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

[Appealing to Norton's greed has always and forever been a good strategy for anyone looking to get something out of him. He knows this, he knows that Lamorak knows this. So he has to wonder what his novice will be offering.

And what he himself could offer, when he's already bargained a good deal out of their initial deal.]

Hmm. [He crosses his arms.] How are you faring with shapeshifting?

[It seems a bit of a strange question, but he has Thoughts.]

( Oooh, intrigue. What is his Maker wending toward?

Regardless, Lamorak's face seems to light - for sad reasons, he's deeply attached to the whole Silver Court healer thing; but, for fun reasons? He's a big fan of of the principles of transformation Blue Court so gladly teaches. Can't he just have both? )

We just started learning this season. Though I'm sure my skill can't compare to anyone who's been studying longer... I have to say it makes a bit of intrinsic sense - I haven't gotten a poor mark yet.

( Lamorak isn't the type to say he's ahead of his classmates, because that seems both like being a braggart and a nerd, and he is not these things. But like those who just get math, the principles of Masking and Shapeshifting just click for him. )

[Just the basics of shapeshifting, then-- that gives Norton his bargaining chip.

He raises one finger, not relaxing his arms from their position.]

Given my position, you're at an advantage. [Norton absolutely loves being a night terror, after all.]

If you win this gamble of ours, I'll give you an inside look at night terrors. That should give you an advantage over your classmates. [And not embarrass Norton at all-- then again, Lamorak is plenty enough to brag about amongst the other youngbloods.]

Of course, that sort of thing is only for the Blue Court to properly learn.

Edited 2024-01-24 06:47 (UTC)

( Oho! Now, that is a generous gamble, and it's clear he has Lamorak's interest. Becoming as a Night Terror does not appeal to Lamorak as primarily as it does Norton, but it does intrigue him - this, too, is a form of transformation; one without limit. It is the possibility breathless freedom that comes with becoming a thing so abstract that has Lamorak's hesitant ear - despite the horrible tales he's heard of huntings and hauntings across the Blue lands.

The last remark, though, pauses the curl of his smile, like he'd been caught doing something he oughtn't. )

Oh? Did I not express enthusiastic loyalty to Blue just earlier?

( And then proceeded to throw his lot in with Black, but, )

Edited 2024-01-24 07:24 (UTC)

Night terrors are quite advanced, you know. And you're fairly early on in your education... [Norton just gives a shrug.]

Who knows if you can handle it. Takes the special sort to stomach that sort of thing this early on.

[Now he's just dangling bait in front of Lamorak, to see how he'd react.]

I hadn't realized I instilled so little faith...

( His words drift out with a faint exhale, nearly a breathless laugh. It isn't hard to guess he's being baited - or, perhaps alternately put, tested. Though his demeanor doesn't change much, he considers his answer with some care.

Lamorak is not the type for direct proclamation of intent; he is not straightforward and unerring, like his brothers. Still... )

... I would think it worth your while. After all, if I cannot handle it now - if you judge there no spark of potential - then would it not be a waste of time for you to raise me up through my final season?

( Extremely risky if this doesn't work out for him, he's aware. It makes this a bold argument of confidence, in his strange way. )

If I disappoint, you can do as you like with me.

Bein' cheeky right now. [Enough that Norton's old street accent's come out. Not that he cares so much about his gruff manner of speech-- even if he tends to be dodgy about where he came from, it's not as if he shies away from showing, on occasion, that he's the rougher sort despite the colours he wears.]

Is that what you'll offer me if I win our gamble? Or is that something else entirely?

[Though he does know Lamorak can handle it-- it's just a matter of whether or not he wants to. Norton likes to think that he has an eye for potential.]

( The slip into his previous accent earns the slightest quirk of Lamorak's brow, regarding it, as always, with interest, and not so much judgment. It's definitely he's something he's asked after before, and, considering he hasn't an answer yet, it retains his interest. )

Consider it a means of deepening our bond.

