#lestats love language is balling out

[nashvillethotchicken]

People will ask "why did lestat buy the Fairplay for louis? Does show!Louis not have his own money" as if 1: either Tom Anderson or the other one would sell it to him outright (they literally gave him horrific terms for a business deal in ep 1 because they wanted to take him down a peg) or 2: Lestat doesnt explicitly love spending money on Louis and what he wants

[retiredkat]

Red-UK Magazine Raising the Stakes interview with Jacob Anderson

Must give email address to read the full article

“Jacob Anderson has a very sweet tooth. ‘I’m, like, addicted to sweetness, ever since being in America,’ he says, sipping tea with a sheepish smile. Having come to meet me in North London after dropping his daughter at nursery, the 34-year-old star of AMC’s hit series Interview With The Vampire is sitting with his face towards the morning sunshine, a move unlike the supernatural being he plays. ‘It’s good to have everything in moderation,’ he muses, opening a sachet of sweetener. ‘But the minute you start paying too much attention to quantities of things…’ he pauses, ‘it’s like sucking the joy out.’

It’s an apt metaphor for the show we’re meeting to discuss. Based on Anne Rice’s 1976 novel, the lavish revamp sees Anderson play the brooding vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts a life of eternal love and bloodlust to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). In an era when television feels increasingly bland, the show pulls off theatrical magic with its epic, queer reinvention of Rice’s work. ‘You don’t really get weird stories with scale,’ notes Anderson. ‘And I feel like this show has managed to hit the sweet spot of scale and oddness.’

Having attempted to despatch his paramour Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) and then moved to Paris with his adopted daughter Claudia (Delainey Hayles), Louis works to untangle his manipulated memories in the second season. ‘There’s a lot of tension building,’ says Anderson. ‘In episode one, in particular, I remember thinking Louis has a tension headache for years. It affects his decision-making, and his outbursts. And he makes a lot of poor decisions in season two.’ There’s a great deal of unresolved trauma, he observes, ‘Louis is very emotionally constipated in that way. I think he’s not quite able to embrace his grief, embrace his first 30 years of vampirism. He’s also unravelling in the present; all of that suppression and repression is coming back to get him.

Therapy is the place where Anderson goes to figure things out. ‘I don’t want to be like a ball of confusion and contradiction. I have two daughters to raise,’ he smiles. ‘I don’t want to be another angry man, because they’re gonna meet a lot of angry, oppressed men in their lives.’ Since playing Louis, though, he suspects the boundaries between fiction and real life have become blurred. ‘There are things about Louis that I justify, like, “I understand this decision, and therefore we’re the same.”’ he laughs. Getting deep into character, I suggest, must lend itself to overthinking. ‘Yeah, I’m a huge overthinker,’ he says emphatically. ‘Sitting here, I just noticed my own body language, and my brain is firing off.’

Despite having been in the public eye for most of his life (both on TV and in his music, which he records under the name Raleigh Ritchie), Anderson keeps a low profile. ‘I’m quite a private person,’ he chuckles. He largely avoids social media, as he has an ‘internal compass’ that guides him towards negative criticism. ‘I think it would be unhealthy to spend too much time indulging in how other people are looking at me,’ he says. ‘I feel like I’d lose my sense of self; the sense of self that I’ve been trying to build up all this time.’

As a child, he was always waiting for adulthood to begin. He moved to London at the age of 17, not specifically to pursue a career in acting, but mainly to leave his home city of Bristol. ‘I have a really healthy relationship with my home city now,’ he says, ‘but at the time, I just wanted to escape.’ He was always resourceful in his pursuit of opportunities. ‘In the beginning, I would get coaches up to London at four in the morning to get to an audition at nine. And I would do that a few times a week. And then if I stayed over for some reason, I’d stay at like a backpacker’s hostel for £19.’ Since that point, he’s worked solidly. ‘I think I have a bit of a work thing,’ he confesses. ‘I really feel like myself when I’m working. I feel like I can key into the version of myself that I most want to be, and it gives me a real sense of purpose.’

Playing the stoic Unsullied warrior Grey Worm in HBO’s Game Of Thrones was an ‘emotionally taxing’ experience at times. ‘The challenging bit was giving myself something to do sometimes, like, keeping myself alive in the scene,’ he recalls. ‘Trying to stay present was a real challenge.’ But it also proved to be a valuable learning curve. ‘You don’t need lines, you don’t need words to tell your part of the story. You can do it with your face. You can do it with your body language. So I learned a lot from doing that. But I was ready for it to be over.’

When he finished the show in 2018, he felt burnt out. ‘That last year was so brutal. It was an amazing experience in lots of ways, but I was also very low and so I just took a break for a bit.’ He considered giving up acting. ‘I was just losing my love a little bit,’ he says. The thing that inspired him again was playing recurring character Vinder in Doctor Who, a show that he aspired to be on as a child. ‘That gave me back my play. It re-energised me.’

He certainly wasn’t prepared for the phenomenon that Thrones would become. ‘It was really surprising,’ he recalls. ‘Whenever we went through the press for it, it felt like being in The Beatles or something. But when we were making it, it was really intimate.’ In any case, he isn’t driven by conventional measures of success. ‘The processes are really important. I’ve really learned that, for me, it doesn’t matter if the thing is good. If making it isn’t a pleasant experience, or joyful in some way, fulfilling or cathartic, then it wasn’t worth it. I don’t really care if something is, like, quote unquote, a hit or success, if making it was miserable, you know?’

What really drives Anderson, is creating work that helps people feel seen; and the enthusiastic response to Interview With The Vampire (plus an early season three renewal) has proved that it’s resonating with audiences on a deep level. ‘To be a part of something that people take into their hearts so much is really special,’ he says. ‘Through music and films and TV was how I learned how to be a human, you know?’ He pauses, looking deep in thought. ‘To see that I’ve contributed in some way to something that does that for other people gives me a sense of “it’s the right thing to do”. Like, I’m still doing this for the reason that I got into it.’ He smiles, ‘So yeah, it’s lovely.’”

[grandturtleperson]

a good conversation involves variation. It never settles into sameness or boredom or the monotony of canned responses. It never rests in one place for long. It is always hurtling ahead into the next room. For when we have no rooms left to enter, no intellectual dramas left to resolve, no care left to convey, no questions left to answer, no quips left to volley back like tennis balls, our love has come to a close.             But if we are lucky, we will find someone to whom we can say, at least until death compels us to shut up: a lifetime is not enough for all we have to tell each other.

Rothfeld, B. All things are too small: essays in praise of excess, 282.

This is the end of Becca Rothfeld’s essay “Our True Entertainment Was Arguing.” She makes the case that even in asymmetrical pairings (i.e. unequal in terms of wealth, status, authority, etc), people can still manage to love each other as equals like Elizabeth Bennett does with her social superior Mr Darcy. At least, romantic equality can exist in fiction if nowhere else. She writes that “the kind of equality necessary for love is the kind necessary to sustain conversation” and that these conversations “blaze on out of interest and internal momentum.”

Usually the first thing I do with a book I’m thinking of reading is to flick to a conversation and see if this author can write dialogue well. Of course repartee is critical to a love story, but it can often be disappointingly lacklustre, or worse, entirely absent like when the author resorts to "they talked about everything and nothing." Read @letteredlettered 's post about that being their biggest pet peeve because, as they point out, talking is the good stuff and, by opting out, the author renders unimportant the strange alchemy that occurs when you’ve met your match in conversation. As Rothfeld says, “the point is simply the crackle of talk itself.” The crackle is rare, in life and in fiction. But when it’s there, whether in tender admissions of affection or a strike-and-parry duel between two well matched opponents or just casual effortless banter, it’s BRILLIANT. It’s Lizzie and Mr Darcy, Veronica Mars and Logan, Lymond and Philippa, Buffy and Spike... and now we have Interview with the Vampire. A tv show that luxuriates in language, that is actually structured around dialogue.

Louis and Lestat’s relationship is unequal in a number of ways - the obstacles include race, wealth, age and experience and it’s abusive at times too. But one thing in their favour is that, when it comes to talking, they both give as good as they get and neither can outwit or best the other. Louis kills Lestat and carries on talking to his spectre because there’s still so much to say. A lifetime wasn't enough for them; maybe not even a vampire's eternity will be enough.

[acheronist]

book lestat almost had me! i'll say it. first few chapters were terrible but when he was wolfkiller lelio with the violinist husband there was potential!! like yes we can work with this!!!! but then he frenched his transmasc mom for a three hundred pages between pushing armand out of windows and i stopped taking him seriously

94 lestat is like. guy you found smoking cigarettes off the ground at the gas station if he had access to satin tailored waistcoats. like hes a nasty evil little rat bastard + should have eaten rupaul alive. how are you gonna be gay and homophobic pick a struggle. "i love louis" girl be so fucking for real

speaking of picking struggles 03 lestat baby ....... smh ...... i really dont even know what to say..... a bit pathetic. not blond enough. serving absolute cock and balls in the 80s glamrock lace blouses. not traumatized enough. kind of a loser if i can be real.

22 lestat my love... demon whore from hell... needs a xanax + a fat blunt + 18 strong martinis... understands what it is to have taste.... never been to therapy... genuinely off his fucking rocker... proud to be a faggot.... somehow rocking all five love languages at once... ok the red wings are skating now i need to focus on my bitch ass hockey team brb

i wish i could figure out how to explain the differences between the book vs 1994 vs 2003 vs 2022 lestats because truly theyre all separate beasts to me and sam reid is the only one here that's making him even vaguely tolerable

[a-love-poet-at-heart]

Hi it's secret santa again. thanks for the language learning tips. I want to see all the musicals you mentioned. Am a huge fan of german musicals now (listen to them more than english musicals). They are really good and there's something about watching it in another language (like going to the opera!). When you listen to the audio, you focus on the music. I like Ivan, especially when he sings tdv in russian - he has a very strong voice. Who are you favorite musical actors (and in which roles)?

There’s a proshot of that Dracula with subtitles on youtube! Not sure about the Rudolf one. I know that’s there’s a proshot VOB of it with optional subtitles. I watched it on my birthday YEARS ago. And I know how you feel, besides my 3 crap musicals, it’s german musicals all the way. OH! I totally forgot, some other famous german musicals, Marie Antoinette, Rebecca, and Mozart. All by the guys behind Elisabeth. No subtitles for Marie Ann, I had to google translate the plot from the German wiki article and read it. I’m pretty sure that was same for Rebecca and Mozart.

You like opera? I love Faust! (that recording on TV from the met staring jonas kaufmann was amazing) The Chicago lyric opera house is gonna do a production of Faust next year and I’m SO excited to see it! I’ve actually seen quite a few operas there, lucia di lammermoor, Onegin, Carmen, and just saw The pearl fishers two days ago.

Aw, man this is gonna be LONG, prepare yourself, I looked through my whole itunes library. (my utmost favs are at the top, with one at the bottom)

Yeah, Ivan is so good in Tanz. He’s like my favorite musical singer, love him in all his roles. Especially Tanz, Phantom, Jekyll/Hyde, and Master and Marg.

Big fan of Chris Murrary. LOVE him in Chess and Dracula. Liked him in the Jekyll and Hyde from around 10 years ago. Kinda iffy on the one from a few years ago. He’s really physical in the older one and he tries to do it in the recent one, but it turns kinda comical in confrontation. Thou his acting is very kitschy comical a lot, like in all his roles. still love him.

