#sorry for all of my followers who are not reading dracula daily

[serial-serializednovelreader]

It's crazy to me that people call Jonathan a himbo, he's so methodical and clever! It makes sense that Mina would be attracted to someone bright too

Yes, anon, you’re so speaking my language!!! I do wish people would stop calling Jonathan a himbo because — nothing against himbos — but Jonathan is not one of them! And yes, it totally makes sense that Mina would attracted to someone as clever as him, and since she’s also so smart, I’m sure the feeling is mutual.

Before y’all come shouting in my inbox “what do you have against himbos??” and “Jonathan is totally a himbo, what are you talking about?” Let me clear things up:

First of all, I love himbos!!! Kronk from Emperor’s New Groove — peak himbo, imo — is one of my favorite characters. Am I attracted to them? Well…no. As you can probably tell from my last Nova’s Notes, I’m more the kind of person who’s attracted to cleverness or when people nerd out. BUT I cherish himbos for all of their wonderful qualities and if I ever get the opportunity to meet one in real life, I would love to be friends with them! <3333

Secondly, for anyone who’s still saying Jonathan is a himbo…

Himbos have to embody all three qualities equally to be considered himbos! If they are not kind? Not a himbo. Not strong? Not a himbo, I’m sorry! I do make the rules of himbo, I simply follow the rules.

Now on to our good friend Jonathan Harker’s case.

He is undeniably kind. From what we’ve seen so far (not to mention later), he is not only loving to his fiancée, he is kind to strangers as well. He takes gifts from the villagers, even if he does not understand them. Just a couple of entries ago, he was willing to risk his life over a child he didn’t even know (and the same night after he had screamed running away from the women, too). Some of the Dracula Daily book club on here suspects (as do I) that some of the reason he’s so eager to spring into action the next day is to put a stop to Dracula’s evilness for other people, not just for himself. Heck, he’s even talked about Dracula’s good qualities after finding out he’s a prisoner!!! So, kindness? Yes! ✅

As for strong, there’s not as much evidence here, but I would call him somewhat strong because not just anyone could successfully scale a castle wall twice in one day like that! That takes a lot of strength in your core, arms, back, etc. Sure, Dracula can do it — but Dracula is also a vampire with super strength. Maybe it’s easier than I think it is, but I’m not exactly going to look for a castle to try it!! So for Jonathan to crack his knuckles and go “yeah, he can do it, why can’t I?” is both hilarious and shows that he must know something of his own strength. However, he’s also a solicitor and I doubt he’s built like a bodybuilder. So, strong? Maybe not as much as a typical himbo, but let’s give him the check mark because Lizard Fashion is nothing to sneeze at. ✅

Now for the ditzy part….I’d have to say no to that. Himbos are meant to not be “the sharpest tool in the shed” (yes, I did have to hit you with a Smash Mouth reference, sorry not sorry) and Jonathan is farrrrr from that.

Everything he has done so far has been methodical and smart. I covered this in my other Nova’s Notes (you can look under the hashtag on my page if you want to see more :D) so I really don’t want to go through too much I’ve already gone through, but the arguments I’ve seen for him being a himbo — based on the entries we’ve already read — are that he’s not smart because he:

Doesn’t heed villager’s warnings

“Let’s” himself become a prisoner

Is nice to Dracula after he knows he’s a prisoner

Talks about his fiancée a lot (???????)

For the first point, we’ve gone over this, but here we go again — he doesn’t heed the villager’s warnings, no. But keep in mind none of them actually say “The Count is a super dangerous man!! Don’t trust him!!!” Here’s the passage:

“When I asked him if he knew Count Dracula, and could tell me anything of his castle, both he and his wife crossed themselves, and, saying that they knew nothing at all, simply refused to speak further. It was so near the time of starting that I had no time to ask any one else, for it was all very mysterious and not by any means comforting.

Just before I was leaving, the old lady came up to my room and said in a very hysterical way:

‘Must you go? Oh! young Herr, must you go?’ She was in such an excited state that she seemed to have lost her grip of what German she knew, and mixed it all up with some other language which I did not know at all. I was just able to follow her by asking many questions. When I told her that I must go at once, and that I was engaged on important business, she asked again:

‘Do you know what day it is?’ I answered that it was the fourth of May. She shook her head as she said again:

‘Oh, yes! I know that! I know that, but do you know what day it is?’ On my saying that I did not understand, she went on:

‘It is the eve of St. George's Day. Do you not know that to-night, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway? Do you know where you are going, and what you are going to?’ She was in such evident distress that I tried to comfort her, but without effect. Finally she went down on her knees and implored me not to go; at least to wait a day or two before starting. It was all very ridiculous but I did not feel comfortable.

So here’s the thing: you can see that the only thing the innkeeper’s wife explicitly warns him against is going to the castle that night because it’s a day in their culture where evil spirits are considered to have full sway.

The innkeeper’s wife does ask him if he knows “where he is going and who is going to” — he says no, but she does not speak further on the matter. When he asked about the Count before this, they just refused to speak! I know that may seem like an implicit warning — and it is — but some people on here act as if Jonathan was supposed to have known why they were crossing themselves and immediately have left? Like, he obviously feels uncomfortable, but as he states before and afterwards: he has a job to do. If you were in his position: a newly-appointed lawyer (or position of your choice), and you went to a place where the locals told you not to visit your client that night because it was a night where evil spirits would come out: would you honestly believe them? And if you asked about what your client was like and they just crossed themselves and refused to speak on the matter, would you simply leave the town and tell your boss “nah, sorry, the villagers warned me against him. I decided this client’s not for me”? I guess that honestly depends on you, but I would think not if you want to keep your job!! I know that’s not ideal, but to be fair, he also is not given a fair warning before going in.

There is also that incident in the carriage where he hears those villagers talking and he picks up bits and pieces (including the words werewolf and vampire) but a) they’re not talking to him and b) he doesn’t pick up enough to even indicate who they’re talking about!! In fact, he thinks they’re badmouthing him!!! (Which is understandable, he can only hear a bit and he’s translating on the fly). Again, how he is supposed to automatically know: “oh, Count Dracula is a vampire and I must flee this place immediately.” We know that because Dracula has been a pop culture icon for 100+ years, but Jonathan doesn’t have that kind of knowledge. I feel it’s kind of ridiculous to call him not smart for not knowing this.

However, and this is important, he does take some of this warning to heart. He does take the crucifix and the other vampire-repellent gifts the villagers bestow upon him, despite his skepticism and ignorance of the culture (thanks, English colonization /s). He feels uncomfortable and anxious before he even goes into the castle, literally saying goodbye to Mina in his diary in case he doesn’t make it back!! He keeps the crucifix in his room and uses it to ward off bad dreams and for safety against Dracula (which is not really how he’s supposed to use it, but he wasn’t really told how, so I don’t really blame him for that).

I don’t think a himbo would’ve picked up that something was amiss at any of these points, not until it was too late at least. I think for this test, just picture Kronk (or your fav himbo) in this situation. Would they even notice something was up? Or would they go cheerfully towards the castle?

As for the second point — this is kind of unrelated to the himbo question but — what kind of victim-blame mentality is this????? I have seen people unironically (at least I’m pretty sure it is?) post that Jonathan deserves the abuse he’s getting because he didn’t heed the villager’s warnings (which I already talked about above) and/or he’s “rude” to Dracula. I’m sorry — WHAT???? So if you’re rude to somebody they’re to allowed to lock you up in their castle???? That’s a fair trade? I beg your pardon?! Just…ok. Believe what you want, but maybe let’s not blame the guy who’s been a prisoner in a random stranger’s castle for a month and is sure he’s about to die? Yes, this is fictional and not that deep, but still — weird take.

Back to the himbo question, I mean, he doesn’t really let himself become a prisoner. He’s at Dracula’s castle for a job. Once he’s done with that job he’s ready to leave, but Dracula makes him stay because he literally locks him in!!! He then explicitly tells him he will stay longer and Jonathan has to accept because he is there in place of his boss, and saying no would be like speaking (negatively) for his boss — and Jonathan is not going to do that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think a himbo would be able to see all of that subtext within that conversation. I actually don’t know this kind of interaction between a true himbo and Dracula would go, but I imagine not well. Dracula thrives off of interesting conversation and wit, as well as being able to maintain a facade of host and guest. I just don’t see if someone like Kronk could maintain that for long because he would probably be like “but I don’t want to stay longer, let me go” or something, which would end the “game”.

Moving on to the third point, he is nice to Dracula after he knows he’s a prisoner for a reason. When he realizes he’s locked up (which he realizes super fast, by the way), he sits down and has a good, long think about what he can do. More passage evidence!

“I am thinking still, and as yet have come to no definite conclusion. Of one thing only am I certain; that it is no use making my ideas known to the Count. He knows well that I am imprisoned; and as he has done it himself, and has doubtless his own motives for it, he would only deceive me if I trusted him fully with the facts. So far as I can see, my only plan will be to keep my knowledge and my fears to myself, and my eyes open. I am, I know, either being deceived, like a baby, by my own fears, or else I am in desperate straits; and if the latter be so, I need, and shall need, all my brains to get through.”

So he knows Dracula is up to something (or he’s jumped to conclusions) and either way, talking about it is a bad idea. The only way through is to act like nothing’s wrong for now and try to get information out of Dracula. Other than that, he’s going to need to use his brains! Yes, he does talk to Dracula and acts nice — but it’s with a plan and a purpose. Dracula has creeped him out from the start, but he has always been able to maintain good cheer around him. Now, he will put that to use.

So for this himbo test, it’s kind of similar to the second one. Were Kronk in this situation, he would make it by for a while because he probably wouldn’t notice the doors are locked. But once he did…I’m not sure if it would be like the second point where he’d immediately tell Dracula “hey why are all of the doors locked” and the game is up or if his shoulder angel/devil characters would come out to help him. I guess it depends! And to Kronk’s credit, he has figured things out before (e.g. figured out who Pacha was and in relation to Kuzco) *but* it took him like 12 hours after the fact and that’s not how Jonathan operates. Jonathan figures out things pretty quickly. Does he need time to think sometimes? Yes. But he’s pretty much always thinking and trying to figure out more once he’s at Castle Dracula. I just don’t see these two in the same vein here.

