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duplicitymemes2021-01-10 07:56 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2021-01-10 07:56 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #16
« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »
» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «
« « « ALL ON DISPLAY
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 high rise. 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 rather cold and icy. |
» » » WALKING TOUR
 The cold, icy winter weather has seen to it that there is an unfortunate interruption with the usual city tour for the newest arrivals to Duplicity. Some of the train tracks have a dangerous amount of ice coating them and sections of travel are now unavailable via train. City officials still believe that the tours are important to integrate new LIERs to Duplicity so they have organised personal walking tours held by current LIERs. New arrivals will be paired with their own tour guide; they can take the suggested path or take their barely dressed charge on a more ad-hoc tour. It might be considerate to let them change into something warmer first! Important landmarks and checkpoints like Fiddler’s Square, North Park, The Up and Down Courts, the People Zoo and of course S.L.U.T. need to be marked off on the tours but there have also been fun local stores which have set-ups for free samples and information booklets. What order and how people travel to them is up to them. |
« « « GALLERIA OF SEX
 (CW: exhibitionism, voyeurism, dub/non-con)One of the stops along these new walking tours is a temporary educational art installation that has been set up to display and talk about the rich variety of kinks that are popular in Duplicity. Newcomers are invited to come inside the building, sit on the human furniture to watch and learn or volunteer to participate themselves. Each section has local LIERs and graduated citizens there to help walk those new to the program through the displays, explaining the appeal and draw of each kink. Live demonstrations or performance art are carried out by LIERs who have volunteered, been conscripted or are fulfilling a sentence that would normally land them in the People Zoo. They can and will ask anyone and everyone to step up and be part of the artwork themselves. Some of the displays set up will feature:
We encourage players not to limit themselves in regards to what is on display. There are many more kinks than the ones listed, and Duplicity considers all kinds of sexual acts a form of art. Photo taking is encouraged throughout the exhibition, especially when your own participation is concerned. If you missed the chance to do so, in the moment, you need not worry as the gift shop at the end of the gallery will have many different prints taken over the course of the exhibition available for purchase. Take home a keepsake of your first day in Duplicity. |
« « « ICE TO SEE YOU
 (CW: exhibitionism)Winter does make it harder in Duplicity to enjoy all the pleasures of the flesh that could be on offer in the warmer months. Most who live in the city still need to wrap up with many layers when the weather turns so chilly. But that’s not saying that the city can’t find ways to help keep its residents in the mood. It will first be noticeable to those trying their hand at streaming or posting video footage onto the network. Regardless of a character's state of dress while recording, they will appear completely naked to those watching and no amount of covering up with more articles of material will change that. Others might see it as they set about on their first days getting used to the city’s layout, glancing into a shop window they will notice their own state of undress in their reflection. You might even see it in a particularly shiny bit of ice but no matter where you look, all reflective surfaces will show everyone in their birthday suits, naked as the day they were born. |
« « « BLADES OF GLORY
 (CW: exhibitionism, dubcon, drugging) In a bid to encourage individuals to get out and keep active despite the chilly weather, the city has transformed one of the large tennis courts in the Up into a makeshift outdoor skating rink. In the recreation building attached to the courts-turned-rink the change rooms have been outfitted for people to change into more appropriate clothing. There is also at the front of the building an area to rent skates. Many who get on the ice see no reason to keep apart, as many contracted couples can be seen holding hands or chasing each other as they skate. In the change rooms it isn’t uncommon to see a bit of hanky panky or people getting off at helping others in and out of their skates. There also seems to be a small hot chocolate stand set up inside the building where characters can buy a warm drink to sip on while taking a break from skating. The drink may leave those that consume it feeling especially warm and frisky, with perhaps a bit of extra energy they need to burn off - skating might not cut it. |
« « « MOD & OOC NOTES
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: If your character would rather have a dog for a pet they are Dominant. If they would rather have a cat for a pet they are Submissive. If your character is from a canon that has neither, pick the choice you believe they would prefer more. To Note: Characters can only swap their designation for one of the following reasons: an event occurs that allows it or there are OOC reasons that make it a necessity. Any swap always requires mod approval and each character can only ever switch once. Characters that are being reapped will keep their previous designation but players can choose to use new tdms with different designations for fun! Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have a good time!! |
no subject
Have they talked about it any of it? About the quota and expectations? [He swallows hard.] They may drug you anyway. They do it a lot. Locked rooms and aphrodisiacs'. But they'll send you to the people zoo, or drug you so that you... you can't help yourself. For days. Just...
