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#have do not trust anyone that is related to louis
dictee · 1 year
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he’s performing bravado he’s performing being this kind of family man / eldest son / red blooded american male . even with his brother and sister who he GREW UP WITH. “i had never allowed myself to feel emotionally close to ANYONE.” he’s so dedicated to it that he regularly patronizes the same sex worker so people will think he’s attracted to women. and she’s his closest friend he’s not related to. so dedicated that he needs to pull a knife on his brother in the street. we literally do not see louis read books as a human. with lestat he cries at the opera he feels seen and wanted for the first time . “all these roles you conform to and none of them your true nature” like lestat does to some extent keep parts of that promise louis DOES gain things  just through starting to live w lestat and through the insurance of lestat’s capital. even though he’s still acting the businessman in public. he allows himself to be soo much softer in those six honeymoon years (and his mother judges him) and we barely glimpse it. bc louis’s narration omits it. and then w claudia he becomes completely removed from human affairs and i think this period from claudia’s pov where hes happy IS really genuine like this is probably the point in the show where he is performing the least. or minimum it’s the performance he enjoys the most. i think bc its a balance maybe? hes responsible for claudia’s well-being like he was for grace and paul and his mother but he’s her father not the pointe du lac family executor so he still gets to be the same self he is around lestat. doting. “it’s chiffon it has movement.” telling her love between men feels like love. without any defensiveness. lestat’s proprietary arm around his shoulders. they’re all kind of thriving here i think. then everything falls apart and he’s not performing bc hes depressed out of his mind. Then the end of episode five happens. Episode six and beginning of episode seven he’s also depressed out of his mind but now there’s the need to get everything back to normal to make their family work the way it used to before trust was broken. domesticity becomes the site of horror. where once it was freedom from having to perform aggressive masculinity now its hierarchy reinforced over and over. clean up this mess and come to coffin. i think this is the “performing being the submissive one in the relationship” era actually. and then end of episode seven i think it’s not even stepping up the performance its the removal of that barrier of resentment that the tense performance from earlier was providing. it’s letting himself go back to enjoying it. like he did with the honeymoon phase. letting himself be in love w lestat without the guilt and resentment thats festered since episode five. and letting that genuine submission be totally disarming. the fact that its genuine is why they (claudia and louis) win and why they fail. and this range is possible bc it takes place over the course of thirty+ years and jacob anderson is portraying ALL of it with aplomb . plus whatevers going on in dubai in the present (i think he is genuinely more normal about gender in the present bc you know its not the 1930s but whatever is happening with power is still an extreme performance and its bizarre and also exclusively for daniels benefit ??) i’m insane by the way.
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zahri-melitor · 9 months
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Okay, thought experiment where we DO fully remove All Steph from the DC timeline and how that changes plots and events (or ‘Steph only ever appears in ‘Tec 647-649, is a one appearance character, retires when she’s told to’).
This is not saying Steph’s a bad character. It’s more an examination of how she is, aside from Batgirl 2009 and Batgirls, very much a supporting character, and under the conceit of “remove a character, what changes in the timeline”, your answer for Steph is “not a great deal”.
Tim might date Ariana a bit longer, but it’s not going to make a huge difference, given they break up during Aftershock and there’s no way this relationship survived No Man’s Land. Maybe they’re on-again a bit more before the end.
Tim then probably dates Star during Brentwood, because Dixon couldn’t leave Tim without a girl for a hot second in case we started getting ideas about him not being completely heterosexual
Tim/Darla probably actually happens or is more flirted with at Louis E. Grieves.
Knightfall – no changes, aside from the fact Tim never gets buried alive with Arthur Brown.
Contagion / Legacy – no changes, Steph doesn’t participate
Final Night – Tim probably is alone, doesn’t have anyone to squabble with
Cataclysm/Aftershock – not a whole lot here. We never get the Huntress/Spoiler team up, which is sad. Maybe we get a Huntress/Azrael team up instead (ahahahahahahahaha can you imagine)
We never get the pregnancy plot (hopefully)
Steph doesn’t feature in No Man’s Land proper. No changes.
Officer Down – Steph doesn’t appear
Steph doesn’t exist, so Bruce never breaks Tim’s trust by telling someone his identity in Robin 87. Bruce probably just sulks about Alfred not being there and waits until Tim pops up. Alternatively, Bruce sends Cass to go look for Tim, which is still the broken trust but less fraught as there’s no background fight over ‘I can never tell you my identity’ and Cass is with Babs anyway.
Early Cass & Steph team ups – either Cass gets a civilian friend before Brenda to be friends with, and/or Cass and Tim get more early on team ups and Tim starts trusting her earlier as Cass knows Tim’s ID, and/or (interestingly enough) timeline would let Dinah introduce Cass to Mia, and we give Cass some more of her own supporting cast/friendships.
Joker: Last Laugh – Cass probably gets Steph’s appearances, rather than Cass being banned from any theme villains, due to the urgency
Gotham Knights #22 – Cass gets this detective training session with Bruce on account of the theme villain thing in J:LL and it’s good because Cass needs more detective training anyway
Batman: Family – Cass or Dinah or Helena get a bit more to do here.
Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive – Helena probably gets Steph’s bits, or Dinah just does more.
World Without Young Justice: it’s Cass, not Steph here, and Cass is still Batgirl. We see the world doesn’t have a Robin (which is realistically what would happen without a 1989 Tim). This plays into later Kon/Cass.
Cass also goes to Zandia.
Steph’s not in Hush.
Now for the big one. War Games.
I think you can go two ways with no Steph in War Games. 1. War Games doesn’t happen (which doesn’t really make sense, the Bat office used Steph as an expendable to kick things off here, rather than this being an outgrowth of Steph as a character). 2. Someone else initiates War Games. Your two best options are either: Orpheus messes up on his gang infiltration and something like the shootout meeting still occurs; Jason reappears JUST slightly earlier and his initial moves for control of the underground initiate the shootout meeting. Probably deliberately to kill off gang heads, rather than accidentally like it was for Steph. His efforts for this may not be revealed during War Games, he’s just a shadowy figure causing problems.
Helena probably also gets to feature in War Games, a plotline about gangs and mafia in Gotham, a topic she’s only JUST SLIGHTLY related to, rather than sitting it out for unclear reasons.
Black Mask May not torture anyone other than Orpheus, but if they still sacrifice a character here to make it ‘real’ I suspect Holly Robinson goes instead. (This then has knock on effects over in Catwoman but nowhere else)
There is no Robin 4 while Tim is ‘retired’. The school shooting at Louis E. Grieves and the gang warfare in the streets are what convince Jack that Tim isn’t safe either way, Tim returns to being Robin on schedule. Alternatively, Tim returns to being Robin after Identity Crisis, under the intense angst of “even being retired didn’t save my Dad (for some reason Tim would still have been out that evening), Dad told me to be a hero”.
War Games still happens – Tim and Cass may or may not move to Bludhaven afterwards. Tim probably still needs that break from Gotham. Babs probably still leaves town if the Clocktower gets blown up, and thus Cass moving also makes sense. Also they wanted a pretty clean slate for Bruce to angst over Jason.
If not, Tim and Cass stay in Gotham, Cass still ends up on her roadtrip, we come to Infinite Crisis the same way anyway.
Nothing bad happens with Leslie. There is no character assassination. She remains in Gotham. YAY!
Babs never shows Charlie Steph’s autopsy photos. Maybe she uses Jason’s. Maybe she just…doesn’t do this.
Cass doesn’t hallucinate Steph. Maybe she has visions of someone else, or none at all, or someone else like Boston Brand turns up.
Fast forward to 2008. No Steph in Gotham Underground (which she does nothing in anyway, it’s just a tease about a return)
We skip the Steph returns plot as no Steph. (This bit doesn’t make a lot of difference, fewer assassins).
Steph working with Ulysses Armstrong to ‘test’ Tim – either Bruce can arrange this nonsense himself, or you know, Ulysses is an annoying villain anyway. Maybe HE just causes problems on purpose. Maybe the back of Tim’s head never gets burnt. That would be nice.
Batgirl Volume 2: Steph does not feature in this.
Battle for the Cowl: Steph essentially sits this out apart from complaining that Tim told her to retire.
Batgirl Volume 3: three big ways this could have gone. 1. Cass gets an ongoing again, after all that character rehab done in Volume 2, instead of being shipped off to exile/Hong Kong. Cass plays Batgirl to Damian’s Robin, which would create interesting dynamics. 2. The slot is used for the Batwoman ongoing that had been in development hell since 2007, Rucka gets 26 issues rather than 10. 3. We get Babsgirl two years earlier. Oracle: The Cure did what the name promised on the tin, follows through on the old Brainiac tumour plot. (Ugh)
Cass PROBABLY still plays Batgirl to Damian’s Robin in option 2, with only sporadic appearances in titles not written by Morrison. Option 3 obviously has some Dick and Babs conflict over the fact she can now walk, Babs probably still runs a Birds of Prey during this time. Cass likely still gets shipped off.
Nu!52 happens. No Steph.
Rebirth. I’m unfamiliar with most of Steph’s appearances from her reappearance onwards, but the thing everyone always says is that she basically shows up as “Tim’s Girlfriend” or “StephnCass”. Cass doesn’t appear as a double feature. Tim’s obviously dating other people. Scanning the wiki entries doesn’t show me much of anything loadbearing that wouldn’t just be written as Cass by herself. Steph apparently talks an OMAC-Tim down at one point? Maybe his favourite, most trusted brother (Dick) could do that instead.
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licncourt · 1 year
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I just went back and read your original Louis head canons, so I have to ask: do you have any new ones? They're all so good, I could listen to you talk about him for ages !
Nasty baby boy!! Thank you for asking, I need to gnaw on him like a chew toy rn because of my IWTV reread. It's giving me even more Louis brain worms than usual. Little guy....
