MBC #2: 'Bloodletting' (Reese Version) [Part 1, 🌲🍂]
Added 2024-10-21 12:30:02 +0000 UTC
[Alternate Text: A header image of a broken hourglass. Its white sand is spilling out with only one half of its glass chambers still intact, while the other is shattered into several shards. It has gilded finishes. The background is black, though there is gold shimmer around the hourglass itself. The title 'Bloodletting' is the same color as the sand with a dark shadow stretching out from it.]
Reese almost continues around the corner until you tug on your joined hands and come to a complete stop. He adapts, matching your sudden pause, but not your teasing smile as he glances down one of the Verner mansion's palatial hallways. It stretches on and on, flanked by expensive artwork, well-preserved armor, and other displays of rarity and wealth.
It's perfect—a main hall meant to leave guests impressed each time they walk through it.
"I thought you were famished?" Reese asks. "I would have brought you breakfast in bed."
Please continue reading this story: here.
Password: alice
Comments
FOAMING AT THE MOUTH, TWISTING AND TURNING. HYPED FOR THE ANGST, VAMPIRE R IS HOT, VAMPIRE HUNTER SPARROW IS HOT! THE FLASHBACKS, THE ANGER! ALL OF IT
KiraaBear
2024-10-24 12:07:11 +0000 UTCWAIT WAIT WAIT there’s so much to unpack here omg Firstly 3 PARTS??? You spoil us so much- Genuinely i wasn’t sure what to expect other than hunting down some vampires, but i didn’t think R WOULD BE THE VAMPIRE WE WERE HUNTING??? (is this a loss?? A win??? Both???) The flashback was so cute, but i LOVE how it highlighted how MC and R had such different childhoods and MC wanting to give them fonder memories associated with the things that only emphasized how lonely R was. But how sweet of R to caution MC knowing firsthand how one can get hurt crash landing on them, and very smooth of them to reward MC for their consideration. Even if the reward was a bit of a distraction to get an edge in the competition, lol. MC purposefully getting themselves captured to get direct contact with R bc they know R would never let anyone else handle MC??? The trope of knowing your opponent/lover so well and using their mannerisms in your own favor???? You have me eating SO good. Also C as a vampire made me laugh so hard, but it fits so well. I really loved the bit of them getting offended at first not having the same respect granted to them that they granted R AND THEN getting mad at being tested by R?? Hilarity, never change C. I don’t know if I was meant to take things this way, but the aspect of how detached the bloodletting party and in Char’s words “depressing” to me only emphasized those negative aspects that R has/experienced, but only to the extremes now as a vampire. R feeling like an outsider in the world they’re living in both as a human and a vampire. The apathy of being surrounded by faceless others, now without even an inkling of humor or a facade of pretending. How it’s a party meant for everyone to enjoy or be victimized and even in a position of control and power there doesn’t seem to be any gratification in any of this. R never really felt like they belonged outside of MC’s involvement, and mayhaps before it was voluntary, but now it’s not a choice. THE lone entity and the only one left in their world is R themselves. Though in some ways, it seems like maybe someone made that choice for them??? I don’t know, it’s only part 1 so maybe I’m reading things all wrong. Ahem, obligatory, WHERE’S THE RING???? Back to scheduled programming, I do like though the fragments of humanity we seem to notice despite R being dead. The hurt beneath their tone, their care in looking out for us (even if it is underneath aggression), their weakness regarding us. Some things change, but some things stay the same, huh Verner. (Also MC sending R their own obituary- That’s one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen an MC do. Lets keep that energy going.) All in all, a wonderful read and I am SO eyes emoji for the next segment. As for where Noire fits into all this... I do think in this scenario- he would be resolved to put R down. It would come with a lot of hurt and grief, and pondering of any OTHER solutions, but if this is the one. This is the one. (I think he'd still try to save R regardless, sshhh) There’s something about how Noire would see this face and know it isn’t the person he cares about underneath and feeling a v specific type of grief over loss of identity and control. Maybe R won’t grieve themselves, maybe R doesn’t believe that Noire grieved them. But this is a loss Noire would be feeling till the end of times, undoubtedly and indisputably. Noire isn’t looking to be a hero though, he just wants to selfishly save what bits and pieces of R he can still recognize before this ‘death’ takes anything else from the both of them. "They took 'us' away from you and me. How could I let them get away with that?"
