duplicitymemes

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TDM #2

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « OUT OF CLUTTER FIND SIMPLICITY

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.

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 highrise. 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. Either way it's raining! Still.

Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new arrivals.

» » » LIES TRAVEL IN COMPANY

The day after stepping through the door and participating in orientation, LIERS are assembled together in the Up for a tour of Duplicity in its entirety. 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.

« « « A. WAIST. OF. LEEWAYS.

The rain continues to drizzle, but it’s finally slowing enough for the citizens of Duplicity to catch their breath. With the influx of new LIERS, people make quick work of fixing the damages from Tumenalia—a combination of preparation and wanting to welcome more participants to orientation.

Typically, travel between the Up and the Down is rather seamless with the use of the elevators, and with the end of the holiday comes a regular schedule for transportation between the two areas of Duplicity. Yet, mysterious powers are at play once again. Or so it seems. Stepping onto the elevators does not deliver its occupants to their desired location; instead, they are ushered into rooms designed to be escaped. There are a variety of themes, but the most popular seem to be Room A, Room B, and Room C. While they follow the usual guidelines for any escape room, there are a few “catches” that might not be noticeable at first. Each clue is only accessible to those of the corresponding designation. Submissives are responsible for unlocking the first and third of the three clues, and even if a Dominant figures out what it is and how to use it, they will not be any closer to escaping unless the Submissive plays a key role in interacting with these clues.

Things to note about these rooms: the third clue requires some sort of sexual engagement to be considered “clear” of it. After the allotted time of one (1) hour, if those inside haven’t managed to escape, the Submissives will be removed from the room and the Dominants will remain until they can successfully help the new Submissives escape the room. Each time, the clues will be reset and change; they will never be the same.

» » » THE KEY TO HEARTS

Meanwhile, in the Down, a local charity organization has sent out notices for a black-tie fundraiser to be held during the evening to raise awareness of homeless Submissive children. Invitations are sent via the devices, and there are even fliers posted all across the Up and the Down. If in attendance of the event, the waitstaff will be taking down the names of all uncontracted Submissives; no other explanation of what it’s for is mentioned throughout the evening. And while donations are completely voluntary, any contributions made helps to further the main endeavor of the cause. However, it seems most people are present to network and find someone that might fill a contract slot. So, eat, drink, and dance until it all winds down and everyone decides to go home. The only “catch”? Dominants draw the name of one Submissive to accompany them back to the Up, and those who are left will be paired up for the sake of no one leaving alone.

« « « MOD & OOC NOTES

Please read carefully.

Dominant and Submissive TDM assignments: All characters whose first name begins with the following ( A, C, E, G, I, K, M, O, Q, S, U, W, and Y ) are Dominants. All characters whose first name begins with the following ( B, D, F, H, J, L, N, P, R, T, V, X, and Z ) are Submissives. Players with characters that are a number use the first letter to spell that number. To use this TDM as a door pass please link this on your app and place whether it is dominant or submissive.

For the escape room prompt players can make up the clues they find. They may be extremely sexual or something simple like moving a painting off a wall.

Also, any locations throughout Duplicity are available for TDM prompts as well!

Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have fun!!

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

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[It's rare to see the Dragoon without his helmet on so truth be told he doesn't recognize him at once. What caught Haurchefant's attention first was those pointy ears. An Elezen! Or something akin to their kind. But that voice. He knows that voice. He'd know that voice anywhere.

The knight of Isghard lights up immediately and bounds over never minding the last time they saw one another he was... well. He'd been better at literally any other point in his life.]

Estinien!

[He knows better at this point than to touch or cling or do anything of sorts to the Dragoon. He may be able to still get away with such contact with Aymeric but Estinien... no. But that's fine. He's just happy to see a familiar face.]

Most glad I am to see you! Hale and whole... and here with me. It's splendid.

[Well. Splendid might, for once, be too strong a word to use. But the relief he feels at seeing someone he knows is beyond words. True the friend that connects the two of them is Aymeric but a familiar face is a familiar face. A friend is a friend. And so long as it's the two of them Estinien is about to become Lord Haurchefant's best friend.]

[ If Haurchefant had so much as patted Estinien's shoulder he would have been clocked in the jaw, not only because Estinien does not care to be touched but because a dead man is speaking to him.

Of all the sights he expected--

Of all the souls he could have prepared for--

Haurchefant Greystone is not one of them. By his reckoning, the main was in the soil, his only testament a memorial, and if this is some play on his emotions by the so-call authorities of the city, then he would go to their towers and rip them down himself.

As it is, he makes the first move by grabbing Haurchefant by the lapels using both hands, bringing the man up close so that sharp, unforgiving eyes could examine him for any fault or falsehood. Jaw, cheek, hair, ear, eyes, even nicks here and there, old scars, a testament to knighthood. Proof, seemingly, of his identity.

His words are straightforward. ]

This is not splendid. We are prisoners.

