#dorkshadows

[midnight-in-town]

Let's talk about the "Fenian brotherhood" theory !! :D

Firstly, in case you don't know about it, please go read the theory that our!Ciel's birth name might be Fenian/Fionn/Finnian by @azuresins. It is incredibly relevant to what I'm about to explain next !

TBH, I don't really care about discovering our!Ciel's birth name. However, I truly enjoy this theory and I think it makes a lot of sense, because I absolutely agree with the idea of Vincent supporting (secretly or not) Irish independence, turning him into a political enemy of Queen Victoria...

...which could be very much why he ended up dead.

This theory comes from a private convo with my friend, @dorkshadows and I'll sum up their thoughts (and some of mine) below the cut !

First of all, while we think Claudia, Vincent's predecessor, may have been a personal enemy of Victoria because of whatever happened when Albert died in 1861, Vincent strikes us more as a political enemy precisely because of Brown's comment in ch108.

After all, if our!Ciel, who just managed to thwart their plans of getting the sulin gas, is "more like his father everyday", then it makes sense that Vincent "got in the way" of some of Victoria & JB's war/political plans too. >_>

Now, about the Fenian Cycle book: it was an important symbol for Irish independence and the Fenian Brotherhood that started in the 19th century before it got dissolved in 1880. To quote Wikipedia:

"The Fenian Brotherhood traced their origins back to 1790s, in the rebellion, seeking an end to British rule in Ireland initially for self-government and then the establishment of an Irish Republic. The rebellion was suppressed, but the principles of the United Irishmen were to have a powerful influence on the course of Irish history."

But how would Vincent even get involved with it and why?

In the theory that OC's name is Fenian/Finnian, @azuresins mentioned that maybe it's all related to Cedric K. Ros having Celtic origins. Since we do have one sketch by Yana of one twin bringing the Fenian Cycle book to the Undertaker (the most likely candidate for Cedric K. Ros)...

...it might indeed be a partial answer.

There is another possibility though, entirely thought by @dorkshadows, which is that Rachel (and Ann) might have been of Irish origins too.

After all, a common stereotype for Irish people in many stories is red hair and it's hard to forget that it was a very distinctive characteristic of Ann, Rachel's sister !

In fact, one of their first interactions is Vincent telling Ann to be proud of that hair, which we were told she inherited from her dad, the twins' maternal grandfather.

So Vincent might have not just been talking about Ann's hair color in that scene, but more specifically about her taking more pride in her Irish origins. Obviously though, Dalles/Durless aren't very Irish names, but it is possible that their original family name got anglicized into a more traditionally English name.

In any case, Vincent met Rachel and Ann after already knowing their father :

So it's possible that Vincent was, as the Watchdog, investigating Lord Durless as a nobleman with Irish lineage and possible ally of the Fenian Brotherhood. After all, to quote this article, "the Fenians in England and the British Empire were a major threat to political stability". Then Vincent met and fell in love with Rachel, thus deciding to support the Brotherhood instead.

I'd add that Vincent supporting such a cause simply makes sense, considering that the Phantomhive family, too, might have been burdened by the Watchdog's duty generations ago, because of their "different" lineage (full theory here). On top of that, if you add the possibility that Cedric/UT also was of Celtic origins (many decades or centuries ago) and that Vincent knew Claudia's death was Victoria's fault, it only makes sense that he'd eventually politically antagonize the Queen (both for his parents' sake and for Rachel's).

@dorkshadows also pointed out that, to this day, we don't know if the twins' maternal grandfather is alive or dead in canon : he was important enough to be mentioned in Red's flashback but has been missing from the narrative ever since. Timeline-wise, he could be dead, especially since we never saw him in the Blue Memory arc (our!Ciel's flasback), but we never know with Yana (look at Claudia being hinted in panels ever since the circus arc and probably being incredibly relevant), so it's worth keeping in mind.

