#show me whitby

[mountainmagpie]

Begging HBO Max and the creators of Scavengers Reign to make an adaptation of the Southern Reach trilogy.

[yallemagne]

Then, too, Lucy, although she is so well, has lately taken to her old habit of walking in her sleep. Her mother has spoken to me about it, and we have decided that I am to lock the door of our room every night. Mrs. Westenra has got an idea that sleep-walkers always go out on roofs of houses and along the edges of cliffs and then get suddenly wakened and fall over with a despairing cry that echoes all over the place. Poor dear, she is naturally anxious about Lucy, and she tells me that her husband, Lucy's father, had the same habit; that he would get up in the night and dress himself and go out, if he were not stopped. Lucy is to be married in the autumn, and she is already planning out her dresses and how her house is to be arranged. I sympathise with her, for I do the same, only Jonathan and I will start in life in a very simple way, and shall have to try to make both ends meet. Mr. Holmwood—he is the Hon. Arthur Holmwood, only son of Lord Godalming—is coming up here very shortly—as soon as he can leave town, for his father is not very well, and I think dear Lucy is counting the moments till he comes. She wants to take him up to the seat on the churchyard cliff and show him the beauty of Whitby. I daresay it is the waiting which disturbs her; she will be all right when he arrives.

Lucy has inherited sleepwalking from her late father. She has sleepwalked before now, it is an old habit of hers. Dracula is nowhere near the coast of Whitby nor does he know who the fuck Lucy is.

THE SLEEPWALKING IS NOT CAUSED BY FUCKING DRACULA.

Stop, that's literally the excuse used by shitty adaptation writers who shorten the story down for the sake of convenience. And you may ask them, well, why is Dracula trying to make Lucy, a young lady he doesn't even know, sleepwalk to him from so far away, adaptation writers? THE ANSWER THEY ALWAYS GIVE IS "well, she's a slut, he can sense that she's a slut, he's trying to get at her to punish her for her transgressions and get to his pure reincarnated wife uwu."

IN THE BOOK SHE IS LITERALLY JUST A SLEEPWALKER IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DRACULA RIGHT NOW.

Do you think that when she sleepwalked years ago as a child that was also Dracula??? Was her father sleepwalking to Dracula as well?? She is stressed about the future and her restlessness has caused her to start sleepwalking again. She dreams of showing Arthur the view from the churchyard, so she tries to go there in her sleep.

Please I swear to god when you lean into the whole "Dracula has a vendetta against Lucy and has made her a sleepwalker in order to hunt her down and punish her", it's victim-blaming and doesn't even make sense in the context of the novel.

sorry if this comes off aggressive, but I'm just like grrr I'm like rrr no fuck you Coppola get off my dick.

[bluecatwriter]

One day on shore, and Dracula immediately kills Mina's first Whitby friend...

Yeah... :( :( :(

This got me thinking about how, even before either of them knows of the other's existence, Mina and Dracula are the arch-nemeses of the story.

Dracula locks up and torments Mina's fiancée— then kills new friend— then kills her best friend— then shows up to confront her face to face, delivers a banger villain monologue, and inflicts a horrific wound on her, which kicks off a battle of wills and minds that continues right up to the end of the novel.

The only "Dracula and Mina are fated for each other" plotline I can handle is "they are fated to be enemies."

[simp-ly-writes]

Suits, Ties, and Thus Spy's (pt.2)

Pairing: Spy!Task Force 141 x Handler!Reader

Summary: The boys get suited up and training begins but as fate would have it, Whitby is keen on keeping your attention or rather making you gain more grey hairs as a mission goes south. Now having to take the task force out of training early, you can only help that under your guidance- they all make it back out alive.

Warnings: light swearing and teasing. A/N: hope you guys enjoy this next part! Masterlist | Taglist | edited.

Your design team and weapons master come through the door moments later, each coming up to press a kiss against your cheek in greeting as you do your best to not go pink with the jealous displays your team is already portraying to the new recruits. Pulling Head Tailor Jason down by his tie, you hiss in his ear, “do NOT mess this up for me, please” you add sweetly at the end before letting him go and displaying your smile once more for the crowd. 

A series of assistants soon come from the secret back entrance, large on-wheel displays of shoes, watches and premade suits waiting to be tailored sit in wait as Jason nods twice, shuffling his tie from your outburst as he clears his throat, all eyes moving to cast upon his next words. “Afternoon recruits. I am the head tailor, Mr. Jason Carlisle. My associate Doctor Charlotte Derby who serves as our weapons master alongside my assistants Thomas and Evan will be serving you today.”

“And with that!” you start to say just as Jason raises an eyebrow, a missed call from Whitby being pinged to your phone takes your priority, “I will have to make my departure early for today, apologies- truly but you are in good hands I assure you. Laswell I expect a report in my inbox by the end of the day, thank you all.” Removing your fake earrings for your communications headset left in your briefcase set upon the desk. You shake each task force members hand with a firm grip before kissing Kate's cheek goodbye as you race back to your desk. 

--

Johnny leans towards Kyle who watches you leave, leather shoes ticking against the marble floors as the elevator chimes and you are out of sight. “Where do you think they are headed?” Kyle merely shrugs in response, curious as well but holds any further thoughts as Mr. Carlisle has them all stand in a row as his assistants measure their proportions, check their eye colours and hold up various fabrics for them to feel. 

Their hands work like a well oil machine as Jason camly states orders while moving up and down the line, not looking a singular man in the eye as he pinpoints miniscule details and chooses accessories best suited for the upcoming training season with the new gear. 

Coming to stand in front of “Ghost” as Jason had been told in the notes, he had a special request to keep some form of mask. “Ghost is it?” Jason asks, eyeing the man's response- only to receive a singular nod. “About the mask dear, we have many options some more subtle than others but your comfort in the field is my sole priority under this position.” Jason snaps his fingers as Thomas comes running up, a box in hand that houses various forms of technology sat in velvet. “We can graft a digital face to cover your own, no one would be able to see your true identity unless you allowed them to or… if you like the…” his hand waves over the skull and bones patterns found throughout the man's combat attire. “Agent of death composition, we can keep the balaclava but place a more matte design for on-field missions. Now I must state that the second option might limit your position and the missions you will be assigned to but that is up to you to decide, sir.”