Blaire Orion
2024-10-21 23:02:53 +0000 UTCI've never been a huge fan of AU style tangents from IF creators, but I absolutely love this, your writing is so phenomenal it's hard not to be enamored. It's gratifyingly angsty and well-presented, the way you storytell and write like a cinematographer never ceases to amaze me, it's just always a total delight, and I'm going to be re-reading this in anticipation for the next part.
lowcreepr
2024-10-21 18:12:23 +0000 UTCAAAAAAAAA ITS HERE!!!!! BEEN WAITING FOR IT FOR SO LONG!!! LETS GOOO!!! Also I have to donate blood today which was not something I planned but apparently Im nothing if not committed to the bit? Im easily vulnerable when it comes to Verner angst but I also gotta say that you Aelsa is great at tone shifting 🤣 i was getting so into the marble sliding I nearly got blindsided by everything else 😭 But also whenever the writings remind me of Alex that shit becomes PERSONAL Like??? THE COMPETITIVENESS!!!!!!! Calling it a foul? A penalty? Okay I was laughing, it fits them so well Jokes on you Verner, I will fall for you as many times as you want 😎🥰 Also just be warned, I WILL write an entire essay in the comments, and i apologize for that Im absolutely fascinated by the dark vibes going on here???? Like the setting, the terror?? And it all being treated so casually by the people that arent in this situation??? Im absolutely obsessed in seeing how this would go Vampire Charlene 😳😳😳😳😳😳 AHEM AHEM FOCUS!! Also deeply DEEPLY interesting the difference between Char and Rs approach to their little blood banks Char parading them around has also a certain dehumanizing aspect but still feels more approachable and "kind" in a way than Verners method which is something we can see in how theyre viewed around town. A cold Verner vs Charlenes purposeful appeal. Im gonna so read into this, Im taking the Char characterization crumbs where i can get them 😎 "I know a few of you are freaky in—" *looks at my reaction at Vamp Char* ok no need to call me out ☠️ I absolutely loved the way Char talked to Mirabelle? The flattery (real or not), the reassurance that she isnt like Reese despite the fact the end goal will still be the same (feeding) oh im OBSESSED Also haha fell for the oldest trick in the book 😎 those bloodlines implicit tests 😎😎 But also "its mine"? Damn ok 😳😳😳👉👈 Char seems to be... having fun? As a vampire? Although maybe its just because its a break from the monotony of their past life. The vampire settlement seems to be recent, but i think Char would kinda go insane over immortality eventually (they dont seem to like things being permanent). Do they enjoy it because they get to keep being powerful and beautiful forever? (Like that Lana song in their playlist? 🤔) "Reese once told you that you never made him feel alone unlike most other people in his life." Brb gonna go eat my fist, REEESEEEE 😭😭😭 NOT THE SWEET FLASHBACK AGAIN CANT YOU SEE IM ALREADY ON THE FLOOR "Stubborn,""Obstinacy suits you well." Well Im glad to know where Reeses opinion lies when it comes to that 🤣 because Alex is stubborn as all hell. Good luck babe "When it comes to you, yeah. Someone has to be." ALEXCORE IM BEING PERSONALLY TARGETED HERE AELSA HELP Im so going insane "Eventually, he made you a promise sealed by a ring." I need to know i need to know i need to know so bad what was it!!!!!! Also uh... confession time? I was feeling awfully guilt over the No MC Reese AU but uh... the worst part is that I was still into him. Like... badly. I may have underestimated my Vernerlocked levels.... so if Im still down bad for this version of Reese even if its kinda technically not him... I apologize for that 🤣🤣🤣😭 IM A SIMP THROUGH AND THROUGH AND HES NOT CHANGING THAT "Reese Verner is dead. He is!" Oh ok cool cool cool cool cool cool cool yeah im cool im fine im doing ok dont worry . . . AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Top ten sentences I refuse to ever read again /j NOT EVEN HIS HAIR IS THE SAME COLOR???? The blonder a man is the eviller he is thats like a proven science i think. I would still love him if he was evil tho because i have priorities "He was bluffing—pretending—insulating" I WAS REMINDED OF THE NO MC ASK AGAIN. Trying to protect their own feelings by becoming cold and emotionless.... for someone as passionate as him?? Im crying. THE APATHYYYY. Oof i now wonder how Ms Verner is doing... "except his apathy will melt beneath your distilled hatred. It only redoubles with his face so close to yours" the MC is stronger than me fr fr i would NOT be strong enough to resist/survive this "It's an inkling of that in spite of how flawlessly attractive they all appear, which one wins out depends on their victim" We already know my answer 😎 😎🤏 😭🕶🤏 "You sent me my own damned obituary!" OKAY WOW THATS *COLD* BRUTAL OH MY GOD I cant imagine Reese having to go through that oh my god im shattered huh????? THE KISSS THE FUCKING KISS CLIFFHANGER IM IM GOING TO EAT DRYWALL AELSA WHAT THE FUCK Im kinda going insane over how Alexcore this is. It's one thing killing a Spriggan (monster) or being mean to a ???RO. But having to hurt someone you care, no, cared, about? When you know it isnt them but it still *looks* or even acts like them to an extent? The dehumanization, having to fight off the memories, to hold on to rage and hurt in order to not give up and do what you have to do? Even if it hurts? God its such an Alex thing to do. Im gonna need to lay down And most importantly.... what is Mal doing in this scenario... just out of curiosity... 👁👁
alex
2024-10-21 15:11:45 +0000 UTC
