duplicitymemes | TDM #19

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TDM #19

« « « 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 « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

More surprising when they do got things to return to. [It's sort of wistful how he says it. The question of return for him is...complicated.]

So you've never submitted to anyone, sexually? Been tied up in bed maybe, or tied your partner up?

[Direct questions, but he's not embarrassed to ask them, which hopefully will help Trevor not to feel too embarrassed about answering.]

[ That is surprising, Trevor thinks, but then Vrenille is asking about sex again and he shakes his head. ]

Not in such a manner, no. But as I said, Sypha is... bossy. Does that count?

[ He doesn't know what exactly makes a dominant, but she does top whether she's on the bottom or not. ]

Maybe! I mean, it doesn't not count, 'specially if you like it.

Shit, this place loves all its D/s accoutrements--and I will freely admit that I've built a collection of 'em since I been here--but you don't need any of that to play with power 'n control.

There's what this place acts like BDSM is, and then there's what it should be.

[ Trevor isn't personally acquainted with kink, but takes most of Vrenille's meaning. The rest, he's becoming bold enough to ask about. ]

BDSM? I take it the D and S are for dominant and submissive, but what are the other letters? And what should it be?

[Vrenille nods at Trevor's surmise and adds to it.] Dominance or discipline, submission or sadism. The B's bondage and the M's masochism. It's sorta a catch-all for all kinda kinky sex that plays with power 'n roles 'n hierarchies.

And what it should be's chosen by inclination--safe 'n consensual, or if not that then at least risk-aware so people can know what they might be getting into 'fore they decide if they wanna do it.

It shouldn't be based on some social divide like it is here either 'cause sometimes it's the people with the most social power 'n status who are also most desperate to flip things 'round 'n give that up in the bedroom. It should be freeing, exhilarating getting to do something that feels forbidden or taboo, or acting out a fantasy you never thought you'd get to experience.

[He's obviously very comfortable talking about sex, and he's hoping that maybe some of that will rub off on Trevor too. So while he's not directly asking him to relate any of this to himself or speak about his own fantasies, the encouragement to speak more and more freely is certainly there.]

...I see.

[ It seems for a moment as if Trevor is going to leave it at that, but he does speak again after a moment. ]

If one was going to wade into the waters of such things, where would you recommend they begin?

[That is, indeed, the obvious question, given this place and, well, everything about it, so it was bound to come sooner or later. Vrenille's given this sort of advice enough times that he has a ready answer.]

Find someone you trust--and are hopefully attracted to, that helps. [Obviously.] You want someone who'll respect your limits 'n you can communicate with. And you're gonna choose a safeword.

When you do this stuff, "no" doesn't really mean "no" anymore. "Stop" doesn't either. So you pick something that'll work as a private sorta code. If a sub safe's out, everything stops.

You wanna do your communicating 'n negotiating with your partner 'fore you start to play.

So let's say you wanna be tied up and you come to me 'bout it. Well cool, I'm good with that, but there's stuff I gotta know 'bout you first, 'bout your body and any old injuries 'n such. And you'd wanna know that I know what I'm doing, what kinda experience I got as a rigger so I'll know how to keep you safe the whole time.

If there's anything you do or don't wanna have happen while you're bound, we'd need to talk 'bout that too. Maybe you want your throat fucked while you can't get away. Or maybe there's something totally off limits, like getting slapped across the face. [He shrugs, these are just random examples, but they should give Trevor a general idea.]

[ This is a lot of information to take in. Trevor almost stops Vrenille at the first comment -- trust doesn't come easily for him -- but keeps listening. The other man is thorough with his information... that's promising, right? Maybe he'd be a good choice. But. ]

"People here do have regular sex, correct? Without the accoutrements? I feel like I'm going to need to work up to... all that."

Edited 2021-07-17 13:04 (UTC)

Yeah. [Vrenille smiles at the question, not unkindly. It's obvious that Trevor is overwhelmed and out of his depths.]

They do--some, I'd say, probably even prefer it.

Look, I get that all this can be...a lot. If you got anything you wanna ask 'bout, don't matter how taboo, you can go ahead 'n ask me. I'm a professional after all. [It's hard to tell if he's teasing about that last bit.]

[ Trevor's lips twitch up at the last bit, whether it's a joke or not. He isn't certain what to ask, honestly. But it's been clear enough through all of this that Vrenille wants him to talk about himself. ]

I'm not a sadist or a masochist, I don't think.

