Three Sentence Ficathon 2022

[rthstewart]

This post is NOW CLOSED TO NEW PROMPTS!  PLEASE POST YOUR NEW PROMPTS HERE, IN POST 2!  Do continue to fill prompts here but please put all new prompts in Post 2.

 

Welcome to the Three Sentence Ficathon!

Here's a Friending meme!

What is the 3 Sentence Ficathon?
This is an open exchange where you answer a prompt with a fic consisting of only three sentences. It's open to all fandoms and you can post and fill as many prompts as you like, as many times as you want.

What do I do first?
You can start 3SF by posting prompts! When posting a prompt please format it this way:

fandom, character(s), prompt word/sentence.

Only one prompt per comment please. So, for example,

Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi, I don't like sand."

Open ended and anthropomorphic fills are popular too, such as:

Any, Any, "I don't like sand."

or

Earth geography, sand, "I don't like humans very much, either."

What happens after that?
You answer other posters' prompts in three sentences (or more if you can't stop yourself) and fill as many prompts as you want, as many times as you wish. If you see that a prompt you loved has already been filled, go ahead and fill it again! Multiple fills of the same prompt are allowed and even encouraged! (We get really fun stories going this way).

Can I still post if I need more than 3 sentences? Or should I just abuse grammar in ways the English language never contemplated?
Yes. Yes.

But I'm not a member of Dreamwidth
No problem. You can comment anonymously or through open ID

I'm really overwhelmed by all the prompts and how much there is and how fast it goes. I can't read 1,000 prompts and fills. It's too much. 
I hear this a lot and it keeps a lot of people from participating.  The 3SF is big and it moves fast, especially at first.  I get overwhelmed, too, and I'm hosting the thing. With 2020 and 2021 sucking so badly you don't want something that's supposed to be fun cause you anxiety.  I have a couple of suggestions for managing the 3SF volume. 

• First, really, you don't have to read every prompt and fill on every page.  You can start at the last page of this and just go forward, or back a page or two.  It's fine.
  
• You can come and go as time and energy allow, you don't have to participate the whole time, and it drops off quite at bit after about 2 weeks and especially once we open a new post because this one is approaching 4,500 comments.
• Even after the 3SF and new prompting end, people fill prompts all year long.
• You can fill an already filled prompt and you can can leave a prompt that's already been prompted before.  People do it all the time. 

Always make sure you're looking at top-level comments only, not threaded. That helps a lot. Your screen should look like this.




But shouldn't I read everything to see if someone already prompted the same prompt I want to leave if someone already filled it? 
No.  Prompt as many times as you want, as much as you want.  It doesn't matter if someone prompted the exact same prompt.  Go ahead and prompt again!

I left a prompt and no one filled it.  Can I prompt it again?
Absolutely!

Can I spread the word?
Yes, please. I generally fail at creating banners and embed codes but if you create one and make it really idiot-proof, I might be able to post and share it.  Feel free to cross-post this entry. If you create your own banners or icons, let me know and I'll share!
Please share the 3SF with your followers, friends, and any channels and comms you are active on.  I'll post on fandom calendar, Tumblr, and Twitter, but I don't have many connections in other spaces such as Discord.

Here's my attempt at a text box that might go horribly awry.

<br /><a href="https://rthstewart.dreamwidth.org/172142.html" _fcksavedurl="https://rthstewart.dreamwidth.org/172142.html"><img src="https://rthstewart.dreamwidth.org/file/71907.jpg" _fcksavedurl="https://rthstewart.dreamwidth.org/file/71907.jpg" alt="" title="3 Sentence Ficathon 2022 Banner" /></a>




How long will it go?
The 3SF closes to new prompts on February 13, 2022. The entry stays open permanently and people post fills all year long.  (There were a bunch of new posts to the 2021 3SF this week!)

Are there any rules about cross-posting?
Nope, you can post wherever you want, whenever you want. A lot of folks collected their responses together and posted them on AO3 under the 3 sentence fiction tag. 3SFs are a terrific prompt for remixes and could be helpful for Yuletide bears, too.

What about spoilers, content and archive warnings, triggers, pairings, ratings, tags, and squick?