Then, moving on to ch132 we know that, when the twins were born, Rachel is the one who named them.

Coincidentally (read: it's probably not a coincidence xD), ch132 had the cover with Vincent reading the Fenian Cycle book to the twins and it's also the chapter in which Vicar Rathbone casually says that one twin/both twins (it's deliberately ambiguous in Japanese) have a name that is "rare for England" :

Many fans, myself included, thought that "Ciel" was the name being discussed there, but maybe they were actually talking about our!Ciel's celtic birth name ! To quote @azuresins, in that case that'd basically mean that, in that scene above, "Vincent said to an ENGLISH PRIEST [...] that people of Celtic origin deserved freedom, and to be treated better and that it probably was soon to come".

No wonder that Vicar Rathbone would immediately change the topic lmao ! xD

Vicar Rathbone be like

It is also very meaningful that Rachel decided to give the "Fionn/Fenian/Finnian" name to our!Ciel ("the spare"), as if to emphasize that he was free to make his own path in life, as the second son, unburdened by earldom. Choosing such a meaningful name might even be a parallel to Vincent's own situation with Frances as his spare, since both also have names with a meaning relating to victory and freedom.

Another important detail, as @azuresins already explained here, is that Fenian Cycle is also a tale of revenge and that our!Ciel parallels Fionn big deal, making it all even more relevant. And maybe Yana left other hints in her artworks too...

Finally, historically the Fenian Brotherhood officially got dissolved around 1880 (the twins were 5 years old), but it's always possible that, in Kuroverse, Vincent managed to make it thrive secretly as the Watchdog. The Fenian Brotherhood caused several incidents, including after 1880 (they assassinated a British Chief Secretary in 1882), so it wouldn't be impossible that the Queen eventually found out that Vincent didn't properly take care of them, because he was supporting them.

And when she found out? Well, she branded Vincent a political enemy and we know the rest (the household was massacred in 1885 and the killer most likely received help from real!Ciel, more details in the real!Ciel mastermind theory hehe).

The idea that Vincent ultimately became a political enemy of Victoria because he fell in love with Rachel makes their death...

...even more emotional to me, since Rachel probably died trying to protect Vincent. T_T

TL;DR that's the Fenian Brotherhood theory: because they supported an Irish rebellious group that wanted freedom, Vincent & Rachel were branded political enemies of Victoria and she & JB plotted their deaths, which led in happenstance to the RCMT.

(friendly reminder that the twins are 7, when Vincent asked Dee to look after them should he die)

I hope it was clear ! Thanks for reading. :))

[angstandhappiness]

INTERESTING

VROOM VROOM DRIVES UP TO U IN MY LAMBORGHINI it's @dorkshadows's From here the rain falls fanart again!! But this time it's themed around sun wukong and ao lie's epic bro moments!! Why must they be so cute!!!!

ch03, first meeting / ch12, the gang stuffs wukong with illegal proteins / ch13, the gang heckles a child worker / ch16, sweet moments before everything goes to hell

[sketching-shark]

adding onto the "swk and zbj as same person" thing- jttw is commonly accepted as being layered allegory. so even with the "pilgrims as multiple aspects of one person" interpretation being true, at the same time, the pilgrims are also often seen as representative of different social classes (so obv different ppl)- with swk being a man of the people and tang seng being of the disconnected noble class etc. cant remember the specifics but there's an old post on either earlof221b or dorkshadow's blog

AUGH you are so right anon & as such I do want to thank you for bringing up the layered allegory aspect of Journey to the West and particularly for another one of its potential interpretations in terms of the dynamic between the pilgrims! Because yes, it definitely pays to remember that even distinguished and established scholars who have been studying this work professionally can't come to one "set" interpretation of this epic, and that a multitude of equally true readings can be drawn from it. It's got a lot going on, and that includes what meaning might be drawn from this work. Heck, I even remember reading that there are those who are convinced it's a hidden alchemical formula!