( He says this slyly, but, despite how his ambiguous demeanor that suggests some kind of plot or mischief, he's not being insincere. Norton is useful to him - but he's not approached this relationship as one of give and take. He really would like to get on with him - even if he's acutely aware Norton is a vampire, and certainly not of noble heart, not unlike those who splintered his family. )

I'll take that as a yes. [Because it's as much of a straight response as he can get from Lamorak. He's spent long enough with the man to know this... Not to mention, he does have to give his novices some leeway. Learning how to be a vampire is a mess as it is.

Norton drums his fingers on his arm for several seconds, then gives a nod.]

I'll place my bets on the Red Court.

Shall we shake on it?

( Lamorak is fortunate Norton's understanding enough - really, in terms of Makers, he could've done much worse. Vampires are as they are, and not always are they decent to humans.

He brightens when Norton comes to his conclusion, and his hand comes up and around in a theatrical gesture for a quick and light shake. )

A good choice. ( Red, he means. Black's got power, but Red's got technique. ) I look forward to seeing where our bet leads - besides with players needing a Silver touch... Hopefully, none of them are Novices.

( Novices only have so much vampiric resilience to go around until they drink a little more blood, he means - Lamorak wouldn't risk it himself. Regardless, he won't be terribly disappointed, whoever wins or loses - there are stakes enough, and that satisfies him. )

Novices are a lot more grounded and harmless in their whimsy. They still think like humans. [They are still human after all. And often, are pretty young, though he's seen some older novices in the past.] When you're a youngblood, you start looking for more dangerous things to catch your interest.

[All this to say that he thinks a good deal of the players are novices.]

But if there are, there are some healers from the Silver Court around. Some of them already know to stand by when revelry becomes physical.

Oh? That's a fascinating perspective.

( But one that speaks of more experiences with novices than Lamorak has, obviously. He concedes to Norton's correction as he watches the hockey players go at it, some like their Court's favor might be on the line (and, who knows - maybe, for some, it is). )

... I've heard that if a Maker offers more often blood to their Novice, they can quicken the Novice's growth. ( More resilience and stronger powers can only be for the best, right? But: ) I wonder, though, how fast is too fast... And if there is a trouble that comes with stripping away the humanity a little too quickly, no matter how badly they may crave it.

( "Crave" is a particular choice of words here - he refers to the blood cravings that come with a blood claim between Novice and Maker. Lamorak knows these terrible cravings, too, though he so rarely references ever having any, if he implies it at all. Still, Lamorak imagines their Maker's blood and seduction of power must be difficult for many to ignore. )

I heard about that too. [Given his time as a novice, one full of decisions and impatience, how would he not? He's researched heavily on the subject, especially when he declined to continue with his previous maker to move on to Ash.]

You'll have to remember that the maker has to provide blood, though. Vampires we may be, we still have a limited amount of that in our bodies. [Not to mention, the mental and emotional burden on the maker...

Yes, Norton wants to have many novices under his wing, but he's not unaware of the potential issues.]

In the end, it's up to the individual maker and their novice, isn't it? They know their body and their brat better'n anyone.

( A faint laugh leaves Lamorak's lips. )

Ah, what a tragedy that would be - to drain one's Maker while still nascent. Perhaps you ought invest in a neck brace ( among other defenses... ) if you add any more Novices to your collection. I'd hate to lose you so soon.

( The smile remains at the slight slip of his accent again... Hm hm hm... )

But I do wonder. How do I hold up in your esteem so far?

( His voice isn't doing the low winding thing anymore it sounds like the tonal equivalent of :3? )

You're a handful.

[Blunt, to the point. However, it's also a response, in some ways, to Lamorak's comment about having multiple novices. He doesn't have any others ~~(unless the player plots with someone else--)~~, and may stay that way until Lamorak becomes his apprentice. Being a maker isn't just a physical ordeal, but also a mental exercise because he must be responsible for this one silly human and keep him alive long enough for him to grow into a proper vampire.

Maybe one day, after Lamorak has become a youngblood, he'll be able to juggle two, if their personalities and demands allow.]

But as long as you don't do something to embarrass yourself, and thus me, you won't be a problem in my eyes.

I've been keeping track, however. You've been doing well, right?

( Wow... I'm your handful?? 🥺 )

Oh, I'm a star student. ( So long as no one's flunking based on personality. ) Unless you want perfect grades across the board?

