Original Alternate Universe

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

We've had many discussions about Kara and Lee turning up in alternate universes. The majority of AUs seems to be variations on BSG itself or taking the characters of Lee Adama and Kara Thrace and putting them into a pre-existing universe, either as themselves (pilots in the Firefly universe) or as characters who take on the role of an existing literary or television figures (Lizzy and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice).

I'd like to challenge you create your own tiny AU, NOT based on any other story, show, movie, etc. Give us a snippet of Kara and Lee as archeologists, doctors, coal miners, lumberjacks, lawyers, whatever you like. Create your own universe and give us a snippet (a fic, a description, a few lines of dialogue, a manip, etc.). I understand that keeping the pilots as themselves will require keeping many of the same backstory dynamics - that's to be expected - pilots are pilots for many frakked up reasons.

(I understand of course, that NONE of this is particularly original - I have gotten lost in TV Tropes, after all. But see if anything gets sparked in your imaginary world.)

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Lee is a college professor, Kara is his student.
2. Kara is a veternarian, Lee has a sick puppy (hee. sorry. can't. resist.)
3. Kara and Lee are competing bounty hunters
4. Lee is a highly-ranked competitive poker player, Kara is a rising star
5. Kara is a scuba instructor in the Cayman's, Lee ended up there after his fiancee jilted him
6. Lee owns a bar and doesn't date customers (I know, lee owns a bar - but it's so cute!)
7. Lee is a local politician and Kara is a political activist, they're on different sides of an issue
8. Kara and Lee are firefighters
9. Kara is an award-winning chef and Lee is a food critic (hard to imagine, I know!)
10. Lee and Kara are competing swimmers at the Olympics (oh, those tiny swimsuits and swimmers bodies.....ahem)

Have fun shippers!

Comments

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to sound cavalier at all, but your post got me thinking about why I'm not a huge fan of "outside the series" AUs - I think one of the things that makes me love Lee/Kara so passionately is that they are trapped in this claustrophobic world of relentless war and flight from the Cylons. And somehow if they're not in those circumstances, I feel like they would probably just go get the therapy they need and part as friends ;P

That said, I look forward to reading everyone else's ideas! And I want to say a huge thank you to you for your inspiring leadership of the Fan Bus this week :D *smooch*

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Awwww. Hee. I understand completely. I do think it's possible to make them Kara and Lee in different situations, but it takes a lot of creative thinking. Some of the scenarios I presented can take on a high-pressure situation, but yes, it is appealing to experience them in life-or-death scenarios.

I believe there are essential qualities about the two of them that would give them the same dynamic in any AU, given that they have substantial backstory and that there's enough pressure to keep the intensity going. BSG was a very well-told story (at least until s4+) and there is an enormous amount of pressure to keep things moving along at a frenetic and dark place. It does add to the spark and complexity.

You've given us such great contributions this week and I want to say thanks. And funnily, didn't YOU write a Casablanca AU? LOL. I guess there's a little bit about AUs that do turn you on. ;)

*MWAH*

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

Agh. I wish I had more time to play today. Silly, RL, being all real and getting in the way. :P

I do think that part of the secret to AU is finding a way to work in the necessary elements (of character, backstory, relationship) in a appropriate and fulfilling way. Ratcheting down the drama without losing it entirely.

Character traits are pretty easy, since the Kara and Lee have pretty real life, identifiable issues. Child abuse, distant and difficult relationships with parents and trying to fall in love with the right person instead of the person you spark with but can't imagine a relationship with translate easily.

Maybe the AU situation wouldn't be as intense as war, but that doesn't mean they couldn't or wouldn't entail emotional connections, long hours, etc. Whatever creates the tight quarters, unavoidable UST and dependency between the characters, but that could be long hours in a office or stuck on boat. II don't think it has to be life or death.

