#Mina and Jonathan absolutely deserve each other

[twopoint99]

Possible spoilers if you haven’t already listened or read the book. Also, spoilers for The Horror of Dracula, 1958 and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, 1992.

One of my favorite things about @re-dracula is seeing the reactions of people whose main exposure to the story is through the many film adaptations. The differences in how the characters relate to one another are way too many to list from film to film. Even aside from the bizarre choices (Lucy as Mina’s sister-in-law - the Horror of Dracula, 1958, or Mina as the reincarnation of Dracula’s lost love - Bram Stoker’s Dracula, 1992) the most important difference between those adaptations and re - dracula is that these are fully rounded characters who clearly care about one another.

Jonathan adores Mina, Mina loves him, and loves Lucy. The suitor squad and Van Helsing genuinely cherish Lucy and it causes everyone palpable pain when they see her slipping away. When the group finally gets together in one place, they all acknowledge and respect the various strengths they each bring, and they hold one another up as needed.

None of the characters seem cast aside, as often happens in film adaptations. Even the 1992 film, which includes all three suitors, doesn’t manage to make them all seem like full personalities. They appear more as aspects of an individual, or as tropes. Lucy herself in the ‘92 movie is the complete opposite of her characterization in the novel. Her behavior in the film is anachronistic at best, and offensive at the least. It is a perfect illustration of the stupid and misogynistic attitude in horror that “wanton” women are punished.

Not only that, but it also completely changes the story and the dreadful implications of it. Lucy isn’t targeted because she’s “done something wrong” (quotes because I don’t believe expressing/exploring one’s sexuality is wrong, no matter what my favorite genre keeps telling me), she is targeted because she is convenient. Dracula wasn’t musing in between leaving his castle and reaching England that by golly, he couldn’t wait to terrorize Lucy Westenra! He saw an opportunity, like any other predator, and he took it.

Of course, we’ve seen that he is very willing to play with his food once he feels in control. He was very pleased to be able to torment Jonathan, yet another character who is often treated poorly in adaptations - in the 1958 version he’s so smug and patronizing toward what appears to be a terrified woman, that I was actively hoping for his death.

In contrast, the novel/Dracula Daily/re-dracula show us a sweet, earnest man, one who is gentle and loving. He, like Lucy, is a convenient victim, and like Lucy, is innocent.

The true horror is that terrible things can happen to anyone, and no amount of wealth, education, or simple good-heartedness, will act as a shield. There are no preventatives, and no one “deserves” the terrible things that happen. The real strength of the story isn’t in deciding which characters(usually women) are worthy of saving, an overly simplistic approach that many film adaptations take, some more subtly than others. The story resonates because in spite of the randomness of the horror, the people involved decide to do something about it.

These people are not always perfect or even heroic. Dr. Seward (who I really enjoy, and who is also often portrayed badly in adaptation) is not a safe person for his patients to be around. He is ableist, arrogant, patronizing, and definitely not handling his own mental health well. He is also loving, practical, loyal, and in many ways exceptionally tender-hearted. All of the cast is achingly good in their portrayals, but Johnny Sims’ interpretation of Seward has been revelatory. The man is flawed, but gosh darnit, he’s absolutely human. His pain is visceral, his awkwardness is utterly relatable, and his attempts to make things make sense is so hard to hear, because we want the awful things to be a puzzle with a logical solution, but we also know that there is no motivation for what is happening, it is all chance.

Mina herself questions why they need worry about Dracula, once he is gone from England. By this time she’s had a horrific experience with the count and understandably wants to be done with the whole thing. Earlier, however, she begins her work of compiling all the information available about Dracula, because she understands that something may need to be done, for the good of all.

She is afraid of losing her husband, she is afraid of what other horrors may wait, but she also is able to put that aside to continue to pursue stopping Dracula, so that there won’t be another victim, and so that Dracula himself might be saved from the horrific reality he’s experienced for so long.

I have been telling people ad nauseum that re-dracula is hands down the best adaptation of the novel I’ve ever encountered. It is because it is treated as a story about people, real people, with real connections to those around them, real flaws and strengths, who grow to share a bond. They swear to stop Dracula, not out of vengeance, as Jonathan can be forgiven for wanting, but out of love for those they have lost and those they may save.

