undyingcourt | january tdm/event post

Entry tags:

january tdm/event post

JANUARY TDM - WINTER DREAMS

Welcome to the Undying Court's January Test Drive Meme! This post also functions as the January Event for existing characters, and continues the Winter Season, led by the Blue Court.

New characters may handwave or backdate the previous season's arrival prompt should they wish to, but you may otherwise assume they've been here the whole time! Additionally, all TDM threads can be taken as in-game canon if desired. And remember that apps open February 3-7, with invites opening on January 28, and reserves not long after!

Note that this post will contain: violence, enthrallment, torture, slavery, horror and potentially sexual content. Dreams come in many forms, after all.

This event also features another chance for characters to submit Regains, so make sure to submit after you've posted your top-level or reply to someone else's dream. For characters both new and old, feel free to brush up on the Premise, Vampire Powers, and head over to the FAQ/Game Info page if you have any questions!

Note that this event will be occurring throughout the month of January and into February, so characters are free to forward-date as desired!
For new characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Canon | Court | Youngblood/Novice | TDM
For existing characters please format your Top-level in this format: Character Name | Court | Youngblood/Novice
If you have any questions specific to the event, ask them in the Plotting Post Q&A section!

Top-Level Directory:

ONCE UPON A DREAM

A quiet falls over the Castle as a new day begins to break. As with every morning, this is a time when vampires must retreat to avoid the rays of the sun, pulling heavy curtains around their beds and windows to block out any light. However, this particular morning is abnormally quiet as the whole of the Castle seems to fall asleep all at once, and all together. After this enchanted sleep, and for the the next thirty days, the Castle's residents will start to experience strange phenomena within their dreams.

During this period, dreams become more vivid, so realistic it feels like the dreamer is awake. Dreamers can pass into each other's dreams without meaning to. Some of these dreams are in fact memories--either those from the lives the characters have lived in the Castle and the outlying lands, or the strange memories they've begun to gain back.

But be careful! For what starts as a regular memory might start to warp into something new. If you're lucky, it'll be something positive, like a dream of a home you've always wanted. But if you're unlucky, the memory might twist and turn into a nightmare, catching you in it and turning your worst fears against you.

Each nightfall, everyone will wake and return to normal. Or at least, most people will.

[Note: Any current characters who participate in the dream event by creating a top level or tagging someone else at least once in this prompt may be rewarded with a free impactful memory, which may be used in the dreamscape. Don't forget to submit for your Regains!]

A NIGHTMARISH CURSE

It turns out that not everyone wakes up. Those who stay in nightmares for too long may find themselves cursed, and unable to wake up. At first, the curse appears no different from regular sleep. But a few hours in the victim will start screaming uncontrollably. No touch will wake them, no amount of calling their name will break the spell. After too long, the victim will start to bleed, slowly at first, and then more and more as they remain afflicted. A victim left unattended will bleed out and die.

The Council works quickly to step in. Kashire (who is looking rather frayed this season) delivers the news that there's no need to panic, but everyone will need to do their part in locating and curing victims. In fact, the youngbloods seem to be taking this as the perfect opportunity for a teaching moment, and students are expected to try and find a cure with the skills that match their Court. Novices and youngbloods alike are encouraged to try and help lift the curse from anyone they can. (Get creative! Blood heals many wounds...) Any victims that have progressed too far will need to be seen to by Revar.

The nightmare curse, however, can spread quickly. Anyone who enters the nightmare of a victim will fall victim to the curse. Additionally, any attempt to reach out to the mind of a curse victim will also spread the curse. With the combined efforts of the students and teachers, the curse can be completely put out. But it will take time and care to ensure everyone is found in time, and cured safely.

ANYWAY, WINTER GAMES!

But a few curses aren't going to stop the Blue Court from making sure everyone has a good time. The days might be short, and weighed down by the threats of nightmares, but winter has hit Castle Courtsheart in full force, and the long nights and snow-covered grounds make for an excellent backdrop to the Inter-Court Winter Games!

There isn't really a reward for the winning house besides bragging rights and maybe a trophy that doubles as a chalice, but youngbloods and novices alike are invited to join in the festivities and compete against one another in the spirit of glory and the chance to lord over your Court's superiority. Even Council members and mature vampires of each court seem to enjoy cheering on their respective teams from the stands. Everything is fine! Forget your troubles and go play in the snow.

