undyingcourt | Test Drive Meme

Entry tags:

Test Drive Meme - New Blood

DEC TEST DRIVE MEME

Welcome to the Undying Court Test Drive Meme! This post will allow players to test drive their AU characters in the setting, as well as meet fresh faces or even connect with those they have preexisting CR with. As with anything involved in the setting, this post will likely contain: violence, enthrallment, torture, and sexual content.

Regarding continuity, all TDM threads can be taken as in-game canon if desired. Please keep in mind that the game proper will begin in mid December, in the Winter Season, so Students/Novices should create their prompts under the assumption that the TDM takes place during the season prior to the one they will be apping as. This means that students planning to app as first season novices will be visiting Castle Courtsheart prior to their Beginning. In other words, if you plan to app a student as a second season, the TDM will take place during their first, and so on.

Feel free to brush up on the Premise, Vampire Powers, and head over to the FAQ/Game Info page if you have any questions!

Make sure you are aware of the Rules when posting your top-level. (Content warnings are always welcome!)
Please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name (AU Name if different) | Canon | Teacher/Student | Court
As a reminder, a Test Drive sample is required in order to app.
If you have any questions specific to the TDM, ask them in the Questions thread below!

Top-Level Directory:

Chat with NPC: Revar
Ace Attorney - Apollo Justice (Student)
Alice in the Country of Hearts - Alice Liddell (Student)
Attack On Titan - Erwin Smith (Teacher)
Baldur's Gate 3 - Astarion (Teacher)
Baldur's Gate 3 - Halsin (Teacher)
Baldur's Gate 3 - Raphael (Teacher)
Batman - Bruce Wayne (Teacher)
Bridgerton (Netflix) - Anthony Bridgerton (Student)
Castlevania - Soma Cruz (Student)
Castlevania: Nocturne - Maria Renard (Student)
Cosmo Warrior Zero - Harlock (Student)
Critical Role - Percy DeRolo (Teacher)
Daria - Daria Morgendorffer (Teacher)
Devil Summoner - Raidou Kuzunoha XIV (Student)
Dragon Age - Fenris (Teacher)
D&D: Honor Amongst Thieves - Edgin Darvis (Teacher)
D&D: Honor Amongst Thieves - Xenk Yendar (Teacher)
Ensemble STars!! - Mayoi Ayase (Student)
Fate/Zero - Kariya Matou (Kariya Makiri) (Student)
FE: Three Houses - Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd (Student)
FE: Three Houses - Hilda Goneril (Student)
FE: Three Houses - Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (Student)
FE: Three Houses - Marianne von Edmund (Student)
FE: Three Houses - Sylvain Gautier (Student)
Final Fantasy XIV - Estinien Varlineau (Teacher)
Frozen - Prince Hans (Student)
Genshin Impact - Diluc Ragnvindr (Teacher)
Genshin Impact - Tighnari (Teacher)
Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name - Conrad Achenleck (Teacher)
Hannibal (NBC) - Will Graham (Teacher)
Jujutsu Kaisen - Gojo Satoru (Teacher)
Jujutsu Kaisen - Toji Zen'in (Teacher)
Lucifer (Netflix) - Lucifer Morningstar (Teacher)
MCU - Loki Laufeyson (Teacher)
Original - Aurinn Laurentius (Student)
Original - Bellatrix Bakhar (Student)
Original - Christine Delacroix (Teacher)
Original - Hanako 'Rosalina' Nurumi (Teacher)
Original - Jisu (Eden Woods) (Student)
Original - Karma D'Auvergn (Teacher)
Our Flag Means Death - Edward Teach (Teacher)
Our Flag Means Death - Izzy Hands (Student)
Persona 3 Portable - Kotone Shiomi (Student)
Persona 5 R - Goro Akechi (Student)
Persona 5 - Haru Okumura (Student)
Persona 5 - Ren Amamiya (Student)
Pride and Prejudice - Elizabeth Bennet (Student)
Return to Labrynth - Sarah Williams (Teacher)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Snow White (Student)
Stargate: Atlantis - John Sheppard (Teacher)
Star Trek: AOS - James T. Kirk (Student)
Star Wars - Darth Vader (Teacher)
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order - Trilla Suduri (Student)
The Adventure Zone: Balance - Kravitz (Teacher)
The Adventure Zone: Balance - Lydia (Teacher)
The Adventure Zone: Graduation - Fitzroy Maplecourt (Student)

NEW ARRIVALS

New arrivals will be starting their first season in the winter, but they're welcomed to the castle early, under the watchful eyes of the Silver Court. Upon arrival, they will be shown to a room by a human whose eyes glow softly from within, with vacant smiles. Thralls. There, the human thralls will draw them a bath and bring them new clothes to wear to their first meeting. These are rich, expensive things made of high quality fabric. Whether it's a silk dress and a heavy velvet cowl, or a fine pants and a vest made from a brocade, the servants will provide. The new initiate's old clothes will be burned after, in a symbol of the life they are leaving behind. If they are hungry, they will be provided food. If they need anything at all, they need only ask their new servants.

Later that night they are taken to a grand hall, with high arched ceilings and candles burning in chandeliers. There are figures painted overhead, beautiful and entwined. Some have their eyes are colored to match the courts, others are gracefully placed in their death, with blood dripping from necks and wrists.

Balconies line the hall behind a forest of pillars, and vampires all watch as the group walk through (some more hungrily than others).

"Welcome to your first undying season, initiates," a pale, silver-haired vampire calls. They have silver eyes are clad in silver robes, but command the attention of everyone in attendance. They have a beauty that seems neither male nor female. They are standing at the center of a wide semi-circle of other vampires, "As the Silver Court's acting voice at this end of the Autumn season, allow me to introduce you to the Houses that will be your new homes."

The vampire, Revar, gives the newcomers an overview of all of the courts—Blue, Red, Gold, Silver, and Black—and then invites those already claimed by their Courts to join the vampires who will be their Makers.

Revar offers the Foundlings who are left a gentle, knowing smile, and then allows them to be chosen. They are like the last sheep left at the auction, and the vampires who take them may not be the enthused about it. Nevertheless, Revar waits patiently until all have found a maker.

Now that they are paired up it is expected—indeed, required—that the initiate drink from their maker. That is their Beginning. Only once they have truly begun can they can be considered novices.

AUTUMN NOX

Silver Court is in season and for the Autumn Nox it holds a large symposium, inviting all the best vampire minds from around lands nearby and far. The whole castle is abuzz with new activity. The stables are packed full of horses, carriages litter the grounds, but somehow the castle has enough rooms to house all the new arrivals.

Novices will find that some of these vampires have not seen a human-novice in a very, very long time. These vampires might see the human-novices more like specimens, curious about their every move. They won't bite, but novices may find themselves observed as they wander the castle and its grounds.

The symposium itself is open to anyone at the castle. Scholars can present on any topic at all. Novices will find that these range from the incredibly mundane (you've always wanted to attend a history of bottom-feeding river fish, haven't you?) to the truly fascinating (new insights into how vampire hearts work) to the downright strange (the symposium has a range of lectures very close to dawn about the sharing of vampire...fluids). Seasoned novices with their own Autumn classes to attend are expected to keep up with their studies, but some teachers may let them out of a session to attend the lectures and workshops of the symposium.

The Silver Court vampires are incredibly busy between running the symposium and trying to help the new novices get settled in. They may need some volunteers to lend a hand with setting up rooms or helping scholars find their way around. In fact, volunteers might find themselves leading scholars down to the second kitchen for a bite to eat, a strong reminder that even these demure learners are still monsters who must drink blood.

PUMPKINS-GONE-WILD

The symposium isn't all that the autumn season brings. The Silver Court’s talents are on display in other ways—sometimes not in ways another had particularly hoped. An overly zealous youngblood in the Silver Court tried to grow a few extra pumpkins for the occasion and ended up with a few too many! The pumpkin vines break out of the green house and start sprouting pumpkins everywhere. These are no ordinary pumpkins, they will sprout and grow and become fully formed in the course of a night. Better keep an eye out for those vines or else your room might become full of pumpkins! Luckily, the pumpkins aren’t rotting any time soon (they’ll last until winter, or so the Silver Court vampires are saying), but it can be pretty inconvenient for them to grow everywhere. Start cutting those vines to pieces, and hope they don’t try to entangle you in the process.

