Hello, my forever faithful readers, and happy Independence Day to those of you who celebrate. I don’t myself, of course, but you don’t get very far studying vampires without developing a begrudging tolerance for even the most noxious of cults. Besides, I have something much more important to share with you all today than this snippy anti-patriotic note which I added upon noticing the time had ticked past midnight.

I believe that everything surrounding vampirism has a common source, and that I am on the path to identifying it.

Regular readers will recall my previous article, where I identified a strange pattern affecting various parts of the human limbic system during the enthrallment process. These parts seemed to completely black out under fMRI scans, contrary to any known precedent, and the blackout effect correlated to previous enthrallment experience and previous familiarity with the enthraller. More than that, it only correlated with those things, and did not correlate with anything else. Therefore, whatever explains this phenomenon may also explain enthrallment itself.

At the time, I said that the ‘blacked out’ areas must have been affected by one of:

1. A dramatic decrease in blood oxygenation, meaning also a dramatic lack of activity;
2. Some unexplained magnetic shielding with no clear source which caused total isolation; or,
3. A very consistent equipment or measurement error with no precedent, which also was less prominent for a very specific subset of people.

I was not satisfied with any of these explanations, but the fact remained that the affected brain structures were related to things like attachment, love, and addiction, and that there was no other apparent explanation for such a consistent phenomenon other than some relation to enthrallment. I was left with something supremely interesting but no corroborating evidence with which to narrow things down.

Now, though, I have found that corroborating evidence.

It will be a while before I publish either part of this study, so allow me to grant some context about the expected followup process. Subjects who were rehoused for the enthrallment part of the study were also optionally included in a study on the onset of ‘home’ status; I’ve said this much already. Some were housed in hotel rooms, some happened to be moving anyway, but they all had small devices installed in their soon-to-be-homes that bundled together every sort of sensor we could think to practically include. Thermometers, barometers, magnetometers, photosensors, microphones operating outside the range of human voices… All this data was collected and anonymized, though the experiment quickly ran into an odd combination of automatic reidentification and unintended security safeguards.

I am certain at this point that, for some reason, this sort of data collected from someone’s home qualifies as ‘inside’ that home for the purposes of my ability to ‘enter’, i.e. to observe any of the data. This is true retroactively as well, meaning that even if I were looking at data from a residence before it became a home, I would be compelled to stop the moment that residence actually does. At least, until invited. I am in this way psychically required to get consent before further studying the data, but the process of actually doing so requires me to find out whose data it is. This led to some rather sloppy ad-hoc ethical infrastructure involving contributions from Dr. Geisbert, but in the end, most study participants chose to just allow me access to the reidentified data. It did not have any information particularly ripe for abuse, and I intend to use pseudonyms for formal publication, so I would hope this does not lead to said publication being rejected. But that remains to be seen.

For now, the important part is what the data tells us about the onset of ‘home’ status. We have a great deal of data, but in cases like these it is not the quantity of data that matters, but the timing. All the temperature data in the world would be useless if we cannot actually identify which part of it correlates to said onset, and the same is true for any other statistic. In this way, my inability to view data when it is of a ‘home’ is helpful, but it still only does so much. For example, if I were to go to sleep in the morning able to read a participant’s data and wake up unable at nightfall, that would only mean it happened sometime during that day.

Thankfully, I had a stroke of luck. Normally there would’ve been a great deal of statistical analysis needed to work around these issues and the resulting conclusions would have been of mixed quality, but I happened to be inside two participant residences at the exact moment where their respective ‘home’ statuses set in. This gave me a very narrow window where one may have easily failed to exist.

Dr. Geisbert’s help was required to analyze data from one of those participants, naturally, as I was not invited afterwards, but I knew the times either way. With a solid starting point like that and the loose bounds I could set for other participants, we were quickly able to nail down a specific tell, something very strange, very specific, very consistent, and indeed, very familiar.

At the moment their residences became homes, for about ten seconds, the magnetometers went dark.

That is, they reported nothing. No noise, no weak magnetic fields from nearby appliances, not even the fields of the magnetometers’ own components. A completely inexplicable blackout, independent of placement location or any of the other things we measured, indicated exactly one time in each dataset, corresponding precisely¹ with the point at which I, a vampire, became incapable of entering the home. The same exact effect which I, a vampire, inflicted on the limbic systems of numerous participants not very long ago.