What kind of sports do vampires play? Feel free to get creative, but here are some examples:

Thrall-Curling: Since vampiric strength proves to be a little too much for this sport otherwise, teams of novices (or youngbloods) of the same Court can team up to gently compel their thralls to play the thrilling sport of curling. Coax that stone across the ice with care, and take out the opposing team! Or, well, the thralls will do that, assuming they're guided well. Try not to break them. (The thralls, that is.)

Figure skating: Practicing your pirouettes? For a vampire, a quadruple-axel is hardly worth breaking a sweat over. Favored for its beauty and almost seductive grace, the figure skating competition will be scored and judged by a multi-court panel. Participants might get extra points for incorporating bladework and masking into their sets, so these performances are sure to wow the judges.

Ice Hockey: Yes, the high-contact sport transcends time and space, but vampires don't need silly things like helmets or padded safety gear. Don your court's colors and hit the ice to toss the puck around and score as many points against the opposing team as you can before the time runs out. Violence is encouraged! Everyone likes to see a bit of blood on the ice this time of year. (Shadowstepping is considered cheating, but only if you get caught.)

And more! Snowball fighting may not be a sport, but there's no better time to enjoy the outdoors and stretch those growing fangs and muscles than the dead of winter. So whether you're cheering on your Court or watching from the sidelines, there's something here for everyone. Just because the castle is full of the the undead doesn't mean they can't have a little winter fun.

CLASS NOTES

Other notable happenings for the early winter season include:

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and maybe it's time to find or make gifts for that special blood claim in your life. This season blood jewelry is the hot ticket item. These are pieces made from precious metal and glass, which hold the blood of a vampire in them. Carry a lover's blood to show how much you love them, or carry your own to force down the throat of your enemies so you can influence them.

Whispers around school start to say that Black Court lost a novice this month. Not murder this time! He simply unmade himself trying to mistwalk. Eh, these things happen.

As a result of a tie in last month's pumpkin carving contest, members of the Black and Red Courts will find small packages outside their doors. They are gifted silver letter openers, with the handle inlaid with pumpkins and leaves, and a note from Revar with a little drawing of a pumpkin and their signature. How nice!

Lady Whisperfangs is quiet for now, but her time is yet to come... This month's check-in will have a field to submit gossip about your characters! Vampires do so love their drama.

Once again, characters are free to talk to the NPCs as well: Revar & Kashire. For any questions regarding this month's prompts, please comment in the Plotting Post. For general game questions, please check the FAQ/Game Info. In the meantime, remember to submit your Regains for this month's free reward, and keep an eye out for our AC Check-in next week, starting on January 25-31.

The new year has brought us plenty of thirsty vampires, so we're glad you're here to share them with you!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That black door remains closed at one side of the hallway. It's clearly only temporary for now. Darkness always finds a way.

Xenk scoffs, an adorable little pout that would be completely unheard of on his adult face. ]

Everything needs rules, James. Anyone who breaks them gets punished. That's how it works.

[ Of course, this being a dream Xenk doesn't realize he's called Jim by his name. That doesn't matter. He wants to play night terrors, so he happily holds his hand out for some rock-paper-scissors. ]

I know that one! Boulder, parchment, sheers!

[ He chooses rock. Of course he does! ]

[Thankfully she's still easy to spot in a crowd with her platinum blond hair even if it's still rather dirty like everything else about her. There's only so far a ten year old can go and she seems determined to leave from this place but pushing through the crowd of the inn is a little more difficult than it has any right to.

Giving Cotton enough time to catch up to her and she's blinking slowly as she's interrupted, having not expected for someone to actually care about her existence. And even more confused when the shawl is offered to her, not seeming to quite understand what's going on.]

... Why? [No one shows her this kindness, what could this old woman want with her?]

[Considering she was really just hanging there to catch her breath and to stretch out some muscles simply by letting them get used to it again, her attention is easily pulled towards the figure in the doorway. This one she doesn't recognize, which is weird in and of itself, but she's never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Even if it means she has to pull herself back up to sit in the ring as if it were nothing more than a swing.]

You would think so, but it still works quite well~ Not that I really get cold anymore, but the warmth is still nice. Did you see something you like, darling?

You don't have to suffer from things like the cold to enjoy comforts, like the heat... of fires.

[ And bodies, obviously, knowing most people in the Castle. Inviting themselves in, Eden's got a nice and easy smile... Partially because they've past the first few seconds test. Not immediately recognized. ]

There's a lot that I'm liking, yeah. So this is your favorite, then, or just the best statement spot until someone came by?

Mmm, you certainly aren't wrong.

