#gothic 2: night of the raven

[kyuoki]

Might fuck around and draw Greg since I couldn't find any fanarts of him, let alone Gothic content on here so it's time to change that. 🤧

[burningshellenberger]

pobierz gothic 2 noc kruka gothic 2

[squiddy-god]

idia shroud phone sex

Re-upload from terminated blog squid-god-supreme

CW : phone sex, written pre-idia chapter, masturbation, all portrayed as 18 etc.

Idia didn’t want to go home for the holidays, it’s not that he didn’t want to see his family, no no no, its that he couldn’t bring you with him. He and ortho both wanted to see family again but it ticked idia off that he couldn’t bring you with him. He wanted to spend it with you as well but unfortunately couldn’t, maybe next year right?

So that’s were he was now, in the shroud manor on his bed. The place was always quite cold even in the summer months, and always darker then normal. Swelling grey clouds blocked out any sun that might have decided to show itself, chilled winds howled around the black jagged rocks that painted the coast behind an inky fog. There was a surprising amount of vegetation, most in darker hues and in a constant night time bloom. The Gothic style manor that belonged to the shroud family sat on a rather tall Hill that was close to the coast and dropped to a steep cliff on the opposite side.

His room was much larger and much cleaner then the one at Night Raven College. Near ancient black and warm grey wallpaper covered the semi dark room, candles alight with flickering blue flame. Idia layed on the large that was centered along the far wall of the room and stared with a scowl at the bookshelves lined with manga and games. It had been two days and while he’d admit, he was happier in the gloomy atmosphere and felt much more at ease, he missed you dearly, missed gameing with you, missed touching you. His hair lit up bright red and his cheeks were tinted the same color, such dirty thoughts and you weren’t even there. Well, many you weren’t there physically but… Hopefully you were awake, who was he kidding you were probably asleep… Unless? With a to thy grin on his face his pale hand reached over to grab the phone on his bedside table.

Opening it up he was greated with the sharp light of his phone screen. Squinting and adjusting to the change he smiled even more at his wallpaper. It was you and ortho(naturally). You probably had no idea this photo even existed, you had been playing with ortho one day and the youngest shroud sibling had hugged you, you two were just so cute, how could he not snap a screen shot from his tablet? Quickly he entered the Overly complicated pattern to unlock his phone.

Laying back on the soft pillows he typed away at his phone, hopeing you would respond.

11:46 p.m

Hey player-2 you awake?

Corse I am

Do you need something?

I just missed you, I’m definitely bringing you with me next time

(๑•ᴗ•๑)♡ awww you missed me? Your such a softie~

Idia let out something between a scoff and a laugh. As much as he denied it he was absolutely soft for you, well… Mostly. He sat up, back leaning against the headboard. Maybe you’d be up for a little fun? He wanted to touch you so bad but he supposed this is fine to. His hand came down to palm himself threw his sweatpants, cock growing hard at the friction

11:51 p.m

Hmm trust me um anything but soft right princess

Ohhhh~ someones confident over text hu?

Maybe you could spare a picture 😳👉👈

You loved to tease idia and get him riled up, although normally it only served to fluster him it was still worth it. You chuckled to yourself waiting for his no doubt snarky remark as you sat up in bed. You had missed him just as much since he left and part most of you wished you had accepted his offer. Then again the paranoia that it would be awkward won, that and crowlys never ending onslaught of tasks.

You could feel yourself grow wet at the thought of his cock straining against his boxers. Getting up you quickly locked the door, half shocked ramshackle even had working locks. Climbing back into bed you checked your phone.

11:55 p.m

Smartass

And yes, you can have a pic princesses

*pic*

Your face lit up red when you opened the picture. Idias cock stood in all its glory, his shirt was off and you could see the definition of his slim frame acting as a background for his length. His slender fingers were wrapped around his girth, Strands of precum were oozing out of the pink, almost purplish tip of his cock. You gulped down the lump that had formed in your throat.

You rubbed your thighs together as heat pooled in your nether regions. The red tinge on your face only grew when your mind flashed back to the feeling of his dick dragging against your walls, letting you feel every vein and part of his cock.

😳 damn Mr. Shroud

You like that princess?

Like seeing my cock so hard for you y/n? Goona put your pretty little fingers inside your dripping cunt?

Imagine it’s my cock thrusting into your pussy making you cum?

😳👉👈 maybe I will

Maybe I’ll pretend it’s you inside me

Idias cock was throbbing in his hand, his thumb rubing the tip of his cock. He wanted to see you, see your fingers buried inside yourself, hear you moaning his name. He was excited, his eyes were wild and his sharp grin was wide, the tips of his brilliant blue hair were tinged the same red that was across his cheeks. You on the other hand were a tomato, you squirmed in your place on the bed.

11:59p.m

Why don’t you call me princess, that way I can see you work yourself over the edge

Alright give me a second and I’ll get on a video call with you ❤

Quickly you stripped off your pants and panties, tossing them to the corner of the room. You got comfortable on the bed before once again picking up your phone. You started the call and idia immediately picked up the phone and turned on his camera. His hand was griping his cock as he positioned his phone makeing shure you got a full view.

“You look so good for me y/n, all wet and needy fufu, I’m so lucky, I’m the only one who gets to see this ur+ character event” His voice was low as he drank in the sight on his screen. Your legs spread apart only for him to see and your pussy dripping for him. It was a intoxicating sight and he wished it was you wrapped around his cock and not his hand.

You giggled at his words and shook your head. “Your not much better idia, all hard for me? ” You smirked. “Of course princess, see how hard I am thinking about you?” He let out a low groan as his hand started stoaking his cock. Slender fingers ran over his hardened length squeezeing slightly as he tried his best to mimic the feeling your tight walls around him. “ Come on princess, stuff yourself with your fingers and imagine my cock pounding into you.” Doing as he said your fingers rubbed circles on on your clit before dipping into your soping core. You moaned quietly to not make much noise as your fingers thrust in and out of you. “Ahh idia” Your fingers kept up their pace caressing your walls as they curled and turned inside you. “Thats right princess, your doing so good with your fingers pretending it’s my cock inside you” His dick was twitching in his hand and you could hear all of his pants and groans as his hand worked his cock. You let out a wimper and inserted another finger as you felt the knot in your stomach tighten, your hips bucked into your slightly as you moaned his name. Idia was practically fucking into his hand at the sight of you so undone. “That’s it y/n, cum around your fingers like you wold my cock, I wanna see them covered in your cum just for me” Your legs shaked as the knot in your stomach snapped, you could feel your juices on your fingers as you rode out your high. Panting, idia’s hand stalled as hot sticky fluid gushed from his cock and dribbled down onto his hand.

“I miss you so much player-2, next year your definitely coming with me, raids arnt as fun without you. ”

“Y-yah, next year I’ll come with you… ” You Yawned. “Night idia, I love you player-1”

“Love you to y/n”

[grimreaperschild]

guitar practice 2

summary: jealous wednesday starts to realise her mistakes but is it too late?

warnings: angst

a/n: i had fun writing this one, any suggestions welcome, hope you enjoy ❤️

———————————————————————

It’s late by the time wednesday returns to her dorm, mud caked in her platform shoes. she pushes the door open gently, not trying to wake her roommate she takes off her shoes and pads over to her desk, flicking the light on intending to get ready for bed and sleep the harrowing day of investigating away and that’s when her eyes land on your sleeping form curled into enid, wednesday pauses stuck in place at the sight, her insides churn and it feels as if someone’s plunged a dagger into her, not as pleasant as she originally thought but that will be addressed later.

you wake with a start at the covers being torn away from you “y/n.. enid.” shes seething, you can see it her breath is coming out in short ragged gasps her shoulders hunched “baby” you try reaching out, she smacks your hand away “you run off because i’d rather stop people being killed than spend all my time with you, you run off to cuddle up to my roomate?” she’s shaking now hands curling into fists “get out” you stand making for your clothes “not you y/n, no never you” you look at enid for the first time her eyes are wide “yeah, yeah i’ll go stay with yoko tonight” her leaving the room can only be described as tucking her tail and running.

the second the door shuts lips are on yours wednesdays small hands grabbing at the fabric of your enid’s sweatshirt she pushes you up the wall biting your bottom lip, hard. you taste blood your heads reeling as you wrap your arms around her neck all arguments forgotten, you grab at her jacket- wait her jacket? you push her away confirming your suspicions, galpin. you take in her appearance, lips swollen rage still evident in her eyes and in his jacket, you sigh

“nes we gott” she interrupts you “you’re mine, cara mia, mine.” you lean back on the wall hands coming up to cover your face “but are you mine?” the question takes wednesday by surprise, she hesitates, you scoff. “yeah that’s what i thought” you push away from the wall, pacing “you know it’s never been that you’ve been investigating, do you know how many times i’ve asked you to bring me with you? how many times i’ve sat staring at your suspect list while you were out with him” your voice is laced with venom, you know you’ll regret this later but you can’t help the way your anger is bubbling itching at your skin “IVE TRIED WEDNESDAY ALL I EVER DO IS TRY” a sob escapes you and it’s only now you realise that you’re crying.

she’s silent, of course always silent, watching “you would slow me down” you scoff for what feels like the millionth time “what and a normie wouldn’t?” she frowns at your statement, hope flickers through you as understanding crosses her face “he’s not a normie” oh. your heart falls to the pit of your stomach, she’s still thinking about him. “we need some time apart wednesday” her eyes snap to yours “y/n you don’t understand, i just need time i know what i need to do now, tyler asked me to the raven i’ll go with him and” “yeah. this is over, wednesday good luck with tyler” tears are streaming down your face as you leave the walk to your dorm is quick collapsing into bed and into a dreamless sleep.