Really like Rob Evan as Jekyll and Hyde, chess, and from his cover of Total eclipse of the heart, would’ve liked him as underestudy Krolock in bway

Really love Davis Gaines in poto. Muirin double 0 7 was talking about how norm lewis was amazing in the role and his voice was ‘like melted, buttered Nutella dripping with the urgency of rum-tinged molasses onto a swath of crimson velvet.” For me, THAT’S Davis Gaines. (honestly everything they said is how I feel about Gaines)

Like Drew Sarich in Dracula and in his three roles in Lestat. Haven’t really seen/listened to him in Tanz thou.

Really like Rob Fowler’s voice as Death. Really want to hear him in the new Bat out of Hell musical (yes Jim Steinman made that. It’s a jukebox musical of Meatloaf songs. plots pretty crazy)

Love Hugh Panaro in Lestat and phantom. Actually saw him in PotO like 6 years ago. Saw it the same time I saw Rent off broadway, so had to be oct/nov 2011 

like Chuck Wagner in Jeykll and Hyde and the 2000 demo of Dracula where he sang the role of Helsing. The song Nosferatu is so good

Tommy Korberg is so good as Anatoly in Chess (never heard him in anything else thou)

I love the whole Russian cast of Tanz and Phantom:Andrey Schkoldychenko, Mercedesz Csampai  Tamara Kotova, Elena Bahtiyarova, Sergey Denisov, Vera Sveshnikova, Alexander Sukhanov, Rostislav Kolpakov, Igor Krol, Georgy Novitzky, Elena Gazaeva

I also really love the Hungarian casts of Phantom, Elisabeth, and Tanz. Fav hungarian singer is probably Szabó P. Szilveszter, LOVE him as Death/Halal. Really also like Egyházi Géza, Dolhai Attila

Shout out to the whole Broadway Tanz cast (except Crawford) you deserved better (except Crawford). You were pretty good (except Crawford) for what it was

Rapid round:

Phantom: Michael Ball, Jonathan Roxmouth, Max Niemeyer

Elisabeth: Andre Bauer, Roberta Valentini, Oliver Arno, Martin Market,Marle Martens

Tanz: Florian Soyka, Aris Sas, Kevin Tarte, Max Niemeyer, Mercedesz Csampai

Also really love this really unknown singer who was understudy Maris in the Les Mis tour back in 2012 and was understudy Quasi in the Hunchback musical, Ian P Gibb he currently sings at Disney World in this a Capella group called voice of Liberty. i’m putting this at the end since he’s so unknown 

Yep, thinks that it!

[drjacquescoulardeau]

LIONEL & STÉPHANE BELMONDO –YUSEF LATEEF – INFLUENCE - 2005

 This double album is probably essential for the career of Lionel Belmondo, performing here with his brother Stéphane and an ad hoc group of musicians that associates the regular musicians Lionel Belmondo uses, plus his brother and some coming along with and for Yusef Lateef, a jazzman from the USA recently deceased, whose life and career span from Tennessee where he was born to Massachusetts where he died. He represents a jazz of his own that has impacted Lionel Belmondo’s work tremendously, and yet. . .

 As soon as the first notes of this recording we have a tone we had not found yet in Belmondo’s music so far in our discovery. A light, florid, rich, deep, joyous and even blissfully ecstatic music that sweats and radiates some happiness, joy and not the morbid mortiferous contemplation we found so often in Lionel Belmondo’s music. But due to the dates, is this mortiferous and morbid style a later style, a style due to something Lionel Belmondo has lost? For sure this here recording is full of light and sunny rays of pleasure.

 Without entering all the tracks one after the other, I would prefer giving you some impressions rather than a scholastic manual. The presentation booklet that comes along with the CDs is good enough for that and signed by Vincent Bessières who is a journalist at Jazzman, a French magazine on the subject of jazz and jazz performance. Founded in October 1992, it was merged with Jazz Magazine in September 2009 in response to the worldwide economic downturn and the general loss of revenue among music magazines. It was advertised as "the magazine for all jazz." Jazzman began as a free supplement in Le monde de la musique. It published its first independent number in March 1995. It is not clear whether the separation was a divorce or a way to expand the jazz publication by making it autonomous. The booklet is in both French and English. I have chosen to favor English.

 Bessières says somewhere the musicians have chosen the blues as their style. I am not sure because for me the blues requires a voice, a singer, words to express the blues itself and the music is generally not jazzy and it is certainly most of the time particularly sad, suffering, crying and weeping, howling at times with despair. Here the music is at most hesitating between having a continuous melodic line or just impressionistic touches like in the second track: “Si tout ceci n’est qu’un pauvre rêve” (If all this is nothing but a pitiful dream). The title by Lili Boulanger originally here arranged by Lionel Belmondo has been made luminous in its hesitation, the search of some elevation but no doubt ever, it will come from contemplating the inside dimension of this music that is never erratic but only curiously stumbling and touching around to look for a door, an uplifting golden path in the forest of some urban maddening crowd that does not madden you at all.

This recording owes a lot to Christophe Dal Sasso who gave two tracks on the first CD. He could be qualified as sad but it does not succeed and I will then consider that his half smile of half happiness is in fact the detachment of a contemplative man in front of this world. What could make his music sad makes it in fact restful and peaceful. We just let ourselves slip slowly into this music and we enjoy the rest we find there, the abandon and nonchalance that are seeping from the notes and the instruments. Are we lying on a deckchair or chaise lounge on some beach or gently rolling ship on an oily sea without any wind, apart from a light breeze that cannot even fill our sails? Just let’s look at the gulls, at the sun, at the dust dancing in the sunlight, let’s draw the curtains of our mental bedroom and let us recline in the velvety featherbed. Is there any regret at times not to be part of the game, part of that outside world of pure excellence and enjoyment without any exhilaration?

 There might be a desire behind this music by Christophe Dal Sasso and his use of percussions to make rolling balls dance from right to left and then open some window to some plaintive but aerial and sky like azure flute that could be some Indian musician in the morning challenging the percussions, the drums, the whole of nature and summoning the deepest and most secret animal spirits of our world, those we never listen to and we always want to meet but without the courage to say, OK yes, let the wolves come dancing with me, let the frogs croak with me, let some other deer or bears come celebrate life with me. That’s when a more metallic sound and a humming voice appear, if it is a voice, and deeper, more somber sounds come up, rise, swell in the sky on a canapé of metal percussion, cymbals and their metallic sweeping, bells, we are confronted to the birth a world, of a mythology, of a future because any birth means a future that will drop on the side what is not important for that future like the shouts and yells of crowds. The piano brings in the responsibility of life and government. And a saxophone or clarinet or whatever brass instrument comes and amplifies that social forest of responsible enjoyment of what is to come and we call for. The bass can then temporize with that future. And something lurks out of the wings and inflates itself into some existence You are, new-born god, the master of this world and we are your servants, your believers, your powerful intercessors to life and we become the echo of your peace of divine mind and that makes us divine too. Oh! Friend of mine that moved away, that is trekking along some new territory, your voice is still reverberating in my mind and that voice is like a divine message telling me what to think. It is the few isolated notes of a bird’s call and song. And then it can become the recollection of the pleasure of loving you and the pleasure of still loving you though you are blazing some trails in some new forest and a trumpet tells me you are strong, manly, powerful and sure of yourself like some calamus growing in Walt Whitman’s pond in his contemplation of the masculine heart of the conquerors of wild territories. That music is an ode to joy and bliss and orgasmic climax, all contemplative in the mind of the beholder. To contemplate is to have. Just enjoy that contemplation that is your possession, that rich possession that makes you another person and yet the same. That’s how a friend and his love can transform your mind even in his absence because he is always there in your brain. Can’t you feel him squirming when you speak of him?

 If you find Christophe Dal Sasso slightly liquorish and satiating, maybe too much, too hypnotic, just take a rest with Lionel Belmondo and his saxophone. No problem; you can go drunk on that heady music that titillates in you the dark humors that have to come out to become sunny and happy. He is the pleasure bringer, the hawker in the street that tries to hawkishly sell you the shiny trinkets you do not need and yet that will be so useful for you to dance all night as if you were happily in some luxurious and lustful reception in some palace imagined by Lestat de Lioncourt somewhere in Auvergne. Don’t let your fingers be taken up by these strings. Resist the envy and the desire to be nice with the hawker who is a predator like his name says and he will draw all he can out of you to let you go on your wooly legs totally empty of all your blood. You will sit on a public bench and you will admire your new acquisition of empty air.

 And that’s when across the street on the second CD Yusef Lateef comes and transform our urban stroll into a rainforest chase for unknown species. Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the destination. Is it Chattanooga today or the Chattanooga of the times of slavery? Is it the past or the future? To ask the question is sure to never get an answer. Just enjoy the trip.

 I guess Southern Comfort is next on that road to the south but definitely with an urban background from the north.

But it is a day to wake some vast ideal from morning to dusk. Iqbal dominates the whole suite and it brings together so many things, in 2005 and even more today. The great and mythic by now Sir Muhammad Iqbal, widely known as Allama Iqbal, was a poet, philosopher, and politician, as well as an academic, barrister and scholar in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. Born: November 9, 1877, Sialkot, Pakistan. Died: April 21, 1938, Lahore, Pakistan. There is in this music something that goes beyond the slowness and nonchalance of the south. There is something that enters the Muslim mind of Yusef Lateef, a Muslim mind that comes from his reference to Pakistan, an aspiration to develop, an aspiration to thrive but also a tremendous fear that behind the green canopy of the trees there may be a very aggressive and violent sky and yet let the canopy of leaves and birds in their nest lock itself up onto the shady happiness of here inside this temple and let our words open our hearts to the divine beyond this closed up cell of nature. That divine grandeur is not outside this cell; it is not outside our own minds. It is inside our minds and we have to cultivate that call, that language, our prayers, our demands, our request from God who does not have any obligation and would even consider this request as some kind of undue begging. Do we have the right to beg from God for small little advantages and presents;

 We should be the ones offering and not the ones being granted any offering. And by the ones offering I feel in that music how we are supposed to let ourselves be taken and we are becoming the offering itself this music makes to the giant monsters of life. We are the offering on the altar, on the pyre assembled for the sacrifice, we are the ones open, entirely open and receptive to the blade of the knife that makes us the redeeming sacrifice music brings up to the world to salvage this humanity. This jazz is an expiating sacrifice to save the world from its evilness, its monstrosity, its hawkish carrion eating raptors that are soaring and circling high in the sky over us, their preys. But strangely enough Yusef Lateef tries to convince us there is nothing to be afraid of and we can just sit back and lie low and enjoy the orgasmic communion with nature and with the duration of things and the cosmos, of the whole universe. That music is so pacifying, so smoothly caressing that we may forget the world outside is not that nice after all. And Allama Iqbal becomes an Iqbal sports champion, or an Iqmal child overworked and exploited by some wild capitalism in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan. There are so many Iqbal in this world.

