switchbladeeyes

The mechanics of bringing someone over is definitely one of the more maddening canon inconsistencies. It certainly seems like something biologically happens with the bite and I also lean toward at least some biology being involved (but... maybe it's not biology but passing on spiritual or moral corruption... ahhhh, too many theories).

I thought NiQ was close, but the problem was the solution was unreliable. I probably should give it a rewatch because I don't remember Nick saying the food was awful, but I do recall him chowing down on an apple without evidencing a negative reaction to it (not just in vampire terms, but as a human might react if food tasted bad). His sun reaction and hunger for blood come back when his memories start creeping back. For NiQ to have worked longer-term, I think he'd have to never get his memories back (assuming state of mind is the key to vampirism), but that's not really a great outcome for Nick. I was rewatching bits of HoD the other day as I contemplated the "state of mind" angle, and when Nat comments in the episode on the powers of the mind and that maybe there's something there for Nick seeing how Ellen functioned as a human, Nick seems kind of put off by it because Ellen "wasn't whole." If Nick had suffered long-term amnesia, he would likewise not have been whole.

Janette seems to have stumbled onto the answer while still having her whole mental self intact, but we're stuck with not knowing "how" (because even she didn't know).

Also, re: Ellen breaking vampire rules, when Tracy questions Vachon and Vachon's all, well, maybe she's the vampire, Tracy says she can't be because Tracy saw Ellen in the daylight. So not just food for Ellen, but also sunlight sans combustion.

Thanks for the fic rec! I've bookmarked it because that will take a while to finish. Sounds fascinating though!