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duplicitymemes2021-05-08 02:08 am
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2021-05-08 02:08 am
Entry tags:
TDM #18
« « « 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 paper gown 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 quite pleasant for once actually. Sunny and warm. How nice. |
» » » 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. |
« « « BACK ON TRACK
 With the train system up and running again after the damage that was done to it thanks to the Rubies, Duplicity’s Department of Transportation has decided to partner with LIEs and their Orientation program for the next batch of new arrivals being processed at the facility. Their aim is to raise a bit of money to help cover the cost of repairs and much needed construction, and they’ll be enlisting the help of LIERs — whether they want to volunteer their time or not. There aren’t many vehicles in Duplicity, but those who do own cars or even motorcycles are encouraged to take advantage of the warming weather by coming out to get a free washing, courtesy of the city’s first official charity car wash. Should anyone care to make a donation, all proceeds will be going to benefit continuing restoration efforts at the various stations that were impacted by last month’s events. Of course, new LIERs aren’t the only ones invited to volunteer their time and efforts to soaping up some chrome — and there might be some fun perks involved for anyone who pitches in to help get these cars all squeaky clean. |
« « « ZOOM ZOOM
 (cw: aphro, voyeurism, exhibitionism, public humiliation, fluids, coercion, dub-con, transactional sex)Even though Duplicity is a place ripe with debauchery and filth in many regards, that doesn’t mean that those who have the means to own vehicles aren’t inclined to keep them clean. Targeting those who clearly have cash to spare, the car wash in the Up put on by the Department of Transportation is an enticing spectacle to behold, whether one is having their vehicle catered to or not. Volunteers are encouraged to strip down to underwear or a swimsuit and get scrubbing! If they don’t have something skimpy to wear, don’t worry — there are spare hot pants and bikinis to go around. Hoses, buckets, and a variety of colorful liquid soaps have all been provided as well, along with sponges for washing - although using one’s own soaped up body is even better - and towels for drying. Getting all sudsy and wet seems to come with some added effects depending on which soap is used, such as:
Some of these cars are going to get dirtier before they get clean. But who doesn’t love a show? In fact, one of the services offered is a bit of backseat action with the volunteers, anything from riding the gear shift to stationary road head. Car owners may request to have volunteers get it on in the back while they watch via a dashcam set up on the rearview mirror. It may seem counterintuitive considering the point of a car wash is to clean the vehicle, but engaging in such an act could earn a pretty penny for the fundraiser. There are other tasks to do at the car wash aside from, well, scrubbing vehicles with your body. Volunteers are also needed to collect donations, greet those who come to the event, hold signs to advertise and entice passerbys, help direct people where to go, etc. These volunteers are encouraged to wear as little as possible or white clothes, especially if they want to enter the wet t-shirt contest held at the end of the day. All those who participate in the contest will receive tickets for admission to a drive-in movie coming to a parking lot in the near future. |
« « « STATION MASTER
 (cw: public sex)To celebrate the return of regular train service, for a limited time, special cards with a magnetic stripe are handed out to riders. At first, it might be unclear what they’re for, but printed on one side is a list with every station between the Up and the Down. Inquire further and their purpose will become a little more obvious: “check-ins” at each station, with special prizes handed out to the riders who manage to achieve a minimum of five (the most common of these being a complimentary night for them and a plus one, if desired, at the Stay and Play Hotel). However, checking in won’t be quite as simple as a single swipe of one’s card. Scanning the card at any turnstile will offer up a specific sex act that riders must complete, either on the train itself or, if they’re quick, in the station before hopping on. Some acts might only require one person — solo masturbation to orgasm, for example. Others may demand two or even three participants. Better hope you’ve found a riding buddy, or even a possible friendly stranger, because all acts must be completed by the time the train reaches its final stop in the Down before looping back to the Up. |
« « « ESCORT ESCAPADES
 (cw: coercion)Following the recent conflict that took place in the Down, LIEs has begrudgingly ceded control of the lower portion of the city to the Rubies and other gangs. Although some territory, including the public housing for LIERs, remains neutral, the area on the whole is seedier than ever. Thanks to this development, LIEs has decided to pair new Submissives up at Orientation with a Dominant to escort them safely to their housing in the Down. Whether the Dominant is just as green as the Sub they’re escorting or a longtime Duplicity resident, adhering to the buddy system is necessary in these tumultuous times. There may also be a few instances where Submissives are paired with one another and entrusted to the care of a native Dominant to help them to their new place of residence. Regardless of who goes with who, no one is to end up going home alone! Of course, in the spirit of matchmaking, Dominants are encouraged (if the chemistry is right) to spend the night with their Submissive charge, either in the Down or, if the Dominant is feeling generous, back at their place. If they wind up getting it on, both will receive $50 deposited to their bank accounts the next day. Sure, it may not seem like much, but for Submissives especially, who have nothing, it’s better than being empty-handed. |
« « « 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: If your character would rather live in the country or out in nature, they’re a Submissive. If your character is a city slicker or would like to be, they’re a Dominant. 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! Test Drive threads can be used as activity proofs for characters currently in-game. Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have a good time!! |
no subject
He orders their drinks with terse impatience, catching the bartender looking curiously at his companion and fixing him with a steely glare that banishes the expression from the man's face in an instant. There are enough non-humans in the city for Kurt's appearance to be more of a draw than a novelty, and he's unmistakably new. Untainted. Interesting.
