duplicitymemes | TDM #17

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«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

For a man who clearly prefers to be out in nature than among people, Arthur supposes it's not a surprise that he can't really remember. It's very unlikely that no one heard the name during the summer, though.

"I'm sure you heard about the ferry robbery in Blackwater? That was the Van der Linde gang."

It feels like ages ago to him, but it's only been a few months.

"Why yes, it was a massacre, or so I hea-" he stops, and looks at Arthur with no small amount of concern. "You were caught up in all of that?"

He fears the answer. Arthur has repeatedly warned him he is not a good man, more dangerous than wolves he said at one point. He is not sure what he fears most, that Arthur was attacked, or that he is somehow involved with a gang of outlaws.

Then again, if Arthur was, is, or could be an outlaw, he has only ever been kind to him. Protected and assisted without threat or demand, and Albert has benefited from Arthur's ability to look menacing. Only a little while ago, in fact.

He shakes his head.

"No, that wasn't my job. But it was my gang. For twenty years or so." He pauses for a moment, raising his eyebrows with disbelief. "Twenty goddamn years."

Twenty years that meant nothing at all in the end. Not for the first time, he feels like all his life was wasted. Even if he's not sure he would have had a life without Dutch and Hosea.

Some people got out. He has to remember that, and just hope that they'll be all right.

The thought is enough of a distraction from the anticipation of rejection, at least. Because he's sure that's coming. Why would someone like Albert want to associate with an outlaw? Not a chance.

As Arthur speaks, the strain in him is apparent in his voice, in his face, in his eyes, and Albert reaches out to steady him, his hand on Arthur's shoulder. His thoughts whirl, his heart sinking with both sympathetic pain and his own. Outlaws hardly ever met a good end. Even if Arthur had recovered from TB, he would have probably died in a shoot-out, or in prison, or more likely if he was caught, the end of a rope.

Albert swallows that down, pushing it away from the here and now, the man sat on his couch in the heated apartment, in a city they'd never heard of, possibly not even on Earth.

"Twenty years is a long time, but it couldn't have all been bad." He says, trying to coax Arthur away from the edge he seems to be stood on, metaphorically. "Whatever you think, Mr Morgan, you always helped me. You saved me, when you didn't have to. I always enjoy bumping into you, I was never afraid of you. I don't intend to start now."

As soon as he registers the hand on his shoulder, he turns his head to look at Albert with utter confusion. Sure, he's not the first one who didn't seem to care about Arthur being an outlaw, but it only makes less sense this time.

"Really? I just told you I'm a thief and a killer, and ... that's it? That's just fine?"

Albert feels the disbelief and he knows that it makes very little sense. He should be asking Arthur to leave. He should be trying to distance himself from this man.

But he doesn't want to. He has no reason to, whatever Arthur says, whatever he has done, that is not the man that Albert has seen. Is a good man capable of doing bad things? Yes, undoubtedly. Can a bad man do good? Clearly, yes. He himself is not innocent, not pure or without sin, and he has no ground to judge Arthur.

"No, it is not fine. But I don't think you did it for fun, I do not believe you capable of torturing your fellow man just because you could. I think you might even regret some of what you have done. But you are not that man to me. And here we are. Without Dutch van der Linde and his gang. Here is a chance to start anew."

He hadn't meant to sound accusatory or aggressive, and the realisation feels like ... Well, like the exhaustion after a bad coughing fit courtesy of tuberculosis. He slumps where he sits, and scrubs a hand over his face.

If only Albert knew just how much he regrets.

"Sorry," he says, barely even a whisper, and puts his cup down on the coffee table.

What else is there to say?

A lot, truthfully. But all of them just sound like excuses. Dutch saved him. The gang was the closest thing he ever had to a family. It didn't use to be like the Blackwater massacre. They helped a several people. None of them chose it but they didn't know any other way to live.

It all just sounds empty and he can't bring himself to speak any of it out loud.

Arthur has pulled away from his hand in the action of slumping down, moved away from the attempt at reassurance. Which is a pity, as he seems to need that now more than before. But Albert doesn't hesitate to touch him again, he has never hesitated to touch Arthur. So back the hand goes, thumb rubbing at Arthur's shoulder.

"You have no need to apologise to me." He replies in the same gentle tone. "You may think I'm a fool Arthur, but it's true. You have never done anything to harm me. And I believe you are a good man."

He scoffs.

"You are a fool. You hardly know me."

You don't know you, Sister Calderón had said, and he shakes his head with a wry smile at the thought. Maybe it's true. Maybe it's not so simple to say that he's a bad man either. Probably nothing is that simple. But a good man? That still seems like a stretch.

