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whereisten · 5 years ago

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Summary: Violet is a blossoming filmmaker with her own demons. When man of the night Taeyong comes into her life, she realizes that demons are very much real. She will have to endure the consequences of trusting the one person she should’ve steered clear from.

Genres: Romance, A Pinch of Smut, Fluff for Days, Comedy, Drama, Angst, Thriller, Horror, Fantasy

Cast: Taeyong, Yuta, OC (the bad bitch that you’ll get to know as Vi)

WARNING: Mentions of Sexual Assault, Death, Language, Alcohol, Addiction, Violence (this writing in no way represents the members mentioned, all events are fake).

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CD 1: Intro - Track 1 - Track 2

Word Count: 6.5k

Two months later

My younger sister Janine and I met up with Hani at the mall for some milkshakes. Janine recently moved back from North Carolina while her ex-husband Joaquin was deployed overseas. Janine and I had been settled in an apartment in Sunset for two weeks now. She rubbed her six-month pregnant belly in comfort. Janine and her ex were intent on raising the kids together in their own way. It was the most functional breakup I’d ever seen.

Janine pushed some of her shoulder length brown hair behind her ear. “So tell me something juicy.” She looked amusingly at our friend. “Hani?”

Hani shook her head. “Nada on my end.”

I sipped my strawberry milkshake. “Actually. I do have something to share with the class.”

Hani looked at me in concern. “Are you sure?”

“It’s not like we ever dated, Hani.” I felt the teeniest pang in my chest.

Janine’s light brown eyes were more alert. “What? Dated? You? Who? Why am I now just hearing about this? You bitch.”

“Your spawn can hear you, Janine.” I dipped a french fry into my shake. “I met someone one night at BOSS. It was...two months ago.” We met at the end of July and now it was the start of October. And based off of Janine’s response, she could tell I wasn’t fucking around.

This was a surprise for everyone, actually.

“Tell me everything! Do not leave a single detail out,” my sister urged.

I started. “His name is Taeyong.”

I gave Janine the Sparknotes version of the night Taeyong and I met. She consumed her cheese fries in rapid succession. It was like I never lived so upon hearing about my hookup of the century, I dared not spare a single detail.

“Have you guys kept in touch?” Janine asked cautiously.

I fiddled with my napkin. “Just for the first month. But after that...it’s been silent. I think he got busy.”

Janine and Hani gave each other a look.

“Oh…” Janine started.

“You don’t have to put on an act. We know you’re upset,” Hani replied.

I blew a strand of hair away from my face. “It’s not that bad. He’s just a handsome stranger I had the pleasure of sucking face with.”

“Vi?” Janine offered.

“Yeah?”

“Forget about him. A guy like Taeyong may seem promising at first glance but it’s not the whole story...”

“She’s right.” Hani added as her phone went off. Her eyes widened as she read her text. “Oh, yes! Ready to kiss Taeyong goodbye?” Hani possessed a different kind of fire in her eyes at that moment.

“Sure?”

“You’re coming with me on a double date,” Hani said.

Janine gave me a playful shove. “You should go! It’s exactly what you need!”

I said, “Hani, I don’t think that’s-”

Hani stopped me. “Vi, it’s just one date. It won’t hurt. If it blows, I’ll owe you a mani-pedi. But it won’t because I have good taste.”

Janine and I frowned at each other. I said, “Hani, I swear if he ends up being a creep-”

“Are you considering it?” Hani looked amazed that I hadn’t shut down her invitation right away.

I was, actually. I hadn’t thought about dating since Taeyong left me on read. BOSS was always busy and I was working on my film for the Nakamoto International Film Festival (NIFF). I was down to filming the last couple of shots with my cast and crew. Taeyong seemed to have moved on. Why couldn’t I?

I asked, “When is it?”

“Friday night,” Hani sang in an operatic tone.

I slapped her arm. “That’s two days away!”

“Why do you think we came to the mall today?” Hani laughed wickedly.

The night before my date, I dreamed about Taeyong again. We were in his car on the beach. The night was pitch black. We were in the middle of an intense battle of tonsil hockey. His mouth alone possessed a lot of talent. I would never forget that. He left traces upon traces of kisses all over my arms, back, face, and I nearly let him kiss all over my legs before I pushed him away so I could kiss him all over.

The dream flash forwarded to us engaged in a staring contest. He was in the driver’s seat, his elbow propped against the window and just “getting a good look at me”. I had my hands in my lap, fiddling like I’ve never fiddled before. Then, we got out of the car and ran out into the water and splashed each other. We were soaked and our kisses were salty.

I looked away from him for a second and when I turned back, there were bodies all around him, blood running down their necks as they held on for dear life. I screamed, looking up at Taeyong. Dark streams of blood poured out of his lips. He smiled fondly at me like we were about kiss again. Like the bodies weren’t even there. But then his irises turned red and he lunged at me.

I shot out of bed in a cold sweat and breathed heavily. It was still dark outside. I checked my phone to see that it was five thirty in the morning. I groaned into my pillow.

For the first time in a while, I didn’t want to go back to sleep. I turned on my bedside lamp. I got out of bed and checked off a day in my Minions wall calendar. My mood lightened a little at seeing what was coming up in my schedule. Distractions were everything to me.

Tomorrow night was the Thorne Gala: a celebration of young filmmakers from all over the country. The Thorne Association would be kicking off the annual Nakamoto International Film Festival (NIFF).. I was competing in the Short Film in Drama category. All kinds of legendary filmmakers were attending the gala tomorrow, some even coming all the way from South Africa, Japan, and Russia. The finalists will attend NIFF. And the kicker: NIFF was in Sunset this year.

Even so, the excitement over the competition couldn’t quell these unsettling feelings over Taeyong. I’d never dreamed about something so brutal in my life.

I rubbed my hands over my face. Why did I let him get in my head? It wasn’t like we ended on bad terms or anything. We were just friends. Emphasis on the were.

During our month of flirtation and friendship, he messaged me through HowRU, the international messaging app. Taeyong told me about work and how he received more songwriting and producing opportunities. I told him about the contest and how I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. He talked me down with encouraging words and even sang me to sleep. He had a soft voice. His speaking voice sent me in a trance but his singing voice? That was something else.

Now and then, we’d tell each other how we wished we’d stayed together that night.

It seemed like we were growing closer, regardless of the distance. He told me he was coming back to the States but he never said when. And then by week five, he stopped replying to my messages. After a few days of being annoyed and in denial, I took the hint.

We were how many miles away from each other? We were on separate days for the most part. So naturally, we were bound to drift apart. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

I could deny it all I wanted but something about Taeyong was off. Once the lust took a backseat, I vividly recalled how things went down that night at BOSS. He commanded such power and authority. He talked down that belligerent Baekhyun and got a hold of him. I still couldn’t understand how he did that. Taeyong may have been well-built but he was slender and of average height. Like Baekhyun. Neither man appeared to outmatch the other. I didn’t expect Taeyong to do so much with a mere movement of his hands.

I still wondered what he whispered into Baekhyun’s ear. It was like he commanded him and controlled his next move.

And then there was my ring.

I dreamed about Taeyong returning my ring. He claimed he found it on the ground. But I wasn’t sure about that now. My dream shifted to Taeyong slipping the ring out of my finger without my realization. When he gave me his credit card.

But that was impossible. Why would he do that? Why am I dreaming about something that didn’t even happen?

I was stressing myself out over someone I was never going to see again.

Maybe my latest dream was the final push in that direction.

I put some of my clothes into the dryer before I went downstairs to the mail slots. I had my earbuds in and played “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles. As I walked out the front door, a man about my age came from the elevators.

Soaked from the rain, he wore a navy blue rain jacket. This was a man who embraced the words beautiful and handsome simultaneously. He wore ripped black jeans that exposed parts of his muscular tanned legs. I didn’t think I would ever find ripped jeans attractive on a guy at this point in my life but here I was, blatantly planted at my front door and wanting the moment to pass slowly.

The tips of his red orange hair were soaked from the rain. Droplets fell down to his cheeks. He had a very stoic expression on his face, his cheekbones striking and lips plump. His lithe frame made him deceivingly delicate when odds were he wasn’t. A full-fledged anime character with profound brown eyes. Everything about him was sharp : his movements, his body, and his expression.

He noticed me staring and his eyes pierced mine. The moment came and went quickly. He simply nodded before he entered the apartment across from mine.

