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
So when she turns on him pointing with intent, he's willing to take her anger. He wouldn't even have blamed her if she had been sharp with him. But it is easier when she agrees, when he can see the slight touch of a smile on her face. Until she calls him on wearing his uniform, and there's a slight touch of warmth to his face.]
Yeah, and a polo that Adam dubbed Tuscan Teal.
[He's wearing boat shoes. And Adam had absolutely been gently mocking Gansey's fashion choices, but he'd been a little charmed by it more than anything. It had been nice just to be able to talk without fighting. And now Blue's here and she's been this missing space in the group of boys, and it's been about a month since he saw her last. So he's glad to see her again, even if he wouldn't have wished this place on anyone.
Though, it also makes him almost wish he had the Pig here. Something solid enough to touch. And Gansey has always been irrepressibly fond of his car and its quirks.]
How long have you been here?
[Not long he was guessing, based on how angry she still was about it. Although, he figured she'd probably hold onto that for longer than he had.]
no subject
( she's known that this is bad from the moment she arrived in duplicity, but it's just getting so much worse. another one of them here, and blue holds the seeds of fury and resentment deep down. she's not going to let it out now, when she just told gansey she would calm down. she didn't use those words, but it still feels like a promise was made. she doesn't want to get him in trouble.
she won't forget, though. )
About...thirteen hours, I think. Did you get here at the same time?
( maybe he was more lucky, maybe he just arrived. maybe they're all moments away from waking up and this is just another long complicated step of their journey. maybe, maybe, maybe. she wants to take his hand, but something stops her. instead she drums her fingers over her knees and casts a sideways gaze at gansey. wonders if he knows just how much anger is being carefully cultivated in her heart. )
no subject
[Which is a nice way of saying that the others aren't.
Gansey understands some of the frustration, if he's honest, isn't surprised in the least that it makes her angry. His first impression of her had been as a girl very capable of divesting his spine from his body with her words alone. So seeing her all fire and fury, he was rather reminded of that initial sensation.
He doesn't think that any of them deserve this place or the way they force roles on them by virtue of the ink that runs down their throat. But there's something to it, too- as much as he is absolutely loathe to admit to it. He'd felt like Adam was slipping through his fingers back home, and here he isn't. Being somewhere that hands him control and acts like he deserves it- well, it's a good look for him. Maybe even something he needed. It means Gansey's words feel a little less like weapons; don't touch all the wrong nerves every time he tries to say something that matters.
And that makes it a little bit harder to hate everything, even if he wants to.]
No, I've been here for almost a month now. And it's been longer for the others. They're also- older than I am.
[He's honest with her because he knows it's what he wanted, and he hopes that maybe it'll make it a little bit easier on Blue. Settling in, finding a space in this strange, messed up place. He's still working on it himself, but the uncomfortable truth is that the rules here are designed to make him struggle in ways that they aren't for her.]
no subject
but gansey says the others are older, and something that hadn't yet occurred to blue suddenly looms. she scrutinises him closely, though she can't tell just from looking at him. how much older are the others? how much younger is he? he obviously knows her, but that could mean anything.
carefully, cautiously, blue clears her throat and asks a question she already knows that she doesn't want the answer to. )
How old are you?
no subject
[It's an easy answer, because he doesn't see any point in lying about it. He doesn't know enough of what comes after yet, doesn't grasp the worries and fears. He isn't sure that he wants to know either, if he's honest. Like he'd told Blue's mother, he was fairly content figuring it out on his own. So it's just this- the truth that he has, offered easy.]
It was just after we put Noah's body back on the ley line. Ronan and Adam have two years on me.
[Adam had wanted to know when he was from when they'd first talked, so he offers it to her without question. Because she's part of all of it. Glendower and Cabeswater, and Blue is important, even in a place as messy as this. His smile is small, because as much as he is glad to see her, Duplicity makes such things complicated. He tilts his head to the side as he looks over at her for a moment.]
How old are you?
no subject
which means nothing at all. )
Me too. Seventeen.
( she says it fast, before she can think about the ramifications of a lie like this, but even after it's done she doesn't regret it. even if he did want to ask blue wouldn't do anything, who does it help for him to know that she knows so much more? surely it's easier for everyone if he doesn't know that she's reached the end of their quest. if he doesn't know everything that happens in the middle.
the truth of it is that blue is being a coward, but she justifies herself all the same. )
Sucks that they're older, that's so weird. ( she laughs, it's on edge. she dares him to question her. she wonders how a gansey from a year ago would react to her touching her fingers against his, and does not take the risk of finding out. ) But– have you been okay here, has anyone hurt you?
no subject
But at least for the moment, he believes her.]
It's weird, but it's not all bad- they're still Adam and Ronan.
[He tries to make his words reassuring, that way that he tries so hard to take care of the people around him. Misinterpreting that edge in her laugh as something insecure or unsteady about the situation she's been left with. Although it's always easier when there are other people to worry about rather than his own anxieties.
For as much as he prizes honesty, he doesn't tell her about being tied up in the Galleria with Noah. Not about being stripped down to his underwear in public, or what Noah had saved him from. There was no easy way to talk about it frankly, and he hadn't been hurt- no one had touched him. From what he understood he'd gotten off easy. But it was still an uncomfortable thing, something that lingered under his skin when she asks if he's been okay.]
No, no one's hurt me. You have to be careful, especially as a Submissive, but I've managed to get by okay.
[It's not really a lie- not like hers- it's the closest to honest he really knows how to offer. He'd told Adam and regretted every instant of it, and it was a different thing to offer that vulnerability to Blue instead. So it's a smile with maybe a little more charm than he quite intends, a half-touch of wry laughter on his mouth.]
Worst thing so far has been a formal ball that was rather like the Prom I never wanted.
no subject
living with their secret relationship for months had been impossible at times, and the only thing that had made it bearable was the knowledge that someone else was on the other end of the phone who understood exactly how difficult it had been. now that secret is entirely her own, and blue doesn't need to be a psychic to know quite certainly that this is going to hurt. )
Good. Good, that's good.
( she knows it's a half-truth, but she also can't remember how well a blue fresh off their first adventure could read gansey. she isn't sure if she's allowed to know his catalogue of masks as intimately as she does, so for now she just nods and resolves to get the rest of the story later. it'll come eventually, that much she's sure of. )
I would love to see you all at prom. ( she says with a big exhale, needing to move onto safer topics before both of them end up entirely insane. ) What does a Raven Boy prom even look like?
no subject
All expensive suits and ridiculous dresses at some pointlessly lavish venue, of course. Here I didn't have any money, so I had to rent a suit by bartering three days working behind a register.
[Gansey had promptly decided never again. But he was hoping that his stumbling attempts at working through these things would provide her with at least a modicum of amusement. Something to focus on that wasn't the roles it put on people or the way that this place asked them to have sex with people; neatly asterisked with an or else in the footnote.
There's so much about this place that he doesn't want to talk about, the things he's still working through himself. So anything softer seems easy, even if it's at his own expense. This he can at least manage a slightly rueful smile about as he looks over at her.]
There were expensive fingerfoods and music I'm not convinced living people willingly listen to. The dancing was the only thing that made it worth it. [He laughs a little, humorless, because he's talking more about one of his parents' parties than prom, but in Duplicity the two seemed to be close enough.] But it wasn't that bad.
[Something sweet touches his expression, reflects in the edge of his voice. He thinks about dancing with Adam, the way the older teen's fingers slipped under his jacket and touched against the small of his back as they moved, and there's warmth to it before he catches it. But looking at her there's something uncertain and almost a little bit like guilt that flickers in his chest.
Gansey thinks she's seventeen and the same Blue that had told him about how she couldn't kiss her true love and followed that with Adam's name. Where he'd seen her holding hands with Adam in the back of a helicopter, that strange intimacy that slipped between the two of them. And here he's kissed Adam, even managed to stumble through some of the things he never thought he could say back home. Or at least, not without a fight, or making the worst sort of mess out of his intentions.
But he isn't the one she needs to talk to.]