undyingcourt | january tdm/event post

Entry tags:

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

[ Leonard stays in Jim's dream. Somehow. It doesn't feel right, none of it is his—none of this happened to him, yet he finds himself dashing through halls of the strange ship, failing to help people before they fall into the abyss of wherever the fuck this is. He finds the specter of Jim Kirk asking him to follow down the hall as the walls spin and the ground buckles beneath him.

He watches Jim die again. He tells himself he isn't there—this Jim doesn't respond to him the way the real one did, but it's not really easier even knowing that. He's still a human being. He's still trying to do the right thing. It's hard to watch.

So it happens again. And again. Even as he goes through the motions, Bones is aware that this means he's contracted the nightmare curse. Distantly, he knows he will be alright, as soon as someone finds him. And as soon as someone gives him the cure he's already prepared, because he's a paranoid fuck with contingency plans and he doesn't plan on dying any time soon.

It just takes time. And an exhausting vision that he hopes he'll be able to forget when he wakes up. If the people in his dream start to look more familiar, if his wife, Jocelyn, shows up in more than one hallway, it's just a nightmare. It'll pass. He grits his teeth through it and goes again and again.

Until, thank someone, he finally blinks awake blearily, the cure numbs his throat and jolts his endorphins into waking him into full, undead wakefulness. He coughs, hand reaching for his throat as his vision comes into focus. The sight of his Maker before him has to be the biggest relief Leonard has felt in years—not since his Becoming, and his death, has he been happier to see Karma looming above him, looking frazzled and out of sorts, but here. She's always here.

Leonard smiles, the kind of deep, full relief that he doesn't show anyone else. His lips are dry and sticky with blood, and his throat aches something fierce, but he's safe now and he has Karma to thank.

His voice comes out like a croak. ]

You look like shit, Karm.

Yes well, when my two beloveds both decide to get nightmare cursed at the same time, I can't help but be a little frazzled as I run from one to the other in quick succession.

[They pout, folding their arms as they glare at him affectionately. For few other people would Karma allow themself to become this frazzled and mussed up, they are almost always picture perfect but this time Leonard just had to go and get cursed immediately after her dear Eden as well and make Karma run around like a frantic hen.]

Besides, you are one to speak. You're disgusting.

[They grab a towel from the basin by the bed and start to wipe at his face very gently.]

You're lucky, I felt it about the same time the thrall Yendar sent came my way. Seems you had someone looking out for you. Though, why that lumbering brick wall, I don't know. Any insight?

[Have you been making nice with Xenk, Leonard? You of all people should know how little respect Karma has for him.]

[ Leonard tries and fails not to squirm, but he feels a little old to be fussed over, even if he's exhausted. It just wouldn't be him if he didn't. He licks his lips, trying to get the worst of the blood from his lips and fangs. Christ, it tastes awful.

And yet, he finds it in him to be a little bit of a sass. He has to, otherwise Karma might worry that he's still in pain, or that something was wrong. ]

You love me. And you look great.

[ He coughs, smiling. Truly, even being called disgusting makes him smile. Karma has seen much, much worse from him. And at least the taste of his own blood isn't mixed with the bile like it would be if he was waking up from a bender. ]

Hope I didn't get any on you, this time.

[ Of course, he's concerned to hear that Eden had also gotten cursed at the same time. That can't have been easy, and Bones knows how frantic running around the castle can be. He knows Karma must have been worried, which is why he reaches and places a hand on their wrist, the touch still tired but gentle, radiating relief and gratitude through their bond. This he can do. Words of gratitude? Not so much.

The change of subject at least makes it so he doesn't have to talk about his feelings. He appreciates it. ]

Yendar? No, I never talk to him.

[ He tries to imagine what series of situations could have led to Xenk Yendar knowing of his curse. Was it because of Jim? ]

The nightmare I was in was with Jim Kirk. [ He coughs again. Ugh, he can feel his throat healing, or trying to heal, and it feels awful. ] Yendar is the one gunning for 'im—word must've gotten to him through Jim.

I do and only a splattering this time. You've ruined my shoes too many times for me to mind a splatter of silver.