[Come to me. The words go through his head but he can't bring himself to say them. Why would Gansey need him for that? Gansey who is beautiful and open and personable. Gansey who everyone loves. Why would he need Adam for that?
He sighs at that, focusing on his life more as he nods.]
I don't think he'd do anything, and it works for him and Ronan. I just... I worry. But we're good here, and we're working it out.
[With what he knew that Kavinsky had done to Ronan, it's hard for him, but Gansey apparently doesn't know about that. Who knew. Maybe that would work for Gansey too. His choices, after all.
So he focuses on that and what makes sense.]
Anything you ask me about, I'll tell you. I can help you with this place. You get the hang of it, it's manageable. There's things you're gonna love, Gansey. I can't wait to take you to the theatre, to the Sanctuary.
[All of the magic and the mysticism. It's all amazing.
He doesn't even think about how he doesn't work to school his accent, even in public, used to talking with his natural accent rather than his affected one.]
no subject
Uh- no. Not really. [There's a touch of a flush against his cheekbones, the way he pointedly doesn't look at the older boy, his adam's apple bobbing obvious in his throat as he swallows dryly. There is clear distress in the set of his shoulders, in the way his fingers twitch, but he tries not to acknowledge it.]
Can you just-- say that again, but explain it this time?
[He almost winces a little, but he wants information when it comes to things that upset him more, not less. But when Adam says that you get the hang of it, it's manageable he can't quite help the hollow sort of laugh that slips from his mouth, even if he wants to. It's been a long day with an endless number of pressures and indignities that still have shame burning in his veins. He stops walking for a moment, his jaw tight and his breathing coming far too fast.]
How do you say that? How do you talk about being drugged for days and locked in a room and sent to a place called the people zoo and talk like that's okay?
[His hazel eyes are as sharp as the tone of his words, but it's not really Adam he's upset with. It's this place, it's the idea that this place could do those sort of things to him, to Adam of all people. There's a terror in the things Adam implies without saying, and in this place Gansey is powerless and helpless and he doesn't mean anything.
He manages to catch himself, to more-or-less even out his breathing, to force a thin, brittle sort of smile as he shakes his head. The last thing he wants is to pick a fight here, to watch Adam's eyes turn stormy, and his expression tight, watch him walk away.
Not here; he doesn't think he could take it.]
Sorry. I'm sorry. It's just-- I don't know how you stand it.
no subject
Even when his tone changes and there's that part of Adam that could just let the fight happen. It would be easier than wanting to somehow become Gansey's protector. As if he needs that. Even if his very first thought was to tell Gansey he'd contract with him, settle it right then and there. It's not his place though. No matter the position this city put him in. Not unless it was wanted.
So easy to let the fight happen and leave him to orientation doing this. Except he sees the signs of the panic attacks, the anxiety that troubled Gansey. He sighs, taking him by the shoulder and steering him away from the sidewalk, pushing him gently toward a low wall. He moves to sit down, hoping Gansey will follow.]
Okay, first I need you to breathe. You're going to be okay, Gansey. You're right though. It shouldn't be easy to say but mostly I've only known it second hand. I've heard about it. It's never happened to me here. Not really.
[Sure he knew he had been likely dosed the night he slept with Persephone but he'd been into her before that and he couldn't be sure. It's not been a bad experience like he's heard of from others.]