“Well that just happened,” I whispered to myself. Janine and I were no longer the new kids on the twelfth floor.

I went downstairs to find that my Rilakkuma pillow arrived. I did what many would describe as the unholiest of bad dances. I heard a chuckle from behind me and I whipped my head around to the mail room entrance and saw no one.

Back in the apartment, Janine was up and eating some Honey Nut Cheerios at the kitchen island.

“Hey, single lady...embrace the status while you have it because tonight…can mean that your dry spell is over,” Janine teased.

“Let’s not hold our breath.” I set my package down by the door and grabbed a banana off of our fruit bowl.

“Oh yeah, which reminds me, we have a new neighbor!” Janine yelled.

I blushed. “Yeah, I saw him.”

“He just moved in yesterday. His handsome friends helped him bring up boxes and a lot of instruments. A musician.” She swooned.

“Someone sounds smitten.”

“Are you kidding? No man is on my radar right now. I was thinking of him for you.”

I laughed. “Knock it off.”

“Make me,” Janine prodded.

“Let me just get through tonight before we start going door to door to get me laid.”

Janine took my quip and twisted it. “So that’s not out of the question, then? Because I say we start with boy across the way tomorrow and then work our way down to the violin player on the fifth floor if things go south tonight.”

“My sister: the optimist.”

“Pessimism is in our blood, hermana. The sooner we accept that, the better.” She got up to wash her bowl at the sink.

Our dad called to check up on us as he did on a daily basis.

“Hey, pops!” I said.

“Violeta! We have a special VIP coming tonight. You sure you can’t make it? It might be one of those celebrities you like so much.” My dad took a lot of pride and joy in his work, which made me very happy for him.

I raised my eyebrows at that, though. I’ve already had enough excitement at BOSS for a while. “Sorry, dad. I have a date.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. I...Wait.”

“Papá, it’s cool. It’s a double date with Hani. Remember her?”

Janine snickered very loudly over the running tap water.

“I’m gonna have to speak to Hani if she wants to keep her job,” Dad muttered.

“You’re bluffing.”

“It depends on how nice this boy is to you. If he doesn’t treat you right, Hani can redeem herself by sending me his home address. If it goes well, the same conditions apply.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Hani usually stays away from the criminals.”

“Usually?”

“Well, dad, would you look at the time? I gotta go. Good luck tonight. Let’s have dinner with Janine and her buns on Sunday.”

Janine laughed at my play on “buns in the oven”, which was much appreciated.

“Okay. But you better keep me posted. I want pictures and contact information,” Dad demanded.

Hani and I walked out of my building’s elevator to meet our dates. There was a Bugatti in the pickup area in front of the lobby.

Hani squeezed my arm. “Let’s go.” Pulling me with her, she ran out to the car where the driver and passenger were getting out.

Both men were real lookers so I wasn’t going to be disappointed over who was Jinyoung. The shorter of the men had distinct catlike eyes and a boyish charm to him. The taller of the two had a regal aura that made me wonder if Korea did in fact have a monarchy. His mind seemed to be elsewhere as he looked off into the distance. And...I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was about him that reminded me of Taeyong.

But it was there.

“Kim Minseok. Park Jinyoung. This is my best friend Violeta Luna. She goes by Violet or Vi or woman of your dreams. Vi, this is Minseok,” Hani linked arms with the man with cat eyes. “He and I have been friends for a good minute and we just thought we’d take you two kids out for a good time.”

“You two know each other?” I asked Minseok and Hani.

Hani replied, “Duh. I wouldn’t set us up with randoms. Jinyoung is verified not to murder you and leave you in a ditch.”

Minseok smiled as he elbowed spacey Jinyoung to be present. “Junior and I work together at his father’s company. I’m here to see that Jinyoung Senior will have grandkids. Especially since Jinyoung’s been on the rebound.”

Jinyoung, realizing he’d been exposed, smacked him. “Minseok.”

I gave Jinyoung a pointed look. “Rebound?”

Jinyoung stammered. “I-It’s nothing. I just...got out of a relationship.”

“It’s been a month, Jinyoung,” Minseok said, “You gotta get back out there.”

This sounded like a conversation that should’ve taken place before coming here.

Hani laughed nervously. This was going to be a long night.

After an awkward car ride where Hani and Minseok tried to get Jinyoung and me to start talking, we arrived at a nightclub called Point 127. It was pretty brand new if I had to guess. My dad and I always kept in the loop for up-and-coming clubs and bars and Point 127 was a mystery.

There was a long line to get into the club and one thing I noticed off the bat was that a lot of people got turned away. The bouncer was slender and very attractive. I wondered how he could hold his own. Bouncers were usually more built. They could break my wrist with a simple flick.

But this guy? He seemed as fragile as a Pocky stick.

Jinyoung led us to the front of the line and I could hear complaints in at least five different languages. He quickly muttered into the bouncer’s ear and the bouncer nodded. He looked at Hani and me in particular and licked his lips. I frowned as he lifted the rope to the entrance and let us through. I never wanted to see him again.

The club was happening. It was a two-story nightclub. The main dance floor was on the first floor where couples were becoming one before my very eyes. The second floor was enclosed with railings that people can look down from as the dance floor was the main stage. There were two bars: one on the first floor and the other on the second. The lounge sofas looked to be made of red velvet cushions.

The explicit music was nearly deafening as the DJ played from upstairs. The strobe lights were mainly red. I felt like I was among devils.

Minseok and Jinyoung went to get some drinks. A couple at the lounge table beside us was engaging in major public displays of affection. The man was sucking really hard on the woman’s neck.

My head started to hurt and I blinked a couple of times. Instead of seeing a make-out session like before, I saw something else.

It was like I was seeing everything that had been concealed from me until that very moment.

The man was drinking the woman’s blood. The red liquid was dripping down her neck and onto her satin red dress. It was almost like the blood would blend in with her dress and no one would be the wiser if they left the club right then and there. He was making loud grunting noises and she was moaning in pure euphoria. She hugged him tighter. He maneuvered her like a rag doll, like she weighed nothing.

I looked away to the dance floor where I saw more of the same thing. A woman licked her partner’s blood that was dripping down to his collarbone and met him with a kiss. The blood stained both of their lips now and they laughed. Another man was taking turns taking the blood out of two women he was dancing with. The women were laughing and twirling around like it was the Fourth of July on a sunny day.

“Hani,” I demanded, “Are you not seeing this?” I waved my hands around.

Hani turned to me. “What’s going on?”

I nodded over to the couple as an example and waited for Hani to freak out with me.

She frowned. “Violet, don’t be a prude.”

“What?”

“Couples hook up. Sometimes in public. It happens.”

“Hani, that man is drinking that woman’s blood!” I exclaimed.

Hani whipped her head back to me. “Vi…”

“Wait, you don’t see it? The blood on her neck? The blood on his lips? Nothing?” I felt a pang in my chest and felt really alone at that moment.

She shook her head. “Are you okay? Have you been taking your meds?”

I nodded. “Yes...And I’m fine, even though someone’s getting the life sucked out of them right over there.”

Hani was about to reply when the men returned. Minseok stood there with a tray of eight shots in hand. Jinyoung and Hani spoke for a moment and I had no idea what they were saying. He surprised me when he put his hands on her shoulders and looked her dead in the eye. He muttered something and she nodded. They sat back down.

Jinyoung then sat in between Hani and me. “What did we miss?”

I was stunned silent when there was blood on the corner of his lips.

Minseok sat on the other end beside Hani and they did a love shot. He whispered in her ear and they left us to dance.

She left me. Unbelievable. When I was with an apex predator?

“Love shot?” Jinyoung asked as he held up two shot glasses.

I shook my head, scared shitless. What was I supposed to say to him? Um, Jinyoung why did you bring us to a vampire nightclub?

And how the fuck is there even a vampire nightclub?

“So Violet, here’s the situation...My ex is here.” Jinyoung said as he licked the corner of his lips to remove any trace of blood. It was as if I wasn’t supposed to notice.

In fact, I believe I wasn’t supposed to be aware of anything that was going on here.

“Oh...” I said. What the hell did that even matter?

“And the truth is...I brought us here because there was a chance we would see her and I could make her jealous. I’m still in love with her, you see.”

”Okay...”

“I’m sorry if you thought anything would come of this. I’m a Grade A asshole but I own it, at least. So, come on. Let’s go dance.” He got up and stuck his hand out for me to take.