LIBRARY CLEAN-UP

Meanwhile, with all the scholars in town are making a mess of the library, much to the Silver Court vampire’s dismay. Books are being checked out and not checked back in, passed around from scholar to scholar. You might find those lost books just about anywhere. Who was reading in a tree? Anyone who collects the books and returns them to the library is sure to get a little bit of favor with the librarians, and it’s never a bad thing to have a bit of an in with a Court. If you’re worried about failing Silver Court, it’s time to get searching! Although how you’re going to convince a 300 year old vampire that time is not fake and that deadlines are real (and in fact were two days ago) is anyone’s guess.

UNETHICAL EXPRIMENTS

[CW: Torture, experiments]

Those who venture towards the basement might hear something a little different than normal. The thralls who spend their time down there are normally quiet, commanded to keep silent and pleasant for the vampires they serve. But with the arrival of the new scholars comes disquieting, inhuman screams from the darker reaches of the basement. Novices trying to catch a glimpse will be chased away, but teachers might be invited to watch as these vampires experiment on one another, all in the name of science. What’s a little torture, when you’re undying?

Thanks for joining us for our first TDM! For any questions regarding the TDM prompts, please comment in the thread below. For general game questions, please check the FAQ/Game Info. Remember that the game proper will begin mid December, in the Winter Season, so Students/Novices should create their prompts under the assumption that the TDM takes place during the season prior to the one they will be apping as.

Threaded | Flat

🪞 New Arrivals

[ Hans is starting as a second season, which means this new Arrival gets to be his first! While he's got way too much to look at and far too many people to document and keep track of, he's starting the night by scoping out his fellow first seasons, quickly sidling up to you before Revar gives their speech. ]

So, what do you think of all this? Pretty wild, isn't it?

[ He sounds starstruck more than anything. Unless you look nervous, in which case he'll say the same thing, just with some obvious trepidation. ]

🪞 Autumn Nox

[ You know Hans signed up to help one of the vampire scholars find their away around the castle. He's only been here for a few weeks, but he made sure to memorize the layout so he could impress people like this. ]

And up ahead are the kitchens, where many of the thralls reside. Do you happen to be hungry, sir? We can make a stop there, if you like.

[ Boy, he doesn't seem squeamish at all at the idea of this Silver Court gentlman making a pit stop to bite some poor thrall's neck. Or maybe he's just really good at pretending! Either way, the npc seems thrilled to be led there. ]

Right this way. [ The npc engages in smalltalk, if you're walking by you'll probably only hear Hans' side of things. ] Ah, I'm spoken for, actually. Gold court. Yes, I'm very fortunate. Uh-huh. Oh, I'll just hang back... you go ahead, please. Enjoy yourself!

[ He sounds so honest and earnest chaperoning this guy into the kitchen, but the moment the npc is gone, Hans releases a huge sigh, knees wobbling with released tension. Just because he can lead a vampire here doesn't mean he has to stay and watch. In fact, he seems to be muttering to himself more than anything. ]

It's all going to be worth it. It's all going to be worth it. You can do this, Hans.

🪞 Pumpkin Gone Wild

[ Now here's a skill Hans has without needing to learn it! As a noble-born son, Hans can already wield a sword. He's hacking and slashing his way to what looks to be his bedroom. Well, it was before a set of about a dozen pumpkins started sprouting in his room. ]

Seriously? I was gone for one night!

[ Most of them are small, but the big one almost looks like it could be the size of a carriage... it isn't, though. It's just a really big, really annoying pumpkin that's blocking the way to his room, leaving him out in the hall with a sword in hand. ]

Hey! Would you mind helping me? I promise I'll pay you back.

🪞 Library Clean-Up (+ Studying)

[ There's no way Hans is going to be failing any classes, no sir. But if he was struggling a little bit, like say maybe he kept messing up when it came to identifying the difference between lavender and wheatgrass, or whatever else, then this would be a pretty great way to make up for it.

So yeah, Hans is in the library, and he's checking though every single book in his stack to see if any of these books happen to hold the secret to a better grade in his class. Several books lay open, in fact. Is he making more of a mess than helping? It's fine, don't worry about it. ]

One of these has to have an answer... [ His finger hovers over some of the words, eyes quickly tracking each line. Nope! Another dude. ] Come on, can't these people research anything useful?

[ And that's Hans!! His EMP Top-level is here for plotting, prior CR, or any other shenanigans! Now that I'm free of TDM coding and top-leveling, I'm gonna go hit up the EMP so please forgive me if I comment on your super late ok!! ]

The Autumn Nox~

— There are several lectures Conrad is interested in attending, mainly those pertaining to art. Art history, especially. He's a bit too intimidated to address the art masters directly, but he'll sit in the back and listen intently.

When one of the scholars has just finished, Conrad looks over the schedule for what's up next, debating whether or not he should stick around or get back to work. "Daily human hygiene habits? Human dietary needs and preferences?" He lists the titles of the lectures, out loud, as it perplexes him. "Did they forget what it's like to be mortal or something?" Is that what happens to very old vampires? Do they need reminders as to what it's like to be human? That's disconcerting...

Pumpkin Time~

— Well, having large pumpkins invading his classes was more than a little annoying, to say the least. But when life gives you pumpkins you make pumpkin pie or whatever. Conrad's not much of a gardener, but he is able to hack back a good deal of vines and the pumpkins make for some interesting autumnal still life. He collects a small pumpkin patch's worth of gourds to create a display for his students to practice their drawing skills.

The only issue is when it comes time to do life drawing, the model has to deal with all the pumpkins in the background. It can make for some odd posing scenarios. Having nude models is always a bit awkward, anyway, in Conrad's opinion, but the autumnal scenery makes it a little weirder.

"Maybe you should put your legs closer together? And move away from the big pumpkin's, erm, stem?" Yeah, he's not sure how to direct the model to make this any better. If any of his students so much as snickers he'll be giving them a cross look. Just, please, don't make this more difficult.

Unethical Experimentation~
[CW: gore etc.]

— Why was he here, exactly? Morbid curiosity, perhaps. Maybe he was encouraged to venture into the basement by a fellow educator. Or, it could be the bloodlust that every vampire has drew him to the darkness. Getting to see a little bloodletting and dissection wouldn't appeal to him at all as a mortal, he's not the medically inclined sort. And he's no sadist. But this was... Well, it sure was something.

"Oh, remarkable, I've never seen anything quite like that before!" he hears someone exclaim and, sure enough, he himself had never seen a pelvis just pop open like that. Until now. It made an odd pinging sound.

"O-okay, I really didn't need to see that," he mumbles mostly to himself rather than to anyone else in particular. At some point he should maybe try to shuffle off toward the exit if he doesn't want to witness more of the same. Apologies if he bumps into anyone, he's keeping his gaze down, trying to avoid seeing too much.

-----
Wildcard— (( Please feel free to choose a different scenario if you like — PM or reach me @

TheRusty for plotting! ))

I. New Arrivals

[Diluc stands by dutifully as the initiates are introduced to Castle Courtsheart, the different vampire courts, and--in some cases--their designated maker. Despite how impassionate he appears, this ritual always leaves him with complicated feelings fueled by the memory of his own Beginning, back when he was naive and eager to please.

Then, inevitably, he thinks of his second Beginning, a process that was much more difficult and painful.

Better to focus on the group of poor Foundlings waiting to be claimed. He looks them over with a discerning eye, sizing them up. The chances of any of them showing enough promise as this stage to join the Black Court is low, but it isn't zero.

He turns to the closest youngblood nearby.]

What do you make of this group of initiates?

II. Pumpkin-Gone-Wild

[Hacking at pumpkins that spread like mint in a garden, meanwhile, is a much less emotionally complicated task. He weilds a rather unimpressive sword for the task (using something like a Dread Blade would be pointless overkill, he figures).

