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

( 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.]

( Crosses "quarryman" off... He's going to play hangman with Norton's backstory and perhaps in fifty year's time he'll know it. A happy work in progress.

Mm, the idea of iterations lands well enough, and he holds it there on his tongue, like he has to get a sense of the idea's taste before he comments on it. The ore lasted all those drafts, huh... )

... I suppose it may as well be worth beginning again from that perspective.

( If anything, it'd help him settle on the sort of bird he wants to be - adjacent to human Masks, but it would still benefit from the same principle. But... )

It's just that... I've considered the feeling I'm after not be possible to manifest. ( A beat, and then, almost a verbal shrug: ) But, perhaps I'm wrong, and a bit of reiteration will convince me otherwise. I'd only learn by doing - you're right in that regard.

Hmm. [Norton crosses his arms first, thinking about what Lamorak just said, and what he mentioned earlier. They're painting a particular picture in that regard, and he's starting to recognise it.]

You're wary of failing it right from the start?

[Not "afraid". The thought of his novice being afraid is, frankly, ludicrous. But in every person, in his opinion, there's a certain dislike for failure and a desire to get it right the first time.

Especially when it comes to shapeshifting.]

Failure's part of the learning process-- you learn to undo what messes you've done to yourself and try again. There's no such thing as perfection.

( Wary...That's certainly a word for it. Masking, at least as a Novice, asks for something Lamorak doesn't like to employ - a sense of honesty. The principles of transformation are easy enough, but to shift into a form that is comfortable and true - means looking at yourself and being willing to express it.

He knows what he wants - it's the same thing he's wanted since he was a child. But perhaps he's not keen on facing the disappointment that might come with compromising what would really be the most comfortable thing for him. Unless he does graduate into Blue Court and learn of all their transformation secrets... But how badly does he want to satisfy his own need, in comparison to how badly he wants to be of aid to others? Will that desire change, the closer to vampire he becomes?

All that text aside - externally, Lamorak just seems like he's thinking, and thinking quite a bit. Finally, he clasps his hands together. Enough gravity; enough thoughts. Levity, please! )

Well, there's no way but to forward but to try it, I suppose. In the end, the only person I can disappoint is myself.

( Once technical skill is accounted for, all that's left is how you feel about it - more or less Norton's point. )

If anything, I know I want to look pre~tty different... I hope you won't mind.

Ah? Do whatever you want, brat. [Nevermind that he's technically only a few years older and turned into a vampire much younger than Lamorak is right now.]

I know you're the type to do whatever you want, so just do it.

[He waves a hand, as if to say "meh".]

You just come to me for advice and a bit of coaching, and I'm just here to make sure you don't do any permanent damage to yourself.

( Lamorak seems to brighten - a warmer light, rather than his usual fluorescence. )

Of course. You'll be the first I come to.

( It sounds light and casual, like a teen telling a parent they'll definitely definitely text at the location to let their parents know they're safe and not get distracted and forget, but a promise of truth isn't one he likes to give away - he doesn't like being obligated to honesty much anymore. But whether by Claim or genuine regard, Lamorak is willing to offer Norton this. )

And what does the Novice offer, in turn? Is simply not being an embarrassment enough?

( He phrases it generally, but it's apparent he means to prod at what Norton wants, if he finds himself in need of anything at all. He's probably done it at least once before, once Norton decided to take Lamorak to Courtsheart; it's in Lamorak's nature to be of service, so, why not? He'll ask once more. )

Exactly that. If you're looking for something aside from that, what I want is for you to become a vampire, which shouldn't be too difficult because we're not of the Black Court. [And he remembers those grueling days, attempting to mistwalk and whatnot, with the possibility of dying with every Black Court session.

He was never afraid of that because he just had one thing on his mind, but he doesn't regret leaving that behind for what he has now.]

You have a vested interest in not dying, either. It all works out.

( It might be because Lamorak has a difficult relationship with himself, but it's puzzling for him to accept a relationship that doesn't cost him - or, rather, doesn't cost him enough. Not unwelcome, but certainly not instinctive to parse. A one-sided relationship would almost be easier.

But he's not going to spurn this, either. )

If you insist... ( He concedes. For a vampire, Norton is of exceptional character, in Lamorak's view. ) You've read me right enough, in any case - I would very much like to avoid death, barring the once it's necessary.

( The Becoming, as it were. The quite regular part of him that fears death does dread it, though. )

... And perhaps, if I become a vampire myself, I can one day introduce a new face to our happy family line.

( Ash, Norton, Lamorak... Honestly, though, he doesn't feel responsible enough to take on another life, so he most certainly wouldn't rush into looking. )

Eh. [Norton waves a hand.] Like I said, the Blue Court is easier on the lifespan than the Black Court. You've already managed to survive the daft bastards who try to ambush fresh novices at the gates, and you've me.

[He says that like he's confident in his ability to swat the insects plotting to sabotage his novice-- well, he is. Not that he knows of any plans to do so by his peers or even Lamorak's peers, but that doesn't mean he's not preparing for the possibility.

Norton is just confident in himself. Despite being young, he's strong. His night terror is flexible. No one's going to make Lamorak fail and turn him into a thrall.]

Besides, I don't choose fools. You act like one, but you're not.

( Norton puts Lamorak in the unique position of not being entirely sure what to do with himself - whatever motive you might like to attribute Norton's support to, it's certainly better than the reaction Lamorak usually (and, to be fair, often intentionally), courts. Given he's taken a long leave of absence from his past support networks, his family and friends, he's been out of practice with facing decency for awhile. )

... Then I suppose I ought take very good care not to disappoint you, hm?

( In effect circling back to what Norton said some time earlier in the conversation, but he takes to it with a little more sincerity.