I didn’t get up.

Jinyoung sighed, surprised that I wasn’t cooperating. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to dance,” I mustered.

Jinyoung sat down again, even closer to you. He bumped his thigh with yours. “Violet, I know we just met but please...I’m going to need you to cooperate with me if this is going to work.”

“I don’t owe you anything,” I shot back at him.

Jinyoung’s casual demeanor shifted and the desperation and something else came out full force. He rubbed his hand over his face.

He surprised you by grabbing your chin and making you look at him. “You’re going to be a good girl and do as I say. You will dance with me and I will dip you. Then I will fuck you in a corner in front of Olivia.”

He said all of this like a command.

“Jinyoung, what the fuck? Get your hands off of me!” I tried pulling away but he had a strong grip.

He continued, “I will fuck you in front of Olivia and you will scream so loudly that the music won’t be able to block it.”

“You are not going to fuck me,” I said. ��Like hell.”

Jinyoung faltered and looked at you in confusion. “How are you-”

Why was he so shocked?

He groaned in frustration and took his hands off of me. “I guess we’ll go with Plan B.”

He quickly got up and returned with Minseok and Hani. That was when you noticed the vacant look in their eyes. They were like robots: mindless and complacent. Jinyoung got behind Hani and embraced her. He smiled at you as fangs sprouted out of his teeth.

“If you don’t comply with my demands, Hani is going to be my late night snack.”

Jinyoung exposed Hani’s neck. He inched his teeth closer to it. Close enough to graze it.

“No, please! Stop!” I yelled.

He laughed. “Dance with me, then.”

“Don’t you dare touch her again,” I said as I could feel myself shaking.

“Fine,” Jinyoung said as he released Hani from his grasp. Hani stumbled but Minseok caught her. That was strange, considering he had done nothing for her until then.

Jinyoung offered you his hand. I took it and could feel his slimy skin. Contrary to what I’d read about vampires, his skin was warm.

He led me to the dance floor and I knew who Olivia was when I saw her glare at us. She was drinking with her friends at a lounge pretty close to us. She was sizing me up the entire time. I would’ve been annoyed had there not been a fucking vampire threatening me.

“It’s working.” Jinyoung was giddy.

“Chantaje” by Shakira and Maluma was on as Jinyoung pulled me closer to him. I was on the verge of tears.

How could I have been so alone? Hani was nowhere to be found. She wasn’t herself. Jinyoung must have manipulated her somehow. And Minseok was in on it. How could I have been so stupid? Why didn’t I run with Hani when I had the chance?

Why did I say yes to this stupid double date? The worst that was supposed to happen was that he didn’t like SHINee.

I swayed my hips, hoping to no avail that Jinyoung wouldn’t get too close. He grinded on me right away. I could feel his member grow as he moved himself against me from behind. I stiffened.

“I’m not that repulsive, am I?” He demanded into your ear as he pulled you to him.

I didn’t answer.

He spun me around to face him and tilted my chin up to look at him. “Be a good little girl and give in, Violet. I know you’re fighting what you really feel.”

He pulled me in for a kiss and I shut my eyes, ready to block it out.

Then, I heard someone fall to the ground.

I opened my eyes and found Jinyoung on the ground. Blood came out of his nose.

I whipped my head to find the person responsible for knocking this son of a bitch silly.

And there was a blonde Taeyong, shaking his fist, repulsed.

“Taeyong!” I yelled.

“Violet,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me without hesitation. “Are you okay?”

I couldn’t believe he was here with me. It was like a dream. I didn’t think about how he left me hanging for weeks. I didn’t think about how much I wanted to yell at him. I just hugged him back like my life depended on it. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t trapped. Taeyong was right here with me.

And I missed him. Deep down, I just missed him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I loosened my hold on him and gazed at him.

Taeyong gave me such a tender smile as he moved some hair away from my face. “I wanted to see you-“

Jinyoung yanked Taeyong away from me and knocked him to the ground with a blow to the stomach.

“Taeyong!” I screamed as he groaned in pain on the ground.

The other vampires and those who I suspected were humans formed a circle around us as they egged the men on to fight.

Jinyoung strutted around the space we had, acting like he’d won already.

Taeyong’s look of agony quickly changed into a smirk. “Fool.”

He disappeared before my eyes and was in front of Jinyoung again. Taeyong delivered a swift kick to Jinyoung’s stomach and gave him a right hook to the face that sent him flying and knocked him unconscious.

“Jinyoung!” You heard from the crowd. Olivia ran over to Jinyoung. “What did you do?!” She pointed at him accusingly.

Taeyong didn’t even bother giving her a response. I found my voice again. “What did he do? He saved my ass from getting raped by your ex-boyfriend. All because he wanted to make you jealous!” As those words came out of my mouth, I had to laugh because of how ridiculous the whole thing was.

Olivia scoffed. “Please. I saw you. You were all over him.”

I clenched my fists, then. I was about to yank this girl by her weave and make her see stars.

But instead I kicked Jinyoung in the groin. The crowd collectively groaned.

I reveled in the fact that he would feel that when he came to.

Taeyong took my arm and said to Olivia, “Tell your ex that he’s getting a visit from the Angel of Death very soon. That’ll wake him up.”

We walked off the dance floor. I scanned the club for my best friend. I had to get her away from Minseok. “I need to find Hani.”

Taeyong helped me search for her and we found her at the bar with Minseok. She was laying at the table while Minseok just sat there. It was unsettling, to say the least.

I ran up to Minseok and slapped him with my hand full of rings.

Minseok was still dazed. Hani was drunk out of her wits.

Taeyong helped Hani up and looked gave her direct eye contact. “Wake up, Hani.”

She blinked and looked a little more alert.

She looked at us both and laid her head back down.

“Hani? We’re going home.” I shook her to get her more awake.

Hani asked, “What about the guys?”

I replied, “Fuck the guys, Hani.”

Taeyong piped up as he nodded at Minseok, “They’ve both been compelled, Violet. He manipulated their minds.”

“I knew they weren’t acting like themselves,” I replied.

Taeyong got a good look at Minseok and he met his eyes. “Snap out of it.”

Minseok shook his head and I could see life come back into his eyes. “What the-“

“Minseok,” I started.

“Violet?” He asked. “What’s going on?” He winced as he felt pain in his face. “What hit me?”

Deliberately ignoring his question, I asked. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“I was getting shots with Jinyoung and then he...said something to me. But I don’t remember what…” Minseok held his head in his hands. “My head is killing me. I’m not drunk but I feel like someone fucked with my brain. I hate it.”

I frowned, still a little wary of Minseok.

Minseok looked around him. “I must be hammered because I’m seeing vampires all over the place.” He laughed. “Wild.”

Hani groaned.

“Minseok, can you walk?” I asked him as Taeyong helped Hani up.

He nodded. “Are we leaving? Where’s Jinyoung?”

“He’s occupied,” Taeyong replied, “I’ll take you guys home.”

We got the hell out of Point 127, a place I prayed I would never come back to. Taeyong dropped Minseok off and he assured me that he just needed a good night’s rest and some fluids so he would get back to normal. He wouldn’t remember much from tonight.

I was still riding on the adrenaline of my so-called date night that I didn’t even process Taeyong being right beside me and how he knew so much.

“So, you’re a vampire,” I blurted without internalizing things too much.

“Way to steal my line,” he said as he parked in my building’s parking garage.

We helped Hani out of the car and walked her back to my apartment.

She slurred, “I’m borrowing your pajamas, Vi. I’ll give you my keys so you and Taeyong can go back to my place and fuck each other’s brains out.”

“Hani!” I yelled as Taeyong bit back his laughter.

I continued, “Go to bed. I’ll check up on you in ten minutes.”

“Okeydokey,” she said as she left us in the living room. Taeyong and I sat on the couch.

All the while, everything started clicking. Something about Taeyong seemed almost superhuman. His speed and his ability to take Jinyoung out, for instance. A vampire could take out a vampire. His strength and hold on Baekhyun were the other main signs for me. He must have compelled Baekhyun to settle down that night. And the reason why Miri was so drunk…

Someone drank from her.

“Who drank Miri’s blood?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Baekhyun,” he confirmed.

“And how the hell did that not show up on the security footage?” I went through those tapes multiple times but Taeyong and his friends were partying like regular filthy rich adults. So I let it go.

