TDM #22

[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 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. Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new and old arrivals. Winter is here and snow flurries are common in the Up while the slush collects in the Down.

» » » ALL ABOARD

---

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.

« « « WINTER WONDERLAND

---

As a particularly heavy snowstorm blows across the city, Duplicity finds itself blanketed in white. The morning after the storm, many citizens seem to be in a particularly mischievous mood and snowballs are a common sight flying through the air. A projectile meant for someone else may hit you square in the face if you're not careful — and then it's on. Joining these impromptu snow battles is encouraged, no matter a person's designation, and even Submissives teaming up to pelt unsuspecting Dominants with snowballs is generally taken in the spirit of good fun. Not everyone is throwing snow, of course — some are rolling much larger balls and shaping them into lewd snow figures. Those feeling chilled after playing in the snow may experience the urge to warm up with someone else, skin to skin. Whether they're a stranger or a familiar face, holding hands, kissing, or getting down and dirty with the nearest willing partner is invigorating. It might even be the only way to really feel warm again.

« « « DUBIOUS DELIVERIES

---

(cw: aphro, humiliation kink) Want to make some quick cash? After exiting the train in the Down, there seems to be a questionable character hanging about the station. Dressed in a trenchcoat and looking more like a flasher than the businessman he claims to be, this shady recruiter offers easy money in exchange for a simple delivery. Just take a package and drop it off at the address on the label. Really, that's it! Stop asking questions. Should characters decide to open the package themselves instead, they'll discover one of the following: glitter — so much glitter, lube (appears normal, but actually contains hot pepper and will cause more than a mild tingling sensation if used anywhere sensitive), a package of flavored condoms mysteriously labeled "every flavor" (none of them taste good), candy or perfume containing an aphrodisiac that, in addition to the usual libido-boosting effect, will also cause an intense craving for humiliation. It seems to be one of those services that allows one to send anonymous prank gifts, and they're hiding behind LIERs as couriers. There's no return address or company information on or inside the package, except for a card marked Encoded Sin Corp — which does not seem to be a real company if the name is searched. Whether characters end up delivering the package — maybe even to a fellow LIER — or get into some trouble along the way, someone is getting a nasty surprise.

« « « SURPRISES FOR SALE

---

(cw: aphro, dubcon, excessive fluids, exhibitionism, public use) A small winter market has been set up along one of the major streets in the Up with stalls selling a variety of goods ranging from knitted hats and scarves, soaps, scented lotions, candles, jewelry, artwork and assorted crafts to hand-dyed bondage rope and kinky leather accessories. Food and drink stands are plentiful as well. Strings of lights crisscross the street between the roofs of the shops, providing a cheerful glow, and there are tables set up in the street itself for people to sit and chat while having a snack — if they can stand the cold. Some of the most popular treats being sold are hot chocolate, eggnog, marshmallow snowmen, and sugar cookies decorated like snowflakes. Of course, their popularity may have something to do with the effects they produce when consumed. • The hot chocolate simply gets one all hot and bothered. • The eggnog may cause heavy production of sexual fluids, a desire to be filled or covered with someone else's cream, or all of the above. • The marshmallow snowmen will make those who eat them want to invite others to use them as they please, desiring nothing more than to be molded into the perfect fucktoy. • The sugar cookies seem to induce all sorts of different cravings — after all, no two snowflakes are alike! These effects tend to last at least an hour and may, in some cases, last up to a full day. One of the jewelry shops sells an unusual selection of compass pendants and bracelets. The compass arrows spin round and round lazily while the pieces are on display. Once worn, however, that changes. The arrow will settle on a direction, but instead of pointing north it will lead directly to another person. Perhaps you should speak to them? You may even begin to feel magnetically drawn to them yourself… In the event that two people have compasses that point them at each other, the attraction will be even stronger — nearly impossible to deny. There is another shop which sells intricately designed pocket watches and small clocks. When these timepieces are stared at for an extended length of time or picked up and handled, characters will feel a brief but strong connection to their past and experience a vivid flashback to some moment that was, in whatever way, meaningful for them. After reliving the memory, they will feel compelled to speak about it to whoever is nearby.

« « « 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 likes it hot, they are a Dominant. If your character prefers the cold, they are a Submissive. 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 fun!!

