undyingcourt | january tdm/event post

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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

Not knowing is part of what makes it a gamble, isn't it?

( One could bet jewelry and coin - but who's to say it's not gold-coated copper; cheap-made metal? There's never any guarantee something's a bet really worth your while until it's in your hands. Lamorak enjoys such surprise - most uncertainty. )

And what might you bet, should you find yourself keen?

( Intriguing... Lamorak will tuck this information away for later. For what purpose? Well, well.

He only smiles when met with hissing; this guy's well enough to get angry, which is a good enough sign. He shifts from behind Yuri to beside, leaning against the table in the sort of half-sit a librarian would scold him for, if he were caught (if). He doesn't seem it, but there is a concern that riddles him. How it translates, instead, is this: )

My approach would've startled you regardless of its direction, wouldn't it?

( Some way less so than others, but let's not sweat the small stuff. He rests his palms along the table's edge, suggesting he's decided to park here. )

I'm sure some professor in Silver can attend to you, if you're feeling so unwell.

( Chronically, apparently. )

( Lamorak gets beaned pretty hard in the back of the head, which, ow? He shakes his head, the snow dissolving into his long hair - where it'll probably melt, and give him some terrible frizz later in the night. Oh, tragedy.

He turns back to see his polite(?) inquirer - in his hand, another such snowball, tossed up and down in his palm. There's mischief in his smile. )

I don't know. Why don't you?

( And he lobs it right at Suguru, fastball-style. Is it wise to chuck a snowball at a Black court vamp when you're still a Novice? Probably not. Anyway, )

[Acting like a fussy cat should really be enough to make most people abscond the conversation, but this guy? Is settling in?? And smiling??? Yuri's glare increases as he watches him, equal parts annoyed and confused. And he can only be silent at that question, because yep, it's hard to be aware of your surroundings when it feels like your skull is going to split open. If he had walked right up to him he wouldn't have noticed.

Okay, well, if this is a conversation that's happening, then... whatever. He takes a moment to rub the bridge of his nose before he resumes writing, quickly finishing that up.]

They're not gonna be able to help. This is as good as it gets.

[Once he's done he's just going to put his pencil down and rest his head in his hand. His voice is extra growly to make up for being so visibly affected by this headache in front of someone.]

Unless they just fucking knock me out and call it a day. I wouldn't put it past them.

[That's really derisive of him but hey, sedation does have its place.]

[Kirk thinks about saying "Look, I'm even learning in dreams" to lighten the mood, but the man has his dead wife in his arms and his daughter screaming at him.. there was no lightening this mood.

Right now he feels like an intruder in a bad dream, like this isn't something he should be seeing or interacting with, he doesn't want to abandon Edgin to deal with this alone, yet.. part of him wants to wake up and not be privy to something that is obviously private.

Still, he's here regardless, so he moves over to kneel down by Kira, trying to ignore how his knees are in a puddle of gold blood. The small makes him feel sick.]

Hey kiddo.. look, you need to go. Your dad here is right, you need to run. If you can't do it for him, then do it for your mom.. she wouldn't want you to get hurt.

Not a fan of our local healers, are we?

( He says like they weren't torturing people in the basement a few months ago, apparently. That certainly made for a round of gossip.

He casts his gaze across Yuri, at the edges of his vision the crutch, as if studying him in some way. )

Is it that painful, that it's worth unconsciousness? I can't imagine being in pain so often.

( Suggesting he caught sight of those notes... Don't mind it. )

Oi!

[Elias stands on the steps leading into the practice courtyard, pointing, furious at the thrall abuse. Not furious-mixed-with-horror, as if he’s going “oh gosh the POOR humans the IMMORALITY”, just furious. As in, imagine you’re a hardworking chicken farmer and you’ve just caught someone punting your prize egg-layers like a football. That kind of furious.]

It’s mid-winter, we’re not getting any new thralls until spring! Can you please not stab them!