For the final point, I haven’t seen much evidence for this, but it needs to be addressed. I think sometimes people tend to equate WifeGuy with “no thoughts, head empty only for wife” and that can be true!!! There are definitely characters like that and I do love them so. Jonathan is undeniably a WifeGuy (and Mina’s not even his wife in name yet), bringing her up anytime he gets a chance. I would argue though that just because he’s in love and brings her up a ton doesn’t mean he’s also not clever and methodical. You can be in love and smart: these can coexist. Mina is a very smart character from what we’ve seen already and she’s in love too!

I don’t really have a Kronk case study for this one, but like anon said — I think Mina is attracted to Jonathan for his smartness and it goes both ways. They love each other for many other reasons (there’s a lot to love!), but I imagine that’s kind of the cherry on top for them.

Why does this matter? I think calling Jonathan a himbo is reducing his character a bit here. Again, I’m not saying being a himbo is bad, but it does discredit his methodical ways and strategy he has in the castle. His methodical nature is part of personality and pretending that doesn’t exist erases his character, in my opinion. Additionally, it raises the question: could a himbo become a lawyer? I…don’t think so…but maybe? Find me a himbo who’s a lawyer and prove me wrong I guess! Wait is Phoenix Wright a himbo…? Question for another time.

In conclusion, Jonathan Harker only passes 1 part of the himbo test (kindness) with flying colors. The strong test he only passes by the tail of his lizard fashion, and as for ditzy? He fails miserably. Recall that for someone to be a true himbo, they have to possess all three traits equally. Even if you could make the case for one, you’d still be missing another. So, no, I don’t think Jonathan Harker is a himbo. You can maybe argue with me that he has himbo moments (if that’s a thing, idk), but overall? No.

[fandomcrazy6226]

Liveblogging Dracula Daily - May 12

Brought to you on June 26th. Yeah, I've fallen really behind, but I'm gonna try to just straight-through all of these missed entires tonight so anybody who's really following these uh... have fun with the rapid succession. Do y'all think I should put some like.. "previous"/"next" links at the end of these posts? It's about at the length to need a masterlist

Anyway, here's the entry! From what I remember this one has wall-crawling

Always good to start with facts, and better to separate them from your own memories/opinions. Objectivity is a virtue. Wait he spends all day reading and then all night talking? Jonathan I'm begging you get some sleep, you desperately need it

So Dracula is asking a bunch of questions. Question 1, can someone in England have multiple solicitors? Answer 1, yes, you can have it sounds like as many as you want, but only one can be working at a time. That's all understood so Dracula then asks if he can have more than one for like... specialty jobs.

Oooh, an example! Ok, so he asked for Jonathan's help because he doesn't live in London so that only Dracula's needs would be served... sure. And so he wants to know if he can get another solicitor to help shipping things to different areas where those other solicitors would live so it's more efficient. I guess that makes sense? Efficiency 100

And apparently there's a Solicitor Code of Conduct that says that... son of a Jesus what do these words mean I feel like I'm translating Shakespeare... the client can have one solicitor who can then direct other "local" solicitors to do local things, and the client doesn't have to do anything. Am I understanding correctly???

Ok so Dracula wants to direct his own solicitors and starts asking about paperwork and forms, and apparently he might make a really good solicitor (how many flipping times am I gonna have to type the word "solicitor")

Awww, he's so alone. And he's gonna be there for another month? Yeesh. "My needs only were to be consulted" selfish prick! This man needs to get married to his amazing fiancee!

Yeah, still a prisoner. I forgot that like... he's really not here by his own will anymore. And Dracula the master manipulator over here telling him to keep things secret and straight-up LIE to people that he's doing fine. Sharp teeth!

Heck yeah, have a secret code with your fiancee! I should make up a code to use with my boyfriend if we ever need to, that would be fun.

Spying on his mail is either gonna be a really smart move or a really stupid one, but considering how Jonathan seems like one of the brainier horror protagonists I'm guessing it's a smart one

Ok I'm gonna note this just for posterity, one letter is for Samuel F. Billington, No. 7, The Crescent, Whitby (copy-paste works wonders), the second one is for Herr Leutner, Varna, the third is for Coutts & Co., London, and the last one is for Herren Klopstock & Billreuth, bankers, Buda-Pesth. I'm guessing these are all other solicitors

Oh, boy, we're getting a warning! Don't fall asleep anywhere but your own room or you'l have... really bad dreams? That doesn't sound threatening but I'm gonna guess those bad dreams lead to something more sinister

Good idea having the crucifix over your bed, that's probably a good protection. Like maybe it protects your whole bed. Wear it when awake and hang it when you sleep

Again this scenery is so pretty when he describes it, I almost wish this was illustrated just so I could see it. I'm sure people have drawn passages like this, maybe I could look into those later

I'm.... fucking sorry??????? He's not only climbing, but climbing face-down??? I mean that's probably better, the way this is described if he'd been face-up then he'd've spotted Johnathan looking but like jesus Cuh-rist!

"I saw the fingers and toes"... was he climbing barefoot? Is he that level of freak?

Yeah I'd be pretty scared out of my mind if I saw some old dude with various biological impossiblities climbing a wall upside down with no shoes on. Gawd Dayum.

PREVIOUS / NEXT

[draculadailytracker]

Hi! I am trying to understand what this blog is going to be this time around. I am sharing dracula daily with someone who couldn't participate last year, and worrying that it's going to be hard to find spoiler-free posts to show them. I saw in your pinned that you mentioned spoilers and so got interested.

I just wanted to ask instead of assume, what is the idea for this here blog?

Much the same as last year! (Which I take it you were around for, since you said "this time around"?) That is, I'll be reblogging and tagging posts from the #dracula daily tag. If I see posts that spoil events from later in the story, I'll hold those back until the emails catch up. Essentially, if you're a first-time reader and follow this blog, you should not see spoilers in your feed.

Let me explain why I mentioned spoilers in my pinned post. Part of my original intent when I started this blog was to make it possible for people who'd fallen behind, to catch up again. They can go through the tag for the dates they missed, and enjoy all the memes and analysis at their leisure.

The problem is, if first-time readers scroll back too far in any date tag (take today's, 3 May, for instance), they'll wind up reading posts about 3 May from last year. Some of last year's posts are fine. But posts can be tagged with more than one date — for example, if the OP wanted to contrast events on 3 May with a later entry. So a first-time reader would be happily reading 3 May reactions from this year, then suddenly see spoilers from late last year.

Of course, this applies to all tags (including for characters). But dates seem the most liable to trick people into thinking they're safe, spoiler-wise, so I wanted to caution everyone.

I hope this helps, and I'm sorry if I was unclear in my pinned post!

[kronprinz-rudolf]

Tagged by @fitzrove yay 🥰

Last song I listened to: uh. I watched a musical yesterday so last song from that musical but I'm not telling the name jshh. sorry useless answer <3

Last book I read: I'm trying to keep up with dracula daily! (3rd take. maybe I'll finish it this year sjhs). but if full book then it's Mayerling by Claude Anet unfortunately

Last film I watched: if musical proshots count then see first answer ksh. if not then. hm :)))) 🐔

Last tv series: netflix avatar adaptation, been wanting to watch that for a while. it was alright, didn't give me strong feelings x) zuko and iroh were nice <33

Last thing I googled: deathhawk

Last thing I ate: croissant with pistachio cream filling. it was on discount. yummy

Sweet, savoury, or spicy: anything that's not spicy ksjshs. sweet perhaps though I can be picky x)

Amount of sleep: under 5 hours + 1 hour nap later. not my worst x) hope to sleep more tonight though, loonnng week

Currently reading: Dracula, as mentioned before. have two books on hold, Emma by Jane Austen and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. someday will continue them. someday 🥲

Tagging: all of my followers. you know who you are. jshs idk anyone really <3

[topaz-carbuncle]

Nine People You Want To Get To Know Better

Thank you so much for the tag @agentnatesewell !

Last Song: I've currently been listening to band 'The Amazing Devil' for the past few days, I love this band a lot so I've just had all their songs on shuffle while in the garden. The last song I listened to was That Unwanted Animal by them!

Currently Watching: I've just finished watching a horror series on Netflix called Marianne!

Its a French show where the author of a horror series returns to her home town and realises that the evil spirit she had been writing about was luring her out. It was a lot of fun, so now I'm trying to find similar shows to watch!

Currently Reading: Mostly going through favourites of mine while dying from the heatwave that's hit the UK!

I've been following along with Dracula daily when theres new content once more, as well as re-reading Howl's Moving Castle and its sequels! I have also recently bought The fall of Cthulhu, which I'm excited to get into next!

Current Obsession: Mostly The Wayhaven Chronicles and by extension, Nate Sewell at the moment! It's consumed my thoughts and has certainly helped make me happy recently, so I'm just in love with the series and characters.

But I am still into Attack on Titan (mostly because of Levi Ackerman) as well as my forever ongoing obsession with Silent Hill, sparked back into my mind by the upcoming games!

Tagging: Anyone who wishes to join in! As well as @agnt-sexysuavewell , @eveningstar1516 , @serenpedac (Sorry if you have already been tagged or don't wish to join in, theres no pressure! ^-^)

I know that's technically not 9 people but I never know who's comfortable with me @-ing them!

[momointhetardis]

Nine People You'd Like to Get to Know Better

thank you for the tag @missanthropicprinciple! I'm so sorry it took me forever to find this again after my classes ended for the semester.

➠ last song: "Hey Friends" by Ludo. have normally been listening to a few of my spotify playlists but Ludo finally put out a new song so I've been basically just listening to this and also this band Hellripper my partner recommended.

➠ last show/movie: I'll admit I've been on a bit of a Sonic Boom kick again. although I also recently got into a few older sitcoms they do on pluto - 227, Roc, stuff like that. I think the last tv show that was new I followed though was Dirk Gently's Hollistic Detective Agency which I seriously recommend as well. have not really been watching movies recently, I think the last one I watched was the Labyrinth or UHF or something.

