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

Who's that?

[ Why yes, she's managed to have sex with someone before getting their name. Partially because it never came up before. ]

I think it was a first season in my court. That was a while ago- I'm nowhere near as tightly strung up as I was back then. Really, the nerve of that guy, after I'd warned him I had to be stopped from rushing before. Should've known better when he started talking about how it's an ego thing to say that you got broken by the woman you were with.

[ She even said how guilty it'd make her feel. Just thinking back to then had her shaking her head, knowing that she had this guy make it up to her after he recovered. ]

There's so many warning signs, it's easy to avoid having happen. Really, it's about as much risk, or even less, as anal sex. I was just in a unique predicament that made it easy for him to get what he wanted. Unique enough that if in that position again, I'm sure I wouldn't start locking up.

I'll check up on you later, dear.

[With a kiss to the top of Eden's head, they rush out of the room, not wasting another moment as they know their former novice is in danger too. Oh to be so busy.]

[ Leonard chuckles. Yes, "live" isn't something he's done since his Becoming, but he doesn't mind his unlife too much. Work keeps the days from blending together, and he's always learning. One day he might be able to help humans, or so he hopes.

But he can't do that if he fucks up his health. He holds still while they fuss over him, that knowing, watchful eye familiar and comforting as it's trained on him. ]

Thanks, Karm. I'll be good. Cross my heart.

[ He draws an X over his heart as a joke, but he takes their insight seriously. It's a fair enough assumption, and they'll be better prepared if they know what to expect. ]

If I find anything, you'll be the first to know.

Take your time. Just do what you have to.

[ She wasn't really going anywhere, after all. At most, she'd get up to make sure the door closed all the way, clean up, and return to being stuck in her own head.

For the moment, she'll just hope that things work out alright. ]

That would be good. Do tell me if you find anything on pointed ears, there's been two cases of it now without really any reason for it. Both are healthy as they were before the affliction.

[Not that either has come to her about it but it feels relevant to know if it's something contagious.

They pause...]

I looked into it, but in case you find something I missed. There have been some strange things around the castle. we need to stay vigilant to any illnesses that might crop up.

Pointed ears...? I'll keep an eye out.

[ There's a memory in his head somewhere, of a call, to someone, that might have...? No, he doesn't remember Spock yet. But he'll look back at this and wonder, once he remembers what Vulcans are. ]

Hopefully this nightmare curse ain't the start of something. I know most of the old vampires think magic is silly, but if we're getting curses in the castle... Well, that could be next. Founders hope not -- I'll take science over magic any day.

"I got bored of them," Satoru replies flippantly. Because he gets bored of pretty much everything, eventually. Except for a few certain things, and a few certain people.

What happens next in the dream-- even he can't quite decipher. Because the dream version of him holds a hand up and it's like space itself tears around him, but only for a split second. Everyone, humans and monsters both, are frozen, vacant looks on their faces like they're trying to process something incalculable. And then his dream self starts moving, so fast he's a blur, and the heads of monsters are raining from the sky as they're ripped off by hand.

Seriously. What is his brain trying to work out, here? The calculation of a human life? What should be prioritized?

"Just like I'm bored of this," he continues, though there's a bit too much seriousness in his tone to be read as strictly uncaring. Satoru reaches out, and pokes Suguru in the cheek. "I'm ending this stupid dream, and you can wake up. And you'd better be in the castle when I come to find you."

[ Josuke has unwittingly spared himself a rant about how there's nothing inherently girly about long hair. Reyson has opinions and is willing to throw hands over them, this is known. Currently, he's downright placid. ]

Mm-hm.

[ He slowly reaches around for the pen and paper and opens his eyes long enough to write two words; if he's going to indulge his base instincts and let himself be lazy and pampered and blissed out he will be giving it his all. ]

Adequate. Harder.

[ The full explanation he could give is that there aren't any tangles in his hair and now that this has been confirmed by brush, more pressure will feel good. ]

A first year silver without much common sense? He could be the same. But that doesn't really narrow it down much, I suppose.

[ Unlike them, two practical people who definitely aren't going to get a Bones lecture out of this. ]

I'm not adverse to coming out of an assignment with some damage, but even I have my limits. It feels good to be roughed when I'm in the mood for it, because I know I can take it. I'd kick someone right out of bed for pulling my hair without warning, though.

[ He's resumed exploring, reassured that he's not sticking his hand in a beartrap. Odd territory. Why are there so many folds. What are you, a concertina? Where is the entrance. ]

[ Walking it is, then! Kashire probably has things to do. He's a council member, after all. ]

Oh, as ever, it's a mix. On the one hand, I'll be glad not to be acting voice, but on the other hand... [ Kashire sighs, looking towards one of the windows in the hall wistfully ] I really do love Winter. It's always a shame when the nights start becoming shorter again.

