VAMPIRE

Sunday, May 23. 2010

With my wedding only 24 hours away I discovered that Fenton’s mother Desdemona is actually a vampire bat, and not the insectivore she’d claimed.
It all started at my bachelorette party, when it was suggested that I do a genetic workup on Fenton. I went up to my room, and used the fur that he’d shed on me.
As expected, I found the DNA consistent with that of Eptesicus fuscus, but with some anomalies. I went through the templates of other bat species to match these sequences, and to my shock I found one, and only one: Desmodus rotundus, the vampire bat.
These are recessive genes in Fenton, whose physiology, behavior and diet are 100% that of the brown bat. Still, they raised enormous questions that demanded immediate answers. One answer I knew right away: This was why his mother had been so pushy about getting me to the altar...before I found out. She was afraid of me dumping Fenton once I did.
It’s hard to overstate how reviled vampire bats are. In a society where scavengers, parasites and even disease-carrying microbes are treated with a certain amount of respect, vampire bats are considered the ultimate scourge. It’s not rational, but all sorts of insane myths have developed around them: That they’re actually undead, they can shapeshift, they can’t be seen in mirrors, fear garlic, etc. It’s as if that species, which is actually just a normal non-magical mammal that happens to be sanguineous, got all those superstitions dumped on it.
I can see why she kept it a secret, but I have to know the full truth now. Dad, Kell and I are on our way over to confront her. I'll try to keep posting, but I won't have time for any replies until after the wedding.

Posted by Lindesfarne at 13:11 | Comments (23) | Trackbacks (0)

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I think Fentons mother is going to have a lot of explaning to do. Noone likes being kept in the dark about things like this. What if their are health problems in their future children. Not having the right information could be a matter of life or death for said children. I hope Fenton's mother comes clean with the right information.

#1 STEVEN BRAMS on 2010-05-23 13:33 (Reply)

Wow. That...um...sucks. But why should it change your wedding plans? Sure vampire bats have a bad reputation; but other species, like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, etc. drink blood as well. (Heaven knows I've probably lost a pint or two to my own fur-dwelling parasites.) Fenton is not his mother. Fenton is Fenton. Love him for who HE is. As for his mom; it may take some time, and be a bit difficult at first, but you'll eventually have to re-establish some degree of trust in her because, like it or not, she'll be a presence in your (and your kids) lives.

#2 Reynard on 2010-05-23 14:19 (Reply)

I wouldn't worry about Fenton's mother, Lindesfarne.

Vampire Bats, if I recall only go after the larger mammals (like Bovines, and such); The rest of the family will be safe, I'm sure.

#3 J.J. on 2010-05-23 14:34 (Reply)

Ugh, I can see the poor guy having nightmares about this. Not to mention how it'll affect his relationship with his mother.

Over here, the real danger about vampire bats is their spreading rabies. They're one of the few mammals immune to it, but they can still spread it.

On the plus side, supposedly they're not too hard to make pets out of, as they're not so skittish about creatures bigger than they are. But getting their food may be a problem, unless you live near a slaugtherhouse.

#4 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2010-05-23 14:44 (Reply)

My one comment / question has to do with your own withholding of your genetic background from Mrs. Fuscus and Fenton, i.e. your birth on this side of the portal and subsequent transfer to that side. If you are human, as you believe you are, what will the mixture or the Vampire's recessive genes mean for your offspring. Something to think about. However, do not allow Mrs. Fuscus impropriety to sway your opinion of Fenton. He is who he is, and did not know of her background. Other than his dalliance with Tammy early on in your relationship, he has been faithful to you, and that is worth a lot. Good luck in your future life together.

#5 James Bates on 2010-05-23 15:41 (Reply)

Well, this certianly is a shock. While I doubt you'll leave Fenton at the alter, I do think this is the sort of thing that does need some explianing. Sense it seems like Fenton was shocked by this revolation, I guess he didn't know about it, but does the dad know? How long has she hid this (I'm assuming at least as long as Fenton has been alive)? How will this effect your kids (though I guess you probably already know this considering you being a geneticist and all)? That sort of stuff.

Although, this does make me wonder, does the vampire mythology exist in your universe? I mean, is it just bats or does the vampire stuff cover all species? Does your version of Twilight also have them sparcle, because I still don't get that part?

#6 Alex on 2010-05-23 17:19 (Reply)

How did she manage to keep that secret? Did she adopt the diet of a brown bat to fit in with her family? It doesn't seem like Fenton even knew and he was her own child!! He must be feeling in the dark now too (no pun intended.)

#7 Ashley on 2010-05-23 18:54 (Reply)

I think the general impretion here is take Fenton for who he is. Fenton is a kind loving person . Thats the most important think.

I say get any information you need from his mother. It may come in handy when you are ready to have children.

By the way where are you going for the Honeymoon.

#8 STEVEN BRAMS on 2010-05-23 22:35 (Reply)

You'd think with all the flurry surrounding Twilight right now, a vampire bat species would be in an enviable position instead of a social pariah.

