"To be" means to exist, but used like "to be something" it doesn't necessarily mean that.
I'll give you a few examples, so you understand.
To be fictional.
To be non existant.
To be a werewolf.
To be a vampire.
A person can be a vampire, if that the person who is a vampire does not exist in reality.
Someone can be a vampire, as long as he is a fictional person.
Someone can't be a vampire in reality, but he can be a vampire if he is fictional and not really existant.
Dracula is a vampire. Dracula can be a vampire because he does not really exist.
I hope this helps you to understand better.
About your thoughts on "temporary", they are correct. I hope Scanvenger listens to you, he seems to have a problem accepting things that I say for some reason.
Benjamin, I am sorry but I was not able to understand what you were saying.