#''No I'm not a vampire. I don't sleep in a coffin. I don't become a bat. I don't CARE what rumors you hear. If you call me one I will-

[highlifeboat]

I find idea of Alcina being protagonist in swap so funny.

Like she's surrounded by all these aggressive mutant people, who try to kill her... But she also quite literally towers over every last one of them.

Like, Mia tries to act this scary bisexual vampire lady... And Alcina just crouches down to be on her level 🤣🤣

I like this notion that she's still tall as hell.

Cause like, the Cadou is what makes her Big Lady. So I guess the mold could, too. But I like to imagine her as like... just above average height. She's like 6'4. Still tall, but not that like "Oh she built like a TREE" type tall.

She's just naturally tall. The fact that most of the villains are 6'0 and shorter while in human form is a skill issue on their end tbh.

[ghost-proofbaby]

It's summer for you, winter for me. Warm me up with strawberry fluff! As always, my muse, your muse, the one and only, Eddie.

Midsummer's night, because I don't have a lot to inspire you with. I'm thinking something cute but weird? Maybe some human body softness where Eddie is a bit of a freak and we love him for it. And we're told our bodies are lovely, even when they're doing weird shit.

I lalalove youuuuu. xo Rhi

RHI!!!! <3 i adore you. thank you for this prompt - i had far too many ideas for it, but ended up on settling for this one, which coincidentally feels like the most subtle of them all? either way, it definitely turned out being the softest. give me an eddie munson who just wants to sniff me like a dog. this definitely got a bit long but i hope you enjoy, my dear <3

the smell of you

warnings: weirdos in love? idk. i have a skewed sense of what is actually weird i think. mentions of death and coffins jokingly. eddie 'manhandles' reader sort of. not edited.

wc: 2.2k+

come enjoy a sweet summer treat with me <3

“Eddie?”

The entire apartment is quiet – too quiet – as you drop your keys into the old crystal bowl on the counter. The clink resonates through the air, louder than the soft murmur of the stereo static you can hear from down the hall. 

“You dead?” you call out again, slipping off your running shoes and tossing down your headphones onto the counter as well now, “Do I need to call the coroner?” 

Your tone is lilted, teasing with airiness as you continue to wander deeper into the apartment and head straight for the room you know Eddie has to be in. Like the waves pulled by the moon, there’s an incessant string tied around one end of your soul that connects you to his, and you follow it all the way down the hallway. The bedroom door is wide open, and you can hear his mumbled yell of a response without clarity before you even cross the threshold. 

You wouldn’t have even needed him to verbally respond to find him in this tiny apartment. You two could get separated on the streets of a bustling city, of a buzzing New York sidewalk, and you still wouldn’t properly lose him. It’s more than just soul ties and his gravity that keeps you pulled to him. 

Something unspoken. Something homely. 

“Sorry, what was that?” you hum as you spy him face-down in the bed, pillow muting him by the mouthful, “Say it one more time, and this time not into the pillow.” 

When he finally properly turns over, he’s a vision. Sleep lines folded into his skin and a bit of drool in the corner of his mouth, eyes squinting in irritation not at you but the sunlight flooding in through the bedroom window. Messy hair, messy shirt, messy everything. A kind of mess you just want to collapse into currently, curling up in all that he is from the day’s exhaustion. 

He’d mentioned wanting to take a nap before you’d left for the gym. Something about the summer heat draining him, trailing off as he’d rambled about how he’d probably thrive as a vampire. 

“I said,” he huffs, sitting up, the frizz of his hair becoming a makeshift halo, “If you call the coroner, request the comfiest coffin possible.”

“Why do you need a comfy coffin if you’re already dead?” 

“You dare deny me of being buried in tempurpedic memory foam? In my hour of need?” 

You roll your eyes as you huff out a little laugh, forcing yourself to turn away from him long enough to strip out of your socks. But just as you reach down for the pieces of clothing, you catch sight of the source of that stereo static flooding the room. 

Your shared record player, spinning a blood red pressing of one of your more recent vinyl purchases. The album has been played through, but the player no longer had an automatic stop mechanism, probably from years of use. 

The center of the record is probably scratched, and Eddie knows it, from how sheepish he looks when you glance over your shoulder at him. 

“Speaking of death,” you walk over quickly, purposefully, before carefully lifting the needle and cutting the static finally, “Care to explain why you’re burning scratches into my Momento Mori vinyl?” 

“I’m sorry,” he quickly apologizes, nearly flinging himself off the bed as he scooches quickly to the end, clearly fully awake now, “I put it on and thought I’d just lay down for a quick second, but then the bed was so comfy, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick nap, and then…” he trails off, looking up at you through his lashes with big eyes already pleading for forgiveness, “I’ll buy you a new one. Swear it.” 

It’s impossible to be mad at him when he’s looking like this, inhumanely soft and easily forgiven, “You’re lucky you’re cute, or you really would be dead.” 

He doesn’t respond with words, but instead the outstretch of his hands, fingers flexing as he beckons to you. The needle rests on its perch, the vinyl left behind to gather dust for a few extra moments, as you go straight to him. 

When his palms slip beneath your old t-shirt and meet your skin, they’re pleasantly warm. 

“You were right,” you admit as his knees spread, delegating even more room for you to stand in front of him as your hand wanders to cradle the side of his face, fingers tangling in sweaty curls from his rest. Your thumb mimics his on your own skin instinctively, tracing a large arch right up over his cheekbone, “It’s hot as balls outside.” 

“Told you so,” he murmurs, smiling softly in satisfaction as he leans lazily into your touch. 

“You did,” you agree quietly, half-entranced by his relaxed face, no sight of pride in the room currently. 

He resembles a cat as he continues to preen under your gentle hand, and you almost expect him to start purring right before you find the strength to pull away, removing his hands from where they'd wandered to your lower back. 

One swipe of his finger along your sweaty spine, and you’d remembered what your original intentions had been immediately upon getting home. 

“Wai- Where are you going?” he’s seemingly brought back down to Earth the moment he loses the pattern your thumb had been tracing, the press of your fingertips into his scalp. When he reaches back out to latch onto you again, you take a step back, “Get back here-”

“I need to shower,” you laugh, shaking your head and smacking his hands away as he continues to barter, “I’m all sweaty and smelly, let me go clean up and then we can nap togeth-” 

“You can shower after we nap,” he nearly whines, finally catching your shirt between his fingers and tugging, uncaring for if he stretches the fabric. A small price to pay to have you close to him, “C’mon, sweetheart. I know you’re just as exhausted as I am.” 

You swear you meant to take another step backwards, but somehow, you end up back between his knees, “Did you not hear me, Munson? I stink.”

“Good.” 

He doesn’t give you any time to react – in an instant, he’s throwing his face forward, burying it against your stomach as you let out a gasp and immediately try to pry him away with far too gentle of hands in his hair. 

“Eddie!”

If it were anyone else, you’d probably be mortified. But Eddie just takes a dramatic deep breath in, nose buried just shy of your belly button, and when his shoulders start to shake with muted laughter, you can’t stop the smile from breaking. Your fingers are still twisted in his hair, still pulling back in an attempt to get him away from you, but he’s resilient. 

And all your faux resistance is weak in comparison. Soon enough, you’re back to melting into him. 

Only once you’re relaxed once more, no sign of trying to pull away again any time soon as his hands once more evade the space beneath your shirt to wander up and down your sticky skin without a care in the world, does he lift his face away from you long enough to breathe and speak, “I’ll have you know – I love your stink.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious.” 

“You’re an idiot.” 

“I’m your idiot.” 

The game of banter is cut short when he goes back to pressing his nose into your clothes that surely can’t smell good. No amount of deodorant or perfume could erase that underlying stench of sweat. Hell, the shirt is still a bit moist from it all: from the walk to the gym, from your workout itself, from the walk home. It’d been through the ringer, and you’re back to tugging him away from you. 

“I refuse to believe you like how gross I smell right now,” you reinforce, eyes darting towards the bathroom connected to your master bedroom, “I promise I’ll be quick with the shower.” 

“Baby,” he fights back, wrapping his arms around you securely, no intention of losing this battle, “You remember that time we went to the fair, and you were complaining about how you were sweating, so I tried to lick your face?” 

Your nose scrunches quickly at the memory, “I do, unfortunately.”

“You really think I’d be willing to lick the sweat off your body but be afraid of you smelling a little bad while we cuddle?” his shoulders drop as he looks up at you, head tilted, almost as if amused with the conversation, “What kind of man do you take me for?” 

“The kind that gets off on annoying me.” 

His jaw drops, putting on a fake look of offense before he dramatically throws himself back onto the bed, laying flat as he makes a fist to mimic stabbing his chest, “You wound me.”

You’ve heard those words a thousand times in a hundred different ridiculous voices. You’ve seen this scene enough to have it mesmerized at this point, down to the over-exaggerated pout of his lips and the lingering of the fist against his sternum. 

You never grow tired of it. You never will. 

“Need me to kiss it better?” you joke as you prop a knee up on the bed, following the same script as always. 

And he hits his queue perfectly when he lifts his head eagerly at the expected response, wiggling his brows a bit. “Absolutely. Doctor’s orders, in fact.” 

“Great,” you see an opportunity, and take it, “I’ll get right to it, after my showe-” 

You don’t even get the final syllable of the word off your tongue before he’s clenching his thighs around your own, knees pressing hard before he wraps his legs the rest of the way around your waist to pull you in. A squeak of surprise leaves your lips as you begin to fall forward, but Eddie is quick to break the fall with ease. Catching you with his eager hands, maneuvering for you to half drop to the mattress while some of you still lands atop of him. 

He has you right where he wants you, turning his head to be face to face with you, noses nearly brushing, “Unfortunately, the doc said you have to kiss it better now, or else you’ll be comfy coffin shopping.” 

“A fatal wound?” you gasp, nearly mocking him. It doesn’t offend him – if anything, his boyish grin only grows wider, “First, I’m smelly-”

“Again, I like when you’re smelly.”

“-And then I inflict a fatal wound upon my lover? Oh, how dare I.”

Slowly, all your insecurity of how you currently smell is simply fading. The entire ordeal has become an art of childlike, whimsical jokes – and Eddie is an artist. A professional at the dance, locked and loaded with his incomparable skill set equipped for disarming you this way. The ability to make someone feel loved, imperfections and weirdness aside. 

He likes you, even when you claim you don’t smell your best. And you like him, even when his hair is tangled beyond recognition and one of his socks is half-hanging off his foot from a nap.

You like him when he’s embarrassing you in public, tongue chasing after you with the threat of licking your sweat away, and he likes you when all you can do in response is a weak palm to his chest (that isn’t even making an effort to push him away) as you giggle relentlessly. 

You like each other on the good days, the bad days, the weird days. 

Disarmed entirely, you don’t even notice when his face conveniently slots itself far too close to your armpit as you two scooch further up into the bed. You’re more occupied with the way your legs tangle up, toeing each other’s socks off properly as he slings a heavy arm across your torso. 

“We’re gonna have to wash the sheets,” you mumble, exhaustion catching up as the two of you finally settle. 

He hums absentmindedly, nuzzling into your skin a bit further as he makes himself comfortable. “And wash away your sweet, sweet stink? I don’t think so, sweetheart.” 

“Oh, fuck off,” you laugh, unbothered as your fingers start to trail up and down his back over the t-shirt, smoothing out wrinkles along the way, “I’m serious. We need to change them soon anyways, I think I got crumbs in the bed the other night with those crackers.” 

