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Duplicity Game Mods ([personal profile] duplicitymods) wrote in [community profile] duplicitymemes2021-03-09 06:59 pm
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TDM #17


« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « 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 clear plastic top and pants along with clear plastic boots 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 wet and rainy. Very, very rainy.




» » » ALL ABOARD




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.



« « « RAIN RAIN GO AWAY


(cw: aphro, dub-con, violence, marking)

Ice and chilly weather have begun to give way to rain instead, with overcast skies and dark clouds a seemingly constant sight. While the overabundance of rain is an annoyance and comes with the usual series of problems, such as leaky ceilings, mold growth, and gutters or storm drains overflowing, this time the rain carries with it another problem altogether. A weather advisory warning is broadcast to every device, as well as on news networks and radio. The rain, at least for a few days, is not ordinary rain. Whether you're in the Up or the Down, when the water hits clothing it eats away at it. The more water it absorbs, the more the material disintegrates until the wearer is left naked.

When the rain comes in contact with skin (or is ingested) the effects seem to differ depending on where you are in Duplicity. In the Up, it's relatively harmless and merely has an aphrodisiac effect, leaving individuals feeling hot and bothered, more sociable and touchy feely.

Those in the Down, however, are not so lucky. As the rain seeps through the soil from the Up, it ends up laced with toxins, causing a range of less pleasant side effects for anyone unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. Aside from the aphrodisiac, those who get caught in the rain may develop an uncomfortable, itchy rash, leaving them looking rather spotty for a few days. Those who can't resist scratching at themselves will find a newfound pleasure to the relief it brings and start to crave the feeling or sight of similar marks. In worst case scenarios, individuals will become addicted to marking themselves and others, perhaps even to the point of breaking skin.

Effects may last for several hours after exposure and will stack with repeated exposures. In all cases, getting off will bring temporary relief but will not alleviate the symptoms entirely.

Plastic coverings seem to be unaffected by the rain and, as word spreads, the Natives in Duplicity form a mad rush buying up umbrellas. Unless a character is lucky, they may find themselves unable to purchase - or even borrow - one. Theft of umbrellas becomes widespread in the Down, often escalating to violence, and even the Up isn't safe from thugs trying to steal and resell this suddenly hot commodity.

There's another side to all of this, however. Due to the shortage of umbrellas, it isn't uncommon to see Dom/Sub pairs sharing umbrellas together. If anything, it's encouraged as a means to strengthen their bond. Enterprising Subs and Doms alike may even sell their "services" to escort individuals who would otherwise end up soaked.



« « « SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME


(cw: substance abuse, altered states, coercion, fluids, physical body changes)


A new "holistic" pharma company named SQuIRT is opening up in Duplicity and is paying a pretty penny for people to trial run their new line of supplements. These supplements are supposed to increase a person's vitality and energy levels, but the side effects are what the company is really looking out for.

Some of the side effects aren't so bad and could include:
  • Prolonged erections
  • Lactation in both men and women
  • Size enlargement of breasts or genitals
  • Copious amounts of ejaculate or sexual fluids
  • Sudden interest in previously unexplored kinks

While others might find their own reaction to be a little more severe:
  • Shrinkage of breasts, genitals, or entire being
  • Inability to cum
  • Uncontrollable hair growth or hair loss
  • Temporary loss of one or more senses
  • Spontaneous weeping

Subjects must take the supplements for at least a week, otherwise they'll receive no compensation for their troubles. All new arrivals will find themselves automatically enrolled in these trials, whether they want to be or not, and expected to report to the clinic. Of course they don't have to take the supplements, but the payout is certainly enticing, especially for those unfortunate enough to be branded Submissives.



« « « STICKY FINGERS


(cw: violence)

Crime runs rampant in the Down as always but now, with the nastier side effects of the rain creating an ongoing problem, some unsavory types are sneaking their way into the Up where the effects aren't so hazardous.

