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

I still don't think it's clear by just that...

[ However, even more- ]

But I don't see why any of that should stop you from enjoying yourself, or enjoying people's company.

[ It was very clear since the first season that Eden's experiences in the world were very limited, however. It was different from just being sheltered; those that could tell could figure out she was probably purposefully isolated. ]

You're free to do and try whatever you like right now. If things are that clear, it's even more reason as to why you're free. Being brave and bold enough to grab what you want is part of what we're supposed to learn to graduate. If you're attracted to someone, you should go for it. If something's bothering you, you should confront it straight-on... Though minding the politics if it's someone more experienced than you.

[ Eden leans over to give an extended kiss to the base of the back of Yasuho's neck. Nothing necessarily sexual, but soft, as the cinnamon from the oil heated up her lips as well. Then she returned to massaging down along the arms to draw and release the tension at the fingertips. ]

I want you to be able to graduate and figure things out. I also wouldn't mind bathing or having sex with you, but that's a completely different conversation that doesn't need to happen. The stuff so you can graduate is more important here.

[ Reyson doesn't have a coherent opinion on how well whatever this is will work because he's screaming and oozing gleaming gold-tinted blood from his ears and under his nails. Hayan would remember him from first season as being sullen, dignified, and fussy. If he were conscious, he would definitely be having a terrible time! ]

[ A deep breath, an absentminded lick at Eden's thumb. He could get a taste for this. ]

Hah... That you have.

[ All right, he'll set about stripping down the rest of the way, Eden has indeed earned it, and also he wants to. He arranges the discarded trousers so that he won't have to brace his knees on the cellar floor. As Eden has correctly surmised, he does intend to be on top no matter which end of the cock he is on.

...He did intend to ride, but that is rather girthy. He gives it a possessive stroke before going through Eden's pockets, to keep things interesting, and to demonstrate that he's not intimidated by size. It's a challenge, he has a competitive nature... ]

Just how often do you let this beast out?

[ What kind of experience is he working with here? He hasn't seen the masculine Eden about before this encounter, after all. ]

As pleased as he is, it does beg the question: how the fuck is Suguru in his dream? Satoru's more mentally aware than most, so it hadn't taken him long to realize that he was dreaming, but Suguru's presence throws a wrench into things.

"I didn't miss you at all," he says airily, as the dream version of himself looks to be killing the plant with nothing more than sheer aura, squishing it against the wall, and damn, that looks like it would be handy. "Your moralizing always did kill my buzz."

It's all lies. He missed Suguru, but it's not like he's going to admit that. That would be way too emotionally open for him.

"Did I pull you into my dream?" Satoru hums thoughtfully. "I've never done that before. Theoretically it's possible with entrancement, though."

From what Satoru's heard about Szass Tam, he sounds like a truly enormous asshole. Like, on an epic scale. He also sounds like he was very obvious about his assholeness, whereas Constantia had been considerably more subtle.

They'd been all gentle smiles and assurances, while they were stripping away every single memory he'd ever had of another person and putting themselves in that place. They'd earnestly listened to Satoru's enthusiasm about making a new friend, while very neatly enthralling that new friend to never come around again. They'd cut him off from everything, and had made themselves his whole world, and boy, had it backfired.

"Constantia would have said that they don't believe in torment," Satoru says airily. "I think they actually thought they had a light touch."

Funny. He can actually see it on his dream self's face as everything he loved as a kid is stripped away. Did he actually have anything to lose, though?

"Do you ever wonder if you're like your maker? When it comes to your own novices?" he asks, and his tone is idle but there's a real thread of curiosity there. "That maybe the apple didn't fall far from the tree?"

"No idea," Satoru says breezily. "To either of those. Somehow my dreaming brain knows that this is called a railway station, but that's total gibberish to my logical brain. No idea what those are, though."

He points to the monsters -- because that's the only word he can come up with for them -- and as he does, a version of himself splits off, stalking toward the monsters. The dream version of himself starts fighting them, grabbing the volcano-headed one's arm with a grin that Satoru can only truly describe as deranged and ripping it right off, easily avoiding a kick from the plant-themed one.

Satoru glances at the novice, and smiles like the whole situation is just mildly amusing.

"Sorry for pulling you into a dream. I've never done that before-- maybe I'm getting old."

[ And Eden could get used to the sight and feel of Reyson sucking at their thumb, or stroking them... Which draws out a breathy sound as it twitches a little after being abandoned for Reyson to find the bottle. But man- beast. A sheepishly huffed laugh is given as they go up onto one elbow and gently start stroking themselves as their eyes were very blatantly looking over Reyson's body. ]

I wouldn't... I mean, I've only recently managed to get this mask holding for longer than a half hour. Can't really say it's been 'out' much at all.

