Test Drive Meme - New Blood

[undyingmods]

DEC TEST DRIVE MEME

WELCOME, VAMPIRES!

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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

Comments

Prince Hans | Frozen | Student | Gold

[trettende]

🪞 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!! ]

Pumpkin

[captains_hands]

[he's an absolute disgrace with a sword is what he is. Izzy leans against a gourd almost as big as he is and examines his nails]

Oh yeah? How?

[trettende]

[ Oh no, help him! Hans turns back around, pleading even more pathetic now. ]

Come on, you seem like a strong guy. I'm sure I can do you a favor down the line. What do you say?

[captains_hands]

Oh I am. And I even know which way of the sword is up, which you seem to have a problem with. But what if I want my payment upfront?

Library

[serpendipity]

An answer to...?

[ Honestly and genuinely, Eden was in the library and minding her own business with some extra studies. Also being in her second season, she found that some classes left more questions than answers, and this was the only place to get them. Even when having been taking as many classes in all the courts that she could.

Something told her that they were looking for very different answers. Instead of deciding and judging, or anything like that, it was more that she ended up curious about what was going on. ]

Is it something that would normally get researched?

[trettende]

[ Hans turns to her, almost having missed her entirely with how many books were stacked high on this table. ]

I'm awful at identifying plants. I think I might be colorblind? There's gotta be something.

[ He is not colorblind. But he's also staring at a book with a weird diagram in it. Like maybe it's a tree? Or a weird lizard, hard to tell. ]

I thought maybe one of these books might have some tricks, you know? Silver Court won't be impressed if I don't ace this season's course.

[serpendipity]

Hmm...

[ Well, whether luck or strategy, Eden took the mention of plant identification as an invitation to get up and look at the book that was being stressed over. She had an unfairly easy time with these kinds of subjects, given foraging was part of what she did growing up. ]

Plants are kind of tricky on purpose, depending on the kind. You have to be the type that can pay attention to finer details for things like this. Here, I know what'll help.

[ Eden heads down one of the aisles for a bit before returning with a few survival guides; one for each of the directions. ]

It's easier to start with identifying plants in a region before trying for all over the world. These are better to start with than some of the books you collected because these talk about more practical ways of identifying a plant. Unfortunately, because most people think these books are just about fires, shelters and the big things to watch out for, they get passed over.

arrival!

[theidlemaiden]

[ If Hilda is nervous she doesn't seem to show it. There's just enough curiosity in her gaze as she takes in their surroundings to show that all of this has some effect on her - but not enough to mark her as someone who seems particularly keen to be here.

In fact, when Hans does slide up beside her, she's already taken out a little nail file, diligently beginning to work on her nailcare before the speech. Recognizing him immediately from their days in the Gold Court, she hums noncommittally to his question before her voice, bright, chirper, practically flippant responds. ]

It's definitely something. But I thought you'd be prepared for this kind of thing by now, Hans. [ Teasingly, ] After all, we were raised for this, weren't we?

[trettende]

[ Ah, damn, that's what he gets for not paying closer attention. Of course Hilda would be the one he bumps into. He recognizes her as well, though he certainly adds her to his mental tally of People He Needs to Surpass. ]

It's different actually being here.

[ Yeah, he's going for the nice act. A classic. But you know how it is when you're from Gold Lands. ]

Somehow I thought there'd be more thralls. But maybe they keep them in the basement?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Fortunately for Hans, it doesn't appear like she has any intention of excelling in her time here. Unless you count having some of the nicest kept nails in the school excelling in which case she might be a serious contender and he'll have to watch his knees because she's coming for that title.

Her pert little nose wrinkles. Whether that's directed at the nice act (although she does know how it is, because Gold Land kids have that bond whether they like it or not) or the curiosity about the thralls is difficult to say. ]

Hansy, I'm surprised you want to see more of them. And that you're thinking about basements at all - we're in the middle of a party!

Library Clean-up

[prizedstallion]

[Oh, there was his favorite person, scouring the books like a chicken with his head cut off. Hans was both someone he thought could be incredibly useful to him, but was infuriating in the same breath. Goodie-two-shoes, someone he wanted to step on as much as give a hand up to.

So, swallowing back the way he wants to stand here and watch him squirm for an answer, he smiles instead and steps forward, leaning close to his shoulder from behind to look at the book he's holding.]

And what useful thing are you looking for, Hans? Maybe I can help.

[Charming as ever.]

[trettende]

[ Aghhhh his least favorite person, of course James T. Kirk is here to mock him for studying. Because he never needs to study. Because he is blessed by the Founders themselves, probably.

Hans smiles as he turns to face Kirk, of course. It even looks friendly, he's that good. ]

Would you? That'd be so helpful. [ There's that winning smile. ] I'm looking for a book that might help me identify plants. You wouldn't happen to know any, would you, Jim?

[prizedstallion]

I would be happy to help. [And he knows exactly what to say because well, making Hans feel like a fool boosted his mood, because otherwise he was so goodie goodie that it made him want to gag.

But he smiles. It felt easy to manipulate him.]

Maybe it's my upbringing, but I've never needed books to help me with that. But I would be glad to find you a book that could help.

[He smiles.] What are struggling with?

Autumn Nox

[philancer]

Do what?