I thought a lot about this. It boils down to reader beware.  In my experience, this typically gets too big, moves too fast, and the stories are too short for content warnings and ratings to even apply. It is too big for me to moderate in this way. You should assume spoilers are fair game and that the initial poster and the responder have opted to use no content warnings or tags. This means AO3 content warnings for dubcon, violence, canon character death, underage, etc. COULD be present (and much more). I've found personally that I can skim and scroll by stuff that, from the prompt, I can tell isn't my favorite flavor of delicious cake. Use your best judgment, protect yourself, and be prepared to skip over things that aren't your thing. In this format, the obligation is on you, the reader, to protect yourself from triggering content.
Some posters do include warnings and spoiler tags or include spoiler space, but they don't have to do so.


Why is 3SF split among several posts?  That seems confusing.
It is confusing and we always lose momentum once we have to move to a second post. The reason is because at 5,000 comments to a single post, DW installs a human test CAPTCHA, which is a pain for users.  So, once this entry gets to the upper 4,000 comments, I open a new post.  If you've been waiting until things slow down to participate, when we open a second post is often a good place to join.

If I have questions, what do I do?
I'm rthstewart everywhere, here, Twitter, Tumblr, gmail and AO3.

A special thank you to conuly  .
Last year, Conuly started logging all unfilled prompts.
This year's (2021) unfilled prompts are here.
Last year's (2020) unfilled prompts are here.

Conuly asks that you not reply, as they want to be able to edit and add more prompts to the list.

 

Here, have some icons and banners and let me know if you've created your own!



      

Comments

[paxilam]

any, any, a phone that keeps ringing

Umineko, Natsuhi and the cousins

[ernest]

Should we really have forced – even become a demon to protect – I trust the police – this isn’t justice – we gave up the right to be – I don’t trust – when the seagulls cry – guys, please stop fighting – mom, if it were me would you have – this is what the witch wants, she –

The shrill cry of the telephone cuts through the circle of their discord and they all look at each other helplessly, a lump of fear in their collective throat – the phone lines were supposed to be down because of the storm. Another surge of squabbling threatens to rise up in the face of this new development that must be a trap, and still that horrible machine continues to ring, so as the only living adult left, Natsuhi takes responsibility and picks up the receiver.

[alexseanchai]

Miraculous Ladybug, Adrien/Kagami/Marinette, dragon-slaying

Speechless

[silveradept]

"They can be reasoned with, bargained with, and even, the very boldest might try to use cunning, trickery, or diplomacy to…" Kagami trailed off as Adrien and Marinette opened the box they were carrying, displaying three silver rings, each of them ornate dragons with a pearl in their front claws.

At Kagami's continued silence as she worked through the implications of the gift and the offer that came with it, Adrien turned to Marinette and said, "Guess we did slay a dragon after all."

[alexseanchai]

Miraculous Ladybug, Adrien/Luka/Marinette, snake charmer

[alexseanchai]

Miraculous Ladybug, whichever flavor of love square, a cat may look at a king, or in this case a queen

[raisedbymoogles]

FF7, Aeris & Turks, drinking contest

[raisedbymoogles]

When Tseng returned from making his report to the President, he expected to find Reno and Rude present-and-correct for their next assignment and Aeris safely locked away in a Science Department holding cell. What he found was Reno snoring on the sofa, Rude resting his head on the table with a decent straight flush slipping out of his hands, and Aeris smugly pouring herself a full glass of Tseng's best bourbon. Judging by the flushed cheeks, it wasn't her first, but the fact that she was the only one still upright spoke to either a potential drinking habit or some heretofore undiscovered quirk of Ancient physiology.

He communicated the question to her with a silent, heartfelt ...how? gesture, to which she smirked over her glass. "Guess you'll just have to ask the good Professor after he dissects me, won't you?"

[primeideal]

Dune (books and/or 2021 movie), Liet Kynes, no gods, no masters

[primeideal]

Dune books / Star Wars sequels, Alia & or / Rey, desert children

[primeideal]

Wheel of Time, Tam al'Thor, shepherd

[primeideal]

Lupin, Assane & or / Guedira, meet-cute

Meet-cute (Lupin, Assane+Guedira).

[theseatheseatheopensea]

After spilling ink on himself, getting an enormous load of (always important, always urgent) paperwork from Laugier, and turning his desk (and half of Belkacem's) upside down to unsuccessfully try to find his missing watch, Guedira had to admit to himself that this was shaping up to be a bad day... however, he decided to make the best of things, and after asking Belkacem if she'd like some too, he went over to their usual place, just around the corner from the station, and ordered a much-deserved cup of coffee. Just as he was walking out, a man bumped into him--as he apologised, he gave Guedira a friendly wink, and then said "Nice watch". Surprised (and blushing a bit, in spite of himself), Guedira looked down--there was his watch, inexplicably, almost miraculously, on his wrist again... and when he looked up again, the man was gone.

