#me and my broken vampire

[yanderefan-kimi]

Going to keep this going with vampires now. What got you so interested in vampires in the first place? What are some of your favorite vampire tropes? And your least liked tropes? And what are some of your favorite vampire media/characters? And your least liked vampire media/characters?

Oh gee, I just ranted so much over yanderes the other day, time to rant about another one of my special interests! Just keep in mind that I'm not as informed about this trope (...species?) as I am about yandere characters, so I'll just be talking about my subjective interests!

Again, this will probably get pretty long so the rest will be under the cut!

What got you so interested in vampires in the first place?

...Would you believe me if I said I got into vampires out of spite...?

Once upon a time, I consumed uhh copious amounts of indie chicklit stories on sites like Wattpad and Inkitt. There are some tropes more popular than others on those sites, and one of the most popular was werewolves/omegaverse. One or two stories was fine, but I wasn't a huge fan so I struggled to find things I was interested in. So then I got to thinking... where are the vampire stories?

It reminded me of when Twilight was popular and so many people had those vampire vs. werewolves fan wars. I never got into Twilight (only ever watched the first movie) but in case you couldn't tell, I like vampires more lol

I just think that sucking blood from someone is rather intimate and awesome. And the angst potential of not wanting to be a monster, but having to search out blood to survive, of not wanting to be feared or hunted, but knowing they'll never belong anywhere is unmatched. Wolves travel in packs, but vampires are often lonely people - many of which don't remember what it's like to be human anymore and I am eating it up.

Oh, to be an innocent human maiden who wanders into the decrepit mansion of a lonely vampire lord... sighs dreamily.

So yeah... I got into vampires thru chicklits!

What are some of your favorite vampire tropes?

I want my vampires like I want my yanderes... full of misery and contradictions. I love it when vampires can't easily go out into the sun (yet yearn for the light), I love it when vampires don't want to drink blood (but they can't help themselves), I love it when vampires stay trapped in the past (because both their minds and body cannot age anymore.)

To give some specific examples from media...

In the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy (also know as the Magnificent North trilogy) vampires are former humans who have been Turned after getting healed by a vampire bite. Vampires have two different kinds of bites - one that is for feeding and one that is for Turning. If a human who is Turning feeds soon enough, then they'll Turn into a vampire, but if not - while their wounds will be completely healed - they'll end up falling into a deep sleep for a while. Vampires in this series are creatures that act on their impulses, and with stronger speed and strength, it's not hard for them to do so. The only problem is that they cannot go out in the sun, and... they spend all their time chasing the things they cared about when they were human, because their minds are in perpetual stasis. There is no maturing to be done when you cannot grow anymore. Plus, for a fun twist, the legends behind vampires are cursed, so that no matter how horrific they should be, humans are always more intrigued by vampires than terrified. Which is... pretty accurate to how I feel about them lol

I also really like the vampires in The Vampire Diaries (series, I guess?) What I like most is that because the series is so long, the supernatural creatures in this world are given a lot of depth. Vampires are quite selfish creatures by nature, and usually only care for their own survival. Their faces change to more resemble a monster when they're feeling bloodthirsty - and for some, if they start feeding, they can't stop. Additionally, drinking vampire blood can heal a human from even the worst injuries, but if they die with vampire blood in them, then they'll Turn into one. Vampires in this series can show up in photographs and mirrors, they're fine with garlic and crosses, but they do have plenty of weaknesses. A wooden stake through the heart (or simply removing it altogether) will kill one. They will burn in sunlight unless they have something like a ring enchanted with witch magic with them. Werewolf bites are toxic to them. They cannot enter a building without being invited inside (as a side note, I love how in-depth the series gets with this restriction. Like public buildings are okay, but for private property, only the one whose name is on the deed or their dependents can invite vampires in. Once they get an invitation, it cannot be revoked until the deed changes hands. I love little details like this.) An herb called vervain weakens them, and any blood from a human who has ingested vervain does as well (and also makes them immune to compulsion until it wears off.) Of course, vampires as blessed (or perhaps cursed) with super strength, speed, reflexes, compulsion (simple mind control), and are ruthless by nature, but when humans know how to deal with them, they are rather low on the proverbial food-chain... which means that staying hidden is important. Of course, the Originals (or "purebloods," so to say) play by different rules, but the point is that there is a lot more to vampires in this series than just creature that sucks blood and can be killed with a stake. And I'm a sucker for little details like that!