The result is an uptick in crime in places that are usually considered safe. Be careful how you carry yourself - and your valuables. Those who look like easy pickings may find their pockets empty. Cameras in public areas are being vandalized as well, while homes and businesses are seeing a rise in graffiti. Most of the graffiti is merely obscene, but some is outright seditious. Good luck explaining the latter to the authorities if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

One of the smaller gangs that has a presence in the Down is taking particular advantage of the rain's disruption to expand their territory into the Up. Known as the Bulldogs, their members are young men and they have a reputation for violent muggings and assaults - mainly targeting Submissives. They loiter in groups near the train and the elevator between the Up and the Down to ambush the alone and unwary. At night, they also prey on those walking home from bars or clubs who may not fully have their wits about them.

In addition to beating up their victims for money, some of the Bulldogs are engaging in an informal competition over who can steal the most umbrellas - with bonus points awarded for whatever else they feel like. LIERs are worth double points by default, so watch out!



« « « 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:

Players can choose whether to assign their character as a Dominant or Submissive on this TDM for the Door Pass for March Applications only. For May's Application round, threads started here may be used as samples however they will not be eligible for a Door Pass in May. Characters will need to use a thread from May's TDM, using those Door Pass rules, for an application after the March round.

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!

THERE WILL BE NO APPLICATION ROUND IN APRIL

Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have a good time!!




» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «
high_warlock: (034)

[personal profile] high_warlock 2021-03-10 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
well I'm still ME thank you.

I think another month or two? I'd have to ask as I don't remember precisely. I know one or two from that time though.
compellingstatement: art by <user name=everchased site=tumblr.com> (annoyed | glare)

[personal profile] compellingstatement 2021-03-10 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm part of a research institution.
Knowing other similar organizations is sort of relevant to me.
It's the Magnus Institute.
At home.
That's the research organization I'm a part of.
We collect stories and artifacts related to the supernatural and provide primary and secondary literature resources to students in London and the broader European academic community.
scythe_lucifer: (look 011)

[personal profile] scythe_lucifer 2021-03-10 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
It's that bad. If you're lucky it's just vanilla aphros. If you're not, something else will happen.

The Dominant who owns the business can sign off on you working there too. That's how I got my job. Where I can hire people....
her_own_savior: (HH-RNM-064)

[personal profile] her_own_savior 2021-03-10 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Her instinct in this very precise moment is to shoot him back a flirtatious little smile. And so she does, not because she's thought it over and considered it proper but because she doesn't know what else to do.

She rests her hand on her upper chest, over the plastic covering, instinctively reaching for her necklace which is definitely not there and isn't even supposed to be there anymore.

"I hear, uh, timelines are a thing?" she says, trying to not think about how warm she feels. "Where are you in the grand scheme of things?"
sing_high: (hbNIwIC)

[personal profile] sing_high 2021-03-10 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Had Tyrell been in the city for more than a few hours, probably just a solid two days, he would have looked at Caleb as much more like a savior than anything else. But, even as it stands, the shifter has to give the younger man a skeptical look.

He's scared, is all. His faith in people is a bit bruised at the moment. But it's strong enough to recover shortly.

"No offense man, but how do I know you don't have some kind of sex dungeon you're literally going to chain me up in?"
scp073: (003)

[personal profile] scp073 2021-03-10 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ hm. not familiar, but that isn't necessarily a reason to just accept it at face value. ]

You'll pardon me for being cautious. There are groups and individual entities that have a very strong interest in obtaining items in the care of the agency I belong to, and being in another dimension is no true barrier to many of them.

I'd prefer not to share more over the network.
her_own_savior: (Default)

[personal profile] her_own_savior 2021-03-10 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Not yet, but at the rate we're going, I might start living there as of tonight.

A good friend bartends there. I trust his judgment.
her_own_savior: (HH-RNM-403)

[personal profile] her_own_savior 2021-03-10 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
She follows and she sits because some part of her cannot help but trust in those hazel eyes, but also because he's literally the only part of this world that's even approaching sane to her. Nothing about Michael or anything he's related to is... is easy or calm or understandable. But it's still all worthwhile and the only touchstone that she has.

She needs him, even if right now his words are scaring her a little.

She's getting real tired of feeling scared though. Give her a minute.

"Oh, God," she exhales, thinking of Liz and Alex, both submissives in this terrible place. Her hand tightens minutely around Michael's.

"So..." She frowns, trying to parse timelines. "So you were on a trip with Kyle and Alex... to Caulfield?" A twinge of sadness is plain in her eyes. "But you never made it?"
sing_high: (Default)

[personal profile] sing_high 2021-03-10 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
um the biggest one? I'm sure you've got a name for it that's not everest. come to think about it that sounds about as white as they come so yeah.
compellingstatement: art by <user name=everchased site=tumblr.com> (srs | contemplative)

[personal profile] compellingstatement 2021-03-10 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[That provides a convenient excuse to meet.]

Then you can come to the Foundation I run here to pick up your blanket.
And any other sheets you're requesting for information.


[He'll provide an address for an office building in the Up.]

Give me a day to make a purchase, then head there.
Ask for the Archivist at reception.
chrisisofaith: (1- What?)

JOHNNY

[personal profile] chrisisofaith 2021-03-10 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Chris wasn't always attentive of those around him, call it arrogance, but he simply wasn't the overly watchful type. He did notice, however, when a man seemed to stop suddenly in the walkway a head of him and then reach for Chris as he approached. Was he...blind? That seemed...

Cautiously, he reaches back and takes the man's hand, confusion and a bit of caution playing in his expression, though he's not sure it's seen, it might be heard in the lilt of his accented voice when he speaks.]


Yes? Are you alright? You seem...unfocused.
guylining: (s u n n y)

[personal profile] guylining 2021-03-10 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ooc: dude it's like you have a type or something idk ]

i mean when i say magic on stage, i'm talking about real magic
not stage magician stuff, not sleight of hand
real things. conjuring fire, casting illusions etc
so if that appeals, there'd be a stage for you!

& we could see about the charms, i've taught others

a sentinel is what he called it, yeah
it was a son of a bitch, walked right through my shields.
scp073: (012)

[personal profile] scp073 2021-03-10 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ strangely, the archivist choosing not to offer their name is almost comforting. as long as he's lived, the fact that he still finds himself adapting to things like the foundation's quirks is a little amusing to him at times. ]

I'll see you in the morning, then, Archivist. It's been an unusual pleasure.
angrycowboy: (s i d e e y e)

[personal profile] angrycowboy 2021-03-10 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
It's natural to him to hold her hand. Maria Deluca's eyes still do to him now exactly what they had when he left eight months ago. Time didn't diminish that at all. It's weird, seeing her here in this place. He'd never wanted to see her here, and yet he'd missed her. He'd missed what was starting to be between them, what he'd hoped might be between them.

And now she's acting closer to him than she ever has, and she's saying things that...

Things that hint at more understanding from her than he would've thought possible. His eyebrows come together and his head tilts.

"Yeah, to Caulfield," he says, carefully. "We made it. We were on our way back. How do you know that name?"

And if she knows that name, and has that kind of look when she says it, what else does she know?
her_own_savior: (HH-RNM-408)

[personal profile] her_own_savior 2021-03-10 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
On their way back. Which means he had seen his mother, though it also means that she's dead and there's nothing he can do to change that. Shaky as she is on this suddenly very real, not at all sci-fi version of timelines, Maria held some small hope that Michael could go back to Roswell and change what was to happen. But that's not how this works, it seems. After all, Max went back and Max couldn't change anything, either.

She looks up and around, because this is an awful place to be doing this, having this conversation. But they've just left a stop; they've got a little distance to go before the next. And even then, if they were off the train, she isn't about to leave him hanging for some undefined period of time.

She squeezes his hand.

"I know, Michael," she says, looking him in the eyes lest he interpret her any other way than the real way.

"I know all of it. And I know so much more, too. Because you're looking at me like I'm not a part of your secrets and I am.

Not because you told me, I might add," she says, a little testily. It stung for a long while, and she doesn't want Guerin thinking everything was sunshine and roses when she found out.

