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!

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A. Once Upon a Dream - Good Dream

Music fills the air. It's bright and cheerful and there is nothing but joy. Forest animals are swaying to the tune as they look in through the window. Snow White is in the center of the warmth and jovial song, clapping as seven men are playing instruments or singing a silly song. There is... a sense... a feeling that these men aren't human, that they are something older. Snow, as she sings and dances with them is younger in appearance.

The smile on her face is the brightest it has ever been, she feels safe and happy.

She feels loved for the first time.

As one of the older men sneezes so intensely that it causes the singing and dancing to end, admittedly, in a light-hearted way, the older Snow White, the one watching the whole scene, stands completely still as tears fall down her cheeks.

She turns to look at the person viewing this dream with her and she inhales, wiping her eyes.

"It's a lovely dream... it's just..."

It hasn't happened to her.

B. Once Upon a Dream - Nightmare [CW: Child abuse, attempted child murder, strangulation, extreme violence]

Oppulence.

Endless opulence. That's the first noticeable thing.

It's a gloriously opulent ballroom. Giant jet-black marble columns with white and gold swirling within support the vaulted ceiling. Giant gold chandeliers are brightly lit and whatever light they don't provide, the endless pure gold candelabrum handle instead.

Instead of the boisterous but joyful sounds of self-made instruments played with love but clumsy in a way, the small orchestra is practiced. Their notes are nearly surgical in their precision on their instruments. There are no stray or off notes. Everything is precise, everything is... perfect, but unattached. There is no passion as they play.

There is no laughter, just hushed conversations, the occasional chuckles, and oh yes... the astounding, overwhelming smell of blood.

Everyone is dressed as opulently as the ballroom itself, there are all sorts of Thralls being bitten, some so much they drop to the floor and they are merely stepped over as the vampires move on to speak with others. You may even recognize some of the vampires in attendance, some of them had been at the winter ball.

There, in the center of it all is a tall woman, clearly the owner of this home. Everything about her is striking, from the way she is covered in gold and jewels, to the gown that clings to every part of her frame in all the right ways. She is a stunning beauty. Her gold eyes survey the whole affair, quite pleased. Her face is a perfect mirror, not an ounce of emotion on display.

As her gaze peruses the ballroom, they turn towards the shadowed hallway where the Thralls who aren't being feasted upon go to gather more wine from the kitchen. There, deep in the darkness, peeking out from behind a pillar, dressed in rags was Snow White.

Snow White watched as the perfect cracked and deep, utter disgust filled her stepmother's eyes, her nostrils flared as the woman inhaled sharply.

Before Snow White could even blink her stepmother had her pinned by the neck up against the wall, squeezing as long nails bit into her neck.

"What did I tell you?" Grimhilde hissed as she held up Snow with only one hand. "What did I say?!" Grimhilde lifted Snow even higher off the ground. Snow's feet were dangling, the younger girl tried kicking to get herself free, for that, Grimhilde pulled Snow off the wall and then slammed her back against it, a harsh crack filling the air as the wall cracked beneath Snow's head. Snow couldn't even scream, trying to pry her stepmother's claw off her neck.

Her stepmother's mirror facade kept cracking, her hair becoming out of place, Snow White's blood starting to drip down her hand.

"I tried to give you a special death for one so fair, but for you, my dear" she practically spat the word, "Snow White, it is time to make sure you stay dead," her other claw slammed into Snow White's chest.

Even with her stepmother's claw around her throat, the pain was too severe not to scream. It ripped from her throat as she could feel her stepmother's fingers dig into her skin and start separating her ribs.

The world went black, the pain too much.

Snow White watched the whole thing with her hands clasped over her chest. There wasn't a single tear in her eye, but she turned as she sensed the presence beside her.

"When I woke up, a Blue Court vampire had killed her, and my Maker had healed me."

