[thespiderspinning]

"To most... I am simply known as..." Dracula

Heavily based on personal interpretations of the character along with a combination of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Universal Studio’s deceptions of the character in the 1931 film, Renfield (2023), and in-park appearances at HHN and Dark Universe.

Indie, canon-divergent, semi-selective rp and ask blog. personal blogs welcome to interact written by Jinx. Follows back with @moonlitjinx affiliated with @diaryofawallfly

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[gloryseized]

@thespiderspinning || [ cont. ]

A glass of wine swirled in Jonathan's hand as his head tilted with interested. The Count conspicuously did not seem to be enjoying such a drink, having claiming to already dining before. It created a beat's worth of hesitation in Jonathan's mind about the possible social faux pas that he sipped more slowly and more mindfully than he might otherwise when dining in the comforts of his own home. Of course, there were several other causes for such careful eating than etiquette alone.

Nodding slightly, he took a small sip, bashful smile bouncing to his mouth at the question in turn. "I'm sorry to say that I was not told much. I simply overheard the word during my travels here and was only able to discern it upon referencing my translation manual. I'm afraid I did not have much chance to look into local folktales or myths. I was a bit more preoccupied with practical matters like train schedules or inns for the night."

But then again, maybe certain folktales were to become not only practical but very relevant all too soon. Placing the wine glass at the small table next to his chair, he continued on. "If it's not too much trouble, I would love to hear more about the stories of such creatures. Do you know more about vampires?"

[thespiderspinning]

"I do," He answered, a soft smile on his ruby lips. "The superstitions of this land are old, passed down across generations and through time. Though for you to say that you had not the chance to learn of them, I am glad. Much of what would have been told to you would have been nothing more than the words of fools, fearful of their own shadows."

True, the people in the area surrounding the land he'd called his home for so long had concocted many interested and utterly ridiculous beliefs about him. He found it amusing to hear just how far from the truth they were sometimes. But too, he had to admit, there were many things that they did know that were true. And he was very glad his guest had not learned of them.

"It's hard to say just where the stories started and how much they can or should be believed. The vampires are demonic creatures, so they say, inhuman monsters. They claim them to be haunted souls, some claiming them to have risen from the dead, others claiming them to be living beings who have been cursed. In all cases, they are said to bring devastation within the place they reside."

He shook his head, laughing softly.

"Nothing you need fear, my friend. Even if such stories were to be true, you have nothing to fear. You will find yourself perfectly safe throughout your stay here within my home."

[thespiderspinning]

❛  maybe you’re right.  ❜ ( from Jonathan @gloryseized )

"You know that I am."

The words were soft, spoken in the dark of night when no one else could hear. They were dangerous, both a poison and a cure.

"I told you before, dear Jonathan, that my life was one of shadow, that I had lost that which brought light and happiness. There is no greater loss to be experienced and no man can be faulted for giving his all avoid it."

He couldn't help his curiosity.

"Tell me... to what lengths would you be willing to go to keep from losing your dear Mina? To keep her from losing you?"

[antioceas]

I hope I remembered his order correctly.

Very briefly, Astin had considered bringing a fruity pebbles latte - as a joke - but Andrei didn't seem the type to enjoy food waste. He would laugh, of course, just to make Astin feel better, but it wouldn't have endeared the music professor to his colleague any.

He knocked, carefully balancing the coffees in his other hand, but when he received no answer, Astin headed in. It was going to be quick, just dropping the drink off as a surprise for his friend. He wouldn't pry or look around.

"...Andrei?" Astin called out, just to be safe.

[thespiderspinning]

Of course. His luck couldn't be any worse.

He considered staying still, of continuing to hide and hoping that the other man would simply think he had missed him.

But at the same time, he was still in pain. He knew he needed help, and there was no one else who could help him leave the building in this state.