 But if we come down from this vision we come to some may fest on the village green, with pipes and some dancing elves. The world is so beautiful when we look at it with the eyes of someone who has satisfied his divine duties and has thus rebuilt his ability to just take the world the way it comes and enjoy it in pleasure and bliss along the dancing crowds. Don’t wonder who this Brother John is. He certainly is not Saint John and his Apocalypse; there is nothing apocalyptic in this music, nothing menacing, just multifarious and multi-voice hymns and canticles dedicated to the peace of mind you reach when you concentrate your mind on the divine. This music is so Muslim in all possible ways. There is no contradiction that is not reduced like a broken bone that heals all by itself with the bandage of belief, faith and submission to the truth of on-high, of beyond all the dangers that are not of life but of some other world that has to be forgotten and nullified.

 There is nothing bluesy in this music, nothing sad, mortiferous and morbid. Why on earth has Lionel Belmondo later on developed his morbid and death-loving style? There probably is no answer to that question. But his productions of 2011 and 2012 are in complete contradiction with this radiating bright luminous maybe slightly unempathetic style. Happiness is at the bottom of the flowery meadow like in The Sound of Music. It is well known, provided the world is the microcosm of Switzerland untouched and unconcerned by the violence outside its borders. I must say I miss the drama and the tragedy of so much jazz that pushes its roots and branches into the compost of centuries of inhumane and barbaric history of slavery and exploitation. That’s maybe this contemplation of monstrosities from under the crystal dome of protected relaxation that is so common in Bordeaux and its region, in the Landes forest and on the lakes there that explains the coming together of two jazzmen who are so different.

 The world is beautiful and life is marvelous. Let’s enjoy them both till we are drunk with an overdose of sugar and alcohol.

 Dr. Jacques COULARDEAU

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Part 84- Dead Man Walking

Summary: Back to reality from the red carpet event picking up from chapter 81, Paint it black. Halloween party time is finally here at Chateau de Lioncourt and will be covered over multiple chapters! But it may not be an enjoyable one. Evil lurks around every corner as Thranduil, his Queen and the others will soon find out. The King keeps his lady love close to his side as hell's night rears it's ugly head beginning with Caroline. A most anticipated reunion occurs as a special guest comes forth with a score to settle. Another guest makes a cameo before all hell breaks loose. The party gets underway as Lestat makes his theatrical debut. Josie notices evil and also a familiar face in the crowd. Meanwhile, trouble lurks in the forest. An unexpected ally arrives.

Notes: language, angst, mention of rape and drugging

All Hallows' Eve 9pm

You and Thranduil made your way into the ballroom and stood by the wall with your King sticking beside you like glue. Thranduil's eyes were on high alert watching every movement and his sword was nicely concealed under his cloak. You also had a knife wrapped inside the garter on your thigh. He held your hand tightly at his side as you both glanced around the room.

(The image of Thranduil below is not my edit)

It was definitely a magnificent sight minus the fact you were in a room full of masked vampires. There was an orchestra on the stage playing what one might imagine to hear at a vampire masquerade ball. Eerie violin waltz type music.

(You all gotta listen to this music!)

Thranduil guided you into the hive as two vampire guards stood at the entrance staring at you both.

He was surely safe considering vampires held disgust for elven blood and you fell under the vampire rule of not killing children since you were with child. But, even so, Lestat had already made it crystal clear to his clan that none of you were to be harmed as you were his guests. Still....it did not put you at ease whatsoever, nor Thranduil.

In the center of the swirling swarm of killer bees was Selene, dancing with another vampire. The lady in red.

She looked absolutely beautiful, but didn't look happy. They appeared to be in the middle of a rather heated conversation.

Thranduil consistently scoped the room as if he were searching for someone in particular. You assumed it was probably his son and Haldir, or even Caroline and Raven, although she would be damn gutsy to show her face after trying to torch the stables. Or maybe he was on the lookout for Lestat. But Lestat would not be here yet simply mingling. Not someone of his theatrical sense. When he arrived, it was gonna be histrionic. After all, he was the host of this costume party....but first and foremost...he was the brat Prince.

Suddenly, you had this overwhelming feeling you were being watched. As you nonchalantly glanced around, in walked the most stunning sight...twinning Haldir and Legolas. Both in matching black suits with a few subtle differences. The fact they chose black to pair with you and Thranduil just made it feel even more like you were going to a funeral. My lord were these two elves beautiful regardless, you thought.....and god did you love them.

"Paint it black baby!" you squealed with an ear to ear grin as they came up to you and Thranduil. Legolas formed a bashful grin and shyly lowered his head. Haldir managed to let the corner of his mouth slightly raise as he inadvertently ignored you. His eyes cast about the room as if he had not even heard you. He too was looking for someone. This confirmed to you that something else had happened when your mother stole the pendant from him.

You turned to Thranduil. "Thranduil...is it alright if I speak to Haldir alone for a moment? We will just be right over there where you can see us."

Thranduil's posture stiffened as he eyed you with unpleasant curiosity. "If you feel it necessary. Legolas, Haldir...I assume you have both come prepared as myself and Josephine have?" They both nodded with confirmation as Legolas discreetly opened the side of his jacket. Both elves were packing knives in the grip of their belts.

You then turned to Haldir who hadn't even heard you speak earlier. He was still gazing around the room. "Haldir....could I speak to you for a moment? Alone?" you asked and glided your eyes to a vacant area nearby.

"As you wish." Off you both went as he stayed fast against your backside.

"Alright...Haldir...you tell me right now what is wrong. What happened? And do not tell me nothing this time. I am far from stupid. You have not been acting right since my mother drugged you and Legolas and stole your pendant."

"Jo...I have never thought of you as stupid....I am sorry if I made you feel that way....I...I just..." His eyes began to gleam with oncoming tears. Now you knew whatever it was that happened....was bad.

"Hey...hey." you whispered and took his face into your hands. "Haldir...sweetheart....what did she do to you?" Your lips slightly pursed as you had a damn good inkling what it was. And if he verified it....you were going to wreak havoc on her.

"Jo...I...I do not think this is the time nor place..."

"For fucks sake....cut the shit Haldir. Tell me." You were becoming more infuriated. Not at him, but because you just knew that she violated him. Your intuition screamed it.

He released a huge sigh and lowered his head. "She did the same thing to me that my father did to her....in a sense. He had consensual relations with her and then stole the pendant off her neck while she slept. Except I did not consent to it and I could not control it. " He would not look you in the eye after speaking those words.

The anger that rippled through your body was indescribable and your fingertips began to burn and glow bright orange as you clenched your teeth.

"Jo....hey....stop. Calm down." Haldir spouted and grabbed your hands. His soothing touch doused the igniting flames. Haldir's calming magic actually worked on you this time.

You gasped as you stared at his hands holding yours. "H..How...did you..."

"I...I do not know. You must have allowed me to do it this time?"

"Haldir....I...I am so sorry....I do not know what to say....this...this is all my fault! You...you shouldn't even be here...none of us should be here...but I just had to find my mother. I...I berated you and Thranduil for keeping the knowledge of her existence from me. I clearly would have been better off not knowing." You lowered your head and began to sob.

Haldir softly cupped your fingers with his and raised your hands to his chest. "This is NOT your fault. You had no way of knowing she was evil."

"But you did! Right off the bat and I didn't listen. You always know. It is one of your many gifts and you are never wrong. How could I have been so stupid!??"

"Jo...my Jo...you are not stupid...please stop insulting yourself....you did not want to believe it...that is why. She is your mother that you believed to be dead for 20 years and were expecting her to be the same as she was then. You were still justified to be pissed at me for keeping the information I had from you, regardless of who she truly is."

"I....I am ....sooooo sorry." you whispered as tears streamed down your face. You wanted to hug him so bad but you saw Thranduil and Legolas approaching. You squeezed his hands and quickly told him that his secret was safe with you.

"Thranduil....we were just..."

"Nevermind that right now....your mother has arrived." Thranduil announced. His gag reflex slightly activated as he recalled her tongue entwined with his only hours ago. Caroline's eyes scanned the entire room. Her demeanor was a cross between extremely pissed off at Thranduil for tricking her and fear now that she knows Julian is free.

Selene saw her and then looked at you with worry.

The red dressed vixen dashed over to you. "Josie...you must leave here. It is not safe." She cautiously glanced around. "That man...I was dancing with...he is a death dealer. Like, the big wig of them all, Richard. There are many more here in disguise and more will come. They have come to kill your mother and Raven for their dealings in Laketown and their conspiracy to cover it up."

You gasped and peered up at Thranduil in fright, then back at Selene. "But...how...how did they know they were here?"

Selene's head fell in shame. "Because....I....I told them."

Thranduil's eyes raged. 'Now do you see? I warned you of the filth that she is!"

"No...no please...you do not underst..."

"Silence! Oh but I do understand. I understand that you have betrayed my wife's unwarranted trust of you and have put her in harm's way and for that, you will suffer the..."

"Thranduil No! Just hear her out...I can see it in her eyes that this is not what she wanted to do." You looked at Selene and lightly smiled. You had come to see her as your friend. Her eyes softened at you in disbelief of your defense of and faith in her. She also saw you as her friend. "Does it have something to do with why you were arguing with that...Richard?"

"Yes...I...I was trying to make him promise no one else would get hurt but he refused to offer any guarantees.....and he is...forcing me to stay in line....he showed me a vision of something and I..."

"If you knew all of this and are so concerned for our well being, then why did you not inform us before?" Thranduil snapped.

Selene became angry. "I did try to warn you..ALL of you. In the forest earlier but you decided to open a can of whoop ass on me and then took off with Josie before I could finish!"

Thranduil glared at her through slitted eyelids.

"Selene....but why?? Why would you tell them?" you whimpered with sad eyes. Although you knew she probably had a very good reason, you were still hurt. It reminded you of Tauriel when she betrayed you by kissing your husband.

"I...I had no choice...well...I did but...I had to do it. Lestat...he offered me a deal. He claimed he knew that Michael was alive and he knew where he was. In exchange for that information, he wanted me to go to Armand and Maharet and make a deal for him with them to send the dealers. He felt they would listen to me because I am Viktor's daughter. Lestat...he wanted your mother and Raven taken out. He had enough and felt they were becoming too much of a liability with their behaviors, mostly Raven, but to him, they are one package. Lestat had me make it clear that none of you would be harmed, including himself as he and Armand are quite close. Lestat believed Armand would understand why he harbored the two which pertained to Louis' affections for Caroline and of course Lestat's affections for Louis. Lestat was supposed to give me the information we agreed upon after the deed was done."

"Maharet? Why...why does that name sound so familiar?" you whispered as you stared at the floor trying to remember.

"Armand and Maharet have taken my father's, Marcus' and Amelia's ruling after almost a decade without a leader. Viktor was the last alive until your mother killed him 9 years ago. Maharet is a witch turned vampire, but she is one of the good ones."

"You did all this with no proof this Michael is alive? What kind of fool are you!" Thranduil reeled. "You of all....vampires...no what the Nazgul are capable of. They may be under the ruling of new leaders but wicked is as wicked does. They will handle this as they see fit regardless of their orders! Soulless with no conscience, just like you for creating this soon to be catastrophe with no just cause. They will wait for the most opportune time, most likely when all are distracted."

"Have your ears gone deaf Elvenking?? I did this for love and mark my words, you would do whatever it takes for your Queen so get off your high horse. I now have proof Michael is alive....and Richard is the one who has him! My father and Craven wanted Michael dead all because of what he is which was not his fault."

"My hearing is as keen as ever archfiend and your selfishness puts my wife and child at risk."

