Duplicity Game Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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duplicitymemes2020-05-12 10:04 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2020-05-12 10:04 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #12
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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!! |
no subject
After the initial wave of shock, the high intensity of the fear-based adrenaline becomes familiar again. He knows this feeling well, lives on it, thrives in it.
The terror is gone, his breathing settled into deep, heavy exhales through his nose over the back of the hand clamped over his mouth rather than rapid and panicked. By the time the hand slips away, Oswald's mouth has formed into a tight, defiant line.]
You think you're the first person to threaten me?!
[His voice is a low, furious hiss, but quiet. His fear is gone, replaced with a wildness in his green eyes as he bares his teeth and makes to lean up slightly, even with the blade so close.]
If you're going to kill me, then just get on with it! Or if you're here to give me a real message, spit it out already!
no subject
He loves it when they're ballsy. Way more fun for him.
He's quiet while Oswald hisses at him, almost as if he's letting him speak, waiting for him to be finished. He takes his time getting an up close and personal look at this stranger who rings a bell.
When he finally does speak, the drawl comes out as unaffected as if he was asking about the weather, and not pressing a knife to Oswald's throat. ]
Something about you's really familiar. Any idea why that is?
no subject
The way that the stranger sort of bypasses Oswald's fury-driven words and skips right on over to topics of light conversation is almost stranger than the threat itself.
His brows furrow, his mouth looking like it's in the early stages of forming the word 'what' but it doesn't arrive. Instead, Oswald's expression settles a little, still displeased and far from relaxed, but not looking so deeply enraged and battle-ready.]
That would depend. If this were back home in Gotham, a lot of people knew me. I was mayor, after all. For a time. [The mildest of many things that he was, arguably.] And even here, it seems as though my reputation precedes me, but for rather different reasons.
[He offers a nasty, petty smile.]
So. You're going to have to be a little more specific.
no subject
See..I've lived in Gotham for fifteen years now. I'd remember if you were mayor.
[ The knife slides up from Oswald's neck and the open scratch, the tip tracing gently against his cheek. ]
Try again. What's your name?
no subject
Briefly, he closes his eyes with a shaky exhale. He can handle pain, but it doesn't make the anticipation of it any easier to hold as he tries to shift back further.]
Oswald. Oswald Cobblepot.
no subject
Now that's interesting.
Also, sounds like bullshit.
He presses the flat of the blade across Oswald's cheek, in order to push his face to the side and expose his neck. He leans in closer, as if he's inspecting Oswald's face, and the cut on his neck. ]
No you're not. Penguin's got a couple of decades on you, pretty boy.
[ Without much of a warning, Victor licks the stripe of blood up from his neck, from base and past the scratch up to chin. The knife stays put as he sits back on his haunches, and he takes a good moment to watch Oswald's eyes.
Then he grins. It's a lopsided thing where the glint of gold teeth peek out the corner. Then, the knife is lifted from Oswald's cheek, open but no longer pressing against skin. ]
You walk like him though. You his kid or something?
[ As far as he's concerned, that explains the recognition. ]
Casually dropping small novels pls forgive
When he rejects Oswald's answer outright, his expression crumples with utter confusion initially then slowly shifts toward a brand of realisation. This is someone from a version of Gotham that Oswald doesn't know, someone from a time he either hasn't yet reached himself or a version he will never encounter at all, just like Ed had warned him.
He opens his mouth to protest, to explain, but then everything in Oswald's mind shorts out like a fuse blowing as he feels the trail of the stranger's tongue against his throat. It's a wild rush of white hot terror that entirely blinds him for a moment as Riddler's chilling words from a few days ago echo loudly in Oswald's head: You will be forced into public housing, that you will have to share with others. You will be denied the ability to buy anything, or to go most places, and you will face terrible, humiliating public sexual assault if you transgress any number of rules that you don't know yet.
And look how right he was. The very first night spent in the public housing and this happens.
Then, after what feels like a sickening eternity, the other man backs off like nothing has happened, leaving Oswald wide-eyed and prone, waiting for his mental processing to reboot itself and for the rage that fuels him to flood back into his system because how dare someone do that to him! But the rage is delayed, probably will be for some time and in its place there's this kind of utterly appalled disbelief at the question he's being asked.]
Am I his--? Is this a joke? [It's sure seeming like it, a very twisted one at that. In fact, he can't help but laugh, breathy, mirthless, rimmed with fearful nervous energy edging toward mild madness. Still more than a little shaky.]
No. No, I am most certainly not his kid. But since you have clearly been following me, it must be because I bare some striking resemblance to someone you know, to The Penguin. But he has a couple decades on me, you said?
[He with deliberate slowness, someone used to how this game goes--no sudden movements--with his palms pressed against the bed and sliding back and beneath the pillow, steadily bringing himself to a sit.]
