Does Lestat take notes on actors playing him in adaptation and inspired works to experiment with others in real life? For example, Tom's artful kicking of the coffin box, Somerhalder's (Damon Salvatore) artful neck-breaking, and Pattinson's MTV award-winning fighting style.
This is a tough one! I waited a long time and I still don't have an elegant answer.
I think, overall, Yes, Lestat enjoys vampire media and is inspired to try certain things he sees fictional vampires doing. I'm a picky eater about my vampire media, so I don't have enough of a database to get specific*. I really enjoyed 30 Days of Night (Josh Hartnett's character infecting himself with vampirism to gain the powers to defend his human companions?? And then choosing to die in the sunrise in the arms of his ex?? Yes??) and I'm sure Lestat would think of the 30DoN vampires as more like sharks than vampires, not creatures he would want to emulate, but I think he'd love the authenticity of Only Lovers Left Alive, and Let the Right One In. I could see him holding back tears watching those two films, relating too much, thinking about Claudia and Nicki 😭
[^X by @horroredits] I bet Lestat thoroughly enjoys vampires that share some of his qualities like Colin Farrell as Jerry Dandridge in Fright Night (2011). Even if they get killed in the movie 😅
When it comes to vampires playing Lestat specifically, I'd think he feeds on the attention as it makes him feel relevant he's deeply flattered by having anyone portray him at all - all the way down to the cosplayers at the NOLA ball and online! There was definitely fic about Lestat being drawn to actors who have played him. But on the surface, he critiques all of them as inadequate because ultimately, there's only One True Vampire Lestat 😎
*Tagging in @gothiccharmschool, @wicked-felina, @hekateinhell, @covenofthearticulate, @monstersinthecosmos, @desertfangs, @nightislandnoveltymug, @annabellioncourt, @vampire-scripture, @cloudsinvenice, and @somevagrantchild for their more specific thoughts!
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Bonus:
Anne Rice had posted her thoughts on this from time to time, here's one I found quickly, about Lestat's feelings about vampires in media who feed messily:
[X I don't have the date of her post, probably June, 2014]
Fanart by @devmin-art 💓
And here's a fic by the legendary @gairid/ @vampchronfic that explore Lestat's etiguette guide ideas!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
From: @gairid
*For the estimable and lovely @covenofthearticulate - I am pleased to offer this VC Secret Gift Exchange Christmas story tailored to your wish for Louis and Lestat and some frightfully fluffy fluff. I hope you enjoy it (sorry I am late).
Rating: Not Rated
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandoms: Vampire Chronicles - All Media Types, Vampire Chronicles - Anne Rice
Relationship: Lestat de Lioncourt/Louis de Pointe du Lac
Language: English
Words: 963
Always keep your fangs sparkly clean! I commissioned this from the fabulous @lousysharkbutt as a gift for @gairid/ @vampchronfic, one of my fave fic writers in the VC fandom, for her birthday today! It’s Gairid’s OC Brian Callahan, with Lestat de Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac.
I headcanon that the vampires don’t always bother with this sort of thing but when it’s been a really messy evening, as they get ready for bed, they might want to brush their fangs, too. Brian is a very close mortal friend of theirs, and he lives with them sometimes, and even though he knows what they are, seeing those fangs is always a little unnerving.
A++ to @lousysharkbutt for including in all these little details I asked for, including Brian’s Night Island tourist tank, Louis’ ripped up nightshirt, and his mom-style showercap, and Lestat wearing nothing bc reasons <3 Their expressions are perfection and this is a wonderful artist to work with, fast turnaround and delivers more than requested, can’t recommend them highly enough ^______^
To: @theballadofmrslovett ( @covenofthearticulate) - Profuse apologies for the lateness of submission. I followed some of your prompts but as very often happens, the characters decided on their own direction. Joyeux Noël - enjoy!
Business at Finnegan’s Easy was brisk when we stopped in, but we managed to find two seats at the far end of the bar. Louis hung the handles of the shopping bag he’d been carrying on the little hook under the bar and began rummaging through it. From mid-bar, Alison, the bartender gave me a nod and a grin, mouthing ‘Regular?’ I nodded.
“Ah.” Louis muttered. “Found it. And the envelopes.” He straightened his back and set the mentioned items on the bar. He was completely adorable in a bright green Grinch sweater and a Santa hat perched on his head.
“Max and the Grinch!” Alison cried as she approached with two mugs of Bass Ale.
“At your service,” Louis said amiably, doffing the Santa hat with good deal of aplomb. Alison put the mugs in front of us.
“I’d curtsey, but I don’t know how,” she said. She had a radiant smile. I’d always thought so.
“It’s easier if you’re wearing a gown.” I said.
