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

It's not exactly that I want my hand held...

[ Bringing over a bowl with a towel over the edge for the women up victim to clean themselves up, Eden went to gather the notebook back. ]

There's something inside my head that says it should work, but in honesty, some of these herbs I've never heard of before now. Just like this other page about needles in meridian points. I guess it's more that I was hoping for validation that my mind didn't just end up with a lot of nonsense in it. There's not exactly extra time to have someone comb through and separate what I've actually learned from this stuff.

[ He is quite cold. Nothing untoward about companionably sitting by one another! ]

You flatter me.

[ He smiles. Look, he grew up among nobles, he knows how to play nice. ]

I hail from across the sea. I was born there, and studied under the Brothers of the Blade, who is my Lord and patron. Myself and my brothers arrived upon these lands in order to provide aid to the needy. Though you can imagine that my plans did not include becoming a vampire -- I hardly believed such beings existed, until very recently.

[ He's putting this as nicely as he can, because again, Astarion is his teacher and they share a court. He's not going to pick a fight. ]

Right you are.

[ Fake it till you make it is truly the mood. Wyll's smiles are his shield, he's gotta be strong! ]

I appreciate the vote of confidence, friend. Truthfully, I don't have much experience with skating, though perhaps... [ He considers it. ] Ice skates are simply blades, aren't they? It wouldn't be right not to try.

[ Pride is a sin. Well, maybe not to the Blade, but still. Wyll is strong without being boastful, and he's survived some of the worst he hopes this world has to offer. He'd rather not find out if he's wrong. ]

I have been told that names matter far less here than in most places.

[ Lineage was about blood, not actual bloodlines, right? Wyll isn't totally sure, but he's learned enough to pick up a book or two and try to figure things out. ]

I am Wyll Guardacuervo. Er, potentially of the Red Court. Though I believe that remains to be seen.

Oh, you're religious.

[ He's heard of the Brothers of the Blade, of course. They showed up from time to time in vampiric poetry and, of course, sometimes he read things written by humans. Astarion cared for knowledge; he didn't care to limit himself.

But there is undoubtedly a touch of excitement to his voice. If he wanted to see how he could play with this new novice before, there's even more reason to now. ]

Did you get caught up in a Finding, then?

[ That's just the way to be, old man! But naturally Xenk respects Lockwood's choice, and their own differences. Just because Xenk likes to indulge on occasion doesn't mean he expects everyone to. ]

It was quite memorable.

[ Yeah, he's smirking. It's a memory he's going to keep. And treasure. And think back on when he's too bored grading papers. You get it, Lockwood. He won't kiss and tell. ]

From the Silver Court, Eden Woods saw fit to embellish the matter as a form of mental barrier in my class. The young Gold hopeful, Reyson, seemed quite taken as well. And of course there is James Kirk, who I intend to take on as a novice, once he tires of the Blue Court.

[ Sir, one of those sounds like an evil plot. ]

[ All five senses here are pleasantly lighting Reyson's brain on fire. He makes a show of oiling up his fingers, not to be outdone in appeal. He's smiling warmly, and also smugly. He knows Eden likes the way he looks, they're not shy about that one bit! Confidence can be an obscuring shield for inexperience. Reyson knows this quite well. So, as long as they're sharing... ]

I've slept with two men before. I know a thing or two about the basics.

[ This might be two more than a number of people would guess. Why did he give the actual number instead of letting it be ambiguous - it's because he's an honest soul and also he is simply too aroused to filter his words. ]

And I would be honored to be your first in this, Eden.

[ Whether this counts as deflowering by any reasonable metric doesn't matter, what does matter is that Reyson is into the concept of showing someone he likes how to do things properly. He makes to bring his hair over his shoulder so he can open himself up, then realizes that he has oil on that hand, curses under his breath - ]

Ah, damn-

[ And uses the other one, which does mix a faint reddish-silver smear into his hair. ]

I am.

[ Wyll smiles with pride. He knows that most in this land don't share his beliefs, but he would never shy away from admitting his own. He completely misses that excitement, because he's innocent and assumes innocent from those he meets -- even vampires. Well, mostly, vampires who have yet to do him any harm.

It's why he's here in the first place. ]

And I did, rather unfortunately. I was out of my element, to say the least.

[ Subconsciously, he brings a hand up to scratch one of the many scars upon his face. The eye he'd lost before, that's not recent. But the claw marks are still a month fresh, even with half a season's worth of blood in him. ]

[He's pretty sure a regular person would feel at least a little dismayed at Yuri's pessimistic attitude, but this guy is focusing on the one positive that is the library. It's really optimistic. Gross.]

If you want to call it that, I guess I am. [He isn't proud of this.] Research has always been a big part of my life.

From the frown on Yuri's face, it's clear he has no clue what a railway station is, but since he doesn't have a good term for where they are he's just going to roll with it. After all, the location seems pretty minor compared to Horrific Monster #1 (volcano head) and Horrific Monster #2 (tree eyes).