"They will never harm her! Because she is with child for the most obvious reason which is why they want Raven dead...for killing children!! And for Caroline offering an innocent child to be killed in place of her in an attempt to fool them.....I do have proof. Not in the beginning but...I do now. Let me show you what Richard showed me while we danced." Selene held out her hand to you. You reached back and took her cold hand and opened your mind so Thranduil could see.

(Yes, I know the gifs below are not of the Michael from underworld. I chose these ones because they seemed more fitting to the storyline. I will use Scott Speedman later.)

You jerked your hand away as you sucked in a choking gasp.

"Now do you see?" Selene pleaded. "Richard is torturing him."

"I see nothing wrong with the torture of a hideous vampire werewolf hybrid." Thranduil provocatively grinned at Selene.

"Consider yourself fortunate that you are Josie's love or I wouldn't hesitate to...."

"Go ahead. Advance. Let us see how far you get between my swiftly skilled hand and sword." Thranduil's hand lowered to his side and discreetly revealed the sheathed masterpiece.

"Oh children. Why all the commotion??" Caroline grinned as she glided up to the conversation uninvited.

Thranduil's hand grasped his sword's handle as Haldir took a step forward. You halted them both with one hand on Thranduil's weaponized one and the other on Haldir's stomach. Right there, clasped around her neck was the emerald pendant that she ever so proudly flaunted.

"Dár!"(Stop). I will handle my....mother." you snarled as you glared at her with raging eyes.

"Oh Josephine. Whatever happened to the sweet little girl you were. Now you're just a disrespectful and disappointing hot mess."

"Guess I inherited your bitch genes."

Caroline cackled. "Oh and so full of that unattractive wit as well, just like your dreadful departed daddy."

"Is that anyway to speak to my daughter about her very much alive father?" A voice sounded behind her. A very familiar one.

A man...identical to your father, stood before you glaring at Caroline but gave you a glance and a wink. You forgot to breathe and almost fell faint. Thranduil scooped his arm around your waist. "My love..." he smiled sweetly and with a look of happiness in his moon induced eyes. "This is what I withheld for your sake until I knew it to be true. My sweet girl....your father...Julian...is alive."

You don't think you ever shook so bad in your life as you did when you found him supposably dead but here you were trembling profusely as he lived and breathed before you.

Julian's eyes filled with tears. "It is I my child...my Jo. Do not be frightened. I have waited 7 years for this moment. Athair is home now."

"You cretin!!" Caroline screeched and charged at him.

Julian charged back...and used his regained supercharged powers to shove her back into a chair, completely immobilizing her. "The ignorance is you!"

"You dare to think you are more powerful than I? That you could defeat me?? You knew this day would come Caroline. It is now time to pay for your dirty deeds done dirt cheap. It is time to reclaim what you have taken from me. My life and my daughter. And you...you shall suffer...most dearly."

Your eyes were clouded over with tears as you clung to your lifeline, Thranduil. You could not believe what you were witnessing. Caroline could not move but her eyes rolled to Thranduil in pure hatred. "Youuuu....you did this. You shall suffer this night when the clock strikes 12."

"That he did." Julian interrupted drawing Caroline's loathing but yet petrified eyes right back to his. "Thranduil Orepherion, King of the Woodland Realm. You have done me a great service and for that, I will forever be in your debt."

You finally found strength in your legs to stand without your King's assistance and looked at him in a way that you only ever looked at your father...with such unconditional irrevocable love. He had given you your father back.

"D...daddy?" you whimpered as you peered into Julian's navy blue eyes and held out your shaking hand to him. Julian smiled and reached his hand back to you. The most incredible thing happened when your hands joined. Pure white light shot out in blinding rays like the sun and a soothing hum could be heard from the energy of your souls reuniting. You could feel his magic course through your veins.

His smile grew extremely wide. "I knew you would grow to be a very powerful white witch. You truly are daddy's girl. Mon petit chou. Come to Papa." Julian raised his other arm and you jumped into them. The weepy warlock whirled you around and around as you both laughed and cried. Thranduil was even in his feels over this wonderous miraculous vision.

"Daddy...I...I saw you....you...you were...dead." you sniffled and gasped like a little child.

"Do not cry baby. For I was not dead, but only sleeping." His warm soft hand caressed your tear streaked cheek as he smiled. Those words....do not cry baby...is what he had said to you the night he assumably died. During your father's sickness, over time his memory failed and he had forgotten who you were. You had come in to check on him and he had recognized you for the first time in a year. He had called you by your name and you broke down crying. The next morning, you found him passed away...or so you thought. A tear trickled down Thranduil's face as he remembered the night you opened up to him about all of this while you sat on the pool's edge as he bathed. His heart broke for you and it was breaking all over again for it was unfathomable that your own mother could do such a horrific thing to her own child. Thranduil knew in this moment that she was truly dead to you.

Suddenly....rage consumed you as you spun around to face the heartless beast that birthed you. "What did you do to him!!! I believed I had figured it out just days ago but kept it to myself because I wanted proof and well...son of a bitch...here is the living breathing proof yes??? You poisoned him didn't you?? I had so many dreams of him...all confusing. But this ONE day....in the library...someone tried to burn the evidence...a little black book full of black magic spells that mysteriously opened up to the belladonna page....and boom...a memory flashed through my mind...one that I had forgotten because it was never relevant for me to remember. Because god forbid that I would ever think my own mother killed my father.....and made me be the one to unknowingly do it!!! Sick! Start talking!"

"Have you all gone completely insane? I would never try to hurt the father of my own daughter!" Caroline jeered.

"Lying filth!" Thranduil shouted. "Josephine, I overheard her and Raven speaking about it. Caroline admitted everything, that is why I went searching for proof because I could not tell you what I overheard without evidence. I would not let you go through the heartache all over again if it were not true. And what I discovered was your father being held in the dungeons below our very feet. Julian told me how to set him free and that is why I had to lower myself to place my lips on that atrocity to gain her trust. I had to bring his hair into contact with her skin, so I put it in her drink....and after... I had to wait....for Julian himself to come to you. When I spoke to him in the dungeon, I had not seen his face so I had to be cautious. Can you understand why I withheld what I knew?"

You stroked the back of your hand down his cheek. "This time Thranduil...I do understand your secrecy. And...I should have understood it weeks ago back in Mirkwood when you admitted you knew my mother was alive. Instead, I caused you to go looking for her and I in turn went after you and now here we all are." You abruptly turned to Caroline. "Tell me mommy dearest....did you poison my father??" You then bent down to her just inches from her nose and spoke through your teeth in a low growl. "And I know what you did to Haldir."

The crowd continued to dance about in sync to all of the loud music so no one was paying attention to the drama occurring. Caroline's eyes squinted sinisterly. "Fine...big deal. He got what was coming to him. All up in my business, threatening to notify the dealers....placing that damn spell on me so I could not even touch my own child....hiding crucial pages from the book of shadows. I had enough of him and decided he needed a ....little incentive to give me back the book and the pages he concealed."

"So you killed him over a book??"

"First of all...obviously I did not kill him Josephine. I just...simply made him appear dead to the world. I needed him alive because he knew where the book and missing pages were. Just one drop of the Belladonna laced red clover syrup everyday in his bedtime chamomile tea did the trick nicely I must say, along with a side of black magic and over time, he deservingly suffered, burning inside. It altered his medical tests perfectly as the poison disguised itself as cancer. I had to use you of course, to administer it. There was no other way. So I went incognito as that sweet little old church lady and delivered it to you myself. The witch with the poisoned red apple per se. I would have did it a very long time ago but there was no one to take care of you so I waited until you would be old enough to be on your own once he "died". And I knew he left you quite the inheritance after I tweaked his will. Couldn't have them embalming him now could I? So, once he was buried, I had him dug up and this is where he has been ever since."

"And you would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for your meddling daughter and her husband." A voice sarcastically spoke from behind you. There was only one person you knew that would use Scooby Doo quotes and smelled of succulent pancake syrup. Your heart sank as you quickly turned and made eye contact with the tall, dark and handsome masked Garrett.

You had wondered when or if he would make an appearance since you had saw him outside your window earlier. His eyes were a calm blue like they were the last time you saw him.

"Garrett?" you whispered.

He removed the mask and grinned. "Jinkies. Foiled again." He then turned to face Caroline with a look of disgust. "Or so it seems your mother has been."

"You...you came back." you softly spoke with gleaming eyes.

"Guess I could not stay away." Garrett also softly spoke with a light smile. You returned the smile and wanted to hug him, but Thranduil was already fuming at his arrival.

Caroline wiggled about in her warlock grasp. "You...you little worm Garrett! I trusted you. I thought you were mine and Raven's friend. But you just had to interfere like everyone else. No one betrays me and gets away with it." She warned with a scowl at the also dressed in all black vampire.

"Oh Caroline. You seem to think I fear you. You could not be more wrong. If you recall, I used to be a death dealer when you met me. Who knows, maybe I still am." Garrett circled about her chair as he peered down at her with a menacing grin. Caroline's smug face fell flat as she looked Garrett's attire up and down and now wondered if it could be true or if he was just fucking with her.

"But you should fear me." Thranduil proclaimed fiercely. "How dare you show your filthy face here."

Garrett was not the least bit intimidated and took a step towards him. "I am on the guest list and am more welcome here than you are woodland sprite. Josephine...I am so very happy for you that you have your father back and I am incredibly sad that what you suspected to be true of your mother has been verified. I did not come here to cause you any more turmoil as it seems you have enough on your plate now. I will leave you to your reunion, but just know....I will be around if you need me. I know I have said that before and I let you down. I promise you, it will not happen again little one." With that said, Garrett vanished in one swift spurt.

"It seems you have quite the variety of friends my child. It pleases me to see such an array of others looking out for you. Look at you, all grown up. I missed so much. You are married to a great King that you had always dreamt of and my granddaughter grows inside of you. She too will be a most powerful white witch like you. Leann? That is what the little sprouting flower is called?" Julian lovingly asked with a sweet smile.

"Y..yes...how did you..."

"Know her name? I know many things my Jo, now that my power has been restored. I also know that those whom have harmed you in any way will suffer dire consequences wether it be at my hand or another's. One in particular for taking what mattered most to me away. Just as your friend Garrett told you, I will never leave you again. You will have to endure a doting overbearing proud grandfather." Julian chuckled.

"Oh daddy, I would not have it any other way!" you cried and hugged him again so tight. His chamomile smell...it was just the way you remembered as you breathed his long silky platinum hair in. Everything about him was still the same. His laugh, his tied back hair, his all black fourteenth century attire, his defined jawline, long nose and eyes of a deep blue sea. The only difference was knowing of his power now and witnessing him use it on your detained mother.

"I will suffer nothing at your hands Juilan! You always thought you were more powerful than me once you stole those three pages from ashmole."

"I never thought it woman, I knew it. I still know it. As you know it at this moment while you sit at my mercy. And Josephine will know it now also. The powers she never knew she was capable of. My simple touch to her hand has ignited them. She will never struggle to channel them again so maybe you should plead for her mercy instead of mine after all that you have done to her."

You stared at your father in utter shock. You knew you felt different after the blinding light show arose from his touch. As all these thoughts bombarded your mind, in struts Louie, the brat Prince cat of Chateau de Lioncourt and jumps up on Caroline's lap.