Should someone get too close, either in culling the pumpkins or in just passing by, he'll make it a point to call out:]

Mind the vines.

[If the person fails to heed his warning or is unlucky enough to end up tangled anyway, he'll stop his culling long enough to cut them free. He's a monster, but he's not totally heartless.]

III. Unethical Experiments (cw: mentions of torture, vampire experimentation)

[Diluc isn't watching the experiments so much as he's standing guard outside of them. By virtue of his station and experience, the screams of the vampires within don't faze him.

Frankly, his opinion of what's happening is that this whole exercise is pointless. Torture is a method of procuring information, not a means to get off in the name of science or whatever the hell they're up to in there.

If a teacher approaches, he'll greet them with a half-nod.]

Enjoy the show, if you can stomach it.

[Should he catch sight of a novice, however, his demeanor becomes much more threatening.]

Turn around.

[It's not a request.]

IV. Wildcard

(( I'm open to just about anything, so feel free to tweak the above or write something else altogether. If you want to plot, hit me up on the au workshop or at

asondeiru ))

Edited 2023-12-02 04:58 (UTC)

I. New Arrivals:

[John waits at the edges of the group, casually leaning against a wall, looking for all intents and purposes like he doesn't care. He's practically projecting an aura of I-don't-care-about-anything-and-I'm-just-so-chill, like he just wandered over here for something to do.

It's all a ruse of course, because under the careless attitude is a very sharp mind, discerning and tense, being very careful as to who he would choose to take on. It's part of his defense, part of an outer shell that he cultivates.

A mask, if you will, of the personality.

Of course, this means he's quite friendly and easy-going on the outside, and he greets anyone who comes near enough to say hi, vampire or human alike.]

Doing okay?

II. Autumn Nox:

[Sheppard tries very hard to project himself being a cool dude who just happened to be a teacher, who wouldn't be caught dead doing scholarly things. Except he is a scholar and adores mathematics, and might be seen stumbling out of one of the absolute most boring lectures on some sort of branch of vampire mathematics that would put even the most alert, energetic person to sleep in three seconds. He's holding a stack of books and papers, his notes, and blinks owlishly at the person he nearly runs into as some of his things fall to the floor.]

Uh. That--I was just...

It's a good place to take a nap.

[Says the vampire quickly picking up dozens of fresh notes on the ground.]

III. Wildcard: Anything goes!

[OOC: Backstory is here!]

Edited 2023-12-02 05:36 (UTC)

( hilda will likely be a second season student next term which means some of her grades aren't in the best standing right now! older students/teachers might recognize her last name or be familiar with her brother. feel free to run with that as you see fit. i'd still love a maker for her, but more info about her au backstory can be found here! )

— library clean up

[ Who would have thought that failing to turn in homework would result in library clean up duty? That could be the only explanation to the pink-haired maiden's presence amongst the disarray of books and dust. There's little that can be done to persuade an immoveable object to move - but maybe there's some sort of unstoppable force that can do just that.

Anyone else wandering into the library may see her staring forlornly at a neat little stack of books that she's arranged on a table. Upon realizing someone else is lingering she perks up, eyes lighting up with genuine relief. Her cheeks are flush with a pink that appears to bloom like a flower unfurling towards the sun. ]

Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was going to drown in books there for a minute until you walked in.

[ Those that wander a little further into the stacks and rows of bookshelves might come across Hilda definitely not cleaning. In fact, she's curled up asleep on a very comfy looking armchair tucked out of the way and hopefully out of sight from anyone that's really taking this book tidying to heart. ]

— pumpkin gone wild

[ There's no hiding her complete displeasure when they're marched towards the greenhouse to try and help out root out the problem from the source. There's some skin in the game for her of course. The last thing she wants is to wake up in a jungle or unable to get out of her room the next morning giving her another reason to be late for class that isn't of her own doing. Before diving into their "class" for the day she can't help but sigh. ]

I can't decide what's worse. Sparring with an actual partner or having to try and prune back vines with a mind of their own.

[ Whatever efforts or dents they seem to make that day seem futile the next. Vines curl and twist along the hallways and it's as Hilda feared - she's stuck in her room with no way out thanks to the vines deadbolting her door. She has to hope that pounding on her door will attract someone's attention. Or if that doesn't work maybe her crying (?) will. Either way, it's clear that she won't be attending class if someone doesn't lend her a hand. ]

— wildcard

dealer's choice! if you'd prefer something specific, feel free to dm or reach me at timescars ! 🩷

New Arrivals - 1 - OTA

Though Percival has been teaching for 5 years, he's never sponsored anyone. His own dislike of his state is enough to keep him ignoring whispers of his impotence and weakness in that regard. He's generally stubborn enough that that's not likely to change, but at least he greets the novices politely enough, indicating the other teachers and thralls to any who wander too close.

New Arrivals - 2 - Closed to Cass

Of course, to any rule, there must be an exception. His breath stops completely as the familiar figure enters the grand hall - familiar despite not having seen her in excess of seven years, familiar despite the fancy clothes that ill-fit the temperament he once knew - and then it begins to speed up, the stillness of death becoming the hyperventilation of panic.

His baby sister is here and they're going to kill her.

... Unless he does it first. Telling himself that this is a mercy, he makes his choice, calming his breath until it's steady before stepping forward, claiming her for Silver - as is his privilege. Though he's certain of what he's doing, there is still intense sorrow in his mirror-like eyes.

Autumn Nox - OTA

[Though Percy has a natural predilection for knowledge-seeking, he's distracted this time around. He's restless, and ends up leaving several lectures without talking to the speaker, or even early - a bit of a faux pas for an up-and-coming Silver teacher, but an understandable enough one, should you know his circumstances.]

Pumpkin Gone Wild - OTA

This... is a headache. Percy's lab is easy enough to clear, but he's awkwardly carrying a stack of soot-stained pumpkins after burning away the stems with a particularly nasty alchemical substance. He can't even begin to see where he's going... might want to help before he bumps into something - or someone!

Library Clean-Up - OTA

[Well, isn't this a pickle? Percy's been put in charge of inventorying the alchemy section of the library, and half a dozen tomes are still missing. He can be seen searching nearly the entirety of the castle for them... with one big exception.]

Unethical Experiments - Open to Teachers

[Percy stalks back and forth in front of the door to the second dungeon, the last place to hold the last book. He needs to go down there - but every time a scream echoes up from below, he can taste bloody bile, flashing back to the half-remembered tortured days of thralldom. He can't do this on his own... But if a teacher approaches, they may be able to help.]

Wild Card

((OOC: Percy teaches Alchemy and History at all levels, and can be seen around! Hit up my EMP for plotting, or

ArtWildenTanzen))

Edited 2023-12-02 05:50 (UTC)

New Arrivals

[ Astarion doesn't hide the way he watches the new arrivals, all of them sweet young minds for the shaping and, if they fail, a fresh supply of blood when they are turned into thralls. An inevitability that doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest, or at least that's the sense that he's projecting as he watches.

He's far more interested in the spectale of it all than actually taking one of these initates for himself. If a soon-to-be-novice happens to look his way, he'll smile coyly at them: ]

It's quite sweet, you know, one's Beginning.

[ Meaning drips off the word almost as heavily as the suggestion behind it, as if in his own personal, very sexual joke. ]

Perhaps you'll even die a little death tonight.

[ for teachers, however, he leans over (not subtly, he could definitely be overheard) and says: ]

Shall we bet on how many will still be "with us" by the end of the season?

Autumn Nox (nsfw)

[ Astarion was roped in (the pun is coming just you wait) to help set up for one of those after-light 6 am panels. You know the ones. And in this particular one, he's helping rig up some rather impressive rope rigging on a very calm, very collected, very naked vampire. ]

You're certain this is a Silver Court lecture?

[ Of course scholars from any court can present, but it's the principle of the thing. Then he turns to the vampire he's presently helping tie up. ]

Well, you can come help with my lectures any time you want, darling. I might let you nibble on a few students if you're extra good.

