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

[ Xenk finishes digging. Such a small child only requires a small grave. He stands and steps over towards Jim, placing a hand on his shoulder. He knows not how to console someone who is grieving, much less a boy who went through so much pain. But he knows how pain can sow strength. He hopes that will be the case for Kirk. ]

You must become better than them. Stronger than them.

[ Xenk doesn't even know "them" is here, but it doesn't matter. It's clear that Kirk wants to become strong so that he never faces pain like this again. Seeing him now, wearing his jacket, brings a strange feeling of warmth to his chest. Is that pride? ]

And you will, in time. You will surpass this, James.

[He looks up at Xenk, nodding in agreement, because yes, it was true, he would become better than the Vampires that did this to them. He would become stronger, fiercer. He would survive and flourish, they wouldn't defeat him so easily.

For some reason that he can't place, he believes Xenk. Wait-- how does he know that name? There's a furrow to his brow but after that he just accepts that he knows this man's name his mind fighting against lucidity.]

I will.

[He gives Xenk a resolute nod before picking up the girl and putting her in the grave, pausing to check her dead pulse once more... just in case, before he starts to push the nearly frozen dirt over her form.]

I'm sorry..

[Even for all the confidence he feels, he was still a child.. so, soon he starts to shake from a mix of grief and cold. Rubbing at his face with dirty hands to scrub away tears before they can fall]

[ Xenk shifts his hold from Kirk's shoulder to the top of his ruddy, blond head. The boy is a far cry from the man he would be, but he is still the talented James Kirk he knows.

He will become stronger. Xenk would make sure of that. Strong enough so that he doesn't have to cry and lose those he cares about. Even Xenk, for all his power, wishes and aims for that strength. ]

I do not fault your tears, James.

[ Xenk pats Kirk's head carefully, getting down on his knees to... well, not hug him? Because he doesn't know how to do that. But James is cold, and Xenk is warmer, so he pulls him towards his chest mostly for warmth. He doesn't really know what he's doing, but the recent memories have at least allowed him some semblance of reminder for what it felt like, to be so overwhelmed by grief at such an age. ]

Strength will come in time.

[Xenk might not be really hugging him, but Kirk thinks it's a hug enough to turn his young face into the vampire's chest and hug him back. To cling tightly as his fists ball in Xenk's tunic at the back. Holds on like he's a lifeline for him.

He does his best to stop crying, trying to calm his breathing. Why can he be vulnerable around Xenk but not the other kids? Was it because Xenk was someone he could rely on while the other kids looked up to him, looked to him for protection and guidance?

All he knows is that he didn't sign up for this shitty life.]

But I need to be strong enough now. I need to keep us alive.. I don't want to lose anyone else.

[ Oh, yep, that sure is a hug now. That's... actually not bad? Kinda nice? It's warm, for all that Kirk is so cold. Xenk would never make him pull away, not when he needs this. For once, he understands the fear of being so young and weak. Of being in circumstances beyond his control, with no say in the matter.

Xenk had wished for the same strength, to overcome his father and free his family. It had not come in time, but it came in the end. Though he knows it wouldn't have helped him at all if he'd known when he was Kirk's age. ]

I know. And you will find the strength to surpass this.

[ Certainly that has to be the case, since Kirk survived. The only question is, how many of the others did? Xenk does not know, nor will he expect the answer to be satisfactory. But he can keep hugging Kirk, even as the boy cries and clings to him. It feels... strange that he finds he enjoys providing him with comfort. But there it is. ]

There will come a day when you will become a vampire. You will be strong, and none shall be able to take from you again.

[He looks up at Xenk at that, brow pinched together in thought, seemingly unsure about something the vampire has said to him.]

What? Why would I want to become a vampire after they did this to me?

[Kirk doesn't seem to notice how the forest around them becomes darker, heavier, foreboding in it's presence. Something wasn't right, the forest was deathly silent.]

[ Ah... this was the wrong thing to say? Xenk is honestly surprised. He would have thought all children grew up wanting to be strong, powerful vampires. But then Xenk had a very strange childhood, so it's no wonder he makes this mistake.

Of course, there is logic to his reasoning, not just his fucked up childhood. Xenk remains stalwart even as the forest encroaches on their space. He believes he's the strongest, scariest thing in this forest. ]

Only a vampire can kill another vampire.

