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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[No, he most certainly is not. In fact, he has a few choice swears he'd like to use to describe them, but he holds back. In a castle full of predators insulting them isn't going to get him anywhere, so he's a little more careful in choosing his words.]

I'm in the Silver Court. If I've got a serious problem I'll go to my Maker.

[This does not qualify as serious. He shrugs faintly, closing his eyes for a few moments.]

It's fine. It'll pass.

And here I was going to offer a little asphyxiation if you were desperate.

( A ??? joke ??? (????!)... And despite the assurance that Yuri more or less has this, Lamorak doesn't seem like he intends to uproot himself, either. )

[.......................... Is that a joke. He shifts a little so he can stare up at this guy as he tries to decide that.

Surely it must be. At the very least, this seems like something he should not encourage (in case it isn't).]

... Who are you.

( Ah, he's finally caught his gaze! Lamorak smiles, like it's some personal achievement, his eyes glittering in the probably dark academia-lit library. )

You can call me Lamorak. I'm in the care of Blue Court, at the moment, but we'll have to see where the winds take me.

( Not much Court pride in this one - as much of a fan he is of transformation. )

And yourself?

[Yuri stares back, looking Lamorak up and down. His head might be killing him but that isn't going to be able to stop his tendency towards observation and analysis, even if the latter is going to be hampered due to the pain. It's a good distraction, it gives him something else to focus on.]

... Yuri.

[Yeesh, this guy's more androgynous than himself. That's impressive. And while he knows Blue Court is masking and night terrors it's the court he also knows the least about. Lamorak doesn't sound particularly enamoured with it, either, which is unusual. From what Yuri has seen, novices are generally set on a court once they've got one.]

Blue's not meeting your expectations?

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

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

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

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

[Yuri narrows his eyes a little. Answering a question with a question and then turning the entire thing around on him, this almost feels like some discourse strategy taught by the Gold Court. Or Lamorak is just a smart person who knows better than to start shittalking a Court in public.

Or both. Either way, it's a good decision.

Of course, Yuri has an answer to that question. Yes, at the very least he's biased against his own Court thanks to the life he's had. And right now, with the incessant stabbing pains in his head, he'd love nothing more than to make that very clear, but some short term satisfaction doesn't make the long term danger worthwhile, so he gives a small shrug and opts to roll with the derail.]

I think you're right, every Court has its shitty side. Objectively speaking, in that way they're all on the same level.

Right?

( Lamorak wags his finger, as if a conductor, to emphasize his answer. )

But once - or, should I say, if - we become full-fledged vampires, ( Ah, the ever-looming threat of flunking into an even more terrible fate... ) perhaps we'll begin to think differently. We'll start to see such troubles as necessary and correct, and begin to think, even, that it's the other Courts that are in the wrong.

( Considering the tribalism each elder member of the Court seems to have... it seems to be a think vampires settle into with age. At least, that's how it seems from here. )

Holding onto a human perspective for so long might be a challenge in itself.

Edited 2024-01-26 06:54 (UTC)

[If. Yeah, he was informed early on what happens to those who flunk out. He supposes it's a sort of motivation to do well in class and to impress enough Courts.

.... It mostly just makes him feel sick, so he puts it out of his mind and focuses on the whole 'human perspective' thing.]

Probably. Everything about you stops being human, so hanging onto that when you've got nothing else tying you to your old humanity wouldn't be easy. I'm sure that scares a lot of people.

Oh? But not you?

( That might not have been the implication, but Lamorak has no fear of seeming dense or annoying - his foremost interest is pestering. )

[Yuri clicks his tongue at the question, but figures it can't hurt to answer.]

Not a lot scares me.

[With one hand he's opening his book back up, glancing at the clock on the nearby wall before writing down the time and a 6. His headache is abating a little.]

What about you?

