duplicitymemes | 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

[ god, julian. he itches just looking at you.

and he

itches in general. he sighs and gives in, scratching at his neck. ]

Yeah, well, I'll be fine with whatever you pick.

Of course you will. ( he says, sarcastically. because josh is a mess at the best times, but being a submissive actually--does suit him. he's better when given orders and a direct line to follow. not when he's left on his own. )

Fine, but there'll be rules.

Yeah?

[ he takes a few steps closer. ]

( wow, don't follow him. he's--pacing, uncomfortable in his own skin and the urge to dig more deep marks into it is impossible to ignore. julian digs metal fingertips in along the side of his neck, down over his arm. moves through the living room back towards the kitchen. )

Yeah. Rules like, don't bring anyone back here. Pick up your shit.

Okay, easy enough.

[ jesus, julian. he extends a hand. ]

Is it in the, like, water system? Would a shower help?

Third rule's mind your own business.

( though really he's. starting to draw a little blood so maybe it is becoming josh's business. josh extends his hand out but julian shoves right passed him to get to the sink. )

[ christ, julian. he steps aside and...

and scratches. because watching julian is making it impossible to tamp down his own need to scratch. ]

( that's right, move out of his way. he does take josh's advice and runs his hands under the water, then. shoves that against the welts on his neck. it doesn't do anything but the cool temperature does help relieve some of the stinging, so there's. that. )

[ boy. ]

Look, if I'm gonna be your sub or whatever, at least let me like - take care of that before you rip all your skin off.

( mm. he stops to tilt his head back, eyeing josh over his shoulder. seems to consider that for a moment, then opens his mouth again, )

No. I like the marks.

( doesn't really know why he does but he does. )

[ likes the marks

his eyes drop to them without thinking. ]

Yeah?

( angry scratch marks over the his neck, down his chest. the rashes are still there, but they're not--as red, there's not broken skin over them. just in the places julian clawed his way through. )

Yeah.

[ yeah. ]

Let me get your back.

( he's guessing (hoping) josh means to leave more marks down it, so julian--rolls his shoulders, then gestures towards his back.

not that he couldn't get it himself, because. you know. he's got detached hands. but he'll take the help anyway. )

Between my shoulderblades.

You got it, boss.

[ his blunt human nails will at least make less of a bloody mess. He closes the distance between them, reaching out to slowly, deliberately, drag his nails down Julian's back. ]

Holy shit.

( back arching into those nails and it--feels good? julian shudders, presses into it a little harder. hopes it's enough of an encouragement for josh to keep at it, because he's hissing low under his breath and rolling back into him.

fuck this rain. )

[ now that's - more than he was expecting, really. josh swallows tightly, his eyes on the shift of julian's muscles underneath his skin. of the marks his nails are leaving behind.

he digs a little deeper. forces down his body's reaction to this, because what the fuck. you don't just see a guy after six years and get hot and bothered because you're scratching his back. the fuck, body. ]

Harder.

( they're never talking about this again. they're never, ever mentioning that julian is definitely enjoying josh just digging his nails into his back like marking up his skin is a completely normal every day activity to enjoy. like. it's never going on their discussion list. or their "hey remember that time when" one. instead julian is just. digging his teeth into the inside of his cheek until it bleeds, closes his eyes. )

[ he obliges. his breath hitching at the sight of his marks on julian's skin. sensing just how much julian's enjoying this, wanting this. he drags them down, and then he drags them up nice and slow. ]

( his breath hitches, a soft breathy sound passing his lips which julian is hoping josh didn't hear and if he did hear it, he'd better fucking forget it. but he doesn't--say as much, just. leans forearms down against the kitchen counter, slouches forward to encourage josh to keep at it.

at least he's marking up julian's back so they don't have to fucking. see each other during this. make eye contact. the lack of eye contact is pretty nice. )

[ like he can. its fine, its fine. they can pretend this isn't happening. or that they're other people.

which means its fine for him to try to pull another sound out of julian. digging his nails in a little deeper, scratching down the line of his spine. ]

( this time it's significantly closer to a moan, as julian shudders again and presses back against josh.

except he also realizes exactly what he just did and immediately pulls himself up straight again, reaches a hand back to swat at josh. )

--knock it off, shit.

[ whoof. nothing straight about that, buddy. he takes his hands off, holding both hands up. ]

Sorry!

( there's nothing straight about it which is why he's pretending it didn't happen, thanks. josh takes a step back which is. good enough surrender for him. he moves back towards the other side of the house instead. )

Your room's to the left.

Okay.

[ he needs

to have a shower. half to clear off the rain water, half to take care of something else. ]

Am I good to use your shower?

(no subject)

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