That's fair. [He encourages Trevor to talk more by offering things about himself in turn, making sure none of the disclosures will feel one sided.]

I'm not much of one either. I get off on other guys getting off though, which is why I can flog a guy or spank his ass or whatever if he's into it.

Wouldn't call that sadism exactly. It's ironic when you think on it 'cause a real sadist's a pretty bad parter for a real masochist since the masochist liking it'd be a buzz kill so far as what the sadist's after.

Anyway, my point's that getting off on causing pain or feeling it ain't a requirement for being a kinky sonofabitch.

[ Yeah, being flogged is.... entirely unappealing. Trevor's nose crinkles at the idea of taking a beating during sex. He doesn't mind things a bit rough, a sharp edge to the pleasure, but would be more into scratching or biting than spanking.

He's starting to seem more curious at least. ]

What are the requirements?

[Curiosity's a good step! And hey, at least Trevor seems to be taking some inspiration for what he wouldn't like. Maybe at some point a passing remark will clue him in to something he would like too.

At any rate, Vrenille snorts at the question.]

I dunno, wanting to do anything 'sides one-on-one dick-in-vag sex with the lights off, I guess.

Honestly, it all depends on you. Like the old line: "Edgeplay's what other people do."

[He knows his terminology there will be foreign, but maybe Trevor will parse what he means from context.]

[ Tying someone up didn't sound half bad, but it would take a lot of trust for Trevor to agree to be bound himself, and he's pretty sure that his position requires he take that role. It's mostly strange to be thinking about it in a context that doesn't involve Sypha.

He tilts his head at Vrenille. ]

Can't be that old a line, I've no idea what you mean by it. Edgeplay?

Like I said, it's what other people do.

[All teasing aside, he knows that's not actually helpful.]

Okay, okay, let's say for example you got a guy who's into chastity. Wants his partner to lock his dick in a cock cage 'n only let him cum when 'n where 'n how they say he can. That gets him off like crazy, letting someone lock him up and have total control that way.

Let's say our hypothetical couple's got their rituals 'bout the whole thing, maybe he gets to expecting when he's gonna be let out, gets to rely on it. Maybe there's a bargain 'bout when he's gonna be given the key so he can unlock himself. He gets all ready for it, waiting for the day to come. And then, just when he thinks it's time, his partner holds the key out--

--and destroys it right in front of him, leaving him locked up with no escape ever.

[ Although that's also not something he'd be into, Trevor's following along just fine until the very end. Then he blinks, looking utterly bewildered. ]

...the fuck's the payoff in that? Way to ruin a kink, if you ask me.

Exactly.

See to you or me, the last step's just awful. I mean for me, it really gives me chills. There was something we could understand the pleasure in, and then there's this step--say right over the edge.

But we dunno, for our hypothetical couple, maybe this is the ultimate high for them. Maybe it's the hottest fucking thing they've ever done together, and the horror of watching that key get destroyed without knowing it's gonna happen or agreeing to it's absolute bliss for our chastity-loving friend. [Vrenille shrugs, grinning at the story and how the example's panned out.]

Edgeplay's subjective. It's usually got something to do with some kinda blurry lines on safety 'n consent and a lotta the time it's pretty high-risk stuff, but ultimately, it means there's a line and people are playing on the edge where we perceive it to be. So maybe we see crossing that line as a total buzz-kill, but for them the line they can't see crossing's somewhere else completely.

[ Trevor is, honestly, still a little baffled how that isn't crossing a line, but he gets the point that it's different for everyone. It just seems so extreme, so potentially dangerous.

He shakes his head, wanting to make something clear now. He had trust issues, Vrenille. ]

I might as well warn you now that if I ever come to you and we have an agreement about what's to happen, you'd best not go back on it like that. I'd consider it a betrayal.

[ And as discussed, the line on his throat won't keep him from protecting himself. ]

[Vrenille raises a hand to allay the concern, but his tone is gentle and genuine, not defensive.] Goes without saying, man. You don't have to worry.

When I push limits with a guy it's 'cause he's asked me to. ...The occasional seduction notwithstanding maybe, but I don't seduce a guy unless I plan to do right by him. Trust is important to me, I take it serious.

[He has some people here with whom his mutual trust is so strong that he could do more high-risk play with them, and some of them have had trust issues of their own. He's more than familiar with trust issues. But those kinds of bonds aren't something you can will into being. Either they form or they don't.]

