TDM #17

[duplicitymods]

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « ALL ON DISPLAY

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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

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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

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(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

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(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

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(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

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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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» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

[betterworld]

[ Not only is she the twin sister of a speedster, but Wanda is also a perceptive twin sister of a speedster, prone to watching and observing, so she notices the emotions that fly across his face before settling into something bordering on neutrality. The fear she expects, even if it's never been fully confirmed what sort of tragedies her counterparts have inflicted; the relief, too, is unsurprising since he was looking for her — or some version of her.

What catches her off guard is the protectiveness, something she sees in Pietro's face far too often. Especially here. (Clint, too, for that matter, although he usually hides it better.)

But instead of asking, she merely shakes her head to his questions, apologetic and still unbelievably curious about his reaction. ]

If you do, I haven't met you. Are you part of the Avengers?

[mph]

[ Tommy laughs hollowly, brushing his hair back and out of his face; a nervous tick. Suspicions confirmed about any relationship with Wanda here being precarious. Shit. It would have been useful in trying to get out of here If she knew who he was. ]

Hell no. But I'm part of a group called the Young Avengers so I guess I can't knock it too much. Wait, you've tried getting out of here, right? Like, if anyone could warp the universe and get us home, it's you.

[betterworld]

[ The amusement at his reaction fades into confusion as he continues speaking, ending with her head canted slightly to the side. Admittedly, Wanda hadn't tried using her powers to get out, largely because she didn't know where to direct them. But that would have been mind control or fighting until there was either no one left or someone caved and released them.

(Which she's thankful she didn't do now, as she never would have gotten Pietro back had she found a way home. Not to mention the probable death looming on the horizon for her unless she figures out a way to stop it.) ]

That isn't something I can do. [ Well. She's never tried, but why would she? ] Maybe I am more different than the— [ Her lips press together in something not unlike discomfort as she pauses, figuring out how to phrase that. ] Verison of me that you know than we thought.

[mph]

[ Tommy visibly deflates at this news. The odds of getting out of here seem slimmer and slimmer by the second. ]

Maybe...you should talk to my brother, he's got powers that are like, the same as yours, maybe you can figure something out together??

[ maybe Billy can activate something that's missing for this Wanda?? He's grasping at straws and he knows is. ]

Are you alright though? You've got a line down your throat but it looks like you've got a cushy set up.

[betterworld]

Maybe. [ She doubts it, and the look on her face suggests as much. Even if it was enough to get them all out, Wanda wouldn't leave, not unless she could somehow take Pietro back with her. But that seems even more impossible than finding an escape.

As for her being alright, well...

It's complicated. ]

The benefits of having a contract. This is my Dominant's apartment; the place I was given when I arrived was nothing like this. [ And yet she'd almost felt more comfortable there than here, for various reasons. ] In fact, it was almost the exact opposite. But I'm fine.

[ Aside from being crabby because she's literally tethered to Quentin for two weeks and unable to see Pietro for an entire month, that is.

To shift the focus from how probably obviously Not Fine she is: ] What is M-Day?

[mph]

[ Ah shit.

When he chose M-Day as something to identify whatever universe he was wrong, he didn't expect to have to explain it to anyone, much less to Wanda herself. He is so, so not qualified to have this conversation! If he seems very suddenly, very visibly nervous, it's because he is. He tries to mask it relatively quickly with a shrug and an unbothered, dismissive air, but he was most definitely quick enough on that save. ]

Someone in my world used her [ choose your words carefully Tommy. ] powers to depower almost all the mutants all over the world. It did a lot of damage to a lot of people, but it didn't affect me, so I don't know a lot about it. It's kind of just a big thing that I thought it would be a good way to tell if anyone else here was from where I'm from. But who knows, it might have happened in a bunch of universes. But it doesn't happen in yours which seems pretty close to mine so.

[ backpedal Tommy, backpedal. Get out of this hole you're digging! ]

Your dominant's not hurting you or anything? If he is, I can try and help you out.

[betterworld]

[ The rambling, not to mention the look that crossed his face before he tries to school his features, has her curiosity piqued as much as the explanation does. But it also makes her realize, before he changes the subject, that he probably doesn't want to talk about it. Whether he successfully distracts her or she's just not in the mood to dig further, Tommy lucks out; his discomfort just barely supersedes her interest.

Although she may very well ask him more about it later.

To his question, she shakes her head, brow knit together in confusion. ] No, he's not. What makes you think he is?

[mph]

[Phew! Dodged that bullet. To her question, he just shrugs. He's fidgeting, because there's not a single thing about this conversation that doesn't make him uncomfortable to some degree. Still, he's worried about her, and this is the closest he's going to get to admitting it: ]

I don't know, isn't that what this place is about? Forcing people to be sex slaves and be totally dependent on another person for everything? Even if you don't know me, I know you, or another version of you, so I don't just want to sit around if you're being taken advantage of or anything.

[betterworld]

[ Wanda's lips lift somewhat, though it's difficult to call it anything close to a smile. She'd thought something specific had made him ask, though the general... everything about this place was definitely enough to raise concerns. ]

I'm not being taken advantage of, but I appreciate you worrying. [ Even if it's still incredibly weird for her, being met with such interest by strangers. Not that she is a stranger to him. ] I have no doubt that there are people here who take the contracts to extremes like that, but Quentin is as... unenthused by it all as I am. He hasn't forced me into anything.

[ This time she does give him a smile, small and brief though it is. ] So you don't need to worry about getting involved on my behalf. And before you ask: no, I am not being instructed to say that.

[mph]

[ With the gentle, thoughtfully morose quirk of Wanda's lips--yeah, that's Wanda, that's a Wanda expression he recognizes even on a different face--something relaxes in Tommy a bit. That, and the reassurance that she's okay. Good. That's good. It's the small details, but visible. ]

Cool. Good. If that changes or something, if you need help? Find a way to let me know or something. I know you don't know me at all but I...it matters to me that you're ok.

[betterworld]

[ Wanda doesn't know him, and she isn't the sort to trust easily, but something in her chest constricts at his words, a pang she's not even sure how to describe. It's not bad, though. In fact, it's almost pleasant, and that fact alone makes her push it aside even quicker, chalking it up to the simple fact that she's touched he cares so much despite her not being the right Wanda for him. ]

I will, Tommy. Thank you. But I am okay, overall. [ Angry and frustrated and desperately missing Pietro, but none of that is something Tommy can help with.

After a slight pause, during which she peels some nail polish from a thumb nail off-screen: ] If there's anything that I can do as you get your bearings here, let me know. I haven't been here as long as some but I can still help if you need it.