#re: dracula #tiny essay #if you aren’t listening but have any interest please listen #you won’t regret it

[vickyvicarious]

That noise in the background of the start of the entry. At first it almost sounded like Mina was outside, then it built and started getting super ominous, it was great.

The way she says "such an adventure" sounds like she's just barely holding herself back, trying so so hard to control her voice and sound somewhat calm when she is anything but

"I fell asleep as soon as I had closed my diary.... Suddenly I became broad awake, and sat up, with a horrible sense of fear upon me, and of some feeling of emptiness around me." Psychic Mina moment?

LOVE the match noise. It feels so small and intimate, makes me envision the flickering little light and Mina's distress all the more.

"I feared to wake her mother, who has been more than usually ill lately" - Mrs. Westenra has a 'usual' amount of illness. I'm guessing that refers more to nerves and anxiety than her actually being typically chronically ill, just based on how others have talked about her in the past, but we don't really know. I imagine Lucy as well as Mina has picked up on her currently worse health though.

Mina's cleverness in looking for the clothes Lucy has taken! The way she said "Thank god" with such brief relief but still so tense despite those words.

"a vague, overmastering fear obscured all details. I took a big, heavy shawl" - her voice starting to shake here. I can't handle this.

THE CLOCK. FOOTSTEPS. THE WAVES. THE MUSIC AS SHE TALKS ABOUT THE MOON. I absolutely adore all the sound design going on here, I feel like I'm right there with her and it's so rough.

Her voice going weak on "on our favourite seat". The tolling music as she describes the figure of Lucy... The breathlessness as she describes something bending over her, as she talks about running across town.

"poor Lucy's condition" I WANNA CRY

She's trying so hard to keep it together, the way she says "I must have gone fast" somehow is breaking me to bits. This part reminds me of Jonathan describing his final trip down to the crypt, how he just kind of rushes through the entire description of the journey

the ring of music at "I could see the seat and the white figure"

she says "There was undoubtedly something" almost like she's convincing herself, insisting now after everything is over that she did see it, that there truly was something there. And the way she lingers over each word of "long and black, bending" - this arresting horrified fascination almost

THE WAY SHE CALLS LUCY'S NAME. God, she sounds so young in that first one especially, so young and afraid and she doesn't know what to do. And the little hitched breath before she calls to her again-!

I listened to that specific part like five times before I could move on. God.

"red, gleaming eyes" with such horror. And that slight lingering again which almost reminds me of the way Jonathan would describe the vampires' lips...

Lucy's slow breathing as Mina comes up to her. Shallow and long and labored, it's SO INTENSE and SO SCARY. The slight vocalization as she shudders, LUCY HONEY YOU DON'T DESERVE THIS

The pained gasp as she wakes, too! God, Lucy's continuing distress as Mina tries to wake her and it doesn't work initially makes me feel so sad for her. It's almost as though she was paralyzed before, scared and in pain and unable to escape it, and the power immobilizing her faded before the pain and fear did.

"Lucy always wakes prettily," Mina loves her so much. So, so, so much. It feels like she is trying to comfort herself with this detail, that at least Lucy is still pretty and graceful, almost a reassurance that she can't have been too affected or harmed by this experience (please, please)

The gravel noises!

Mina's heartbeat sounds!!!!

Everything about the passage where Mina is talking about the reasons not to tell anyone about this is so heavy. But most of all, most of all, that "I hope I did right." She doesn't know! How could she know! She is so young as well and is dealing with so much and is so afraid that Lucy's future might be be destroyed but she can't seek advice or comfort from anyone because that would mean opening her up to potential scandal, and there is no one else here reliable enough in any case. The only one who can know is Lucy, who Mina wants to be strong for, and thus can't accept reassurance from. It's so isolating.

I think it's why she tries so hard to be optimistic in her following entries throughout the day. She wants to believe she did right. She's trying really hard to believe it was a single bad moment that they can leave in the past, that Lucy will be okay now. She even looks healthier than before! How great! (Mina pricked her, she hurt her when she tried to save her, maybe she isn't making the right choices, maybe she isn't handling this in the best way - no. No, it isn't hurting her. It won't scar. It will be fine.)

The day was happy! Mina is only a little sad! The only thing worrying her is Jonathan, but - but no, it will be fine (he is fine). She just has to be patient (and then she'll see him again and he'll be alive and all right and she won't have to handle things alone anymore-) and she is completely happy right now otherwise, the music was good, the day was great. And Lucy seems like she'll sleep well, and Mina will make extra sure to have the door locked and the key in her possession, and it will all be just fine. She expects no trouble at all. She's got this under control. She does.