[ False actually, but you know. Xenk doesn't keep track of vampire hunters or anything like that. ]

[Kirk's eyes go big, taking in that knowledge and then.. well he nods because yeah, that made sense, because only vampires can kill each other, the best way to protect the kids and people in the future was to become a powerful vampire. It made sense.]

Can you make me a vampire right now? So I can protect them?

[His eyes are unbelievably blue with tears and hopeful, bright and traumatized. The forest grows darker and scarier, branches snap as Kirk looks out at the forest and holds tight to Xenk.]

They are coming...

[ Xenk is stricken with sorrow for the boy, his desperation so clear and honest. If only it worked that way. If only Xenk had been there to protect this boy. ]

Would that I could. A sudden change is dangerous, however. You would put your friends at risk.

[ He doubts the boy would appreciate the full explanation, that the bloodlust that overtakes new vampires is too strong for a human to comprehend. That Kirk is far too young to be turned, as he'd have to spend an eternity at the age he is now.

He's just a child. A scared little boy. All Xenk can do is try to protect him. He stands up straight and stares out into the darkness, senses on high alert to the oncoming danger. ]

Stay behind me, James. I will protect you.

[There's no hiding the stricken look on Kirk's face, the way it sinks into disappointment and despair. He wants to protect his friends, but he also wants to be strong enough to survive. Shouldn't he be strong enough if he's a vampire?

But Xenk says he can't, that it's too dangerous. He knows he needs to trust the vampire, but--

They are coming. They shouldn't be, they never found them in the actual dream. They thought these kids would all starve and die, but instead they lived. The Vampires never bothered to find them, so why?

Why were they here?

Suddenly, night terrors burst forth from the woods, attacking Xenk as Kirk hides behind the vampire. There are a bunch of them, all the same ones from that night. This was the fear Kirk lived with every night that winter, it plagued him for years after--

Some make it towards the caves while other descend down on Xenk and Kirk, all vicious maws and horrifying visages.]

[ Would that Xenk could give the boy an answer he wanted to hear. Alas, Xenk has never been good at lying, and to be dishonest to Kirk in his dreams would feel... disingenuous. But he has little time to worry when the monsters begin to descend upon them.

Under normal circumstances, Xenk would shift to better fight the creatures. His animal form, that of a lion, is better suited with its claws to fight inhuman beasts. But he cannot risk injuring Kirk -- the thought is rejected as soon as it strikes him. He promised to protect him, and protect him he shall.

Besides, this is a dream. If Xenk is suddenly wielding a sword and striking at any night terrors that approach him, then that's alright. He places himself between the monsters and Kirk, slashing and striking at too many wings and claws and eyes. The monsters strike him too, but even as gold blood drips from his wounds, he never falters. It would take far more than this to defeat Xenk Yendar.

Unfortunately, yeah, he's completely forgotten about the children in the cave. He has eyes for Kirk and Kirk alone. ]

[Unfortunately for Xenk, Kirk hasn't forgotten about the other children in the cave and even if he desperately wants to stay behind Xenk for his own protection, he can't--

He can't. It wouldn't be him if he did.]

Hold them off! I'll lead the others from the cave!

[With that, Kirk is off at a run, yelling for the night terrors heading for the cave to distract them, to pull them away and trying to make his way to the woods, but not before getting caught, grabbed by a clawed hand that bites into his skin--

Other night terrors go for the cave as the one holding him tightens it's grip.]

Xenk! The cave!

James!

[ Of course it wouldn't be Jim Kirk if he didn't make a ridiculous move to save others. Xenk is too busy holding off another wave of attacks to stop Kirk from running, and so he is unable to turn around until the creatures have grabbed Kirk.

He says protect the cave, but Xenk wants to protect Kirk. He's suddenly faced with a choice, and not long to think on it. Even his heightened vampiric sense wouldn't grant him much time here.

He has to save Kirk. But Kirk is a good man, just like Edgin. He would hate to be saved, just as he would hate to know others got hurt because he was safe. Xenk can do nothing for it, then.

He blinks once, takes a breath he doesn't need, and acts. ]

Unhand him!

[ Xenk says that, but he throws his sword at the one holding Kirk and dashes to the cave to try and fend off the ones threatening to descend there. This is a really big deal for him and he's not going to think about it. He's just trying to do what's right for Kirk, not because it's the right thing to do or anything! ]

[Something in him expected Xenk to come for him regardless, to let the kids die to their fate but instead the sword is thrown at the monstrous creature grasping him as Xenk runs into the cave. He watches the vampire do the exact opposite of what he expects.