[raisedbymoogles]

TMNT, Splinter, getting to socialize with fellow grownups

TMNT 2k3; It's Just Dust in My Eye

[sideways]

It is the machine Donatello has no interest in, the enemy Raphael does not wish to fight, the accomplishment Michelangelo sees no boast in, and the challenge even Leonardo strives towards only through passionless duty.

It is one of many small distances in Splinter's life (necessary, if at times... wearying, to hold these fears and desires alone, to have no comfort in sibling or peer) - until a flight through a sewer, a reckless rescue, and the introduction of April O'Neil.

"Literally halved the time I spend cleaning," she enthuses as he draws the purring machine across the rug, kneels to reverently run a paw across the bright, clean fibres left in its wake, "and the triangular head is great for getting in corners; my mom thinks the pet hair attachment is overkill, but hey, I shed too, and not having to unclog the filter every fifteen minutes is so worth it - Master Splinter? Are you okay?"

[(Anonymous)]

Alvin and the Chipmunks (cartoon), Dave, coming out to the boys and(/or) meeting Dave's boyfriend

[raisedbymoogles]

TMNT/Kingdom Hearts, any, born in darkness

Riku and Splinter, I'm Not Afraid of the Dark

[silveradept]

"I admit, Master Splinter, I had thought I was the only one who had given themselves over to the Darkness so thoroughly and yet served the Light."

"The way of ninjitsu is the way of deception, Master Riku," the humanoid rat said as the four humanoid turtles practiced their kata, "and those who study it must be able to cloak themselves in whatever is convenient to proceed in their mission. It may be easier for them to walk the path of darkness, but, as you well know, the choices were make earlier in our lives do not fully define us."

[(Anonymous)]

Doctor Who, any companion, meeting the wrong Doctor

[nasimwrites]

River bursts into the restaurant half an hour late, and although she knows her Doctor most likely got distracted by some of the other patrons' interesting stories and won't hold it against her, she's still feeling a bit guilty. It's their anniversary, after all.

"Sorry, sweetie," she exclaims breathlessly as she falls into the seat at their table. "I got held up by a murder of--"

But the man across from her does not give her a knowing look or lean forward to kiss her. Rather, he looks at her with a mix of confusion and glee. "Sweetie? Never been called that before," he says. "With whom do I have the pleasure?"

River curses. She must have been later than she thought. Standing up, she passes the Ninth Doctor, giving his head a little pat. "Still needs marinating," she says with a wink, and heads out.

[raisedbymoogles]

Breath of the Wild, Yiga Clan, just because we're an apocalyptic death cult doesn't mean we can't have fun!

[fireburnbright]

"I heard the Champion runs wild through the jungle -" one of them starts to whisper hidden under layers of cloth and straw and pretending the lumps of his body are just more of the goods in the merchant's cart; he isn't allowed to finish - the others interrupt with mocking hisses.

"Oh we've all heard about that, that's the only reason we're out and about," the lucky one mocks; she'd drawn the long straw, got to be the false merchant rather than the false goods, "You need a better story than that to win!"

"You didn't let me finish," he complains, and then rushes on, "I heard the Champion runs wild through the jungle in his skivvies - one of the teams up there said they even saw the bits flapping in the wind!"

[raisedbymoogles]

TMNT, any, Victorian/steampunk AU

[raisedbymoogles]

April O'Neil, intrepid reporter for the London Caller, swung the brick wildly - only for it to be intercepted by her attacker and knocked away as easily as flicking off a bit of soot. The menacing creature laughed and reached out for her with fingertips that ended in cold, sharp metal claws.

Those fingertips jerked back when something small and sharp flipped through the air and knocked the phantasm's hat right off his head. "This way!" a much friendlier voice called, and April wasted no time bolting to safety after her mysterious, shadowy rescuer.

(Spring-heeled Jack, ftr)

[raisedbymoogles]

Ace Attorney/Legally Blonde, any, chip on my shoulder

[raisedbymoogles]

Ace Attorney/Legally Blonde, any, God I love shopping for men!