( Which sounds joking, but like, don't look at any of the grades for classes he's taken related to first aid and healing... Everything else comes easy as pie, though. )

[Norton has to roll his eyes.]

Perfect students don't exist. [And besides, he may already know of Lamorak's difficulties with certain Silver Court classes... Then again, Norton was the same. He's particularly robust and heals quite quickly even by vampire standards, but using healing magic?

Ha, ha.]

As long as you're not failing the ones that matter. And if you are... [He gives a shrug.] That's what I'm here for.

( Lamorak brightens - exaggeratedly fluorescent, but not at all insincere. Perhaps it's precisely because he's not being insincere here that he feels the need to appear a little clownish. His weird way of being shy... )

Ah~ Really! You're the best Maker I could've asked for! You're patient, helpful, and don't hassle me aaaaall that much about my studies! If there's ever a Best Maker competition, I'm stuffing your name in the ballot box. Please look forward to it.

( Though he's certainly aware Norton's no saint, he's just as aware there are plenty of Makers who rake their Novices across the coals. On the blood-sucking monster scale, there's always worse. )

Though, if you're that eager to help me, I'd love to learn a little more about Masks - separate from our bet about the Night Terrors, and all. I feel like the class is going almost a little too slow for me.

[Norton holds up his hands to stem the flow of effusive, exaggerated praise. Feelings are nasty, take them away.]

Fine, fine! You're rather needy, aren't you? [Grumble grumble...] Figures I picked up someone so troublesome...

What's the teacher doing, then? The very basics?

( Thanks, Norton, you've saved the both of them from Feelings. Though Lamorak's energy doesn't totally fade, he does settle down a little, relaxing again onto his palms. )

I'm only needy because I know you'll keep spoiling me. ( Is it really spoiling, Lamorak... ) But, yes, basically the basics. Hair color, eye color... Working our way into a full transformation. Some people are still figuring out what their true self feels like - but I know more or less how I want to end up. I just need to work out the finer details, more or less.

Edited 2024-01-28 08:11 (UTC)

[Norton just... has to stare for a moment, squinting at his novice. What in the hell, even.

He really has to wonder what Lamorak is trying to get.]

If you already have what you want in mind, why do you need me? What finer details do you even need?

Because if it's actual details on your mask, that's something only you can decide for yourself, only things that feel right. [For emphasis, he raises a hand and taps the bridge of his nose, right underneath the piece of ore embedded into it.]

( Well................

Lamorak, perhaps predictably because he always tends to avoid the point, but a little silly considering he was the one who asked for help, does not answer immediately why it is he needs help with it, and instead derails to: )

... I've always wondered about that feature, actually. Is that a choice?

( He glances down at that bit of ore - perhaps the more polite version of pointing. )

Mmrph. [Now Norton openly scratches at the stone in his nose, uncaring of how it moves. It won't get infected anyway, he's a vampire.]

Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you. [Now to word this without actually revealing a lot of his past.]

It felt right. [Repeating himself, but it does have to be said so that Lamorak understands. A feeling just can't be described so easily, it can only be experienced.] Some teachers like to say that you should try shapeshifting into something you're familiar with, like the family dog, or the bird outside your childhood window, or the damn rat under your floorboards.

[Oops, a bit of bitterness there. Moving on...]

But I wasn't familiar with animals, I knew rocks more. I ended up with this thing, and never felt like removing it.

( Bitterness noted... Into the mental Norton file it goes.

It is insightful, though, and he weighs it against his current query with care. That's a surprisingly sentimental reason - well, more than he expected from a little rock. )

Oh? Were you a quarryman once? Rocks seem more interesting than scripture.

( He won't be offended if Norton doesn't choose to disclose any details, though. It's just in his nature to pester. )

No, I wasn't. [No, really, he wasn't. But that doesn't mean he's not hiding something. Then again, when is he not?]

But my point is-- what is familiar will show up eventually when you're experimenting. What feels right will just stick around. You can't explain a feeling, you can only experience it.

So you should try forming it first, and if it doesn't feel right, do it again, until what you see is comfortable, and that you don't mind using your power to keep it on yourself.

[Which says something about Norton's insistence on the ore.]

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