duplicitymemes | TDM #17

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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

Hearing that makes Albert's cheeks a little pinker, but his smile is pleased, especially as Arthur's knuckles brush against his face. It's a tender gesture that makes his heart skip a beat.

"And I insist you should drop by. At any time you like. I would relish your company at any and every opportunity. We should swap information we discover about this place as well as... spend some time together. It would make me extremely happy."

He pauses, a little shyly. "I hope that is something you might enjoy too."

Finally, he lets his hands fall to brace against the counter behind him. That all sounds good. Amazing, even, and he smiles warmly with an emphatic nod. He would enjoy that. Except it's not that simple. It can never just be that simple, can it?

And while it feels perhaps a bit too late to bring this up, he couldn't live with himself if he didn't.

"You sure about this? The city don't like Dominants being with other Dominants. I'm used to being, uh, in disagreement with the law. And, I guess, in a way you are too, but ..."

He makes a vague gesture. Still.

Albert's smile remains bright and delighted as Arthur nods, his own handsome face lit up by the prospect. He's seen a shade of that smile before, when he had given Arthur the print of the wolves. Now it is just as wonderful.

It slips a little as Arthur makes his point and Albert can only sigh softly. "Believe you me, Arthur. I am very much used to being without the blessing of the authorities. At least in matters of the heart."

He reaches put again, just to gently touch Arthur's elbow. "I am of the opinion that you are very much worth it."

It's a nice sentiment, and despite the kiss, Arthur is still somewhat surprised to hear it. He's admitted that he's an outlaw, that he's a murderer, and it's somehow worth it, to Albert, to put himself on the line for that? It can't possibly last.

But it's a nice sentiment.

He reaches back to grab Albert's cup, and holds it out for him when he speaks.

"You really are a fool."

"I dare say you are right. But perhaps in this place I can be a happier fool than I was before?"

He takes the cup, letting their fingers brush, knowing that Arthur Morgan will probably always thinking of him as niave. But it seems he can also look past that. The possibility that he might, that there is some future to this endevour? It fills Albert with a strange hopeful excitement, and a longing that has ignored for a long time.

"Whether I am a fool or not, you will have to try not to get yourself into trouble with the autorities here. No doubt they have far more tools at their disposal than the inept sheriffs of home."

"I got no intention of getting in trouble."

Which may not be entirely true, for the long run. Any kind of insurgence will be done with great consideration and care, though. He's not as annoyed about being here as many others are. It's been unpleasant to be alone with his thoughts, and often he thinks it would have been preferable to die, but everything considering, this place is ... fine.

He picks his own coffee back up, and finishes it before he goes to pour himself another cup too.

Albert looks him for a moment, watching as he pours himself more coffee, and hoping that Arthur does keep himself out of trouble. He isn't sure that he will, considering what Arthur has told him about his life up to this point. He wants him to turn over a new leaf but he knows that whatever Arthur chooses to do, it will not change the man he knows.

"I will take that to mean that you are going to try not to commit any crimes, rather than you hope you don't get caught." He says with a touch of amusement. "But please don't correct me if I'm wrong."

"You realise it don't matter when you put it like that. Whether I confirm or not you got your answer."

And, yes, he does intentionally avoid confirming it, just because he can. The smile on his face will hopefully give away that he's doing exactly that just to be a brat, though.

The smile is utterly charming and makes up for any brat-like behaviour as far as Albert is concerned, and he does find himself reaching out to touch Arthur's arm at the elbow, gentle and fond.

"I suppose it doesn't, does it?"

And of course, Arthur being Arthur, no doubt trouble will find him even if he tries to behave. After all, he did keep meeting Albert, no matter how wide the world.

He nods, because it really doesn't.

"But, no, I ain't got no intention of committing crime."

At least not of the kind he used to, none of the robberies and cons. Anything else ... Well, that'll be to help people other than him.

Albert pats Arthur's arm then and turns his attention back to his coffee, and turns his thoughts to other matters.

"I think I am going to try and start my business here again. Set up a studio and a dark room. There is adequate space in this apartment for the time being, and I could find premises if successful. But at least the clientele will not be hausfraus."

Something about the pat makes him happy, and his smile widens a fraction. That the topic of conversation switches to photography also pleases him. It's a more comfortable topic, and one that he enjoys listening to Albert talk about.

"Not sure the clientele would be better."

Albert laughs, leaning against the counter and sipping at his coffee, relaxed and happy.

"I think that is because you have never met a housewife who thinks her children are angels, and she is God's gift. No doubt I will... have interesting clients here." He pauses a moment, and adds, "Besides, I am not really sure what other work I can do."