He is not an animal person in general, but he has a very special and very strong affinity for birds. He has bird feeders at all the windows in his favorite spots, and an assortment of little bird friends (he's had lots of different kinds) in a big aviary who are very spoiled and very well trained. He's also a big fan of the birdtok scroll hole and fighting about birdkeeping on reddit until someone is crying
Louis knows his original family name from France, but never uses or speaks about it. If anyone were to ask, he'd say he doesn't care for it because he wants """his""" achievements to speak for themselves, but in reality it kind of bothers him that his ancestry is "common" and nouveau riche
Lestat's dumbest nickname for him is Minky (because Louis' hair reminds him of those fancy mahogany mink coats, all dark, shiny and fluffywavy). He perhaps maybe possibly finds all the stupid pet names a little bit sweet
Phone game junkie. If brass buttons were that interesting to him, imagine candy crush or the businessman enrichment he would get from animal crossing. Lestat has to limit his screen time so he doesn't rot his brain
He watches Protestant televangelists and bitches at the screen like a dad watching football. Just in general he likes to look at things that make him angry and then complain about it (big fan of Facebook and the news for the same reason)
Really into modern self-help and wellness culture. He konmaris his house every two months and is a top user of the headspace app. It's really annoying for everyone else but it does seem to be working
He uses his vampire prodigy skills to do a lot of sketching outside, especially when the weather is nice. He's always been a nature enjoyer but now he can capture it easily and keep it close. He likes to take pictures too. And show them to other people whether they care or not. The oak tree in his favorite park is like a grandchild to him
Because of his poor feeding habits very early on after being turned, his fangs are just slightly smaller and duller than the average vampire. It makes his kills messier/harder to keep tidy because there's a bit of sawing and ripping involved in the feeding process instead of a clean bite
Contrary to popular belief, he does enjoy physical affection from very close people, like his siblings when he was human and Lestat now. He needs more space than his stage five clinger husband (they would be surgically attached if Lestat had his way), but he likes having someone to lean against while he reads or a lap to sit in during a movie or cuddles after a long day. It just took an acclimation period and some trust building/bonding to get there
His hatred of granulated sugar was partly financially motivated (business competition) but also because he had a massive sweet tooth as a human but it didn't fit his image. Almond mom who sneaks twinkies in the bathroom
On a somewhat related note, his disordered eating wasn't a totally new thing as a vampire. His image of himself was always very reliant on his ability to be "godly" and In Control which led to a lot of extreme monk food habits and secret binging on fat, sugar, and alcohol. It's also why he spiraled so quickly into being an actual alcoholic so quickly after Paul's death
Against all odds, he is a fancy bath guy. Hot water was obviously not super easy to get and regulate for most of his life so it wasn't really a feasible option, but now he's extremely into the idea of being up to his neck in hot water that smells like lavender. He's kind of embarrassed about it though so he takes them when he's alone like it's some kind of petty crime. Lestat knows and leaves him little bath product gifts (and eventually gets to be in included in the baths sometimes)
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whatavery · 15 days
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Ordained Defiance Ch. 1
Finally, after weeks of buildup, finally I can start posting this very special story. Of all the characters in Lackadaisy, I really wanted to create some Abelard content, because I love him.
So what better way to do so than to write a little fanfiction featuring him, his family and my OC? A slow-burn story set in the small town of Defiance, Missouri...
For the first chapter, I present you with an image of my new OC alongside Abelard!
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This lovely piece here was drawn by the amazing @mergestucs1!
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With the sweeping, green hills, the freshly sprouting leaves on the trees and the mostly clear, blue sky, Defiance was beautiful in spring. The air was getting warmer, but the breeze still had a sharpness to it whenever it graced Abelard’s face. It was a Thursday morning like any other as he made his way into town on foot, the apricot-furred cat enjoying the spring weather. Abelard's shoes dug into the dirt road that led the way through the small town that was Defiance. Granted, it really wasn't much of a town (it was closer to a village, if anything) given how small it was, and how much distance there was between the homes here.
The lean reverend took long, fast strides, walking with purpose. His morning strolls generally took him all over Defiance. He started at home and took the scenic route out to Defiance General, going through the small community and finally ending by the church.
He'd left the store just minutes prior, having stopped by the outskirts of town to see the shop owner. It was usually his first stop these days. Most days Mr. Weaver was up and working early, despite his age. Abelard always did make sure to purchase something when he visited, often in the form of cigarettes or other small items, usually something edible. Sometimes he brought home bigger items such as potatoes and the like.
And Abelard would, of course, gladly take on Mr. Weaver in a round of chess when time allowed it. Reverend Arbogast usually wasn't one to turn down an opportunity to spend time with the locals. It was part of his daily routine, making sure to visit with members of their little community. Though he didn’t personally visit each and every inhabitant of the small town, he made sure to at least greet them whenever possible, whether by the church or around town.
The man running Defiance General was one of the few that Abelard regularly visited personally. As reverend, Abelard saw it as part of his job to maintain a good relationship with said community; it was what the reverend before him had done. And it was what he’d taught Abelard; it was any reverend’s job to spread the word of the Lord and maintain good relations to those who believed, and even those who didn’t. After all, it was how a man of faith might help others see the light.
And as village minister Abelard didn’t just do services in the church on Sundays. Of course, that was part of the job; he took care to preach to his fellow man, woman and child. Though it had been a while since the last time, he had also done confessions and he’d heard quite a number of things. But as was his sworn duty, he’d never disclosed this to anyone; it was for him, the Lord and the sinner to know.
He’d been doing this job for decades at this point, and everyone in Defiance, and the nearby townships, that was part of his congregation, knew him. He'd established a good trust and good relations with the community, but it had taken time.
The township of Defiance primarily consisted of a small collection of farm buildings and barns around a main road that stretched through the small town. Defiance General was the primary place to do shopping for those who didn’t wish to travel further away by car, where they had more options. St. Louis was about forty miles away and Abelard himself hadn't made the trip there in quite some time. He was content in this small town where he'd grown up.
The town itself had a few things of note, despite its small size. For one, there was a local mechanic, though it wasn’t really a proper business, just a farmer who knew how to handle cars and other machinery. It wasn't so unusual to see him taking a look at someone’s vehicle, just as he was today. The farm house he lived in with his family was one of the larger ones on the side of the road that Abelard walked on. The barn door was open and the tuxedo cat could be seen fiddling with the engine of one of his neighbors’ cars.
As Abelard passed, he was spotted by the mechanic, who wore messy overalls over his clothes. He waved to Abelard as he passed. “Good morning, Father Arbogast. How do you do?”
“I’m quite well, thank you,” the lean cat called back in a proper tone. Abelard waved back as well, and offered him the slightest of smiles. Abelard was clad in all black from top to toe; black shoes, black pants, black jacket, black hat. The only article of clothing Abelard wore that wasn't black was his white button-up shirt under his jacket. “I hope you are as well.”
Though not a man who smiled much, nor a man to whom smiling came naturally, Abelard still did his best to be personable with the locals. At least for the most part. That wasn't to say he was all-smiles around them all the time, far from it. Father Arbogast, as he was most often called, had quite a reputation for being a man not to cross. It wasn't often, but he’d had to tell local children off more than a few times, using the colorful language he had become rather infamous for. And for the most part, it worked. He’d even had to tell off their parents on occasion.
Children as well as their parents knew to respect him and that was how Abelard liked things to work. Abelard was never one to shy away from doing such things if someone were to do or say something morally apprehensive.
Abelard didn’t linger around too much as he continued down the road.
The houses around the main road were generally large, quaint farm houses, many of them quite old with a fair bit of distance between each one. Defiance had never had a large population. Abelard knew they currently didn’t even amount to a hundred. The entire community could fit inside the church during services, even despite how small the church was. In the open area of Defiance, they had a few small businesses, such as a post office, an inn and a carpenter who also did metalwork on occasion. There was also a single bookshop and of course, further away there was a train station with its depot.
The businesses were mainly being run out of people’s homes, further adding to the feeling of a small, tight-knit community amongst the locals.
The area all around was wide and open with small groves and forested area nearby fencing in the majority of Defiance. The rolling hills and fields all around offered space for farmland, like the cornfields near Abelard's home.
The cornfields had gone from being harvested for food to also being harvested for more unsavory reasons in recent years. He'd been there for it all, as the changing political landscape of America had ushered in changes to his life. Not just his life either; Abelard also knew the unspoken truth that farmers both in Defiance, as well as all over the country, were doing the very same thing.
Abelard had spent most of his life in Defiance, as had many of its inhabitants. He'd traveled to visit nearby towns and cities, but home was always here. For better and for worse. But the small town of Defiance needed him. The Lord’s work was never finished until the day of reckoning and Abelard intended on continuing to spread the word of the Lord till his last breath.
He knew that there was no such thing as a one-man army when it came to his job. Abelard wasn't entirely alone; he spread the Lord’s word, he preached to warn of sins and temptations in the hopes that his congregation would help spread the same message. It was the point of preaching at all to begin with, to spread the word of the Lord, to help enlighten and to save as many souls as he could.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil… That part of the Lord’s Prayer had taken on a new significance to Abelard just a few short years ago. The nation-wide prohibition on alcohol had changed so much for so many people, again for better and for worse.
For Abelard? To him the very idea of stripping away a source of temptation in such a way was an affront. It had never been something that sat right with him; Abelard knew so many who saw it as removing the very option of giving in to sin from their lives, but Abelard privately saw it as a disruption to the natural order of things.
If anything, it seemed to have inadvertently added a whole new caliber of trappings into the lives of many. Abelard knew as much, being an initially reluctant participant in the illicit alcohol business.
But alas, here he was; illegal liquor had paid for much of the maintenance around the church and the town. Abelard knew that the cursed liquid would go on to add temptation back into the realm of the living – of the souls who would eventually need saving. Abelard knew that the very allure of the illicit only made sin all the sweeter to the ones who chose to give in to it.
But in the end, he knew that the truly good people would make the right choices, even with temptation in their lives. God would forgive sins, and although Abelard too would do his part to make sure people would not be led into the many pitfalls in life, he knew these complexities to be a necessary evil to separate the righteous from the wicked.
But Abelard kept these views to himself and a very select few close to him.
Passing more homes on his way, Abelard spotted more people who were getting their days started; a woman looking after the small garden around their front-porch where her small children were playing; a young couple leaving their driveway together in a car. Once more Abelard offered waves on his way, even if the children seemed rather frightened of him. He didn’t mind, of course. There was a fine line between fear and respect, and Abelard hoped they would learn to walk that line well.
