Tag: Vampire Verisimilitude

Vampire Verisimilitude

Forever Is An Illusion – Vampire Verisimilitude

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Do immortals need motivational posters?

2016VampsBrushTwiceADayYou only live once; there’s no time like the present; don’t put off until tomorrow what you can blah, blah, blah.

Well, maybe.

There are two schools of thought behind immortality. One is that you live forever and cannot be killed — as if it’s a curse or a punishment. Then there’s no dying of natural causes — no aging, no changing, no expiration date — but you can still be destroyed, never to rise again. For better or for worse, Vampires fall into the second category. Yes, my late-night college-research genes are showing again.

Where am I going with this? I promise I’m coming to point…

Don’t assume there’s a tomorrow.

Go ahead and make plans…for where you’re going to go and what you’re going to do. Just be aware that some things aren’t worth the risk.

I’ve mentioned before that I know a few other Vampires now; a few have perished at my hand. As I’ve heard it’s said in Texas: they needed killin’. Those immortals didn’t live long past their rebirth; in fact, they might have lived longer if they hadn’t been turned, but they couldn’t be allowed to continue. If you’re wondering who am I to make that decision? I’ll save that for another time.

In contrast, I know Vampires who are much older than myself, and for all of their faults, they have one common trait: a sense of self-preservation. One is from New York City and was turned during the Depression Era; he saw human suffering first hand in the homeless tent cities…because he was one of them. Another is almost three centuries old and witnessed the birth of the United States; hers were among the lands that was stolen. Our founder was over a century and a half old, one of the first graduates at local Glenville State College. My own sire may have been over five centuries old, and as cruel as he was, he knew when to back down from a fight.

As the veteran soldier explained: “Remember I am old for a reason.”

Forever is an illusion, so don’t forget to live for today.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
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Willful Magic – Vampire Verisimilitude

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Magic is an act of will; it happens every day, but most people refuse to believe in it.

They see magic as fantasy — pure imagination — and they’re right, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real or can never be.

Take charity for example. Someone is in need and another provides because they choose to. Without the will, the magic doesn’t happen; there is no miracle.

FromTheDeskOfJanissSignatureBut that’s not magic, you say. And no, I’m not saying you should run out and start shoving every extra dollar into a collection plate or handing out money to the homeless. Yes, you can do those things, but what I’m referring to is the power of making that choice: you make this happen as an act of sheer will.

Magic happens the other way, too, the so-called “dark side.” Inventing a new way to restrain, torture, or kill another person is an act of will with evil intent, even if it is done for the right reasons. The intent is to cause discomfort or to take a life. These things don’t create themselves; they are willed into being…like magic.

“Your ancestors called it magic and you call it science. Well, I come from a place where they’re one and the same thing.” This is a line from Marvel’s Thor as delivered by Chris Hemsworth — and all the better for it. (Take a moment if you need to…aaaaaaand we’re back.) Author Arthur C. Clarke, however, said it first and more succinctly as “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

So what’s my point?

Zombies aren’t scientifically plausible. Ghosts aren’t technologically catchable. Vampires aren’t medically bloodthirsty.

Also, personal telephones can’t be wireless. Computers can’t be smaller than an average building. It is impossible to walk upon the moon. A single bomb isn’t capable of destroying an entire city. Sea creatures can’t grow to huge proportions without being seen everywhere.

Carl Sagan once said “An event that would be unthinkable in a hundred years may be inevitable in a hundred million.”

Put another way, a lack of understanding or discovery doesn’t mean something can’t exist or never will.

Sometimes it already does.

Like magic.

Just a little something to think about. Sorry for the late post. Forgive me?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly

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Forever Ever Day – Vampire Verisimilitude

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Happy Valentine’s Day. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to say today?

Like a Cupid-driven Noah’s Ark, everyone is expected to pair up two-by-two and talk about things like love, forever, and diamonds over dinner dates or a secret rendezvous. It’s Christmas 2.0 for all the single ladies; expectations are high and every word is scrutinized for informal innuendo. It’s the holiday that fails the Bechdel test on purpose and with extreme prejudice.

So, if you’re NOT spending Valentine’s Day with a potential or current lover, does that make you less of a person? Unwanted and undesirable? A monstrous freak?

HeartOfChocolateYour undying love; till death do us part; for all eternity — these are mortal phrases, words people say to each other in spite of secretly knowing a simple truth: things change. People set different goals for themselves — the right job, a level of fame, children and grandchildren — and they surround themselves with others who can make those things happen. If not, well, it’s high time to make that aforementioned change you can believe in.

Forever means something different to a Vampire.

It literally means FOREVER.

Never grow old and never die. It’ll be fun, they said…

Sometimes you greedily hold onto someone you can’t let go of (and far longer than you should) — and sometimes you have to let them go because it’s the right thing to do (no matter how much it breaks your heart or theirs).

And no, as a matter of fact — I don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day this year. Thanks for wondering.

Now shut up.

. . .

Okay, sorry for the rant. I now return you to your regularly scheduled holiday festivities — already in progress.

Seriously, I’m good. Go and have fun.