He chuckles. True, he's never really chatted at length with any housewives.

"Don't fancy yourself a shopkeeper or waiter?"

Something he can sympathise with. There's a reason he hasn't yet gotten a job despite the fact that he likes to keep busy. It seems like such a hassle to find something he could bear doing. He should probably make some kind of advertisement for himself with the phone, but then he'd have to essentially sell himself, and that just seems strange. He's never had to do that. Not for real.

Albert gives him a look, one that says can you imagine ME as a waiter?. Because Albert knows full well that he would be a very poor waiter. Not only is he likely to forget orders if an interesting bird flies past the window, but there's a distinct... classist distaste in the expression.

"I did have a shop, in Saint Denis." He points out, "Well, part shop, part studio, part dark room. And home, I suppose." He pauses a moment, thinking back to the little corner plot, its little lush reception, and how very bare the living quarters were. But what did it matter, when he spent so little time there? "But I worked for myself. Perhaps that's the difference."

Oh, well, that sure is a look. Arthur raises his eyebrows, and crosses an arm under the one holding the cup of coffee. Did Albert even realise he was making that face? It doesn't look quite right on him, but it's a stark reminder of the fact that they come from two very different lives.

The shop he did have, he probably personally owned. At least, Arthur would assume so.

"I hope you don't give waiters that look."

Albert has no idea that his expression is so appalling, and when Arthur points it out he looks utterly ashamed.

"No! Goodness no! They work very hard, and have skills I do not. I can't imagine having to work in a kitchen or deal with unhappy diners. I think I would go completely to pieces."

He looks away, fingers moving to a damp patch on the counter where a drop of coffee had been spilled.

"I feel an utter cad."

He shakes his head. If this was coming from anyone but Albert, the rather exaggerated reaction would seem disingenuous. Since it is Albert, Arthur has no doubt it's very much genuine, but it's also unnecessary.

"Calm down. You're fine."

He just couldn't not say anything.

As he takes a sip of coffee, he reaches out to give Albert's shoulder a gentle pat.

Albert takes a breath, unsure if he deserves Arthur's reassurance, but it once more proves that Arthur Morgan is a good man. Albert can only learn from him.

"I need to be more mindful. Thank you, for grounding me. But aside from photography... my only other skill is chemistry. And no doubt here their learning is much more advanced in the field."

"Probably," he says with a nod. "You're a chemist too?"

He's only ever known Albert as a photographer, so the idea that he'd be something less artistic seems strange, initially. On second thought, however ... Well, why wouldn't he be? He probably got a proper education. Had a family with enough money to pay for one.

"That was what I studied. At university. That was how I became interested in photography, some of the artistic set would come to use our laboratory to develop their pictures."

He thinks it's strange, that he's never told Arthur this before. "I decided that photography was much nicer than developing poisons or fertilisers or explosives. Even if it does not pay as well."

"You would think that."

And, honestly, he won't disagree. Objectively, it's much nicer than poisons or explosives, at least. And farming has never really appealed to him too much. Even if the idea of farming together with the gang had, at the time, not sounded too bad.

Although he really does wonder if Dutch ever really meant it. Maybe he kept them running because he was actually frightened of settling down.

"You still know how to make that stuff?"

Mostly out of curiosity, but also ... Could be good to know.

"Oh, yes. It's a simple process, really, and like riding a horse, one never really forgets." He says, happily taking another swallow of coffee, "In fact, there's probably the right sort of things in this kitchen to make a small explosive. Not very big, granted, not enough to blow a lock-box..."

He says that so easily, so off-the-cuff, as if it's simply a conversational point, an intellectual exercise. He's already turning and drawing ingredients out of the cupboards, and then ducking down into the cupboard under the sink to pull out bottles and looking at the labels.

"Ah, I was wrong. Hydrogen chloride. That is quite dangerous."

At first, he just thinks Albert is talking about it. Then, it takes a moment for him to realise why Albert is suddenly pulling stuff out of the cupboards, and he abruptly straightens up when he does to watch more intently.

"So that could make a big explosion?"

It's that easy? Really?

"Perhaps not a big one. But mixed with the right chemicals, it lets off a highly toxic gas that can kill people and animals nearby. Hydrogen peroxide, when combined with various salts and heated can form an explosion that produces ether. Which as you know, renders people unconscious."

As he speaks, he sets a contain of household bleach on the counter, and then goes back to the cupboard which held baking soda and other common cooking ingredients.

"Will you pass me a bowl, please? Not a metal one. I believe they are in that cupboard."

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