#* ˖ armand ╱ shadow dance ⊹

[calymuses]

SENDING SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINE

TYMOTHEOS CORVINUS é JASON VOORHEES

Se você achou estranho vê-lo usando a mesma roupa nos últimos dias, MEU PARABÉNS! O mistério acabou! Para atingir a essência desse carismático indivíduo de Sexta-Feira 13, o híbrido ralou para deixar as roupas num aspecto certo. A máscara ficou em outro canto, claro, para não estragar a surpresa aparecendo assim... Meio assustador... Entre um chuveiro trocado ou telha consertada. Boatos que ficou indeciso entre o facão, o taco de beisebol e a serra elétrica. A escolha? OS TRÊS. Versões de borracha presas às costas largas, sem atrapalhá-lo em nada. Exceto o bastão, claro, esse foi bem-feito e ele usa para assustar carinhosamente as pessoas.

2. MARYLAND FAHDILA JUMA é CARRIE A ESTRANHA

Combina, não? Menina oprimida pela família, presa num mundo que desejava tanto escapar. Uma oportunidade aparece, alguém a puxa da prisão, só para ser jogada aos lobos. Diferentemente da original, Mary pegou a versão mais glamourosa da personagem. (E porque não tinha dinheiro para comprar NADA). Pegou um vestido branco esquecido, preparou o sangue com uma receita que pegou da internet e pôs a trabalhar. Usou o dia inteiro e mais um pouco, pintando as mechas rosas de vermelho temporariamente. Okay... Tem mais glitter e maquiagem perfeita do que o filma, mas hey é uma releitura.

3. ARMAND DI ROMANUS é PATRICK BATEMAN

Sei, fica difícil você associar a imagem do rei féerico com o serial killer de Psicopata Americano. Espera... Será mesmo? Calculista, manipulador, cuidadoso, observador... Rome frequentou as gravações quando ouviu os rumores e até apareceu numa cena (se você souber onde procurar!), sabendo muito bem de tudo sobre o filme. Foi uma tarefa complicada trocar suas roupas leves pelo terno bem cortado, elegante. Colocar a capa protetora um parto maior. E o sangue? Tudo em nome da experiência. Ser um deles para não destacar... E agitar o machado sem fio para livrar-se das fotos.

4. BABA YAGA é MIA

O clássico filme de terror, caros telespectadores! Jovens inocentes viajam para uma cabana no meio do nada, encontram um altar satânico e o que fazem? Exatamente, evocam demônios e se assustam quando respondem. Baba ama esse filme. A morte do Demônio (Evil Dead), A versão de 2013, sendo mais específica. A forma como a manipulação e a terra engolem a pobre garota... Num movimento de pulso, suas roupas foram substituídas pelo exato figurino do filme. Da maquiagem até a sujeira embaixo das unhas, com direito a uma ilusão de língua bifurcada. Digamos que ela ficou feliz demais em sair assim nas ruas, gritando e se jogando no chão implorando para que a salvassem... (e, por dentro, o medo cru apertando a garganta... Lembrando daquele momento na fonte).

5. ASMODEUS é DRÁCULA

Capa arrastando no chão, presas realistas despontando da boca aberta, lábios rubros do sangue que escorria pelo queixo. Blusa branquíssima arruinada de sangue falso, roupas que pararam no século passado e sapatos tão engraxados que podiam ver o reflexo perfeito. O que existisse de clichê ridículo de vampiros, o Príncipe do Inferno usava com um orgulho tremendo. Ah, perder uma oportunidade dessas para provocar uma raça tão sensível? Erguendo os braços, fazendo buuuuu e estalando a mandíbula perto de pescoços. Bom, a maioria entrou na onda e ele até fez algumas encenações, mas a risada mesmo vinha da plaquinha metálica no peito. A identificação com as letras de forma: olá, me chamo KARAM.

[calymuses]

Um único vislumbre de Armand para que o bruto interpretasse como interesse de conversa. A fantasia estranha pedindo aquela olhada mais comprida, análise fria e distraída comum do féerico, mas suficientemente convincente a ponto de ser amordaçado a um incômodo efêmero na linha do tempo. O rei olhava para frente, mirando naquela planta adormecida do outro lado do salão, usando cada gota da inesgotável paciência para não ceder ao impulso. Criar a ilusão ao redor do corpo, escapulir e fazê-lo sumir; descartando a tagarelice do gigante. Naquela última cutucada, a pose perfeita craquelou nos lábios repuxados para o lado. Seu rosto virou lentamente, olhos díspares encarando o rosto revelado do licantropo. "Por alguns minutos, considerei-o de outra raça. Uma sem a necessidade de respirar." Para não ser explicitamente desrespeitoso e usar o termo 'vampiro'. Koa, por mais irritante e intrusivo que fosse, não era digno que começasse uma pequena guerra em nome do próprio sossego. "Tudo parte de uma observação pessoal e parcial. Por que desenhar nas paredes das cavernas? Por que usar esse símbolo para a letra 'a'? Por que a combinação das notas ré e fá são melhores do que dó e si nessa melodia? Alguém foi mais convincente, alguém teve a ideia primeiro. É por isso que as raças continuam a evoluir." Ah, Armand não defendia ninguém além dos próprios, cada integrante da corte que simbolizava a coroa em seus cabelos. Contudo, algo na arrogância do homem provocava a parte de si dedicada a observar e contribuir, deixar usar suas tecnologias em troca de entretenimento ao longo das décadas. "Sim, terrível. Abominável não saber defender sua posição e precisar calar as outras. Admirável, líder." O título dito com certa repreensão, com um varrida dos pés a cabeça em análise mais minuciosa - indo além da fantasia. "Apreciaria imensamente que mantivesse suas mãos para você e abrisse algum tema em que aceite certo nível de crítica. E resposta."

BALL TIME !

com: armand (@calymuses)

onde: cassino.

"Freud baseava muita coisa em observações de pacientes e interpretações subjetivas, o que fazia suas ideias parecerem mais..." Por alguns minutos, sem permissão alheia, Koa discursava sobre algo aleatório e que fazia parte de sua acunha, um diálogo que ele não lembrava muito bem como havia começado, mas que apetecia, o induzindo a falar mais e mais. A voz saía abafada em razão da grande máscara que impedia que o outrem fizesse contato visual, desconhecido por aquele breve curto tempo, até que decidisse se desfazer, revelando a própria identidade. Entretanto, sentia-se confortável daquele jeito, dando pouca importância a outra coisa, a não ser o que estava dizendo. E durante toda aquela narrativa, ele cutucava Armand, um hábito intrusivo mas que garantia que o outro prestasse atenção em si. "Você entende o que quero dizer? Ele fazia interpretações sem qualquer fundamento, induzindo a pessoa a acreditar em uma única vertente, mais uma filosofia pessoal do que uma linha científica." E ficava exasperado, exprimindo seu desgosto pelo individuo citado. "Preciso ser imparcial, mas não consigo quando um bando de adultos acham que podem me dar algum tipo de lição de moral sobre o assunto. Tietes... Você acredita que precisei usar a dita "voz de alfa" para que me respeitassem? Foi terrível." Koa assumia o resmungo, voltando a cutucar o homem sem permissão, iniciando adicionando um novo caminho ao diálogo — Armand estava no local e hora errada. "Poderia passar a noite toda explicando mas acho que falei demais. Você está tão caladinho. Vamos lá, meu chapa, fale também. Até parece que o impedi de fazer isso por todo esse tempo."

[savagewildnerness]

An improvised love theme for Armand & Daniel & the sexiest bit of Devil’s Minion!