"But because Rosa Ortecho showed up in my fucking store room one night trying to steal booze and there was no where else to go after that but toward the truth."
thirteenth_day: (73)

rain rain go away

[personal profile] thirteenth_day 2021-03-10 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Normally, Wataru was also quite fond of the rain. The thought of sharing an umbrella and walking along was in fact a romantic one. A beautiful, simple thing to walk close with someone while the world seems to fall into a steady stream of silent rain. ]

Oh, of course! Your clothes are already in such a state...

[ The rain here was certainly different than in the Up, but Wataru often found himself in the Down for one reason or another. He pops open his umbrella, holding it just a bit ahead of them so that the other man can step out into it's protection first. ]
vexant: (VSsF62z)

julian keller ( marvel : 616 ) dominant

[personal profile] vexant 2021-03-10 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
ALL ABOARD
( there's no mark on his neck, but there is a deep scowl that twists his lips down, furrows his brows. arms cross over julian's chest but his hands--abruptly end, one more up his forearm and one down at the wrist. his hands still rest where they would if they weren't--metal prosthetics attached to nothing though. julian keeps his eyes focused out the window of the train, and when he sees something particularly outrageous outside of it, he opens his mouth.

loudly exclaims, )


What the hell is that supposed to be? Seriously.
RAIN RAIN
( julian likes to wander. to get a good feel of the entire place, rather than just stick to the nicer side he's been assigned to. which would have been fine, given no one seems to give a shit where he goes--except he wanders into the Down while it's raining, gets caught in it, and ends up in the elevator leading back to the Up covered in marks. from angry red lines where he'd been trying to scratch the itch away to
the rashes covering his arms. he hisses under his breath, shoves his back up against the wall to try and get rid of the itch there while scratching at his arms, neck, any visible surface not covered by fabric.

if one catches him after he gets out of the elevator, he's--wandering in the rain of the Up towards the dominant housing doing much of the same: running hands over his skin, using forearms to scratch at his neck, cursing under4 his breath while he tries to get the fuck to his place before this starts driving him nuts. )

NETWORK
un: HELLION

Any other mutants here?

heliophilous: (104)

GO AWAY

[personal profile] heliophilous 2021-03-10 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
( he's ashamed to say that he just watches her for a few moments before he does anything. it always rocks him to see her but seeing her like that, half naked and wet, he can't help but be shocked into speechlessness.

his own shirt is starting to be eaten away with standing in the rain and he can feel the subtlest hint of an itch at his shoulders and neck. he's been inside, tucked away, brooding so he's not in as dire straights as she is.

yet.

when his brain finally kicks on, he starts to cross towards her, still frowning and trying to hang onto the tatters of his shirt as it's eaten away more and more.

when he's close enough to her, his shirt's a thing of the past but he doesn't try and cover himself up. )


Jesus, Lorna. ( the itching on his skin grows a little more prominent now and he reaches up to swipe at his shoulders and biceps while he looks at her. it's not like he hasn't seen her look like this before, naked and wanting.

it's just...been awhile. he swallows. )


We should...get off the street. ( his voice is distracted, a little unfocused due to the sight of her and the way his own skin seems to start burning every time he scratches at his shoulder. )
reorienting: (and gently)

[personal profile] reorienting 2021-03-10 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[This is perhaps an odd situation, Glenn manages to think, but ultimately, it isn't the worst. However, instead of not moving, the moment Cain's assault of the first of the back-up registers, he's shoving his way in. He sees another gearing up to hit Cain, though what he sees is only a fraction of the speed of his usual altered vision.

[Glenn miscalculates with his kick; it's too gentle when it lands with one of the brute's chest. He's fought for so long with incredibly heightened strength that, he realizes just as his attack is retaliated against that he's made aware of how much his strength has really dwindled here. The blow to his cheek has his head snapping to the side as pain registers.

[Glenn quickly passes the umbrella to a fleshy, tentacle coil that he manifests from the skin under his shirt sleeve. One of them shrieks to see the weird thing that, rightly, looks like it came out of a porno.

[With both hands free now, it's a swift matter for him to realize that he can fight how he used to, before everything back then. Back when it wasn't as easy to kill someone by breathing on them, or touching them slightly too hard. He drives his knee into their stomach, and follows it, unabashedly, with a headbutt. He catches a glimpse of a broken nose as one of the gang members staggers. A flash of red blood lands on the ground among the rain. The throbbing in his own forehead barely registers, in as far as the adrenaline has him captive.