(because there's no one else, after all)

#dracula daily #mina murray #re: dracula #that first ''Lucy!'' and the later ''I hope I did right.'' are going to kill me I tell you. can't stop thinking about them

[thebibi]

I love your Mina / Van Helsing analysis. Would love to hear how Dracula is their foil! I've seen analyses of how Van Helsing and Dracula are foils or Jonathan and Dracula parallels, but not with him and Mina.

Oh thank you, Anon!

Hmmm I would say everything that applies to Mina and Van Helsing can also be said for Mina and Dracula.

Dracula is old, aristocratic, and a literal leech on others. He uses his wealth poorly, and any and all allies he makes turn against him. Renfield was obssessed with him but betrayed him. And the Brides aren't enamored with him either. Because of this Dracula has to do everything himself. He can't understand technology, even though he reads the trains timetables. He wants love to alleviate his loneliness but he cannot understand love beyond drinking someone's blood. He may have been a warlord, but its been a long time since he deserved that title.

Mina Harker on the other hand, inspires loyalty, and offers her friendship in return. She has skills which no one else has, and she does sometimes burden herself with doing everything by herself, but she has people tripping over themselves to help. She believes in collaboration, and often praises others for what they contribute to the group. She embraces technology and uses it all the time. Also, like Dracula has an ambiguous harem of women who hate him, Mina has a harem of men who absolutely adore her. She and Dracula are both charismatic, but she knows which lines to not cross. Especially blood drinking.

They are equals in their powers of persuasion in this story.....the marks on their forehead make them each other's nemesis. And if you notice, both Dracula and Mina are not traditional fighters, they attack your mind first, and let the rest of their party do the rest. Dracula and Mina have, between them, orchestrated a battle of resources, and whoever has been the most resourceful shall win. Hopefully.

#Dracula daily #mina harker #dracula #yes nemesis #i like that word #thebibi on vampirez #thebibi answers

[no-side-us]

Dracula Daily Liveblog: October 30 - Part 2

So Mina didn't just bring a typewriter along, Quincey bought it for her. What a nice gesture from Quincey.

I love this entire following section, because it really just proves how intelligent Mina is, and how lucky it is for the group that she's there, as well as how mistaken they would be to ever leave her out.

Mina's entire analysis is great, but this is absolutely my favorite bit of reasoning that Mina does. Skinsky is where they lose the trail, so she asks why the Count chose Skinsky in the first place. She takes into account all the little details they mentioned about Skinsky, the fact he works with Slovaks, and even the fact the Count has been through this process before but in reverse order.

And she notes the negative feelings of people against the Slovaks! That's so smart! Who better to carry out work unnoticed, then a group of those who people don't want to notice?

I'm sure someone else would have looked at a map eventually, but Mina was the first to do so, not to mention analyzing the different reasons the Count would choose different rivers.

Get it, Mina! You deserve it!

Jonathan's breakdown here really feels like he's just getting a lot of anger out, both old and new, upon hearing Van Helsing's bringing Mina to Castle Dracula. It's like everything's come full circle, in a way.

Mina and Jonathan obviously weren't as well off as Arthur is, so it's always funny in a way to see them so impressed by wealth. I guess they're also learning how to best use their money considering they're probably fairly well off now after what Mr. Hawkins bequeathed to them.

Mina has a gun, and as such is now officially more dangerous than the Count.

Jokes aside, I love that Mina gets a weapon, and that Jonathan wants her to have one. It's good that they don't think to not arm her because she's a woman or whatever.

What an atmospheric ending, drifting on a river towards a known monster in an unknown land. And the groups too! We all know what Quincey and Seward are doing with each other, but what would Arthur and Jonathan even talk about? I like to think their discussions would be on Mina and Lucy, they're love for them. Maybe Jonathan even tells Arthur about his promise to himself if Mina turns. I just think so much could be said.

#dracula daily #liveblogging dracula 2022 #jonathan harker #mina harker #abraham van helsing #jack seward #arthur holmwood #quincey morris #dracula #bram stoker

[bookish-actor]

I feel a little silly now that Dracula Daily has ended. I'm so so glad I went on this journey, and that this was my first time reading it! And I cannot wait for next May when I get to read it again!!