➠ currently watching: my partner and I have been keeping up on a few lately to watch together: beavis and butthead (the new ones are actually pretty funny), ICarly, been showing my partner Avatar but we're on the last episode now so we've pushed it off a bit, My Hero Academia, The Great North - definitely recommend for fans of Bob's Burgers.

➠ currently reading: just Dracula Daily for the moment since I've got a pretty hefty oceanography textbook to study soon, plus all my to-read books got accidentally put in storage, although I've been trying to get time to check the used bookstore for some new Dirk Gently or at least the last damn series of unfortunate events book since I never got to finish reading that. also trying to get caught up on my favorite webcomic - Lackadaisy.

➠ current obsession: mostly video games since I've been too sick to do much else lately. but Subnautica 1 & 2 and the Soulsborne games have been my main ones lately, especially Elden Ring and Bloodborne. although Stray, Stranded Deep, and Diablo have been ones I've also been playing, and always Minecraft.

tagging: @billiejoeisaburrito, @ghoulscout335, @cowboylightbearer, @eliza--day, @cosmic-hub, @trees-for-rent, @hero-of-the-horn, @citylightsqueen, @aeolianchemistry

(anyone else who wants to feel free to join btw)

[sky-walkerem]

About Em

As it says in the description, I’m queer, disabled/chronically ill, and I’m nonbinary. I used to be a librarian, but long Covid made it impossible to keep working so I’m trying to recover. My eventual goal was to be an archivist so we’ll see I guess. My history interests are all over the place but I did also double in classics in undergrad. I love mythology, legends, folklore, cryptids, etc.

I’m into a lot of different shows and books and fandoms etc, but heres a few that’s giving me the biggest brain rot rn:

The locked tomb series

Murderbot series

The magnus archives (yes still im so sorry)

Star Wars - especially the thrawn stuff, high republic, and rebels, but I’m working on reading all the canon books and comics and watching all the shows

Dracula daily (I loved Dracula as a kid so getting regular Dracula content is like amazing)

Watcher/Ryan and Shane’s shows

I used to be into superwholock, h**** p***** and merlin back in ye olden days, so if you go back far enough you might see those lol. I tried to purge my blog of h/p/ but I’m not sure if I got it all. But I do support trans rights and not that bigot. I still love merlin.

Mostly you never know what’s gonna turn up here. This isn’t really a curated blog so much as a pile of shiny rocks I found in the corner.

Disclaimer: I don’t get wildly nsfw on here but I just wanted to make it clear that I’m an adult. I’m approaching 30. I don’t mind teens but I don’t curate my space expecting teen followers. Or really any followers, I’m not sure who everyone is or why there are so many eyes in the room.

Some of my cross stitches ^^

[bookworm105616]

Not a new update, but for my friends who read It’s All Futile! It’s All Pointless! I present to you an earlier draft of chapter two.

(Also if you followed me just for this, I’m sorry I’ve been reblogging exclusively Dracula Daily my feed scares me.)

———————————————————————

The house was too quiet at night.

A handful of crickets chirped, some floorboards creaked, an owl seemed to be having a fit somewhere - but it was all hushed. Muted.

He longed for the sounds of the city. Cars and sirens and the occasional gunshot. His dad’s frankly ridiculous snores, which he always used to pray would mysteriously stop one day because he could hear them through the door and they kept him up tonight.

Well. At least that wish came true.

Strange to think about. The fact that he would never see his dad again. Those feelings were jumbled, all tangled up tight in his chest and writhing like living creatures - like a nest of snakes.

It’s hard to mourn someone you never truly knew. He knew his dad was a big-shot politician, he knew his dad’s favorite hangover cure was a Virgin Bloody Mary, and he knew his dad was happy to throw money at him no matter the occasion if it kept him out of sight for a few hours. Little more than that.

Is it wrong to wonder if you miss your own father or not?

During his time in the hospital he quickly learned that those thoughts often led to the sort that made his burns ache.

So he stopped. He sat up (carefully, he was always so careful now) and made his way to the window. The moon was full and bright. If he strained he could almost hear a wolf howling somewhere in the distance.

Softly he brushed the curtain aside, allowing light to stream in through the glass and scatter a few beams of moonlight on the dark-wood floor. With his damaged hand he reached for them, sighing quietly to himself.

There was a gentle knock at the door. He startled, head whipping away from the pretty sight.

Isn’t it a bit late for this?

Surprisingly the door didn’t squeak when he opened it. He’d expected it to - the doors in his condo nearly always had.

Tommy was standing in the hallway, twisting the hem of his shirt in his hands like just needed something to do with them. He smiled - or rather, he grimaced. Like he was trying to offer a grin but his facial muscles didn’t quite remember how to make the expression.

“Ow do?” He coughed. “I uh - I heard you tossin’ and turnin’ and shit. Thought it might be the quiet, y’know? Got to me when I first moved here too. If that is your problem. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you, I can go -”

Tubbo reached for Tommy’s arm as he turned to leave, letting go like he’d touched the eye of a hot stove when the other boy flinched violently. “It’s okay. Did you want to come in?”

“We have to be -” Tommy put a finger to his lips. “We have to be really quiet.” His voice lowered to practically a whisper.

Glancing over his shoulder as he took a small step inside the door, he hummed nervously. “I can’t - I shouldn’t stay long, yeah? I’m not supposed to leave my room at night.”

Not my business, definitely not my business.

“Why not?” Tubbo blurted out as he moved to his bed and started pulling off the comforter, planning to lay it on the floor to use as a cushion.

“I’d get into trouble. Mischief if you will.” He glanced at the window, averting his eyes. “Plus Dream is worried I’ll steal things or run off in the middle of the night. Ah - what are you doing there Boss Man?”

“I don’t want my ass to get bruised sitting on the uncomfortable floor. I’m delicate. Like a bumblebee.” Tubbo answered matter-of-factly. “Now talk to me. I want information.”

He plopped onto the now well-spread blanket and crossed his legs, gesturing for Tommy to do the same. After a moment’s hesitation, he did.

“What do you want to know?” Tommy asked hesitantly. He did everything hesitantly - even his fidgeting was uncertain, halting, like he could and would stop in a heartbeat if anyone so much as raised an eyebrow at him.

What is safe to ask?

Shrugging, he leaned back against the bed frame. “I don’t know. Just general stuff maybe, like….who planted all the flowers and shit out front? They’re well pretty.”

“Oh.” Tommy shifted and looked like he might smile, eyes softening. “I did. I always thought I would hate gardening, but it’s basically playing in mud for hours. I love mud. I want to eat mud. Flowers are pretty cool too though. Maybe I can show you the garden in the morning.”

“That’d be awesome.” Tubbo tossed his head, trying to clear some hair out of his face. It was always getting in the way, itchy and thick. He was fairly certain he inherited his hair from Puffy, whose unruly mane had curls large enough to wrap around her wrist like bracelets.

“You’re - I mean -“ Tommy paused and cleared his throat, suddenly flushing a light, embarrassed shade of red. “I mean you’re not just saying that to mess with me are you? Because we don’t have to look at it.”

“Flowers are fucking cool man.” Giving up on his previous method, he just finger-combed the hair out of his face - huffing a little in annoyance when his nails caught on a tangle. “I’d love to look at some flowers, I swear it.”

Shoulders eased, relief clear on his face, Tommy gave a little nod of approval - apparently Tubbo had passed some sort of unspoken test.

“Good. That’s really good.” Jerky shrug, awkward wooden-puppet movements. “What do…what do you like to do? Y’know, for fun?”

What do I like to do?

Ride the bus for miles and miles until nothing looks familiar. Reach new records in Packman at an antique arcade in the decrepit old shopping center near the condo, located squarely between the shady Chinese Takeout Place and a derelict convenience store. For a while he’d made it a goal to try the pumpkin pie at every diner in L’Manberg, because hell, why not?

“I’m a chess prodigy.” He settled on. “I used to compete in tournaments and stuff - even got on the fucking news once which was pretty pog to be honest. So I play chess sometimes. Usually against the computer, since I haven’t found anyone who can beat me yet.”

“You don’t sound like you enjoy it very much,” Tommy noted. “You sound - fuck, what’s the word…resigned? I don’t fucking know. Like it was okay but not fun.”

Startlingly, he was correct. Chess was something Tubbo started doing because it was easy, he was good at it. A natural at it. He got trophies. Prizes. Applause.

He didn’t get his father’s attention.

“I prefer video games these days. Play a lot of Minecraft.” Smile - grimace, it’s all the same in the dark. They could just make out each other’s faces in the dim moonlight, any details beyond vague shapes shrouded in shadow.

“Ha.” Tommy laughed, a short, breathy thing. “We haven’t got a computer here. Apparently I’m not supposed to go near anything with a fucking screen.” He explained, sounding rueful and mild in equal measure. Clearly it was something he’d gotten used to a long time ago.

Laying flat on the floor, Tubbo could feel the grit and grooves in the wood under his back. There was a gauge in the floor he traced absently with his fingers, enjoying the strange texture.

Foolish is going to find this hilarious.

“Why not? Does Dream think they’re radioactive or something? Is he one of those people who shops at Trader Joe’s?” He didn’t mean to gush, but he’d never met someone who didn’t have access to excessive technology. Almost everyone in his family had worked with computers to some degree - hell, even his dad’s ex-fiancée had been into that shit.

Laying down next to him, Tommy snorted. “It’s my doctor actually. Says the internet might ‘further my delusions and ‘damage my fragile psyche’ or whatever the fuck.”

“Care to elaborate on that, Boss Man?” Tubbo pressed, turning onto his (un-injured) side to stare at him imploringly.

At first, Tommy said no. Then Tubbo’s stubborn silence finally got to him and he sighed, giving in to the smaller boy’s plea for information.

“All the adults think I’m crazy.” Tommy admitted in a conspiratorial whisper. “Totally fucked in the head. I’m guessing they didn’t warn you about that.”

“Must have slipped their minds.” Tubbo answered amiably, almost lethargic in his calm reaction. “So are you?” He was half listening, half staring at the ceiling. It was relatively plain, but there was an intriguing stain just above his head and he was trying to figure out how it got there.

“Am I what?” Tommy rolled into his side just like Tubbo had, until they were properly face to face. His gaze felt searching, prying, but Tubbo didn’t think he meant it to be so he didn’t mind much.