Unrelated to any media, but after watching The Vampire Diaries, I couldn't help but want a buddy cop series with a vampire (specifically one with the same strengths and weakness from TVD) in it. Like, what's the name for those cop shows where there's a straight-laced detective who ends up having to team up with an eccentric consultant who's weirdly good at getting answers but pretty bad at dealing with people? That's my favorite flavor. Can you imagine that, but with a vampire who can use compulsion to grab answers, struggles to be at a crime scene cuz of all the blood, is speedy and has great reflexes, but also has to deal with vampire hunters? And the detective could maybe be someone who is committed to justice but doesn't quite know how to deal with their supernatural partner. I dunno, I've never gotten very far with this idea but I would love to see it.

Wow, I feel like I got carried away with that question uhhh onto the next one!

What are your least liked vampire tropes?

This doesn't just apply to vampires, but I'm not a big fan of soulmates or mates. (Probably why I don't really like werewolves all that much.) I prefer when couples are given a choice if they want to be together, instead of being a predestined thing. So something like a vampire being able to only drink one person's blood doesn't really appeal to me.

That being said...

チョコレートヴァンパイア (or Chocolate Vampire) is a good exception.

In this series, there are blood contracts that humans and vampires can form. This makes it so that the vampire can only drink that human's blood and no other vampire can drink their blood. This is a contract usually formed due to mutual love, but there are cases of vampires abusing these contracts to control humans (which is one of the conflicts in the series.) I find this series very interesting, because it has the appeal of mates, but also includes choice. (Also it's just a really great series, I highly recommend.)

Okie, next question!

What are some of your favorite vampire media/characters?

Oh boy. I'm not sure if any specific vampire characters jump out to me, but here are some vampire media series I love! Some that you may not have heard of before too!

The Vampire Diaries. I already talked a lot about this one so I'm not going to add more. Just, I know it's long. I know the fandom can be pretty toxic. I know some seasons are just pretty awful (god, I do not like the last season.) I know all the characters are just kinda horrible in their own ways. I know some parts just haven't really aged well. But it's interesting, the drama is fun, and it's got plenty of spicy moments. Recommended if you like TV shows and are looking for something to binge!

The Honey-Blood Beauty & Her Vampire (available in English!) is a fairly short series (only four volumes iirc) about a girl with honey blood (blood that is irresistible to vampires) and her vampire bodyguard. It's a fun, somewhat spicy read, with a bit of revenge thrown into the mix. Recommended for those who want a short, fun read - though I feel like this series ends too soon.

For a darker recommendation, I would suggest 私とこわれた吸血鬼 (Me and the Broken Vampire) After their parents' deaths, Itsuki has been desperately working several jobs to support her younger siblings, but they won't give in the light of day. In her despair, she reunites with her childhood friend, "Yoh-chan", and learns that he's not the prince she always thought he was - but instead a vampire who cannot control himself when it comes to her. When I say it's dark, I mean, it can get pretty bad (still thinking about that bathtub scene...) - and the characters are all separate shades of awfulness and questionable decision-making. Still, it's a compelling read and I recommend it to anyone who is okay with the subject matter!

(The Once Upon a Broken Hearts trilogy gets a special mention since I love the series and the vampires in it, but the story doesn't center around those vampires, hence why I'm not going to write a section about it lol...)

Alright, onto the last question!

What are your least liked vampire media/characters?

I don't know... Twilight, maybe?

I'm just kidding! Like I mentioned before, I've only ever watched the first movie so I don't really know enough about the series to judge it one way or another.