Logan takes the double measure of whiskey he's served and throws it back, setting the glass on the bar perhaps a little harder than necessary before picking up the two pints of beer and carrying them over to the booth, stepping around a kneeling Submissive without looking.
He slides into the seat opposite Kurt and lifts his glass to echo his toast, his own expression grave and troubled, not liking the triphammer of his friend's frightened heartbeat. ]
Yeah. [ He chases the poor attempt at courtesy with a couple of long swallows, then sets his drink down, curling his hands around it and glancing back at the nearby patrons. ]
The whole place is like this. You got the whole orientation spiel, right? [ Logan had mostly slept through his, his healing factor overtaxed by the drugs they'd used to keep him quiet. He frowns across at Kurt. ] It runs on sex like Vegas runs on blackjack. Just another way to keep the citizens compliant, tradin' on desire for power. And us under the thumb.
no subject
[ Kurt makes that as dry as possible, but it still feels inadequate.
He thinks about questioning the purpose, whether that's been made any clearer, but... He has received the summary. Some of the dots are hard to connect, the nature of the supposed genetic affect and the purpose of testing for it and the like, but it makes enough sense as a method of control. Disenfranchise a populous and empower another. Classic humanity, to strip others of their own.
He takes another healthy drink, trying to look less like he might jump out of his skin at any given moment. ]
And there's no way out?
cw: dub con ref
[ He lifts his gaze back to Kurt, figuring he knows pretty well what his friend is probably wondering about. ]
They've got things here that can take away our powers. Drugs. Tech. And they don't hesitate to use 'em. I pissed their enforcement off and sat in a cell for two weeks like a goddamn bump on a log, couldn't even think about usin' my claws. And they can do worse than that.
[ He looks down at his beer, not wanting to meet those lambent golden eyes for this or see the pity or compassion there. ]
Once I was done stewin' in jail, their scientists had a go with me. Pumped me full of their drugs, turned me into some.. mindless animal, driven by need. Set me on some innocent kids. They filmed the whole thing and let everyone here watch.
[ He glances up, briefly, to meet Kurt's gaze, his expression taut with carefully checked rage and self-loathing, then looks away again. He wouldn't tell anyone else about this, not willingly, but Kurt has seen the darkest parts of him so many times, and has always managed to keep coming back. He's a little surprised to find how much he needs that; how much he's missed it. ]
After that they put a cuff on me. If I touched the wrong person, someone who wasn't submissive, it shot me fulla pain until I blacked out and went rogue. Happened a couple of times. I came damn close to killin' people I care about the second time. That lasted for a month.
[ Letting out a breath, he shoves his hands into his hair, frustrated and tense. ]
Elf, all these months in Krakoa, since I came back.. I thought I was past this. Thought I'd finally found a way out, finally made peace with what I am. But a few months here and it's all gone down the fuckin' drain. They've found somethin' inside me, some button they can push, and it's workin' too damn well.
no subject
It certainly explains Logan's resignation. Kurt had more or less expected a level of physical violence against him that he'd simply concluded he couldn't overcome, not-- It's use as Logan as a weapon, a fight that's been going on since before Kurt was born, but with horrific new purpose.
He's passed from sympathy and worry into something near rage. He's practically shaking, swallowing down the sudden urge to cry, just an overload of emotion. Find a path through it. Find a path through it. Find a path through it. ]
It's not-- [ He leans forward, resting his hands and Logan's forearm. He traces bone and muscle almost idly, focusing on something simple and right in front of him while he tries to figure out what to say.