I do not find it reckless to suggest a connection here. In fact, I believe it is the only reasonable conclusion. But the implications of such a relationship are incredible, to put it mildly. Vampires certainly have an obvious relationship to ‘homes’—we can't enter them without invitation—but that is an oppositional reaction, the home in some sense repelling the vampire. It is as if some protective ward were cast there, a spell of light to protect from darkness, and yet if these results are to be believed, it operates on the same fundamental mechanism as that greatest spell of darkness, enthrallment.

It makes a certain sense. Refraining from the didactic lens for a moment, it is uncontroversial that thralls find comfort by their enthrallers, are relaxed by their presence, indeed, are too relaxed at times, numbed to the rest of the world. Are these not the same properties one might easily ascribe to a home? Indeed, are these not the particular properties which differentiate a home from any old house, subjective as they are? Keeping that in mind, it is not so strange to imagine ethrallment as the process of a vampire making a ‘home’ of themself.

But how does this explain the repulsion of vampires from homes? If a home is, in some sense, a similar sort of object to a vampire, would they not be aligned? I was baffled by this for quite a while, wondering how all this vampire business then came to seem so didactic in the first place, but I believe I have a working theory: The Field Theory of Vampirism.

Let us review the observations. Vampires cannot enter a home uninvited— In practice, this means that we have the innate ability to detect whether any location is a person's ‘home’ and we know when we have been ‘invited’. It is not a layer added onto sight, or hearing, or any existing sense, but a sense unto itself. We simply know the bounds of a home on some deep level and find ourselves able to muster no impulse to enter.

Meanwhile, a human is affected by the presence of a vampire by some completely unknown mechanism we call ‘charisma' which increases with proximity and is intensified by sensory observation. Prolonged exposure wears down the will until the human can muster no impulse to leave, and then enthrallment creates in the human brain some home-like construct which renders that lack of impulse permanent.

These phenomena have in common a local area of effect, a manipulation of the will which renders certain thought patterns impossible, and an intensification with proximity. They deal in matters of attraction and repulsion, and in at least one case, two objects with seemingly the same properties repel one another rather than attract. They are both carried by recordings, whether on magnetic tape or as ones and zeroes encoded electrically in a computer, even when that data is dissected and deprived of resemblance to its source. And, most damningly of all, they both exhibit interaction with none other than electromagnetic fields themselves.

Now, I do not intend to imply that vampirism is somehow a mere extension of electromagnetism. If that were true, this would have been discovered centuries ago and understood decades ago. What I do intend to imply is that the properties of vampirism, both strengths and weaknesses, can apparently be modeled as a field which attracts and repels in correlation with certain standards of human comfort. Vampires, then, would exhibit one ‘pole’ of that field, as would homes, while humans exhibit the other. This would explain the overwhelming attraction of human to vampire and vampire to human, the lopsided nature of that attraction which some call ‘symbiotic’ or ‘complementary’ and which might also now be called ‘polarized’, the repulsion of vampires from the home, the tendency of humans to automatically create ‘homes’, and perhaps much more.

As for the ‘why’, I couldn’t begin to speculate. The relationship to electromagnetism is apparent at this point, and this ‘field’ would also presumably be responsible for the other denials of physics so mundane to vampires. Perhaps we might imagine it capable of interactions with the other fundamental forces, or even as a new fundamental force. Not that I have any strong conviction that physicists ought to begin their search for that force’s corresponding particle (the goddess particle, if you will)— I would at least need to reach out to my physicist colleague Dr. Ndiaye before being at all convinced of any of these ideas. Even then I would struggle to say whether this is an ambient force which affects humans and vampires, or one which we generate ourselves, or both. Whatever it is, I doubt it will be fully understood for a long, long, time.

But that is not the important part right now. For now, what we have is the first known evidence for any material correlate of any vampiric activity whatsoever, and that is far more important than impulsive speculation on magnetoreception in horses or what have you. As is so often the case in science, I have no truly all-consuming certainty about any of this, but what I do have is evidence, the fuzzy impression of certainty which may one day come about, and that is all I need.

So then, next steps. I have no idea how far this goes, as I said, so I will need to conduct more studies and experiments. As ever, I will work ahead a little while I prepare this study for publishing; it would be worth revisiting the question of mirrors now that we suspect vampirism capable of interference with electromagnetic radiation, of which light is a rather common example. The sun may also be worth study, object of human comfort and radiation that it is, but that is bound to run into practical challenges such as death. Everything else will come in time, of course, once we have more than a few blips on the radar to go off.