“One of my friends manipulated the tapes. It takes a good amount of magic to manipulate media that can be viewed by a lot of people but we made it work.”

“Magic?” I demanded.

“Well, if there are vampires, then a couple of other folk tales have to be true, wouldn’t they?” He made a good point.

“My head hurts,” I sighed, “I have a lot of questions. I hope you don’t have any pressing matters to attend to because I’m keeping you up all night.”

He smiled suggestively at that. “I don’t. My schedule’s wide open.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m mad at you so don’t.”

“What?” He played dumb.

“Don’t act like you don’t know what you’re doing.” I knew that Taeyong was aware of the effect that he had on people. On me. Now I wondered about his vampire ways.

If my O-positive blood was appetizing.

If he ever compelled me.

Which made me wonder.

“Why couldn’t Jinyoung compel me?” I wondered aloud.

Taeyong surprised me by taking my right hand. “Your mood ring.”

“What about it?”

“It protects you from being compelled. From being lied to. It helps you see things for what they are,” he said as he looked at it carefully. “I was curious when I saw it on you the first time we met so I borrowed it.”

“So you did snatch it off my finger.” I glared at him.

“It’s powerful. It must be a few decades old, at least,” he said.

“It was my grandmother’s ring.”

“Then your grandmother must have been a witch or knew one, then,” he said.

Bombshell after bombshell.

“Violet?” He asked softly.

“I need a drink,” I said as I headed to the kitchen.

“Do you have lemonade?” There he went again with the doe eyes and pouty lips.

I rolled my eyes. “Wouldn’t you rather have some O-positive?”

He frowned. “Why would you have-“

“Oh for fuck’s sake, I’m joking.”

Taeyong and I hashed things out for well over two hours.

Taeyong turned into a vampire at the age of sixteen. He didn’t want to get into details over who turned him so I decided to grill him on everything else. He was a mortal vampire. He was basically human in the sense that he aged but based on abilities, he was a vampire. His vampirism was like a medical condition that came with ups and downs. He had his own set of powers. He could compel without having to make physical contact with the person he wanted to manipulate. He had super speed and super strength. Every vampire was different, though, so not every vampire necessarily had the skills he did. The major downside was having to deal with his thirst for blood. The other was feeling too intensely if he wasn’t careful. If he was sad, he could get into the throes of despair. If he was happy, he might as well levitate. If he was angry, God help you.

I asked Taeyong about the night we met. He told me that in his group of friends, there were vampires and consenting humans. There were humans that knew about vampires but were sworn to secrecy and discretion for as long as they both wanted to pursue a particular relationship. Baekhyun was casually dating Miri and she consented to him drinking her blood. Baekhyun’s mistakes? Doing it in public and most importantly, going overboard. Had Taeyong not stepped in, Miri could’ve died.

Everything made more sense now. I sighed as I stretched my arms. It was 3 AM when I checked up on Hani for the umpteenth time.

Hani was asleep and holding on tightly to my panda bear plushie. I shut the door and returned to Taeyong who was rinsing out his drinking glass.

“I think that’s enough truth bombs for one night,” I said.

“Don’t you want to see my fangs?” He teased.

I punched his arm. “We still have to talk about why you blew me off for a month.”

It was interesting. He was unshaken the entire time I asked him everything I wanted to know but at this, he clammed up.

“I had business to take care of at SM...I’m sorry. I got carried away and thought I could surprise you once I got confirmation that I was moving to America.” He looked genuinely apologetic.

I gaped at him. “You’re moving to America?”

“I’m moving to Sunset, angel,” he said as he dried the glass and placed it in the cupboard.

“That’s…”

“Amazing? Spectacular? Wonderful?” He offered.

“I need time to process everything. I think we should call it a night.”

He sighed, probably disappointed I didn’t jump into his arms, then. Could he blame me, though? I was exhausted.

I walked Taeyong out the door to find my neighbor was lingering outside of his door. He was giving a woman a hickey in plain sight. Her dark curly brown hair was placed on the opposite side, giving the man full access to her neck. She moaned in pure delight.

Wait.

So, that was not the administration of a hickey.

“Yuta,” Taeyong said, unnerved.

Yuta removed himself from his embrace with the girl, hesitated for a second, and then faced us as he licked her blood from his lips. He helped the girl fix her hair and hid his teeth marks. The girl looked drunk but elated and satiated as she remained leaning against the wall.

He gave me a fanged half smile when he recognized me. “Oh, hey, neighbor.”

Taeyong look at us accusingly. “Neighbor?”

Yuta glared at the sight of Taeyong. “It’s you.”

“Yuta, what are you doing here?” Taeyong demanded.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see my friend. You?” Taeyong was bothered. I wondered why.

“I like hooking up in random buildings,” he said as he chuckled sarcastically.

Taeyong rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Violet, I-“

Hiding his fangs, Yuta interrupted as he gently took my hand and shook it. “Violet? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Yuta Nakamoto. Have a good night.” He had such a bright smile. His brilliant white teeth nearly made me go blind.

Taeyong clenched his jaw, silent. Clearly annoyed. And Yuta was reveling in it if the cocky smile on his face was any indication.

“Nice to meet you, too, Yuta...Well, good night, you two.”

“Violet,” Taeyong started.

“I’ve seen and learned too much tonight so if you could give me a few days to process...that’d be delightful.”

Yuta waved at me while Taeyong looked dumbfounded.

“Good night!” I shouted as I shut the door.

;;

Track 1 : Epilogue

“That your girlfriend?” Yuta asked. “She’s cute.”

Taeyong gritted his teeth. “Hyuna wasn’t enough of a steal for you?”

Yuta rolled his eyes. “For the last time, I didn’t steal her. I was just an upgrade. She dumped me, too. I let it go. Why can’t you?”

“You don’t understand.” Taeyong was seething at the recollection of his ex using him, changing him, and dumping him for Yuta.

Yuta moved closer to Taeyong and whispered, “What I do understand is that you ruined me, Taeyong.”

“Yuta,” he said, alarmed. He knew Yuta was as powerful as he was. If not, more so, and that would have set him off even more had he not been afraid.

Yuta looked so menacing, then. His eyes were narrowed into slits and he clenched his sharp jaw. Then, he relaxed instantly and laughed. “While there’s no place I’d rather be...I have to take Holly home. And then...maybe I’ll come back and kiss Violet good night. How does that sound?”

“You stay away from her.” Taeyong was not going to let the one good thing that could be a part of his life slip away.

Yuta scoffed. “You don’t deserve her.”

“That’s not your call to make.” Taeyong had just about had it with this imbecile.

“Give that a girl a chance at happiness and leave her alone.” Yuta seemed concerned as he looked toward Violet’s door.

“Again, stay out of my business.”

Yuta smirked. “Maybe I will. But I like getting to know my neighbors...Have a nice night, TY.” He helped Holly off of the wall and walked her to the elevators.

Taeyong waited for them to leave and walked off to take the next elevator down He made a phone call.

“Ravi? It’s Taeyong. What do you have on Park Jinyoung from Sunset, Florida?”

Track 2 (Coming Soon)

;;

A/N: I am so so so sorry that I took forever updating! Track 2 is already in the works!

P.S. I had to go back and edit in Intro when Violet realizes she lost her bracelet after TY brought it back to her. She says she remembers stuffing it in her pocket but I changed it. She thinks she must have stuffed it in her pants pocket and it fell.

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letterboxd · 6 years ago

Photo

Humming.

Letterboxd nominates the top ten Tribeca 2019 premieres.

The Tribeca Film Festival has a famously eclectic slate, and the 2019 program continued this tradition in a year in which the festival achieved filmmaker gender parity across its three competitive sections for the first time. Now that the festival has wrapped, we are pleased to highlight the ten feature premieres that made waves amongst our members (and in the general media). See the list here, and read on for all the Letterboxd takes.

Swallow Written and directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis—Winner: Best Actress in a US Narrative Feature Film Haley Bennett, who constantly seems on the verge of a breakout that this film might actually provide her, won the top acting prize at Tribeca for her performance in this drama that sounds like something David Cronenberg forgot to make in the mid-90s. She plays a newly pregnant young woman who starts ingesting dangerous objects. A scene in which she ingests thumbtacks caused a Tribeca attendee to faint. Fair enough. Letterboxd member Bill Bria says the film “starts as a Polanski-esque take on mental illness, and blossoms into a character study of a woman taking control. Carlo Mirabella-Davis has an innate sense of composition, and Haley Bennett is compelling and nuanced.”

