User blog:Puddinginthesky/Vampires

A little essay-type thing I did a couple months ago. Thought someone might give it a read... Vampires possess a signature look, complete with pale complexion, which looks even paler under certain types of light. Even so, an abundance of blood in the system can cause a very human-like skin tone. Eyes are the same as when the vampire was a human, but more shimmering. The fangs of the vampire can be seen, but are usually well hidden behind the closed lips of the vampire. The senses are increased tenfold. Physical strength and speed increase significantly, as well. For example, the average vampire could throw a medium sized sedan the length of half a football field. They could easily run the length of a football field in less than twenty seconds. A human is most likely to never see the fangs, until it is too late, being, as they are not much bigger than the average tooth, made even smaller because of the tip. The fangs serve the purpose of leaving neat puncture holes to better disguise the nature of the vampire’s kill, or to leave a better chance of the prey living. It is also a much cleaner and efficient process, to cause a steady flow by the way of two small holes, as opposed to gaping holes and tears. The fangs are described as being unimaginably sharp, though unable to pierce the skin of another vampire as easily as that of a human. The vampire usually carries an air of grace and elegance, which is usually assumed to be the product of the predatory reaction, or the changing of behavior in order to attract prey. Beauty is said to be isolated, and most imperfections smoothed out. Careful examination shows that certain imperfections are not changed, such as misshapen bone structure, or deep tissue scarring (scars become very, very faint). The personality of a vampire is molded from the personality of the human, naturally. An unintelligent person becomes no more so, but cleverness is more developed. The ability to sense and use sense is always stepped up immensely, so better to ensure to long life of the vampire. A selfish person does not become more altruistic, but rather becomes even more concerned with their own affairs. The ability to love, feel compassion, and fervent emotion is doubled - tripled even. Vampires, though, develop control over said emotions and feelings. The recklessness of a newly created vampire is smoothed out over time, as they acquire knowledge and control. Vampires are created in one of three ways. The first, more traditional way, is through means of genetic mutation. The blood of a vampire, in substantial quantities, can easily affect the blood of a human, changing the DNA at a rapid pace, and mutating chromosomes. This is what causes the change. The blood itself possesses a supernatural quality, which instills traits in the “life source”, not to be confused with the soul. Another way is more superstitious, but still true. A freshly dead corpse can be laid out - unceremoniously, even - and jumped over by an animal with black fur, feathers, or skin. This, somehow, reanimated them. A third way is morally questionable, but then again, a vampire as a whole is questionable. If a woman is with child and killed by a vampire, and a drop of the vampire’s blood is put into her veins, the unborn child will die, become reanimated, and mutated. The product is an unnatural child, which grows rapidly into the form of a full-grown adult over the course of a week. During this period, it does not awaken. If the child is awakened before the end of the seventh day, the child is stuck in whatever form it was changing from or into. For example, if the child has yet to reach the physical form of adolescence and is awaked, it stays as a child, however far it has progressed through childhood. An infant vampire is said to be less powerful and more easily controlled than an adult, child, or adolescent. Children are more easily destroyed, easier than adolescents are, though adults are by far the hardest to be killed. Vampires are considered immortal, and would be forever if not killed. The most universally used method of vampire slaughter is fire. Heat in general affects the vampire much slower, yet more drastically than it would a human. Vampire hair is extremely flammable. The second best way to kill a vampire is with a stake. Of course, the only fatal stakes are those made from the wood of the extremely rare Pennantia baylisiana. Most effective stakes are ancient, antiqued, and possessed by very, very few. African Blackwood stakes cause severe damage, but the vampire would survive as long as no fire was invoked. Balsa wood stakes are the most common, and used mainly for protection, as they cause only minimal damage. One could say that vampires are allergic to garlic, as it causes their throats and mouths to swell extremely, as well as dulling their senses. This allows for easy escape, because the effects last for days, unless the vampire receives blood of some sort. Decapitation is a severe form of injury to vampire, though if the head is set back at the neck, it reattaches. Vampires cannot be drowned, because they are able to go without breathing for months, even years. Vampires have slight arithmomania, though it would only distract them if the action or objects were extremely disarrayed, or peculiar. Silver is said to be a great distraction to vampires, but mostly because they are easily amused and distracted, especially by shiny objects. The sun kills slowly, and painfully, paralyzing any vampire caught in it. It is said that if a vampire survives, soaking in blood in the moonlight is the only thing able to return them to health. This is why vampires sleep the night away, in either coffins, underground bedrooms, or regular bedrooms with layered black out curtains. The blood of an animal does not suffice as sustenance for a vampire, though they can drink it. It can be like chewing gum. It slightly sates the hunger, but nothing else comes from it and the vampire is hungry again a few hours later. Human blood acts as a supplier of energy and nutrients. It is soaked into the tissue of the vampire, keeping them forever youthful. Going without blood for long periods does not kill a vampire, but causes them to loose all fluid from their body and their skin to shrink over their bones and veins. This can be corrected with large amounts of blood consumption, and perhaps bathing in blood for good measure, and quicker replenishing. Some vampires take a liking to boiling, freezing, sugaring, and even gelatinizing blood. This does not change the blood’s essential value or effect, but makes for a more taste-stimulating meal. Vampires are immortal, they posses unnatural abilities, such as inhuman strength, speed, and superhuman senses. The ability to fly is said to be a gradual gain, though some do not believe in it. Only one vampire has ever been noted with the ability to fly, and he ended his existence centuries ago. Vampires have the ability to shape shift, though only those changed the in the more supernatural, reanimated manner. Females tend to be able to shape shift into the form of cats and black doves, while males often change into wolves, or hawks. The ability to read minds is common, though only to those who were changed by reanimation. Telekinesis takes centuries to perfect, usually at least one to have significant abilities. The same goes for pyrokinesis. The ability to sense the emotions and thoughts of a human they are drinking from is common for those possessing mind reading abilities. Being able to cling to and walk on walls and ceilings is an art that takes at least a year to perfect. Some vampires have the ability to alter their appearance at will, usually those reanimated. Very few vampires develop hydrokinesis, though some do after much practice. Some vampires are said to have precognitive powers, but it is attributed to their being witches as humans. For the most part, supernatural abilities come mainly from reanimation. Vampires have their own views on vampirism and the mechanics of it, some even devoting their eternity to the discovery of it. An ancient vampire recorded that the vampires of old days were hideous creatures that seemed to only kill and sleep. It was not until during the great era of Greece that vampires began to truly appreciate their immortality, and devoted it to becoming like their human counterparts. Around that time, a group of vampire philosophers discovered vampires had enhanced cognitive skills and were able to learn and solve problems easier and more efficiently in less time than as humans. Around the time of the great Mediterranean Renaissance, vampires further developed the skill of seduction, fully exploring the use of their great physical and spiritual allure. During the Renaissance, when art and culture flourished, vampires savored the change from dark ages, when most deteriorated into creatures of the night, or unseen but feared lords and ladies, feeding off their servants and vassals. Up until modern times, vampires have flourished. According to a vampire mathematician, humans outnumber vampires 10,000 to 1 in everyday society. Still, there are hundreds who have yet to make themselves known. Humans as a whole do not known about vampires, but some catch wind of it. Then, of course, there are those dedicated to the extermination of vampires. They are a small, but somewhat powerful group. Even so, they have a very, very miniscule chance of reaching that goal. Some vampires have very, very public lives, like the rock stars and talk show hosts, while others live privately with millions - billions - tucked away. Then there are those who care not about money, but just living. Regardless, the vampire race pulls a part of our society, and will continue to do so