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

[ This is how friendship works, you don't call out Bones' obvious bullshit and he revels in your company. ]

We'll see about that.

[ He huffs, not too challenging. He doesn't doubt that he'd turn mentor for the right idiot that showed up on his doorstep. He would just rather deny it than admit he's a softie, deep down. But Bones really did enjoy the dance, and he's even smiling a bit when Lockwood starts to lead them away.

He takes that hand. As usual, he can't just go quietly. He has to tease him, but it's good-naturedly. ]

Oh? You trying to get me somewhere quiet, old man?

Already trying to get a mention from Lady Whisperfangs? [ Lockwood teased back, before he artfully lifted their hands and dropped a feather soft, gallant kiss on the back of Bones' knuckles. There. That should set everybody tittering behind their hands.

Winking, Lockwood straightened and continued to lead the way out through the tall French doors. Once the soft embrace of the darkness of night wrapped them away from the prying eyes indoors, he gave Bones fingers a friendly squeeze before releasing his hand. Despite the display he'd laid on indoors, when eyes were off him Lockwood tended to retreat into the safety of a very well defined bubble of personal space.

The squeeze before he let go had been meant as a reminder that he does see Bones as a friend and the withdrawal wasn't personal. Tugging the white gloves off his hands, Lockwood tucked them into the nearly invisible pocket of his coat, walking until they were in a quiet, private bit of garden. It was a nice space, secluded -he'd used his vampire hearing to ensure they weren't at risk of stumbling across lovers using the space- with benches and a low stone wall.

Lockwood perched on the wall. ]

You may scold me. [ He begins, his smile something ... old and too tired for his youthful features. ] I was using thralls for sword practice. [ Even as he owns up to the fact, Lockwood raises a hand to forestall an explosion. ] I didn't stab, or try to kill them, just nicked them. [ Which, he understands, is a very razor thin distinction.

But this is (in his opinion) where Gold and Silver are linked in a way that the other courts avoid. Silver is where the humanity and compassion of the vampire is safely guarded, exposed in the tenderness towards thralls. Gold, as the politicos, have a duty to protect Silver from the inhuman brutality of the vampire nature.

Make no mistake, Lockwood isn't going to accept a scolding from a Silver novice, nor will he express regret. But Bones is a different matter, and even now Lockwood isn't expressing regret for what he'd done. He's simply accepting accountability. ]

Eden Woods and Elias Argent; Silver novice and youngblood respectively. They were both quick to take me to task for my indulgence. The latter was more diplomatic about it than the former, but both argued their point from a place of the heart.

You may grump and bark at them, but I suspect either or both, to be worth your time and attention.

[ Gasp, what will people think. Bones rolls his eyes at the dramatics, but he's a little touched by the gesture too (he's easy like that.) He follows him easily enough, having no trouble with giving the man his space. Bones isn't a super touchy guy outside of the people he trusts, so it's no surprise if he isn't leaping at the chance to keep hold hands with the youngblood. (Full of contradictions, this guy.)

He gets it, in other words. They're already somewhere private, so there's no need to put on airs. Though Bones couldn't stop putting on his fake-angry spiel unless he was working, so there is that...

Which is, perhaps, why he should not be surprised that this social call is indeed related to his work. ]

Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me. Are they here? Do they need stitching up?

[ Ever dutiful, Bones will leave the scolding for after he's seen the damage in question. "Nicked" is pretty subjective, in his experience. People (but the Gold Court especially,) are always out there damaging the thralls and leaving it for the Silver Court to clean up. Bones wouldn't complain about the work -- healing is his passion and his life, honestly, but he can sure as hell complain when people are irresponsible. ]

You know I like bein' able to heal as much as the next guy, but if you're gonna break something, you gotta at least stick around to fix it.

[ He isn't quite as caring as Elias can be, he's been known to break people's bones on occasion to get them to stop squirming, but the difference is of course that he heals them after the damage is done. It's about sending a message. ]

[ Sometimes Lockwood wrestles with a deep envy for Silver Court. He wonders what it would be like to still be in a position to lay claim to moral superiority. To lay claim to the emotions of humanity.

The moments are usually fleeting and Lockwood ruthlessly jettisons them on their way. He had reason and purpose in the Gold Court, and though it did not often afford him moral high ground, he had chosen to dedicate his life to it. As such, he sits calmly, patiently, and let Bones jump to conclusion and rant in his general direction. Actions he would not, and did not, accept from the novice and the other youngblood who had done the same.

Only when the prickly doctor allowed an opening, did Lockwood clarify the situation. ]

This was days ago, Bones. [ He explained, his expression kept neutral because he did not want Bones thinking he'd let him fuss, just to then take the wind out of his sails. ] Woods and Argent both come across the practice session and quite enjoyed dragging me across the carpet, in front of novices no less, at the time.

[ Lockwood's voice is mild, but there is a flicker of something in his gold/black eyes. A younger vampire, one who was not as confident in themselves or their abilities, might have taken greater offense to being called out in front of novices. It wouldn't have been anything personal really (for the most part) but simply good vampire politics. Showing weakness could quickly become a death sentence in their culture.

A younger, or less secure vampire might have escalated the situation, if only to maintain appearance. Lockwood would have, when he was younger. One of the benefits to advancing years; he's developed a more level headed approach to threat assessment. ]

Woods made a right hash of it. Understandable, as she is still a novice, impulsive as hell, and in that I am indestructible phase. [ Novices. It's like living with teenage boys and their immortality complex. ] Argent, at least, displayed some awareness of what he was doing, the risk of the optics, but to his credit he did it all the same. Kind of reminds me of you. [ This last bit was delivered with a genuinely fond smile.

