undyingcourt | March TDM/Event

Entry tags:

March TDM/Event - Spring Nox

MARCH TDM - SPRING NOX

Welcome to the Undying Court's March Test Drive Meme! This post also functions as the March Event for existing characters, as well as the start of the Spring Season, led by the Red Court.

New novices who are in their second season or more may handwave or backdate the previous season's arrival prompts should they wish to, and should 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 April 3-7, with invites opening on March 28, and reserves not long after!

Note that this post will contain: violence, enthrallment, slavery, body horror and potentially sexual content. Spring has many surprises! This event also features a chance for characters to submit a free Cosmetic Physical Features Regain, as a reward for the Hanahaki prompt.

Feel free to brush up on the Premise, Vampire Powers, and head over to the FAQ/Game Info page if you have any questions!

Keep in mind that this event will be occurring throughout the month of March and into April, 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!
Our new Locations page is live! Take a look if you've ever wondered what exactly lies in the castle.

Top-Level Directory:

Chat with NPC: Revar, Kashire, Claudia

New Characters/TDM:
All For The Game - Name - Black Court, Novice
Detroit: Become Human - Connor - Black Court, Novice
Durarara!! - Shizuo Heiwajima - Black Court, Youngblood
Game of Thrones - Daenerys Targaryen - Gold Court, Youngblood
Game of Thrones - Jon Snow - Black Court, Youngblood
Honkai Star Rail - Argenti - Red Court, Youngblood
The Locked Tomb - Harrowhark Nonagesimus - Silver Court, Youngblood
The Locked Tomb - Gideon Nav - Silver Court, Novice
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - Princess Luna - Black Court, Novice
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid - Lucoa - Blue Court, Youngblood
Nevermore - Lenore - Blue Court, Novice
Original - Giselle du Sang - Blue Court, Youngblood
Original - Matt Jamison - Red Court, Novice
Original - Sharel Anathrime - Undecided Court, Novice
Return to Labyrinth - Sarah Williams - Red Court, Youngblood
Supernatural - Ava Wilson - Black Court, Novice

Current Characters:
Accelerator (Yuri) - Silver Court, Novice
Astarion - Red Court, Youngblood
Cal Kestis - Silver Court, Novice
Conrad Achenleck - Red Court, Youngblood
Eden Woods - Silver Court, Novice
Edgin Darvis - Blue Court, Youngblood
Harlock - Blue Court, Novice
Leonard "Bones" McCoy - Silver Court, Youngblood
Lockwood - Gold Court, Youngblood
Lydia - Red Court, Youngblood
Raphael - Red Court, Youngblood
Snow White - Silver Court, Novice
Trilla Suduri - Black Court, Novice
Xenk Yendar - Gold Court, Youngblood

SPRING ARRIVAL

New arrivals will be starting their first season in the Spring, and they're welcomed to the castle under the watchful eyes of the Red Court. Upon arrival, they will be shown to a room by humans whose eyes glow softly from within, with vacant smiles. Thralls. There, the human thralls will draw them a bath and bring them new clothes to wear to their first meeting. These are rich, expensive things made of high quality fabric. Whether it's a silk dress and a heavy velvet cowl, or a fine pants and a vest made from a brocade, the servants will provide whatever is requested of them. The new initiate's old clothes will be burned after, in a symbol of the life they are leaving behind. If they are hungry, they will be provided food. If they need anything at all, they need only ask their new servants.

Later that night, new novices are taken to a grand hall, with high arched ceilings and candles burning in chandeliers. There are figures painted overhead, beautiful and entwined. Some have their eyes are colored to match the courts, others are gracefully placed in their death, with blood dripping from necks and wrists.

Balconies line the hall behind a forest of pillars, and vampires all watch as the group walk through (some more hungrily than others).

"Welcome to your first undying season, initiates." a fair-skinned vampire with full, crimson lips that match her crimson eyes steps forward. With dark brown curls, a plunging gown, and a broadsword strapped to her back, the woman commands the attention of everyone in attendance. Her hair falls halfway down her back, and holds herself with a surety and ease to her posture that proves her sword isn't simply for show. She stands at the center of a wide semi-circle of other vampires, "My name is Claudia. As the Red Court's acting voice for the Spring season, allow me to introduce you to the Houses that will be your new homes."

The vampire, Claudia, gives the newcomers an overview of all of the courts—Blue, Red, Gold, Silver, and Black—and then invites those already claimed by their Courts to join the vampires who will be their Makers.

Claudia offers the Foundlings who are left a sharp, knowing smile, and waves a hand, allowing them to be chosen. They are like the last sheep left at the auction, and the vampires who take them may not be the enthused about it. Nevertheless, Claudia waits until all have found a maker, nodding imperceptibly as the last are paired off.