“If you say so. Hey, I love the uh…antler, Max,” she said with a cheeky nod at my head. “I’m betting those get-ups were your idea.”
“Ha!” I said. “You’d lose that bet! Louis surprised me with the sweaters and headgear.” I gave her a gleaming smile. This seemed to delight her.
“Should I start a tab, or…”
“Not today, thanks. We have several visits ahead of us,” Louis said, picking up the beautifully wrapped little box and handing it to her. Her dark eyes lit up with pleasure.
“Merry Christmas, Alison.” Louis said warmly.
“Yes–Joyeux Noël, ma chérie.” I pushed the envelopes her way. “And if you wouldn’t mind distributing these among your colleagues? There is one in there for you and please give Raquel our good wishes. ”
“You guys are the best. Really…thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you both.”
An hour or so later, all deliveries done, we sat side by side on a bench in front of the Cathedral listening to a group of carolers enthusiastically charging through ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. They made up in speed what they may have lacked in tunefulness.
“It will rain later.” Louis remarked. His head was tilted back and his mouth open slightly as he tasted the wind.
“I suppose we should head home. Trust you to invite Armand to a Christmas movie night.” I said, going for a tone of severe annoyance and failing utterly. I didn’t mind that Armand was coming, not really. It’s become a bit of a game and as such things go, it had become comfortable and somehow compelling. “You really are a Grinch, you know that?”
“Oh yes,” he agreed. “A nasty, wasty skunk.” He opened his eyes and turned to look at me. “Come now, Lestat. Don’t deny how completely you enjoy Armand crawling all over you, the frightful little imp. And Daniel will be with him, so it should be an entertaining evening.”
“I’m quite sure our succulent little Amadeo would much rather be crawling all over you, Louis dearest.”
He sniffed. “Not if you put on that terrifying Santa lingerie. I’m certain he’d be most interested in what the …uh…beard covers.” He made a comical face that managed to convey both amusement and horror at the same time.
An hour and a quarter later we’d greeted our guests with a round of embraces and kisses beneath the enormous, not-not-to-be missed cluster of branched mistletoe hanging from the chandelier in the foyer. I must point out that Armand took complete advantage of the tradition involving mistletoe with both Louis and myself as well as with Daniel. Predictable of course but as I pointed out earlier, compelling. When he’s not working hard at appearing aloof and enigmatic, he can be a seductive little creature.
After welcoming them with the impromptu make-out session, I noticed our guests were dressed alike in expensive cashmere slacks and sweaters colorfully decorated with tiny blinking lights . I was working out something snide but not too aggressive to say about the sweaters but before I managed it, Louis ushered them upstairs.
Louis’s prediction was the accurate one; as soon as I sat down, Armand made himself at home beside me and by the time all the Whos down in Whoville were welcoming Christmas Day, he was draped across my lap, but his child-like enjoyment of the cartoon changed the ambiance entirely. By the time we’d got to the Alastair Sim version of ‘A Christmas Carol’, the four of us were sprawled in a comfortable tumble beneath a comforter.
“You know, I always thought that perhaps the spirits had driven Ebenezer quite mad, judging by his behaviour on Christmas morning.” Armand said.
“Such behavior seems normal enough considering the rapid emotional changes Scrooge underwent in the course of one night,” Louis replied.
“Oh, my god.” Daniel said, laughing. “Are you seriously dissecting this? The story is one of those whaddayacallit…” He twisted his head around to look at me.
“Cautionary tale?” I said.
“Yeah. Close enough.”
Armand reached and ran his hand through Daniel’s hair. “Just a remark.” he said.
“Huh.” I said. “By this time I think I recognize the specific ways in which Armand and Louis flirt.”
Daniel laughed. “Must be preliminary, then. The real seduction begins when they speak Latin to each other.”
Armand looked over at Louis. “Philistines.”
Louis nodded in agreement. “Rabble.”
“As far as I know, I am the only nobility in this room.” I said loftily.
Armand snorted. “Politesse dictates that remain silent rather than possibly offending you,” he said, shifting in my lap so he could look up at me rather than at the television. “My lord.” he added with a particularly melting glance.
“Louis,” Daniel hissed in a dreadfully loud stage whisper, “Please look at me so that I will fall instantly in love with you.”
“Didn’t he already do that upon your initial meeting?” I asked sweetly.
Louis made no remark. Instead he slithered across Daniel so they were face to face, mouths very close. Louis gave him a hot little kiss. “Do you love me now? I hope so.” He glanced at the French doors. The band of sky just visible above the roofline of the houses across the street had lightened to gray. “Because it looks like you’ll need to spend the day with us.”
