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)
duplicitymemes2021-03-09 06:59 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2021-03-09 06:59 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #17
« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »
« « « ALL ON DISPLAY
» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «
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:
While others might find their own reaction to be a little more severe:
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!! |
no subject
( truth be told blue doesn't much know what she would have done, if it had been a guard, but thank the stars she doesn't have to find out, because )
it's noah.
the shout does in an instant and she stares at him for one eerily long minute. and then she grabs hold of him by the shoulders and shakes him. once, and then once again for good measure. )
What are you doing here. she hisses under her breath, as if they have any privacy now that she's been yelling at the top of her lungs.
she doesn't wait for an answer anyway, wrestling him down into a crushing hug and screwing her eyes up tight as she does. noah. here. it's either the worst thing that could have possibly happened, or the best. )
no subject
At least from the outside it looks something like discipline.
Then she's squeezing him and he manages to fold his arms around her, hug her back almost as tight, and presses his face against the top of her head.]
I'll tell you.
[He mumbles the words into her hair.]
We should go though.
no subject
anyway.
when she pulls away the scowl is very much back in place, even if it is a little softer, sadder. she touches his face very briefly, this tiny little brush and then she pulls her hands back. folds her arms over her chest, and nods her head in a direction. )
Is there somewhere we can go, when the train stops? We need to talk.
no subject
He reluctantly lets his arms drop when she pulls back and he begins edging down the aisle, toward the nearest door.]
Oh- yeah. I have an apartment. You probably do too. Same building.
no subject
( said with exactly the amount of venom that noah could probably expect, though it's only for long enough to spit the words out. she's not angry at noah, she doesn't want to be angry around him. blue follows him down the aisle, and she doesn't even breathe a word about the people kneeling on the dirty floor.
she doesn't say anything about it once they get out, either. she stays close to his side, close enough that her arm bumps his as they step off the train. she wants to bump it again, but the thought of him being suddenly less solid is too awful to consider. instead, she lets it happen accidentally. )
Can we go to yours?
no subject
[Noah casts a wary glance up at the sky as they cross the platform. Heavy gray clouds suggest rain in the very near future, which means it's probably best if they hurry. He picks up his pace, setting off on what he thinks is the quickest route.
He desperately wants to hold Blue's hand so, this time, he lets his pinky brush the side of hers when their arms swing close.]
I don't know if anyone else will be home, but...
[The gang's all there.]
no subject
What do you mean, everyone...
( there's nothing worse than having noah here in this city too, even if selfishly she's happy – except for the possibility that maybe there's more of them here, too. that's worse, that's definitely worse, and blue squeezes noah's finger tighter in hers as she starts walking faster. )
Noah, who's here?
no subject
All of us. Gansey... and Ronan and Adam.
[Kavinsky too, but the less said about him the better. He won't be at the apartment anyway.
Noah watches how Blue reacts to the news out of the corner of his eye anxiously as he continues.]
Gansey only got here like a month ago, but the rest of us have been here for... a while.
[And him the longest, at almost exactly two years now.]
Sorry, I know it's crazy.
no subject
( not that they're here — or well, yes that they're here, but not that she has them. there's just too much about this that is unfair, on the back of already being worked up from the earlier fight, and blue rather viciously thinks that she would punch every city official right in the nose right now if she could, and then some more besides that.
she wasn't raised to be violent, but sometimes a situation deserves it.
still, the anger doesn't serve anything, and she couldn't bear to even inadvertently take it out on noah, so she just nods a few times. she squeezes his fingers in hers again, a couple of pulses in quick succession, and then shrugs. looks over at him, wry smile on her face. )
It's okay. I wish you weren't all here, but...I'm glad you're with me. We're better together.
no subject
[He squeezes back once, for a little longer.]
It's... really good to see you again.
[Honestly, Noah didn't think he was ever going to, so a very small, selfish part of him is grateful for the opportunity. Even if it has to be here. Home isn't an option for him anymore, after all. He still would never in a million years have wished for Blue to be brought here, but he'll take what good he can from it.]
no subject
( she wonders if he knows. sometimes it was creepy when noah would supply the end of a sentence she had only begun to thought, but right now she wouldn't mind him plucking the thoughts directly from her head. she doesn't want to say them at all.
she winds their arms together too, hooking her elbow around his and clasping his arm with her other hand too. it's not that blue thinks her presence is tethering him here when he's clearly existed for so long without her, but now that she's got him it feels almost impossible to let go. )
I think I'd be...very upset, if you weren't here Noah. Don't tell anyone. ( even touched with sadness, her smile is still fond, adoring. genuine. it's the truth – she feels like she's always loved noah, she knows that she always will. even a nightmare city is more bearable with him in it. ) Now, your place. I want to see if you have a weird little room here too.
no subject
Blue's arm in his is fortifying on an emotional level as well as an energetic one and Noah presses his lips tightly shut - see, they're sealed - before letting them spread in a soft smile. He briefly tucks the stick for the string toy in his armpit so he can reach over with his other hand to affectionately fluff her hair.]
Oh, you bet. Even weirder maybe. I have stuff in it.
[Keepsakes and craft projects and more furniture than a sad always-made bed—though it remains unslept in. The apartments aren't far and it doesn't take long at their brisk pace to reach them. Conveniently, Noah's is on the first floor. He empties several glittery rubber balls out of his pockets before finding his key and letting them inside.]
no subject
blue prefers it immensely already. )
It's tidier than I thought it would be.
( no offence to the boys – who could all be very grown up and responsible in their own way – but she had somewhat expected to walk into absolute chaos. scooping up the glittery ball that had bounced in before her, she eyes it for a moment before closing her fist around it like it's some precious win. it's very noah, is what it is. )
Do I have to stay in these apartments, do you know? They feel like a hospital.
no subject
He doesn't see any telltale clusters of eyes but he clicks his tongue a couple times for her anyway and then sets the pole against the wall and joins Blue.]
Right? Creepy.
[The desk staff, the cameras...]
You can move out, but then there's rent to pay. We're only still here 'cause we've been saving.
[A downside of Blue being a Dominant hits him then—she won't be allowed to move in with them. That feels immensely unfair.]