If nothing else, Abelard hoped the younger generations would be given the chance to grow up with all of life’s complexities; the good, the bad and the tempting, all ever-present. Their parents (and he to some extent) would need to arm them to face the many trappings of life, and never stray from the righteous path. Whether they'd succeed or not was ultimately in their own hands.
All he could do was hope for the best… And hope that they may never get involved in unsavory business like his family.
Being in the liquor business had proven to have more downsides than upsides to Abelard. He resisted the urge to spit on the ground, to curse the names of those he'd had to deal with, as he continued on his way. Lackadaisy, Marigold, they were both the same to him; bands of immoral, cutthroat criminal that needed him and his kin for liquor and nothing else.
Though Abelard had no qualms with partaking in the making and smuggling of the liquor, dealing with others in the business had been less than pleasant. All the trouble that had come with it… It had cost him an organ player as well. Little Defiance had been the scene of some gruesome acts of violence, which Abelard still found unsettling to think about.
And that was despite all he'd seen and heard in his fifty-two years on this Earth.
Leaving the main residential area, Abelard passed the single inn that the town had. It was a small, family-owned place, a decently popular location that Abelard had visited many times. It was a two-story farm house where the family lived on the upper floor and the inn itself was located down below. It was one of the popular places for members of Abelard's congregation to end up after service on Sundays.
After passing the road that would take him towards the Arbogast Funeral Home, Abelard made his way past a tree line and out to another open area. The wide, open space was fenced in by trees from all sides, and the nearest farm houses could look right up to the white church with its single tower and tall spire that pointed straight to the Heavens. It was a relatively new church,; Abelard recalled in his youth that his parents had remembered the time when it was still newly constructed. Since it had been finished, it had been the church his family would visit for services every Sunday morning, and eventually the one that he himself would be the reverend of.
It wasn’t large and grand, but it was beautiful. All-white exterior, the church had two small steps leading up to the two tall doors out front with one short, wide transom above it. Further above the window as part of the tower was a clock, a relatively new installation. On either side of the large doors was a window, each larger than the one above the door, with a grid-like frame holding many small panes of glass. Each side of the church had four similar windows lining the walls, always making sure plenty of light could shine inside. The dark roof was angled upwards, the front merging into the small tower. The tower itself wasn’t that much taller than the roof, a small platform housing a thin, eight-sided spire reached higher than the roof, ending up in a sharp point.
There was always something to be done around the church, always something new to worry about, surprisingly so for such a small town. The illicit, ill-gained money helped keep the church in pristine order, and while they were currently out of a steady organ player, Abelard had other things to worry about. The groundskeeper was looking to retire. He was old and he had been looking after the grounds since before Abelard became the village minister. Just looking for a new groundskeeper would be a a mild challenge in the small community. Just something new for Abelard to figure out in the near future. Hopefully, the current groundskeeper would stick around long enough to find a replacement, so they wouldn’t leave the grounds unattended.
As a brisk morning breeze ruffled his facial fur, Abelard arrived by the entrance to the church grounds. The church was right by a crossroad; corn fields to one side, open stretch of grassland with graves on the other. The cemetery had expanded since the church’s founding, of course. Being framed in by the farmland, there was only so much space that could be used for graves; further away more grave sites had since been established.
No one was around at this time of day and as Abelard made it up the small steps to the large doors, he removed his hat and stepped into the Lord’s House.
It wasn't a very spacious interior, being a small church, but the space available had been optimally used. Stepping onto the wooden floor, Abelard walked up the aisle by himself. On each side of him were pews that could house the entirety of Defiance’s population during services, and there was even room for more people from neighboring townships. And in part owing to the small size of the church, Abelard had mastered utilizing the building’s acoustics to let his voice carry from the altar to the very back of the church, for all to hear.
Behind the last pew on the right side of the church, a small spiral staircase led up to a small landing above the entrance. This was where the organ was located, overlooking the small church’s interior. Abelard admittedly didn’t spend much time up there, nor did anyone else these days. The landing was close to the ceiling, which was painted blue like the sky outside, but even a man as tall as Abelard could comfortably stand up there without bumping his head on the ceiling.
Abelard made a mental note to attempt to send for a potential organ player in the nearby townships. He might even have to send for someone living further away, such as over in St. Louis…
The wooden pews that stood in rows on either side of the aisle were painted white, like the walls surrounding them. There were two windows up ahead flanking the altar, right across from each of the windows on either side of the door. Perfectly symmetrical. Along with the four windows on each of the church’s longer sides, plenty of light always poured in through these in the daytime hours. The same went for the circular stained glass window up above the altar close to the rounded ceiling. And of course, once it was dark, the multiple bronze candelabras on the walls and the large ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling in front of the altar would help keep the building illuminated.
Abelard stopped before the altar, right below the chandelier and closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying the peace and quiet that the church offered him at times like this. The tall, lean cat had a white podium off to his left, where he would stand to preach and speak during services, facing the congregation.
Leaving the altar, Abelard slowly made his way back outside again, casting a glance out at the woods in the distance that served as the natural fence for this part of Defiance. Leaves were sprouting from the branches and the grass all around was starting to look as green as could be, it was a beautiful sight indeed.
The dirt road leading to the left from Abelard's vantage point led up towards where a small part of the cemetery was located. Further away along the road that ran along the side of the church was the Arbogast Funeral Home. It hadn't always been a funeral home, as it was these days; it had also been Abelard's childhood home where he’d grown up. He’d inherited the place from his parents and now it was also where he conducted his other ventures, including more unholy business.
Glancing up the path towards the cemetery, Abelard put his hat back on. The nearby funeral home would prepare the dead for burial, the church would hold a funeral service and the dead would be buried in the nearby cemetery. It truly was an efficient, albeit morbid, little system.
Abelard’s own parents laid buried there as well, as did other past inhabitants of Defiance and the nearby area. Growing up so close to not only the church, but also the cemetery had made Abelard’s skin crawl as a young boy, but these days the thought didn’t bother him at all.
The area outside and around the church was beautifully maintained, the grass kept short, the nearby trees kept healthy and the paths kept clear and clean. The morning sun’s rays casting a brilliant light over the trees’ fresh leaves, and the blades of grass, only added to the place’s natural beauty.
It was going to be a tall order to find someone new who cared about looking after the grounds this much. But Abelard had no doubt in his mind that he’d find the right person for the job, as was his responsibility. Odds were someone in town would be willing to do it – it would be easier and more efficient to not have to call in someone from out of town. Abelard knew he shouldn’t keep putting it off.
After enjoying a bit of time to himself, Abelard let out a content sigh. But he knew he ought to go about his business once more.
Turning back towards the church, however, Abelard spotted a single figure lingering by the white brick wall to the left of the church doors. He squinted slightly. He didn’t recognize the stranger at a glance, in part due to them facing away from him, apparently glancing out over the cornfields nearby.
The stranger turned their head as Abelard got closer, and already Abelard didn’t get the best first impression of them, noticing the way they were leaning on the church wall. They were practically lounging, like the church was their personal property.
“Ah, hello… Reverend Arbogast is it?” The stranger sounded uncertain as he spoke in a surprisingly soft voice. The Turkish Angora stood just a couple inches shorter than Abelard, his fur a grayish off-white color all over. His ears were particularly fluffy, though his fur overall was short, yet fuzzy. He had bangs reaching down to his eyebrows and the tips of his ears had white tufts on them. Very unusual.
Behind him he had a particularly fluffy tail that drooped ever so slightly. He wore a dark gray sweater with a thick, folded collar and a pair of blue denim pants. The right knee of his pants was torn open, his white fur showing through.
“Yes, how can I help you?” Abelard asked, his blue eyes taking in the stranger before him. Abelard's tone was polite, but slightly stiff. He didn’t recognize him, and yet there was something familiar about him at the same time. Abelard guessed he was likely from out of town – he made it a point to know everyone in Defiance, after all.
The stranger left the wall and approached Abelard, his fluffy tail fur swaying in the wind. Eyes met, sky blue and minty green, and Abelard noticed the younger cat had a face with soft, rounded, almost slightly… feminine features. The stranger held out his white-furred hand. “Well… I was just looking around a bit. I haven't seen this place in a long time…”
“You’ve been here before?” Abelard asked in surprise as they shook hands briefly. He squinted slightly at the white cat. Again, he got the sense that they’d met before…
“Oh, I lived here a decade ago, before I- Well, I moved out a long time ago.” The stranger’s stumbling didn’t go unnoticed by Abelard, but he was more so intrigued, though perhaps a touch suspicious as well…
Abelard still fixed the stranger with some amount of dislike, which based on the look on the younger man’s face didn’t go unnoticed. “Hmmm, I don’t recognize you… I know everyone in Defiance. What’s your name, young man?”
“My name’s Cainan – Cainan… Wirth.” Once more Abelard couldn’t help but feel as though something was wrong. The stranger seemed hesitant to give his name, which only made Abelard all the more suspicious of him. However, his name did stir something in Abelard – that sense of familiarity.
“Wirth? With an ‘i’?” Cainan nodded at this, though he didn’t meet Abelard's eyes when he did. “I see… Well, I might have known your parents in that case. Harold and Gabriela Wirth, correct?”
Abelard could see Cainan's face tightening at this, but the younger cat nodded. “Yup, them’s the ones. I was planning on visiting them after I’m done here, actually.”
At this Abelard raised an eyebrow as their eyes finally met again. He wasn't sure what Cainan's situation was, but this was… curious. For a number of reasons. The least of which being: “Well, they moved away a few years ago, if I’m not mistaken. They have not called Defiance home for a while.”
Cainan blinked up at Abelard with those pale green eyes. “… Oh.”
Was that disappointment Abelard heard in his voice? Or was it relief? Abelard genuinely couldn’t tell. The older reverend frowned down at the white cat. “You didn’t know…?”
The younger cat didn’t answer right away. Abelard could tell he was thinking hard about what to say. What was he up to exactly? He hadn't immediately struck Abelard as a troublemaker, though the way he hung around outside a church did seem suspicious. Abelard cast a glance over Cainan's shoulder towards the area beside the white building, which seemed to be quite untouched. When he glanced back at Cainan, the younger cat seemed ready to speak.
