What If They Were Real?

[Chomp]

The following passage from Nightwalker really intrigues me, and Paul and Tigger agreed with me that it would be a good discussion topic:

"Humans gobbled up books about nightwalkers and magic users, looking for an escape from the mundane. But what if they woke up one morning and realized those things that thrilled and secretly enticed them were real and living next door? Would they still look at us with the same interest, or would we become vermin to be exterminated, like rats and cockroaches?" (231).

So folks, discuss.

Carol

[Nelsmom]

Carol,

I think that in the begining there would be some of the extermination mentality going on but I also think that there would be some willing to give them the benefit of doubt.  As far as literature goes they would proably find something new to give people to think about.  Not at the first but it would happen.  I think that we do that now days with things that we don't understand or don't want to accept.

Toni

[TiggerBear]

Firstly I want not to knock anyone; the don't exists, they do exist, the mabeys, and those who claim to be.But mabey they do exist.

Secondly I'd have some concerns. Disease transmission issues. Does feeding do permanent damage or kill, or is like giving blood to red cross? The don't mess with my mind stuff. I'd want those questions asked.

Thirdly I'd  want to be asking (shrug) you know fill in the blanks in history please.

But really I exist in the there's more things in heaven and earth than we will ever know camp. I wouldn't doubt it, you know. 

[Sinnie-chan]

Hmm. Well for me it would depend on what kind of creatures and beings we're talking about. All of them? As much as I like to read about it and see tv shows or movies I don't think I'm ready to live in a "Supernatural" kind of life.

Some of them would intrigue me, some would scare me senseless and some I would try to get to know better and even make friends with if possible. But then again that's not so different of how we act around humans.

The overall reaction of society would be something a bit different. I do believe that mankind tend to fear the unknown. We would see all kinds of reactions...I think the "True Blood" hipothesis would be very close to the truth. However after some time...years maybe, things would tend to calm down as we would get used to that reality.

[Ryan_G]

I think it would be rather interesting if everything we read about existed.  My primary concern would be how do they feel aobut the ways they have been potrayed and wether or not they were happy about it or angry.  I think I would reserve judgement on them until I saw how they would interact with us "normals".  If they want to coexist that would be cool, but if all I would be is food, then we would have a problem.

When I was a kid I used to want to be a vampire hitman.  That way I could do my job and eat at the same time.

[TiggerBear]

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fforgnayr wrote:

I think it would be rather interesting if everything we read about existed.  My primary concern would be how do they feel aobut the ways they have been potrayed and wether or not they were happy about it or angry.  I think I would reserve judgement on them until I saw how they would interact with us "normals".  If they want to coexist that would be cool, but if all I would be is food, then we would have a problem.

When I was a kid I used to want to be a vampire hitman.  That way I could do my job and eat at the same time.

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Vampire hitman (chuckle) very funny. What about a Zombie or ghoul cleaner?

[Sinnie-chan]

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fforgnayr wrote:

I think it would be rather interesting if everything we read about existed.  My primary concern would be how do they feel aobut the ways they have been potrayed and wether or not they were happy about it or angry.  I think I would reserve judgement on them until I saw how they would interact with us "normals".  If they want to coexist that would be cool, but if all I would be is food, then we would have a problem.

When I was a kid I used to want to be a vampire hitman.  That way I could do my job and eat at the same time.

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haha! this is funny. when I was little all I wanted to be was a  veterinary...the love for the paranormal only hit me after I entered puberty XD

[Ryan_G]

Thank You all so very much, I'm glad I can be of entertainment for you guys

I really did want to though I think it is the love of the paranormal and the fact that I'm only 2nd generation Italian.  What little Italian boy doesn't dream of whacking someone when he grows up.

The ghoul cleaner thing kind of grosses me out though, I'm picuring some rather sloppy things in my head.

I think that banshees would make very good alarm systems though, tornado sirens maybe.

[Nelsmom]

Werewolves for Security guards and police officers.  No need for a seperate K9 corp.  Also make good infantry.  Vampires would make good troops for night assults.  I'm not sure I would want to sure in the same unit as them.  Me personally I always wished that I could be a healer.  One that didn't need to use instruments or drugs.  But could stirll cure my patients/

Toni

[PhyllisJ]

I have to say that I am more comfortable reading about "them"  At this point in time, I'm not ready for them to be real. 

