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duplicitymemes2021-03-09 06:59 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2021-03-09 06:59 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #17
« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »
« « « ALL ON DISPLAY
» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «
It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. Yet, solace is found in the lies we tell each other, comforted by the peace of knowing that we're not alone in our depravity, and once on this path, sin itself becomes the lesser of two evils masked in a cloud of normalcy. This is how Duplicity has functioned since the beginning. The divide of power and social standing is overt in that Dominants influence the decisions made both publicly and privately while Submissives cater to the rules presented to them. It is the way of Duplicity to assign random designations at birth with no leeway in altering what has been given. Climate in the Up is far stricter than that of the Down; violating outlined personas for a Dominant or Submissive while in full view of others is punished by degree of infraction. In the Down, many tend to turn a blind eye to these sorts of offenses. To counteract the discovery of the Deceit Gene – a natural "negative" response to all stimuli – the L.I.E.S. program was founded. The program had been designed to introduce new subjects to the current environment and test for the Deceit Gene through immersion in Duplicity's standing society. Sexual impulses and encounters increase the chances of detecting the gene within these individuals. Participants are typically released from L.I.E.S. after a year; however, results have remained unsatisfactory and testing still continues. ... and you're here! Finally! Welcome to Duplicity. After choosing a door and stepping through to the other side, the first thing that greets you are the enthusiastic faces of people in medical scrubs and pristine lab coats. Their enthusiasm translates to eagerness as they strip you of your clothes to perform a thorough examination—you will be healed, bathed, and given a clear plastic top and pants along with clear plastic boots to wear until your items can be processed and delivered to your residence later in the evening. You are also given a device that accesses the network as well as the time and location of orientation. If you enter Duplicity into the Up, congratulations! You're a Dominant, which means you are immediately picked up by a limo after processing and taken to your high rise. Here, it is two Dominants per floor with separate apartments. If you enter Duplicity into the Down, congratulations! You're a Submissive, which means you are directed towards public transportation with the address of the motel you'll be living in. Here, it is two Submissives per room with a shared common space for all rooms. Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new and old arrivals. The weather is rather wet and rainy. Very, very rainy. |
» » » ALL ABOARD
 It's time for the monthly Duplicity train tour. Seats are in pairs and randomly assigned to Dominants and Submissives alike. Traveling from Fiddler's Square, the train journeys through various parts of the Up, showcasing society and examples of lifestyle. Along the way, frequent stops are made; a variety of passengers can be seen exiting and entering the doors. A Dominant with a kneeling Submissive takes a seat near the front of the train at one stop. A small group of Submissives board and sit closer to the LIERS at another, all seemingly content in their roles. As the tour continues through the Up, the train passes close to the Market and White Wall Bridge and zips by North Park before heading into the Down and bypassing Red Wall Bridge and South Park. The train makes a "final" stop at Riddler's Square, where inhabitants of the Down are instructed to return to their temporary housing. Those who live in the Up are permitted to stay on the train and revisit the same locations while returning. |
« « « RAIN RAIN GO AWAY
 (cw: aphro, dub-con, violence, marking)Ice and chilly weather have begun to give way to rain instead, with overcast skies and dark clouds a seemingly constant sight. While the overabundance of rain is an annoyance and comes with the usual series of problems, such as leaky ceilings, mold growth, and gutters or storm drains overflowing, this time the rain carries with it another problem altogether. A weather advisory warning is broadcast to every device, as well as on news networks and radio. The rain, at least for a few days, is not ordinary rain. Whether you're in the Up or the Down, when the water hits clothing it eats away at it. The more water it absorbs, the more the material disintegrates until the wearer is left naked. When the rain comes in contact with skin (or is ingested) the effects seem to differ depending on where you are in Duplicity. In the Up, it's relatively harmless and merely has an aphrodisiac effect, leaving individuals feeling hot and bothered, more sociable and touchy feely. Those in the Down, however, are not so lucky. As the rain seeps through the soil from the Up, it ends up laced with toxins, causing a range of less pleasant side effects for anyone unfortunate enough to come into contact with it. Aside from the aphrodisiac, those who get caught in the rain may develop an uncomfortable, itchy rash, leaving them looking rather spotty for a few days. Those who can't resist scratching at themselves will find a newfound pleasure to the relief it brings and start to crave the feeling or sight of similar marks. In worst case scenarios, individuals will become addicted to marking themselves and others, perhaps even to the point of breaking skin. Effects may last for several hours after exposure and will stack with repeated exposures. In all cases, getting off will bring temporary relief but will not alleviate the symptoms entirely. Plastic coverings seem to be unaffected by the rain and, as word spreads, the Natives in Duplicity form a mad rush buying up umbrellas. Unless a character is lucky, they may find themselves unable to purchase - or even borrow - one. Theft of umbrellas becomes widespread in the Down, often escalating to violence, and even the Up isn't safe from thugs trying to steal and resell this suddenly hot commodity. There's another side to all of this, however. Due to the shortage of umbrellas, it isn't uncommon to see Dom/Sub pairs sharing umbrellas together. If anything, it's encouraged as a means to strengthen their bond. Enterprising Subs and Doms alike may even sell their "services" to escort individuals who would otherwise end up soaked. |
« « « SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME
 (cw: substance abuse, altered states, coercion, fluids, physical body changes)A new "holistic" pharma company named SQuIRT is opening up in Duplicity and is paying a pretty penny for people to trial run their new line of supplements. These supplements are supposed to increase a person's vitality and energy levels, but the side effects are what the company is really looking out for. Some of the side effects aren't so bad and could include:
While others might find their own reaction to be a little more severe:
Subjects must take the supplements for at least a week, otherwise they'll receive no compensation for their troubles. All new arrivals will find themselves automatically enrolled in these trials, whether they want to be or not, and expected to report to the clinic. Of course they don't have to take the supplements, but the payout is certainly enticing, especially for those unfortunate enough to be branded Submissives. |
« « « STICKY FINGERS
 (cw: violence)Crime runs rampant in the Down as always but now, with the nastier side effects of the rain creating an ongoing problem, some unsavory types are sneaking their way into the Up where the effects aren't so hazardous. The result is an uptick in crime in places that are usually considered safe. Be careful how you carry yourself - and your valuables. Those who look like easy pickings may find their pockets empty. Cameras in public areas are being vandalized as well, while homes and businesses are seeing a rise in graffiti. Most of the graffiti is merely obscene, but some is outright seditious. Good luck explaining the latter to the authorities if you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. One of the smaller gangs that has a presence in the Down is taking particular advantage of the rain's disruption to expand their territory into the Up. Known as the Bulldogs, their members are young men and they have a reputation for violent muggings and assaults - mainly targeting Submissives. They loiter in groups near the train and the elevator between the Up and the Down to ambush the alone and unwary. At night, they also prey on those walking home from bars or clubs who may not fully have their wits about them. In addition to beating up their victims for money, some of the Bulldogs are engaging in an informal competition over who can steal the most umbrellas - with bonus points awarded for whatever else they feel like. LIERs are worth double points by default, so watch out! |
« « « MOD & OOC NOTES
Please read carefully. On each Test Drive Meme, there will be a section noting character roles; these will vary each TDM. On an IC level, characters will still have gone through the doors but assignments OOCly are still randomized. When applying, there is a section of the application that denotes whether the character chooses "left" or "right". When participating on the TDM, there will be a third option. Players may link either a top level or a thread (five or more comments from their character) from the TDM and title the link as "Door Pass". This means that the player is choosing to take the designation that they were randomly assigned on the TDM, rather than taking the designation of a door. If the player decides to select a door rather than use the pass, then they are trying their luck; they may get the same designation they had on the TDM or the opposite. Once the application is submitted, players can't change their choice. To assign roles to characters for this TDM, use the following guide: Players can choose whether to assign their character as a Dominant or Submissive on this TDM for the Door Pass for March Applications only. For May's Application round, threads started here may be used as samples however they will not be eligible for a Door Pass in May. Characters will need to use a thread from May's TDM, using those Door Pass rules, for an application after the March round. To Note: Characters can only swap their designation for one of the following reasons: an event occurs that allows it or there are OOC reasons that make it a necessity. Any swap always requires mod approval and each character can only ever switch once. Characters that are being reapped will keep their previous designation but players can choose to use new TDMs with different designations for fun! THERE WILL BE NO APPLICATION ROUND IN APRIL Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have a good time!! |
no subject
he shakes his head even though vanessa can't see him, presses his fingers around tighter the wooden knob as if to keep himself grounded even though his other foot has already sneaked its way on the first step. he wants to curse out loud.
it's so difficult to think of a reason when he can't even think straight anymore. he can only focus on the length of her legs, the curve of her neck, the shape of her, her whole body suddenly made available to him with a few quiet words he will never forget -- it would only require climbing the steps and he could take her. he wouldn't even have to bother undressing her, not when the rain did the job for him.
she's wise not to have turned around. if she as much as looked at him, he knows for sure he couldn't keep himself in check anymore. gathering what's left of his senses, he draws in a breath before he speaks. there's a fraction of a moment when he almost says the wrong thing. ]
I would think of the permission as a privilege and as an honour, but as your guest I could never do such a thing.