He feels a swell of happiness as the creature drops Kirk, because it was so much more important to him that the kids were okay. That they would survive. And they would. In reality, only one of the group died that winter - Kirk kept them alive, even if every night he dreamed of this very situation, of being helpless to save the kids while he bleeds out watching them get slaughted. But tonight the kids would be safe, he wouldn't be useless because this time because he had Xenk with him.

Yet, this was still a nightmare, so by the time Xenk has finished fending off the wave of night terrors, Kirk is bleeding profusely at the feet of another night terror. Left to bleed out, staining the black and gold coat red with human blood, as it turns it's focus on Xenk once more.]

[ Xenk feels a deep sense of regret even as he wards off the night terrors from the cave, even as the shrieks from the night terrors and the cries of children in the cave grow quiet, indicating the oncoming safety. Of course, he knows this was the course of action that would bring Kirk the greatest relief, but it pains him to think of choosing strangers over the novice he has grown obsessed with, and may even care for, in his own strange way. ]

James!

[ Xenk rushes out of the cave as soon as the monsters retreat, finding Kirk's body in a pool of blood. This being a dream, it can't really be helped if Xenk somehow extends a hand to find the sword flying into it. Like magic, though that isn't something he has. ]

You will pay for how you've hurt him!

[ With those words alone, Xenk's eyes glow a bright gold, the night terror suddenly growing still. Its hands shake as they raise to its neck, and carefully, so carefully, the creature begins to claw out its own throat, shrieking loudly and stepping back to no avail. Xenk's control is absolute. He steps closer, approaching Kirk's bleeding body as the monster above him starts to writhe in pain and collapse, until it can no longer move or even fidget.

Xenk falls to his knees and leans up towards Kirk, attempting to cradle his head. This amount of blood is too great. Even the scent is intoxicating, though Xenk bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself present. ]

James. I did not -- I did not protect you. Forgive me.

[Kirk lays in the pool of his own blood as he looks towards the cave to see the kids there watching, scared but unharmed. And then the night terror dead in shrieks and gushes of blue blood, Xenk approaching him.

His head being cradled like he was something precious. The blood was far too great, there was no saving him, he was a goner, the fact he was alive at all still was probably dream logic. But he was.

He looks up at Xenk when the man apologizes and gives a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.]

No.. this is the first time they didn't die too, you saved them... Thank you.

[A shuddering gasp wracks his body, making him shake with pain and cold and fear. But if he was going to die.. at least he wasn't alone and watching the people he cares about slaughted.]

I rather it's like this...

I did not save you.

[ The dichotomy of such brutal death with so gentle a hold isn't lost on Xenk. He knows that Kirk must not have long -- that the dream is no doubt nearing its conclusion, or certainly that Kirk would soon wake.

But it makes it no easier to cradle the young Kirk in his arms as the blood pools and pools, red and human and enticing. But all Xenk does is take one of Kirk's bloody hands up to his lips, kissing his knuckles with care and reverence. ]

I am sorry.

[ Has Xenk ever spoken these words aloud???? Because wow. ]

[He coughs up some blood as he watches Xenk, some tears escaping his eyes from the pain. So many times he died in these nightmares, alone and a failure. Unable to save anyone. Everyone dead, again and again.

But this time, neither happened.]

You know.. I like this side of you..

[He manages a smile as he slowly fades, eyes going unfocused, a couple seconds pass before his hand goes limp in Xenk's hand, his breath leaving him in one final breath as James Kirk passes from his dream and into the waking world once more.]

James, I...

[ What a strange thing to say, and what a strange thing to be told, that in his failure and grief, Xenk can be likeable. He doesn't understand, even as he holds Kirk's body close and weeps for him, that this weakness might hold value, when it benefits no one.

Xenk wakes as soon as Kirk's life fades, finding himself in the dark of his room, in his own bed, alone as he has been his entire life. Well, perhaps not his entire life, but he suddenly finds himself gripped with an ache in his chest, and a headache he cannot fathom. His cheeks feel damp from crying.

How incredibly strange. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

january tdm/event post

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cw graphic, forced suicide of a night terror

Hot

hell yeah gold court shit

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