“Well, to tell you the truth, Reverend, no, I didn’t realize they'd moved. You know where to?” he asked. Again, Abelard found it curious how he spoke with the tone of someone just asking for the time; not with the tone of someone urgently needing to know the whereabouts of their parents.
“Hmmm, well, I don’t recall, I’m afraid,” Abelard told him calmly, though he watched Cainan closely, his gaze fixated upon the younger cat to wait for a reaction. Abelard had his suspicions, but he wanted to see just how Cainan might react to this information. To his surprise, the younger cat barely seemed to react at all – he just nodded slowly.
“Ah that’s alright. Guess I’ll try and ask around town,” was the response Abelard got, a surprisingly casual response. Now he was certain something wasn't right here.
“Were you hoping to run into them here?” The longer he spent in Cainan's company, the more Abelard could start to see some family resemblance. While he couldn’t say he'd been close with the Wirths, he still partially remembered what they looked like. He could see aspects of both Cainan's parents as he remembered them, when he gazed upon the younger cat before him.
“I suppose, yeah,” Cainan replied, his tone carrying that same casual carelessness as he spoke. Cainan seemed to hesitate for a moment, clearly thinking about… Honestly Abelard wasn't sure what was going through the young stranger’s mind. “I suppose I really just did come looking for you.”
“I guessed as much,” Abelard admitted, nodding slightly as he crossed his arms. The way Cainan had greeted him had indeed made it seem like he’d been waiting for him. Whatever this young cat could possibly want from him, Abelard didn’t know, but he was willing to hear him out. “So once more I ask you, how can I help you, child?”
Cainan’s left ear gave a small flick, possibly out of annoyance, though his facial expression didn’t show any signs of it. Abelard didn’t think calling him a child was unfair; he was young, clearly, though Abelard didn’t know quite how young. Perhaps he was older than his youthful face made him seem. “Well, I decided to return to town and, well, I’d like to do some work while I’m here. I’d like to… stick around for a li’l while.”
This was certainly a surprise to be sure. It wasn't at all what Abelard had expected of the young stranger, the reverend frowning slightly. He sighed. “Hmmm… And why didn’t you simply head into town and ask around? And why weren't you just honest from the beginning, young man?”
“I’m sorry, well, I figured this way was easier – I heard you were the village minister, so I figured… Actually, maybe this was a dumb idea.” Cainan suddenly seemed to change his mind mid-sentence. The younger cat shook his head and made to leave. “Sorry to waste your time, I should just drive-”
“Now hold it just a minute…!” Abelard put a hand on Cainan's shoulder to stop him in his tracks, gripping him firmly with his slender fingers. Cainan turned to look at up him, apparently surprised, his white eyebrows raised. “Slow down and explain yourself. I can’t figure out where to put you, if I don’t know where you came from.”
“So, you will help me…?” the Turkish Angora asked hopefully, his ears perking up immediately. Abelard let go of Cainan's shoulder and stared at him in disbelief. Had he been hoping for this kind of reaction…?
“I asked you to explain yourself. We shall see if we can find a solution to your predicament once I know everything… And I do mean everything.” Abelard had a feeling Cainan just might be a troublemaker, but of a different sort than the kind he had encountered before. He gestured towards the church with some apprehension. “We can step inside and talk, if you'd please.”
Cainan turned towards the church with an equal amount of apprehension of his own. He bit his lower lip and seemed to consider this for quite a little while. He awkwardly hovered around where he stood, though he didn’t step towards the church. “Uh… maybe we could talk out here? Or we could go for a walk? It was a long drive here, I’d like to just stretch my legs a little bit.”
Abelard thought it curious that he'd mentioned a long car ride, seeing as there wasn't a car around to be seen nearby. He looked at the younger cat, eyebrow raised in suspicion.
“Oh, I drove into town, but I walked here,” the white cat hastily added, apparently not ignorant to the doubt written all over Abelard's face. The white cat offered a would-be innocent smile, but given the hasty way Cainan had offered up a rather flimsy explanation, it didn’t make Abelard trust him any more. “And besides… I haven't really been in Defiance for years. You could show me around… Please…?”
Abelard scowled at the shorter cat, crossing his arms again. Cainan continued looking at him with that would-be innocent smile of his, but Abelard saw right through it. Whatever he was playing at, Abelard wasn't going to let him win. He knew for sure he didn’t want to participate in his little games. But if he wanted to stick around and work in the town he grew up in… Abelard supposed it wasn’t the worst thing to want, even if he was being deceptive about it. Still, something wasn't right about Cainan…
“Very well, we can walk together,” Abelard finally agreed, though he still scowled at the younger cat. Cainan on the other hand seemed perfectly pleased with this outcome. It indeed seemed like this was the outcome the younger man had desired.
As the two of them left the church grounds and walked up to where the two roads outside the church crossed, Abelard couldn’t help but feel like this was all an elaborate rouse. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Cainan was trying to manipulate him in some way. His intentions sounded innocent enough on paper, but the way he went about everything didn’t sit right with Abelard. “Now, young Mr. Wirth-”
“Ugh, no… Just call Cainan… uhm… please. Reverend.”
“Well, Cainan… If you wish for me to… potentially assist you with your plight, I must ask you a few things. And I ask that you return the favor by answering my questions honestly.” Abelard turned his blue-eyed gaze upon the other and fixated him with a scrutinizing look. “Do I have your word?”
“Of course, I’ll be… honest.” The hesitation made Abelard scoff and offer Cainan a side-eye as the two walked down the dirt road together. “No, sorry, I mean it. I’ll be honest – I swear.”
Abelard still scowled, but he ultimately nodded, breaking eye contact to look ahead. The two walked along the road that ran parallel to the church’s front door. They moved in silence for a few seconds as Abelard gathered his thoughts. He still wasn't at all sure what to make of Cainan. He didn’t appear very trustworthy; the way he spoke, his closed off body language from the way he slouched and the way he shrugged so often. Abelard very much felt that the answers he got from the white cat would prove whether he was to be trusted or not.
“So, tell me: when did you move away? And how come your parents didn’t contact you to let you know that they'd moved themselves?” Abelard decided to go for two big questions back to back. When he looked over to Cainan on his left, the younger cat did indeed seem taken aback by the questions. Abelard simply hoped he'd honor his promise and tell him the truth.
“Ah… Well, those are very good questions…” Cainan replied hesitantly, looking away at the cornfield they walked past. Abelard could tell he was stalling to answer, and he was starting to feel rather annoyed with Cainan already. Though the scowl on his face didn’t go away, Abelard calmed himself the best he could, and just waited. “Well, to answer the first one, I left town when I was… I think fourteen. Thirteen? Around that time at least.”
“Really now? And how come you decided to leave Defiance then?” Abelard wondered aloud, and he couldn’t help but privately wonder if Cainan had run away. It seemed unusual to travel away alone at such a young age. But all the same it seemed so unlikely; from what Abelard remembered of the Wirth family, they were a respectable sort, a good family with good values. They were people of faith and everyone in town seemed to like and admire them.
At least if Abelard's memory served him correctly…
“Oh, I needed a change of scenery.” Once more, Cainan appeared so casual. He stuck his hands into his pants pockets, looking completely unbothered. He still slouched a bit, whereas Abelard took proper strides, back as straight as a board. “Small towns like this are nice, but I wanted to see more of what the world had to offer.”
Abelard had to admit, the younger cat’s answer had surprised him. Assuming it was the truth, he couldn’t help but find it almost admirable to want to experience things like that at such a young age. Perhaps that was how his parents had raised him?
Of course, being out in the world meant temptation. How old was Cainan now? Abelard wasn't sure, but if he left about ten years ago, perhaps… Ten years was a long time… Who knew, maybe Cainan was older than he seemed at a glance. “And where did the road take you then?”
“Oh, here… there… all over the place.” Cainan offered up another casual shrug, Abelard feeling a twinge of annoyance shooting through him at the sight. “I started going from town to town. I traveled down south for a bit, then over east to St. Louis for a while. Never really out of state, though.”
“And now you’ve returned home.” Cainan glanced on over at Abelard in a manner that told Abelard all he needed to know. The look told him far more than the young cat likely meant for it to; he didn’t like the idea of referring to Defiance as ‘home’. Although he said nothing, it was written all over the younger cat’s face. “And what did you do while you were away exactly? I take it you must have done some kind of work to get by, have you not?”
Cainan nodded as they approached the treeline that bordered the fields near the church. Past the treeline there would be yet more farmland with more houses and more of what Defiance had to offer. “I did a couple different things. Factory work, courier work, personal driver, everything in-between, really.”
It was of course a very vague list, but Abelard supposed if he truly was that versatile and had gotten a lot of experiences in his time away from Defiance, he might just fit in after all. It shouldn’t be too hard to find something for him to do at least; Abelard was sure he (or at least the locals) might be able to find a niche for the Turkish Angora to occupy. But of course, that was all up to the community and how well he got himself reintegrated with them.
Defiance was a small, small town, but there should be room enough for one more – it might even help that he grew up there. Abelard wasn't sure if anyone would remember the white cat, but perhaps if they did, that might ease the transition.
As the two of them reached and passed the treeline, they also reached a more densely populated area. This was of course relatively speaking as the buildings scattered here still had a considerable amount of distance between them. Cainan glanced around with considerably more interest than he’d shown up until that point, his green eyes taking everything in. “Ah yeah, I do remember this place… a little. It hasn't changed that much from what I remember…”
“Suppose there’s not too much of a point in showing you around then. Hmmm, let’s see… If you left some ten years ago, I suppose you may not have seen that we have a bookstore now, have you?” Abelard asked as they approached the nearest building. He didn’t remember exactly when the bookstore had been opened, but he was fairly sure it must have been after Cainan left home.
“Oh, I don’t think so, no. I might have to stop by later,” the younger cat said. Abelard thought it might be the first time Cainan said something genuine. At the very least it seemed more genuine than anything else he had said up until that point.
Out here, there was more open grassland, less of it dedicated to farmland, more of it just simple grassy, green hills that rolled along the beautiful landscape. While there was distance between the homes here, they were closer in proximity than some the farms around the church. Cainan looked around curiously as the two of them continued along the dirt road. “Ah, I recognize some of the buildings.”