---

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

steve rogers / mcu ( submissive )

[abide]

« ALL ON DISPLAY ( ORIENTATION )

[ he should be prepared for anything.

that's really the only thought in his head as he sits in an uncomfortable chair feeling incredibly uncomfortable. the pamphlet he'd been given remains unread, expression as confused as he feels. arriving here hadn't been the most jarring shock of his life; in fact, some of it had been reminiscent of waking up after all those years on the ice, and he'd even taken a few minutes to run outside as if that would give him answers. what steve continued to get, unfortunately, was more questions. there had been a little specificity about the mark on his throat—an interesting adjustment considering his lack of tattoos or scars.

but that's not the point. the point is... is there one? steve looks up at the person instructing them on their next group activity, and while he would normally be encouraging such a thing, steve can't wrap his head around exactly what this place is and what it does. outside the obvious fact that everyone here isn't present of their own will. he frowns at the continued instruction and shakes his head. ]

They want us to do what while we're here?

[ because he obviously missed the whole part about sex. and potential sex with strangers. ]

« SURPRISES FOR SALE

[ no matter how hard he tries to hide the strange mark on his throat, people just seem to know.

he's made his way through the market, hands shoved into the pockets of the coat he'd been given and grateful it hasn't been too cold yet. not that it isn't something he couldn't adjust to; he's had to deal with much worse than this before too. but it's all the people gathered around the stalls that he's a little more interested in, doing what he can to try to squeeze in where he's able so he can take a look at some of the things for sale. there's a knit hat he likes, but the vendor seems adamant about not selling it to him. something about submissives needing a dominant or the proper paperwork. (steve isn't sure if that's meant to be rude or just a fact about a place he's trying to adjust to.)

with that in mind, he navigates a little further down and stands aimlessly near one of the other stalls selling hot drinks and treats, pausing for a second before making an attempt to get someone's attention. perhaps it's a little endearing with the slight smile and the somewhat cool flush to his face from the temperature? he just wants to be polite about it since there seem to be a lot of other things preoccupying the people in this city. ] 

Hi. [ a pause. ] Sorry, but I could use your help with something.
 
[ but he's going to wait to elaborate on exactly what that is until someone actually seems interested. ]

« NETWORK ( un: rogers )

New arrival here. Sort of.
I have a few questions. Well, make that more than a few.

Anyone know where I can get better info than what's given out at the orientation?
I haven't read anything too helpful. More seems to be missing anyway.
If you know anything or just want to fill me in, reach me here.
Or we can arrange to meet in person. Your call.

Thanks.

« WILDCARD

[ open to other prompts as well if anyone's interested! just drop me a message and i'll write something up. canon point is (probably) somewhere at the beginning of endgame, but i'm still working out the details/am very flexible! pm with other questions, etc! will also match style. NOTE: please feel free to also assume steve vaguely remembers some things about this city to skip over the newbie stuff (since it's sort of a re-app situation) or idk let's get wild! ]

Surprises for Sale

[sidecars]

Yeah? What can I do for ya, pal?

[ Frankly, Buck can't imagine there's much he can help this blond stud with. But, hey, he's willing to listen. Never hurts to start accruing favors from strangers. It's just like the officers at Lehigh city jail always says: opportunity, opportunity, opportunity. So what if they're talking about burglars and drunks. ]

[abide]

[ steve gives the other a slight look, but only because it's been a really long time since someone's called him that. a few years at least, which reminds him exactly what kind of mess he'd left back home. it's not something he wants to think about so he turns slightly to direct his attention back in the direction of the stalls he'd just left. ]

Think you could buy a hat for me?

[ and as if to explain, he tugs at the collar of his shirt just enough to flash that submissive mark. ]

[sidecars]

Ohh that's a kick in the pants. [ He offers a wince of sympathy, but he's in motion a moment later, tapping the man on his forearm as he walks past him to the stall. ]

Show me which hat you're gettin'. I can't let you make a bad choice on my money, you know.