Had you considered that is because those couple decades are ones I have yet to reach, hm? Because I can promise you that I clawed my way to the top and earned that reputation, claimed Gotham's throne, and that name. Now, you can either believe me or not, friend, but I am, most assuredly, Oswald Cobblepot.
[He clicks his teeth, trying to put on his best thoroughly unimpressed mask in spite of his jitters. As far as he's concerned, that matter is closed. Though the strange with the knife might have other ideas.]
So. The real question now is, who are you, exactly?
never apologize I eat them right up xo
What he isn't is well-educated. He doesn't know a damn thing about the history of Gotham, and doesn't know all that much about how the big players got to where they are unless it directly effected Roman in the last 15 years of being on the board. It seems perfectly reasonable that this kid could very well be what the Penguin he knows looked like years ago, and that maybe he was climbing up the ladder to the very top at some point during that time. He's heard Roman complain about him enough. Seems legit.
It's the whole alternate timelines/alternate realities that he's having a hard time with. He can't quite wrap his head around it, and he's visibly trying to do math beyond his capabilities for a good 30 seconds. Eventually, though, he decides it doesn't matter if he understands it, because even if it's bullshit the man underneath him seems to truly believe it. That's good enough for him, for now.
As Oswald comes up, Victor leans in until they're much too close for comfort. He's keeping Oswald's eyes on him, as he hands slide forward towards Oswald's wrists, to stop him from grabbing whatever it is he's gotten hidden under that pillow. ]
I'm Victor Zsasz, and I'm not gonna kill you unless you try something fucking stupid.
🤩
Or it was, right up until the rules suddenly change.
Oswald's eyes widen as a noise catches in his throat, that itchy, scratchy feeling at the back of his head earlier suddenly clicking into place as he makes a few wordless wobbles with his jaw, groping for thoughts and words.]
What?!
[He says is with such a lack of oxygen that it mostly comes out as a harsh whisper that almost loses the 't' entirely.
And then there are hands on his wrists making him whip his head from side to side in a renewed wave of panic though this time mainly from feeling utterly spun around. But the switchblade he'd borrowed from Ed upon his arrival remains tucked away somewhere far beneath his pillow.]
... Victor Zsasz?! But you-- You don't-- You're-- [He's still not even sure what he's trying to express really, the disbelief is intense but somehow he also can believe it and that means that if he wants to, like really wants to, this Victor Zsasz truly could render Oswald a bloodied pile only vaguely resembling a person in a matter of moments.
He swallows, making a slow attempt to slide his hands back into view rather than directly struggle against the grasp or risk reaching further back.]
I... am not going to do anything foolish, let me assure you of that.
no subject
Or at least they think they are. He really does have no intention of killing Oswald right now. ]
Good.
[ He lets go of Oswald's wrists; he trusts his reputation and, if he's honest, the more chaotic alternative of actually getting stabbed by this kid is exciting on it's own. He doesn't move back from his personal space though, not yet. ]
I'm not gonna kill you because that's Black Mask's call, not mine. You're just gonna have to keep on living.
[ With the hand that doesn't still have a knife handle in it, he claps Oswald on the cheek, and smiles. ]
Gotham's throne? Yeah, that's not yours.
[ With that he does move away, sitting back on his haunches, seemingly ready to get up off of Oswald and leave. He even closes his knife, the smug bastard. ]
no subject
You're a smart monkey, but you're a monkey. And I'm the zookeeper.
It's Don Maroni's voice that echoes briefly in Oswald's mind, along with his hand smacking against Oswald's bruised up face after Maroni bailed him out of the GCPD the very first time when Oswald's ambition over-extended too far. It feels like a lifetime ago and it's not a place he wants to revisit.
He lets his face move with Zsasz's hand, though he winces with a kind of deep-boned disgust at the gesture, his lip curling upward slightly and his eyes squeezing closed like he's got a whiff of something gut-turningly pungent. The jury is still out on whether that is worse than the licking, but they may both be equally bad, just different.
In his mind there's briefly a very satisfying image of him grabbing Ed's knife and thrusting it up into the soft flesh under Zsasz's throat and up into his mouth with a furious shrieking sound, but that image stays very much a mental one as he glowers darkly at the other man out the corner of his eye.
He recognises this for what it is though: a shot across the bow. The start of a cold war.
Oswald doesn't smile or sneer, he just looks quietly furious, eyes locked on Zsasz but not moving his head from the direction it has been turned as he sucks in a deep breath through pressed in teeth.]
The state of Gotham's throne would appear to be a moot point, given the circumstances. But in any case, we will see about that. Won't we?
no subject
He looks back down at Oswald with mildly surprised amusement, as if Oswald even having a come back is unexpected. ]
We won't, I'm just telling you how it is.
[ He's gotten the answers he needed, has plenty to think on, so he can just leave. See ya, waddles. ]