undyingcourt | 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

[ Boy, this guy is kind. Wow. He's the real deal. Hans almost hates that, but also... he smiles. It's sweet. He has a nice laugh. Haha. ]

That's true. I wouldn't want then to only be around me because they couldn't help it, or because I'm bringing them treats.

[ Speaking of treats though, Hans pulls out one of those oranges, holding it up to Chaux. ]

They're easy to spoil, then they look so happy.

They are, aren't they?

[ That gets Phillip to smile like a Real Genuine Disney Prince (tm) Smile. ]

Here, let's peel it.

[ He reaches over to take the orange, his hand (gasp) brushing against Hans. ]

[ Augh that smile. You're hurting Hans with the sheer honesty of it. He's going to have to practice smiling, because he can never get his to look that good. ]

Oh.

[ They do indeed brush hands... Hans lingers a little just to use that touch to his advantage, but he has to admit, it's nice. ]

He usually eats it with the skin on. It hadn't even occurred to me to peel it for him.

[ The effect of the touch isn't lost on him. It's a good feeling, to be close to someone else. But he he inevitably has to pull away to start peeling the orange. ]

They all do, but...I don't know, I think it's nice to do it. Something shared.

[ Oh, this guy is too nice. This is the one. This guy is going to make the perfect target.

It is. It's very thoughtful of you.

[ Hans smiles, grabbing another orange to start peeling it. Chaux is in for the best treat!! ]

I'm sure Chaux appreciates it too, don't you boy?

[ Chaux whinnies happily, and then Phillip starts to hand over the oranges, slice by slice on his open palm. He saves one for himself, though, which he eats last. He looks really happy. Really in his element!

Chaux wanted that last slice, though. he headbutts Phillip as he's eating it. ]

You have to share too! It's a big orange, you know.

[ He's sooo cute, Hans wants to devour this guy. I mean, what? No. He's focusing on peeling this orange. It's all he can do to keep from laughing as Phillip and Chaux have their little disagreement. ]

Be nice, Chaux. I have some for you, too!

[ He holds out his palm with half an orange for him. Gotta space it out, you know? ]

Yeah, see! You have two whole people spoiling you.

[ It's kind of cute! he's not sure why he wants to feed the other half of the orange to Hans but that's embarrassing so he will never think about that again! Cool! ]

[ Definitely don't worry about it! Chaux happily and greedily chomps on the orange, whinnying happily. Hans laughs, honestly happy. I mean, horses are great, there's no question. ]

He'll still beg for more, knowing him.

[ Hans takes a slice for himself, offering one up to Phillip. Because he's decided this is happening now. This guy is too easy not to try with, right? Oh, the ways he could use this to his advantage... ]

Do you want some?

Oh, I'm sure he will.

[ Oh! Hans is offering him some of the orange. The little slice he'd had already was quite good, so, why not? ]

Ah, yes, please. Thank you.

[ he was raised to be polite ok ]

[ Hans smiles. This is great. That flipping feeling in his chest is fine. That's normal? Phillip is cute, after all. ]

You're very welcome.

[ Hans hands over the remaining slice. This is a much better use of this orange -- though of course he loves horses, it's just hard to choose right now. ]

I have to ask. Haven't I see you before? You're in the Gold Court, right?

january tdm/event post

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