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

[The laugh is good, so is the way Bones' lips don't look as deeply frowning anymore for a second there. It works to liven up the situation, keep it light hearted and casual. Kirk doesn't deal with emotions very well and if he felt like he did something to truly upset the other man it would have put a whole damper on the situation.

As it is, he's getting made fun of but it was in better nature than it was before. Even if he feels the buzz of wine and booze leaving his system at being healed. Damn, that sucks, but also maybe will give him the chance to drink some more in a bit. That's always good.

Right?

With a huffed laugh, he shakes his head.]

21 and alright, I'll bite. [He grins at his phrasing.] How old are you?

[It's starting to become a little bit of a head rush to get healed back all the blood he lost tonight, he didn't even know how close to empty he was running until the warmth was starting to come back to his body and his cheeks flushed with life again.]

[ That is not why he healed you, young man. Absolutely not. Bones rolls his eyes again, still healing Jim until he can feel every cut and scrap disappear. Kid probably let a bunch of others bite him, too. No wonder he's acting the fool, if he's working on reduced facilities. His flirting with Bones suddenly makes a lot more sense. (No, Bones.) ]

45. [ There's a triumphant little quick to Bones' permanent scowl. Why, it almost looks like a smirk. ] I'm officially twice your age. Graduated when I was 36.

[ Not that being old would be much of a win for humans, obviously, but for vampires, age matters. Bones doesn't mind that part so much. And even if Jim is only doing this because he's blood-addled and delirious, Bones finds he doesn't totally hate this. ]

Founders, I dunno how you were still standin'. You make a habit of losing this much blood? I know novices are tougher than humans, but damn.

[(No Bones, you're wrong) Still the age difference doesn't mean too much to him, it's kind of hot to be honest, but he's not sure he should say that much, so he just raises an eyebrow at him and a smirk.]

Not as old as I thought you might say, you're still a young buck.

[In vampire years, Bones was young. The vampire had an air of old man that his crotchety ways lent to, a very "Get off my lawn" vibe, but seems that's just Bones.]

Nope, just tonight. I.. kind of let myself enjoy the whole ribbon thing a little too much I suppose.

[He shrugs with a smile]

Too many hot vampires that I just couldn't resist tempting.

[ The age difference is hot and you should live your truth, Jim. Bones snorts a laugh at Jim calling him a "young buck" because that's a good joke. It's true that he's on the younger side for a vampire, but you'd never know it from the way he acts -- unless you ask him for his opinion on human stuff, then it becomes real easy, real quick.

Bones wonders how real that smile of his is. He knows this next question isn't fair, but with the way Jim was treating his health, he doesn't feel any regret in asking it: ]

You like people starin' at you, kid? Like you're a cut of meat?

[Maybe one day Bones will know him well enough to know when his smiles are real or not. But as it is now, he just keeps smirking, because he doesn't mind the questions.

They were slowly dwindling down on how many were left, weren't they?]

Well, [He looks up in faux thought] I wouldn't say I mind it. It has a certain thrill to it that I won't ever experience again once I'm no longer human.

[ One day. He doesn't know it yet, but one day. And Bones is easily losing count on his number of questions. ]

Right, you wanna make the best of the time you've got.

[ Bones recalls a similar answer, before. He just can't understand putting himself in danger like Jim is. Bones would never. It should bother the hell out of him, and it kinda does, but it's weirdly just making him want to understand.

He knows Jim isn't just some floozy, the signs are all there, but boy, is it hard to believe when he says shit like that. Even now, feeling him return to full strength, Bones can't help but be frustrated. He's frustrated because he hates that he cares. ]

You ever find yourself this low on blood again, you find me. I don't care what kind of bone-headed, ass-over-ears nonsense gets you hurt, I want you to promise me you'll find a damn healer next time you do something this stupid, alright?

[ He finally releases Jim's arm once he feels his pulse return to normal. He doesn't push him off roughly or anything, but he's serious when he speaks. ]

If you'd gone home straight to your maker, you might've died, kid. One of the Founders must really like you, 'cause if you'd had one more bite, they would've had to carry you out of the ballroom in a bag.

[Aw Bones, you don't think Jim is a floozy? That's so sweet, most people take him at face value, the fact that Bones doesn't want to would be flattering if he knew. But he doesn't so...

He blinks at the offer. Eyes a little wide, because he was so used to running at low health, so the fact he was that bad off blood wise didn't even occur to him. It was just so normal to be on the verge of collapse and refusing to do so.]

I didn't realize I was that low on blood. But good to know, next time I feel like I'm about to keel over I'll come to you. You have my word. Good to have you looking after me.

Edited 2024-02-13 02:40 (UTC)

The fact you didn't notice makes me real sure that you need the help, kid.

[ God, but what has Leonard volunteered himself for here? He has no idea. He just knows that seeing this kid frustrates the hell out of him. And if he were to get injured or die, it'd be a real damn shame. Because he's... weird? Compelling? Annoying? Perhaps all of the above.

"Good to have you looking out for me," those stupid words do something gross in Leonard's chest, like a chill but it's all warm, like having somebody relying on him won't end with Leonard letting them down and ruining this. He swallows the feeling, grumbling a response as he turns around. He is not blushing. ]

Just don't go tellin' everybody about it, alright? I've got a reputation to maintain. And I don't make a habit of lookin' out for disaster-prone novices.

[He tilts his head trying to get a good look at Bones, but with his back turned towards Kirk, it was impossible to see his expression clearly. Or to know if the color to his cheeks was real. His night vision wasn't that good yet, even with the moonlight.

Still he grins and jumps down from where he's sitting on the railing.]

Got it, a secret just between us, I wouldn't dream of sharing it.

[Giving Bones a wink, he moves to the exit of the balcony.]

For the healing, let's call it even for now.

Now we both got secrets.

[ He hasn't forgotten Jim's plan to get on the Council, after all, but he doesn't plan on spilling that one, either.

He should be relieved to be rid of the kid, and some part of him is, but not because he wants him gone -- more that this conversation went places he wouldn't ever have guessed, and now he's carrying some kid's secrets, and he's promising to heal the kid, and what the fuck is wrong with him?

He clearly needs the air to clear his head, so he just grumbles another sigh and shoos Jim away. ]

Go on and git, then. I'll bet your maker's lookin' for you.

We do.

[Yet, somehow he trusts Bones to keep his secret... how and why he doesn't know, but he does regardless.]

Have a goodnight, Bones.

[He winks at Bones before flouncing off to hopefully find Edgin. It's been one wild night and it's not even over yet.]

january tdm/event post

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