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

Shameless!

[ Reyson is easily flustered as always, and snaps back automatically. This is why it is necessary to be firm right off the bat! ...Without being so firm that he shuts down shameless propositions entirely. Reyson is learning things about himself in this wicked den of iniquity and debauchery and one of those things is that sometimes yelling at someone gets him worked up in an unseemly manner. Sometimes. Frequently it is just him being pissy, but there is something about this stranger's smile- but enough of that! He clears his throat, and looks him in the eyes. ]

You're asking the right man, as it happens. The halls on the west side are good for performances, but if you want privacy - honestly, with the volume of music classes, you'll have a fight on your hand for the standard practice rooms. Do you want to hear yourself, or for others to hear you?

[ He takes acoustics seriously, as he takes many other things seriously. If he lived in a world with stereos and speakers he would be insufferable. ]

Sometimes it works being a little shameless in a place like this.

[ They also noticed that while that was a snappish reaction, it wasn't... him denying any interest. Which was interesting in its own right. That would be thought of later, for now, just some easy fun and experimentation. ]

Can't say that I mind being heard [ another shameless joke, but less obvious as Eden keeps on, ] but it's probably more important that I hear myself. I've never really sung or anything, so I'm curious enough about practicing. It might come up at some point.

[ Which was completely true! Especially with that odd song that's been coming up in their dreams lately. While wanting to ask if anyone knew it, Eden wanted to try sounding something like it in their normal form, and it didn't hurt to try these vocals out as well. ]

Did I get lucky enough that you know places outside the official practice rooms?

[ He keeps hearing this but he is changing enough as it is! He would rather be the uptight guy than the guy who goes to costumed orgies every Tuesday. He narrows his eyes at the joke, but lets it pass. Music is serious business. Or rather, it is one thing he does not need to take seriously, and thus it is terribly important. ]

Of course. The wine cellars are quite good, if you can convince someone to let you in. The dungeon cells, perhaps, if you can convince someone to let you out... That was a joke, don't go into the dungeons.

The lakeshore a little ways outside doesn't have walls to reflect your voice, but the ambiance is lovely. It gets cold this time of year, especially at night. There is an outdoor courtyard near the library, with some sort of sound effect on the walls. It is free of vigorous activity outside of Tuesdays, but people go there to smoke and the like. They shouldn't mind a bit of singing, unless you're wretchedly off-key.

[ Okay, but who does Reyson know that goes to costumed orgies every week? ]

If they usually smoke the stuff that stinks and gets stuck on your clothes really bad, I'll probably skip the courtyard. Which sounds like either I find someone to let me into the cellars, or I go to the lake?

[ Well, maybe it won't be so impossible to get into a practice room for just ten minutes or something. ]

Who knows, I might be off-key. I wouldn't really know... The only benefit I know I've got is a good lung capacity.

Cellars it is. I can be very convincing.

[ Is lung capacity more innuendo - probably not. Reyson makes a follow-me gesture and turns, fairly certain that he's not being tricked into flinging them both headlong into the old blowjob patch. If he is incorrect, that is on him. ]

I have a good ear, as well. I'll tell you if you're off. There's nothing worse to hear than someone who doesn't know that they're singing poorly.

Sounds like you're used to doing this.

[ He'll turn and follow along. In this case, while it could be innuendo, it surprisingly wasn't. Surprising, if only for the casual jokes before. If it did turn that way, it'd be a bit of a surprise. ]

I've really gotten lucky today. You'll allow a bit of leniency for lack of experience, right?

Inexperience is forgivable, as long as one is willing to correct it.

[ He'd be a hypocrite if he thought otherwise. There's plenty about vampiric life that still trips him up, after all. He's quite happy about having the upper hand in some respects. Even if it is in finding places to practice. A victory is a victory. ]

There are also secret rooms and passages around, if you know where to look. Singing in them would defeat the purpose, though.

So there's some hope still.

[ Well, there's always a chance that even with attempts at correction, improvement isn't made. Edgin said they had a decent ear though, so that should be less likely, but ears and voices are different. ]

Yeah, that- Even if the room was designed to be well insulated for sound, it kind of does defeat its purpose. Though maybe you should show me which secret rooms you've been going to afterwards.

I'd hate to deprive you of the fun of discovery.

[ He could be persuaded to give up a few secrets, of course. Persuasion is also an important skill to practice. ]

... I'm not sure if you're trying to invite me into being shameless or what at this point.

[ They will be, Reyson! Don't be so ready to give these openings, unless you really want them taken. ]

[ Fuck off!! Don't call him out!! Ambiguity is a feature!! ]

Don't get cocky! I don't even know your name!

[ It takes more than a pretty face to get access to his secret tunnel, thanks! ]

That's still not a confirmation or denial, Reyson.

[ Getting cocky is what they literally did, though! Some things can't be helped. See, now they're ready to give hints. ]

What if I said you did, and that I find this and the other sides of you all pretty cute?

