#Rashid gets to answer this one!

[sins-of-the-sea]

🌱

Questions for Immortals/Ancients

🌱 What is one thing about the world you’ve come to appreciate?

"That nothing is truly alien or beyond understanding in any part of the world regardless of the time, regardless of the cultural climate or the language spoken. Everything and anything can be learned as long as you take the time and be earnest with it. Our understandings of the world do change, but it can be caught up with, or rewound to see where we are coming from. But I always appreciate when that understanding becomes wider and more widely embraced."

[dxxtruction]

Honestly, the only one to gain any legitimate benefit from planting those photos would be Daniel, so he could have them distracted long enough to look through the files he had. Notably, he only starts snooping through them alone when he can be sure they’re distracted. Rashid doing it via Raglan's orders. From a writing standpoint this would be really good set up for the later pay off of Rashid doing the same action again so that the truth can be revealed, again.

I also think, it’s possible, Raglan was the buyer of the three furies (he's an avid art collector), which was the first time Daniel had a distraction. I think they were both working together on giving ample distractions, so Daniel could use his Talamasca resources without being caught. This was a way to get Daniel what he wanted (his book and to live), and also get Raglan what he wanted (some paintings, information for his job, and someone who now owes him a favor). This read to me gives a larger plot relevance to Daniel, Raglan, and Rashid, instead of them just being mostly passive actors in the story. This also provides greater validity to some of Daniel's own characterization as someone good at getting angles, and who believes 'honesty is not a tactic'. It also tells us how easy it is to have vampires distracted, thus better legitimizing the plausibility of certain events in the interview. It would also explain why it's Raglan and not some other talamasca member, as he's definitely more the type to get up to sewing discord and such to achieve his greedy ends. That's actually, all his character in the books really is.

I feel this gives the photos far better plot relevance and also simultaneously reveals something about every single one of the characters involved. How do Louis and Armand respond to being on the receiving end of having these photos planted by neither of them? What sort of assumptions and actions do they take for it? These sorts of things are answered, alongside Daniel getting his answers, and this revealing something about him. That getting the truth is more important to him than how he gets it. And that getting his 'score' is more important than even the truth.

[ravennawritesfanfiction]

Beauty From Darkness Part 3

Words: 2143

Pairings: Armand x Reader, with Louis and Lestat living in denial.

Summary: Our favorite vampires make their way to San Francisco to try and make things right with Daniel.

Lestat wouldn’t get on the plane, even for Louis. So, trusting Armand and Lestat alone together, you boarded the plane with Louis. It was a straight flight, no layovers or plane switches, but you still felt like you could have arrived before the plane did if left to your own devices. This conclusion was further evidenced by the fact that Armand and Lestat were waiting for you at the airport when you landed.

Louis knew exactly where to find Daniel; it was helpful that they had been in contact since Dubai. Lestat was apprehensive about seeing Daniel. Their first meeting had been rather vulnerable for Lestat. Armand was nervous; Louis and Lestat may not be actively trying to kill him, but he wasn’t so sure Daniel would be so calm. You on the other hand were excited for your role as Auntie Vampire.

Daniel took his sweet time answering the door. Louis knocked incessantly, purposely being annoying for Lestat’s benefit, who was getting pissy about waiting so long. Armand clung to you like a child hiding from an asswhooping. You stood there patiently, the only calm and collected one of the group. 

Daniel finally answered, still in his loungewear, everyone piled in before he could invite you all in. He shook his head and muttered something along the lines of “sure come on in”. He stood by the door, not really sure why four vampires would be paying him a visit when he had gone largely ignored since Dubai.

“You have a lovely home, Daniel.” you commented as you took in your surroundings. 

“It does the trick.” he looked at the group, you were all seemingly getting along now. You were even situated between Lestat and Armand; not somewhere he imagined you willingly being if given other options. “How can I help the vampire quartet tonight?” his usual sarcasm not going unnoticed or unappreciated.

“Well, Daniel. You can help us by making it a vampire quintet.” You gave it right back with a smile. Armand was still not fully confident about your plan, having only agreed to make you happy.

“Only if you wish, Daniel” Armand added, you assumed in hopes that Daniel would decline. 

“Now it’s about what I want?” Daniel dropped his fangs, not as a threat, but to punctuate that his desires had never been a concern before. “I don’t recall you being concerned with what I wanted when you killed me, Armand.” Armand cringed. 

“Yes, we want you to choose your path. For Dubai and San Fransisco I am unmeasurably sorry, I was immediately disgusted with myself for it.” Armand made himself small.

“Yeah, I’m sure you were.” Daniel rolled his eyes. He had never fully believed Armand, but the little trust he had went out the window with the reveal of Fake Rashid.

“You can’t read his mind, but Armand is being completely honest with you.” You jumped in to defend Armand. Had he been right? Absolutely not; not even remotely. However, you wouldn’t stand for the attitude now. You were more than a little shocked to hear Louis and Lestat’s chorus of agreement behind you.

“Ok, then why now?” Daniel was hesitant to ask and he was almost certain he didn’t want to actually know.

“We are all working to right wrongs. We are all connected, you included.” You supplied.

“All as in all vampires or?” Daniel was really confused.

“Well, Gabrielle and Marius as well, but she’s speaking presently.” Armand amended.

“Ah, yes. One big fucked up family.” Daniel was being difficult. He had earned the right, honestly, but Lestat was getting pissy again with the back and forth. Louis was questioning if this had been a bad idea. You weren’t stepping down and Armand was literally only continuing this for you.

“As long as I get to be the Aunt.” you joked with a grin. No one expected you of all people to go toe to toe with Daniel. You were so sweet and soft spoken, but you were quick witted apparently. You were also very obviously wearing him down.

“But you are with Armand. Wouldn’t that make you Vampire step Mommy?” eyebrows raised, he waited for you.

“Technically, but I do feel like Aunt is more the vibe.” you would die on this hill.

“It’s the physical age difference isn’t it?” the only logical conclusion.

“That is absolutely it, yes.” unashamed, you both got a laugh out of it. Daniel finally started to relax.

“If I may, I genuinely would like the opportunity to make it up to you. If you’ll allow me.” Armand was as polite as he was sincere. “I have done terrible things to you. I would like the chance to prove I am not as horrible as my actions.” Armand left it there.

“Have you all kissed and made up?” Daniel looked between everyone in the group; last he’d seen you, you wouldn’t be in the room with Lestat without Louis and Armand. Lestat was crying over being called out for something you wouldn’t discuss. Louis and Lestat were just friends and even that was barely. 

“Not (Y/N) and I,” Louis’ joke went over Daniel’s head.

“Let’s hear it then!” He waved between you two, waiting for either tea or sincerity.

“Louis, I’m sorry I missed your birthday this year.” you did still feel bad. You completely blanked on the date and didn’t realize it until two days later. That had been the first time in almost fourteen years that you’d missed it.

“I’m sorry we were doing the interview when you were in town, so you couldn’t stay with us.” Louis and Armand had both felt bad and disappointed they had missed you.

“I’m serious you two.” Daniel was unamused. 

“So are we. We are the only ones who have nothing to apologize to each other for. We have always gotten along. No slights, no issues. We are just really good friends.” Louis explained.

“She is the only one present who is both forgiving and unproblematic.” Lestat defended, having been on the receiving end of your grace. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it before.”

“Fine. Then I want to hear what everyone has done to her.” He was as nosey as ever. You kept your mouth shut; if they wanted to explain what had been done, that was their decisions.

“I chose my coven over her, although it was to save her life. My greatest regret was letting her go.” Armand admitted before kissing the top of your head and pulling you close. “A mistake I will not repeat for as long as I live.”

“I was married to her in my human life. On our wedding night, I banished her from my presence and left her utterly alone for eleven years. I never even tried to get to know her.” Daniel looked between you two in confusion.

“It was an arranged marriage.” Louis explained, hoping it would shed clarity on the situation.

