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

[ 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?

[ Well, when you're going for whomever crossed paths with you first, the 'just in case' could be literally anything. Though one couldn't say for sure just how much has been experienced in this manner... Still, watching Reyson have enough of a rapport to go into the cellar without a single problem, and with a guest? It's pretty impressive. Enough to proudly smirk while following in. ]

I did promise a reveal, and that you could choose your prize if you're right...

[ So he walked ahead a little, hand resting against one of the structures holding everything together... And shrunk. The slate grey-blue eyes turned brighter with the silver reflections in them, until Eden was standing in... Well, almost just a shirt. One wrong move and the breeches would easily fall to the ground. ]

The three traits I seem to keep are... my facial ratio; eye shape, nose, lips and chin, to be clear. More masculine, but still equivalent. My hair is the same. Aaand... Well, the third similarity is actually more pronounced in the male form. I wasn't lying about wanting a place to practice as well, so aside from that, you get your prize. Though I think you were hoping you'd be wrong, so I could choose what things would be instead.

[ Still shameless, but it just comes across as a little different. Cute versus bold kind of charming styles? ]

[ Ah, so he was right. And he likes being right! Fuck off!! ...It's still an impressive trick to watch up close, which he wouldn't even mind admitting. He feels less huffy and aggressive about being smugged at by this form of Eden - is it because of the femininity or just the height? He crosses his arms and looks... across, because the heeled boots have them on a level. ]

Hmph. If I want you to have your way with me, I'll tell you to.

See if you can charm me into it, I have a soft spot for music.

[ The heeled boots are hard to walk in now that she's back this way, so Eden's working on stepping out of it. Which, sure, steals the pants, but the shirt's long and bit enough on her that it's more like a scandalously short dress, as it still covered everything easily. Which meant she was back to being 5'4", and with just socks keeping her feet from being on the ground. ]

Either way, your prize, your choice.

[ Yeah, he had a love for music, that was obvious from Lute class. He was joining in and singing to every song that had lyrics. Still, hearing a song once or twice in a class that had fun with it didn't make it easy to say you knew the song. There was only one that she kind of knew, because it's been in her dreams almost every night lately. ]

... I should warn you, I don't actually know this song. No clue where it's from or if the lyrics are fully right.

[ And even more, she turned around to avoid seeing any scrutiny on Reyson's face. Given she never participated in the singing, and saying she didn't know how she sounded, Eden hoped that would make enough sense for him to not take any offense. It's definitely a Blue Lands lullaby that Eden first vocalizes through before getting to the proper song itself. There's a nice voice, but it can only be so good when untrained and so unsure- at least it won't cause ears to bleed. ]

[ What an incredibly natural excuse to suddenly not be wearing pants. Very smooth. Oh well, Reyson is less easy to scandalize in private. And he is paying very close attention. To the song and the eerie cadence of it and the lyrics, what he can make of them. Eden's bare legs pale in comparison. ]

It's definitely northern. It might be something you heard as a child that came back to you later, you get that with music now and then... You're not too bad, but I can't say if the lyrics are right, because I don't know the song either, and I don't speak the language. Something about forests, something else about mountains?

[ Most of what Reyson knows about Blue Court is words that are part of town names, because that is what people talking about their travels would mention. ]

I mean, I've been in the Crimson Forest since I was a baby...

[ Of course it'd be in Blue's season of remembrance that such a thing would come back, but Eden seemed unsure of that. Crouching down, instead of just fully flashing Reyson, she moves the pants away to pull out the concealed dagger that was in its sheath, more ornate in the embossing and finer details (the sheath almost looks like keeled scales,) but when holding it over, the snake head pressed into the pommel was a clear mark of where it came from. ]

So now I have a song and this dagger as a hint... I have no idea what the lyrics mean, either. It's weird though, right? A baby from the north ending up in the middle of a giant forest in the south?

[ She's mentally holding onto the 'not too bad' response. Partially because she doesn't know what to do with it yet. ]

Your mother or nursemaid might have sung it to you, but that is still quite a long way to move, with or without an infant.

[ He kneels down as well, to get a better look at the dagger. ]

That's a very distinct style. It's not entirely unfamiliar, but I'm afraid I can't place it.

[ He's seen a lot of noble crests in his family's correspondence and records and the like, and more in his investigations into Gold Court dealings. He hasn't memorized every single defunct family in Courtlands history, though. ]

Perhaps you were placed far away to protect you from your family's enemies? That is what I would do, if I had a defenseless young relative.

Someone had responded similarly before; familiar, but can't quite be placed.

[ Once looked over, however, Eden will gently take and return it to the boot for later. ]

Satoru had said similar as well, saying that I was probably left the dagger because there were enemies. Yet because there's nothing to go on, I have no clue what to watch out for... If it's even relevant anymore.

[ Did nobility matter when you're becoming a vampire? ]

I'll keep an eye out for similar emblems in my investigations. Knowing where you came from is always relevant.