[ Is he allowed to offer that? Well he just did. ]

Library Clean Up / Office Hours

[ Astarion has amassed a small pile of the library books but he's presently hoarding them in his office. Did you come in here for his office hours? Because he's presently handing a stack of books to you. ]

So glad you stopped by. Go return these, won't you, dear? Tell them Astarion sent them.

[ And that's it. No "how are you?" no "did you need something?" If you want something out of his office hours other than being turned into an errand boy, better speak up! ]

Unethical Experiments (cw: torture, experiments)

Exciting isn't it?

[ He'll say the same whether it's to another teacher or to a novice he's supposed to be chasing off. He's distracted, listening intently to the sounds of the lecture on the other side of the door. Well, the lecture and the experiment, really. ]

The Silver Court pretend they're all straight-laced, but if you ask me, they're just as depraved as the rest of us. Maybe more.

Wildcard

[ Astarion is teaching seduction for the autumn season at three different levels so feel free to also catch him in class if you'd like! Or any other part of school life that seems fun! ]

1. New Arrivals

[ Like the majority of Blue Court youngbloods probably, Edward has a habit of skipping out on events like these to get started early on the afterparty. One event he never misses, though, is the arrival of a new flock of lambs to slaughter. Usually he can be found in the balconies, looking uncharacteristically somber. This season, however, finds Edward in blue leather rather than silks and standing in the center of the hall among the other novices and makers. The air is thick with sweat and fear and anticipation, but mostly the smell of human blood. If you happen to catch Edward's eye during the event, you might notice his dark eyes looking particularly hollow, like his mind is elsewhere. ]

2. Autumn Nox

[ If you're a student looking for the Blue Court class taught by Master Teach, you may be in for a surprise. There's a note on the classroom door today that says simply: Your class today is being held at the symposium. There's no further instruction, though, and Edward Teach isn't scheduled to be giving any lectures or workshops. In fact, not at the symposium at all. You may be lucky enough to find candlelight seeping from under his office door, but good luck trying to have a conversation when the answer, in Edward's lilting voice, is some variation of: ]

Hey sorry, no one's home. Tough luck, mate. Try back in another year or so.

[ Hopefully you don't have any pressing questions today, students, or you might be out of luck... unless you're clever (or desperate) enough to convince him to open up. ]

3. Unethical Experimentation

[ If you've found yourself in the basement somehow, among the thralls and visiting vampires and screams, you may find leaning against the stone wall nearest to the door is a youngblood vampire with long silver hair and a scruffy beard, dressed in dark blue leather and smoking from a pipe. He doesn't address any of the vampires that go by, and appears not to be looking at them at all, but you never know with a Blue Court vampire and his masks, do you? Any novices drawn here by the sound of screams who have somehow managed to sneak their way in will find their arm roughly grabbed, and themselves bodily drawn back towards the shadows to Ed's side. And any other youngbloods observing rather than participating won't be grabbed but may be addressed the same. ]

Messy business. But that's undeath for you. No rest for the wicked.

4. wildcard me

[ Write your own scenario here or plot with me on the aucr! ]

Edited 2023-12-02 06:23 (UTC)

[ New Arrivals ]
[ Vader had, with great reluctance, promised Halsin he would come to the ceremony that evening. "Good for his health," he had claimed, though he doubted that very much. There was no good to be had for his health standing in a dark corner and brooding, eyeing the new batch of novices with something like contempt, not that it could be seen from behind the mask he wore. His legs ached at where they were joined with the metal prosthetics that even allowed him to stand, and the temptation to just drink the pain away with blood wine was strong. ]

[ Instead, as always, he just silently watched, judging those from the Black Court that were taking on novices. There was no way to tell the true potential of a novice until their second season at the very least, and even then, it would take a number of times out on a hunt before Vader would ever even consider someone worth his time. The hunt was what separated the ones that had actual nerve from the ones that were better off sipping their blood from a glass. ]

[ A faint sigh escaped from him as he shifted his weight in an attempt to ease some of the pain, wishing he could just meld into the shadows he loomed in and escape this dreadful party. ]

[ Autumn Classes - for students ]
[ If you're a student of his, you're expected at class, no exceptions. Even if it is the Silver Court running the symposium, he has no patience for those that would skip his classes for something so mundane. ]

[ Classes with Vader take place in the outdoors, regardless of it being a first season class or not. There was no means of learning to hunt from indoors, after all; not everything was a gothic fantasy of slipping in through an unattended window that the Blue Court seemed so dreadfully fond of. ]

[ After classes he can be found still outdoors, tending to the thin blade of his sword as he contemplates over the students he was teaching, almost in a meditative state. Though he can easily be broken out of it when approached, the dark eyes of his mask focusing on anyone that dares to interrupt him. ]

[ Pumpkins Gone Wild ]
[ Vader swears that only the Silver Court could get away with this level of nonsense. ]

[ When he's not terrorizing his students, Vader can be found hacking away at the pumpkin vines, doing his best damage control that he possibly can on his own. It doesn't keep the occasional vine from sneaking up on him and tangling around a limb, but it only seems to bother him when they get around his right arm -- that is his only remaining intact limb, after all. No one could blame him for being a little more vicious with those. ]

[ Anyone that approaches gets the side eye, and if they are unarmed, promptly ignored. Anyone with a weapon gets an extra long glance, before Vader turns his focus back to hacking away at the vines. ]

Your assistance is welcome. I would advise against getting too close.

[ Wildcard ]
[ Feel free to run with any ideas you have! If you want to talk it out, you can PM this journal or poke me at

SkylaDoragono. ]

New Arrivals

This was all too much like being sociable, and Will hates it thank you very much. He was only in attendance because somewhere along the line he'd been threatened with being assigned a novice if he wasn't there to avoid it. He disliked the blatant manipulation, but upon careful consideration he disliked the risk of being assigned responsibility for some random starry eyed fledgling.

Dressed from head to toe in black, it could be mistaken that he was representing the Black Court. Truth was, his outfit simply made it easier for the slender vampire to hide in the shadows. His goal was to attend, be seen by Revar, and then get back to his books.

For other teachers it may be such a rare occurrence to see Will out and about it could be worth giving him a shout. Either to actually talk, or just watch him squirm with discomfort over having to be sociable.

As for the foundlings.

Will totally intended to ignore their entire existence. Except that if he came across someone who looked overwhelmed, or simply lost, he couldn't help himself. He stopped with a sigh and walked over to them.

"Did you get separated from your court? It can get chaotic with all of us together."

Autumn Nox cw: Threads could contain discussions of serial killer stalking, murder, psychological manipulation

[OOC: Please heed the Content Warning. If you are OKAY with these subjects, let me know in the comment header. Otherwise I will assume to avoid anything specific.]

As he didn't have any classes this Season (Winter would be a different story) Will had agreed to do a lecture series for the symposium. Surprisingly he was a good lecturer, having often claimed that it was easier to talk at people then with them.

Despite being anti-social to the extreme and avoiding conversations like the plague, Will had a good speaking voice. He never droned, was always in motion and used his voice to weave a spell with his words. He might be crap at interpersonal relationships, and once out of the lecture hall could barely string two sentences together but behind the lectern he could paint a masterpiece of imagination.

As his topics were about The Hunt. Specifically the various ways to hunt prey ranging from direct; physical stalk and jump, to the more psychologically manipulative. His ability to paint to the imagination might be uncomfortable for some, newer novices. In fact, his symposium was listed as being appropriate for higher level initiates, but hey ... no one was guarding the door.

Library Clean-Up

When he's not at the symposium teaching others how to be manipulative little shits, Will can be found in the library.

Well, technically he's doing his best not to be found, having buried himself in the deepest recesses to help clean up various nooks and crannies. It wasn't easy to find him, but every so often a book caught his attention and he would sit down on the floor at the base of the stacks to read it.

Usually he was happy to go unnoticed, but occasionally he piped up.

"I think that's a cookbook you've got there. It goes in Preservation, not Healing."

Unethical Experiments cw: Graphic violence, psychological manipulation

[OOC: If you want to assume the role of the vampire he's torturing, please PM to discuss first. If your character is an observer, feel free to jump on in!]