“You are younger than him though?” He knew vampire age was hard to establish since time stopped at death, but he was still confused how this would math.

“I died when I was twenty-seven; Lestat at thirty-four. I am actually almost exactly seven months older than him. I was a vampire for eight years before he was turned.” Daniel was perplexed at the complexity of the situation.

“What are the odds you’d both end up vampires?” he pondered the implications.

“Astronomical.” Your response was one of wonder.

“He was made by Magnus. Who turned you?” he queried further, trying to piece together the shitshow that occurred.

“Armand and I share a maker, Marius de Romanus.” he nodded. 

“Let’s say I make up the vampire quintet. What does that mean for me?” Just like that, you’d broken through. 

“You continue with your life however you wish, so long as you don’t violate the five great laws, the only difference is you do so with the knowledge that you are not alone. We will each be there for you when you need us.” Armand laid the offer out for Daniel.

You all had agreed that you would respect whatever answer he provided. He left the room and you all took a seat on the couch; rather you sat on Armand’s lap given the couch wasn’t big enough for four adults to sit comfortably for an extended amount of time. You each watched the clock tick by the minutes, then hours. Three hours later, he finally returned.

“Armand,” he tensed below you.”You have been a lying, manipulative asshole the entire time I’ve known you. However, she’s a fucking saint according to all of you and google. I’m choosing to trust her.” Daniel had given his answer. You hopped up from Armand’s lap and hugged Daniel.

“I won’t let you down.” you promised him. Even if the others did, which you didn’t foresee happening. 

You really liked Daniel. He was very smart and had interesting points of view. Taking pleasure in winding him up, you debated a wide range of topics. Daniel was very lively when arguing. Everyone sat and listened to what you had to say; no one knew why they had the mindset that you weren’t educated, but you were well read and you had seen the world. That’s not to say that they thought you were dumb, but you never showed this side of you before.

Marius and Gabrielle joined the next night. Gabrielle really tried to be pissy with Lestat until you explained that you had talked it out and were not only alright, but friends now. You proved your point by giving Lestat a hug, which he returned quickly. She was skeptical but dropped it, turning instead to talk to Armand.

Marius was excited to meet the newest addition to the family; he was the overjoyed grandfather. It was more than a little strange to watch. Gabrielle was far less enthused about Daniel, finding his personality off putting. She instead retired to a quiet corner and attempted to get to know Louis better.

After the initial introductions and sidebar conversations, it was decided that almost the entire group was hungry. A group hunt was proposed to which Marius volunteered to stay with Louis so he wouldn’t have to be alone. Marius had already deduced that Louis didn’t enjoy killing. He knew that Armand would absolutely go with you and Lestat enjoyed the hunt too much to ever think of staying. 

It was announced that they would hunt outside of San Francisco so as to not cause any issues for Daniel later on. The thrill of the group hunt was exhilarating. And the sight of watching you and Armand hunt together, a lethal couple, was a lot for Daniel to take in. He had known how Armand enjoyed hunting, loving the chase; he couldn’t picture you finding pleasure in it too, but here you were. It was as marvelous as it was terrifying. You were better at it than Armand, to everyone’s shock. In the end, the bodies were tossed into the bay for the currents to pull out to sea. 

Daniel had been amazed watching Armand hunt, but he couldn’t have known Armand was watching him just as closely. Armand was impressed by Daniel. With little instruction, none outside of the details of the interview, he had become a predator in his own right. He played the role of poor old man well, his victims coming to him. Not Armand’s preference but to each their own. 

When Armand commented to Daniel about his skill, he retorted with being a bloodsucking journalist in a previous life. That earned a chuckle from Gabrielle. Gabrielle informed Lestat that she really liked Louis. You had tried not to eavesdrop, but you were relieved.

You returned to Daniel’s apartment to find that Louis had found a stray cat. You knew from having stayed with them in Dubai, that there were farms for blood the thought sounded a lot like a blood bank. You pondered the idea aloud to which Louis agreed that he would look into local blood banks if they were still there the following night. Marius didn’t want to say anything, but hunting animals just made him sad. It was no way to live. 

“Ok, I know vampires aren’t supposed to write histories, but can I get another interview?” Marius went still. Everyone watched him.

“I’m out. I haven’t announced mu undead status to the world.” you broke the status. “If permitted, maybe you could interview Lestat and get his side of the Dubai interview?” Lestat agreed immediately. 

“Why not? He has already announced himself. Just don’t include (Y/N).” Daniel was bummed by the obligatory omission, but was thrilled that he would be getting another interview.

“I’ll tell the story, I just won’t name her.” Lestat declared. Everyone groaned. He never was one to listen. 

[teecupangel]

Hi teecup, I hope ur having a great day/noon/night!

Forgive me if the things i'm about to say don't make much sense. It's been a vey, very, very, difficult time for me and my countrymen here, and my ability to make coherent sentences have declined drastically. So, yeah... BUT! That doesn't matter haha.

Anyways, I had a thought. And i'm not even sure how or why i got it but.... hear me out now...

Our boy, Desmond, gets thrown back in time as usual, same old same old, right? Exept, this time he doesn't end up in the Big Three™'s time-line. He ends up in Al-Mualim's time. *insert mind-blown emoji here cuz i can't find it rn*

And ik that i'm not a certified AC Expert like u and many others, and i haven't really finished any of the AC games yet (i've only seen bits of AC III and have only started AC 2, I also haven't finished AC 1)

But I do know that he wasn't really that creepy and evil in his youth/ b4 he became The Old Man of the Moutain, so i was thinking maybe Desmond ends up in that era of Al Mualim or is it Rashid al-Din Sinan? I know that he's based on a real historical figure but i'm not so sure if he's called that in-game?

And knowing Desmond, he'd probably get the urge to kill Rashid (i hope i'm using the name correctly) the time he figures shit out and connect that dots. But he would end up not doing that, cuz u know, it might fuck up the time-line and Altaïr might end up not being born, creating a domino-effect.

I want Desmond to meet Rashid before he starts to becom the Al Mualim we know today, so that Desmond can see how he was b4 the evants of AC 1.

Maybe Rashid's an arrogant ass, or a nerdy loser, or a popular assassin- who knows! The possibilites are endless!! (or maybe he's an obsessive bastard who gets obsessed with Desmond cuz he's just full of mysteries and wonders :Dc )

And blah blah blah, plot here, plot there, Isu-bullshit this, time shenanigans that, and BOOM they meet.

And romance ensues? :3 (romace wil absolutely ensue :}}} )

NOW, BEFORE- BEFORE YOU TIE ME TO A STAKE AND BURN ME ALIVE FOR THIS- i think it'd be a cute idea, and who knows? maybe Rashid was hot in his prime *insert lenny face cuz even after all these years i still don't know how to type it and is too lazy to cop paste it* and maybe he liked to solve mysteries and had a thing for the unexplainable. And Desmond is the most unexplainable, most bizarre thing to have graced the earth :33333.

Now that i've got this idea out of my system i'm gonna go pray for the down fall of my coutry's shit for brain, good for nothing military government/hj.

bye! *evaporates*

I hope you’re doing alright and I’m sorry that it took two months before I could answer your ask TTATT

As far as I know, he was only called Al Mualim because of legal reasons but Rashid ad-Din Sinan was the leader of the Assassins in Masyaf during 1191 so it’s safe to assume Al Mualim is AC’s version of Rashid (historically he died in 1193, not 1191.

.

Okay. We can make this work.

We put Desmond at around the same time he’s the recruit and we make it hard for him to realize he’s Al Mualim until it’s too late by doing one simple thing:

Desmond doesn’t know Al Mualim’s real name.

He always knew it as Al Mualim. As far as he knew, Al Mualim was his actual name.

Then he remembered that Al Mualim can mean mentor and bangs his head on the nearest flat surface.

His mission has been clear from the start.

Become an Assassin, take out Al Mualim before he does shit, find Umar and adopt him then play matchmaker so Altaïr would be born.

