Duplicity Game Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
duplicitymods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
duplicitymemes2020-05-12 10:04 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2020-05-12 10:04 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #12
« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »
It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. Yet, solace is found in the lies we tell each other, comforted by the peace of knowing that we're not alone in our depravity, and once on this path, sin itself becomes the lesser of two evils masked in a cloud of normalcy. This is how Duplicity has functioned since the beginning. The divide of power and social standing is overt in that Dominants influence the decisions made both publicly and privately while Submissives cater to the rules presented to them. It is the way of Duplicity to assign random designations at birth with no leeway in altering what has been given. Climate in the Up is far stricter than that of the Down; violating outlined personas for a Dominant or Submissive while in full view of others is punished by degree of infraction. In the Down, many tend to turn a blind eye to these sorts of offenses. To counteract the discovery of the Deceit Gene – a natural "negative" response to all stimuli – the L.I.E.S. program was founded. The program had been designed to introduce new subjects to the current environment and test for the Deceit Gene through immersion in Duplicity's standing society. Sexual impulses and encounters increase the chances of detecting the gene within these individuals. Participants are typically released from L.I.E.S. after a year; however, results have remained unsatisfactory and testing still continues. ... and you’re here! Finally! Welcome to Duplicity. After choosing a door and stepping through to the other side, the first thing that greets you are the enthusiastic faces of people in medical scrubs and pristine lab coats. Their enthusiasm translates to eagerness as they strip you of your clothes to perform a thorough examination—you will be healed, bathed, and given a paper gown to wear until your items can be processed and delivered to your residence later in the evening. You are also given a device that accesses the network as well as the time and location of orientation. If you enter Duplicity into the Up, congratulations! You’re a Dominant, which means you are immediately picked up by a limo after processing and taken to your highrise. Here, it is two Dominants per floor with separate apartments. If you enter Duplicity into the Down, congratulations! You’re a Submissive, which means you are directed towards public transportation with the address of the motel you’ll be living in. Here, it is two Submissives per room with a shared common space for all rooms. Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new and old arrivals. The weather is a windy 69 degrees. |
 It's time for the monthly Duplicity train tour. Seats are in pairs and randomly assigned to Dominants and Submissives alike. Traveling from Fiddler's Square, the train journeys through various parts of the Up, showcasing society and examples of lifestyle. Along the way, frequent stops are made; a variety of passengers can be seen exiting and entering the doors. A Dominant with a kneeling Submissive takes a seat near the front of the train at one stop. A small group of Submissives board and sit closer to the LIERS at another, all seemingly content in their roles. As the tour continues through the Up, the train passes close to the Market and White Wall Bridge and zips by North Park before heading into the Down and bypassing Red Wall Bridge and South Park. The train makes a "final" stop at Riddler's Square, where inhabitants of the Down are instructed to return to their temporary housing. Those who live in the Up are permitted to stay on the train and revisit the same locations while returning. CAUTION On the second day that new arrivals have been in the city, the train will derail due to a malfunction in the computer systems. Anyone on board at the time, Noon, could be injured, stuck, or killed. Emergency services will light up asking for immediate assistance. |
 Two of Duplicity’s largest film production companies are out to recruit new, exciting talent. With the warring success of Subliminal, Sublingual, Sublime and You Scratch My Back, I Claw Yours, they have the influence and the funds to go big. They have reached out to the LIEs program for help with the idea that inclusion in local culture will make incoming LIErs more compliant, not to mention bring fresh blood into the industry. Orientation is just a little different this month. Welcome to the casting couch, LIErs and those unlucky graduates of the program mistakenly sent notice of mandatory attendance, or else… Not everyone has what it takes to be a star. Both Domination Station Films and Studio Hott are in need of plenty of extras to fill in the background of their newest productions. After an initial sorting in the lobby of the newly refurbished Orientation center, some newcomers, LIErs, and graduates are hustled into a quick and dirty costume fitting. The costumes aren’t as nice or detailed as those for potential stars and may be safety pinned in awkward places. Makeup is cheap and sometimes gaudy. It gets the job done. You may not have a speaking role. It doesn’t mean you’re any less important, so get comfy on the furniture or in the pool and get busy promoting the Dominant/submissive culture that drives Duplicity’s society. Unsure of how to act? Better listen closely to the director. There are shock collars and bracelets to “encourage” the unwilling, and the camera will keep rolling until the scene is right. Scenes may be sexually explicit or merely instructive, such as proper seating and kneeling, feeding and serving of Dominants, and keeping a respectful distance in walking. Extras fill any and all roles required by the director for that realistic setting feel. If you are a Dominant extra, be sure to claim elevated seating and show a firm hand toward any submissives cast as your partner. If you’re submissive, it’s the ground or floor for you, depending on where the scene is set. Be attentive to your Dominant’s needs. It’s OK to talk, as long as you keep it down. Anything you say will be taken out in post. Craft services has just what it takes to set the mood. Stop by for a drink or snack. Soon enough those pesky inhibitions will be a thing of the past. (Some, but not all, of the food and drink contains mid to high level aphro effects. The film companies are taking no chances. The scene doesn’t call for intimacy? Good luck keeping your hands to yourself. You may be in for a shocking experience. Repeatedly.) |