House of Hummingbird Written and directed by Kim Bo-ra—Winner: Best International Narrative Feature Film, Best Actress in an International Narrative Feature Film (Park Ji-hu), Best Cinematography in an International Narrative Feature Film (Kang Gook-hyun)

This South Korean film seemed to really grab audiences in its North American premiere at Tribeca, sweeping the International Narrative section at the festival’s awards ceremony. A coming-of-age tale about a teenage girl whose life is impacted by a new teacher, Letterboxd member Tyler Vary implores: “Completely blown away. Please go see this movie whenever you get the chance.”

Buffaloed Directed by Tanya Wexler Second-generation leading lady and Tribeca favorite Zoey Deutch (Flower, Why Him?, the upcoming Zombieland: Double Tap) stars in this film set in the not-often-portrayed world of debt collecting as Peg Dahl, a young woman who takes up the unenviable job of escaping her own debt. The character made a real impact on Letterboxd member nextbestpicture, who enthusiastically describes her as “a hustler, a go-getter, an entrepreneur and a perfect mixture of grit and intellectualism with the occasional vulgarity thrown in. She is a comedic force of nature in this crime film filled with style, wit and humor.”

Something Else Directed by Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella

Co-director Gardner also stars in this elevated indie genre movie that played in Tribeca’s Midnight section. He plays a man dealing with both a break up and a monster. Bill Bria became an instant fan: “Jeremy Gardner and Christian Stella pick up the ‘indie relationship film with horror elements’ baton from producers Benson and Moorhead [who co-directed The Endless] and run with it. Hilarious, insightful, touching, and amazing jump scares. Gardner and Brea Grant hold the screen.”

Blow The Man Down Written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy—Winner: Best Screenplay in a US Narrative Feature Film

The Coen brothers comparisons are coming thick and fast for this drama about two sisters struggling to cover up a crime in a salty Maine fishing village. You had us at “salty”. Letterboxd member AGPerson observed: “Comparable to Fargo and Twin Peaks at times, this thrilling tale is small scale but has the impact of a cannon… packed with a full ensemble cast of women and backed by a great female filmmaking duo, it’s impressive that this serves as a debut.”

Dreamland Directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte

Margot Robbie stars in this period crime drama as an old-timey bank robber on the run who seeks help from an impressionable teenager (Finn Cole). Stalwart Letterboxd member David Ehrlich says, “Joris-Peyrafitte’s expressive direction and Margot Robbie’s sheer force of will are enough to endow the movie’s best moments with the same hope-and-a-prayer immediacy that its heroes take with them as they speed towards the southern border.”

Burning Cane Written and directed by Phillip Youmans—Winner: Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor in a US Narrative Feature Film (Wendell Pierce), Best Cinematography in a US Narrative Feature Film (Phillip Youmans)

The great Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Suits) won the Best Actor award at Tribeca for his performance as a preacher in this searing debut from Youmans, the youngest ever director to play at Tribeca. There remains some debate over the film throughout our member reviews, but there’s no denying it’s made an impact. Danny writes, “Really love this. Youmans takes the Malickian style and does his own thing with it. Haunting and beautiful. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

Plus One Written and directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rymer—Winner: Narrative Audience Award Writer/actor Maya Erskine, currently nailing it in her acclaimed TV series Pen15, and Jack Quaid (son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) co-star as two friends who agree to accompany each other to a series of summer weddings. Audiences seem to be responding to the film’s old school rom-com vibes. Letterboxd member Chris Wilson says it’s “extremely charming and extremely warm and quite funny and Maya Erskine is so good”.

Come To Daddy Directed by Ant Timpson

Timpson, who produced culty horrors such as The ABCs of Death and The Greasy Strangler (and is a film programming legend in his home country of New Zealand) makes his directorial debut with this very dark, comedic thriller about a superficial young man (Elijah Wood) who finds himself facing mortal peril after reuniting with his estranged father (Stephen McHattie). Letterboxd member Cassie Jo Ochoa says it was “a hell of a rollercoaster to watch this particular father/son journey” and described the film as “violent, beautifully composed, decently acted, darkly funny and constantly shocking”. Look out for an interview with Timpson and Wood right here very soon. Meanwhile, read this deeply personal account of Timpson’s filmmaking journey (yes, we’re fans).

You Don’t Nomi Directed by Jeffrey McHale

According to McHale’s multi-faceted documentary, Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 highly addictive mega-flop Showgirls belongs in the holy trinity of campy cult classics alongside Valley of the Dolls and Mommie Dearest. McHale’s film examines the cult that has sprung up around Showgirls, and how it has been embraced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Letterboxd member Derek says it’s a “smart, entertaining, and funny documentary analyzing the fascination with Paul Verhoeven’s [film]”. Keep an eye out for a feature on McHale and the film soon, right here.

#tribeca #tribeca film festival #tribeca 2019 #showgirls #margot robbie #elijah wood #letterboxd

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lindsaynsmith · 7 years ago

Video

vimeo

An OSCAR® qualified "shot-in-one-take" slasher film about a teenage girl who lures a masked killer by committing horror movie sins. "Horror Film, Re-Invented", read the Vimeo Q&A with director Shant Hamassian http://ift.tt/2fjVxbx Buy the song "Dying For Love" http://ift.tt/2dIQdOt 180 FESTIVAL SELECTIONS 50 AWARD WINS Twitter: http://twitter.com/tonightiskiller Facebook: http://ift.tt/2eGHxF4 Website: http://ift.tt/1OwOEgB Written and Directed by Shant Hamassian [email protected] FESTIVALS SXSW Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival - WORLD PREMIERE Fantasmagorical Film Festival - WINNER: BEST OF THE FEST HORROR THROWBACK Here Be Dragons: The Int. New Genre Film Festival Cyprus Comic Con Film4 Frightfest Motor City Nightmares Haunted Halloween Horror Show - WINNER: BEST HORROR SHORT FILM Coney Island Dark Matters Diabolique Int. Film Festival - WINNER: AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - NOMINATED: BEST SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST EDITING Arizona Underground - WINNER: BEST HORROR SHORT Wasteland Film Festival - HONORABLE MENTION: BEST ALTERNATIVE FILM Mile High Horror Film Festival Rue Morgue and Unstable Ground presents Little Terrors Saskatoon Fantastic Popcorn Frights Minneapolis Underground Salty Horror Int. Film Festival - NOMINATED: BEST EDITING Fargo Fantastic Sacramento Horror Freak Show Horror Sunrise Film Festival Spooky Movie International Horror Film Festival SCREAMFEST Ottawa Int. Film Festival Scream in the Dark Film Festival Buffalo Int. Film Festival Maverick Movie Awards - NOMINATED: BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST EDITING Telluride Horror Picture Show La Femme Int. Film Festival Montelupo Fiorentino Int. Independent Film Festival Fear Fete Horror Film Festival - WINNER: BEST HORROR COMEDY, NOMINATED: BEST SHORT, BEST ACTOR Idaho Horror Tulsa American Film Festival Dark Frame Film Festival Fright Night Film Fest Mad Town Horror Film Festival FLICKERS: Rhode Island Int. Film Festival (Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival) Laguna Film Festival - WINNER: BEST HORROR SHORT FILM Orlando Film Festival Puerto Rico Horror San Jose Int. Short Film Festival Dark Frame FirstGlance Film Festival (Philedephia) Celluloid Screams Sheffield Horror Film Festival Knoxville Horror Fest Rugged Phoenix Underground Film Festival - WINNER: BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY NOMINATED: BEST HORROR SHORT, BEST ACTRESS, BEST ACTION Yellow Fever Int. Film Festival European Film Festival Baton Rouge Horror Halloween Horror Picture Show Morbido Fest Lund International Fantastic Film Festival - IN COMPETITION Samain du cinema fantastique Colorado Horror Con and Halloween Twisted Horror Picture Show La Mano Film Festival Cornwall Horror Fest Crystal Palace Int. Film Festival - FINALIST Halloweenapalooza Upstate NY Horror Film Festival Les P’tites Fantastic Film Festival (Poland) San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival Razor Reel Flanders New York City Horror Buffalo Dreams Fantastic ZED FEST Another Hole in the Head St. Louis International Film Festival - IN COMP: FOR BEST NARRATIVE SHORT, OSCAR® CONSIDERATION Terror de Molins Weyauwega Int. Ithaca Int. Fantastic Film Festival - IN COMPETITION: BEST SHORT 30 Dies Festival Arpa Int. Film Festival Martinsville Horror Fest Paris Int. Fantastic Film Festival - IN COMP: BEST SHORT Foyle Film Festival - IN COMP: OSCAR® CONSIDERATION South Carolina Underground Film Festival MAC Horror Film Festival A Night of Horror Monster Fest Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre Horror Film Festival - NOMINATED: BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM, BEST DIRECTOR South Texas Underground Shivers Genre Film Festival Constance PDXtreme - Portland Underground I Filmmaker Int. Film Festival Filmquest Oxford Victoria Tri Cities Irvine International Yubari Chattanooga Nevermore Flatlake Int. Cinemafest Meme Pas Peur Dam Short Film Festival SoCal Film Festival Landshut film festival Panic fest Las Palmas De Gran Canaria INT. Phoenix film festival/int. horror Sci-fi WINNER Sun Valley First Glance Los Angeles Monsterpalooza Days of the Dead fright night theater Brussels Int. Fantastic Cinema and Craft Beer Film Festival Crimson screen Sarasota film festival Gasparilla Cinedelphia Maryland int. film festival Sioux Empire Boston Underground Dark Scream Palm Springs Cellulart shorts Action on Film Rincon Hot Springs Horror Las Vegas Film Festival Northwest Horror Show Deadcenter ScareLA Calgary Horror Con Stuff Film Festival Snake Alley Blue Whiskey Sidewalk The Final Girls Hot Springs Horror Hollyshorts Rome International Film Festival Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest /SLASH South Dakota Film Fest Way Down Film Fest Liked on Vimeo: http://ift.tt/2eRHuFY