“Bury me in the crumbs of all your midnight snacks,” he almost slurs, clearly drifting back off. 

You snort in response, relaxing and letting your own eyes shut. Matching all your deep breaths with his own, a million different last words crossing your mind to whisper to the boy you’re sure is once again asleep. 

I love you.

I adore you. 

I would like to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll have me. 

And maybe some of those unspoken thoughts slip out without you realizing, because he squeezes you just a little bit tighter, presses his face just a little bit deeper into your skin as his scruff tickles you. 

The only actual thought you can know for certain that you say, though, is, “Do you think they actually make coffins with memory foam inside?” 

To your surprise, even despite the almost-snores that had been escaping him, he answers in a heartbeat. 

“Oh, definitely. We’ll order two.”

[lostbetweenvampiresandmusic]

Can I request a Marko x fem reader with the vampire promptlist 6 + 8 please

6. "So are we talking Dracula, 30 days of night, what we do in the shadows? What kind of vamp are you?"

8. "Why do you care so much whether I turn into a bat or not?"

Thanks for requesting! I hope you like this💜

-----------------------

When my boyfriend told me that he needed to talk to me, there were many things that came to mind. Maybe he wanted to take me out on a weekend trip, so he would need to know when I'd be free. Or maybe he wanted to talk about taking the next step in our relationship. Or, perhaps, he wanted to tell me that he absolutely despised my cooking and "would you just please stop refusing to go out to eat?" Maybe he wanted to tell me that he didn't like that I felt awkward around his friends. Maybe he wanted to tell me that the amount of clothes I'd borrowed from him had definitely gotten out of hand. Or maybe he wanted to tell me that the amount of stuff I'd just left behind in his room at the cave has become too much... or maybe, I thought as I poured myself some tea, maybe this was it. Maybe he found someone else, someone different, someone-

"Baby, look at me." He turned me, holding my shoulders. I hadn't noticed how my breath had picked up, how I had slowly begun to panic. "I don't know what you're thinking right now, but I can figure that it's something along the lines of a breakup?"

I nodded. "What you want to tell me is good news, then?"

Marko shrugged. "It has nothing to do with you. But let's decide whether it's good or not after I'm done telling you." He took my hand, taking me back to the living room. He looked at me, hesitating before opening his mouth.

"I'm a vampire."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Then I frowned, looking at him. No red eyes, no fangs. He was pale, but so many people were just naturally pale. "You don't look like a vampire..."

"You want proof?"

"Yeah." I nodded, still not truly believing him. My eyes widened as I saw his face morph from the handsome, familiar face I'd fallen in love with, to a different one. His forehead had changed, and his nose was different. His eyes glowed orange, and his teeth were significantly sharper than before.

"So you're a vampire?"

He nodded. I was quiet for a moment, taking a sip of my tea. This was not what I had expected him to tell me, but I didn't think it was all bad. I mean, he told me. He could have also let me know by biting my neck and killing me or something, so for now I assumed we were good.

"So are we talking Dracula, 30 days of night, what we do in the shadows? What kind of vamp are you?"

"A handsome one?" He grinned cheekily, before thinking for a moment. "I think none of them kind of compare? Certain elements sure, but-"

"Should I add Count von Count on that list?"

"Very funny," he looked unimpressed but grinned anyway. "We do burn in sunlight, but don't sleep in coffins. Crucifixes don't do anything, but holy water hurts like hell."

"So, how do you sleep? I thought coffins were the standard?"

"Don't believe the movies. We sleep upside down."

"Like a bat?"

"Yeah."

"Is that why your vamp face looks kind of batlike?"

Marko paused for a moment. "It does?"

"You've never seen it? Oh, wait, do you have a reflection?"

"Not really?"

I pouted slightly. "So you don't even know how hot you are?" I paused for a second. "Scratch that question, you obviously do know. Now for the real important question: do you turn into a bat?"

"Nope."

"Can you fly?"

"Yeah."

I grinned. "Really? That's so cool! Do you fly like a bat or-?"

"I don't know? I just fly?"

"If you sleep upside down, what do you do when you need to pee? I mean, baths just kind of turn right side up and do their thing, but I can't imagine-"

"I didn't need that image burned in my brain!" Marko looked semi horrified. "We don't do that. We just use the bathroom, we're not uncivilised or something."

I nodded. "But you do kill?"

"Obviously."

"And you're certain you don't turn into a bat?"

"Why do you care so much whether I turn into a bat or not?"

"Because, " I put my cup of tea down and looked at him, "I fucking love bats."

"Sorry to disappoint," he said with a small smile.

"And I was just thinking that if you did turn into a bat, I would definitely lovingly carry you in my pocket."

"Is this- is this because when you asked if I would still love you if you were a worm, I said I would hope it happened outside the cave so my pigeons would not get to you?"

I grinned, before laughing. "Maybe?"

"But you're not freaked out that I'm a vampire?"

"Nah, I always knew there was something off. I'm glad it is vampire and not psychopathic serial killer you know."

"I'm not a psychopath, " Marko pulled me closer, letting me kean against him as he turned the telly on, "but technically I am a serial killer."

"Can we keep it on population control?"

"Will that make it easier to accept?"

I nodded, causing him to chuckle. "Whatever you want, love. Now, is there anything you want to watch?"

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I've been dreaming of the Guardian of the Underworld.

To be human is to experience the highs and lows of life. It is to have joy and to suffer.

An unfortunate truth, he must face--but he holds all the hope in his heart, willing for that brighter future.

How does a moment last forever? How can a story never die?

Ortho often wonders what dreaming is like.

He visualizes it in a multitude of ways: electric sheep bouncing over a fence until one's eyelids have shut, a movie playing behind his lids, audiovisual data processing in his systems. None of the analogies, he suspects, are anything close to first-hand experience.

Androids cannot sleep, and therefore they cannot dream. That is how the logical flow works, and Ortho has long since accepted it.

It must be fun to dream.

But this is not a dream, and this is not a reality. It is the space contained within, and he walks a razor’s edge between lies and truth here.

He puts a hand upon the screen that divides him and his older brother. The barrier separating fact from fiction.

“Nii-san…! It's me,” he calls out in desperation. “I’m your little brother, Ortho!!”

"Or... tho?" Idia strains to say the name aloud. He looks so lost, so dazed. His head screams with pain. "But Ortho is right here. How can you be in two places at once?"

He holds up his phone, set to speaker. The caller ID--it reads "Ortho". The dream Ortho, the imposter Ortho, the Ortho that is alive. The Ortho that Idia had always wished for, the life without regrets and guilt.

His core burns. Ortho isn't certain if it is from frustration or anger or hurt. He knew this was coming, had been warned of it. Still, nothing could match the real thing, the face of his brother telling him that he is the lie.

“Don’t listen to him, Nii-chan. I’m the real Ortho. The other one?” There’s a faint chuckle from the other end of the line—Ortho detects a hint of condescension in it. “That’s a figment of your imagination."

"Ah... I see," Idia mumbles. He seems to sway, his eyes lidding, as if drifting off to another dream. The pain vanishes, washed away by Ortho's reassurance. "That makes so much sense."

A figment? Just that?

A weight comes upon Ortho's chest. If he were a living being, he would, perhaps, find it difficult to take a breath.

"Don't move. I'm coming there to help you," the other Ortho says sweetly. His tongue, forked as a cobra's goes unnoticed by Idia, who simply nods.

"Nii-san! Don't do it! You have to get away... w-wah!!"

Ortho flinches, his screen suddenly filled with black goo oozing up from the floor. From it, a boy in a pure white uniform and a royal blue sash emerges like a vampire from its coffin. In the place of the pale flesh characteristic of the Shroud family is skin that is only half solid, dripping in fat dark globs as his arms wrap around Idia.

"I'm here now. It'll be okay."

Idia's eyes go blank, his limbs, limp. A compliant doll, under the dream's influence.

Ortho's stomach lurches, and he launches himself at the screen. The urgency in his voice rises, hitting a fever pitch.

"NO...!!"

"You don't have to think about anything," the other Ortho whispers, a snake at Idia's ear. "You must be tired from playing too many games. That's why your mind is compensating by simulating dreams in reality. Let's get you back to bed.”

"Okay... Whatever you say, Ortho..."

“Nii-san, don’t go there…!”

The darkness creeps like vines up his legs, slowly swallowing Idia up. He sinks into the floor, an inky pit of quicksand. Bit by bit, piece by piece, Ortho is losing his brother.

His connection grows fuzzy. Static consumes the screen.

It's no good. My voice... It can't reach him!

His vision burns, but does not become slick with tears. His processors must be overheating, going haywire. He cannot cry, cannot let his overwhelming emotions spill over like a human can.

The ground beneath Ortho shifts. It, too, turns black, as if rotting away. Gooey tendrils reach for him, threatening to drag him under too.

Ortho struggles against his restraints, cries out in defiance.

A voice comes from the monitor, greatly warped and distorted. Then a second, a third, a whole slew of them, spewing vile things.

You are not needed. You are not wanted.

You are worthless. You are nothing--less than nothing.

He is happier without you. He would be happier if you never existed. You could never hope to be his real family.

A massive pair of poisonous verdant eyes opens in the void. They're reptilian, pupils slit against a backdrop of emerald.

"Begone," Malleus hisses, the command coiling around Ortho like a snake. His oppressive presence pushes on the boy, forcing him to kneel. "You do not belong in this world, young Shroud."

"N-No, you're wrong!" he protests. "I... I'm...!!"

A substitute, a spare, the shadows cackle. A hunk of junk. Scrap metal.

His core goes quiet and cold as a terrifying dread sets in. It smothers his circuits, silences his systems, locks his limbs.

The darkness wriggles with delight.

Electricity crackles.

A transmission comes to life. It comes from Ortho himself, from a speaker embedded inside of him.

"Sorry, Or-kun! Mama's going to override...!"

Suddenly, a great heat generates in his chest. Light gathers, piercing the black surrounding him, then fires. The laser is explosive, easily slicing the goop, which erupts into sludgy bubbles.

Ortho comes free, the rockets at the soles of his feet kicking on to propel him into the sky. In a blaze of brilliantly blue fire, he's airborne.

"Mom...!" he gasps.

In response, she simply giggles. "Hehe, I'm not going to just sit on the sidelines and watch my precious baby boy be deceived! There's no wrath like mama's love~"

"Dear..." his father sighs. There's a pause, then he clears his throat. "As your mother was saying, this is but a clever deception. A false reality. You have always been our true son and always will be."

True son.

His dwindling energy reserves shoot through the roof. He's been hit with a thousand suns, reinvigorated.

"Thank you, mom. Thank you, dad. I'm okay! You don't need to worry about me, I understand now."

This was never a dream to begin with. It's not even close. This is... a nightmare that twists the truth, even to intruders!

He places a hand on his chest, feeling the blue flame that perpetually burns there. His brother had lovingly placed it, powered it, protected it. The fire pulsates, proof of his existence.

Proof of his life.

Do you remember, nii-san? You promised we'd go out and play heroes. Now... it's my turn to play hero for you.

I will surpass my limits... break through this illusion... and save you!

Hang in there, Idia. Your little brother, Ortho, is coming to bring you back to your senses! Just leave it to me.

"Shoot for glory among the stars and soar like a comet! Ready or not, here I come...!"