[ There's a hint of a smirk in Sylvain's tone as he purposefully comes to a stop and leans against the doorway Hans had just ushered the guest through. He's not a student here - not yet - although as he's visiting from Gold Court lands, he's still very much sporting their customary colors and look.

And his expression is one of amusement as he arches an eyebrow, leaning forward to peer through the door where the vampire had just vanished.

And then gives a low, barely-audible whistle. ]

Boy. He sure is... enthusiastic.

[trettende]

Nothing, don't worry about it.

[ Hans cringes at the sight. Just because he's setting himself up to be a vampire (and he'll do what he has to,) doesn't mean he's a huge fan of watching a vampire make a meal out of a guy.

So he turns his attention back to Sylvain. He seems... normal? But that's not normal here. Even just being in his first season, Hans can smell it on him. ]

You probably shouldn't stick around. Without a Maker, someone might think you're next on the menu.

[philancer]

[ Sylvain spreads his hands in a slight shrug, because it would hardly be the first time. ]

I'm here with a few of the Gold Court vampires to see this symposium thing. They brought a few of us who are going to be initiates to observe, or so they said.

[ He peers around the doorframe again, wrinkling his nose in distaste. ]

I don't think he's going to be paying attention to anything else for a bit. How did you get stuck with waiter duty? Do they typically make students do that?

Autumn Nox

[onebadapple]

[Snow White was just finishing up a task for a teacher, offering to help wherever she could and however she could. She didn't know how to not be constantly busy with tasks and chores. Being allowed to just sit and relax, to allow someone else do all the work... She honestly couldn't imagine it. When she saw Hans seemingly upset she came over to him and tilted her head.]

Oh dear! Are you alright?

[trettende]

[ Oh, blessed luck, to have granted him a kind, concerned fool person to come to his aid! ]

I, yes, I'm... I'll be fine.

[ He forces a tired smile, one that practically begs for sympathy. ]

I'm just not really used to seeing... you know.

[ He cocks his head towards the door to the "kitchens." It's really a mess in there, maybe don't look. ]

[onebadapple]

[Fool isn't entirely wrong. But, Hans doesn't really need to "beg" for sympathy when it comes to someone like Snow. Snow, wisely, doesn't glance into the kitchens.]

It will take some time getting used to it myself, I suppose. I suppose I'll just have to bake for the fun of it now rather than because I need to eat.

But perhaps you should rest a bit, your friend might take a bit while they eat. Hopefully, they washed their hands before they did. [Old habits die hard.]

Pumpkin

[hiddencrest]

[ Marianne has a knack for being in the wrong(?) place at the right(?) time. She was on her way to check on the pumpkins in her own room — she just has a couple small ones and she's endeared to them okay — when she's stopped Hans and his ... problem.

She's hardly one to snub someone so earnestly asking for help. He already has a sword though, what good could she do? ]

I don't think I'll be much help, but I can try. You ... don't have to pay me back.

[trettende]

[ Bless you, Marianne. Maybe the pumpkins know you're worth it, whereas Hans is... well. He's having a bit of trouble, isn't he? But he's extremely relieved when Marianne doesn't just walk on by. Any help is appreciated, OK! ]

Thank you! Honestly, I'll take any help you can offer...

[ He slashes at more of the vines, really barely making a dent with how much is going on in his room. ]

I mean, do you think we could burn them? I might lose all my stuff, but at this rate I won't have much at all anyway...

slides in 20 minutes late w/ *coffee brand of choice* - pumpkins!

[rebuilder]

[ This is definitely not what Cal had in mind for any of this. There are pumpkins everywhere, and yes, that one is as tall as he is.

He's not one to turn away when someone asks him for help, but he also doesn't have a sword on hand, either. So Cal just moves, acting before he can think better of it and lands a kick on one of the offending pumpkins, sending it, vines and all, flying into a wall. ]

I don't suppose you -- [ kick ] have another sword, do you.

[ There are so many pumpkins, so many vines, he's not sure how long he'll be able to do this for! ]

never too late for yummy coffee

[trettende]

[ It's a problem, right? Vampires are supposed to have their shit together. Hans is really going through it at the moment.

That's a nice kick though -- the pumpkin lands with a splat as it hits the wall. Hans hadn't even thought about kicking! ]

I just have the one...

[ He pats his jacket pockets just in case, though. Never leave home with just one knife, right? Hans slices another vine before it can grab him, though the encroaching vine does remind him... ]

I have a dagger, if you want? In my boot.

[ That's a normal place for a dagger to be! ]

arrival!

[ladyofloss]

[Shadowheart almost finds his enthusiasm endearing, and turns her attention to him for a moment as she breaks from watching the new arrivals make their wide-eyed way into the hall, offering him a saccharine smile.]

They lose a bit of their luster, after the first, but it is interesting to see who may be joining us here.

[Approaching her fourth season, she's seen a few arrivals by now, but hardly so many to merit how jaded she currently sounds.]

Is it thrilling, knowing you'll no longer be among our youngest?

[trettende]

[ Hans defers to her judgment, as she's clearly more practice than he is here. ]

I'm sure, since that's what changes most.

[ Vampires never die, so repeating a seasonal welcome is probably no big deal for them, huh. ]

I think I'll appreciate not being looked at like such a kid. I know all the vampires are probably far older than me, but I hope at least having a new batch of novices means I'll get some seniority, if I'm being honest.