"Get off of me you filthy beast!" she shouted. Louie released a long foul hiss in her face and then sat still, staring at her with his taunting green eyes that snake like pupils consumed and his tail wagging vigorously.

Julian roared in antagonizing laughter. "Oh darling Caroline. Looks like you may suffer the consequences at another's paws instead of hands. Aren't witches supposed to love black cats? It certainly appears he does not favor you. Why do you suppose that is?" Julian taunted as he walked over and glared down at her while he stroked the feisty feline's head. Louie purred profusely at the warlock's touch and nudged his hand in desire for more head rubs.

The music suddenly ceased and Marius entered the stage. "May I have everyone's attention please. It is time for the moment you have all been waiting for. May I present to you.....the vampire.... Lestat." Marius applauded along with the crowded ballroom of vampires.

As expected, Lestat made his dramatic arrival on the stage sitting atop the speakers in all black leather and no shirt while bellowing out an angelic harmony of some sort that echoed through the entire room. What a beautiful voice he had.

As he climbed down, the stage lights lowered. You saw Lestat peek around the corner as his eyes scoured the crowd for someone and then he locked on to something.

Then you saw them. At least 4 black cloaked people with their hoods up from what you could see from your position. They towered above the crowd and stood motionless against the swaying frenzy. Knowing what you knew now, it had to be the death dealers.

Then Lestat's eyes found yours and stared you down before disappearing behind the stage.

You peered up at Thranduil in fear. "I...I think they are here." you whispered against his arm as you clung to it for life.

"Stay next to me. I will let no one harm you, nor will your father."

"Nor will we." Haldir spoke for him and Legolas as they surrounded you.

Lestat then flew down from the ceiling as the band kicked in.

Lestat then took the mic and began singing. "Walking, waiting, alone without a care. Hoping, hating with things that I can't bear. Did you think it's cool to walk right up to take my life and fuck it up."

The crowd roared with his opening lyrics. You were certain that last line was a stab at Caroline and what was coming for her. Lestat then removed his leather trench coat and briskly tossed it across the stage.

For a brief moment, you were swept away with nostalgia of your teen years. You attended your first and only concert when you turned sweet sixteen...Def Leppard.... who was your favorite band and had finally came to Scotland where you and your dad had moved to. Your father was sick but he insisted you go as a birthday present because he felt guilty that you never got to go anywhere with always taking care of him.

"I see hell in your eyes, taken in by surprise." Lestat was killing it, completely making love to the mic and stage, but his lyrics...he was sending a message.

A strange feeling of deja vu came over you when you saw a group of vampires that Marius acompanied.

You could not take your eyes off the red haired woman that stood next to Marius. Her face, you had seen it before....in your dream.

As you watched her focused on Lestat, she spoke and you could easily read her lips. "Go find Josie."

You then noticed Julian caught sight of her and his eyes grew wide. "Daddy? Who is she? I am certain I know her and it seems you do too."

His mouth formed a delightful grin. "That is Armand and Maharet. She is...your grandmother." You gasped as your eyes darted up to his.

Into the woods

Aragorn, Rumil and Orophin had set a small temporary camp up near the castle while the Lothlorien guard lingered about in the dark forest. As the three sat around a campfire, Aragorn was the first to feel the evil presence approaching. He turned to see five Nazgul marching towards them.

Another similar hooded figure came into focus from the trees on the opposite end. "Fireball shots anyone?" the faceless entity spoke to the five hooded death dealing vampires. As the vampire's worst enemy grew to the size of a basketball between the hands of the mystery ally, the fiery flames revealed his face……Narcisse….

@redeemer46

(Slept so long....dedicated to Lestat, Julian and Narcisse)

Masterlist

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie- The Red Carpet Part 2

Important summary: Halloween 2022. The red carpet pre-party continues with photos galore! Lestat's Halloween masquerade ball is hosted by none other than the dashing Marius de Romanus. This is a two part chapter and all just for fun and is not really taking place before the party. I just thought that with all the doom and gloom, the readers could use some light and even some comedy. So, Enjoy the show and all the amazeballs attire I have dressed our characters in! Remember, the characters are Lestat's guests and only have access to his wardrobe which is his stockpile of mainly gothic attire over his centuries. He does not collect elven garments as vampires despise the sprites, although I think he may have a growing secret soft spot for the Elvenking. Have fun and be sure to comment on your favorite outfits!! (Mine by far is Louie, Lestat's brat cat, who I have given a "special" power to. I mean, to be fair, everyone else has some, so why not him? After all, he IS a vampire's cat.)

NOTES: PLEASE READ! All of my artwork is for pure entertainment. They're far from perfect as I am no photo shop expert so I am sure you will find flaws. If you like any and want to share or use them in your fic for some reason, please DO! I will not be a snot about it and harass you like one has done to many others, myself included. There is always someone that has to suck the fun out of everything. A fun sucking vampire per se.......like Raven lol.

*Language, sexual references, angst, SMUT*

All Hallows' Eve 10pm.

The song "I'm too sexy" kept up in repetition as the photographers all swarmed the blue room when Thranduil and his Queen, you, entered for your photo shoots. Getting shots of the Elvenking was a rare treat and to see him in gothic attire was even more of a rarity as it was simply non existent. You were surprised that Thranduil was even allowing himself to be photographed in such appalling garments as that is what he thought of them, but as he said...he was doing it solely for you.

After your first one together was completed, Thranduil went into the dressing room and began changing in to his next one. The rooms had been pre-prepped with his and everyone's chosen outfits and was filled with wine which you knew your King was over indulging in at that very moment to ease his disgust. You about dropped to your knees when you saw him come out.

My god did this man slay black leather like no other could, you thought. Not even Lestat. And that little pop of the cherry red vest took the ensemble to a whole 'nother level of hotness. The press was eating this up. "That's it Thranduil, make love to the camera! Thranduil can you smile for us? King Thranduil, you're gorgeous baby...you're dashing, debonair and frankly quite delicious!"

Your core was spinning in ecstasy. If his next look was anything like this, you were going to have to be scraped up off the floor. Thranduil could hear your thoughts and reveled in them as he grinned at you.

Once he had enough of the constant flashes in his eyes, he went to change in to the next costume, which was the way he perceived it.

And "holy shit" was all that escaped your lips when he walked back out. More black leather slightly tinged with burgundy around the outer lining and half of the vest. And that damn belt buckle was staring you right in the face. You wanted to rip it off with your teeth. Yep, you were done for... and speaking of buckles, your King better buckle up for the wild ride he is going on tonight when you both have your own private after party. His eyes popped at your thoughts and he gave you a wink that screamed bring it on.

Even Louie was consumed with fascination of the Elvenking as he joined in for the viewing. Louie really seemed to adore Thranduil. What animal didn't? It was like he had this special connection with them and was even able to telepathically speak with them. It was like their souls were one.

Off Thranduil went to put on his last piece of wardrobe. Suddenly, a huge commotion took place just outside on the red carpet so you had to go take a peek to see who had arrived. Hopefully Haldir and Legolas who were going to get an earful from you for being late. When you saw....and smelled who it was, your heart dropped after it skipped 20 fast beats.... Garrett.

What was it with these men and black leather. You couldn't help yourself of gritting your teeth in pleasure seeing Garrett this way. A long black leather trench coat paired with a simple black tee shirt, black ripped jeans and black combat boots. The women were going ape shit and you could hardly blame them. "Garrett! Bite me! Suck me! Show me your fangs!" were only some of the sexual comments being screamed at the tall, dark and handsome King Garrett Lee. Even Louie was starstruck as he gazed up at his favorite long time buddy.

His molasses aroma swept through the air as he paraded down the runway with the bottom of his coat swaying like the boss babe he was. He spoke with Marius for a few minutes and then his eyes connected with yours as he glanced around secretly looking for you. It was no secret to you though, You knew that's what he was doing. He politely ended his conversation with Marius and bee lined straight for you.

"Hey little one. Long time no see. Damn girl, you are on fire. You look absolutely beautiful tonight, but then again, you always do." The look in his eyes was so genuine and they glistened of a sapphire blue, the same hue you saw the night he cried in your arms after revealing his past life to you. You had truly missed him.

You were speechless. All you found yourself doing was throwing your arms around him. Garrett gladly reciprocated and squeezed you tight. "You missed me that much huh?" he chuckled into your ear. "Well the feeling is mutual." The paparazzi were on this like flies on shit. Anything for a good scandalous photo which Thranduil did not need. You instantly regretted it and quickly withdrew your arms. Flashes from the cameras went wild as they swarmed around you and Garrett like vultures with 20 different questions shouting from 20 different voices. "What is the nature of your relationship with King Garrett? Are you having an affair? Are you sleeping with the enemy? What does Thranduil think?" You began to hyperventilate as they kept closing in around you and threw your hands over your face, then buried yourself into Garrett's chest.

"Back the fuck off! NOW! All of you....or you will be sorry." Garrett growled in such an ominous tone. You glanced up at him and his eyes glowed bright blood red. You were right before, when you suspected the red was a defense mode color...but it also seemed to be a pissed off warning hue as well and you knew he meant it. So did the screeching vultures when they saw his eyes. Gasps filled the room and all went silent as they scurried back like scared little mice. Garrett could have taken all 50 of them out in only seconds and they knew it. How stupid could they be, you thought, to push a vampire's buttons, especially that of a King vamp.

Marius and vampire guard zipped over like lightning scaring the bejesus out of you when he appeared out of nowhere. "Now now everyone...there is no need for such haste. Garrett, escort Josephine back into the blue room and I will handle this." The vexed vamp reluctantly submitted and walked you back with his arm over you like a wing, shielding you.

As you entered the room and looked up, there stood Thranduil who had witnessed the entire scene. "Thranduil!" you cried and ran straight into his arms. Your King glared at the other King.

"Josephine...it is time for you to go change." Thranduil snarled without taking his eyes off of Garrett.

"But Thran..."

"Josephine...glenn hi!" (Go now). You gave Garrett a worried look and then did as you were ordered. "Garrett....what an unpleasant surprise to see you here with your hands all over my wife."

"You saw what happened. I was protecting her. You're welcome by the way."

"I did not thank you. It would not have occurred if you had minded your distance."

Here came the press again as they were drama magnets. "Thranduil! Garrett! How about some shots together! Two King rivals next to each other. The fans will go crazy for it! Even better, bring in your wife for a threesome!"

Thranduil towered over the now shaking shutterbug. "I suggest you mind your suggestive words regarding my wife unless you want to find yourself begging for your worthless existence. Will that not be the story of the night? Pig-ignorant paparrazo falls at the mercy of the Elvenking. Great headline would you not say? I could even hold my sword to your throat giving all the others that profitable and memorable money shot as you would not be around to collect on it."

Garrett intervened to keep Thranduil from murdering the petrified photographer in the public eyes. "Come one guys....no one needs to lose their head over a few photos. Whatcha say Thrandy, let's humor them. I'm always game for a threesome." Garrett grinned from ear to ear and sped off to the men's dressing room to change.

You had came out just in time to catch Thranduil's serene display of rage. "Let's just humor them and take a few photos so they'll get off our backs and we can then go enjoy our evening."

"I was about to humor them until I was rudely interrupted." Thranduil then looked you up and down. "Such beauty you hold yet again. This will cost you tonight. I will not endure having my image displayed in the same photo with a vampire for free. It is challenging enough to be in a room consumed with the filth." Thranduil deviously grinned and watched his own fingertip trace down your chest and into your cleavage.