And no.

Desmond wasn’t going to think about the whole “can you truly be sure that the person who will be born will be Altaïr if you change the circumstances of his conception?”

Yeah.

His head hurts just thinking about it so he won’t.

For now, he’ll focus on his training while keeping a look out for anyone who gives of Al Mualim vibes.

What’s the Al Mualim vibes?

Manipulative old man vibes.

The problem is…

Rashid is one of the recruits in the same batch as Desmond and he becomes Desmond’s closest friend.

And there was no way Desmond would ever be friends with a future power hungry asshole like Al Mualim.

No way.

.

The way their relationship becomes romantic really depends on the kind of personality young Rashid would have.

A nerdy loser who starts making a name for himself because of his intelligence and tactical mind would start off as the kid Desmond sorta looks after. When he starts to show that his strength lies in making plans and quick judgments, he becomes the man whispering on Desmond’s ear. Providing plans and suggestions while giving Desmond a heads up on the less savory words people say about him. Desmond would never think this Rashid is Al Mualim because he’s nice and truly do want to help Desmond. This is also how Rashid would show his love for Desmond and, really, Desmond would think they’re bros and when he realizes that Rashid actually loves him, he’d think “oh, I am Ezio’s descendant”

An arrogant ass Rashid would butt heads with Desmond but Desmond would find himself fond of the man because he reminds him of AC1 Altaïr. This is the Rashid who would definitely be counted as a tsundere and their relationship would start when Rashid just flatout tells Desmond that he wants to do unspeakable things to him while they’re arguing. Desmond is offended because “tugging on my pigtails doesn’t work in real life, dumbass!��� and Rashid is just “???” because what the fuck are pigtails??? Lots of awkwardness until Desmond realize that butting heads with Rashid is really how they flirt.

Now. Popular Assassin Rashid is more on the side of polite but is absolutely Desmond’s rival. Whatever it is, the two of them are always competing. Unlike the arrogant ass version, this Rashid is always nice to Desmond. The whole “no hard feelings” and pure competitiveness are what drives their relationship. This is the one where the two of them spar privately one time and things happen. They would try to distant themselves from one another for a bit until they finally talk it out. Rashid honestly didn’t think he loved Desmond until the whole ‘after-sparring’ thing.

Whichever you pick as Rashid’s background, he will become obsessed with Desmond but it’s more on the side of “I will do everything to make Desmond happy” which is good for Desmond but not really good for anyone against him.

.

Desmond is the one who adopts Umar in this one and Umar imprints on him like a baby duckling to a mama duckling. Everyone actually assumed Umar is his bastard son. Desmond ignores it even though he’s only like… a decade and a half older than Umar.

Rashid definitely treats him like Desmond’s son. He’s Umar’s favorite of all of Desmond’s friends.

And really, Desmond should have seen that as a hint of Rashid’s ‘future’.

Speaking of the future.

He’s been looking for Al Mualim this entire time and he has his suspects (Rashid, however, is not on the list) but honestly?

He’s just waiting for the person who would be picked as the one to lead the expansion to Masyaf since that would be Al Mualim.

Desmond has, unfortunately, fucked up the timeline so badly that the person chosen to lead the expansion?

It was Desmond.

.

Sidebar: Faheem would be that cute younger brother who turns grumpy when he grows up. Desmond will forever grieve the lost of little cute Faheem. Faheem is always embarrassed when Desmond talked about his ‘past’.

[avelera]

I’m dying for your thoughts on what is going on in Dubai with the triangulation of Armand and Daniel in Dubai because nothing in 2.05 explain ms what they(beddeath vampires) could want him to tell them as referenced earlier in the season or warrant all the Rashid pageantry. Especially not with how Armand looks at Daniel like he just got home from the wars.

Your takes are exquisite and I’d love to hear them.

Ok, I THINK you're asking what the hell is going on with Daniel and Armand and Louis and the longing looks Armand keeps shooting Daniel and I might be missing some nuance to your question but that is the question I'm gonna answer because I can't stop thinking about it.

Ok. Ok, ok, SO!! The biggest question I think we're facing as of 2.05 is did the Devil's Minion chapter of Queen of the Damned ever happen?

For the uninitiated (LOTS of BOOK SPOILERS but like the books have been out for decades, sorry): Louis/Armand is like... not a thing. At least, it's not one of the big love affairs of the series compared to Louis/Lestat. I mean they've had a situationship but they're definitely not a long devoted love affair going right up to the beginning of the events of Vampire Lestat/Queen of the Damned, which is where the show seems to take place. They traveled together for a bit after the events of Interview with the Vampire but then parted ways because What Happened In Paris changed Louis irrevocably.

The big love of Armand's life in the books is Daniel.

And we learn this in the chapter of Queen of the Damned called the Devil's Minion.

Because Armand stumbles upon "The Interviewer" and falls in love and they have this fucked up whirlwind torrid romance where Daniel teaches Armand about the modern world and basically "how to be fascinating" and Daniel begs over and over to be made into a vampire.

Lots of stuff happens between them but short, TRAGIC version is that Armand does make Daniel into a vampire and it breaks Daniel's mind. He's not a cool powerful vampire once he's turned, he's basically a vegetable, he loses his mind and becomes a hollow husk of himself. (Ironically, insane-new-vampire!Daniel is left in the care of Marius of all people lol)

SO, from the book reader perspective, I shot upright on my couch when I saw old Daniel. Because Old Daniel means we're in... some flavor of happy AU? We're in an AU where Armand did the "responsible" thing and didn't give Daniel the Dark Gift, so Daniel got to grow old and actually be a person instead of being the Devil's Minion where Armand became his whole personality and then he lost his mind.

Thing is, since S1, I've been assuming, like others I think, that we're in an AU where the Devil's Minion didn't happen at all. That Daniel did the interview, he and Louis parted ways, and now he's back to finish it. It seemed neat, clear, if a little confusing for book fans because Daniel/Armand is one of THE great love affairs and it seems like it just got skipped entirely, which kind of makes sense since no other film version has really delved into it, right?

WRONG. OK, so with the longing looks that begin RIGHT when Armand finally reveals himself, the whole mic drop moment of "Armand, the love of my life" while Armand stares at Daniel, almost seeming to plead with his eyes "GET ME AWAY FROM HIM" and looking at Daniel with such longing, going into SEASON 2 where we learn that ok, the 1970s beat was WAY more complicated than it seems, Louis' memory is very faulty, Armand has actively tampered with both of them and we DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH....?

So my current theory is: the Devil's Minion DID happen.

Armand and Daniel had their love affair, but instead of turning Daniel, which by the way he had to be talked into doing because of Daniel's suicide attempt basically, Armand set him free. But CLEARLY he continued to stalk and pine after Daniel, if he was there at Daniel's fucking engagement reading his girlfriend's mind enough to tell Daniel what she was really thinking then. Armand was definitely still OBSESSIVELY IN LOVE. And, IMO, has been the whole time.

Now, what does this mean going forward? What do I think is going on?

Armand wants out of his relationship with Louis but he's chronically, pathologically, incapable of breaking up with anyone. He used Lestat to break up the Children of Darkness, he used Louis to break up the Theatre des Vampires, and now he's using Daniel to end this fucked up marriage he and Louis are in.

Armand is doing this first by consenting to renew the interview, Louis gets a walk down memory lane, remembers how much he loves Lestat. Not to solidify their bond with how good things are now, but to break it up with nostalgia.

Armand is also going to reveal things he's hidden from Louis, I think. Like the fact Armand killed Claudia. I think right now they're both operating under the excuse that Santiago and the coven did it in defiance of Armand but that is simply not true, Armand ordered her death to get Louis all to himself. But (book canon) her death broke Louis so basically Armand destroyed what he wanted in Louis in the gaining of him.

