Duplicity Game Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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
Let's. But maybe we could find something for me to wear first?
[she'd heard that announcement again and again it was a nasty shock to know that the Down was her "proper" place. Snow can see some of it already and the only possible comparison she can think of is the time she was in the Adversary's chained line of prisoners]
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[ It won't be much fun if she's uncomfortable. ]
Have you been by your housing situation yet? I found an outfit of mine waiting for me there.
[ He hopes that's not yet another difference. ]
But the offer stands, either way.
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[and being in a paper robe makes her decidedly uncomfortable]
I'm almost afraid to look. Everything they tell me about what's in store is worse than what was said before. I'd have to...share a room? I haven't really done that since I was growing up with Rose Red.
[it is. a not inconsequential one at that]</small. I'm happy to accept your offer.
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[ Because everyone needs some private time, or some "private time". ]
We'll find a shop you like the look of, then.
[ He has some kind of starting stipend, hopefully it's enough to get her something she likes, would be comfortable in. ]
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[she barely allows herself any "private time" out of fear of what she might conjure up]
I would appreciate that. I'm not opposed to fancy dress--I was alive when New England was simply the Thirteen Colonies--but nothing too flashy?
[she worries about whether or not she can adapt here. she's been so set in her ways for thousands of years]
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Hey, you're the one who has to wear it. You get both first and final pick. I'm just here to tell you you look stunning in it.
[ And pay the bill, but he wouldn't need to if this place wasn't more than a little fucked up. ]
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Yes, I--I'm afraid this place won't even think to stock the kinds of clothes I'm used to. Business formal for nearly three hundred years. I don't know if I can simply wear a dress, like any other woman.
[charity offered as charity goes nowhere with Snow. charity offered as a friend, she'll take it]
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[ At least the train ride is ending, although the Down doesn't exactly look welcoming. ]
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[no, it really doesn't. Fabletown was fairly well-kept and prosperous, the Fables living in their own little enclave in New York City, carefully guarding their secrets from the Mundy world.
and when she sees the Down, she makes a little moue of disappointment] Well, it's...certainly different from home.
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Maybe we'll be able to get more for the price here.
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but it's still better than serving on the Adversary's chain gang]
I'd like to think so. I highly doubt that the submissive housing has a laundromat built in. That would be far too much of a luxury in a place like this.
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Yeah we can keep an eye out for one of those too.
Let's find you something so the two of us can find some beer all the sooner.
[ And he's going to pick a direction to start walking in. ]
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[she smiles and it's radiant, her eyes full of gratitude]
Absolutely, thank you. Preferably a dress? I do wear pants now and then, but it's usually when I'm at the Farm.
[and she'll follow where he leads]
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We'll find you a dress. Do you prefer the big poofy skirts, or something slinkier?
[ Hopefully they have options. Even if this place is a lot about sex, everything is someone's kink right? ]
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Slinkier, actually. Pencil skirts with a matching blazer and silk blouses with heels. [hundreds of years in human history and she'd worn what was in style for all of them] But that doesn't exactly sound practical.
[just so long as she's not in a gown like what she'd worn while married to (and cheated on by) Prince Charming or one of Rose's flashier styles]
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[ He agrees with the tone of someone who has worn heels only often enough to know they're tough. ]
I don't trust these streets.
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[it's very true that heels were tough--they took effort to get used to, even more effort to be graceful in them. but she'd been the Deputy Mayor of Fabletown, an image needed to be maintained]
Neither do I. It's like New York in the seventies, only shoving sex in our faces even more blatantly.
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[ At that historical observation, Jim shrugs slightly. Hell if he knows about that. ]
Just, be careful here, yeah?
[ He's worried, doesn't like the impression he has so far, and he doesn't want to see someone he's starting to like get into trouble before they even know which way North is. ]
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[her guard, normally as high as castle walls, has been flummoxed by these strange new circumstances. but she doubts anyone would believe her if she gave her true age. she knows no one would believe her true identity]
I don't see where I have much choice, but going from a nice apartment to, well. Something like a shelter is quite a shock.
[she's sure to get in trouble for backtalking the SIN guards. her designation feels like an open wound for everyone to see and prod at. that, and she doesn't like her private life to be judged in public]
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The fact that Snow is clearly used to being in a position of authority makes the whole thing feel worse. ]
When you get a contract, you can make sure they move you out of here. The places in the Up have two bedrooms, so you're not- You could have one of them to yourself.
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from peasant girl, to being fostered by a powerful queen and witch, then there were the dwarves. but no one mentions the dwarves in her hearing]
I must admit, I'm a little leery of the contracts. It seems as though all of the power is on the dominant's side and we have to compete like show ponies to catch someone's eye.
Sorry for the delay!
I feel a little on display myself, but I know that that doesn't exactly help.
No worries!
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I feel like I'm being judged too, I'll say.
[ It's not like he can speak out against the system, he's pretty sure. Or he's sure enough not to go testing that yet. ]
I'll keep my eyes open though.
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[while she's too outspoken and opinionated for her own good and will surely wind up in trouble sooner or later]
Thank you. [a pause] It's going to be difficult to rely on others.
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