my cool bits

[jinian]

rachelmanija: "What are your cool bits? What are the themes and stories and images and moments that you love to see?"

Marith's "magic that costs", definitely. Sex that's good for the participants but makes me uncomfortable. Joy in craft. Nonstandard bonds between people, especially in multi-adult chosen families but also, say, among the hwarhath, or in political marriages. Genderfuck. Snark. Acceptance of queerness. Food porn. Boys with glasses and ponytails (or blue hair). Girls with wings. Subtle wordplay.

Unresolved sexual tension -- no, don't resolve it! ever! -- and doomed love -- no, not love overcoming doom, doomed love!

Dealing with consequences. Romances in which the protagonists are OF a culture other than mine, not just in it.