 You’ve caught the eye of the studio. You’re ushered into a small room to wait your turn. Whether you’re new to the city or not, you find yourself paired with someone for a screen test. Do they want you for Hungry Hearts or It’s in the Pizza? Read your lines convincingly, make some chemistry with your partner, and you could see your name and other things in lights very soon. Don’t worry if the dialog is cheesy. It’s part of the charm. Having trouble getting into your part? There are costumes hanging on a rack. Try one on. You may find the experience transformative, as though you were made for your role, or it was made for you… (Costumes may or may not affect the personality of the wearer. Those that do will make it much easier to get into character and greatly lower inhibitions when it comes to the more demanding scenes.) Be aware that any sexually explicit scenes will only be filmed between a Dom and a sub, or a Dom and multiple subs. If you are a Dom cast in the scene with another Dom, it will be gen only. (We’re assuming you’ve seen a porn or two, or at least a parody. Go crazy on the cheesy dialog and stupid set-ups. It’s just pretend, right?) |
 Some people just aren’t meant for film. If you don’t catch the eye of any of the studio reps, you are recruited to work on set building and painting, helping dress extras or potential stars, or providing that extra stimulation to keep them going between scenes. Individuals who complain too much about the circumstance may find themselves assigned to the more unfortunate jobs. Somebody needs to clean up those sets after they’re finished. (Just put your role in your top level if there’s something specific you have in mind you’d like to play out, like “set building” or “fluffer.” We won’t judge.) |
Please read carefully. On each Test Drive Meme, there will be a section noting character roles; these will vary each TDM. On an IC level, characters will still have gone through the doors but assignments OOCly are still randomized. When applying, there is a section of the application that denotes whether the character chooses "left" or "right". When participating on the TDM, there will be a third option. Players may link either a top level or a thread (five or more comments from their character) from the TDM and title the link as "Door Pass". This means that the player is choosing to take the designation that they were randomly assigned on the TDM, rather than taking the designation of a door. If the player decides to select a door rather than use the pass, then they are trying their luck; they may get the same designation they had on the TDM or the opposite. Once the application is submitted, players can't change their choice. To assign roles to characters for this TDM, use the following guide: There's a table with items on it. Your character selects one. If they chose the jar of pickles or ballpoint pen they are a Submissive and if they chose a clothespin or mini baguette they are a Dominant. Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have fun!! |
Glee! (Or the opposite)
At least, that was his plan, but someone hops on like a one woman bubblegum parade and performs the part of a child on a field trip. It's a wonder she's not asking are we there yet! every few seconds.
But fine, as grating as it is, he can just about ignore it, eyes squeezing closed for a few moments as he tries to block out all the irritating sounds, but then, all of a sudden he very distinctly aware that he's being addressed.
Sitting upright, the attention she draws to his throat makes Oswald reflexively reach up to tighten the knot of his tie, making a mental note that it doesn't do enough to disguise the horrible marking and he'll need to find some solution to that as he gives the women a thin look and a cool smile.]
Evidently whatever system they are working with here is distinctly off the mark, which is how I ended up with this. But I'm sure if you asked someone very nicely, they'd give you a neat tattoo of your very own. Or some other nice clean line down your throat.
no subject
eventually, though, her level of interest switches over to the people she's occupying the same space with, gaze drifting over various faces until she spots one who isn't already in the midst of making conversation with someone else. could be she gets a sense that he isn't up for talking with anyone, period. most likely she doesn't care one way or another.
she's still idly stroking an index finger along her own throat, a distinct lack of any line there — although based on the amount of skin showing, she's got more than enough ink covering her to make up for it, some of it looking damn near professionally done but most of it definitely the product of her wielding of the needle on herself (mostly trying to cover up anything that might have still sentimentally linked her to her ex). ]
Aww, don't you know you're supposed to make the line straight across instead'a down? [ she knows what you're getting at, mister, and she blinks a few times at him before waving a hand casually. ] That is, if you're lookin' to do it quick and dirty.
no subject
Oswald's expression shifts in subtle shades, the sharp irritation melding into a kind of defiance that could teeter into nervous if given just the right nudge.
But then she speaks it sort of takes him aback a little. He blinks, then makes an attempt to reply, but falls short after a few vague mouth shapes and a couple of intakes of breath.
Then, he takes stock of the situation, briefly glancing around the carriage, checking more closely for guards and others who might take exception to the exchange. The is one guard, though right at the other end of the carriage, who seems only vaguely aware of what is going on.
