TDM #19

[duplicitymods]

« « « 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. ...At least, this would normally be the case. Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new and old arrivals. The weather is stormy and miserable. There's flooding. Quite a bit of it.

» » » VIRTUAL VOYAGE

---

(cw: voyeurism, privacy violations) Ordinarily, new arrivals to Duplicity are sent on a tour of the city by train, but with the tracks currently underwater this month's tour is a little different. Instead they will assemble in a conference room on the third floor of the Orientation Center and watch a video that highlights the many beautiful locations of the Up, such as White Wall Bridge, Fiddler's Square, and North Park, complete with cheesy voiceover. The video also displays some… less beautiful landmarks in the Down, though that segment is shorter and much less complimentary. After the video concludes, it's time for the interactive portion of the tour! Tablets will be handed out, though there aren't enough for everyone so some people will have to share. These tablets are set up with a program allowing characters to look through various cameras in public areas around the city. They can click from one camera view to the next to explore or tap the 'randomize' button and see where they end up. There seems to be a glitch with the latter feature, however, that enables it to tap into camera feeds that aren't part of the carefully curated tour path. Security cameras in the lobbies and hallways of apartment buildings, hidden cameras in hotel rooms, webcams, and even the cameras on the communication devices that they all carry — any of these might pop up amidst the regular street views. Characters may suddenly find themselves a silent third party to a video call or spying on another LIER in an intimate moment. The question is, will they keep watching or click away?

« « « SOGGY SLEEPOVER

---

Due to the ongoing watery crisis, temporary accommodations have been arranged for until new arrivals are able to move into their assigned housing. Officials explain that the Submissive housing in the Down is partially flooded out and that the Dominant building in the Up, while not faring nearly as badly, has been experiencing electrical issues. As the apartments available to new Dominants are mainly on higher floors, this means an exhausting climb when the power goes out. In either case, the situation is not ideal. For now, Submissives are given blankets and sleeping bags in a hastily cleared-out hotel ballroom. There's plenty of floor space to spread out, but little else with which to create a sense of privacy. An adjoining set of restrooms provides the basic facilities (including a lube dispenser!) though a bath in the sink is as good as it gets for hygiene. Several room service carts loaded with bottled water and suggestively-named cheap pre-packaged snacks are refilled twice daily at meal times. If the Submissives sheltering here wish to better their circumstances, well, perhaps they should find a Dom to shack up with and sign a contract. Dominants each get a room to themselves, though LIEs haven't exactly sprung for the fanciest accommodations. Five star? Not even close. The rooms are small and garishly decorated, with minimal amenities. There's a tv on the dresser that only gets five channels — four of which are porn and the remaining channel is local news and weather. (No matter which channel you're watching, the immediate forecast is: wet.) At least they have a full bathroom. The hotel isn't serving food, but a few complimentary meal vouchers for a nearby restaurant can be found on the nightstand along with a 'sexy' welcome basket consisting of lube packets and a cheap vibrating dildo. All Dominants are strongly encouraged to visit the emergency Submissive shelter and rescue a Sub in need. PSAs featuring sad stock photos will be sent to their devices as a reminder.

« « « TAKE THE STAIRS

---

(cw: aphro, dub-con) With the steadily rising water and heavy rain, Duplicity’s utilities are feeling the strain of being increasingly waterlogged. The city is dotted with pockets of temporary power outages lasting a few hours at a time. It’s concerning, but there isn’t much city officials and engineers can do about their soaked infrastructure. All they can do is try to manage the blackouts and pray that a citywide one doesn’t befall the Up and Down. The area where the Orientation Center is situated is unfortunately prone to losing power, and those characters who decide to take the elevator instead of the stairs while attending Orientation may find themselves stopped in the dark with the doors sealed shut. The emergency system kicks in after a minute with dim red lighting and a voice over the intercom tells those trapped to keep calm. In addition to the emergency lights, a recording of smooth jazz will play over the intercom and air laced with a special blend of aphrodisiac will filter into the enclosed space. One last message over the intercom from whoever is on the other end reassures the stuck parties that the main power should be back on in an hour and in the meantime they should relax. So, what will you do with your trapped elevator buddy? You may find yourself wanting to sit next to them and open up about your feelings. Maybe you're feeling blabby, ready to get some things off your chest, or maybe you're more touchy-feely and you'd prefer to let your body do the talking. You have time, so why not take comfort in one another while waiting for the power to resume?