[She's Red, of course she understands the double meaning there. Though she's actually laughing at the question, sliding back down from her sitting spot to hanging from the bottom of it easily enough. Don't ask how she did it, but she is getting the hoop to return back towards the ground.]

One I haven't played with too much lately, so I needed to get back in the hang of things. The rest are ones I've learned ages ago but this one I still haven't quite mastered to my standards.

The ease is not the problem. A powerful Gold Court vampire can enter any mind, in any state. The problem is that any contact with the affected one's mind causes the curse to spread.

[ Xenk puts his pencil down, the numbers on his notes wildly varied. ]

I have considered using thralls as an intermediary, but the casualties may prove detrimental to the continued survival of Courtsheart.

[ Ah, that's what the numbers are about. ]

[ Given that they've just gotten the hang of tying harnesses, this is waaay beyond what Eden could grasp right now. They have good enough core strength in normal form to start learning, probably, but grasping what's being done to make it all happen... ]

So it's actually a coincidence? Huh... Surprising.

[The touch helps center him, taking a steadying breath as he tries to stop the tears and the panic that's clearly taken over in this moment. They were all going to die and it will be his fault when they do because they are his responsibility now... They trusted him, that's why they followed when they saw him run.

Even if this person says it isn't his fault, he knows that every death of these children will be his fault.

Shaking his head he moves to stand, grabbing the blanket off the back of the chair.]

I know what Kudos is doing isn't my fault, but it will be my fault if I let a single one of those kids die.. They're my responsibility now. I have to do my best, you know? Not like we have anyone else to help us now..

[Oh, it's certainly something that takes a lot of practice, she will absolutely and completely admit to that. But once she's back to the ground she finally lets the hoop go and stretches her arms over her head once more just to make sure she got all the kinks out.]

Of course it was. This is all something I've done since I was young, before even coming here, so why wouldn't I try and keep this up? [Though now she's curious as to what they thought they were doing.] Is it really that surprising that I do have an inclination towards some kind of art when I'm in Red like this?

Not to worry, Satoru. Xenk is feeling particularly humbled this month, as the dreams weren't kind to him either. He simply stands back and watches, as Satoru's maker makes themselves the most important person in his life. It's not unheard of, in fact it's likely preferred. Perhaps Szass Tam hadn't done so out of sheer hubris.

"Indeed," Xenk says simply, watching the scene unfold. "They would believe that true strength comes from obedience. Or torment. Szass Tam was particularly fond of torment."

The novices must be eager to curry favor with their Court.

[ The novices were being encouraged to help cure the victims, after all. This may not have been the vampires' fault, but there was no reason they couldn't turn it into a lesson.

At least, until the victims became too far gone, like here. After the smoke dies down, Revar tips the bottle so the liquid falls into the victim's open mouth, and after the last drop is gone, the victim sits up suddenly, blinking and looking around at the room. ]

Welcome back.

[you mean like how people may not realize they've been having a conversation someone while almost entirely naked? not that Jacob's really seemed to register that in a meaningful enough way that would elicit a reaction...you simply don't question your betters, and that includes states of dress or otherwise. he does politely turn his head while Hayato changes, as if they hadn't been having a full frontal nudity-to-face conversation just six seconds ago???? ok, child.]

Just down the hall...like, from that way? [he'd struggle a bit to indicate what direction he meant when he wasn't looking at the vampire, but he'd manage!] Was just getting something to eat before I jumped into my classwork again.

[...sweetheart. that's not the sort of 'where did you come from' that he meant.]

Oh, no, not for that. I'm thinking of something to add to the mixture's to hopefully snap the cursed out of it and act as a cure and not just something to buy time.

[ Also, shit man, is that what all the writing has been for? Eden's been looking at how he's been frantically adding numbers. ]

Yeah... With how easily people get infected, that sounds a good way to go through all the thralls.

[ She could imagine a few of the immediate caretakers of them (like Elias) wanting to do a murder if that happened. She saw his response just from someone getting a bad infection due to poor treatment of a single thrall. ]

[ That gets Edgin's attention. He clambers to his feet to run after him, but as he does, the scene starts to twist: day becomes night, and Kira's laughter fades away. ]

Stop. You have nothing to gain by going in there.

[ Xenk can't help but feel pride at Kirk's words. They're words that will destroy him, that will dig a dagger into his heart for every failure, but they are the words of a man twice his age. ]

You have the mark of a true leader. How sad that you found it through such hardship.

[ But Xenk grabs blankets too. He promised he would help, and he promised he would keep Kirk safe. He folds one up over his shoulder and grabs another under his arm. ]

We will guard them to the last. If I must defeat this Kudos, I will do so -- if only in your dream.