Ghost looks towards John who is begging man-handled by Evan at the end of the line, various fabrics thrown over his shoulder as they complain about accentuating his features the right amount. Kyle is tensing beyond relief as the Doctor shows the various weapons hidden throughout his attire, shivering in realization of how he almost impaled himself when a knife appeared from his wrist watch. Johnny was bright eyed, practically jumping around in his new suit, punching a mannequin in the corner- amazed how the design allowed him flexibility while being bulletproof. “I’m keeping the mask,” Simon states in a monotone towards the Tailor. Jason claps his hands together, murmuring a “good choice, sir,” before dressing him in a black suit with silver detailings. 

Taking a step back, hours had passed before Jason was happy with each man's look as Laswell with a thoughtful smile across her features, hands drifting over the fabric of her own suit as she went through a similar experience all those years ago. Doctor Charlotte Derby addressed the room after receiving confirmation from the tailor and the group followed her out towards the training rooms. White marble soon transitioned to modern soundproof walls and black rubber floors that housed various maps upon them. 

Walking past gym after gym, the boys were aghast to seeing the brutal training happening in each room- it looked like torture. From rehearsed waterboarding survival classes, crafting found-object masks to survive gas filled rooms or water-filled ones. It was nightmarish at times yet each agent held a proper smile of confidence as they navigated through each issue. 

'`Will we be attempting the same, Doctor?’ John asks, trying to hide his slight concern for his task force as he looks towards Laswell for guidance. She offers him only a blank face, her own memories resurfacing. Even though she never had to go through the training, she bore witness to you going though each trial in order to gain the title you hold today. Kate remembers your screams, your broken-noses and blue-skin. But she would trust you more than anyone she ever would know to save her no matter the situation. 

Charlotte looks back over her shoulder, only shrugging as she continues to walk and swipes her card to reveal you, still taking through your headset as you worked your way through three junior agents, burning them to the floor in seconds as they tapped for air. Wiping your forehead with some nearby towels, you smile towards the group just as Whitby whines for your attention to his mission once more. 

“Whitby darling, I know you enjoy hearing my voice whispering in your ear but I am not your handler for this mission… yes, yes-I understand mr. But-nothing. Alright Whitby, I am hanging up now, kisses! Yes I am, grow a pair-” you end up growling at the end before ripping your headset off and standing beside the Doctor. 

“You really have to reel that man of yours back in,” Charlotte states while looking over her nails, throwing a water bottle towards the rookies still catching their breaths on the mats as she hands you your gun back. Casting her a tight smile, “a conversation to be held later, apologies again,” you address the group, “I have a few agents out on the field currently that need my attention every now and then, you all will understand in time,” you charismatically chuckle after before stripping off your suit jacket, laying it flat across a steel table as you roll your sleeves up to your elbows. 

The task force seemingly in a daze for your slight change in appearance has Charlotte clearing her throat and rolling her eyes, “you better not start those eyes,” she begins while pressing a pair of safely glasses to her face, handing each member a pair of their own before signalling the rookies to make their way back to training. “Have another four members to compete with for her attention, don’t want any in team fighting when you are here trying to steal them away in more ways than one.”

“Charlotte,” you criticize with a scoff before loading your gun, shivering with a smile to the satisfying click, “you all look handsome in your new suits, Jason did well as usual.” They each nod in conformation, Price finds himself in navy blue with neutral brown tones of shoes and a belt. Simon of course wears all black as Kyle wears a maroon ensemble. Johnny sports lovely charcoal grey pieces that have you making a mental check note to request another suit in a similar colour-way. “Now, Charlotte and I will continue to show you the various… safety features implemented into your new uniforms.” 

Clicking your shoes together, a blade extends from the toe just as you repeat the actions to hide the blade once more as you comment, “Poison tipped blade in there, one good lick and anyone would be seeing the pearly gates.” The men copy your actions as the all take an extra wide step away from one another. “Of course our ties as well,” your hand drifts up your chest and towards the knot, “great for choking out an attacker,” you wink at Laswell while saying this as she chokes, whispering about her wife as you throw your head back laughing as she soon does the same. 

Walking back over to your suit jacket, you feel around for your fountain pen inside before walking down the line, presenting them with the object for them to hold. Taking the pen back out of Simon's gloved hands you click it thrice in quick succession that extends a small pill at the top. “In case of emergency, this will kill you as well,” you add in a sweet, sarcastic tone. “But I will do my best to make sure it never comes down to that,” you add once seeing the concerned faces looking at you and Charlotte. 

“Now,” you smirk, turning your shoulder slightly before whipping your arm around, a blade emerging from between the fabrics of your suit as its flies in between Johnny and Kyle's head, their shoulders tensing, eyes wincing before letting out a breath of relief. “You really think I would try and kill you guys off that quickly?” you tease, receiving no response as you click your tongue, skating your head as Charlotte begins to go over the various guns they will have on their person depending on the mission. 

Picking up your custom engraved glock that your first handler gave to you upon promotion, you traced your fingers over the rides before taking aim at one of the targets at the back of the room. Each shot landing at the centre of the head, between the eyes as you flicked back on the safety and placed the barrel on the back of your waistband. A series of small claps go around the room as you turn to bow just as Charlotte hands each of them a weapon of their own. You both stand at the back, taking notes alongside Laswell to their techniques, strengths and weaknesses. 

Your phone rings as you curse out, ‘What Whitby?!” you cry out, they merely clear their throat before answering your question as you look towards the ceiling, patience wearing thin, “I am currently being shot at Handler! I need some assistance pronto~” he sing songs out as you look towards the line of men who have their backs still turned to you. “Give me 15 minutes,” is all your state before starting up a new call with Handler Jacobs, “Okay Jay, what fucking game are you playing at- get a hold of your agents before I get a hold of you- is that clear?” you state with utmost vice, your words like blades in pleasure in hearing him wince at your tone. 

“Of course, Handler D… I would not want to become part of your name's history,” he replies, shuffling of various papers easily heard from the otherside as they grip their desk in a panic, Samantha shouting from down the hall as an agent comes running into the headquarters, clearly injured and lacking the presence of another certain agent. 