And really, Horrific Monster #3 (white hair). He watches this other version of Gojo split off and proceed to rip off #1's arm like it's absolutely nothing, grinning all the while. Seriously. Is this normal vampire behaviour?

Since there doesn't seem to be any danger up on the platform (it honestly seems like he's being ignored by the other humans, which is fine by him), Yuri rests his left arm against the automatic barrier and decides to keep on watching. He isn't flinching at the violence of it all, though he stares down at the other Gojo's smile with a thoughtful expression.

"Can that even happen to a vampire? You get so fucking old your mind rots away like some senile old human's?" His tone is derisive, but it's a serious question. If that's the case, or if it's some unknown quantity, he'd really like to be prepared for some future experiment involving it.

Were you harmed, on your way here?

[ Blue Court liked to rough the foundlings up sometimes, it wasn't exactly uncommon. ]

[ Damn right Eden likes what they see, but that's been the case in some ways for a while. It's just incredibly easy to tell right now as their eyes are all over the pale, delicate body, stroking for need as they were already hard and eager enough. ]

Are you going to be my first for both ways? Though I can tell what you want first, by calling it a 'beast.'

[ Though they'll gladly take the show of him opening himself up- He'll have to ponder later why seeing his blood getting smeared over Reyson even further was also a turn-on. Eden'll reach over to get some more of the hair out of the way, as clearly this is meant to be a 'proper' demonstration of something that was the furthest thing from proper at all. ]

Just a heads up, the warming sensation can be a little intense. Plenty safe. It's for massages and anything else...

[Totally bros and staying six feet apart because we're just bros, totally.]

Perhaps there is a positive in it, given we really have no choice in the matter but to adapt and survive. If we wish to not become mindless husks as others who have failed before us have. [He'd rather not be a thrall, thank you very much.

Though he nudges him back, though he absolutely does not have the same physical force Wyll does by any stretch of the imagination.]

It does make maintaining one's values and morals far easier with someone to lean upon if it becomes too tiring to the mind. Though I do wonder how you will ever survive with the Court they threw you to.

[Certainly it's uncouth, but all it earns from him is a slight bit of a sigh. At least he was kind enough to stay away from his things, so he won't do any further admonishment than what he already has. It wouldn't be the first time he's had someone question his work in his brief time of being here and even less that he's been asked such a question.

He finally sets his quill down to look at him properly, a brow raising slightly.]

Of course I have faith even now. I would be a terrible priest if I were to give up at such a thing, wouldn't I? [He truly does mean that, though the trial question causes even further thought, hands moving to rest in his lap for the time being. It's a good question. And one that he's already mulled over many a time both by himself and by his brother from another cloth.]

Everything that is placed in front of us as an obstacle is meant to be overcome, per God's way. So of course this would be a trial of the faithful and perhaps even a method to show where I would do better serving. As much as I'm not a fan of becoming an undead abomination [which he just says so casually even now] there are things that can be done with it that are positive, I believe.

You don't, I already know. [Which is sad that she already knows the kinds of people she should be wary of at such a young age. But at least she's aware and not blindly accepting help from people that offer it with ulterior motives.

She pauses at the question, however, shifting just enough to look at her and blink slowly. Was there anything? Did they have anything? ... Not really.]

We never really had anything important because of her, so there's nothing to take.

["Who said I wasn't going to..." she thinks before she finally understands what he's doing and is actually laughing a good bit at the realization, fine, she'll let him do that. Especially because her weighing nothing makes this pretty easy for almost anyone. And at least the laugh is in genuine amusement and not in some teasing or taunting manner.

Also, rude!!!]

I do not! I have a very, very clear definition of what is and what isn't an extremely tempting dick. I've seen enough by this point to know. [That does not help her case.

But either way, the gravity does help her slide out of them eventually and she's taking this moment to pull herself up in the silks just a bit so her feet don't hit the floor or anything when she goes swinging back.

Though he may notice a little ruby peeking out from between her lips, though, which might not have been entirely obvious from his blind playing.]

Well, darling?~

Oh trust me, I have. Not like I had much of a choice in that particular matter, though the trick is to knock the snow off before it has a chance to melt. [As if it's all that easy, especially given she has specifically very much stayed inside with all this nonsense.

Not that is stops her from laughing about the activities indoors bit.]

Whether they want to admit to it or not, the activities for inside are after the outdoors ones. Where everyone comes in and finds someone to snuggle with in front of a fire or under a blanket or in a bed. But that's far too Red for them to admit. But I do think that's my favorite part of these games.

[Unfortunate for Wyll that he manages to somehow wander past a room with double doors that are wide open and letting the heat from the fireplace out. Inside at first looks like some kind of place to set-up acrobatics for the circus or some such nonsense.