Are you a wright?

[ You know...undead. ]

[Oh...

Well. Estinien is right... at present this is very much not splendid. Haruchefant closes his eyes as he's grabbed so suddenly. He doesn't think he's going to be hit but the Dragoon is testy at the best of times so you never know...

For all his scrutinizing Estinien is not likely to find anything off. The only difference between the him from Eorzea and the him now is the scars that the lance of pure aether left behind when they struck him down. And as much as the knight would like to not really give much thought about what happened to him and the how and why he's here now it seems like it least needs to be talked about a little bit.]

A wright...? No. [He peeks at the Dragoon, offering him a smile despite the situation.] I am just me... strange as that may seem. And I am sorry... I hadn't meant and didn't think... [He lets out a soft laugh despite the situation being far from funny but he doesn't know how else to respond to it all. He is dead and the world and all he knew was left behind. And he knows not if he'll ever return or if this should be his home forever. But on the positive to all of this... Estinien is here.] You can ask me anything. I am who I am and not a shadow or echo of what you knew. Of this I promise.

[ He seems...

Genuine.

But then, all of this seems so genuine. He seems to be trapped here, pulled from elsewhere on the cusp of his own demise, or so it had appeared to him. Perhaps this is some twisted version of Halone's Halls, a mockery of the rest for the righteous they were all promised.

Considering from whom the dogma spouted, it might have always been a lie.

Slowly, he releases him. He steps back, a heavy seriousness sitting on his brow. Were he any other man, he would have had reassurances and thanks; were he any other man, he would have taken the fallen Knight's shoulder.

But he is Estinien Wyrmblood and his comfort is only of a certain kind. ] ...no. That won't be necessary. I believe you. Keep your apologies.

[ He turns and regards the room. ]

I intend to free us of this place.

[ And he does not mean just their current cage. ]

[Haurchefant breathes out a small sigh of relief that this doesn't get any more physical than it needs to be. He's also glad that they're just not going to talk about anything. That's exactly what he wanted.

He adjusts his front where he was gripped most unnecessarily before he dares to speak out against this plan.]

I trust you mean freedom from more than this single room.

[Time is ticking but he'd rather use this hour to speak to his friend rather than hunt and solve riddles. Someone else will come to take his place should he presumably fail.]

You mean in general... You want to escape from this city, I presume. [He nods. Understandable but...] May I inquire as to why you wish to leave? Last I recall you and the Warrior of Light along with the infamous Lady Iceheart slew Nidhogg and ended the war. Considering your current station... this could be considered a well deserved vacation for your great deeds. Sure we came unwillingly but that does not mean it has to be an unpleasant experience.

.....

[ His head gradually turns. A weighty look, his eyes as dark and violent as storms, rest on Haurchefant's face. They don't sit well with him, those words. They cause a flutter of alarm and mistrust that he then has to wrangle and control.

His response is measured, tight. ] ...how can you recall such a thing? What do you know?

[ He faces the other man once again. ]

Last I recall I held the wyrm's eyes in my hands. I heard his vile voice, and then nothing.

Then I was here.

[ A theory is coalescing in his mind. He does not care for it. ]

[Oh... the Dragoon can glower at him and glare all he wants. Haurchefant does not cow to that stare anymore. He knows that Estinien's bark is far worse than his bite. Or... he believes that because Aymeric has assured him it's true.]

Do you not recall? [Haurchefant's brows furrow as he attempts to explain himself. Nidhogg was felled while he still lived. He recalls this most prominently. True, he did not have the opportunity to bask in post war celebrations but... he lived to the end of the war. He knows this.]

You, the Warrior of Light, and Lady Iceheart went to the land of Dragons and slew Nidhogg. It was whatever you learned there that sparked our Lord Commander into speaking with his father. Your armor was stained in the blood of the beast that you struck down. I recall it as if it was... yesterday.

[Because for him... it sort of was.]

But that is all I know... what happened after. Anything with the eyes. I know not. But I know Nidhogg is dead and that you and the Warrior of Light killed him. And I would think that that would be enough to encourage you to rest and not think too poorly of the present situation for mayhaps it is not so bad.

[ No, he does not care for this at all. ]

Nidhogg lives.

[ In that moment, Haurchefant will see what he usually keeps more tightly controlled: his impatience, his slow and churning anger. He turns away only so he can begin to pace, the confines of the room likened unto a cage to him. ]

Nidhogg lives. I held in my hands both of his eyes, the one I had long possessed and the one that had been long hidden, and in that moment I allowed my will to weaken.

I heard his voice in my mind, poisoning my thoughts, my soul. I felt a tearing, and a terrible heat, and then there was only blackness. [ His fists curl and he brings them to rest on the windowsill, his disgusted, furious glare reflected back at him. ]

For you, the war is over, but my foe remains. I can't remain here.