2 weeks later you’re sat in biology class, next to enid pinkys interlocked on the table this is the first class you’ve managed to get too since that night, wednesdays tried to speak to you 3 times but you’ve not given her the time of day. you watch the clock counting down the seconds till lunch half an hour left.

your eyes drift to the gothic girl subconsciously a spark of energy shooting through you when her eyes are already on you, well on your and enid’s hands, you turn your attention back to the teacher droning on about the vampires immune system, you smirk as yoko raises her hand knowing exactly what’s about to happen “miss i don’t think that’s quite right” the teacher narrows her eyes being used to this type of interruption “why raise your hand if your still going to shout out anyway” you giggle, leaning into to enid’s side to whisper “isn’t yoko like a billion years older than her” enid snorts choking on her water “y/n she’s not THAT old” hand coming up to mask her own giggling “i love yoko but i don’t know, i mean she looks like she could turn to dust” enid let’s out a laugh as yokos head snaps towards you with such speed you half expect it to come flying off her shoulders, she points a slender finger at you “rude” you raise your hands in mock surrender “sorry grandma” enid let’s out a cackle at your words tears brimming in her eyes.

the bell sounds

you stand pulling your blue and pink streaked friend with you “im so hungry comon hurry up” enid who is still recovering from her laughing fit stumbles into you grabbing onto your arm to steady herself, you don’t say anything when she doesn’t let go on the walk to the cafeteria, you certainly don’t say anything when she interlaces your hands in the quad the next day, and in return she doesn’t say anything when you rest your head in her lap to read her fingers lacing through your hair or when you call her at 3am because you’ve had yet another nightmare.

you both continue on, not saying anything but every action doesn’t go unnoticed by a certain dark haired girl, her eyes scanning you every chance she gets.

[milfjagger]

horror recs 2024

categories are a little broad but take from it what you will. personal favs are in bold and a * next to the name means this movie genuinely scared me

serial killers/stalkers/home invasion the black phone (2021) the invisible man (2020) hannibal (series; 2013-2015) maniac (2012) american psycho (2000) the silence of the lambs (1991) opera (1987) tourist trap (1979) halloween (1978) deep red (1975) black christmas (1974) the texas chain saw massacre (1974) peeping tom (1960)

ghosts/hauntings talk to me (2022) the haunting of hill house (series; 2018) i am the pretty thing that lives in the house (2016) under the shadow (2016) crimson peak (2015) mama (2013) the orphanage (2007) lake mungo (2008)* dark water (2005) the ring (2002) the others (2001) the devil's backbone (2001) ring (1998)* candyman (1992) poltergeist (1982) the haunting (1963) the innocents (1961)

vampires interview with the vampire (series; 2022- ) midnight mass (series; 2021) let the right one in (2008) bram stoker's dracula (1992) near dark (1987) the lost boys (1987) fright night (1985) dracula (1958) nosferatu (1922)

werewolves dog soldiers (2002) ginger snaps (2000) & ginger snaps 2 (2004) the howling (1981) an american werewolf in london (1981)

demons/witches longlegs (2024)* smile (2022)* incantation (2022)* hereditary (2018)* suspiria (2018) veronica (2017)* terrified (2017)* pyewacket (2017)* the autopsy of jane doe (2016) the exorcist (series; 2016-2018) the blackcoat's daughter (2015) the witch (2015)* evil dead (2013) the exorcism of emily rose (2005) the blair witch project (1999) the craft (1996) hellraiser (1987) suspiria (1977) the exorcist (1973) the devil rides out (1968) rosemary's baby (1968) black sunday (1960)

survival horror yellowjackets (series; 2021 - ) the terror (series; 2017) rogue (2007) the descent (2005)* open water (2003)

sci-fi horror crimes of the future (2022) annihilation (2018)* the fly (1986) the thing (1982) alien (1979) & aliens (1986)

monster movies willow creek (2013)* troll hunter (2010) the host (2006) pumpkinhead (1988)

folk horror the ritual (2017)* wake wood (2009)* the hallow (2015) pet sematary (1989) the wicker man (1973) the blood on satan's claw (1971) night of the demon (1957)

fantasy/fairytale horror gretel and hansel (2020) red riding hood (2011) the juniper tree (1990) the company of wolves (1984) psychological horror (that doesn't fit better into another category) candyman (2021) the lighthouse (2019) us (2019) get out (2017) gerald's game (2017) a cure for wellness (2016) the invitation (2015) it follows (2014)* excision (2012) may (2002) frailty (2001) dead ringers (1988) gothic (1986) carrie (1976) cat people (1942)

indie/experimental (mileage may vary) enys men (2022) skinamarink (2022) bones and all (2022) men (2022) the house (2022) relic (2020)* saint maud (2019) mandy (2018) the wind (2018) raw (2016)

balls to the wall crazy/fun as hell evil dead rise (2023) fall of the house of usher (series; 2023) late night with the devil (2023) saw movies (2004-2023) the menu (2022) nope (2022) malignant (2021) escape room (2019) & escape room: tournament of champions (2021) run (2020) the chilling adventures of sabrina (series; 2018-2020) 31 (2016) the boy (2016) american mary (2012) repo! the genetic opera (2007) trick 'r' treat (2007) sweeney todd (2007) dead silence (2007) house of wax (2005) house of 1000 corpses (2003) final destination (2000) ravenous (1999) lair of the white worm (1988) brain damage (1988) the texas chainsaw massacre 2 (1986) re-animator (1985) & bride of re-animator (1990) evil dead movies (1981-1992) phantom of the paradise (1974)

[sanyu-thewitch05]

Yandere Vampire X f! reader pt. 1

The Woods PT. 2

Tw: noncon, dubcon,manipulation, mind control, isolation, sexual attraction to blood, blood.

A/N: This chapter is a slow burn kind. Mainly because the second chapter is just going to be smut due to certain circumstances which are revealed at the end of the story.

Kofi: Wanna buy me a coffee?

🍒🍒🍒🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Your quiet gothic-themed village was never afraid of many things. Not even the bubonic plague scared the villagers. But, something that did scare them was the woods. They called it The Forest of Blood or El Bosque de Sangre. A long time ago, during the medieval ages, a family of wealthy nobles from Transylvania moved to your village. With their luggage were a human-sized coffin and a blanket with engravings of DC on them. They stayed in their castle surrounded by woods until the villager's livestock began to die. Cows and pigs as pale as ghosts with markings on their necks. The only clue was a trail of blood leading into the dark forest.

The villagers took their weapons and marched to the noble's castle, only to find the family in such a horrific condition, not even the graveyard thieves wanted them. Though, others say the family are beings of another name. Some called them Nosferatus, Draculas, Creatures of the Night, Demons, Bloodsuckers, anything but a human being. But that never worried you. What worries you were the girls going missing at the start of every winter, about a couple weeks before the first snowfall. No one knew who would be next, but no one dared to lock their daughters inside. For the last time they did, your village of Verano had mysteriously lost numerous amounts of harvest and livestock. And so here you are, walking to your grandmother's house to keep her company.

It didn't bother you that it's dark as you walk the dirt roads to your grandmother's house. You were used to the dark. It felt like home in a weird way. Even the predators that snatch livestock from the pens respect you as if you are one of their own. Although, it would lead to the villagers thinking you are a witch of some sort. But that didn't bother you either, for you always thought about flying high in the sky and doing witchy things with your friends, especially your friend, Nos, who you knew since that fateful day all those years ago.

"What are you doing behind that bush?"

The boy with pale skin and raven black hair looked at you with shock, fear, and surprise in his eyes.

"Come on, don't you want to play with the other children?"

The boy nodded and took your hand as you ran into the field to play with the village children. You put a flower crown on his head and held both his hands as you began to spin around.

"Nosferatu! Dracula! Demon and Creature of the Night! Everything you'll scream when they bite! Pure as snow! A virgin wearing a white wedding dress! Dye it red and rest in the forest! Be their bride in unholy matrimony!"

Your grandma walked up to you and said to say goodbye to the now-happy boy. You hugged him goodbye and skipped back to her cottage. When you got to her house, your grandma whispered in your ear.

"Nunca hables de los Nosferatus y sus novias. O de lo contrario desaparecerás en el bosque también."

"Bien, abuela."

That was fifteen years ago, and he's been your best friend ever since, even if you could never have adventures in the woods because you feared disappearing from the village.

"Nos, why do you insist on creeping behind me so much?" You ask, turning around to face a six foot three Nos.

"You shouldn't be walking out here so late at night. There are dangerous things in these woods," Nos says, putting his coat on your shoulders. "You should come back to my place and get warm."

"Sorry, grandma needs me to help with the pre-Christmas party," You reply, trying to move through the mud. "Did you hear about it supposedly snowing today?"

"Yes, I did, love. Are you going to start up about those girls going missing again?" Nos asks, walking side by side with you.

"How could I not?! It's supposed to be the first snowfall today, and not a single girl from the village has disappeared!" You exclaim, turning around to face Nos.

"Darling, those girls probably ran away from home. They found someone better in the world and left to explore it," Nos responds, taking you into his arms and dancing you around.

Snow begins to fall, and soon the roads become milky white. You made it to your grandma's house only to find she wasn't there. She had left on an emergency trip to Venice to help one of your cousins give birth. Your grandma had left a centuries-old family cookbook for you if you wished to cook something for dinner.

"It's snowing pretty heavy, darling. How about you stay at my place until it stops," Nos suggests, buttoning up the coat he put over you.

"That sounds fine, but what about you? Won't you be cold?" You ask, starting to shiver.