It's not just you, y'know? I gotta live with myself after every scene. And there's been times when this place has taken some of my choice 'bout things away too, made me do shit to guys I wouldn't wanna do. Having to look at yourself in the mirror after something like that? It's pretty brutal.

[ Trevor eases up a bit at the reassurance, but his brow furrows at the talk of Vrenille's choice being taken away. It's hard to not wonder, after hearing that, not to worry about what might happen to him. What he might do to someone, if it came to that. ]

What did it make you do?

[The question draws a deep sigh. Trevor's asking him to lay bare some of the most unpleasant experiences he's had in this place, things he's ashamed of and would just as soon banish far to the back of his thoughts. In nearly three years, there are more than a few examples he could give, even if he'd rather not do it.

But here's this man who's newly dragged into this place, and Vrenille's gut tells him he's a genuine, good person who the world's been too unkind to. You don't get trust from someone unless you give it--sometimes you just have to take the risk to make yourself vulnerable if you want a paradigm to shift. Doesn't Trevor deserve someone doing that for him?

Vrenille looks at him quietly for a moment before answering.]

Well, there was the time it turned me into a ghost 'n I ended up locked in a hotel room with a stranger who I fucked without him ever even getting to see me.

There was the cam-boy copy it made of me that pretty much raped a guy in a sex swing on screen and I had to sit 'n watch it.

Oh and then there was the time I tied my best friend to my bed while he was sleeping 'n fucked his throat till he puked 'n still kept going after.

[He could go on. There are other instances, but he doesn't enjoy revisiting them, and hopefully Trevor gets the picture.]

[ Trevor isn't sure what he expected to hear, but it wasn't any of that. He should have known with how Vrenille hesitated, considered him so closely before speaking -- the other man has been so candid with this talk until now -- that it was bad. But it's also strange, and violating beyond the normal ways of violating someone. Trevor has questions that he swallows back down, admittedly mostly because Vrenille is unlikely to have the answers than out of manners (how could this place turn him into a ghost or create a copy?), and exhales long and slow. The gravity of it all weighs upon him. Both Vrenille's openness and the true horror of this place that awaits him. ]

I'm sorry to make you recount such events.

[ His expression is dark, angry and worried again whereas before he'd been warming up to the conversation, to at least talking about sex if not fully comfortable with the idea of having it casually yet. He understands now, the comment about living with yourself after what this place makes you do. About why he needs to comply with its regulations.

It makes him want to burn LIEs to the ground, to punish all who are responsible for tormenting the population here. Including his new acquaintance. It's abhorrent. ]

[As soon as he sees that cloud come across Trevor's features, Vrenille's first reaction is to ameliorate it as best he can, extending a small olive branch of comfort.]

Hey, don't sweat it. It ain't nice talking 'bout this shit, but it's better that you know. Forewarned is forearmed 'n all that.

And anyway, I'm all right--every one of those guys I made amends with, even got to be friendly with the ones I hadn't known before.

[Not that it ultimately makes the arbitrary brutality of this place any better, but he at least doesn't want Trevor to feel bad for asking or to think that he simply can't live with himself for those past events.]

This place makes bad shit happen sometimes, but we get a chance to make good shit happen too. That's what you gotta focus on, not the times when it gets away from you 'n things go off the rails.

[And hell, if Trevor wants to ask him about the particular strangeness of the powers LIES has to shape and change reality, he'd at least attempt to explain it as best he could.]

Bad shit happens everywhere. It's the loss of control, of autonomy, that this place seems to force on us that I object to.

[ His voice is sharp and harsh, and he does hear it and take a moment to center himself. Dull the edges of his temper so he isn't snapping at Vrenille, who's been nothing but kind and open with him.

But he's still pissed. And he doesn't often make good shit happen himself, he's so used to simply fighting the forces of darkness. Here, he can't do that. He's yet to find a place for himself. ]

How do they do it, anyway? Dark magics? Or more technology?

[Vrenille doesn't take it personally, and he's certainly heard people talk more sharply than that around him (and to him) before--he's pretty thick skinned when it comes down to it.]

I hear that, and you're sure as hell not alone there. I don't think there's anything 'bout this place that rankles more, unless maybe it's how arbitrary the designations are. Though I guess that's just another side of the same coin.

Ain't no one found a way to change it though, and not for lack of trying.

Far as how they do it--one thing this place 'n my world have in common's that magic 'n technology aren't opposites, just aspects of the same thing. "The Eternal Alchemy." That's what the asura call it back home. Maybe it works its own special way here, but I think the principle's the same.

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