“Fantastic.” You end the call soon afterwards, not wanting to hear another word as you put your hand up and Charlotte signals for everyone to unload their gun and set them upon the table to be cleaned. “It appears that you will be testing out everything you learned sooner than I expected. Do not disappoint me in making this decision.” 

“Yes, Handler” is sung throughout the space as you nod your head in approval before they trail behind you and towards your office where Jacobs anxiously awaits your presence. Palms sweating as they understand the hole they have dug themselves into. “I don’t wish to see your face Jacobs-” you state as they rush out the room, tail in between their legs as Samantha soon follows, not wishing to witness your wrath. 

Handing each task force member a small chip to set in their ear. You test communications before using your desk phone to request a vehicle at the back of the store. The Task force looks between one another, nervous for your next move. Pulling out a drawer from your desk, a series of labelled envelopes meet their eyes as you pull out four and press them gently into each of their pockets. “Inside these packages are any unique identifications that may be requested on the designated location, arrival time is set for 30 minutes from now where you will be meeting up with Agent Whitby, top of the division and you will respect each other. I will hear nothing from either side and on that note, you are all to find and destroy the fake artifacts pictured inside the envelope. I will be live on communications alongside Handler Jacobs if you have any questions, conversions or need for immediate evac. If communications do go down, Whitby will be there to assist your team as he is being briefed currently- is that clear?”

Laswell nods her head for the group who are seemingly entranced by your sudden calmness as you sip the fresh tea at your desk, making yet another mental note to thank Samantha when this mission was over for the drink. Clapping your hands to your knees, Charlotte comes running in, keys in hand as she states the car and model they are to drive. Sending Laswell a smirk in reassurance, you all watch as they make their way back upstairs for the festivities to start. 

Just as John is last to leave the room, you call out, halting him in his steps, “and do insure John-darling, that all equipment used today is back unscuffed.” He sends you a thumbs up before jogging back down the hall to catch up as you fall back into your chair and press your finger to the scanner. The room soon closes into security measures as a table emerges at the centre of the room, casting a 3D projection of the building and street they would be infiltrating. 

Your fingertip casts over the top of Whitby's head, you watch as he moves up and down the halls with elegance. Shoving suits of armour into unsuspecting guards heads while silencing their screams by kicking their faces into the plush rugs below. “And so the fun begins…”

↳ Taglist: @thriving-n-jiving @cringeycookies @lilliumrorum @brokenpieces-72 @ashy-kit @notsaelty @hindi-si-ikay @sleepyycatt

[immediatebreakfast]

Dear Lucy, she is so kind. Her first entry since months after those horrible nights in Whitby where dreams, and reality were blurred in a dreaded trance of sleeping in pain.

Seeing Lucy being so eager to help Seward makes me think of how she puts her own well being over the wants, and needs of other people. Yet, this time is different, it even writes different than before, this time we see Lucy step up to the role of a full hostess towards Seward the second she noticed his sleep deprived state. It was a delight to read.

"No sitting up to-night for you. You are worn out. I am quite well again; indeed, I am; and if there is to be any sitting up, it is I who will sit up with you." 

Lucy was commanding, she was asertive, she didn't miss a single beat of how to handle the situation without the help of Mina, or maybe her mother. Lucy instructed Jack what to do as she talked to him with invigorating energy like she had done this a million times, she even prepared a full contingency plan to keep Jack in contact with her even when they are in separate rooms.

It's like Lucy was waiting for an opportunity like this to show up, for her to finally do something with her own hands after being bedridden. This moment of functional planning gave her back the happiness she hasn't felt in weeks.

I feel so happy to-night. I have been so miserably weak, that to be able to think and move about is like feeling sunshine after a long spell of east wind out of a steel sky. Somehow Arthur feels very, very close to me.

Lucy isn't afraid anymore of the dark, nor the flapping by the window, nor her nightmares, or sleeping. She finally feels better after going through hell. It's like Lucy said, she feels in the sky.

I suppose it is that sickness and weakness are selfish things and turn our inner eyes and sympathy on ourselves, whilst health and strength give Love rein, and in thought and feeling he can wander where he wills.

Even the little detail of her mentioning her perspective around how her sickness equals to selfishness is on track with her new energy. Lucy has spent so much trying, and trying to avoid to become a "burden" for other people by worrying them that of course Lucy would feel like her being weak (for an inexplicable reason) is just another way to have unwanted attention towards herself.

There is something changing in the narrative, something is coming for Lucy, whenever it's recovery or doom, only time will tell.

[daemonologist]

Something that occurred to me when watching OSP's Dracula video is when Red says that Dracula can't work as anything but a novel, I realized that hey, maybe adaptations to film or television or theater can't capture what makes Dracula Dracula, but a video game could. There have been plenty of Draculas in plenty of games, but I think a near-identical translation of Dracula into the video game medium could be the closest we get to an actual adaptation. And specifically, one that changes styles multiple times throughout the game.

Think, we start with Jonathan Harker on his way to Castle Dracula. It's a fairly normal 3rd-person RPG that morphs into survival horror as the secrets of Castle Dracula and the Count are unearthed. Then it abruptly turns into a visual novel of Lucy and Mina exchanging letters, complete with a romance subgame with Lucy and her suitors. Interspersed throughout the game are Seward's interactions with Renfield through the lens of a puzzle game. Then we're on the deck of the Demeter in a full-on horror game as Dracula feeds on the crew.

We're back to the visual novel style as Lucy and Mina go on holiday to Whitby, which ends when Mina receives a letter about Jonathan being in Budapest. Then once again we're in a 3rd-person RPG, this time as Seward, and we are finally introduced to Abraham Van Helsing. This part of the game would incorporate the puzzle elements of the Renfield sections as we attempt to diagnose Lucy's illness.

After Lucy dies, the game shifts into a more action-focused tone for a time as we hunt down the Bloofer Lady and finally stake Lucy. After this, Jonathan and Mina return to the story and it becomes a mystery game as we track down where Dracula's coffins of earth are. Mina begins to show the same symptoms Lucy did and we get a rhythm game from Van Helsing's POV as he hypnotizes her to aid in tracking Dracula.