There was a part of Will that wanted nothing more than to live in the basement indulging his inner monster until he could satisfy its hunger. There was also a part of Will that, after years trapped in a dungeon, understood the need to keep that other part tightly leashed.

His personal rule was a strict one. Will did not come down to the basement unless a fellow vampire or teacher asked him to come and use his Dread Blade for an experiment. Usually it was a case of a Blue Court or a Silver Court member wanting to test their mastery of shapeshifting, masking, or healing.

Most observers were focused on the subject of the experiment. But those who looked at Will as more than simply a tool to test a theory, might notice something interesting about this man.

The Will Graham who lived and taught above the basement was a skittish creature. He wore glasses, never made eye contact, spoke in a soft voice (when not teaching) and usually made every effort to keep conversations brief. He hunched his shoulders, made himself as small as possible and gave off physical vibes of 'don't hurt me, leave me alone'.

The Will Graham in the basement, was almost like an entirely different person. He walked tall and proud, his movements effortlessly graceful and full of confidence. His voice was still soft, but he spoke in longer sentences and embellished his words in a way that invited attention. When he stepped forward to make a cut or otherwise wield the Dread Blade, there was no hesitation in his actions. His knifework was swift, killed, and certain. Though he never smiled, he definitely looked pleased with, and almost euphoric about his gruesome work.

♔ arrival.

It's understandable that Dimitri is a bit nervous. This has been a long time coming, after all, and something that he's worked so hard to attain. Ever since he was young, he's wanted to be an intiate and among those at Castle Coursheart. His clothes are burned and he adorns his new outfit; it fits like a glove, which helps him relax into his new life all the easier.

He'd known already that he was to be sorted into the blue court. Still, it's nice to see others amongst his numbers and, well, he should probably make friends. Shouldn't he?

"Hello," he offers. "My name is Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd." His introduction comes with a formal bow before he's standing back up tall and smiling. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I have to wonder: are you as... anxious as I am about everything?" He hasn't found a maker yet. Or maybe this is his maker, actually, and he's none the wiser. Whatever the case may be, this puppy of a boy is just glad to be here it seems and eager to make your acquaintance.

♔ autumn nox.

More than happy to make himself useful, Dimitri's become a bit of a mascot for the Silver Court vampires at the symposium. Despite being a member of the blue court, he shines like gold for how quick he is to assist and help them due to their busy schedules.

"It's fascinating, isn't it?" he asks another student, whether helping or not, as he grins. He's currently holding a stack of papers to deliver to one of the lecturers as he walks. "So many different topics to discuss, things to learn... I count myself lucky to be among the ones chosen to attend here."

Perhaps you share his enthusiasm. Or, maybe, you think he's a bit naive. Either way, Dimitri will just be happy to have company and discuss matters with someone else as he volunteers.

♔ library clean-up.

"Honestly," he huffs, slotting a book back into it's proper slot on a shelf. "It isn't difficult to show a little more respect to..." His words are lost as he mumbles in annoyance amongst stacks of unsorted, misplaced books.

Help a boy out? He won't ask for it, of course, but it's clear that he's a bit in over his head currently with how many books he's trying to sort. Also, some students seem to be taking advantage of his 'kindness' and dropping more books onto the piles around him without him noticing.

Hm.

♔ wildcard/plot with me.

(( hi everyone! I've never done a memloss game before so please excuse any errors on my part, but this premise was too enticing to pass up...! I also don't have an invite but I'm hoping to get one by playing with folks on this tdm!

this is pre-timeskip dimitri so he's only 17 and a puppy of a boy in his first season on the tdm. eager to learn, help, and do his best! if anyone wants to do anything with him outside of the prompts or hash an idea out with me, you can feel free to contact me via discord (@ tentamenace), plurk (tentamenace), or PM this journal.

I look forward to playing with you all! ))

Edited 2023-12-02 17:26 (UTC)

❥ autumn nox.
( █ cw for: likely hypnotism, sexualization, and possible graphic discussions of sex )

Dressed to impress, Rosie gladly wears her court colors with pride in the form of an off-the-shoulder blood-red dress. A slit on the side goes almost all the way up her leg and gives anyone a nice look at the fair, supple skin of her thigh as she moves. "Hello, novices," she greets, smiling with fangs prominent and jumping back to sit on the desk in the front of the room with one leg crossed over the other.

"As some of you no doubt know, members of the red court pride themselves in their skills of seduction." This is emphasized by her leaning back and arching her back to emphasize her generous bust. "I'm no exception!" she chirps, grinning. "Of course, it's a skill that one can learn like any other and an extremely useful one at that for enthralling others. Body language and confidence in yourself are important, yes, but there are also some fun tips and tricks that I'm here to help you get a glimpse at today."

She lets a small bit of silence hang in the air for a moment as she appreciates all the attention now on her. "I'm going to need a volunteer for this demonstration," she finally says, cocking her head to one side as she scans the crowd to see who might be brave enough to step forward.

❥ pumpkins-gone-wild.
( █ cw for: staged nsfw situation/scenario )

Rosie frequents the greenhouse since she finds peace among the beautiful flora. She also uses quite a few to make fun perfumes that help her entice potential victims. Some students might know her for the way that she sings among the plants as well because it's supposed to help them grow. She's actually singing a tune today and notices the vines of the overabundant pumpkins responding in kind by seeking out the source of her voice.

It gives her a fun idea.

Even if one doesn't hear her song first, they'll no doubt hear the way she squeals in shock. Whatever 'hero' who might be drawn to the sound of a damsel in clear distress will find the following scene: Rosie entangled in pumpkin vines in the most compromising of positions. One vine has wound up her leg, ripping through her tights, and beneath her black skirt scandalously. Another wrapped around her waist and pushed her blouse up to the bottom of her bust. Her wrists are tied together and pulled up above her head. The blond wriggles against the restraints flushed and breathless, before looking up to her 'savior' with doe eyes.

"Oh-!" she exclaims, feigning sheepishness as she looks away. "Please, I... I didn't expect these vines to get so- Mmn- eager to trap me. C-can you help a woman out, maybe?"

Whether they know of her reputation or not, how can one resist such a display? She's hoping they can't, anyway, since what's the point if she can't have a little fun now and again with the novices or fellow staff?

❥ library clean-up.
( █ cw power play, abuse of authority )

"Hm," she hums, to the student currently trying to get a 'misplaced' book from her. It's true, actually, that she needed to check it back in quite a while ago...
Whether intentional or not on her part though, it's impossible to tell. She gives a coy smile at any pleading to hand it over so it can be returned.

"Oh, but, I wasn't done with it..." she sighs, pouting slightly. "Maybe if you could offer me a little more of an incentive for returning it I could be persuaded?" A flutter of her eyelashes and anticipatory biting on her bottom lip. What are they willing to provide for this book, she wonders? Oh, these novices are just so cute.

(Another teacher is free to call her out on her nonsense for playing her this poor novice she's pegged as prey.)

❥ wildcard/plot with me.

(( hi everyone! I've never done a memloss game before so please excuse any errors on my part, but this premise was too enticing to pass up...! I also don't have an invite but I'm hoping to get one by playing with folks on this tdm!

this is my OC, Rosie, who is a hypersexual disaster of a woman. as a vampire of the red court and teacher, she's obviously a bit more predatory and not above abusing her authority to get what she wants so mind the content warnings please! if anyone wants to do anything with her outside of the prompts or hash an idea out with me, you can feel free to contact me via discord (@ tentamenace), plurk (tentamenace), or PM this journal.

I look forward to playing with you all! ))

Edited 2023-12-02 17:24 (UTC)

Pumpkins-Gone-Wild

[ Anthony Bridgerton, son of a noble from the Gold Court lands, and with a bright and promising future ahead of him has been defeated by pumpkins. He was going for a nice evening stroll (as one does, to see and be seen and get some exercise) when quite suddenly pumpkins and their vines started sprouting from every direction, a very localized flurry of activity right around where he's walking.