“Yet at other times, he burned for Armand as if for an elixir without which he could not go on. The dark energy that had fired him for four years was now missing. He dreamed Armand was near him; he awoke weeping stupidly. Then the morning would come and he would be sad but calm.

Then Armand had returned.

It was late, perhaps ten o'clock in the evening, and the sky, as it is so often in southern Italy, was a brilliant dark blue overhead. Daniel had been walking alone down the long road that leads from Pompeii proper to the Villa of the Mysteries, hoping no guards would come to drive him away.

As soon as he'd reached the ancient house, a stillness had descended. No guards here. No one living. Only the sudden silent appearance of Armand before the entrance. Armand again.

He'd come silently out of the shadows into the moonlight, a young boy in dirty jeans and worn denim jacket, and he had slipped his arm around Daniel and gently kissed Daniel's face. Such warm skin, full of the fresh blood of the kill. Daniel fancied he could smell it, the perfume of the living clinging to Armand still.

"You want to come into this house?" Armand had whispered. No locks ever kept Armand from anything. Daniel had been trembling, on the edge of tears. And why was that? So glad to see him, touch him, ah, damn him!

They had entered the dark, low-ceilinged rooms, the press of Armand's arm against Daniel's back oddly comforting. Ah, yes, this intimacy, because that's what it is, isn't it? You, my secret . .

Secret lover. Yes.

Then the realization had come to Daniel as they stood together in the ruined dining room with its famous murals of ritual flagellation barely visible in the dark: He isn't going to kill me after all. He isn't going to do it. Of course he won't make me what he is, but he isn't going to kill me. The dance will not end like that.

"But how could you not know such a thing," Armand had said, reading his thoughts. "I love you. If I hadn't grown to love you, I would have killed you before now, of course."

The moonlight poured through the wooden lattices. The lush figures of the murals came to life against their red backdrop, the color of dried blood.

Daniel stared hard at the creature before him, this thing that looked human and sounded human but was not. There was a horrid shift in his consciousness; he saw this being like a great insect, a monstrous evil predator who had devoured a million human lives. And yet he loved this thing. He loved its smooth white skin, its great dark brown eyes. He loved it not because it looked like a gentle, thoughtful young man, but because it was ghastly and awful and loathsome, and beautiful all at the same time. He loved it the way people love evil, because it thrills them to the core of their souls. Imagine, killing like that, just taking life any time you want it, just doing it, sinking your teeth into another and taking all that that person can possibly give.

Look at the garments he wore. Blue cotton shirt, brass-buttoned denim jacket. Where had he gotten them? Off a victim, yes, like taking out his knife and skinning the kill while it was still warm? No wonder they reeked of salt and blood, though none was visible. And the hair trimmed just as if it weren't going to grow out within twenty-four hours to its regular shoulder length. This is evil. This is illusion. This is what I want to be, which is why I cannot stand to look at him.

Armand's lips had moved in a soft, slightly concealed smile. And then his eyes had misted and closed. He had bent close to Daniel, pressed his lips to Daniel's neck.

And once again, as he had in a little room on Divisadero Street in San Francisco with the vampire Louis, Daniel felt the sharp teeth pierce the surface of his skin. Sudden pain and throbbing warmth. "Are you killing me finally?" He grew drowsy, on fire, filled with love. "Do it, yes."

But Armand had taken only a few droplets. He'd released Daniel and pressed gently on his shoulders, forcing Daniel down to his knees. Daniel had looked up to see the blood flowing from Armand's wrist. Great electric shocks had passed through Daniel at the taste of that blood. It had seemed in a flash that the city of Pompeii was full of a whispering, a crying, some vague and pulsing imprint of long-ago suffering and death. Thousands perishing in smoke and ash. Thousands dying together. Together. Daniel had clung to Armand. But the blood was gone. Only a taste-no more.

"You are mine, beautiful boy," Armand had said.”

[nalyra-dreaming]

Hi! Love your blog!

We know that made Lestat's abuse of Louis way more prominent in show (decision I still don't agree with but that's not the matter) and we have Jacob saying that s2 is way darker than book. People speculate that it's because they'll include FrankenClaudia who technically wasn't in this particular book but do you think they'll make Loumands relationship more toxic too like they did with Loustat? (I know they added romance to loustat but they also added beating scene that was on way way more smaller scale in book). Do you think they'll add more gaslighting? Emphasize on Armand making Louis turn Madeleine against his will?

Thank you for answering!

Hey nonny!

So glad you like!

I do think that they will heavily lean into that, yes. (And this "interview" is already held with the content of several books, so imho it doesn't really matter where the content comes from... Rolin held 6? or 7 books up to the camera^^). This will be a bit longer^^:

As all things are said to be revisited we will see how s1 will hold up, but of course it will stay correct that they emphasized the abuse vector. And that is a very valid thing for the Vampire Chronicles! There is a LOT in there, especially abuse, but also like... everything else, too. (As the Twitter discourse currently on Marius also... shows.)

So to get back to your actual question: yes I do think they will emphasize this part (though if they add more? We will see.), I think they have already hinted at that in season 1, but the book canon and their chosen promotional posters give us a very poignant hint here as well.

If we look at the "elevator posters" for example, we have Lestat, Louis and Claudia looking sideways at the observer*, in various state of emotions: fear, anger, and aware consternation (maybe), respectively.

And then we have Armand, *the observer, who looks down the length of his nose at them, with an air of superiority and a hint of a smile, clearly the one in charge:

It is also important to note that he is half in shadow but from the front here, not sideways as the others. The other three are almost completely "in the light", visible as it were. Armand... is not.

Now, if you remember the poster of season 1, then this is a direct echo of it, as well as a development from it:

Lestat was only half visible, behind Louis, since we only heard of him through Louis. Now he is in the same "position" as Louis and Claudia, almost fully revealed.

It is interesting that those elevator pictures keep Claudia in this position here, too, but it makes sense when one knows what will revealed only in later books about her and her play (I have talked about the twist from Merrick).

Now the posters sold at SDCC are equally interesting, because they speak their own language:

First off, we have Louis, holding the mask of Lestat in his hand, a mask taken off, and the mask echoes Lestat's "death face". He is looking into space, beyond it, and he seems to be seated in the back of a stage (given that we have a scene photo with Lestat seated on stage that carries ... repercussions^^).

"La mémoire est un monstre". The second half of IWTV is (among other things of course) Louis yearning for Lestat and learning a few... uncomfortable truths. Masks are taken off, and the revelations will be bloody. Louis will be condemned to be a spectator for some of them, and in the book it culminates in a very poignant speech about passivity.

And then there's Claudia. "La famille est un monstre." Dancing as Carmen, the red flamenco dress making her seem older than she is (supposed to be). The dress emulates flames, the audience is dead. She is almost smirking at the beholder, definitely proud of who she is, and her feet are naked.

"Carmen, a searing depiction of a woman who craves love, but creates obsession and jealousy, is one of the most popular operas ever written." (x)

The Carmen reference feels perfect for me, it will be very interesting to see which aspects they take up for the show, who Madeleine will be, given the World War 2 context, and the jealousy of the soldier in the original opera.

Then there is "L'amour est un monstre". Love is a monster. Love is the monster. The lover is the monster. For these vampires all these variations fit, and I do not just mean Loumand here, but generally.

Armand seems to say something to Louis, who is looking into space, with a slight frown.

The movie poster from "Gaslight", a movie about a whirlwind romance and the new husband isolating the wife from the world and "gaslighting" her to make her appear mad and doubt her own sanity to get at what she possesses... now the IWTV people know what they're doing *laughs*

Anyone who has read IWTV and TVA knows that Armand spell-binds Louis on several occasions, and influences him to do things, for example turning Madeleine, as you mentioned.