Summoning all of his strength, Ortho furiously plunges into the darkness. It pushes against the interloper--but he burns red hot, flies too fast. He's a shooting star in the shape of a child, filled to the brim with determination.

In the black, black, black, a speck of white appears. It grows steadily, forming a mirror to another world. Its face, staring down at Night Raven College's courtyard.

A familiar trail of blue flames hurries past an apple tree, meeting with a horned man in matching robes.

There you are.

Ortho braces himself--

--and shatters the second sky.

[lizardaggro]

the pulse of death, prologue 1

alrighty guys, here it is! vampire!twst au!!! please don't make fun of the title i'm sensitive about it... in any case, you'll notice from the title that this is just part one of the prologue. that's because this sucker is gonna be long af, and you're just gonna have to deal.

genre: gn!reader, will include romance, fluff, and angst down the line tw: none so far. yay! wc:3133

Twas an ordinary day, much like any other. After arriving home from your daily responsibilities, more than ready to mindlessly read fanfiction on your phone. You collapsed onto bed, looking for something to occupy the time until you were ready to fall asleep. Insomnia was something that had plagued you off and on for years; it became much less of an issue once you became an adult and were able to set your own schedule, but still. It wasn’t like it was predictable when you’d be able to embrace the night at last, either, but you managed somehow.

If asked what time it was when you were finally graced with a deep slumber, you couldn’t say. Perhaps it gradually crept up on you, so that you didn’t have the chance to notice. You didn’t remember your dreams, you never did. At some wee hour of the morning, you were awoken by who knows what, a haze still clouding your mind. You couldn’t recall if you’d brushed your teeth or not before you knocked out, so you made your way to the bathroom. Neglecting to flip the light switch due to the soft glow of the nightlight you couldn’t sleep without, you glanced at your reflection in the mirror.

Much to your surprise, instead of your own reflection, you saw a rather odd face staring back at you. It didn’t have much color to it, quite literally, but there was a bright green mist floating around it. Okay. This was fine. You must still be dreaming. It was then that the mirror-face-thing began to speak. Its voice was deep and ominous, but for some odd reason, you didn’t feel frightened. This was only a dream after all, wasn’t it?

“Oh, lovely and noble flower of evil. Magic mirror, tell me, who is the fairest of them all?” it? intoned. “O, one who has been guided by the Mirror of Darkness. Take the hand reflected in the mirror, and never, ever let go.”

As if right on cue, a ghastly hand appeared in the mirror. But it didn’t stop there, reaching beyond the mirror’s bounds and extending toward your form. You shivered as you felt its cold touch. You faintly heard the sound of horses braying in the distance, and perhaps hooves on pavement. There wasn’t much of a chance to register what that could mean, though, as your consciousness began to fade.

When you awoke again, your memories of what had happened were blurry at best. Everything was dark, and the surface you were lying on was hard. Were you going insane, or were you stood upright somehow? Wanting to better understand your predicament, you lifted your arms to feel around you. You were quickly able to determine that you were in a box of some kind. Now that certainly wasn’t ominous at all.

You didn’t have to ponder your fate for long, though, as you heard a voice from somewhere outside. “Hngh, gotta find some clothes so I can fit in,” they mumbled, as if they didn’t expect anyone to hear. It was a slightly nasally sort of voice, almost inhuman in a way. “Stupid coffins won’t open.” Wait, coffins? “Fnyaa, take that! The Great Grim’s special fire blast!” the voice shouted.

The gears in your brain began to turn, processing what that could mean. You had your answer sooner than you would’ve liked, as your little box began to become uncomfortably hot. Too hot. The lid blew off with a little ‘pop,’ and you were able to see at last.

You were in a grand room, with a medieval sort of theme to its décor, and rather dim lighting. There were floating coffins all along the walls, and you quickly surmised that you must’ve been in one as well. Then you turned your attention to the person in front of you. At least, you had assumed it was a person, but it appeared you were mistaken.

“…a cat?” you let out without quite realizing. The creature who’d freed you from that box was indeed a cat, with gray fur, and rather curiously, blue flames licking at its ears. It had a pitchfork-shaped tip for a tail, and a gray-and-white striped scrap of cloth around its neck, reminiscent of a collar.

“Hnngh, the Great Grim is not a cat!” it said. Because of course, the cat could talk. Why not, you supposed, when you had no idea how you’d gotten here and there were objects blatantly defying gravity in the background. “Now, give me your clothes!” it? demanded. You weren’t sure of the cat’s gender; the voice sounded vaguely male-inclined, but one could never be sure.

“I beg your pardon?” you asked, stunned. What use would a not-cat have for human clothes? It was plain to see they wouldn’t fit, and you didn’t think your fashion sense was that revolutionary. Though the fabric did feel a bit different than you were used to, smoother and softer, as if it were made of silk or the like.

You took the opportunity to give yourself a once-over and gasped in shock. You were most certainly not wearing what you had fallen asleep in. You donned a black hooded robe, with golden embroidery and royal purple detailing. You patted yourself down; it seemed you still had your old clothes on underneath, but your pockets were empty, no phone to be found.

“You won’t hand them over? Then I’ll just have to take them from you!” Grim, you assumed that was its name, shouted as it began chasing you, spitting fire from its mouth. Of course, you did what any individual of sound mind would do, and ran for your life. You still didn’t know how you’d ended up here, and there was no way you were going to keel over and die without finding out.

You dashed through corridor after corridor, until you found yourself in a room that resembled a library. Except, naturally, a number of books were hovering in the air, as well as the lanterns that lit the room. In awe at the silent beauty of the ambience, you momentarily forgot your life-threatening situation and gazed around.

You were interrupted soon enough, because Grim was on a mission and had no manners. “You can’t escape the Great Grim! Now hand them over!” Your eyes widened; you had no plan to save yourself in this moment, nowhere to run to. You shut your eyes tight, expecting the pain of being burned to death. But it never came.

When you opened an eye to survey the situation, you saw something rather… questionable. Grim had been bound by a whip of some sort, and was squirming against their restraints. Sure, they’d inadvertently tried to kill you, and allegedly weren’t a cat, but wasn’t this some sort of animal cruelty? Were they even an animal if they breathed fire?

“Fnyaa, what is this?! Let me go!!” Grim demanded. You weren’t expecting it, but a reply came from who knows where. “Ah, ‘tis my Lash of Love!” a voice exclaimed rather flamboyantly. Soon the speaker stepped into view. They were a rather tall individual, adorned with a mask with a beak shape on it. Their voice did indeed match their appearance, which you could only describe as some sort of obnoxiously accessorized medieval cosplay. It went with the building, you supposed.

The person then turned to you. It felt like their piercing yellow eyes saw right through you. “You there, you really must learn to keep your familiar in check- hmm? How peculiar. Pray tell, just what is a human doing here?” they inquired, which only served to confuse you further. What was a familiar? Why would you being a human be odd?

“Um, sir? I don’t want to assume anything though… Well, I’m not sure what you mean exactly,” you began hesitantly, fidgeting with your hands behind your back. “I just woke up inside a coffin in this big room, and then Grim came and blew the lid off and started demanding I give them my clothes. Was I kidnapped. Is this a cult? Where is this? I’m so confused…”

“A cult?” The individual snorted, puffing out their chest. “Certainly not. You may address me as Sir Dire Crowley, and I am the headmaster of this prestigious institution, Night Raven College. I would assume that the ride from the Ebony Carriage had addled your brain, but I do not recall allowing the admission of a human. How odd… Perhaps it was the will of the Dark Mirror?” He mused to himself. You had no idea what any of that meant, other than that this place was a school that Crowley ran.

The man stared off into space, thinking, for a while. Then he seemed to have a little ‘aha!’ moment and began speaking again. You could only listen intently, hoping to glean any sort of information that might be relevant to your situation. “Well then. Since the Dark Mirror has willed it, we have no choice but to oblige. You will remain here at Night Raven College. Only time will tell what secrets your mortal form may be hiding. Ahh, aren’t I so generous?” he preened. You’d begun to have a rather positive impression of Crowley, aside from the whole ‘lash of love’ comment, but that was crashing and burning now.

You had so many questions, but Crowley clearly had his own agenda, and you doubted he’d answer any of them. He spun dramatically on his heel and gestured toward the exit, still dragging Grim behind him. “Come along now, the entrance ceremony has already begun. We wouldn’t want to miss your debut into vampire society, now would we?” The fuck? Did he just say vampire? As in the supernatural creatures people on the internet simped for like no other? This was turning out to be quite the adventure.

You got the impression he really didn’t care what you thought though, so you just shuffled along behind him, doing your best to calm your nerves. First order of business: make sure you weren’t actually dreaming. You slapped your hands to your cheeks, shoujo-anime style, and to your surprise as much as your disappointment, it hurt. You weren’t dreaming. Probably. Second, uh, what came second? Not dying, probably. Yes, that was important.

Sooner rather than later, as much as you dragged your feet, you arrived at your destination: the room you’d initially awoken in. Only this time, the floating coffins were empty, and the room was jam-packed with people. You took a moment to consider if this was some sort of elaborate prank, but then you remembered the terror you’d felt when running from Grim. The fire they’d spat out had been very much real.

Scanning over the crowd, several hooded figures, all wearing the same robes they were, stood out to them the most. It was a varied group in every way, and you could almost swear one of them had cat ears, like those cosplay accessories some people wore. Whatever, you weren’t judging. Crowley looked weirder, in your not-so-humble opinion. They were all on an elevated platform of some sort, likely indicating a position of authority. If this was really a school and not a cult, maybe they were the student council?

“Headmaster Crowley, where were you?” the shortest one of the bunch inquired. “We had to start the ceremony without you.” Oops. That was your fault, you supposed. It wasn’t like you could help it though, and technically Grim was to blame more than anyone. You just hoped no one would be too mad.

“Ah, yes, I had to take a bit of a detour. One of the new students had managed to escape their coffin, and their familiar went on a bit of a rampage,” Crowley explained, not looking the least bit apologetic. You could feel all the eyes in the room turn to you, and you pulled your hood down lower in response. You didn’t know how much of that vampire nonsense was true, but you really didn’t care to be sussed out as a human or an outsider.

“Very well,” the diminutive person replied. “As long as we can wrap things up now.” “Yes, of course, Mr. Riddle. Now then,” he turned to you, “Step in front of the Dark Mirror and say your name.” You weren’t too sure what this ‘dark mirror’ was, but quickly figured it to be the giant mirror in the middle of the room. Who would’ve guessed? Following instructions, you took your place in front of it and stared straight ahead.

There was a face in the mirror, surrounded by an eerie mist. It seemed vaguely familiar somehow, but you couldn’t quite place it. Even more so than Mr. Crow Man, it felt as if it knew something about yourself lost even to you. You stated your name, not wanting to be the center of all this attention any longer. What that was supposed to do you didn’t know, but the face hummed, as if it were thinking about something.

“This one is suited for no dormitory,” it stated at last. Ah, so the purpose of this strange ritual was to be some sort of rip-off Sorting Hat. Go figure. But what did it mean that you were rejected? “Their soul is clear and polished, not like the rest. And they possess no magic, not a drop.”

Well no fucking duh! Of course you weren’t going to suddenly develop magical powers just because you’d been kidnapped straight out of your bed! But you could hardly say that now. If these people really did have some sort of inhuman abilities, pissing them off was the last thing you wanted to do. It was better to keep your mouth shut and play along for now.