In the final section of the game, we follow the three groups in sequence. First, Mina and Van Helsing in a dungeon-crawl game as they reach Dracula's castle, ending in Van Helsing destroying the brides of Dracula. Second, Quincey and Seward's travel as the pair follow Dracula on land, ending with the sight of Dracula's coffin being loaded into a wagon. Third and finally, Jonathan's POV as he, Holmwood, Quincey, and Seward converge on Dracula, and the final fight of the game begins. Afterward, we see the epilogue play out and thus ends the Dracula video game adaptation.

It would probably be insane to pull off but if it were, it would be glorious.

[ouraboras]

Nocturne Season 2 Theory

Ever since the trailer was posted it has consumed my thoughts. I keep coming back to why Alucard so pissed off.

In the original series some genuinely awful things happened to him. And yet the whites of his eyes didn't turn red. It happened to Dracula 3 times: When he found out Lisa was taken, when Carmilla questioned her remaining a human, and fighting Alucard.

So, by the show's logic, Adrian is going to experience something that gives that level of anger. And again, some awful stuff has happened to him. So, what will it be? I have several theories:

It isn't that big of a deal. This is the most disappointing story wise which is why I'm leading with it. It (relative to everything he has been through) won't be that big of a deal. I am hopeful that this theory is not true.

Someone is killed. Highly possible.

Dracula is revived. "But he was revived at the end of season 4." Yes, however, Lisa is human. This man is the most wife guy to ever wife guy. He was already down to kill himself the first time she died (after his revenge). They could have lived out her remaining years in England before killing himself. The creators could have chosen for them to go to Whitby because of its ties to the novel Dracula. However, the location also has ties to Castlevania canon. In Castlevania Bloodlines, Elizabeth Bartley travels to Whitby, England to revive Dracula. I have found another thing that may indicate that elements of bloodlines are going to be used:

I don't think this is Drolta, the wings are wrong and so are the horns. This looks vaguely moth-like to me. There is a boss that is fought in Bloodlines in the palace of Versailles level called Princess of Moths.

Additionally, in the games Elizabeth Bartley turns into Medusa. And the new form for Erzsebet Báthory looks more snake-like.

But why would she do it? She wants to be a queen/god so reviving Dracula would probably backfire on her. I think the reason may lie with the overarching antagonist of the games, Chaos. For those who do not know Chaos is a god of evil and the source of Dracula's powers. And, in Aria of Sorrow, looks like this:

Now, where did I see something familiar to those statue figures?

She could be tricked, possessed by him, or even served him from the start.

My theory is that Dracula will be revived and slain. This may be the creators' way of being able to continue the story with Dracula as an antagonist (i.e., do SotN) or do another timeskip and give Soma Cruz a season. This will anger Alucard as he realizes that people are going to attempt to bring back his father again and again and that the rest of his immortal life will be spent stopping it.

But that's just my theory. Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts.

[see-arcane]

They should make a Dracula where Lucy and Mina are okay and have a new vacation next year so they can show their husbands and friends Whitby together :((( <- me asking for Greek tragedy to have less tragedy in it

I too would like a Kidz Bop Dracula to enjoy alongside the Horrors

But then, that’s what the hopeless knife-twisting dreams of the characters are for <3

[theholmwoodfoundation]

LETTER From Jonathan Quincey Harker to Mina Harker Transcribed for the Whitby Archives

Monday 19th August 1906 Dearest Mother,  I am writing to you today from the city of Amsterdam. Uncle Jack and I visited Uncle Abe and went to the Rijksmuseum together. It is a beautiful place. I was able to see a Rembrandt up close. I wish I were able to capture its beauty so I can bring it home to show you. Uncle Abe tells me that when he was a young man, this museum used to be a private royal collection, housed in far too small a room, but the new building makes it much easier to see the paintings.  After the museum visit, we visited the Foundation headquarters. Uncle Abe needed to rest, so he took his leave, as his illness made it hard for him to be present with us. It is sad to see him so frail, but when he has the energy he has much life in his eyes. I was fortunate to see Anna and Evelyn while we were there. Mikael sent his best wishes, but he was already travelling as they had been preparing for their work in the Carpathians. I am eager to join them. Uncle Jack said that when I finished my schooling I could ask your permission to go. I hope that would be okay with you, Mother. I very much wish to help. We will travel back to England on Wednesday by train, so we should be home before the 24th as we have made dinner plans. Forgive me, but I have found the perfect gift for you in Amsterdam, which I will save for that day together. Thank you again for letting me go on this trip. Perhaps when schooling is over, we can do some travelling together?  Love, Jonny

[vickyvicarious]

I found Miss Westenra in seemingly gay spirits. Her mother was present, and in a few seconds I made up my mind that she was trying all she knew to mislead her mother and prevent her from being anxious. I have no doubt she guesses, if she does not know, what need of caution there is. We lunched alone, and as we all exerted ourselves to be cheerful, we got, as some kind of reward for our labours, some real cheerfulness amongst us. Then Mrs. Westenra went to lie down, and Lucy was left with me. We went into her boudoir, and till we got there her gaiety remained, for the servants were coming and going. As soon as the door was closed, however, the mask fell from her face, and she sank down into a chair with a great sigh, and hid her eyes with her hand.

The way that Lucy keeps up the cheerful act until they are fully alone means that she's not confiding in anyone in her house. We already knew she wasn't admitting her poor health to her mother, but the servants also seem to warrant the same act. Maybe this is because she doesn't trust them not to report back to her mother, or because she has trouble admitting her illness to anyone who doesn't confront her about it first (Mina, at least due to the graveyard sleepwalking, and Arthur both fit this bill). Regardless, it means that she gets almost no time to relax in her own home. She has to pretend everything is okay unless she's completely alone, and the way she immediately wilts here shows just how heavy a burden that is on her as she feels worse and worse.

I'm really happy that she is able to confide in Jack. Again, maybe it's simply that Arthur already figured her out and now that things have come this far, there's no point in hiding - or maybe it's because she is closer to Arthur and Jack than anyone else living in her own house. Both are quite sad in different ways, but at the least it means she can finally get some comfort by being honest about her difficulties. And she does seem to be making the effort to confide as fully as possible - she tells him about the sleepwalking in Whitby, the dreams, the sleep she wants to resist, the trouble breathing... pretty much everything (at least that she knows about). It is an effort, even now - that's made clear when she says she hates talking about herself, but she does it anyway because she knows Arthur is worried for her, and she wants to ease his worries. (Of course, she's also scared and in pain herself, but Lucy places those concerns below others' feelings.)