The picture, by the way, is an anatomically correct one-pound chocolate heart; I’m told it’s delicious — especially if it belongs to someone else.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly

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Vampire Heaven, West Virginia – Vampire Verisimilitude

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It’s true — almost. See what I did there?

Full disclosure: while I was born at Wheeling Hospital, I grew up in St. Clairsville, Ohio (go Red Devils!) As often as I could, I spent holidays and summers in Gilmer County long before I made it my permanent residence. The Mountain State is indescribable to people who’ve never visited.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also home to a few Vampires.

The great state of West Virginia has a look, feel, and flavor all its own (not that kind of flavor). Beautiful mountain country mostly unspoiled by industry, a small but dedicated population far less backward than popular movies and television would have you believe, and a state-wide small-town feel that’s entirely different from everywhere else. Our state capital of Charleston boasts less than 60,000 people; New York City alone has over four times the population of our entire state.

But why “a Heaven for Vampires?” For one, it’s a peaceful place; we like that. Mountaineers take care of their own — whether related by blood or part of our extended family. People work together. There’s a work ethic here that things have to get done and nobody else is around to do them, so even if your nearest neighbor is five miles down the road, they’re still willing to help out. There’s also a mandatory relax ethic, too, so when the work’s done, it’s done. Anyone looking to get away from all the craziness and still reside within the continental United States couldn’t do much better.

The native terrain has kept too much major industry from ruining the state (though they still try). Away from major roadways like I-77 and I-79, most businesses don’t stay open too late and “roll up the sidewalks” at sundown. If you’re used to cities that never sleep, that isn’t here.

Sadly, things are changing now. The younger generation is being lured away by more lucrative out-of-state work, leaving the elderly to fend for themselves or fend off their remaining relatives looking for easy money. Heroin use has replaced Hillbilly Hash as the recreational drug of choice, and violent drug-related crimes have increased. Fracking and other industrial pollutants threaten an ecosystem that has survived unscathed for centuries is hurting the vital state tourism trade.

But like all Americans, Hill Folk will only take so much pushing around. We see more than we say, and we think more than you know. West “By God” Virginia is home, and we’re willing to share if outsiders are willing to take care of it and one another. Make no mistake; we see everything.

All the drug dealers, the industrial polluters, and anyone else trying exploit the Mountain State?

They won’t get away with it.

I promise — and I’m not alone.

Montani Semper Liberi.

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly

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A Third Choice – Vampire Verisimilitude

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This is a conversation I’ve had many times over — or some variation thereof. I’m not cruel but I’m not foolish. This is necessary…more often than I’d like.

Yes, it hurts. Believe me, I know. Keeping as still as possible is the best thing you can do right now.

Ironic, isn’t it? A piece of wood sticking out of your chest isn’t killing you, but it’s causing so much pain you probably wish it would.

I’ll also apologize for all the motion. We’ve taken precautions, but being inside a moving vehicle makes it more difficult.

ThirdChoiceCover-smallOf course, the best idea is I could remove that stake…but there would be conditions.

I don’t know if you’ve ever been staked before or even how long you’ve been a vampire, but from the way you were being treated by your sire, we guessed it wasn’t voluntary. Those kinds of relationships rarely end well, so we interceded. You watched us destroy your maker, but we both know what stays in our heads. Yes, I still have a little of mine, too.

Besides that, the other thing you’ll have to worry about is yourself.

I’m sorry the choice to become an immortal was made for you. You think you have two options: embrace the monster or allow yourself to be destroyed. From the way you’re looking at me, I’m guessing you don’t want to hurt anyone, but I want you to realize that the pain you’re in is diminishing your thirst. Did you notice?

I’m offering a third choice: you can choose to live with this, so to speak. I’ve learned to cope, but I couldn’t have done it without help. It will require trust and constant vigilance because any slip will not only affect your victim but anyone else whose trust you’ve earned. The blood you crave must be fresh, and it has to be both alive and human. There are no shortcuts here, so consider carefully what it is that will be expected of you.

You’ll be safe under my protection while you’re learning, but once that ends, you’ll have to leave. The place we’re going now can’t support more than two vampires for very long, but you have something you can offer those you befriend, not the least of which is your protection. As a guardian, you’ll be able to survive, but if you can’t do this, myself or someone else will destroy you. Do you understand?

A pair of handcuffs are binding your wrists. You won’t be able to escape them while the stake remains in, but if I remove it, I’m going to ask that you keep them on. If you try to break out, I’ll replace the stake and be very disappointed you’ve decided not to participate in our program. You’re locked into the back of this vehicle with me, so I promise you won’t be able to cause anyone else any harm.

So. Enough threats.

Would you like me to remove the stake, provided you promise to remain bound? Your thirst will return quickly. I don’t know how long it’s been since you last fed — you may be aware we can’t feed one another — plus it will be a while before we’ll be someplace I can provide for you. Or we can leave the stake in and I’ll talk to you if you’d like; I’ll understand completely if you’re afraid you can’t trust yourself to do as I’ve asked.

What do you want to do?

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Original publication: https://cedarcrestsanctum.com/a-third-choice/