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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!! |
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"The Enterprise is a starship." And a damn good one at that. "Will you give me your name, since I gave you mine?"
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"So you're really James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise? You really want me to buy that?" He shrugged and pocketed his pills, holding out a hand for the bottle Jim still had. If the man wasn't going to take them anyway . . . "Ok sure. Why not. Nice to meet you, Jimmy. I'm Umeda from the Ohsaka Academy. Doctor to the stars and all that. How about you gimme those pills and I'll buy you a drink?" It seemed like a fair trade, pills for a drink. And if the guy wanted to pretend to be a spaceman from a really cheesy TV show, Umeda was willing to play along. For a while anyway.
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Maybe Jim should ask about what the pills are going to be used for, but the man's a doctor, and probably knows enough to just take them. "Only if you call me Jim, Umeda." He has no wish to be a Jimmy.
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He chuckled and shrugged, willing to let the nickname go. It was only teasing after all, "Ok ok. Jim. Shall we get a drink, Jim?"
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"I will take that drink though." Seems like the least he can get out of the man, although getting rid of the pills is also convenient.
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"That's where I know that name from. It's a really old series from the 60's about a spaceship captain and their adventures." He was quiet for a long moment as they walked. What if . . . , "So you really do fly around the universe in a spaceship? Like, seriously?" Because similar names weren't impossible, even similar stories oddly enough. But he'd never met a spaceman.
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"I explore the galaxy on a mission of peace in a starship, yes." Jim frowns. "Well, not at the moment, obviously."
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"Obviously. So . . . what do you do on your ship? I mean, you just fly around and try to meet other planets?" Which sounded so like the show it was creepy but, sure. Maybe in the future people really did that! He really hoped it was just a future deal . . . "And ah, what year is it where you live?"
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"I rescue damsels in distress and fight off villains." It's close enough to true, right? "Okay, maybe not the damsel part. But it's 2258. Why?"
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“Because you’re from the future, which explains everything. So, what am I buying you pretty Jim?”
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"But if I'm from the future, then when are you supposed to be from?"
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When they got inside, he ordered two whiskey neats and waited for the drinks before he met Jim’s eyes to answer his last question. It was nice to know the world went on and even got out into space. Time travel was a lot more palatable for Umeda than the alternative.
“The early 2000s. So you’re about what, almost three hundred years older than me? Or am I the one that’s older since I’m from the past?” He was teasing again as he sipped his drink, enjoying the way Jim had so far played back.
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"And you're definitely the older one. By my time you'd be practically ancient." It's said with a smile, just a tease rather than actually giving him a hard time.
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“Oh I see. Yes, and I suppose you don’t even need doctors anymore, hmm? Just flick a switch and everything gets healed by a little laser beam?” He leaned on the bar, gazing at Jim with amusement sparkling in his eyes, “No wait, that probably doesn’t work on you, does it? Allergies you said. How does such a throwback get to be the captain when he’s such a liability?”
Again, he was teasing, and maybe fantasizing about what he might do during an “examination.” Umeda would never abuse his actual position, but plenty of people liked to pretend in the bedroom. He wondered if Jim was one of them.
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He gives Umeda a look. "I am very healthy. You can surely see that for yourself." It's not altogether an invitation, but it's a hint towards one.
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Umeda leaned back, giving the man an assessing look since he’d been invited to. Jim did look healthy. Aside from just being attractive he was pretty damn fit, and his color was good too. Umeda reached out with his free hand and laid the back against the man’s forehead without thinking. Normal. Then he blinked and snatched his hand back, a faint flush creeping over his cheeks.
“Ah. Sorry. Forgot myself for a second.”
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He can't exactly say that that's a surprise, and Jim just smiles back at him for it. He likes the idea of being wanted, but then he remembers that it's more complicated than that. He shifts a little in his seat. "But wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong impression."
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"Sorry. It's a habit sometimes. Doesn't have to mean anything though." He was quiet for a moment, "Whiskey good?" Lame. Super lame.
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They seem to have stumbled over uncomfortable topics, but that's not something Jim usually finds affects him poorly. "What are you planning on doing with the pills?"
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"Research. If I can get access to a lab, I can try to figure out what's in them. If not, I can at least observe the effects on people to try and figure out a counter or a cure." He sighed, closing his eyes, "I'm not really qualified for that kinda stuff, but I know the basics of how to go about it. Not much call for medical research when you take care of kids. But . . ." But as much as he postured about not liking anyone, Umeda was a huge softie. He wanted to help people, and he knew he was already in way the hell over his head.
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"I haven't run into anyone with a lab yet. But you're a Dominant, so that has to at least get you a bit more access. There was one person who worked at one of the city hospitals, but I doubt I'd recognize their equipment even if I could see it."
A medical person, Jim is not.
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"Do you actually understand what they were trying to tell us when we got here? About the marks and status and all that? And yeah, I'm planning to go to the hospitals and see if anyone'll take me on. I'm not exactly a practicing doctor per see, but I'm still capable of doing what needs to be done." Which was to say that although he had the basic training of all doctors, his day-to-day work was mostly sitting in his office and waiting for a kid to come in with a complaint.
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He feels like a complete hypocrite for not complaining too loudly.
"At least you're a step ahead of me. I have no clue what I can do that pays here."
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Umeda had absorbed bits and pieces of his orientation talk, but most of it made no sense. He grinned at Jim, sipping from his glass, "Isn't your schtick saving people? Being a hero? I bet if you go out and patrol the streets you'll find plenty of people for me to doctor on. Everyone around here seems to enjoy indulging too damn much." That last was said with a scowl. He'd seen so many people doing god only knew what, most of them making terrible choices . . .