[ There would be another time that he'd found Lydia, but that was mostly using his hands for a good portion of it. So far, Eden could only say that they've tried masturbating after Kirk helped with bringing out this mask at all. ]

Actually, despite how open and willing I am, and how my mental defenses go, I'm not that experienced with sex. It's still pretty new... I only started having any after Jim posted on the journal about the Winter Ball last month. So this all... Is even newer. At least I can figure out the basics.

[He looks up at Xenk, nodding in agreement, because yes, it was true, he would become better than the Vampires that did this to them. He would become stronger, fiercer. He would survive and flourish, they wouldn't defeat him so easily.

For some reason that he can't place, he believes Xenk. Wait-- how does he know that name? There's a furrow to his brow but after that he just accepts that he knows this man's name his mind fighting against lucidity.]

I will.

[He gives Xenk a resolute nod before picking up the girl and putting her in the grave, pausing to check her dead pulse once more... just in case, before he starts to push the nearly frozen dirt over her form.]

I'm sorry..

[Even for all the confidence he feels, he was still a child.. so, soon he starts to shake from a mix of grief and cold. Rubbing at his face with dirty hands to scrub away tears before they can fall]

Well, it seems that I have perhaps been underestimating you.

[ What an exciting turn of events that sounds like, his tone seems to suggest. Not the kind of thing he should share around polite company, but he and Daria have had many bloodwine filled nights talking about all the dark things that live in literature. It's hardly the worst thing he's ever suggested liking.

But more than that--it's an ingenuity he did not (and could not have) possessed as a human. He'd never killed his captor, after all.

(A thought he will have to file away from another day.) ]

So what, now? Want to go up there and do it again and hope it wakes us up?

You will take care of me one day, promise, but that's not today. Okay?

[But little else can escape his lips before a terrifying figure emerges from the looming door. He feels the very air stolen from his lungs as he looks at the man in front of him, because the very air around him was thick with danger.

Kirk might sometimes poppycock around like he's not scared of his teachers, but he was, he knows how scary vampires could be. There was no escaping that reality, that they were dangerous creatures that could kill him as soon as look at him.

But this vampire--]

Xenk! Run!

[But before he can say much else, he was in the vampire's grip, his hands coming up to claw at the vampire's, struggling against the iron grip around his neck.]

[But this feels so real... it was real. He was sure of it, but how could he be so sure? What was this? He was so sure he was on a ship but.. what was the ship's name? Was it in water? Wait, why did he even question if it was in water?

Squeezing his eyes shut, he shakes his head.]

I.. I don't know. To me it doesn't even feel like a dream..

[He looks around himself.]

It feels like home..

[His voice is small and unsure. Everything felt right.. Part of him doesn't want to wake up now that he knows it's a dream but--]

You said I got the curse?

[ Xenk shifts his hold from Kirk's shoulder to the top of his ruddy, blond head. The boy is a far cry from the man he would be, but he is still the talented James Kirk he knows.

He will become stronger. Xenk would make sure of that. Strong enough so that he doesn't have to cry and lose those he cares about. Even Xenk, for all his power, wishes and aims for that strength. ]

I do not fault your tears, James.

[ Xenk pats Kirk's head carefully, getting down on his knees to... well, not hug him? Because he doesn't know how to do that. But James is cold, and Xenk is warmer, so he pulls him towards his chest mostly for warmth. He doesn't really know what he's doing, but the recent memories have at least allowed him some semblance of reminder for what it felt like, to be so overwhelmed by grief at such an age. ]

Strength will come in time.

[ Xenk blinks. ]

Of course. I would never enact a test that would risk a thrall's life without first consulting the Silver Court.

[ He's all about rules, remember. Though he's sleepy enough that he, uh, might've. But he won't anymore! He's fine. ]

"Oh? Well, that can be arranged," Kirk gives him a wink, one of his eyes very much going to become a black eye. He doesn't seem to mind the pain, he was dealing with it pretty well all told.

[ She'd say that it really felt like some kind of a nightmare right now. ]

Like home? How does this-

[ No, she didn't want that to sound aggressive or oppositional, even if the younger novice was just confused given the setting. despite how oddly dressed and put together this dream set her as, probably to seem like she belonged in this foreign place, she knew that she was just at Jim's bed, and there was so much purple smeared and stained everywhere. ]

I don't know how this feels like home, but right now you're in bed. Screaming, kind of like you were just before, but without names or anything. Just... pain.