[raisedbymoogles]

any, any, collecting jewels that catch your eye / don't let a soulmate pass you by

Androgyny - Garbage

Naruto Founders, Itama/Hikaku

[dawen]

Itama had always had an eye for shiny things; it got him his father's favor when they were bright, well-polished weapons and his ire when they were useless baubles - it got him exasperation from his entire family (well, not from Hashirama-nii - he simply laughed uproariously) when he got each of his piercings, gleaming metal threaded through his earlobe and ear cartilage, even his lip and eyebrow.

The first thing that caught his eye when he met a new person was whatever jewelry they happened to be wearing, the lure of Shiny irrestistable, and it was this that made Uchiha Hikaku stand out to him: the only visible flash of metal among trigger-happy shinobi at a tense peace meeting - where visible weapons were, ah, strongly discoraged - adorning the older man's shoulder.

They didn't talk to each other for another few weeks of negotiations - too on edge, better to let Hashirama-nii and Uchiha Madara handle the bulk of it - but when they did, Itama found a quiet, understated man, easy to overlook in the wake of his clan leaders, but a sense of humor as sharp as a senbon and a sense of duty as strong as bedrock; it might have been the shine of his chains that first caught Itama's eye, but it was Hikaku himself that made him fall in love.

[raisedbymoogles]

any, any, and all of us who dare to love are brave

Neptune - SJ Tucker

Revolutionary Girl Utena, Juri/Shiori

[last_haven]

To forgive is divine, but like miracles, Juri doesn't believe in divinity in a theological sense. Courage is majestic and fraught, betraying her whether she walks to love or away from it--not exactly what she'd call saintly. Courage fails her, but fear is just as trying, so she makes a decision not to run.

Taking Shiori's hand doesn't feel like heaven, but it's the most alive she's felt in years. It'll have to be enough.

[raisedbymoogles]

Frozen II, Elsa/any, the avatar of nature's balance is an awkward turtle on dates

Elsa+Kristoff/Anna

[last_haven]

"-and we will meet at the southern gate in forty minutes, so I need to make sure that I leave in ten minutes. We planned to go to the stall selling mulled cider first-"

"Elsa," Anna laughs, "this is the fourth time you've gone over this. You'll be fine!"

"Oh? Oh, yes, probably--I just to be prepared for--Oh! Where are those mints? I don't want bad breath-"

Kristoff blinks, looking away from where the ice has slowly covered the entire window in carefully symmetrical designs to the pacing woman before them. "Do you really need the mints? Unless you're planning on kissing, I guess."

For a moment, Elsa goes stock still. Then all the ice in the room melts instantly, soaking the carpets. The former queen can only gasp in horror as her blushing face pales. "My shoes-!"

Anna glares and smacks his shoulder. He can only shrug and mutter "whoops."

[be_themoon]

Alex Rider, Alex, sorrow's my body on the waves / i live in a city sorrow built

[be_themoon]

Battlestar Galactica, Kara/Lee, if you love / bury it deep

BSG Kara/Lee, it's braver sometimes just to run

[snacky]

She closes her eyes, and she pictures a life with Lee.

She thinks she knows what that life will look like, knows the different Kara she will have to be if she ties herself to Lee Adama, body and soul (never mind that they've been tied together since the day they met, never mind that he's always first in her heart and mind, never mind that she can't bury these feelings, no matter how often and how hard she tries), and she thinks, I will ruin us both.

So the next morning, after she finds Sam (who loves her because, not in spite of) and he laughs as he pulls her into his arms, she asks him to marry her.

[be_themoon]

Rogue One, Jyn/Cassian, And you must bear your neighbors burden within reason / And your labors will be borne when all is done, and nobody nobody knows

[kaminagi]

When he hears his door slide open, Cassian snaps up, despite knowing it could only be Jyn.

In the faint light, he sees her bleary eyes as she crawls into his bed, too tired to fight sleep and the accompanying nightmares of blinding light and sand any longer.

"Just tonight," Jyn murmurs to him, and he closes his arms around her as she settles, hoping she'll realize she can have every night, as long as she wishes.

[be_themoon]

Wheel of Time, Lan/Nynaeve, you say too late to start / got your heart in a headlock

Wheel of Time, Lan/Nynaeve, i don't believe any of it

[snacky]

She can list so many reasons that there is no future in this, and "the world is about to end" is not even the top.

But Nynaeve cannot believe one of those reasons, not when Lan is next to her, not when his arms are around, not when her cheeks are wet with tears as he tells her goodbye.

She may not be able to see the future, but she is Wisdom, and she knows her heart.

[be_themoon]

Old Guard, Nicky/Joe, this many years and the quiet moments still matter