#IFTTT #Vimeo #What I'm Watching #The Good Stuff

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sizizi · 5 years ago

Video

vimeo

Knock Knock from Jeff Betancourt on Vimeo.

A short horror film by Jeff Betancourt.

Starring Skyler Vallo, Galadriel Stineman, Danielle Savre and Zoe Lister.

2015 SXSW Midnight Madness Short Film Competition 2015 Dallas International Film Festival 2015 SoCal Creative & Innovative Film Festival - WINNER BEST HORROR 2015 Incredifest - WINNER BEST SHORT, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST ACTRESS 2015 International Horror Hotel - WINNER BEST SHORT/BEST OVERALL FILM, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

2014 Big Easy International Film Festival - WINNER BEST HORROR SHORT FILM 2104 California International Film Festival - WINNER BEST NARRATIVE SHORT 2014 Williamsburg Independent Film Festival - WINNER AUDIENCE APPRECIATION AWARD 2015 Los Angeles Short Film Festival - WINNER BEST HORROR SHORT 2014 RIP Horror Film Festival - WINNER BEST SHORT FILM 2015 Taos Short Film Festival 2014 Irvine International Film Festival 2015 Beverly Hills Short Festival 2015 Indie Horror Fest 2014 Macabre Faire Film Festival 2014 Toronto International Short Film Festival 2014 Mile High Horror Fest 2014 Chicago Reel Shorts Fest 2014 Halloweenapolooza 5 2014 Spooky Movie Fest 2014 Salty Horror International Fest 2014 Knoxville Film Festival 2014 Fargo Fantastic Fest 2014 Dark Scream Festival 2014 NYC Horror Film Festival 2014 Tucson Terrorfest 2014 Drunken Zombie Film Festival 2015 New Jersey Film Festival

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adambstingus · 7 years ago

Text

14 food festivals that show how serious America is about food

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Celebrating food is an American pastime. Nobody does bizarre food festivals quite like the U.S. of A.

From biscuits to chicken wings to garlic, there is (almost guaranteed) a festival for your favorite food somewhere across the country.

So get ready because we proclaim this summer the summer of food.

Image: Mashable composite, TOLOLA / ISTOCKPHOTO / GETTY IMAGES, joeylaxsalinas on instagram, chuck_stopson instagram, JOHN NORMILE / GETTY IMAGES

Camp Bacon in Ann Arbor, Michigan

June 1-5, 2016

Five whole days of nothing but bacon. Seriously. The event draws bacon fans, bacon makers, journalists, sociologists (apparently), chefs, culinary historians and journalists.

Camp Bacon is coming! Join us June 1-5, 2016 for a five-day celebration of great pork. #bacon #campbacon #baconlovers #baconevents #ilovebacon #foodie #annarborfoodie #yum This event is a fundraiser for @southernfoodways and @washtenaw4hmi. Please visit our website to reserve your seat and for more information: http://zcob.me/campbacon

A photo posted by Zingermans Community (@zingermanscommunity) on Apr 7, 2016 at 10:19am PDT

There’s a bacon street fair, a bacon ball withbacon, ham and prosciutto as appetizers and even a culinary film festival.

Egg Festival in Mentone, Indiana

June 2-4, 2016

Put all your eggs in one basket at a whole festival dedicated to the incredible, edible egg.

What a beautiful day for some sightseeing! #summer2015 #mentone #mentoneegg #cantthinkofanomeletjoke

A photo posted by Colleen Steffen (@midwest_magpie) on Jun 18, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

Every year,Mentone “Egg City” whips up a weekend of entertainment that includes a parade, car show, something called the “Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster” contest and an egg toss.

Strawberry Festival in Lebanon, Oregon

June 2-5, 2016

This year is the 107th annual strawberry festival in Oregon. The weekend-long extravaganza comes complete with obscure world record: The world’s largest strawberry shortcake.

Image: tolola / iStockphoto /GETTY IMAGES

The 5,700 pound shortcake which feeds over 15,000 attendees is paraded through Lebanon every year and is the main draw of the festival.

Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana

June 4-5, 2016

Raw oysters at the New Orleans Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Image: kim welsh /offbeat magazine / flickr

The salty gem of the sea should be celebrated all-year round. Luckily, New Orleans has taken the helm for the first weekend in June.

The two-day festival includes a shucking contest, cooking demonstrations, “eating championship” and plenty of live music this is New Orleans, after all.

Celebrate the oyster with some lemon or hot sauce or just enjoy its salty brine, you brazen oyster fiend.

Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester, Kentucky

June 11, 2016

A Hot Mess. {beer cheese, cheddar cheese, pepperoni, bacon, grippos…all grilled up} #sharethlex #winchester #beercheesefestival #nomz

A photo posted by Love, Lexington (@love_lexington) on Jun 14, 2014 at 9:11am PDT

Few foods are as mysterious and arcane as the legendary Beer Cheese. Is it alcohol? Is it dairy? Is it both?

However you classify it, go and celebrate it in Kentuckywith a blind taste test, live music and endless inspiration to add beer cheese to every single meal from now on.

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan

July 2-9, 2016

In a few short months, everyone will be talking about cherries. @downtown_tc @traversecitytourism @cherryfestival #tcmi #cherryfestival #cherry #cherries #puremichigan #michigan #northernmichigan #upnorth

A photo posted by Joey Lax-Salinas (@joeylaxsalinas) on Feb 2, 2016 at 11:22am PST

Few things announce the arrival of summer better than when the grocery store produce aisles transform with an abundance of cherries.

Parade through an endless stream of the nation’s best cherries at the National Cherry Festivalin Michigan. The festival is over a century old and comes with a century of traditions, like the crowning of the Cherry Queen and the “blessing of the blossoms.”

It won’t be the pits.

Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida

July 9-10, 2016

Varieties of mangoes are displayed at the 18th Annual Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida, on July 7, 2010. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)

Image: MCT via Getty Images

A mango brunch, lectures, demonstrations and mango vendors round out this weekend-long celebration of the “King of Tropical Fruit.”

This year’s festival will be the 24th annual at Coral Gables Botanical Garden. For those inspired by the mango bounty, the garden will sell mango trees and provide lessons to ensure a fruitful tree-growing experience.

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival in Atlanta, Georgia

July 17, 2016

Image: killer tomato fest

There are cult movies and then there is Attack of the Killer Tomato.

The 1978 horror musical spoof is so beloved it spawned an unexpected food festival(and surprisingly catchy theme song).

Tomatoes appear in practically every dish, drink and carnival ride at the festival. And on top of a fun theme, the event raises money for Georgia Organics, a nonprofit working to connect Georgia residents with organic produce.