Interestingly enough there is also a man with a face half in light, half in shadows here - and that is echoed on Louis in the poster, one half is painted red - indicating he doubles with the police officer of the movie, discovering the things that are supposed to be hidden from him.

And, last but definitely not least, the general poster, without caption:

Lestat is "almost" revealed, our "view" of him still restricted somewhat by Louis and Claudia, as well from the theater curtain.

Claudia is engaged with whatever is happening beyond our view, Louis... is not. He is restraining himself, hands in pockets, mouth set and his gaze is dark, somewhere between accusation and anger. Lestat's gaze is open here, carrying a vague challenge, an expectation.

If we take the elevator pictures back into account one could argue they are looking at Armand here - and that would fit with the story:

Lestat will come to Armand hoping for something, expecting something. Louis will come to some very uncomfortable realizations, and events that will make him beyond angry. Claudia will try to move on, leave Armand behind. And even Louis, arguably.

So to wrap this up: I'm not sure they will add more gaslighting. More toxicity.

Because I don't think they actually need to! There is plenty there already. They will however build on what's there, and it has been more than hinted at imho. (Arguably that happened in season 1 as well, as a lot of that ep 5 scene echoes something in later books, and we will know only after season 2 how it will click into place.)

Armand uses his spell-gift on Louis even after promising not to do it (in the book, I talked about it here), and given how this show drags things into the light they will definitely hook into this. I think both definitions of "gaslighting" will apply - given the structure of the show they might make Armand the "villain" (that he was in the first books) this time round, though of course this word doesn't quite fit for these vampires.

Armand is the one who tortures Nicki and chops off his hands. We are getting flashbacks to that time, and we know that we will get to see Lestat and Nicki in that time. I would bet money on it that they will explore that part of their history.

Armand is the one who tortures Lestat, and uses him to pull the mock trial off.

Armand is the one who throws Lestat off a tower, challenging him to love him... a scene many book readers expect to at the very least echo, if not replace the ep5 scene, depending on how they spin it.

Armand is the one who influences Louis to do things, and who lies to both Louis and Lestat about the other.

Armand is the one who has Claudia (and Madeleine) killed, because she was in the way.

I know show only viewers see Lestat as the epitome of toxicity right now, but... he's actually not. Jacob put it well in that interview that Louis is "angry at him and presents him as a monster".

The show made choices, and given that it's Lestat (who is just the tiniest bit important for the following seasons/books after all)... this requires other choices to be made.

And going by the posters they have given us - they do.

[monstersinthecosmos]

Vamptember Day 11 - Aphrodisiac

{northern lite - right now}

He watches from a booth in the corner. 

It’s a bit too loud in here, but he likes the pulse of the bass, the way runs through the leather  beneath him and the way it makes his glass buzz against the table and the way it even vibrates the cloth of his pant legs. He stretches his arms out over the back of the couch, sinking into all the sensation, enjoying all the balmy human heat trapped in the room. 

Daniel is out on the dance floor, smiling as he holds a woman by the waist. His eyes light up in a way that they never do at home. And it’s not just that he can still pass a human, but that he can pass as a young one. He fits right in with all the students, and Marius wonders if it’s his way of taking back something Armand stole from him.

His hands raise above his head as he dances along to the electronic melody in the music, shirt lifting just enough to see a stripe of his belly and the wiry hair beneath his navel. Skin flushed pink from feeding, and it takes so little to get him looking alive again. Young enough for that. Still so soft.

And then a man behind him. The woman’s boyfriend, Marius assumes. They make eye contact above Daniel’s shoulder, as if this is a thing they do. Timeless, that; Marius had been similarly adopted by a couple when he was alive, too. He can’t help the smile as he watches, as the man leans into Daniel’s back, says something in his ear, as his palm anchors against Daniel’s exposed midriff.

The woman presses in to Daniel’s front, lifting up on her toes to kiss her boyfriend over Daniel’s shoulder, then turns to kiss Daniel’s cheek. The desire crackle through the entire room,  reaching Marius even in his dark little corner, even beneath the thick human humidity. Daniel’s thirst strikes him weak as she kisses him on the mouth next, and Marius catches the way his hands stutter at his sides, flexing in and out of fists, as he tries to resist hurting her.

Marius sits up. Watches closer, ready to step in If Daniel needs. Doing so much better lately, but still so young. 

Do you want to come sit? he asks. The man’s hand is drifting, petting over Daniel’s zipper. Invite them for a drink.

Daniel’s hair flies around him as he snaps his head to the side, finding Marius across the chaotic space. None of the humans seem to notice the unnatural glow of his eyes, the way they catch the colored lights. 

And he’s been so much better. Doing so well. But sometimes Marius isn’t sure which Daniel to expect. He might accept the offer as easily as he might become defensive and oppose just for the sake of it. The smallest things used to set him off. 

But, no. He speaks into the woman’s ear, and turns to kiss the man on the mouth, then nods towards their booth. The woman’s fingers hook into a belt loop on Daniel’s jeans as she follows him, as they weave through the sea of bodies, and finally slide in around the table.

Thomas and Bente, their names are. University students. A little out of breath as they settle into the couch, practically on top of each other. 

“This is my boyfriend, Mars,” Daniel says, speech stilted as he tries to shout over the music. 

Boyfriend, hmm. That’s new. 

Marius smiles politely, and beckons for a waitress. Orders them all a round of drinks. And it’s too loud to carry on a conversation, but Thomas and Bente curl against each other. Drunk enough to lose their modesty, perhaps comfortable enough in the shadows for Thomas’s hand to sneak beneath her shirt. 

Daniel’s hand rests on Marius’s thigh, nails digging in as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Getting overwhelmed, perhaps, and Marius turns to kiss his temple.

Are you all right?

Daniel nods. He breathes through his mouth, lips parted like he’s drunk. Perhaps he is. He usually comes away from the dancefloor with a cocktail of things in his blood. Club drugs, like the kids do today. 

They’re on molly, Daniel tells him, and he shudders. Shuts his eyes, nuzzles his face into Marius’s throat.

So you’re on molly, no? Marius asks. Daniel giggles.

His whole body is warm. Barely any blood and he’s feeling human again. Soft and clammy, feverish little thing. His lips drag cross the side of Marius’s neck, teeth grazing. He has permission, of course, but it’s as if he restrains himself for the recreation of it.

Thomas grunts, from the other side of the booth, and Daniel looks over towards them. Bente straddling his lap now, and her hand is not-so-subtly dipping into the front of his pants. Daniel squeezes harder into Marius’s thigh, until it actually hurts.

“Hey,” Marius says out loud. He lifts Daniel’s gaze with a finger beneath his chin, to stare into his eyes. 

He must have been so beautiful when he was alive. Boyish like this. Marius can imagine him, before Louis and Armand, before all the fear. He can imagine the innocence.

“I’m hungry,” he whispers, but Marius hears it over the music. 

Marius brushes a strand of hair from Daniel’s eyes. 

“I used to feel this way,” he explains. He cups a hand around Daniel’s cheek, and can feel the heat in his palm where Daniel is blushing. “Those first few decades, I remember. I was hungry all the time.”

“It’s different, it’s—”

“Like you’re still human, like you could die,” Marius says. Daniel swallows hard, and nods. He glances over at his new friends in time to see Thomas’s hand slide up beneath her skirt. “They want to take you home. And you want to go, don’t you?”

Tiny noise creeps out of Daniel’s throat. He nods.

“It’s hard, when you’re this young,” Marius says. His hand sweeps down across Daniel’s shoulders, where his shirt is damp and sticking to him. “Your body doesn’t know what to do with all the arousal. You’d let them fuck you, but you just want their blood.”