Yet, he accepts the comfort like he's starved for it, doesn't pull away or reject it. He stays exactly where he is, only moving enough to reach for the coffee again. It'll get cold otherwise.

"And yet you have told me such things about yourself, Mr Morgan," he replies. "And what do you know of me? Nothing at all. Just that I am a fool who throws himself in the path of wild creatures great and small. I could be a horrible person, and yet, you save me. Over and over. Why?"

He has never wondered it before but if Arthur has robbed and murdered, then why did he not do the same to Albert? The camera is worth a good amount of money, he has some cash with him and his late father's pocket watch. That too is worth something and is easier to both conceal and sell.

That at least gets him to laugh, even if it's quiet and brief.

"You got me there." He straightens, settling one hand on his knee as he turns to finally look at Albert again. "Why? 'cause you clearly couldn't save yourself. And I guess I liked you from the start. Soon as you started complaining about photographing house fraus I liked you."

Albert's cheeks turn a little pink at the memory, at the way Arthur looks at him, and he wants to look anywhere but the other man. But he can't pull his gaze away as Arthur speaks so frankly to him.

"I think I may have made myself seem like quite the victim, forced to photograph women and their misbehaving offspring and their bored husbands." He says with a little bit of a smile. After all, for as much as he says he hates portraiture, he was quick enough to capture Arthur's likeness.

A likeness that photography can do no justice to. A still image can do nothing to portray the vitality of the man, the easy swagger, the drawl of his words that fills Albert's veins with warmth. A photograph can't explain the safety one feels in another's company, or the ache in him when he thinks about living on without Arthur Morgan riding about the world, nor can it explain how much Albert longs to kiss him.

The thought somehow springs into being without any input from his brain, his heart singing out for it, his body a slave to those baser desires, and so he brushes his lips against Arthur's, just as he realises it may well be a terrible mistake.

He makes a bit of a dismissive sound, waving his hand. It was nothing like that. It had just been funny, and something that he could instantly sympathise with. If he were a photographer, he can't imagine that he'd like photographing wealthy families either.

Before he can elaborate or say anything else, though, Albert is leaning in and ... It can hardly be called a kiss at all, but there's no question about the intent. It's ... surprising, because despite complaining about portraits and that willingness to be eaten by wolves and alligators, Albert always seemed like someone who is proper. So even if Arthur might have wondered, might have suspected, with the casual way Albert would touch him and compliment him, that there was something else there, it wasn't a thought he'd lingered on. He hadn't wanted to. And there had been so many opportunities for Albert to do this, away from a society that would tell them it's wrong, and he chose not to.

While he doesn't flinch away or anything, he also doesn't move, frozen on the spot with surprise. Not that it stops his heart from racing or his cheeks from turning a little red beneath wide eyes.

The statue-like stillness of the other man tells him all he needs to know. A fool, a fool, when will he ever be anything but a fool? This is not the pose for a photograph that you can arrange a man for. If a man reacts badly to a kiss, then you do not press on in the hopes he will warm up to you.

Albert pulls away, his own eyes wide and he fidgets for his coffee cup, snatching it up and retreating back into the kitchen as fast as he can. If Arthur wants to leave, now he gets ample chance to do so without having to speak or look at Albert again. Now he knows exactly what Albert is, there can be no doubt he will want nothing more to do with him.

"You are a fool and a deviant." He tells himself, angry and upset. Arthur is a good man, a kind man, but no doubt he won't want to associate with such a man as Albert.

Arthur's head is still spinning when Albert pulls away, trying to make sense of why this is happening now, what stopped them before. Is it because he told Albert that he's probably dead? That he's not sure what will happen when they've decided to no longer keep him? Is it because he said he liked Albert immediately? Maybe it's all of those things.

And what does he do with it? They're both Dominants. It can't last for long. This is just ... a bad idea. Isn't it? Or does it even mean anything? It has to, right? Since--

Since Albert left the room.

He jumps up like something bit him, and follows into the kitchen.

"Albert."

He doesn't know what he'll say or do yet, but clearly he needs to do something, because Albert must've gotten the wrong idea.

A little bit of time and distance hasn't done Albert any of the good he hoped it would. He's simply stood with his hands on the could marble of the counter trying to catch his breath, waiting for the next thing to happen. He assumed Arthur would leave, and although he knows that some men grown angry and violent he can't see Arthur doing so.

He does not expect Arthur to follow him into the kitchen, and he looks up when Arthur calls put to him, still wide-eyed.

"I am sorry, Mr Morgan. I am not sure what came over me, I..."

