#“imagine a whump panel in a con haha wouldn't that be something”

[haich-slash-cee]

Check out what what I came across!

(image: three cards with fanfic tropes, including "Whump")

For context - this was a set of fic tropes as playing cards, displayed by outreach volunteers at a table promoting the OTW or Organization for Transformative Works. OTW runs AO3 or Archive of Our Own and Transformative Works and Cultures and other projects. You can get the card set if you donate $100 dollar to the org (link).

So of course, I ask if there's a hurt/comfort card.

(Image: a card indeed highlighting "Hurt/Comfort")

Yes!

Meanwhile, the outreach person (who does volunteer tagging on AO3 I believe) takes in how I am snapping photos with glee. And remarks, "I can see what kind of stories you like to write."

And then, the outreach person shuffles through the card deck, and delicately slides this card (below) over to me. While murmuring, "I believe this may also appeal to you."

(image: card showcasing "Major Character Death")

Well see the thing is, I actually don't enjoy this trope. As a friend remarked later about hurt/comfort affinities - it's a very specific lane, you see. However, I took a photo, since I know people who probably do like this trope a lot, and we look out for our friends. Just like the outreach person at the table was looking out for me (or trying to).

I also went "ooh" when I saw the "Fix-it" card and asked for the "Fluff" card as well. The outreach person seemed surprised about my enthusiasm for Fluff. We had a nice little discussion about how the secret ingredient for Fluff is actually a sprinkle of Hurt/Comfort. It's as essential as adding a pinch of salt to cookies - it really brings out the flavors and highlights the sweetness. (The continuum of hurt/comfort to fluff really should be highlighted more IMO.)

Anyway, here's all the cards mentioned as a spread:

(Also I was merrily chattering with the outreach person about early Get 'em Star Trek fics and how I looked up essays on OTW for whump and hurt/comfort info.... When I realized, "Oh. I am three steps away from formally submitting a proposal to a convention about running a hurt/comfort and whump theme panel. Hm.")