“Crazy. Mad. Totally bonkers.” He yawned and it was painful, his melted skin protesting most enthusiastically.

Puffy always said those were very negative terms, crazy and mad and all that. She said it was okay, that everyone struggled with mental health sometimes and some people just needed a little more help than others which was ‘totally fine’. That didn’t make them crazy or bad or wrong.

I miss her.

Tommy laughed that quiet, rueful laugh again. “The hell if I know, Big Man. Maybe. Fucking probably.” He adjusted his body so he was lying on his side like Tubbo, nearly eye to eye with him.

“That’s okay.” He let his eyes drop shut and bunched the blanket up under his head as a makeshift pillow. “I think maybe what happened to me is making me a little crazy too.”

Sleep wrapped him in her warm embrace and he drifted off, fast asleep (or doing a great job of pretending to be) before Tommy could ask any follow up questions.

[bbakashinji]

Is there anything more horrifying than an evil you cannot stop? Is there anything more soul crushing than doing anything you could with the tools you had, and still not be able to prevent tragedy? To see that the one thing that could have maybe changed the course of events arrived too late?

I think today's entries were so powerful because while yes, we are talking about a literal vampire, I think we are all familiar with some kind of violent and destructive force, and we are all familiar with feeling powerless in the face of it

Man, I need to lie down

[qqueenofhades]

1of 3) feel free to ignore this, but I'm doing Dracula Daily (never read it before) and I have a lot of feelings/thoughts and seeing as you've read it, I hope you don't mind if I rant a bit. I really want to shake Van Helsing until he starts telling people stuff. Like I can kind of get him not wanting to tell Seward that it's a vampire so he doesn't seem crazy and get institutionalized, but at some point, he should have told him anyway, or just made it clear that Lucy needs watching every night

2of3) and not just depend on telegrams/letters to tell him to watch her. But then she dies, and still instead of telling anyone what's going on, he just tells Seward that he needs to get him some surgeon tools so he can remove her head and heart (because talking about needlessly (at least to Seward) removing body parts of a corpse makes way more sense then mentioning a vampire and definitely makes him seem sane). He even talks about how they need to work together as one and need trust, of 3) and it's like my dude, have you even once considered how much easier it may be for people to work together with you as one, to trust you when you need it, if they have even a slight hint of what's going on? Personally if someone asks me to do something odd/hard/weird etc. I'm much more likely to do it, or at least complain less, if I know the reason besides a 'I'm so-and-so and you should do what I say' reason. Again, sorry for the rant.

Hush now. Of course I am delighted that people have so many feelings about a 19th-century classic horror novel that they want to come shout in my inbox about it! This is exactly why I love Dracula Daily as a concept, and think it's really clever. Everyone kind of.... already knows Dracula by cultural osmosis (he's a vampire! He has a swoopy dark cloak and he can turn into a bat! He sneaks around and Vants to Suck Your Blud!) but they are discovering they don't actually know many details about the text, and that modern adaptations have often totally slaughtered it in the aims of making it Sexy or otherwise introducing themes/readings that are not necessarily present in the original. So yes, I have read Dracula before, but I'm still really enjoying seeing the way Tumblr has gone ape for it and are all indignantly signing up for the Lucy Westenra and Mina Murray Defense Squad and drawing fanart and making memes and dropping casual references to the "polycule" and so forth. Yes.

Anyway, I wrote this post the other day discussing how everyone's over-reliance on traditional social conventions, and trying to follow the rules of how to be Good Victorians, has totally fucked them over. The whole point of what's going on is that they all keep trying to act like it's a normal situation and they need to be Decorous and Proper and Not Alarm Anyone, and like... that's the exact sort of thing Dracula feeds on (literally and metaphorically). Because he's weaponizing their extreme middle-class Victorian Englishness against them, where they can't talk to each other and they can't discuss how they feel and they can't be honest, all for fear of Offending Protocol, they're screwed. They can't coordinate, they can't do anything that might long-term help, and there is of course an interesting subtextual queer reading here, considering that Bram Stoker is universally considered to have been a repressed gay man who hid/denied his sexuality and lived in, to say the least, an openly homophobic society. Whether or not it was his primary intention to portray the rules of Good Victorian Behavior not working and instead actually actively harming people by forcing them to keep secrets and not trust that anyone else will believe them, it's an unavoidable theme in the text and one that a modern reader definitely picks up on with the benefit of hindsight.

Also, I think it's important to highlight that despite his 84 PhDs (of course he's a lawyer as well as a doctor) and generally being the book-smartest person in the story, Van Helsing has, at this point, comprehensively failed. He hasn't saved Lucy's life, he hasn't prevented her from turning into a vampire, he hasn't warned anyone else about what's really going on, he hasn't prevented Mrs. Westenra from being frightened to death, he hasn't told Arthur (poor Arthur!!!) anything about why he wouldn't even let him kiss his fiancee as she was dying, etc. And a huge part of this is because, as you point out, he hasn't told anyone anything. Van Helsing has often been narratively paralleled to Dracula, which I think is accurate: he is solely in charge of Lucy's health, as Dracula is the sole reason for hurting it. He tries to control Lucy, he tries to keep her loved ones in the dark, he tries to basically "have" her for himself -- all in the name of helping her, yes, but his treatment is just as ineffective as Dracula's assault is effective. Van Helsing means all the best, but he's kind of fucked it up!

And yes, the primary reason he's doing so is because he thinks that he alone is smart enough to solve the problem, he can't let anyone else onto his plans (even when Quincey strolled in, took one look, and was like "oh yeah this was like the time the vampire bit my horse" and asked the OBVIOUS FUCKING QUESTION of where all of Lucy's blood was going!) and he otherwise is the Only One. Just like Dracula's pride, arrogance, solitude, stubbornness, and insistence that his will/choices for Lucy are the only ones that matters, Van Helsing is doing the same thing, from the opposite side of the coin. That's why his methods can't possibly work to counteract Dracula and (as we will see in the latter half of the novel) they need to comprehensively rethink their entire strategy and discard all the old social rules and worry for "decorum" that has kept them from being honest with each other so far. But yes, we love us a good hero/villain narrative foil with the same flaws and the same methods. Which is what is definitely going on here. Because things such as Mrs. Westenra removing the garlic flowers happen because Van Helsing didn't even tell her that they were medicinal (you have one million doctorates, Abraham, make up a scholarly bullshit reason!)

So yes, as I said, and as we will see in upcoming entries, Following The Good Victorian Rules has fucked everyone over HARD, Van Helsing is acting like Dracula while trying to fix Dracula's damage and that's why it isn't working, and our heroes are going to need to have a comprehensive rethink of what they're doing and why, if they want to stop any of this in time. Dun dun dunnn!

[eyrieofsynapses]

earlier this week:

*scrolling, notices a random post about Dracula that seems eerily like a very modern take* ...huh. must be a new adaption out. or a fandom for an adaption I haven’t seen. k

(later, as posts go from a very few to semi-common)

...alright, new fandom? new, bigger fandom. for an adaption that sounds weirdly like the original book. somebody’s doing it right. k have fun y’all

(post about Dracula Daily email appears)

I’m... what? well okay. at least somebody’s appreciating the classics. no idea how the hell somebody came up with the email thing, and also why. but whatever. weird fandom explosion tho, thought we were done with the vampire thing

(a day or two later, as posts start to occur somewhat frequently)

for a book that’s *checks date* a hundred and twenty-five years old y’all have really hopped on the blorbo train with this Jonathan Harker dude huh? can’t believe I’m probably gonna start seeing gay vampire fanfic of characters that are a hundred and twenty-five years old on my dash soon. gay vampire fic, sure. gay vampire fic from 1897...

*glances at Sherlock Holmes fandom* ...actually y’know what nevermind, this is normal

(several of the blogs I follow are now thoroughly invested. there are memes. there are passages being quoted. somehow I have yet to see gay vampire fic)

...okay, fandom, I’ve literally no idea how the hell I’m not seeing a new ship cropping up like mad. also why are you posting memes of a hundred and twenty-five-year-old book. what is this about Dracula Red Flags. wtf is the running joke about the shaving mirror. WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT DRACULA BEING A WEIRD HOST WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE ON ABOUT

also I knew the original Dracula was not altogether anything like the modern Twilight-esque vampire but I’m sorry why the hell does this sound like this Jonathan Harker guy just wandered into a random dude’s home and started writing letters home about how weird a host he was without taking Stranger Danger into account. sir why haven’t you left. sir do you have any survival instinct

(continuing to watch the nonsense unfolding)

...why do I feel vaguely invested by proxy

also why are people saying that the daily letters are like actual correspondence from a friend. what, a hundred and twenty-five-year-old dude bestie? your friend that happened to time-travel and lose half his memory and, for whatever reason, has the common sense of your average “horror movie character that dies first” trope? who practically inspired that trope? who probably writes in a vaguely headache-inducing style because old book?

and y’all are reading this like the morning newspaper except without the soul-crushing doomsday predictions? or the daily fanfic update from some crazy author who somehow has the organizational skills and legendary all-desired Aladdin’s First Wish ability to actually consistently write enough fic that they can update daily?

what is going on

(it is five days after the mayhem began. there is fanart. there are rant posts. memes abound. Jonathan Harker is apparently now the newest, most popular himbo and blorbo. Dracula Daily has appeared on an official Tumblr “fandoms of the week” post. I am observing one of the fastest fandom blow-ups I’ve seen ever)

...*sighs*

*searches Google for Dracula Daily*

*opens up the webpage and considers for a moment. the mental “let’s not get dragged into this mess” wall is falling apart. teetering on the edge. this close to death. it is screaming what are you about to get yourself into*

*curiosity gremlin is banging pots and pans and screaming and leaping around and kicking the wall and generally being destructive*

well fuck this.

*enters email and hits “subscribe”*

[lizziestudieshistory]

I've been meaning to ask you have you seen that Silmarillion daily thing? What do you think about it?

So, I had to look this up because I vaguely remember seeing something about a daily Silmarillion but I had no plans in participating in it - only because I've learnt from Dracula Daily that I am horrible with serialised media. I'm impatient and I tend to read things in huge chunks so having things in small sections doesn't really work for me.