He's still holding his cup of coffee, which he realises when he raises his hands slightly in what's meant to be a soothing gesture. It doesn't really make a difference, but he feels the need to get rid of it, and wavers awkwardly for a moment before walking over to the kitchen counter to put it down. He doesn't walk up right beside Albert, but he also doesn't go to the other end of the counter either.

"It's okay," he says, finally. "I was just surprised. You didn't ..." He clears his throat quietly. "You didn't do anything wrong."

He watches Arthur move, uncertain for a moment, hope rising in his chest that he means to clear the distance and kiss him, but when he stops short, that hope dies in his chest like the bees in winter.

But what's would he prefer to have? Arthur's forgiveness or his disgust? The answer is obvious. He would much rather be Arthur's friend, even if they have to get over this awkwardness.

"You are kind to say so. But now... I suppose that you know something of me that I had kept hidden. I may not be quite the same sort of man as you but... I have my own sins to shoulder."

He scoffs. My own sins, Albert calls them. Whoever decided it was a sin to kiss another man had too much time on their hands to worry about that kind of thing.

"Guess that means I was doomed to Hell from the start. That's almost a comfort." He leans back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "Is it more or less of a sin if I been with men and women?"

Albert isn't accepting another confession. Although calling it such is almost certainly a stretch as Arthur really seems not to be sorry about it at all. But he no doubt thinks killing men is worse than loving them. Not everyone would agree with him, and there's any number who would consider them equally horrific.

"I do not believe the Good Book uses a rating system." Albert manages with a dry throat, and goes to pour another coffee. "At least not that I have been taught."

"So we're both going to Hell. Works for me."

Clearly, Albert still doesn't understand what he's getting at. His first thought had been that it could be the city playing some kind of trick, but now he doesn't think that's possible. Not with the way Albert's doubting it, how much he clearly regrets it.

So ... What does he do now? He likes Albert, a lot. But they have no real future, and they're both Dominants. But Albert kissed him and he seems very sad at the idea that Arthur doesn't see him like that.

Oh, to hell with it.

"Come here."

That makes him wince. Hell is really not the place he wishes to end up, even if he is already condemned. Hearing it said like that is extreme unpleasant, but perhaps Arthur has a point. If they are already damned, why not simply accept what they are?

Or at least, what he is.

And then Arthur asks him to come back towards him, and in such a way that Albert's body complies. He doesn't know what he wants but he does it anyway.

It's not really meant to imply that they're already damned, but it seems his lack of belief and the jokes he makes because of it aren't going to land right with Albert. Which isn't necessarily a surprise, but something to remember.

If Hell were to exist, though, he supposes he's also saying that it wouldn't be too bad to be there with people he cares about. That is, if you even get to be around others in Hell at all, never mind people you care about, which is definitely not likely. Still, they can't know until they get there, so why not ... well. Have some faith.

When Albert comes over, he reaches out to take the cup from his hand and put it on the counter behind him. Then, he straightens back up, and strokes a thumb over Albert's cheek before he leans in to kiss him. As soon as their lips touch, he almost regrets it, too, because there's a loud voice in the back of his head telling him that this is a terrible idea for a multitude of reasons and his throat feels tight. It's a little bit late to take it back, though.

The cup is taken and set down, and Arthur's calloused fingers move against his skin in a way that once more makes Albert wonder if this is all a dream. Then again, his dreams involving Arthur Morgan tend to involve less clothes, less in the way of houses with electricity, and a lot more moonlight and the soft sounds of resting horses. So this is still unlikely to be a dream, despite how dream-like it feels.

He knows he's leaning in for a kiss, just as Arthur is, but there's something in the way Arthur hesitates like his heart isn't in it, and once more Albert pulls himself back.

"Are you quite sure you have done this before?" He asks, trying to inject some humour into the awkwardness of the moment, gently putting his hand on Arthur's free one. "Just because... you may have been with other men does not mean that you feel something for me. Nor would I expect you to feel obliged towards me, for any reason. You deserve happiness, and whoever you find that with, I will celebrate."

...

Or Albert could be the one to interrupt the whole thing. Arthur's expression shifts from confusion, to fake offended at the attempt at humour, to fond exasperation as he shakes his head. This is where he didn't want to be given a way out. He'd just made up his mind, but he's not always been very good at that, especially when it pertains to romance. Now, it's almost like he has to make the same choice again.

He takes a deep breath. Now he's kissed Albert. He can't let Albert think that it wasn't because he actually wanted to. That would only make things worse, wouldn't it? It wouldn't be fair to him.

"It's been a while since I kissed someone that I like, yeah. I had other things on my mind.

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