I believe I have said before that I was on the verge of a paradigm shift in this field, but before that was just wishful thinking. This is real. Vampirism as a physical phenomenon is making itself known, and once it is understood, it can be detected, and we will no longer have to deal with absurdities like an inert blood-like tar in my veins which somehow stores my consciousness, or a sun which emits some secret and undetectable form of UV radiation, or blood flavors which reflect my opinions on people I have never met, or alleys which I cannot enter due to unseen residents, or a common spice which remains the one human food I can taste, or cameras which record people behind a vampire but not the vampire themself, or…

Well, there is a lot. I suppose we won’t quite reach any paradigm shift soon, not when there is all this to physically explain. Even in the midst of all this discovery, I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something. But who knows? I could always get lucky. I suppose there is no reason to presume my failure before it has happened.

That is a resonant idea for me right now, really. Both in the face of all the work left to do, and with my still incomplete list of… ‘blood donors’? ‘friends’? ‘suck-buddies’? Whatever I am calling this arrangement, I do plan to resolve that for good soon by making a habit of regularly going out to flirt (or ‘to hunt’, depending on one’s proclivities) at a local bar. An intimidating endeavor to be sure, but one I am quite prepared for, and one I had forgotten is best approached with a projected certainty and confidence that no one can truly possess. One I am taking great pains to engage in ethically as well, before you raise your pitchforks (not that that will prevent you).

I stand now desperately grabbing for a resting place in all my endeavors. Not a final one, but a substantial one. If I can stabilize my instincts and needs while also finding the missing piece of this paradigm shift, it will mean everything to me. It will mean the merciful end of my uncertainty over whether this or that night will be the time I finally snap, the beginnings of becoming accustomed to life as a vampire, and a definitive direction for the substantial corpus of work which is to follow.

I have hoped and prayed these past months to become calcified in the role of someone I wish to be, someone inhuman but nonetheless respectful, changed by her actions yet able to persist as a symbol of a better world to come. If things go well these next few weeks, I will not have calcified in that way, but I will have at least made it possible. I hope it brings you all the comfort it brings me, or for those in the audience hellbent on my fall, I hope it infuriates you that I hold all this so close now.

As ever, feel free to send support, or death threats which I will choose to interpret as support. I will ‘post’ here again when there is more to say; let us hope that time comes soon.

1. In at least two cases, and within the bounds I could define for all others, when I could. I was considering my ability to detect home onset once it happened the first time, so bounds less than 24 hours were established for all but three participants. Before publishing I would like to interview all participants about what was happening during these magnetometer blips. Further conformation forthcoming.

Comments

cakegirl
um idk what to say here anymore but im happy U got to post more stuff! 😅 This is all rly cool 🙂

CrinchoJinjo
Okay, okay, just get it all out why don’t you!? Seriously, we’re one comment in and the SEX FREAKS are already rolling in! What is this, some kind of SIMP emporium!?

demonTitties
Dude what the hell are you talking about

📝Dr. Luma
I thank you for the praise.

cakegirl
thank U too!!!!! thank U so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gerogero
magnets thats crazy man

seeker_of_knowledge
Quite, almost crazy enough to be complete rubbish.

Gerogero
?

seeker_of_knowledge
And of course you credulous sheep believe it anyway. How typical! How utterly typical.

DEUS_VULT_420
the COPROPTION sseps deeper… NOW TO A NEW FORM! it Targets now the berdock VALUES of VALUES, the core of the SPIRIT of CRHIST… THE GRAET NATION OF AMERICA! It is the home to ALL who are worth to PROCEED umpon unto Fate of hte Future… and itno heaven

Mistress Evelyn
The only part of this insufferably pure nation which holds any value is the Land of Virgins in which I now make my home. A misty mountain which hides the sun, a host of nubile victims ripe for the feeding… even as I hide so odiously near a realm of the Christ, the darkness abounds so readily here that my home is named for the black sky above. To think, that God has left so many supple virgins for the corrupting… if only the rest of this pure Nation were so corrupt.

DEUS_VULT_420
this is no DEN OF EIVL!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!1! YOU willl be PUNISHED for yuor inDIGNINTYS in due time…

📝Dr. Luma
Not to dignify any of this with a response, but I would appreciate if you two would move to a ‘private message’ or email of some sort. I am notified for each comment under my posts, and to put it delicately, I do not wish to see any of this.