In a way AU because an interesting exercise in picking the detail that make not just Lee and Kara tick. Does Zak have to die? In a less heightened reality maybe not. Maybe he and Kara break up amicably or he jilts her, but it still leaves Kara and Lee feeling awkward about a relationship. They date other people to avoid their feelings for each other, but they still work together or have other friends in common.

This is kind of fun. Wish I had time to flush out my whole burgeoning idea. grrr, RL.

[kag523.livejournal.com]

Snapshots: Donatello AU

Kara’s only taking the art history class because she needs three foundations courses in order to complete her breadth distribution before graduation. She hates listening to the droning speakers who’ve never lifted a brush in their lives. Hates sitting in the dim amphitheatre and trying to keep up with someone else’s opinion of what is “good” art. It bothers her... the dull ingrained repetitiveness of it all. The bland indifference that has nothing at all to do with the elements which make her love art the way she does. The aching glory – ugliness or beauty or rage – given voice in the dark.

No, for Kara art is all about the wash of colour on canvas tossed up in a drunken fits of anger. Dark and brooding circles repeating in on themselves. Power. The gloriously lurid smears of graffiti on the train cars near the rat trap apartment where she grew up. ‘Freeze the cans before you sneak out and you can blend them like a Renaissance fresco.’ These illegal “canvases” her first forays into artwork.

But not today.

No, today she sits, her foot kicked up on the chair in front of her, listening to some falsely cultured fool tell her why this particular sculpture of a teenage David caused such a scandal... The claims that the artist had cast it from life. At that Kara snorts with laughter, breaking the silence of the room. The effeminate sculpture of the boy in the straw hat doing nothing to impress her. The professor glares at her, then continues talking, and the class moves on again.

An hour later, she’s walking away from the class, when another student jogs up beside her. Dark hair, blue eyes and the body of an athlete. He’s here at the university on a scholarship – like Kara – and she remembers him from the art history class. ‘Shit disturber,’ is the term that comes to mind. He is always arguing with the prof, giving him questions he cannot answer. ‘But how is the Renaissance patron system any less repressive than the current government supported art centers?’ Kara likes that about him, though the rest of him worries her for some reason. He’s intense, for one; writing his notes in a tight, narrow script. Kara, on the other hand, doesn’t write anything, just ignores most of the prof’s words and BS’s her way through the exams. He’s a sculptor for another, and though his studio is set up four stalls away from her, she doesn’t quite “get” the methodical need to work through a piece of stone. She’s all about the present. Paint and blood and lust. The now.

“I agree with you about Donatello,” the guy says without preamble. He’s frowning. Again the word pops to mind... ‘intense’.

“Yeah?” Kara answers without stopping. “How’s that?”

“It’s overdone, too finished... pretty almost. Can’t frakking stand it.”

Kara laughs loudly this time.

“And how do you really feel about it?”

He laughs with her, and then stops walking, and for some reason she does too. An echo of his movement. They are the only people stopped in the busy hallway, the rest of the world moving on around them. For a second, there is an awkward silence.

“Lee Adama,” he says, reaching out for her hand and shaking it. He has strong hands – sculptor’s hands – she notices.
She smirks at him, wondering what this young, intense young man who shares her dislike of Donatello would think of illegally spray-painting train cars by night. Part of her wants to test her theory.

“I’m Kara Thrace...” she finally answers.

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

*claps*

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Oh. my. frakking. gods. I. love. this.

I WANT MORE. RIGHT NOW. THIS IS YOUR NEW LONG FIC!!! You MUST!!!

Oh, you are the best. <3

[thegreenkitty.livejournal.com]

Spray painting pilots!! The world needs it! Please?

[damao2010.livejournal.com]

This is so great! You need to go on with it! Pretty please!!!!!

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Ha ha. Midnight spraypainting must happen now! <3

[amaliak.livejournal.com]

FANGIRLS HAVE SPOKEN.

SPRAY PAINTING MUST HAPPEN NOW!!!!!!!