“So, where are you staying exactly? I take it you’re not staying in your parents’ old home. Are you renting a room at the inn?” Abelard inquired as they neared the very same inn on their stroll. Although it was one of the larger buildings in town, they only had two rooms they rented out, seeing as Defiance didn’t see many visitors, usually. It had a seating area inside for guests to sit and dine as well.
“Oh, no, I’m not. I’ve already got a bed with my name on it,” Cainan replied vaguely. As the two of them passed the inn and approached other houses, a few people took notice of the strange duo.
Abelard would nod in greeting to them, but he could tell people were curious. “And where might that be? If you’re planning on working here, I think we ought to make sure you don’t have to commute back and forth…”
“Ah. Well, I’m staying on over in Cottleville, it’s not too far.” Abelard watched Cainan closely, trying to see if he was being honest. He had a difficult time with this young, white cat; he was easy to read at times, yet other times, such as now, Abelard hadn't the faintest idea what he was thinking. His face was neutral, blank like a fresh new canvas, not showing a single discerning emotion.
“I see. I suppose that isn't too bad as far as distance is concerned,” Abelard reluctantly agreed as they continued on their way. He fell silent for a moment, the older cat needing a moment to think things through. They passed by the post office on their way.
It was another business that had had its start in someone’s home, albeit a house considerably smaller than most of the others. A single-story house where the very front had been converted into the post office where letters were sent and received daily.
Abelard privately thought that if anyone had kept in touch with the Wirths, Cainan may be able to get their new address and send for them… if that was even something he wanted at all. Abelard had gotten the distinct feeling that perhaps there was some unpleasant history between Cainan and his parents.
“So, say if you were to stay here, what work would you be willing to do?” Abelard finally asked after a brief of silence. He fixated the white cat with a scrutinizing stare once more. He supposed this too might reveal a bit about Cainan's current situation, as well as his character.
“Oh, anything and everything,” the young cat said almost lazily. “I did do food service for a while, but I don’t know if the inn would need to hire any help. I don’t know what else there would be around here. But I suppose I’ll just have to find out.”
Anything and everything was a very wide spectrum, and Abelard wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. It could mean one of two things to Abelard; either Cainan truly was incredibly versatile and not at all picky; or he was desperate. Abelard supposed that regardless, it shouldn’t be too hard to find something for him to do.
“I really ain’t too fuzzy about it. Maybe I’ll just stick around for a few days and see what happens.” Cainan cast an inquisitive glance back over his shoulder towards the post office. It was one of the first buildings one would encounter when entering Defiance from the direction they were going. “Hmmm…”
“What is it?” Abelard looked towards the building as well, then looked back at Cainan. He raised an eyebrow curiously.
“Oh, nothing, nothing. Just considering my options,” the younger cat replied with a shrug. Cainan pulled his hands out of his pockets and cracked his knuckles rather loudly, before resuming his slouching posture. “So, hmmm… anything else you want to know about me?”
Abelard could tell Cainan was hesitant, and odds were he was only asking to be polite; it was clear to Abelard that Cainan was being secretive on purpose. Whatever it was, the younger cat did indeed seem to hide something, though perhaps he just simply didn’t enjoy sharing. Abelard supposed he couldn’t blame him there.
“So, if you’re staying somewhere over in Cottleville, are you a permanent resident there? Or what is your living situation? I’m trying my best to understand here…” Abelard had a feeling he knew the answer, but he needed to be sure. That was assuming Cainan chose to answer truthfully, of course.
“I’m… more or less homeless at the moment,” Cainan admitted, looking up at Abelard. Their eyes locked again and Cainan just gave a small smile when he saw the look on Abelard's face. “It’s alright, I’m managing just fine for now.”
Abelard watched the younger cat for a moment as they continued on their way. He wasn't so sure; being a young man without a job and a home didn’t seem like he was managing. He supposed if he had money saved up that was one thing, but he also didn’t know for sure. Abelard's eyes drifted down to the torn knee of Cainan's denim pants. That seemed like something he could and would have fixed if he’d had the funds for it.
Although Abelard didn’t want to give Cainan too much just yet (in case he was the type to take an arm, when offered a hand) he couldn’t help but feel as though he ought to do something for him. As untrustworthy as he’d been acting up until this point, Abelard thought that perhaps he was making light of his own situation to make it seem less severe. Perhaps a coping mechanism of some kind.
Nevertheless, the two of them continued along the road. They didn’t speak too much outside of Abelard explaining which buildings were from after Cainan had left town, which seemed to be a good number of them. Even with Defiance’s small population, there ought to be quite a few new faces among them now, at least for Cainan who had been gone for so long.
The two had made it all the way to the road sign that would first greet those arriving in Defiance, at which point they turned back. They’d ended up further from the residential area and closer to Defiance General.
The post office was the first building of significance they reached on their way back. A decently sized building with just one floor, a quite scenic one given the open field behind it. Abelard knew a local artist had once painted a beautiful piece featuring the post office and its backdrop. It was, in fact, iconic to the residents.
Glancing through the main window as they passed, Abelard offered a wave to the local postman, Mr. Lang, who was working inside. The gray tabby offered a wave back, though he cast a curious glance at Cainan, who seemed to be glancing the complete opposite way. He almost seemed to willfully try to ignore the post office’s existence.
“Would you like to go inside? Perhaps we can ask if there’s work to be done in the post office.” Cainan turned towards Abelard again and looked apprehensive at best.
“Oh, uh… Yeah, we can head inside,” the younger cat replied, speaking with a similarly apprehensive tone, his eyes not meeting Abelard's. Abelard raised an eyebrow curiously. For someone who said they’d take on anything and everything, this was a curious reaction, when the very prospect of a potential job was brought up.
What are we going to do with you? Abelard privately wondered as he stepped up to the post office’s door, looking sideways at the younger cat. Abelard knew next to nothing about him at this point, maybe Cainan truly was doing better than he appeared to be.
He was an enigma, this one…
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virginiaisforvampires · 10 months
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I think what Rolin said re Lestat's fluidity was in relation to the TVL season, though I could be wrong? I'm sure we'll see him with other partners before he reunites with Louis, but imho Loustat won't be poly, they're too dementedly in love, no third party could compete & it wouldn't feel right! The cheating didn't count as polyamory imho, Lestat was insecure (& being a Brat about it!) but he only really wanted Louis. We may see poly dynamics explored elsewhere though? Maybe with Armand/Daniel?
Yeah, I tend to lean towards this line of thinking as well. Like I mentioned, Lestat had a long list prior to Louis, and he took pride it in.
Lestat in The Vampire Lestat:
I was bedding village girls in the back of that church by the time I was fifteen—something of a prodigy for the times, but then the lord’s son was supposed to be a perfect billygoat in our village. Everyone expected it. And my brothers, such a conservative bunch, they had more or less disappointed the local mythology by always behaving themselves. It’s a wonder that the crops hadn’t suffered from their paltry virtue. I smiled. I had certainly made up for it.
I fell in love with the young girl who played Isabella. I went into the wagon with the players and examined all the costumes and the painted scenery, and when we were drinking again at the tavern, they let me act out Lelio, the young lover to Isabella, and they clapped their hands and said I had the gift.
That night, the actress who played my inamorata gave me her own very special and intimate accolades. I went to sleep in her arms, and the last thing I remember her saying was that when we got to Paris we’d play the St.-Germain Fair, and then we’d leave the troupe and we’d stay in Paris working on the boulevard du Temple until we got into the Comédie-Française itself and performed for Marie Antoinette and King Louis.
Louis in Interview With The Vampire:
Lestat had a musician friend in the Rue Dumaine. We had seen him at a recital in the home of a Madame LeClair, who lived there also, which was at that time an extremely fashionable street; and this Madame LeClair, with whom Lestat was also occasionally amusing himself, had found the musician a room in another mansion nearby, where Lestat visited him often. I told you he played with his victims, made friends with them, seduced them into trusting and liking him, even loving him, before he killed. So he apparently played with this young boy, though it had gone on longer than any other such friendship I had ever observed.
Claudia moved in the back parlor behind closed doors. And I fancied I heard another voice there, a whisper. Claudia never brought anyone to our flat; no one did except Lestat, who brought his women of the streets.
They’ve already incorporated Antoine(tte) in the show, and they hinted at others with the exchange between Lestat and the women’s opera society in Episode 7. It was also hinted at in Episode 3 during the “Aren’t I enough?” exchange with Louis. I imagine they’ll also delve into Lestat’s village girls and actresses prior to Nicolas.
“I’ve been entertaining myself. Amusing my….” Lestat to Louis in Episode 5.
“….this Madame LeClair, with whom Lestat was also occasionally amusing himself….” Louis about Lestat in IWTV.
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He can be a cheeky brat, y’all. Louis knows this.
“He’d been told to do something and, brat that he was, didn’t like being told what to do.” Louis about Lestat in Episode 6.
As for Armand and Daniel, they’ve already hinted at Louis and Armand being different with the San Fran flashback. Armand tells Louis to “have your fun” which implied it was a regular thing for them to have other relationships. Rolin has hinted about what’s coming for Louis/Armand/Daniel, and it sounds like we could very well get a threesome with them. Especially with Louis always referring to Daniel as “our boy.” But yeah, like you said, it just doesn’t work for Loustat at this point. I think it’ll become clear after Season 2 exactly how they’re going to handle all the relationships. I’ve linked more of my thoughts on the poly relationships below.
Poly Vamp Speculation
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dragongutsixofficial · 11 months
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THOUGHTS ON EPISODES 7 AND 8:
Episode 7:
RICHELIEU MY POOR LITTLE MEOW MEOW
A Richelieu-centric episode ??? Sign me THE FUCK IN (seriously though he may be my favorite character in the book i'll take any crumbs I can)
Also loved to see him and Milady interacting more !!! Super nice 🖤⚜️
GO APESHIT RICHELIEU
FUCK THE POPE RICHELIEU
In the book (SPOILER ALERT) Milady tells a story very similar to the false testimony she gives in court in order to make Buckingham's right-hand man believe he abducted and raped her and turn him against him- it's really nice to see that referenced in the show
Like to see Louis actually having a personnality
Liked Ninon ! But why would you fall for Athos when ARAMIS IS RIGHT HERE
Also I do think they didn't need her to romance anyone to make her interesting in that episode ? I understand it's the usual plot device but ah well
Love how the last shot of the episode is Constance pining d'Artagnan against a shelf. We all know who's the top in the relationship
To conclude: great episode, did I mention i loved to see more of Richelieu ?