( Lamorak hums at Yuri's answer - it sounds faintly amused. )

Oh, when I was a child, I dreamt of becoming all sorts of things - birds, usually, but it depended on the day. A horse, a fish, a bird... Maybe another sort of creature all together - something half man, half animal; something like a human, but small and jovial in nature... It never took much to persuade me away from humanity.

( Is that his honest answer... Well, it's not dishonest. )

How's your headache?

[... He can't actually tell if that's a serious answer or not. It seems kind of childish if it is, though it would also explain Lamorak being in Blue Court.

He raises an eyebrow, closing the book.]

It's taking it's fucking time, but it's fading. I said it would pass, didn't I?

Hmmm.

( Very pointed sound, like a cat's purr. )

Why do you record them if nothing can be done about them, anyway? ( At least, in Yuri's own words. ) Sentimentality, or medical concern?

( If Yuri's tracking the data so carefully, it must be something that would be unwise to leave uncatalogued. )

[He gives a little scoff at the idea that he's doing this for sentimental reasons. Hah, that's a good one.]

The latter.

[Since Lamorak is asking he might as well explain it. It's not like any of this is a secret, after all. His Maker isn't going around broadcasting any of it to the castle, but he certainly isn't trying to keep it hidden. It's important medical research.]

I've got a goddamn brain injury, and who the fuck knows if it's going to get better or worse. Having a record of my symptoms gives my Maker another way to analyze what's going on up here - [He taps his head] - and if there are any changes with different treatments. Writing it down just makes it easier than relying on what he feels through our blood claim, or me remembering everything.

( Jeez. He suspected it was something concerning, but that's pretty high up on the list of things that suck. And for this to be of interest to a Silver Court maker... hmmm. Lamorak is keen on Silver's healing, but he has no real illusions about Silver being moral. Not considering the rumors from not too long ago, and not considering certain hearsay from his travels. )

I have heard that certain afflictions heal when one turns into a vampire, but...

( He says that, but he also wouldn't bet on it. Still, it's his weird way of going, "Sorry to hear that." )

I can only hope your Maker's motives are altruistic.

( are they tho... )

[Yuri scowls a little deeper, clicking his tongue. That 'but' is what he's expecting. But that healing only goes so far, but old injuries remain, but the brain is too complicated to repair once it's been damaged. His Maker has drilled it into him that, realistically, he shouldn't expect much, and certainly not a full recovery. Plan for failure, not success.

He can't even answer positively to that second point.]

Now that's a good fucking question, how does altruism fit into a vampire's perspective?

[If it even does in the first place.]

You can't gauge your own Maker?

( But, sure, he'll bite: )

I guess it depends. Would you call taking care of a pet altruistic?

( Most feed, groom, and look after the medical needs of a pet - but only their own, and rarely strays. He wonders if most Makers see their Novices as such. )

[He shifts a little, head still in his hand, his other one spinning his pencil around in his fingers.]

The opposite. I've known him a while.

[God, that's it exactly, isn't it? If humans aren't food then they're pets.]

No one needs to own a pet. They only do it out of some selfish desire for companionship, or - I don't know, because they think it's cute.

[Also, he is not an animal person. That was that brat's territory, what with her dumb love of cats.]

( That gets a chuckle - most people like pets, in his experience. Yuri's an oddity, but it's harmless. )

That sounds about right. How long you're kept depends on how long you fulfill that particular need, and if it's worth any nuisance.

( Pets, and Novices.

Granted, Lamorak's Maker is one, Lamorak would argue, who's more lenient than the apparent standard; conversely, though, Lamorak is conscious that his Maker isn't human. He has to wonder how he looks through his Maker's eyes. Is it patience with an almost-equal, or patience with a lesser creature? )

Did your Maker stake you out for a time?

[That's the crux of it, isn't it? As long as you're providing a particular need, whether it's simple entertainment or something more, you aren't going to be tossed in the trash. Anyone who has a more optimistic view is fooling themselves.]

I wouldn't call it that.

