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

So how does knowing what you taste like already answer if you wanted more or not? You should like how you taste.

[ Maybe it's different for vampires, though? It sounded like a question for another time, though. For now... Well, with her back on her feet, Eden hooked a finger back in the waistband and took a step back, stepping out of one leg of his breeches, then another step back to free his other foot as well, knowing he could just start pulling at her. In fact, he does after a moment of thought, pulling upwards a bit and towards himself. ]

If you want me on my knees that badly, you can have that later. How about you just keep yourself steady on those?

[ It'll be a bit of a show, a bit of fun, to just pull them off without either of them needing to bend over. ]

Because, unfortunately, while it may taste good for a brief moment, it turns to ash like much does for vampires. [Which kind of sucks, actually, especially when you would like to have a load blown down your throat like she does from time to time.

At least she gets to watch him move and see everything freed, though she huffs out of mostly annoyance when he's talking again, squirming just a bit with how those shorts are being tugged.]

I'm fine. Just get me out of these, please?~ [That please is anything but sincere, though she can certainly pretend for the moment.] I'm not terribly keen on feeling empty right now with an extremely tempting dick just staring me in the face, you know.

[A steel dagger flashes out from within Elias’ coat at the oncoming rapier, parrying the move. Elias takes a half-step back, flashing his fangs in an instinctive threat display, but he doesn’t try to swing back. He doesn’t much want to start an actual fight, either.]

That may be true if you were the only master of these thralls, but if every vampire here thought like that, we’d be out in a week. In the spirit of fairness, I’m afraid not even the illustrious Gold Court is above the policy to use our thralls responsibly.

[Elias’ gaze slides briefly to the onlookers, the statement partly also addressed to them: to any novice who may be taking notes from Lockwood in the hope of earning brownie points, he’d come after you, too. Winter is a hard time to keep thralls healthy and he’s especially cranky about it this time of year.

Still, in response to Lockwood’s smile he respectfully inclines his head in response.]

Elias Argent. [If Lockwood is politically savvy, he’ll recognise the surname as an offshoot branch of a Silver Court noble family- not particularly noble in themselves, Elias is one of many dozen youngbloods sired by the main family for… fun? Profit?] I mean no personal offense.

Ah... At least there's a moment. Also, who said I wasn't gonna help getting you out of these?

[ Oh, he's going to keep taking a step back, not releasing the waistband of the shorts, but pulling it more towards him the further back he gets. Yes, he's pulling her off her feet. ]

I bet you call all the dicks in front of you 'extremely tempting.'

[ Just a few more steps and he'll pull down so she could easily slide out of them with gravity. It was a bit of fun, a bit of teasing and just tormenting the tormentor just a little. ]

( Ash, like Norton, gets Lamorak at his slightly more polite - Ash isn't who's done him a favor directly the way Norton has (though, can one really say Norton's favor is without cost?), but if he's going to offer respect to Norton, it feels only right to offer respect to Ash in turn, as well. Perhaps without Ash, there would be no Norton, either. )

So rarely is the truth convincing; I'll try to make a good show of it.

( He would know! People doubt the sincere things he says all the time. One must wonder why. Whether he's actually being sincere here is, as always, ambiguous.

He breaches the threshold once invited, his steps silent and swift as he comes up beside his desk, casting his gaze across it - and those books - before returning it to Ash. He's not particularly business-minded; he was prompted here by the books, yes, but he sees no reason to demand them if they're in use, nor pass up chance for conversation. )

Have we all left you so lonely that you've had to resort to books for company?

( Rather unengaging company, clearly, at that. )

Shouldn't you know your way around by now?

[ Reyson is a responsible and helpful person underneath the attitude. It is just. The attitude... He sighs, put upon but in a somewhat performative way. He might be more experienced in the ways of the castle, but this man here is slightly taller, so of course there's the chance that he might think he is better than Reyson - look, he's got complex emotional hangups and a need to establish dominance. Which, at least, can be channeled into showing off that he does in fact know his way around the castle. ]

Very well, where are you going?

Oh? if I had a complaint, I'd go talk to my Maker, wouldn't I?

( His tone adopts a vibrant levity, and he mirrors Yuri's words back at him for apparently no purpose but the fun of it. He seems theatrically delighted by Yuri's apparent curiosity toward him. )

Really, there's nothing wrong with Blue at all - not more than any other Court. ( He sweeps one hand in a broad gesture. This isn't answering Yuri's question - it is, in fact, a purposeful derail. ) After all, every Court is has its perks - and every Court is troubled; at least, by human standard. Unless you have them tiered a particular way, in your heart?

Edited 2024-01-25 08:15 (UTC)

Things have been busy recently...