Armand also misses Daniel. He's doing the classic passive lover thing, using the next lover to get rid of the current one. That's why he picked Daniel specifically as the vehicle of his liberation. Boy wants to get white knighted in the most fucked up way possible. Evidence: every single painfully longing, puppy dog look he shoots Daniel's way and how those looks only get more intense the more Louis waxes poetic about how great the Loumand relationship is.

Armand appears as Rashid in order to establish for plausible deniability for Louis that he DIDN'T have a relationship with Daniel OR, if Louis knows about it, that he really did do as promised and wiped Daniel's mind. Look, Daniel doesn't even remember him! When he's standing right there! Pretending to be Rashid! He definitely didn't summon his former lover here to break up Louis and him, obviously this is JUST about Louis' desire to do the interview haha, definitely not trying to bring his old ex to break up his current relationship the guy doesn't even remember who he is.

In conclusion: Armand still wants to fuck that boy old man. And he wants to get rid of Louis by making Louis break up with him because that's how Armand rolls. And that's why this whole ridiculous pantomime is happening, because Armand will never, ever be the active party in the breakup because the boy is way, way too fucked up by his supremely fucked up life up to this point to ever be the initiator. Instead he will always, always manipulate those around him to do what he wants.

[funtheysaid]

IWTV 2x01 Initial Thoughts (Stream Of Consciousness)

- That title card for Delainey felt very stage play to me (ahhh I adore the theatrical elements for this season)

- Ooh I love the idea that vamps can take on the emotions of whosever blood they’re drinking - it’s like the vampire equivalent of when werewolves can smell ppl’s emotions and fears through chemosignals (a la Teen Wolf iykyk)

- “Disregard” is the funniest shit ever 😂 Oldmaniel they could never make me hate you

- There’s a Real Rashid OMFG ??? Lol imagine he’s not actually Rashid and they pull one over on us again I’d fucking shit myself

- “Your love was in a box” OH MY GOD EAT HIM UP DANNY BOY

- OMG OMG LOUSTAT ITS HAPPENIGN ITS HAPPENING EVERYONE SHUT UP

- I MISS YOU TOO LESTAT

- “Quite fucked” 😏😏😏

- “mon amour” “mon cher” “love” IM GOING TO EXSANGUINATE MYSELF ISTG

- The singular finger on Louis’ chin 🥲 so delicate so soft so bad for my mental health

- I like Emilia

- “They are not used to seeing man with good looks” OKAY I know they’re just racists BUT she also wasn’t lying bc beautiful Louis is canon god bless you Jacob Anderson

- Lol Morgan a little fruity

- OOH memory is a monster! They be redoing scenes as Louis “fixes” his memories !!!! That’s gonna show up again for sure :))))

- “Stupid Halloween costume” Daniel Molloy the brat that you are (is okay, Armand likes brats) *cough cough*

- I’ve never seen someone *elegantly* close an iPad before. Armand, you have bewitched me.

- The fucking sexual tension between DM is stifling 🥵😶‍🌫️ Um if this is us “not getting Devil’s Minion” then I think imma be okay

- Claudia pushing the little racist boy 🤪🥹 we can’t help but to stan

- WTF AMC you can’t just jumpscare me with a Grace photograph :’)))

- “UP YOUR BUM” EXCUSE ME MORGAN I KNEW YOU WERE FRUITY BUT SIRRRR?

- so the makeup department really put their whole sfxussies into that decrepit ass abomination

- Louis: Alexa, play Mr. Steal Your Girl by Trey Songz

- Claudia calling Louis Daddy in S1: ☺️🍭👼 Claudia calling Louis Daddy in S2: 😖🤢😟

- I’m dubbing Louis “The Rat Prince”

- “If he can’t take you ballroom dancing and call you pretty” ICONIC.

- “the motherfucker” it’s on sight Bruce or Killer or whatever the fuck your name was 🤕🥊

- “her hand twitched like yours would” why was that line lowkey out of pocket. My mans has Parkinson’s Louis !!!!

- SHE DREAMS 😭 MY FUCKING GOD STOP MY EYES ARE GONNA BE PUFFY WHEN I WAKE UP TOMORROW

- that wasn’t even acting that was some REAL shit. Get Jacob Anderson his Emmy or Oscar or Tony or whatever the fuck I just need him to be awarded for his talent

- Daniel’s soft compassionate side: rare but that much more meaningful when it makes an appearance

- LOUIS you did not just do Emilia dirty like that TF!?! She helped you dude.

- “Human affairs. Their problem.” Not you listening to Lestat now of all times

- “Catfish with teeth” Louis can really read a bitch to filth can’t he?

- AHHH THERE ARE TWO OF THE FUCKERS 👹👹

- Oh shit he’s a kid okay I’m sorry for calling you an abomination earlier. That was mean.

- Woman vampire, you standing precariously close to that fire 👀

- Delainey’s facial expressions are the perfect blend of innocent and slightly unsettling

- OPP INTO THE FIRE SHE GOES rip 🔥

- What the hell is a bacon triptych am I just stupid don’t answer that

- Armand you ain’t beating the iPad kid allegations

- “It’s his drug” He said that with such malice. Is this a “he needed me but he needed drugs more” plot line???

- So Dubai Loumand is chilly frigid tepid frosty glacial

- Free feet? Okay im sorry

- “We can have him saying what happened next in no time” okay wait hold up why you making it sound like YOU don’t know what happened next and you need him to tell you???

- oh danny boy whistling while the couple he’s counseling walks in… is this a comedy or ?

- Daniel: yeah? 🤓 Armand: yeah 🫦

- “the mother of New Orleans” oh he misses home

- LMFAO Daniel interrupting Armand before he can start soliloquizing

- Louis and Claudia in a truck full of art which they belong in bc they too are pieces of art to me

- hard words. soft words. 🥺

- “a shit life beats no life” god damn this monologue feels like Louis is speaking directly to my soul

- “as long as you walk the earth I’ll never taste the fire” If this is foreshadowing I- I- I don’t know what I’ll do but it’s going to involve a baseball bat and a waffle iron and my head

- “it would be enough” pan to Lestat 💀 you can’t be fucking serious right now you just cannot

- okay it’s over and the teaser for the season just started playing and I just have to shout out the score bc damn if those violins don’t get me every god damn time

(Stutter) That’s all, folks! 🐷👋

[nalyra-dreaming]

hello, I response to the ask and your answer in regards to Armand's behavior with the 2nd interview may I contribute my thoughts:

We know Armand has...issues with control. He wasn't in control of his mortal life, his life with Marius, his life as the leader of the Children of Darkness. They were all forced upon him, they were his religion. And until Lestat (and Gabrielle) they were the framework around which his life was built. After the dissolution of the Children of Darkness coven he is given the first true choice of how to live his life and he chooses to go back to old patterns. Leading the coven is familiar, rules bring a level of safety, he won't have to be alone.

Despite the facade of submission with Louis, he still imposes this same framework, rules and control. He messes with his memories and emotions, they don't talk about certain topics, the archives are kept within only his reach.

The first interview he had no control over. I guess it could be argued he could have stopped it or influenced it but regardless, Louis ranted and raved and talked at length about Lestat and Claudia and all the things Armand desired to leave behind. The result is a wild argument and Louis' attempted suicide, after which Armand is cruel to both him and Daniel, he literally controls Daniel for days and exerts control over Louis via "caring" for him and the call to Lestat.

So from my perspective, when Louis wants to do the interview again, Armand agrees but only because this time he can control things. He can toy with Daniel, he can encourage Louis' cruelty to guide the narrative, he can mix up photographs to shake Louis' confidence and direct his anger, create a fight he can anticipate and contain. He doesn't anticipate Louis and Daniel being able to gain back their memories but he's there this time, he can claim he was asked to erase them.

If he had any indication that the truth about the trial would've come out I don't believe he would've let Daniel within 100 miles of Louis.

His framework was once again destroyed right before his eyes, and this time it was the one he built himself. So he scrambles to try and hold it together, he lies, he bargains, and it doesn't work.