Oswald shifts in his seat, sitting upright a little more as he looks at her sidelong.]
Personally, I'd go for more of a curve than merely straight across, but I do take your point. Truly. And it is a far more effective way to deal with a problem. [He gives a part shrug along with an almost coy cant of his head.] If quick and dirty is the method, of course. As you say.
[He shifts again, looking ever-so-slightly in the vague realm of the apologetic.]
But I may... have been a little impatient there and allowed my tongue to run away with me. In my defense, it's been a long couple of days and all my attempts to do as Dorothy have, thus far, failed.
no subject
she watches his mouth work open and closed again, like he's coming up with a few different replies but can't decide which one to give her, trying out a few on the tip of his tongue but letting none of them fall out. instead of moving to fill the silence she just looks right back at him, blinking expectantly. ]
Effective. Efficient. You know the drill. [ especially if he knows to aim for the jugular, and signs point to a definitely yes on that front. ]
Well, 'case you haven't noticed, we're all in the same boat right now. Dragged from wherever we were before, drugged — and not even the fun kind, I might add — and then dropped into the capital city of where-in-the-fuck. Whatever this system is, it's one that's already trying to divide us by giving us these designations. But the way I see it, 'cause I've been doin' some thinkin', we could work it to our advantage. Use a contract to link up with some like-minded people. Better than letting them stick you with somebody they choose.
no subject
You know the drill, she says. And, indeed, he does. In fact he even gives a few light nods, lips curved up in a thin, humourless smile and his brows up as far as they go because, oh yes. Effective. Efficient. He does know the drill.
But it's what she says next that allows him to drop the part-nervous, part-sharp smile and into something more genuinely interested. Sure, she's got the better end of the coin-flip here, but she's not wrong.]
I have been thinking the same thing! [He spins toward her more fully as his fingers grip the edge of his seat.] That they are seeking to pit us against one another! I mean, hello! Divide and conqueror, am I right? Oldest tactic in the book and still highly relevant to this very day!
[He wags a finger in her direction, the smile on his face now really very pleased indeed.]
See, I like that line of thinking! Banding together! A united front against this hellish system! An truly excellent approach!
[Shifting a little, he sticks out his hand to her.]
My name is Oswald. Oswald Cobblepot. A pleasure to meet you, Ms--?
no subject
the best route here seems to be playing it smart, making them think she's going to comply with whatever their bullshit rules are and then turn around and do whatever the hell she wants in the background. setting herself up with a contract looks good on paper, sure, but if she plays it right, she could get herself a solid gang of allies. really work towards taking down the powers that be. ]
Well, thank you. [ and she can't help but preen a little in response to the praise, because she's got a goddamn phd after all. people shouldn't forget that. ]
Quinn. [ she reaches out to slip her hand into his, all gentle and demure-like for a second — although the handshake probably seems at odds with her more wolfish grin. ] Harley Quinn.
[ and then recognition of the name prompts a slow parting of her lips and she jabs her other index finger in his direction, pointing a few times. ] You're — hey, I've heard of you! We haven't ever had the pleasure of meetin', but I guess there's no time like the now, am I right?
no subject
The way he takes her offered hand is with a surprising kind of care. Not a kid gloves kind of gentle, or even patronising in an overtly chauvinistic sense. Oswald Cobblepot is a lot of awful things, but he is not a sexist--he treats everyone will the same level of contempt. Men tend to say a lot of things to each other via handshake and it's a language that Oswald has tried to perfect over the years with fluctuating success. Here, he is in fact strangely gentlemanly about the whole ting. Surprising perhaps for someone who can be an obnoxious, two-timing slimely little bastard.]
Ms. Quinn. Enchanté!
[When she indicates that she knows him though, he sort of sags a bit with a small sigh, his expression a little strange like he can't decide if he wants to be faux exasperated or genuinely so.]some of these moments. But the others--
[He leans in, glancing around briefly like he's about to share secret before returning his focus to her.]
By any chance, do you hail from a version of the city of Gotham?
no subject
but it's not like she woke up any of those days with the sole intention of pissing anybody off; the road to hell is paved with plenty of good intentions, after all. well, that and maybe a penchant for chaos and violence.
even once she places her hand in his, there's still a somewhat more intense enthusiasm with which she shakes it several times. they're off to a good start now, aren't they? or at least they're on the same page about their dreams and goals while they're both trapped here, and given that those all seem to be good and aligned, well, there's no reason why this can't be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ]
Yes! [ she gasps it in something closer to a stage-whisper, jaw dropping open for a few beats, her pigtails swaying as she gives a few vigorous nods of her head. ]
Wait, what do you mean, "version"? There's only just the one, isn't there?
no subject
He lets the vigourous handshake go on a little while, smiling with an all-teeth kind of vaguely awkwardness though it's pretty fleeting all in all. There's more than enough for him to connect to here, that is already clear; people with Gotham in their veins--any version of Gotham--are kindred spirits of a sort.