[All of this is nothing Haurchefant can really understand or grasp. But one thing is clear... Nidhogg is apparently still alive and that means the war is not yet finished. Dismaying as that may be there is a positive to all of this. For while the Dragoon is with him in a place quite separated from the world they know there is a champion that can surely deal with this matter most efficiently.]

I understand... but I see little reason to fear. While you may be here the Warrior of Light is still out there! Should Nidhogg return they will surely be felled again. Again and again just as they do with the primals that plague the rest of Eorzea.

Though I know that answer is not satisfying enough... so, as you are my friend I will do what I can to help you return to your task at hand. I am well aware of how important your mission is. [Would that he could join him but...] Have you any starting points on how to make this great escape? It seems our current company is from many different stars and few if any from Eorzea itself. It does feel like a far greater force is at work and how to best it... I know not.

[ Every inch of him wants to deny that, to say that he must return, that he must be there, that it must be him--

But like Haurchefant, albeit much more slowly, Estinien had come to trust them. He had come to rely on the Warrior of Light. Had it not been they to fell Thordan and his Knights? If Nidhogg was returned and his own self compromised, they yet remained, and thus far, no foe had stood against them.

It takes effort. Estinien's anger is not loosed easily.

But after a time, his shoulders relax. His stance changes. ]

...I think, for now, our goal should be small scale.

If we can escape this damnable room, we may speak at length, and gather ourselves as best we are able.

[Haurchefant brightens up at the Dragoon giving in to the prospect that the Warrior of Light will save the day without them if need be. Ishgard will be fine. It is in perfectly capable hands.

And he is honestly overjoyed that Estinien has as much faith in the Warrior of Light as he does. He didn't think that would ever be so... Aymeric had been sold but convincing this one? It seemed impossible. And yet... here they are.]

I couldn't agree more. Escaping from this particular room should be our priority. I don't know how long you've been in here but judging by the way you addressed me upon arrival that I am not your first partner.

Should I assume that the rule that I have to do exactly what you say still in effect?

This is fourth hour. [ Which might explain his testier-than-normal mood. ] There are facilities to use and food provided by a panel over there. [ He gestures. ] But I cannot leave without deciphering whatever this room wishes me to decipher.

[ So.

He straightens and turns around, now all business and relatively calm. ]

How exact is up to you. But there is a key somewhere in this room that only you can see and interact with.

If you can find it, I may enact the next step.

[A clue somewhere in this room. And Estinien is going on to his fourth hour... He's obviously not the easiest person to work with, of this there can be no doubt. There's been many an evening of small dinners and cocoa over paperwork with Aymeric that he's had where the question of how Estinien is doing is only meant with a somewhat exasperated sigh. The Dragoon does what he wants and as he likes. But there's something about that that the Lord Commander must find most endearing and perhaps Haurchefant can agree to some extent. Estinien is not like them. Not quite as bound to rules and responsibility and the duty of a High Houses. And Haurchefant, for his part, greatly envies and admires that. Though he cannot and would never speak for his friend surely Aymeric must feel the same to some degree. If not more so considering how close the two are.

This makes him no less than a nightmare to work with. That's to be certain.

Haurchefant finally takes proper stock of the room noting it's very interesting design. A dungeon... Very busy with lots of contraptions and cages. It will take more than an hour to search every inch of it. And this is a key that only he can see and interact with.

Maybe...]

Estinien, my friend, I had a thought but first allow me to ask you something. How familiar are you with the whole dominant and submissive dynamic?

[ Estinien is precisely in the middle of poking behind some curtains when Haurchefant speaks again. He slooooowly looks over his shoulder and his frown is...pronounced. But in an all new and interesting way, because only Estinien could possess so many different varieties of frowning. ]

...in this city, or in general?

[ He is still learning the city's rules, if his companion means it in that way, but otherwise...

Knights talk. Knights talk and joke and pull him into their conversations even when he does not care and he doesn't have time for that nonsense. But as any person with a reputation for being icy is wont to receive, his peers had made a point of layering their outlandish exploits upon him at the first opportunity. ]

I am familiar enough.

Why?

In this case both, actually. For I think in this particular situation they bleed together a bit.

[Haurchefant presses the tips of his fingers together all bright smiles. Is he getting some sort of enjoyment of possibly talking about this sort of thing with Estinien of all people. Maybe a little. (Maybe a lot.)]

Considering the connotations of the dynamic not just where we're from but here... mayhaps we should be thinking on those sort of terms. For example... look at this room. It may look like a torture chamber. But a sex dungeon and a torture chamber aren't really all the different at the end of the day. Aside from the cages I've tried to get a good portion of this at Camp Dragonhead.

[Don't tell Aymeric...]

And as most of these contraptions are something a Submissive would be confined to it would make sense to start there. And if you and the other Submissives have not yet come across a single clue yet I would reason that mayhaps the cages on high hold our answers. Nothing a Dominant would ever go into, correct?

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TDM #2

A waist of leeways~

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