I don't really have any specific series or characters to name, just... I like well-thought-out lore, lots of small details, and high stakes. If a series has vampires but none of those, I probably won't enjoy it. But honestly, vampires in media has been weirdly rare lately, so I'll probably take anything that I can get lol

So yeah, to sum it up: I like vampires a lot cuz they're hot and sad, and I really want vampires to be more popular again! Maybe next year fae will lose popularity and vampires will finally be the talk of the town again. A girl can dream. Thanks for the ask and I hope I answered your questions!

[tomatoart]

911 found the father in his car listening to the radio

[ivyithink]

His dark child, his love, evil of his evil. The one who broke his heart.

[shadowspronouns]

little thing based off them wearing the same cape in sonic channel art, happy (late) halloween !!!!!

[lawyer-of-louis-de-lioncourt]

Fans of IWTV that are problems

People who want to put the blame on one character.

Like sir. Uhm. How do I say this? In a way that can penetrate your mind?

They. Are. All. Horrible. People.

But they are also: All Beautiful People With Love All Consuming.

Both can be true. Because IWTV is the extreme reflection of life and people.

There is this comment on a fan edit on YT that was literally posted a day ago that I found.

I think we've established Louis is the problem. He is the common denominator in all these toxic relationships. Even his and Claudia's was an unhealthy mess. [Image]

And before I go on, on why this sh*t brings the movement down and I don't and won't tolerate I just want to bash the thinking of this person.

Let me ask you, reader and watcher, if a person in an abusive relationship lands in another abusive relationship are they the problem? Are they seeking to be abused yet again? Do you think they like it? Do you think Louis du Point du Lac went into loving Lestat because Lestat showed anger issues? Insecurities? No. He saw the best in him. He still fucking does. He loves the guy despite his problems. Do you think Louis fell for Armand because he was a gaslighter? A liar? A betrayer and clear child killer? No. He fell for Armand's ability to be soft to be gentle. He fell for his understanding. His clear care and focus on what he wants. His endurance.

"Louis is the problem." The problem here is that there are lies and manipulation from all characters. Louis is a lost soul who is more impulsive than the rest of the characters. He goes through life always seeking, seeking, seeking not really knowing what he is looking for. He also has fucking depression and some deep self-resentment.

But to say he is a problem because he is a victim (and he is because even though he has his strengths in the events between the Big Lestat Drop and The Trial he has been most hurt from both events more than Lestat and Armand (if we don't count Claudia because she was the MOST VICTIM OF ALL OF THEM DURING THAT ERAS)) is disgusting. It's victim blaming. To say he is a common denominator of abuse is stupid. He is the common denominator BECAUSE he attracts powerful love interests who are unhinged.

There is a huge power imbalance between Louis and Lestat. That was unknown. A power imbalance between Louis and Armand that was known but put aside because Armand gave the illusion that he was giving Louis the reigns.

To say Louis is the problem is blaming a wife being beaten, divorcing her husband and then getting in a relationship where she is beaten again. Clearly she's asking for it. (That's how this post sounds like) And. I. Will. Not. Tolerate. It.

Okay. Now that is put aside.

Like I said before.

These vampires are broken. One could argue being beyong repair.

The purpose of the books is to show monsters in love. Monsters who act on humanity but still take it too far.

There's a whole quote that says something about Lestat loving first and how passionate he is but in that love the only way he can show it is through violence. To break it.

We see Armand who is so loving and so f*cking patient. So eager to be loved. So eager to not be alone. Because he has been so alone all these years and then he meets Louis. Louis with a daughter. Louis with a burning, eager heart to be free this time around. Louis who represents everything Armand desires. To be free of all chains. And in wanting Louis he loves only him. Sees Claudia as chain too. Because Louis broke free of Lestat. Because Claudia, to Armand, is an extension of Lestat. Louis' capturer, maker, abuser.