"I'll be fine. The cold doesn't affect me that much," Nos replies, taking the cookbook and carrying it in his bag. "Come, we can cook dinner and get warm by the fireplace."

You nod and follow his lead until he tries to enter the forest. The dark, snow-covered forest seemed to be staring back at you. Nothing made a sound, and nothing moved. You weren't sure if it was because of the snow absorbing the sound or because this forest was so terrifying that nobody dared enter it.

"It's ok. It's a shortcut to my manor. It's only a couple feet away, I promise," Nos promises, gently holding your hand. "If you feel safer, I'll hold you in my arms the whole time."

"Fine, but don't let me go," You whimper as Nos carries you like a princess.

Nos was known as a lady killer or a charming noble, depending on who you ask. Even though he only came into the village to meet you, he garnered attention from other girls. He got proposal after proposal but kept declining them. The girls eventually got over him, but the female elders couldn't help but notice how no boy or gentleman in the village would ask for your hand in marriage. Their husbands told them to pay no mind to it, but they stopped paying attention to you when predators acted like domesticated animals around them. Though others theorized you were the next Novia de Nosferatu.

"We're here! I'll get you some overnight clothes and make a fire. You can pick out a recipe if you want to," Nos says, handing you your family cookbook.

"I'll choose something yummy," You say, scurrying to the kitchen.

After fifteen minutes, Nos returned downstairs and saw you preparing to cook your family's calzone recipe. He wrapped his arms around your waist and asked if he could help.

"I'm fine, Nos. Why don't you get us something to drink?" You reply, putting the rolling pin away.

"Of course, darling. I'll be right back," Nos says, going to the cellar.

Dinner was ready, and Nos poured two glasses of wine. You brought the food to the table and began to eat with your friend.

"Sorry if the wine tastes bad. I know you're more accustomed to fruity alcoholic drinks," Nos comments, eating a piece of the calzone. "You're still not afraid of these woods, are you? My room has a pretty good view of the trees. It gets wonderful sun and moonlight as well."

"Don't you have a guest bedroom?" You ask, trying not to earn the title of village whore just for innocently sleeping with a guy.

"I'm afraid all the guest bedrooms are-oh fuck it. You've been the light of my life all the way into adulthood. Would you-would you please be mine?" Nos proposes, pulling out a box with a ring with a dark red gem.

The ring was silver with black markings going around it. It was something that only the richest of the rich could afford.

"Nos...of course I'll marry you!" You exclaim, kissing your now fiance.

"Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure? It's not the alcohol talking, right?" Nos questions, pouring you another glass of wine.

"It's not the alcohol talking. Besides, based on things are for me in the village, it seems you're the only guy who would willingly marry me," You respond, drinking the second glass of wine until it's half full. "What type of wine did you give me? It tastes so metallic."

Nos moves closer to you, eventually capturing you in an embrace. You can feel his muscles twitch, and he kisses the crook of your neck. Nos slips the ring onto the middle finger on your right hand.

"I'm glad you wanted this as much as I did, my unholy bride," Nos whispers, his voice becoming raspy and hissing towards the words of unholy bride.

"Wha-"

You have no time to react before he bites you full force. Your ring extends a needle or blade into your skin and shoots something into you. You couldn't break out of his arms and felt nothing but pain. Your nerves felt like they were on fire, your body began to shiver, and your eyes felt like they were about to explode.

"Sh, sh, sh, it's ok. You'll get through the transformation soon. It’ll be nothing but pleasure from here on out, my love,” Nos comforts, gently stroking your head. “Once you drink my blood, the transformation will be complete, and we can be together forever.”

“Nos…Nosfer…Nosferatu!” You scream, rage and fear flowing through your blood.

“No! Call me Nos. I’m still your sweet, Nos. I’m your wonderful fiancé!” Panic is in his voice as he realizes he’s starting to lose you.

You yowl in pain, and with the newly formed claws, you swipe at Nos. He jumps away from you as you run toward the library. Everything was black and red. There was no other color present. You see a book on a desk and fiercely open it, only to find out some things are better left as secrets.

“The son of the chief of Verano made a deal with the blood devils. One maiden will be the sacrifice for us all and be the devil's future mother. A sacrifice made before the first snowfall, or else we will pay for it all,” You read the page making more anger surface. “This year’s Blood bride is Y/N. Please note that the heir has chosen to court her and then ask for her hand in marriage.”

“Darling, no! Don’t read that book! You’ll get confused!” Nos yells, grabbing your shoulder. “ Your body is tired from the transformation. You need to rest!"

"Don't touch me! I can't believe I was ever your friend! How long?! How long did you plan on doing this to me?!" You rage, tears falling down your cheeks.

"I only- thirteen. I knew you were my bride at thirteen and have courted you ever since. You wanted to stay friends, and I still wanted a relationship, so I abided by your wishes and drove suitors away from you. I didn't want you to find out who I was through force like the other brides of my family. I wanted it to be a nice experience for you." Nos holds you in his arms as your claws swipe at him drawing slow-moving blood. "We can still have a wedding with your family. I'll invite them, and they'll know you're ok."

"Do you know what you've done?! Everyone in the village thinks I'm cursed or a witch!" You scream, trying to get out of his arms. "I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

"NO! You don't hate me! It's the vampire venom talking! You love me! You love me just like you did before!" He growls, slamming you onto the brick wall. "Clearly, we need a little couples therapy until that is gone from your system."

He bites your neck, and pleasure goes into your veins. Your legs wrap around his, and your hips unconsciously grind on his crotch. Nos is too strong from drinking your blood to try pushing him away. You can only try to keep your body still as he drinks from you. Your vision goes dark, and you let out a small moan.

When you wake up, your vision is dark, and your naked body feels cramped. You push open the padded ceiling, and something metal moves as light hits your face. Red liquid falls on you from above, making everything but your face smell metallic. You crawl out of the coffin, trying to head towards the backdoor facing the woods. Nos grabs you and licks your cheek, making you shiver.

"I think this will bring us closer together, don't you?" Nos asks, removing his red robes and putting his naked body against yours. "I won't take your virginity until the wedding night unless you want to lose your virginity before then."

"I will never marry you!" You scream, trying to break away but can't due to the wet blood.

"Oh, I love it that you're still stubborn. Let me treat and clean you up, my love," Nos kisses as his hands go straight to your crotch and breast.

He sticks his fingers in you and rubs your nipple as he makes out with you. Nos looks at you, and his brown eyes become bright red.

"Focus on the sensations. In and out," Nos whispers, kissing the previous bitemark he gave you.

You felt like you were losing your mind. You didn't want to follow his orders. Soon enough, you were begging for him to finish you off. He took out his fingers from inside you after you orgasmed. He sucked on his fingers covered in your juices and blood. Then, began to lick the blood on your body. You tried tugging at his pants from below, but he swatted your hands away. Nos licked and kissed his way down to your crotch, where he found that you were bleeding. His face lit up, and you were too euphoric and full of lust to care what would happen next.

"It seems your body has decided that we must have our wedding now," Nos says, taking you into his arms so he can put you in a bath. "We're going to have one bloody hell of a wedding, darling."

[from-beyond]

Tumblr user from-beyond’s Queer Horror rec list

Happy Pride!

I do not consider Queer Horror to exclusively mean horror with queer characters or plot points. Many of the films on this list have no explicitly queer characters, but rather deal with themes such as Sexuality and repression, isolation, othering, discrimination, self loathing or acceptance, forbidden love, and fear of discovery. They make use of things like homoeroticism, queer-coding, camp, phallic and yonic imagery, and contextually significant themes (ex: the AIDS epidemic). 

This list is by no means comprehensive as I am only including films that I personally have seen. This is just a personal rec list. I encourage you to do more research into this subgenre and discover more films. 

Final disclaimer: Many of the films on this list are “problematic”. Within the Queer Horror community, there is a lot of reclaiming and personal interpretation. If that’s something you can’t handle, then this probably isn’t this area of study for you.

Queer Directors with horror films:

Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage, Basket Case, Frankenhooker, Bad Biology)

Clive Barker (Hellraiser series, Nightbreed)

Don Mancini (Child’s Play series)

James Wale (Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man)

John Water (Serial Mom, Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos)

The Big Ones (these are brought up most often):

Psycho (1960)

Sleepaway Camp

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

Fright Night (1985)

Hellraiser (1987)

More 80’s Horror with Queer Subtext (AKA my niche):

The Hitcher

Night of The Creeps

Re-Animator

Bride of Re-Animator

Slumber Party Massacre II

The Hunger

Gothic

Society

Witchboard

Dressed To Kill

Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker

Vamp

Hide and Go Shriek

Fear No Evil

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Apartment Zero

The Fly

International Queer Horror:

Martyrs

Stranger By The Lake

The Wild Boys

The Living Dead Girl

The Lure

The Blood Spattered Bride

Titane

Jack Be Nimble

Criminal Lovers

Miscellaneous (didn't fit in the other categories but I wanted to mention):

Crash (1996)

Ravenous (1999)

Jennifer’s Body

[aroaessidhe]

okay I was asked about fey books I’ve read that Do stick to folklore a bit more than certain popular books - and actually looking at what fey books I’ve read  it’s a bit like.... books that stick to folklore closely I sometimes Don’t Love, and there are others that don’t stick to it as much but I like the overall narrative more? or some mix of that. 

so here’s a list of a few - a range of how much they stick to folklore (which of course is an amorphous thing) and how much I like them, but it’s something!

