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

[ Fortunately, all of Norton's little grimaces and obvious displeasure only fuel the fire, the perceived pout turning into the upturning of the eyes as he makes the mistake of coming closer. He can snatch and grumble all he likes, but Ash, regrettably, finds it horribly endearing.

In the feral cat sort of way. ]

Not by my lonesome now, am I? After all, you've come to visit me. [ Sucker. ] All the better, as all that isolation and solitude will make you even more gloomy than usual, and we certainly can't have that can we?

[ Not enough revelry in this boy. Maybe he should start dragging him to parties, bodily. Still, he takes one of the many books, lazily thumbing through the page with far less enthusiasm. ]

Perhaps I'm vetting who's actually doing their research. It is a good exercise for all the young ones.

If you actually were vetting their research, the library thrall would have taken down names and whatnot. [And that one definitely didn't take down Norton's. Whatever.]

Besides, are you really hoarding in a situation like this? Someone's going to slap you for that.

[His brow furrows even more at the random page he lands on. Nothing relevant to their situation... well, maybe he'll keep reading anyway, just in case.]

Have an answer for everything, don't you?

[ That earns a low laugh. Alright, maybe he's been caught being a jackass....but he's not going to feel bad about it. Stirring the pot keeps things lively.

Another slow flip of a page. There's...well, not much in here Ash doesn't already know. He has been here for years, and has had more than enough time to pore over half the things in the library already. But he at least has to look busy.... ]

It's hardly hoarding, my dear. There was still plenty to peruse among the stacks when I left. [ A not-so-gentle toss of the book back on his desk. ] But once you're my age, don't we all need a refresher or two? Perhaps a slap might even wake me up a bit.

[ It certainly would not be the first time someone's had enough of his bullshittery. Hasn't stopped him before. ]

Just like you've an answer for everything. [Check and mate. Is that what they say? Whatever. He thinks he's made his point, so he's just going to let it be.

Even if he just admitted that he's gotten more than just blood from the old man.]

Don't be so selfish, then. I wouldn't be here if you didn't insist on taking everything-- and I wouldn't have gone looking in the library if it weren't for the current situation.

[He has no idea what to do about the nightmare situation other than the physical. Dreamwalking is out of the question because there's a chance he'd get caught-- thus, his presence here, looking for a third option.]

As the years pass, it gets rather simple.

[ After all, knowledge is both the boon and the bane of those in their Court- Norton's a youngblood, so the trickle of information has already begun, but he's got several years worth up on him.

But selfish, he says- Ash places a hand to his chest in mock despair. ]

How could you say such a thing? I've never been anything but the most generous of souls. Didn't I take you in when you begged so earnestly?

[ Or so he says, anyway. But there's a click of heels as he gets up on his feet, towering over the younger man as he reaches over him to grab a new book. ]

But, really. You could do it more often; is it so wrong of me to worry about one of my own little novices? [ Ex-novice, but still. ] I'm simply concerned for the youth. You're so cooped up most of the time, perhaps it'll be you screaming into the night next.

[Now that's just bait. He's saying utter drivel just to bait Norton into saying things or reacting in a way that would amuse him. Unfortunately, without his mask, Norton still can't hide the curl of his lips into a small grimace.

He really should start wearing his mask around his maker.]

Find something to amuse me, then. If you even can-- I've my hands full dealing with the students. [He's well aware that saying this sort of thing is a challenge. He's tempting fate, he knows this.] Just I'll only bow to your whims if you do manage to help me out during this current crisis.

[ Of course he doesn't look somewhat delighted at the obvious display of distaste. Heaven forbid! It's just that Norton is simply so adorable, especially when he scratches back like an irritable cat being picked up by it's owner.

And tempting fate, indeed. Ash's fingers curl around the cover of a book, although he gives notable, nearly dramatic pause, before finally deigning to look back down at his fussy protégé. ]

What a task, indeed, when you're so enamored with your own studies. [ He taps the book on the edge of his masked chin, the hollow noise of the porcelain ringing faintly. ] But if you've decided to reach out from the goodness of your heart, who am I to refuse?

[ Then the silence rings for a moment, as his eyes narrow to slits. ]

A curse is a curse, but when it spreads like an illness, you must treat it like an illness. How do you think plagues start, my dear Norton? [ His voice is a contemplative hum, like he's thinking of the answer himself. ] A sheer fault of nature? An unfortunate accident? Perhaps...even on purpose, by someone's hand?

[ Then the book cover flips over, thin and on worn paper, with the words A History of Magical Ailments. ]

Regardless of the source, one thing remains clear with all such things; it has to start somewhere.

[Admittedly, Ash has a point, and it's not something he'd expect from a vampire as old as him. Illnesses tend to be something that humans have to deal with because vampires aren't so concerned about the sudden changing of the elements.]

So.

