FATHER OF BEASTS.

Margaret Atwood, Interlunar; from ‘Interlunar’

Note: This is PD canon, adjusted slightly to how I’m writing him.

Being the progenitor of all vampires, all vampires can feel the pull of his blood, but he doesn’t have dominion over all of them. A vampire has to be very susceptible to his call, or they have to be directly created by D.racula himself. It’s a much more difficult process to break the hold he has over them, then. Often it takes years, centuries even, but a few have succeeded. It depends on what type of a vampire the character is, too.

A hierarchy exists, and according to PD lore, one can be a master vampire, a vampire, and I’d include familiars on this list, as well (see R.enfield). They haven’t been turned, yet, but they have been fed vampiric blood and can no longer be considered simply human. Their lifespans have been prolonged, they crave blood for sustenance, they have enhanced agility, strength and senses. And they have formed a relationship, a bond with the vampire who has given them blood that transcends anything a mortal is capable of. So - not just a human anymore.

But when we talk about master vampires, it's important to note that while a lot of them do serve D.racula, that's definitely not the case for all. They are the strongest and the oldest of their kind, very inhuman creatures who can no longer blend in with the mortal world. A lot of them still follow him, however, because his views align with theirs, and if there’s something they respect, I imagine it would be power. There’s also that one tiny, tiny detail where D.racula had most certainly tracked down and annihilated any traitors. So fear is an important factor, too (and the fact that at one point in time, they had considered him a deity, but that’s too long to get into now).

When we talk about the aspect of control, it's intrusive, invasive, all-consuming. His blood will demand obedience. But willpower is still a thing that exists, therefore his control has obvious limits. He might be physically stronger because the canon demands it, but he's not, well, a god (just a fallen angel nbd). A vampire character, if written within the PD universe, is not automatically under D.racula's control at all - I reserve that for NPCs I occasionally throw into my threads. It's entirely up to you if you'd like to explore this in further detail with me.

i have felt you like a serpent crawling in my body.

love is inferior to you.

i am an appetite. nothing more.

you are my affliction.

even now we are fated.

you know nothing of him.

your passion is bound to me.

you cannot love.

i cannot be sated without you.

we must remain calm.

you know i love you both.

why do you hate me?

you have never liked me.

search everything.

this is madness!

i must see them!

don't touch me. i am not to be touched.

our love was supposed to be sacred.

kiss me.

i need no salvation.

you will put an end to all of this?

come to me.

hear my call.

you are not for the living.

do you swear it?

what's that, my love?

there is nothing to be afraid of.

take off your shoes.

i wish i could stay, my love.

i really must be off.

come in, come in.

i thank you for considering me.

you are too generous.

it will be a great adventure for you.

why have you killed these beautiful flowers?

let us put them in water.

forgive me.

throw them out.

you cannot leave.

i must tell you my dream.

please, no more of your childhood memories.

never speak these things aloud.

it is a foolish dream.

everything is well.

when i return, i will finally make something of myself.

i love you too much.

it's worth celebrating your adventure!

i envy you.

it's crushing, [name]. crushing.

i cannot resist her.

not another word.

do take care of [name].

there is a monster in the room.

we have each other.

you're hurting me.

i am proud of you.

please keep safe.

have you so little faith in me?

i promise.

remember, it's all for us.

you bring trouble with you.

i only wish to stay one night.

i have an audience at the castle.

leave here.

you are late.

i wish you to do as i request.

it's nothing.

come by the fire.

why ever did you bring that here?

you must put that away.

what might we do for you?

that was yesterday.

do you ever feel at times as if you were not a person?

we all feel out of sorts.

look at the sea!

i am not mad.

forgive me. everything i say sounds so childish.

how careless of me.

you are fortunate in your love.

i fear i am taken ill.

if it continues, let me know.

i have received nothing of any kind.

still no trace of him.

for heaven's sake, you cannot leave.

a moment longer... please.

i cannot resist you, my love.

can you tell me your name?

he is coming.

why haven't you told me?

i must leave!

i sensed something.

you look tired.

would you describe them to me?

tell me what you can. from the beginning.

this is no delusion.

the blood is the life.

i feared i'd never see you again.

what the devil is this?

it is past three o'clock in the morning!

forgive me for the troubles i have caused you.

get off me. give me room. i can't breathe.

you frightened me.

may i stay with you tonight?

thank you for loving me.

our spirits are one, so too shall be our flesh.

VANESSA IVES & ALEXANDER SWEET

Paintings by Steven DaLuz

Prevailed (Wounded Angel)

Margaret Atwood, Dearly; from ‘Songs for Murdered Sisters: Anger’