YA

That Self-Same Metal - literally just read this, it’s about a Black girl who’s the stage blade expert for shakespeare’s company and can see fey, and they’re appearing more and more in the city. explores a bit of the midsummer night’s dream fey but also like “shakespeare was wrong” and general folklore. definitely the start of a series and has a lot going on but I thought it has some cool ideas!

all Holly Black’s books deal with them well! the Modern Faerie Tales companion/trilogy has maybe aged a bit by now, and I hate way the romance ended up together in The Folk of the Air (and the way the fandom is about it) but otherwise I do really like how it deals with fey and politics! also enjoyed The Darkest Part of the Forest. these are all intertwined/same world

The Buried And The Bound - a hedgewitch girl keeps fey away from her town, and gets caught up with two boys who are cursed. mostly deals with minor fey and a powerful hag

An Enchantment of Ravens - it’s been quite a few years since I read this, but I do remember enjoying it. It is a bit more of a romance focused story also, an artist stolen into the fey realm for painting a fey prince as if he was human(iirc?)

The Bone Houses - not directly dealing with fey, but like the aftermath of the ancient fey’s curses? welsh myth inspired. which I think is cool.

At The Edge of The Woods - about a girl in a religious/patriarchial village who starts to have strange dreams about a fey boy luring her into the woods. it’s not super focused on them, but they’re very much the classic ‘dangerous fey stealing people away for entertainment’ kind of thing

Adult

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries - I sort of have mixed feelings about this - I really enjoy how it dealt with fey and the creepier folklore creatures side of it! the handling of the changeling was a bit iffy and not sure about the romance

The Wolf Among the Wild Hunt - dark fantasy novella about a wolf-shifter made to join the wild hunt to save his qpr. focused on the unseelie/wild hunt area

Silver in the Wood - gaslamp fantasy novella about the keeper of a magical forest, dryads and dangerous fey

The Wind City - a bit of a mashup of fey folklore and Māori atua in a modern NZ setting

Sinners/Veiled - very classic but also with the element of a modern setting where human pollution is like a drug to fey (and the MC is a drug lord.) (so kind of dark but also not dark in the sexy way bc the MC is aroace)

Under The Pendulum Sun - this is a gothic fantasy that has a bit of a new take on a fey world, but also definitely has some of those creepy folklore vibes.

Siren Queen - this only partly involves fey but I thought the way that it mashed up old hollywood and fey (aka shady deals for fame themes) was interesting!

Sorcerer to the Crown/The True Queen - my memory on this is hazy, but I believe it’s regency fantasy, with its own take on a fey world/magic (moreso the 2nd book)

Malice/Misrule - adult high fantasy lesbian sleeping beauty reimagining, this is kind of doing it’s own thing I guess (I don’t remember if they’re even called fey?) but definitely has a bit of the creepy creature/court vibes in book 2 especially

In The Jaded Grove - I was just looking up books to see if there was anything I missed and found this, which seems interesting to me!

I also haven’t read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (but I watched the show ages ago) and I believe that has the vibe too

[beetle-goth]

please share your goth jeeves thoughts i am very interested

Goth Jeeves thoughts let’s go!!

I’ll start with my least coherent and go towards my most

Honorable mention: music is tough. The first real instance of goth music came in the 50’s and in the one story that took place in the 50’s we hear no mention of music. However, Jeeves is not a fan of popular music or showtunes and shows preference for classical music. Not goth, per se, but Bach and Beethoven do kinda have some goth-y vibes.

First, he’s very into serious literature and poetry. Which isn’t saying much but gothic poetry and literature was very prominent in forming the subculture and it sort of seems like the stuff that Jeeves would be into. He likes philosophy and lots of gothic literature has overarching philosophical thought on the nature of good and evil, man vs creator, the nature of death and mourning. And for poetry, the stuff he quotes in Joy in the Morning makes me feel like he’d enjoy Edgar Allan Poe, especially his more romantic stuff like Annabelle Lee and The Raven

“ "It is indeed, sir. I always feel that nothing is so soothing as a walk in a garden at night."

"Ha!"

"The cool air. The scent of growing things.

That is

tobacco plant which you can smell, sir."

"Is it?"

"The stars, sir."

"Stars?"

"Yes, sir."

"What about them?"

directing your attention to them, sir.

Look how the foor of heaven is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold."

"Jeeves

"There's not the smallest orb which thou beholdest, sir, but in his motion like an angel sings, still guiring to tho young-eyed cherubims."

"Jeeves-

"Such harmony is in immortal souls. But whilst this muddy vesture of decay doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it."

"Jeeves-

"Sir?" “ —pages 107 and 108

Second: his fashion! My man does not like colors and while we mostly see him in his uniform, I feel we can make some assumptions based on his non-uniform clothes and the way he tries to dress Bertie. His black, calf length outdoor jacket is such a goth win! Bertie doesn’t own anything like that and we rarely see other domestic staff wear something like that so it’s easy to assume that Jeeves picked that out for himself. He will wear tan, we’ve seen him wear tan clothes coming back from his vacations but that could be because of class status and/or the standards of driving clothes. Because when we do see him on his nights off, he’s still wearing clothes that look like his valeting uniform (black waistcoat, black tie, black jacket, ect). Bertie also mostly wears tan when he’s driving bc it hides the dirt better.

What’s interesting is how he tries to get Bertie to wear dark and subdued colors. Lots of navy, lots of greys. It makes you wonder if that’s how he’d choose to dress if he had the option. Also related to clothing, Jeeves shows an interest in both jewelry and silver in Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit and Jeeves in the Offing, respectively. He was a jeweler apprentice briefly under his cousin. Accessories, especially feminine jewelry and silver, is very goth.

Third: he’s simply a spooky bitch! Season 2 episode 5 he immediately knows a local folktale about a boogeyman called Old Boggy who roams the streets. In a town he doesn’t live in, at night where he cannot access a library. Which leads one to believe that he reads about the folklore about places he and Bertie visit with special focus placed on ghost stories. And in Right Ho, Jeeves he has this whole section.

“'You smile, Jeeves. The thought amuses you?'

‘I beg your pardon, sir. I was thinking of a tale my Uncle Cyril used to tell me as a child. An absurd little story, sir, though I confess that I have always found it droll. According to my Uncle Cyril, two men named Nicholls and Jackson set out to ride to Brighton on a tandem bicycle, and were so unfortunate as to come into collision with a brewer's van. And when the rescue party arrived on the scene of the accident, it was discovered that they had been hurled together with such force that it was impossible to sort them out at all adequately. The keenest eye could not discern which portion of the fragments was Nicholls and which Jackson. So they collected as much as they could, and called it Nixon. I remember laughing very much at that story when I was a child, sir'

I had to pause a moment to master my feelings.

'You did, eh?'

'Yes, sir.'

'You thought it funny?'

'Yes, sir.' “ pages 765 and 766 of the Jeeves and Wooster omnibus.

Smiling?? He laughed very much?? This story stuck with him into adulthood?? So much so that he thought it would be funny to tell Bertie this story moments before Bertie has a late night bike ride?? No matter how you interpret this scene, Jeeves is a morbid and spooky bitch for this. Rip Jeeves, you would have loved watching the Final Destination movies.

My point is that if he could, he would have loved being goth. He’s spooky and morbid, he loves dark, subdued colors, his loves poetry and literature with philosophical themes, he likes silver and jewelry and he likes slower, more subdued music without saccharine and cheery lyrics (let us not forget his disgust while Bertie was singing Sunny Disposish)

Hopefully I didn’t forget anything important but I feel like I’ve covered my bases on this headcanon

[terapsina]

Okay, it's been a while so here's an additional list of fantasy and sci-fi books with little to no romance in them that I've read recently and really loved.

---

First post with books not heavy on the romantic subplots HERE.

---

Once There Was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Kiyash Monsef.

An Iranian American girl discovers that her recently dead father was a veterinary for magical animals and that she - like him - has inherited the ability to help these animals because of a family line reaching back for hundreds of generations.

The story deals with grief, rage, neglect and how it all intersects.

But it's also an incredibly magical story that wakes up all the wonder and love for animals that most children have and some never lose.

Interspersed through the book are also short fables and legends that Marjan's father used to tell her when she was young and are now gaining new meaning as she understands that they were more than stories.

(totally also recommend the audiobook version for those who enjoy good narration. Nikki Massoud does a freaking excellent job)

(Marjan does develop subtly budding feelings for someone in the story but it's kept very, very background. On a scale from 0 to 10 the romance reaches barely a 2).

---

Vespertine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Margaret Rogerson.

A story about a girl named Artemisia who is training to become a Gray Sister. A nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so that their souls would not return as ravenous spirits that would then threaten the lives of the living.

But then her convent gets attacked by possessed soldiers and she's forced to pick up a sword holding the spirit of a very powerful revenant - a malevolent spirit of mass destruction that could possess her and kill everyone around her indiscriminately - despite not having the training of a Vespertine. So the only one who can teach her what she needs to know is the Revenant itself.

(The main character is autistic, antisocial and extremely introverted. And as for the romance, there is someone who develops feelings for her and we as the reader kinda notice it, but Artemisia the character notices nothing (also, the someone in question is not the Revenant, just thought I should clarify that). Amounts of romance in the book, like 1/10)

---

A House With Good Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by T. Kingfisher.

A Southern Gothic light horror with a bit of humor thrown in.

Sam Montgomery is worried about her mother so when her Paleoentomology dig falls through after she's already sublet her apartment for the next few months, she temporarily moves back in with her mother.

The mother who seems to be very stressed out while saying she's fine, and also seems to have acquired a sudden personality transplant. More specifically, she seems to have changed the house from the bright and colorful place it's been for decades, into the cookie cutter, bland (and slightly racist) fifties commercial kinda place it once was under the iron thumb of Sam's dead grandmother.

Is this some kind of weird delayed grief? Early onset alzheimers?