C. Winter Games

Snow White hasn't exactly had the opportunity to have fun in the winter in her life. Ice skating isn't something she's done before, and she doesn't want to control a Thrall either, even for curling. She was always a very good cheerleader, though. So, there she is, clapping and cheering for, well... everyone, actually.

"Oh! That was wonderful!" She had a stack of ceramic mugs and something akin to a milk jug. "Would you like some hot chocolate? The Thralls were kind enough to make it."

D. Wildcard
[OOC: Feel free to contact me at

snickersnack if you'd like to plot a different starter!]

This really is like some kind of luxurious nightmare. The first thing Yuri picks up isn't how extravagant his surroundings are but the band. He doesn't play an instrument, but he's studied music theory and he can hear how utterly precise they are in every chord, both individually and together as one harmony. Combine that with the extravagant ballroom and attendees, and the carefree way they're biting Thralls, and it makes for one exceptionally creepy environment.

It's really the last one that gets to him at first. Those Thralls, collapsing like they might as well be dropping dead, makes a nauseous feeling rise up in the back of his mind. He's staring at the whole scene in dead silence, his grip on his crutch tightening until it's almost painful.

And then it gets a hell of a lot worse.

There isn't much he can do aside from watch. This is a Gold Court vampire, and -- is this even real? It feels like it shouldn't be, even though it probably is. There's the cracking and the blood and the scream, and it's all perfectly normal physical reactions one would expect to a human body being broken.

He isn't looking at her, just continuing to stare at the black void where that memory of her had been.

"That Blue Court vampire kept you from having to deal with her ever again," he says quietly, not stopping to consider whether or not that's an appropriate thing to say. It's far from a bad thing, in his mind. After all, he can't really say killing the pieces of shit from his own life helped.

The next part of the dream feels more... well, dreamlike. A vampire from the Silver court helps a blood-covered Snow White wobble to her feet, and when her knees give out from under her, he carries her like she's precious and fragile.

Snow watched it all with the dream going in and out as the next parts are just the Silver Court vampire explaining what would happen to her now, that she needed to go to Castle Courtsheart to become a proper vampire.

"I didn't thank the Blue Court vampire," she offered softly. "I don't think they expected me to, I asked why they stopped her, why let me live," when all the dead Thralls were so easy for them. "I don't remember what they said."

The dream shifts to the very same Blue Court vampire having Snow ask just that, but the dream becomes muffled, foggy.

"I don't think I have it in me to thank them," because some part of her... some part of her still wanted to be loved by her stepmother. Her stepmother had been her whole world, had been her morning and evening.

Seeing this vampire help her, both with the healing and by informing her of her future, Yuri supposes this is the kinder side of the Silver Court. It's not a side he can say he's really seen, and it's uncomfortable, but at the same time, it's a hell of a lot better for her than what the alternative could have been.

He watches the dream continue, frowning a little at the fuzziness. It seems like there's a lot of uncertainty going on in her life... which, given what happened isn't surprising.

"Why not?" It's blunt of him to be asking that question, given how personal it is. How personal all of this is. But he can't ever imagine thanking the bastard that saved him, because that's the kind of person he is. He doesn't know what kind of person she is.

He exhales softly, considering that he adds another question. "How do you feel about surviving?"

This was the first act of kindness Snow had ever known, it had immediately made her have a positive view of Silver and Blue Court, and having found out her stepmother was a member of Gold made her subconsciously wary of them. At the question, she pressed her lips together.

"I..." she let out a breath. "I think some part of me was hoping, with time..." that her stepmother would love her... she smiled and shook her head. "It's a silly hope."

She turned to look at Yuri.

"I'm grateful to be alive. Honestly and truly. There is so much of the world I get to experience now."

"....."

Yuri is quiet for several moments, resisting the urge to agree with her. It does seem a bit silly, but she's already reliving what has to be one of the worst moments of her life. He doesn't need to pile on the negativity by saying her hopes aren't realistic. Besides, is it really so wrong for a kid to want their parent to give a single, solitary shit about them?