He loves so much that he sees this as right. To get Louis all to himself. He wants this so badly. He even says it. "I want you more than anything in the world."

Words with weight. Words he meant. Words he carried through. He loves wholly. Obsessively. He loves solely.

And then Louis. Sweet Saint Louis. A father, a brother, a man who cannot exist or see himself outside of others. He is father, brother, lover, companion, son before he is Louis. This man who cannot exist outside others. This man who because of his spiraling self-hate drags others so he can stop the self- punishment. To get a reprieve. To put this love onto others because he can only love himself by loving and caring about others.

Who cannot love himself. Who drags the body of a stranger's daughter to beg for one himself. Who self sabotages and then tries to fix it. Who loved someone who hurt him because he can't let it go. Who thought he could love a man with burdens and control that was spiraling. A man who he knew felt the loneliness he had too. Louis who begs, demands and pleads and manipulates to get this fix of love. To put it somewhere. Even if it destroys the person he loves. (Paul, Claudia, Lestat and Armand) Just a little bit. Who loves then bites the hand that feeds him. Who loves so much. So much. He gets lost in it. Then drowns. Drowns in his failures. And drags others into it.

(Lestat: You drag me into your gloom. Armand: Will I be on suicide watch for the next 1000 years?)

And it's true to sense. He can't preserve his happiness. And sometimes he goes out of his way to not. Destroys it. (The killing of Lestat. The harsh words in 1970s to Armand) Because he doesn't deserve it.

This is all what it comes to:

They are humans stuck to live forever with these woes and problems and nowhere to put it. No where to put their trauma. So they make it themselves and then try to love with these jagged pieces.

They are fleshed out and more real than any character out there.

They are real. In their monstrosity. In their humanity.

They are horrible, they are beautiful, they are guilty, they are innocent. All of this. All true. All at the same time.

"I could not prevent it."

"...Was a band aid for shitty marriage?"

"This fascinating boy."

"I HEARD YOUR HEARTS DANCING?"

"Let me go."

"I love you with all of myself."

"Come to me."

"But she didn't love you. Not like he did, not like I have."

"I hate you."

"I know, I know. She's calling me."

"You and me. Me and you. You and me. Me and you."

"PICKED ANOTHER ONE OVER ME!"

"He's...a lot."

"I love you too baby brother."

"I'm not asking Arun."

"Am I all I have endured?"

"THE NAME! UNUTTERED in our home for 23 YEARS!"

"Could you imagine me? Without the burden of her?"

"I want you more than anything in the world."

"She called me an angel. Me!"

"Saint Louis."

"Are your companions?" "Yes." "No."

"I had a hunch."

"He forgave me."

"Why do I owe you my one act of cowardice?"

"Armand preserves my happiness..."

"Claudia is my coven."

"It was never about me."

"Tell her she's beautiful every morning."

Thank you for coming to my ted talk.

[the-woman-upstairs]

It’s just…so painful to watch Armand readily submit in order to obtain the love he so desperately craves. And while it’s most assuredly a manipulative tactic, it’s still one borne out of fear and desperation. He cannot lose this person he’s come to love and so will become whatever they want, do whatever they want just so they’ll stay with him. But it won’t be enough. No matter how much he acquiesces or seeks to control (himself, others, the environment), he won’t be able to make Louis stay with him in the perfect life, perfect self he built in the hopes of finally being loved. It will all crumble with Armand left alone in the rubble of what he created, the author of his own abandonment.

[laniidae-passerine]

I need to abuse Santiago in ways that contravene the Geneva Convention so I can fix him. and I need to save Claudia from the horrors. can someone go get me a torture matrix and a time machine please

[ikpwecanfly]

The implications of Claudia's turning scene is that loustat marriage essentially lasted only five years. It wasn't implied that Louis came back for Claudia, he didn't manipulate lestat that way. He explicitly made a bargain

[freaky-flawless]

The return of some old faces

I finally got around to fleshing them out, so here's some more info on them under the cut:

They're all students at New Salem University and share a dorm room together. Demonique and Luci have been longtime friends, attending elementary and middle school in Hell before transferring to Monster High together, while Fangel is newer to the friend group, but feels as though she's always belonged with these ghouls.