[Karma has seen worse for him, there is no real bite in anything they are saying to Leonard. If they were really disgusted they wouldn't have said anything. It was easier to sass the man than be soft. Eden got most of Karma's soft quota for the day, so Leonard is getting the sass. He can take it, he's a big boy.

But they sigh as he touches their wrist and communicates without words that he is grateful that he is relieved, that he'll be okay. Placing a hand on top of his, Karma communicates the same way, the relief, the worry, the fear. Karma wasn't the best with emotions and communicating them either, so this was easier for both of them. It worked for both of them.]

Ah, the Blue Court boy I keep hearing about. [They sigh like it's boring, before Karma puts a hand to his throat, helping the healing process slowly.] Well, I'll give him a pass this time.

[They aren't fond of someone who cursed both of her novices. But well, they will just steer clear just in case it's something in their shared blood that makes them all vulnerable to the boy.]

I'm always tellin' you to wear boots like me.

[ He laughs, rough and hoarse but just not giving a shit. He's definitely wearing combat boots at all times, they are hideous and black, and covered in dried blood. But this is an old song and dance, one that's comfortable enough that he's happy to get their sass for. Leonard couldn't handle soft most of the time anyway.

They've got their bond for that, and he's happy to feel his feelings mirrored. It makes things so much easier with them. He always knows where he stands, and he always knows they'll be there for him. 'I wasn't scared. I knew you'd come.'

But what he says is: ]

Yeah, he's a pain in the ass, but he's real good at making connections if nothing else.

Me? In grimy, thick boots like yours? Perish the thought. I would sooner dress like Black court.

[They pause when they catch the thought and smile, soft and gentle, before wiping some blood from his face. Sure they were fussing over him, but had the situation been different, had it been them on the bed screaming and bleeding, he would be chewing her out likely.

So let her fuss.]

Yes well. That's all well and good, but you're off the roster for a couple days. You need your rest, I won't be hearing about you in the east wing until then, understood?

[ Leonard laughs again, the sound a little clearer as his throat naturally heals itself. He lets her fuss over him, doesn't complain more than he needs to as she keeps wiping the blood off his face. If their places were reversed, he'd be cussing himself blue with how worried he'd have been. He must look a mess, but he's fine with that.

What he's not fine with is her verdict on his care. No surprise. ]

What?! But I...! [ He gapes. But his precious job is all he has! ] Karma, come on. The castle's a mess with cursed folks! I can't just sit on the bench because I got a little sick. Plus now that I got it, I won't get it again. Hell, I'd be the safest to get back to work right now.

[ He says, looking terrible, feeling awful, and still covered in silver blood. Yeah, he's real convincing. This may be one of the few things that Leonard is a bit childish about. Work. ]

[Karma expects the lash back so gracefully crosses their legs and watches him carefully as he gapes like a fish at them. His excuses ring on uncaring ears as they continue to give him a flat look.

Clearly they weren't buying what he was selling.]

We don't know that you can't get it again. Just because there has yet to be a case of that doesn't make it a proven fact and you know it. [Tsk tsk, Bones. You know better.]

Really, you need your rest, just like any other patient who is recovering from the curse. Go read a book or something, but if I see you tending to patients, I will hobble you.

[ Bones releases the loudest, most dramatic, put out sigh. He knew it was no use arguing with his maker, but damned if he wasn't going to try. Their reprimands are especially biting, because it's definitely bad practice to just follow your gut and assume you'll be okay. And he knows Karma would do it too -- Bones didn't just get his scalpeling thing from nowhere. (It's affectionate. They're normal. For vampires.) ]

Fine. I'll hate it, but I'll... I'll be good. I'll take it easy.

[ He says that like it's a bad thing. He just wants to be useful. But he understands. If he was his own doctor, he'd strap him to the bed to make sure he didn't leave. He hangs his head, closing his eyes in defeat. ]

You think the library has any books on the curse I could take out? You know I don't read fiction.

[ Medical journals or bust. ]

Edited (cw) 2024-02-14 05:37 (UTC)

[They absolutely would(Totally normal and affectionate).

But his acceptance gets a bright smile from them, pleased that they don't have to fight him too much on this. Right now at least. Clearly he will be probably trying to work by tomorrow regardless.]

Good. You need your rest so you can be at peak condition to help people. Eden is under the same orders, you can lament my cruelty together.