But at the same time, I feel hollow. I usually have some sort of like reading crash after I finish a book, but this feels like moving away from a friend. Because they were my friends!

My Dear Friend Jonathan Harker and his passionate, unwavering love for Madam Mina, regardless of the hardships they faced reminded me so much of my own relationship with my wife. Even in modern literature, there are few couples I can think of off the top of my head that have seemed so real and so genuine in loving each other than these two. And we didn't even get to see them interacting with each other for the first few months!! The fact that they lived each other so much that they would hold hands as they walked, even though it was deemed "improper?" Jonathan's gift of his journal and Mina sealing it with her wedding ring? Her knowing when the correct time to open it was? The horror and despair on the night that Dracula forced Mina to drink his own blood, lest her husband be killed in front of her? The two of them finally getting the happiness and peace they deserve with their son? Absolutely beautiful.

And I love how Mina's intense love is such an important factor. It is because of her love that Jonathan fights tooth and nail to survive Dracula's castle to get back to her. It is because of her love that Lucy stayed alive for as long as she did, even if Mina didn't have all the knowledge or tools to fully save her. If she did, I know that Mina would not have hesitated to drive that stake into Dracula's heart instantly. I love how she pleaded with the men in her life to have pity on the souls of the vampires, as she now suffered that same damnation. When God himself turned away and could not stand them nor love them anymore, Mina did.

Arthur had the potential to be such a Sad Boy™, and would have every reason to be one, but he turned that despair into fire and refused to let anything stop their quest to avenge Lucy. This poor man lost so much in such a short amount of time, but refused to take it laying down. He knew he could not help much, but he was willing to throw as much money as needed to see this bastard killed once and for all. Yet, he also had the compassion to allow Jonathan the final blow. I cannot imagine how he drove that stake into his own heart as he did so to his would-be bride on their wedding night. He was a kind man and I hope that, genuinely, his new wife is as good to him as I'm sure he is to her.

John.... Even though a horrible horrible person to Reinfield, I'd like to think he learned from his mistreatment and is now working to better his asylum. Even if his only motivation is to be able to hear if anyone has any information on another monster, I hope some good comes of it. I do love, however, that he never despised Arthur for winning Lucy's love, nor did he think Arthur unworthy of it when he was unable to be there with Lucy. He never hated Lucy for not choosing him and tried everything in his power to save her, not in hopes that she would change her mind, but because he genuinely loved her, regardless of anything else.

I knew there was a cowboy in this story, but I did not expect him to win my heart so fully. He was a delight every time he was on screen, and I am so hurt that he is dead now. I keep remembering him just straight up leaving the meeting and shooting at the fucking bat without much explaination. He made me laugh the most and provided some good comic relief without detracting from the seriousness of the story. He was the glue that held everyone together and it warms my heart that the Harkers named their son after him.

Van Helsing is such an interesting character. I honestly wasn't expecting him to be here at all. I thought he was an addition from a later on, but oh what a delightful man!! He's cheery and tried to keep everyone's hopes up, but then confides in John what his true feelings are. He mixes up his words and rambles on, but he's such a kind character. I headcanon that his son was killed by vampires and that's what started this journey. When he has to kill Dracula's wives, his hand is stayed for a moment by compassion and love. His only solace in that moment is the look of peace on their faces as death finally takes them. He cares so deeply for every one of these characters and it's for the best as it strengthens him. Although it was a little annoying how long it took for him to explain everything, I entirely understand. He didn't want to scare everyone needlessly if the problem could be solved without telling everyone about vampires. And honestly, who would believe him? I know I wouldn't! He did the best with what he had and I can't blame him for that

Anyway this has definitely left a lasting impact on my life. I'm so happy that this is how I got to experience this book for the first time and I can't wait to visit all my friends again next year! I'm definitely planning on watching the Wholesome Filmtok guy's found footage Dracula movie now!! I can't believe it's over, and I won't get any more updates for another 6 months, but I'm so glad I participated! I feel hollow, but satisfied!

Until next year!