[Ryan_G]

When I was in middle school I really got into Greek mythology.  Back then I convinced myself that Dryads and Nymphs were real and that if I pulled leafs or bark off a tree that it would hurt them.  It's kinda silly now that I look back on it, but to this day I still won't let my son harm a tree in anyway.  I do think it would be really cool if those nature spirits did exist.

Message Edited by fforgnayr on 11-04-2008 12:12 AM

[Sovereignqueen]

I'd be asking for an interview. 

Seriously, who knows what lurks among us.  My dance teacher's (Irish) hubby is throughly convinced that fairies stole his wallet. 

~Suzanne

[TiggerBear]

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Sovereignqueen wrote:

I'd be asking for an interview. 

Seriously, who knows what lurks among us.  My dance teacher's (Irish) hubby is throughly convinced that fairies stole his wallet. 

~Suzanne

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Ah tell him to remeber a nice wine and bread loaf left at the back door, with an apology. The fae just might bring it back to him. Of course it does depend on what he did to piss them off in the first place.

[Ryan_G]

I made a comment about banshees earlier and I was just curious if anyone knew of any books about banshees (fiction or non-fiction)

[TiggerBear]

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fforgnayr wrote:

I made a comment about banshees earlier and I was just curious if anyone knew of any books about banshees (fiction or non-fiction)

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Off hand all I can think of is folklore and a few supporting/antagonist characters.

[Ryan_G]

thank your for thinking about it, I appreciate it

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TiggerBear wrote:

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fforgnayr wrote:

I made a comment about banshees earlier and I was just curious if anyone knew of any books about banshees (fiction or non-fiction)

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Off hand all I can think of is folklore and a few supporting/antagonist characters.

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[Chomp]

I've enjoyed reading everyone's responses.

We have examples of this "open world" approach in the Rachel Morgan series, Caitlin's Kittredge's Nocturne City series, and Carole Nelson Douglas' Dancing With Werewolves, to name a few. Each author deals with the situation slightly differently.

I think Toni is correct -- if this were to happen (for real) we would see a variety of reactions, and as is typically the case with new revelations, some of us would be more "accepting" than others.

I also agree with the idea that I prefer to read about them than to deal with them as real -- at least for now.

This passage especially intrigued me because I read a related blog post around the same time. I will start a thread with that question tomorrow.

Stay tuned...

Carol 

[Bradinator1]

While I would love to be a Wizard, it's probably not a good idea. I get into enough trouble at home with mundane amusements (whoopee cushions, fake barf, etc ). My wife would kill me if I could just conjure stuff up. I always end up turning my talents to foolishness. There's a reason why this stuff isn't real (except the Monster Under the Bed..that's real, I swear!).

Brad

[paulgoatallen]

You know, we've talked about vampires and shapeshifters and fairies and wizards being possible next door neighbors but nothing – and I do mean NOTHING – would scare the bejezus out of me more than living near one of the monstrosities from any of H.P. Lovecraft's stories.

I've read my fair share of paranormal fiction but in my opinion nothing comes close to the nightmarishness of a Lovecraftian monster. There's something so terrifying about the pure "otherness" of Lovecraft's ancient races.

Paul 

[TiggerBear]

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paulgoatallen wrote:

You know, we've talked about vampires and shapeshifters and fairies and wizards being possible next door neighbors but nothing – and I do mean NOTHING – would scare the bejezus out of me more than living near one of the monstrosities from any of H.P. Lovecraft's stories.

I've read my fair share of paranormal fiction but in my opinion nothing comes close to the nightmarishness of a Lovecraftian monster. There's something so terrifying about the pure "otherness" of Lovecraft's ancient races.

Paul 

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Indeed Lovecraft monters are very under most people's radar. My husby thinks the're down right stupid. For me nothing gets my skin crawling faster than a Lovecraft atmosphere. You can just feel the hateful menace waiting in the shadows.