No, it isn't.

He sighs a little. That's an optimistic way of looking at things. "I guess this is a fucking second chance for you, huh?"

She doesn't correct him that it's actually her fourth, it doesn't matter. Technically it IS a second chance. The other times she survived but now she's getting to live, well, live so long as she meets the standards and approval of the vampire courts. But they must have seen... something in her, right? But she also knows she can't depend on the vampire court to find value in her. Her stepmother was a vampire, she certainly hadn't. She had to find value in herself.

"It is, yes, a second chance and my first time making friends and experiencing the world as a whole. My life was just the manor walls otherwise. A beautiful cage to clean, to be sure. I'm sorry you had to meet me like this, though."

Yuri frowns softly, not liking that she's the one apologizing. If he were a better person he would be telling her that, and apologizing himself for imposing on something so personal.

As it is, he's just awkwardly quiet for a few moments. "... There are worse ways to meet."

There's maybe like one or two worse ways, so that's technically true. It's also true that this is just a horrible way to meet, especially for her. No reasonable person wants their trauma on display, especially to a total stranger.

"I suppose there are," she smiled. "Like saving a 16-year-old from having her heart ripped out of her chest," she gestured to her maker and the Blue Court vampire ordering around some Thralls to get her some new clothing while taking off their cloak and wrapping it around her so she wasn't exposed.

"I'm Snow White, by the way, I don't think we got a chance to exchange names."

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[Daria had murdered her family.

One slip of deadly poison in the wine served to the estate for relishing in a marriage proposal for her "fair little baby princess sister". Daria slipped out of her chains ready for her own execution for a crime she saw her family commit, and it happened in minutes. Daria walked over all of the dead bodies and left the estate, not thinking a damn thing else until her Maker found her and rescued her from a life of emptiness until she was caught and punished.

Daria found Snow White, and perhaps the world wasn't so dark.

But she watched that entire scene and felt her blood boil. This cruel world, cruel to her...but cruel to someone like Snow.

Daria felt this injustice that she never felt before, her boil seething in her veins. Her teeth clenched.]

I'd love to see it. Maybe offer a knife or two.

You would have to ask the Blue Court vampire who did it. I had passed out from blood loss by then.

[She turned to look at Daria and offered her a smile.]

I'm actually rather grateful I didn't see how she went. I didn't even see the body. I... [She takes a deep breath.] I wasn't... I couldn't bring myself to thank the Blue Court vampire who did it. I... I'm... [She wasn't sure she was grateful. Even now, she didn't know. Her stepmother had never once showed her an ounce of kindness except when trying to kill her.] It was her third attempt. I can't seem to stay dead.

[What was this she was feeling? Even now Snow was trying her best to smile at her, hide any any negative emotions and feelings.

Daria couldn't find the words to chastise her for. Not wanting her dead? Not killing her herself? It took her eighteen years to finally kill her murderous power hungry family. And it took other people getting involved.

Snow suffered and suffered alone.

But she wasn't there anymore.]

Yet now your stuck in forever undead. Surrounded by fellow undeads. The only people now who have seen the truth. You don't have to deal with her ever again.

[She wanted to think of another way to say it.]

It's poetic, think about it. For all of the times she tried to snuff you out, here you are, permanently going to outlast her. The hag is in the ditch, forever going to be below you.

You say stuck, but I get the chance to see so much of the world now once I become a vampire. And while I will do everything I can not to fail, I know what it's like to be a Thrall already, so do come say hello to me, won't you if that happens?

But no, I won't... see her again. [She mustered up a smile but the phrase made her heartache.]

I... am glad that I will get to do and experience more of the world. And I have made many more friends now that I'm not forced to remain in the manor, like you, Daria.

…You won’t be a thrall.

[Daria’s face was stone. Pure solid, serious stone.]