RICHELIEU MY POOR LITTLE MEOW MEOW
Episode 8:
MILADY MY POOR LITTLE MEOW MEOW
Love how the skirt-chasing for money is exactly how it works in the book
Alice (Porthos' love interest) is a pretty good reference to his mistress in the book and a very nice lady but I think the hilarity of Porthos having to deal with her original version would've been amazing (an older woman married to a cupid man who won't spend a dime while they're both just desperately waiting for him to pass to inherit his fortune)
Love how (in the French version at least) d'Artagnan is barely portrayed as actually caring for his farmers' lives, only his cash xD
De Tréville is a good dad
Love d'Artagnan just walking into Richelieu's office like he owns the place
Richelieu is having a mental breakdown
GOOD FOR HIM MY POOR LITTLE MEOW MEOW
But don't be mean to Milady >=(
Milady and Athos being like: love in the air ? Wrong ! Gas leak =D
Mr. Bonacieux is very nice with Constance though. Like I would not have reacted that well
Also nice to see him working for Richelieu. The people who made this show clearly dearly care for the book
d'Artagnan getting promoted !!! Yeah =D now he's got the cool shoulder pad
d'Artagnan in the book 5000000000% wants Milady and does still a dude's identity for the second time in order to essentially rape her though so it's nice to see d'artagnan having a moral backbone more solid than that of a chocolate éclair
So uh. I do think Aramis took his own sword back from his ex's grave
Btw in French at least right before they start the duel d'artagnan says something like "speaking from personal experience, never trust in love" and Athos gives him a dramatic side eye. This can be explained in two ways: 1- he relates 2- d'artagnan YOU'RE SAYING THAT IN FRONT OF YOUR POLYCULE
Also once Alice dumps Porthos in the French version him and Aramis have an exchange that's like "So you're not gonna marry her" "Who would take care of you if I did" and I love them
Before he gets dumped, Porthos also says something to the effect of "there's a life after being a musketeer" to shut Aramis' criticism down. Boy don't give him ideas. If this was book! Aramis he'd take it to heart have an existential crisis lock himself in a room for weeks and whip himself crying about how he's gonna become a cleric
Edit: fixed a typo from Milady and Porthos to Milady and Athos
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louisupdates · 1 year
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Review: Louis Tomlinson’s ‘All Of Those Voices’ shares a heartfelt story of growth
DAILY TROJAN
By JESSICA MESSINA | March 26, 2023
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In an intimate look at his life and career, audiences delve into an in-depth journey alongside Louis Tomlinson as he forges his path through the last 13 years in the documentary “All of Those Voices,” released March 22. In the film, director Charlie Lightening brings to life a raw and emotional story of self-discovery.
The documentary travels back in time to the moment where it all began: “The X Factor.” From Tomlinson’s audition to the formation of his band — One Direction — and its snowballing success, life as he knew it would never quite be the same again. Rather than glossing over reality, Tomlinson was forthright about his struggles to find his footing in the band and the lack of control he felt during its first few years. He shared that he is most proud of contributing more writing credits than anyone else in the band, finding a way to leave a creative mark on One Direction’s legacy.
The band’s breakup is seen as a jumping off point for Tomlinson’s introspection as an artist and individual outside of the group. Just as he started to figure out his place, tragedy struck. His mother, Johanna Deakin, passed away in 2016 after battling leukemia. The film explores the deep bond Tomlinson shared with his mom, mostly on account of his father’s absence and the fact that his mother had him at only 19.
Tomlinson was scheduled to play a show on “The X Factor” the same week of her passing, and in a present-day testimony, he discusses the challenge of performing with such loss — yet the motivation he still garnered from his mother — even after death. Three years later, his sister Félicité passed, further demonstrating the hardships he faced outside of being an artist and the willpower it took to continue his work.
While most artists shield their personal lives from the public, Tomlinson’s brutal honesty in the documentary displays the trust he holds with his fans and his desire to be understood as their equal. The personal deep-dive into his life is unlike most other artist’s documentaries in that it establishes a deep bond with the audience. Rather than seeking to just to be taken seriously, he utilizes the film to display a sort of humanity we rarely see in artists, especially those who we often put on a pedestal.
With a trail of lows, the highs in his career felt that much more satisfying. In 2020, Tomlinson released his debut album “Walls.” Upon the album’s release and start of the tour, Tomlinson described how he could feel himself beginning an upward trajectory. Performing live had always been his favorite part of One Direction and having the opportunity to do it again solo provided him with the sense of purpose he lost after the band’s end.
But he just couldn’t yet win, as the coronavirus pandemic hit, forcing him to reschedule his tour for two years later. Tomlinson recounted using the lockdown period to find his voice musically and, more importantly, take a well-needed break with family.
Tomlinson’s experience during the abrupt halt of the coronavirus lockdown was easy to relate to. Tomlinson reminded the audience, yet again, that while he may be a music artist, he shared the same struggles and newfound opportunities as everyone else.
In 2016, Tomlinson’s son, Freddie, was born. He now lives in Los Angeles with Freddie’s mother, whereas the rest of Tomlinson’s family reside in his hometown of Doncaster, England. Tomlinson discusses how having a career that demands travel has been emotionally taxing, as he is forced to spend his time away from his loved ones. While many aspects of Tomlinson’s life are public, he largely shielded his role as a father from the media. The immersive look at his relationship with Freddie was a sentimental touch to the film, and one that expanded on his persona as an individual outside of his former band.
Despite his heartache toward his complicated and troubled career path, Tomlinson used the film to display his love for his family. As the oldest brother to all sisters, his siblings gave personal accounts of him being their fiercest and most loyal protector, especially after their mother’s passing. His grandparents displayed their admiration for his strength and spoke on the special bond he had with his siblings. Displaying such personal aspects of Louis’ life breaks down some of the facades around celebrity culture to remind the audience that, just like them, he has people who he cares for wholeheartedly.
In a scene that touched the hearts of all audience members, the film included footage from the first live show Freddie ever saw his dad perform. Becoming vulnerable and even heavily crying in front of the camera, Tomlinson spoke on the importance of that moment in their relationship.
Once the coronavirus lockdown was over and Tomlinson restarted his tour, he began to gain momentum once again. Tomlinson noted that his relationship with the fans had always been special to him, especially seen in the energy during live shows. In a standout quote, he claimed, “I need you and you need me.” This sort of symbiotic relationship he holds with his fans speaks to not only their faith in him, but his growing faith in himself seen throughout the duration of the film.
By the end of “All Of Those Voices,” Tomlinson completed his first world tour and his second album. In a way, the documentary proved that though Tomlinson’s value has been historically undermined and, even against all odds, he continues to rise above. His lighthearted charisma and desire for authenticity shined through the work. Whether you walk into the theater a Louis Tomlinson fan or not, it is hard not to leave one.
“I deserve this,” said Tomlinson for the first time aloud at the conclusion of the film.
And if “All Of Those Voices” proves anything, it’s that he absolutely does.
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awesomefringey · 2 years
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Why am I a bad person for believing his kid is his? How does this make me homophobic? Can’t we all just accept that people have different opinions in this fandom and that they are also being vocal about it? This is not about winning a game. It shouldn’t be a gang war between different groups in this fandom.
I have nothing against anyone, i simply disagree with many theories in this fandom so im probably not a larrie by definition but more somewhere in between. I would love to discuss different perspectives especially regarding all the things that happend this year. But it’s not possible bc everybody only sticks to their own theories. Nothing else seems to be allowed. Taking Larry aside, I think questioning Louis or Harry’s actions sometimes doesn’t make you a bad fan. It’s fair to do so, sometimes. Not everything is black and white. No need to call out people just bc they don’t agree with you. And you are probably confused why I’m even on your blog. It’s bc i agree with some things that come from larries. There’s also lot of stuff that I can relate to that comes from other parts of the fandom. It’s hard to find a space where you can discuss different opinions in a more unbiased and neutral way. Maybe you can understand what I’m trying to say, at least a little bit. I understand what you believe and where it’s coming from and I respect that (not the bbg part, I must add but nevermind :))
All the love
Hi nonnie, I admire that you can remain open for every opinion, but you’re in a very comfortable position, on anonymous and not being a target.
Whilst asking me, a (“no stunts” as they say on Twitter) Larrie, why they’re not willing to accept other people’s opinions. You’re singling out that one group in the fandom whose stance is in itself the most burdensome, the most painful, in order to support them in the shit closet they’re stuck in. In order to celebrate the good people Louis and Harry are.
Yet we are relentlessly harassed, bullied, doxxed, hated on, called out, fooled, used, attacked. Yet our opinions are the least acceptable nowadays in this fandom. So don’t come to me and ask for validation and acceptance - on anon, maybe lurking for me to take some bait so you can come back and reveal you’re actually an anti having a field day.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we’re all so sensitive. No one actually wants talk opinions and have a discourse with Larries, so we will shut you out and huddle and won’t trust anyone. That’s why I don’t trust you one bit, nonnie. Don’t take it personally.
And while the new influx of Larries has grown Louis’ fanbase in quantity not quality (mostly teenage Larries who are willing to accept Louis is closeted but not that closeted, he is probably bi, Larry broke up in 2015, Louis had an oops baby and now Larry is back together, they’re coming out soon, they made it, everything’s a scavenger hunt and oh Hamille was defo real cause they were cute or whatever), it has become harder to talk to one another in a proper discourse. Even the “respectful Larries” are going at “no stunt” Larries now. (And RIP rEsPeCtfUl Twarries because Louis is uncomfortable with all of us apparently, you too!)
But we are being attacked from all sides, not only from within:
There are Louies who in general don’t care about Louis’ private life (his sexual label, his love life, his partner) and enjoy his music with zero links to his personal experiences I guess, they say they stan the artist and probably don’t really care what Louis wants to say with his music. I guess they’re the most casual fans but will claim their neutrality wherever they can - unsolicited. Like you, they’d go to Larries and asking what the fuck our problem is. (Just in comparison, I believe Harry has managed to gain loads of new fans of that caliber.)