[margueritedaisies]

Was practicing on drawing Yao Chen so I can draw Jiu Gong. I will now make it official that she has a cat mouth when she smiles, just the way her upper lip curves and the edges go upwards yknow.

Also new rarepairing I thought of while reading dorkshadows "From here the Rain Falls". Am I the only one who sees some chemistry from these two?

And yes, Zhu Bajie's human design is from frozenladybug 's version. But I also tried to take inspo from his human disguise in the movie and his actor , but did my best to tweak it up a bit to fit his personality.

I swear I ship them But I kinda like them being silly and savage with each other. Also the tension is 10/10. Jiu Gong really brings out Bajie's conniving ways. They trynna make each other worst.Thats their dynamic. That one freaky couple down the block and always the main event during parties.

✨Also Human/Modern AU headcanons for them:

Bajie owns a huge club in the sleazy corners of the city.

Hes associates with Jiu Gong who is a DJ , both in radio broadcasting and actual dj-ing in clubs. He's the one who helped her in getting famous by hiring her when she was just starting.

(thought of her being a DJ to reference her time as minister being hedonistic ,bringing excessive fun and joy and all)

Shes getting pretty good in her career, record label offers, has a hefty fanbase and gets big gigs like music festivals, guesting in concerts, even collabs with artists.

And throughout her progress , Bajie's club seems to rise into popularity too thanks to her. After Jiu left his club for more opportunities she thought of sharing a 30% of her earnings to him for a year.

Bajie jumped at the opportunity in extra leverage head on.

She been in a steady relationship with Bajie for a good 3 years throughout.

That means she also sidelines in his club from time to time as a guest. Both are quite business minded and good at bullshitting their way to success.

Not really live in partners, but they both visit each others apartments. For the sake of discretion from the paparazzi (in Jiu's case) and for Bajie's anonimity.

Also Bajie sometimes anonymously guest calls in Jiu's radio channel just to mess with her. I think that also led to Bajie confessing about his feelings but keeps chalking it up (Jiu aint stupid and already knows where this is going). Jiu just plays along with it since she's at work. Altho they definitely confronted when she was off duty.

I like to think they are similar to these pairings:

Seth x Amber (Metalocalypse)

Val x Buttons (Red Flags song animation by galoogamelady)

And Team Rocket

[steazhornsby]

Started more low poly modeling. Vtuber: DorkShadow

[earl-of-221b]

Link from dorkshadows for Trailer 2 of New Gods: Yang Jian

[midnight-in-town]

1- you are literally so smart I just went through post after post of yours

2- We know that reapers will (probably? I can’t imagine they won’t) give back a soul eventually for someone that “deserves” to live, any theories on if we’ve met that person yet and who it would be? :)

Hey Anon ! Aww, thank you for reading and for your kind words ! ^3^

About your question, it's actually a fairly interesting one. For those who don't understand, Anon is talking about what William explained in ch35 :

And so far, we indeed had no example of this process in the story, meaning that it will probably happen at a very significant moment.

Long ago, my friends @dorkshadows, @thedarkestcrow and I had this theory called "the Worthy Ciel Theory" or WCT (here's the tag). Long story short, this was the theory we believed could explain all the hints that ended up being confirmed by the 2CT (2 Ciels theory).

Dorky-chan and I still believe it is relevant to the plot today, except that it won't be to explain the past but rather to envision as a possible future, because it is hella cool. So basically, if anyone's going to be "judged worthy" we believe it could be our!Ciel because :

he's more selfless than a lot of characters despite having this horrid view of himself [x] [x] [x]

he (doesn't really know it yet but) is ready to thwart Queen Victoria trying to launch WWI 25 years early

he's kinda the chosen one, aka the one who will probably put an end to the cycle of revenge that his family has been cursed with for several generations

So maybe Shinigamis will interfere if John Brown (who's most likely a demon) + Victoria defeat our!Ciel initially or when Seb decides to eat our!Ciel's soul when he dies. Maybe.