« « « GET WET

---

(cw: aphro, altered mental states, dub-con, exhibitionism) With the water level now at an all time high and with no sign of stopping, the locals are trying to avoid going out in it as much as possible. This need to stay dry (or at least not wade through murky water on the streets) has created quite a few job opportunities for those looking to make a quick buck. Whether it’s helping transport someone on a makeshift raft by pushing them slowly through the street or delivering food and other orders to customers, the demand is there. New arrivals will be offered these gigs, regardless of designation. Whether they decide to take on the jobs is up to them, but the incentive to do so includes an offer of better accommodations in a penthouse suite of Somass Hotel for those who provide the best service. It’s certainly an upgrade compared to the other lodgings that are available. Of course, there’s good reason the locals want to stay as dry as possible, aside from the annoyance of soggy clothes and pruney fingers. The murky water is contaminated with run-off chemicals from the waterlogged storm drains, that, with extended exposure, may cause irrational and impulsive behavior, especially with regards to sex. Get in an argument? Better fuck to make up. Want to bargain for a deal? Use your body. See someone whose rain boots are pretty stylish? Compliment them by offering yourself. Cause a problem with sex? Solve it with… even more sex. There’s also an even more unexpected side effect that’s cropped up - the urge to sing and dance in the rain, as if putting on an impromptu burlesque show. Wet clothes will be shed and tossed aside in the fervor of the act, baring it all to the elements and whatever audience might’ve formed in the process to watch the spectacle.

« « « 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 can swim well and independently, they’re a Submissive. If your character cannot swim at all or needs assistance (flotation device), 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!!

---

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

loki (variant) | marvel cinematic universe | submissive

[jotun]

[ SPOILERS FOR DISNEY+ SERIES UP THROUGH EPISODE 2 POSSIBLE! ]

01. privacy? i don't know her

[ noises of disgust and discomfort ripple around the room, and that's when loki stops slouching in his seat. straightening his spine, he peers over at a nearby tablet just as someone clicks away from an intrusive camera that appears to be surveilling the up public housing.

he snatches the tablet he's ostensibly sharing with a fellow newcomer out of their hands and skips fervidly through various feeds until one comes up that appears to be intruding on a private confessional, intimate and fragile. the dominant in the video fights back tears, and loki watches rapturously. ]

02. pillow fight?

[ on the way into the ballroom, loki scoffs at the plastic dispenser that squirts personal lubricant into his hand instead of hand sanitizer. he pats one of his fellow LIERs on the shoulder to wipe it off onto their shirt as he moves further into the room, gathering up a bundle composed of a single blanket and pillow.

when someone else gives up their spot on the floor to use the bathroom, he casually plucks their blanket up to add to the folded pile of his own. he's not bothered by the fact that everyone here is in the same boat as a submissive; he'll take his advantage wherever he can get it. ]

03. network

Hello. Wonderful city you have here. Tattoos and all.

I write to you today in search of an immediate contract. Housing required, the rest is perfectly negotiable.

( un: grimtaash | text )

[warfares]

I would be careful of how honest you are over this network.
They monitor everything here and the rains haven't done much for their sense of humor.

[jotun]

An excellent warning. I'm well-known for being honest to a fault. You have my thanks.
And have I said anything you believe would upset our benevolent overlords?

[warfares]

I suppose that depends on how adept they are at reading sarcasm.

1 (dominant)

[streetfighter]

[ None of this is sinking in for Raleigh. He's not letting it. The first inch he'll give any of this nonsense is after he's gotten his own clothes back. There's a train, and he'd like to see the sights that way. Bully for him. Instead he ends up in the Orientation Center, tapping through video feeds to get an idea of the city's vibe.

Of course he stops watching when it lands on something more private. That doesn't mean he's done, but whatever, having it snatched from him isn't a big deal. The supply of tablets is limited and he's had it for a while. He's fine to watch from the passenger seat while the guy beside him steers the tour. Or he would be, but -- Jesus, someone's spilling their heart out and this grabbyhands here is just lapping it up. ]

Hey, come on. That's enough.

[jotun]

[ loki lifts the tablet up and away smoothly when raleigh decides he's done. he sits back in his seat, eyeing raleigh in a quick survey. no mark. of course he doesn't feel the need to study everything they can get their hands on. but loki knows what it is to be on the top and the bottom — or even both at once. he knows not to ignore good information. ]

If you find my interest unseemly, I suggest you find another partner. But I expect you'll be relieved of your fastidiousness before long. Holding fast to it now does you no favors.

[streetfighter]

[ He clocks that glance to his throat, jaw tensing. He'd be wary too, if he'd been branded a submissive. Raleigh can't figure why he wasn't, though one role doesn't suit him any better than the other. There are uncomfortable aspects to both.

Dealt the same hand as Loki, his priority would be to look after himself so no one else has to. Maybe this is his way of doing that, or feels like it, anyway. But it shouldn't come at the cost of a stranger's dignity #onemansopinion. ]

Well I'm not relieved yet. You gonna blackmail him?

{ text } un: michaelis

[extensively]

Sir, I must commend your eagerness to contract with another, especially a new arrival. Surely it won't be difficult for you to find someone for your shared needs.