[After all, his Maker had no say in him turning up at the orphanage in the first place, and it had been the bastards running the place who first noticed him, not anyone from the Silver Court. He just showed up when the experiments had started, met Yuri, and encouraged everyone to continue.

It feels like it was a lifetime ago, even though for a vampire it would've felt like yesterday.]

I don't think this was always the plan, he just has a talent for pulling success out of failure.

[(And find a way to ruin lives in the process, but details.)

He's looking up at Lamorak, inclining his head slightly.]

What's your Maker like?

Failure? Is that how you were seen?

( Sounds like a touchy subject, so he won't be offended if Yuri doesn't expand on it... but it sounds like this guy has a pretty troubled history. Poor thing... despite himself, and how he acts outwardly, Lamorak's been growing more sympathetic by the moment.

The topic of his Maker, though, asks for a far peppier tone. )

Oh, mine? He's real cute! He acts kind of sullen, but I know he's a big softie.

( Even after all Lamorak's talk about how vampires are kinda iffy? Yeah. Anyway, Norton would surely object to this assessment of his character, but Norton also isn't here to defend himself ☺️ )

I was in a pretty bad place and he scooped me up. No clue what for besides just to have a Novice, but he's pretty helpful, and he doesn't get too annoyed when I bother him.

( He leans in, closer to Yuri, his voice dropping low with the tone of a gossip - but he sounds like he's having a ball. )

You know, he introduced me to his Maker, and we're not all that different. I have to wonder if there's not a sort of imprinting thing going on, you know?

( He pulls back! )

Oh, but don't tell him I said that. He might get mad.

( Not that Lamorak sounds like he'd mind... )

[Yuri just waves his free hand dismissively. It's not a yes or a no to that question, more of an it's complicated. Not that he won't call himself a piece of shit at the drop of a hat (because he is), but... yeah. Whether that failure was on himself or on the administrators or all of them seems up in the air to him sometimes. His Maker is vague like that.

It's complicated. There are better things to talk about. Except....

Except he really isn't sure if he should be trusting Lamorak's views on his Maker. He doubts anyone in the history of the world has ever referred to a vampire as 'a big softie.' Is it even physically possible for a vampire to act like that, or is this just a joke and the guy is actually a terrifying monster? But then, monsters don't go around helping people in bad places, so it must be the latter.

He's mulling all of that over when Lamorak leans in, and while he doesn't move from his spot (he's commandeered this desk, thank you), he does reflexively tense up a little. But it's nothing serious, just what could be easily defined as 'spicy banter.']

....................

[Or gossip.

Yuri stares. Oh god, is this turning into full-on gossip? Has he had the utter misfortune of running into a gossipy shit? What the hell is he supposed to do here?

There's a beat as his mind settles on a response.]

... He must have a hell of a lot of patience. [To want you as his Novice is the implication of how that sentence should be finished, because falling back on an insult is excellent socializing.]

( Lamorak only laughs. No offense taken by word or implication. )

He does say I'm a handful... Not that I mind if the strength of my affection is only one way. ( Lamorak's not whole enough to care. ) But! He hasn't nominated me for thralldom or death yet, so I must be doing something right.

( He isn't sure if Norton is sentimental enough to intervene with such a fate were Lamorak to flunk out of his courses - not that Lamorak intends to - but, even if that's so... It's not a pleasant thought, but he accepts it as a possibility. )

[Huh, he wasn't expecting to get a laugh out of that remark. It wasn't a joke. It could be that Lamorak's Maker isn't the only one with a lot of patience, but Yuri isn't considering that and just staring.

That sure is some self-deprecation.]

Guess so, if he hasn't but still calls you that. [Being a handful is not something anyone should be striving for, though it's rich that he thinks that when he isn't exactly easy to deal with himself.] Are you ever going to ask him why he picked you? Or are you happy with your assumption?

Edited 2024-01-29 06:04 (UTC)

january tdm/event post

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