'Astin?' Telepathically speaking to humans was always strange, none of them ever reacted the same way. He hoped Astin wouldn't panic. 'I'm here... but I need your help'

[thespiderspinning]

❛  so … that’s it?  ❜ ( from Jonathan @gloryseized )

"Of course."

The topic that his guest had brought forward that night had surprised him, though it wasn't unwelcome.

"Mankind has always found ways of explaining that which they cannot make sense of. A god's wrath for a blight upon crops, the work of ghoulish specters for shadows and sounds at night. Those that live within these mountains too find ways of explaining the world around them."

He smiled softly.

"But tell me, my friend, so that I may put your mind at ease. What is it that they told you of these vampires?"

[thespiderspinning]

bat: my muse gets stuck in their bat form and your muse has to babysit them (whether they know it's your muse or not.)

Oh god, this was humiliating.

He had thought it was a good idea. Pain had kept him from sleeping the night before and had time before his scheduled office hours. Sleeping as himself in his office seemed unprofessional, but as a bat? So long as he hid himself well, no one would see or ever know.

It had been a good idea... until he awoke to found the pain increased to where he didn't dare try to shift back.

He clung to the wall, watching the door carefully and hoping it wouldn't open.

[thespiderspinning]

What's your favorite thing about Astin

"...Honestly?"

"I love just how easy it is to talk with him. We have so much in common and he never fails to make me smile. He's so very sweet..."

"..."

"...I truly hope I haven't ruined everything between us."

[antioceas]

Andrei was so close on so many, but is very happy to have gotten a bingo! (thespiderspinning)

Astin is just staring at Andrei over the bingo sheet. If this was a cartoon, his eyes would have formed into hearts. He might've even melted.

"Congratulations on your bingo. Would you like a prize?"

[thespiderspinning]

Andrei is smiling. He's quite a bit proud of himself, and is also still so charmed by the other man.

"If you're the one giving it, certainly."

[fatedbride]

AN AGREEMENT, ONE she surely should not be considering as much as she truly was in this moment. “ we are within a similar situation, so it seems. if we free all of them, where would we go? would we remain together? there is strength in numbers, they say. it would be far harder for someone like victoria to have hold over any of us again. ”

[thespiderspinning]

"VICTORIA DOES NOT maintain the strength she claims to. Her desperation to redeem her family's name will lead her into the same sort of hubris-driven downfall." She was a formidable foe, he'd admit, but only due to the assist of her creation's strength. If he were to turn against her, the tides of their battle would as well. "Once my brides have been freed, I have no reason to remain here. I intend to return to my homeland, and you and your companion would be welcomed with me." For as long as he felt fit to welcome them, that was. "...Do we have an agreement?"

[antioceas]

"Oh-oh!" Astin's cheeks flushed red immediately and he stumbled over his words. Eyes darted back and forth and hands grasped at his dark curls for some sort of anchor. When the other finally revealed it had been all said in jest, Astin almost appeared... disappointed.

"Right... right. Of course. This is... I'm sorry, that was kind of a stupid question, wasn't it?" Astin thoroughly hated himself. With each word, he was flayed before Andrei, all of his vulnerabilities and sensitivities displayed for the world to see. But, specifically, he worried about what Andrei might see buried deep within his rib cage.

The more Andrei spoke about the councils the more that chilled creeping horror came over him. While Andrei assured Astin it should be easy - simply play the part in the public eye - that constant nagging voice in the back of his head reminded him of everything that might go wrong. Starting with, but certainly not ending, the possibility of the council unraveling their farce.

"It's the blood, I imagine," Astin mumbled, "My sister said there was something... different about our blood. Not anything that important but, supposedly, it's like... a nice vintage wine or something." He'd tried not to think too harshly about it, ever since Chantal brought up the idea. Tried not to wonder what exactly it meant to have delicious blood, especially with vampiric aristocracy setting their gaze on you. Abstractedly, Astin felt a certain queasiness to his stomach.