Someone brought it in from the outside. Likely a novice. [But there are so many novices around... Norton puts the book he was perusing down, and holds his hand out for the one in Ash's hands.] But we can't rule out other youngbloods, either. Not a lot of us are good with curses, either.

Had to have been recent as well, otherwise we would have had more cases before the month even began.

[ He may have quite a few years of undeath under his belt now, but he did spent over 30 of them very much alive. While a far off memory now, they are still memories. A good curse can run it's course like a pandemic if left untreated, as they're experiencing now.

He lets the younger speculate, seemingly holding the book hostage till he finishes, before finally deposting it with a delicate tap in his fellow youngblood's greedy hand. ]

No, not many. [ That much is obvious. ] Curses are hardly anyone's forte these days, so hardly any would even realize they were cursed in the first place. A novice would simply brush it off as feeling slightly under the weather.

[ He doesn't return to his chair, instead opting to lean on his desk, fingers idly tapping on the wood almost dismissively. ]

When an illness strikes, it's those who are least prepared who are hit the worst. It is, after all, the new season; so much new blood, and none the wiser....but half the treatment is identifying where it came from.

[ A deliberate pause. ]

Or perhaps I should say who it came from.

[The furrow in Norton's brow deepens, but not because of what exactly Ash is saying, but because he's thinking about it, drumming his fingers on the book that's finally in his hand. Who would place a curse on their novices?]

Well, we do know who around here tends to prey on foundlings before they've even been picked up by a youngblood. [Their own Court, as it were. But the problem is...] Though I've some doubts about how they managed the curse.

Silver Court's the expert on healing, so Silver would be the expert on the things they heal, too.

[Which makes him wonder if it's an individual, or some people working together. He never tries to think the best of people, doesn't bother giving second chances. It's worked out well for him so far.]

[ Oh, it's good to see him work so hard. Norton has always been the more self-occupied type, but he does his job well...his earnestness is one of his charm points, in addition to his prickliness. Ah, they grow up so fast.

Their own court, indeed. ]

Those ones would never go through such trouble. A foundling is still human, after all- a curse is simply overkill when they need such little effort. A bit too savage for such delicate work.

[ Saying this as if killing off prospective novices is a regular Sunday activity, but you know, shit happens.

He merely hums in response to the last part, neither accepting or denying it. ]

You would be surprised at the hobbies some people have. [ A wave of the hand. ] But that is a good start, if anything. Since you're enjoying putting your mind to work, I'll be kind and give you a suggestion.

[ A gloved finger reaches out to give the younger man a quick poke to the forehead, eyes crinkling in an undecipherable type of smile. ]

Oftentimes, your best source of information will be...ah, let's say Patient Zero. Who first started this? [ There's a mirth in his voice that doesn't fit the situation. ] Which court? Which year? Novice? Youngblood? Prick and pull at their brain a little, peel back the layers, and maybe you'll find the source of our ills the slightest bit closer.

[If Norton were to make a guess, he thinks this isn't the work of one, but multiple. The people behind a crime tend to leave behind traces when they're alone, and if they're in a group, their sloppiness can be covered up by the others.

Still, he can't act like that's the proper conclusion or else he might make a mistake.]

Digging up the first one to be affected is going to take some time-- that sort of thing needs you to work backwards. [And there are a number of people affected. If they could only speak... Well, they can't. Norton scratches the back of his head, making all the short hairs stand out.]

And even then, getting something out of the original patient is not going to be easy, chances are, you'll end up a patient yourself.

Nobody said solving problems was supposed to be easy...as regrettable as that is, truly.

[ If they could snap their fingers and cleanse their curses like that, well, life would certainly be easier! And far, far more boring. He thinks the screams add some nice ambience here and there. ]

And perhaps not to your taste, overeager learner that you are. But knowing who or where the first was before coming down with a terrible case of the nightmares may offer more than a few answers to sate someone's thirst.

[ His own, perhaps. But is he making a move to do it himself? Not really...not yet, anyway. He can't do everything for his dear novices, especially so soon, or else they'd rarely get a chance to get the fragile little hamster wheels of their brains working. He shrugs broad shoulders, giving a shake of the head to accompany his sigh. ]

You hardly need the poor thing themselves to trace their steps, but I won't lie, it would almost be charming to see you writhe about like a child dreaming of monsters under the bed. [ :) He's so normal. ] But if you're so cautious, then perhaps something more forward than backward will suit you better?

[Norton places a fist on his hip, the book still clutched in the other, still scowling at his maker.]

If I were turned into a patient, you'd never find out. [He'd even put it in writing by his bedside. What are they going to do, tattle on him? He's a youngblood, he doesn't need his maker to provide blood for him anymore or hover near his sickbed like a dog wagging its tail.

Moving on...]

You will get credit if I manage to find something, or even track down the cause.

Little chance of that, though.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

january tdm/event post

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