But I don't want it to happen to me, and I don't want it to happen to you. I stand it because I have to, Gansey. For myself. For Ronan and Noah. What choice is there?
[Which is what it comes down to, though he doesn't get into the rest until he's sure Gansey is calm.]
It's not okay. It's awful. But its where we are, and it's ... When you've spent your life doing whatever you have to so you survive? You learn to keep surviving, Gansey and no matter what? I need you to learn to survive.
[Gansey's never had to before. Not like this. It's his learning curve now and Adam is going to make sure he catches on quick.]
no subject
It's a little reassuring to know that it's not something he knows from experience. And maybe that's awful and selfish, but it's easier to try and make sense of these things when he doesn't have it eating at him with the thought of those awful things happening to Adam, the people he cares for.]
I don't want it to happen to me, either. Or you. Or Noah or Ronan. [The fact that he doesn't think those things should happen to anyone goes without saying. But Gansey's priorities here were always going to be clear-cut in that desire to protect his friends.
He calms slowly, but he does. His breath evening out, a bit of the tension easing from his shoulders. For the moment he's mostly just grateful that they're not fighting, so the way that Adam sees through him is a strange discomfort more than anything he has the chance to fixate on. Once he can breathe evenly the fact that he acknowledges that it's not okay is almost reassuring. Makes him feel a little less like he's losing himself in the scant hours that he's been here.
I need you to learn to survive, and he doesn't point out that he doesn't know how. That's not the point. The point is that he needs to figure it out. He nods, just a small gesture, but it's agreement, at least for the moment. That he'll try, do what he can, because the last thing he wants is for Adam to feel like he needs to take care of him. No matter how clear it is that he's out of his element here.]
I suppose you should tell me about it. Where do I start?
no subject
Done for them because of things he's learned from Gansey.]
As far as I know it hasn't to any of us. I can't say we haven't maybe been drugged, but I know everything I've done I would have done no matter what.
[He pauses, thinking on that before nodding. Rev and the first knots, he would have done. He's glad for the time with Francis. He would have.]
In the end, if you learn how to handle things and what to be wary of, most of the time you can avoid the bad things and only focus on what's good and what you want. We'll help you. I'll help you.
Just like you helped me.
[It's a reversal he's never imagined but one he hopes he can use to help Gansey.]
The two biggest things are watching how you behave in public. Especially until you're contracted. Which sucks, trust me but you can control that too, Gansey. I'll show you the ones I have for Ronan and Noah. I tried to do all I could to give them the most freedom I could and to offer the protect I could.
[He's tried. So hard. As much as he could manage.]
Second though is... somehow they know everything you do and don't do. And by everything I mean sex.
[Adam quickly turns a deep red color. It is literally visible as it moves over his skin as he turns his gaze, not quite looking at Gansey and rather at the ground.]
You have to have sex three times a month. Well, I guess, get off.
[He'd rather talk about the rest than this.]
I mean, for you, that shouldn't be hard I don't think.
no subject
The way that Adam had called it manageable makes a bit more sense as he talks about being able to avoid the bad things. It doesn't make the city any less horrifying, but it does make it so that he at least understands what he meant, what it was that he'd been trying to say. And his mouth curves with a hint of a smile as Adam says that he'd helped him. He doesn't push at it, but it's the sort of thing he needed to hear in the moment, the reminder that he could.
He listens and nods, does his best to understand-- right up to the point that he's confronted with Adam blushing, not looking at him as he tells him he has to have sex three times a month. Gansey flushes, his gaze shifting, trying to avoid Adam's eyes as much as the older boy tried to avoid his.]
Yeah. I'm sure it'll be fine.
[It's a lie, through his teeth, because the last thing that he knows how to do in that moment is talk to Adam Parrish about the fact that he's never done that before. That between Glendower and the things that kept him up at night, he was still a virgin. Gansey could be good at lying, when he needed to, knew how to twist charm into just the right sort of deception. Just not with Adam.
