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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!! |
no subject
I'll live. [ She clocks the ink on the woman that marks her out as a fellow submissive. What a goddamn busted system. She can't think of anything less submissive than what the two of them just did here. ] I'm just so sick and tired of this place's bullshit. [ Jess wets her lips, gives an aborted shake of her head. That's no excuse to lose control of herself. Even if she wouldn't have gone any further, she already crossed a line. ]
no subject
kisa straightens, daring to step closer, and nods to her in agreement. ]
I'd like to tell you it gets better, but you strike as someone who values honesty.
no subject
Jess pulls the plastic hood of her jacket over her head and approaches the interloper in kind. Whatever her shapeshifting ability technically is, it doesn't scare her. And it's not her business to ask about; it was revealed by circumstance. Unless interest is expressed about her own abilities, don't ask, don't tell. ]
You're headed Up? [ Meaning she's contracted. Jess is more curious about that. ]
no subject
she's surprised that the woman doesn't seem to be afraid, in spite of kisa having revealed her full culebra form to her. it hadn't been on her, so maybe that makes a difference. and maybe it had something to do with her having witnessed something, too. but she doesn't ask, either. ]
Yeah. My friend offered to sign up with me. [ it's still strange to think of seth as a friend, the term feels strange as it leaves her mouth. but there's no denying that that's what they are, even if they'd hated each other up until very recently from what she can remember at home. ]
no subject
With that thought in mind, she asks, ] A friend from here? [ As the water dries on her neck, the itch flares back up. She raises a hand to scratch at the edges of it. ]
cw: abuse mention
A friend from home. [ she's made friends since arriving, but they're either also submissives or she doesn't know them well enough to enter into a contract with them. seth had made her the offer once he'd found her in town, told her he owed her for something she hasn't experienced yet. ]
no subject
A stricken look passes over her eyes. A glimpse at the defeat that threatens to seize her. Then they harden again as she pushes it down, smothers it, reinvigorating the cycle of pain and anger that nearly got the best of her minutes ago.
Jess swallows hard and starts to dig her nails in deeper. ]
You should get going.
no subject
something shifts in the woman's expression and she feels a surge of sympathy, though she isn't sure why. she is sure that it's one of the last things the woman would want, from her or anyone else, but she steps closer to her anyway. ]
Where are you staying? [ she doesn't know if being contracted means she can bring someone home with her as a visitor or not, or if the woman would accept it if she offered. but she wants to do something. maybe walk her home if she'll allow it. ]
no subject
Unfortunately, all the liquor she's been putting back is eating into that nest egg like a boozy little fox.
Jess looks down and stops her scratching, hand falling to her side. ] But I'm not going there. I need a drink.
[ Or a bottle. The nearest place that's selling, she's buying. ]
no subject
I know somewhere, if you want.
no subject
[ Drinking by the glass adds up and she'll be going through a lot tonight. More than that, she doesn't want to be around people. Not close enough to overhear them or make out marks on their bodies. She plans to watch from afar, quarantine herself on a rooftop or fire escape. Shut her eyes, pretend that when she opens them it will be to the sky above New York.
Jess steps towards her, prepared to walk alongside her if she's keen to lead. ]
no subject
[ she's got enough to cover a bottle of something, especially in this area, and it's not as if she's drinking anything herself. there's a bar that's both within walking distance of this place and the train, and if not there's a liquor store. she tilts her head towards the more open area of the street, which seems to be more or less empty at the moment, safe for a few stragglers scratching at their skins as they walk towards the more populated areas.
they walk in silence for a few moments, until kisa breaks it. ]
What's your name?
no subject
Fuck this place.
The question from her companion is jarring. Grounding. ]
Jess. [ She looks over at her. ] You?
cw: self harm mention
[ the name's started coming easier since she's started giving it, even easier since she'd learned malvado was dead. the hood of her sweater is pulled up as they walk; she manages to avoid the sunlight as much as she can when she ventures outside during the day and it's occurred to her that she hasn't felt the urge to seek it out since she'd learned he was dead, either.
interesting how that works. ]
Have those groups been bothering you a lot? [ that's pretty stupid of them, based on what she's seen. ]
no subject
No. It's just my lucky night. [ She hardly reeks of means. It must be a slow night, who knows. Jess wonders the same thing about Kisa but doesn't ask. Instead she looks over before she remembers visible bruises could mean a lot of things here. ]
You work down here?
so i looked it up and the place she works is actually in the up whoops
No. [ but she feels less guilty about feeding on people trying to target and victimize people who are already in a less advantaged position than she does about feeding on any of the people she's met thus far. ] Just used to live down here, too.
no subject
The apartments. Don't remind me. [ Jess spends as little time there as possible. She's no snob but even for her, they're a little cramped. She'd fare better if she had the room to herself. Granted, she hasn't met or seen whoever it is that sleeps in the other bed, except as an outline under the blankets. They're two ships passing in the night which suits Jess fine and she's sure her roommate will agree, if they ever do cross paths.
Jess nods to the open corner store shortly ahead of them. ] Should have something.