An Encounter with...A Vampire

Name    : Juliet but I am also known as Iuven (pronounced oo-ven). It means “eternally youthful”. Fitting,  won’t you say?

Age        : Human or vampire years?

Where Are You From?   : Malaysia

Currently Residing In…  : Somewhere in PJ

What Do You Do For A Living?   : I conceive ideas and churn out the words to persuade people to part with their money for something they don’t really need, usually. No coercion or violence needed. No, really *smiles knowingly*

AEW      : Honestly, when you approached me to interview you on the topic of vampires, I was excited. I would never have thought of it. But firstly – I need to check, you know, just in case – Are You One?  

LV           :  I could be. But one thing’s for sure is that my skin does not sparkle under the sunlight nor do I walk around with a brooding expression acting all misunderstood.

                And personally I think the term “vampire” is commercially overused. These days, everyone loves vampires and they want to be a vampire because they see us as powerful beings of eternal youth with cool lifestyles and a great fashion sense. And it doesn’t help that that teenage romance novel series Twilight has planted such convoluted perceptions in the minds of youngsters where vampires enjoy “hanging out with” and dating humans. This is the twisted reality that humans live in now – they think they can “hang out” with us and bond. They think we love being “human” with other humans but this isn’t an episode of True Blood where humans and vampires can co-exist in some made-up future. I guess this is easier said than done when they don’t have to deal with the reality of that blood craving within you where you need to suppress the maddening urge to feed on the blood of your boyfriend or husband. The reality is this – humans are nothing but a distraction.

AEW    : What’s with your … err… love for Vampires? Was it influenced by Kristen Stewart? Maybe Brad Pitt / Tom Cruise? Or else it was Stephanie Meyer or Anne Rice?    

LV           : I love what I am now. It wasn’t easy in the beginning but I have come to embrace what I have become.

                Twilight? No comments and I prefer not to associate myself with it.

*suddenly smiles* I think you mean Lestat and Louis? Yes, my friendship with them is… what’s that word again? Yes, sacred. And I definitely adore Anne because of her vision and her unique relationship with us that she can tell our stories so very well.

But don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy watching True Blood and I am genuinely fascinated with Bill Compton. He has such fine manners and is a most interesting personality. I am simply enthralled by his character.

However I do not agree on how they are portrayed as such messy feeders *closes eyes in disapproval* The blood is sacred and should never be spilled. My Maker and my brothers will never approve of such messy feedings which you see in the movies these days. Even Anne has stated her disapproval on this. We are cultured and refined, with good manners. We are not the monsters that everyone makes us out to be.

And that sparkly skin is a ridiculous fantasy. We combust in sunlight and to project us otherwise shows a deep misunderstanding of what we really are.

AEW      : Would you then describe your physical outlook / fashion-sense a little on the sexy-vampish side?

LV           : *smiles with a faraway look* There’s really no need to dress or style yourself to look like a vampire when you’re already one. In fact I wouldn’t mind looking a little more human, what with my pale skin…

AEW       : What do you think are the traits that you have that are also…. Err…. Vampire-like?  

LV           : I can’t seem to get a tan *smiles* Which might actually be a good thing seeing how I might just combust under direct sunlight.

AEW      : What about your food preference? Are they influenced as well? Like maybe you prefer red-themed foods?

LV           : Now that’s an amusing question indeed. No, there’s no colour preference in terms of what I eat but I do find myself drawn to steaks now, red meat, which has never happened before…

AEW      : Let’s say you ARE a vampire. Tell me, what’s your daily routine like?

LV           : Hmmm… what’s with the scepticism? *raises an eyebrow*

I wake at dusk usually about 7-ish when the sun is slowly dipping into the horizon. Don’t look so surprised at my flair with words, I haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be a writer *chuckles* I sleep in a cosy bed in a really really dark room with thick sun-proof drapes where no sunlight seeps in. And only sometimes when I need to recuperate or heal myself, only then do I go sleep in the ground. For my safety, I cannot tell you where *smiles mysteriously*

AEW      : What sort of havoc would you create as a vampire?  

LV           : *frowns* What is with everyone’s twisted perception that vampires create havoc? We don’t create havoc just for the fun of watching people suffer or to show our power. In fact we are like other living beings. We only act out when our existence is threatened.

AEW      : Would there be a softer side to you or you think a Vampire has no “soft-side”?   

LV           : I believe I do have a soft side. This is me when I’m not provoked or threatened. You must be feeling really thankful that I do have a ‘soft side” now, aren’t you?

AEW      : Yes, yes. Very thankful indeed. Thank you for the interview, OOoo –Ven. Err, I think the sun is going to rise soon, you better run!

** Portrait of Vampire : Photography by Lam Wai Cheong