Fangel attended Belfry Prep her whole un-life until she was able to escape that stuffy and intolerant environment once she graduated and started college. She never agreed with traditional vampire values, and always kept friends outside of school that were different monster types, and she's absolutely thriving in campus life.

Demonique may or may not have feelings for her vampire friend, but knows that she's already in a happy and committed relationship, and so she keeps her feelings hidden. Aside from that she's super chill and often the voice of reason. She's also incredibly creative, and is apart of all kinda of clubs on campus.

As Lucifer's eldest child, Luci is set to become the new ruler of Hell once her father retires. She's actually pretty hyped about it, and figures a business degree will help her become an effective ruler. She's the campus's resident party girl, and given her popularity, she's known for throwing the biggest college parties around. Given her status, she's able to get away with more than the average student, but she tries not to abuse this power too much.

[astarionancuntnin]

all my tavs getting to act 2 and needing to make a choice between shadowheart and astarion who have been relentlessly flirting with them

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Parallels: Tara and Kennedy standing up for Willow.

[s0fter-sin]

what up it's been 12 years and i'm still pissed there was no consequence to dean being in constant survival mode and fighting 24/7 in purgatory

what do you mean he didn't become a god at hand to hand combat? what do you mean he could still be jumped by random ass demons?

he was - at best - in a constant in-between state meaning he didn't get hungry or tired but that also means he didn’t sleep for a year and was constantly being hunted by hundreds of thousands of monsters that want to eat him specifically, while actively searching for cas

OR he was in a completely normal state meaning he was constantly fighting starvation and exhaustion while all of that was still happening!! it's not like there's much to scavenge in monster heaven!! he would’ve been on the verge of dying for a year!!!

then he comes back and he's just exactly the same? the same level of fighting skill he's always had? if not slightly worse for some reason?? what do you mean he couldn't kill anything he came across with his eyes closed when it's what he's been doing EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR???

it's always been one of the flaws of a show running for so long that after like s6 they never seemed to be getting better? they still got the shit kicked out of them by demons and ghosts and what have you and instead of finding obscure rituals they just got A Better Gun™️

both sam and dean are the peak of what hunters can be; they've been trained to hunt and kill things bigger and stronger than them since they were children, so what do you mean they still get the shit kicked out of them so often? was it just to show how strong monsters are? that even with their level of experience and skill, they're still outmatched?

(or do you just need a way to keep up the tension cough cough what who said that)

but you can't have dean who's been trained to be an elite soldier Since He Was Four Years Old go into a 360 combat scenario for an entire year - a good chunk of which he was completely by himself - then say he didn't improve his combat skills At All

and not even just combat, his senses would've been off the charts!! there was nothing but ambient forest noise and growling, his hearing would've gotten so sharp, it was darker so his night vision would ve been insane and he should've been able to feel a monster coming a mile away after constantly being on guard

post purgatory dean had the opportunity to be a completely different beast to anything we'd ever seen before, to be a completely different kind of traumatised from all of his other trauma

hell broke him but purgatory should've broken and rebuilt him into something Terrifying

[iknowshocker]

wip wednesday - 'heavy in your arms' chap 2 coming soon :)

Bonnie turns at the sound of her name, finding Jo waiting in the kitchen doorway, looking as dazed as she feels.

“Something’s happened,” Jo whispers, swaying slightly on her feet. “Something’s wrong. I - I feel so - so-,” she starts to drop before Bonnie can move to catch her, collapsing with a groan. 

“Ric!” Bonnie shouts, her magic rushing out to support Jo’s head while she turns her over onto her back. “Jo, open your eyes,” she begs, still feeling the rumble of warning echoing through her body from head to foot. “Jo, please-,”

“Out,” Jo says, her blue eyes blurry and unfocused as she looks through Bonnie completely. Her hands claw at the hardwood to either side of her hips, cracking her nails. “Out of my life.”