This is great. And thank you for summing up my general distaste for art history classes (Simon Schama, I'm not talking about you. I love you. But everyone else can suck it.).

cheers.
--Lex

[eridani8.livejournal.com]

Kara as Banksy is win! There's not a lot of girls out there doing pieces or even stencils, but if any girl was going to, it would definitely be Kara. The more I think about it, the more I can see the great fit between Starbuck and graffiti street art- dodging cops, scaling buildings... perfect!

AU Take 1

[kdbleu.livejournal.com]

Lee Adama takes Kara Thrace, bane of his existence, by the arm and drags her away from the protest and into the alley. He’s rougher than he needs to be, but they have history, and everyone knows it. A blush rises in his cheeks as he thinks about the fact that everyone is staring at them.

“What is your problem, Lee? Do I not rate free speech anymore?” Her eyes flicker gold and green as the afternoon sun mixes with the shadows of the damp alley. Her fist slams into her hip as her illegible protest sign falls to the ground. It hits the edge of a puddle and splashes his pant leg. Lee grimaces before realizing he’s wearing jeans not a suit.

“No, that’s…” He rubs his forehead, trying to figure out how his could get any tenser. Although three come quickly to mind.

First is his younger brother, Zak, who still won’t fess up what happened when he and Kara suddenly broke off their engagement. Lee knows there’s a lot more to the story than anyone is telling him, but he can also think of host of really good reasons why no one would tell him the truth. He reminds himself to watch Kara’s eyes and not the angry heave of her breasts.

Then there’s Sam Anders, Kara’s current flame, a basketball player and lightening rod in the community for funding this opposition rally. Lee’s beginning to think that Sam’s paying to entertain Kara though because the jock endorses three video games only sold in the big box store that will fill in the burned out block across the street.

Lastly, his parents who have managed to put all of their animosity towards each other into the combined effort of supporting his brother, adoring Kara and driving him nuts. He doesn’t even care that they think politics if total folly. At least they leave him alone about it.

Oh, and Dee. He has a girlfriend. A girlfriend with a kid, he still doesn’t know how that happened, but he remembers with a sharp stab to the temple that they’re all, ALL, having dinner later. Dee and Gianna, his dad and step-mom, his mother and her fiancé, Zak and Kara and Sam. His head spins with the horror.

With a shuddering breath, Lee is brought back to the present by a flash of Kara’s hair across his cheek. “I’m on your side, Kara. But the cops have been called and I don’t want you to get arrested.” He grits out.

“I don’t need your help, Lee.” Kara leans down to pick up her sign showing off very well fitting jeans. “I’m dating someone who’s more than happy to bale me out and call attention to the cause.” She smirks as raises her head again. Their eyes catch and hold. It’s uncomfortable for a moment, but better then checking out her ass.

“Just…” He sighs. “For me Kara. For my dad’s dinner tonight. Please.”

“Fine, but next time I get to get arrested.” Her eyes are afire as she stands victoriously.

“By all means, get arrested next time, Kara.” As she walks away he seriously considers banging his head against the brick wall of the alley until he passes out.

Re: AU Take 1

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

INTERESTING!!! Now that's a lot of backstory. I love that you picked up on the politician/protester angle. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Hee. YAY!

Re: AU Take 1

[damao2010.livejournal.com]

Oh... you got me hooked. Please tell me there will be more. :)

Re: AU Take 1

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

Whoo, that's a lot of complications! But this politician/protester match is a good one, it fits well. I can see Kara as an activist and her and Lee coming to heated arguments/blows over a serious issue. Fun stuff.

Re: AU Take 1

[kag523.livejournal.com]

I like all of the spin you've given the characters. Neat idea! (Anders the basketball player made me grin.)

Lumberjacks, just for SFS

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

;)

Re: Lumberjacks, just for SFS

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

YAY!!! Not only lumberjack lee and kara, but a lumberjack baby! Thank you, bb. I am grinning so much!! Eeeeeeeeeeee!