There are Louies that ship Louis’ private het life the way it’s presented in every gossip mag and interview. They follow Eleanor, create fan pages for the kid, fan pages for Elounor, follow all of the Tomlishians around. Most of them are ready to fight Larries without hesitation.
There are Louies that are rads, who believe Louis is gay, was in a toxic relationship with Harry, shit on him, his looks, his music any way they can, blame him and the Azoffs for sabotaging Louis’ career but also say Harry’s obsessed with Louis still, hence all the songs and stuff. They spend a lot of their time in the fandom looking up Larrie blogs to bully them.
And there are Louies that are antis, who spend their days solely fighting Larries, trying to win whatever fight for Louis’ straightness. It’s their only mission.
Everyone above feels encouraged to blame Larries for everything. Daily. So excuse me, when my opinion hurts your feelings a bit, but I’m not too worried about you since you’d be welcomed with open arms literally everywhere else! 💜
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hellolovers13 · 1 year
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Sunday Snippet
I haven't done one of these in soo long ever apprently, if tumblr can be trusted. Just veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy long Last Line Challenges. Well. Thank you @greeneyesfriedrice @itsnotreal @larryyouknow @enchantedlandcoffee @neondiamond @faithinwalls369 @larry-hiatus @loveislarryislove @alwaysxlarrie for tagging me (I hope I haven't forgotten anyone)
This is a tiny part from the next chapter of The Pros And Cons Of Breathing
The Queen had summoned them, and Harry was terrified. She’d had never requested to see both Harry and Louis alone before.  Was this about their marriage? It had to be. Everyone knew their relationship was strained, and that was putting it mildly. Would it be about heirs? That Harry still wasn’t with child? He’d spent half the day worrying and making up scenarios in his head, no matter how often Niall told him it would be fine.  “Maybe it’s about some state business,” he’d said, but Harry wasn’t convinced. They’d never had a meeting like this outside the council. And even there, Harry was never really doing much but listening in. As the most senior omega and third-highest ranking member of the court, he did have a right to vote and speak, but he was also the only omega in attendance. No one cared about his opinion, unless it was about where to have the circle take place during the winter festivities, when the great hall would not be available.
Even with his presence being utterly useless and with it meaning having to spend more time in the presence of his husband, he’d not missed a single summit, so no, he really doubted it could be in any way related to that.
I'm tagging @nooradeservedbetter @imogenleefic @onlythebravest @hereforh @beelou @lunarheslwt @paranormalbabydoll @larryatendoftheday @justanothershadeofblue @liberty-barnes but only if you want to <3
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vienaisme · 1 year
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Dick needs to be single. Let Babs and Luke be together or just let Babs be her own women I don't care just let Dick be single for a decade or two. Or if DC can't do that gjve him a Louis Lane. Give him a none hero partner.
Let Dick be working a case at the BDP and have them be a wrongfully acused suspect. Let Dick stuble across them in a store d have them drop something so he has to return it. Let this person be in a hostage situation where they help Nightwing out and then they keep running into eachother as civilians.
Having relationships within the caped community has really done nothing for Dick and don't get me wrong if I were to have him date anyone it's Starfire but I have come to the realisation that DC sunk that ship years ago when they decided Kori would victim blame Dick for the whole Mirage thing.
It's mainly why I don't want him with Babs either, blaming him for the Tarantula ordeal and then breaking up with him. Of course on both occasions it was bad writing especially Kori's, but even then I still stand firm with my point; Dick Grayson either needs to be single for a while or give him another Bea Bennet.
At first let them be friends or have nothing romantic going on between them. Then have one of them ask the other a date. That first date becomes the second then the third and soon they're together with a date night. Get Dick to tell this person he's Nightwing have this person reassure him that regardless they're always going to be by his side. Have this person help out with some hero related stuff, enough that it gives them a role but little enough so they don't draw attention to themself.
Make sure to give this character a personality after some time. Give them the ability to hold their own. Have them be witty and a quick problem solver. Give them hardships, hardships they face head first. Make them stubborn, make them kind, make them the kind of person you'd trust with your life but never your house. Make them sarcastic and unfazed by blood but hates jump-scares. Make them a singer, make them a teacher, make them a person who's dream is to own a bookshop of their own. Give them dreams and aspirations.
Give this character the power to make sure Dick looks after himself. Let this person be the voice of reason because "No Dick, you can't go defend Blüdhaven when you can barely defend yourself. Sit down and let the stab wound heal." Have them insure that Dick goes on holiday, because, by God, Dick deserves one.
Most importantly, make it known this person makes Dick happy. Have him talk about them like they painted every star in the sky, carefully carved the Moon's craters and smile gives the Sun the encouragement to shine. Have him show a side he only shows his partners, but this time, this time it feels different.
Have them care for eachother just as much as the other. Have them the ability to just sit there in silence in eachothers embrace. Let them both agree Valentine's Day is chessy but both go above and beyond for eachother because they're worth it. Let them die for eachother, let them kill for eachother, let them worry for one another because the life they live is dangerous but perfect. Allow them to have late night conversations about everything and nothing at the same time. Give them a future full of uncertainty but it's clear that regardless they'll be together.
Have this person not be the missing piece of Dick but instead a strengther that allows Dick to be the best he can be.
And finally give Dick writers you want to see him happy, because by God they don't seem to exist.
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fumikomiyasaki · 5 months
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I'm legally obligated to send this 🍒for anyone you want?
Fruity Headcanons
🍒  :    how much does my muse value companionship?do they constantly keep people around them,  or do they prefer to be alone often?do they have or desire to have many friends?do they see every meeting as an opportunity to make a new friend?
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Flynn is a person of hard to build trust but the trust he does build lasts forever... Nanoya is the main focus of it... and Rubina might join that but... Flynn doesn't seek out friends on his own, he keeps good relations to get people that are 'usefull' to him.. so if you see him as a friend It can be that he only sees you as someone usefull to him and his gains. But if you gone as far as Nanoya and proved yourself you stick with him despite everything... then he will Value you.
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He is moreso on just sticking with the people he knows... Carol befriended him cause she went to him, Yuzuha was fond of bullying him and it suddenly turned to a casual companionship, Kaeru was sweet so he cherished him... Louis is not the one to make friends on his own but he does keep them close and draws people more to him. He dislikes being alone especially given it reminded him of the time he lost his sister... But yes he does Value the people around him... his anger issues just very often gets in the way of being that close in the beginning.
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Kaeru is one to seek companionship, try never to be alone and tries to make friends... he already grew up in a huge family and he can't stand the silence so he picks up as many friends as he can and Cherishes them dearly... even if someone might seem off putting Kaeru at least wants to give them a chance to introduce themselves and see if its a potential new friend.
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skepticalarrie · 2 years
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Hi,
Idk if you answer not larry related questions but I'd really like to know your thoughts on liam and his friendship with louis! I love lilo and i always thought their friendship was so wholesome. However lately (especially after the logan paul podcast drama) i heard so much shit about liam. Mostly that he is homophobic. I did try to look into things before i decided I'm gonna bother you with this but i didn't find enough information that satisfied my curiosity and i wanted to ask someone who i trust won't give me fake information.
Basically i have a hard time believing that if liam really is homophobic he would be friends with louis and that louis would tolerate homophobic behaviour from his close friend. So there would be the obvious conclusion that they aren't actually friends which i simply do not believe. I see so much affection between them and i really think they care so deeply for each other.
So what do you think? Is liam homophobic? Or has he done things that seem homophobic but they were out of context or just mistakes for which he has apologised? I don't want to invalidate anyone who felt attacked by liam's behaviour but i also don't want to believe he would do/say such things! I do think he has problems but i don't think he's half as bad as people make him look.
Thank you if you decide to answer and sorry for this being so messy and possibly grammatically wrong, english isn't my first language <3
Hi, anon! I’m not sure if I’m the best person to help you with your dilemma. I stan Harry and Louis, and that’s it, I don’t follow the other boys enough to have deep opinions about them.
I have no idea why people are calling Liam‘s behaviour homophobic. I remember one particular situation back in 2015 that could be interpreted as a weird comment about that but as far as I remember he apologized and all - and I think that’s the same one you’re referring to. So I really have no clue what this is about. What I think about Liam is that he’s essentially a good guy, but he got lost and he’s struggling a lot. I really don’t like the comments that were made by him on that Logan Paul podcast and he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and take care of his mental health, because something is clearly going on there. People on the internet are just mean and didn’t waste any time before being assholes about what Liam said and putting the boys against each other. I mean, Liam is paying his price now. And that’s all I have for you.
One thing I learned over the years in this fandom though is that supporting HL doesn’t mean you need to support people around them as well. Because they’re not responsible for what their friends and families say and do. I think a lot of people like to keep up with people around them but that’s where I draw the line for myself. Because when I put myself in their shoes that’s what I’d like people to do for me. I’m not responsible for people around me and it’s no one’s business the kind of relationship I have with people. So… I don’t know how close Liam and Louis are lately. But whatever that is, I hope is something beneficial and good for both of them.
And if I can offer you a piece of advice, anon. You seemed pretty concerned about people saying this and people saying that… and then you came to me so I could give you a definitive answer on what you should think. I wouldn’t do that. Do your research if that’s bothering you, go ask people who are actually saying the things you mentioned, so you can form an opinion yourself. You don’t need to rely on what other people think or say. And I think you should follow better people, too, by the way.
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licncourt · 1 year
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So House of Atreus : can you talk a bit about Louis and Lestat in that coffin after they had sex? When Lestat asks Louis if he still loves him but Louis says he can't forgive Lestat, for himself but especially for Claudia. I'm kind of confused regarding Louis' motivations and thoughts regarding those affirmations. He says it's better to have no future at all than to spend the years wondering what ifs. And that if they truly failed Claudia as parents there's nothing good left in them.
Like, they have already failed Claudia. Irremediably. That's without question. There's nothing they can do to make up for the hell they have sentenced her to live to. Their family is in ruins and there's no trust between them. Louis saving Lestat and taking him with them is the ultimate betrayal for Claudia. Louis is forcing Claudia to exist with Lestat.
