TDM #17

[duplicitymods]

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « ALL ON DISPLAY

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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

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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

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(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

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(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

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(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

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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!!

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» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

[old_man]

"Not like you had anything to do with it," offering up a smile, as it's not like she holds resentment to those who do get named as Dominants. It's random, from what she can tell. And there are plenty of people who are labelled as Dominants that go out of their way to help others in various ways.

"Easy indeed," with a bubbled laugh, although it's hard to truly surprise her. With so many lifetimes of experiences, Jadzia has been there and done it through Dax. "And it opens up so many possibilities."

[wherenoman]

Jim hasn't gone out of his way to help anyone, but he's not exactly comfortable with the power dynamic either. It's one of those complicated things he should probably set some time aside and think about, make a measured response, but is probably going to end up running headlong into instead.

He has a brief conversation with the bartender, but he doesn't get a drink so the outcome is pretty obvious. "No card, no credit. It seems like I have to rely on your generosity, or see if you'll accept an IOU from a stranger."

[old_man]

She twirls her own cup a little, rocking it back and forth, watching. He has a certain amount of charm, but these people aren't that easily charmed. She makes a little motion, getting the bartender's attention. "It's on me."

Although she glances back at him, arching one eyebrow. "None of the top shelf stuff though, hm? Afraid you'll have to slum it a little, although it's wet and alcoholic."

[wherenoman]

"Wet and alcoholic is a pretty good place to be," Jim says. The bartender is definitely judging him, having his drink bought by a submissive, but Jim wouldn't have gotten where he is if he were afraid of a little judgment. He orders a beer, simple and cheap, and then offers her another smile.

"Now I'm indebted to you, to the price of one cheap beer. Would it put me too much further if I asked your name?"

[old_man]

"Well, with lender fees and compounding interest..." A waggle of her eyebrows, although it's not like Jadzia will actually collect. She'd happily pay things forward for the help that people had given her when she had arrived.

"Jadzia Dax." Offering a hand.

[wherenoman]

"Seems like you drive a hard bargain." He's glad of the playfulness, it lends a certain sense of normality, lets him ignore the designations for a moment.

"James T. Kirk." If they're being formal. "But you can call me Jim. A pleasure to meet you."

[old_man]

There's a chuckle. She could say it is the Ferengi rubbing off on her, but it's not like she can take the clothes from his back. She does do her best to ignore the obvious issues with this place as she searches for answers.

She pauses though. Looks at him- really looks at him. "... as in James T. Kirk of the Enterprise?"

[wherenoman]

Jim grins, not any more self-conscious about his identity than he is about being naked. "The one and only," he offers, although he can reflect after the words are shared that that may not be strictly true. He is at least the only one in the universe he's always known.

"You've heard of me?"

[old_man]

"Your reputation proceeds you." Tilting her head with a curious smile. Julian iss from the future, but she hasn't run across anyone from the past. He's younger than he's usually depicted though. "Most people in Starfleet have."

Which may place her as being part of said organization.

[wherenoman]

At that Jim winces a little, although he's quick to cover it up. "Okay, maybe that's deserved." There might be good things about his reputation, but he doubts that that's most of it.

"I'm sorry that I haven't heard of you." At least that seems to mean he didn't try to sleep with her, which means maybe he still has a chance with his flirtations.

[old_man]

"You have- or possibly will do- a lot for Starfleet." She can throw him a bone there, as he and his crew are still studied, and honoured. But, she can indeed see the appeal. Jadzia gave a snort though at that, as Dax had been around, but she hadn't met him then. "I was born in 2341."

[wherenoman]

"I don't hate the sound of that," Jim says, and while he'd argue he'd done a lot for Starfleet already he doesn't think that's how others see it.

At her sharing the date his eyes widen for a moment, and then he nods. "Ahh. So I don't--" He cuts himself off with a laugh. "Bet I shouldn't ask."

[old_man]

"You hardly seem the type that wants all the answers laid at your feet..." Tilting her head slightly. He is required reading at the academy, and she likely could list off any number of things that he's done over the years.

[wherenoman]

Jim considers that for a moment, but it's hard not to be reminded of the situation with Spock - the older one. Which makes him think of something else. "They might not even be the right answers." As far as he's been able to tell, that other Jim, who went along with the other Spock, he was a bit less of a fuck-up.

"Is the USS Kelvin included when they teach about me?"

[old_man]

"Kelvin? It's mainly about the missions and accomplishments of you and your crew." Off the top of her head it doesn't ring any immediate bells, but give her a moment to shift through various lifetimes of memories. Dax has been around for over three hundred years, although not joined for all of them. "I think there was a ship under that name, active around 2200 onwards."

[wherenoman]

Jim finds it pretty difficult to believe that his crew accomplishments would overshadow the destruction of the Kelvin, the sacrifice of his father. So not him, then, not really. "Don't worry about it," he tells her, but he also can't help clarifying, just to be sure. "You ever been to Vulcan?"

[old_man]

He says it, but it clearly means something to him. She may have recalled some more with some prompting, but it's not a ship that she has served upon, or even been transported on. The change in course has a little arch of her brow, but she nods. "Not recently, but I have in the past. It's about 16 days at warp 9 from Bajor, so a little out of the way. Trill is closer, although I haven' been home in awhile either."

[wherenoman]

"Okay," Jim says, and he has to fight the sudden urge to ask what it's like, to get answers to questions that matter deeply to other people but feel like sticking his hand in a fire. "I guess the good news is that you can't really tell me anything about myself." He flashes her a smile. "I'm Jim Kirk, but not the one you learned about."

[old_man]

It's an unexpected statement from him, one which does make Jadzia's forehead furrow for a moment. There's any number of ways to take that statement, from something reasonable to something completely outlandish. "And what does that mean?"

[wherenoman]

"It means a couple of ships traveled through time and one of them killed a lot of people. Like, a lot of people. In the process, they changed the timeline." Just normal Starfleet things. "And me, I was changed a bit by the other things that changed." A self-deprecating smile. "Like I was born a little earlier, as I understand it."

[old_man]

... what? Just how- There's plenty of questions that are on the tip of Jadzia's tongue, although she pauses, taking another sip of her drink. That shouldn't happen. "So when you ask after Vulcan?"

[wherenoman]

Jim gives a shrug. He doesn't exactly like being the bearer of bad news, but there aren't many other options at this point. At least it's not actually her bad news, although that doesn't feel like much of a consolation at this point.

"The Vulcan I know - or could have known - was destroyed by a rogue Romulan vessel in 2258."

[old_man]

“Romulan...” She blinks at that information. Jadzia knows that it hasn’t always been sunshine and lollipops between all the planets, but to go about and destroy one? In truth, she may have thought Borg, other than the fact that they were not a presence just yet.

“Shit.” Because what else does one say to that? “The ramifications of that across the future alone.”

[wherenoman]

Jim spreads his arms, a hint of 'yeah, tell me about it' to him. But he's been living with the consequences of that sort of change for a while now. His whole life.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news."

[old_man]

She really can't speak of the future then, or at least a future that he may know. He's gone on and done plenty of things, but perhaps not now, given the news he's provided. "Don't be."

Then again, this is coming from someone who has only a few more years to live in her own timeline, at least according to Julian. Some of his comments hit a little closer to home, especially when he had spoken of timeline. "You could use another drink."

Motioning for the bartender to give him just that.