"Deal." You bit your lip as your eyes tauntingly peered up into his.

Garrett came out and the photo montage began. Thranduil only agreed to having one taken. His face spoke volumes on how thrilled he was. And then there was Garrett trying to intimidate Thranduil by staring at him in which he failed miserably at. Thranduil was not dissuaded by it in the least. You, on the other hand, were imagining all the scandalous headlines they were going to caption this photo with. "2 Kings in love with the same Queen"...or "An Elf, a witch and a vampire walk into a masquerade ball" or even worse yet "A Masquerade Threesome. King Garrett Lee says 'He's game'."

(The photo of Thranduil is not my edit)

Thranduil immediately headed off for the wine after enduring the worst 3 seconds of his life. Garrett then continued his own photo shoot. For his first one, a backdrop of a library was lowered down per his request. He certainly looked sultry and charming in the burgundy velvet jacket over a black frilled silk shirt and coordinating top hat.

"Would you grace me with taking a few photos together?" Garrett sweetly asked you.

Thranduil still had not returned from the dressing room so you agreed to do some. For the first one, Garrett changed in to a black velvet jacket but still wore the same shirt and pants. Another stunning combination, you thought. A backdrop was lowered of Lestat's castle with the glowing red full moon above and congruent windows.

(The photo of Garrett below is not my edit)

You then went to find another outfit and surprisingly found a pairing one to Garrett's for a woman but in black. Needless to say, he was enamored by it but decided to put the burgundy overcoat back on for that little bit of added color. The camera flashes went off like a strobe light. "Yes! Twinning. You two are smoking hot. Look at that chemistry! Unbelievable! Let's do one more kids and then I am told the Prince of Mirkwood and Marchwarden of Lorien have arrived."

Finally! you thought. What in the world took those two so long was beyond you, but deciphered it to be their constant bickering.

You and Garrett quickly changed and took the last photo that a dining room backdrop was displayed for. Garrett was dashing as always in a long sleeved black satin shirt and vest with a scarlet scarf resting around his neck and tucked inside the front of the vest. You sported a simple sleeveless black dress with your hair down and held a golden mask up to your face with black feathers attached, revealing only your eyes as you peered over it.

Garrett's eyes were now saddened. "Josephine. I am honored that you did this for me. I will cherish the photos always as I know that is all I will ever have of you. I must go now. The party's just beginning." He grinned and kissed your forehead, then slid into his long leather jacket and dashed away.

"Garrett!" you shouted as you ran to the doorway...but he was gone. You looked up at the big screen and caught him swooping into the ballroom and joining into a dance with his fellow vamps.

Your eyes then caught sight of something so magnificent. Haldir and Legolas all extravagantly dressed up and smiling at you. "Where in the hell have you two slackers been?" you huffed. "You missed the entire photo montage!"

"No we did not. We watched on the big screen after we strolled down the red carpet. There were too many fans and press to try and push through so we enjoyed it from afar."

"That still does not explain why you both were late. Thranduil is not happy."

"No...I am not." The King said as he appeared behind you. "This entire evening has been one tremendous headache and to add insult to injury, you two embarrass me by your unpunctual arrivals." Thranduil was right in your eyes. His image was reflected off both that of his heir and his closest confidant.

"I apologize Adar. The attire was...."

"Nonsense! Enough with this ridiculous babble. I do not approve of the attire as well but I have suffered it without revocation and so shall the two of you."

"Yes Adar." Legolas shamefully replied and went in to the blue room with a humiliated Haldir in tow. Damn did these elves look fine, you thought, but you didn't let Thranduil here your thoughts on that one. Haldir in particular. He would always hold a piece of your heart.

It was time for the two elves shine. Prince Legolas unwillingly went first. He wore a form fitting satin navy blue suit and tie with a leopard like print on it and held a coordinating top hat in his hand and...he totally owned it. He reminded you so much of Thranduil.

Haldir coughed and simultaneously whispered "blueberry." The shot that was taken was priceless as Legolas glared at the mischievious marchwarden.

"Haldir!" you reeled in a whisper and smacked his arm. "Legolas...you look so.....divine. I have no words. You are.....beautiful."

The Prince's eyes widened. "R..Really? You do not think I am joke worthy like Haldir seems to think?" Legolas asked as he gave Haldir another glare but this time with a confident smirk that you justified for him.

"Absolutely not! Pay no attention to holier than thou Haldir and go change for your next shot." you told him as you gave a scowl at your best friend. Legolas smiled and went on his was.

"Nice jo...real nice. I do not presume I am better than anyone else." Haldir huffed and took his place to be photographed. You had hurt his feelings and it was written all over his face.

Haldir did look quite ravishing, you had to admit. A black ensemble with a burgundy vest and a black cape long enough to cover his ass. White ruffled shirt cuffs that were only visible at his wrists made the outfit explode in elegance. You couldn't believe these two bitched about the clothing when they were completely rocking the goth attire.

Haldir pouted and went to change in to his next and came out minutes later with a matching Legolas. You were mind blown as were the photographers. "Twinning! Yes! You guys are both killing it!"

The only difference between to the two ebony satin suits and white shirts were the bow ties and belts. Yeah...you were secretly drooling.

"See! Look at you two! You both are like....amazeballs. And the twinning thing....sexy as hell!" you laughed. Legolas and Haldir glanced at each other with shy grins. Yandere Thranduil stuck his head in the air and peered down at you with squinted eyes for your comments. "Oh Thranduil. I meant nothing by it except that they look great. Do you not think they do?"

"Then why not just say they look great without the extra descriptive emphasis? They are presentable." That was all you were going to get out of Thranduil when he felt showed up. "

You snuck your hand under his long coat and grabbed his ass. "How is that for extra emphasis." you smirked. As Thranduil still held his prior form and eye position at you, a tiny grin curled on one corner of his mouth.

The elven boys came back for their last shoot. Completely twinning again and leaving you speechless.

Black and purple satin! Both different iridescent shades of the plum color and different styles of vests and bow ties.

"You guys! Purple! It is my favorite color....I am so amazed by you both right now."

"I feel like a giant eggplant." Legolas scoffed.

"What is it with you and comparing yourself to food?" Haldir snickered.

"Well...it is true. The black one made me feel like a stick of licorice."

"Now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance." Haldir chortled. "Just think...if you had been able to wear green...the jolly green giant climbing up his celery stalk."

Thranduil's eyes squished shut and his lips pursed. "Sometimes I wonder if either of you are worthy of the titles you hold." Off he went to guzzle another glass of wine. You looked at Legolas, then Haldir...and you all burst into laughter.

"Everyone, everyone! Can I have your attention please!" Marius proclaimed. "If you bring your attention to the big screen, I have a special guest via skype, that could not be here tonight due to lack of notice. An unusual but respected guest he is. We vampires keep our peace with him as he is favored for the mind fucking Dorwinion vintage all of middle earth craves. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you....the notorious, the infamous, the warlock we love to hate....Stephane Narcisse!"

The crowd roared and your jaw dropped. Thranduil's eyes formed into a tiny slit that offered him enough room to glare out of at his long time nemesis. Although the two were rivals and constantly throwing passive aggressive insults at each other, they still had a strange mutual respect for each other. Your thoughts were that Thranduil had to keep the peace so he didn't lose his imported wine contract, because as Marius truthfully described, it was the most craved, potent and mind fucking vintage in all of middle earth. A little bit went a long way no matter the shape or size of the consumer. Basically...moonshine, 151 rum and everclear all wrapped in up in a pretty wine bottle but tasted like grapes. And yet Thranduil could down it like a glass of water and then some. But the again, an elf's liquor tolerance was incredibly high....except for maybe Legolas'. That thought made you giggle as you remembered him announcing to your entire wedding reception room that he could feel tingling in his fingertips.

Stephane's distorted image appeared on the screen and then cleared. "Lord Narcisse....welcome to Lestat's masquerade ball. Happy Halloween!" Marius commenced.

"Thank you Marius. I am happy to be here for all Hallows' eve." Narcisse's voice echoed through the room.

"It seems you have a magnitude of fans here judging by their reaction. Tell us, what is it like there in the city of Dorwinion."

"Well Marius....it is like the NYC of middle earth. The city that never sleeps."

"And I am sure that keeps you busy for the party goers. The high demand of your wine is record breaking. So tell us...inquiring minds want to know. What is it like being involved in King Thranduil's orbit. I hear the Elvenking is your top client."

Narcisse was definitely dressed for the occasion as he sat in his foyer. Black leather pants and boots, a white undershirt that ruffled around his neck and a burgundy leather overcoat laced in designs of gold.

"Oh you know...the usual."

The fans laughed and cheered at his reply....so did you actually, but inside your head. He wasn't lying, you thought.

"So tell us then...how do you deal with such situations?"

"I struggle a lot."

"Oh? Selfish how? Do tell." Marius chuckled.

"What can I say? Be at that a warlock, I am still a man. I am not a soulless animal although some are."

"Are you speaking of your twin brother commonly referred to as Darken Rahl?"

"Respectfully, that is not something I am willing to discuss with you or anyone for that matter. I hope you all enjoy the festivities and my signature wines. It was nice chatting with you." Obviously Marius struck a nerve and Narcisse was cutting the cord. "Josephine...if you are watching. Cheers love. See you soon." Stephane took a sip of his wine and the live feed went dead.

You were dumbfounded at that moment and could feel Thranduil's fiery stare upon you. "Thranduil...I..I do not know..."

"I have had enough of this night." Off the King went making his way through the rowdy crowd. All you could do was chase after him.

"That....pompous...." Thranduil snarked and tore his overcoat off, tossing it across the bedroom and pouring himself a huge glass of his archenemy's dorwinion wine and downing it.

"Thranduil...I am sorry. I do not know what that was all about."

"It is not that difficult to translate. It was a provocative statement to me. He desires you and was making it prominently known. Spineless son of a ...."

"Hey!! Baby..stop. Do not let him infuriate you this way. My heart is yours and yours only. Now...I think it is time to find my genie and give him a good rubbing, yes?" you said as your hand grasped his cock.

"I think the genie needs more than rubbing." Thranduil's aroused pupils lowered down to you. "All those...threats you made for our after party...I am ready to partake in them."

"As you wish my King." You scooted a chair in front of the bed. "Stand in front of it."

The wicked grin that formed on his face was taunting. He did as you asked and with one swift shove to his chest, he plopped into the chair with a gasp escaping his smiling mouth. You reached under the bed and pulled out some rope that was secretly planned by you all along. Round and round, you draped it over him and tied his hands together. He didn't fight you one bit. It in fact turned him on desperately as his cock became quite known through his pants. He spread his legs with an inviting moan tumbling up his throat as he gazed at you in desire.

There your King sat, bound and tied before you with elven knots that Legolas taught you to do. Thranduil of course could easily break free of them....but he didn't want to.

You moved to stand between his legs. His head arched back to peer up at you as he held a "fuck me now" grin on his face. You slowly bent down and took his beautiful face in your hands, then pushed your mouth over his, leaving you both taking in a deep gasp. Your tongues slithered about each others and then you yanked away with a seductive look while he sat with his mouth still open and tongue slightly out. Your hands glided down his muscular arms as you dropped to your knees, then they found their way to his belt buckle. You undid it, then took his zipper down. The one thing that truly turned your core inside out was that he was commando. Just the way you liked it. Simple access. You worked his pants down under his ass and then he wriggled about to help you get them down to his ankles.