And is Louis truly unable to forgive Lestat for himself? If he thinks they don't have a future together then why drag Lestat with them. Louis could have saved Lestat's life, nursed him to a state of health where he's be able to mostly survive on his own but not at full strenght and he should have left New Orleans with Claudia, leaving Lestat behind. I'm kind of wondering why he's insisting his loyalty to Claudia is so strong, considering he basically drops Claudia for Armand and he here he chose to save Lestat.
I love the fic! I love how you and your co-writers write such beautiful prose! I love Claudia's diaries!
We're so glad you like the fic, thank you!! You're the sweetest ❤️
I guess the answer to all those questions is that emotions aren't always rational. Logic pretty much always plays second fiddle when it comes to family and romance. Louis and Lestat fucked up with Claudia beyond what can actually be made up for, but they're still her fathers and they don't want to KEEP failing her.
Louis loves Claudia more than life itself, so if this is a chance to do what makes her happy, especially now, he's going to do it. Maybe it's pointless, but he's not going to give up or accept what might be the reality of the situation because he's a father.
In the same way, he's also a husband, a man in love. Despite everything, he loves Lestat and can't imagine life without him. If he could, he would've let Claudia finish the job in the first place. None of this is based on logic, just love and grief and a bit of hope. And at the end of the day, Louis is nothing if not a hypocrite. He's always saying one thing and doing another. I'm sure he wishes his loyalty WAS only to Claudia (that's what he's telling himself and Lestat), but it's obvious that's not true.
I don't know if that's a satisfactory answer, but Louis isn't consistent because people never are, especially not people in a situation as difficult as this one. I think many parents struggle all the time with loyalty to their children and what their heart wants. And anyone I think can relate to being caught between what you know you should do logically and what you do out of emotion.
Idk, Louis is a complicated guy and we've put him in an impossible situation that I think brings that out.
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bruitisms · 1 year
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Do you have any thoughts onthe unreliable narrator aspect of episode 5, since apparently these are scenes from Claudia’s diaries showing things she definitely didn’t see, and how that relates to what the show runners are choosing to show?
I’m also feeling rather ambivalent abt this episode bc I understand why these actions were taken with regards to placing characters in their right motivations (Claudia’s murder plan, Louis’ complicity, justification for both, etc), but at the same time I do feel like some level of trust and expectation was broken, if that’s the word. I don’t know the books or movie, I truly wasn’t expecting anything like this based on what I saw. An altercation, sure. But not Louis looking like that.
I appreciate your thoughts on your blog, it’s a really refreshing point of view.
so...my thoughts are that they need to be very very careful with how they handle the unreliable narrator device going forward.
it was definitely a choice to combine the claudia/louis pov in that specific scene - the fact that there's no narration does call into question how much of what we saw post lestat dragging louis away from the townhouse actually happened. currently I'm leaning towards it being an accurate portrayal of events because I'm sick and enjoy the heartbreak lol but also because they've already stripped so much nuance and complexity from claudia. I don't want them to backtrack and make it so that she didn't see what she thought she did; at this point I'm fine with her going full avenging angel on lestat.
I think your feelings re: broken trust and expectations are valid. there's a looooot of cherry picking quotes and situations going on right now from people who don't like lestat yet feel compelled to defend what happened in the show as being true to the books. that is categorically untrue and anyone who thinks because lestat is capable of xyz evil means that he's also the type to brutalize louis is nuts lol. if that were the case, it would have happened and they would have textual proof to back up that claim (which they obvi don't have). all these people going but he did blah blah blah to david Talbot or some random npc girl are missing the point: which is that lestat would never do that to louis.
show!lestat is a lot crueler and quicker to violence; you can chart the escalation of his abuse pretty clearly. and even then, I still think it was overkill even if it makes sense and doesn't have any real effect on how I feel about him as a character ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯
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dictee · 1 year
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I posted 2,396 times in 2022
401 posts created (17%)
1,995 posts reblogged (83%)
Blogs I reblogged the most:
@commajade
@wordforworldisforest
@puentera
@unadulteratedragon
@reformedgirlprince
I tagged 1,539 of my posts in 2022
Only 36% of my posts had no tags
#iwtv - 268 posts
#q - 136 posts
#black sails - 74 posts
#xmen - 62 posts
#rgu - 56 posts
#music - 33 posts
#&lt;3 - 29 posts
#shinee - 28 posts
#red velvet - 26 posts
#seulgi - 22 posts
Longest Tag: 69 characters
#이번 학기에 한국어 수업 안 듣고 있는데 그래서 다 잊어버릴거야 친구하고 말하기 연습 할 수 있지만 단어 너무 많이 모르니까
My Top Posts in 2022:
#5
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250 notes - Posted January 5, 2022
#4
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he’s performing bravado he’s performing being this kind of family man / eldest son / red blooded american male . even with his brother and sister who he GREW UP WITH. “i had never allowed myself to feel emotionally close to ANYONE.” he’s so dedicated to it that he regularly patronizes the same sex worker so people will think he’s attracted to women. and she’s his closest friend he’s not related to. so dedicated that he needs to pull a knife on his brother in the street. we literally do not see louis read books as a human. with lestat he cries at the opera he feels seen and wanted for the first time . “all these roles you conform to and none of them your true nature” like lestat does to some extent keep parts of that promise louis DOES gain things  just through starting to live w lestat and through the insurance of lestat’s capital. even though he’s still acting the businessman in public. he allows himself to be soo much softer in those six honeymoon years (and his mother judges him) and we barely glimpse it. bc louis’s narration omits it. and then w claudia he becomes completely removed from human affairs and i think this period from claudia’s pov where hes happy IS really genuine like this is probably the point in the show where he is performing the least. or minimum it’s the performance he enjoys the most. i think bc its a balance maybe? hes responsible for claudia’s well-being like he was for grace and paul and his mother but he’s her father not the pointe du lac family executor so he still gets to be the same self he is around lestat. doting. “it’s chiffon it has movement.” telling her love between men feels like love. without any defensiveness. lestat’s proprietary arm around his shoulders. they’re all kind of thriving here i think. then everything falls apart and he’s not performing bc hes depressed out of his mind. Then the end of episode five happens. Episode six and beginning of episode seven he’s also depressed out of his mind but now there’s the need to get everything back to normal to make their family work the way it used to before trust was broken. domesticity becomes the site of horror. where once it was freedom from having to perform aggressive masculinity now its hierarchy reinforced over and over. clean up this mess and come to coffin. i think this is the “performing being the submissive one in the relationship” era actually. and then end of episode seven i think it’s not even stepping up the performance its the removal of that barrier of resentment that the tense performance from earlier was providing. it’s letting himself go back to enjoying it. like he did with the honeymoon phase. letting himself be in love w lestat without the guilt and resentment thats festered since episode five. and letting that genuine submission be totally disarming. the fact that its genuine is why they (claudia and louis) win and why they fail. and this range is possible bc it takes place over the course of thirty+ years and jacob anderson is portraying ALL of it with aplomb . plus whatevers going on in dubai in the present (i think he is genuinely more normal about gender in the present bc you know its not the 1930s but whatever is happening with power is still an extreme performance and its bizarre and also exclusively for daniels benefit ??) i’m insane by the way.
326 notes - Posted November 18, 2022
#3
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s2 hierarchy of needs. for me.
371 notes - Posted November 27, 2022
#2
“he had a way about him. and i was still very much under his power. we would drain the tenor for hours that night. lestat completely enthralled. myself pretending to be. afraid to disappoint. lestat was wrong. i was never going to be a natural. i was... a botched vampire.”
and then IMMEDIATELY no pause “i try to have a human dish every week.” [conversation about dessert]. Daniel: “alice. half of her eyebrow was blond, like a mutt. she always dyed it back to brown. i liked it when she left it alone.” shuts off his laptop. louis is looking at him with an expression of absolute bewilderment. then keeps eating the dessert which he has just said tastes like paste. And that’s the final beat of the entire episode. Hello?
503 notes - Posted November 17, 2022
My #1 post of 2022
people being like ohh louis is obfuscating when he says “i was being hunted” when he was actually being courted. no he WAS being hunted. theyre synonymous lestat’s courtship is predatory. what louis is obscuring is just that he enjoyed being hunted. bc he’s a little freak. and a libra.
623 notes - Posted December 4, 2022
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cantquitu · 2 years
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You definitely don't hate Louis and you don't post about him either but I have a request, if you don't like what he's doing and you don't think he's a good singer then don't answer any asks about him maybe. I know you have full right to give your opinion but anyone who loves Louis would never like to hear anything negative about him so if you can't say anything positive, just don't say anything negative, and pls ignore asks about him. It's actually huge seeing him come this far.
I appreciate your message and the fact that you wrote to me in a respectful, friendly way.
I understand that you don't ever want to hear anything negative about Louis but frankly, that's just not how the world works. I don't write hateful things about Louis, because I don't have hateful feelings towards him. I certainly do not answer hateful, horrible asks about him except (very rarely) to push back on them. Trust me, I do not publish or reference even a fraction of the asks I receive about Louis, and I haven't for years - even when I really want to!
To understand my perspective; I have followed Louis' career for 9 years now. I used to write about him constantly on my blog - long before many of his current fans (and I'm guessing you, too) ever took an interest in him.
I had to stop writing about him because the hateful messages I received every time I so much as mentioned his name just became too much hassle. It didn't matter if I wrote lovely things about Louis, if I defended him, if I referenced him in an entirely neutral manner, or if I gave my honest opinion about something Louis-related in response to the questions I received. No matter what, I would get nasty messages.
So I stopped.
As time went on and Louis released more music, it became clear that his output wasn't for me. Writing or answering asks about him was no longer something I had to actively avoid most days because, as you know, I'm not a hate blog and I have no desire to spend months on end bitching about someone I'm not a fan of.
But I'm sure you understand that, as someone who really liked Louis for years and who wishes the best for him, it seriously sucks to have to censor any discussion of him on my blog because of the asshole behaviour of some of his fans.
People ask me about Louis because they know I was a fan and still keep an interested eye on him. They also send me asks about him because they know I'm interested in the tinhat conspiracy theorists who make up the vast majority of his fandom. I want to be able to answer those messages honestly when I feel like it, which tbh is once in a blue moon.
I'm going to continue doing so. If you don't want to ever see those posts at all, then please feel free to unfollow. I do understand.
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