Mistress Evelyn
Very well, Mistress Stoica… but do not mistake this for any form of subservience! You will be corrupted soon enough.

DEUS_VULT_420
yes… TO DINGIFY this was a MISTAKE ALSO… to dignify YUO, worse… I shall Slay this beats ELSEHITHERE

CrinchoJinjo
You are?

Dr. Harold Giesbert
Good work, Luminita. I look forward to collaborating on the final study submission.

seeker_of_knowledge
What a pathetic little failure you’ve become. It’s not enough to just make up a bunch of ridiculous tripe about magnetic fields, not enough to corrupt the last remaining vestiges of the institutions that used to actually study the paranormal before people like you were shunted in. No, you also openly admit to HUNTING, to making livestock of your supposed ‘equals’. You disgust me, and the only people that disgust me more are your gormless fan cult.

cakegirl
😡 why dont u get off Her fucking ass and stop posting already if u hate Luma so much!?

seeker_of_knowledge
I’m not dignifying this with a response. You know exactly the kind of degenerate slave you are, you ALL know, but you act as if nothing has even happened! I’ll always be here to break through her LIES, and she’ll never break me, no matter what.

cakegirl
well then i guess thats ur problem 😎

cakegirl
(haha look its fine uh sorry just stop being mean to Luma?)

seeker_of_knowledge
Ugh, pathetic. Beyond parody.

ch
I feel like a broken record, but I really want to say you’re doing amazing work here. I know it’s kind of stupid to expect this research to mean much anytime soon, but seeing you stick through it all is still kind of… satisfying, I guess? I might be projecting something. I’m just trying to say that I’m happy that you’re keeping your shit together! And happy about all this strange magnet stuff being discovered, even if I don’t entirely get it.

📝Dr. Luma
I don’t think anyone will truly ‘get’ the implications of this interference with electromagnetism for a long time. That being said, I’m happy my work is granting some form of hope.

NessNinten
The way you describe vampiric fields actually reminds me a lot of Magnet Mania for the Playstation 2! It’s kind of a cult classic, you may not have heard of it, but it’s a platformer where you play as Maggie the Magnet who has the ability to attract and repel not only metal, but also a variety of other elemental forces such as fire, water, love, and energy. It’d be funny if something from that ended up being real, huh?

CrinchoJinjo
Listen, can we keep it real here for a moment? Magnetism is just a FORM of energy… what do you mean they can repel it like that!

NessNinten
Haha yeah, it’s a bit silly. I mean if the game was real life, Maggie would just get melted by the fire!

CrinchoJinjo
Yeah, like come on game designers, am I right? Haha. There’s a reason why platformers peaked back in ‘98!

Octopussy86
Dude what are you some kind of nerd

NessNinten
Yes! 🙂

Dr. Linda Ashford
I’m happy you seem to be in good spirits, Luminita, and I wish you the best both in stabilizing yourself and pushing the boundaries of what can be known about the paranormal. I hope it brings some comfort that I’ve been making progress of my own, both personal and scientific.

📝Dr. Luma
It does, and I wish you the best as well. Hopefully the next post I make here will be groundbreaking.

killjoyMMA
Hey i read this and i guess i’m happy we could help. At least something good came out of that fucking nightmare right.

BloodyMary
Yeah, it wasn’t so bad, right? =)

killjoyMMA
Ok don’t fucking talk to me.

BloodyMary
Oh come on, I’m trying to be nice here! How am I supposed to make up for it if I don’t say anything?

killjoyMMA
I dunno you could eat shit and die. That’d be a start.

BloodyMary
=’(

filbrgz1
So, you gonna explain what you meant by that or…?

killjoyMMA
no.

seeker_of_knowledge
Probably just more of the typical drama this fraud of a “scientist” carries in her wake. As if her fraternizing with vampires wasn’t embarrassing enough.

Mistress Evelyn
Fascinating, Mistress Stoica, how my mind keeps drifting to these amazing assertions you make. I suppose it is a tribute to your gift as a manipulator of souls and a twister of information… truly, Mistress Russel-Gray could not have shaped you any more perfectly.

📝Dr. Luma
Evelyn, if you would just email me this exhausting pablum, I would much prefer it. My comments section is long and obnoxious enough as it is.

Mistress Evelyn
[Deleted by moderator]

seeker_of_knowledge
[Deleted by moderator]