undyingcourt | Test Drive Meme

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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 | Top-Level Comments Only

[It takes a second, but Kirk splits the apple with his bare hands and offers half to her as he listens. He doesn't feel the same way about those he left behind, he doesn't have anyone worth anything to him that's not Edgin, but then again he knows other people are sentimental like that.]

Well, I hope she will be okay and that her son returns. Maybe once you become a vampire you can visit her again? See how she's doing. Maybe say thanks and explain how well you're doing.

[Bold and brave are Kirk's defining features, going where no one has gone before one of his favorite things, so when she issues a challenge, he is all for it. In fact, it's exciting, so he can't help but grin up at her, as she was taller in her heels than him and he was glad to have her step on him.

He doesn't even mind being laughed at, he's more glad to get her to laugh. That's always a good step in the right direction.]

I'm ready and very willing to find out about this reputation and tastes, I'm not one to discriminate against such things. So tell me, what game do you want to play? [He leans in close, smirking.]

It does.. I wish I could remember what cinnamon cake tastes like. [She sighs wistfully. It was one of the human things she misses, her mother's cinnamon cake, her short breads.. they were very good. But she's been a vampire long enough to have forgotten everything but the smell, which she can still enjoy at least.

She gives him a sultry smirk when he starts to babble some. Delightful.]

I would love to model for you privately, have you practice those anatomy skills so you're fresh and ready for your classes.

[Oh? He's agreed? That was delightful, she wonders about his experience but is glad to give him some anatomy lessons.

She grins, reaching out to run a hand down his front casually, stopping just above his pants before her hand retreats. Holding his eye contact, she wants to taste his blood but knows better than to do that, that was crossing a line.]

You're welcome to come by my office hours and we can have a private anatomy lesson. [Her voice is low still, before she leans back, head tilted up at him.] There will be a test on it after, so do study up.

[Karma likes his smile, even if it's small.]

Well, yes, if my findings are to be believed, then that's how it would work. There's always dangers when messing with the brain, but if performed correctly... yes.

[They are confident in their findings, more so if they are the one performing it so there is the least amount of damage to the brain possible. Afterall, even a vampire would struggle to recover from extensive damage to the brain. Or would die.]

And yes, of course, I plan to consult Master Revar about it before I do any such thing. It could be dangerous in the wrong hands, but it could be a treatment instead of needless death. It's a curious idea.

[Karma was very dedicated to Master Revar, who took them on as their apprentice when they were but a novice.]

[He nods in agreement. Because he understands completely. Black Court acted as the guard of the Castle, so it often fell to them and silver to take care of the drunk Blue court as they partied up the season.

As they flew around as night terrors, trying to rend people's dreams into nightmares.]

Indeed, more than just overdue books. Which at which point I will miss until the next autumn. [There is the smallest curl of amusement to his lips.]

[It does feel good to just get all of it out of his system. These weren’t even anxious thoughts, but they were churning in him with no where to go until now. It feels like he’s cleared some space in his brain. He is also just not used to speaking this much to another person.]

[He’s close to just apologizing for dumping all his hideous thoughts on this vampire- teacher when he suddenly takes in what he’s just said to him.]

[Did he- …did he just offer…?]

[Mayoi makes a little squeak of surprise. Bewildered. Because of anyone he would have expected Tighnari to be the least interested in him after all this.]

A-Are you…? [AH. If this is true, he should at least try to look presentable!! His posture straightens right up and the way he holds himself is a little more dignified, though still nervous.]

I-I mean, I …I would be honored if you would be willing to take someone like me on…!

Edited 2023-12-09 18:28 (UTC)

"Arboreal snakes are green, snakes on the ground are brown and red? Interesting. I'm not one for the cataloguing of animals. I suppose that's why I'm not in Silver."

Though he imagines knowing a variety of animals would be useful for shapeshifting, too, and he makes a note to research them. If he's meant to be a snake, he ought to be an accurate one.

Loki is a bit more methodical with his pumpkins, breaking up the vines with his hoe as efficiently as he can. Perhaps the knife would have been a better idea but he hadn't thought about bringing one. A garden gone wild had equaled gardening tools for him.

"The vines are starting to take over mine as well," Loki says. "I imagine during this week we weren't meant to get much done but this is a bit ridiculous. Our students still need to learn."

[ It's less a 'should,' and more that familiarity was a comfort and she wanted at least some of that while taking classes that were far from what she's done so far. It's why she nods at the offer. ]

I have the rest of my life, right? Or- Unlife? Undead life?

[ Getting caught with details and exacts is good for herbalism. Not so much for these moments. ]

Tighnari's just a nice guy, and he enjoys spreading useful information; if he shares his notes around, the more people will be prepared for these sorts of things. He doesn't expect anyone to go around poisoning novices or anything, but the students might accidentally poison themselves if they get too cheeky in the greenhouses. Always good to have good antidote knowledge.

"Hard to say, but likely it'll be an in depth analysis on the plants themselves and the nature of the poisons, though I'm sure antidotes that exist will at least be mentioned. Many poisons also have no antidote, and must simply be pushed through by flushing the system."

Tighnari sure seems intrigued by this conversation! He's not excited about poisons specifically, but he's absolutely fascinated by the complex defense mechanisms that so many plants have evolved.

"I've written a few field guides on how to treat most common poisonings, if you'd like one."

[ tighnari had been so wrapped up in dealing with autumn's busy season that he had hardly given any thought to what winter was bound to soon bring.. he's prematurely exhausted, and he hasn't even recovered from the symposium yet. still, he offers a weary chuckle. ]

Well, we'll get through it one way or another. We always do.

