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

[ Lockwood likes it when Kashire laughs. An actual laugh and not a haughty mocking laugh, and vampire lords know Lockwood has courted both across the years. The way it dies out and Kashire holds the conversation to topics not his novice is a clear message to the younger Gold Court member. Lockwood won't press further.

Instead he grins with a mixture of genuine pleasure and more than a hint of impishness in his black/gold eyes. ]

Now, Sir. No need to be territorial, there are plenty of novices and young bloods to boss around without you stepping on each other's toes. [ He keeps his comments light, especially out here in public, but he is aware that this is an irregular situation.

He cannot recall the Council insisting that members of different courts share the same territory for any extended period of time. Castle Courtsheart is considered neutral space, given the mix of courts within its confines, but it still feels like asking a lot, for Revar and Kashire to have to split and share their authorities.

Another oddity to add to the list he's mentally building. More private thoughts, not for public consumption. Keep it light, keep it safe for public consumption. ]

If it helps, I place myself solely under your command. [ Look. He can be the oldest virgin in the castle, and still be a shameless flirt. Especially if it encourages Kashire to laugh again. ]

[ Kashire sighs, clearly just for the drama of it. ]

You really are such a tease.

[ but then he adds a little more seriously, as if this needs to be said: ]

It's not a territorial thing. Honestly, if Revar wanted to do all the boring paperwork, I would happily give it to them. The Council isn't as fun as everyone not on the Council seems to think it is.

Only because you make me want to break my leash one of these days, Sir. [ Lockwood responded with a quick grin, before he sobered as well.

His expression softened and he glanced down at their feet, his expression attentive, and his smile rueful. ]

Herself [ he means his Maker ] often says the same thing. Usually when we've been sitting in a small room, reading over crop yields and auditing taxes for the past five hours. I don't even want to imagine the sort of brain ache you court trying to balance the budget for this place.

[ Lockwood, please. He's being so good, he's showing considerable restraint here!

Kashire considers his words for a moment, but apparently thinks better of whatever he was going to say and, instead, shakes his head and laughs. ]

Crop yields. Now there's a real bedtime story if you ever need it.

[ Restraint's boring, Sir.

Lockwood briefly considers being absolutely shameless. Saying something along the lines of 'better for sleep than, 101 erotic knots; a beginner's guide to shibari.' ]

Whatever gets you through the night, I suppose.

[ You're welcome, Kashire.

Well, so long as the older vampire doesn't look at the absolutely wicked twinkle in Lockwood's eyes. Is he picturing Kashire wrapped up like a present in silken ropes? The trick would be to make sure the knots were in the right places to help ensure delayed, and eventually multiple orgasms.

Lockwood smiles knowingly and turns so that he is walking backwards, facing the Council member. In this position, he can execute a bow of his head. ]

As I have allowed this conversation to devolve to crop yields, I suspect that is a signal that I should let you get back to your day. [pause] Sir.

[ How can he miss that look, when he has nothing better to do in this moment than study Lockwood?

He gets the distinct feeling he's being dismissed, despite the actual power difference between the two of them, and that makes him a little annoyed, although his annoyance and his affection for Lockwood are so wrapped intertwined in what he says it would be hard to tell. ]

I'm ever so glad you're back at the Castle to torment me so.

[ He waves him off, as if there's some power to actually getting the last dismissal in (it feels instantly petty, but you know what, he is who he is). ]

May your dreams be filled with fields of grain.

[ For what it's worth, anyone watching their exchange will only see Lockwood execute a deferential bow to Kashire.

The younger vampire is also well schooled enough in etiquette that his face will display no smirk or anything that could be considered inappropriate, even as he turns to take his leave. ]

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