This was certainly an image you would never forget. Your King, tied to a chair with only a shirt on and his bottom half stark naked with a full attention cock twitching at you. You took down the top of your dress letting your breasts stare at him. Then, with one knee and then the other, you climbed upon him. Thranduil was trembling with the fact he could not touch you. He was at your mercy and god did he love it. Your hands rested on the back of the chair as you positioned yourself over the head of his throbbing member. "Josephine...." he mumbled with his eyes closed. "I...I could come right now."

"Save that for this." With that said, you pushed yourself all the way down on him, taking him in fully in one thrust. Thranduil's body jerked so hard, the chair slightly tipped like an old school swing set if you swung to high. You gripped on firmly to his hair with each hand and began pumping him.

Thranduil lasted about 10 seconds and began moaning your name. His hips slammed up into you as his summery fluids shot into you, which in turn caused your simultaneous release. Your nails dug into the back of his neck as you unwound.

"Untie me...now." Thranduil commanded with full blown black pupils.

You climbed off of him and did as he ordered. You no more than got the rope free of his hands and he hoisted you onto his waist as he stood up. He got to the bed and dropped you onto your back. You gasped in ecstasy as you hit the mattress. What a sight. A 6'5 elf standing over you between your spread legs with only a shirt on and bare naked from the waist down....and a raging cock pointing at you. He kicked his boots off, then his pants. Like a prowling lion, he slowly climbed over you, then with one swift thrust, his cock filled you up. You screamed and bucked as he began vigorously fucking you. With each jab to your inner core, it ignited your g spot. Swirls of color bursts swarmed your sight as you climaxed, screaming his name. The sound of his name shrieking from your lips triggered his release. Out came exasperating grunts from his mouth and erratic palpitations from his cock. His forehead laid heavily atop yours as you both gasped for air in the aftermath of your explosions.

Thranduil stroked your cheek with the back of his hand. "Well...now my love....we have a Halloween masquerade ball to attend."

Multiple scratches arose on the inside of the bedroom door. "Let me the fuck out!" You and Thranduil sat up in shock to see Louie's scarred eyes from witnessing your bedroom blitz................

*Stay tuned. The next chapter will pick up where chapter 81 (Paint It Black) left off as Josephine and King Thranduil enter the ball. Hope you enjoyed the show!! Thanks for attending! What a refreshing ride! My brain is now recharged and ready to take on the amalgam and series of unfortunate events. Brace yourselves. It's gonna be one hell of a wild night."

@redeemer46

Masterlist

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Part 82- The Red Carpet- Part 1

Important Summary: A red carpet pre-party and fashion show for Lestat's Halloween masquerade ball hosted by none other than the dashing Marius de Romanus. This is a two part chapter and all just for fun and is not really taking place before the party. I just thought that with all the doom and gloom, the readers could use some light and even some comedy. So, Enjoy the show and all the amazeballs attire I have dressed our characters in! Remember, the characters are Lestat's guests and only have access to his wardrobe which is his stockpile of mainly gothic attire over his centuries. He does not collect elven garments as vampires despise the sprites, although I think he may have a growing secret soft spot for the Elvenking. Have fun and be sure to comment on your favorite outfits!! (Mine by far is Louie, Lestat's brat cat, who I have given a "special" power to. I mean, to be fair, everyone else has some, so why not him? After all, he IS a vampire's cat.)

Notes: Please read! All of my artwork is for pure entertainment. They're far from perfect as I am no photo shop expert so I am sure you will find flaws. If you like any and want to share or use them in your fic for some reason, please DO! I will not be a snot about it and harass you like one has done to many others, myself included. There is always someone that has to suck the fun out of everything. A fun sucking vampire per se.......like Raven lol.

*language, sexual references*

All Hallows' Eve 2022- 9pm

"Welcome everyone to Chateau de Lioncourt for the vampire Lestat's yearly preeminent Halloween masquerade ball! I am Marius de Romanus, your host for this evening's festivities here on the red carpet."

"Before the leading Lestat graces us with his presence, our first appearance will be the lovely Louie himself as our brat prince would not have it any other way. Everyone, please welcome Prince Louie!" Marius turned to the red carpet as all the guests in the blue entrance hall applauded. As the claps continued, the welcome mat remained empty. Marius turned to the party goers with embarrassment and a cheesy smile. "He should be here any moment now. You know these finicky felines. Never come when they are called." the humiliated vampire joked with a forced smile. Luckily for him, everyone laughed as his eyes darted all around for the brat cat. "Please everyone, one moment. My apologies." Marius spotted the mischievous mouser sitting in his favorite play area, the graveyard. He marched over to Louie with a scowl on his face.

"Louie! What on earth are you doing?? You know you are needed and how important this night is to your daddy Lestat. Now is not the time to be an entitled brat! Get your black behind on the red carpet now or so help me, there will be no vampire diaries for you tonight mister." Marius harshly whispered and pointed at the unstirred cat with pursed lips and stern eyes.

Louie condescendingly sniffed his fingertip and released a loud defiant meow that flat out translated to....No."

Marius stood back up and stiffened as he clenched his teeth, then turned to the crowd and gave a tiny wave with an accompanying disconcerted smile. He then swiftly turned back to the feisty furball with an austere look on his face. "That is not how we speak to uncle Marius now is it Louie?" the agitated vampire disapprovingly whispered and then his tone turned to baby talk. "How about this. If you come and do your duties like a good little kitty, I will give you your favorite delicacy. Dead man's toe. The big one too. Will that suffice?" Marius was desperate to persuade the disobedient cat and Louie could never say no to a dead man's toe. The petulant pussy cat perked right up and pranced off to the red carpet as Marius followed with vast relief.

"Everyone, everyone! Apologies for the delay. Again... Let us welcome Prince Louie, the brat cat of Chateau de Lioncourt!" Marius announced.

In strutted the sabertoothed sable grimalkin with pride and his tail in the air as he did his little turn on the catwalk while dreaming of his crunchy treat reward.

All applauded and cheered for the caped cat as the music played.

The song continued on repeat for the rest of the arrivals after Louie exited the runway and plopped himself down in front of everyone to lick his bottom.

Marius rolled his eyes and shooed him to the back of the room to have his photo taken which Louie wasn't having it. He yawned, meowed, groped himself, bathed, threw up, bit the photographer, hissed at the ogling guests, revealed his butthole more than once refusing to turn back around, and gnawed at his cape which he utterly despised. All the red carpet guests would have up to 3 ensembles, some more, but not Louie and it was quite evident why. 20 takes later......Louie finally cooperated long enough after Marius glared at the unamenable brat and mouthed the most dreadful words. "No dead man's toe." And of course Louie heard this in a slow deep scary echo.

In his retaliation after the photo was accomplished, Louie dramatically flung over on his side and kicked the cape off with his back legs pushing it over his head, then peed on it, tried to bury it and ran off like a bat cat out of hell as the kitty crazies attacked him.

Marius then drew everyone's attention to back to him. "Meet and greets and photo ops are available just over there in the empty section of the foyer.....And now, Ladies and gentlemen. May I present to you. The one...the only...the legendary vampire Lestat de Lioncourt!!"

The crowd went wild as the smoldering sexy vamp whooshed in wearing what he loved best. All black leather. As he walked down the red carpet, the ankle length black coat swayed out beside him revealing his slender toned form. Louie hopped up on his throne and gazed at the love of his life.

"What an entrance!" Marius reveled to the starstruck onlookers. "Lestat, tell all your fans what to expect this evening with your very much anticipated famous ball."

Being the rocker he was, the vampire Prince went on quoting lyrics to one of his favorite bands, AC/DC as he slowly paced with an artful grin and spoke in a most seductive manner.

"Well I'm upper-upper class high society. God's gift to ballroom notoriety. The event is never small. The social pages say I've got the biggest balls of all. Some balls are held for charity, some for fancy dress. But when they're held for pleasure, they're the balls that I like best. My balls are always bouncing. My ballroom always full and everybody comes and comes again. If your name is on the guest list, no one can take you higher. Everybody says I've got great balls of fire.

The audience cheered, especially one section of groupies. "We love you Lestat!!"

"Well now...that's quite the reaction. Lestat, what do you have next for us with this evening's montage?" Marius eagerly asked. Lestat gave a tantalizing smirk and swiftly spun around that all that was visible was a white blur. In the blink of an eye he was now sporting his next getup. Gasps, oohs and awes soared through the room.

"Ahhh red velvet and black. One of the vampires favorite hues and I must say Lestat, so far this is my favorite look on you." Marius commended.

Another female voice shouted out. "You're so fucking hot Lestat!"

He zipped over to the bold girl. "Actually...I'm quite cold."

"Except in the bedroom. If you like, I could give you a private demonstration in your room tonight." Lestat was totally screwing with the girl who was clearly petrified of him when he touched her. He had no desires for such girls. Only one had held his interest and she was no girl. She was a woman. And that woman was....you.

Finally, he spun around once more. "Third time's a charm yes?" Lestat cunningly smiled.

"Owww take it off baby!" Another girl yelled ecstatically.

"That comes later..." Lestat winked. The girl was so taken aback from his sexual metaphor let alone that he even spoke to her, that she had to sit down to breathe. "But I think I can manage to give a sneak peek. Marius, display the photo of myself with Louie while we were practicing his photogenic skills before everyone arrived."

Marius mumbled under his breath. "Photogenic my ass."

"I'm sorry, did you say something Marius?" Lestat sneered. Marius knew he had heard him. No one...absolutely no one, including Marius was allowed to dis Lestat's beloved purring primal prince.

"Apologies..." Marius reluctantly huffed. "It's just that....I think Louie has been watching too much of Sylvester the talking cat on youtube and I believe it has influenced him to act as he has been, especially his language. Marius then leaned in and cautiously whispered. "Lestat...the other day when I gave him a new toy mouse after he obliterated the last one in 5 minutes while screaming at it to "die"....he told me to...." Marius leaned in even closer and glanced around. "Fuck... off ....and that he didn't want it because it was....fucking stupid.....You know, it's not like a gave him a barbie doll. It was a mouse. What cat does not like a toy mouse? And I went to extra lengths to get it for him. It was extra special because it had catnip in it and that's the thanks I get...being told to....you know."

Lestat chortled loudly. "Well...did you?"

Marius was extremely confused. "Did I what?"

"Fuck off. When Louie has his tantrums, go away and leave him be. He will want the mouse when he feels like it and not a moment sooner. And there is nothing wrong with the youtube show. Sylvester fucking rocks. This discussion is over. You have a party to host and my photo to show."

"And...there it is!... you wonder why he acts the way he does. Brat Prince, brat Prince cat....made for each other." Marius snarled and went back to the roped gates.

"Everyone. If you could bring your attention to the big screen above the ballroom entrance. Here is both Lestat and Louie from earlier this evening with their twinning ensembles."

Cheers and provocative whistles echoed through the growing inciteful crowd as they tempted the roped off barriers to topple. Vampire guard swarmed in and contained the disruption.