Now that they are paired up it is expected—indeed, required—that the initiate drink from their maker. That is their Beginning. Only once they have truly begun can they can be considered novices.

"Makers, your responsibility to your novices begins today," she declares, a red-eyed apprentice appearing behind her. The apprentice -- for her eyes are too red to be a novice, is blond and pale, and dressed in reds to match her Maker. She's an unfamiliar face in the castle, even for those who have been here for some time. Whispers follow them as she and Claudia step away from the center of the room. Her apprentice, however, remains bound like a livewire, predatory in her gaze as it lands on the season's new novices. "Come along, Silvea," calls Claudia, and for a moment Silvea hesitates, though she follows as instructed. Bit of an odd duck, this one.

SPRING NOX

The Spring Nox consists of two events: an Arena and a Salon. The pageantry of the Nox springs up quickly, with Red Court banners unfurling throughout the castle and greenery put on display (the tame kind, one assumes).

Some may find the Arena most interesting. A complicated tournament requiring combatants to use an array of weapons, vampires from all over come to the castle to compete. Although of course the Red Court would argue the true spirit of the Arena is to show off the finesse and skill of the competitors, many vampires attend because of the thrill all the bloodshed brings. Some rounds, the blood in the air becomes so much it can be intoxicating. Good thing there are always thralls close at hand to drink from! Novices are, of course, off limits.

Normally, this tournament is held only amongst vampires. Even Youngbloods struggle against their mature counterparts, whose strength and speed are increased with their age. But this year, Claudia announces that one novice will be allowed to compete.

In order to choose that novice, Claudia and the Red Court are holding a novice tournament prior to the Arena. The prize? A permanent pass from the Red Court. This means that even should the winner never take another Red Court class again, they would have the Red Court's favor. In a world where failing means enthrallment, a guaranteed pass is far better than gold. Of course, no one expects the novice to actually win in the real arena events, but it'll be a very exciting way to lose spectacularly.

((Note: Students can sign up for the Novice Tournament here. The winner will be chosen via RNG once applications are processed. (In other words, new characters can sign up too!))

But not everyone is interested in bloodsport. Some may find themselves drawn, instead, to the Salon. This yearly event brings the most creative minds from all the lands to hold readings and discussions on art old and new. Some sessions are small, informal gatherings around one or two speakers. Others are large, reminiscent of the Silver Court's symposium sessions. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone, and anyone is welcome to reserve a space and hold a session, regardless of whether they are a vampire or not.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Red Court event without bloodwine and seduction, either. The Red Court maintains an expansive definition of art. It is not uncommon to find steamy poetry readings full of half-clothed vampires, pieces of art where the artist is a living (or unliving, as the case may be) subject, or interactive rooms with paint and other objects meant to be played with. Art is so often about the observer, after all.

A particular highlight this year is of a traveling group of vampires, the Dragulettes, who use makeup and clothing to change their gender rather than using masks. Their outfits range from the silly to the sexual, and they will be performing a series of popular folk songs. They are well known for their humor between their songs and their critiques of the way that humans put so much stock on gender and its false dichotomies. Their show will be on the same stage NECK*SINK played on, and draws a very large crowd as vampires young and old laugh and cheer for the show.

A FLOWERING SICKNESS

The change of season brings more than just warmer weather, as last month's pollinating flowers have begun to bloom all across the castle! But it isn't just the grounds and the gardens that are sporting bright, beautiful flowers now that the snow has begun to recede. Sprouts and blooms appear almost overnight along the castle halls and walls, from the brightest to the darkest recesses of the castle, where flowers have no business growing at all. Where have they come from, and how are they blooming? The Red and Silver Courts have yet to find the cause, but the fact is the flowers are here -- and for now, they're here to stay.

But as the Spring Nox passes and the Spring celebrations continue, novices, youngbloods, even some mature vampires, begin to suffer from a strange, inexplicable cough, with seemingly no cure. As the days pass, those afflicted will begin to cough up petals tinged with blood. Later still, the affliction advances so that those infected begin coughing up entire flowers, with novices reporting trouble breathing, and youngbloods reporting discomfort in their chests -- beneath their lungs.

Those in the most advanced stages may find thorns sprouting forth from their bodies, with the truly severe cases becoming overrun with vines and blooms, as the victims become enclosed by plants from the inside out, and transformed into still, lifelike trees. While the rate and speed at which the affliction worsens seems to vary from person to person, the castle's walkways are soon littered with bloody petals and fretful thralls.