Finally, he brushes a thumb slowly across Logan's knuckles. ]
They've committed a violation against you. They've created a society like this and understand how to enforce it. It's not something within you that's caused this or has made you deserving.
no subject
Reaching up instinctively, he tangles his blunt fingers into Kurt's touch, seeking that gentle comfort even as he tells himself he's not worth the sorrow in those golden eyes.
It helps, though, beyond what he expected, to hear it put like that. It eases something inside him he didn't realise was hurting until it stopped. He lets out a breath, his jaw working as he studies the table. ]
I dunno, Elf. If it was like that, if there wasn't somethin' in me that.. that's used to this -- [ His frown deepens, his free hand balling into a fist. ] I've spent longer in worse places and fought every minute tryin' to get out. I let them stop me.
no subject
It's not because of them that you stopped fighting. It's because of your humanity. [ You know... for lack of a better word. ] They're using you to hurt other people in a way that's deeply wrong, in a way that all of you must continue to live with. You've decided that the risk is unacceptable. To temper yourself against that... It is not an acceptance or forgiveness; it is survival and care for others.
We-- [ Kurt's included. Most people in all worlds over are probably included. Nature. Universal response. ] We always want there to be a reason others might act against us, something inside of us that's made us punishable, but that is... It's trying to rationalize what is not rational.
There's nothing in you that's deserved what's been done. You're only a man who's been made to survive the horrific, and a journey like that is never a clean one.
[ He's sure they've had at least half a dozen conversations like this, but the world is cruel, and it always bears repeating. He hopes it's a comfort. He hopes it's no longer needed someday. ]
no subject
Goddamn, I missed you, Kurt. [ He rubs a thumb along one furry finger, then lets him go, gathering up his beer again. Some of the darkness has faded from him; he studies Kurt narrowly over the top of his glass. ]
Hell of a first day for you, Elf. Did you get the whole orientation spiel?
no subject
There's that final gesture of a more tender affection, met with a smile, then Kurt also returns to his glass. ]
I did, yes. I should have taken notes. There's a lot to abide by.
[ He's hoping there's already a list of what boundaries can be pushed where, but his hopes are not high. Not after this conversation.
Something else occurs to him. ] How is it you've been here for so long?
no subject
He swallows a mouthful of beer and lifts a shoulder in a shrug at the question. ]
'Cause I'm still there back home? [ He glances around the room, at the clusters of patrons. ] Yeah, I dunno how it works. There are a few kids here from home. Keller, Foley and Quire. Some of 'em are from ahead of the last days I remember back in Krakoa. And I've heard of people bein' pulled in from other times, months or years before their friends. Like whatever they're doin' here, they're pluckin' us outta the time stream without any care to where and when we come from.
[ He sighs, a little frustrated at the prospect of so much uncertainty, glancing over at Kurt. ]
Magneto's here. And Rogue. But they ain't the ones we know. Rogue's just a kid. Erik's.. different. [ His gaze darkens somewhat as he raises his glass again. ] Creed as well. And.. Wanda.
[ Yeah, it's a lot. ]
no subject
There's just the age-old assessment. ] Would you consider any of them to be threats?
[ He's not worried about Rogue, really. Not unless her world is one in which she'd been longer under Raven's care, and even then-- The rest, though... It's an unfortunately volatile mixed back. ]
no subject
Only as much as they always are. [ His mouth twists in a brief, wry smile. ] Except maybe Creed. He's got a woodshop up top, livin' quiet as a mouse. Someone domesticated him I guess. Saves me the trouble of havin' to keep his balls in a vice.
[ He drains off the last of his beer and sets the empty glass down, eyeing Kurt thoughtfully. ]
It ain't bad as it looks, Elf. You get used to it.
no subject
He finishes his glass, too, now that Logan's done it. ]
Perhaps so. [ He's adaptable enough. Change shape just slightly and survive. It also seems like there's degrees of things, and he might be fine enough if he remains calm and quiet.
Remaining calm and quiet is difficult in the face of injustice, however, and disproportionate punishment is the entire system here. ]
I'm sure I'll find a way to exist here if it's necessary. I'm less worried about my own behavior than I am about the sum of everything else here, bleeding heart and all that.
no subject
Nothin' wrong with that heart of yours.
