For years, I was confused about how to feel about Armand's book backstory.

Like. He's from Kyivan Rus', BUT at the same time from 15th century. Kyivan Rus' was feudal monarchy that existed from probably IX (at least we assume so, because it was mentioned under that name in 852, tho it's not popped from the air, you know) to 1240. From ~1240 to 1349 the country was Rus' Kingdom. After that, Ukraine was splitted between Poland, Lithuania and Moldavian principality. Tho, Ukrainians were called Ruthenians (Latin name for former nation of Kyivan Rus') up until 19th century. I've read Beauplan's and Merimee's works about Ukraine, and they call Ukrainians both Ukrainians and Ruthenians.

SO.

When was Andrii (yes, this is how you would pronounce Ukrainian variation of Ανδρεας or Andrew)? He was Ruthen from Kyivan Rus' or he was Ruthen from 14th century Rus' Kingdom? Or he was even later? Book says he was born in 1481. So, later. A lot later.

We also know that he was kidnapped and enslaved by Mongolians. Mongolians entered Kyiv in 1240, it was a 13th century, not the end of 15th.

AND I HAVE A THEORIES.

Include the raccoon in his little projector slides during the trial

Make little dolls of Louis, Claudia and Madeleine for his rehearsal trial, and put a bra on Madeleine’s doll

Make up the story about feeding the sacrifice soup as part of his punishment

Steal Malik’s sunglasses

Imitate Louis by crossing his legs

Tell Daniel about how he’s had sex with half the coven, to his long-time husband’s surprise

Pretend to be a real employee at the penthouse instead of simply inventing an alter ego like a normal person

Reveal his vampirism by hovering menacingly, moments after removing his brown contacts in record time

Take Louis to Lestat in Magnus’ dungeon knowing full well that it could backfire and his cover might be blown

Let a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist into his home to write his husband’s memoir despite having mountains of lies to hide

Leave a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist alone with his husband knowing full well that he’s brainwashed both of them into forgetting an important series of events

Tell that same journalist about how he not only had sex with Lestat, but did so while making eye contact with Lestat’s ex, despite this having no relation or importance to the memoir

Lock himself in a box during the trial and make Sam guard him with a prop scythe while simultaneously sentencing his boyfriend to death

Attempt to impress Louis by demonstrating his friendship with Sartre

Continue to court Louis despite knowing full well that Louis was hallucinating his dead ex-husband, who is also his ex

Interrupt a week-long torture session to muse about how the floor slants north

Believe he’s kept his “I will not harm you” vow to Louis because he’s kept to the letter of the law despite violating the spirit of it repeatedly and enthusiastically

Suggest that lemon wallpaper be installed in the brutalist penthouse with minimalist decor

Break a 500-year-old vow because he was upset about his divorce, despite knowing full well that his marriage was a sham

I 20s (F) have a 20s (M) fiancé, V, and he’s been talking about this terrible secret he cannot tell me and he keeps almost starting to come out and then backing out. The issue is V and I were raised together by his parents, and my surrogate 40s (M) father and (now deceased) surrogate mother arranged for our marriage back when we were both children. They thought it was the best for us and at the time we were too young to realize the implications and had no reason to reject to the match. When we were teenagers our mother was on her deathbed and she told us again that she wished for us to marry, and of course we both agreed. However, V is also best friends with a 20s (M) guy called H, and they were nearly inseparable as boys and teens. They also went to university together and shared an apartment but V had to come home due to family reasons. Lately he’s been going out all day and coming home at night hours later. He insists that he’s fine and that we all leave him alone and not worry for him, but I think he and H have been sneaking around. He even delayed our wedding day by arranging a trip to go to England alone with H. It’s exhausting for all of us and I think I should just tell V I know and support him and that we can call off the marriage, but I’m not sure that’s the best course of action? I’m completely fine with not marrying him - he always felt more like a brother to me anyway - but I worry it might come off wrong. The worst part is he’s really beating himself up about it. He’s so guilty it’s beginning to take a toll on his health. I don’t care if he has a boyfriend I just want him to be happy.