One could hear a pin drop in the room after the mirror’s declaration. It seems no one knew how to respond. Even Crowley appeared to be stumped; you’d assumed he expected you to have more to you than meets the eye, but you were one-hundred percent certain you were just an ordinary, human, college student.

“Ahaha,” Crowley’s nervous laughter cut through the silence like a knife. “Come now, child, we’ll discuss this matter further in my office.” With that, he grabbed you by the arm and began to unceremoniously drag you out of the room. Now you knew how Grim felt.

Speaking of Grim, it appeared they were finally tired of being dragged along. With a burst of bright blue flame, they broke through their restraints and began shouting fervently. “If that human doesn’t have any magic, then make me a student instead! The Great Grim will show you just how powerful he is!” he exclaimed, spitting fire all around the room.

Everything quickly devolved into chaos after that. You weren’t there to bear witness to it though, as someone gently took you by the arm and escorted you straight out of that mess. You were grateful, sure, but also very confused. You knew it wasn’t Crowley; that man likely couldn’t care less about your safety. Was it one of the students then?

Once safely in the outside corridor, you turned to verify the identity of your rescuer. He was a personable individual, that much was true. You were pretty sure he was too old to still be in school, but then again, people could start college whenever they chose. His hair was quite fascinating all on its own. It was mostly white, but where it parted off to one side, it was black, making for quite the contrast. That couldn’t be natural. He wasn’t wearing the same robes as everyone else either. That left you utterly confused as to who you were dealing with.

The man eyed you up and down, likely judging. “Hmm. I thought I’d caught the scent of a human on campus, but I didn’t think I’d be correct. Come with me, pup, and I’ll get you all straightened out.” That was it. No introduction, no explanation, nothing. But you went with him anyway. What choice did you have? At least he didn’t yank you like Crowley had.

The mystery man led you into what appeared to be an office of sorts, though there was some sort of giant metal pot in the center of the room. Because nothing could be normal here. He motioned for you to have a seat in one of the plush armchairs opposite the spacious desk. You obliged, more than happy to give your legs a rest after all that running.

Your savior took a seat at the desk, which you assumed was his. Perhaps he was a teacher here. That would make sense. He gazed at you for a moment, likely contemplating something. You returned his stare, not wanting to let your nerves show. You were well aware of your position here, and you were not about to make yourself any more vulnerable than you already were.

Finally, after a few tense moments, he began to speak. “I believe an introduction is in order. I am Divus Crewel, professor of alchemy here at Night Raven College. Since our dear headmaster has declined to do so, I will see to it that your needs are met while you remain here,” he explained. “I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, but Crowley is utterly unreliable. As such, you should come to me whenever you have a problem, pup.”

You nodded along, shocked that someone was actually willing to help you instead of dragging you along or outright attacking you. You could get used to this. It would be good to have an ally here in this unfamiliar place. You wouldn’t completely bare your heart to the man, of course, but this was a start.

“Thank you, Professor Crewel. I was wondering if you’d be willing to answer a few questions for me, actually.” A few was a bit of an understatement, but you’d try to keep it to the essentials out of respect for his time. He gave the impression that he was a busy man.

“Go on, pup. I’m sure you have plenty of things to be curious about,” Crewel offered with a wave of his hand. You were grateful for his understanding. Crowley hadn’t exactly done a great job of explaining. That is to say, all you knew was that this was a school. “Um, first of all, what’s this about vampires?” Wow, way to get straight to the point. It had been your intention to ask more general questions about what was going to happen to you and if you could go home, but it just slipped out somehow. But as Crewel narrowed his eyes, you got a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that curiosity may have just killed the cat.

[rapha-reads]

IWTV rewatch

(s1 finale… Ready for pain and blood? Let's do this. *grabs tissues*)

Season 1 episode 7 [The Thing Lay Still] - part 1/3

- Oof, opening with the Moonlight Sonata, how to put you right in the mood.

- Daniel side-eyeing Rashid/Armand…

- [Daniel] "Can an immortal meet mortality?" - weeeell, to paraphrase our favourite rockstar, "the sun or the fire might kill me, but then again, it might not".

- [Louis] "Decapitation. He confided that to me one blood-drunken night in Bâton Rouge." - and then Louis proceeded to never forget it. I want to know more about their nights of hunting and partying. There's like, 80 miles (is that roughly 100km? I'm French, I don't know miles) between NOLA and Bâton Rouge, even if they're vampires, that's still a little trip that could be special when they have all of New Orleans to hunt (an anniversary? A date? A special performance of Macbeth or Puccini? Someone needs to write a fic)…

- [Louis] "Add to the toxic air a new ever-present paranoia, and now, you are with us." - kinda wish I wasn't tbh. "The toxicity, in my city"… Ahem.

- [Louis] "Lestat de Lioncourt. 179 years in the Savage Garden. 148 years the blood-drinker, the bringer of death… the deer come up the trail." - ooof, first point, Lestat, or at least, Louis' version of Lestat in this recollection, oozes danger and predator. He looks, feels and moves dangerously. And acts unhinged. His words heavily accented. Go figure if he really was that scattered and angry at that time, or if Louis' anxiety, trauma and guilt color the scene that way.

Second point, another mention of the Savage Garden! Made by Louis this time, so one could imagine that Lestat told him about it, that they had a conversation or more about the subject during those 30 years together, given that the theme is a Lestat special.

- Ooooh, the unholy family moving and acting together as one, totally in synch! Say what you want about how toxic they are for each other, it can't be denied that they are a family that knows each other by heart.

- Hey, who turned off Moonlight Sonata? Now I'm left wondering if it was extra or intradiegetic music. A disk playing in NOLA in 1940 or in Dubai in 2022? Can't decide.

- [Lestat] "Enough! Two in one night. Dolls, Bibles, letters become torches and pitchforks. We have to leave this place. We have to leave New Orleans." - should have left 10 years ago when Grace decided to kill off Louis… I wanna say better late than never but given that people are actually openly seeking your house to ask for healing and whatnot… Y'all are in danger. And obviously it's Lestat so there's no leaving discreetly. Gotta make a show out of it.

- Looooove Daniel getting distracted by Armand's presence. Cannot wait for some more Devil's Minion.

- Hello social commentary, segregated tramway, another slight to Louis and Claudia. I love the layers.

- [Claudia] "'You share a coffin with him.' [Louis] 'I don't talk in my sleep.' [Claudia] 'You share a heart with him.' [Louis] 'I can cut it off!' [Claudia] 'No, Louis. You can't. You spend an hour with him and you're breathing in sync together.'"

Thank you for confirming that they've still got it bad for each other, Claudia. Love the way the heartbeat starts getting louder, love the way Lestat can feel Louis looking at him and immediately looks back.

[Claudia] "'He'll know. It'll only work if you give in. Give him all your heart and I'll do the rest.' [Louis] 'I can't do that. I'll lose myself in him.' [Claudia] 'Leave a little shelf inside there for me. I'll jump back in and pull you out before I kill him. Can you do that for us, Louis? Louis?' [Louis] 'Yeah, I can do it.'"

*screams* First the wink and Lestat obviously seeking Louis' attention. Then Claudia directly asking Louis to keep a part of his heart for her, all that she's ever wanted, to be put first. Then her overestimating her pull on Louis and underestimating the intensity of Lestat and Louis' relationship. And then Louis very clearly knowing he cannot resist his feelings for Lestat no matter what. And finally Louis outright lying to Claudia saying he can pull it through while already knowing it will destroy him, have you seen his face in the last shot before leaving the tram? He knows he can't but he'll still try and maybe do it, but he'll lose a part of himself, and he's already grieving for it.

Then again. That's 2022 Louis describing the scene and the conversation, with the hindsight of 80 years or more (I'm bad at maths) of knowing what he's lost and how he lost it and how much of himself he's lost. Maybe 1940 Louis wasn't thinking of that at all.

*screams a little bit more* Maybe if y'all learn to openly communicate, we wouldn't be currently plotting a murder. Maybe.

- [Louis] "'What about Greece? Cradle of Western civilisation.' [Lestat] 'Sun worshippers, hot springs…. Those Who Must Be Kept.' [Louis] 'What was that?' [Lestat] 'Nothing.'"

Yeah, absolutely nothing. Don't mind that. It's really not important. Not at all about to come back and bite you all in the neck.

Things that mean nothing for show-only and everything for book readers… *jumps around the room in excitement*

Do we think Marius is still in Greece in 1940? If Lestat still meets him around 1789-1790, it's been a century and a half, he's definitely moved them somewhere else.

Love how Lestat's face goes vacant and momentarily dreamy when he starts thinking about Akasha. You can tell she still lingers in his mind.

- [Claudia] "'Bach. Always back to Bach.' [Lestat] 'Bach is beyond you.' [Claudia] 'Yes, the music of the master race is… not made for these mongrel ears.' [Lestat] 'You irritate me. Your very presence irritates me.' [Claudia] 'I came to make peace with you, Uncle Les.' [Lestat] 'Mm. Sister, daughter, infant death, you must think me an idiot.' [Louis] 'Could you two please just…?' [Claudia] 'Musique française pour les mains françaises ?'"

Pleaaase I love them. Toxic mother-daughter relationship, it's like looking into a mirror. Love all of Claudia's punches. Bailey's French is really good. And love how Louis immediately moves in to turn the pages for them.

- Oooh, so the party idea is not Lestat's but part of Claudia's murder scheme? How delightful!! Like father like daughter I guess, how they resemble each other so much. And love how Lestat starts by being against it and then gets slowly seduced by the idea.

- Oh, goddamn fucking bloody Tom Anderson is still bloody fucking alive. Kill hiiiiiim, please kill him. Wonder why he hasn't led a mob to their doors yet, with how he literally has known them since 1910 and has a pic showing them still as they are. Too chicken, Tom? Or too New Orleans, rather not know and keep going as is? Oh, I see, tempted to make your own deal with the "Devil". Ha. Idiot.

- [Louis] "The weird brothers and their doll-like sister were coming out." - I just like this line. Tells about a whole story hidden behind the main story.

- "Let the flesh instruct the mind." - now that is one hell of a line.

- Lestat playing his bloody Marie-Antoinette fantasy is simultaneously so bad taste and so hilarious.

- Their outfits are GORGEOUS. And the white is making Louis' green eyes even greener.

- [Louis] "The blood was everywhere. The veins and arteries of a few hundred hearts ringing out like air sirens, drowning out the rhythm section of the hired band."

I love how Louis' narration is almost inaudible beneath the sounds of heartbeats.

- Lmao, Lestat has groupies everywhere he goes.

- [Louis] "A cascade of feelings came over me as I watched him sponge up the adoration. I wanted him dead. I wanted him all to myself. The fasting was a mistake. I wasn't thinking clearly. Something was off."

You never think clearly around Lestat, Lou babe. Case in point, the besotted face you were just making at him, that he was returning to you (where are Sam and Jacob's awards), and the fact that suddenly you can't even tell Claudia's mental voice from - oh, a wild Antoinette appears. Yeah, something is off.

- When can we get rid of Tom Anderson. Soon? "It's got to be one of those tricks that you and your fag pederast satanic trio got in your pocket." Ugh, he looks so proud of his dumb line. Please tell me we're draining him soon. Thank you Louis.