So, it's hard to comment because I don't fully know what this will look like. In principle, I think it's a great idea! The Silmarillion is a difficult book for new readers and I know so many people who have picked it up and dropped out because Tolkien inundates the reader with so many names and weird concepts. So, having it serialised to slow your reading AND grtting together a community to read it at the same time will work wonderfully for some people.

However, I'm interested to see how it's delivered. In theory, the Silmarillion sounds like a great text to do this with because it's so episodic. Once the Noldor arrive in Beleriand it jumps around a lot and each chapter forms a contained story in the broader narrative around the Silmarils. But this sounds like they're only covering the Quenta Silmarillion (QS) - which is great I ADORE the QS, and I think it's the bit that grips readers to most. Let's face it the Ainulindalë and Valaquenta are painful at times, even for Tolkien fanatics like me. But as much as I dislike the Ainulindalë and Valaquenta you do need them to understand the QS. Where else are you going to learn about who the Valar and Maiar are, or why song is a legitimate weapon in Arda? You aren't going to truly appreciate the insanity that is Finrod taking on Sauron without the Ainulindalë... I also think it's a massive shame to miss out the Akallabêth, but maybe that's just me 🤷‍♀️

I also don't truly know how they're splitting the book up. I know it's presenting summaries, similar to the YouTube series doing a similar concept from people like Tolkien Untangled and Voice of Geekdom (I would recommend both!) but how is it going to split the story? How is it going to help new keep track of family trees, kingdoms, and non-elven races when sometimes they disappear from the story for chapters? Some of this is difficult enough when you're reading through the book in a week or so, reading through it over a year could be very difficult!

I'm also slightly confused on how they're only presenting the parts with "concrete" dates. A LOT of the First Age is a mess chronologically. Oh, we have some births, deaths, and battles - but a lot of the details are a complete mystery when trying to create a timeline. We don't even know when Maedhros was born, or who fathered Gil-Galad (sorry had to bring this one up, he's my favourite 😅) - so how can we adequately cover a timeline when we don't know what all of the timeline is? Tbh I'm very confused by the schedule and the "welcome" email left me more confused... However, I don't think chronological is the right approach to take for this particular book.

I have now subscribed so I can see what I think once we start getting content. I'm glad they're encouraging readers so follow along in the book because so much is lost when you get summaries, even really good summaries. Personally, I doubt the daily newsletter format will work in reality for this one, the story is just too big and messy... But I'm intrigued, and I think it could be done well if it was run differently. I'd explain how I'd run it but this is getting very long, but I am happy to run through how I'd run a Silmarillion readalong elsewhere if you're interested in my ramblings on that 😂

Thanks for asking though! This has been an interesting one to think about! At the end of the day, I might have questions on the format but if it'll get people to read Tolkien's work outside The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings then I am a VERY happy bunny.

[the---hermit]

The Lair Of The White Worm by Bram Stoker

Let's start off with a couple of basic informations I read this book for the studyblr w/knives spring reading challenge, for the prompt green cover. I am using the challenge to read as many unread books I have on my shelves already, and I've had this on my tbr for a while now. Secondly this edition included two short stories aswell, so this is basically three reviews in one. I will try to keep it as short as I can.

If you have read a few of my daily posts in the past week or so, you might know already I didn't enjoy this at all. I didn't dnf it only because it was rather short. I did find myself skipping a few pages here and there, and that is clearly not a good sign. I was so hopeful for this novel, Dracula is one of my favourite classics, so I had pretty high expectations for this book. Ot was a complete let down. The story is messy, I couldn't care less for the characters nor what was happening, and it overall aged pretty badly. The plot is quite intricate, the base line follows Adam, a young man living in Australia, who is reached by a letter from an uncle of his he has never met. As they are the last two living people of the family this uncle would like to meet him. So Adam goes to England, where the main story takes place. There he meets many people including a friend of his uncle who eill become a sort of guiding figure. After his arrival he will meet a few set of characters including a fascinating woman who gives off pretty dangerous vibes, and seems to have some sort of connection to snakes. He will also meet Edward Caswall a young man, heir of a nearby estate. He wants to manipulate through hypnosis another young woman living there. The characters will intertwine with each other as well as with the legend of the white worm, which is believed to be a scary snake/dragon like figure. This exposition of the plot is awful and I am sorry about it, but I couldn't do better, it's not easy to explain. As I said I didn't like the book, it felt like a waiste of time, amd I won't waist anymore words on it. Clearly I don't really recommend using your time to read this.

Dracula's Guest

This was the first of two short stories included in my copy. It wasn't a bad short story, I will not say anything of the plot as it would be a spoiler, since it's really short. The main character was definitely foolish, but the ending of the story was pretty cool I must say.

The Judge's House

The other short story of my copy. Again it wasn't bad, I feel like it wasn't nothing special either. It was quite predictable, the ending was still nice though. It's a very basic short story, but it's not too out there.

[aajjks]

Yandere!BTS: The official Q/A with the Bullyclub.

Hello and welcome to the first ever Q/A session with your ever so sadistic assholes, the bully boys.... THE Y/N BULLYCLUB!!!!! Yes, our jerks boys are super not excited to answer all of your questions! You, yourself submitted these lovely and AMAZING questions!! Let’s get started!! Shall we?

Warnings: they are assholes, mentions of self harm, threats, mentions of murdering, unhealthy possessiveness, suggestive talk, HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! And Insults. And mentions of smoking.

Header made by @jennie-and-jaxson 🥺❤️ ily

Part one/Part Two.

The bullyclub.

The bullyclub masterlist.

The multi coloured lights shone as alina, the secret member, entered the club room. “HAPPY HALLOWEEN GUYS!!!!” She laughed in an evil tone. “God, can you stop making my ears bleed with your shitty laugh?” Jin and the rest of the members sat on the couch.

“Rude fucker!” alina cursed at jin while rolling her eyes. She quickly lifted her gown up and sat on the chair infront of where the guys sat. “...your costumes are hideous!!!” Jungkook just huffed in annoyance. “Oh look the irony?” Taehyung laughed. “Says the one who’s literally a witch?”

“You know alina, you could’ve just come as your daily self, you already look like a witch!” The loud giggles of Jimin filled the room.

The girl gasped loudly at Jungkook’s insult. “Oh we were supposed to be coming as ourselves? Maybe that’s why you’re a clown?” The members made ‘oof’ noises, as Jungkook’s mouth just stayed agape.

Alina smiled in satisfaction as she fixed her witch hat and cleared her throat, she took out a piece of paper.

When Hoseok suddenly asked. “Why are we here again?” His confused face made namjoon want to laugh. “Dude, just quit smoking already.” Yoongi shrugged. alina looked up. “You guys are here to answer the readers’ questions of course?” She simply reminded.

Yes, Hoseok.” Jungkook nodded. “So...should I start?” She blinked, waiting for them to stop making fun of hoseok. “GUYS?!” She spoke in a loud tone and they all stopped laughing. “Y-Yes, you may.” Jimin answered quickly.

alina cleated her throat and read the first question out loud as the guys sat in a decent manner, Jungkook still quietly laughing,

“@theresa-nam-nam-me asked, what are 3 rules that y/n must follow?”

“Must attend the campus.” Taehyung answered in a second. “Must not try to escape from us.” Jimin smirked, an evil glint present in his orbs. “Must not try to make friends with someone else.” Jungkook ran his tongue in the inside of cheeks. Alina just waited for the others to respond when Namjoon shrugged, signalling her to continue with the next question. “Okay!!! Another wants to know that, well, this is particularly for SeokJin, What would you do if Y/N said that they were prettier than you, Seokjin?”

A mischievous smile played on the lips of the witch girl. “Ha! Come on, you’ve got to be kidding me!” SeokJin laughed loudly. Waiting for the other people in the room to start laughing too but unfortunately the whole room just stayed awfully silent.

The dracula costumed man quickly cleared his throat. “I mean are you really serious, Y/N probably knows how ugly she really is. And prettier than me, ha! That’s quite unbelievable, right guys?” No one responded.

alina couldn’t contain her laugh anymore. “A-Anyways let’s continue.” She clutched her stomach tightly. Hoseok laughed too. “Ooh, how did you did you confess to y/n in the first place before she rejected you??” And, cue. Their faces immediately hardened. “No. We didn’t.” Yoongi groaned. Obviously upset and angry. “Why would we fucking tell you, bitch?!” Jungkook spat. Taehyung just stayed awfully silent, trying to contain his anger. “I’m not sorry. We won’t tell that to anyone.” Namjoon spoke in a no more arguments tone.

The now nervous girl quickly nodded and wiped the sweat in her forehead. “A-Alright! Next question, o-oh my god. Look before I read this just know that I didn’t write the questions.” alina laughed awkwardly as the club narrowed their eye brows at her.

“Boys, what would you do if you caught one of your brothers making out with Y/N?” Their eyes widened and alina closed her eyes, fearing they might get violent. “I-I would murder my brother at the spot.” Jungkook growled in jealousy. “I’d cut of his tongue.” Yoongi laughed maniacally.

“Well Y/N is a whore so I wouldn’t be surprised because my brother is a horny piece of shit.” Taehyung shrugged. “I’d make out with her too, then.” Jimin rolled his eyes. “Who gives a fuck?” Namjoon closed his eyes. Hoseok just stayed silent.

alina just took a deep breath and smiled. “Okay here’s another one! @theresa-nam-nam-me asked once again, under what circumstances is caring for y/n allowed if any?”

“Look, we are not Y/N’s slaves or anything..why would we care for her?” Jin snarled. “Hmm maybe if she skips school because she’s sick.. or if she’s in pain because of one of us..” as the leader, Jungkook answered rationally. “Cool. Oooh this one’s for me!!!” Alina’s eyes widened in excitement as the bullyclub smiled in adoration. “what's the secret member's role in the club, like does she participate in their " activities" too? Or does she snitch on y/n or stalk her too? 😂😂😂”

They all started to think. alina just kept giggling. “..it’s rather complicated..? She’s mostly like our secretary. Like for all of us. She keeps tracks of our activities and stuff. She basically keeps us out of trouble.” Namjoon laughed, “and she’s not into Y/N. Right alina?” Jungkook showed his bunny teeth. “Of course! They basically fo-Okay next question!” Taehyung interrupted the girl.