[ He's firm on this! He's occupied with his revenge and also gaining personal power and passing classes so he does not get his mind folded into a docile pretzel by Yendar before he can obtain the revenge but perhaps assisting in the reunion of a family is also doable. ]

I appreciate that...

[ Though part of her isn't sure how ready she is to know, despite getting these hints that it could be a hidden danger or something else that should be known. It leading to the North, honestly, was not what she'd been expecting. Especially after saying how much that she didn't feel right adopting things from there, as she thought it was safer to assume she was always from the South. ]

The singing, though... You said not too bad, but how bad was it? For someone that's never sung before.

[ You took a first, Reyson. An important one, for those who cared about music. ]

[ It is both a fortune and a misfortune to have nosy associates. ]

For someone who hasn't sung before? Acceptable. It would be stronger if you sang from right below your lungs, like this.

[ He sings a paired round of scales, do-re-mi-etc, first like a layman would and then properly, from the diaphragm. It's a fuller sound, more controlled, and puts less strain on his voice. ]

Put your hand on my chest right here - feel the way I'm breathing? Try it yourself.

[ As someone who cares about music, he is invested in Eden also liking it. He is absolutely willing to put his body on the line to make sure her first experience singing with someone is a good one. ]

[ What a gentlemanly way of handling someone's first time, Reyson. It does take a moment after the invitation, but she stepped closer to put her hand on his chest to feel the way he was breathing. Then after a bit, she repeated the notes similarly...

Which already sounded a lot better. Then again, it wasn't as if she was trying to fumble around with lyrics that were only heard and not fully known. Like it was a peek of how she could sing actual songs, as she at least was able to track her pitch pretty well. Hers is more like doing an Aminor set of scales than a C, but the distance between steps were pretty solid. ]

... Better?

Better. More confident, more stable. Let's try one of the songs from lute class, we'll both know the lyrics for it.

[ Lute class is more music-hall than classy, but good music is good music. The one Reyson hums the opening bars to is a lively piece that isn't exactly this because of world mechanics. It's similar. Shall they duet, he will make it good for her. ]

Edited 2024-01-28 18:27 (UTC)

Well, sort of know...

[ But not for lack of trying! It's just trying to figure out the way the music playing part is done, not just the singing, so it's been mediocre progress on both fronts instead of getting really good at one then trying the other. Eden's hand is still staying at Reyson's chest, mostly as a reminder, as she goes through the song pretty well. Maybe not as good as someone that's trained for years or anything, but it's not so shabby either, save for it being a little muddled in some of the spots where she gets the similar sections swapped around.

But it's a good way to imagine that if she'd grown up in a more noble setting, they would've had her learning to sing, to show off the talents of their child. ]

Familiarity and confidence are key; you're already improving.

[ There is a certain intimacy in being close together and singing in the low light of the cellar. The sharing of breath and rhythm, the emotional vulnerability of exposing your skills... ]

Can you try it in your other form?

[ He actually is genuinely interested in Eden's full vocal range. That's certainly one reason he's asking. ]

[ Exposing skills no one's really seen before on one side, and seeing Reyson take his skills in a new manner. ]

I can... But depending on where you look, I'm going to take it as a sign of genuine interest in things.

[ Which she kind of hopes isn't limited to just the other form, but will deal with it otherwise. The reason for the warning is because, after shaking off any stress in their shoulders, Eden fills out the shirt again and is back to the handsome height they were earlier. Of course, the pants are still over by the boots, so watch those eyes Reyson. ]

Do you want the same song, or a different one?

The. The same song, for comparison.

[ He's not opposed to Eden's base form out of hand but he does have his preferences. More importantly, he knows what he is doing with one kind of body infinitely more than he does the other, because anything times zero is still zero. There's enough to tease him over!! Case in point, he's trying not to look down but he's not trying very hard. He's at least not openly staring, just... eh. Noticing.

He's terribly distracted and it's obvious. Shouting about it isn't an option because he doesn't actually want Eden to put pants back on, and neither is just... letting things happen, he is trying to be bolder and acclimate himself to this sort of hedonism. ]

Fair is fair. The better you sing, the more you'll have to look at.

[ He starts briskly unbuttoning his coat and the shirt underneath it. He's not taking them off, because first of all it is cold and second of all if you think he looks slim with his clothes on he's downright delicate with them off. He's trying to be impressive right now, he doesn't need that. ]

[ Well, Reyson would get to notice that Eden's a fair size, but more so, is rather thick compared to the rest of their proportions. There were plenty of other nice sights under the shirt, but similar to the female form, there's clear athletic tone and muscle with the parts of the body that's shown. The fact that he's incredibly distracted and giving a bit of skin as a reward...