And why isn't there a single bug or insect in the entirety of the back yard's rose garden? Or why does she wake up to thousand's of ladybugs crawling all over each other - and Sam - one night in her childhood bedroom? And what's up with all these vultures staring at their house 24/7?

(Sam's POV is hilarious, her relationship with her mother one of the most genuinely emotional aspects of the book, and the story creepy enough to be exciting without reaching the point that would have made me throw the book down a hole for my own peace of mind. The romance... eh, there's a very nice dude Sam wouldn't mind going out with but it's not all that relevant to anything so amounts of romance don't reach past 2 out of 10).

---

And finally some special shout outs to some other recently read books that I also enjoyed and that don't really have a lot of focus on the romance but that I don't feel like getting into rn.

Thornhedge ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by T. Kingfisher, Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Heather Fawcett (okay this one's a bit heavier on the amount of romance but it gets points for not being annoying and still doesn't reach past 4 out of 10 in its amount, would recommend this book for people who enjoyed The Memoirs of Lady Trent), Translation Slate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Ann Leckie, The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Theodora Goss (the daughters of classical book scientists like Frankenstein, Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde, Moreau and others come together to solve some White Chapel murders and maybe uncover a society that has been doing human experiments on women. 0.5 out of 10 on amounts of romance).

[fantasticalchaos]

The First Thronecoming

Chapter 2: Listen Up Everyone!

Summary: A dorm leader meeting is held on the day that Thronecoming will be announced! Meeting entails a short, but personal presentation and run-down of what Thronecoming is and what to basically expect. [Crossposted on AO3, Inspired by Sayuri’s TWST x EAH and LovelyLlama’s Thronecoming Headcanons]

A/N: Part 2 of 4 of crosspoting my work to Tumblr! Made some quick changes and added a few more lines before posting. Brooke Page also visits here in this chapter! Brooke uses these brackets - {} - when she speaks! {Like this! Hello Readers! 👋😄}

��️ Ch. 1 | AO3 | Ch. 3 ➡️

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡═*.·:·.✧✦✧.·:·.*═⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾

Days flew by since the initiation of Project Thronecoming. The event committee worked hours on end on what needed to be done. Not to mention all the work they did to flip the script on some old Thronecoming traditions and Briar’s original plans for it. Rough drafts ran around on how to present to the headmaster, and later the students. Don’t even get me started on the budgeting!

{But it was worth it in the end right? Just like you said; Headmaster Crowley and the rest of the staff approved it without a hitch!}

Heh, true Brooke! Now this story really got up and going!

Nevertheless, today is the day that Thronecoming will be announced! But not without a forewarning to the dorm leaders first. Considering this is a new fun school holiday for all students, both old and new, there’s gonna be a lot of chaos! As per request from the committee, Crowley granted them an audience with Maddie and Briar as volunteers.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

[Location: Mirror Chamber.]

{And that’s how we got here today! The mysterious, and glamorous Mirror Chamber. Rose-gold lights that illuminate the gothic room. Dark coffins with gold accents dancing in the air to their own beat. Basking in the beauty of the room lies Headmaster Crowley and the dorm leaders. All were standing in a semicircle with Crowley on the opposite side.}

“Everyone is here, Headmaster!” Riddle announces out loud. Crossing his arms over the black jacket of his school uniform. “Just like you promised.”

Thanking Riddle, Headmaster Crowley excuses himself; He goes out into the hallway to fetch Maddie and Briar. Thus, left the dorm leaders of Night Raven in a single room to themselves. Just for a moment.

Actually– Brooke, since you’re here for a bit, can you double check if all the dorm leaders are here?

{Oh, sure! Alright, let me see…

As usual: Riddle, Azul, and Vil are right on time! As hexpected for these people. So that’s 3 down!

Leona’s awake and present too! Still a little grumpy that he dragged himself from his nap over to the meeting.

Kalim and Yuu are busy chatting. It seems those two met while heading here.

Idia is here too, sorta. Looks like brought his blue tablet in place of himself for the meeting today. In reality, he’s in his room right now. Guess he’s got a spare or something?

Oh, and would you look at that: Malleus here too! Hexcellent!}

“Well would ya look at that; Even the Lizard is here on time.” Leona added, gesturing to the man with curved horns. His face remains even, yet the eyes narrowed. “How unlike him!”

Malleus mirrored the glaring beast-man. Eyes darted over to the beastman. He pouted.

“I’m well aware of that, Kingscholar. Is there a problem with my surprise attendance?”

Before Leona could fire back a retort, The Ramshackle prefect intervenes. Despite the calm smile on their face, there is a small bead of sweat sliding down.

“I’m glad you made it on time, Tsunotaro!” Yuu smiles at Malleus, both as a welcome to their horned friend and to prevent any possible argument between the two princes. The dragon fae’s eyes shone down on their human friend.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Child Of Man.” A smile graces his lips, overtaking the passive-aggression earlier. Leona, on the other hand, just shakes his head and sighs.

Argument averted! Much to everyone’s relief.

“It’s true though,” Riddle mentions, resting a hand on his shoulder as he pondered. Choosing his next words carefully, he added with a small smile. “It's quite rare I see you come on time for a dorm meeting, Malleus. It’s quite nice.”

“Yeah!” Kalim blurts out, “I thought you weren’t gonna make it this time! What happened?”

“KALIM!!!”

Vil and Riddle stressed their voices at the Scarabia dorm leader. Kalim, rubs the back of his neck as he apologizes for his forwardnesses. Surprisingly, Malleus shakes his head and chuckles lightly.

“Earlier today, Faybelle asked me to help her and Briar bring a few pieces of equipment here.” Malleus answers. His green eyes sparkled as he reminisce. “I suggested that we could simply use our magic to teleport it. However, the girls insisted I come with them; that we would carry just a few simple pieces over to the Mirror Chamber. Plus, Briar said that she’ll take care of cleaning it up afterwards.”

“Ah! So, you helped your distant cousins without knowing that the meeting was today!” Kalim pointed out, jumping a little forward to his senior before backpedaling. Malleus and his distant cousins, Fayebelle and Briar, all together with the equipment for today! He closed his eyes and grinned at the thought. “That’s so thoughtful of them!”

“I second this!” Azul nodded promptly. He then looks aside, and whispers quietly on Malleus’s commentary. “It was like a calculated precaution to ensure his attendance. Thoughtful… yet very clever.”

While the discussion goes on, Vil’s eyes trailed over to the only piece of equipment in the room Malleus was talking about. From the strange fall blob of the shape, supported by a long black beam with wheels as the it’s bottom. If Vil didn’t know any better, it’s a mannequin. Additionally, a blush pink blanket draped over it until the bottom. A big contrast to the room filled with violet and black.

“Surely this meeting today wouldn’t be too much.” Vil spoke, pondering with his arms crossed. “It’s rather sudden; Classes are still in session.”

Outside of education matters - which is equally important - it was the meeting that concerned Vil. Just a tiny bit! Not that it’s unnatural for Vil! Vil is used to sudden changes and meetings, considering his history as an actor. Simply it’s because there was absolutely no context from Crowley on what the subject matter for the meeting was. “It’s a surprise fufufu~” was all that was said.

“As much as I agree with your concerns, Vil,” Riddle started, sighing. He looks over to Vil with resoluteness in his eyes. “Maddie assured me that it won’t take long. You can take her word for it.”

“It better be.” Idia’s voice came out through his floating tablet. Not a second later, the doors flung wide open. The headmaster strides in, with Maddie and Briar following behind him.

“Alright! Listen up everyone!” Headmaster Crowley taps his staff on the ground, grabbing everyone’s attention. “We have a very important meeting about a surprise announcement coming later today!”

A round of confusion appears on the dorm leaders. How visible their confusion was varied from each leader. Some were more pronounced, with a few whispering amongst each other. The rest were more subtle, holding their tongue until more information came on.

Noticing this, Crowley’s head faces Briar and Maddie.

“Are you two ready to present your upcoming project for the whole dorm?”

The girls nodded. With that, Crowley gives a quick bow as the girls walk up. It’s Briar and Maddie’s floor now!

“For the past few days,” Briar started. “The event committee were thinking of ways to liven up the mood from previous events.”

{You’re telling me! I don’t even want to remember that right now…}

It’s okay Brooke, you did all that you could. Do you need a quick hug?

{Yes… Thank you.}

“We had other ideas… but we all couldn't agree on a single thing!”

“It was just then someone asked what we did back when we were at Ever After High!” Maddie joins in. “That was the starting point of our wonder-iffic idea that we made to present to Crowley! He didn’t think twice of the concept!”

“Ms. Hatter is right!” The Headmaster said, swinging an arm. He places one of his jeweled talons on the top of his shimmering black vest. “After the girls finished their presentation, I immediately felt moved! All the staff to see it! After a few moments of consideration, we all agreed that this project the event committee made is suitable for everyone to participate in.”

“Besides, as your generous and kind Headmaster, it’s best for me to allow my gracious students to have some time off and enjoy yourselves!”

“Man, that must be one big event that could rival my parties!” Kalim pumps his arms up and down, “I can’t wait for it to come!”

“What is it exactly?” Yuu dropped the question.

“So– back at Ever After High,” Briar recounted, “Everyone had been bustling around to get ready for Thronecoming! It happens a few months after Legacy Day.”

“It consists of getting gifts from our parents that formerly attended Ever After High. Next there is the float-building and a Bookball tournament! Lastly, there is a big party at night where everybody dresses up and dances the night away! There’s also nominees voted to become the Thronecoming King and Queen!”