Fortunately for all, while the origin of the affliction remains unknown, the Silver Court finds the curse's name within their records: Hanahaki. This flower-blooming curse buries its roots in the hearts of those with unmet desires. Whether that desire is for love, attention, hatred, approval, or even food, any strong desire is enough to spark life into the pollen so many ingested the month prior, and for the curse to take root. Luckily, once that desire is met, the flowers will wither and die, vanishing without a trace.

And for those whose desires are never met? Well, fortunately for them, flowers only bloom for so long. Anyone who advances to the final stage of the curse will only be afflicted by it for ten days' time, after which the flowers will fade away, starved for lack of nutrients. During this time, those affected can be assisted by others, if they happen to know that person's desire is. Or you could try watering them, that might help? (It doesn't help.)

((As with last month's pollen event, this prompt is completely optional! Flowers can represent whatever players want, and can affect characters as much or as little as you wish. Unmet desires can be anything from a desire for love and companionship, to "wanting to get a good grade in class," being noticed by your senpai or maybe just having the world's best slice of cake. Have fun with it! Additionally, anyone who participates in this prompt, in any form, is eligible for a free Cosmetic Physical Feature Regain.))

NEW SEASON, STILL MURDER

Partway through the tournament, perhaps during a particularly exciting bout, whispers start to make their way through the halls. Not from Whisperfangs this time, but something much more sinister. A body, murmurs say, there's a body, others shriek. Spring Nox, it seems, is to be haunted just like Winter Sol.

Outside near one of the outdoor rings, Silvea lies as cold and bloodless as the night, a deep wound in her chest but, as with last time, no murder weapon in sight.

Kashire is here, though, another thing reminiscent of the last murder. "Don't just stand there staring!" He snaps, but what else is there to do, really? Try as anyone might to get to the bottom of things, it seems an apprentice was murdered. As a crowd begins to form, castle residents and visitors alike seem to crowd the members of the Council, probing for answers. Want to join your voice to the chorus? Good luck!

CLASS NOTES

Other notable happenings for the early winter season include:

Tis the season for spring cleaning! With the castle overrun with blooms (bloody or otherwise) and flowers sprouting everywhere, you might make a thrall's day if you help clean up some of the mess around the castle. They won't thank you directly, but it's as good a time as any for the castle's residents to do their part and help keep the castle from becoming a gothic garden.

The new season means new classes! Youngbloods will begin teaching their new courses for the Spring season, and students get to enjoy a slightly harder curriculum as their vampiric abilities grow and develop. Don't worry if you make a fool of yourself and walk into the wrong classroom. It's the first day of class, no one has memorized all of their students' names yet.

Petal baths have become a bit gauche, but there must be something that can be done with all these flowers, right? Students and faculty alike are encouraged to use flowers creatively, whether it be wearing them in your hair, or perhaps building creative flower arrangements to decorate their rooms and space. Morbid, considering the cursed origin of the petals, but nothing tickles vampires quite like the macabre.

Rumors are abuzz after Lady Whisperfangs latest rag was particularly biting. Could the Lady's latest temper flareup be due to a lost love, or does she simply enjoy tormenting the castle's residents? Either way, anonymity remains on Whisperfangs' side, but will that always be the case...?

One more thing! We've added a Locations page, for all your location-based needs. As always, characters are free to talk to the NPCs as well: Revar & Kashire & Claudia. 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 March 25-31.

Thanks for joining us and we hope you're looking forward to what this new season has in store!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ What might you know about Matt?

He struggled to Discover the Sword until a teacher (you?) intervened to suggest he learn how to dance first. Now he's proficient with a dagger!

His Maker is a boyfriend ~~who lives in Canada~~ from the Red Court. Matt was a thrall for some time and doesn't talk about it much.

He reads a lot, often while tending to his various horticultural projects. You may have run across him returning lost library books.

]

i. salon - poetry reading
[ Matt's natural speaking volume is on the quieter end, and his natural stage presence is "behind the curtain." But after a couple seasons, he's learned to pitch his voice a little louder, and to imagine that when he has to address a group, he's only speaking to one person. Only visible and audible to that one soul. ]

[Yes there's a whole poem under here. It's not that long but it's also Too Long.]

Neither for me the honey, nor the honeybee,
but you, your lips the sweetness and the sting.

Neither for me the grave, nor the grave-digger,
but you, whose mansion is the root-strung earth.

You, who holds your snares in one hand
and wears a crown of dove eggs on your brow.
Your deathless tread is like the sound of bells;
your kisses make me stagger as if drunk.

Not the sea, nor the sea-bird–not for me.
But only you, devourer of ships.