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival in Shelburne, Vermont

July 17, 2016

Sampling a familiar favorite at @vtcheesefest – the Farmers’ Legacy Collection from @cabotcheese! #vtcheesefest #CHEESE #yankeemagazine

A photo posted by Aimee Seavey (@aimeeseavey) on Jul 19, 2015 at 8:37am PDT

There are a few things that Vermont takes very seriously: asserting its differences from New Hampshire, maple syrup and cheddar cheese.

The state has the highest number of cheesemakers per capita and over one weekend in July, they all convene in Shelburne to celebrate their craft.

Festival attendees can partake in a cheesemaking demonstration, cheddar tasting course and endless cheese samples.

Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California

July 29-31, 2016

People lined up to buy garlic ice cream at the 2007 Garlic Festival, Gilroy, California.

Image: Mardis Coers / getty images

The Gilroy Garlic Festival rated their top 10 attractions so all attendees know exactly how to prioritize their schedules for the weekend.

While “free garlic ice cream” would be the number one attraction at any other festival, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival the main draw is Gourmet Alleywhere “pyro chefs” set garlicky foods on fire and put on an elaborate, flambeed spectacle.

Lobster Festival in Rockport, Maine

August 3-7, 2016

The Great Maine Lobster Eating Contest, 2011.

Image: Gordon Chibroski / Portland Press Herald / Getty Images

Maine Lobster Fest is the stuff of legend. The state has celebrated its top export in Rockport every year since 1947.

There is, of course, a lobster-eating contest, but plenty of other unexpected activities like an art show, “Sea Goddess Coronation,” pancake breakfast and parade.

Attendees can try their luck at the Great International Lobster Crate Race. The winner for the past two years has been an eight-year-old boy who ran on 3,000 wooden lobster crates across the Maine coastline.

Hot Dog Festival in Chicago, Illinois

August 5-7, 2016

Chicago Hot Dog Festival @ChubbyWieners Stand Half of a Chicago Style Wiener Half of a Back Yard Wiener – smoked bacon over country style potato salad & spicy chipotle aioli Half of a Southwest Wiener – spicy chipotle chili mayo topped with French fried onions #chicago #chicagodog #chubbywieners #saturday #chicagohotdogfest #hotdogfest #hotdog #lotsofwieners #wienerseverywhere

A photo posted by @chuck_stops on Aug 8, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

It may just be a tube of unidentifiable meat smushed in some bread, but the hot dog’s topping possibilities are endless.

Every year, the Chicago History Museum hosts an event around the food and its thousand iterations.

The museum hosts lectures by “the citys top hot dog historians and restaurateurs,” with plenty of additional activities for dogs and kids.

Ice Cream Festival in Austin, Texas

August 13, 2016

Image: that other paper / flickr

Ice cream and summer go together like summer and ice cream.

Austin’s Ice Cream Fest celebrates the most refreshing dessert of the summer with trucks, stalls and a popsicle stick sculpture contest.

I scream! You scream! We all eat too much ice cream and regret it the rest of the day!

Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York

September 3-4, 2016

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Every year, the baseball stadium in downtown Buffalo is taken over by rabid wing fans, looking to sample the best of this year’s wings.

Restaurants come from all over the country to compete in “The Superbowl of Chicken Wings” and competitive eaters show up to see who can eat the most of them.

And don’t call them “Buffalo Wings” unless you want a lecture about how they’re just called “wings” here.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/14-food-festivals-that-show-how-serious-america-is-about-food/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/170638674597

0 notes

samanthasroberts · 7 years ago

Text

14 food festivals that show how serious America is about food

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Celebrating food is an American pastime. Nobody does bizarre food festivals quite like the U.S. of A.

From biscuits to chicken wings to garlic, there is (almost guaranteed) a festival for your favorite food somewhere across the country.

So get ready because we proclaim this summer the summer of food.

Image: Mashable composite, TOLOLA / ISTOCKPHOTO / GETTY IMAGES, joeylaxsalinas on instagram, chuck_stopson instagram, JOHN NORMILE / GETTY IMAGES

Camp Bacon in Ann Arbor, Michigan

June 1-5, 2016

Five whole days of nothing but bacon. Seriously. The event draws bacon fans, bacon makers, journalists, sociologists (apparently), chefs, culinary historians and journalists.

A photo posted by Zingermans Community (@zingermanscommunity) on Apr 7, 2016 at 10:19am PDT

There’s a bacon street fair, a bacon ball withbacon, ham and prosciutto as appetizers and even a culinary film festival.

Egg Festival in Mentone, Indiana

June 2-4, 2016

Put all your eggs in one basket at a whole festival dedicated to the incredible, edible egg.

What a beautiful day for some sightseeing! #summer2015 #mentone #mentoneegg #cantthinkofanomeletjoke

A photo posted by Colleen Steffen (@midwest_magpie) on Jun 18, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

Every year,Mentone “Egg City” whips up a weekend of entertainment that includes a parade, car show, something called the “Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster” contest and an egg toss.

Strawberry Festival in Lebanon, Oregon

June 2-5, 2016

This year is the 107th annual strawberry festival in Oregon. The weekend-long extravaganza comes complete with obscure world record: The world’s largest strawberry shortcake.

Image: tolola / iStockphoto /GETTY IMAGES

The 5,700 pound shortcake which feeds over 15,000 attendees is paraded through Lebanon every year and is the main draw of the festival.

Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana

June 4-5, 2016

Raw oysters at the New Orleans Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Image: kim welsh /offbeat magazine / flickr

The salty gem of the sea should be celebrated all-year round. Luckily, New Orleans has taken the helm for the first weekend in June.

The two-day festival includes a shucking contest, cooking demonstrations, “eating championship” and plenty of live music this is New Orleans, after all.

Celebrate the oyster with some lemon or hot sauce or just enjoy its salty brine, you brazen oyster fiend.

Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester, Kentucky

June 11, 2016

A Hot Mess. {beer cheese, cheddar cheese, pepperoni, bacon, grippos…all grilled up} #sharethlex #winchester #beercheesefestival #nomz

A photo posted by Love, Lexington (@love_lexington) on Jun 14, 2014 at 9:11am PDT

Few foods are as mysterious and arcane as the legendary Beer Cheese. Is it alcohol? Is it dairy? Is it both?

However you classify it, go and celebrate it in Kentuckywith a blind taste test, live music and endless inspiration to add beer cheese to every single meal from now on.

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan

July 2-9, 2016

A photo posted by Joey Lax-Salinas (@joeylaxsalinas) on Feb 2, 2016 at 11:22am PST

Few things announce the arrival of summer better than when the grocery store produce aisles transform with an abundance of cherries.

It won’t be the pits.

Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida

July 9-10, 2016

Varieties of mangoes are displayed at the 18th Annual Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida, on July 7, 2010. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)

Image: MCT via Getty Images

A mango brunch, lectures, demonstrations and mango vendors round out this weekend-long celebration of the “King of Tropical Fruit.”

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival in Atlanta, Georgia

July 17, 2016

Image: killer tomato fest

There are cult movies and then there is Attack of the Killer Tomato.

The 1978 horror musical spoof is so beloved it spawned an unexpected food festival(and surprisingly catchy theme song).

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival in Shelburne, Vermont

July 17, 2016

Sampling a familiar favorite at @vtcheesefest – the Farmers’ Legacy Collection from @cabotcheese! #vtcheesefest #CHEESE #yankeemagazine

A photo posted by Aimee Seavey (@aimeeseavey) on Jul 19, 2015 at 8:37am PDT

There are a few things that Vermont takes very seriously: asserting its differences from New Hampshire, maple syrup and cheddar cheese.

The state has the highest number of cheesemakers per capita and over one weekend in July, they all convene in Shelburne to celebrate their craft.

Festival attendees can partake in a cheesemaking demonstration, cheddar tasting course and endless cheese samples.

Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California

July 29-31, 2016

People lined up to buy garlic ice cream at the 2007 Garlic Festival, Gilroy, California.

Image: Mardis Coers / getty images

The Gilroy Garlic Festival rated their top 10 attractions so all attendees know exactly how to prioritize their schedules for the weekend.

Lobster Festival in Rockport, Maine

August 3-7, 2016

The Great Maine Lobster Eating Contest, 2011.