“Yeah…”

“Sweetheart, you must be starving.”

He hears the pitch of Daniel’s heart, even over the music. His pupils blow wide in the dark, as if tapping into his true predator. Big and dark and glossy from the drugs. They stare at each other for a moment, and Marius takes a peek inside, pretending that it’s just to check on him.

And it’s music in there, enjoying the DJ. And the scrape of Thomas’s stubble against his jaw earlier, and the taste of Bente’s lipgloss. And their veins, delicately humming beneath their skin, their tender little heartbeats, the heady rush of molly when Daniel had sipped from them. And the strain, like he could scream, when he forced himself to stop. Only taking a little, the way Marius taught him. The hunger aches, and he sees red, and he remembers when he was human and Armand would ruin his orgasms for fun.

But now he just stares into Marius’s face, and it gives him that chill. Intoxicating feeling of powerlessness, like he’s small, thrilling erotic rush of subservience.

I want to kiss him, Daniel thinks.

The corner of Marius’s mouth quirks as he tries to hide the grin. This is new, too, isn’t it,

“How very human of you,” Marius muses.

But Daniel is in his lap, almost instantly. Straddling him, holding his shoulders. Leaning in for it.

New. All these years living together, and with Daniel drinking his blood, it wasn’t exactly like this. Things have felt so tidy and safe and uncomplicated.

Daniel moans into it, and his mouth fills with blood. His fingers comb through Marius’s hair, one hand cupping around the back of his head as the other plants hard against his chest, feeling for his ancient heartbeat.

Never tasted Daniel’s blood before. Felt respectful to keep that boundary, perhaps. But even Marius is not immune to the charm.

You taste like your maker, Marius thinks. 

Marius’s own blood, filtered down like this. Electric pull in his body, like the Blood inside knows it. He savors the flavor, licking into Daniel’s mouth, holding him by the hips. Untamed, full of hurt. So very desperate to take a life.

Do you want to go home with them, Daniel? he asks, as his tongue probes into the open wounds. And he sees the answer immediately, the way Daniel imagines it. Their bodies, and the heat. He imagines watching them together, and drinking them after, and he recoils, his mouth still red, as he imagines killing them.

“You won’t,” Marius reassures. He licks Daniel’s blood from his teeth, and rubs the tops of Daniel’s thighs. “I’ll keep them safe from you. We can go, if you want to.”

Daniel breathes hard, like a mortal. Mouth open, and he looks lost, too turned on for words.

“You can watch them, the way your maker watched you, if that’s what you want,” Marius says. He leans forward and kisses Daniel again, biting him on the lip as he pulls away. “Is that what you want?”

And he’s trembling, panting, thirst flowing off of him like heat as he nods his head. 

[maester-of-spreadsheets]

Aka; an Armand playlist that only has songs from Shah Rukh Khan movies

Season 1 Episode 1: Aaya Tere Dar Par // Veer-Zaara I have broken all bonds with the world For you have come, leaving the world behind On your doorstep, your lover has come He has come, your lover has come

[Sorry for qawwali rocking. It will happen again.]

Season 1 Episode 2: Aa Tayar Hoja // Asoka Once on board the evening ship, get yourself settled in Come on, let's go! The evening shall be ecstasy The lips shall be mine but the thoughts shall be yours

[Needed at least one item number because Rashid!Armand basically served the same function as "I'm not sure what's happening here but I think I like it!"]

Season 1 Episode 3: Jaadu Teri Nazar // Darr Whether you say yes or no Whether you say yes or no Kiran, you're mine Kiran, you're mine

[Might as well throw this banger at the episode where Armand doesn't do anything but get accused of lingering.]

Season 1 Episode 4: Chaiyya Chaiyya // Dil Se Those who’ve been blessed with The shadow of love over their head, Will have heaven under their feet one day

[This claim is a little less impressive when you can float and you're immune to mediocre stars.]

Season 1 Episode 5: Chalak Chalak // Devdas This wine, this wine, yes, this wine, this wine This wine brings with itself The rain of memories It splashes and overflows This wine all around the heart

[Just here because of how often wine and blood are used as metaphors for one another and this episode has really comedically sezualized blood drinking DON'T THINK TOO HARD ABOUT HOW THE END OF THE SONG SIGNALS DOOM...]

Season 1 Episode 6: Baazigar O Baazigar // Baazigar My heart was alone You played such a game I stay up all night in your memories

[And that's a threat by the way.]

Season 1 Episode 7: Aaj Ki Raat // Don

The crazy ones are still unaware of What's going to happen tonight, What will be gained, what will be lost

[Not only is it difficult to know what Armand is doing, it's-]

Season 2 Episode 1: Tumse Milke Dil Ka // Main Hoon Na Check that! Wiiiiicked

[Or, if you prefer: "You don't know what is inside of my heart/You will remember my story."]

Season 2 Episode 2: Where's the Party Tonight // Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna The pleasant songs are playing All lovers are misled So dance all night Where's the party tonight?

[Somewhere down the road!!!... at the combination mansion and vampire all you can eat place.]

Season 2 Episode 3: Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte // Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi I wish someone would love me, even if it’s a lie Even if it’s a lie, yes even if it’s a lie In every lifetime, the colors will change We blossom behind the curtains of dreamland We are travelers on the path of love, We’ll meet again as time goes by

[There are so many bollywood songs that make me feel like I've lived through several lifetimes, especially this one.]

Season 2 Episode 4: Ishq Kameena // Shakti Love is rotten, it has broken every heart Every lover has lost out to love, love has struck me down I find no peace, love is horrible, it makes life miserable

[Good song for an episode with everyone trying and failing to be romantic.]

Season 2 Episode 5: Dard-E-Disco // Om Shanti Om Then the fountain of grief started flowing As the balloon of my dreams burst That's why I now wander London, Paris, New York, L.A. or San Fransisco In my heart is the pain of disco

[... /Mic drop]

Season 2 Episode 6: Marjaani // Billu In the presence of God, I've also made promises I've acted according to the customs of the world Still if the world doesn't understand, then punish it If it agrees with you, then reward it If this crazy world doesn't agree to it then Let the world go to hell and die

[When you are about to be unable to prevent it :(]

Season 2 Episode 7: Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om // Om Shanti The story goes that the one who recognizes the murderer, That lad has come back. It’s life’s way of telling the murderer That the shadow of death has surrounded him

[Just play this one in reverse because instead of using the trappings of theater to reveal the truth about an ingenue who was burned to death, we are using theater to conceal the truth about an ingenue who was burned to death.]

Season 2 Episode 8: Let's Break Up // Dear Zindagi Let’s break up, oh my love Agree to this We’ll never be able to make it work so let it go Let's break up!

[Yes, let's.]

[armandsfangs]

Young Daniel Molloy hears of a mysterious Sanctuary called Night Island. Strange people watch over the humans there, who never seem to want to leave. It's a self sustaining utopia but sometimes the people get sick and occasionally disappear. Sometimes new ones are compelled to move there. Daniel is one such human, only he thinks he just wants to do some investigating. One of the strange folks in charge catches his eye, a handsome gentleman who is the only one of them seen in the daytime. Armand.

"I know you're followin' me," Daniel says casually. He's leaning against the wall of a surprisingly clean alleyway, away from the carousing crowds, with smoke slowly curling from the cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

A figure melts out of the shadows, tall and slender, dressed like a modern casanova, the open collar of his shirt revealing an expanse of cinnamon toned skin.

"You're sharper than you look." The stranger's delicate enunciation makes Daniel pause. A sense of déjà vu. Or it could mean nothing.

"Might cut you if you get too close," Daniel replies glibly. He takes a long drag from his cigarette as he eyes the stranger. Daniel can admit when another man is physically attractive. It doesn't mean that he's gay or anything.