« ALL ON DISPLAY

[byebyebikinis]

[ what natasha's most unclear on is why she has to attend orientation more than once. apparently, it's compulsory for every member of the program, no matter how long they've been in the city and, given she hasn't been here long, she gets the honor of attending over and over again. she doesn't need instructions on sex (or how to have it), and she already has the pamphlet. what she's not expecting to see is steve rogers planted in the seat in front of her. well, in front of and over one.

she waits until there's a lull in the program and, leaning forward, speaks close to his ear. there's no need to embarrass him or make her words for the whole group. ]

Come on, Rogers. It's only been, what, seventy-five years?

[abide]

[ he's a little distracted. obviously. very obviously. since he's staring between the pamphlet and whatever else is being said around him. for a second, he doesn't seem to miss the familiar voice in his ear. the quip is right on the tip of his tongue considering; he and natasha had gotten close over the years, shared between their attempt at continuing on for the sake of all the people they'd lost. ]

It hasn't been that long. [ then comes the pause. the surprise. ] ... Nat?

[ steve turns in his seat, angling a little awkwardly to get a glimpse of her. like he thinks she's just something he thought up because he really wants something familiar and close to home right now. ]

[byebyebikinis]

Steve.

[ the wry smile on her face at seeing steve there in the city with her and the rest of the poor idiots that have been secreted away to the weird sex dystopia only gives away half of what she's feeling. it's a certain kind of relief at everything that she's been going through won't be just her (and clint and peter and strange--), but also, it feels wrong that it's steve. he's different. ]

Not quite what you were expecting when you woke up this morning, huh?

text: un: dax

[old_man]

Best way to usually go about it may well be to pose those questions directly to the network.

[abide]

Did I not do that?

[ had he random texted a number? ]

Sorry. Still getting used to things around here.
Am I bothering you?

[old_man]

Was your only question then where to get better information?

► surprises for sale

[cairhien]

I don't know how well I can help.

( moiraine's new to the city herself, struggling to find her way around. though it isn't simply not knowing the city but knowing anything. the buildings are far different than what she knows, the way the people are-- it leaves her feeling more lost than simple misdirection could )

But I'll try.

[abide]

[ it's an attempt to make new friends, acquaintances, allies. steve needs that in a place he doesn't know, but more than that, he needs someone who might be able to help him with the basics first. his initial instinct to fight against whatever system is in place is still there, however. he's just making an attempt to play by the rules first, see what's what.

he offers the woman a relieved sort of look. ]

Have you checked out the stalls? They're not selling to anyone with that mark if they're alone.

[cairhien]

( she offers him a smile, one that's a genuine over sympathetic. moiraine's seen the marks, seen his, lacks one herself and though she knows what it is supposed to mean she hasn't yet worked it all out for herself yet. why the difference means something )

I've passed them but not yet looked closely. Would you like to?

( she'll happily accompany him, maybe even properly look herself if they do )

• surprises for sale

[shieldingfoundation]

( Steve's in luck, because someone is very much interested in helping him out. only it isn't the Dominant his question had been directed at. no, whoever they are blatantly ignores Steve. skirting around him as if he isn't there, and moving on to the next stall without so much as sparing a glance his way.

standing behind him, bundled in a red wool coat and matching hat and steeling herself before she makes her presence known, is the interested party. )

You'll get used to it. The locals don't much care for us. Particularly those of us marked lesser. ( she starts, hoping to grab his attention. )

[abide]

[ it's not the rebuff that gets to him. it's that voice.

of course it's that voice.

steve feels his fingers curling into his palm, a thread of hope interlocking with all of the loss he's been carrying for years since the snap. it's difficult to focus on anything else, swallows the homesickness and the way his heart is suddenly in his throat like it's made a new home there. he can't seem to think much of anything as he slowly turns around, tries to remember how many times he'd watched documentaries just to see her interviews. what the world had felt like when she'd passed from it. he looks at her now, brilliant in the backdrop in that red coat and almost goes to her. he wants to, more than anything, but he's also stunned into holding his ground. ]

Peggy. [ not a question because (somehow) he knows. a few people jostle him as he stands there, and without thinking, steve moves closer to her. ] You're here.

surprises for sale.