[ But whatever was going on, he was obviously attached to things. People generally didn't want to leave home, did they? ]

Wyll, then.

[ He wants to ask about his foreign-sounding last name, but he won't be that rude to a person he's just met. There will be time for stories later. Instead, he holds his hand out. Kiss it or shake it, you know, whichever seems more appropriate.

(kiss his hand you know you want to) ]

I'm Astarion. I suspect you know that already, but there is something to be said about a formal introduction.

Just consider it a bit of professional concern. Even vampires can go through the horrible effects of exhaustion. I wouldn't want you to start hallucinating or anything on us, after all.

[ She tries to say it like a slightly amusing joke, but it was a legitimate concern. Sleep deprivation and exhaustion could cause so many problems. While she was a novice, her experience in the medical field was substantial enough to feel comfortable in saying 'professional concern.' Just... Ignore how young she was. You're never too young to learn what kind of mistakes could happen because someone hasn't had a good rest in a long while. ]

James, no!

[ Tiny Xenk can do little else but scream as his 'father' begins squeezing Kirk's windpipe shut without any effort at all. A vampire's full strength is nothing to scoff at, but Szass Tam is old, obviously from several centuries ago. Xenk may never have faced his wrath personally, but there's no doubt he saw this monster kill plenty of people like this.

People who displeased him. Boy, does he look displeased. ]

Do the weak truly draw your interest, boy? You know what you risk by disobeying me. They are the ones who will suffer for your weakness.

[ Xenk knows. His parents -- they suffered, if he ever disobeyed, if he ever missed a lesson. It was not Xenk who felt his father's ire. It never was. ]

Please, father! [ Xenk sounds older as he says this, even looks older now: his late teens? ] Stop! Please, I will -- I will do ask you ask! I will do better! Please, release him!

They wanted us to make it bloody and some of them are vampires. They hit hard.

[But he smiles, one of his eyes was definitely gonna bruise black, but he was taking the injuries well enough, especially with her healing that she was doing for him.

He has to appreciate that.

Giving a thoughtful look, he nods.]

Considering the disadvantages, I think I did pretty freaking good. Have to pat myself on the back for knocking a youngblood on his ass afterall.

[ Xenk truly does smile with pride. Good work!! Excellent mind control! 10/10. Well, 9/10, Xenk doesn't give perfect scores. ]

Excellent work.

[ Ma'am, Xenk Yendar just said "excellent work"? Holy shit. Sports really are magical. ]

It is good practice, certainly for one so early in their seasons as yourself. As you grow in strength and become a youngblood, you will be able to control several thralls at once.

[ He says this and just looks at his team. The full squad gets moving and starts throwing the stone over the ice. Xenk here only rolled a 10, so despite an attempt, his thralls will not knock Yasuho's stone away from the target. Very charitable of him!! ]

I said it may work. You'll have to test it.

[ Is that a little unethical? Maybe from a human perspective. ]

I cannot hold your hand through this. The other council members and I will stabilize anyone before they become too far gone, but this curse is an opportunity for you to learn.

Harlock gives a slight, pleased little smile in return. "Looks like you're getting quite a shiner there," The man gestures to his own eye - though even at their level, he did know they would heal faster than normal.

[ He is so sappy, Yuri. Don't get him started on poetry or you'll lose him. That said he's like a total gentleman and not batting an eye to Yuri's cursing, so he's also down with the philosophical stuff. ]

You may be right. There must surely be books on the subject.

[ He looks down at his own hands. How long would it take for him to stop recognizing himself? Hope is one thing, but... well, nothing for it now. Wyll isn't one to dwell. ]

The library here is expansive, which is no surprise given the longevity of vampires in general. It should be worth studying. [ Yep, he's back to looking on the bright side. ] Are you yourself a man of letters?

[ It's ok even if he'd asked, Wyll is so used to turning heads at this point. It comes with being a foreign missionary.

But he's also a well-educated boy, which is why Wyll only needs a second to decide before he takes Astarion's hand and guides it up to his lips for a quick kiss. It's just the thing you do, when someone beautiful offers you their hand!

Plus, yeah, he's Wyll's teacher. So Wyll releases that hand and straightens up like the proper gentleman he is. ]

I do, but all the same. It is an honor to be formally introduced, sir.

[ It was a test and Wyll passed it. Good boy. Astarion scoots a little closer along the bench. To help keep Wyll warm, you see, he's a human and it's quite cold.

The fact that Astarion is cold and dead is simply details. ]

You're promising, aren't you? Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?

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january tdm/event post

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