“What if they found out that y/n gets verbally and Physically abused at home ? What would they do if they discovered that the reason she rejected them was because she was afraid that her family would find out about it and abuse her even more? Like she does love them too but she was afraid?”

“I don’t know how to answer that.” Yoongi cleared his throat. alina observed the room. “..that’s not a valid reason.” Jimin rolled his eyes again. “Yes.” Jungkook agreeably nodded.

“Whatever. “what would they do if they found out y/n was self-harming because of them?”

“...that would not be our fault she doesn’t love herself, how is that our fault?” Jin was the first one to answer. “No comment.” Jungkook spoke in an emotionless tone. “...okay? what are some club activities you guys do?” She read the last question for today’s session quickly. Taehyung clicked his tongue. “Can you guys hurry? I need to go trick or treating?!” The girl rolled her eyes.

“Okay moody bitch.” Jungkook tsked. “We don’t do anything. We just make fun of Y/N because we like to do that.” Yoongi shrugged as answers of agreement echoed throughout the room. alina yawned as she stood up. “Whatever assholes, I’m going now. We will continue this tomorrow.” She waved as she quickly exited the room.

The club stood as Taehyung quickly made a suggestion “Hey? Why don’t we also go trick or treating?” They all pretended to think for a moment and all nodded. “I’m the leader, listen to me. First we’ll go to Y/N’s house, I want candy!!” Jungkook licked his lips.

His words having a double meaning. Understanding it, the guys just laughed.

[nietzschetoldthetruth]

Im just going to pin this so people see.

MINORS DNI.

(Sorry dudes, let's not make this awkward)

Oh God here we go..

My name is J, I'm 24 and im from Florida, I am looking for friends and people to chat with daily, if you'd like to know more, just look below:

SUPER FUN FACTS ABOUT ME 🌈:

I am an INFJ and team Ravenclaw

I'm a sagitarrius and sun sign

I'm 5'4 - 5'5

I am of mainly Celtic-Norse descent but also Mediterranean and European

I'm panromantic and fairly asexual

I enjoy video games, movies, cooking, reading, animal husbandry and working out.

I am a registered Independent with moderate views.

I have severe anxiety and depression and BPD. (Borderline Personality Disorder)

I'm Catholic but mainly follow Buddhism.

I don't smoke or drink.

I have 15 (?) Cats, all raised by hand ☺

I'm a highschool dropout who worked for his GED and suffered though it.

I collect books DVDs and vidya games

I love the Redwall and Discworld books.

I stan The Godfather and 1931's Dracula 😤

I enjoy all forms of music, especially Jazz, punk, Metal and 2000s Emo/Rock.

I enjoy singing and long for somebody to dance with and sing to

I have an IQ of at least 130 and I still don't understand what kids see in cinnamon toast crunch.

I understand but am not fluent in several languages including Italian, German, French and some Russian and Japanese.

I'm very knowledgeable in the paranormal and occult.

Marvel/DC fan and comic afficanado.

I like sweets. Like a lot.

I'm into Norse mythology and vikings

Im bald because im too manly for hair.

If I sound interesting to you, well..message me please? And we can be friends ig.

[thedarkplume]

Throwback Thursday

Dust off those browsers, friends. We’re gonna travel back in time to the stories that brought us into the fandom or the ones that have stuck with you through the years.

Share your super old faves and reblog them, showing the authors their classics are not forgotten. Leave them a love note showing them how much it means to you.

Then reblog the first story you wrote for your current fandom or even the first one you wrote for each fandom you belong to. The world is our oyster. Let’s rediscover some pearls.

I'm not going to lie. This Ask made me a little bit sad. There have been some really great writers on this site that have left us for unspecified reasons, and some for the childish bullying that seems to be a daily thing.

One of my favorite blogs was @chocolatecherubs. They were a blog that was written specifically for black female characters in the Marvel Universe, with Steve and Bucky as the central love interests, particularly during the 1940s.

However, all is not lost! There are still plenty of blogs that I follow and love and can always count on to provide the most entertainment you can achieve without picking up an actual book. One of the blogs who always delivers on this front regardless of the subject matter is the beautiful and talented @avintagekiss24 . I've been following her for a year and it has been a nonstop rollercoaster of fun, excitement, surprise, and even a little bit of heartbreak.

@avintagekiss24 has so many stories that I reread over and over again, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. But...if I did have to choose a classic in a split-second decision it would be Night Shift. This was my first time ever reading a story about Andy Barber and since then I have not stopped!

As for my own forays into fanfiction, I've written for Twilight, Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cruel Intentions, a few WIPs for We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Knives Out, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that's not counting all of the stories knocking around in my head vying for attention!

Here is a VERY old Buffy the Vampire Slayer story I wrote.

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Pairing: Buffy/Angelus

Setting: 1700s, New Colonies

A/N: This story is a little different from the others I’ve written. This story is set in the days of Angelus’ life when Drusilla had just turned Spike. Bear with me if everything is not exactly up to par historically – I am not a history buff! NSFW 18+ Warnings for offensive language, subject matter, violence, blood, gore, and sexual abuse.

His features could not be termed uninteresting—there lay in them something bold and daring—but the expression on the whole anything but benevolent. There were contempt and sarcasm in the cold dark eyes, whose glance, however, was at times so piercing that no one could endure it long.

from The Mysterious Stranger (1860) – Anonymous

What is obsession? Is it the madness that consumes a man when he’s confronted with the one thing he knows he is not supposed to have? Is it the burning desire to possess the aforementioned object, ensuring that she will only think of him as he only thinks of her? Angelus paced back and forth in his chosen room of the mansion. Darla was still off reconnecting with Dracula and giving Angelus some much-needed breathing room. While she was off having her own adventures, he moved his childe and grandchilde to the American Colonies. They were in the colony named New York. Angelus loved the New Colonies. The women were not as sexually repressed, and the humans as a whole were more trusting. Since their arrival, government officials, writers, artists, scholars – everyone who held wealth and power had invited Angelus, his “sister” Drusilla and her husband William, to parties. There was nothing Angelus enjoyed more than drunk socialites.

And it was at one of these parties that he saw her. The object of his obsession. Elizabeth Anne Summers. Buffy, to those who knew her intimately. She had long, golden blonde hair, not unlike Darla’s, but hers had more of a silky texture. Her eyes were large and hazel, brimming with innocence. She had sun-kissed skin that seemed to glow underneath the moonlight.

Angelus wanted her. He wanted to bury his fangs and his cock inside her. Her scent proved that she was untried, but that would only last so long. Angelus found out everything he could about her. She was promised to the governor’s son. She lived with her parents Hank and Joyce Summers. She had a baby sister – Dawn – who caught pneumonia and died at the age of six. Her father worked as a developer for the colony and his wife owned a prominent boutique. She had two best friends, Willow Osbourne née Rosenberg and Alexander Harris, husband to the beautiful and licentious Cordelia Harris née Chase.

The first time Angelus spoke to her was at a party that was thrown by an oil barren. Angelus, as usual, found himself surrounded by three potential meals. Drusilla stood by William’s side, smiling proudly as he recited poetry. It was terrible, but the women thought it was the most beautiful thing they had ever heard.

“Do you hunt, Mr. McConroy?” one of the women – Mrs. O’Hara or something or another – said, pulling him from his thoughts.

Angelus flashed an enticing smile. “Why yes, Mrs. O’Hara. ‘Tis one of my many pleasures.”

She wet her lips and fluttered her eyes in what he was sure was meant to be attractive. “Well, in that case, you should come to my husband’s estate in the country. You two can hunt and later you could tell me more about your pleasures.”

“How can a man of sound mind resist such an enticing offer?” he said, kissing the back of her hand.

The woman continued to place unnecessary hints concerning secret rendezvous and Angelus almost lost control and snapped her neck on the spot until one of the younger women spoke up.

“There’s that Elizabeth Summers.”

Angelus’ attention immediately shifted, seeking out his dark obsession. She came in with her parents. Her large hazel eyes seemed sad, and Angelus suddenly wanted to seek out that which had caused her misery and destroy it. He wanted to be the sole source of any pain she felt. But he could not gaze upon his obsession in peace as one of the three women continued her verbal assault.

“How a strange girl like that was lucky enough to have a contract with Governor Finn’s son is baffling.”

“She is a strange one, Harmony,” Cordelia Harris vehemently agreed. “My husband says that she spends all of her time reading. Reading! Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

“Well, I hear that she wishes to become a writer! As if any respectable man would want anything written by a woman! A proper lady should spend her time learning to attend a household and concern herself with pleasing her husband.”

“Yes, well, we all know that Buffy,” she sneered the name. “Is as far from a lady as one can be. It baffles me why Alexander enjoys her company so. It’s embarrassing!” she glared as said husband made his way over to Buffy.

“I see nothing wrong with a properly educated woman, Mrs. Harris,” Angelus said, drawing their attention away from Buffy. “It would be refreshing to hear a woman contribute something to the conversation beyond how pretty the dresses are overseas.”

Cordelia Harris’ expression darkened so that if Angelus had been human, he might have been afraid. “Well,” she sniffed, highly offended. “It is upon the hour, and I believe I shall take my leave.” She stood and scowled at Angelus when he broke societal conventions and refused to stand when she did. “I bid you goodnight, Mrs. O’Hara, Harmony, Mr. McConroy.”

“Mrs. Harris,” his flourishing bow was meant and taken in all its mockery. He smirked as she huffed and stomped away. He watched her approach Buffy and Alexander, and used his enhanced hearing to listen in.

“…husband and I must be going,” she said in a clipped tone.

Buffy knew that her friend’s wife didn’t like her, but for Xander’s sake, she at least made an effort. “I am sorry that you must be leaving so soon. I hope you will feel well, Cordy.”

“Oh, Elizabeth, how many times must I remind you to call me Mrs. Harris?” she said tightly.

“Of course. I apologize.”

“Alexander.”

