do they agree, or disagree)? What do they do during the siege? What about after the end of the book, in the days leading up to Sokrates’ trial, and after?
   More details about Phaedo’s life after he is freed. I’d love to know more about his relationship with Sokrates’ friend Kriton (or Kriton’s son Kritobulos), or with Plato or Xenophon. Does he keep in touch with any of the people he knew at Gurgo’s, or not? Is he in contact with other survivors of Melos? What about his eventual move to Elis, and the philosophy school there?
   I want to know more about Sokrates’ family: his sons, his wife Xanthippe, or even his midwife mother, Phaenarete. Is his relationship with them consistent with the behavior he advocates in his philosophical discussions, or do they constitute a separate world? Are his children really a disappointment, as Alexias implies, or are things more complicated than that?
   Link to letter: http://zopyrus.livejournal.com/8091.html

1. Characters: Any
   Something about the trust between Theseus and the rest of the Cranes during their time with the Cranes; a story that showcases Hippolyta as more than just an adjunct to Theseus; give us an adventure during Theseus’ and Pirithoos’ marauding days; what did Amyntor really think about the decisions they made during this period of their lives?
   Link to letter: http://fawatson.dreamwidth.org/28549.html


2. Characters: Amyntor (King Must Die Series), Pirithoos (King Must Die Series), Hippolyta (King Must Die Series), Theseus (King Must Die Series)
   Link to letter: http://huntingospray.livejournal.com/79227.html

1. Characters: Any
   Here are a couple of ideas: (1) Bacchylides, Aiskhylos, and Anakreon teach Simonides a thing or two; (2) Tell us more about what happened to Simonides after the end of the novel; (3) Simonides on his farm; he has come to rest but finds himself haunted by a tune.
   Link to letter: http://fawatson.dreamwidth.org/28549.html


2. Characters: Any
   I haven't picked any characters so anything goes :) The Praise Singer has lovely reflections on the nature of composing poetry, lyric or dramatic, and on the nature of remembering, and with the character list, there would be scope to explore how the different characters position themselves there. Or something else that you find inspiring about the book.
   Link to letter: http://queen-ypolita.dreamwidth.org/317766.html

• Fulfilled Prompts:

1. Characters: Any
   Something set after the book about Thettalos’ work as a spy for Alexander the Great, preferably including some theatre scenes. Or (during the period of the book) letters back and forth between them when they are apart which give their personal non-political take on the great events of the period, and then how they are when they get back together, maybe after one has had a less than fortunate affair and needs a bit of comforting from the friend he knows will accept him and all his foibles. If you can work in Dion in some way (perhaps showing Nikeratos and Thettalos’ different views about him) so much the better. How about an AU in which Axiothea did get pregnant in Syracuse and Nikeratos marries her; how do Thettalos, Nikos and Axiothea all come to terms with the importance of each to the other? Gen preferred, or sex alluded to rather than explicitly described, although I don’t object to a well-written slash story, as long as the sex is integral to the plot.
   Link to letter: http://fawatson.dreamwidth.org/28549.html

1. Characters: Any
   Gen is definitely preferred. Where I have asked for a pairing I would prefer the story to focus on the relationship rather than the sex. What were the early days of Phillip’s and Olympias’ marriage like? When (and why) did it start to go sour? I would love a story that tells us something of the period in between Fire from Heaven and The Persian Boy, whether that includes campaigns on the Greek mainland or in Persia. What did Ptolemy really think about proskynesos? Bagoas never expected to feel sympathy for Roxane but... (from Bagoas’ viewpoint). Alternatively: is Roxane happy in her marriage? What does she really think about being on campaign (i.e. Roxane’s viewpoint)? Show us Sisygambis hearing about Alexander’s death.
   Link to letter: http://fawatson.dreamwidth.org/28549.html