I also like how it's made clear that this is all consensual. Arthur said previously that Lucy was reluctant to involve Jack at first, but that she agreed. And we see here that she's still a bit reluctant to do the act of telling him, but she's definitely willing to be fully honest with him. More than that, she gives express permission to let Arthur in on all the details of her illness and treatment. For now, at least, all three of them are on the same page of working together to help Lucy.

[ddagent]

Your head canons are amazing! I'll throw mine in for "Sergei and Margo find themselves with a free day together in London during the IAC."

The IAC is cancelled as the hotel is undergoing emergency renovations. Margo doesn't find out until she arrives at Heathrow. Sitting in an airport cafe, staring at the copy of The Dark Half she had picked up in the airport in Houston, Margo has resigned herself to getting on the next flight back to Texas. Sergei, however, finds her and intervenes. He has no babysitters, he is divorced, and a whole week with Margo in England sounds like fun.

They spend three nights in London. The first, on a drizzly October evening, is spent in a pub close to the hotel they've found where they map out their plans for the week. The first real vacation Margo has taken...ever. Sergei sips a pint of bitter and Margo steals chips from his plate and they retreat back to their hotel and their separate rooms. The next day, they visit the Science museum and spend hours in Greenwich Observatory. They see a show in the evening, up in the nose bleeds, but its a delightful way to spend the night.

Their final day in London, they spend it on a bad sight-seeing tour, doing all the cliche tourist traps. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Bridge. Sergei buys a disposable camera from a corner shop and snaps photo after photo of Margo. He knows he'll never be able to bring the photos back to Moscow but he likes that he has them. They linger in Grosvenor Square, near the US embassy, for a moment. But they move on.

The next day, they're on a train to Whitby. Margo has always wanted to go and indulge the gothic nature of the Yorkshire town, and Sergei is happy to go along. It's a five hour train journey but they play card games and eat snacks and Sergei marvels at the countryside. At Whitby they walk along the front before getting a room at a small bed and breakfast - one room. It's cold and damp and after a long shower they huddle together under the sheets.

The next day they see the ruins of the abbey and spend an hour or two at a second hand bookshop that also sells vinyl. The cashier thinks they're a couple on vacation and neither Margo nor Sergei challenge her. They decide to spend another night at the bed and breakfast. Without any babysitters, without any colleagues, they explore what has been building between them for six years.

Send me a Margo/Sergei AU (either one I’ve mentioned before, created a gifset of, or one of your own devising) and I’ll give you 5 headcanons!

[serial-serializednovelreader]

What do you think about Mina so far?

Well, anon, hehe, I have already read Dracula before (and I will say Mina is in my top three favorite characters — I LOVE HER), *but* let’s pretend I haven’t read it and I‘ll catalogue the traits I’ve noticed about her from the entries we have so far…

From the first letter, I picked up on the fact that she’s hardworking, cares about her fiancé and friend, and has a bit of a silly streak.

“I have been working very hard lately, because I want to keep up with Jonathan's studies, and I have been practising shorthand very assiduously. When we are married I shall be able to be useful to Jonathan, and if I can stenograph well enough I can take down what he wants to say in this way and write it out for him on the typewriter, at which also I am practising very hard.”

“When I am with you I shall keep a diary in the same way. I don't mean one of those two-pages-to-the-week-with-Sunday-squeezed-in-a-corner diaries, but a sort of journal which I can write in whenever I feel inclined.”

“Tell me all the news when you write. You have not told me anything for a long time. I hear rumours, and especially of a tall, handsome, curly-haired man???”

I can also see her care for Jonathan from his own perspective on the May 5th entry. This passage shows how she is making him more confident in himself.

“Solicitor's clerk! Mina would not like that. Solicitor—for just before leaving London I got word that my examination was successful; and I am now a full-blown solicitor!”

The next passage from Mina shows me her more carefree and extroverted side. I get to see how she is as a journalist, describing the world around her and how she sees it. From what I can see, she sees the world through an unconventional lens — what others see as creepy, she sees as beautiful.

“The valley is beautifully green, and it is so steep that when you are on the high land on either side you look right across it, unless you are near enough to see down. The houses of the old town—the side away from us—are all red-roofed, and seem piled up one over the other anyhow, like the pictures we see of Nuremberg. Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes, and which is the scene of part of "Marmion," where the girl was built up in the wall. It is a most noble ruin, of immense size, and full of beautiful and romantic bits; there is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows.”

“Between it and the town there is another church, the parish one, round which is a big graveyard, all full of tombstones. This is to my mind the nicest spot in Whitby, for it lies right over the town, and has a full view of the harbour and all up the bay to where the headland called Kettleness stretches out into the sea.”

“They have a legend here that when a ship is lost bells are heard out at sea. I must ask the old man about this; he is coming this way....”

“I thought he would be a good person to learn interesting things from, so I asked him if he would mind telling me something about the whale-fishing in the old days.”

Then, July 26 happens and Mina opens up in a new way. She is anxious, yes, but everyone gets that way from time to time. What I really get from this is how good of a friend she is to Lucy, sympathizing with her worries about Arthur and planning for a marriage, not to mention the sleepwalking. She also has some kind words about Mr. Hawkins.

“I had not heard from Jonathan for some time, and was very concerned; but yesterday dear Mr. Hawkins, who is always so kind, sent me a letter from him.”

“Then, too, Lucy, although she is so well, has lately taken to her old habit of walking in her sleep. Her mother has spoken to me about it, and we have decided that I am to lock the door of our room every night.”

“Lucy is to be married in the autumn, and she is already planning out her dresses and how her house is to be arranged. I sympathise with her, for I do the same, only Jonathan and I will start in life in a very simple way, and shall have to try to make both ends meet.”

“Mr. Holmwood—he is the Hon. Arthur Holmwood, only son of Lord Godalming—is coming up here very shortly—as soon as he can leave town, for his father is not very well, and I think dear Lucy is counting the moments till he comes.”

