AuspiciousAspen

something that I think gets overlooked when talking about Jacob (or even the wolves in general) is the horror inherent in being a shapeshifter in twilight.

obviously there is the element of losing control of your emotions, or at least being more susceptible to anger. This is thoroughly addressed within the twilight series imo. What I don't see anyone talking about is the following

these children all of a sudden grow into full grown adults. Jacob is 16, Emry is I think 14 and then seemingly overnight they look 20 years old? I mean that has to do some fucked up things to how you perceive yourself, let alone how the outside world treats you.

Additionally the wolves are essentially war-machines. They are literally biologically engineered to be able to kill vampires. There is something inherent to them that makes them violently opposed to vampires, something deeply primal that tells them to kill when they even smell them. And somehow we're expecting Jacob to act normal and keep his cool around Edward? I haven't even touched on the fact that the shapeshifters are superhumanly fast and strong specifically in order to be able to kill.

(I've posted this in a community before but I'm reposting it here because I wanted it on my blog, anyways enjoy my deranged rambling about my once and future hyperfixation!)

I'll try to keep this short but I've been thinking about this for a while and I need to get it off my chest. Any time French or France is mentioned in IWTV it can be seen as a reflection of that characters queerness.

This starts in the very first episode when Lestat seeks out Louis post-brotherstabbing, he finds out Louis can speak French just like him. As he's discovering this he's also discovering that Louis is gay and wants him bad (by reading his mind). Henceforth their gayness becomes a sort of open secret to the community, and yet it is something that only the two of them fully understand. Thus I also think it significant that Lestat's term of endearment of choice in Mon Cher, and that they argue in French as I think we can all agree arguing is kind of their love language lol.

the motief continues in Paris, Louis and Claudia are suddenly surrounded by queerness in the form of the theater where being queer is accepted and even the norm to some degree. Paris is also where Louis starts to explore his sexual identity outside of Lestat through casual hookup's and of course Armand.

Paris is where Claudia explores her sapphism. I once again have to mention that French is a recurring motief for Claudeline, I.E. "your French is ugly", Claudia is unpracticed in her gayness the same way she is unpracticed in her French!

This last example only works if you subscribe to the Alice is Armand theory which clearly I do. In the conversation Daniel, Armand and Louis have about Daniel's failed proposal to "Alice" Paris is once again at the scene of the crime. Probably the most significant moment for Daniel and Armand taking place against a backdrop of French. But perhaps the most important quote from this scene is "you felt freer to hold her hand in Paris, I wonder why that is?", yes Louis why indeed?

Omg they put Daniels memoir 'hate and Ashbury' in the book store.

I've been thinking about Armand as a character in anticipation of tvl and I've come to the conclusion that his avoidance of making real definitive decisions is perhaps one of his most fundamental traits.

We see this over and over starting with his little Judas Iscariot moment in s2. I do believe Armand when he says that the initial decision to betray Louis and Claudia was based on who would stay with him for longer. He understands as well as anyone that eventually Louis will return to Lestat so decides that he might as well end it now, in other words he choses the coven. however when push comes to shove he doesn't stop Lestat from saving Louis even though that is presumably well within his power. When Louis decides to take revenge on the coven, Armand doesn't warn them or try to stop him but he also doesn't help Louis. He half makes the decision to kill Louis and Claudia and half deals with the consequences of doing so, the same goes for his "decision" to betray the coven

This inaction comes back in Dubai when he sort of, kind of, half heartedly tries to keep Daniel from finding out what happened in Paris. At first with his dumb fucking disguise and later by joining the interview to try and steer them away from Paris. Once again, he is 500 years old! He could easily read Daniels mind to check when he realises something he shouldn't and brainwash it out of him or something but he doesn't. he didn't even manipulate Louis out of inviting him. He half makes the decision to let Daniel destroy his marriage and half deals with the consequences of his doing so.

Considering all this I've been reexaminating my view on Daniels turning in light of Assad's infamous "I'm going to break you" statement and this is what I've landed on. This Armand has Already made the biggest sacrifice of his life in service of not turning Daniel. of course he wouldn't be able to justify perverting Daniels spirit in such a fundamental way without feeling (at least in that moment) that he deserved it. I do feel like this, or any kind of turning really, would result in a lot of self loathing feelings and guilt for Armand which would prompt him to run away leaving Daniel by himself. "I'm guessing you haven't heard from my maker? Fucking Asshole." Once again half making the decision to turn him and half dealing with the consequences by leaving.