[ Hands folded back and tucked into the small of his back, Lockwood discreetly set himself one half pace behind Kashire in deference to the other man's rank. He tilted his head, listening and giving the Council member an empathetic look. ]

As a member of Gold Court it is my duty to say 'ha ha' [ Lockwood begins to play up the theatrics ] 'it is time for the rise of the Summer Season in all our superior glory!' [ He turns his head and gives a cheeky wink, before sobering. ]

Longer days mean more time alone with our own thoughts. [ 'More time to dwell upon the loss of a novice'. He won't say the words aloud, that would be presumptuous. But he coats them in a tone that invites Kashire to introduce the subject of his novice, on his own terms. ]

I've always found it a bit easier to ignore the daylight hours here in the castle. It closes up quite nicely. [ Allowing its denizens to rattle about, regardless of the sun's position in the sky. It just cut back on the amount of outdoor activities one could get up to. ]

Will you stay at the castle once the seasons turn?

Most things about him wouldn't narrow it down. Saying he's pretty tall doesn't even do it.

[ Only if he knew for sure how bad the two of them were together, what with Eden poking then giving what seemed to get the most interested responses. As he explored again, her breath would steadily get deeper, but as said before, arousal didn't mean pressure. She was keeping to the conversation, nodding and even huffing out a laugh. ]

Coming out of an assignment, that's how you think of it?

[ So dutiful and proper sounding for what was sex. ]

Suddenly I'm glad that I went for your scalp more than your hair. You also like being rough. Which is fine, really. I like to see it as a kind of indicator of how much someone's enjoying themselves. I think it's going to be more common as we're becoming vampires and able to take it a lot easier. Also, here, relax your hand for a moment-

[ Because you're going to drive her made playing with those lips so much. She'll reach down to redirect his hands so his fingers were more parallel to the folds, bringing them up so the tip of his fingers had her clit nestled between the middle and ring finger, and his outer fingers between the inner and outer folds. It was just to set him up, so her hands go away afterwards. ]

That little bit of flesh is a very sensitive point, though everything is pretty sensitive there in general. Then if you slide your fingers down along, there's an entrance that those same two fingers can easily feel. It all follows a direction. [ Then, just as easily, back to the conversation. ] I don't know how I'd feel about someone pulling my hair. Maybe it'd depend on how it's done, and how things are at the moment?

[ Calculations aren't Xenk's wheelhouse usually, but he certainly seems intent on what he's doing. A stack of papers lie on his desk, scribbles of numbers and probabilities, all scrawled in ink and pen as he crosses out another line of calculations.

He looks up from his work only when Yuri speaks up. He's that engrossed. ]

Yes, it is a time-consuming task.

[ He doesn't specifically say why he's doing these calculations, but it must be important enough that he doesn't bother engaging with Yuri for more than that, simply gets back to it... He's not exactly chatty on a good day, but he's not usually this intense when it comes to math, I promise. ]

[Yuri's eyes scan over all the papers, taking in what he can without going over there and rifling through everything. While it isn't enough for him to get the full picture, he can at least the complexity of the math being done.

It doesn't look too bad, in his opinion. That's why, after a beat, he speaks up again.]

If you don't wanna be here until the sun comes up, I can do it for you.

[Which is probably an absurd offer, but it'd free Xenk up to look over his list and he's confident that he should be able to get it done in a fraction of the time it'd take for someone using an abacus. There are a lot of subjects he's good at, but far and away math has always been his best one.]

[ She's right, he could've kicked them or refused to teach them. Still there's something there right. It's not the strange feeling that Cal gets sometimes when he's in a class with the man, like he should be far, far away from him. Maybe it's just his imagination, or has to do with what happened at the ball... ]

Thanks. It's been helping to practice with other people, too. And you're definitely not so bad, yourself.

[ He remembers the dream again; the strange weapon he'd used and how deftly he'd wielded it. Cal steps back a bit out of the way (he's already been hit in the face with snow today, thank you very much) to give Eden room.

Casually observing, until... he blinks, brow furrowing. ]

Did you just -- ?

[ Oh, there was definitely something about the aura that Vader put out towards them. At least Eden knew that it was because she reminded him of someone who was dead, so maybe it was for similar reasons in Cal's case. The only reason it's not said is because that was speculation. Only the teacher could confirm such a thing.

That and she was a little stunned from the routine itself. On one hand, part of her felt like that was right and she should've continued. On the other, she just kicked up and caught a sword after some acrobatic move that she'd never done before today. She can go through tactical tumbles, and has in class, but nothing like this. ]

I didn't imagine that, then?

[ Which meant that there was a lot to think about. Walking back with a daze of confusion, Eden held the sword out to return to Cal. ]

With that, I think you might've been right about swords belonging to this.

[ Yuri presents an interesting proposition. Xenk has been at this for days, and is just desperate enough to ask for help, even from a novice. Xenk quirks a brow, turning over his work. ]

If you wish to attempt it, then you are free to.

[ He hands over his notes; the number of thralls, an estimate of the average "value" of a thrall in terms of how much blood is consumed in the castle... Xenk has been trying to calculate if it was worth it to sacrifice the thralls to fix the nightmare curse.