Reyson really was working hard to be bolder. These were pretty good signs. That and Eden wasn't picky when it came to bodies; delicate was just as nice as people who were completely toned or with a strong muscle build. Of course they're not going to hesitate putting their hand back to where it was the last time. ]

Just to make sure I remember to keep breathing the same way. After, if you're really liking what's here, tug at my shirt and I'll take that off as well. But I might count those glances if you keep that up too...

[ Especially because while it was brisk, Eden could handle this level of cold, as it wasn't as bad in comparison to outside. Which... Stood to line up with all the other things about people from the North. Counting down with his fingers, Eden would try the same song, trying for what felt comfortable to his body instead of ears, but the voice was also quite nice. They're good at keeping their voice rather smooth, and similar on being a rather middle of the road range. Not that the extent of it was being tested.

Just... Don't get distracted by the way his thumb keeps rubbing lightly against your skin Reyson. Just further encouragement for the older novice to keep these bolder attempts. ]

[ He'll be distracted if he feels like it, you can't tell him what to do. The combination of a friendly touch on bare skin and a smooth melody in his ears has him light-headed and relaxed. He leans into Eden, humming to provide a melody to follow. His breath hitches now and then. Don't copy that, it's not intentional! ]

Ah...

[ His top layers slide to the floor. Eden may be hardier about the temperature, but a proper gentleman does not shove a paramour onto the cold hard ground. He does (relatively) (gently) shove him down, though. Being delicately built has nothing to do with vampiric strength. ]

Keep going.

[ Oh man... You can't just lean against him and breath like that Reyson. It's really hot, and just shoving him around is going to stir and work him up in ways that get obvious really quick when one isn't wearing pants. Eden doesn't even mind getting shoved around, though is clear to keep his other arm around Reyson's waist to keep a close proximity unless that gets pulled away. ]

Same one?

[ Eden'll do it, and will do so with dropping their voice just a little lower as well. Just to stretch out those vocal chords a bit, and not because his body is getting hot and heavy in some ways. ]

Same one - if you can.

[ You know, what with Reyson straddling his lap and looking down at him like he's deciding where to bite, and making pleased noises deep in his throat whenever something interesting happens.

He is into Eden's deep voice and larger muscles - those thighs, goodness - and slight advantage in height, because none of that stops him from pushing them around. Case in point, he's going to kiss and lick down his neck and see what that does to his voice control and also his cock, which is certainly providing some flattering review on his technique so far. Reyson's is less obvious in its interest, because he is still wearing trousers. He'll correct that at some point, but he doesn't feel like moving away from Eden long enough to do so at this present moment. ]

[ Reyson's gonna kill him from all of this. Just being stared at like a buffet can do a lot to them, regardless of form. In fact, being stared like that is what gets Eden to pull up at his shirt past his head and discard it off elsewhere, as if inviting the feast to go anywhere that was wanted. This could lead to a potential future regret, but it meant there was even less to hide.

It's really hard to maintain control however. Not just because of what Reyson's doing, but also being caught on his back changes things a little. At first it's just a moment of a hard swallow and wavering on keeping the notes steady, then in fighting the moan, his voice went more throaty, like a growl as nails bit into Reyson's back. To their credit, Eden didn't stop, wouldn't, no matter how hard (hah) Reyson was going to make it for him.

Oh, it was so tempting to just take this as an opportunity to undo the man's trousers right there, but there were implications that it was meant to be a reward. ]

[ This is so much skin... He wants to bite him for the transgression of having a nice body and making him feel things about it, he wants to kiss him tenderly all over for having a nice voice and making him feel things about that. He sees no reason to deny any of these impulses, he's indulging fully, it is setting his brain on fire to have someone as confident as Eden submitting to him and liking it so much and meeting his challenge, far from immune to distraction but working for it, for him.

Self discovery is a continuous process. Reyson was not expecting Eden to scratch him and, if he had been, he would not have expected to like it, but here he is! He bites deeply on reflex at that and grinds down against Eden's thigh... There's a little blood once he's stopped seeing stars and Eden's finished their song. He's got enough self control not to swallow, and wipes his mouth off on the back of his hand like some sort of ill-mannered commoner, panting heavily, pupils blown out wide. ]

You said... earlier. You have oils?

[ This may be the most turned on he has been in his entire life. ]

[ It was agonizing to maintain the song, especially with one's body as sensitive as it was for Eden. Was it the smoothest performance? No chance in hell, and at the very end- probably from the bite or that grinding, that it ended with a groan instead of the final bars of the song. They couldn't even feel the chill of the cellar, too caught up by the metallic reddish blood that was getting smeared across, and far too aware of how hard and heavy his cock was between them.

Eden took a breath to also wipe off the last bit of the blood at the corner of Reyson's mouth to paint those lips a little. ]

Pocket of the trousers. Here-

[ He reached out towards where they were, catching only the leg of the clothes to pull it closer. Luckily the small bottle didn't roll out from that... Though Eden was curious- Was Reyson desperate to take or ride? ]

Sounds like I did well enough to earn the rest of you.

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filthy nsfw novices

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