- Aaaah, a balcony scene, aaaaaah! Aaaah, the lightning of cigarettes, aaaaaaah! Aaaaah, Lestat being emotional and genuine, aaaaaah!

Time to sing Sam Reid's praises:

"I'm going to miss this place. There's not an inch of this city that wasn't built from the fierce wilderness that surrounds it. Hurricanes, floods, fevers. The damp climate on every painted sign, every stone facade. High windows, through which enamelled bits of civilisation glitter. Silhouettes emerging, wandering out to catch a silent flash of lightning. The silky warmth of summer rain. Desperately alive… and desperately fragile. The hunger has me too, it seems."

*pterodactyl screech*

It's the way his voice wavers with barely restrained emotion. It's the tears glittering in his eyes. It's the way he never stops looking at Louis. It's the way New Orleans was, is and continues to be a metaphor for him, for Louis and for their relationship, "I am she, she is me".

The way his voice breaks on "desperately alive", because at the end of it, that's what Lestat, little Wolfkiller, who refused Magnus' bite and was forced into the darkness, who rejected the idea of a coven, who gazed upon the Mother of all vampires, Lestat who is constantly struggling to run away from his pain, trauma and loneliness, that's what he is, desperate and alive and desperately alive. And so afraid to show his real self to Louis and be rejected for it that he immediately makes a joke out of his deeply genuine moment.

And the way Louis refuses to engage with this moment also says a lot about where Louis is at at this stage. Refusing to give in fully, rejecting the true emotions, running away from both Lestat's love (because that's what it's about) and his own love (the shame and the guilt and the fear)… Refusing to open up his heart and thus forcefully closing down any door that could be opened.

Imagine for a moment that Louis had answered Lestat's feelings in truth? What would it have changed, in what ways? Or would it not have changed anything, because neither he nor Lestat are in control of the narrative at that point and Claudia holds the power? And what would Louis responding in kind and giving in to Lestat's depth and his own emotions look like? It would be interesting to explore it…

ep1 | ep2 | ep3 | ep4 | ep5 | ep6 | part 2 | part 3

[wombywoo]

I wasn't sure if anyone asked this yet, but what kind of powers do vampires have have in your au? Like is it the basics? Super strength and speed? Or can they transform into bats or even other animals? Or even have telekinesis, pyrokinesis? Im so curious! Especially with your boy Vinny!!!

So I'm kinda lame when it comes to vampire lore in that I haven't given them super cool powers 😔 There are basic ones regarding enhanced senses, + superior strength, speed, agility, stamina. They also have rapid regeneration for their own bodies, as well as the magical healing saliva, lol. But no...they don't transform into bats 😭😔 In fact, a lot of previous vampire myths are just that--they don't have to be invited in, they don't sleep in a coffin, they're not affected by garlic other than they don't enjoy the taste, as with most food. I nerfed them, I'm sorry :'D

As far as ✨mind stuff✨ goes, there is a psychological link between a vampire and the one who turned them (still need to think of a cooler name for this). Part of that person's essence gets transferred to the soul of the bitten, and this can manifest itself in a variety of ways. For a lot of vampires, they experience something similar to DID, where their personalities can overlap--this can even include previous sires down the line of 'vampire ancestry'. If the vampire who turned them is still alive, this soul connection can be used to influence the victim, even as far as forfeiting autonomy--in this case, the one bitten may become a puppet for their will. If the one who turned them is dead, their presence can still linger, but is easier to subdue.

The vampire who turned Vincent is deceased, so he's able to suppress his interference, and only feels him stir up under certain conditions. However, he does still feel a tether of influence from the next vampire down the line, one who had previously controlled him for multiple decades...

[lauralot89]

I thought never to write in this diary again, but the time has come.

Can you imagine what this book would be like if people didn't write down every last detail? We'd have a few vague, scattered "Shit's getting weird" entries before a huge info dump because the writer was questioning their sanity and had to get it all out on paper. Said info dump would inevitably miss things.

What I'm saying is, thank fuck all these characters are so verbose

I felt impotent

I'm an adult

But, now that I know, I am not afraid, even of the Count.

imagine if Dracula's powers were based in people's fear of him, Pennywise-style

No, you don't; you couldn't with eyebrows like yours.

incredible

I would listen to him go on praising Mina for a day

as would we all, Jonathan

He read something intently, groaning to himself: "Mein Gott! Mein Gott! So soon! so soon!"

do vampires have some sort of incubation period I was unaware of

also, sir, you KNEW she was a vampire and you KNEW where she was, why aren't you looking for news from there already, if only as a precaution?

I have an idea that Van Helsing thinks he knows, too, but he will only let out enough at a time to whet curiosity.

HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS

"Do you mean to tell me, friend John, that you have no suspicion as to what poor Lucy died of; not after all the hints given, not only by events, but by me?"

WHAT HINTS, YOU HAVE NOT ONLY NOT HINTED AT ANYTHING, YOU'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT CORN SECRECY WHEN PRESSED FOR DETAILS

Why was it that Methuselah lived nine hundred years, and 'Old Parr' one hundred and sixty-nine, and yet that poor Lucy, with four men's blood in her poor veins, could not live even one day?

maybe it has something to do with you leaving her unattended and not telling people things

"Good God, Professor!" I said, starting up. "Do you mean to tell me that Lucy was bitten by such a bat; and that such a thing is here in London in the nineteenth century?"

sir you saw a big bat just last month

and why the parrot never die only of bite of cat or dog or other complaint

that doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about parrots to dispute it

and his grave sealed and corn sowed on it

no don't let him talk about corn again, he'll become too powerful to stop

Ah, you are my favourite pupil still.

oh just give into the passion

I smote the table hard

smote is such a great word

We found the child awake. It had had a sleep and taken some food, and altogether was going on well.

did children just not have a gender in Victorian society until puberty or something

or until breeching I guess

Even this poor little mite, when he woke up to-day, asked the nurse if he might go away.

oh okay so they do have a gender

I hope," said Van Helsing, "that when you are sending the child home you will caution its parents to keep strict watch over it.

and the gender is gone again

Holding his candle so that he could read the coffin plates, and so holding it that the sperm dropped in white patches which congealed as they touched the metal

the what

"I am satisfied that Lucy's body is not in that coffin; but that only proves one thing."

"And what is that, friend John?"

"That it is not there."

okay that's actually a brilliant retort, but I can't not do this

"Gee willikers. It must be Obvious Day on Camp Stupid."

He insists that I shall go with him on another expedition.

Jack wants to get off Dr. Van Helsing's Wild Ride.

[hotxcheeto]

Ok requests are open (at least I think I could be wrong) but could you do vampire reader and Chloe as a mythical creature couple of can be fic or headcannon of your choosing

━ 𝐂𝐇𝐋𝐎𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐕𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜(𝙨) - Chloe Price x G/N!Reader

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 - Cursing?, mentions of blood/consuming it (obvi), compliments towards you, very light angst, lots of fluff

𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 ? - Yeah/Nope

𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 - ilyyyyy

i believe that as a vampire, there is a certain level of confidence you just unintentionally gain

you become a badass essentially

and so the years pass after your initial turning and you end up wandering through a tiny town called Arcadia Bay that just screams 'i'm a mystery' in a very coming of age book esc way

you sit down at a nice diner only to end up into a very obnoxious yet amusing nineteen year old nightmare that somehow reminds you of an old friend

so you get to talking

and it doesn't take chloe long to realize there's just something a bit off about you

maybe it's the way you pick up on the smallest of sounds

or how often you won't answer her messages until well into the night because sometimes you just 'don't wanna fight the sun'

and then there's the rings you claim as magic for a 'nice tan' ?

oh and your strange longing stare at blood

okay that one was only once when accidentally cut herself opening her amazon package and she just thought you were really weird with blood cause that's natural for people but... then chloe pulled a bella swan

yep she whipped out google and boom, the vampire diaries answered everything for her

and also why she avoided that series like the plague

jokes about it to see your reaction and you just give her the most obvious side eye while doing that fake laugh moms do when they're toddler does a spin as a trick

but of course that's crazy chloe and it becomes like an inside joke between you two until she caught you sucking on a bag that was suspiciously hospital like

yeah, you had to fess up then

she's got a lot of questions so you better prepare yourself to answer them all

do you actually sleep in a coffin? do you drink blood strictly cause she seen you eating fries at her moms diner, is that for show?

why do you not burn in the sun? do you live forever? are you secretly edward cullen???????????

you of course answer them to the best of your abilities while trying not to laugh at her because you understand the curiosity

and it makes chloe want to jump your bones even more than she already had before because you were sexy

and now she finds out your a sexy vampire?!?!?!?!

time goes on and she really tries catering to you and your needs with your diet and the sometimes just wanting to avoid the sun even with your ability to protect yourself from it

and chloe LOVES hearing your traveling stories and your stories of others like you and even more supernatural types out there

not only are you hot - you're also fascinating

her mind starts to wander though, and she has a lot going on with her life y'know and she starts wondering if life would better as what you were

you notice Chloe's sudden shift in her feelings and her demeanor and you feel like it's your fault but it's not, truly

then she confesses it to you, she wants to be turned

at first you deny it, you don't want her subjected to the a lot of the hell you'd gone through with your transformation and newly born lifestyle until you realize how much you'll actually hurt when you leave her

you'd never loved someone so deeply before and seeing her so in pain with her life and so in love with you as well

she didn't hate you for saying no, she understood but totally had a teenage emo phase once more and got pouty for a while, even begged you a bit

you caved, you def caved i mean who wouldn't

but you reminded her and gave her weeks to contemplate everything she could gain but also lose

she loved her mom still and she'd adore her forever, because now she was forever as were you

and she's fun, oh yeah, she can party all night and sleep and cuddle all day with you

[bibliophile-in-training]

A Plebian's Review of the Last Voyage of the Demeter

I don't do reviews normally but I have many thoughts I wanted to share after recently watching this movie. In general, I did enjoy this movie and I thought it was a fun watch. As someone who read Dracula and enjoys most modern Dracula stories I would watch it again if it came on. (6/10)

Non-spoilers:

It took some liberties with the source material. Combine the recent Poirot movies with modern vampire lore and that's what you should expect, not something strictly adhering to the novel. Not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're enjoying dracula daily just know this isn't really that.

On that note, Dracula bibliophiles aside, it's a pretty good movie on its own. It's suited for modern audiences and won't confuse them with Stoker's vampire lore (ex. what can and can't kill a vampire, what powers Dracula has).

It had pretty gory moments that you may not be prepared for if slasher movies aren't something you watch. Also, check out doesthedogdie bc there are a lot of potential triggers.

The lighting for this movie was really good imo. There was a strong contrast between day and night which awesome, but you could also still actually see what was going on in the dark. There were a couple times when Dracula was in a shadow and you couldn't really see him but it was for effect as opposed to trying to be "realistic" (looking at you, GOT).

The design for Dracula was cool and they do play into him getting stronger and scarier as he continuously feeds.

The Captain is not the main character (in contrast to the source material's Captain's log). Here, it's Dr Clemens we follow and we get an occasional Caltain's narration from the log.

If you like Until Dawn and other titles from Supermassive Games, you'd probably enjoy it. Dracula's design, the kills, and character choices feel like you're watching a playthrough. Not to mention there are a lot of close-up shots of characters in the same way Supermassive Games does.

Spoilers under the cut:

The Good:

The cinematography was pretty good. I particularly liked shots that followed through the ship to the cargo hold where count bat boi was sleeping.

They also filmed the gory scenes really well, and one scene that stood out was when one person who's become a thrall bashes his head through a door and then slides his nose along the splintered panels as he looks up. Impactful to say the least. They didn't pan away and leave it up to our imaginations but went all in and I applaud it.

Things were recognizable from the novel (names, events, some vampire mythos). I was genuinely surprised that they marked Dracula's coffins with dragons and kept that he slept in dirt, since modern audiences probably wouldn't have known about these things. When we (modern audiences) hear "Dracula" we think it means "vampire" as opposed to "dragon", and we would likely expect Dracula's cargo to be velvet-lined coffins.

The opening scene (finding the ship at Whitby & the wagon train of the coffins) had me immediately invested and excited, and I was already looking forward to this movie (I chose it over Barbie lol).

The Captain's actor was phenomenal. He went all out when he was grieving Toby's death and he really didn't have to but I'm so glad he did. While the character itself wasn't consistent, the actor made it believable. He was strict and kind when he was sane, he was frantic and distraught when he was insane, and his moments of grief and hope were all palpable. Good choice.

"Oh my God it has wings" When I say I LAUGHED SO HARD

Honestly there were a lot of funny moments. Some were genuine to cut the tension and help build characters but being ND and desensitized to horror I don't know if I was supposed to laugh at some of them, like when the cook's dingy knocked against the side of the hull. And when vampire Toby jumped up.

The use of knocking was a cool addition. I enjoyed when they used it like when Toby was in trouble and when Dracula was messing with the two dudes on deck.

One of the key things of Dracula's personality is that yes - he can kill you in 10s - but he won't because he's a sadistic bastard that enjoys drawing it out and playing the wager to see if you'll die of fear before he can bite you. They absolutely captured it. Homie is purposeful in how he terrifies his victims before giving them a gruesome death.

I think the model ship they showed at the end was the original model ship for the Demeter in the 90's Dracula movie (or at least a nod to it), which is how this movie was started apparently. Nice touch.

The Grievances:

Dr Clemens was a mary sue. I'm sorry, there's no way around this. Man has bad main character syndrome. I can accept a black man fighting tooth and nail to graduate Cambridge top of his class and struggle in a world that won't see his abilities because they won't look past his skin color, but on top of that he's an astronomer, a sailer, a strategist, a detective, and everyone immediately falls in love with him? Hell, he cured Toby's [1] grief over losing his lifelong friend (Huck, the dog, who was MUTILATED) and [2] guilt for all the animals dying because it was his responsibility to take care of him, and [3] fear for whatever unknown thing did this, with a headpat and "sometimes shit happens and you can't do anything about it".

He took one look at Anna, Dracula's beef jerky ration, and immediately went "she has an infection, she needs a blood transfusion", then proceeded to give her repeated transfusions over several days and he was totally fine. Up running around and fighting vampires meanwhile in reality he would have been bedridden from lack of blood and possible complications from the procedures.

Also, why is he the only clean person? Everyone's covered in grime and blood and dude looks like he just walked out of a proactive commercial. Even when he's floating in the middle of the ocean for days with an open neck wound he looks like he was just in the shower. Compare it with the Captain's burns and the first thrall's face after banging the through a door and the dissonance just pulls me out of the movie.

Keeping him alive just to sequel bait. Just. Why. Hollywood, it's okay to kill your protagonist. 1912 did it really well. Plus, I personally wasn't invested enough in this character to want to see a sequel following his vendetta with Dracula. We already know about Jonathan and Van Helsing. You can make movies that stand alone. It's okay.

If you want to sequel bait why don't you have him delirious from being lost at sea for several days and end up at the asylum with Dr Seward and Renfield? That would actually be cool and you could still have Dracula show up to taunt him.

Also, in regards to Anna, while I think it was a cool idea to use her for lore dumping and as a surprise for the audience, I was disappointed with her. She had the potential to provide a lot of info and help fight Dracula but instead she had to be the "strong independent woman". I don't hate this trope (think about Ripley in Alien, or any of the women in the original novel) but it wasn't done well here. While it's cool to see her gain confidence and wield a gun against count bat boi I was really hoping she would provide more info like his weaknesses. She says "he ran out of food in my country" but we know this isn't *literally* true because we see people at the beginning. It's the fact her people knew how to keep Dracula away that he ran out of food and he decided to try greener pastures. You could bring up HOW they did that (religious tokens, garlic, silver, etc.).

Also when she does try to give info about Dracula it's still vague and meant to be mysterious. Bruh, you are locked on a boat with this monster and you know your only hope for survival is to flee or work together to get rid of him. Why are you not giving as much info and details as possible? Because that's what the script said bc the writers wanted to make dracula look cool by relying on the characters to say it? Okay.

This movie relies on a lot of telling instead of showing. It's like they don't trust their audience to pay attention or understand what's going on. The only time I legit felt they showed and not told (lol) was when the Captain asked if what happened to the animals could be transmitted to humans and Dr Clemens lied and said no. You could see in the actor's face the inner monologue of telling the truth vs preventing chaos. It was nice and gave more info about the character than him actually yelling his life history at the first mate.

It also suffers from the writers trying to make every scene be memorable. There are too many times characters say things because it sounds cool or would be good in the trailer rather than because it makes sense for the character to say that.

Honestly all the characters fall flat for me (besides the captain who's character is treated like a pinball). They're all archetypes rather than people. The protagonist. The independent woman. The racist drunkard. The child. The religious guy. The guy that makes obscene jokes. The only names I know are Toby, Dr Clemens, and Anna. Bc they get said a lot as opposed to me actually caring about them.

On that note, I am definitely biased because I loved the Captain's log from the novel, but I wish that this was from the Captain's pov, culminating in him tying himself to the wheel and dying from shock or exposure like in the book. Then Whitby.

On that note, I am still upset that they used modern vampire mythos yet again for Dracula. In the book the Captain dies after being taunted for days by Dracula after tying himself to the wheel, only possible because the rosary in his hand protects him. It's a noble but horrific sacrifice made of fear and a duty to not let the evil on the ship reach land. In this movie, however, he reaches the wheel and dies because the rosary has no power over Dracula (it's also how Toby dies).

Oh, also the sun kills vampires. How do we know? Because occasionally some people turn into vampires, but only when it's convenient for the plot (looking at you, Anna). Why don't they use this against Dracula and dump the dirt box they know he's sleeping in during the day? Who knows. But they wasted a lot of potential to play on the audience's expectations (rather than giving into them) by using Dracula during the day. Y'know what's scarier than a vampire picking off your crew at night? A vampire picking off your crew at ANY time when you only expect it at night because SURPRISE sunlight just doesn't let him crawl in lizard fashion.

Are you seriously telling me Dracula sustained himself off of Anna for several weeks, and then decided to slaughter the crew mere days before the boat docked? Yes, he was weak bc of it but I don't think the director knows how blood works (see Dr Clemens's transfusion issue). Also, if that's the case, how did Anna not suffocate in her dirt box for hours on end for weeks? Just fill the other 48 crates with dead people and say Anna was the last caprisun in the box and it would make more sense.

Also, why have their last hurrah be the day before they reach Whitby? It made the movie seem too fast; it felt like it only took a week to get from Transylvania to England. Why not find Anna early on, then disperse the crew member deaths across a couple weeks like in the novel? It would help with the suspense and you could have the Captain tie himself to the wheel then let us experience the time passing after he dies so the audience has a moment to sit with the deaths and feel hopeless. Bc that's what the role of the Demeter is, story-wise. It's supposed to make us afraid of Dracula and feel hopeless in his presence. Not give us hope and make him into our rival we have the possibility to get revenge on. That's what our dear friend Jonathan is for.

Dracula never takes human form. Why do all adaptations refuse to give him his bushy mustache? COWARDS.

Okay, he *sort of* takes human form. But they really just put him in a waistcoat and top hat then expected us to believe that showed he was cunning. You literally said he's both man and beast then only show the beast. One of Dracula's main appeal is that he's clever and his sadistically human traits are the only thing preventing him from immediately ripping you to shreds. And he can pass as human, so he could be anyone. Yet we only see the beast part.

While this movie was fun to watch, it comes off more as a gruesome drama or action movie than a horror. I never really feel any suspense or dread. Compare it to Alien which had the same situation. Alien did such a good job of making you feel scared and claustrophobic when you're surrounded by the vastness of space (in this case, the ocean) and being hunted down by an intelligent monster. I was watching this to see how Dracula killed people rather than seeing how they struggled to survive.

I can believe this movie was in production hell not just because of the writing but some errors. In one scene, the Captain's burn is on the right side of his face but there's a close-up cut and suddenly it's on the left side like someone flipped the screen. And this is just one error out of a couple. No Starbucks cups tho.

It sounds like I don't like this movie because of all of my nit-picking grievances, but I really did like it. I think my issues are just because my expectations were too high going in. I was expecting a loyal expansion of an underappreciated segment of a classic novel, which is really rare these days. And a *suspenseful* horror.

I see why Guillermo del Toro and Stephen King suggested it. It's pretty similar to their stuff, just more fast-paced. So if you like that stuff and Until Dawn I think you'll really enjoy it.

[filmnoirsbian]

A series 6 of pages from the graphic novel My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris

Page one: Karen (stylized as a werewolf girl) and Missy are two young girls watching a horror movie. Karen's narration says "Horror Theater played this movie 'Dracula's Daughter' and there was this one part where Countess Dracula kidnaps this woman named Janet..." Missy says "I think that the countess almost..." Karen finishes "...kissed her..."

Karen's narration says "That was the night we cut our fingers and became...blood sisters" and then "As I hung up my detective coat in the cloak room I remembered how I'd waited till Missy was asleep. I'd said, "You are beautiful" and then..."

A sleeping Missy says "...I love you Kare...I love you so much..." as Karen kisses her hand. Countess Dracula looks on and says "Oh Karen, you are far braver than I ever was!" Karen's narration says "I think she meant it because she said it from her asleep self not her awake self..."

Page two: The Next Morning. Missy and Karen are eating cereal. Missy says "Karen, do you think that a girl could become the bride of dracula's daughter?" Karen says "If they love each other then why not?"

Karen's narration says "I think Missy went home and asked her mom the same question because later Missy's mom called and demanded to know what we'd seen on TV..."

Karen's mom on the telephone says "Just some old Creepshow is all..." Missy's mom from the telephone says "That junk! I really should not be surprised as people of your class never protect their kids from bad influences!" She hangs up.

Karen's narration says "As I sat in school (getting my daily doses of paper airplanes) I thought about how that had been the last sleepover we ever had. Over the next few weeks I heard that all of Missy's monster magazines got replaced by hair and beauty mags. Her boardgames, like 'Haunted House' got replaced with, 'The Mystery Date Game'..."

Page 3: Karen's narration says "But we are still blood sisters, so no matter how mean Missy is, I can't be mean back. Her blood is inside of me. Sometimes I think if you were to put one of those x-ray machines up to me, you would see the old Missy, the Missy from when we used to love monsters together and I have to protect that part of her..." Karen gives a thumbs up to this x-ray picture of old Missy.

Page 4: Karen's narration says "...Because inside of Missy that part is in a coffin, in a crypt, staked, and hungry and all alone..." Missy gives a thumbs down to her x-ray self. Missy says "Only 3 things matter! What you wear how you do your hair and...the boy that you date!"

Page 5: Werewolf Karen and Vampire Missy embrace in a stairwell. Karen thinks "I don't care if it turns out that this was all a mean prank...for right now I get to hold her in my arms and stroke her hair." Missy says "The times when I'm with you are the only ones when I'm...myself."

Page 6: Missy's mother calls down the stairwell and says "Missy! What are you doing in the stairwell? Come back to your guests!" Missy tells her "So the neighbors don't see Karen getting on at our floor, she's taking the elevator at the floor below ours." Missy's mother says "Finally you're being sensible about that...girl!"

Still embracing, Karen says "Missy, you sure your mom won't come down here and catch us?" Missy says "She never walks down the stairs in high heels when she's been drinking. She'll be passed out by ten tonight. Horror Feature is playing 'Carnival of Souls' tonight...um...wanna call me and we can watch it over the phone together?"

Karen says "Sure."

[crossdressingdeath]

Astarion: Nearly two hundred years and I never came back. Not since the night I woke up down there. Astarion: I had to punch a hole in the coffin and claw my way through six feet of dirt. Astarion: Then when I finally broke the surface, retching up dirt and congealed blood, Cazador was waiting. Astarion: From that day on I was his. Until today. Kyvir: You were never his. Whatever he had, he took by force. Astarion: Maybe, but he did take it. There's almost nothing left of the person I was. Just a name on a rock. Astarion: For nearly two centuries I stalked the streets like a ghost while the person I was lay here, dead and buried. Astarion: Now I need to figure out who I am. What I want. Kyvir: You're the person I love. The person I want. Astarion: I feel the same. Astarion: You were by my side through all of this. Through bloodlust and pain and misery. You were patient. You cared. You trusted me when that was an objectively stupid thing to do. Astarion: I feel safe with you. Seen. And whatever the future holds for me, I don't want to lose that. Kyvir: You won't. Whatever comes next, I've got you. Astarion: Thank you. Astarion: Well, I should probably fix this. ... Kyvir: Pick up a flower and lay it on the grave. Astarion: Cute. Astarion: I've been dead in the ground for long enough. It's time to try living again.

The imagery of Astarion having to claw his way out of his own grave... Once again, Cazador seems to have been being cruel for the sake of cruelty. Unless there's something in DnD lore that I'm not familiar with there was no reason for him to leave Astarion down there and not even clear some of the dirt away! Presumably the graveyard had emptied out by the time Astarion dug himself out, Cazador could've at least tried to help, but he chose not to.

The way Astarion glances back over at you as he's carving the new dates onto his tombstone is fantastic, I love it. The way he's having to come to terms with the fact that the person he was back then is gone and he needs to move forward is sad but also very satisfying! And it's great how having avoided his grave for almost two hundred years Astarion wants you at his side when he finally does go back. The way you can support Astarion and be there for him throughout his quest is so good. I also love how in the middle of all this serious emotional stuff there's that brief moment where Astarion just straight up says that trusting him was incredibly stupid. He's not wrong, either; you meet him when he tries to kill you, you learn he's a vampire when he tries to drink your blood in your sleep, he's constantly pushing for you to make Evil Choices, there's really very little reason to trust him! But if you do trust him and put faith in him ultimately being a good person he proves himself completely worthy of that trust. Like so many things in DnD and related media, it was very stupid but worked out perfectly. We love to see it! And him feeling safe with you when his desire for safety was a huge driving force in him wanting to go through with the ritual to begin with... hhhhhh it's so good I love it. He might not entirely know who he is right now, but he knows he is the person you love and whatever else he may end up becoming he has that for the foreseeable future!

Also, Astarion finding you putting a flower on his grave cute is fantastic. It is cute, I love that you can do that! Just a silly little gesture, but it matters.

[dyns33]

Flufftober 2024 - 10 Henry (Eat Locals)

At that moment, Henry looked at her like a father to whom his child had just asked the terrible question about babies and how they were made.

However, Y/N really thought that her new question was simple, among all the questions she had asked him since her transformation. It was normal for her to be curious about her new nature and want to know everything.

"So ?" she insisted, not understanding his confusion. "Why can't we see our clothes in mirrors ? Because, they are visible if we put them down, they don't become vampire clothes. But on us, nothing. However, we see the objects we hold, as if there was a ghost holding them. What's the rule ?"

"I… Where do you find all these questions ?"

"Internet, mostly, but I also ask myself them as I discover things. You didn't really answer some of my previous questions by the way."

"Like which ones ?"

"Why do we burn in the sun and not under the moon, which is literally lit by the sun ? Why do we sleep in coffins ? Why do we have to drink blood ? Why does a stake in the heart kill us and not something else ? Why can't we stand silver ? Why do people think garlic can repel us ?"

"Um… I have to go." Henry said, getting up quickly without giving any further explanation.

Y/N could have tried to hold him back, but maybe he really had a good reason to leave, like a meeting with the other vampires. Even if Angel and Sebastian wouldn't care if he was late, Peter would be unbearable. At least, more unbearable than he already was.

While waiting for him to come back, she decided to watch movies, read books and continued her research, which only brought her more questions.

She didn't understand why Henry wasn't answering her clearly. Maybe he was afraid of disturbing her with some answers. Her dear maker was terribly protective of her. It was adorable, but sometimes a little too much.

The sun was about to rise when he came back. Following a precise ritual that he never changed, he took off his coat, placed a kiss on her head, went around the house to check that all the curtains were closed even if they never opened them, then he came to sit next to her.

Henry let out a long, tired sigh, while Y/N rested her head on his shoulder.

"Long meeting ?"

"You could say that. Boniface…"

"He had more complaints about the quotas ?"

"No… Well, yes, like always, but… This time he was making fun of me." "If it's because of your diet, everyone told you to tell him to go to hell, he's stupid."

"Actually…" Henry mumbled. "I asked them your questions. Because I don't know the answers. And since Peter is the oldest, he would be the only one who could answer me. But half the time, he said he didn't know either and didn't care. The rest, he just snickered stupidly."

"Oh. You didn't have to ask him."

"You wanted to know, love. And I… I want to be a good maker. I'm supposed to be able to answer all your questions. I've never asked myself them to tell the truth."

She then felt bad, realizing that Henry was ashamed of his ignorance. However, he had no reason to be. After all, his maker had abandoned him shortly after his transformation, leaving him to fend for himself.

Even if he was very old, experienced, and having met several of his peers, it was normal that he still had some gaps, on subjects that were not really useful to him to survive.

He knew he needed blood, a coffin, and to avoid the sun, he didn't need to know why.

"I won't bother you with my questions anymore." She said, trying to hide her disappointed pout.

"Hey. No, love. You're not bothering me at all. I find you terribly cute when you tell me your theories. Maybe… Maybe we could find the answers together."

To tell the truth, it didn't matter to Y/N if he didn't find anything. As long as they searched together, the path was much more valuable than their destination.

[lil-lass-annie]

Here are my poisened poems charecters as care takers!

Oliver would be a great care taker as he has always wanted to be a father!

Since hes a prince he would definitely play princess and knights/princes and loves watching disney princess movies or just disney movies in general with you!

Tea parties? Tea parties.

Every toy you have is very extravagant and looks almost like its from a fairy tale!

Speaking of fairy tale, he loves to read you fairy tales when its bed time!

Over all if you want a very expensive and fancy prince care taker but also one whos very sweet and will give you whatever you need, oliver would be your prince charming!

Next is tia! I wouldn't suggest her as a care taker unless your okay with being a mini mean girl-

Tia would be more like a cool older sister then a mom care taker, but she'd still try her best!

Shopping at claires on the weekend to get you (and maybe her) a little dolled up and then you and her can play dress up or "fashion show" as tia likes to call it once you get home!

Yes she'll rewatch lps popular with you for the hundredth time is this even a question???

Speaking of lps she will totally play out a highschool drama with you using lps or barbies!

Since tia loves to sing karaoke of (kid friendly) pop songs are a must!

So if you'll risk becoming a little regina gorge to tias big regina gorge, then tia would be a fun time!

Noah is a great care taker, especially for more shy or timid littles! If you don't mind the bugs of course!

Noah would love going outside and bug hunting with one of those bug catching kits (he lets the bigs go though!)

And since noah is also a theater kid he wouldn't mind dressing up and playing in a little play with you!

He would love to play video games with you! Weather its on the ds, 3ds, or switch! He'll play whatever you want! (He might cry if your mean or competitive)

He would love to watch anime/cartoons with you!

Pockys and chocolate pandas would probably be your main treat, that or gummy bugs/frogs/sharks!

But if you want a soft spoken bug loving theater kid gamer nerd as your care taker... I'm not sure theres anyone that fits that description other then noah!

Damion is a very... alternative care taker...

He almost certainly bought you that pony mania set don't even lie-

He doesn't mind you and him screaming out emo music as long as you don't mind!

All of your toys are either black, red, skeleton or stiches theme!

Nintendo? Who are they??? All damion and you knows is play station!

Oh you already KNOW yall are shopping at hot topic!!

If you steal some candy from the store then damion lets it slide and acts like he doesn't even know what crime is!

Over all, if your fine with emo style and emo music and only a bit of crimes then damion is probably your perfect care taker!

Finally the last care taker is midnight!

Midnight likes to give you red fruit juice cause you and her like to pretend its blood and that you a little baby vampire!

Haunted mansion, nightmare before Christmas, coraline, wich one are you picking for you and midnight's movie night?

She likes to read you spooky stories before bed (but not too scary since she doesn't want you to have nightmares!)

If you play dress up with her then lets just say you'll be looking like gothic marceline from fiona and cake-

Spirt holloween is you and midnights home, you guys sleep in coffins and hibernate till holloween!!

So if you'd like a very gothic and very spooky care taker then you might just want to hang out with midnight... hand out like... like bats like upside down-

[flingmetothemoon]

Tedward 'Teddy' Lobo/Marya 'Draculaura' Zaleska fanfic coming soon

Yep, I am indeed writing a modern Universal Monsters fanfic where our favorite Lobo babygirl makes friends with Dracula's daughter! 🐺💜🧛‍♀️ I wonder how many people remember Dracula had a daughter long before Monster High and Hotel Transylvania existed? 🤔 Well if you're a lore reader, I really recommend you read some articles about the very interesting lore and influence behind the 1931 film Dracula's Daughter below. ↓

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

But anyways, what is the plot of this fanfiction?

Bellafrancesca confirms that her son, Tedward Lobo will finally earn the Lobo empire inheritance and her trust and respect — Under two conditions: 1. He'll have to go to the legendary Count Dracula's almost abandoned castle (Dracula and Robert left, not the remaining servants. The family there formerly serving as Dracula's servants instead take his departing as an opportunity to become the next powerful empire) in Transylvania, Romania and find the Count's daughter preserved in her coffin in the basement to be placed under a sleeping curse for many years after her death and take her in to become the Lobo's new ultimate weapon for world domination. And 2. He'll have to marry the heir of the new rival crime lord in the same castle in order for the Lobos to become much more bigger and powerful to take over the world better. Will Teddy have what it takes to complete these seemingly simple two tasks to get what he wanted since childhood once and for all, or will his hidden humanity and sympathy towards the suffering Transylvanian Sleeping Beauty show him what matters more in life?

Contains: Teddy/Marya, elements of what makes Teddy/Marya the dark rival to Robert/Rebecca, and foresights that make Teddy's circumstances during the events of the movie more heartbreaking than it already is. Oh and some OCs. 😉

Made from Heroine Creator by AzaleasDolls (Ignore the "Best of Adult Swim" tab, I'm using FlashPoint since the program was made at the time Flash was dying XD)

In my Renfield world headcanon, since Renfield looks alot different then he used to when he started becoming Dracula's servant, Marya would've looked different in the modern day too. One of the noticeable differences is she has her hair pulled down more often and when her hair is down, it's alot longer. Like knee length, longer bangs, flows from even a slight breeze easily and as I would describe it "Has many partings like spider legs, but thin and silky as a spider web." I basically think of it like how Cati-Art beautifully draws Kikyo's hair~ ↓

Fanart by Cati-Art

I also headcanon that modern Marya often wear blues, purples and small parts of pinks. Galaxy colors basically. Like vampires are associated with bats and bat basically sky puppies after all. CX The colors contrasts well with Teddy's reds and blacks too XD My other sky aesthetic heacanon is when Marya eats a bug, her eyes glows pink. But her eyes aren't the only ones glowing, so does her royal blue dress, purple cape, reddish-pink jewelry and even her black hair glows purple with blue streaks like Starlight Glimmer. Literally glowing in the dark. Maybe a light in the darkness metaphor. (RIP CGI budget 💀 Perhaps vampires really do sparkle all along XD)

Another headcanon of mine is in the human world, she goes by her birth name Marya Zaleska. But in the monster world, she goes by Draculaura. The reason for the name isn't just for Monster High reasons, but it's because the name Laura is derived from the Roman laurel, a symbol of victory, peace, fame, success, and prosperity. Draculaura does crave for peace in her life without having to cave in to her vampirism. It's true she sadly didn't succeed in the end of the film, but if Teddy can be revived and given another chance for a better life in post-movie fanfics, so can she. She really should anyways since vampires don't stay dead no matter how they're killed. 😂 And she could use a new modern spinoff show, and so does the Lobos because they are such an entertaining crime family with potential for depth exploration of character and history, so why not I make a spinoff show for both characters in a form of a fanfiction where Draculaura works alongside Tedward and his family members since they found her coffin, awakened her from her long sleep and took her in as their new Lobo pack member who has the power to help them with world domination.

But since Marya herself doesn't like living with her vampirism curse nor wanting to take over the world with darkness and terror, and prefers to live more like a normal human like she had wanted to for a long time, she instead has him use her magical rings for his guns so they shoot pink magic bullets (And those bullets travel further, faster, don't require reloading every 10 bullets shot as it is magic, and they hit harder where hitting a person would literally explode into pieces and blood would spatter everywhere >:D), feeds him a bug to advance his powers, remove his silver amulet to reveal his true werewolf identity, (idk if you noticed, but it just occurred to me that Teddy wears a small, thin bracelet on his less tattooed wrist and it looks silverish. Perhaps that could be a werewolf curse suppressing amulet too? It could very well look like one… 🤔) or all of the above lol.

Notice the silver bracelet on the right? The detail makes me curious... 🤔

Oh yes, I'm talking about the magical ring on the left. Marya uses it to hypnotize her victims. But since this is my story, Imma have fun an utilize her ring for other purposes as it is magical. If I put that ring in a gun and shoot up to the sky, it comes out and booms like a pretty firework! :D

This not only encourages him to fight for world domination himself instead of using another sentiment being as a weapon to do the dirty work for him, but it also boosts his energy and self-esteem immensely without cocaine required, and he has a reason to come home, eat his dinner more than normal and enthusiastically brag to his family about his awesome monster hunt today, how powerful he was, how he instilled fear into even supposedly scarier supernatural monsters, how awesome his new vampire friend is at helping him be the man he had always wanted to be and maybe finally gain the strength and respect from his own family once and for all. …Right…?

Tune in to find out. 😈

Seriously though, I find it interesting that Teddy was eager to join Dracula and introduce him to his mom like he just met his longtime idol even thought the guy has the ability to drain out his blood within seconds if he decides Teddy is food. Makes me wonder if it wasn't the first time he heard of or met a vampire before and knows how to not push the wrong buttons! 😂

[vinjaryou]

Vincent 1-26 bonus question is where does he take Reilena on their first date

OH BOY~ *cracks knuckles* I am gonna skip a few of them due to being answered here, so they'll be crossed out, and I'll stick a cut in after the first to save everyone's dashes (because hi, I ramble).

1: Why do you like or dislike this character?

I fell for him at first sight; the first time I flipped through a friend's game guide while he was approaching Nibelheim, I saw Vincent's picture and said "we're getting him, right? because i love him," and I pulled an all-nighter to get him in my party during a playthrough of my own, lol. At first, it was the aesthetic, but then you find that there's so much more to his character. He's not a melodramatic brooding vampire - he's a former Turk with regrets, who was shot (and killed, depending on your interpretation), experimented on, given immortality, and wanted to sleep away the rest of his years to atone. He cares so deeply, but has been hurt so he keeps it to himself. He's a loner, but enjoys the company of his friends/found family. He may look frightening and cold, but the looks hide a warm, sensitive, caring soul, someone that can be trusted and depended upon even if he says at first "I want no part of this," because he's compassionate. He's there for others.

He's a deep, multidimensional person that deserves so much better than what he was given in life at first, and deserves to be cared for, loved, and to live freely; he has atoned for what happened, and for so much more.

I love him.

2: Favorite canon thing about this character?

3: Least favorite canon thing about this character?

I don't like that out of everyone in the VII group, we know the least about his past. He was in the Turks, he was a bodyguard for those involved in the Jenova Project, he had a crush on Lucrecia, his father was Grimoire Valentine… and that's it. I know part of that is due to him being made an optional character due to time constraints, but man. Even Dirge only went into his Turk past while working at Shinra Mansion.

4: If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

I want to read his life story; give me a novel about Vincent Valentine (lord knows I've written enough about him, lol).

5: What’s the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

The stereotypical answer would be either REDEMPTION or The Nightmare Begins; for me, a song that comes to mind is The Cure's 'Burn,' from The Crow.

6: What's something you have in common with this character?

Quiet personalities that take time to warm up to others, overthinking things, and determination. Also, neither of us look our true ages.

7: What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

8: What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you don't like?

9: Could you be roommates with this character?

I think so; we'd know to give each other space until we're comfortable enough, and would be fine with spending time together in quiet company.

10: Could you be best friends with this character?

Probably, yes.

11: Would you date this character?

Again, possibly? I'd go out with him, but I'd see us becoming close friends more than anything.

12: What's a headcanon you have for this character?

He enjoys card games; though he tends to politely decline at first when invited into a game, Vincent will join in eventually, and just might end up the winner. He has an excellent poker face.

13: What’s an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or you think the character would use a lot?

Either a coffin (because let him sleep) or a solemn face. The eyeroll/annoyed face is when Yuffie blows up his phone.

14: Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Please put this man in corsets/a corset vest. He has the perfect figure for it, and they'd look so good on him (I'm not biased lol, but uh, a corset is part of his work uniform in the casino AU I am forever writing little scenarios for while I work on the actual longfic).

15: What’s your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn’t matter if it’s canon or not.)

Vincent/Reilena; yes it's my canon/oc ship, and I love them dearly.

16: What’s your least favorite ship for this character?

Romantically? Yuffentine. Never saw the appeal to it; age difference aside, their personalities are so radically opposite of each other, I don't see it working out at all. Hell, their friendship took time, and even then Vincent still gets tired of her antics (though he knows she means well). Though to be fair, I also headcanon Yuffie as asexual, so I don't ship her romantically with anyone.

17: What’s a ship for this character you don’t hate but it’s not your favorite that you’re fine with?

Valenwind; it's been a longtime brOTP of mine. Also, VinVeld with the more I've seen of it.

18: How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?

His friendship with Reeve; I like their banter early on in DoC, especially Vincent's quip about Reeve's outfit. Also, his concern over Tifa in OG is sweet and helps show his compassion - it's another pair that I don't ship romantically, but platonically.

Also, I can absolutely see him and Shalua talking and bonding over Lucrecia's research. SHALUA DESERVED BETTER, DAMMIT.

19: How about a relationship they have in canon that you don’t like?

If this was me years ago, I would've said Lucrecia without hesitation. Now? …I don't know. Perhaps the eventual friendship with Shelke, because it's written in such a rushed and creepy manner.

20: Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn’t matter?

I could see him and Cloud being good friends down the line; I don't ship Strifentine romantically, but they'd be a brOTP over time, sure. Also him and Barret becoming friends is a fun possibility, too; John becoming Vincent's hype man during Matt's VA announcement helped, XD

21: If you’re a fic writer and have written for this character, what’s your favorite thing to do when you’re writing for this character? What’s something you don’t like?

GIVING HIM HIS HAPPINESS, lol; I like showing his warmth and humanity, giving him reasons to smile and let his guard down, and just… be. Letting his actual personality show when he's comfortable, and getting into that vulnerability.

Something I don't like doing when I write for Vincent? Reaching into his mind and tormenting him, making him relive his worst nightmares and 'what-if' moments; I know it's character growth, but dear god, he's gone through enough, fffffff.

22: If you’re a fic reader, what’s something you like in fics when it comes to this character? Something you don’t like?

Found family - if Advent Children proved anything, it's that this group is close no matter the physical distance. Also, Uncle Vince is adorable.

Not much of a fan of him being portrayed as a weakling.

23: Favorite picture of this character?

I HAVE WAY TOO MANY, UH...

*dives into the Vincent art folder, goodbye world~*

24: What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?

Pretty much a given/expected, but I don't care: D from Vampire Hunter D, and Testament from Guilty Gear. D is more Vincent in the OG and through AC, while Testament (especially Strive!Testament) is more AC through Dirge and post-canon, personality-wise.

25: What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

Then: I love him (based purely on his looks and entrance), but I thought he was a little too cold and emotionless at first, and wanted to get to know more about just why he was so "......" over damn near everything.

Now: I love him, and he deserves nothing but happiness and good things, because he has gone through more hell than anyone else ever should or needs to in one lifetime.

26: FREEBIE QUESTION!!

Oh man, first date... without counting the Gold Saucer, since that was more of an impromptu one...

Vincent would go the typical 'first date' route and take Reilena out to dinner. Tifa would try suggesting they just hit up the Seventh Heaven, Vincent says "no" because he knows she and the others would be peeking in on them, but relents and says that maybe they'll stop there for drinks later while making reservations elsewhere. Depending on the time of year, it might be an outdoor place, otherwise they'd get a booth/table in a corner for privacy, to let them both talk and enjoy each other's company.

There would be a definite "...oh~" moment for both of them, since it'd be a nicer place, and this would be one of the first times they've seen each other dressed up. Sir, is that a little flush in your cheeks~? And yes, he would bring her flowers, because he remembered Aerith's advice.

It would be a late night, and depending on how close the chosen restaurant is to Reilena's place, Vincent would walk her home (because he is a gentleman and wants to be sure she's safe), quiet laughter because they don't really want to end the night once they're at the door...

...and then they both lean in at the same time for a mutual good-night kiss. Does it deepen after a few seconds? Yes it does ♥

Does she invite him in to stay the night~?

♥♥~

(and it's a good thing Reilena silenced her phone during the date, as the next morning when she looks at it, there's texts from Tifa asking for 'all the saucy details~')