Re: Lumberjacks, just for SFS

[amaliak.livejournal.com]

*dies of laughter*

GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that the kid has a mustache.

[thegreenkitty.livejournal.com]

*raises eyebrows at #2* I am so not writing that. :P

Now, #1, I could write...if only real life weren't keeping me busy. Sigh. Maybe later.

Best friend next door.

[amaliak.livejournal.com]

Kara hugged Lee as tightly as her young arms could.

He was leaving in a few minutes (she's seen Mrs. Adama loading up the last of the boxes in the car), and she didn't know if she'd ever see her best friend again. Mr. and Mrs. Adama had been fighting a lot, and last week Lee had told her about the divorce.

She pulled away from him and gave him the most serious look an eight year old could give. "You're my best friend, Lee."

Lee nodded. "You're my best friend too, Kara."

"So we have to make a pact," she went on. "We're going to be friends forever." She spat in her hand and stuck it out for him to shake. Lee immediately spat in his hand as well and met hers, holding it firmly as they shook on the promise.

There was a car horn from the driveway, and they knew he had to go.

"Bye, Kara Thrace."

"Bye, Lee Adama."

He let go of her hand and ran off to where his mother was waiting. Just before he got into the car, he stopped and waved at her.

She waved back, and as the car drove off, she ran into the middle of the street, watching the car become smaller and smaller until it disappeared.

She angrily rubbed her face of the tears that were falling and started running as fast as she could towards the woods.

**END**

(or is it? should I continue?)

Re: Best friend next door.

[damao2010.livejournal.com]

(or is it? should I continue?)

Yes! Please, yes.

[ninety6tears.livejournal.com]

Not drabbles, just ideas:

Kara is a cop who is required to meet with therapist-Lee.

They are both no-nonsense nurses at a hospital. Even better if they're in a wartime infirmary.

They are both active members of the SOE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Operations_Executive) during WWII.

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Hee. I have a special love for that first one. :D:D

The stranger.

[amaliak.livejournal.com]

He puts out the cigarette in the ash tray beside him and pulls out another, quickly lighting it up.

He kept his back to his typewriter, mockingly holding a blank sheet of paper. His editors were calling three times a day now, since he was overdue with his latest smash novel a week ago.

He couldn't tell them he hadn't even started it yet.

The phone rang again, breaking him out of his reverie. D'anna Biers was used to getting her way, and wouldn't stand for being ignored for much longer. Any minute now she would march herself over here and demand to see his first draft.

Lee put out his cigarette and grabbed his hat and coat. He wasn't going to stick around for when she showed up.

***

He walked along the riverbank, the bright neon lights of the city nearly drowning out the night. He sat down on a bench, crossing his arms against the chill of the night.

All around him, people were bustling back and forth, moving between clubs and restaurants without a care in the world. His mood was dark, and he stood up, walking further away.

That's when he saw her.



He felt captured in her eyes, this stranger with this the enigmatic smile. She was beautiful, inviting him into her world...he didn't want to leave.

He wasn't sure how long her stood there staring at her up on that billboard, but when he snapped to, he rushed back to his apartment.

There was a scrawled note from D'anna taped to his door ("Call me, ASAP!") which he tore down and dropped into the wastebasket. He didn't even bother to take off his coat before he started pounding frantically on this typewriter, the story swirling inside his head, forming a vivid and emotional story, so real it was as if he'd lived it.

Kara Thrace was a woman who would not be tamed.
She broke my heart, and there's no one else in the world that I'd rather give the mended pieces back to...

**END**

Re: The stranger.

[kag523.livejournal.com]

Oh goodness - such a great intro! LOVE THIS! :>)

[amaliak.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Dude. You're really trying to take over my brain, right?

RIGHT???

This is LITERALLY consuming my ENTIRE day.

