duplicitymemes | TDM #17

Entry tags:

«tdm

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

[ Like this? Drake huffs a little, shaking his head. ]

No, it was nothing like this. It was for an alien war.

[ He doesn't even have to say believe it or not. ]

[ That makes more sense than whatever game this place is playing, or what they hope to accomplish. Testing for a deceit gene - really? That sounds like the sort of fairytale bullshit that command used to spout when they needed someone to commit brutality in their name. But a war?

A war, Sharkface can understand. ]

You're a soldier?

[ Soldier implies a certain kind of identity, Drake thinks. He considers it, then shakes his head again. ]

I definitely wasn't one before. I wouldn't really call myself one now, either, since we didn't form a proper army. But I've fought in a war. If you think that's enough to count.

[ Some of the Insurrectionists he fought with were teenagers. One or two were younger, trailing after their parents in makeshift armor or already orphans, already armed up. They didn't start out as soldiers, but the ones who survived ended up that way.

Sharkface nods slowly, watching the man carefully. ]

It counts.

[ He twitches. Thinking about the war isn't getting him anything. ]

What's your name?

[ There's an ache in his chest, when Sharkface asks his name. But Drake knows this drill. He's dealt with it before, this is just hitting him harder for obvious reasons. ]

I'm Drake.

[ He extends a hand to shake. ]

[ Drake, then. Sharkface hesitates, staring at the offered hand, and then takes it gingerly. The pause is telling, too long. He wants to jerk away the moment their hands touch but he holds himself still and breathes through it. He doesn't do this. He doesn't touch people.

But acting like a crazy person doesn't get him a goddamn thing, does it? Suck it up.

He's stiff. It's the sort of thing people notice. But he shakes Drake's hand and he doesn't flinch back too quickly.

So. Maybe he didn't make himself look like a complete asshole. ]

Ephemera.

[ A lie. But there are lines he needs to draw. Calling himself Sharkface will raise questions he can't afford right now. ]

[ Drake's grip is firm but gentle, easy to pull away from just in case, but to his pleasant surprise even though the shake is a little stiff it's not an aborted motion. He smiles, but there's something else in his eyes.

You're not Ephemera, he thinks, but doesn't say. Not yet. ]

Can I tell you something that's going to sound crazy?

[ He regrets it almost as soon as he does it, fighting the urge to pull back. To put space between them. Establish a distance he can defend. But there's no reason for it, nothing he can justify except that nagging, biting need to get his armor back. And since his rig is gone, the only thing he really has to protect himself with is violence. His words, his fists. Whatever weapons he finds at hand.

It would be easy. It would be the easiest thing in the world to lash out. Drake's a big guy, but Sharkface has fought bigger. Killed them. But the way Drake looks at him is -

Sincere, Sharkface thinks, and that hits him strangely.

He twitches. Tucks his hands into his pockets. ]

Crazier then this shit?

Yeah, definitely weirder.

[ He doesn't know how to start, though. Maybe with the concept, first. ]

Places like this, people come and go. Sometimes from different points in time, sometimes missing their memories of the new place, sometimes just with new ones from home.

I knew you. The place I was before.

[ I knew you. That's a hell of a thing to just out and say, isn't it? A dangerous thing. It ought to be a threat. Sharkface twitches, eying Drake up and down. Trying to suss him out, sense the angle - the threat - before it comes.

Drake just looks sincere, though.

Sharkface twitches again. ]

You know me.

[ It's repeated flatly. That's dangerous. He ought to do something about that. It'd be the smart move. And yet.

And yet. ]

How?

How?

[ Drake isn't sure he understands the question, but he'll answer it how he interprets it. And starts at the beginning. ]

It was a mistake. You'd claimed an apartment I didn't realize was occupied... when you got back I woke up to a gun in my face, but your leg was fucked up and I offered to help instead of just leaving.

We were friends.

[ He can prove it, but the proof is back at his apartment. Later, maybe, if this doesn't go south. ]

Friends.

[ Sharkface feels like a goddamn spazz parroting Drake's words back at him, but how else is he supposed to process this? The word sticks out uncomfortably. Friends, not allies. Like they really did know each other as something other than just idiots stuck in a war zone, or however things turned back in that other place. There was a war, at least.

But it doesn't fit. He doesn't have friends these days. He hasn't for a long time.

Sharkface twitches, touching his knuckles to his mouth. He wonders if it's a trick. ]

Prove it.

[ His communicator is back at his apartment, unfortunately. He does have pictures... but that can be faked. Intel can be sourced, the names of his family. Drake hesitates, then plays a different card. ]

You're not Ephemera. Not right now, anyway. I'd bet you're still going by Sharkface... and if your knee's not busted you might not be on Chorus yet. Or it's awhile after that.

[ He hasn't seen the other man move yet, doesn't know if he's hurt or not. But what he's said so far, he could be an enemy from that world. Drake hesitates, goes for something more personal. ]

You haven't gone by Terrence since you were a kid, but even then you hated Terry. And your favorite tattoo is the one on your back, the art of war quote.