[ But regardless of whatever was going through Reyson's mind, he still took an initial bite, so it was easy to play around for a bit. Plus, they're curious, because in some ways, the older novice was already treating them a bit differently in comparison to Eden's normal appearance. ]

The joke answer to that would be your bed. Unless you're interested, in which lead on.

[ It's an easy smile he keeps up, not holding any expectations or pressure in the comment. Though Eden now had to think of an uncommon place that he'd know of... ]

More seriously... What're the chances of you knowing which place has the best acoustics here?

I hadn't realized I instilled so little faith...

( His words drift out with a faint exhale, nearly a breathless laugh. It isn't hard to guess he's being baited - or, perhaps alternately put, tested. Though his demeanor doesn't change much, he considers his answer with some care.

Lamorak is not the type for direct proclamation of intent; he is not straightforward and unerring, like his brothers. Still... )

... I would think it worth your while. After all, if I cannot handle it now - if you judge there no spark of potential - then would it not be a waste of time for you to raise me up through my final season?

( Extremely risky if this doesn't work out for him, he's aware. It makes this a bold argument of confidence, in his strange way. )

If I disappoint, you can do as you like with me.

Very young, then. [Better if the Maker who claimed this one were here, but sometimes there are some things you can't rely on because of time or availability. He tugs his glove off, and wraps fingers around the novice's wrist, feeling the pulse. He could simply listen to their heartbeat without the physical contact, but still.

Some people still need to be treated like humans, especially novices. Though he still means what he said by putting something in the mouth to keep fangs from tongue. Even a human's blunt teeth can cut it off with enough force.]

Many things we could do for vampires will not work on this one. We'll handle them like a human would.

How's your hearing?

[Norton doesn't have the same issues about Court loyalty and whatnot, even if he tugs his blue scarf around his neck a little tighter. Not that he feels the cold, but more because it's starting to loosen up after the half-arsed knot he put it in begins to unravel.]

My vote goes to Black. Blue has the potential, but some would rather throw a game if it means more fun.

[And he would like to win, thank you. That's the point of a bet, you want to win it.]

Bein' cheeky right now. [Enough that Norton's old street accent's come out. Not that he cares so much about his gruff manner of speech-- even if he tends to be dodgy about where he came from, it's not as if he shies away from showing, on occasion, that he's the rougher sort despite the colours he wears.]

Is that what you'll offer me if I win our gamble? Or is that something else entirely?

[Though he does know Lamorak can handle it-- it's just a matter of whether or not he wants to. Norton likes to think that he has an eye for potential.]

( The slip into his previous accent earns the slightest quirk of Lamorak's brow, regarding it, as always, with interest, and not so much judgment. It's definitely he's something he's asked after before, and, considering he hasn't an answer yet, it retains his interest. )

Consider it a means of deepening our bond.

( He says this slyly, but, despite how his ambiguous demeanor that suggests some kind of plot or mischief, he's not being insincere. Norton is useful to him - but he's not approached this relationship as one of give and take. He really would like to get on with him - even if he's acutely aware Norton is a vampire, and certainly not of noble heart, not unlike those who splintered his family. )

Shameless!

[ Reyson is easily flustered as always, and snaps back automatically. This is why it is necessary to be firm right off the bat! ...Without being so firm that he shuts down shameless propositions entirely. Reyson is learning things about himself in this wicked den of iniquity and debauchery and one of those things is that sometimes yelling at someone gets him worked up in an unseemly manner. Sometimes. Frequently it is just him being pissy, but there is something about this stranger's smile- but enough of that! He clears his throat, and looks him in the eyes. ]

You're asking the right man, as it happens. The halls on the west side are good for performances, but if you want privacy - honestly, with the volume of music classes, you'll have a fight on your hand for the standard practice rooms. Do you want to hear yourself, or for others to hear you?

[ He takes acoustics seriously, as he takes many other things seriously. If he lived in a world with stereos and speakers he would be insufferable. ]

Just like you've an answer for everything. [Check and mate. Is that what they say? Whatever. He thinks he's made his point, so he's just going to let it be.

Even if he just admitted that he's gotten more than just blood from the old man.]

Don't be so selfish, then. I wouldn't be here if you didn't insist on taking everything-- and I wouldn't have gone looking in the library if it weren't for the current situation.

[He has no idea what to do about the nightmare situation other than the physical. Dreamwalking is out of the question because there's a chance he'd get caught-- thus, his presence here, looking for a third option.]

Sometimes it works being a little shameless in a place like this.

[ They also noticed that while that was a snappish reaction, it wasn't... him denying any interest. Which was interesting in its own right. That would be thought of later, for now, just some easy fun and experimentation. ]

Can't say that I mind being heard [ another shameless joke, but less obvious as Eden keeps on, ] but it's probably more important that I hear myself. I've never really sung or anything, so I'm curious enough about practicing. It might come up at some point.

[ Which was completely true! Especially with that odd song that's been coming up in their dreams lately. While wanting to ask if anyone knew it, Eden wanted to try sounding something like it in their normal form, and it didn't hurt to try these vocals out as well. ]

Did I get lucky enough that you know places outside the official practice rooms?

Too much snow will get my clothes wet. Ever wandered about with water in your boots? [He has. As a human too-- now that he has the option to just not, he'll avoid it when he can. Creature comforts are so much easier to come by here.]

If they wanted more people to participate and not worry about discomfort, there should have been activities inside.

[Then again, the Blue Court just tends to say sod it, we're doing it anyway.]

I'll take that as a yes. [Because it's as much of a straight response as he can get from Lamorak. He's spent long enough with the man to know this... Not to mention, he does have to give his novices some leeway. Learning how to be a vampire is a mess as it is.

Norton drums his fingers on his arm for several seconds, then gives a nod.]

I'll place my bets on the Red Court.

Shall we shake on it?

[Easy enough solution, and one Cotton nods in agreement with. There goes the door, and in they go. The old woman doesn't verbally reply to Hayato's request- but given she moves right to check through the room for what they need, she's clearly heard.

A wash basin at the side is quickly being brought over to rest on the side table so that it's more near. Bandage-wise, she's not having much luck there but well!]

It's the spare linen, but it'll do the trick for now, [Cotton mutters, clicking her tongue a little.] For the moment, it looks like there's just a few spots that need cleaning...

[As she says it, she gets to it. The smelling salts meanwhile seem to be having some effect! At the very least, the screaming is quieting.]

Mmmm...I don't believe I need to tell you to be wary of who offers in such a place like this, no matter how I hope the right people do, [she admits, voice croaking just slightly. With a sad look to the child, her gaze turns up the stairs.]

....Was there anything he had with him, that you wish to keep?

[Was there anything she wants out of that woman's hands, for that matter?]

It's incredible how much there is to study...and then there's the social layers...

[She happily moves off to the topic of baths however, not wanting to waste a de-stress by stressing out over classes and courts again.]

Is that what people normally do in winter...? I used to hear stories about natural springs...

[At least, despite her tendency to puff up and panic, Yasuho doesn't jolt at the idea of sharing a bath with anyone. She's too relaxed for that- points in favor of Eden's oil concoction for sure- though the woman does give an almost depressed sigh all the same.]

It's probably going to be a while before I let myself do something like that...

[Have a bath? Or have someone join her for a bath? The first is terrible but the second is just tragic.]

Yeah...

[ Eden had trouble understanding literally all of the social layers in the beginning, having to learn that this wasn't just a bunch of students and teachers, but they all had their levels and how you could interact with them- basically, society in general was relatively new to always be in for them. ]

I'm not sure if there's any natural springs that are safe to go to around here... But why would it be a while before you let yourself take a bath? Or is it the natural springs?

[ Was it really just sharing a bath with someone? That would be such a shame. ]

[ He keeps hearing this but he is changing enough as it is! He would rather be the uptight guy than the guy who goes to costumed orgies every Tuesday. He narrows his eyes at the joke, but lets it pass. Music is serious business. Or rather, it is one thing he does not need to take seriously, and thus it is terribly important. ]

Of course. The wine cellars are quite good, if you can convince someone to let you in. The dungeon cells, perhaps, if you can convince someone to let you out... That was a joke, don't go into the dungeons.

The lakeshore a little ways outside doesn't have walls to reflect your voice, but the ambiance is lovely. It gets cold this time of year, especially at night. There is an outdoor courtyard near the library, with some sort of sound effect on the walls. It is free of vigorous activity outside of Tuesdays, but people go there to smoke and the like. They shouldn't mind a bit of singing, unless you're wretchedly off-key.

[ Okay, but who does Reyson know that goes to costumed orgies every week? ]

If they usually smoke the stuff that stinks and gets stuck on your clothes really bad, I'll probably skip the courtyard. Which sounds like either I find someone to let me into the cellars, or I go to the lake?

[ Well, maybe it won't be so impossible to get into a practice room for just ten minutes or something. ]

Who knows, I might be off-key. I wouldn't really know... The only benefit I know I've got is a good lung capacity.

Cellars it is. I can be very convincing.

[ Is lung capacity more innuendo - probably not. Reyson makes a follow-me gesture and turns, fairly certain that he's not being tricked into flinging them both headlong into the old blowjob patch. If he is incorrect, that is on him. ]

I have a good ear, as well. I'll tell you if you're off. There's nothing worse to hear than someone who doesn't know that they're singing poorly.

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january tdm/event post

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extremely ominous grandpa!!! <3

3 - a little mischief

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rolls a die... ...Oh nice, 17

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