All of this is just opinion, based upon what the show (and 1st two books I've read) have told me about his character, so please feel free to explain anything you think I'm getting wrong or if you disagree! I love trying to dissect the gremlin so I welcome your thoughts!

Thanks for sharing your insights, I always find them interesting and carefully thought out!

You're not wrong!

My earlier posts were specifically about a noted discrepancy I felt on rewatch. Like, Armand in Rashid disguise behaved vastly different than the Armand without it, which might seem logical at first glance.

But the comments he made in s1 do not quite work for me in s2, like the "chronicling a suicide" comment, for example. As soon as Armand reveals himself that "suicide" is never talked about again. Louis' "the vampire is bored" which hints at that as well never taken up again. Why?

If Armand had wanted to keep it all under control he could have just edited Louis' mind again and suppress the wish for the second interview, which I agree he likely only allowed to see Daniel again. But Louis also acts with a confidence in s1 that is totally amiss in season 2 (and I know, I have been pointing out how he dreaded Armand revealing himself there, still), and even with him thinking Armand would adhere to his wishes in s1... that then contradicts the necessity of a lifeline.

Why would Louis need the "lifeline" of Daniel, if he thought he had everything under control, you know? Why would he need to pretend that he would want to commit suicide to Armand? And why would Armand buy that... only in Rashid's disguise?

These are just thoughts after another rewatch.

I know how these pieces are supposed to fit together. I know what they meant to do narratively, and within the show's arc.

It's just that rewatching after s2... made some choices in s1 seem not as ... smooth in retrospect.

[irisbleufic]

New IWTV Fic: "Everyone Here Sucks" (Daniel/Armand & others; Explicit; 5,120 words so far; 2 out of 4 chapters)

This stand-alone will only have 4 chapters; 2 are up. It’s partly in answer to a prompt from yesterday, partly pulling in some of the groundwork from the longer story I just finished (which can be treated as a stand-alone and as background on any other version of their reality I happen to write where the Dubai stretch happens, for the most part, as we see it in the show). I’m playing with Daniel making a sequence of altered decisions based on evidence at his disposal, which in turn leads to a version of the dinner and surprise we never get to see. I haven’t ever played with that before; I figured a stand-alone before more series work might be fun.

CHAPTERS:

Something Tangible (2025-01-19)

Cuttingly Profound (NEW, 2025-01-20)

TEASER:

“You know that we’ve been listening to what goes on in every room of this penthouse,” Rashid says quietly, finally speaking to Daniel again. “It’s not the…sensitive content of a little while ago that I’m here to discuss. It’s something you said to Armand beforehand.”

“That’s reasonable of you,” Daniel says, swallowing hard. He’s not sure how to feel about the Talamasca having listened in real time as he literally fucked one of these vampires. Not only does everyone here suck, but they’re all depraved, too. “What did I say to him?”

Rashid puts on that attitude of weary disdain that’s more amusing than it should be. “You told him that in an ideal world you’d need to speak to the other surviving eyewitness of the events leading up to the fire. If you were offered the chance to do so, would you take it?”

Daniel feels that uncanny slippage again, but he thinks he gets it this time. His heart stutters in his chest with awed, terrible understanding. Wait a second, how does the full line go? Ticking, ticking, ticking—with the precision of a clock in a room as vast as the universe.

“No way,” Daniel says in disbelief. “No fucking way.”

[dxxtruction]

I'm genuinely concerned that iwtv (tv) spells out EXACTLY how Louis is unreliable in his narration, but people spin this into what they think unreliable narration more generally means to them, and not what it means to this narrative. Just to be clear here are the ways Louis IS unreliable (If I happened to have missed something feel free to add):

Louis shows signs of forgetting which are normal in people who've endured long term traumatic events. Any relevant pieces of information forgotten are however righted, and sought to be righted.

Like anyone recounting a personal narrative, Louis states how things occurred from this limited perspective and worldview of the personal. He has a personal idea of himself he'd like to get across, much like anyone. He is not omnipotent. But while most might be fine if the person receiving this story interprets their experiences differently, offering to wider perspective, Louis is often very particular about the ways it must be described fitting how he can already perceive it. Which makes for times of there being a rigid perception of events, where broader narrative introspection could've offered a more truthful telling. Though sometimes this actually keeps it more truthful. This character flaw, if you will, is what Daniel is around to challenge, and he's very successful at it, even when his challenging can push in the wrong directions and draw up the wrong conclusions. Bringing up latent memories, and digging out hard truths Louis has long not admitted. At least hitting on something real, in any case. Meaning, for us, the audience, we are still in relatively reliable hands even with this in play, and so are not actually that off from truth when it is being told by Louis, who is intentionally seeking to tell it, even get it. Merely, our narrative is being, in ways, restricted as to how much is being told, and, outside Louis control, obfuscated in its reliance deliberately. (which we'll return to).

To jump off from this, Louis does withhold. He can sometimes tell Daniel something then never explain or have an answer for it he's willing to say. But we see this most apparently in how the diaries exclude certain events. That he doesn't detail much of his time with Armand, especially sexually, is a more subtle way of this. He withholds narratively to protect others, and respect them and their histories from being exploited. Though in other instances he withholds moreso to protect himself from this, and the image he wishes to present to Daniel and thus the world. One could see the act of presenting he and Armand's relationship as, firstly one where Armand is his servant Rashid, but then one of far more affection than it really holds, at this point in time, as withholding the truth as well. One could go a step further and say he does this to preserve a sense of agency and control over his inner and personal life, not just over the interview, but over this relationship as a whole. In a sense, Louis editorializes because the reality of things is beyond what feels his right to tell, and otherwise be endangering to his sense of self to tell. Louis usage of language is another way he keeps a sense of agency, as he can still pick the words he chooses to describe his life, even if his life has been largely out of his control. He can't in ways tell the full truth without giving up something he's simply unwilling to give.

Related to this, how he defends things, or is defensive of things, portrays a distorted idea of reality, but an honest portrayal of his own perspective on it. Most starkly I'd say is his claim to consider himself not abused.

His complicated feelings, especially about loved ones, give rise contradictory statements about people and events. Where he can claim one thing, and likely claim it from his personal feelings about it, but we are then shown events where this claim doesn't exactly live up to itself in every way, in his or others actions.

However, the main way Louis narrative becomes unreliable is through the lies and distortions manufactured into it and the ways in which the interview is undermined by conflicts of interest in it. Louis story is in fact one containing lies, and active distortions of events/thoughts, beyond normal forgetting, because of Armand's conflict in letting the truth be told. Mind though, that by the end of the story, much like [1] these we can presume have all been corrected for. Or at the very least who this information truly pertains to, Louis, is shown to have no interest in questioning that it hasn't been. What is relevant to have been the full truth has all been said.

There's a bit of a cultural thing influencing the interview. By this I mean Louis and Armand together had created a culture of politeness and respect, which discouraged and fought down getting at the heat of conflict, or emotional and mental vulnerability. Setting aside differences. Leaving things unaddressed, or burying issues, making up quickly, and in incomplete ways, as a means of maintaining a peaceful environment, leads to a level of transactionally met falsehood of how either is portraying themselves, especially in relation to one another, playing into what seems beneficial to them, more than what would be confrontational of the truth between them. Armand offends far more aggressively in this, and one can only guess this comes more from a rearing much more solidified in this kind of culture where there is a multitude of rules around maintaining a facade of 'nice' behavior for a presumed benefit of the group. Whereas, even if Louis follows this in some ways, he is more often seen to push against this, actually. (see; 'acting out')

There was a period (post 2x05 especially) where he makes claims about Armand, with no real way to back them, but for the purpose of continually marking Armand as a traitor. So, making purely emotional claims as opposed to knowing he's getting the facts straight. Discrediting Armand, even if he might be telling the truth. (debatable, of course, but I feel the need to include it anyhow).

