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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Hans hasn't quite made his way to his Maker just yet, but he's curious to see the person in charge, at least in the Silver Court, it seems. He knows he's nobody, but he doubts he'll get a chance like this again. ]

Excuse me, you said you were from the Silver Court, correct? Mx. Revar?

[ He even does a deep bow. He's gotta! ]

It's an honor to meet you.

I am. Simply "Revar" will do.

[ They watch as Hans goes through the motions. Really, they don't need to be able to read his mind to see what's happening here. But they don't show any hostility to him. He's a student just like everyone else, after all. He will have a chance to prove himself, or not at all. ]

It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Hans, was it? I look forward to seeing what you will become.

Ah, yes. That's right.

[ Had the vampire read his mind? Or were they simply so studious that they learned every novices' name and face? Hans would have to keep this in mind. He's a novice, so no one will expect anything of him. He could live a different life...

Or he could prove his family wrong and make a name for himself. Obviously it's option B. But while he has their attention... ]

Um, may I ask... how long have you been doing this? Not this as in bringing novices to Castle Courtheart, obviously. I mean. You're just... you're the oldest vampire I've ever spoken to. You must have seen it all.

You're not wrong.

[ An amused smile plays on their lips, a little twinkle in their silver eyes. ]

But the simple answer is I've lost track. They held a party for my 200th Autumn some years ago, but...

[ was it 10 years ago or 100? hard to say really. ]

[ as a silver court teacher, it's only proper that tighnari should at least acknowledge revar, and so he approaches and offers a respectful bow of his head, one ear twitching lightly. ]

It seems we've got a decent crop this year. I've seen many promising faces.

[ Revar smiles, pleased with the metaphor, which was so fitting for their court and season. The smile turns a little more amused at the twitch of that ear and Revar's attention is draw to them, the way a teacher is drawn to some strange quirk of a child they know they will grow out of one day. ]

So full of potential. [ They nod, and then look back around the room and the initiates and the youngbloods assembled. ] Will you be taking one, Tighnari?

[ it's fine, tighnari is more than accustomed to having his ears glanced toward. he knows he's strange for it, but he simply can't go without them now that he's tried this mask on for size; they feel.. correct in a way he cannot rightly explain. ]

I think I may, a few have piqued my interest. Silver has quite a few options to draw from this season.

[ honestly, he's going to have to be careful not to take on too much.. ]

Any standouts, to you?

[ Revar looks out among the crowd as they consider. There are a number of potential Silver candidates, it seems. Not to mention those that might drift from one Court to another. ]

Take care not to over-burden yourself. They can be emotionally taxing.

[ Like children, their tone seems to imply. Always having to watch that they're not sticking their hands in fire. ]

There are a few I am interested in, but even I have been wrong before. I do not think I will take any this season.

[ They did, but very rarely. One of the Silver Court teachers had apprenticed with them for their final season in at least recent memory. ]

Who do you think will excel?

Hm.

[ tighnari's gaze drifts out across the hall, over the many faces, young and old, that throng in the space. ]

The young girl Eden is very promising. She's quite knowledgeable in flora and fungi for her age, and has excellent foraging skills. Haru as well. But I may be biased.

[ he can't help but be interested in the aspiring novices who share his own passions. ]

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.

[ ooc: if this is not alright, please let me know and I'm happy to edit. ]

[ Will was in attendance, as had been requested. He had even dressed for the occasion. A proper black on black suit rather than his usual flannels overtop cargo pants, or jeans.

He'd made it through the entire greeting, had even ushered a couple of wayward novices back to their appropriate groupings. He'd been social. Now, after waiting for Revar to finish a conversation, he stepped up in a moment of quiet and gave them a bow of his head. ]

You were right [ he says quietly and by way of a greeting ] Being social did not kill me. [ His voice is very soft-spoken but there is a hint of genuine humor in the words, as if he may have been kindly teased about such a concern. Over the years, as he's struggled to come back from where he'd gone as a novice, he's often needed the skills and aid of Silver Court members.

His eyes sadden in the next moment and he glances down at their feet. ]

But I don't believe myself ready for a novice. Not yet.

(( other than the part where cargo pants and jeans don't exist in this setting all good, haha! ))

[ The truth is, Revar had been watching Will curiously well before he stepped over. A flick of his eyes there, a gentle listen to see whether he sounded anxious. But it seemed that the youngblood was making it through the night more or less alright. And so, when he stops by to say hello, Revar offers a gentle smile. ]

Indeed, you are still as undying as the day before.

[ They say that in a way that suggests that they think that is a gift, something to be glad about. ]

I agree with your assessment. But I also believe you have the capacity to change. Even an old vampire like me can learn new tricks.

