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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!! |
sticky fingers
He can help how he reacts to those thoughts, though. He's self-aware enough to do that, at least for the time being. So he's decided that if he can help, then he will. People don't deserve to be attacked for nothing, regardless of Anakin's knee-jerk thoughts about it.
He's not drawn to Luke's fight because Luke needs help, of course. He's drawn by the Force, the recognition of another person who is very strong in it. If there's some hint of familiarity, he can't track it. He doesn't know, after all. He knows the future, or thinks he does, but he has no idea about Luke or Leia or that Kylo is his blood relation. He still thinks he dies, but even if that were true (and it's sort of true), Padmé would already be pregnant when that confrontation on Mustafar happens. No one has told him about those particular details, probably for the better.
He gets to this alleyway fight in time to catch just one person, running in surprise from Luke's attack. Anakin barely needs to do anything to take that one out. He doesn't even look at them. He doesn't kill them, though he considers it. It would be a poor introduction, and besides, he's trying to be a better person. He really is.
"That's quite a fighting style you have there," he says, looking up at Luke from the unconscious body lying in front of him.
no subject
There's no attempt to hide anything he's feeling in the Force. Shock, confusion, fear, disbelief, love, grief, hope.
He's seen barely a handful of holos of Anakin Skywalker. The purge took everything and Vader carefully hunted down any and all reminders of who he had been. So he does stare a little bit, seeing the similarities, seeing the hints of not just himself but Leia in the man.
"I-" What does he say? Does he say everything? Nothing? "I learn to brawl a long time before I started training," he finally gets out.
no subject
This man, probably close to his own age, fights like a Jedi. Well, not exactly. But he uses techniques he couldn't possibly have learned anywhere else. Is he from the future where there are no more Jedi, save whoever survives to teach him? (Anakin might be able to guess that it's Obi-Wan just because he knows Obi-Wan lives, at least for awhile. But that might not make sense. Surely others survive. Rey found a teacher, after all.)
"You didn't grow up a Jedi," Anakin says, more a musing statement than a question. "Neither did I. Or...I wasn't found when I was very young. I like to think that didn't hinder my ability to learn."
It didn't, though the swirling emotions he'd held inside himself for so many years might have.
"But you certainly seem to have learned something from your Jedi training. That was a little...unorthodox. But getting the job done sometimes matters more than how you get there."
Anakin has become much more self-aware now that he knows so much of the future, but that doesn't stop some troubling things, like that ends justifies the means business, from lingering in his mind until he says them aloud. He doesn't mean anything dark by it, though; his word choice could use some help, probably.
no subject
Far too old. Too dangerous. But all they had had. It's not always a nice feeling to think back on it.
He's biting back a lot of words, a lot of thoughts. His emotions are fairly easily read, but his thoughts are more carefully guarded after his last run in with Vader. His emotions are just all over the place and thus possibly hard to get a grasp on.
no subject
His eyebrows shoot up at Luke's answer.
"Ninteen?" he says, clearly shocked. He'd been too old, and he'd been a full decade younger than that when he'd begun training. But then...Luke is from after, isn't he? When the Jedi Order is gone?
When Anakin himself helps bring that to fruition. He refuses to accept that future, if he has anything to say about it.
Rey is also a grown up, though he's not entirely sure of her age. She needs more training now, and he's helping her with that. He figures this man probably does, too, as there's not much chance that only a few years is enough. He's not going to say anything like that, though. Anakin can be callous or insulting, but he doesn't want to be, not at the moment.
"I'm twenty-two now," he says. "It's hard to imagine barely being into training at this age."
He looks back at the unconscious bodies around them.
"I'd like to continue this conversation, if you would. But not here. We might be in for another fight if we stay here."
no subject
Anakin is younger than Luke himself right now. Only a year and some change, but still...
"I didn't really have any formal training until I was your age." There hadn't been time, hadn't been resources, there'd just been... him. And the memory of Ben's death.