“Oh my god,” a quiet voice gasps, and Bonnie looks up to find a handful of students watching from the hall. Wendy, one of her witches, stares at Jo in trembling horror. “Mrs. Satlzman?”

“Go get Ric,” Bonnie orders, her voice shaking. “Now!”

They scatter at once, racing off to find help. Only Wendy remains behind, flames beginning to spark at her fingertips. 

Bonnie lifts her own hand quickly, circling Wendy with a bubble of power before she can start a proper fire. “Jo’s going to be alright,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady. “We can heal her, can’t we? Go to my office and get the leather bag beside my desk.”

Wendy shudders, the flames at her fingers growing brighter with her panic. 

“Hurry,” Bonnie urges as Jo lets out another rasping groan. “She needs your help, Wendy. You have to focus.”

Wendy squeezes her eyes closed, curling her fingers into fists at her sides. She leans into the magic surrounding her, finding comfort in its embrace. “Yes, Professor Bennett,” she says, quietly, before she races off in the opposite direction. 

Bonnie slumps over Jo, her fingers shaking slightly when she brings them back to the other woman’s face. “Josette,” she murmurs, trying to catch and hold her attention. “Can you hear me?”

“Stop,” Jo whispers, a shiver running through her. One of her hands lifts from the floor to clench across the left side of her stomach. “You know what to say?”

“What?” Bonnie asks, her magic frantically looking for a cause to her pain. “Jo, are you-,”

“I’ll do it,” Jo groans, her back arching as her muscles lock and spasm. “He’s not - he’s not supposed to be here-,”

“Jo, it’s okay,” Bonnie murmurs, feeling entirely helpless. “It’s okay, you’re okay-,”

“Run,” Jo gasps, her eyes starting to roll.

[academiccockroach]

it's 1 AM and I have a very specific bone to pick with a very specific thing I consume, enjoy and endorse wholeheartedly

here's the thing about vampire bites. they are depicted as this little unhinged and nasty but mostly sexy thing right. our guy (gender neutral) gets bitten and it's like ah! it hurts but also it hurts good ( ͡�� ͜ʖ ͡°). and here im talking about like. proper vampire teeth, non of that twilight bullshit just two to four proper fangs nothing more nothing less

well clearly the person writing the sexy biting smut scene has never been bitten by a cat. I dont mean like 'ah no Scruffy bit me a little' i don't even mean 'oh no Sceuffy bit me a lot' i mean like a fully grown ass feral cat that has never been touched by human in its life and craves the taste of flesh biting thru skin muscle cartilage -even sometimes bone- whatever the fuck you got in your meat sack that tiny needle thin tooth is piercing right through it

and here's the thing. it doesn't hurt at first oh no. okay well it hurts but if doesn't hurt too much ya know what i mean. and it leaves a cute little mark nothing serious at all

but in a day that wound is gonna swell. and it's gunna. hurt like all fuck because it just directly injected about five gazillion bacteria directly into a neat little incubation pouch and then closed it right up. its gona swell its gonna ooze and throb and hurt and if that shits in your neck ur pretty much done for i mean an infection right next to the jugular is just easy mode for the bacteria

so unless your vampire boyfriend gargles with antiseptic beforehand you aint gotta worry about turning or bleeding out or developing a biting kink cus youre gonna be delirious from meningitis with a football sized phlegmone in your neck beggjng for the sweet sweet release of death thank you for coming to my ted talk please ensure your vampire boyfriend employs proper dental hygiene

[kinaesthetiqueer]

(follow-up to this)

having grown up in atlas, weiss is very familiar with the academy's team anti-frat policy and gets very hung up on just how much trouble they could get in if anyone thinks they're dating.

(which they're definitely not doing. no, sir. absolutely not, sir.)

so better safe than sorry.

(except winter has eyes. and also doesn't care.)

[portraitoflestatonfire]