And then, to his absolute horror and chagrin, he becomes trapped within the vines. They crawl up his legs and bind his arms, dishevelling his normally impeccable appearance. Oh, if Lady Whisperfangs could see him now. The absolute scandal! This would go down in the Top 10 Most Embarassing Things To Happen To A Novice This Season, which would put him in absolute terrible standing. Who wants an embarassing novice to join their court? His reputation would be ruined!

He needs help quickly, but also...discreetly? This is a conundrum. He can't scream for help because then people would notice. But he can't get himself out because his hands are tied too tight.

And that is, of course, how he settles on a curt nod and a: ]

Good evening.

[ to anyone who passes by, as if he's not presently entraped by plants. Nailed it! ]

Library Clean-Up

[ Everyone has to do their part to aid this effort, and Anthony's part appears to be helping a very cute young novice putting books on the shelf (maybe that's you, maybe that's an npc!). There's a whole art to it, you see. A subtle little brush of his hand as he helps them place the book back on the shelf in alphabetical order, the intimacy of being so close in so quiet a space, the shared working together towards an important, altrusitic goal.

Anthony might not be Red Court, but he certainly has a natural charm (when he's not being wrapped up in pumpkin vines, unless pathetic and tied up is your thing) when it comes to this sort of thing that served him well before coming to Castle Courtsheart and which, he hopes, will continue to serve him well while here. And even if this little bit of flirting doesn't go anywhere, he is being a good citizen in helping with the library fiasco! So, really, it's win-win. ]

It is so kind of you to help with all these books, I can only imagine that the librarians will be happy with our progress.

[ He keeps his tone gentle and praising, and it helps that he does really believe it. He might seem like he doesn't care sometimes, but this library mess is a real problem! ]

Extra Curricular: Gambling (cw: gambling, use of alcohol and drugs, nudity/sex)

[ It's really no secret that Anthony, now close to finishing his second season, has been running a gambling ring. Just a bit of fun, you see, as they bet on who might excel in what classes, or how different Courts might do at school-wide competitions, or just a good old fashioned game of cards. He holds a weekly card game in an extra, empty classroom (maybe you're in the know and know where to find it, or maybe you just stumbled in) that is known for the way it often devolves into a drunken, sometimes sexual mess.

The room is filled with a light haze from whatever everyone happens to be smoking (look, when you've got a greenhouse like that on campus, this could be incredibly ill-advised), and various pieces of clothing are strewn across the floor apparently because the lads (gender-neutral) decided this was a week to gamble in stripping rather than coin. It keeps it interesting, right? Someone else's cravat is tied around Anthony's head, and his brocade vest is the only thing someone else is wearing. But everyone looks like they're having a good time.

What are they playing? A card game passed down through generations of novices, known only to those taught in these hallowed halls. Changing the rules seems to be a staple of the game, as it seems to constantly be in flux, but those at the table concentrate like they do know what's happening here.

Join in if you dare, or simply watch and partake in the excitement. Is that a bottle of bloodwine...? ]

Edited 2023-12-02 19:14 (UTC)

Getting The Band ~~Back~~ Together

[ Edgin is not helping out with the Silver Court. Forget them, if they didn't plan ahead that's on them. No, he's got another project this month. He can be found all over the Castle and its grounds hanging up flyers. These are like wanted posters, except, instead of offering a bounty for a criminal they are asking very nicely for some other people who are instrumentally inclined to join a band! Yes, next season is winter and with winter is the Blue Court's time to shine and unlike some courts (Silver) who need help (Silver) because they didn't plan ahead (Silver), Edgin is determined to be ready.

And the ready he's going to be is with a band.

The flyers just list his regular office hours, as that's the easiest way to find him, and he may even be inclined to pitch the idea to a particularly skilled novice if they've been doing well in his musical revelry classes. Red Court does not have the corner on music making. Some music is not art, some music is simply to party. Feel free to catch him hanging flyers or just visit his office hours to learn more! ]

Gossip Hours At the Teacher's Lounge (closed to teachers!)

[ After the arrival of the new students, Edgin always feels a little off. It's too weird, to see them all paraded about. To know how they're going to cut all their mortal lives short and give them a chance to be reborn into something some of them might not want to be. Nevermind the poor Foundlings, who most youngbloods turn their noses up at. Even those who were Foundlings themselves.

So he's here to engage in a good old fashioned bit of gossip! What would be better than chatting up the other teachers and finding out what they think about current students? There's nothing more distracting than drama. Also, he's here working on some lesson plans he's not just like. Doing nothing. But when someone does walk in he looks up from his lesson plans. ]

Interesting evening, right? It seems like there's more of them every time.

[ Doesn't it? Or is that just his imagination? ]

Pumpkins-Gone-Wild

[ Have you ever seen a man fight a pumpkin with a lute? Now's your chance! Edgin really is just battling pumpkin vines that are trying to keep him from his classroom (class starts in 10 minutes but he can't even open the door!!!) and while pieces of the gourds go flying, the vines don't give up in the slightest.

After a few minutes of trying and failing he pulls out a paper from his pocket and a pencil (ye olde pencil, I don't know, a piece of carcoal, a travel quill, whatever, just imagine with me) and hastily scribbles down "class on the main lawn." He then runs a hand through his hair to fix it where it was falling into his face and turns to whatever students are assembled ]

You know what? We're having class outside. C'mon kids.

NEW ARRIVALS

[tucked away, high above the glittering crowd, the resident Black Court teacher watches the spectacle silently. there's no sense of nostalgia, only déjà vu. his own initiation into this world is locked away safely in a distant memory. no use in lamenting or dwelling. who has time for that anyway?

his gaze trails after the leftover humans and their new 'benefactors'. the Zen'in dog hums softly to catch his companion's attention.]

Wanna bet how many we can break before spring arrives, hm?

Edited 2023-12-02 21:48 (UTC)

NEW ARRIVALS;

[This may not be Elizabeth's first season as a student but the grandeur of this ceremony welcoming the new arrivals is still to be admired. She can well remember when it was herself receiving that new outfit, the silk and cowl of that first outfit traded in for something with a soft silver sheen, short sleeves hidden beneath a similarly silvery cape.

She seems to be excellent at picking out the more nervous looking initiates. She approaches them with a sympathetic smile, her dark eyes flecked with silver and as equally as warm as her smile.]

Welcome to the school. If you don't mind I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself. One can never have enough familiar faces when somewhere new, yes? I'm Elizabeth Bennet, a second season.

AUTUMN NOX;

[Among the students aiding in the set up as well as leading scholars is Elizabeth. With no classes until several hours from now she seems happy to fill up her time in aiding others as much as she can.

It's clear though in spite of her being in her second season here she still doesn't care much for the journey down to the kitchen. Her manners are perfect of course and she is polite in every way to the scholars she leads down. It's not hard to tell though when they do reach the kitchen how keen she seems to be leaving it once she knows the scholars are well taken care of.]

If you'll excuse me for now, one of the other students will lead you back should you need the guidance.

LIBRARY CLEAN-UP;

[Since her arrival a season ago Elizabeth has become one of the more common faces here in the library. She is an avid reader it seems and while her flair for research might not be the same as some of the older Silver Court members she's beginning to appreciate it for what it is.

With all the fuss of all the new initiates to the school the library has been woefully overlooked as of late. Books are just sort of floating around and today is no exception. This one however has been tucked under one of the shelves itself. And Elizabeth is there on her hands and knees trying to grasp at a barely poking out edge of the book to pluck it out.]

Who tucks a perfectly good book under a bookshelf.

WILDCARD;

[Feel free to hit me with any other prompts you might like. PMs are open for plotting.]

NEW ARRIVALS;

[Sarah sort of makes it a thing to show up to each and every one of these new arrival ceremonies. Among those of the Red Court she might be one of the few with something of a less seductive and more gentle air with the newer students.

At the moment she's up on the balcony lining the hall behind that forest of pillars, leaning over the balcony railing itself. The new students are just now filtering in and anyone who joins her get a quirked grin, easy and smooth in tone.]

So what do you think of this season's initiates?

LIBRARY CLEAN-UP;

[Rather than actually cleaning up the library Sarah has ended up as she so often does, pausing to flip through a particular book. She doesn't even bother snapping it shut or trying to conceal what she's doing once someone does happen upon her. Instead she gives them an easy smile, an amused twinkle to those dark red eyes of hers as she tucks her finger between the pages of the book where she left off.]