There’s even more evidence of this in the next entry! She’s selfless in her concerns about Lucy’s health

“Lucy walks more than ever, and each night I am awakened by her moving about the room. Fortunately, the weather is so hot that she cannot get cold; but still the anxiety and the perpetually being wakened is beginning to tell on me, and I am getting nervous and wakeful myself. Thank God, Lucy's health keeps up.”

“Lucy frets at the postponement of seeing him, but it does not touch her looks; she is a trifle stouter, and her cheeks are a lovely rose-pink. She has lost that anæmic look which she had. I pray it will all last.”

So, if I’m judging all of this from the perspective of a first-time reader, so far she is a multi-faceted character. I have gotten to see her carefree and fun side, as well as her compassionate and anxious side. She’s well-rounded and hardworking. She’s selfless and bold.

There are more entries I could reference, but I believe they all come to the same conclusions I’ve made.

In conclusion…I love her!!! <3333 thanks for asking, anon :))))

[ninadove]

Nina reads Dracula 🦇

September 30th

Mr. Harker arrived at nine o'clock. He had got his wife's wire just before starting. He is uncommonly clever, if one can judge from his face, and full of energy. If this journal be true—and judging by one's own wonderful experiences, it must be—he is also a man of great nerve. That going down to the vault a second time was a remarkable piece of daring. After reading his account of it I was prepared to meet a good specimen of manhood, but hardly the quiet, business-like gentleman who came here to-day.

YES!!! I agree! Jonathan is great!

After lunch Harker and his wife went back to their own room, and as I passed a while ago I heard the click of the typewriter. They are hard at it. Mrs. Harker says that they are knitting together in chronological order every scrap of evidence they have. Harker has got the letters between the consignee of the boxes at Whitby and the carriers in London who took charge of them. He is now reading his wife's typescript of my diary. I wonder what they make out of it. Here it is....

Yeah yeah sex is cool and all but have you ever knitted together in chronological order every scrap of evidence you had?

Strange that it never struck me that the very next house might be the Count's hiding-place! Goodness knows that we had enough clues from the conduct of the patient Renfield!

That’s why you need the Harkers. What a power couple. Feligami Dracula AU when —

Harker has gone back, and is again collating his material. He says that by dinner-time they will be able to show a whole connected narrative. He thinks that in the meantime I should see Renfield, as hitherto he has been a sort of index to the coming and going of the Count. I hardly see this yet, but when I get at the dates I suppose I shall. What a good thing that Mrs. Harker put my cylinders into type! We never could have found the dates otherwise....

LOOK AT THEM I AM FANGIRLING SO HARD

I found Renfield sitting placidly in his room with his hands folded, smiling benignly. At the moment he seemed as sane as any one I ever saw. I sat down and talked with him on a lot of subjects, all of which he treated naturally. He then, of his own accord, spoke of going home, a subject he has never mentioned to my knowledge during his sojourn here. In fact, he spoke quite confidently of getting his discharge at once.

I am also fangirling over Renfield, of course, but what’s new.

I believe that, had I not had the chat with Harker and read the letters and the dates of his outbursts, I should have been prepared to sign for him after a brief time of observation.

BUDDY HE ESCAPED LIKE FOUR TIMES AND TRIED TO STAB YOU SPECIFICALLY LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO

However, after a while I came away; my friend is just a little too sane at present to make it safe to probe him too deep with questions. He might begin to think, and then—!

Renfield is always thinking and I love that for him ❤️

Back to Jonathan:

Of one thing I am now satisfied: that all the boxes which arrived at Whitby from Varna in the Demeter were safely deposited in the old chapel at Carfax.

I wonder if Dracula gets a kick out of settling in the old chapel. That must be some sort of vampire power move.

I saw him leave for Whitby with as brave a face as I could, but I was sick with apprehension. The effort has, however, done him good. He was never so resolute, never so strong, never so full of volcanic energy, as at present. It is just as that dear, good Professor Van Helsing said: he is true grit, and he improves under strain that would kill a weaker nature. He came back full of life and hope and determination; we have got everything in order for to-night.

Again!!! Jonathan is the picture of resilience!!! Again!!! Feligami Dracula AU!!! (I am reaching out to such a specific target audience here)

I suppose one ought to pity any thing so hunted as is the Count. That is just it: this Thing is not human—not even beast. To read Dr. Seward's account of poor Lucy's death, and what followed, is enough to dry up the springs of pity in one's heart.

“I am not tired of being nice. But I still want to go apeshit”

"Besides, I know you loved my poor Lucy—" Here he turned away and covered his face with his hands. I could hear the tears in his voice. Mr. Morris, with instinctive delicacy, just laid a hand for a moment on his shoulder, and then walked quietly out of the room.

So much love in the face of tragedy you know it’s my jam

As I came along the corridor I saw Mr. Morris looking out of a window. He turned as he heard my footsteps. "How is Art?"

My Quincey… 🥺❤️

"I wish I could comfort all who suffer from the heart. Will you let me be your friend, and will you come to me for comfort if you need it? You will know, later on, why I speak." He saw that I was in earnest, and stooping, took my hand, and raising it to his lips, kissed it. It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and impulsively I bent over and kissed him. The tears rose in his eyes, and there was a momentary choking in his throat; he said quite calmly:—

"Little girl, you will never regret that true-hearted kindness, so long as ever you live!" Then he went into the study to his friend.

"Little girl!"—the very words he had used to Lucy, and oh, but he proved himself a friend!

MY QUINCEY 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

Now back to Sew —

"Dr. Seward, may I ask a favour? I want to see your patient, Mr. Renfield. Do let me see him. What you have said of him in your diary interests me so much!" She looked so appealing and so pretty that I could not refuse her, and there was no possible reason why I should; so I took her with me. When I went into the room, I told the man that a lady would like to see him; to which he simply answered: "Why?"

HOLY SHIT.

"She is going through the house, and wants to see every one in it," I answered. "Oh, very well," he said; "let her come in, by all means; but just wait a minute till I tidy up the place." His method of tidying was peculiar: he simply swallowed all the flies and spiders in the boxes before I could stop him.

Incredible man as always

"Good-evening, Mr. Renfield," said she. "You see, I know you, for Dr. Seward has told me of you." He made no immediate reply, but eyed her all over intently with a set frown on his face. This look gave way to one of wonder, which merged in doubt; then, to my intense astonishment, he said:—

"You're not the girl the doctor wanted to marry, are you? You can't be, you know, for she's dead."