Bones does raise an interesting point. Neither Woods nor Argent had given Lockwood the opportunity to heal the damage he'd inflicted. Both had simply swanned in and begun ranting at him. Ah, youth. ]

I have always respected that Silver has their own way of doing things. [ He continued in deep, calm tones. ] And I have no doubt, had no doubt at the time even, that Woods and Argent have their moral compasses in the right places. It just might be to everybody's benefit were they afforded the opportunity to develop a bit of wisdom around their approach.

[ He's not trying to suggest that Bones take either as a novice, or a blood claim or anything of that sort. Not that he could do such a thing, that was well beyond his purview. What Lockwood did know, and was trying to convey in his own convoluted way, was that Bones had a gift for giving the ESTABLISHMENT hell to their face, but within a balance that allowed everybody to keep working together.

Call this gentle encouragement to share that gift with others, Grumpy Man. ]

[ Bones deflates at the explanation—well, dammit, now he's gotten worked up over nothing. Oh, well, it's not the first time and it won't be the last. He listens to Lockwood explain, because he feels he's owed an explanation, frankly, and it's clear by the end of it that the situation had been handled. Certainly a bit of a faux pas to scold a youngblood as well-known as Lockwood, but Bones doesn't discriminate on his scoldings, so he'd be a hypocrite to complain. Too much. ]

So you got chewed out, huh?

[ Bones very nearly smiles at that. He doesn't even bristle at the use of his annoying nickname. That's respect, right there. ]

I get it. Woods is showin' promise, and Argent's got a good head on his shoulders. Might last longer if they aren't chewing out their elders in front of an audience.

[ He chuckles, shaking his head—mostly because he is not one to give praise, and if Lockwood ever tells either of them that Bones said as much, he might wake up with a knife in his bed. Still, it's Classic Gold Court nonsense, to get yelled at by people from the Silver Court and think "boy, Dr. McCoy could help these kids." At least it had been Lockwood and not Yendar. Yendar would've made big damn show of it, damn drama queen. ]

Anybody ever tell you you're a big softie, Lockwood? Gold Court's gonna take your badge if they find out you didn't flip on 'em.

[ That's distinctly untrue, but Leonard loves generalizations. Just can't get enough of em. ]

[ Lockwood winced at Bones' latter words. He recognized they came from a sincere place and were meant to be teasing, but they also cut close to reality. Lockwood had his enemies in Gold Court, and if they got their teeth into such things? Well, someone was going to end up dead.

But that was Lockwood's problem, not McCoy's and the old/young vampire would do his utmost to keep such circumstances from touching McCoy. For now, he joked it off. ]

Hush. I've trouble enough keeping Yendar on the safe side of any number of lines. If he starts thinking I have a soft streak, he'll walk all over me.

[ Lockwood's voice was a balance of joking, but also held a deeply buried thread of seriousness. The young/old youngblood's fondness for Yendar was fairly well known, but it was a never ending balancing act to show the appropriate amount of clinical ruthlessness in equal measure with genuine concern.

Bones might be prickly, perpetually grumpy and given to yelling at the least provocation, but Yendar was the one that kept Lockwood up during the daylight hours; and not in the fun way.

Speaking of things that kept him up during the daylight hours, Lockwood turned his wrist and consulted his watch. Much as he would like to stay outside and banter with McCoy, he had some additional elbow rubbing he needed to see to before he called it a night. ]

Right. That's me back to the grind. [ He said with a tone of genuine sorrow. He had enjoyed his time with McCoy and let it show in his softened expression as he stood up. Walking towards the doctor, Lockwood pressed his luck in the form of laying his hand gently on the other man's shoulder. ] You're probably safe to make a break for it, if you don't feel like going back into that crush.

Yeah, guy's like a dog with a bone if you give 'im material, I bet.

[ Bones has never been happier to not be involved in the Gold Court's nonsense. The more he hears about Xenk Yendar, the less he wants to get involved in their antics. He rolls his eyes, sighing. ]

Your secret's safe with me, old man. I want about as much to do with Yendar as I want with the goddamned sun.

[ Which is to say: no offense. Though this is Bones, so he won't go that far. Gold Court has its own politics and he's sure Xenk plays an important role there, he's just not the kind of guy Bones wants to get involved with. But he doesn't mind Lockwood, not in the least, so he'd tolerate whatever the man wanted to discuss, ultimately. He makes for good conversation, and the dance was pretty fun even if you won't hear Bones say it.

The guy's weird, but Bones is weird too. It works out. He'll even let the hand on his shoulder slide, rolling his eyes like it's a great and terrible hardship. ]

And miss the rest of the party? [ He asks, dripping with sarcasm. He would rather take a stake to the heart than go back. At least Lockwood has given him an easy out. ] You have fun dancing and schmoozing. I'll keep your little words of advice in mind.

[ Lockwood did compliment his wisdom, that was very nice of him. Bones will take the words to heart and see if he can't teach his fellow Silvers how to play nice. Or at least... how to pick their battles better. "Nice" is not something most would accuse Bones of being. ]

Edited (icon) 2024-02-05 05:04 (UTC)

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january tdm/event post

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