The stranger smiles. His teeth are perfect. "Armand. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Daniel. Are you gonna tell me why you were followin' me, Armand?" He likes the way the name feels in his mouth, like it belongs there.

Armand saunters closer. In the slanted light of the alleyway, his eyes appear to be glowing orange. They're fixated, unblinking, on Daniel. The hair on the back of Daniel's neck stands on end. A primal sort of fear skitters down his spine and promptly takes a detour to coil itself in the pit of his stomach as equally primal arousal.

"I know who you are," Armand says simply.

Daniel raises his eyebrows, trying to look nonchalant. "You're a fan of my book?"

"Something like that." Armand is close enough to touch. Close enough to wrap his fingers around that stupid wide open collar and pull him in for a ki— Daniel blinks, and looks away, suddenly embarrassed by his train of thought. But it's not like Armand can tell what he's thinking, right? Why is he smirking like that?

"Autographs are $20," Daniel says roughly.

Armand does not break eye contact as he leans in, the palm of his hand braced against the brick wall next to Daniel's head. Inexplicably, Daniel wants to nuzzle into that richly tanned hand, to feel those fingers around his throat —

"You're getting ahead of yourself," says Armand, clearly amused.

Daniel flushes. "Hey, I'm not like playing for the same team or whatever you got goin' on, just so you know."

"I know," says Armand, far too knowingly. His other hand reaches up to trail along the soft underside of Daniel's jaw and down his throat. "You came here to investigate leads for a new story. To expose the mysteries of Night Island."

A shuddering breath escapes Daniel's lips, every nerve in his body pulled taut like puppet strings at the mercy of Armand's elegant fingers. His cigarette falls and rolls away, forgotten.

Daniel fights to get his voice back. "Yeah, so what's it to you?"

In an instant, the soft touch at his jugular becomes a vice. Daniel gasps. He can't even struggle. Armand's expression flickers. Was that sadness?

Eyes like burning suns bore into him. "Sisyphean fool that you are. This is your final warning. Leave and do not return if you value your life."

Dark spots dance in Daniel's vision, blotting out Armand's visage like an eclipse. Just as his consciousness is about to slip away, soft lips press against his, painfully tender. He aches with the need to reciprocate, to hold Armand in his arms, to never let him go again —

The vice grip loosens and Daniel drops like a puppet with his strings cut. He wheezes, trying to catch his breath. He looks up in fear.

He is alone. The alleyway is empty, except for a snuffed out cigarette.

Who was he expecting? No matter, he has to get home.

Daniel touches his neck and slots his fingers against the blossoming bruises. If he tries hard enough, he can almost feel a hand holding his.

---

Holy shit I did not expect to write this much. Thank you so much for the inspiration, anon!

Just in case it's not clear, it's meant to be post devil's minion era where Armand is the one who ended it with a memory wipe, but Daniel keeps wandering back to Night Island to "investigate" (lowkey still looking for the love of his life) so Armand has to keep kicking him off the island. They are both Sisyphean fools lol

[shavirlight]

IWTV Fic Masterpost

From most to least recent. Make sure to carefully read the tags as well as the warnings for the relevant fics, and proceed at your own discretion. Will be adding to this list as I post more fic <3 You can now also read my Louis/Lestat fics in chronological order.

The House Was a Funeral Pyre | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 5.8k-?, warning: like a million things)

In the cold grime of 1910 Paris, with loud steps over wet pavement, an inebriated group of young bohemians were exiting a small theater and making their way home. They were shouting, rambunctious with laughter, and one of the men was dancing, bathed in the streetlight glow.

He was beautiful.

Louis watched from the above in the dark, from the top of the steps leading down to the dirty path. He stood between the shadows, and for the first time in almost one hundred years, felt the draw of the warm light below.

Louis and Lestat, in reverse.

Surrender and Win | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 4.0k)

It’s difficult to remember when the last time Lestat had the upper hand over him like this was. There is something to the struggle, though, to the merciless push and pull that Louis finds he craves, and it feels good to be defeated at times. Lestat is a ruthless opponent, and to surrender to him can be its own form of release, but—Louis has never begged for it. He cannot. Fortunately, he’ll never need to. At the height of Louis and Lestat's "casual" arrangement, a power struggle ensues.

Dwell Where You Are Safe | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 5.1k)

Louis is a man of infuriating, addictive contradictions. Lestat had thought that following his and Claudia’s calamitous chess game, he would grow cold to him. Inexplicably, it seems to have produced the opposite effect. Or: after the chess game, Lestat struggles to make sense of his lover’s sudden, overwhelming lust.

Perpetual 1908 | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 6.3k)

This is a new side of Lestat, one that accepts Louis’ rule and lets himself be guided by his hand. There is a longing in him, a need for release from his own impulses, from his own sense of control. Has Paris done this to him, as well? Filled him with too many sorrows for keeping, made him crave a departure from his own mind? Louis buys Lestat a watch. The gift is well-received.

Five Memories in the Vaults of Your Mind | Armand/Louis (mature, 6.9k)

There are things in Armand’s past, people and moments and long stretches of times, years, decades—that he would not have objected to forgetting. If a benevolent being came along and offered to erase them for him, to blur the feelings that came with their memories, offered to take it all away and cradle Armand’s mind in its loving palm… he would have fallen to his knees and wept with relief.  Or: five things Louis would like to forget.

Haul Away Together | Louis/Lestat, Louis/The Sailor (explicit, 5.7k, warning: noncon elements with the sailor)

It’s like something pulled directly from Louis’ teenage mind; the bright, muscular sailor, ruddy with arousal as he shrugs off his shirt with easy confidence. Louis wonders if Lestat knew, somehow, of this forgotten fantasy of his youth. If it’s part of why it seems to be coming true, now. Three nights after Louis is turned, Lestat brings home a gift.

Words On Screen | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 6.9k)

It’s a text from Lestat, with an image attached. He does that sometimes, sends Louis pictures of things he thinks he would enjoy, though the vast majority of them are painfully pedestrian; a statue from the 18th century, a lamp had Lestat bought for his apartment, a man on the street with a pet parrot—on one occasion, a picture of a tree. Lestat claimed he ‘thought Louis would appreciate its unique Byzantine shape’.

Really, the pictures themselves are meaningless—they function, utterly transparently, as excuses to contact Louis. Little digital lures, meant to pull him into Lestat’s orbit once more. This is a sexting fic.

See / Exit | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 8.7k)

Louis is living for himself—which means doing what he wants, and being honest about what it is. So what if he flew across the world, attended Lestat’s concert, got hot and bothered watching him perform and waited for him in his dressing room? So what if upon seeing Lestat, he immediately went to his knees to give him a blowjob so dirty he thought he might come just from giving it? It’s not a big deal. At least, it doesn’t have to be. Or: five times Louis waits for Lestat in his dressing room, and one time Lestat is already there.

Burrow | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 8.7k, warning: dubcon)

Louis is tired a lot, these days. Lestat watches as he hunts human, makes sure he stays well-nourished and full, and so he knows that isn’t the reason. A voice from within him, a cruel one, wants to whisper to him—but Lestat banishes it from his mind. He will simply have to work harder, tonight, to rouse his beloved – a small challenge like this shouldn’t deter. Lestat will have him hard and begging in no time. Since their reconciliation, Louis has become more agreeable. Maybe too agreeable.

the body, not in stasis | Daniel/Louis, (explicit, 1.9k)

“The need to cares for your body is, in part, what tethers you to it. It’s a reminder, Daniel—that you are flesh and blood. That you are a human being,” Louis insists, in his usual verbose fashion, and Daniel can’t help but laugh as he turns to leave. “Well, you’re welcome to come watch, if it’s so magical to you,” he says.