"Um, yeah, sure. I have an apartment, unless you have somewhere in mind?" Anakin presumably has his own place to live, despite that line on his neck.
no subject
"Apartment is fine. I think we're closer to the apartments than to my house." It isn't his house, of course; it's Qi'ra's, but he lives there. He's certainly not going to refer to it as my Dominant's house. He still bristles at the idea of this place's caste system, so akin to slavery in his mind. An entire year here hasn't softened him on the idea.
He steps back out of the alley so there's room.
"Lead on."
no subject
To put it mildly. He knows he's going to have to tell Anakin who he is, but he wants to do it somewhere private, because even now, he's not sure how his father will react, if he'll lash out or repress or what else he might end up doing.
Luke starts heading back to his apartment. He doesn't know what to say, how to fill the silence. "How long have you been here? Do you have family and friends here?"
no subject
"You know Master Yoda?" he asks.
Yoda lives through the war, he thinks. He hasn't always liked Yoda. Or...it's more that he worries Yoda doesn't like him, and that's always bothered him. Yoda's feelings are nearly impossible to read, but there really aren't other Jedi at his level. But to think that this young man knows him well enough to just call him Yoda is surprising.
He manages to walk again, though.
"I've been here for a year. They say you're a full citizen after that, but I can't say that anything has changed." His opinion of that is probably very clear in his tone. Anakin has no love for this city.
"There are a lot of people from our galaxy here," he says, "Though only two from my time. Obi-Wan Kenobi, who I imagine you've heard of, and Padmé Amidala, a Senator in the Galactic Republic. She's a very close friend of mine." That's an understatement, of course, but he has no way of knowing how Luke would know that. "Obi-Wan was my Master before I became a Jedi myself." He doesn't sing Obi-Wan's praises aloud, but his fondness is evident.
no subject
And then it's Luke's turn to stumble and stop and look at Anakin with wide eyes. "Ben's here? I mean, Obi-Wan? How old is here here?" Luke only really remembers the old man he became, the crazy hermit that always felt like home and he's never really understood why, but it was the Jedi thing, he supposes.
no subject
"Ben?" he asks. He knows Obi-Wan as Obi-Wan, of course. An alias. To...hide from Palpatine? Maybe? And Yoda being on Dagobah...maybe that's the same thing.
It never occurs to him that they're also hiding from him. He's still under the impression that he dies fighting Obi-Wan. It's...not entirely false, maybe, but it's also not the whole picture.
"He's close to 40," Anakin answers. He thinks that's correct; he's not entirely sure, since he doesn't know the exact time difference between them. It's close enough. Obi-Wan isn't significantly older to Anakin's eyes and senses, but he hasn't outright asked either. It's not something he thinks about. He hasn't pinned down exactly when Luke is from, but that doesn't bother him too much. But Obi-Wan lives to be old enough that the other Jedi asks the question.
Hopefully no one ever tells either Obi-Wan or Anakin about Obi-Wan's actual fate. For now, Anakin is glad to know that Obi-Wan survives. At least one of them does.
"Was it Obi-Wan who started your training, then?" he asks. He figures it must be. Even if other Jedi survived, how many of them were close enough to Yoda to reveal his hiding place? Surely not many.
no subject
Yoda, of course, hadn't wanted to train Luke. Had point blank refused to entertain the idea for a good three years until Ben just foisted Luke onto him and even then it had been a fight. Which happened in front of him like he wasn't there.
Of course, prior to becoming one with the Force, Ben probably hadn't known where Yoda was. "Yeah. Ben... I think he'd been watching over me for a long time, longer than I realised. He gave me some basics, but we didn't have very long. Days, really."
But Luke had felt Ben's death. Maybe there had been a bond between them because of Ben's care over the years, but Luke felt his death like he hadn't felt his aunt's and uncle's. "I was nineteen then. I think? My uncle wouldn't let Ben train me. Maybe he hoped it would all just go away. I spent a few years blundering about on my own before Ben pointed me to Yoda."