HOW THE FUCK DOES HE KNOW THAT

But also enormous kudos to Mina for the way she handles this entire situation

"How did you know I wanted to marry any one?" His reply was simply contemptuous, given in a pause in which he turned his eyes from Mrs. Harker to me, instantly turning them back again:—

"What an asinine question!"

I fucking love this man so much do you understand do you see how insane (HA) I am about him???

"You will, of course, understand, Mrs. Harker, that when a man is so loved and honoured as our host is, everything regarding him is of interest in our little community. Dr. Seward is loved not only by his household and his friends, but even by his patients, who, being some of them hardly in mental equilibrium, are apt to distort causes and effects. Since I myself have been an inmate of a lunatic asylum, I cannot but notice that the sophistic tendencies of some of its inmates lean towards the errors of non causa and ignoratio elenchi." I positively opened my eyes at this new development. Here was my own pet lunatic—the most pronounced of his type that I had ever met with—talking elemental philosophy, and with the manner of a polished gentleman. I wonder if it was Mrs. Harker's presence which had touched some chord in his memory. If this new phase was spontaneous, or in any way due to her unconscious influence, she must have some rare gift or power.

Jack. Jack. Literally no one else is surprised.

"Good-bye, and I hope I may see you often, under auspices pleasanter to yourself," to which, to my astonishment, he replied:—

"Good-bye, my dear. I pray God I may never see your sweet face again. May He bless and keep you!"

I love them both ❤️❤️

And I am especially mad at the 1992 movie right now.

"Ah, that wonderful Madam Mina! She has man's brain—a brain that a man should have were he much gifted—and a woman's heart. The good God fashioned her for a purpose, believe me, when He made that so good combination. Friend John, up to now fortune has made that woman of help to us; after to-night she must not have to do with this so terrible affair. It is not good that she run a risk so great. We men are determined—nay, are we not pledged?—to destroy this monster; but it is no part for a woman."

Excuse me my good sir what the fuck —

However, 'the milk that is spilt cries not out afterwards,' as you say.

See, it’s hard to get truly mad at him when he comes up with these gems.

Now back to Mina:

"[Dracula] have still the aids of necromancy, which is, as his etymology imply, the divination by the dead, and all the dead that he can come nigh to are for him at command;"

Well, fuck.

"he can grow and become small;"

Pocket Dracula

Whilst he was speaking, Jonathan had taken my hand. I feared, oh so much, that the appalling nature of our danger was overcoming him when I saw his hand stretch out; but it was life to me to feel its touch—so strong, so self-reliant, so resolute. A brave man's hand can speak for itself; it does not even need a woman's love to hear its music.

When the Professor had done speaking my husband looked in my eyes, and I in his; there was no need for speaking between us.

"I answer for Mina and myself," he said.

FELIGAMI ❤️💜

He may not enter anywhere at the first, unless there be some one of the household who bid him to come; though afterwards he can come as he please.

So what did happen with the laudanum??? Does throwing a wolf at the window count as an invitation? Did I miss something?

Whilst they were talking Mr. Morris was looking steadily at the window, and he now got up quietly, and went out of the room.

WHERE ARE YOU GOING BELOVED COME BACK

Here we were interrupted in a very startling way. Outside the house came the sound of a pistol-shot; the glass of the window was shattered with a bullet, which, ricochetting from the top of the embrasure, struck the far wall of the room. I am afraid I am at heart a coward, for I shrieked out. The men all jumped to their feet; Lord Godalming flew over to the window and threw up the sash. As he did so we heard Mr. Morris's voice without:—

"Sorry! I fear I have alarmed you. I shall come in and tell you about it."

Oh it’s OK he was just out doing stereotypical Texan things —

"It was an idiotic thing of me to do, and I ask your pardon, Mrs. Harker, most sincerely; I fear I must have frightened you terribly. But the fact is that whilst the Professor was talking there came a big bat and sat on the window-sill. I have got such a horror of the damned brutes from recent events that I cannot stand them, and I went out to have a shot, as I have been doing of late of evenings, whenever I have seen one."

HOLY SHIT

All the men, even Jonathan, seemed relieved; but it did not seem to me good that they should brave danger and, perhaps, lessen their safety—strength being the best safety—through care of me; but their minds were made up, and, though it was a bitter pill for me to swallow, I could say nothing, save to accept their chivalrous care of me. […]

own that my heart began to fail me when the time for action came so close, but I did not say anything, for I had a greater fear that if I appeared as a drag or a hindrance to their work, they might even leave me out of their counsels altogether. They have now gone off to Carfax, with means to get into the house.

Manlike, they had told me to go to bed and sleep; as if a woman can sleep when those she loves are in danger! I shall lie down and pretend to sleep, lest Jonathan have added anxiety about me when he returns.

It’s OK (?) beloved the plot is not done with you yet…

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[elizmanderson]

happy Edna Fisher release day to all who celebrate!!

You're never too old for adventure.

When you’re a geriatric armed with nothing but gumption and knitting needles, stopping a sorcerer from wiping out an entire dragon-fighting organization is a tall order. No one understands why 83-year-old Edna Fisher is the Chosen One, destined to save the Knights from a dragon-riding sorcerer bent on their destruction. After all, Edna has never handled a magical weapon, faced down a dragon, or cast a spell. And everyone knows the Council of Wizards always chooses a teenager—like the vengeful girl ready to snatch Edna’s destiny from under her nose.

Still, Edna leaps at the chance to leave the nursing home. With her son long dead in the Knights’ service, she’s determined to save dragon-fighters like him and to ensure other mothers don’t suffer the same loss she did. But as Edna learns about the abuse in the ranks and the sorcerer’s history as a Knight, she questions if it’s really the sorcerer that needs stopping—or the Knights she’s trying to save.

“Beyond the utterly charming premise of this wonderful book, you will find dazzling wit, a cast of delightful characters, and a plot that will sweep you away. At heart, this is a love story, but one that shows the depth and complexity of love in all its permutations. But my very favourite thing about this book is how it makes me believe in a kinder, better world.” - SJ Whitby, author of the Cute Mutants series

buy The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher now, rsvp to a book event, or preorder the audiobook!