The only real thing left of Louis unreliability in our conclusion is some residual effects of his doing where things are then left unanswered, and the information to be found in other peoples perspectives, which Louis isn't held responsible to be knowing about. So it's highly doubtful these are to where Louis is ever to be discredited on his telling of things, more that he just simply can't account for everything without betraying himself, and can't be held responsible to what he simply can not have known, or others controlling his narrative either.

To summarize what this all then means is that Louis is not telling any sort of story, at any point along it, worth discrediting, let alone fully, and wherever he was swaying in that direction, past or presently, it has been corrected for, or at least questioned, to where we can draw all the reliable conclusions on it through inference and sound interpretation. Making what we are left with by the end of season 2 the most reliable version of events of Louis personal perspective, even if quite a good sum of it is still left to this inference. It is because of what is left to inference, and what is something outside the realm of his personal perspective, that makes us the more unreliable sources of determining these events. WE are more likely to be distorting it by this point in the story, than Louis is shown to be. Our judgments, can do more impeding on what ends up being Louis honest account, than Louis ever was.

What Louis unreliability is not, is ever entirely dishonest - is ever one making up events, or turning them into something they were not. Everything we are told is a personal account of things that actually happened. It's certainly not one where, by the end, you can point at anything, and claim there's an irreparable falsehood about it. Perspective on events change, but that they had happened and in a sequential way, does not. One might not like or be satisfied with his point of view, yet this changes nothing. Memory is a monster, but Louis', a monster himself, is still real. These are his true memories as he is remembering them.

Beyond that, the more imperative story told here is the emotional one. On this journey of truth telling, Louis is also relieved of being unreliable about his emotions, and in the conclusion, he's living shamelessly for who he is, past and presently. This opens new doors for his character to exist beyond memory. The interview was a journey of self acceptance, and one's fight for having and reclaiming a self. The true take away, frankly, is that Louis got this, and nothing we can infer and interpret otherwise about his truth, where it is left open, can take this away from him.

I guess this is all to say Louis 'unreliable narration' is actually something he works through, perhaps in its realistic entirely (we are always a little unreliable). It's something that gets righted as a major part of the resolved conflicts that happen over the course of the interviews events, as so we, like Louis, are also resolved of this unreliability if we hold it to that same level of being the truth. And that is also if we are inferring and interpreting things left open properly, which is hard to say, even for Louis. That is where all of that 'unreliability' rests on is the things left open to question still, or gain new perspective on, and not that any one part of what we were presented with is falsely constructed. As we have actually gotten it reconstructed out of that.

[maevelin]

SO MANY QUESTIONS

Now that I had time to digest there are things I NEED S3 to answer me. And I am only focused on the show's mythology here and not by trying to have answers from the books.

I want the show to follow through:

"Why."

Why did Lestat go to Paris for the trial?

He felt compelled to? He wanted revenge? He knew it was inevitable and wanted to be there for damage control? Why did he rehearse the whole thing when obviously he was reluctant in doing so?

"Why do I do the things I do?" It is a good question because he did cross an ocean to get to that trial and I want answers.

"Trial."

I feel there are still missing pieces from the trial. And what led to it at least from Lestat's perspective.

"Why."

Why did Armand got Louis out of the coffin?

I am assuming (for now at least) it was Armand and Louis could taste his blood and it was not something he was believed due to his insane state at that moment.

But at first Armand is set on convincing Louis to get out of Paris. If that was the goal why? To save him from the coven? Or to ensure that Lestat would follow Louis? Lestat obviously remained on Paris waiting for Louis and Armand knew where he was.

"Adaptability - Machinations"

Obviously Armand orchestrated the trial. He chose the coven. He then convinced Louis it was his one act of cowardice and followed Louis.

But if we take a step back you have two covens destroyed and Armand the Coven Master has no liability for it if it ever comes down to his trial. Was that the purpose all along? Half a millennia and he is adapting to circumstances or is he creating them?

"Dinner preparations - I do hope you join us - we have something special prepared for you Daniel"

COME ON NOW! You can't just expect me to believe that this was not put there for a reason? What what that THEY HAD PREPARED FOR DANIEL?

The get out of there NOW from Talamasca was because of the impending fight between Louis and Armand or because Louis and Armand has something special prepared for Daniel? Both?

"What's the observation? The boy we met in San Francisco...he is still in there somewhere...we can find him...we can have him saying what happened next in no time...we do it together"

There are still missing pieces from San Francisco.

We know that when a vampire injures themselves heavily it takes time to recuperate. So something in the timeline does not exactly add up.

Armand is strong enough to carry Daniel away on his own but we see Daniel being carried in the photo by both Armand and Louis. Even if Louis was needed which he was not (or even he wanted to be there to ensure Armand would not hurt Daniel) would he have been able to do that in his burned state?

Then there is the part where supposedly Louis asked Armand to erase his memories. Do we trust that part or we need to see more of what actually happened?

"The Fight."

So we have seen how the fight between Lestat and Louis was shown in parts in two seasons from dual perspectives. And in S1 there were parts of the fight off screen. But in the both there was chaos and blood.

Now in S2 we get the fight between Armand and Louis. It is OFF SCREEN again. We hear Armand's words but that is pretty it. After such "seismic" lie one would believe Louis would be off the rails and the fight would be monumental.

Instead we get very little damage. There is almost no blood. Armand the 500+ POWERFUL vampire is very easily subdued. The fight basically ends just before it begins. And Louis...leaves. He simply leaves with a weak warning at best and Daniel is left alone with Armand. No Rashid, no Louis. Just them.

Then - time fast forward - Daniel is a vampire and Armand is nowhere to be found.

And then Burdened out of spite, not just turned. And all that while Louis himself admitted previously to Lestat that this had been a gift and not a burden even if he felt it as such at the beginning.

Something just does not add up.

And Daniel is searching for Armand (or so we think, or so he wants Louis to believe, or actually is happening).

"It is the other - Louis (?) - you should be afraid of."

This can not just be an empty warning by the Talamasca. Why would Daniel not need to be afraid of Armand? In comparison to Louis Armand is far more powerful, manipulative and has no reason as to keep Daniel alive...right?

And then Armand that has not turned ANYONE, turns Daniel. If this is to be believed then Daniel is his first fledgling and he did it out of spite? Something still does not add up.

Plus the Talamasca knew from the start that Daniel would not get out of this interview alive. Was it a safe deduction given how vampires operate? Or they had more to go on when it comes to Daniel and his relations with the vampires?

And also by the time the book is written and published there is some undefined time in between. It has to be a lot of months AT BEST.

Too much time. You can't just have a gap like that without explaining it to the audience.

"Daniel publishes the book." Louis burned the laptop but it is no use.

So Daniel publishes the book and so far we have seen that only Louis is getting threats. Daniel is living THE LIFE out in the open where even Daniel is warning Louis to hide. As if there is an added layer of protection no one would dare cross when it comes to Daniel when in reality he is now a vampire (but he IS Armand's Fledgling) and he was the one who published the books (plus he has ties with the Talamasca).

"Blood of Akasha."

Okay enough said, we need to know. NOW.

P.s: there are by far more questions that I have but yeah...I need to stop somewhere. LOL

[platoapproved]

a slow confusion

by: @platoapproved fandoms: interview with the vampire (TV 2022) || the vampire chronicles ships: maharet/jesse reeves || armand/rashid rating: e summary: Jesse befriends Rashid after he returns to the Talamasca headquarters in London. He believes that she shows signs of having her memories altered by a vampire, and calls in Armand to help undo it. Together, they all uncover the truth about Jesse and her mysterious aunt Maharet. total word count: ~93k - - - chapter: 10 of 16 || "sonoma" - - -

Maharet didn’t mind when she got drunk. Why, in every other memory she seemed to be refilling Jesse’s glass. And she always smiled so fondly, when Jesse would tumble loose-limbed into her lap, giggly and flushed in the face. “Sonoma is wine country,” Maharet told her, one morning when Jesse asked if she should maybe wait a few hours, maybe have some coffee instead, “Famous for it all over the world. You’re immersing yourself.” So she immersed herself. (It helped to be drunk. It made it easier not to think so much about what people might say if they found out about her and Maharet. It let her not feel so bad for not answering the phone when her parents called, because what would she say? What if she said the wrong thing? What if it all came pouring out? Wine made it easier for her to get to sleep, and then, after a while, she found she had to have some to sleep at all. It helped her ignore Mael’s eyes on her. It stopped her from asking so many questions that Maharet didn’t like. It saturated the whole world into a soft watercolor all around her. Edgeless and unreal.)