Want and Swallow and Keep | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 10.7k, warning: dubcon)

Love, sex, possession. To Lestat, they’re all the same thing. So this could be perfect; Louis could decide what they do, control Lestat’s actions. He could make Lestat work for it, earn Louis’ trust again by way of obedience. Louis could restrain him from doing something—something bad.

Of Mercy, With Choice | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 6.2k)

“I always thought that your victims were truly fortunate, to be gifted with such an exhilarating death,” Lestat says, tangled in the messy sheets. “What bliss it must have been, to be killed by one so beautiful.” Louis and Lestat play at a fantasy. It gets a bit out of hand.

A Chill That Follows | Louis/Armand/Dreamstat (explicit, 4.9k)

Armand wants him, wants him bad—is willing to go against the coven to hold him. Louis can work with that, he’s good at figuring out which buttons to push, how to get what he needs. And this is what he needs right now; to feel a man’s touch after going without for so long. He wants Armand, too. Louis lets Armand in. Or at least, he tries to. There's a complication.

To Make a Real Home | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 5.4k, warning: dubcon)

Louis is hovering a few steps behind him as he tucks the girl in, as gently as he can—she needs to heal, and it will likely take some time. Lestat can feel Louis’ gaze on his back, can feel the anxiety radiating from him as he watches from a distance, stock-still as if afraid to disturb the ritual taking place in front of him. It makes Lestat feel cold. Emotions run high in the aftermath of Claudia's turning.

And the Knowing Is Sweet, Too | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 6.6k)

For his own peace of mind, Louis had to get Lestat out of that miserable shack. He rented him a fully furnished apartment not too far from Rue Royale, then purchased a new, elegant coffin for him to sleep in. Next, a modern wardrobe to help him blend in with the mortals. And finally, he bought him a piano—a nice one, too. He assured Lestat that it was all a loan, just until he got his finances in order. The piano, though, was a gift. And now it was time for Louis to go home.

See What Happens | Daniel/Louis, (explicit, 6.3k)

So this is happening. This extremely stupid, thrilling professional and personal mistake that he’s making with the 100-year-old serial killer he’s supposed to be interviewing. Daniel steels himself – it’s happening, and he’s in it, and there’s no point in turning back now. He has to see where it goes. Daniel stumbles into a game he doesn't understand.

New Ways for Old Things | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 3.8k, warning: this fic is old)

Louis is sure that the burns are painful, but Lestat’s reactions seem to indicate something beyond a simple physical thrill. It’s as if this old game is unveiling a brand new side of them.

Seek His Face and Turn | Louis/Lestat (explicit, 2.8k, warning: dubcon, and this fic is also old)

Louis can’t help but feel that nothing has truly changed. Lestat is simply humouring his latest whim, to play the overpowering predator to Lestat’s helpless victim in some mockery of a payback. Every night Louis berates himself for participating in this charade, and every morning he falls asleep in Lestat’s arms, spent and resigned. It’s never truly what he wants it to be, anyway, and it’s only a matter of time before this new game loses its novelty. After taking Lestat back, Louis bargains.

[dfyltdy]

armandaniel | the vampire & his devil's minion pt 2

Behold, I unveil unto thee the haunting tale of Daniel and Armand, where beauty intertwines with terror. Two souls, entwined in a dance of desire, spanning decades in the shadows. Daniel, a fascinating boy ensnared by emotions, and Armand, an eternal creature of sorrow. Their love: an eternal embrace, accompanied by an ethereal playlist. The melodies echo with ethereal ballads, intoxicating allure, and turbulent passions, haunting the corridors of time. "I could not prevent it," murmured Armand, "but I have more to reveal."

By the way, baby, I made it—I created the second part of the playlist for Devil's Minion. I used a magnificent drawing by Alen Seress | @alenseressas the cover (with the artist's permission, of course). Daniel and Armand: a haunting love story with an ethereal playlist echoing through time.

also part 1:

[desperuntion]

@andessence

the stranger is a tongue in his mouth and the curve of a hipbone behind the pad of his thumb. her hair caught his eye first, bushels of pinned-up curls he thought were brown through the vignette of a dancing crowd doused dimly in colors, but with his thin fingers forked behind her ear, her hair appears auburn.

his lover has not yet returned. daniel is comfortably held against the sharp grazing edge of sleeplessness and an ebbing high. the music pounding between his ears wounds a dull ache in his head, but it is predictable, familiar.

a siren however slices effortlessly through the cluster of sensations as if all that makes his heart thump quickly parts the way for armand. daniel would answer armand’s demand for his attention for much less. he would do it half dead. he would do it for nothing at all.

a muffled noise escapes his lips against the mouth over his own. she is pulling away at the same time as daniel pushes her back.

“ armand? ”

his name slips out without thought or reason. urgency feels misplaced in armand’s voice at all. control might as well leap to his lover’s fingertips— it had not even occurred to daniel something going wrong was even possible.

he thrusts something akin to a haphazard apology in her direction— at least, it feels that way falling from his tongue, but he does not attempt to hear the words— and asks his feet to recall their steadiness.  

what? what happened? fuck— coming, coming— are you okay?    

he weaves through a blur of bodies, only now losing his affinity for the music that rattles his head and chest. he moves in the direction of the glowing exit sign. he thinks he spilled someone’s drink by the affronted noise being swallowed up in the crowd behind him as he shoves open the exit and swings outside with the door.

he nearly loses his footing as the frigid night air shatters the club’s fever dream like a pane of glass. a thin, midnight rain sheds overhead, and the grating music is replaced by the scuff of his shoes against pavement.

“ armand? where—? armand? ”

he calls out again, his breath a puff of dissolving smoke. he does not stop moving, his mind a buzz of anxiety and inebriation, but his feet find a direction.

shielded by shadows and pressed heavily against a wall of cement slick with rainwater, he finds his lover looking very small. thin-boned and young, slightly folded in on himself. it jars daniel before he can even think to try and stop the emotion.

a body emptied out of life is collapsed, faceless to daniel. he doesn’t spare the victim more than a brief, creased-brow lookover before attempting to step around them. with his vision tripping over itself slightly, his success is only partial. the corpse’s outstretched fingertips end up beneath his heel as he reaches out to collect whatever pieces of armand his hands land upon first. he tries to take armand’s hand and finds his wrist. with his other hand, he grasps at the sleeve over armand’s shoulder.

[calymuses]

Status: ❛ what are your plans for today? ❜ diz @arcarwen

Talvez ele estivesse certo. Armand não passando de um adolescente crescido às vistas de um humano comum, ainda preso na fase rebelde e inconsequente. Por quê? Seus dedos iam para os cabelos e puxavam fio por fio, as unhas inutilizando a camada de gel e revelando os cachos loiro-esbranquiçados. "Hoje ou agora?" Perguntou com uma sombra de sorriso no tom descontraído. Aquela tecnicalidade o tinha salvo tantas vezes quanto podia imaginar. Usando do tempo e da lentidão de mudança entre os féericos para dispensar a urgência da união entre aqueles dois. "Hoje, casa. Agora, nada. Pergunte-me a motivação por trás do convite de me trazer aqui."

[villaofthemysteries]

...and yet he loved this thing

Hello, and welcome to The Devil’s Minion Week, which celebrates the relationship between Daniel Molloy and Armand in The Vampire Chronicles series, specifically from The Queen of the Damned. This chapter of the book, and the relationship it describes, is some of the best writing and characterisation in the whole series, and the layered, twisted, deeply romantic relationship that ensues is beloved by many fans.