[ tighnari might be a youngblood, but he's now endured a good 21 winters at the castle. he's dealt with his fair share of blue court idiots. ]

I hope your dungeons clear up soon.

[ he'd expected this sort of reaction, which was why tighnari was ready with a smile once mayoi turns in surprise.

truth be told, he has a soft spot for people like this - people who need the extra help. mayoi is likely much stronger than he feels he is, but this castle can be fierce, and many of the vampires here would chew up the weak of heart and spit them out. others still might pass him up for his timidity. but tighnari is different. he sees potential where others might not, and feels sympathy for those who do not quite fit in.

unbecoming of a vampire perhaps, but.. he is what he is. ]

I am.

[ tighnari straightens as well, to better face the young new aspirant. ]

If you're willing, that is. I'm Tighnari Avidya.

Thanks.

[ She accepts the offered apple half with a smile. The sentimentality was probably more likely to happen for those in a Finding. When it's less planned and more of a surprise that could happen to anyone. ]

I hope so. That or I find her son so he can return or bring here to where he's living, so she's not alone. What are you going to do after you become a vampire?

"It's more of the trend than a rule," she clarifies a bit better. "Those are the only ones I've seen, because some are a lot more rare or better at hiding. I was told about how they could be a variety of bright colors. Reds, oranges, greens, blues- Some could even be white."

There was probably a bit more about the color variations, but in catching herself, Eden gave a light and short laugh into her smile. "I came from the Old Woods in the south- I think it's also called the Crimson Forest for some?- and most of this is what I learned from my grandmother. It's easy to find a snake, but really hard to find specific ones. That always came down to luck for me."

[He is so shocked he could faint, and it does look like for a moment he might, but once that has run its course, Mayoi can only feel relief. There is a small weight that’s been lifted.]

[The anxiety of waiting to be chosen, at the mercy of strangers who could be kind or cruel depending on their whims. It was one of the things that had triggered his panic attack to start with. But this kinder vampire who had talked him through… he feels undeservedly lucky to have caught his attention. He can’t fail now. He’s gotten in the door and suddenly his fate (and his family’s) isn’t so grim.]

[Ah, but he shouldn’t get complacent, he tells himself. This is only the Beginning.]

[Mayoi gently bows.]

I-I am. I will work as hard as possible to keep your favor. I …I am Mayoi. Mayoi Ayase.

"I, uh... Uhm." Conrad stammers for a brief moment as he doesn't really want to argue with him, but... It's not that serious? It was obviously bothering Percy to be here, though. "A-are you sure? I mean, it seems easier than having you just wait around."

Conrad gives the back of his neck a rub, wondering if he should push Percy to accept his offer or not. He didn't want to stress him out any further. "Or I could wait with you if that helps? I-I don't know... if it... would..."

[It doesn't take a whole lot to get Conrad blathering and stammering. Good thing she seems to not mind it too much because it will probably continue for a bit.]

Y-you... would...? [He stops in his tracks for the briefest moment, then picks up his pace again so he doesn't fall behind her.] Really? That's, ah- That's very generous of you, I've never had anyone, ahem, volunteer like this... Thanks. Of-of course, you could dress however you'd like it's just.... Traditionally the models are... uh... nude... But they don't have to be! [He swears if he weren't undead he'd be broiling under the collar right about now. Maybe she was just teasing him? Maybe he should just stop talking so much?]

I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to cultivate the things you know best.

[ They consider the names of these two students for a moment, committing them to memory. ]

I will keep an eye out for them.

A bold attitude.

[ Revar nods. The way they say "bold" sounds like "good." ]

I look forward to seeing what you will become. And you've already captured the attention of more than a few here. A positive thing, unless jealousy turns its gaze on you as well. Do be careful. I would much rather see you face the challenges of the Black Court than the wrath of a student.

How about you just tell me what you really want, or I'll send you away like I'm supposed to.

[ Clearly he does not really care about what he's supposed to be doing as a teacher in this regard. ]

[ Something in the air feels wrong, and Cal means to find out what it is. It's the voices. He creeps near the basement door when he hears it; the screaming. It's awful and sends a thrill of fear down his spin. What could possibly be making that kind of noise? What are they doing down there to the thralls that could produce that kind of sound?

Before he's caught, he scurries away from the closed door, noise still ringing in his ears. What's he planning to do? On his own? Likely, not much. But maybe someone else knows what's going on. Cal is attempting to not look too suspect, like he hasn't just been wandering in places he's not supposed to be when he comes across another student. ]

Hey you, over here.

[ He beckons Trilla from around a corner, out of breath, a little wild eyed and nervous. ]

They're human. They'll produce more.

[ They're not really supposed to keep insisting they're humans at this point, but consider, Astarion really doesn't like humans or whatever half-human half-vampire thing the novices have going on. ]

And this subject isn't interesting to me. Did you want something, or are you just interrupting my concentration for no reason?

Life is cruel. People die every day. And more to the point...

[ He looks over at Conrad, meeting his expression and not even a little bit shy about it. ]

Vampires are cruel, darling. You can't blame me for being what I am.

[ Eden will also interpret it as sounding like 'good' as well, if the smile said anything. Though it falters a bit at 'more than a few.' She'd spoken with a couple of the teachers and a student or two, but she didn't think jealousy over things they could do as well would've been an issue. ]

You think I could have upset some of the students? I haven't done anything they couldn't do themselves, though.

[ What she didn't realize is that it was exactly that which could worsen the ire of a jealous person. Though it was easy to figure out from the lightest of mind reading was that she didn't understand jealous people in general. ]

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Test Drive Meme - New Blood

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wildcard - unethical experiments.

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