[ The sheer indignity is amusing enough to cause Lockwood to pause in his actions and turn towards the flustered looking individual currently raising a flap. ]

I'm not stabbing them. [ He responds with an indignant expression of his own. Because puh-leeze, stabbing would be inelegant. He's got much better form! ] I'm just giving them a bit of a dice.

[ Suiting action to work, he lifts the tip of the rapier and cuts a delicate line of red along the high cheekbone of the thrall he's currently using for practice. ]

Ooohohoh, I'll do my best to get some snow fights in, oh yes!

[At least it probably won't be mindless hedonism? There's something charming about the idea of watching 'Grandma' throw some well aimed snowballs.]

Ohhh...you know I'm not actually certain though...I came in with the feathers you see, the 'Lottery' they called it. So I expect I'll have to sort out if 'Blue' for my homeland isn't quite right...

[It was a blue vampire ~~for TDM reasons anyway~~ that ultimately took her in after all, but there's no telling she'll stay there. The larger question is probably which spooky court secret tricks she should one day be holding.]

It can be one if there's only one, but plural is more than fine! I can knit some lovely patterns into all sorts of things.

I'm thinking of trying my hand at some bed hangings- not to replace them of course, but something nice and decorative perhaps.

[No, he most certainly is not. In fact, he has a few choice swears he'd like to use to describe them, but he holds back. In a castle full of predators insulting them isn't going to get him anywhere, so he's a little more careful in choosing his words.]

I'm in the Silver Court. If I've got a serious problem I'll go to my Maker.

[This does not qualify as serious. He shrugs faintly, closing his eyes for a few moments.]

It's fine. It'll pass.

"I'm always fighting my maker," Satoru grumbles, a rare show of what might be called actual genuine emotion. There's precisely two people he'd trust enough to do that with, and one of them is in the castle, and the other one has been on back to back missions for years and isn't here. Just the figment of him.

A figment that's annoyingly lucid and sharp for a dream. Shouldn't Dream Suguru be talking nonsense?

As Dream Satoru leaps easily through a forest of striking tendril roots and lands on the plant monster's shoulders to rip out what seem to be its eyes, real Satoru frowns at Suguru, then frowns deeper, and finally comes to realization that he's dreaming. And that Suguru isn't just a figment.

Ha. He knew Suguru would come back eventually. Is this just a brief visit? Is he going to stay longer? Why did this have to happen in a stupid dream?

"You asshole, how are you even doing this?" he asks cheerfully, still leaning on Suguru's shoulder and reaching over to poke him in the cheek. "I know you missed me, but barging in on my dreams? What, were you hoping to see something dirty?"

[ Edgin lets out a breath, glad to see at least one thing is going his way in this nightmare, that Kirk is helping.

He's still overwhelmed by the smell of blood in the air, sickened at the way he wants to drink it, and if not Zia's, then at least someone. He tries to focus on Kirk--reminds himself that's a desire it's okay for him to have. That he's not going to hurt him. That it would be better to hurt him than to hurt Kira. ]

Please.

[ It comes out choked and small. He tries to gently nudge her away, but Kira wants none of it. You always do this! You always ruin everything, and then you leave me you. ]

You're not...not not even making sense anymore.

[ it's punctuated with a broken laugh, tired and giving up . ]

Aye! The Blade. My god? Have I not given you the proper gospel?

[ He cocks a brow, smiling bright. ]

I'm a clergyman, believe it or not. I know gods have fallen somewhat out of favor in these lands, but where I am from, many are still worshiped freely.

[ The scene changes the closer the way. They're no longer on a farm, but on a road, leading up to a small cottage. ]

It's just a dream. It's not even my choice--it's not like I talk about it around the Castle.

[ There's a pang to it, at how unfair it is that Xenk would take even this from him, when he doesn't even talk about it. When he keeps his human things to himself.

But as the scene solidifies around them, Edgin stops moving. His clothes have changed, and he looks younger--ten or so years younger, really. He looks down at his hands, turns them to look at what he's wearing. He's never seen this place before. But it feels right.

It feels like home. ]

Wait.