To celebrate, this week is dedicated to quotes from the chapter, and fans are invited to make gifsets/photosets, artwork, fics or videos, that relate to, or are inspired by, each quote. This includes images from the recent TV version of Interview with the Vampire, as well as other onscreen appearances of both Daniel and Armand, as the aim is to appeal to both book and show fans. It runs from 10 o’clock in the morning of the 4th of September, to some time in the evening of the 10th of September (all times in Greenwich Mean Time).

You can submit your creation before then, or feel free to post it to your own account and tag @villaofthemysteries using the ‘and yet he loved this thing’/’the devil’s minion week’ tags, which we will track throughout.

The quotes for each day are below - you can use them directly, or relatively, or interpret them in a new and different way. The main idea is to have fun with them, and with the relationship in general, in whatever form that will take.

************************************************************************************************

Day 1 - I want it. I want to live forever. Daniel had sat up, climbed to his feet slowly, struggling to see Armand more clearly. A dim bulb burned somewhere far down the hall. I want to be with Louis and with you. Laughter, low, gentle. But contemptuous. "I see why he chose you for his confidant. You are naive and beautiful. But the beauty could be the only reason, you know."

Day 2 - Daniel was past all decision. Daniel lived only in two alternating states: misery and ecstasy, united by love. He never knew when he'd be given the blood. He never knew if things looked different because of it-the carnations staring at him from their vases, skyscrapers hideously visible like plants sprung up from steel seeds overnight-or because he was just going out of his mind.

Day 3 - “Armand [...] always knew where Daniel was. He could hear Daniel's call. The blood connected them, it had to-the precious tiny drinks of burning preternatural blood. Never enough to do more than awaken dreams in Daniel, and the thirst for eternity, to make the flowers in the wallpaper sing and dance. Whatever, Armand could always find him, of that he had no doubt."

Day 4 - “You came back to me because you wanted to, Daniel,” Armand always said calmly, face still and radiant, eyes full of love. "There is nothing for you now, Daniel, except me. You know that. Madness waits out there."

Day 5 - "Be alive, Daniel." A low whisper, like a kiss. "Let me tell you from my heart that life is better than death."

Day 6 - “… Let the demonic gods war with each other. This mortal has been to the top of the mountain where they cross swords. And he has come back. He has been turned away.”

Day 7 - “...the sight of Armand made him want to cry. Even in deep shadow, Armand's dark brown eyes were filled with a vibrant light. And the expression on his face, so loving. He reached out very carefully and touched Armand's eyelashes. He wanted to touch the tiny fine lines in Armand's lips. Armand kissed him. He began to tremble. The way it felt, the cool silky mouth, like a kiss of the brain, the electric purity of a thought!”

[lumiereswig]

plumiere finding each other across lives, stories, and universes

The little tin soldier falls into the flames. Wait! says the paper ballerina, and follows after him. Every story says they melt.

~~~~

"What's your name, mademoiselle?" The boy is young, sixteen, dressed up in cockeyed gold scraps he found at some village fête. She is fifteen and wearing a feather the Queen left in the sewing room.

"Plumette," she says, and stares hard at the sun to hide her grin. He sees her looking and tries to strike a dashing pose.

~~~~

"Tell me a story," she begs, up on the roof long after everyone else is in bed, and they're in their twenties and cross-eyed in love and if they weren't dating other people they'd be in each other's arms this minute. "One with a happy ending."

"Happy endings?" The boy is dramatic and despairing. He would ask Plumette to the ball in a minute if she would just stop seeing that damn Armande from the stables. There are twenty thousand stars in the sky and he can't see the light in one. "There are no happy endings. What's that one I told you before? The brave little tin soldier and the paper princess he loved? I never finished it, did I, the little lovers on the nursery tabletop. They fell into the fireplace; a draft catches her, or gravity propels him. They burn. They're on fire and they burn."

"Oh," says Plumette, thinking this is a gloomy tale, and not watching her hand creep over the shingles to catch his.

~~~~

"Of course it didn't end that way," says Lumiere, a dark night when his candles barely burn. They're glowing, slowly, in the dark. "I would never tell a tale that dark. In this winter? No."

"You did! They burned. Or they melted? I can't remember." Plumette tries hard to remember every minute of when she had hands, when he was a bright gold poppinjay with a blue-eyed face, when his hair was auburn and she was dressed all in white. Now she floats beyond his reach, her feathers slowly falling away.

"Never, never." Lumiere has forgotten the story, watching her. Who cares for a paper princess? Who cares for a fairytale? My god, she's beautiful, and he's alive here to see it. "Come here, mon coeur."

"Lumiere! Your flames!" He's burning too bright. His flames are inches high, throwing their shadows huge on the wall. For half a moment they look human.

"Yes, so there were flames. Who cares? The soldier was made of metal, strong and stern stuff! And the beautiful paper princess—she would be too beautiful to burn. Maybe they were in the fire. The fire didn't touch them."

~~~~

Ten days after the end of the curse, and Plumette isn't over the joys of being herself again. She was looking at the stretch marks on her thighs earlier in the evening, the little wrinkles at the edges of her eyes—dear god, she thinks, I'm beautiful, and pushes the candle closer to the mirror so she can see every little thing. Lumiere, sneaking up behind her, kisses her head and smiles into her neck.

"Lumiere? What happened to the paper princess?" asks Plumette, letting down her hair and dropping her feathers. He's forgotten the tale, but something about it keeps drifting through her mind.

"The what? Oh, the princess." He hasn't a clue what she's talking about but something nudges him—a princess, cut from paper and lace, floating over fire. Did she have feathers? Why not, why not? "Oh, she's dancing still. She floated over the flames and dragged her lover after her. Who can resist a good breeze? Anyone as beautiful as she was, cut from the best paper with her beautiful lace, she could survive anything."

"And her lover?"