If not our!Ciel, the only other characters I see being judged worthy are either Lizzie or Soma, because both represent the highest chance our!Ciel has to finally figure out that maybe he wants to break the contract he made with Seb. [x] [x]

That's my take on it. :) Thanks again for the kind words Anon and have a nice day !

[artworkbycrt]

This is a piece for @dorkshadows 's fic "From Here the Rain Falls" (Journey to the West fandom). Absolutely gorgeously written and such a delicious slow burn!!! There's so much I wanted to include for it, but this is what I ended up with so I hope it does it justice! ><

I also have such a hard time drawing Shu Qi. Her beauty is just too difficult for my skills <3

[littlelonghairedoutlawllho]

The Silk Road by @dorkshadows

Perhaps Nijni-Novgorod reminded him of the bazaars in Tehran, but he could not shake the memory of desert heat and something more. They had met, once before. (Or, the pharoga reincarnation AU)

The second moodboard for @dorkshadows in honour of having won the PotO Rare Pair Fic Contest! I didn’t know what to expect with this fic but I really really enjoyed it!

[sketching-shark]

Hello! I wanted to ask, aside from Stephen Chow's movies, what other cursed/weird/funny JTTW adaptations did u discover? 👀

By the way, I really love your JTTW posts! Their really educational and interesting huhu Your art is really lovely as well! Jsnsbdb

@relmint aaaaaAAAAAAAA that is seriously such a nice comment from one of THEE best JTTW-inspired artists on this hellsite!!! Thank you :)

But as for your main question I haven't really been keeping track of the bonkers JTTW adaptations that I've stumbled across aside from the few posts I've made when I felt like there was something too bizarre or funny to not comment on asdfawes. While they're not longer active, I do highly recommend a tour through @dorkshadows 's blog as they frequently dived headfirst into the dumpster fire of whimsically strange to godawful adaptations, all in a noble effort to keep us informed on what's going on in that world. They were truly doing god's work :.)

[angstandhappiness]

LMAO YES

@dorkshadows : #(anyway fuck a certain idol the only 17xuanzangt we know is the 17sanzang in awesome jttw fanart!!)#adsfasdf you did MORE from this scene!?#you can't see it but I'm kowtowing#once again blown away by how good this is#these could all be actual storyboarded scenes from the film!?#everyone's dramatic poses#the disciples in that disastrous clump#xuanzang's emotional JOURNEY of faces#wukong's look of secondhand embarassment asdfasdf#and of course that last DRAMATIC LIGHTING SHOT of xuanzang killed me#DYING that is 100% exactly 17!xuanzang and exactly how he was in the fic asdfasdf#this was one of my favorite favorite moments from the start of act 2 and I can't thank you enough for this next level rendition of it#so surreal to see you do this asdfasdf#and when you say you want to do more art from rain!? :O I AM NOT WORTHY but I'll be over the moon to see it anyway!!#once again your art is just so so DYNAMIC and everything is so interesting about it#everyone looks like themselves but with your flare#just how do you animate a still image!? because that's exactly what you did#the artistic storytelling is always so breathtaking with your art I could stare for a hundered years

Rabbit fight part 2

[lunarblue21]

@dorkshadows please please please update The Weather’s Fine sometime soon I just checked the ao3 tag for Ice Age and there’s fics of people killing Roshan (cos that’s popular now apparently) and that tag needs some quality fic again1!! 

[raven-moon33]

concept

In Journey to the West, nearly every time Sanzang gets captured by demons, it is due to him wholeheartedly believing the half-baked sob stories disguised demons give him while simultaneously ignoring Wukong’s warnings on what these demons really are. (Despite the fact it’s been proven time and again over the course of nearly two decades that Wukong has Sanzang’s back and no reason to lie about demons-in-disguise).