[ He's run up against the strictures of Kurt's moral code enough times to be able to say it honestly, albeit with a small amount of irony and not a little genuine affection. After a moment, his gaze drops to Kurt's glass. ]
Want another one? Or -- [ He glances pointedly over towards one of the other tables, where the submissive in the group has been caught by her Dominant, who is lovingly stroking her face even as he fondles her tits, twisting one nipple viciously through her shirt until she gasps and whines. ] -- we could go somewhere more private.
no subject
He almost doesn't hear Logan's question in the surge of that little panic, but he catches back up. The world quiets again, and Kurt nods sharply. ]
Yes. That would be good, I think. [ Wait. It wasn't a yes or no thing, it was options. ] Leaving, I mean.
no subject
C'mon then.
[ Once back outside, he reorients himself with a glance and immediately heads off down the street, apparently with a destination in mind. ]
Let's go to my place. Oughta taken you there first. I didn't think -- [ He glances sidelong at Kurt. ] How bad is it for you?
no subject
Logan likely won't accept that by itself, however, so he tries to keep his explanation brief and casual. ] It is a very personal sort of dehumanization, being kept as a spectacle, as a thing. The idea of that can hurt more than their wanting you dead.
[ He's positive he's preaching to the choir, too. Logan's been through it much worse and for much longer. He suddenly feels sheepish for having been so poorly affected at all.
He takes a deep breath, and his tail swings in a little arch behind him. Reset. ] I'm fine. Really.
no subject
You ain't fine.
[ There are few secrets anyone can keep from Logan's senses, though he knows he should just accept whatever Kurt's doing to make it something he can cope with. Truthfully, he hadn't thought about it until his friend had pointed it out, and now a sour regret sits uncomfortably in his gut. He should have known, should have remembered the circus and the cages, the way Kurt's been treated over and over -- of course he would see it that way, when presented by someone on a leash.
Logan glances up as they walk along, muscles in his jaw bunching as he figures through what he can say, some sort of explanation that might make it easier to live with. But everything he comes up with feels cheap or hypocritical, and who is he to say how Kurt ought to feel? ]
If there was some way to keep you from havin' to deal with all of this.. [ He sighs, then starts digging in his pockets for his cigarettes, for a lack of anything better to do. ] Some days I think I'd prefer bein' stuck in one of Arcade's giant pinball machines.
no subject
[ Being able to joke, even cynically, made him feel a mite better. Same with moving around a little more freely, even though it's hot and they're still confined to this extraordinary cavern. The momentary half-panic is eased, and Kurt's glad that it's at least relatively controllable.
See? He is fine. He'll smooth things down until they're swallowable. What else is there to be done? ]
This is unpreventable. I'm sure most everything here is. I'll try not to lament it and instead be glad that I am not alone, that you are not alone. [ Just in case Logan wants or needs to hear that. ]
no subject
That's true. [ He lets a bit of fondness show in his expression, a wry twist to his smile. ] Guess somehow we always end up together in these kinds of places, Elf.
[ He sighs, thinking about it as they walk along. ] What's the last thing you remember? What were you doin' before you came here?
no subject
The last thing he remembers... He's not sure how helpful it is or whether he should be careful about what he divulges, for Charles' sake. He gives up on any potential coyness before he begins, though. They're in dire straits. ]
I've been asked to look into something that may involve David Haller. I thought of Ruth Aldine in the process, and thought I'd visit her stone.
[ It seems a bit innocuous, said out loud. Half of the whole thing seems strange and undefined, so he's fine leaving it out for the moment. ]
How about you?
no subject
[ Logan shoots Kurt a narrow glance, a tightness drawing into his face at the mention of Ruth as well. The last time he'd seen her was.. well, it hadn't been a good conversation. She'd tried to warn him and he hadn't listened. And then the next he'd heard was she'd taken her life that night, maybe not long after seeing him. But that had been before everything changed. Before Krakoa. And she hadn't been allowed to come back, for whatever reason.
He almost misses Kurt's question, shaking himself out of his thoughts. ]
Me? Oh. It was.. that goddamn business with the flowers. I was with X-Force, we were gonna go talk to Pete. Shoulda thought to put some of those portal seeds in my pockets, might have turned up here with 'em.
[ He glances at Kurt. ]
Guessin' you've already tried to 'port outta here?
no subject
I don't know what they've done, but it's sort of... Reset me? If that makes sense. Anything greater than a couple of miles is tiring, vertical is worse than horizontal. If I try to give myself a much greater distance, presuming something that will put me outside, I simply become disoriented and wind up a few feet away.
I haven't seen the city limits, yet. I suppose I could stand right on the edge and try to leave. I wanted a better overview of those in power before I attempted it so directly, however.