#dracula daily #my thoughts #oof what a year #thank you so much

[thexgrayxlady]

What I read in October and November

The Drowning City by Amanda Drownum - 2.75/5.00 While it was a fun adventure in an interesting setting, the character motivations felt muddy. I wanted to like the complicated politics, but the plot was sometimes hard to follow and didn't involve as much necromancy as I would have liked. I'd still give the next book in the series a chance if I found it at the used book superstore.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield - 2.00/5.00 I don't think this book is bad, it was just sold to me as something it wasn't. If this was recommended to you because you loved Into the Drowning Deep and wanted to scratch that deep sea horror itch, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you're interested in a slightly surreal meditation on grief, with very pretty writing check it out.

The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis - 2.50/5.00 As a debut novel, it's pretty good, but I wasn't quite feeling it. I didn't realize that it was going to be as romance focused as it was, but that's my bad. I just thought I was getting something a little more Castlevania. The setting is fantastic and well described. I am all about the gaslamp fantasy right now. The magic feels really magical and fantastic in a way that sometimes a harder magic system doesn't.

Unfortunately, the main characters are a bit flat and I don't think the story was served particularly well by having both POVs. They have more chemistry with every other character they interact with than each other. I loved Domek's relationship with Kaja, but Domek on his own does not have a strong presence on the page. Ora has a very strong Not Like Other Pijavica vibe that gets old very quickly. She views the rest of her kind as monstrous vermin to an extent where when she feels betrayed by Domek being a lamp lighter, it feels disingenuous and unearned. If we saw more pijavica like her, who just want to go about their unlife in peace, that betrayal would hit much harder. The ending has a bad antagonist pileup that leads to none of the antagonists feeling as impactful as if the author had just stuck to one.

Even with all that in mind, I think the author has a lot of potential and I would love to see how she develops as a writer. You could tell that she had a good time writing this.

Dracula's Child by JS Barnes - 3.25/5.00 I genuinely like this book, and it's interesting to read a Dracula sequel written in the style of the original novel. It builds slowly, but the letters, journal entries, and newspaper clippings are mostly short, so the book doesn't feel quite as long as it is. Unfortunately, it also makes it really easy to put it down until it really gets going. But when the horror starts to hit, it really hits. All that being said, it was good to catch up with my good friends Jonathan and Mina. However, I just preferred The City of Doctor Moreau.

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini - 4.50/5.00 This is a completely biased review. I don't know if I can confidently say that this book is good, only that it brought me immeasurable joy. I loved every second of it. I would absolutely 100% read another seven hundred pages of this. Hell, I would read another 700 pages of Murtagh and Thorn doing slice of life things and side quests.

I love Murtagh and Thorn's relationship so much. They are so good to each other and deserve to have fun and act their age and not have so many responsibilities and problems thrown on them. The scene where they were just playing together is by far the best scene in the book.

I haven't read the original quartet since high school so I don't remember much, but I feel like this book does a good job getting you back up to speed. I feel like Murtagh approaches magic in a very different way than Eragon and sometimes it's very interesting and creative and sometimes you get, "Fuck it. Brute force time." Like, there is something very entertaining about a character both sorting out a magical laser beam and going, "I don't have time to figure out a clever way around your wards, so I'm going to harden the air around your head and you're going to suffocate."

As a board certified, card carrying Oldest Daughter, I liked that Murtagh was really bitter about how things turned out for him. I completely understood why he would rather swallow broken glass than ask Eragon for help. I know people thought that Murtagh and Thorn were too angsty and made stupid choices, but they are very young and have been traumatized for their whole lives, so they deserve some bad choices and bad emo poetry. As a treat. And Thorn deserves to say snarky things about said emo poetry. As a treat.

I know that some people thought that the torture went on for far too long, but I was down for it. If anything, I would have wanted more.

That being said, I have my gripes with it. The pacing is weird, and while I was just vibing and having a good time, I could see why someone wouldn't like it. The ending is very abrupt, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how some things played out. Paolini is not very good at writing poetry. I would have preferred fewer poems and Thorn snarking more at the ones we get.

The main villain's name is really stupid, and I couldn't get over it. I know it's not pronounced the way it's spelled, but I couldn't get over it. There are definitely more than a few moments where the author is too clever for his own good. Like, dammit Paolini. don't use an archaic spelling of a common word, when it looks so much like a typo, on the first page. It sends the wrong message about the quality control that went into your book.

I still think that Paolini isn't good at writing romance. While Murtagh and Nasuada are, by thin margins, his least bad romance, I'm happy it's kept to a minimum. While I'm not sure I'd read a future installment, I hope that it is similarly in the background because there are scenes from To Sleep in a Sea of Stars that I cannot unhear. I am scared by them. I am entitled to financial compensation.