Did you happen to stay for the symposium on the arts and seduction?

[Whatever the answer might be Sarah leans looks back to the book in her hand, voice darkly warm as she talks.]

Not everyone appreciates how stimulating art can really be. A good book, a song ... or just a choice set of words.

WILDCARD;

[Feel free to hit me with any other prompts you like! I'm open to having Sarah be someone's Maker if you're looking for a Red Court one. PMs are open for plotting!]

autumn nox

[ erwin has a sixth sense for when he may be able to help people and when he spots a novice with whom one of the elder vampires has taken quite a shine to he figures he can lend them a hand. it's just that the elder vampire's been talking non-stop for forty minutes about various aspects of humans they find fascinating, which seems a bit on the nose and insensitive, though not on purpose.

when he steps up it's with a disarming smile as he places a hand on the arm of the scholar and leans in to murmur. ]

My apologies for interrupting, but I'm afraid I must cut in and ask our friend here for some assistance with something. Perhaps you could partake and return refreshed? Should I find someone to lead you to the kitchens?

[ the vampire is thankfully friendly enough that they smile and wave off the offer, thanking erwin for the reminder but saying that they know where to go to get their blood.

which they do. go, that is, begging off the conversation and offering to pick it up another time. once they're gone, erwin sighs and turns back to the novice, smile turned almost wry. ]

You looked exhausted by the impromptu lecture.

library clean up

[ erwin is currently sorting through a stack of library books, putting them carefully into different stacks according to where they go. he may not be a librarian, but he uses the library often enough (nerd) to be personally invested in it.

he looks up at the arrival of more books (and a person attached to them) and smiles. ]

Quite the haul you've got there. Feel free to set them down anywhere.

new arrivals (for dirtdevil)

[ it feels like forever, waiting for levi to return to him. they haven't had all the time in the world together since arriving back here and he already feels a little keyed-up just from the short time levi's been going through the initial processes of becoming a novice.

erwin had explained everything plainly before even offering to take levi under his wing (so to speak), including much of what revar is covering. perhaps he shouldn't have, seeing as it involves a lot of vampire knowledge, but in the same vein, erwin's always confident when he's found someone he knows would benefit from what he and the courts can offer.

and he'd been right.

so he stands off to the side, watching everything like a hawk, and once levi's finally walking back to him, he smiles. it's knowing, almost a little fond already, and he tilts his head just a little. ]

Levi.

[ he sounds genuinely happy to see him. what a guy. ]

( autumn nox )

Loki has mostly only let his students out of lecture for the day because of the guest lecturing and, because, he wants to hear someone speaking on compulsion and he does not want his students knowing that he's sneaking off to hear Gold Court lectures when he should be giving them tests. He suspects they'll know, regardless, but Loki supposes no one will be fool enough to bring it up to him.

He settles in a chair and crosses his long legs in front of him, taking copious notes. Someone settles in the chair next to him and he acknowledges them only by shifting just a bit.

"Shh, I'm learning more from this man than I learned from anyone in my entire formal education in compulsion."

( pumpkins gone wild )

They're everywhere. Loki has his appreciation for his Silver Court fellows, of course, but they can be very enthusiastic for what they do and that's how there's an abundance of pumpkins threatening to take over the entire grounds. He has the strength to break up the vines by hand, naturally, but he's chosen to do it with a hoe instead. All he'd wanted was a nightly walk on the grounds to clear his head, not to become a gardener, but here he is. There's a vine snaking around his left ankle while he chops at another in front of him.

"A little help, if you would? We need to get ahead of this madness."

( library )

Loki might have been one of the people who misplaced a volume here or there but because he has to live in this castle and use this library, he thinks it would serve him well to be on the good side of the librarians. Perhaps they will conveniently forget all of the books he's squirreled away in his own office if he helps track down a few rogue volumes from traveling scholars.

There's an elderly vampire who has a horde he's sitting on top of and while the vampire has ages on him and is, in all ways, his better, Loki has the advantage of being taller and has a longer reach. It is only this that lets him get some of the books away and he sees someone behind him.

"Help me, would you? He's asleep right now and if we get these back we can trade on that goodwill for at least a season."

( brackets are fine! you can PM me or send a message to

tessituras for further details. )

one | pumpkin-gone-wild

[ Even with the elevated appetites of the novices, realistically, there are only so many pumpkins that the residents of Castle Courtsheart can consume over the course of a month. Luckily, the staff has more than just novices and thralls to feed. Horses can also have little a pumpkin, as a treat.

Of course, to offload some of the excess gourds onto the local beasts of burden, someone has to carry them out the the stables. Thus: ]

This work seems more appropriate for the thralls. [ Lorenz sniffs, striving to at least make his complaining sound dignified. ] Do we not have more pressing concerns?

[ So what if he can heft more pumpkins in his arms than one of the human servants? That's their problem to deal with. ]

two | library clean-up

[ Though Lorenz's priorities may lie beyond the Silver Court, far be it from him to pass by an opportunity showcasing his qualities as a reliable, industrious leader. He has tracked down two tomes missing from the catalogue already, carried now beneath the crook of an arm; the third, however, is proving... somewhat more illusive.

The first scholar he'd spoken to had passed it on already. And when he'd spoken to its supposed recipient, they told him they'd just asked someone else to deliver it to a third reader. If this pattern keeps up, he'll have to interrogate half the castle; his best hope, then, is to intercept its courier before they're able to deliver it to its next destination. ]

You, there! [ When he catches as glimpse of its cover, he acts boldly. Decisively. ] The librarians have requested that book be returned immediately. Please, allow me to save you the trip.

[ He is taking this really seriously—but, then again, when isn't he? ]

three | wildcard

[ Lorenz's AU plotting comment can be found here. also fyi I am probably going to play him at his Hopes age, but I can't make him a more complete icon set for that right now, so if I use Houses icons please just pretend he has his silly little bob instead thanks ♡ ]

Edited 2023-12-03 03:49 (UTC)

New Arrivals

Although he's not a new arrival, he's among the crowd when they arrive. He likes to check out the new crop of initiates, to see what to expect, and to see if he can guess which court they belong to. He's not often wrong: he's just always been good at judging the character of a person, which tends to come in handy. He also just likes to be social, and this is the social event at the moment.

He's somewhere toward the front of the crowd of assembled vampires (he likes being seen as much as he likes seeing) and casting a critical eye over the various novices -- although occasionally that eye will turn appreciate as he catches sight of something (or rather someone) that interests him.

Pumpkins Gone Wild

What the --. He's positive that these plants weren't here yesterday (he's not much for gardening) and now they're threatening to take over his entire space. He can't even follow the vines to their source and attempt to do anything about them because the vines are overflowing everything, and tangled up to boot.

Patience might be a virtue, but he's never been virtuous. After a mere ten minutes of trying to deal with the infestation of squash and having no luck, he throws the door open and yells out to anyone who might be nearby, "Will someone get rid of these bloody things already!"

They're really cramping his style.

Wild card

Choose your own adventure.

[autumn nox.

Maybe it's a bit childish, but when there's lectures after class and you've got nothing else to do other than hear those in the Silver Court excitedly talk about everything from germs to history to medicine, you tend to get a bit bored by it all after a while. Aurinn isn't a scholar by any means, but he's not about to throw himself many of these for the sake of curing his boredom. That would actually be useful, and why would he want to do that when he can instead just continue to be pleasantly friendly and also annoying? He might as well have some kind of fun.

Which is why, honestly, he's gravitating towards a group of vampires and novices as they seem to leave what must have been a recent gathering, one arm hovering against the wall as he leans over someone's shoulder.]

Well, at least someone can say they gathered some interest in the lecture. [Is that honesty or is he being a shit? Hard to tell. There is a bit of a grin, though.] So, what's next?

[Look, he's bored, and he really doesn't want to go off and practice Gold Court etiquette just yet, so at least give him something to do before that.

pumpkins gone wild.