"I... I would enjoy that quite a bit. I must admit, I have been... a little curious about you," Wouldn't anyone on this sort of trip? The entire travel Astin had been caught between two warring emotions of intrigue and dread. Sitting down beside Andrei, he folded his hands on his lap and let out the longest sigh he'd ever heard himself give.

"... What do you like to do in your free time? Is that... an embarrassing question? I... have to admit this is new to me in so many different ways." Once more, he blushed. In Andrei's eye, he couldn't help but to feel tiny, a bug under a scope.

[thespiderspinning]

Even as he spoke, he watched him closely, every movement and change in expression. Had he been… disappointed that he had been teasing? Interesting. He’d keep that in mind for later.

He breathed slowly, preparing himself. It was always the same sort of questions from mortals. Whether asked out of fear or fascination, the questions never changed. ‘What is being a vampire like? Can you really turn into a bat? What does blood taste like? How old are you? Can you turn—?’

His eyes went wide, jarred out of his own thinking by the question that had spilled from the other man’s lips. He stared at him a moment, before his expression morphed to that of stunned elation. He couldn’t help the laugh that came from him, warm and bright. He felt his heart flutter in his chest.

“You are truly a remarkable man, Astin Loupe,” There was no cruelty or mockery in his tone, the smile he gave him genuine and kind. “Through headfirst into a world of darkness and forced to be betrothed to the prince of the night, and you ask me of my hobbies? I suggest you mind yourself, if you’re not careful, I might find myself struggling to let you go after all of this. You’ll have become too endearing to me.”

He was well already on his way there.

"If you’re expecting something dark and mysterious, I'm sorry to say you may be disappointed. My hobbies are hardly befitting a vampire prince," Or at least, that's what he'd been told or had gathered from others who had attempted to charm him. "I enjoy reading, studying history, and working in my garden at night. I played piano when I was young and still do from time to time.”

He shifted, looking back at his companion.

"What about you? Beyond your supposedly delicious blood, what makes you interesting and what are you interested in?"

[thespiderspinning]

Hello! So sorry for just disappearing. I had really hoped to be active this past weekend, but the week ended up being an utter roller coaster of emotions and I just couldn’t manage it. That being said, we’ll be traveling in a few days coming up soon and I’m hoping to get some writing done during down times!

If anyone would like to plot or would like a starter, please dm me!

[thespiderspinning]

GET TO KNOW YOUR MUTUALS

FAVOURITE COLOUR: I like blues, greens and yellow LAST SONG: Ironically, Jinx by Green Day CURRENTLY READING: Just finished the third book in the Clown in a Cornfield series (I’m just in it for the final gays) CURRENTLY WATCHING: We’ve been watching Colombo recently CURRENTLY PLAYING: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. Or more accurately, either I’m watching my spouse play and narrating with ridiculous voices or I’m playing and cursing out Kyogre (renamed Kroger) who keeps getting stuck. CURRENTLY CRAVING: Coffee.

Tagged by: @bloodenkids

Tagging: @stitchedchild, @antioceas, And YOU!

[randaness]

Howdy y'all, I'm Quincey Morris and this is my friend Jonathan Harker, welcome to our unboxing video,

[cry-ptidd]

I drew it

[antioceas]

Not only was Astin under the executioner's blade, but now he was being mocked for not being properly prepared for it. At the other's scoff, Astin's face flushed. He ducked his head down, clearing his throat awkwardly. Every time the other laughed or scoffed, Astin felt like he was being publicly flayed.

As the troubles were described in depth, Astin better understood what drove them both to this disaster. They both were lambs to the slaughter, it was just that Astin's blood would end up paying more of the price. Perhaps, Andrei really wasn't the real villain here - not when there was something even darker and more powerful pulling at the strings.

"We... we have an agreement." For what other choice did he have? Astin took the vampire's hand with his own shaking one, binding their futures together for the foreseeable future.

"If I may ask, what are the duties of the bride? I was not prepared the same way my sister was for this marriage." Once more, Astin appeared sheepish and childish. Afraid to speak up too much in the darkness that surrounded them both. The danger in every corner - and how this might be the one chance for safety. Astin promised himself to do whatever was necessary to ensure that.

[thespiderspinning]

"What indeed," A sultry smirk came to the vampire's face as he shamelessly looked over him. "Can you take a guess?"

His expression turned to something softer, something more gentle and genuine.

"I'm teasing," Was he? Yes. Though he'd admit the Loupe man was cute. "I'm not expecting or asking you to preform any bride or spousal duties. We'll have to appear before the council and we'll have to go through all of the formalities and nonsense tied to the wedding, of course. But beyond that, all you'll be expected to do is enjoy the life of a future consort. Hell, I suspect half of them may treat you better than they treat me."

Though forced to acknowledge his status and strength, the council had no qualms about making their distaste for him clear. Truly, he had never understood why. It was hardly his fault that his father had passed on the strength of his bloodline and then promptly disappeared, leaving his anomaly of a son to take his place in their world.

"...So long as you are engaged to me, or appear to be, you have no reason to fear them or anyone else you'll encounter," He'd ensure that was well known. "You'll make it through this and be home soon enough... though I'd perhaps invest in some means of protection, if I were you. I haven't the faintest idea how or why they selected your bloodline, but clearly something caught their attention."

It was hard to say just what might have done it. He never tried to understand the whims of the council.

"...we have some time before they'll call for us..." He sat down on one of the plush couches in the room. "...perhaps we might spend the time getting to know one another?"

[antioceas]

"I... want to listen. I want to talk this out. I... I am not that scared," Astin promised. They were friends. They were friends and he didn't want to lose that out of his own constant terror. Even if his heart raced just at a glimpse of his fangs.

Astin was pulled to Andrei suddenly. For a moment, he once more feared the present danger. That the vampire intended to kill him once and for all. But, he'd promised to believe and trust in Andrei. The manipulation of words certainly helped too.

After a second, Astin eased into Andrei's grip, eyes half closed. Other than the slightest flinch - a memory of pain - when the mouth clamped down on his throat, he was still. Trusting the vampire, despite that fear only a second before. Trusting Andrei simply felt right, like it was what he was meant to do this entire time. He wavered for just a second when Andrei pulled back, returning to himself.

"That's... amazing..." And terrifying in it's own way, "I'm sorry, its just that... I would have never expected that." Cautiously, he ran his fingertips along the wound. Where it had been bleeding freely only a few moments before, it already was scabbing and closing. Like a miracle. A miracle after a nightmare.

"Andrei... I... I don't hate you. You should know that."

[thespiderspinning]

He appreciated Astin's word, his insistence that he wanted to talk it out, that he wasn't scared. But the sound of his pounding heart betrayed him. A rabbit showing bravery while standing before a wolf.

"...we're not creatures without mercy..." His voice was soft, eyes lowered as he carefully moved toward his desk once more. Explaining his nature never went well. He was a monster, a brand he'd worn for all his life. No matter how kind, how gentle, how human he seemed, humans would never see him as anything but a monster. "We're not uncontrolled blood-sucking beasts, or any of the other horrible things society believes us to be. Mistakes happen, but rarely with serious consequences. We live, we love, we exist just as anyone else does... so long as humanity allows us to."

He looked up at him, his age showing in his eyes as he sighed.

"I'm glad to know you think that," He didn't dare actually believe that he didn't, or that he wouldn't come to. "...I am sorry for what happened. Please know I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted you to know any of this, let alone learn about it like that. But I won't apologize for what I am. I can't change that, anymore than you can change your own humanity...."

He fidgeted, hands tight around the grips of his crutches.

"...But I do truly hope we might still be able to be friends... or if not at the very least civil with each other."

[thespiderspinning]

Counting coffins and background brides in unchained like:

[thespiderspinning]

Andrei’s personality is made up of three distinct parts:

Awkward hermit

Charming nerd

Royal bitch