“Oh, so it’s basically homecoming with a few mixes of prom.” Yuu nodded along, relating the given information to what they knew. Being the only other human from another universe, along with being magic-less, the Prefect had little to work with. So, resorting to any connections that reminded Yuu of their old home helps. “I heard a lot about it back in my world.”

As the words slipped from Yuu’s mouth, warm smiles from Briar and Maddie came. Returning the sentiment, Yuu shoots one back.

“Briar was originally supposed to be holding this year’s Thronecoming in our world.” Maddie explained, gesturing to her partner. “Since we now attend this school, the event committee decided to throw one here!”

“Although, we had to make a tiny bit of changes to Briar’s original plan.”

Maddie inches her fingers close together, but not enough for the pointer and thumb to touch. Closing one eye, Maddie looks through them. It’s as if she is looking through a window. And through that “window,” she could see their audience - the dorm leaders watching intently.

“What kind of changes?” Vil inquires, a hint of curiosity within the short, direct question.

“Well for starters– we had to cut out the tournaments, since there’s already a lot of games this month!” Maddie answers. “We also have to cancel the float-building to fit within our project budget. Don’t worry though, because we’re hoping we’ll visit that idea again! Maybe sometime in the spring!! It sounds too fun to leave it out!”

{Awww, I’ve never seen Kalim beam that excitedly before! The jingles of his earrings as he dances his fists up and down. Plastered with the biggest grin that would would hurt his cheeks; he couldn’t wait for springtime to arrive!}

“Speaking of,” Briar brings out a body mannequin behind her. Tugging at the blanket lightly, Briar says, “Me, Maddie, and some of the others had our dresses commissioned ahead of time! That way, we all have outfits while saving most of our money and time prepping the event!”

“For instance, here’s mine!”

Unveiling the mannequin in a single whoosh, lies it wearing her Thronecoming dress. It’s a hot pink sleeveless top with a dusty pink and white bottom that reaches up to the knees. A hot pink sheer fabric skirt hangs above the blackthorn pattern at the bottom of the dress.

Everyone is left awestruck at the dress, coming closer to gaze at its impressive details. Some awed loudly with stars in their eyes. Others admired quietly on the side.

“Woah!” Kalim’s eyes shined like stars as he gazed admiringly at Briar’s dress. He clasped his hands as his head spun towards Briar. “Briar, this dress of yours looks so beautiful!”

“It looks like it came from a popular dress-up game brought to life!” Idia chuckled slightly at a reference he made the others wouldn’t get. Well maybe a few…

“Indeed, the details of this dress are high-quality and give off a sense of modernity and elegance.” Vil stares with a faint smile on his face. Strutting around the dressed mannequin with his eyes still on the outfit before him, he added. “This dress truly represents Briar’s personality in its entirety!”

Vil gestures his hand from top to bottom.

“From the knee-length size to represent her active and adventurous lifestyle.”

He circled around one last time.

“To the dark thorns that contrast with the bright and bold colours represent your story and dynamic personality. The list goes on.”

Vil’s hand then rested at the bottom of his chin to continue admiring the beauty of the dress and its meaning. His eyes stayed focused on it to the point he didn’t notice the other nods from the other leaders.

“It’s beautiful, Briar! And I’m sure for yours as well, Maddie!” Yuu grinned as they looked at Briar and Maddie. Their eyes bounced back at Briar’s gown. A thought sparked through Yuu’s mind as their smile fell. They then brought back their gaze to the fellow first-years and asked, “Are we all supposed to wear something as extravagant as this for Thronecoming?”

“I agree with this Herbivore, here!” Leona’s voice boomed as he came from behind Yuu, startling the poor Ramshackle leader. He turns his head to Briar. “It’s nice, Briar. Though, I’m not too hung up on the whole dress to impress.”

“Don’t worry!” Crowley interjected, jumping in immediately to the group huddled around the mannequin. He cleared his throat and continued. “As your kind and generous headmaster, and from the event committee, I- er- we forbid the strict dress code formally enforced at Ever After High!”

“You’re allowed to wear whatever you please as long as you’re all enjoying yourselves!”

“Thank goodness!” Leona replied with no shame, making a sigh of relief after hearing this information. Yuu and Idia did the same but quieter.

“Yeah, I know right?” Briar tuned in as she went near her dress. She rested her right arm on the shoulder of the mannequin. “That’s why I’m only just showing you guys so at least you can expect my personal choice to dress for Thronecoming! I mean, this is literally half of my outfit for the dance!”

“Indeed,” Malleus spoke with a small smile as he crossed his arms. “Back in Diasomnia, Briar wore her whole ensemble for her rehearsal presentation.”

“WHAT?!?!”

The Hall of Mirrors were pretty lucky that no matter how high the sheer volume was at that moment, it was enough for it to break. Great Seven, my eardrums…

{You can say that again! Oh my fairy godmother!!}

“She already showed it to you, Tsunotaro?!” Yuu stammered as they brought their head immediately to Briar and Maddie, who nodded. Maddie grinned with a knowing look to Malleus and Briar. Whereas Briar’s smile was more awkward and averted her gaze for a brief second.

“Correct, she and Maddie rehearsed their presentation at Diasomnia a few days before this meeting.” The fae confirmed with the curves of his smile into a proud smirk. He closed his eyes as he remembered the rehearsal. Diasomnia having their eyes open at the idea of Thronecoming, its history and customs. And the dress portion, that became a fashion show. The details and beauty of this Thronecoming has become a memory for him and the others. Both now and in the future when the event comes. “All of Diasomnia were impressed with it! You should have seen it! Even, Faybelle and a few other members showed us their outfits as well.”

As he gradually opened his eyes again to the other bewildered dorm leaders. A flicker of mischief akin to a child who’s holding a little secret flashed through his eyes. Malleus announced with great anticipation.

“I cannot wait for you all to see them when Thronecoming comes close!”

Leona grumbled to himself. He looked away from Malleus with a scowl growing on his face. “Someone sure is proud of themselves.”

To his annoyance, the dragon fae smirks even more.

“Damn right,” In his room, Idia chews his thumb and narrows his eyes brimming with jealousy. “Malleus got the whole beta tester experience!! Lucky!”

“And that concludes our presentation!” Briar and Maddie finished in unison. The girls held hands and took a quick bow, followed by applause from everybody.

“Oh! And don’t forget to calm down the chaos when you tell your dorm about this!” Maddie added as pops back up. She tilts her head with a light giggle. “Well, except for Diasomnia, of course!”

Yuu exhaled a deep sigh as they pinched the bridge of their nose.

“I don’t think I will have to tell them.” Yuu blurted out their thoughts as their shoulders slumped a little and let go of the hand on their nose. “My dorm will already know by the time I arrive.”

And to be fair, they’d be right! Minus the ghosts and the mouse haunting the dorm, Yuu and Grim are the only original members when they first came before the rediscovery of Ever After. Naturally, this singles them both out to the majority of the EAH transfers. And that Yuu and Grim will be out of touch from the culture of their classmates. Not a problem though; Learning is always an option! A wonderful option that will always be happily taken!

“Wonderful everyone! Absolutely beautiful!” Crowley clasped his hands together with a smile. He brings up a finger and wipes a tear from his mask. “My students are going to be incredibly excited and interested by this news!”

A few more sniffles from the headmaster came by. In an instant, he quickly perks back up! Glowing as if he wasn’t (or at least to be) crying. To no one’s surprise…

He brought out a small, chained pocket watch from one of his pockets. Cracking its lid open, he takes a moment to check the time. Crowley then closes and returns the watch back to his pocket, and clears his throat.

“Now, before you can all leave: do any of my kind students have any questions about Thronecoming?”

“Are you gonna answer them?” Yuu asked, pointing an accusing finger at them. Crowley gasped dramatically, as if Yuu had something offensive. Like a child swearing in front of their parents. The crow-man began scolding Yuu as the latter rolled their eyes.

As the two squabble, the rest of the students did their own things. Leona, Malleus, Vil, and Riddle left the Hall of Mirrors early. Either to head over to lunch, a place to chill during the break, or to their previous class for today’s notes.

Maddie left early as well, saying that she - along with a few other club members - will be putting up flyers. Some were for just the general promotions and their information. Others were for signing up for running for Thronecoming King or Queen.

So, the only ones left the room to talk were Yuu, Crowley, Briar, and Azu—

“Do we have to attend this in-game event? Like physically?”

Briar whips her head at the sudden voice. Azul, one of the people she was talking to, also looks behind her. There stood the floating blue tablet on her right. Ah, Idia! Briar never saw Ignihyde’s dorm leader in person outside of a few occasions. Even then, Idia didn’t talk or associate himself with others much. Exceptions aside, he’s the dorm leader Briar has the least connection with. Given the chances of this interaction from happening again though, it’s better to make the most of it!

“Of course, duh!” Briar answers, turning away back to the dress form. She throws over the light pink cover on it. “It’s a party, everyone’s invited to come!”

As Briar turned back around, the sound icon was turned off. She arched an eyebrow on the sudden silence. She glances over to others, who simply shrugged.

“Idia?”

No response came from the levitating device.

“Idia, you’re muted.”

Again, no response.

“I doubt he muted on purpose.” Azul points out.

“You think?”

{If you hadn’t guessed by now, Idia’s panicking in his room… I’ll go hookup Idia’s emotional support chat with Ortho or any of his friends. Let’s see…}

“Idia? Briar is talking to you, it’s rude to leave someone on read.”

The sound unmutes.

“Idia?”

“I’m fine!” Idia’s voice hurried over the device. “I’m okay!”

{Nope. He’s not.}

“Are you su—”

“YES!”

He really isn’t.

RING! RING!! RING!!!

Before Azul or Briar could say anything more, the blue device zooms past them and into the hallway.

FWOOSH!!!