He's mostly just hoping that he's not looking, that he wants to see that truth as little as Gansey wants to tell him.
He wants to just ignore it. He can worry about it whenever they try to criticize him for not having enough sex or however it is that works. But the discomfort of it tenses his shoulders, because he knows it's not that simple, that if they're half as bad as Adam seems to imply the punishments will be even worse than he thinks.
He's not even against sex, at least not in theory. Not as something he thinks about sometimes, more often than he'd like to admit to. Something he'd do with someone he cared about. But the idea of it being demanded like that is infuriating and it guts him.]
no subject
It's more than he thinks he can think about. Not when he's having to face so much else. Like keeping Gansey safe in a way that Adam can now. Though why he thinks Gansey needs him in this moment he isn't sure, but he wants to be there for him.
He doesn't see Gansey's face but those words leave him worried. Not that it would be fine, but he's sure it would be fine. Something about that left him worrying for his friend as he turns his head, looking at Gansey curiously.]
It will be, okay? Just don't let anyone force you into anything you don't want to do, okay? Just because they're not marked doesn't mean you have to do what they say.
Kinda with guards, but not about sex. Okay?
[God, he hasn't even thought about that but he hates it. Noah had been contracted to himself when Adam didn't remember being here, then Jester had been there for him, and now back with Adam. Ronan had mostly been hanging out with Kavinsky and while Adam was always surprised he hadn't contracted with the other dreamer, he had trusted him to abuse his power as much as he needed to for Ronan.
Now there was Gansey and Adam didn't want to assume he might even want to contract with Adam, but he hurt to try and be able to do something for him.
He pauses before adding, softly.]
I mean... you have, right?
[Except at that age, Adam hadn't. Ronan hadn't. Why is he assuming Gansey has?]
no subject
That touch of color as he says that he might have to listen to the guards, but not about sex. But that's a good thing, at least. There's something about it that even if it's not exactly reassuring- at least knowing that it's not as bad as it could be. Of course, Gansey doesn't have a contract yet, or anyone else to keep an eye on him, so there's a limited amount of degree of safety to it, even if he isn't aware of that just yet.
And then there's that question. And Gansey meets Adam's eyes then. Because it's easier than saying it outloud, or worse- saying nothing and letting him hear it anyway. So he meets his eyes and lets Adam read it on his face. In the set of his eyes, the way that his lashes shift. Never.
He doesn't quite know why Adam assumes he had, but also he does. Because it's easy enough to make the assumption, he guesses, even if Monmouth wasn't the sort of place you lived if you were concerned about hosting guests, no matter how Declan liked to use the boys in the setup of his conquests. Gansey liked people, and he was good enough at playing the side of him people liked to see. And maybe it's easier in this place. To not have to contend with just how unequipped Gansey is for all of this.
He looks down after a moment, lifts his chin as he looks off to the side. He doesn't want his pity.]
no subject
Though do any of them belong in this place at all?
He just wants to do what he can to reassure Gansey and try and keep him safe. It's an odd turn of events, he can admit. Or at least show to Gansey. Just hoping to show Gansey it's going to be okay.
Except he's staring in his friend's eyes, realizing that he's been dropped in this city of sex and he's a virgin.
Well.]
Okay then. Well.
[So Blue was likely his first and she's the one he's likely wanting it to be but she's not here.]
I mean, none of my business or anything but there will be times you can't control yourself. Drugs and things. You might want to find someone, I mean... So it's on your terms.
[He wants to offer, but he's not sure Gansey would say yes and being turned down like that would hurt more than he has words for. He doesn't even want to think about it.]
no subject
There's a traitorous part of him that almost wants to ask Adam. But he says that it's none of his business, and the tone of the moment isn't interest, but a distant sort of concern, and he shakes it off. He doesn't think he could stand having Adam turn him down, or worse- touching him like that, without meaning it.
But he heaves a sigh with a slight shake of his head.]
I'll take it under advisement. I'll figure something out. Or maybe just avoid getting drugged. But, you said you had a place here?