[ He takes clear pleasure in the taste of the words, shaping each syllable as if it were a velvety petal. It's just a bit of old religious poetry, but it's meaningful to him.

Maybe it's you he'd locked eyes with during the performance, treating you as his raft in an unfriendly ocean. Either way, after the performance, he sidles your way. ]

Thanks for coming.

ii. salon - bound and determined (aka a shibari prompt)
[ Matt doesn't think of himself as an overachiever per se. But since he's not about to join the tournament, he feels perhaps doubly pressured to make a good showing for the Red Court. Hence his second salon presentation, this one at a much later hour of the night.

He stands before a small circle of vampires and novices, a length of scarlet rope looped around one wrist and trailing down to a loose pile on the floor. ]

Before we begin, I'm going to need a volunteer. [ He smiles at you, faint but with a hint of playful mischief, as he draws a fingertip down the coiled rope that lies against his wrist. ] Don't worry–you won't have to take any clothes off.

You will need a safe signal, however.

iii. hanahaki
[ Matt had been hoping his cough was only a coincidence.

It's true, he doesn't get sick much these days. He'd been on his way down to the kitchens to beg for an early evening snack (he's ravenous), when a startlingly bad fit of coughing sends him staggering into the nearest wall. He coughs so hard that he feels like he's choking.

And then–

Something wrenches itself loose. Lands on the floor. He stares down at the spider lily blossoms, with their insectoid pistils, in a mixture of horror and fascination. Like if he stares long enough, they might tell him something about the future.

(Spider lilies mean too many things. Everything from passion to wisdom, death and rebirth to undying friendship. Matt has always wanted too much.) ]

iv. when life hands you petals (post-hanahaki)
[ Like many crafters, Matt doesn't know what he's going to do with all these petals yet. But he does know he's going to need a lot of them. He has a basketful already by the time he encounters you in the hall. He points to a limp, wet pile by your feet, and asks politely: ]

Are you going to use those for anything?

[ Maybe they'd make a nice mural, if he can collect enough of them in the right colors. Something for Silvea. ]

v. wildcard
[ See something else that looks interesting? Please wildcard me! More character/AU info here, which is also a good place to hit me (Merc!) up with questions or thoughts. I'm also reachable by PM at any of my journals. ]

[It had certainly been amusing to her to run into him at the same Beginning ceremony now three seasons previous, someone familiar in the darkness and anger that had consumed her from how she had ended up here. And certainly she had mellowed out and become far less... high-strung about things in the castle in that short period of time. More calm, collected, and easier to talk to instead of the socially anxious girl that had tried so hard to make herself appear as a proper noble.

Which is precisely why she does not mind his attention being focused on her during the words, hands resting carefully in her lap with dresses and skirts long since abandoned for breeches, tunic cinched at the waist, and boots which had certainly made her seem more comfortable in her own skin.

Once he sidles over, she manages a small smile.]

And miss that? The pleasure was all mine. I see that this place really is doing you some good, Matt.

[ Ah--he figured Luna would be cool with playing poetic muse. What he remembers most about her from the time before their Beginning isn't anxiety or darkness, but a certain mischief. A willingness to bend staid old rules.

Matt has a tendency to look at others through rose-tinted lenses. To be fair, he's in a rose-tinted court. ]

Well, what doesn't kill you, [ he notes, a hint of ruefulness in his tone. He can't quite shrug off the recent slayings the way some others can. (And also, he truly believes he passed his early weapons classes by the skin of his fangs.) ] But, ah--thanks. It really helped to have a friendly face in the room.

Are you going to grace us with a talent? Or maybe I'll have to head out the arena to see you go to work ...

[He certainly did have a different opportunity of seeing her outside of those expectations and the tint it did to her. So he's actually far more correct than anyone else would know, just pushed too far and without anything to do other than to lash out.]

Oh, I don't think you needed me in the room, it seems to have gone over extremely well with the room. I think they would call that a... natural talent? Something like that. [She's not about to take credit for all of that, she'd rather continue to keep what spotlight she can off of her, small or not. Besides, she's sure he would have done perfectly without her there, too.]

Me? A talent? [Give her a second, she's actually going to laugh at that.] Not like this! But you absolutely should head out to the arena to see my work, yes! I have a feeling I might still have a leg up on everyone else having been trained in this whole weapons and fighting thing before I even got here. Might be a tiny bit unfair, in hindsight... [It won't stop her from getting involved, anyway. She's allowed to show off a bit, right? Right.]

Matt Jamison | OC | Red | 3rd Season Novice | TDM

Salon - Poetry

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Salon - Shibari

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Poetry;

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hanahaki

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salon - poetry

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Hanahaki

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IV. Petals~

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Petals

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