I think (and correct me if I’m wrong here) that it can generally be agreed that even the most gullible and stubborn amongst us would quickly grow to trust Wukong’s judgement on these things by the third or fourth could’ve-easily-been-avoided encounters with bloodthirsty demons.

Now, keeping this in mind, we must also remember that, in order to attain Buddhahood, Sanzang had to undergo 81 tribulations. In fact, many of the group’s misadventures were the direct results of celestial interference in order to ensure Sanzang faced the neccessary number of trials.

Taking both of these facts into account, I would now like to submit before the jury that a conversation along these lines likely occured between Sanzang and the Bodhisattva Guanyin either before or very early on in the journey:

(Guanyin)G: What’s that you’re packing?

(Sanzang)S: This? It’s my long staff. My elders have trained me in the art of self defense so I will be sufficiently prepared for any dangers I may encounter on the long journey ahead of me.

G: Oh, you won’t be needing that. I have arranged it so that you’ll be getting four powerful disciples who will protect you on your journey.

S: That’s very kind of you Bodhisattva, but shouldn’t I be able to defend myself in case I get captured by demons or rogues? I don’t want to be helpless after all.

G: Yeah, about that...You remember that the journey to enlightenment involves overcoming obstacles?

S: ...Yes...?

G: Well, in your case it’s going to take 81 life-or-death type trials, so it’ll make things easier if you just let things happen y’know? So no weapons or self defense for you mister.

S: That...that seems a tad...excessive...must I really undergo 81 trials involving such danger? Is that a prerequisite for all monks looking to become Buddhas?

G: Well no, typically you just have to relinquish all worldly attachments and strive to do good in all things to become a Buddha, but see, I’m looking to redeem a few spirits- your future disciples fyi- and one of them in particular is going to have to save you A LOT in order to redeem himself for his past crimes. :)

S: ??! And who have you chosen to be my disciples exactly??

And, in no particular order, a few more similar conversations/events throughout the journey west:

S: There’s no way in heck I’m eating this chick’s food. She’s clearly a demon and that rice is definitely poison. I better yell for Wukong before Wuneng chokes on his own saliva or Wujing and Bailong try her food-

G: (Speaking directly into his mind) No wait! This is a perfect opportunity!

S: For what??

G: For one of your trials! We have to squeeze a lot of them in, so might as well start early. And this one wasn’t even planned!

S: But Bodhisattva, I’m pretty sure she’s trying to eat me.

G: That’s the idea.

S: ...Are you really trying to help me or were we enemies in a past life?

G: Great just like that. Okay now tell him you want him gone and to never both you or your disciples again.

S: But he’s only trying to protect me!

G: Oh don’t worry, he’ll ‘convince’ you to let him stay. It’ll take at least two more times before he actually leaves.

S: Don’t we need him to stay on the journey??

G: Well of course we do silly! We’ll just give him a few days to realize how he misses you lot and once you, Wujing, and Bailong get captured or immobolized by a demon we’ll send Wuneng back to get him. Wukong learns the power of friendship and Wuneng gets knocked down a peg. Win-win!

S: Is this demon really powerful enough to capture the three of us and make Wuneng desperate enough to beg Wukong for help?

G: Oh not a chance. I’m talking about the other one up the road.

S: WHAT-

S: Oh yeah, random child tied to a tree, supposedly for days yet showing no sign of dehydration or bodily damage. That’s not suspicious or anything.

G: Now Sanzang-

S: I know, I know. 81 tribulations yadda yadda yadda.

G: Atta’ boy! Oh, before I forget, it might be hard tied up and stuff, but could you try to make sure Wukong doesn’t do too much damage to this one? I’m liking the looks of him and think I might want to make him my disciple.

S: ...why- I don’t- WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?

(Wukong)W: Master they’re demons! If you go with them they’ll eat you!

S: (Cringing internally) Now Wukong, how could you say this slander about such honest, hard-working souls?

