duplicitymemes | TDM #17

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«tdm

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 « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, this isn't even the half of it. Wait til you see upstairs...

[But Roman takes Victor into his office first, setting him down gently on the desk. Once there, he bends at the waist, sighing.]

My, my, my, Victor, you've certainly gotten yourself into it now... [He says, more to himself than to Victor.]

[Funny to be handled with such care, by Roman no less, when he's placed down on the desk so soft and careful. Takes a look around, nice looking setup, official, and he smiles at Roman's response. Has enough forethought to look slightly sheepish about his condition.]

Sorry, boss. I didn't think this would happen to me.

Victor, in this place, I've had my tits milked, wings grow out of my back, tentacle monsters hunt me down, my fucking entire sex changed-- [That memory is particularly bad, so he huffs it away.] --The point is, anything can happen here. You have to be on your guard. Understand?

[Is it wrong for him to get hard at the thought of some of those things? Probably, thank God he's small. He would hate for Roman to think he is getting some kind of pleasure out of his bad luck.

Totally what's happening but.]

That sounds really terrible, boss. I'll keep a look out next time.

[Roman hums, strolling around his desk to collapse into his chair. Outside, he can hear muffled thunder beginning again. Ugh. He's gonna need to get Victor to kill someone and steal their umbrella when he's big.]

Yes, well, at least I can say I've never been... [He wrinkles his nose at Victor.] ...small. I wonder how long it's going to last, ugh...

Don't know, probably not too long if I stop takin' those pills. I don't think this is a change I can hold for long. [He thinks, at least. However, considering the weather and its changes, probably not something permanent.]

Might be useful like this.

[Roman rolls his chair forward, setting his hands on the desk on either side of Victor and leaning forward.]

Useful? How? Like sneaking under doors, listening in on people?

I mean yeah, who's gonna notice me slipping into the room? Could probably make off with some valuable information too, bein' like this.

[Shit, boss looks really fuckin good at this angle.]

[Roman nods, tapping his chin.]

Right, right... We'll have to introduce you to the newbies I've brought on board, get you back up to speed. Well, they know you, but you won't remember them. No matter. [He waves a hand.] Speaking of, I should probably fill you in on some things, hmm...?

[He doesn't like unknown factors in the shapes of people. Roman says he knows them, so he must have vetted them and made sure they were safe to be around the boss. Still, doesn't like being in the fucking dark as much as he is now.]

Yeah, probably a lot of things.

[Roman leans back and steeples his fingers across his chest.]

Hmm, well... I've brought on a new kid since you've been gone. R. Real mysterious little bastard. But he does good work, I'll give him that. Actually -- here, see for yourself.

[He fishes his phone out of his pocket and fiddles with it for a few seconds. Then he holds it up to Victor and lets a video play.]

[He watches it play in silence, sitting down on the desk and crossing his legs as the unknown captor slowly beheads his captive. He curls his lip, snorting softly under his breath. Really? That’s what counts as good work to Roman now?

He tries not to let the annoyance show, but it slips through anyway. ]

He’s melodramatic.

He's thorough. Besides, somebody had to kill the fucker for me after what he did--

[His face colors a bright, angry red at the memory. It takes a second for him to calm down, leather of his gloves squeaking as he balls his hands into fists.]

--and you were gone, so. [He shrugs.] I had to change it up from our usual M.O. Figure a beheading gets people talking.

What the fuck did he do? [Few things were said by either party in the video. Whatever the bastard did it was bad enough to get Roman furious. If not for the face Roman’s making for the slow action of the beheading.

He definitely doesn’t like it. Means he’s missed far more than a few days with his head in the clouds.]

I don’t like you bringing in outside help for somethin’ obviously personal. That’s what he did, right? Something to you, more than just stealin’ a few bottles under the table.

Well, what was I to do, Victor? He needed to die, and you weren't here!

[He says it like that's Victor's fault, which, to Roman, it is.]

He-- Ugh, I'm too disgusted to even say it. [He looks away, pressing the heel of his hand to his mouth like he's going to be sick.]

You said we come back, I was comin’ back from wherever we go when that happens. You know I woulda killed him the moment I got back. No fuckin’ questions asked.

[He fucked up. Should have been here, would have protected Roman from whatever series of decisions that led up to what happened. Yet, he wasn’t. So it is his fault.

Wanting to apologize, but not knowing how, Victor reaches out to Roman’s hand. Can’t do much hand holding like this, but he wraps his arms around Roman’s thumb. Affection if not terribly awkward, Victor pats the leather.]

You don’t have to fuckin’ say it.

[Roman's not surprised by the words, but he is surprised by the action. It's... almost... cute? What the fuck? This place is not good for his sanity. But he doesn't move his hand, letting Victor touch him.]

Yes, well, let's talk about more pleasant things. You're going to be so happy when you remember what we did right before you... left.

Yeah? [Now that definitely has gotten his attention.]

Maybe you can give my memory a little boost in the meantime?

[Roman settles into an easy grin. Now this is something he'd much rather be talking about.]

Oh, you and me... [He moves his hand, lightly rubbing up and down Victor's torso with his index finger.] ...had a little date with a knife. A date you've been bugging me about for ages.

[The kind of "date" Victor always begs for when they're knee-deep in the throes of passion, when subspace overtakes him. "Kill me, please, boss, kill me," in that husky, sexy voice of his.]

[Oh. Oh, now that does sound good. He can think of a few things of what it could be, but with the way Roman's talking and that finger rubbing up and down his chest.

He's already panting, voice coming out in that exact husky monotone.]

Yeah? How'd that go. [He leans forward, trying to get more touch, more pressure from Roman's finger.]

[Roman lets the memories come, slowly and carefully trailing his finger up and down Victor's tiny body.]

Well, it was New Year's Eve, and we decided you should go out with a bang... I beat you, choked you on and off for hours, and then, baby, when you couldn't take any more...

[His other hand comes up, finger drawing across his own neck (where, if astute, Victor will notice a horizontal scar).]

...I ended it for you.

[Unfortunately, Victor is not entirely astute, nor is he focused beyond the small pale line that perfectly crosses Roman's neck as those words hit him. He forgot that? His ultimate dream, his fantasy? Maybe Roman will do it again, choke him slowly for a day and a half, and then string him up by his guts-]

How am I not dead then? [He asks, breathless.] How am I here then?

[And, once more, he has to break the news to someone. To Victor. It was hard enough the first time, telling Victor that death isn't permanent here. Almost feels like he's about to break the poor thing's heart.]

The people who die here, the ones like us, in the LIES program, we... we come back. [He pauses.] Well. That's the idea. Apparently, the revival process isn't all that swift all the time. It's already March.

[Come back, like back back? Walking dead kinda back? He looks down at his body, all flush skin and normal looking. At least he hasn't noticed any rotting bits falling off in the drain when he wasn't looking. Everything seems to still be perfectly attached.

But, fuck, wait Roman's been on his own for months now? What the fuck has he been doing during his dirt nap, making friends with worms?]

Fuck- I didn't mean to keep you waiting like that, Roman.

Yes, well. [Roman gives him a little poke, a little shove with his finger right in Victor's tiny midsection.] Like I said, I managed to convince Lance to sign with me in the meantime. If I have my timing right, I'll be off it before your Sub deadline comes up, so you won't need to sign with anyone else.

[Because the thought of Victor having to sign with another Submissive makes Roman's chest burn with jealousy. He won't have it. Would rather Victor wait in prison for him to become available again than sign some other bitch.]

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