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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!! |
Akira | Togainu no Chi | Dominant
| 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
readinghalf-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
rain rain go away
Normally he'd just keep walking if he was back home because he wasn't an idiot, but the city was different. He didn't trust anything he saw, but he felt compelled to be a little more . . . open. A little. Umeda paused a few feet away, watching the man mutter to himself. If he was home, he'd have walked a little faster and maybe called the health department.]
Did you lock yourself out or do you just like being wet?
no subject
I'm not.
[Wet. Or, not terribly so. He's considering the raincoat-like thing just as good as an umbrella, which it isn't.]
Clean your glasses.
no subject
Ok fine. So if you're not locked out and you're not obsessed with the rain, why are you out in it? If you're not wet now, you will be soon.
no subject
I'm just... walking.
[In the rain. Because he doesn't want to stay in that apartment and think about things.]
Is that okay with you?
[He intended to say it with more venom, but it comes out distracted as he shifts uncomfortably again.]
no subject
[His tone was dry by not cruel. Umeda didn't dislike the guy, he didn't know him. But he wasn't usually anything but prickly at the best of times. He was also vaguely worried about the guy. He was a little flushed and still squirming. As a doctor, that was concerning. He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what was going on.]
You have a name?
no subject
... Akira.
[He doesn't ask for a name in return, nor offer any pleasantries.]
no subject
Umeda. Why are you down here and not in your nice room Akira? You're not marked so there's no reason you have to suffer.
[He didn't understand all the nuances or rules yet, but Umeda did get that not having that mark meant you could be in the nicer parts of town without getting hassled. So what was Akira doing loitering outside in the rain?]
no subject
And there's no reason... I can't take a walk. You're out here too.
no subject
Umeda was a school doctor and part of his specialized training was in the psychology of minors as well as taking some of the classes therapists took. He had to be capable of dealing with kids in just about any situation after all, so it gave him some extra insight sometimes. It might work with Akira, given time.]
No, there's not. It's just not what most people would likely do. And yeah, I'm casing the joint. Meeting and greeting. Looking to hook up.
[He was still an ass though.]
no subject
Nh...
[He has nothing to say to that statement and intends to wait until Umeda leaves, then walk in the opposite direction.]
no subject
That's not really much to work with Akira. You didn't even crack a joke at my expense.
[He took another step closer, though still far outside a normal person's personal bubble, smile dimming a little. Akira wasn't playing with him, wasn't engaging at all really, and that bothered the hell out of him. Umeda couldn't just leave a wounded puppy out in the rain, no matter how much he disliked picking up strays. It seemed to be a habit. He sighed and straightened under his umbrella, decision made.]
Come on. I'll buy you a drink someplace.
no subject
... Okay.
[There isn't much hesitation, and he could use a drink. Especially one he doesn't have to pay for. He can ditch this guy later.]
no subject
[He saw the way the guy watched him move. Whatever Akira's problem was, it was deep. Very very deep. And probably seriously traumatic. But that was something he really didn't want to get into at the moment. Or ever. The last thing Umeda wanted to do was play therapist to a total stranger.
Umeda started walking, expecting the man to follow.]
What's your poison Akira?
no subject
[He follows behind, not really keeping up because he doesn't want to get into more conversation than necessary or share personal space. He mainly watches his shoes splash in on wet sidewalk, occasionally looking up to make sure Umeda hasn't taken a sudden turn.]
no subject
Umeda stopped and spoke, not turning around.]
You can just walk away you know. I won't follow you. There's no need to force yourself to be with me if you hate it that much. I won't be upset.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Income
It's not hard to pick Akira out from the other strangers that are mulling about in the lobby, her heels clicking as she approaches. When she speaks it's not hard to see that there are fangs that peak out from past her lip.]
...Are you all right?
no subject
I'm fine.
[His voice cracks, and it's embarrassing, and he regrets answering at all.]
no subject
[Or look it. She's done more than enough crying to know he's not faking it. Idly she swings the bag in her hand.]
Your face is all wet. What happened?
[Unlike her his neck sports no brand. Surely nothing too terrible must've happened to him, right?]
no subject
[He's getting over the initial shock of it, now that someone's talking to him. The sensations are still weird and it makes his skin crawl.]
I'm just... Fuck.
[Spontaneous weeping. It comes to him finally; one of the least detrimental side effects from an objective standpoint, but Akira would take a few of the others over this.]
I took those... supplements. It goes away quickly, right?
[He doesn't want to cry for an entire week.]
no subject
Here, here. Drink this. It's just juice.
[Nothing spiked, thankfully.]
I don't know exactly what you took but it'll probably go away faster if you flush it out.
[Besides, crying too much can leave a person feeling dehydrated and that's no fun.]
no subject
You have... fangs?
no subject
I do, yes. I'm a Chiropteran.
[And, because that always needs further clarification:]
Chiropterans are a species of vampire.
no subject
... a species?
[It's one thing to consider that vampires exist to begin with, but that there are more than one species of them is another level of weird.]
no subject
[She nods easily in his direction. Clearly from the way he's looking at her he's a bit surprised at her answer. That's not shocking - most people she's encountered have a) never heard of Chriopterans (unless they're talking about bats) or b) assume all vampires to be the same.]
There are a few different kinds of vampires here in Duplicity. I'm sure you'll meet others here, although they're more common to come across at night.
[Unlike Diva who the sun didn't bother.]