- - -

READ IT HERE

[random-imagines-blog]

Imagine request for Armand getting jealous of Daniel and Rashid chatting

As the only other human in the house, Daniel found himself often drawn to the one that he had called ‘Real Rashid’. At the very least, they had the flow of blood through their veins in common, though they both acted differently to the vampires. Real Rashid worshipped them, saw them as higher beings than himself, while Daniel thought they were more like the Greek Gods - immortal and powerful, and yet, very flawed, and messy. Armand was well aware of the differences between the two, and of how Daniel had thought of him. He could read it on their faces without having to delve into their minds. It’s all evident, obvious, but what had not been clear to him was what he would feel when he watched the two humans interact with one another. The deep rooted jealousy from his many centuries of a hard life, clawing back to the surface. “Well hello Real Rashid,” Armand overheard Daniel’s voice, sounding more cheerful than he often did when he was speaking with the two vampires. “What saga of the soap opera known as the Vampire Chronicles have you brought me today? Is this the one where Lestat goes on a racist rant on twitter, or is it the one where the Armand and Louis slow burn finally reaches flaming?” Despite himself, Real Rashid had a small smile, the corner of his lips going up from the usual docile expression that he wore. “Just some more photos, from the archives,” Rashid answered. “Ahh - the scrapbook. You know, I heard one celebrity released a book of just their self-portraits. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lestat chooses to do the same.” There came a chuckle from Rashid at that, he could not help himself. Lestat was not his master, so it felt alright to laugh about it. But the heavy feeling of the eyes of Armand made the smile drop. The elder vampire was watching, golden eyes aglow, feeling that horrible feeling of jealousy squeezing him from the inside. Rashid was his. And Daniel should be his as well, even if he was here for Louis. The human habit of breathing was one that he sometimes found meditative, and he attempted to breathe in through his nose and out through his mouth, turning around to get away from this scene. His feelings could bear it no longer.

Requested by: Anonymous

[themumblingmouse]

OC Kiss Week Snippet

A snippet I did of my Inquisitor and my friend @ baldursghaik's Rook for oc kiss week.

Warnings: mildly horny but nothing explicit, both are in open relationships, and they're both brats <3

The Inquisitor did not like him. It was clear from the moment Morrigan introduced them-the harsh expression on his face as he’d looked Rashid up and down was not exactly ambiguous.

Were it up to Rashid, the elf would never have stepped a foot in the lighthouse, if only to protect his own neck. Few things seemed to actually be up to his discretion, however, so here the Inquisitor stood, long greying hair spilling down his back and over his shoulders as he studied the floating fragments of the lighthouse in their pocket of the fade.

He walked barefoot. Common among Dalish, supposedly, according to Bellara; especially those like Lavellan from further south (which made no sense to him-didn’t they get more snow down there?). Tight leggings made of Dalish leather wrapped around his legs from his ankles to halfway up his thighs. He knew because the Inquisitor’s only other piece of clothing was a loose tunic woven with intricate Dalish designs. Rashid could see strips of skin above the leather as he moved and loose folds and layers of the tunic moved with him. Most of the top ties of the tunic had been left undone as well, leaving the front limp and open. There was barely a hint of hair on his chest, leaving the thin lines of old scars clear under the soft light of the fade-

“Enjoying yourself?”

Rashid took a little pride in his lack of a reaction to Lucanis appearing next to him, leaning back against the railing Rashid rested on.

“I was only wondering if the Inquisitor was enjoying his stay here at the lighthouse. The crows should always be good hosts, right?”

Lucanis snorted.

“I think every crow you asked would give you a different answer to that.”

Rashid saw Bellara leaving the dining hall and making a quick line straight to the Inquisitor.

“Ah, food is ready, I assume.” He nudged Lucanis. “My favorite, I hope?”

“Ask Bellara. She did most of the work.”

Rashid watched the Inquisitor wave Bellara off with a smile. He could practically hear the conversation.

Thank you, but I’m not hungry right now.

Are you sure? If you don’t like it I could make something else!

No it’s fine, sincerely-

Finally she turned and made her way back into the dining hall, leaving the Inquisitor standing alone. The elf began to meander back towards the lighthouse.

“Go ahead, Lucanis, I’ll be there in a moment.”

If a hum of acknowledgement could be sarcastic, Lucanis’s was the prime example. Rashid smiled at his back as he watched his partner go to join the rest of their group for dinner.

He found Lavellan in the main room of the lighthouse in front of the main bookcase-or the only bookcase, really, since the rest tended to float several yards above their heads.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?”

Lavellan didn’t turn, only sighing.

“Do you even know what works are in here?”

He must have gone out of his way to always sound so disdainful.

“About as well as you do, I’d think.”

Lavellan snorted. “Do you ever answer a question directly?”

“As often as you do.”

Finally, Lavellan turned, giving Rashid a better view even as the man’s eyebrows knit together in annoyance. Lavellan’s body reminded Rashid of some crows he’d known. Lean and muscular for the work they did, but sturdy and solid enough to take the punishment from fights. Despite his short height, he exuded an air of authority born from actual power and confidence, and not the smug false pride most crows learned to cultivate.

In a one to one fight Lavellan would win, he was certain; but what was the point of being a crow if you always fought fair?

“Shouldn’t you be eating? Miss Lutare was kind enough to cook for you all,” Lavellan snapped.

Miss Lutare. He spoke of her the same way he did Scout Harding. They seemed to be the only two here he actually liked. Rashid moved into Lavellan’s space, enjoying the way the other man stiffened as he was forced to look up.

“Careful,” Lavellan said in a low, threatening voice. But he made no motion to move away.

Rashid smiled.

“I always am.”

In one swift motion Rashid grabbed Lavellan’s wrist to hold it in place, pressing him back until he bumped into the bookcase. For a moment Lavellan was clearly shocked. As if he never really expected Rashid to try something. But just as quickly his face turned back to a scowl.

“You're pushing your luck, little crow.”

"Then tell me to stop."

When he didn't respond, Rashid bent down and tilted Lavellan’s head up as he pressed into a kiss. He could feel the elf’s hand flexing, the frustrated tension throughout his body; but he pressed back, more aggressively than Rashid. Rashid tightened his grip when they finally pulled apart, enjoy the harsh glare Lavellan shot up at him. It had little impact as he watched Lavellan’s chest rise and fall just a little too fast.

Rashid was happy to take his time getting to dinner. He wasn’t so hungry anyway.

[nalyra-dreaming]

I know it'll brobably be a huge post, but if it's not too much of a hassle, can you summarize which questions from s1 they've left completely unanswered in s2 (in your opinion)? And which answers you aren't satisfied with even though the show seemingly is (like Rashid disguise for many fans)?

Alright!

So I did a rewatch, and just wrote down everything that is not fully clarified, yet. Obviously I have theories for a lot of these, and have talked about a lot of them, but… all these are not “officially” resolved imho :). I’m skipping all the date discrepancies and “errors” (like the stab wounds disappearing in the church), because I believe those were all intentional for the “memory is a monster” theme :)

Daniel doing a certain puzzle - a memory or just a nod to the book audience?

The tapes in the post box - addressed in s2, yes, but without real answer, as to who put them there, actually. (Real) Rashid seems to know more, but it does seem connected to Raglan as well?

Louis signs “Louis de Pointe du Lac”, but his monogram is LDL - and throughout the show he is sometimes addressed by full name, sometimes by the abbreviated “Louis de Lac” - why?

Why does Armand go along with the subterfuge in the first place? Louis behaves quite differently prior to Armand revealing himself which can be part of the sub/dom-play they do, yes, but why did he allow this to happen at all, given all the “tinkering” he does? And if we are to believe that Louis is indeed pulling in Daniel as a “lifeline”, then why allow it at all?

What else is in the box that Louis pulls the “Lestat” card from?

What other things did Lestat bring from the continent?

“The vampire is bored” - in the context of said lifeline, does not make much sense to me

The “groan” - and also why Armand has hung a painting of Marius, of all people, in what will turn out to be Louis' apartment.

The “I serve a god comment” - does Armand only … extrapolate from the other servants? Or is there more to it all.

The “farm”

How many children did Grace have, and, given the context of the chronicles - why did they give her twins?

What happened in the year 2000 to make Louis stop killing?

What medicine did they give Daniel? It’s not the one Armand claims they’ll give, as other bloggers have pointed out

Why exactly did Louis and Claudia resort to eating prisoners of war? Why go to prisons to feed? (Foreshadowing to the dungeons they later have in the books?)

Why did Armand pretend(?) to be praying (in a slightly wrong way?)

Why does Armand see the book as a suicide (again, why does he let it happen?)

If the book of hours was the one from Memnoch as Sam said in the episode insider, then that book must have been taken to Europe by Louis, and then left or have been stolen there.

When and where was the new version of “Come to me” recorded?

The salt circles and bibles and all - it can be argued that were just random citizens, but given the fact that the Mayfairs are part of the universe…

Why did they change the means of killing a vampire in contrast to the books? I mean, I get Santiago, but… all in all? Why change canon there? (Or the sick blood, too.)

Why did Lestat choose their food at the end as seen with him choosing the man with the balloons for Claudia? Like, is that connected to the sick blood?

Who is Armand on the phone with and why did the show put such a focus on it?

Why do Lestat’s words in Claudia’s diary not match what we saw

Why is Antoinette’s finger a fresh wound?

What happened to the torn and cut out diary pages? What exactly did they contain?

Why, within the universe, does Louis get upset when Daniel does what he (supposedly) wanted him to do?

Why does Armand point out that Daniel has only heard half the story? Like, within the universe, why does he say Daniel would be ashamed of what he says there? If Armand’s intention is to “keep” Louis… why does he say that? Why does he let it go on, and not just throw Daniel out right there and then?

Now... some of these can be "explained" by the way the show is structured to keep the suspense, others... not so much. Some were already said to be revisited still, like "murder night" - which will likely include the diary pages in some kind of fashion.

So some of these will definitely be addressed in s3 or even later I think (but since you asked about season2... :))

[pynkhues]

https://www.tumblr.com/pynkhues/770330080935346176/httpswwwtumblrcomloustat-0770311728091299840?source=share

That is something I love about your fics, how viscerally you convey their need to touch each other, not just sexually, but all touch.

Anon, 😭😭 you're very lovely, thank you. This is still a little sexy, but have a domestic snippet from the Cruising fic:

-

Bzzt.

Bzzzzzzzzttttt.

Louis feels his face pinch as he’s roused from his slumber by the sound of the loud vibration, glass ricocheting off glazed wood, echoing through the quiet sanctuary of his bedroom. It’s enough to pull him into the moment, into this new night, to this bed, to this city, to this entanglement, for he feels the knobs of Lestat’s bony spine against his chest before he feels anything else. Before he feels the numbness of his left arm, caught between Lestat’s side and the mattress, before he feels the curve of his perfect ass, cradled between Louis’ hips, and he works his mouth. Tastes the stale remnants of last night – of sleep and blood and Lestat – and he pushes his nose into the valley Lestat’s neck makes with his shoulder, inhales deeply, lets Lestat, however briefly, fill his senses as the blood drips south, and he drops his free hand to Lestat’s hip. Tilts it ever so slightly back against him, the blissful pressure, weight, seam of him there in his lap and- -

Bzzzzzzzzzttttttt.

And - -

Right.

With a low groan, Louis leans back just enough to fumble a hand out behind him in the dark, reaching for where his cell phone sits on his bedside table, blinks bleary eyes up at it as he turns the screen on, but despite a flurry of messages from a flurry of people, his phone’s not the one that’s ringing. He glances across the bed at where Lestat’s phone is glowing bright on top of the other table, and rolls over again to pull his left arm out from beneath Lestat, draping himself over him as he starts to stir, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder and giving his bare ass a quick, light good-evening slap.

“Phone, baby.”

And Lestat practically growls at that, yanking himself out of sleep only to flop pathetically over in the sheets, grabbing his cell off the bedside table and letting loose a string of cusses in French when he recognises the contact. Still, he promptly answers, even if he does hook it between his head and shoulder so that he can reach a hand back behind him to fondle Louis’ cock briefly as he does it.

Despite himself, Louis can’t quite bite back the grin, half-hard but also awake enough now to know that this ain’t gonna happen on what seems like a work call, so he detaches Lestat’s hand from his (hot, already pulsing - - fuck, no one gets him going like Lestat) member, entwines their fingers briefly with an affectionate squeeze that has Lestat staring back at him unblinking over his shoulder, and sits up in bed, giving them a little distance. He rolls his shoulders back, wills his arousal away, shakes out his left arm to try and get some circulation back into it from where it was pinned beneath Lestat’s body for likely the entire day, before grabbing his phone again to actually read through his messages. There are a few from his assistant, passed on follow-up from the Whitechapel Gallery and meeting requests from property developers back in Dubai, a few from Margot, and one from Rashid about a potential buyer for another Klimt coming through a contact at Sotheby’s.

Enough to get to work, he thinks, slipping out of bed, feeling Lestat’s too hot gaze on the line of his nude body as he tosses on a slate grey cotton t-shirt and a pair of deep, autumnal red silk lounge pants, grabs his laptop from atop the dresser and pads downstairs towards the kitchen.

[irisbleufic]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61528000

This new story is in answer to the anon who wants the backstory on how Rashid and Sam met and became a couple (since I only show them as an established couple so far in this series). This is Part 22 of Caldera, but can also be read as a stand-alone. Currently 10 out of 14 chapters posted; yes, this number has risen slightly. It will cover a number of scattered instances from ca. 2007 (Rashid is a teenager in the prologue) until the two weeks in Dubai; it’ll end right around or just after where “Not the Good Guys” begins.

Never a Mercy (2024-12-21)

Hand-Picked (2024-12-22)

False Modesty (2024-12-23)

Digital Regrets (2024-12-24)

Clear a Path (2024-12-25)

Job Interview (2024-12-26)

Back Burner (2024-12-27)

Method Acting (2024-12-28)

Work-Around (2024-12-29)

Duty and Honor (NEW, 2024-12-30)

TEASER:

When Rashid gets home, Sam is on the sofa with his headphones around his neck and bloody tear-tracks on his cheeks. He’s bitten one thumbnail down past the quick, which takes immense doing even with indestructible teeth. Rashid rushes to his side, pulling him close.

“What if you were collateral damage,” Sam says. “That’s all I could fuckin’ think when I heard…what the hell did I hear shatter, anyway?”

“The coffee table,” Rashid sighs, taking Sam’s injured hand in his own. There’s almost nothing left of Sam’s thumbnail. It’s impressive and horrifying. “This’ll grow back by tomorrow night?” he asks with concern, having never seen Sam with an injury that didn’t heal instantly.

Sam nods absently, curling his hand around Rashid’s. “Something’s crawled up Louis’s arse of late, I’d bet my undeath. He’s likely been killing while he’s out, too. Chances are high you’ll see more bodies ’round the penthouse like we used to in the Bois de Buologne.”