[Honestly, it doesn't feel that bad. Fighting, that is.]
patientman: (Default)

[personal profile] patientman 2021-03-10 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Bashir is mostly in his own, little world as he steps onto the train, but when he hears that voice, his gaze snaps up. A little different, but when you've traveled back in time and heard Captain James T Kirk, it's not a voice you forget.

The submissive in question looks at Jim and politely declines as as Bashir walks over and looks the man over. "...Captain?"

Akira | Togainu no Chi | Dominant

[personal profile] curriculumachine 2021-03-10 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
| gen or smut is fine, he's 24, prefers men, but ota
| obligatory nitro+chiral opt-out for multiple content warnings, 1 and 7 do not apply for chosen canon point (motomi route end)



i. all on display

[An air of irritation still lingers after he'd been given basic information and subjected to that... examination. The entire set up of this system or program or whatever is illogical. He's sure they'll find absolutely no humans or other 'intelligent' creatures that don't do everything for their own gain, that won't fuck over someone else if they had to. It's what people do. There isn't a gene or some root cause that can be isolated. Akira doesn't believe a word of their bullshit, but he's not going to say anything about it. Because he's lucked out here, minus the transparent plastic clothing, and he's not above classifying himself as one of those humans who will do whatever's best for himself above all else right now.

The limo ride is uneventful, as Akira doesn't pay attention to anything visible out the windows, nor does he look around the car itself. It doesn't matter, so it's not given any consideration. Once inside the towering apartment building, his attitude doesn't change. He goes directly to the floor and apartment he'd been 'assigned'. There's only one other door in the hallway, and he makes the mistake of looking over when it opens. To stave off conversation and greetings, whoever exits is met with a glare while he unlocks his own door, as if his new neighbour is personally responsible for his experiences earlier and the situation as a whole.]



ii. all aboard

[Much like in the limo, Akira is irritated on the train. He's blocked out the tour guide's babbling almost immediately, and is getting nothing out of this. He won't remember the names of any shops or public buildings or streets, and he doesn't care to. The sound of rain against the outside of the train is steady and relentless, and there's too many people. His personal space is being encroached on as the person next to him keeps inching closer, whether involuntarily or not, he doesn't know and he's not going to ask or mention it at all. He just shifts closer to the window every time, so nothing actually touches him. The space between him and the window is incrementally shrinking, though, and physical contact may be inevitable.

People are chattering behind him, pointing out entertainment venues like excitable children at times, or voicing their disgust at things they see out on the streets. It's all unwanted noise and grates on him. What annoys Akira the most is the Submissives who kneel, or wear collars, or are otherwise blatantly subservient. It brings back things he'd rather not think about, people and places he'd rather not think about, and that he had mostly been able to forget for the last few years. When one pair boards and there's a leash, he growls quietly.]



iii. rain rain go away
(cw: aphro)

[He'd been dismissive of the plastic clothing earlier, but it's quickly become useful. At least he's obtained something to wear under it after getting his things back from the... doctors or whoever they were. He didn't retain all the details, whatever. Akira hasn't done much since arriving, reluctant to actively participate in this society until pressed. He's currently wandering around in the rain, walking the streets and trying not to think about the L.I.E.S. program and their quota nonsense. He has a month to figure out how to avoid it or deal with it and fuck three people, but he's not interested in the latter at present.

Yet... every time someone nearly naked walks past, their clothes disintegrating, Akira has urges and it's almost gotten to the point he can't ignore it. They don't even have to be naked if he's being honest with himself. He's taken to averting his eyes quickly and his casual strolling has become slow loitering. He hasn't figured out the rain has other effects besides clothes-melting, and it's continually been dripping onto his hands. He leans against the side of a building, making an irritated noise and uncomfortably squirming, trying to think about things that will quell his growing erection before he continues on his way, but no amount of disturbing imagery he can conjure up does it, and he's seen some very bad shit.]


What the fuck...