The swift stream of wind from the speed had the remaining people in the room jump.

“K!TYSEEYOULATERBYEEEEEE–”

Everyone’s eyes leaned over and peek out the door the tablet left. Several screams and gasps were heard the further Idia got away. Eventually, the remaining people trickled out and headed to lunch.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

In some other part of the hallway, much less crowded and free from a particular tablet’s speedway, is Madeline Hatter. In one arm, is a stack of posters. Slowing down from her skipping, Maddie plasters a poster for Thronecoming on the wall.

Wait, where the hell did she get those? She didn’t had them in the meeting…

”Maddie!” a cheery voice calls out from behind.

Maddie turns her back over to the voice. There, one of the leaders, sprinting over to her. A young man, with a white and yellow turban-like headband to be exact.

“Maddie!” Kalim called out once to his under-classmate as he ran up to her, successfully grabbing her attention away. Kalim stopped in his tracks and pants.

“Hi Kalim!” Maddie greeted her classmate and friend. As the latter catches his breath and straightens back up, Maddie asks, “Something you need?”

“Ah! Yes!” Kalim realizes. “Maddie, is there any way that I can apply to run for the Thronecoming King? Sorry, I forgot to ask earlier!”

Kalim tilted his head, and his golden earrings jingled. He beamed a smile, “I want to join in on the fun too!”

“Hat-tastic!” Maddie jumped for joy with Kalim. “I’m so glad you asked! I’m in on it too! The more the merrier as they say!”

Maddie took off her little top hat. Her left hand dove in and scoured the insides of it. She lifts her hand back out, but not without her Mirror-Pad suddenly appearing too. (Ahh, that’s where she got the posters…). Kalim’s ruby eyes twinkled as Maddie placed her hat right back on her head and turned on her device.

The two spent a few moments with creating candidate profiles.

“You know Kalim, You’re the first outside of Diasomnia to join in on the nominations! Of course, outside of me and a few others!”

“Really?! That’s awesome! I can’t wait to see who the rest of the candidates are!”

“Anyways, I gotta go head back,” Kalim ushers a thumb back as he begins to run again. “Jamil’s gonna come looking for me if I don’t come to lunch after today’s meeting!”

Kalim sprints off.

“Thanks Maddie! See you around!”

”Bye Kalim!” Maddie waves her hand to her friend as he rounds a corridor. Her eyes bolted to the roof as Brooke spoke.

{Don’t worry Maddie, he’ll be back there quick, safe and sound!}

“I know you can Brooke!” She reassured her. Bringing up the rest of the posters to her attention, all colourful and distinct from one another. Picking up another flyer from the stack, Maddie says, “Now! Back to setting up these posters!”

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡═*.·:·.✧✦✧.·:·.*═⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾

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[kyuoki]

when i said i'm gonna draw greg...i wasn't joking. so here's a little wip,,

[vilevampz]

Symbolism in Gothic Poetry: Guiding Reader Interpretation (Part 2)

When giving advice on the use of symbolism in Gothic poetry and discussing how poets can ensure their work is interpreted as intended, it's important to balance the inherent openness of symbolic language with strategies that guide readers toward the poet's desired interpretation. Here are several strategies that can help:

1. Clear Symbolism

While Gothic poetry often reveals ambiguity and layered meanings, ensuring that the core symbols are clear and consistent can help guide interpretation. Recurrent symbols with established meanings in the Gothic tradition can help anchor readers to specific themes. For example:

Ravens often symbolize death or bad omens.

Haunted houses represent the past's influence on the present.

Dark forests can evoke fear and the unknown.

2. Contextual Clues

Providing contextual clues within the poem can steer readers towards the intended interpretation. This can include:

Titles and Epigraphs: A well-chosen title or an introductory quote can set the stage for how the poem should be read. For example, a poem titled "The Mourning Raven" immediately suggests themes of loss and sorrow.

Setting and Atmosphere: Detailed descriptions that establish a specific mood or context can limit the range of possible interpretations. Describing a gloomy, decaying mansion in the middle of a stormy night creates an atmosphere that supports themes of desolation and dread.

Character Actions and Motivations: Making the actions and motivations of characters within the poem clear can help elucidate the symbolic meaning behind their roles and actions. For instance, a character wandering aimlessly through a foggy graveyard might symbolize a search for meaning or an encounter with mortality.

3. Author’s Notes and Commentary

Including the author’s notes or commentary, either within the collection of poems or separately, can provide valuable insights into the poet's intentions. This can be done subtly without undermining the poetic form:

Prefaces or Introductions: Brief explanations of the themes or symbols used in the collection can orient readers before they begin.

Footnotes: Discreet footnotes that explain particularly obscure references or symbols can be helpful without interrupting the flow of the poem.

Afterwords or Essays: Longer essays discussing the inspiration, themes, and symbols in the work can be included at the end of the collection, offering deeper insight.

4. Intertextuality

Drawing on well-known texts, myths, or historical events can help anchor the symbolism. Poets can leverage existing interpretations and cultural understandings by referencing established works to guide their readers. For instance:

Classical and Mythological References: Using symbols from well-known myths or classical literature, which come with a set of pre-understood meanings. For example, referencing the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to symbolize themes of love and loss.

Literary Allusions: Referencing or echoing other Gothic works can help position the poem within a specific interpretative tradition. Alluding to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein might invoke themes of creation and monstrosity.

5. Repetition and Emphasis

Repetition of key symbols and motifs can reinforce their intended meaning. By repeatedly highlighting certain images or phrases, the poet can make their significance more apparent:

Motif Reinforcement: Repeating a particular symbol or image throughout the poem or collection to build its meaning progressively. For instance, the repeated appearance of a blood-red moon could symbolize looming disaster.

Structural Emphasis: Using the poem's structure (such as placement at crucial points, rhyme schemes, or refrains) to underscore important symbols. Placing a key symbol at the end of each stanza can highlight its importance.

6. Thematic Consistency

Maintaining a consistent theme throughout the poem or collection can help guide interpretation. When all elements of the poem—imagery, tone, structure—work together to support a central theme, it becomes easier for readers to grasp the intended meaning:

Unified Tone: Ensuring the tone supports the thematic and symbolic content. A melancholic tone can reinforce themes of despair and loss.

Cohesive Imagery: Using imagery that consistently supports the central themes. Dark, decaying imagery can support themes of death and decay.

Example Application

Consider Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven." Poe uses the raven as a symbol of mourning and loss, reinforced through repetition and the dark, melancholic tone of the poem. The setting—a dark, stormy night—and the character's despair provide contextual clues. Additionally, Poe’s use of classical allusions, such as Pallas Athena (goddess of wisdom), gives the raven’s symbolism a layer of intellectual doom and knowledge of the inevitable.

Conclusion

By strategically using clear symbolism, contextual clues, intertextuality, author’s notes, repetition, and thematic consistency, poets can guide their readers toward the intended interpretation of their Gothic poetry. While some degree of personal interpretation by readers is inevitable and valuable, these techniques can help ensure that the core meanings and themes envisioned by the poet remain intact.

[diamondcrownacademy]

DCA Info Part 2: About Diamond Crown Academy

Basic Information

Diamond Crown Academy (abbreviated as DCA) is an all-girls college for both magically-gifted and non-magic students. Unlike Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy, the academy is not famous for just the powerful students with magic, it is also famous for the graduates who provide their knowledge and skills for the community. The academy also is famous for the idol performances that are viewed worldwide as well as the joint school festival where students from Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy come together to enjoy the festivities on Diamond Crown Academy school grounds.

Unlike Night Raven College, which has seven dorms, Diamond Crown Academy has ten and each are modeled after a certain Disney Princess. These dorms are:

Dorms

Pommeneige, founded on the Cheerfulness of the Innocent Princess

Glastanzerin, founded on the Generosity of the Maiden of the Glass Shoe

Futterwacken, founded on the Wonders of the Curious Explorer

Rosadormienti, founded on the Dreams of the Slumbering Princess

Coquille, founded on the Adventurous Spirit of the Secretive Mermaid Princess

Chateau Beastiale, founded on the Intellect of the Golden Maiden

Magiaoasis, founded on the Headstrong Heart of the Princess of Sand

Dragonstone, founded on the Bravery of the Maiden who held the Dragon Sword

Sagamore, founded on the Diplomacy of the Princess of Nature's Voice

Lagniappe, founded on the Ambitions of the Maiden of the City of Lights.

Relationships with NRC and RSA

The school is mostly a "peacemaker" for Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy and (as mentioned above) an occasional school festival held for all three schools on the campus of Diamond Crown Academy. Everyone enjoys the food and activities the academy has set up, both Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy look forward to such an event as it was always spectacular and memorable.

Transportation

In a similar fashion to Night Raven College, a carriage brings the students to the academy. However, unlike the mostly gothic aesthetic of the Ebony Carriage, the carriage used to transport new students to Night Raven College, Diamond Crown Academy's carriage has a mostly pastel/cutesy aesthetic to it, with the interior functioning similarly to a bed, with pastel colors, a soft matress and plush pillows. The carriage's exterior is white and is decorated with gold detailing and it is pulled by white horses.

Uniforms

Unlike the standard uniform of Night Raven College, the standard campus uniforms of Diamond Crown Academy are modified to fit the students' liking, with only indicator of their dorm is the color scheme of one of the ten heroines (Author's Note: I say heroines because Alice isn't considered a Disney Princess) as well as the color of the gem brooch on their uniform. The Futterwacken dorm uses custom keys instead of brooches.