[popsicle-stick]

I don't know anything about England but I'm interested in how the characters' locations inform their characters like Seward's. I'd like to know more about the implications of being from Purfleet/Essex for example (Though iirc Stoker immigrated from Dublin well into adulthood so I don't know how well he knew all the cities.)

there's so much to be said! i really don't think that stoker meant much intentionally, but the placement of the asylum in purfleet specifically is interesting.

long post so i'm cutting this!

the asylum at purfleet, essex, is an example of the common 19th-early 20th century phenomenon of establishing psychiactric hospitals in the rural counties surrounding london - simultaneously serving as a 'tranquil' location away from the city, while also serving the dubious, cruel purpose of squirelling away would-be patients into residences away from the city - out of society, out of sight, out of mind.

in terms of jack seward himself, purfleet is a kind of an in-between, nothing place - things and people pass through, not much stays. (there's a reason why whitby is remembered as 'the dracula place', and not purfleet.) it's quite literally on the edge of london - of society - and in that scene where jack's looking despondently towards the sun setting west over london, his own isolation becomes palpable - from society and from the world as a whole. the endless, transient, liminal feel of the essex saltmarshes just....gives the vibe. this was a scene that felt particularly gothic to me - jack is the custodian of his very own haunted house, here, in all its bleak, isolated glory.

It was a shock to me to turn from the wonderful smoky beauty of a sunset over London, with its lurid lights and inky shadows and all the marvellous tints that come on foul clouds even as on foul water, and to realise all the grim sternness of my own cold stone building, with its wealth of breathing misery, and my own desolate heart to endure it all.

this is an fascinating parallel with the count's situation in transylvania, which is NOT the topic du jour here so i'll stop before i ramble but compelling nonetheless! like the count, though, he's a liminal figure - in london, but not quite in london. in the group, but not in the group. alive, but not really living. wide awake in the witching hour, unsure how to re-integrate with society.

it's also worth noting that the opening of dickens' great expectations has pip in his childhood home on the kent marshes - which would pretty much be the opposite bank of the thames from purfleet. in great expectations, pip's village serves a similar role - the quiet, bleak, nowhere-place directly placed against the bustling cosmopolis of london.

in terms of other characters and locations, i've written a bit before about jonathan (and mina possibly) hailing from exeter, devon, in the south west of england - which is much further from london.

jonathan and mina, in terms of the group dynamics, are outsiders: they're very much lower middle class, hyper-aware of the importance of money and societal etiquette as a means for survival and social betterment. this is a personal hc of mine, but i like to think of jonathan as having the long supressed remnants of a devon accent. south west accents are often the subject of a lot of ridicule and mockery in the UK (akin to a southern US accent) and hiding that regionalism, in both the 1890s and today's britain, would be a means of survival and progress for him - i think the fact that he's always given a standard home counties RP accent in adaptations cuts out a major aspect of his character. he's a devon boy!

in contrast to all this, lucy's hampstead residence shows her affluence. it, too, at risk of breaking my social isolation metaphor, was on the edge of london at the time - but was known more as a wealthy suburb with huge areas of greenery at hampstead heath and highgate. there's something to be said, though, about a place like highgate cemetery - a liminal place between the dead and the living, between city and country, haunted at night by a vampire - and the same could be said for purfleet.

arthur is hard to pin down - for the life of me i CANNOT work out where 'ring' is supposed to be - at first i thought it might be a shortening for ringwood, hampshire, which could work! but i just don't know. his character does scream privileged southern/home counties though, and if anyone has any followups on 'ring' and its wherabouts i would LOVE to know because this has been bugging me for ages. lmao

tl;dr, psychology and sociology as informed by place is SO fucking fascinating to me like it just. it affects so much. from the liminality of certain places lending themselves to the supernatural, to characters being mirrored by their surroundings and vice versa, to the social implications of where you call home. it's just!!! interesting!!

[immediatebreakfast]

Mina is stressed, she has only enjoyed Whitby for a day before little pieces that whisper worry in the back of her mind fell down. The visit in Whitby has just started, it quite literally started beautifully! Mina managed to get some journalism done, made a new friend, and see all of the ghost stories she wanted to know; It almost felt like a short slow breath of relief in the middle of the narrative.

Before the real world catched Mina again with the two people she loves the most, and the only two people who could realistically make her drop everything in a second. It does feel sad, but remember that Mina would never allow herself to ignore situations like these ones, more when both share (although in different levels) this sense of forebonding doom.

It is only a line dated from Castle Dracula, and says that he is just starting for home. That is not like Jonathan; I do not understand it, and it makes me uneasy.

The letter, the so called infallible piece of Dracula's plan to not arouse any intrigue about Jonathan's location, failed. It didn't matter how much he pressured Jonathan to make it as normal as possible because Mina noticed it immediately. The "That is not like Jonathan" feels like a drop, a heavy drop in Mina's stomach when that single letter makes it clear that neither her, nor Mr. Hawkins know about Jonathan's actual situation as he is miles away from home...

In this moment, even if her anxiety is greatly softened by her own written words, Mina has to keep on waking up every day, and continue while not knowing if Jonathan is alive or dead. As Mina talks about preparing for a simple married life, the weight of the question "what if Jonathan never comes?" fruitlesly hangs over her head without a concrete answer.

Lucy, although she is so well, has lately taken to her old habit of walking in her sleep... Lucy is counting the moments till he comes. She wants to take him up to the seat on the churchyard cliff and show him the beauty of Whitby. I daresay it is the waiting which disturbs her; she will be all right when he arrives.

On the other hand, sweet and wonderful Lucy started to sleep walk again. An old habit which she is already predisposed to do, as Mina explains, as her father did the same. It must not be easy to know exactly why Lucy started to sleep walk again. As much as Lucy still has Arthur with her, Mina details how much this shortly encounter is stressing Lucy out despite her preparing for his arrival.

However, this time is something that neither Mina, nor Lucy's mother can treat like a minor occurrence; Whitby is a seaside town, with steps, ports, and bridges that could pose a danger to a sleepwalking person, if Mina doesn't lock the door of their shared room... Who knows where would Lucy end up in the middle of the night?

Neither situation has a concrete solution that Mina can find and solve, the only course of action that Mina can meaningfully take is wait, and assist.