In the most affectionate way possible, I hope that this book finds its way to the lonely middle school girl who needs it.

#Gray Reads Stuff #I've posted this by mistake like four times already #I didn't read much the last few weeks because I got BG3 as a birthday treat #I was in a big vampire mood in October #I had so many thoughts about Murtagh #I considered posting that review separately

[toonazcoolforyou]

What We Do In Bram Stoker’s Dracula

alright so i rambled on about this in the Discord buuuut this is a slightly more shiny and cleaner version! :D *enthusiastic single party blower goes off* okay so tbh it’s kiiinnd of gunna be the same thing but just, idk, with a little more information lol. while there’s a few details a bit more ‘set in stone’ plenty is open and i’m seriously flexible with ideas so don’t hesitate throw any suggestions at me~ you can DM me on Discord (it’s Nazcool#8991 if u happen to come across this train wreck and don’t know wtf i’m talking about) if you’re interested and/or have any questions (and if there’s enough of y’all that wanna coordinate maybe we can get a channel up/a group chat or somethin’ & go from there <3)

**if u see that there’s no info for w/e character it just means i literally have no ideas for ‘em so go wild & have fun~**

EDIT 1: I FORGOT THE BRIDES OF DRACULA AAAAHH + other details lol

btw this is a two part ad so bear with me as i try to keep things organized:

Part I.

alright alright alright so like i said think Dracula but with 75% less charm & wit & competence. the characters for the ad will have vibes of satire of something resembling being srs but at the same time they’re just ridiculous & dramatic & just, idk, too much™ at times (maybe even more so than Dracula Dead and Loving It lololol). i’m gunna be playing The Dracula role (he doesn’t have a name yet ssssshhhh but at least i have Luke Evans as his face??? :D :D :| okay cheesy as hell i know i know pls forgive me) but everyone else is open! i’m going with the main few folks for rn but in all honesty if you wanna play another character from Dracula that i don’t have listed pls be my guest?? as for ideas themselves i’m still figuring my guy out so what might be listed for him may change -but i’ll update things so dw about that- & tbh besides a few main details for The Mina Harker character i’m super flexible on everything so just holler at me if ur interested :D

also just ‘cause this might be more silly doesn’t mean there can’t be drama~ & sadness~ & murder~ pls pls gimme all the tragic stuff!!

BTW u can race/gender bend any of the characters in the list tbh lol (i’m doing a gender bend for The Mina Harker + The Jonathan Harker so yeh go for it babes <3 <3 <3)

A L S O, u don’t have to be that well-versed with the book/characters u just need a basic grasp so that the character can be barely influenced by the original one. If u need help with any of this just lemme know i am more than glad to aid u <3

roles:

The Dracula- taken. so hey i’ll be playing The Dracula! I’m still working out how old he is but he’s probably gunna be old old to keep with the #aesthetic of the character (also i wanna have it so that he’s still oblivious to some more 80s day things & he’s that weirdo who dresses in old clothing when not in public). Think between 1800 and 2000 y/o old xD;;; anyway so backstory is still obv. In Progress but really he was probably stupid and got himself turned into a vampire ‘cause he was a gullible fuck & now has to suffer with the consequences -this includes adapting to having pointy sharp teeth, feeding on the living in order to survive, and outliving everyone that u have ever loved :’D he’s totes fine w/ this guys it’s fine. he pretty much struggled for ages & while he likes to exaggerate/romanticize what happened to him it was pretty terrible™ & he has plenty of a fuck up under his belt. over time he got to know other folks + vampires & he adapted but not enough? like he’ll quote you some fancy-ass poem to be elegant~ and he has a pity party every 5 seconds & gets pissy when no one pays attention to him he’s just needlessly #dramatic

somehow, he pissed off a family of vampire hunters who have been going after him ever since??? i haven’t plotted out when this began so it’s open as of rn lololol & it’s The Abraham Van Helsing who is now in charge of hunting him down~ (more info, or rather just ideas, in The Abraham Van Helsing character section)

& now here comes the more complicated section tbh: so i haven’t planned out when this happened yet -i’m torn between sometime just before/after he was turned into a vampire or during WWI big range i know- but he fell in love w/ a man & that man died tragically so he decided to try to be w/ the guy’s kid only for them to die too at some point but not before they had a kid (might be bad luck? might be a curse? who knows *shrug.gif*) so yeah fast forward MANY YEARS & now he’s trying to be with The Mina Harker who is the last(?) possible descendant of his first love. rn they’ve been best friends for 6 yrs w/o The Mina Harker knowing A. that The Dracula is in fact a vampire, B. that he is the descendant of the first man The Dracula loved, & C. that The Dracula is, in fact, in love with him -he just thinks he’s a rad and weird best friend who does weird stuff at weird times of the day. SO YEH that’s his awkward life he’s just trying to be w/ the love of his life piss off other vampires/hunters/supernatural creatures/world pls & ty

he’s also super weird ‘cause he doesn’t wanna turn any of the descendants into vampires??? which makes each death more painful ‘cause he has a code or w/e & it’s becoming more & more tempting w/ each descendant so yaaay for drama~

also! he has a few roommates & there might be a documentary being made about them which is detailed in Part II. of this ad~

The Mina Harker- open. as listed in The Dracula section The Mina Harker is the descendant of the first man The Dracula loved & The Dracula has been pinning for him for the past 6-ish yrs. rn they’re the best of friends & The Mina Harker thinks The Dracula is a totally good guy -he’s a mostly™ good guy *cough*- & super cool but also super odd but he likes him a lot anyway as a best friend lololol. as for the descendants of the first guy honestly that’s pretty open (like The Dracula pretty much loved every guy after that BUT if there was only a female descendant at the time he loved them too even if they weren’t his technical preference ‘cause love > all) but they pretty much died in bad ways??? like it could be mundane bad ways like illness or war or it could be off-the-walls weird like being crushed by an elephant or getting struck by lightning five times idk idk whether it’s just Bad Luck on The Dracula’s part or a curse is open so yeh lmao.

ANYWAY so for personality i was thinking that this descendant is more on the quiet/introverted side??? like he’s super nice to ppl and wants to help but confrontation??? big groups??? talking to ppl a lot??? not his forte he is an awkward bby. while The Dracula & he aren’t exactly the same personality-wise they get along absolutely great which probably is even more tough for The Dracula ‘cause??? he loves him??? & has to protect him from all of the other vampires who probably wanna eat him??? like pls no he wants this guy to live leave him alone *sobs*

there’ll probably be ppl to try to stop The Dracula from pursuing his dreams maybe because they’re dicks but actually probably because The Dracula is a dick & he has a few skeletons in his closet (he dresses them up in costumes for Halloween & nobody's the wiser, except for his roommates ofc) but it’ll just be random and confusing to The Mina Harker ‘cause, yeh, who would hate his bestie???

besides being best friends w/ The Dracula for about 6 yrs, being engaged to The Jonathan Harker (for w/e reason is up to u tho it could be funny that he wanted to fulfill some wish/will that a dying relative had aka them trying to fuck over The Dracula), not knowing that The Dracula is a vampire despite possible signs + ppl maybe hinting/telling him, & woops having no kids of his own & he’s what thirty or forty-something that’s a nail-biter for The Dracula for sure everything about the character’s past is open!

okay so final lame part but i’d absolutely LOVE it if you used Michael Fassbender as the fc ‘cause I <3 him a million times BUT if you really don’t want 2 you don’t have 2 i won’t force u into that decision if you like the idea but wanna use someone else~

The Jonathan Harker- open. an idea i had for this one is that, for whatever reason, she’s engaged to The Mina Harker character & they’re pretty much complete opposites. she’s a nice girl but she just… is too active. a pure extrovert by nature, she’s always going to parties and socializing and dragging The Mina Harker along with her. she loves him with all of her heart it seems though it appears as if she really doesn’t listen to her fiance & enjoys the concept of him rather than who he is actually. The Dracula is pissed off about this and has contemplated her death approximately fifty five times now. probably calls her vapid or w/e while he’s on his pity party couch (yes that’s a thing don’t judge) rofl