Well, there's nothing obscene about it, is there? It's a display of physical prowess. The Blade favors those who train and better themselves -- it's not as though a blade is an instrument made only for killing.

[ At least not where he's from! But poor Eden, had Wyll known she was that sheltered he probably would have tried to intervene when he'd met her the first time... alas. ]

All respect to you, but it sounds like you were tricked into hunting, Eden. Playing in the snow ought to have no goal but to have fun! One throws snow around until one team cries defeat. Or till the snow melts and you run out ammunition.

That you have not, I hadn't taken you to be a godsman...

[They're usually old from his experience. Curiosity piqued, and the snowball fight momentarily forgotten]

The one that rules my home domain has been trying to subdue the worship of the Father, but the Blade is one I hadn't heard of.

And here I was going to offer a little asphyxiation if you were desperate.

( A ??? joke ??? (????!)... And despite the assurance that Yuri more or less has this, Lamorak doesn't seem like he intends to uproot himself, either. )

[If it comes down to it, Edgin would be welcome to hurt him if it means not hurting Kira, he knows the vampire would suffer more hurting his daughter than him. He's okay with getting hurt if it means protecting Edgin.

Hearing that choked small voice claws at his chest.

Her words don't make sense.. maybe some part of Edgin felt guilty for not watching his daughter's death?]

Kira, come on kiddo, you can't be saying whatever you want to hurt your dad...

[ He's all for it tbh ]

I just figured...it's supposed to have a lot of energy right?

[ he looks at the cookie basket again and then the oatmeal and then: ]

Maybe for the next round we could do...oatmeal cookies?

[That actually earned a small smirk... that's almost a smile as he gives the roan's teeth a good lookover, before letting go - happy to see she is in good shape.]

Heh. Not many now their way around to spoil them. You new here?

[He had overheard what Philip was chatting about, but he didn't feel the need to pry too deeply at the moment]

[ The change in scenery is far from what Xenk expected. It's not as though he would have killed the dream versions of Edgin's family. He thought to perhaps... you know, threaten them a bit.

But the change in Edgin's clothes and appearance draws Xenk's attention. They're unfamiliar by far, not the type that is worn in the Blue Lands, or that Xenk has ever seen before. More than that, Edgin's younger appearance is... frustrating. It surely must be, for Xenk could not possibly think that Edgin looks almost boyish with his hair like this. No -- he still looks about the age Xenk was when he was turned, possibly.

It doesn't matter. He isn't staring. Edgin is just a frustrating vampire with whom Xenk shared a past life with at some point. That frustration that blooms in his chest only spurs Xenk further into action. ]

What are you waiting for, Edgin?

[ He turns, looking to follow the road. ]

[ What do you know? She turns her attention back to Kirk, you're just going to leave, too. ]

That's enough.

[ Edgin gently lays Zia's body down on the ground so he can turn his full attention on Kira. ]

Look, you'd really like Jim, if you ever got the chance to meet him. But we both know you didn't, right? In the real world, after this...

[ He shakes his head. ]

I love you. I'd sit and say it as many times as I could, but we both know hos this ends.

[.......................... Is that a joke. He shifts a little so he can stare up at this guy as he tries to decide that.

Surely it must be. At the very least, this seems like something he should not encourage (in case it isn't).]

... Who are you.

This isn't right.

[ Except it is right. It's more right than anything has ever felt.

At least for a moment.

And then the Red Wizard comes, running out of the house as Edgin finds himself compelled to run inside. Somehow, he already knows what he'll find. The memory plays out for Xenk to watch. Zia's dead body, and the uncurable wound. Pointing to the secret compartment in the tiles. Kira, a baby, losing her mother and being stuck with only her dad.

It plays exactly like it should, until the memory of it ends and he's left holding this tiny little baby struck with grief and a sense that he has no idea what he's supposed to do.

But he'd...he'd raised Kira with Zia. On the farm. Zia helped him the whole time. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.

Everything was... ]

I don't...I don't understand.

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