[ It's like a switch flips. The threat is obvious, suddenly. Sharkface goes perfectly still, shifting unconsciously into a ready stance. He doesn't have a weapon on him, but that doesn't matter at all. Drake fucking knows. That name is armor on its own, like his scars or the ink he printed across his skin, a warning and a taunt and everything, and he knows it makes him look insane to reveal it here. Context matters. He could deploy it as a taunt. Direct the blow accordingly. Be other than himself, a little less than a full person.

But there are no Freelancers here to target. And Carolina -

No. No, that was a lie. A trick. She doesn't get to have it easy, she doesn't get to walk away.

He twitches. Forces himself to breathe out. ]

They patched me up.

[ His voice is cool, too-even. ]

Knee was fucked. Lot of other things were fucked. Not anymore.

[ Or at least the bullet wounds have been patched. Breathe. ]

You knew me.

[ Fine. He admits that. He fucking admits that. One detail might be excused, but the rest -

No. No, that's too much. It stacks. ]

Now what?

[ Now what, indeed? Drake just looks at him, angry and wary and hiding his face. At the line on his neck and how much he's going to hate what it means. Drake looks at him and sees someone he hasn't known for a long time, and tries not to mourn the loss of the person he did know. But maybe... ]

Maybe now we start over.

[ It's a threat. There's no world where it's anything but that. He cannot be seen as a liability here, as someone unstable enough to go wandering around calling themselves Sharkface. And why is Drake so goddamn calm about this? So steady in the wake?

Sharkface twitches. He could kill this man. Snap his neck, or try to. Draw that line. It wouldn't be hard. He's done that before. Fought men to make a point, to quiet the noise in his skull. To make it clear where he stood, and where he'd placed everything relative to him.

It keeps the world simple. He knows what he is.

He bares his teeth. ]

Don't use that name around people.

[ Sharkface is a weapon, armor all its own. It matters. It's his. ]

[ Drake is only steady because he has to be. He's spent years of his life training to be that way, just like Sharkface trained physically. He's cultivated a sense of calm, the ability to let things roll off with him so he can deal, so he can help people and solve problems. He doesn't know how to solve this, though. They're going to have to play it by ear.

If he needs to break down, that'll happen later, where no one can see.

'Don't use that name,' Sharkface says, and Drake nods seriously. Ephemera trained him, but he'd still lose a fight. Doesn't want to have one anyway. ]

I wouldn't.

[ The moment feels tense, sharp. Like he's gone back in time, except... ]

I know I've got an unfair advantage here, but we could even the playing field a little. You can ask me whatever.

[ He eyes Drake, preparing for the moment when things shift. When the trick reveals itself and they fight, but it doesn't come.

That almost hurts more. The waiting.

Sharkface twitches again. More than anything, he wants his armor back. He's got the survival suit on under these shitty, borrowed clothes, but it's not enough. He thinks he could do this if he had his armor. If he could control how he's seen in that way.

But he can't. Not here. And not to this man. Even so, Drake hasn't turned on him yet. For the life of him, Sharkface can't tell why. ]

What were you? Before you had to fight a war.

[ It's a blunt question. He understands what he's been given, but he doesn't know where to start except at the obvious skill assessment. ]

Back home? Don't hold it against me, okay?

[ Most people do, and he understands why. ]

I was an undercover cop working enforcement for Seattle's biggest crime lord. I did some time when I was younger and realized the system was broken. The people who really deserved to be put away -- the ones who hurt people -- they weren't who wound up inside. So I joined up. Tried to make a difference.

[ A cop, working undercover. Spent some time in lockup himself, and then wanted to do better. Sharkface tightens his jaw. The shape of the story is familiar even if the details aren't. Wanting to do the right thing.

Breathe. He forces his hands to unclench. ]

Did it? Make a difference?

[ The question is really how much difference he made. Drake shrugs slightly, offering his own opinion. He didn't get Stacey Boss. He didn't solve the problem of world peace. But he did something, maybe did a lot, and that's enough for him to be at peace with himself. ]

I think so. Maybe not in the grander scale, since I didn't take down the guy I was going for, but I did save a lot of lives. It made a difference to them.

[ No grand victory then. Sharkface mulls that over in his mind, watching Drake carefully. But it saved lives. Maybe that's enough in a different world, for someone else. ]

Okay.

[ He tips his head to the side, watching Drake closely. He thins his mouth, then breathes out slow. Fuck, he wants a cigarette. ]

You haven't stabbed me yet. I can work with that.

[ The rain is actually getting heavier, Drake's pretty sure. Or maybe the wind's just blowing harder. He presses himself against the wall and huffs a soft laugh. ]

You need to raise the bar a little, there.

I really don't.

[ Life goes easier when he goes in expecting everyone he meets to betray him. Keeps it simple. ]

But surviving this place will be easier with allies.

Expect the worst and you'll never be off guard, huh?

[ Drake knows he doesn't dare to hope for the best anymore. Allies, then. It's a start. ]

On a scale of one to ten, how much did you hate what they told us in orientation?

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw for mention of child soldiers

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject