It's the dog days of summer, which means it's time to provide some distraction from the heat with another type of sizzle. In other words, time for another fic challenge!

Now I know that many of you are still working on the crossover challenge and some (like me...) might still be working on the random scenarios challenge, but there's no deadline for submission, so I hope you'll all feel free to take part in this one as well. And it's a (relatively) quick challenge, so even better, right?

The challenge is simple: pick a character, any character, and explore his/her relationships or loves through seven drabbles, one in each of these categories:

• Platonic/family love
• First love
• One-sided love
• Romantic love
• Intense/lustful love
• Doomed/tragic love
• True, but not necessarily perfect love

It can a different ship for each drabble or it can be the evolution of the same ship through these categories. It doesn't even need to be another character involved; it can also be an object or a concept (ex. Sybil's love of politics, Edith's love of beauty, etc.). Feel free to mix up the order of the categories and to be creative in your interpretation. (Want to write fluff for doomed/tragic love? Go for it!) Basically, it's all very much up to you! The drabble length is flexible as well, though I'd suggest aiming for 100-300 words for each.

You can choose your character or, if you prefer, choose a number and I'll assign you one at random. 1-19 for main characters, 20-35 for minor characters. (Just be warned that minor characters basically include all named supporting characters from Mrs. Drake to Evelyn Napier.)

So, if you're interested in participating, let us know below and tell us who you're planning to write or give me your number. Repeats of a character are certainly welcome! I'm hoping we'll get enough people to write that we'll have all 19 main characters covered. (Come on, everyone needs a bit of love!)

As always, don't hesitate to PM me with questions. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

(P.S. Sorry for the mixed metaphors; I write oddly when tired! Also, the idea is borrowed via my sister from the Hetalia kink meme, which I'm not linking to since, as the name suggests, it may not be safe for work.)

Even though I did kind of abandon the first one after drafting it once, and forget all about the second, I'd love to sign up for this! :D

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot to specify. Well, no surprises really, I'll be writing the seven loves of John Bates.

This challenge sounds interesting, I'm definitely planning to participate. :)

Oh god yes.

Can I play twice? I'm rather eager to tackle this with Cora/O'Brien, but I'd also like to try my luck at a random character, soooo...hit me with #5.

Hehehehe, I love this and I shall leave the Corah kudos to Bexy so give me....erm.... #9 and #whateverVerais...erm...or I shall play nice and have #27.

I am absolutely terrible responding to challenges so I'm going to snag Mary as then there's actually a chance then I might write it because this does look interesting! However, if other people want to do her as well (no, not you, Matthew, that was a bad choice of words!) I'm sure there's room for more than one interpretation of the prompts.

(I can't help feeling rather guilty for basically appropriating Mary as my own at every possible opportunity. Nobody's called me out on it yet, but I wouldn't want someone to be kicking their heels in disappointment!)

Yay for people playing! :)

Ruth, I can't wait to see your interpretation of Bates!

Vero, I'm so glad you'll be participating! You probably have someone in mind, but let me know if you need someone random.

Bex, you can play as many times as you want! #5 is Anna. Can't wait to see where you take her!

Hehe, Scarlet, #9 happens to be Robert. And #27 is Vera (really!) so you're obviously meant to write her!

Rose, Mary definitely needs some love, so I hope you do write her! And more than one person taking on the same character is definitely welcome, so no worries about "claiming" her. :)

As for me, I think I'm going to play and challenge myself by writing Gwen since I've never given her much thought at all.

Claiming Mrs. P.

I REALLY wish the press pack would have informed us of her first name. Any guesses?

This sounds like great fun so I'm in with Tom. :)

This sounds like fun, I wish to write Daisy :) (I never done her before but I'll give it my best shot!) :D

Grace and Ale, I'm thrilled you're both getting involved. Hope you have lots of fun with Tom and Daisy! :)

And Mei, I'm so glad Mrs. Patmore's getting some love. No idea what her first name should be, but I don't think it should be very traditional though it hopefully sounds intimidating.

Given there's been a bit of girl-girl fanfiction happening with Cora/O'Brien and occasionally Anna/Gwen/Sybil, I think it's about time someone had a go at Mary/Lavinia. After all, why should Matthew have to choose? They could be early adopters of a polyamorous life :blink:

Hehe, Sara, I was just joking about Mary/Lavinia with someone earlier! You mentioned Matthew shouldn't have to choose and I think Mary and Lavinia shouldn't need to either. It should definitely be explored... Are you volunteering to write this for us? *looks hopeful* :)

I'm going to join in too!

Can I please use Anna as well? I know she's already been dished out, but I'd rather like to write hers as well! :)

Yay, Nina! I was hoping you would play! :)

And of course. I'm sure Anna wouldn't mind having a little (or a lot) more love.

I'm going to do it twice..once with Louis so I can write a broader spectrum of him because I haven't really developed him much, and one random number!

I'm going to go with...#13 :3

Louis, so good to have you on board! (And you too, Ellie!)

Hehe, #13 is Thomas! Try not to wear him and Louis out toooooo much, if you can! :)

ehehehe~
i'll do my best ;3

Can I do it twice please? I haven't finished the other challenge yet but this one sounds so fun!

I'd like Edith, because I loffles her, and random number 21, if it's not taken already.

Of course you can do it however many times you like! You have drawn Mrs. Bird with #21. I'm so glad you're participating and can't wait to see what fabulous drabbles you come up with for her an Edith!

Hey, I know i'm new to this but can i do one for Sybil, if she's not taken? Do we just post it on fanfic? Thanks :)

I'm so glad you're joining in, Maxine, and of course you can write Sybil! As far as I know, no one is working on drabbles for her, though you would certainly be welcome to explore her loves even if someone were!

We have a thread for prompt fills and it would be lovely if you wouldn't mind dropping your finished drabbles in there so everyone on the board can enjoy them. You are certainly welcome to also post to fanfiction.net and wherever else you'd like.

Hope you have fun writing! :)

I've already started one for Elsie and I'm going to do Isobel as well, if that's ok.

Absolutely! Really happy you're taking part and hope you have a great time writing both these fearsome and fantastic ladies. I loved your first drabble about Elsie! :)

If it's alright, now I've finished Anna's, I'd like to have a go at Molesley? Hope that's alright with everyone!

Molesley needs some love! :D

I know I haven't finished Mrs Bird, but I like having two to work on at the same time, so could I have minor character #34 as well? Thank you! :D

Oh Nina, I'm so glad Molesley is going to get some love! (Maybe we'll even see some Anna/Molesley...?)

And Hattie, #34 is John Drake or Mrs. Drake. (I figured since they are such minor characters, I'd give people the option between them.) Hope you have fun playing with them!

In case anyone is wondering, main characters still looking for love are:

• Matthew
• Violet
• O'Brien
• William

Repeats of course are welcome so no worries if your favorite's been written by someone else and lots of secondary characters also could use some lovin'!

I'd like to write some for Thomas if I may.

Absolutely! I can't wait to see what you come up with for Thomas. :)

I'll take a go with O'B and more than likely I'll work on my OC's for this too.... once I finish my challenges.

I'm surprised nobody's written anything for Matthew yet. I'll take on that challenge, if that's alright! :)

Rosalinde, I'm so glad you'll be writing O'Brien for this challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with for her!

And jadeandlilac, I'm also really surprised that poor Matthew hasn't gotten any love yet, but I'm so glad you're interested. Please do take on the challenge! I'm really looking forward to seeing your drabbles.

I guess this just leaves Violet and William... Any takers? :)