[ Well, he might be known via casual gossip, but-

That is not the case here. Who are you! Blue eyes. Blue court? ]

...Kevin?

[ He feels some kind of way about being called cute but he wants confirmation on who he's going to be yelling at for it. Kevin would change his shape for the express purpose of being taller than him, let's be real. ]

... Do I look like a Kevin?

[ So far, Eden's only practiced enough to hold the form for a little while. It was still all-out or not much of anything at all. So fixing the mask back enough to stop the changing color of eyes wasn't a possible hint. ]

Three hints, and if you don't get it, you'll have to wait until we're at the cellar. First is that we do share classes. Second is that I'm not from Blue Court. Third is... Because I'm not Blue Court, this mask is kind of my 'true self', but there's still one obvious and visual trait in common between this and my unmasked self.

[ The cadence of his speech. The way he smiles. Who does he know... ]

Hmm... And you're not a teacher.

[ Ruling that one out in a hurry, while he thinks about other people in his year. A teacher would, of course, share classes with him, and this is exactly the sort of bastard trick question he'd expect. But this person seems more like a peer than a Youngblood coming over to play tricks. ]

[ Just a quick glance over, and... ]

Answering that would make yet another hint.

[ You already have a few! ~~Such a menace~~ ]

Hmph.

[ ...He still doesn't think he's a teacher. The sidelong look intensifies. ]

If that's your true self, you're implying that you normally don't look like a handsome young man.

Still trying to get more hints?

[ Ah, there's the smile creeping back on with the side looks. ]

Like I said, there's still some traits in common between my normal self and this self.

[ Arrogant sniff. ]

I'm thinking out loud.

[ The lottery system is widely considered to be rigged. There aren't actually that many ugly novices around. But also, Reyson would prefer to look good in a strapping, macho sort of way than the way he actually looks. There are doubtlessly people who prefer the elegant prettyboy look. Which isn't to say that that couldn't be Hans - no, probably not, actually. Hans is too earnest.

Could he be a woman of his acquaintance? Alice might enjoy going about as a dashing fellow. The dark hair and the pale skin could belong to Snow - ]

No, definitely not Snow. One sentence out of you is enough to prove that.

[ Aw, do you think he's an elegant prettyboy? Eden would love to hear that. Instead there's a perk to the step saying enough about how amused he was. Reyson would probably figure it out before long.

It would've been far too obvious if he were Snow. There was a unique way that she spoke- Eden didn't think that they could ever imitate that. So instead they nodded along in agreement. ]

Snow also wouldn't have you playing guessing games like this, or be so forward.

[ And she's in a newer season. So is Alice. Trilla wouldn't talk like this either, for much different reasons than Snow. Friendly teasing, though, and those eyes. Looking at him over and over was a major hint in itself.

He's kind of mad at himself for taking this long to realize! He will take the victory, though, triumph creeping into his face via a faint satisfied smile. ]

...But Eden would.

[ They'd done so much to make the shared traits between forms as obvious as possible, so for a moment, Eden had worried that Reyson would forget about the 'sharing classes' thing with novices that wouldn't have learned to mask yet. While the color was different, they'd thought that the hair, eyes and skin tone were all similar enough to link the two appearances. ]

Is that your guess? I'll make the reveal in the cellar. Then after practicing, you can choose your prize if you're correct. If you're wrong... I'll think of something tame enough for you to handle.

[ Tame?! Well, on one hand he appreciates the thought because he knows how he is and it's kind not to pressure him into truly salacious acts. On the other hand! His pride!! ]

Oh, I'll show you just how tame I am.

[ Cripes except now he might have to do just that... The worst case scenario here is that this guy is Eden and she laughs at his sincere efforts. ~~The actual worst case scenario is that it is Mr. Vader and that furthermore the rumor about him being a colony of monster snakes underneath his mask and robes is true~~ ]

[ Reyson still has some luck, for there's only one monster snake under the robes and they'll find out their inner animal in the next season. Eden notices that was yet another invitation, though. ]

Alright, I'll be as forward as I'd like in there. Luckily I've been keeping some oils in my pockets, just in case.

[ Then there's a quick and lightly challenging way their eyebrows raise for a moment, then gesture towards where it looked like the entrance of the cellar was. ]

Eden Woods is your final answer, or are you running through options still?

Just in case-

[ Oh, he's prepared for anything. Definitely on a higher tier of hedonism. Reyson can feel a shiver run down his back. Anticipation? Fear? He could throw the game and leave taking the lead in likely-Eden's capable hands. The possibility crosses his mind. But no, that would be cowardice. ]

Yes, I stand by what I've said.

[ This isn't his first time in the wine cellar and he's been consistent about not breaking into the vats. He does not even have to use mystical vampire powers to convince the steward to let him have the run of the place, even with a guest. It's a nice enough cellar. Dark, cool. Filled with casks and vats and the like, smelling of aging grape and aging wood. ]

Well?

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