#9 Vicki on 2010-05-23 23:42 (Reply)

Cue the "my mother-in-law is a vampire" jokes...or just "my mother-in-law is a real bloodsucker" ones

Compared to how wild other Dewclaw weddings have gotten this one is off to a mild start, they are a very accepting family. Which means this situation is likely about to get much worse...

Thank goodness there's a balanced portal between me and the trainwreck that's about to go down.

#10 Elwood Blutarsky on 2010-05-24 01:42 (Reply)

What did Bram Stoker write on the Domain side?
What species was Vlad Ţepeș anyway?

Fred Saberhagen did a nice story series from Dracula's point of view. Check out 'An old friend of the family' as the series start. Recommended.
'Otter

#11 Old Prof. Otter on 2010-05-24 03:38 (Reply)

When you checked his DNA and called an emergency meeting, I was afraid you'd found yet another surprise Dewclaw relative. This seems like a relatively minor issue, as you've been something of an outcast ever since you were adopted by rabbits.

I'm glad that you, being rational as usual, do not harbor bias against vampire bats. But why do you suppose they alone get so bad a rap? There must be a historical reason to propagate the myths.

#12 Classic Steve (Link) on 2010-05-24 10:29 (Reply)

You once mentioned that If you and Fenton had a kid that the odds are he or she could transform into a human like Francis did. What if the vampire gene skips a generation? Your first born might be a vampire. That could be a significant issue down the road am I right?

#13 Cato the Elder on 2010-05-25 11:11 (Reply)

That's why it's good that this is coming out now. So they can know and prepare to face a possibility of raising something other than an insectivore child.

Now, Lindesfarne, having been raised as an herbivore could see both sides of the coin and not repeat the mistake Angelique made in altering her child's diet to suit her conveniences.

#13.1 Ashley on 2010-05-26 23:44 (Reply)

I just don't get the fuss. When I was a cub, my family doctor was a vampire bat, and the speedy bloodwork helped avoid potential complications when I caught pneumonia.

Just be sure there isn't some genetic problems due to having a neo-porcupine / brown bat-plus child, and you'll be fine.

#14 Jamie Gray on 2010-05-26 01:30 (Reply)

I suspect that whatever kids that they have will help redefine 'strange genetics'.

'Otter.

If that other nice otter ever shows up again, I would like to play.
And I would happily use my name not my title, more so if s/he would request.

#14.1 Old Prof. Otter/Godel Fishbreath on 2010-05-26 12:56 (Reply)

Crap... Things just got worse. Flea-To-Flea transmission of the secret from Lindesfarne to Angelique. The latter may have promised to keep her paws, nose and tail out of Lindesfarne's affairs, but I doubt that promise extends to Fenton's mother. Batten down the hatches, looks like stormy weather ahead. (No pun intended.)

#15 nucleon on 2010-05-27 00:58 (Reply)

The issue of your wedding food just reminded me- do various diets in your world make it difficult for some species to enjoy things such as chocolate, caffeine, sugars, candies, cakes, dairy such as ice cream, or does junkfood as humans know it even exist over there, Lindesfarne?
If not did you and Fenton get the opportunity to enjoy any when you briefly crossed over to our side?

What is your wedding cake made out of?

#16 Ashley on 2010-05-28 13:20 (Reply)

I don't think we have to worry about Fenton's mother. But their are plenty of nuts out there to worry about. Their may still be trouble but not from either Lindesfarne's or Fenton's familys.

#17 STEVEN BRAMS on 2010-05-28 15:22 (Reply)

i could see a problem with the supersticious people, but
i think a company hat processes meat and meat products such as heard thinners would market blood in the specialty isle of any supermarket thus causing the fear of vampire bats to be toned down
don't wolves like blood? I would envision it as a soft drink
also i wonder who p;layed the vampire in the classic horror films in your world

#18 slash the skunkette on 2010-05-29 11:02 (Reply)

You have caterers for the carnivores & the Herbivores.

but what of the insect eaters. Also the nector drinkers. Their must be a few fish eaters & some vultures.

#19 STEVEN BRAMS on 2010-05-29 18:46 (Reply)

Call the caterers. tell them to cut back on the number of guests for tonight. As for getting a smaller church they may have a small problem with that. The caterers may not be very happy about this ether. The larger the wedding party the more referals they can get to future events. Not to mention the lost tips from the party goers to the servers.

#20 STEVEN BRAMS on 2010-05-30 00:19 (Reply)

Two comments... maybe more.

One is that, on the human side of the portal, vampire bats are actually a highly altrusitic species. If one fails to get food some night, a fellow vampire bat will regurgitate blood for them to eat. Even if they aren't a relative.

The second is that I regularly see (and smell) blood for sale in supermarkets. Usually pig blood, sometimes cow or other kinds. And it is being sold as blood, for consumption, not as a byproduct clinging to a roast or side.

#21 A corgi-werewolf on 2010-05-30 01:45 (Reply)

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