I don't want to think about what you have planned for tomorrow....

cheers.
--Lex

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

I wish that I had an icon that says "eats brains" because I would totally use it!

I'm thrilled that you have been inspired. I can only hope to finish with a bang. :)

*HUGS*

[(Anonymous)]

Kara Thrace felt most alive when she was flying in her Viper. She loved flying down the open road in her Viper motorcycle, wind in her hair, nothing but road and sky for company. Today she was flying down the road for another reason, because she was late for work. Kara was a waitress at Joe's Bar. Despite the name, Joe's Bar was a bar and restaurant. It was a neighborhood hangout that was known for its lively atmosphere. The atmosphere could get a little rough late at night when many of the patrons had had too much to drink. Kara was excellent at dealing with the customers, friendly at first, but underneath was a woman ready and able to kick their asses if they got out of line and they knew it.

Lee Adama sighed as he looked at the clock on the wall behind the bar in Joe's Bar. It looked like Kara was going to be late to work again. Lee was the bartender and part owner of Joe's Bar. Joe's was named after Lee's grandfather, whom Lee had always admired. Lee heard a motorcycle engine roaring followed by the squealing of brakes as the motorcycle halted suddenly. Then the door flew open and Kara marched in. She was dressed all in black, with a black leather jacket, wearing sunglasses and her helmet. All conversation stopped and all heads turned toward the door when Kara walked in. Lee smiled to himself. Kara sure knew how to make an entrance.

Every night when Kara slept, she dreamed of Vipers. Instead of working as a waitress and riding a Viper motorcycle, she was a pilot, best in the fleet, flying Vipers. Lee was in her dreams too. He was the CAG, Commander of the Air Group, for the Battlestar Galactica, on which she was a Viper pilot, and her immediate supervisor, as he was in her real life. In Kara's dreams she and Lee flew together in battle against the Cylons. In Kara's dreams she wasn't Kara, she was the mighty Starbuck, Top Gun of the Fleet, and Lee was Galactica's CAG and had the callsign Apollo, call sign of the Gods.

Every night when Lee slept, he dreamed of Galactica. He dreamed that he was the CAG, Command of the Air Group, for the Battlestar Galactica. After a long estrangement from his father, Commander William Adama, Lee was serving under him on Galactica. Kara was in his dreams too. She was one of his pilots. Kara was a hotshot pilot, best in the Fleet, but not known for following the rules. In Lee's dreams he was "Captain Lee Adama", "Apollo" to the pilots, and "Captain Apollo" to the President of the 12 Colonies. Lee had tried to correct the President once, telling her that his name was Captain Lee Adama, and his callsign was Apollo, but she had just smiled and said, "Captain Apollo has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Kara was carrying a tray full of dirty dishes into the kitchen and as she passed by the bar, Lee realized he wanted to ask her opinion on staffing for the upcoming private party being held at Joe's. "Starbuck" he called out, without thinking. There was a loud noise of shattering dishes as the tray Kara was holding crashed to the floor when she suddenly let go of it as Lee called to her. She slowly turned and stared at Lee. Lee had called her Starbuck, her name in her dreams. She had never told anyone about her dreams that she was a Viper pilot on Battlestar Galactica. How did he know her callsign? "What did you call me?" Lee realized that he had forgotten the first rule of conversation: Engage brain before putting mouth in gear. He had called her Starbuck, the callsign of her alter ego, the feisty pilot who haunted his dreams, not Kara who was standing right in front of him. "Umm…Kara, sorry, meant to call you Kara, my brain got ahead of me onto another subject." Kara stepped closer to him. "No I think you meant to call me when you said Starbuck", Kara paused, "Apollo". Lee's eyes widened and he stared at her, stunned. "You know?"

[scifishipper.livejournal.com]

Oooh. I love the idea of Kara and Lee dreaming the same kind of dream. And the slip of the tongue - hee! So cool!