"Ah, well, he's susceptible to fire—but she makes him brave. Dance with me, darling. I do not burn you anymore."

~~~~

Melting, dancing, floating, burning—who knows which way the story goes? But in every version the boy follows the girl. And this version is no different.

[desertfangs]

Swipe Right - Chapter 3

Armand/Daniel - Explicit - Dating App AU

Daniel gets ghosted by Louis but then invited to a party by Armand, where learns there's a lot about him that he couldn't have begun to guess.

Short Excerpt:

He sent another text, but after hanging around for almost an hour, he decided to give it up. Even Daniel had some pride. Either Louis had gotten held up and was busy, or he didn’t want to see Daniel, and either way, hanging around his place wasn’t going to do him any good. He started walking up Divisadero toward the bars.

His phone buzzed. He stopped, turning to head back to Louis’ place, except the message wasn’t from Louis. It was from Armand.

It read: “Are you busy?” 

Daniel typed back no, and then wished maybe he’d waited at least thirty seconds. He didn’t want to seem desperate, especially not with a guy like Armand who always seemed to be sizing him up. 

The reply came equally fast. “Good. I need another date for a party. Are you willing?” 

Are you willing? Daniel snorted. He was starting to wonder if this guy was from another planet, the weird way he talked. But yeah, Daniel was willing, and he said so. 

“Good. It’s cocktail attire. Give me your address.” 

Daniel hesitated but then, he’d been to Armand’s house. Fair was fair, he supposed. He texted him his address and then headed home. By the time he reached his place, Armand was outside his building. He must have been nearby. He wore a suit jacket, this one red with black accents, and black slacks over a satin ivory shirt that was only slightly whiter than his skin. His russet curls danced around his face. 

Daniel led him upstairs nervously. His studio was modest, small, with room for his queen bed and computer desk, and that was pretty much it. He had two monitors and a laptop on the desk. A tiny kitchenette sat against the back wall with a mini fridge and single hot plate. The bathroom was slightly larger than a postage stamp, with a shower Daniel could barely fit in alone. And the rent was astronomical. But living in the city was worth it for his job. 

Armand looked around his apartment with an impassive expression and then opened the closet. Daniel put his bag on his desk and watched as Armand rifled through his clothes. He produced a pair of slacks and a button up shirt that Daniel had gotten for his job interview at the radio station. He pulled out a tie and held it up. “Is this the only tie you own?” 

“No, I have a few in the drawer.” 

He’d bought several and only worn that one, the others still had tags on them. Armand picked one that was gray and purple and said it would do. “If you wish to keep my company, we’ll have to get you some new clothes,” he said.

Daniel was slightly offended but Armand said it so matter-of-factly it was hard to be mad. Again, he wondered who the hell this guy thought he was, but he also had a strong desire to please him. He shaved off his five o’clock shadow, put on the clothes Armand had chosen, and brushed his blond hair. When he was done, Armand apparently deemed him presentable enough and they got in a town car.

Read the Rest on AO3

[arysguide]

Part 1: Ary's favourite releases of 2023

Before you ask, yes I know that Mitski and Sufjan Stevens released albums this year! I'm gonna go ahead and assume they're already on a lot of other people's lists! However, if you think I'm missing out on YOUR favourite album of 2023, let me know. If you're thinking: "63 albums isn't that many, I wish there were more" - you're in luck because there's a Part 2. Part 2 has a different (more pop? upbeat? accessible?) vibe. Don't think too hard about it...

The chart isn't ranked, just arranged in a way that looked nice to me. Metal, hardcore, rap, emo, skramz, bedroom pop and more!!!

Here are Bandcamp links to all of the albums (for those not on BC there's a YouTube or Spotify link). Honestly I'm never quite sure what genre something is, but there's a lot of metal in any case.

Row 1

Lauren Bousfield - Salesforce [digital hardcore]

Dead Times - Dead Times [harsh noise extreme metal]

Danny Brown - Quaranta [rap/hiphop]

Underdark - Managed Decline [post black metal]

Boris & Uniform - Bright New Disease [psychedelic heavy metal]

PUPIL SLICER - BLOSSOM [blackened mathcore]

Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstasy [death metal]

Row 2

Full of Hell & Primitive Man - Suffocating Hallucination [death metal/grindcore]

Radeloos//Ziedend - Doodsverachting [blackened crust]

Agriculture - Agriculture [ecstatic black metal]

Victory Over the Sun - Dance You Monster To My Soft Song! [progressive black metal]

fog lake - midnight society [bedroom pop]

Bell Witch - Future's Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate [funeral doom]

Krallice - Mass Cathexis 2 - The Kinetic Infinite [progressive black metal]

Row 3

Svalbard - The Weight Of The Mask [postmetal]

Terzij de Horde & Ggu:ll - Van Grond [vitalistic black metal]

portrayal of guilt - Devil Music [blackened post-hardcore]

SAINT VEHK - Practice​/​Doubt I&II [occult death industrial]

Sightless Pit - Lockstep Bloodwar [dub/power electronics]

Designer Violence - We Gave Peace A Chance [electropunk]

geronimostilton - The Vampyre [skramz]

Row 4

Chat Pile & Nerver - Brothers in Christ [sludgey death metal]

Afsky - Om hundrede år [depressive black metal]

Full of Hell & Gasp - FOH/Gasp (Split) [death metal/grindcore]

Solar Temple - The Great Star Above Provides [blackgaze]

Fluisteraars - De Kronieken Van Het Verdwenen Kasteel - II - Nergena [atmospheric black metal]

Fluisteraars - De Kronieken van het Verdwenen Kasteel - I - Harslo [atmospheric black metal]

Andre 3000 - New Blue Sun [spiritual flute jazz]

Row 5

Aesop Rock - Integrated Tech Solutions [rap/hiphop]

Blood Incantation - Luminescent Bridge [cosmic death metal]

Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter (fka LINGUA IGNOTA) - SAVED! [experimental gospel metal]

Spetterpoep - Stoelgang Van Zaken [coprogrind/grindcore]

Gnaw Their Tongues - The Cessation Of Suffering [blackened drone metal]

JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES [rap/hiphop]

The Lemon Twigs - Everything Harmony [70s inspired rock]

Row 6

Old Nick - "The Truest Spell" [dungeon synth/raw black metal]

Armand Hammer - We Buy Diabetic Test Strips [rap/hiphop]

Liturgy - 93696 [transcendental black metal]

Helena Hauff - fabric presents Helena Hauff [hardcore techno]

That Same Street ⁻ Electric Angel [skramz]

That Same Street - Endgame [skramz]

the scary jokes - Retinal Bloom [dream pop]

Row 7

Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze - The Fractal Ouroboros [occult black metal]

Katie Dey - never falter hero girl [hyperpop]

Full of Hell & Nothing - When No Birds Sang [grindcore/shoegaze]

All Men Unto Me - Chemical Transit [classical/doom metal]

RXK Nephew - Till I'm Dead [rap/hiphop]

Panopticon - The Rime of Memory [rabm/black metal]

Yaeji - With A Hammer [electronic]

Row 8

DRAIN - LIVING PROOF [punk/hardcore]

909 Worldwide - Hardcore Will Never Die, and Neither Will You [happy hardcore/rave]

lobsterfight, gingerbee, Cicadahead, godfuck - a lobster, bee, & cicada walk into a bar and find god [skramz]

GingerBee - Our Skies Smile [skramz/5th wave emo]

Curta'n Wall - Siege Ubsessed! [dungeon synth/raw black metal]

GEZEBELLE GABURGABLY - Gaburger [alt pop]

crisis sigil - God Cum Poltergeist [cybergrind]

Row 9

Lamp Of Murmuur - Saturnian Bloodstorm [black metal]

Crystalline Thunderbolts - Blessed Hands Touch The Ophanim Under The Golden Rainbows [experimental black metal]

Tomb Mold - The Enduring Spirit [black/death metal]

FIRE TOOLZ - I am upset because I see something that is not there. [electro-industrial/experimental]

Angel Electronics - ULTRA PARADISE [happy post-hardcore]

Vylet Pony - Carousel (An Examination of the Shadow, Creekflow, and its Life as an Afterthought) [electronic]

Ada Rook - Rookie's Bustle [electronic]

This post took forever to make. Again if you have any thoughts on it please tell me!!!! And share widely with your friends :)

Love, Ary

[savageolivegarden]

Season 1 episode 7 thoughts:

Daniel please fuck Armand it's simply so important to me. Every look is making me insane.

What about Greece? Cradle of Western Civilisation. Sun worshippers, hot springs. Those who must be kept. What was that? Nothing.

Sister, daughter, infant death, you must think me an idiot.

Complimenting fascists tailors = clear evidence of Lestat being an idiot.

Every time I see these outfits I start frothing at the mouth I Love them

Hunger's got me light-headed. Me too man me too

I'm fucking giggling and kicking my feet every time I watch the scene play out.

The blood poured out of him as it might never pour from a human being...all the blood he had filled himself with. He lay now on his back, his eyes staring wildly at the the ceiling, the irises dancing from side to side.

Mets moi dan mon cercueil Louis, Louis. Put me in my coffin Louis, Louis.

His irises rolled to the top of his head. The whites of his eyes went dim. This horror that had been Lestat...I stared helplessly at it. The thing lay still.

I desperately need to hear Sam as Lestat say his "last" words in a flashback for season 2

And this, this continues to be goofy as fuck. Why do they look like that. This is like that part in What We Do in the Shadows where they pretend to be Colin Robinsons parents.

11/10 silly goofy