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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
"Just black with sugar," she says. Then frowns a little. "Every dimension has coffee?" Seems like, judging from these two dimensions (she thinks) that she has seen.
She steps aside to get them a table while Kyle gets their order. There's one by the window, gathering as little sunlight as there was and painted with streaks of raindrops.
She smiles her thanks when he returns with drinks.
"Thanks. I know this all must be a lot to hear. Not just from me. I can see how going through so much must make everything feel twice as full. Tell me something about you first, before I go on about home. I want to know what's been going on without me in this place."
no subject
He smiles at that, not taking long to get their drinks and bring them back to the table for them. Settling in easily, glad that Maria is being open and friendly with him. He still accepts what he deserves from his childhood, and then there's the fact that some of the things he's done for others, most don't know about. If only because those others are aliens he can't talk about.
"It's okay though. There's things I think we all need to hear." Which he knows is hinting at what he should be talking about. Just as when she asks about him and his life here, he knows it's the opening he should take.
But he can't help fearing her reaction to it.
"Currently I'm head of surgery at Haven hospital. I'm contracting with Michael, actually, and a friend of ours named Nick. I live in a stupid large house my ex gave me the night he proposed."
The stupid large part is their joke about the place, though he's done his best to make it homey.
He stops a moment. "There's so much I feel I should tell you. About life here. About my life here. About... Alex and Michael and Liz and..." He takes a breath. "I'm a vampire."
He just blurts the words out, softly but rushed as if he couldn't quite get them out.
no subject
But before her hand can start to make that journey across the table, she recognizes that he has more to say and then... then he drops that bombshell on her.
She stops and blinks, her lips forming this perfect little 'o' like she's about to say what or why or something similar. Then she breaks, pulling her hand back to cover her face slightly as she breaks out in a small giggle.
"Sorry, I don't mean to-- I'm sure you're nervous, saying something like that and I'm just--"
She sighs lightly, a little helpless in tone, and shakes her head with a gentle smile.
"I'm part alien," she blurts out and then shrugs. "I'm related to Isobel, of all people. So, you know, no judgment from this side of the table. As long as you're not killing people." A pause. "You're not killing people, right?"
Because that's an entirely different conversation and not one she thinks Kyle would broach in the middle of a coffee shop.
no subject
The giggle though isn't what he's expecting. Then it hits him. She probably doesn't believe him and takes it for a joke.
At least that's what he's thinking. Right until she makes that revelation.
"Wait, what?" He blinks at her, thinking about all the others had thought they'd known and it was apparently not even close to everything. He wonders if they found information in all Alex had taken from Caulfield. Or...
"On Mimi's side or..." Was her father one of those that had been killed in the prison? Oh God but that thought hurts as much as who Michael had lost that day.
"No. I don't kill." He had. Once. He was doing everything to make sure it never happened again, that he never lost his emotions again.
no subject
He trails off on that or and Maria takes the opportunity to take a sip of her coffee, like she's ridding herself of a bad taste in her mouth.
"Mom. My grandmother, apparently, was Isobel's half sister. Isobel and Michael's moms survived the crash and found a place with a farmer. And things happened and Isobel's mom had a baby."
She cocks her head with a bit of a smug smirk, dry and mostly designed to hide her lingering confusion about the whole thing.
"Told you guys I was a good psychic."
no subject
But it's like running into an old friend after twenty years and there's so much on the table. Except that it's been less than two years for either of them.
"So you and Isobel, huh? I... I mean..." He can't help it, ducking his head to hide the grin on his face as he takes a sip. "Wow, to have seen your faces when you found that out." He just can't even imagine after all these years.
"Well yeah, being an alien kind of helps that. Though I never doubted it. And glad I outed myself before you read my mind," he says, though he keeps his voice low when he says it, not willing to do anything to out her to others. That's her call, just as he talks about his changes.
"So did she not know about the others either?"
no subject
She rolls her eyes instead at the mention of Isobel and finding out. "Yeah, that's... a thing," she says. "I mean, we've been getting better. I let go of a lot when I found out she wasn't herself when Rosa hated her, that she was being used by Noah half the time. I felt bad for her. But she's still Isobel." Which means she's a pain in Maria's ass 90% of the time.
She smirks at Kyle. "You would have had every reason to doubt, I don't hold it against people. But now that we know..." She holds two fingers to her temple, like she's actively trying to read his mind. "Watch yourself."
Chuckling a little at her own joke, she shakes her head and sobers a little. "I think Mom knew aliens existed. But I don't think she knew about herself. I think... the only reason she got involved in this whole thing was because people were using her for her visions. But they didn't make sense to her, only to people who knew what was going on."
no subject
He holds up both hands, trying to keep things light as tight as it feels between his shoulders. Realizing this is important. It's important that he show Maria he isn't still a dick. For the sake of their friends here, and for her closest friends who he is just back to talking to again after what Kyle had been through, what he had done.
"I promise. Just ask, just so you don't see me thinking about people naked." Like Michael. Or his therapist.
"Who... who was using her?" He figures it wasn't Jesse because if she'd known, she would have been in a cage like others.
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"But what if I want all the juicy details?" She teasing, eyes narrowing in that sort of playfully sneaky look, like she is going to jump right into his mind. Not that she can. (Yet?)
She exhales quietly, sobering a little at the question. She shakes her head, eyes downcast, before looking at him squarely.
"I haven't told Liz yet, so just..." She does have to tell Liz, but she's not sure when is a good time.
"I finally got my mom into a assisted living facility, to keep an eye on her. But she would wander, all the time, and they wouldn't catch her or stop her. But she always came back to the Pony. Then one night, she didn't. She was gone for a month."
She looks up in an attempt to keep tears away, because even now the terror of having her mom missing hits her right in the chest. But she's fine after a second.
"Helena Ortecho had her holed up in a motel, trying to get her to have visions."
no subject
He's not sure how much he's been involved in any of this or all of it but hopes he can help her here.
"Not a word, Maria. It's not my story to tell others. Just like juicy details. You want to know, ask," he points out. "But you may find out things you can't ever forget," he points out.
He is pained when she talks about Mimi in a facility, of her having to be watched over and getting out nonetheless. His expression hardens slightly at that, not liking that they don't take better care of her.
But before he can say anything, she says that name and he just stares at her.
"Wait, what? Why?"
no subject
"We're not entirely sure," she says. "Everything came from mom, by which I mean Isobel went into her head and tried to pull things from her. Carefully. But Liz's mom and Flint Manes were working together. Sort of."
She looks at Kyle with an expression of empathy. "She never got over what happened to your dad, I guess. Complicated story I'm not entirely solid on? Flint was developing a bio-weapon that attacked alien DNA. She was helping, so that she could develop her own bio-weapon that attacked Manes DNA."