This, however, isn't exactly something he'll disagree with. Getting to swing a weapon and cut things down physically rather than perhaps verbally? It's a nice change of pace. Aurinn has a rapier in hand, doing what he can to try and beat back the vines, though they really don't seem to like being cut to pieces. Don't be surprised if you get grabbed for tag-teaming it, since this is way more than he can handle.]

Mind lending a hand? It's gonna be tough otherwise.

[library clean-up.]

Think fast.

[That sure is a set of three books dropping suddenly from the rafters up above in one of the higher classrooms. Aurinn's stuck his head out a bit from the side, golden eyes practically laughing at the reaction given to him in turn. Did he miss or nearly hit whoever was below him? It's not like it matters to him, honestly.]

I've got about four more books up here, someone's been hogging them or forgot they left them behind. [A shrug.] Better to get them back then let the librarians hound us for the next few weeks, right?

[That still doesn't excuse him from nearly hitting someone with a book. He's not going to apologize though.

wildcard. Have an idea? Want to start something? Hmu! I can run with just about anything.]

i. arrivals

[There were...far too many people in the hall for Estinien's tastes, honestly, both ones yet living and...otherwise. He was simply observing, watching for any initiates who decided they'd rather take their chances running for the door than standing firm in a room full of predators.

No one was trying it thus far. Pity, that might give him a reason to leave.

Any initiates who try to approach him find themselves on the recieving end of a harsh glare, ink-black eyes and a flash of fang strongly suggesting that they try their luck with finding a maker or conversation elsewhere. He's fully aware of the reputation of Black Court and certainly doesn't plan to ruin it by appearing friendly and accomodating. Even if he were so inclined.

Any teachers will get a nod of acknowledgement--though he's not quick to speak.]

ii. pumpkins gone wild

Swiving gourds...!

[He almost snarls as a vine tries to wrap itself around his ankle, and swipes at it with the blade of his lance before kicking the remains off.

It's only a few moments before he has a window cleared and opened, foot up on the sill as if he's about to jump out - because he entirely is, he has completely lost patience with being in the castle walls with feral produce rampaging everywhere.]

iii. wildcard

[anything else? hit me on Plurk or Discord, or here is my emp post!]

[Arrival.] [CW: Panic Attacks, intrusive thoughts, and vague hints of suicide ideation.]

[He feels as though his arrival to this place was something of a blur. Truly, his state of mind was volatile at best, remembering the words of the vampires as he drew that white feather:

Speak nothing of your background. You are privileged to be able to crawl out of your filthy hole in the ground, but failure will cost you far more than your unlife.

That sickening feeling he has felt in his stomach has not left him, and he wonders if it may not have been better if he just dropped dead on the way here. He’s a worthless worm, how could he expect to succeed…? His family is as good as dead if their lives are in his horrid, useless hands. Ough all of this is so awful, what is he going to dooooo…]

[The thralls make him uneasy …knowing that their fate was often used as leverage for his clan’s obedience …but he does not fight them. His simple peasant clothing goes easily into the fire, and he is silent as the dead as they measure him up for his new clothing. His outfit is …more ostentatious than what he is used to, but it feels right.]

[He thinks, almost bitterly, that maybe this won’t be so bad. The castle is quite nice with lots to explore. His new found freedom to roam seems almost too good to be true- but then they are summoned to the grand hall and Mayoi finds himself in the crowd of initiates on the verge of a panic attack.]

I-I-I can’t do this-! I can’t-

[He has never been around so many people before, and he has never been around so many vampires. He does his absolute best to keep his shit together while Revar is speaking, but the moment the pairing off has begun, it will be clear to anyone close by Mayoi that he is struggling to breathe. P-Perhaps you will find it in your heart to help calm him down before he attracts attention.]

[Arrival pt. 2]

[Mayoi survived his Beginning, miraculously. His Maker did not seem like a particularly cruel or cold vampire. In fact, his court was a bit of a surprise, and he isn’t sure why this person thought he had any potential for anything that wasn’t languishing into oblivion, but he is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.]

[So, now that he is a little more settled and not losing his shit every five seconds, Mayoi has started getting cozy within the dark corners of the castle. He spends his free time exploring and looking for as many of its secrets as he can, and often wandering about like a strange specter at the corner of one’s eye.]

[Which is why sometimes you might hear The sound of singing from several parts of the more lonelier halls. Like a haunting little ghost, he can be found singing to himself when he thinks he’s alone.]

[Library Clean-up]

[Mayoi did not sign up for this task of his own free will. No, his Maker had found how much he’d spent his time avoiding people at all costs, and slinking around keeping to himself, that they decided to give Mayoi a gentle little push…]

[Mayoi had been far too afraid to protest, and so found himself unable to do anything about. And so …he has a small list of people to track down, with his task of collecting overdue books. This is truly worse than hell, and he looks miserable as he shuffles his way to the next vampire in delinquent with the library.]

Excuse me… […] E-Excuse me, ah, please… please look at this book list and return what y-you have currently overdue…!

[Feel free to bully him, but really he is trying his best, even if it looks like he wants to evaporate.]

[Wildcard.]

[Feel free to hit Mayoi up with something totally different! Also I can be found at

takatorabatta for plotting!]

Edited 2023-12-03 10:25 (UTC)

A. NEW ARRIVAL

[Apollo's mostly used to thralls by now, but something about them still creeps him out, deep down. There's been plenty of times he was convinced he was on the cusp of ending up just like them, yet now - ironically - he feels further away from that fate than he has been in years. The threat of flunking out just wasn't as potent as the threat of being made a thrall just because your master woke up on the wrong side of the coffin.

Being waited on is luxurious, but Apollo feels uncomfortable the entire time. He doesn't like the fancy clothes, and he doesn't at all like knowing that his old clothes were being burned. It was just wasteful, no matter how much easier Apollo had it now that he was more or less on his own again.

As the ceremony starts that night, Apollo stands with his back ramrod-straight, tension in his shoulders... oh, and he's definitely sweating a little. There was nothing like reality hitting him right during the initiation. Taking it all in, the dark trappings, the hungry vampires watching all of the humans they'd just crowded in, Apollo can't help but think What am I doing here?]

B. AUTUMN NOX
[Apollo's been wandering around the symposium as often as he can, whenever he can make the time between his classes. He's not what you'd call a seasoned novice, yet he's there anyway, often with a small satchel containing paper, ink and quill for taking notes.

Given the wide range of strange topics to choose from, Apollo can be found attending as many lectures on law and the legal system as he can. Otherwise, he'll poke his head into an astronomy lecture or two, or possibly a history one if that's available. He takes notes at every one of them, too, even if the more boring ones might find him covering the page in doodles... or even dozing off in his seat, something that's bound to get him in trouble unless someone's nice enough to prod him awake.

If you run into Apollo outside one of the lecture rooms, you'll hear him muttering to himself,] I'm not sure which is worse... that they look at me like a bug, or like a turkey dinner.

C. PUMPKINS GONE WILD
[Apollo honestly hasn't been paying much attention to the pumpkin vines sprouting up all over the place - mostly because he's been busy with the missing-library-books problem. He's spent enough time in the library to be conscripted into the search, and some wheedling has resulted in Apollo locating three hefty volumes of an encyclopedia that had all been taken by the same vampire. He couldn't possibly guess why, and hadn't bothered to ask, either.

It's as Apollo is hauling those books around, his vision partially obscured by the stack, that he trips over a vine that's snaked into his path. It's no exaggeration to say he eats dirt; the top two books go flying and he lands on the third one, which doesn't do all that much to break his fall. Apollo just lies there for a moment, then with a defeated groan pulls himself back up to his knees.]

D. WILDCARD
[I was a latecomer but I do have an AU/EMP post up for Apollo, please check it out!]

Threaded | Flat

Page 2 of 3

Prince Hans | Frozen | Student | Gold

Conrad Achenleck | Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name | Teacher | Red~

Diluc Ragnvindr | Genshin Impact | Teacher | Black Court

John Sheppard | Stargate: Atlantis | Teacher | Blue Court

hilda goneril | fire emblem: three houses | student | red court