[But his question gets them to pause and think.]

Revar said it occurred once a long time ago, long before you and I. Perhaps, though you might have to go into the restricted section to find the journals that have such information.

[ So normal. He loves them. And he feels less terrible about being quarantined if he can make his maker smile. ]

Yeah, yeah. I ain't some kid. I'll live.

[ He is certainly acting like one, with how he's all a mess and complaining, but such is his life. Better to play it safe for everyone's sake than be stupid and stubborn. (Ohhh but being stubborn is so much better. He won't be. But he wants to.)

Instead he will message Jim Kirk and be a dick to him. That's love, baby. ]

Guess I'll see who I can bribe to get in there. Or if people haven't already checked out all the good stuff -- I'm not likin' my chances either way.

Well... live is all relative, isn't it?

[They chuckle as they ring the damp cloth in the basin, the water coming away a faint silver from the blood she was cleaning from his face.

Taking the same cloth, they go back to cleaning his face and looking him over with medical precision, assessing him for symptoms and the like. It was rare that Karma wasn't on the clock.]

I'll put in a good word for you, I have access, I will extend it to you, though remember, no bloodcoffee in the restricted section. Even should works on the curse be taken out, you should look into other ancient abnormalities and illnesses.. if one came back, there is a chance others may as well.

[ Leonard chuckles. Yes, "live" isn't something he's done since his Becoming, but he doesn't mind his unlife too much. Work keeps the days from blending together, and he's always learning. One day he might be able to help humans, or so he hopes.

But he can't do that if he fucks up his health. He holds still while they fuss over him, that knowing, watchful eye familiar and comforting as it's trained on him. ]

Thanks, Karm. I'll be good. Cross my heart.

[ He draws an X over his heart as a joke, but he takes their insight seriously. It's a fair enough assumption, and they'll be better prepared if they know what to expect. ]

If I find anything, you'll be the first to know.

That would be good. Do tell me if you find anything on pointed ears, there's been two cases of it now without really any reason for it. Both are healthy as they were before the affliction.

[Not that either has come to her about it but it feels relevant to know if it's something contagious.

They pause...]

I looked into it, but in case you find something I missed. There have been some strange things around the castle. we need to stay vigilant to any illnesses that might crop up.

Pointed ears...? I'll keep an eye out.

[ There's a memory in his head somewhere, of a call, to someone, that might have...? No, he doesn't remember Spock yet. But he'll look back at this and wonder, once he remembers what Vulcans are. ]

Hopefully this nightmare curse ain't the start of something. I know most of the old vampires think magic is silly, but if we're getting curses in the castle... Well, that could be next. Founders hope not -- I'll take science over magic any day.

That's my concern too.. but there is little to back it up. I can't put my finger on it, but the castle feels... off these days.

[They sigh as they brush some hair behind their ear. Thinking about magic and curses and...

It feels like some kind of fantasy, yet..]

Let's keep this between us, yes? I might speak to another about my concerns, but I think for now we keep this circle small, yes?

You'd know better than me. I believe it.

[ Bones isn't nearly old enough to get a sense for what "normal" is at the castle, not really, but he'll roll with whatever comes. Even this nightmare stuff. They'd found a cure. They'd figure it out. ]

Won't hear a peep out of me. [ He smiles. ] You know you and me got maker/novice confidentiality.

I do, thank you, Len.

[Leaning forward, they give him a kiss on the cheek.]

I should go and check on the patients now.

[Standing, they place the cloth in the basin and smooth out their dress, there was blood on it from Eden mostly, they would need to change before returning to the medical wing.]

Get some rest, I'll be around again later to check in.

[ Bones smiles, reaching forward to tuck a strand of Karma's hair behind their ear. That kind of easy affection hadn't been easy for him when they'd first met, but the years had been kind to him -- Karma had been kind to him. He doesn't bristle under their affection like he would so many others. ]

Good luck out there.

[ He wishes he could follow them so bad!! But he's exhausted. He knows that. He watches them go, but as soon as they're out of sight, he's going to lay back down and rest if he can manage it. ]

Don't have too much fun, huh?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

january tdm/event post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: mention of hobbling

violence but it's played for affection

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject