AtoZ Day 4: D is for Darkness, Dhampir, Dracula's Widow

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Darkness

Let's be frank, if vampires wandered around in bright sunshine and flip flops they would be nowhere near as interesting.

Humans have been afraid of the dark for a very long time. It's a natural instinct because it limits the sense we use the most; sight. We cannot see what is coming or where the predator might be lurking. This is part of what makes vampires so exciting/horrifying - they lurk where we cannot detect them. Is that a shadow in the corner or a creature with fangs waiting to such our blood?

I don't actually mind when vampire fiction gives the vampire a way into the sunlight, but I do like there to at least be a nod towards the issue. I find a vampire that can simply walk around in the daytime without thought to be missing part of what makes them a vampire. For example in Kindred: The Embraced the vampires can go outside in daylight as long as they have fed, but too long or without sustenance and they go up in smoke. I like that balance.

What is the most interesting death scene for a vampire due to sunlight you have seen/read? As for me, I have to say Hammer's original Dracula always springs to mind for me; the way Christopher Lee's foot just dissolves off his leg is very visual.

Creature Feature:

Dhampir/Dhampyre/Dhamphir/Dhampyr

Now this is the child of a vampire and a human. They have most of the powers of a vampire, but none of the usual weaknesses.

They are fast and strong and require blood to survive, but they are immune to sunlight and other vampire protections thanks to their human half.

According to Wikipedia, in the Balkans male vampires are said to have an insatiable desire for women and hence return to have sex with their wives after they have died. There was a case recorded where a woman blamed her pregnancy on her dead husband who was now a vampire.

If you are interested here is a list of fictional Dhampirs.

Movie Recommendation:

Title: Dracula's Widow (1988)
Rating: 18
Summary: Raymond is the somewhat eccentric owner of a small waxworks in Hollywood. His troubles begin when he receives and extra crate with his delivery of Romanian antiques. Unfortunately for him, inside the crate is Vanessa, widow of Dracula and she devil second to none.
Why should you watch it? The effects in this are pretty terrible and it's low budget, but I think the character of Raymond is simply brilliant. The setting is different even if the plot is pretty standard and it just has something I really enjoyed. I think in some cases it comes under the heading 'so bad it's good'.

The Absence of Light 

(#4 in The Diverse Life of Ianthe Jawara, Vampire)

by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Peering out of the window Ianthe noticed that the sky was beginning to lighten and she grimaced. Unlike in many of the films and literature, sunlight was not fatal to vampires, but it could be uncomfortable and darkness was definitely their preferred medium.

"Oh, Anthie," Cal, her current companion said as he followed her gaze out the window, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realise the time."

"Not your fault," she replied and gave him a pat on the hand; "I didn't notice either."

She was supposed to be attuned to the rising of the sun, but she was blowed if she could figure the whole thing out. When she had first been turned her maker had made a small attempt at teaching her how to be a proper vampire, but they had discovered irreconcilable differences before she'd picked up that particular trick.

"I'll just call a taxi," she decided, "I'll be fine."

Cal gave her an appraising look and then sniffed.

"You're worried," he pointed out.

Damn werewolves and their sensitive noses. She had been very glad to find not all supernatural creatures were as stuck up as vampires.

"Not really," she replied, "I just don't have my glasses."

All modern vampires had at least one pair of sunglasses with special filters to protect their sensitive eyes. Ianthe hadn't thought she would be out long enough to need them, so she had forgotten to put them in her bag.

"Why not stay?" Cal offered. "I have to go to work in a couple of hours and you could sleep the day away in my very comfortable bed."

It was tempting for several reasons, not least of which was that she would go home stinking of werewolf and wouldn't that cause ructions. One of the things she had found hilarious was that vampires were prudes. Having sex with humans was considered part of the feeding routine so that didn't count, but 'having liaisons', as it was known, with other supernatural creatures, now that was frowned upon. Even amongst their own kind vampires had about five levels of courtship to go through before there was any bedroom activity.

"As much as I would love to see Alex's face if I arrived back smelling of your bed, I'll have to decline, but thank you for the offer. I have people to see tonight and I need to get up early to make arrangements," she eventually decided.

"If you insist," Cal said and stood up anyway, "but just wait there. I'll call a friend and then I'll get you my Oakleys. They're not specialised like yours, but they should help."

"Thank you," she replied, "you're a love."

It wasn't too light yet when she left Cal's flat, but she was glad of the glasses he had leant her.

"There are sunshades you can pull down, Miss," the taxi driver said as soon as she climbed in.

"Thank you," she said and did so; it was very useful to have a network of other supernaturals in the know. Being on top of the food chain also helped.

It was as they were pulling away that she saw a figure stepping backwards into a side street. She didn't catch much through the shade, but something about what she saw cause a flare of recognition. It was nothing clear, but an unsettled feeling gathered in her stomach.

"Did you see that man?" she asked the driver.

"What man, Miss?" the driver replied.

"Never mind," she said and sat back, trying to track down why she no longer felt relaxed.

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A few of us discovered that we all had supernatural themes for the AtoZ so we got together and did a mini list. If you also have a supernatural theme (ghosts, monsters, witches, spells etc), please feel free to add yourself to the list.

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