[A polite nod is about all you need for a greeting from there, but she does at least do more than that.] Hi...

[She keeps herself from repeating 'oils??' aloud, instead watching as the vial is pulled out. Cinnamon and cardamon, and-] ...Oh, I keep forgetting we'll have to give up chocolate... [she laments quietly, before pulling herself together.] That does seem like it might help though...everyone's mentally out of reach thanks to the sleep, but in theory smell and touch would reach the brain.

It-

[And that. That is where her brain grinds to a halt. Demon...demonstra...] ...Eh?

[Go easy on her Eden, she had a very sheltered life before this-]

Yeah, it's gotta be. We just don't normally...share them.

[ It's strange, but lucidity is returning to him slowly. The realization this isn't real, the terror shaking off but only in slow waves. It threatens to come back every time he looks at Zia's body in his hands. ]

Just let Kira go. She can't hurt me.

[ Well. She can't hurt him with her tiny hands any more than she can hurt him with her cutting words. ]

[The nervousness might show a little, but at least she's going to be honest.]

Gentle...I can do that, [she breathes, nodding more to herself than anything. It doesn't quite keep her from wincing, however.]

Not at all...I didn't see much snow where I grew up, let alone ice. Most of these sports are completely new.

[ Wyll throws his snowball at Harlock's feet, taking a moment to scold him. ]

Oi! Don't harm any animals, alright? Be careful!

No, not surprising that you'd be drawn towards some kind of artistic expression.

[ He's still looking up at the silks... There's no way Eden was going to try any of this in this form before knowing other things about what it could do. Despite how comfortable it was walking around, it was a lot of new sensations to get used to. Which is why they're doing a very good job of not thinking about how Lydia's often expressed herself. ]

It's just as likely to have been meant to draw people in, with the doors being open like that. Maybe a bit like a trap?

Oh-

[She's not disappointed. There's no disappointment in her voice, just...a little surprise. Awkwardly she holds her arms close, nodding and turning her gaze to the dream couple.] ...I'm sorry I assumed.

But...That means there's a chance, right? For you both, even if it wouldn't be exactly like...

[Yasuho trails off, looking at the features of the dream. The sun, the food...

She refocuses.]

Do you know if you could send her a letter?

[She doesn't press about the idea of someone going rogue with the vampiric process; sometimes things...Happen. It's not something anyone wants to dig deep into. But she has plenty of birds capable of sending a missive, and if Phillip is willing to try for it she'd be happy to lend one for something like this.]

[ Xenk isn't even really -- well. This is just a dream. He has no idea if any of this is real, but it's fair to assume Edgin's wife and child are dead. (Actually if Xenk knew Edgin's daughter's name he'd probably recognize it, but that's neither here nor there.)

He steps closer. The night sky is a relief for a vampire like him, and he takes that as a good sign. ]

It has been ten years since you were turned, Edgin. There must surely be more to you than your past.

I mean, you experience mine right? Or is that just emotionally experience them?

[When Edgin says to let her go, he does, setting her down on the ground easily enough. Part of him doesn't want to because he doesn't want Edgin to hurt himself through his daughter. But--

Well, it can't be helped if it happens. Jim knows he hurts himself a lot in his own nightmares.]

Yes she can.

For someone I don't recall seeing before, you certainly do seem to know a bit about me, what's your name?

[Doesn't really matter as she sees them looking at the silks and she can't help but grin, casually moving over to them and wrapping her hands in them easily enough with a brief bit of a hum at the question.]

I doubt most people know this room exists and I was thinking about perhaps teaching something around these next season, that's all~ If it happens to lead to a little fly getting caught in a trap, then that's just a benefit. [Says the woman that's just going to use the silks to do merely a flip with those silks before leaning back somewhat. She could climb them easily if she wanted to, but she's resisting the urge for now.]

I do look the image of a spider with these, don't I? [Of course they're a rich shade of red, too.]

[ Eden was literally raised away from people in the woods, so someone needs to catch on up. ]

There's a lot of things we'll have to indulge in before we're fully turned.

[ Chocolate's just one of those major things. With a bit more of a smile, she gestures for Yasuho to get herself more into the room. ]

Well, it's safe for all over the body, so I can massage it into your back or anywhere else you'd like. It really does feel nice. Would you like your back, or legs...

[ Or chest, or... ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 10 of 67

january tdm/event post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

yasuho really said 'i dont see it....' in a castle that has orgy after parties smdh

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

someone needs a good awakening