Though, of course, Lydia being Lydia has to be a problem and is just going to decide to take this opportunity with her silks and make it look like she's tangled up in them.]

You, hello! I could use a little help getting down from here if you could! You seem like you're strong enough to be able to figure this out for me! Please!~ [She can at least fake sounding like she really needs help. Though he's going to immediately figure out that her situation is something that absolutely has some of the silks around her chest specifically to accentuate it, arms pulled up and behind her, and her legs pulled wide apart to show just how short those shorts are. Really, they're closer to skin tight underwear than anything else.

~~Yes, she absolutely knows who this is and is playing with him.~~]

Not on my way, no. Though the time I spent before was somewhat harrowing.

[ He can joke about it now, but there's the slightest pained edge to it. He'd rather not go into details... but he's too polite to say so outright. ]

[ See, in Eden's mind, that was less rude and more self-humbling. Who said things couldn't be a little silly and fun with sex, right? If they were meant to experiment with everything, it may as well feel even more like play. Though there's a pause of recognition from the flash of red, because in one of their drawers, there were several different sets of alternative jewelry pieces, so they can guess exactly what was seen.

Maybe later. There's always later.]

How am I to deny someone who gives my body such praise?

[ Actually it'd probably make them flush up a bit if the conversation stayed on that topic, which is why he walked right in to wrap an arm around Lydia's waist. He wasn't going to slam right into her, because that hasn't been the style this whole time. No, instead Eden made a point of teasing at her cunt and rubbing the head up and down along the lips very purposefully, before finally lining back up so she could take him...

And with a growled moan, teeth pulled at Lydia's skin, to make a trail of bites all the way up to her earlobe. Eden liked being on this end as much as being the one with a cock in their vagina. ]

[A small shrug:] I'm pretty serious about not making enemies.

[Still, Elias looks satisfied with how things are going; he's getting off scot-free, and it's always good to do that. He doesn't try to chase Lockwood, instead waiting for the other vampire to fully commit to leaving before turning in the other direction and leading the thralls away to be healed.]

It's not like I've told anyone. That was on purpose.

[...Still. Daria couldn't place it but there was something she liked about Astarion's response. One might suggest that maybe there wasn't care put into it but one could say the opposite.

Daria already decided she wasn't their victim. That was why she took the initiative at all. They took away the one thing that gave her happiness to save their reputation. The fear of all of that info and darkness of their Shameful Spawn to possibly be passed down and put their status at risk was too great for them. Kill her only friend, possibly romantic interest, and finally find some way to kill her...after the party.

Daria beat them to it.

Now.

Daria could feel the victimizing blame of losing what she did, and think hard about a family that might've loved her. Or she could nip negative feelings in the bud, for one moment.

Daria smiled.]

Got anything on hand?

Everyone's lucky I didn't keep to my namesake.

[Because her family was filled with corrupt political monsters who cared about nothing but money and titles. Not even of their child who wasn't as beautiful and naturally suave as the youngest, who would've married into more connections happily.

She took care of monsters quite well, if Daria could say so herself.]

Whichever court you go to doesn't matter much to me, personally. Just make sure you keep that head on straight, that could be the first thing you would lose.

My mental fortitude is too strong to suffer hallucinations.

[ Spoken like a guy who believes himself to be above physical ailments... But he is pretty strong. So he can probably go like. A week without sleeping. ]

Your concern is noted, Ms. Woods. Trust that I have seen far worse than this, and know my own limits. This is far from them.

[ OK, but what's Xenk like when he's at his limit?? Yikes. ]

Xenk hums, understanding well how denial can't hide the truth of their actions. In Xenk's case, his Maker lauded the fact that he never injured Xenk. He didn't need to. That was the reason he'd kept his parents around, after all. He believed himself above all, humans and vampires, and was old enough to back up those beliefs.

He also believed he'd sown loyalty from cruelty, but Xenk rather proved him wrong. As for Satoru's question, it cuts him deep. Not in any way he wishes to show, but Xenk furrows his brows as he considers an answer. There's no point in denying it, really. He's already seeing Satoru's past—it is fair to share how he feels.

"I do," he answers, calm and pensive. "I know I am like him, for he shaped the person I am." He doesn't sound thrilled about it, but he knows he's like his maker in more ways than he'd like. Denying it or pretending won't change that. He can take only the good and the bad, (even if there really wasn't any good, objectively. Xenk disagrees.)

"I have tried to do better," which is true, even if in practice it hasn't gone well. It's not something he'd admit outside of a dream, perhaps, but since he didn't have a great base to start with, his experience with novices has been... well, bad. "Unlearning and identifying the damaging lessons from those with valuable is a rigorously slow process."

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january tdm/event post

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(retcon that to three if things go well with josuke :V)

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(knowing that guy, it'll go well)

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Ten years later because lol health

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Ten years later because of health issues aaaa

Gonna wildcard you for this!!!!

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