[betterworld]

[ Wanda had gotten a little too used to having a Dominant, as she's now faced once more with the harsh realities of life as an uncontracted Submissive. But she's dealt with it before and, honestly, in the wake of losing her brother again, it matters very little. It's not like she needs much to survive, anyway, and what she can't manage to get, Clint can find a way to snag if really necessary — or she can rely on Dominants she knows in the city.

The difficulties shopping aren't a forefront consideration for her today, however; she's mainly looking to fill her time with something, try and fight off the numbness and anger that's been all too present for a couple of months now. (Easier said than done.) She's wandering aimlessly, taking her time, although nothing much catches her interest.

Until a familiar presence hits her, surprising her enough to jar her out of whatever thoughts she'd been lost in. As she scans the nearby crowd for him, Wanda hears Steve's voice behind her, causing her to turn on her heel in time to watch whomever he'd been addressing blatantly ignore him — a good indication about his destination, as Steve Rogers is someone that's difficult to look past. ]

They will continue to ignore you no matter how long you stand there.

[abide]

[ It's her voice that strikes him through the thrum of the crowd, familiar but in a way that older memories are. How long had it been since he'd seen her? Talked to her? Wakanda feels like a lifetime ago, but lifting his head to see her standing there is a fresh reminder of exactly what had happened and how he'd failed. It makes it difficult to face her openly, aware of the apology stuck on the tip of his tongue waiting to fall free. But now isn't the time for that, he thinks. Not in this place—one he knows that can bring people from any point in time or from anywhere.

Perhaps it's best, for now, to try to pretend that this one thing is normal. ]

I've started to notice that. [ And that's as far as he gets because he just can't help himself. ] It's good to see you, Wanda. How are you doing?

[ Which, of course, he means genuinely. However she wants to answer or whether she wants to answer at all. He thinks it might be better if they talked somewhere warmer than outside in the middle of a bunch of people, but for now, he's just grateful that, despite the circumstances, those he cares about are starting to show up throughout the city. ]

un: sid vicious

[cholesterol]

City officials answer anything relevant to them, but other than orientation, asking on here's your best bet.

[abide]

Is there anything you think I should know then?
Places or people to avoid?

[ which he won't actually do, but. ]

text; un: sharkattack

[requiemshark]

what're you looking to know? specifically

[abide]

Has anyone found a way out?

surprises for sale

[belonged]

[ there's hardly a moment that goes by in this city where Lena's able to forget how much she despises this miserable system. she'd been hoping to purchase a drink when she notices a man in front of her (friendly, polite, with a smile that briefly reminds her of Kara) get ignored repeatedly by the same vendor.

after a moment she steps up - beside him, not in front of him, she's not trying to get in his way. but her frustration is evident in the way she clears her throat and loudly calls for the attention of the seller.] Excuse me, we're ready to order.

[ she nods towards the man, an apologetic look in her eyes. as much as she hates going along with all of this, she hates doing nothing even more.] What would you like?

[abide]

[ considering the amounts of times he's been ignored, it's almost unexpected that someone else takes the initiative. steve tries not to act as surprised as he feels, relaxing a little as he slips his hands into the pockets of a jacket that's unfortunately a bit too tight at the shoulder. this kindness is something he's going to have to repay, but for now, he makes an attempt to settle on getting to know more people and what this place is like. ]

I'll have whatever you're having. [ a non-answer, but he doesn't want to draw too much attention to them. after a moment of consideration however: ] Anything warm?

[ the cold isn't terrible yet. it doesn't affect him a great deal, but it's still harsh and unexpected given what he'd left behind showing up here. doesn't mean he needs to be though, offering her a smile of thanks. ]

surprises

[the_real_mccoy]

[McCoy looked up, not much of him visible aside from his eyes and a few wisps of dark hair on his forehead. He stared at the man for a long moment, unable to understand how anyone could be warm in so few layers. Eventually, he managed a response, although it was fairly muffled by the two scarves he was wearing.]


Whatcha need? Another coat? 'Cause I can get ya another coat for sure. You must be freezin!

omg hi ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[abide]

[ Steve turns slightly to look over his shoulder at the person talking to him. Or he thinks they're talking to him? It's muffled but clear enough, which prompts a bit of a smile from him before he shakes his head in response. ]

I'm good. I've known colder, [ he adds, like that explains everything. It really doesn't. ] I was looking at the hats though.