The Abraham Van Helsing- open. the idea i have for him is that he is the descendant of the family who have vowed to hunt down The Dracula. kind of awkward because The Dracula just wants to be left the fuck alone (and okay maybe he wants to kill a few peasants in peace but he can’t seem to get what he wants, can he?) but overall the tone is that this guy hates The Dracula. however, times have changed a bit and nowadays he just confronts The Dracula, declares his hatred for the man, and then pretty much just resumes his day. maybe puts garlic in the doorway to a place in order to disrupt The Dracula, switches out regular spoons for silver ones, etc. etc. etc. (honestly, on occasion, he more brings up the fact that The Dracula is in love with a man rather than being a blood-sucking vampire which makes The Dracula go :/. ALSO PLOT POINT if u wanna go this direction but mb actually the reason The Abraham Van Helsing keeps going on about this is because he's trying to push The Dracula away and has feelings for The Mina Harker??? idk idk late-night ideas flooding in here lmao). overall, he just acts like a prick to The Dracula tho The Dracula probably deserves it lololol. it doesn’t help that they live in the same building, which typically causes The Abraham Van Helsing to be locked out on stormy evenings while The Dracula bemoans whatever fate he thinks up at the time on the couch near the entrance.

the fc i have in mind is Jonny Lee Miller ‘cause i really like his appearance in Elementary but tbh if you have anyone else in mind go right ahead!

The Brides of Dracula- (shhhh ignore the fact that i forgot this section initially) so that this is pretty open since there'll probably be at least a few folks The Dracula has turned like the dumbfuck he is lololol. more than likely they have their own lives but they may??? still have contact w/ him??? & while he pretends to not give a fuck about them they're like his kids???? like pester him for money and he'll be all ‘Why??? I just gave you some!!’ but if anyone hates them he'll be all ‘Don't talk to me or my 100 children ever again’ & be defensive. overall he'll still be an asshole to them lololol

i have two vague af ideas just in case u guys are interested:

the first one is that this progeny has an actually good relationship with The Dracula & is always visiting (or mb lives in the same building idk) & is always bringing him presents and nice stuff & mb looks out for The Mina Harker when The Dracula can't (probably helps cover up a lot of crap ‘cause The Dracula is a mess tbh *shrug emoji*).

the second is a progeny obsessed w/ The Dracula & wants to be w/ him forever & doesn't wanna share him w/ any1 else. which a major problem cause??? The Dracula is in love with The Mina Harker??? so mb this progeny wants to sabotage the relationship anyway they can??? & wants The Mina Harker dead???

they can be any ethnicity/gender ‘cause The Dracula doesn't discriminate LOL

Brides:

any #

The Renfield- open.

The Lucy Westenra- open.

The John Seward- open.

The Quincey Morris- open.

The Arthur Holmwood- open.

Part. II

soooo for this part the concept is fairly simple: i wanna have a What We Do In The Shadows sort of plot where my character has a few roommates (preferably 3-5 though the number isn’t in stone yet) and they’re all weird af. not only that but potentially??? they have a documentary being made about them -w/ 80s London aesthetics + technology- due to vampires revealing themselves 2 years prior. it’s still in production which means there’s at least one cameraman around at all times. my character is dreading the time when it’ll be showed on TV because he has been trying to hide the fact that he is a vampire (alright really only to his love interest & best friend he dgaf if anyone else knows). like, think: he enters one of the rooms, minding his own business, & while the camera is technically focused on something else you still see him as he tries to walk backwards as inconspicuous as possible. he can’t deny that he loves the attention, though, so there are points/gunna be points where he’s more featured and may “subtly” try to push aside whichever roommate is around in order to be noticed.

he may or may not threaten the others with death and doom on a daily basis as well over the smallest of things -at this point his roommates know he’s full of shit, tho the crew might not woopsie

ALSO, there's (1) amulet to walk in the sun among all of them (probably his but idk lol) so everyone is always fighting over it rofl he is not happy that he can't be normalish all the time. they probably try to be all fancy but really they're doing rock-paper-scissors or tossing a coin. plans are ruined all the time, ppl are pissed off, good times.

there won’t be any technical ‘inspirations’ for any of the spots from the movie but honestly if ya wanna base your character on one of the wacky vampires go right ahead! everything about the roommates are open & while i prefer them to be vampires due to the aforementioned info but if you have an idea for another species (besides human) lemme know!

**also if u wanna make inspirations for the other characters from the movie besides the roommates 2 be involved w/ them too go right ahead~**

roles:

The Roommates:

(3-5 individuals)

The Crew:

(any # of individuals, at least one-two cameramen)

#justmycharacterthings #really long ad fml #these tags r really only 4 my entertainment #holler @ me babes 4 some drama fun~ #& so it begins #Naz leaving crap out accidentally lololol