[It's muttered to himself in a flat monotone and he's not exactly looking for an answer to that question.]


iv. supplemental income

[Initially suspicious of the drug trial, he'd given in because it was an easy way to obtain money and Akira isn't inclined to go looking for a job like he plans to have an actual life in this place. Not yet. Nothing happened in the first two days of taking the supplements; nothing he'd noticed anyway. He hasn't connected his current state to the drugs either, despite reading half-skimming the side effects list, and the confusion over why he's experiencing this makes him more... upset? Sort of? Some feeling he doesn't recognize.

He's standing frozen in the lobby of the high rise, staring at the liquid on his fingers like it's a foreign substance. Because it is. It's warm and feels slightly different than rain, more... viscous? Maybe he's imagining it. A tiny noise escapes him, a soft... mewling, for all that he can describe it. His vision is obscured again, hand blurring in front of him until he blinks and more warm tears escape, running over his cheeks in rivulets.

Akira has never cried in his life, and until this moment, he thought himself incapable of it. He had thought that once about smiling too, that the feelings which produced those things were out of his grasp. It's very distressing and almost paralyzing; the tears won't stop and he's internally freaking the fuck out.]



v. wildcard
anything goes - prompts i didn't use, designation switch, random train stop locations, etc;
i'll roll with it! pm for contact
angrycowboy: (p r o t e c t i o n)

[personal profile] angrycowboy 2021-03-10 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
She knows.

For him it's like the train disappears. Nothing else is really important. He's watching her intensely, and then she says Rosa's name, and he rolls his eyes and looks away. Of course, they were never going to keep that genie in the bottle. Max was an idiot to do what he did.

But he'd also saved that girl's life. Michael places value on that, it's just that in so doing, Max had risked himself, and by extension, all of them.

He lifts his head, turning back to Maria.

"I'm sorry," he says, with a shake of his head. "It's not that we didn't want to. I lived my whole life with that secret, Deluca. We swore we wouldn't tell anyone, and that just...got away from us this last year."

That's not true. It didn't get away from them; Max spilled it, because he was in love. Once the beast was out of the cage, it wouldn't go back in. They all should've known that.

"So you know." He looks at her, and despite everything, it's like there's a weight off. He takes a breath. "Max told me about Rosa. About dying, about how we saved him. For what it's worth, I'm glad you know. I wish it had been me who told you. It should've been."
her_own_savior: (HH-RNM-408)

[personal profile] her_own_savior 2021-03-10 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
She nods as he speaks, little bobs of her head, though the quality of her gaze, the firmness and certainty of it, does not waiver.

"I get why you kept it secret," she says. "But you're right. You should have told me. Or Liz should have. I was owed that much."

Her lips part as she nearly spills what else she knows, but the train comes to a halt and she's already made a decision. She's on her feet and still holding his hand, hasn't let it go in all this time, and she's tugging him to his feet.

"I don't want to have the rest of this talk here," she says. "Come on. Back to mine? Or yours. I don't care. I just... I need some quiet."

Some privacy. Some normalcy. Some chance to let it just be her and Guerin and nothing else for a little while. If she can't have that, she'll survive, but that's what she prefers.
guylining: (l i s t e n i n g)

all aboad

[personal profile] guylining 2021-03-10 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Nate isn't paying a lot of attention to who else is here; he's distracted, and focused on the phone in his hand. The question gets his attention, though, and he glances outside to see what the guy's looking at. ]

Oh. I think they're figging.

[ The train moves fast, it's hard to tell. He leans back with a shrug. ]

Could be a punishment, could be someone's kink. Sometimes it's better not to ask.

[ Then his eyes settle on Julian, and he frowns just a little. ]

Are those...? [ What is he even looking at here. ] Do they move?
vexant: (4qt2cdg)

[personal profile] vexant 2021-03-10 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
( does he look like he knows what the fuck figging is. julian's a moment away from asking what that is when nate opens his mouth and asks the stupidest question he's ever heard. )

They're hands, and of course they move.

( maybe not on their own, but he does move to raise the left one without uncrossing his arms, curls the fingers in before straightening them out with it's palm up, fingers extended towards nate. )

Don't be an ass.