(Wuneng/Pigsy)P: Yes yes, such kind souls! You should listen to Master, eldest brother. Never could such fine-featured ladies harbor any sinister intentions!

W: But Master they’re tricking you! 

S: (Internal pained sigh) Enough Wukong. I won’t listen to such stories. Go, get us fruit or rice before we leave for today’s travel.

W: But-

P: You heard Master! Go get some food for him!

S: Why do you do this Wuneng? I am THIS CLOSE to whacking you upside the head. This is difficult enough without you antagonizing him, so get your head out of your OH FOR THE LOVE OF BUDDHA QUIT DROOLING! JOURNEY OR NO JOURNEY I WILL SMACK YOU.

S: (Fighting the urge to bang his head into the nearest wall) Wukong how could this elderly woman possibly be a demon?

W: SHE HAS FANGS MASTER! FANGS!

S: She’s already explained about her family’s curse-

W: WHY DO YOU NEVER BELIEVE ME?!

S: Trust me Wukong, this hurts me WAY more than it hurts you.

S: They didn’t even tie the bonds properly. If I wiggle my wrists in a certain way I can probably get them off with no trouble-

G: No Sanzang stay where you are. Wukong’s going to be there soon. 

S: They are debating whether to bake or boil me and escape is literally RIGHT THERE-

G: But I have a thing planned! It’s going to be awesome!

S: (Screams in frustration)

S: (Tied up and hanging from the ceiling with his disciples in similar positions) (Deadpan) Oh wow. They turned out to be demons. Who could’ve possibly seen this coming?

G: Stop it! Do you want your disciples to catch on?

S: OH WELL NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT-

And such is our favorite monk’s life throughout the journey west. :)

BONUS:

(Wujing, Bailong, and Wuneng are currently captured by demons while Sanzang and Wukong are figuring out a plan to rescue them)

W: Master, my brothers’ lives are in danger. I know that you don’t trust me, but-

S: Alright you know what? No. That is it. I’m done with this.

W: Wh-

S: GUANYIN GET DOWN HERE!

W: ...Master, Guanyin is a holy Bodhisattva, you can’t just-

G: (Appears) Sanzang-

S: Oh no, don’t you ‘Sanzang’ me! I’ve been doing this for 13 Buddha-forsaken years! No more!

G: You know how much planning I’ve put into this?

S: I don’t care! I’m sick of playing the idiot!

G: But this was going to produce the perfect amount of angst and character development!

S: Angst?! CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?! Are you serious?!

G: This story is going to become legend and be passed down for hundreds of generations, we might as well throw in some drama for the younger demographic!

S: YOU’RE PUTTING MY DISCIPLES THROUGH THIS FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE??

W: What are you-

S&G, in unison: NOT NOW WUKONG!

(Wukong sits quietly and watches the continuing argument in a mixture of growing confusion, amusement, and anger)

S: I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS MY DISCIPLES ARE IN DANGER!

G: Is that any different than usual?

S: YES because my first disciple THINKS I DON’T TRUST HIM!!

W: Wait, you trust me?

S: Of course I do! I trust you with my life!

W: (With a gobsmacked expression) ...Oh.

S: (Distressed noises) (Gestures frantically at Wukong) Do you see Guanyin?! Do you see what I’ve done to him?!

G: (Relunctantly) Yes but, be that as it may-

S: No! We’re telling him! If you don’t want me to tell the others fine, but he at least deserves to know!

G: Sanzang we can’t just-

W: (Now a little less shell-shock at all the plot twists suddenly developing) Actually...(casually twirling staff with a sharp-toothed grin)...I think you’ll find you can tell me whatever it is you’re hiding. Wouldn’t want me to get bored of this argument and go looking for entertainment elsewhere- (significant glance heavensward) -would we?

G: (Nervous sweat) Well y-yes but your crown-

S: Which can now only be controlled by me. (Raises eyebrow and gives Guanyin a deadpan look) Correct?

G: ...