[He looks at Adam as he starts to get back to his feet. And even if the things he knows bother him, it's still information, something he can work with. It makes him feel a little less out of control. But it's an invitation to lead the way, partly because he wants to get off the streets for a minute and also... well, he wants to see what it's like. What Adam's made for himself while he's here.]
no subject
He just couldn't stand that right now, and he knows it.
He winces at Gansey's words though, worrying on that figure things out.]
Gansey, please...
[He stops, making a face and knowing that he's risking saying something entirely infuriating and starting one of those infamous fights of theirs.
He nods instead, moving to get on his feet and dusting off his butt and then giving a jerk of his head.]
Yep, come on. It's not far from here, actually. It's in the Up tower which is this massive thing. You'll be assigned t... well you found it since you have your clothes. I mean, don't think you got that shirt here.
[He can't help but tease him though.]
no subject
But he says Gansey, please, like he's going to try and push him to talk about it, and it feels like a fight. Because Gansey isn't sure that he can, that he has the words to handle this. And he'll say something, or Adam will- But Adam lets it go there, and he doesn't have to try and navigate it, which he's immensely thankful for right now.
Instead Adam gets to his feet and dusts himself off, a jerk of his head. Gansey takes a moment to do the same to his chinos, and then he's following after the other boy. He takes his teasing with a warm sort of smile-
This is easier, familiar, and he shakes his head with good humor. This place seems to suffer when it comes to fashion attire that doesn't belong behind closed doors, but he's trying to avoid anything that hints at the subject of sex right now so he refrains from pointing that out.]
Are you disparaging my polo, Parrish? No one appreciates aquamarine. But yes, I found my apartment. It's- serviceable.
[He barely manages to hide a grimace.]
no subject
Here he practices magic so freely and now he's worried to talk about it because it's still such a sore spot between them, and that is his fault and his doing. He knows that but it doesn't matter when it's about them facing this together. Again.
And Adam knowing all he does now.
But the things to face now is helping Gansey to adjust to this place and to do all he can for him.
His head cants, frowning slightly as he stares at Gansey's chest.]
Is that aquamarine? I would have said it was Tucson Teal. [He totally makes up that name. Don't tell him if it's real, Gansey.
He snorts though at that.]
Serviceable is a word. Come on. We'll start with getting you the journal and we'll go from there and work things out for you as best I can.
no subject
[The expression on his face is vague amusement; he could be playing along or being serious- it's hard to tell. Honestly, he's just happy to be able to have this. The way that they can joke about the color of his shirt, and the stupid names of fashion colors. The fact that Gansey likes his shirts in shades like Aquamarine and Sunset and French Lavender.
He'd ached for a way to fix the gap between them, to be able to find a way to undo the friction they were left with. He hadn't thought the answer would be something like this. With years uneven between them, and a strange world that seems obsessed with sexual deviance.
But he'll take it either way.
The fact that even Adam seems to not think much of the accommodations they provide for Submissives is something of a relief. Good to know that it's not just another case of Gansey being careless about money. Or another moment where he doesn't quite understand how normal people live. They really are as awful as he thinks they are.
But it's easy to smile and follow after Adam, letting him lead the way to his apartment. Especially with the offer of getting his journal back, which he somehow misses worse than when he'd left it at Nino's.]
Yeah. Sounds like a place to start.
[Which is really what he needs at this point, a way to get his feet under him, or something close to it, at least.]
no subject
Do you really... nevermind, nope, don't tell me that you really know that. Nope.
[There's a look on his face though, one that most might not recognize that but, in truth, those that know him as well as Gansey does would know that was a smile in that slight twist of his lips.
He starts heading for the tower that can be seen along the skyline.]
If you want, you can crash at our place from time to time. You can't do it too often or we might get you in trouble. I don't want to do that. The citations... [He shakes his head, looking a bit more ashen than usual.] I don't want them forcing you to be up for public use or something.
[Or himself as well.]