Yeah, I never said it was pleasant. Or nice. But if he had his way, he'd find the right numbers to make it so. Perhaps. (Of course he'd have to propose it and it would never get approval from the Silver Court, but Xenk can dream.) ]

[Yuri doesn't bat an eye, but he does think it's a bit interesting that he's getting a go at it without any more convincing. But hey! He's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he drops down into the chair meant for visitors, setting his crutch against it and putting his bookbag down before taking the notes and skimming through them.

Ah. This is the worst math ever.

At least it isn't dealing with thralls face-to-face though, so after spending all of a couple minutes reading through it all, he compartmentalizes the 'thrall' part of this and focuses on the numbers themselves. Taking up a pen, he starts scribbling away, processing the calculations in seconds.

(If the data allows, he'll be writing out additional calculations that provide the probability of fixing the curse versus different survival rates of the thralls depending on how much blood is taken from them. He'll also providing those numbers based on different amounts of time, the speed of the curse being fixed this way weighed against how many thralls would be used, how quickly they'd be drained, how much time they'd have to recuperate before being potentially used again. So many variables!)

And while he does -]

... Since you've got a second, I wanted to see if this list of books from the library would work as extra reading for your Intro to Gold Court class.

[He's pausing to grab a piece of paper out his bag, setting it on the desk before resuming those calculations.]

That's my concern too.. but there is little to back it up. I can't put my finger on it, but the castle feels... off these days.

[They sigh as they brush some hair behind their ear. Thinking about magic and curses and...

It feels like some kind of fantasy, yet..]

Let's keep this between us, yes? I might speak to another about my concerns, but I think for now we keep this circle small, yes?

[ Kashire laughs--he's certainly one for theatrics, and at least someone can enjoy making fun of the Gold Court with him. But it dies out with the time about his thoughts, and the obvious implication there. Not a subject he wants to raise on his own. ]

Well, you're not wrong on that. Better here than some random city not equipped for our kind.

[ The Castle has some benefits, he supposes. ]

Yes, with the extra novices, the Council has asked at least one member from each Court to stay. That's why Revar is still around, too. I mean, fuck if I know where they go when they go do official Silver business, but they're not supposed to be here all year long.

[ Lockwood likes it when Kashire laughs. An actual laugh and not a haughty mocking laugh, and vampire lords know Lockwood has courted both across the years. The way it dies out and Kashire holds the conversation to topics not his novice is a clear message to the younger Gold Court member. Lockwood won't press further.

Instead he grins with a mixture of genuine pleasure and more than a hint of impishness in his black/gold eyes. ]

Now, Sir. No need to be territorial, there are plenty of novices and young bloods to boss around without you stepping on each other's toes. [ He keeps his comments light, especially out here in public, but he is aware that this is an irregular situation.

He cannot recall the Council insisting that members of different courts share the same territory for any extended period of time. Castle Courtsheart is considered neutral space, given the mix of courts within its confines, but it still feels like asking a lot, for Revar and Kashire to have to split and share their authorities.

Another oddity to add to the list he's mentally building. More private thoughts, not for public consumption. Keep it light, keep it safe for public consumption. ]

If it helps, I place myself solely under your command. [ Look. He can be the oldest virgin in the castle, and still be a shameless flirt. Especially if it encourages Kashire to laugh again. ]

You'd know better than me. I believe it.

[ Bones isn't nearly old enough to get a sense for what "normal" is at the castle, not really, but he'll roll with whatever comes. Even this nightmare stuff. They'd found a cure. They'd figure it out. ]

Won't hear a peep out of me. [ He smiles. ] You know you and me got maker/novice confidentiality.

[ Welcome to Xenk's fucked up plan club, Yuri. Will he actually go through with it? Probably not. But it's where his brain went, when the castle proved to be in danger -- acceptable sacrifice is surely another thing you'll learn as part of your Gold Court courses.

Xenk takes the moment to meditate quietly, giving his brain a chance to recharge, if only for however long it takes Yuri to run his math. It's not quite sleep, not by a long shot, but Xenk is a master of control and this is just easier for him at the moment. He thinks nothing of his terrible calculations, finding them to be perfectly in line with his own beliefs.

Yuri's question makes him blink back into focus, golden eyes intent as ever. He is still like death, inhuman in every regard. And he holds out his hand for the list, sure as anything. ]

Of course. I can make several suggestions, if you are seeking to better inform yourself into our court's practices.

I do, thank you, Len.

[Leaning forward, they give him a kiss on the cheek.]

I should go and check on the patients now.

[Standing, they place the cloth in the basin and smooth out their dress, there was blood on it from Eden mostly, they would need to change before returning to the medical wing.]

Get some rest, I'll be around again later to check in.

[ Bones smiles, reaching forward to tuck a strand of Karma's hair behind their ear. That kind of easy affection hadn't been easy for him when they'd first met, but the years had been kind to him -- Karma had been kind to him. He doesn't bristle under their affection like he would so many others. ]

Good luck out there.

[ He wishes he could follow them so bad!! But he's exhausted. He knows that. He watches them go, but as soon as they're out of sight, he's going to lay back down and rest if he can manage it. ]

Don't have too much fun, huh?

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january tdm/event post

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