The dark-haired young man looked between his wife and his friend, wishing he could stay, but knowing he would never hear the last of it if he did. “Of course, dear. See you soon, Buffy.”

Her other friend, Willow, who had watched the scene from across the room, performed her usual damage control ritual. “You know I think one of these days he shall divorce her.”

“Willow!” she whispered, linking their arms. “You should not say such things.”

“Well, he should! I’m fairly certain the only reason he puts up with her is for the sex and we both know the pregnancy scare was the incentive for the marriage to start with…”

Angelus watched the two young women disappear out onto the gardens. “Ladies, if you will excuse me.” He left the woman at the table and sought out William. He didn’t have the same mental link with him as he did with Drusilla, but William could feel when his grandsire called him.

“You called?” he said, appearing moments later.

“Yes, I’m stepping out for a moment. Make sure no one sees Dru nibbling on the livestock.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what’s so special about this bird? I mean, she’s a cutie and all, but is she really worth our queen mother handing you your own arse?”

“What Darla doesn’t know won’t kill me.” Angelus knew William had a point. Darla was extremely jealous and possessive of him, but he was still sore around the edges where she was concerned, considering that she left him to die in a burning barn. Darla was his sire and that was a bond not easily broken, but nothing could reestablish the trust he lost for her. He glanced at Drusilla to see if she was keeping out of trouble and caught her thralling Harmony. “If you want the blonde as a party favor you should take her out of here. She’s as dumb as a post but has a pleasant peach scent to her.”

Angelus left his grandchilde to attend to Dru and followed Buffy’s scent through the large garden maze. She and her friend, Willow sat on a bench in front of a pond talking quietly.

“…says?”

“You mean when she’s not nursing a bottle? She blames me. She says even whores aren’t low enough to chase their own fathers,” she sniffled.

“Oh, Buffy, have you thought about telling Riley?”

“No, I can’t tell him, Will. If he thought for a moment that it’s gone further than a drunken fumbling, he’ll never speak to me again.”

“And right now, he’s your only way out,” Willow sighed in sympathy to her friend’s plight. “You know Oz and I will let you move in with us.”

“People will talk.”

“They’re already talking. One of New York’s most beloved sons married to a kike?”

“Willow!” Buffy admonished. “Don’t ever call yourself that.”

The redhead shrugged carelessly. “I have been called much worse. I am just telling you that Oz and I do not care what anyone else says about us.”

“I appreciate it. And if the wedding was happening later than next month I would say yes.”

“But what if he goes too far before Riley can save you?”

The unanswered question hung heavy in the air. Angelus seethed. He barely restrained himself from going back inside, grabbing Hank Summers and tearing off his worthless cock with his bare hands. It didn’t anger Angelus that the man was taking liberties with his daughter. It bothered him that his touch would not be the first she had known from a man.

“I should get back inside before Oz starts looking for me. Come with?”

“In a little while. I just want a little more time away from the noise.”

“Don’t take too long. Your parents,” she mumbled.

Angelus watched the Osbourne woman return to the party from his place in the shadows. He turned his attention back to Buffy realizing that they were finally alone. She leaned back, her hands flat on the bench and her face turned up towards the starlit sky. Her eyes were closed, and the subtle breeze disturbed the tendrils of silky tresses framing her face. Angelus had the perfect view of the golden skin of her smooth throat. His face shifted as he imagined sinking his fangs into her throat as her naked body writhed helplessly underneath his.

Buffy’s eyes suddenly snapped open. She stood and she looked around her as if sensing she was not alone. “Is someone there?” she called.

Angelus contained his excitement and returned to his human visage. “Just me,” he said, pretending as though he was simply out for a stroll through the garden’s maze. “Didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Buffy stared at the man before her. She was certain that she had never seen him around before. He was tall, very tall. He had long dark hair that was bound behind his head. He had a wide mustache and she wondered if it was as soft as his hair looked. He had dark eyes. Eyes that were mischievous and secretive. She started to believe she was dreaming. She always thought Riley was cute in a boyish way, but this man before her with the long brown hair, his piercing dark eyes and his enticing smirk was…beautiful. His smirk seemed to widen, and Buffy realized with startling clarity that she was rather rudely staring at him.

“No, you did not frighten me, sir,” she recovered.

“You are Elizabeth Summers, correct?”

“Yes, but everyone calls me Buffy.”

He took her hand – it seemed tiny and engulfed by his – and pressed a small kiss to it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Buffy. I am Angelus McConroy.”

Recognition flashed in her large hazel eyes. “Of course, Mr. McConroy! You live in the Crawford’s old mansion. Your brother-in-law, William, is it? He ordered a gown from my mother’s boutique for your sister.”

Angelus suppressed another smirk. He had sent William on that particular mission to scout out the boutique and Buffy’s work hours, and to spread the word to the local undead community that she, her family and friends, were off limits.

“Yes, my family and I moved there a few months ago.”

Buffy fidgeted with her dress before resuming her place on the bench. “Would you…would you care to sit?” she offered timidly.

He flashed a dazzling smile and took his place beside her. “Now what is a lovely girl such as yourself doing out here all alone? It’s really not safe,” said the wolf to the rabbit.

Buffy glanced up at him and flushed as he stared down at her unblinkingly. “Oh, well, I just stepped out for a moment. Just for some air,” she shrugged.

“You don’t truly enjoy parties, do you?”

“They are…acceptable.”

“Ah, but a lass such as yourself would much rather be at home in front of the fire with a book. You prefer the silence and solitude to the noise and excitement.”

She flushed an attractive pink and looked up at him from under her lashes. “I realize that those are not exactly the qualities one looks for in a woman, but…”

“But you are far from a woman, lass. You’re still a wee child.” He watched appreciatively as her skin flushed a darker red.

“Sir, I will have you know that I am of sixteen years and will soon be a wife,” she said, not really succeeding in sounding offended.

“Yes, to Governor Finn’s lad no less. I find it difficult to see what it is the boy could have done to deserve the hand of such a fair lass.”

Her hazel eyes met his and she wore a smile befitting that of the most experienced of coquettes. “Do you tell all your ladies that, Mr. McConroy?”

“Only the pretty ones,” he smirked and wiggled his eyebrows.

She started laughing and Angelus thought it was the most enticing sound he had ever heard. “You are indeed a charmer, Mr. McConroy. If I may be so bold…?”

“You may.”

“Why is there not a Mrs. McConroy? A gentleman such as yourself should have amassed quite the number of prospects from the fairer sex.”

Angelus, seeing his opportunity, angled his body towards hers. “Perhaps it is because a man can only have ale for so long before he starts to long for a fine wine.”

He could hear her heart pounding in fear and excitement as their seemingly innocent conversation began to take a different turn. “But what if you’re not supposed to have the wine?” she breathed.

“That’s when it’s the sweetest.” His hand cupped her cheek and her eyes fluttered from the contact. “Look at me, Buff,” he commanded. “Look into my eyes.” Angelus knew he could have waited rather than jumping at the first opportunity to thrall her, but he was anxious to have her in his bed.

“You have pretty eyes.”

Angelus felt his eyebrows rise. You have pretty eyes? Angelus concentrated harder and Buffy flinched as he suddenly seemed to be scowling at her.

“What? Men can have pretty eyes,” she pouted slightly, thinking he was offended.

Angelus blinked. He surveyed her carefully, playing close attention not to let himself linger on her pouting pink lips. He didn’t understand how it was possible for her to resist his thrall. No one had ever resisted! The girl was obviously human. She smelled human. She had a heartbeat. What had gone wrong? His eyebrows knitted together as he ran through any and all explanations as to why his gift had failed him. He felt her warm hand press against his own.

“Angelus? Is something wrong?”

He recovered, wearing his signature smirk. “You think my eyes are pretty, do ye?”

Buffy fiddled with the sleeves of her dress looking anywhere but at him. “Yes, they resemble little pools of chocolate.” She felt his fingers lace through hers and looked down. She liked the way their hands fit.

“Now which one of us is the charmer here, Buff?” he watched her shiver as his fingers idly stroked hers.

“There you are!”

Buffy stood, withdrawing her hand from Angelus, completely missing his darkened expression. “Riley,” she said, her heart pounding heavily as though she’d been caught doing something terribly wicked.

“I have been searching all over for you, Bethie.”

He took her hand in his own, missing her subtle wince at the nickname she loathed. “Forgive me if I have caused distress. I only stepped out for a moment.”

“Your mother and father are looking for you. They –.” Riley stopped short when he saw movement behind Buffy. “Hello,” he said to the man who sat on the bench watching them unabashedly. “I do not believe we have met. I am Riley Finn, Elizabeth’s husband-to-be.”

“Oh, yes, the governor’s boy,” Angelus said, taking in the blue-eyed baby-faced boy with mocking eyes.

Although the sarcasm went completely over the boy’s head as he puffed out his chest and stood a little taller, Angelus smirk only grew when Buffy gave him a warning glare.

“Yes, yes, I am,” he said proudly.

“Riley, this is Mr. McConroy.”

Riley tensed slightly, something neither Angelus nor Buffy missed. “McConroy. You purchased the old Crawford Mansion.”

“Yes,” he confirmed, his eyes glinting slightly.

“Well, it was nice making your acquaintance, Mr. McConroy, but Elizabeth and I must be going.”

“Of course. Nice meeting you, Finn.” He turned his penetrating eyes to Buffy. He picked up her hand and gave her a lingering kiss that left her near breathless. “T’was a pleasure makin’ your acquaintance, Buffy.”

“Mr. McConroy,” she blushed.

Riley’s jaw clenched as he led Buffy away. But his annoyance over what he saw as a threat to his future wife was nothing compared to Angelus’ fury over Finn impeding the progress he had made.

“I do not trust that McConroy fellow,” he confided when they were of a safe distance away from him. Or so he thought. “He worries me.”

“Riley,” Buffy sighed. “Mr. McConroy is a nice man.”

“You know him well, then?”

“No. We only made acquaintance tonight.”

“Yet he already calls you Buffy.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Riley Finn, I do believe you are jealous.”

“Perhaps I am,” he admitted. “Do you find him attractive?”

Buffy blushed and lowered her eyes. “He is…agreeable. But it is you who will become my husband. Your name I will carry and your children I shall bear. Tell me once more why you are jealous?”