For now, it's basically like the rest of the hell hole they're stuck in doesn't exist. Dominant, Submissive, citizen and LIES participant, it doesn't matter. There have more important things to discuss. Like gossip.
Swiveling slightly in his seat and shifting his legs toward her to speak more directly, Oswald does a poor impression of being coy, his eyes closing for a moment but his eyes clearly rolling upwards as he enunciates a 'Well' that could well be followed by something like 'I don't like to gossip, but--' though instead he looks at her once more from beneath his brows.]
That's exactly what I had assumed, but as it would happen I was mistaken. Apparently what we're experiencing here is a very strange phenomena indeed, one in which there are actually several of us from Gotham and yet not all necessarily from either the same version of our dear city or the same time.
[He lets that hang there for a moment, mostly for dramatic effect as his eyes widen and he nods with a kind of 'I KNOW, RIGHT?!' expression.]
Some of us, seemingly, only have a few weeks or months difference between us. Some more like years or even decades. And some of us are from alternate versions of our world entirely, so who knows, you could even meet another version of yourself sometime, or a different version of someone you already think you know! Isn't that crazy!
[He wouldn't really be thrilled to meet another version of himself, honestly, but the point remains.]
no subject
but she gets the sense they're gonna get along well enough; they certainly seem like they're like-minded in a certain sense, and once he says one of the magic words that manages to draw in her impossibly fleeting attention span, he's got her hooked for what stands to be the remainder of this conversation, however long this train ride lasts and potentially beyond.
she's not even all that worried about what image they might present; two people with their heads tucked together doesn't look suspicious or conspiratorial at all, right? but maybe it ain't so suspicious because they're a pair of opposite designations, and that's less likely to draw attention than two dominants or two submissives chatting more intensely. ]
Whoa. You're gonna have to give me a sec to wrap my head around all'a that. [ but if she's hearing him right, it means that there's a chance there could be more than one version of them here in this city. more than one version of her! one harley quinn feels like plenty for anyone to deal with, herself included. ]
So what you're sayin' is that we could have friends, or allies, or enemies, or whatever — they could show up here tomorrow but be from, like, years in the future. Know all kinds of info about what happens to us that we haven't even lived yet. Or doppelgangers who exist in a Gotham that for the most part looks just like ours 'cept for one small difference. Like shrimp don't exist.
no subject
As it happens though, Oswald is certainly as engaged in their private exchange as Harley is and the external context kind of falls away.
He's not feeling as impatient as he could do though and there are a lot of idiots who would try and get their heads around these concept for days and weeks and still fail. As it happens, she gets there very quickly and even extrapolates the additional implications immediately. It makes him blink a couple of times in surprise, then give a chuckle that's more of a surprised verbal placeholder than anything else.]
Why, yes. Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. Precisely that! And who can only imagine what a world would it be without shrimp!
But what this also means is that there is the potential for people we know who know less than we know, or more than we know, about the versions of the world we know.
[That doesn't sound nearly so articulate, but after a short shake of his head he continues.]
The point is, though, that we have additional concerns beyond just this city and its barbaric expectations of us! And, well--[He lifts a hand in a gesture that's like he's expressing something very self-explanatory.]--you know how Gotham can get! Just imagine the commotion we're in store for!
[He reaches over, resting his palm against her shoulder in a gesture that's probably a little inappropriate, but at the very least doesn't carry any sexual or menacing charge to it, just a bit more familiar than he's probably earned yet.]
It just feels like the sort of information one would want others from where we're from to know. I mean, I would want to know if something unwanted followed me here from home!
no subject
but post-jumping into a vat of chemicals and sealing her destiny to re-emerge as harley quinn, she doesn't really give a fuck how she comes off. that said, there are times when the side of her that used to be a doc pops out here and there, almost like someone's flipped the switch in her brain that remembers words like paranoid delusions and borderline personality disorder.
she nods a few times in slow succession, following along with his out-loud train of thinking — but then they both seem to pause at the same time, trying to let the sense of his words take root before moving right on past it to his main point. ]
Concerns as in... maybe knowing a little too much about our own future? I think I saw somethin' like that in a movie once. [ that film being back to the future, of course. ] And if they're certain kinda people from Gotham they might not think twice about sharin' that information.
[ meaning someone might be just that much of an asshole. she briefly drops her chin to look down at his hand on her shoulder, but doesn't try to pry him off of her or anything like that. maybe staring at it long enough will give him enough of a hint. ]
So, between the both of us, we know there are at least two Gothams. The one I came from and the one you were in. [ she holds up her hand, indicating two fingers. ] But it stands to reason that there could be more than that.