Image: Gordon Chibroski / Portland Press Herald / Getty Images

Maine Lobster Fest is the stuff of legend. The state has celebrated its top export in Rockport every year since 1947.

There is, of course, a lobster-eating contest, but plenty of other unexpected activities like an art show, “Sea Goddess Coronation,” pancake breakfast and parade.

Hot Dog Festival in Chicago, Illinois

August 5-7, 2016

A photo posted by @chuck_stops on Aug 8, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

It may just be a tube of unidentifiable meat smushed in some bread, but the hot dog’s topping possibilities are endless.

Every year, the Chicago History Museum hosts an event around the food and its thousand iterations.

The museum hosts lectures by “the citys top hot dog historians and restaurateurs,” with plenty of additional activities for dogs and kids.

Ice Cream Festival in Austin, Texas

August 13, 2016

Image: that other paper / flickr

Ice cream and summer go together like summer and ice cream.

Austin’s Ice Cream Fest celebrates the most refreshing dessert of the summer with trucks, stalls and a popsicle stick sculpture contest.

I scream! You scream! We all eat too much ice cream and regret it the rest of the day!

Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York

September 3-4, 2016

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Every year, the baseball stadium in downtown Buffalo is taken over by rabid wing fans, looking to sample the best of this year’s wings.

Restaurants come from all over the country to compete in “The Superbowl of Chicken Wings” and competitive eaters show up to see who can eat the most of them.

And don’t call them “Buffalo Wings” unless you want a lecture about how they’re just called “wings” here.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Source: http://allofbeer.com/14-food-festivals-that-show-how-serious-america-is-about-food/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/14-food-festivals-that-show-how-serious-america-is-about-food/

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allofbeercom · 7 years ago

Text

14 food festivals that show how serious America is about food

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Celebrating food is an American pastime. Nobody does bizarre food festivals quite like the U.S. of A.

From biscuits to chicken wings to garlic, there is (almost guaranteed) a festival for your favorite food somewhere across the country.

So get ready because we proclaim this summer the summer of food.

Image: Mashable composite, TOLOLA / ISTOCKPHOTO / GETTY IMAGES, joeylaxsalinas on instagram, chuck_stopson instagram, JOHN NORMILE / GETTY IMAGES

Camp Bacon in Ann Arbor, Michigan

June 1-5, 2016

Five whole days of nothing but bacon. Seriously. The event draws bacon fans, bacon makers, journalists, sociologists (apparently), chefs, culinary historians and journalists.

A photo posted by Zingermans Community (@zingermanscommunity) on Apr 7, 2016 at 10:19am PDT

There’s a bacon street fair, a bacon ball withbacon, ham and prosciutto as appetizers and even a culinary film festival.

Egg Festival in Mentone, Indiana

June 2-4, 2016

Put all your eggs in one basket at a whole festival dedicated to the incredible, edible egg.

What a beautiful day for some sightseeing! #summer2015 #mentone #mentoneegg #cantthinkofanomeletjoke

A photo posted by Colleen Steffen (@midwest_magpie) on Jun 18, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

Every year,Mentone “Egg City” whips up a weekend of entertainment that includes a parade, car show, something called the “Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster” contest and an egg toss.

Strawberry Festival in Lebanon, Oregon

June 2-5, 2016

This year is the 107th annual strawberry festival in Oregon. The weekend-long extravaganza comes complete with obscure world record: The world’s largest strawberry shortcake.

Image: tolola / iStockphoto /GETTY IMAGES

The 5,700 pound shortcake which feeds over 15,000 attendees is paraded through Lebanon every year and is the main draw of the festival.

Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana

June 4-5, 2016

Raw oysters at the New Orleans Oyster Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Image: kim welsh /offbeat magazine / flickr

The salty gem of the sea should be celebrated all-year round. Luckily, New Orleans has taken the helm for the first weekend in June.

The two-day festival includes a shucking contest, cooking demonstrations, “eating championship” and plenty of live music this is New Orleans, after all.

Celebrate the oyster with some lemon or hot sauce or just enjoy its salty brine, you brazen oyster fiend.

Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester, Kentucky

June 11, 2016

A Hot Mess. {beer cheese, cheddar cheese, pepperoni, bacon, grippos…all grilled up} #sharethlex #winchester #beercheesefestival #nomz

A photo posted by Love, Lexington (@love_lexington) on Jun 14, 2014 at 9:11am PDT

Few foods are as mysterious and arcane as the legendary Beer Cheese. Is it alcohol? Is it dairy? Is it both?

However you classify it, go and celebrate it in Kentuckywith a blind taste test, live music and endless inspiration to add beer cheese to every single meal from now on.

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan

July 2-9, 2016

In a few short months, everyone will be talking about cherries.

@downtown_tc @traversecitytourism @cherryfestival #tcmi #cherryfestival #cherry #cherries #puremichigan #michigan #northernmichigan #upnorth

A photo posted by Joey Lax-Salinas (@joeylaxsalinas) on Feb 2, 2016 at 11:22am PST

Few things announce the arrival of summer better than when the grocery store produce aisles transform with an abundance of cherries.

It won’t be the pits.

Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida

July 9-10, 2016

Varieties of mangoes are displayed at the 18th Annual Mango Festival in Coral Gables, Florida, on July 7, 2010. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)

Image: MCT via Getty Images

A mango brunch, lectures, demonstrations and mango vendors round out this weekend-long celebration of the “King of Tropical Fruit.”

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival in Atlanta, Georgia

July 17, 2016

Image: killer tomato fest

There are cult movies and then there is Attack of the Killer Tomato.

The 1978 horror musical spoof is so beloved it spawned an unexpected food festival(and surprisingly catchy theme song).

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival in Shelburne, Vermont

July 17, 2016

Sampling a familiar favorite at @vtcheesefest – the Farmers’ Legacy Collection from @cabotcheese! #vtcheesefest #CHEESE #yankeemagazine

A photo posted by Aimee Seavey (@aimeeseavey) on Jul 19, 2015 at 8:37am PDT

There are a few things that Vermont takes very seriously: asserting its differences from New Hampshire, maple syrup and cheddar cheese.

The state has the highest number of cheesemakers per capita and over one weekend in July, they all convene in Shelburne to celebrate their craft.

Festival attendees can partake in a cheesemaking demonstration, cheddar tasting course and endless cheese samples.

Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California

July 29-31, 2016

People lined up to buy garlic ice cream at the 2007 Garlic Festival, Gilroy, California.

Image: Mardis Coers / getty images

The Gilroy Garlic Festival rated their top 10 attractions so all attendees know exactly how to prioritize their schedules for the weekend.

Lobster Festival in Rockport, Maine

August 3-7, 2016

The Great Maine Lobster Eating Contest, 2011.

Image: Gordon Chibroski / Portland Press Herald / Getty Images

Maine Lobster Fest is the stuff of legend. The state has celebrated its top export in Rockport every year since 1947.

There is, of course, a lobster-eating contest, but plenty of other unexpected activities like an art show, “Sea Goddess Coronation,” pancake breakfast and parade.

Hot Dog Festival in Chicago, Illinois

August 5-7, 2016

A photo posted by @chuck_stops on Aug 8, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

It may just be a tube of unidentifiable meat smushed in some bread, but the hot dog’s topping possibilities are endless.

Every year, the Chicago History Museum hosts an event around the food and its thousand iterations.

The museum hosts lectures by “the citys top hot dog historians and restaurateurs,” with plenty of additional activities for dogs and kids.

Ice Cream Festival in Austin, Texas

August 13, 2016

Image: that other paper / flickr

Ice cream and summer go together like summer and ice cream.

Austin’s Ice Cream Fest celebrates the most refreshing dessert of the summer with trucks, stalls and a popsicle stick sculpture contest.

I scream! You scream! We all eat too much ice cream and regret it the rest of the day!

Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York

September 3-4, 2016

Competetive eaters compete in the national chicken wing eating contest in Buffalo, New York.

Image: John Normile / Getty Images

Every year, the baseball stadium in downtown Buffalo is taken over by rabid wing fans, looking to sample the best of this year’s wings.

Restaurants come from all over the country to compete in “The Superbowl of Chicken Wings” and competitive eaters show up to see who can eat the most of them.

And don’t call them “Buffalo Wings” unless you want a lecture about how they’re just called “wings” here.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/14-food-festivals-that-show-how-serious-america-is-about-food/

0 notes