W: Wait, so you’ve really known right from the start when we’re dealing with a demon? Every single time?

S: It’s not as if any of them even TRIED to be halfway convincing. At least you’ll get into character; most of the demons we’ve encountered don’t even prepare their cover stories before they try fooling us! Quite frankly it’s insulting, even when I’m playing the idiot.

W: So when you take the pig’s word over mine...?

S: DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT TROUBLEMAKING LECHER-

When several days later (after Wukong has rescued the other disciples of course) they come across a beautiful young woman who’s been robbed by a group of bandits, Sanzang is at least able to take comfort in the quick look he shares with Wukong before they listen to her flimsy rambling tale. (And quietly laugh together in the moments they go unnoticed by the others over her very obvious tail).

[sneakydraws]

various assorted 17jttw draws.... including the truly iconic "do i love u?" moment! and some more scenes from @dorkshadows's fic!!! and another thoughtful convo with @frozenladybug!!!!!! and many attempts at getting 17 wukong's handsome face right </3

[earl-of-221b]

@dorkshadows DORK!!! DRCL is such an interesting take on Dracula -- I was also most intrigued by Lucy Westernra. The first time we see her she’s in her feminine night dress, doing a vow of ‘silence’ and secret-keeping with Mina: 

But in the promo poster she’s depicted like this: 

(Left to right: nobleman Arthur Holmwood; Korean med student Joe Sewa/John Seward; Black, Texan Quincey Morris; I think trench coat man is HELSING, and boy in middle is Jonathan Harker....then Anne-of-Green-Gables Mina and Lucy.) 

She’s in the same uniform as the boys while Mina wears a dress. I think you’re right about Lucy being trans/ non-binary (or cross-dressing to hide her gender and protect self from discrimination that Mina is obviously facing). I’m also wondering if Arthur was the one who called Lucy “Luke” in this bit: 

Right before Lucy is seen wearing male-presenting clothes with Arthur. (For a hot second I thought “Luke” was a whole other character and thought Arthur was gay. He could still be, need more chapters!)

ANYWAYS, my conspiracy theory upon reading the oneshot prologue is that LUCY is gay with MINA, but only in secret, at night when she is plagued by sleep-walking, which is causing extra problems/amnesia/denial because she has already been visited by Dracula (we know from the bite marks on her neck, as in Bram Stoker canon): 

It’s likely the school and other students aren’t aware Lucy is a woman/trans/nonbinary person, that’s why Mina’s day at school was such a big deal -- she’s supposed to be the only ‘girl’ in school...(Which is a bit strange, because of Lucy’s long, blonde very feminine hair for the age...but I’ll take it.) 

What really gets me is Lucy’s “I hate women, Arthur,” when Mina gives us THIS look: 

By day Lucy is male-presenting with Arthur. But at night Mina is romantically involved with her too. Maybe she’s in denial about her feelings for another girl. Maybe societal pressure is making her cross-dress for safety. Maybe she feels she has to end her relationship with Mina, and is overcompensating. Maybe it’s her selective sleep-walking, vampire-induced amnesia. But the ‘secret keeping ceremony,’ the male-presentation, ‘I hate women,’ and Mina’s look are pretty telling (to me). Which brings me to my second point about the Count themselves...... 

The Count - From The Far East - who arrives at Renfield’s Threatre/ Circus/ Freak show, and forms their body here: 

Genderless flesh and internal systems....And then we see one last glimpse here...

Either Count Dracula is a VERY beautiful man with very hypnotically beautiful eyes....or Countess Dracula is a VERY beautiful WOMAN with hypnotically beautiful eyes. It was my noblesse mutual @escspace​ who pointed out this last scene with Dracula -- convinced that was a woman beneath the veil. The fact that they’re wearing a veil and mask in that fashion is also telling. What if Lucy has been visited by a woman at night?

[righteousdelusions]

No one will ever get me as much as @dorkshadows does