#armand de nonbinary

[inirat-andnothingmore]

THIS IS WHAT GETS ME

i often think about the fact that Armand's soulmate is Daniel. Daniel, the freak. Daniel, just some guy. Imagine you go through almost 500 years of unimaginable horror (that had catastrophic effects and now you're powerful and stuff) and then you find your other half (through your now-ex) and it's literally just some guy. A shitty little kid from Modesto, even.

imagine the other vampires in the future though. "hmm, i wonder which very strong smart ancient vampire has landed the gremlin?" and "omg the gremlin turned someone?! who." AND IT'S DANIEL. It's this baby who's been on this earth a tiny fraction of Armand. he's the one who can go foot for foot with the vampire that is Armand?? Armand, in all his certifiably insane, clinically unhinged glory?? neat.

it's nice. the most unexpected thing from the most unexpected place. An unforeseen joy, if you will. and yeah, its this ordinary, freaky recovering drug addict out in the world just living his one human life, who can handle him. and be with him. and see right through him. who will do those all those things eventually.

and all the while everyone else is too much of a coward to love him.*

*a few caveats apply.

[inirat-andnothingmore]

One of the reasons why i think Armand is not as popular as Lestat, is because I think Lestat's pain is often chaotically beautiful. It's like, relatable to large audiences, it's charming in a way, it's funny, it's fun to watch and it's hurts quite beautifully. It's explosive. (yes I did just see the season 3 teaser again.)

Whereas I don't know that Armand's pain translates the same way. When Armand is in pain, he's a child in a corner fiddling with bones and it's just sad. It's literally just sad. and it's a little pathetic and you just feel really sorry for the guy. It's not theatrical, it's actually kind of mundane and boring if you think about it. Just a vamp being crushed under the weight of his life. (a horrific life, at that)

Well, that's not very entertaining, is it? not that Lestat's pain is just entertaining, obviously not. Of course you feel for him. You feel for both of them. but maybe, just maybe when the pain comes with hahas or oh-my-gods, it hits different. (I'm only talking about the majority of the general audiences here. for those of here, with character focused bogs, every single scene hits! may god help us.)

Small mild-anxiety inducing part: In future seasons, if and when we see Armand's backstory and him being done justice, it will certainly garner a lot of sympathy, empathy and understanding. People will have a greater comprehension of him and his motivations, thoughts etc. But again, I don't know that, that is the same thing as being liked. (only talking about the show here, not the book-show fans. book fans are generally fond of him?) However, its a little upsetting to know that I give a fuck about the general audiences liking Armand as much as I do, but here we are.

Additionally, when Armand is in deep depressive episodes during his life, which I'm guessing would happen when there's no one there for him to control and/or love, he is just stripped of everything. Stripped of feeling and identity. (since its usually his counterparts' desires that give him identity.)

What I'm failing to convey here, is that Lestat's pain is additive while Armand's is additive inverse. (yes, i am talking about the seething day-to-day pain you have when dealing with difficult things. Not to say that, both of them don't have full blown breakdowns sometimes, of course they do). I feel like Lestat's pain might sometimes result in funny stories in the future. We had three deaths on the banger sisters. Like how our old embarrassing stories is current - good dinner times.

While Armand curls inwards, Lestat expands outwards. While Armand's pain takes and takes from him, Lestat's pain gives and gives Lestat.

.

.

.

.

.

.

very IMP ps: i just wanted get my thoughts about this out of me. They're hazy and mercurial and I might be very wrong.

[inirat-andnothingmore]

I just realized that they might not put kajal on Armand in future seasons.. NO NO NON POR FAVOR

[inirat-andnothingmore]

we see claudia saying whatever is on her mind and generally not being afraid to stand her ground (most of the time she's right and she should say it). making friends with madeleine, asking armand to turn her, speaking up and saying she doesn't wanna be baby lulu, leaving for collage, killing lestat & going to europe, etc. (active)

what i feel like is at the core of armand's frustration with her (besides not wanting to share louis) and what i feel like he wants to say to her is, 'it's not that difficult to say yes. just fucking say yes.'

but it is tho. of course it's difficult to say yes when you don't want it. but its second nature to him. armand listens to the vampire in his eyeline and says yes, (passive). doesn't even think to go 'do i want this'. why does it matter what he wants.

she is steadfast, she comes into her own, takes her autonomy by the throat, autonomy that armand never had* and he hates her for it. armand prolly can't even spell it. this is probs really obvs (hehe) but i can stop thinking abt it. fucking love armand and claudia parallels!!! save me blah blah blah u get the gist.