Louis rose from the couch in his usual graceful way and extended his hand to Daniel. I looked down at Armand. “After your last remark I should toss you out the door, but I will defer to Louis. The bed’s big enough and of a necessity, our bedroom is the secure one.”
“Merry Christmas.” Daniel breathed, following Louis from the room. He was still clearly enthralled by Louis’s kiss.
“Who knows what might happen when we next awaken?” Armand said musingly. A smug little smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
I put my arms under Armand and stood, cradling him like a sleepy child. “Who knows?” I set him on his feet.
“Merry Christmas, Lestat.” he said as we walked companionably down the hall.
So I know that Louis doesn't really like being objectified and doesn't like being called beautiful and sexy and all but how would he react if he was called ugly?
I discussed this w/ @wicked-felina who says:
Hmm. Louis would probably believe criticism of his looks (I like the headcanon of various people, including @gairid) that he felt different and weird because of his androgynous beauty as a mortal. But he would protest that he doesn’t care about his looks
There was also a headcanon (@gairid‘s?) that his mother found his eye color strange and ruthlessly criticized him over that and other things about his appearance. Maybe that’s why Louis retreated into art and fiction for his aesthetic tastes, that the ideal of beauty captured by artists and writers was superior to what reality could offer, including his own appearance. The fact that he ran the family business and provided for his mother despite her attitude towards him taught him that actions, things you can change, have more weight than something you’re born with and cannot change, like your eye color.
I headcanon that Claudia playfully called him ugly on more than one occasion, and called him ugly on some not-so-playful occasions later on, too. Only someone he loved that much could wound him like she did about that subject.
Louis probably still has a lingering feeling from his mortal days about his looks, but if confronted about it, would probably roll his eyes and change the subject.
Have you read any good Louis/ Lestat fics that you would recommend?
Fanfic?? there’s no such thing as VC fanfic… pfffft. What are you crazy honestly??! J/k it’s out there. *blows kisses at AO3*
Recommendations…
Thanks for asking! I haven’t had a fanfic rec request in awhile.
However, as far as “good L/L fics,” that is wholly and wildly subjective. The danger of recommending any fic runs the same risk of doing those Follow Forever posts, which I don’t do, because I’ve seen ppl who were left out feel hurt and excluded.
Recommending fic feels slightly different to me bc it’s up to every reader whether they like something or not, and I don’t read every fic with that pairing. My closer VC friends and I happen to agree on many favorite fics and that’s been wonderful, but please ask other ppl for recommendations, too. Anyone is welcome to reblog/comment with recs!
My tags:
#fanfic - some of this tag is more about the topic of fanfic itself, but there are fics mixed in there.
#Fresh fanfic
#damn you and your perfect headcanon perfection tags here.
There’s also some fine stuff in the @vcsecretgifts archive.
Archive of Our Own (aka AO3) has a mission statement about protecting fanworks from copyright infringement arguments, so I feel pretty safe recc’ing stuff that’s on there:
Gulfport: A British Petroleum Fanfic (Part One) by hw_campbell_jnr - There are 2 parts and it’s incomplete but this is devastatingly beautiful long!fic. Hipster modern Lestat and Louis, Lestat going by a pseudonym, politics woven in, it’s just too good. It annoys me how good it is. I am annoyed. I would be less annoyed if it were COMPLETED.
Retail Therapy by Rebness (@wicked-felina) - what I love about this, among other things, is that it really is retail therapy for Lestat without that needing to be explained, and has a sweet ending <3
The Grim Brothers by Rebness (@wicked-felina) - incomplete but it’s a fun little werewolf AU! I hope the author picks it up again someday *NUDGES*
The Hostile Takeover by StellaMachiavelli (@stellamachiavelliici) - is a legendary fic. “Lestat de Lioncourt is a high-flying businessman out for revenge on ruthless boss Santino, with the help of his best friend David Talbot. There’s just one complication: on Santino’s side is Lestat’s ex, Louis de Pointe du Lac.”
The Sexting Caper by Gairid - because sexting!
The Haunting by Gairid - A haunted object.
Gairid (@gairid, @vampchronfic) also has some excellent long!fics and collaborations with Leshan that are worth checking out, too many to list here.
My stuff… see Burnadette_dpdL. De Motu Cordis is not my fave but has one of the highest hit counts. L/L lovey fluff *blushes*
One Night in New Orleans by iskra667 - L/L angst, fluff, warning: it explores some darker themes and contains dubious consent.
Childhood memory - a harsh lesson is learned (not the official title) @devilsfool - not L/L but I always have to rec it, a response to an Ask, a first kiss, child!Lestat.
Lestat’s actual birthday (not the official title) by @viaticumforthemarquise - not L/L but I always have to rec it,Gabrielle’s POV on the day Lestat is born oh gawds! Baby!Lestat