With a few well-executed words, Angelus could see Finn’s worries and inferiorities fade away. He leaned down and kissed her lips as carefully as if she were made of glass.

“Bethie?” he whispered, still holding her close.

“Yes?”

“If I asked you to do something, as your future husband, would you do it?”

Buffy tensed. Her small hands fisted the sides of his shirt as her mind twisted and turned over in itself. As her future husband, he could ask almost anything of her, and she was duty bound to obey. She trembled against him and swallowed the bile suddenly flooding her mouth. “Yes.”

“I wish for you to have no further contact with Mr. McConroy or any of his family.”

Buffy stepped back from him so that she could see into his eyes. “Riley, I have already told you that Mr. McConroy bears no threat to us.”

“But he does,” he argued. “Have you noticed the strange occurrences in our town?”

“Are you referring to Madeleine Archer?” Maddie Archer was two years younger than Buffy and had gone missing from her bed in the dead of night.

“Yes, as well as Rebekah Harte, Joshua Black, Edward Morton, Christine Adams, and countless others.”

“Riley, how do these unfortunate people pertain to you desiring distance between Mr. McConroy and myself?”

“They all vanished or perished inexplicably after McConroy, and his family took residence in the Crawford Mansion.”

“You are not suggesting…?” she gasped.

“There is something amiss about them. His sister is said to be touched in the mind, but there is more. She speaks in prophecies. Her husband, William, the poet, who may I say is not very good, he was seen with Rebekah Harte before she went missing. Then there is your new acquaintance. He never leaves the mansion during the day. He does not work and yet he attends every party and somehow amasses enough wealth to support his family. They have no servants or cooks. Their skin is unnaturally porcelain – must I go on?”

“Are you suggesting to me that Mr. McConroy, his sister and her husband may be…nefarious individuals?”

Riley smiled humorlessly. “Why does it frighten you to speak the word, Bethie? You once told me that what most would believe to be a monster, you see as a beast maintaining his nature.”

“I was referring to the work of Bram Stoker, Riley. Beasts exist, yes, but not of that sort, and certainly not amongst Mr. McConroy and his family.”

“You have always had faith in the most undeserving of creatures, Bethie.” He reached inside his trouser pocket and withdrew a silver cross on a chain.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I wish you to wear it whenever you leave the mansion.”

“Even in the sunlight?” she quipped.

“Even in the sunlight,” he answered, unaffected by her glibness. “All of the victims’ blood was drained through small punctures to the throat.”

Buffy paled as she gasped. “What? But you never said anything!”

“My father thought it was best that the families were not informed of this. It would lead to panic and at this time, the authorities have declared it a beast. Wear it. For me.”

“Okay,” she whispered, still struggling with the concept of the creatures she learned of as a child could truly exist beyond the pages of a novel.

Riley secured the cross around Buffy’s neck and exhaled in relief. “Now I believe we should find your parents. They can hardly fault a man for enjoying the company of his love.”

The couple left the garden arm in arm, completely oblivious to the heavy stare on their backs.

Angelus was beside himself with fury when the Finn’s and the Summers left the Hardy Mansion. He had covered his tracks and the tracks of his childe and grandchilde carefully. Yet, the Finn boy seemed to have linked all of their victims back to them. Although he tried his best to come across as noble and caring in Buffy’s eyes, the boy was far more concerned with her affections rather than her safety. The thought in itself caused a malicious smirk to befall his angelic features. They would have to be careful. Meticulous. One mistake and all would be lost. Nevertheless, Angelus would have Buffy Summers…even if he had to eviscerate every townsman to get her.

Angelus itched to relieve his fury and he knew just how to do it.

“Margaret, is it?” she was nothing. An aide in the Hardy household with the burden of a fatherless son. She was not remotely attractive, and her blood was not in the slightest appealing. But her polite smile and cautious eyes appeased him.

“Yes, sir.”

“I regret to bother you as I can see you are terribly busy, but I am afraid I require your assistance.”

“In what way, sir?” still so trusting.

“Come with me, please.”

Ah. There is the hesitation. “Very well, sir.”

He led her to a dark corner underneath the stairs hidden from the rest of the intoxicated socialites. “Ah, that’s better, isn’t it? Not complete privacy, but it should do for what I have in mind,” he said, letting his eyes drift over her, hoping to discomfort her. She predictably squirmed under his gaze, unaware that her used and aged body held no appeal for him.

“Sir, I…I should get back,” she stuttered, her heart pounding beautifully, forcing her blood to flow quicker through her arteries.

“Why not stay a while? After all, you did say you would help a fellow with his problem,” he purred, moving even closer to the frightful maid.

*“Sir, please, I should return to the party.”

*“Margaret, Margaret, there’s no hurry.”

She tried to pull away from him, hoping that someone might see. *“Mistress will be wondering…”

*“Sshh,” he cooed. “Mistress will be wondering how to get the good Reverend Chalmers into bed and will not notice the absence of canapé.” He stroked her chin for good measure, and she shuddered in spite of her fear. “Stay with me,” he urged.

Angelus could tell by her eyes that she was considering it. How could she not? A lowly maid, past her prime, receiving the attentions of the young and wealthy Mr. McConroy, a man that all women, be they married, betrothed, or divine worshippers, have attempted to lure into their beds.

*“Sir, people might talk,” she weakly protested. “I’ll be put out on the streets. My little boy would…I can’t lose this job,” she said, forgoing any thoughts she might have had about taking a chance with the beautiful Angelus McConroy.

Angelus, sensing her resolve, lost his temper. He grabbed her arms. *“Then you must keep quiet.”

*“You’re hurting me!” she said, speaking a little louder than she intended.

*“Ah! Cry out. Call for help. I’m sure Mistress will believe your behavior beyond reproach,” he sneered.

*“Please!” she gasped, wriggling in his embrace.

Angelus shook her roughly. *“Come, make a scene, huh?” he taunted. “Shall I?”

Margaret hesitated. *“No,” she whispered.

*“No, no. We’ll be as quiet as mice.”

Margaret lowered her head. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. If she closed her eyes and didn’t put up a fight, maybe it would be over soon. No one would believe her if she said their familiarity was forced.

Angelus could almost taste her defeat. His face shifted and when she looked back up at him, her fear and terror flooded his senses. *“No matter what.”

*“Sir!” she trembled, tears welling in her eyes. “My son!”

Good, he had almost forgotten. *“Oh, he’ll make a fine dessert, huh?”

He grabbed her, sinking his fangs into her throat before she could scream. He drained her quickly. She was unsatisfying and not at all fulfilling. He released her, letting her body fall carelessly to the floor. He tucked her away in the corner, knowing one of the other servants or perhaps her Mistress herself would find her. Angelus maneuvered around the intoxicated guests, following Margaret’s scent to the servant’s quarters. He found Margaret’s whelp sleeping in his bed. He was a boy of no more than seven years. His hair was curly like his mother's and a brighter shade of blonde. Margaret’s pallet lay positioned beside the boy’s bed. The boy clutched a worn brown bear that was missing its left eye. He was a beautiful child, clearly taking after his father. The boy opened his eyes and startling emerald green eyes met his own.

“Are you an angel?” he whispered.

His lips twitched as he fought the smirk that threatened to reveal itself. “An angel?”

“Mum says when it’s time an angel will come and take me to see my Da. Will you take me?”

He arranged the boy’s body in his bed and retrieved his mother, placing her on top of her pallet. From a distance, it would look as If they were merely sleeping. He returned to his mansion an hour before sunrise.

“Daddy, we saved her for you!” Drusilla called over the screams.

He strolled down to the “playroom” in the cellar. The room smelled of sex, blood, and fear. The young woman from the party, Harmony, was naked and railroad spikes had been driven through her hands and ankles, courtesy of William. Her legs and stomach were flayed, and Drusilla greedily lapped up her flowing blood.

William leaned against the wall, a pipe in his hand. “How did it go with the bird?”

Before he could answer, Harmony turned towards Angelus. Her face had been clawed, most likely by Drusilla, and her right eye hung out of its socket and lay limply against her cheek. “Mr. McConroy, help! Please help me!” she whimpered.

A cold smirk drifted on his lips as he played with her blood-soaked hair. “I could help you, Harmony, but you would have to do something for me first,” he taunted.

“Anything, anything.”

“Open your mouth.” A single tear fell from her good eye. She opened her mouth without hesitation. Angelus released his semi-hard cock and shoved it into her mouth. She choked and gagged as his hand knotted in her hair. “She resisted my thrall.”

William pushed off from his relaxed stance against the wall. “Resisted? How the bloody hell did she do that?”

“Gee, William, I have no idea. I’ll be sure to ask her next time,” he growled, shoving his entire length down Harmony’s throat.

“She’s not like the others,” Drusilla whispered. Her eyes were wide and unfocused. She was having a vision.

“What do you see, pet?”

Just as Harmony’s heart stopped beating, Angelus felt his seed spurt into her mouth. He pulled out, using her hair to clean himself off, smiling lightly as his seed and her blood dripped from her mouth.

“She was almost Called.”

“Called?”

“As in…?” Angelus had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“But the Powers…she was unworthy…innocent blood on her hands…now she is just a human.”

Angelus ran a hand through his hair, attempting to process what they had just learned. Buffy was meant to take the Calling. She was to be a Slayer, but she killed someone. The Powers deemed her unworthy and now she will never be a Slayer. But even though she didn’t have the Call, she was still equipped with the typical Slayer attributes. A mental block to resist the thrall. Possibly strength to fight against any demonic creature.

“Darla is going to kill you,” William snickered.

“Darla is too busy fucking Dracula to care what I do!”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

Drusilla hunched over, moaning and hugging her stomach. William’s good mood faded quickly as he and Angelus flocked to her side protectively. “What do you see, Dru?”

“Bad man…bad man…bad man…”

“What bad man? What is he doing?” Angelus questioned her as she leaned against William.

“Touching…bad touch…bad touch…wants to keep her…wants to hurt her…!” she moaned.

Angelus growled deeply, startling his childe and grandchilde. “Hank Summers is a dead man. William, at first dark, I need you to do something for me.”