He does think he's a fool, himself. Someone who can't keep from the terrible cycles he's caught himself in. But, well, he'd hate to waste Norton's investment - because he quite likes him, even if you set aside any influence from the Claim. )

And I can't say I'm ungrateful you brought me into Blue instead of Black, though I heard you'd excelled. Ash told me his own version of the switch, but...

( To hear Ash tell it is a little like hearing someone tell you how the end of Jungle Book goes - two shakes of Ash's eldritch hips and Norton was off. Lamorak can't imagine it's the most faithful retelling of that story, but it is a more entertaining one. )

[Norton bares his fangs and makes a noise not unlike the gurgling of a pipe filled with things best left unmentioned. He knows Lamorak likes to speak to Norton's creator, and he can't control what Ash says, but. Stars above and shite stains down below.

Both of them are going to drive him to the Red Court stashes. He doesn't care that he doesn't know where those are, he can just capture one of them and wring the location out of loosened lips.]

You do realise that the old man embellishes to make himself look better, yes?

[He's going to throw sand in the old man's eyes. All of them.]

( Ah, he's so relieved to be a nuisance again; he feels more at home here, more certain of how to operate. As much as he likes Norton and wants to satisfy him, Norton's displeasure is like a bit of salt in a pastry - it keeps things varied, textured, and tasty. )

He's already so impressive, I'm not certain what else there is to embellish. ( Lamorak sipping from a metaphorical favorite grandchild mug, ) Besides, you didn't seem any worse for the embellishment on his own behalf, if it does indeed exist. That you seemed as a love-struck maiden seemed, to me, an endearing quality, if anything...

( Is that how Ash actually told the tale, or is Lamorak embellishing it in turn, like the world's most embarrassing game of telephone? In some way, this is a game of catch between the two of them - Ash tells Lamorak a tale, and Lamorak ferries it back through Norton. He's sure Ash will appreciate it when Norton comes around irate. )

[Vampires are not prone to illnesses like humans, and their bodies are far superior... but Norton has no desire to become the first vampire to die simply because a vessel in his body burst, like he's some overworked, overexcited human.

No, no. He shouldn't fall for this brat's tricks. He's the exact same daft sod as Ash, saying anything inflammatory for a lark, so of course Norton should know how to deal with this as well. Though his methods for dealing with his novice are, obviously, different from his methods for dealing with his incorrigible maker.

He reaches out and pinches Lamorak's cheek, hard, like a proper elder.]

You think I don't know what you're up to? Y'think I've not dealt with a number of seasons with someone a lot like you?

You like to embellish too, Lamorak. I see right through you.

( wowwwwww owowowowowwwww uncle uncle !!!

He does like being scolded for things like these (just a little bit), so he's not too broken up about being seen through. Still, he thought he had a pretty good camouflage in Ash! (Sorry not sorry for using you, Grandpa.) )

Ow, ow...! Fiiine, I'm only pulling on your pigtails a little - your decidedly unmaidenly pigtails, okay?

( His poor little cheeksie... )

He did say you were very taken with his course on Night Terrors, so I just thought I'd add a little bit of drama, a little bit of flare...

[Norton gives Lamorak one last tug of the cheek like the strict teacher he's attempting to be right now, before letting go. Honestly? Lamorak got off easy, because Norton knows he had to hold back on the strength for someone who is still mostly human.]

Flair? Save it for your Red-adjacent classes, they're the sort who loves outright lies for the drama in their storytelling. [And honestly, Lydia would just laugh at that description.

Now he just crosses his arms, the bridge of his nose still wrinkled.]

Especially in a story you're telling to someone who was right there when it happened.

( He rubs his cheek like a poor, kicked puppy... 🥺 Really, he is glad it's still attached to his face! But also, he does love his theatrics. )

Then? How would you tell it?

I was completely set on Black Court, even if I found something lacking in what they did. They suited me well, I shan't lie, but there was just that feeling of something missing that coloured how I saw the Court and their ways.

[Then he snaps his fingers to emphasize the build-up in his story.]

I found that something when Ash began lectures about shapeshifting and night terrors-- the Blue Court deals with fear. It plays with its food first.

The Black Court is sombre and unfeeling in everything it does, but the Blue Court, for all its drinking and dancing, comes truly alive in the presence of the fear that it created. That is what Ash showed me when he transformed in that classroom and scared the daylights out of my classmates.

[But, of course, Norton had to be different.]

( "It plays with its food first"... Well, one could reasonably expect most Blue Court vampires to revel in fear above all other revelry, and view the function of Night Terrors as such - the humans, by Lamorak's experience when traveling through, feel much the same. Though not to Lamorak's personal taste, he cannot particularly judge Norton for his proclivity - not when Lamorak chose to follow him here, knowing what he was.

Regardless, Lamorak might make a joke, in the interest of levity, about how that sounds close enough to swooning as what he'd said before, but he does, unfortunately, hold respect for Norton - he'll hold back from a repeat offense. He lets the hand at his face fall slowly to his seat. )

I see. Is that how you enjoy hunting, then? By making a game of it, first?

Of course. [Ever straightforward. He has no reason to lie, especially when he's revealed this much about himself already. It's not like Lamorak is asking about his human past, well before he started learning how to be a vampire.

He's just relaying his experiences of how declaring a Court was a decision that could change simply because you found something else that suited you better during your studies. Norton just managed to discover his preferences early, which made the switch to Ash a little less painless than many on the Black Court claim it to be.

(He hopes his previous maker-to-be still doesn't hold a grudge about that.)]

Some vampires act like feeding is a mechanical, boring thing when it's obviously more than that.

[His brush with poverty may have a hand in this point of view. Norton's always thought so, anyway.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

january tdm/event post

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