[ooc: whoops! /o\]

[ Even after all these years -relatively speaking- he was still trying to come to terms with the idea of undying as a good thing. Sometimes he embraced it wholeheartedly, and sometimes he still mourned the loss of his humanity. To say Will had a complicated relationship with his vampirism was an understatement.

He was making an effort tonight, even if it may have looked like a baby step from the outside. In what he hoped would be taken as gratitude, for Revar not pressing him, he gave a nod of his head and looked out over the group of young Foundlings. ]

It does look like a strong group this season, and the Silver Court has put on an attractive display for them. [ Small talk always felt so painfully awkward in his mouth. He managed that one sentence and then had to follow up with a more pertinent observation. ] But about the pumpkins ...

Yes, our Silver Court youngbloods have been hard at work.

[ Is that a comment in regards to the display, or the pumpkins? Hard to say. ]

Maybe we should give the pumpkins to the kitchen. Do you think the thralls could make something the novices will like with them?

[ Will's going to decide they mean both. Both seems a safe assumption. ]

I believe pumpkin pie is considered appropriate for the season. [ He answered in a pensive tone, as he does not recall ever having been a big fan of the treat himself. After a beat, during which he once again studies the novices and Foundlings mingling about the room, Will offers a tried and true pumpkin use. ]

Carving contest?

[ 'Carving' being a little more up his alley. ]

Pumpkin pie....

[ They say it curiously, like they are trying to consider whether they remember the flavor. They don't.

But at the mention of carving, their expression shifts almost like they aren't sure if it would be proper to laugh or not, but ultimately they hold it back. ]

Hm, yes, that might be in order. It would foster two very important skills.

If one of those is team building? You won't see me again for the rest of the Season.

[ His voice is as soft-spoken and level as ever, but to anyone who has been around him for years, there is a hint of self-awareness that is both amusement and genuine sentiment.

He hears whisper of the word teambuilding and he'll find the deepest, darkest hole to hide in. He's also self-aware enough to recognize that his strong negative reaction to the word is comical.

Though speaking of teambuilding and other social activities. He has attended this arrival ceremony, he has even interacted with the random foundling, even shooed one in Revar's direction, and he has paid his respects. Giving a bow of his head towards Revar, Will moves to step back. ]

[ Someone may have been passed off by a socially awkward Black Court youngblood *ahem* Will Graham, though it wasn't the first time she'd interacted and gotten similar sounding advice. Finding it likely best to ease whatever anxieties that guy had by starting a conversation. Though in reality, it's probably not the one any of those Black Court teachers had hoped for. So the Foundling gave a light, though proper, bow of her head before doing so. ]

I've learned that the Black Court is quite... Protective, I think is the right word. They can't refuse a student from taking their class if that student meets the other requirements, right?

[ Another called her a lamb. It didn't seem fair to decide things before any steps were taken into this society. Who was to say what she was capable of already? ]

[ Revar gives a light, amused laugh. ]

No, they cannot stop you from taking their classes. But they may make your undying very difficult. Are you prepared to face that?

[ This sounds a bit more like a challenge than a warning. As if Revar expects the answer will be yes and they support the attempt. ]

I didn't really expect things to be easy.

[ Yes, there's a big difference between easy and very difficult, she knew that. ]

Very difficult isn't impossible. It seems more important get a good look of all aspects of this world. I'm not afraid of the darker aspects of it, and I'm not afraid of them making things that hard to get through. As long as I can't be stopped from trying, there's a chance to succeed.

[ They're probably right that she doesn't suit the court, but there could still be things she excelled at in their courses. ]

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.

[ 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. ]

[ See, it's students like these that are always the most interesting. Driven, and yet not understanding.

Revar reaches over and puts their hand on Eden's shoulder reassuringly. ]

Not yet. But others will struggle where you will succeed and instead of examining themselves, they will believe you have something they do not.

[ At least the first part of that felt nice; that someone who was being the spokesperson and in such a position believed she would succeed while here. It's a nice change from the Black Court teachers warning her away. ]

That's just when you ask for help. Ah, could it be from stress? There's some caffeine-free herbal blends involving things like elderflower and black pepper that's good for relieving that. Though if they're struggling, I suppose they wouldn't notice that they're stressing themselves out...

[ Once around people for more than a couple hours every few weeks, she'll realize probably understand things a little better. That there isn't some simple herbal remedy for jealousy. ]

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undyingcouncil - 2023-12-16 22:17 (UTC) - Expand

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serpendipity - 2023-12-16 23:42 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme - New Blood

REVAR

backdated to early season arrival

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html was not my friend

it happens it all of us!!

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Another early season arrival

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