The Good Vampire answers all your most burning questions . . .

paranoidsistah asks: My Dear Lord Akeldama, I was watching The Vampire Diaries last week and a certain taboo romance came to light. What say you on the topic of taboo romances?

General my dear dishy one, like killing one’s sibling, they are taboo for a reason.

Diego Bruner asks: How did you decide to let Ms. Carriger write about you in her tales when your work relies so much on stealth?

Ah well, little girkin, even I had to retire in the end. Besides, I don’t tell her everything, nosy madam.

Rebecca asks: Does a person’s diet affect the taste of his blood?

Of course, pineapple button. Of course.

Marie Kloster asks: Dearest Lord Akeldama, seeing as the fabulous you and your fabulous creator are the ones to go to concerning dresses, some help with the following problem would be absolutely spiffing:
I would very much like to sew my own dress for the senior ball at my school, and I am simply stuck for ideas. I should very much like something Victorian/Steampunk inspired, but because we are required to dance Les Lanciers I cannot choose anything with a proper corset, bustle, hoops or even a skirt longer than a walking dress (Oh, the horror…!), because it would be too constrictive for me, apparently, and a bother for the other dancers. Any tips on how I can still bring the Victorian goodness to the party without upsetting anyone would be much appreciated.

Firstly my creator has asked I point you in the direction of her thoughts on Thrifting for Victoriana post. I believe you might think in terms of Gothic Lolita both for style and for sewing patterns.

Such dresses often have a simulated corset, which is entirely non restrictive yet gives the same look. Do the dress up in a bronze, or autumnal colors, instead of black ~ which you know, bulmblekin, I loathe! ~ add some brass buttons and other details and you have a lovely steampunk look. Alternatively, you can find a full skirted shorter dress and pop a cute little vest on over it or kilt up one side of the skirt over a full short petticoat.

Diego Bruner asks: Were you impressed or intrigued by the information passing and gathering skills of Americans during the American Revolution?

My dearest darling bonbon, I don’t mean to be rude at all, but I am rarely impressed by . . . Americans.

Lady Star asks: I was also wondering what is your favorite kind of art, is it Baroque or Rococo? Or another one all together? I do love doodle and paintings and I will be very interested to see how our young manga artist will portray your lovely home and boys.

Ah, what a difficult and challenging questions, gilded lily. Rococo, I think, is more to my taste, although I shouldn’t like to give the French too much credit. The clothing for the time, my dear, the clothing!

manyfacesofme22 asks: Would you say that, in the modern age, there is a limit on how long a young lady may acceptably wear her hair? I am rather enamoured of your own period, in particular the gorgeous locks of the Pre-Raphaelite muses, but worry that in styling myself after them I come across as either terribly affected or not nearly affected enough.

The hair should be styled, no matter what the length, little ruby. That is the important part. Nothing is more embarrassing than scraggly ends, and in this I wish to draw the attention of werewolves in particular! Condition, trim, maintenance, there are some lovely products and pomades available out there. I do wish to add, little ruby, that you be wary of relying upon your hair to be your one beauty. Be cautious of investing your identity in being that “long haired lady.” The moment it becomes your defining descriptor in conversation is the moment it should be cut.

Jami asks: How in the world did I end up not only with the only dog in the world who likes – and even insists on – wearing clothing – but one who’s a total diva and wants lace, ruffles, bling, and everything in pink?

Are you sure that dog is meant to be your dog?

And that’s enough fabulousity for now,

Miss Gail

• Want to ask Lord Akeldama a question? You can only do that through Gail’s newsletter, the Chirrup. 

BOOK DE JOUR?

Dear Lord Akeldama & Parasolverse Ephemera

Being a collection of vampire advice columns, silly steampunk philosophical treatises, and deleted scenes from the Parasol Protectorate and more!

BUY IT HERE ONLY

Quote of the Day:

“But now all his loves were streaked with grief; and all his griefs shot through with a terrible love. This borderless place he’d been shoved into was identical to the place before, but the old maps were useless, the language was subtly difference; and she stumbled over the future tense of its verbs.”

~ Wesley Gibson

Tags: DEAR LORD AKELDAMA, Victorian Fashion