[ it's a lot of words and he struggles with them, wishing the exact opposite. what he wouldn't give to be able to show up on the doorstep of vanessa's bedroom, invited or less so at this point? but it's impossible, he can't, they're strangers and it's one of his first nights in this strange city. he's a gentleman, he'd never. ]
no subject
She does not fully turn to face him, but she does pivot, just enough, to put him in her periphery, and there is an understanding in her expression, even as she struggles to keep it schooled into some semblance of politeness in spite of the need that coils through her. ]
Of course. [ She whispers it, knowing he'll be able to discern her standing this close, and then summoning a willpower she will desperately need in order to make it up the remainder of the stairs and down the corridor to the room she must show him to, she draws in a breath, ascending the flight one step at a time. ]
But as your host, I must insist that you stay as long as you like. [ The moment passed between them, she raises her voice again, pressing her lips together when the sentiment is expressed as she attempts to control her breathing. The ache within her is growing, this yawning need for satisfaction, and she fears she may be only minutes away from sinking her weight against the wall and shoving a hand beneath her ruined skirts in order to try and sate it, so much of her body seeming to yearn for that touch. ] At least... until this storm has passed and you can see your way back safely.
no subject
I will stay for the night.
[ every hour he spends under this roof will be a struggle, but he knows that it would be much worse out there. vanessa is too generous. he worries what will become of this budding friendship, however, if he can't control himself. she's kind and understanding, he doesn't want to lose her. one night is all he can take. ]
Miss Ives, I have a request to make.
[ he tries to sound stern, not to give her the wrong impression of what he's about to ask of her. climbing the stairs is slow and he's not reached her yet - he will try to keep his distance for the rest of the evening. the shape of his erection can be clearly seen through the trousers, it's getting really uncomfortable to move. ]
no subject
She does not respond to his assent in words so much as with a nod of her head, slow and understanding. It is more than she is willing to press him on, not wanting to seem overeager in her hospitality but reluctant to send him back out into the worst of it now, and at least here, he will have a freshly made bed to sleep in, perhaps some clean clothes if she can rustle up an older shirt and pair of trousers of Dorian’s that might be stored away.
The sudden shift in his tone prompts her to still, however, and she finally does swivel to look at him again, ascending the stairs behind her, not having made it to the corridor just yet; the light from the hall, cast across his features, makes her draw in a breath at the sight of damp curls, the sheen of rainwater on his skin. ]
What is it you need, Mr. Lascelles? [ It is an internal struggle not to let her gaze linger on his mouth, the shape of his jaw. ]
no subject
everything would be much easier if vanessa didn't look at him, especially not like that. he knows what a poor impression he must make and how impossible it would be to fancy someone in his current condition. a man incapable of self-control, dressed in rags like some beggar on the street. he wishes he could see her stare at him with such longing when he's more like himself. not like this, not when he knows for certain that the yearning in her eyes is only the work of some weird power. ]
Can you lock the door? [ it's a weird request, but he can't explain it any further, his tongue feels heavy and words impossible. he's ashamed yet serious because he knows that she must understand his meaning. ]
no subject
Her shoulders do not release their tension, but there is an instant when her features arrange themselves in a slightly more neutral expression, as though she is attempting to submerge any obvious traces of yearning that may still linger in her eyes. ]
Yes, of course.
[ And now it is her turn to speak sternly, more abruptly, turning from him with an indrawn breath before she can let her inconvenient state influence her any further than it already has. She does not wait for him to follow this time, as she ventures down the hall and finally stands in front of the door at a corner neighboring her own bedroom, retreating to afford him enough of a berth to enter without actually initiating an inadvertent touch between them. ]
no subject
he sees vanessa waiting by the door down the hall and averts his gaze when he approaches her, thankful for the space she's given him. there's no hiding his current state when he comes in her view, but he's quick to move past her and enter the room. before he knows it he's already gripping the handle of the door, ready to practically slam the door in her face. he manages to stop himself at the last moment. ]
Good night, Miss Ives.
[ it sounds more like "get away from me" – even though he doesn't mean any of it. nothing neutral about his expression either, since he can't get rid of the frown, so her impression of him is probably even worse. there's no way he could even apologize to her without pulling her into the room with himself, so he simply closes the door without another word. he won't let go of the handle until he hears the key turning in the lock. ]