"Lestat! You are going to start a riot. I have suffered you and brat junior's shenanigans long enough. I have a pre-party to host. Now go carry on about your business elsewhere while I introduce the rest of the red carpet party." Marius snapped. Although Lestat had become quite the recluse over the centuries, he still had that side of him that craved attention and doing as he pleased regardless of the rules. Lestat's balls were always swinging to the left and to the right and it was his beliefs that his big balls should be held every night. But he was of those that must be kept and Marius insured that it stayed that way.

"Oh Marius. Thou does protest too much. Let us remember who's castle...and party this is shall we?" Off the vexed vamp went to look in on the ballroom attendees and let Marius tend to the public guests.

You and Thranduil arrived at the red carpet entrance as Legolas and Haldir were still in their rooms griping over the slim pickins, which was the way they saw it, especially the Prince of Mirkwood. As you and Thranduil were leaving, Legolas was bitching and moaning about how there was nothing in green, his favorite color and Haldir was mocking him for his petulant pickiness.

"Just pick some already. We were supposed to go with Thranduil and Jo and now we will be late thanks to you." Haldir barked.

"Since when are you in a rush to hang out with vampires?" Legolas retorted.

"Since when do you have to have a certain color?? Your Prince status has gone straight to your head. Just go with the purple and the black one like I am."

"But that is all they seem to have are these dark gloomy colors."

"Well maybe that is because they are vampires and all they are is dark and gloomy so they dress to match their souls, if they even have one. Try the red ones then."

"I have seen enough red around here. Reminds me of their eyes and the blood they ingest." Legolas said with a grimace as it made him feel ill.

"You are impossible! I saw some blue ones. Try that. It will bring out your eyes." the marchwarden sarcastically chuckled.

Legolas rolled his baby blues. "I prefer not to look like a walking blueberry. I will just have to endure resembling death instead."

"The purple is not that bad so just get dressed already."

"Purple is too girly."

"Then it will suit you just fine princess." Haldir snickered.

"Hilarious. You know, my father is not pleased with the attire either."

"No, he is not, but he does not whine like a baby about it either. If you are not ready when I am, I am leaving without you and you will have to walk into the vampire pit all alone."

"And if you do that, you will be alone as well." Legolas validated with a sly raised brow.

Haldir's lips pursed. "Fine. You have 10 minutes or I am holding you down and personally dressing you myself."

"I would like to see you try."

"And what are you going to do about it Robin Hood? At least Raven got one thing right." Haldir boasted with laughter.

Legolas gritted his teeth. "You talk a lot of disparage for someone who is also an archer and swordsman and lives in the forest."

"Testy now are we not? I think you are more upset that Raven called you that because you secretly like her."

"If you ever say that again, I will tie your hair in an elven knot around your jabbering mouth in a pretty little bow. She is not who I secretly like."

"Yes, that is right. It is your father's wife. That is so much better." Haldir reeled with a tinge of jealousy in his tone.

"The hypocrisy that flows out of your mouth is entirely inapt for one who also loves her. I have had enough." Legolas stormed off to the wash room to force the grisly garments upon himself.

Marius waved to you like an excited little kid when he saw you which made you chuckle. Thranduil scoffed at the vampire's affection of you. In fact he scoffed at the entire situation. He was also meant to be kept...in his halls with a wine carafe at his side while soaking up the magic waters of his indoor jacuzzi in his birthday suit with his beautiful Queen sucking his cock. But instead....there he was in a vampire shit show forced to wear the filthy fiend's attire. As you both waited entry, the King glanced in the mirror at his image and strangely found it intriguing. But the fact he had to change into at least 3 more outfits for this facade of a party, had him on edge.

"Thranduil....if you're uncertain of how extremely desirable you are right now....let me tell you this. When this is over, I'm tying you up and having my way with you." you said with a devious grin.

"As long as you relieve me of these dreadful garments, I will have no complaints." The King then thought about his words. "Not...that I would have any complaints to you holding me at your mercy."

"Ooooh. So like...would I be your commander? My personal genie in a bottle if I....release you?"

"Well then...you would have to rub me the right way for that."

"And.....do I get 3 wishes in doing so?"

"Only if you use them right now to wish the 3 more atrocities away that I must bear on my body this evening."

You laughed so hard, you snorted. "Oh Thranduil...no wishes needed for that. I will happily remove them. Trust me..."

"Did I tell you I trust you more than anything?'" he slyly grinned.

"You know you're fucked right? When we get back to our room." you giggled.

"Oh...that is what I am counting on. The after party. Did I tell you how ravishing you also look? You my love, are my arm candy this night. The attire appropriately suits you."

"Enjoy it while you can. I won't be wearing it much longer."

You both were so caught up in each other that neither heard Marius announce your turns to walk the line. Marius cleared his throat. " Again...it is time for our guests of honor. Thranduil and Josephine."

Thranduil held his hand out for you to take it. "I thought I was "arm" candy?"

"I would rather hold your hand." he smiled sweetly.

"I would rather you did also." you smiled back as tears tried to sneak up on you. It was the little things like that about him that made you melt into a puddle.

As you both made your way down the red pathway, whistles and screams arose from a multitude of fan girls of your King. It was no surprise how desired he was. He paid them no attention as he only had eyes for you, although you knew his ego was eating it right up. Thranduil knew he was beautiful and he was all yours.

"Welcome King Thranduil and Queen Josephine. The crowd, especially the women, sure loves you! What a response!" Marius applauded as you both approached him. "My, I never noticed just how tall you are Thranduil."

"He's a lot of boy isn't he?" you smiled proudly at him as he peered down at you with a slight grin.

"He certainly is. How about that crowds reaction. Is this something that is customary in your world? And if so, how do you deal with it? Does it bother you that all these women desire your husband?"

Oh it absolutely happens all the time. Thranduil is like the internet's boyfriend. Whenever new photos are posted of him, a horny internet meltdown follows a mere milliseconds after. It does not bother me. If anything, it makes me proud. All these women see and want him for is his superficial beauty which is understandable but he is also beautiful inside and I could not love him more." Thranduil's moonstone eyes filled with awe and love as he gazed at you.

"What an amazing love story you both have. And you matching attire is phenomenal! You're like the MGK and Megan of the red carpet."

You about choked on your own spit. "Umm respectfully, MGK has nothing on Thranduil. No comparison whatsoever."

Thranduil finally decided to chime in on that comment. "And there is no comparison to Josephine. There is no such beauty as hers. Besides....I loathe brunettes. Redheads are of my preference but only one. This one." You knew Thranduil was making a pun at his ex-wife Morwen which made you giggle.

"Well then, with that said...Thank you both for joining us this evening and for stopping to speak with me. The ball is getting underway. If you look above, you can see the live stream on the big screen."

"Wow, you weren't kidding about Lestat's ball's being anything but ordinary." you said with wide eyes as you stared at the circus like scenes before you.

"Oh that is nothing compared to what is to come. That is the mere pre-party. Just wait till Lestat takes the stage later tonight. You have not seen anything yet.....Oh dear...this just in. Everyone, if you could take your attention to the screen on the far wall. It's the kiss cam and it seems we have our first kiss of the night!" Marius enthusiastically announced. What you saw next was jaw dropping and damn near floored you. Your mother basically making out with Selene.

"Whew! ladies and gentlemen. Is it getting hot in here or what!" Marius said as he fanned his face with a grin. The crowd cheered and shouted sexual remarks. All you could do was lower your head in embarrassment and pulled Thranduil by his hand back to the blue room.

Marius stood on his tippy toes to look over the crowd as he called out to you both. "Be sure to have your photo sessions in the back! Ladies and gentlemen, how about another round of applause for the King and Queen of Mirkwood!"

"Are you alright my love?"

"No! Like what the fuck was that? Ugh...my eyes burn. Ok...let us and forget what we just witnessed and how about we do the photos?"

"Yes, that was quite the hideous vision. Alright my love, if we must, I will endure this mockery for you."

"You will be well rewarded for your misery." The succulent grin you offered Thranduil made his cock twitch in anticipation. He had to envision beheading a round of orcs just to keep his aching member at bay.

"I will keep you to your word. Now...on to round two of this charade."

"Say happy Halloween!" the photographer happily prompted.

(Stay tuned for part 2 and a bunch more photos! The best is yet to come!)

@redeemer46

Masterlist

[odysseusnostos]

philtatoshetairos‌: 

There was a subtle shift in the air, the ruffling of fabric, a coiled tension threatening to break out. Lestat’s eyes were fixed on the wall opposite to the couch, but he could see the shadow of Louis’ arm against the light of the oil lamps, still as a statue in midair. He recognized the intent in the gesture and waited for it to lower, but the touch never came. A pity, as he had hoped that the earlier desperation in the pleas for him to stay would have kept Louis more affable for the rest of the night.

Lestat closed his eyes, swallowing down whatever complaints he might have about it – if he mentioned that he had seen the aborted movement, his companion wouldn’t ever try it again. With that in mind, he focused on the foreign passage, only random words making sense for their likeness to French and what little Creole Spanish he had picked up at the taverns and high society balls.

He had studied a bit in the hopes that he could further connect with Louis, wondering if things could be better if they communicated in another language, but he hadn’t dared to say anything yet. It could be taken as mockery or he could say something foolish and give Louis yet another reason to consider him uneducated. Easier to keep it to himself with the other secrets he had to hold inside, another notch in a long line of feelings that he wished he could pour out of his heart, if only he knew that someone was willing to drink it in.

One thing, however, couldn’t go without comment.

“Reading about love?” He questioned as he raised his head again, luminous eyes intent on Louis’ face. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the word was showing up again on the same night, after years of skirting around it. He wondered how often Louis tried to make sense of what he was feeling with written words rather than allowing himself to act on it. Lestat couldn’t comprehend why anyone would look into books for something that could be found in real life, but in the end he didn’t have the answers the other was looking for anyway. “What does it mean?” He asked softly, in genuine curiosity for more than just the translation of the passage.

Silence fell strange and heavy around them, stranger after their quarrel, and heavier still than in his moment of solitude. Louis’ lips parted slightly, but no words interrupted the quietness, and he found himself merely staring at Lestat, spellbound by the expression of innocent curiosity and almost angelic tenderness that suddenly brightened his face.

A sensation not unlike vertigo seemed to make his insides swirl, and in his weariness, his imagination drifted and he fancied their roles were reversed. Louis became the maker and mentor with all the knowledge, and Lestat the student in search of answers. One look into his iridescent eyes and whatever secrets Louis kept would flow from him unrestrained. If it was a sign of weakness of will, or strength of heart, he wasn’t in the right mind to decide.

“Love seems to be contradicting in its demands,” he answered with some amusement. It had been foolish to think Lestat, despite his lack of education, wouldn’t be able to understand a language so closely related to their French, especially when the lines possibly implied the slightest affection for his person. “And the poet fears such love might end abruptly. And painfully.”

It was as if Louis had fallen into his own trap, one that he had unawarely set. But perhaps he wanted Lestat to understand, even if it meant discovering this was just another game for him and all he had said and done were part of an act.

His gaze fell to where Lestat’s hands rested, and a fleeting thought reminded him of all the times Louis had let his need for affection overpower him, as if each caress was a petal being pulled off a flower.

“Do you think it possible?” He asked after a beat, as softly as he managed, trying not to let his own suspicions tint what should be a simple question. “To love until you simply don’t?”

read between the lines ; l&l