*note: armand is incapable of superficial, important day to day autonomy. the overarching narrative brushstrokes he paints. obvs.

┬┴┬┴┤(･_├┬┴┬┴

[inirat-andnothingmore]

*Daniel does something that annoys Armand.*

A: Stop it, Daniel. I'm trying to read.

*does it again*

A: I am going to drain you dry. That'll show you.

D: what a theatning threat. I mean-

A: It is a threat. You should be shivering.

D: i am shivering, aren't I? you haven't helped the Parkinson's.

A: It is a threat that will-

D: and if I don't comply?

A: I'll eat your family, certainly. What else?

D: just my family?

A: friends. Editor. Publicist. Agent. Assistant. Everyone you know will be dead. You won't enjoy going to that many funerals, Daniel. And then, you shall beg me to end your life.

D: I mean, at that point even if I wanted to die, I'd say no just to spite you, I think.

A: I'd keep you alive long enough to regret that-

D: question. How are you gonna kill my family?

A: I have fangs, do I not?

D: oh right. Your biggg monstrous scary fangs.

A: like you don't wish for fangs at all? Like you don't dream of them?

D: I was just under the impression that the vamps to watch out for, actually had a lisp while talking? when their fangs were out, you know?

A: Don't you have things to do? Online whoring? Mothers, wives, daughters to disappoint?

D: question. When you kill my family, are you gonna go mwhahahhaha? disney villain style?

A: ....

D: do you have like the- *gasps* armand, do you have the oldest trick book? I guess if anyone did-

A: Go fuck yourself, beloved.

(Armand & Daniel bickering give me lifeee)

[inirat-andnothingmore]

Anybody know any other brown vampires? Srsly

[inirat-andnothingmore]

the armand hyperfixation is hyperfixating like never before. i really wanna read his book, but i promised myself to the read the books in order to get the most outta them. why do we put these stupid restrictions on ourselves?

[inirat-andnothingmore]

Aww I'm honored to be the first ask! Sorry, I didn't realize until I saw the post how long-winded my comment was lol.

And yes, in a way, I would have loved it (apart from just wanting ALL the brilliant actors on the show to be recognized) if they had just gone, we're probably not getting any noms so let's not worry about it just submit more than one in this category, since they were great. And as I said, I would never want to claim with certainty that there was nothing more sinister at play there, unfortunately. But it is also possible that after the critics choice nominations, they might feel like they at least have a CHANCE at getting nominations that could help promote the show, and Sam was their CC nomination and it's the TVL season, so they'd rather put all their eggs in that basket.

If it helps as a way to think about it, being submitted for a nomination is a good thing, absolutely, but it is NOT a nomination--something that really could make a difference in an actor's career. Assad being on the show and getting acclaim for his role is the main thing, and I think he's going to have a great role next season, between Lestat's past and whatever's happening in the present. I know Assad talked about being excited to go full gremlin lol. And as much as I want to see the show and actors recognized b/c they deserve it, I do think Rolin's attitude of truly, 100% not caring about awards (which are gratifying, but not always perfectly related to merit) is the best way to be, and I love that he has that attitude as a showrunner. No wonder the show isn't afraid to swing for the fences.

(also my second! never worry about that nonny, loveee long asks)

Absolutely agree with everything you've said. I, only really, am tired of the the consistency with which the odds are stacked against some people. It's tiring, and I hope that Assad knows how fucking excellent he is and feels recognized and appreciated.

I also can't wait for him to go full gremlin!!!!! and am already delighted and over the moon with what he's gonna deliver. Which is gonna be cunt. 🙂‍↕️