Places on Campus

- Main Square

- Bell Tower

- Walkway

- Colosseum

- Colosseum Gymnasium

- Stables

- Hall of Mirrors

- Golden Wishes Shop

- Great Fairy Tree

- Jungle Greenhouse

- Woods

The Main Building

- School Entrance

- Yard

- School Faculty Room

- Hallway

- Kitchen

- Stairway

- Cafeteria

- School Library

- Alchemy Lab

- Ballroom

- Throne Chamber

- Headmistress Citrouille's Office

- Restroom

- Idol Brand Studio

- Dance Studio

[troped-fanfic-challenge]

TROPED CHOICE HORROR 4.0 + TROPE EXCHANGE MASTERLIST

Another year of Horror! We hope you enjoy these scary good fics from our talented Tropesters! Make sure to reblog, and leave kudos and comments to show them some love! And don’t forget, if you missed the initial writing deadline you can still submit your fics to our Non-Anon Collection at any time! Thank you all so much for participating in these events!

xoxo, Bailey & Sara

Escape from Bardo Manor by @dark-scape (Rated M) [The 100 — Bellarke] Moodboard

Summary: On Halloween night, Clarke celebrates her birthday with her friends at an elaborate haunted attraction with 6 escape rooms. (Rumor has it the house it's in is actually haunted.)

In Room #1, they have to defeat an army of warriors from inside a crashed spaceship. In Room #2 they're locked inside a bunker in a mountain. Room #3 is when it really starts to get interesting.

The Tale of Space Station Alpha 114 (Rated T) [The 100 — Bellarke]

Written by @kinetic-elaboration for @probably-voldemort. The four assigned tropes were 1) One Character is an Alien, 2) Kissing to keep Cover/Secret, 3) Handcuffed Together, and 4)Royalty AU

Summary: Sergeant Bellamy Blake, of the Interplanetary Union Guard, and Princess Clarke of Eden, meet on the long-abandoned Space Station Alpha 114 to negotiate Eden's possible admission into the IPU. On the Station, they encounter moonshiners, smugglers, the station's resident mechanic... and something else. Something that should be only legend. An ancient memory from Eden's past that now threatens them both.

the moon that breaks the night (Rated M) [The 100 —Clurphy] Moodboard

Written by @probably-voldemort for @slyth-princess. The four assigned tropes were 1) Urban Legend, 2) Ominous Warning, 3) X-Files AU, and 4) grabbing their hand in the dark for comfort

Summary: Clarke came to the small town of Arkadia for the student loan forgiveness. She never expected to be swept up in a mystery that had plagued the town for the last decade.

Give Me Something I Can Believe (Rated T) [The 100 — Gen (Raven, Octavia, and Murphy] FIC COMING SOON!

Written by @dylanobrienisbatman for @kinetic-elaboration. The four assigned tropes were 1) Fall traditions, 2) All ghouls school, 3) Urban legend, and 4) Things that go bump in the night

Summary: Raven Reyes is a witch. Or so says her crazy grandmother. She had never given it much thought; until the discovery of an amulet that had been lost centuries ago has her waking up in the middle of the night in the woods, that is. When her best friend transforms into a monster on the full moon and the new guy in town makes the hair on her neck stand on end, she starts to question everything she ever believed about Shallow Valley and what lurks in the shadows.

We Found Wonderland (you and I got lost in it) FIC COMING SOON!

Written by @slyth-princess for @thelittlefanpire & @dylanobrienisbatman. The four assigned tropes were 1) Over-the-Top Festive, 2) Mad Scientist, 3) Small Town Gothic, and 4) Third Wheeling

Summary: When Raven unintentionally releases a curse on her usually boring little town of Arkadia, suddenly the festive Halloween carnival goes from spooky fun to a living nightmare. Will Bellamy, Clarke, and crew solve the mystery to save the town or will their fighting get in their way? And for the love of god, can their friends please stop being so couple-y already?

[euphorial-docx]

10 horror or horror-adjacent movie recommendations from a certified horror fan :)

*rank is not to show best to worst. i just like numbering things.

1. WYRMWOOD

synopsis: a survivor of a zombie plague prepares to slash his way through a horde of sinister soldiers and ravenous monsters to rescue his kidnapped sister.

rating: not rated, but probably would be rated r

rotten tomatoes: 82% critics, 58% audience

review: if you like indie horror, this is for you. if you like more big-budget and clean films, then don’t even bother. despite being a little rough, this movie is a lot of fun and has one of the most memorable plot twists i’ve ever seen. a very creative take on a zombies. there’s a sequel, but i haven’t seen it yet.

2. ESCAPE ROOM

synopsis: six strangers find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms and must use their wits to survive

rating: pg-13

rotten tomatoes: 50% critics, 53% audience

synopsis: is this movie great? nope! is it a lot of fun? hell yeah it is! the set pieces are stunning, and even though it leans into some lazy horror cliches, i think there’s enough creativity to keep it interesting. good for a fun movie night where you don’t want anything too serious or too mind-consuming. there’s also a sequel for this too, but i don’t really recommend it lol.

3. 28 DAYS LATER

synopsis: a group of misguided animal rights activists free a caged chimp infected with the "rage" virus from a medical research lab. when london bike courier jim wakes up from a coma a month after, he finds his city all but deserted. on the run from the zombie-like victims of the rage, jim stumbles upon a group of survivors, including selena and cab driver frank, and joins them on a perilous journey to what he hopes will be safety.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 87% critics, 85% audience

review: one of my favorite movies of all time, so maybe i’m biased. it is absolutely terrifying at times, but i feel it’s a good mix of social commentary, drama, and gore. also, cillian murphy.

4. 28 WEEKS LATER

synopsis: six months after the original epidemic, the rage virus has all but annihilated the population of the british Isles. nevertheless, the u.s. army declares the danger past, and american soldiers arrive to restore order and begin reconstruction. refugees return to british soil, but one of them carries a deadly secret: the virus is not gone and is even more dangerous than before.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 72% critics, 66% audience

review: bloody. terrifying. shocking. while the characters are a bit harder to care about, this movie has an eerie and dreadful atmosphere that immerses you and scenes that will hit you like a truck. there is one scene in particular that has stuck with me my entire life because of how gory and unsettling it is. if you don’t like violence, skip this one.

5. UNDERWORLD

synopsis: under cover of night, vampires engage in an age-old battle with their sworn enemies, the lycans, a clan of violent werewolves. selene, a vampire orphaned in the wake of a bloody lycan attack, works for the vampire clan as a trained killer. when the lycans take a mysterious interest in michael corvin, an exceptional mortal doctor, selene struggles to save him from lucian, a ruthless lycan leader hellbent on ending the vampire bloodline.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 31% critics, 79% audience

review: more horror-adjacent and supernatural flick. i remember loving the entire series, but i can mostly only remember the first. it’s been a hot minute since i’ve watched it, but it has a stylish gothic atmosphere, a cool female lead, and is so early 2000s/late 90s in a great way (in my opinion, at least.) it’s an under-appreciated, and divisive, action-horror classic.

6. BONES AND ALL

synopsis: love blossoms between a young woman on the margins of society and a disenfranchised drifter as they embark on a 3,000-mile odyssey through the backroads of america. however, despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their differences.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 81% critics, 62% audience

review: you guys knew it would be here. another horror-adjacent recommendation in the form of horror-romance about cannibals. it’s is deeply romantic in all its gore, and unsettles just as much as it comforts. beautiful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, beautiful acting, beautiful music— everything about it is beautiful, but bloody enough to remind you why it got its r rating.

7. HELLBOY (2004)

synopsis: at the end of wwii, the nazis attempt to open a portal to a paranormal dimension in order to defeat the allies, but are only able to summon a baby demon who is rescued by allied forces and dubbed "hellboy.” 60 years later, hellboy serves as an agent in the bureau of paranormal research and defense, where he, aided by abe sapien, a merman with psychic powers, and liz sherman, a woman with pyrokinesis, protects america against dark forces.

rating: pg-13

rotten tomatoes: 82% critics, 66% audience

review: it’s a sci-fi/action/fantasy, but in my heart i know it’s got some horror in it. hellboy has some stunning set designs and makeup/styling that make this movie stand out amongst other comic book adaptations. ron perlman is the definitive hellboy, and guillermo del toro gave this story a unique sense of style and wit. (also, abe sapien? one of my favorite character ever.)

8. READY OR NOT

synopsis: grace couldn't be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family's luxurious estate. there’s just one catch— she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons. as grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 89% critics, 78% audience

review: a lot of recent horror movies have let me down, but ready or not is refreshing for the genre. it has a compelling dark humor, as well as clever writing that both makes you laugh and keeps you on the edge of your seat. i highly recommend to any and everyone. it’s great! it’s not a tough watch and easily makes you want to pay attention without it feeling like a chore.

9. X

synopsis: a group of actors sets out to make an adult film in rural texas under the noses of their reclusive hosts, but when the elderly couple catches their young guests in the act, the cast finds themselves in a desperate fight for their lives.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 94% critics, 75% audience

review: it may take on the classic slasher formula, but ti west’s direction keeps it fresh. i will say it kind of meanders a little bit, but generally it’s a good time with some good kills and a nice slowburn that doesn’t leave you unsatisfied once the credits roll.

10. NOPE

synopsis: a man and his sister discover something sinister in the skies above their california horse ranch, while the owner of a nearby theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon.

rating: r

rotten tomatoes: 83% critics, 69% audience

review: jordan peele is amazing. nope is an alien horror flick that expertly builds suspense and keeps you locked in, even when you don’t want to be. some scenes in this film have disturbed me more than anything else i’ve ever seen. the alien itself is imposing and brings a sense of anxiety, and the characters are charming and witty. daniel kaluuya and keke palmer are fantastic leads. also, we love smart horror protagonists!