The FAQ says, "If you request multiple characters, the assigned writer must include all of those characters in the fanwork, in some way, unless otherwise noted under your optional details."

So just to be clear, I can request a bunch of characters, and then just state in the optional details that I don't need them all to appear in the same fic? And then they are not obligated to listen since optional details are optional, and they could decide to go ahead and include everybody I mentioned, right?

So if I like say... one particular pair of characters together, or another, the only way for me to be sure I'd get them for that fandom would be to ask only for them?

Example: if in the Arrow fandom I'd either like a story with Oliver and his mother OR Oliver and his best friend, I have to just pick the two I like most. Because if I list all the characters, they could choose to create an ensemble piece instead, right?

Or am I misunderstanding this whole thing?