I’m your teacher so I know. You won’t be.

Oh, thank you, Daria, for having faith in me. It's so nice to have someone else cheering for me.

[She doesn't need to explain it, Daria is smart, Daria can understand that no one else has ever cheered on Snow, she's only been able to cheer on herself and sometimes that's hard to do.]

But, it's... well, I'm going to try my best, now that I have a fourth chance, you know.

Reyson has taken off one skate to leave the ice without blunting the blade and is keeping his balance evenly on one foot. He manages to look graceful instead of goofy; it is all in the attitude.

"I'll take some if you come out on the ice."

He hasn't actually been inside her head during the nightmare outbreak. However, Reyson does know who Lady Grimhilde is and is somewhat aware of their association, because there are a lot of rumors about Lady Grimhilde! If one in ten of them are true, he feels that it explains a lot about Snow's tendency to cheer on others and retreat from the spotlight herself... A lot of the rumors feature on what happens if someone around Lady Grimhilde takes attention away from her. Poisoned hatpins, poisoned combs, some truly wicked and logistically improbable deeds done with molten gold... Rumor also has it that she is dead, though. And even if she is not, she is certainly not here.

Snow claps as he manages to keep his balance on one blade.

At the mention of her joining him, her eyes widen.

"O-Oh, I never... I've never been out on the ice. I don't know the first thing about ice skating, Reyson. I'm sure I would merely keep falling down."

Which wouldn't bother Snow White, but she wouldn't want to frustrate Reyson or embarrass him with her ineptitude.

"If you fall, then you fall. Can you get back up if you do?"

She is kind of... delicate? He'd certainly be embarrassed if she fell over and cried over it.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course." She could have a limb severed off of her and say she's fine, she wasn't allowed to be upset if she was hurt or sick. Chores needed to get done, after all.

"I just, well to be honest, I just don't wish to embarrass you with my trying to learn."

He shrugs, gaze flat and steady.

"You're not that embarrassing. I willingly associate with Josuke Higashikata. If I wasn't willing to deal with you falling over, I wouldn't have asked."

"Oh now, Reyson, there is nothing wrong with Josuke," she smiled. She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. "How... how do I wear the skates?" she didn't want to put them on wrong and wreck them (or get hurt).

Snow has a lot to learn about both skating and Josuke.

"Lace them firmly, so they don't wobble around on your feet. Here, copy what I'm doing, and I'll tell you if you've got it wrong."

He starts slowly putting his other skate back on, so she can follow along.

Snow watched Reyson and then repeated the way he showed her. She had to be a quick learner and then once the skates were tightly laced, she pressed her lips together.

"I... suppose standing is the next part?"

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He had been warned against trying to insert himself in another person's dreams before being sent off to hunt down those that were trapped in their nightmares, but when Soma saw Snow -- usually so bright and vibrant -- helplessly screaming and bleeding on her bed, he couldn't help himself. He reached out to her, into her dreams, and...

The opulence caught him off guard, but what was more horrifying was the severe woman at the heart of it all. And then before he could react, she was on a Snow that was severely dressed down from what he was used to, trying to strangle and tear the life out of her. Soma tried to move, tried to run and help, but it was over before he could push his way through the crowd, and Snow was looking at him.

"Snow..." he began, his mouth working, trying to find something to say. "She almost killed you."

He felt dumb, stating the obvious, but what else could he say?

"That was her third attempt, it wouldn't have been an attempt if it hadn't been for the other vampires," Snow said as she watched the Silver Court vampire unable to resist biting down on her neck, though she couldn't recall that happening. But then, everything had happened so quickly.

"She's wanted me dead since the day she became my stepmother. I was always a hindrance," she inhaled sharply. "It's alright, Soma," she smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "She didn't- well, I suppose in a way she did succeed, but I'm alright."

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january tdm/event post

Snow White | Novice | Silver

B.

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B

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C - ice skating

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B

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