[jotun]

Do you find that Submissives often dawdle?

[extensively]

While I can hardly speak for every Submissive - it would be most inappropriate to assume so - I can tell you that there seems to be a trend. It can be difficult to adjust to all the wonders that Duplicity offers, you see.

03 (un: diversions | text)

[cryfrustration]

an *immediate* contract huh?
well someone's eager

[jotun]

I would not do our gracious hosts the disservice of rejecting their culture. The city dictates a contract should be met; I see no reason to postpone.

[ particularly when his accommodations are a straight up nightmare. ]

[cryfrustration]

still silver-tongued as always

it doesn't bother you?
the designation you got, submitting to someone?

pillow fight?

[the_real_mccoy]

[Of course he was passing through the room just in time to see the theft, why shouldn't he be so morally burdened? McCoy spent a whole five seconds arguing with himself before he sighed and walked over, resigned to a fight. Why the hell did he have to be so caring?

He tapped the man on the shoulder wishing he was anywhere else on the planet.]


I saw that.

[jotun]

[ loki turns just long enough to look the stranger over: midgardian, in his middle years, dour. unless he's about to produce a suit of armor built from the sort of technology that asgardians had while they were still drawing in mud with sticks, loki sees no reason to give his opinion any weight.

his expression tightens into a smile. ]

Bully for you.

[ and he returns to the business of setting up his own sleeping corner. ]

[the_real_mccoy]

[And that was why McCoy tried to avoid involving himself in such things. He did not like confrontations! Back on the ship, he was in charge of his own people and it wasn't so much a confrontation when someone misbehaved as just discipline. In the city, he had nothing like that authority. McCoy pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.]


Look, if you want a better blanket, I'll get you one. Just put that one back. Stealing from someone who has nothing is really the lowest.

01.

[timestones]

[With so much going on in a flurried, chaotic rush, it's relatively easy to imagine silly things like initial recognition go straight out the window--far more pressing things to attend to, after all.

Granted, being stuck next to the God of Mischief that he sent hurtling through an infinite portal loop probably has Strange firmly in Loki's Bad Books. If Loki even has Good Books to speak of. Besides, how is he to know this Loki is that Loki and not some other Loki?

As Loki seems entirely caught up in watching what he's found on the tablet, Stephen only gives the display a vague sideways glance then arches one brow at Loki's particular viewing choice.]

I take it you're finding everything you need there.

[jotun]

It's very informative.

[ he doesn't miss a beat, nor spare strange a second look. by all rights, he doesn't seem to recognize the man who had kept him falling for half an hour. he's worth nothing more than any other human to loki. ]

You should take note. We'll be in their position before long.

[timestones]

[For his part, Stephen certainly isn't pressed or offended by Loki's dismissiveness, and whether it's through a lack of recognition or just being a bratty little snot, the practical upshot is the same. It's a game Stephen is at least willing to entertain a little while as he folds his hands together in the space between his knees.]

I like that you think I'd need to take notes. But hey, if you picture yourself in that kind of set-up in the near future, don't let me spoil your not-so-alone time with the inspiration.

[He cocks his head to give Loki a sardonic glance.]

You want me to conjure you a screen or something?

text | un: sorcerous

[altersreality]

[Oh great, a Loki.]

Yeah, that tattoos are something.

Hey, quick question, how tall would you say you were?

[jotun]

I wonder what my height has to do with any of this.

[altersreality]

I know a Loki, I'm trying to figure out if he's you and ages are kind of hard to know with Asgardians.

elevator prompt

[starfares]

（ time shifts. he is here, and then he is nowhere, and now duplicity is throwing open her doors to him again. rev has not quite decided how he feels about it — there is a sense of distant concern, for those he loves. will he find them, or have they gone on from this place? he had spoken to ronan about returning to his world. but he is not the only individual here that rev has come to love. he thinks of rey and of kylo and of rhys and those he has known far more fleeting.

(he still thinks of ruby, sometimes, and of allison.)

when the new submissive steps into the elevator, rev stands a polite distance away from him and nods. ）

I have been here before. Orientation may be overwhelming at times, but it is not cruel, should you be concerned.

[jotun]

I'm not afraid.

[ loki said, afraid. ]

I guarantee you that whatever awaits us in this city cannot compare to my past experience.

[ he is nothing if not adaptable. he will survive. and when he has survived, he will come for the rulers of this city with the same fury that he reserves for the timekeepers. ]

[starfares]

（ rev makes a soft, agreeable sound. he isn't one to argue — for all he thinks the man's purported lack of fear is untrue. ）

Then I am sorry for your past experience.

（ he gives the man an understanding nod. no one speaks so of trauma if the do not wish it acknowledged, and it is, after all, the least he can do. ）

If you have questions about our circumstances, I will share what I know.